Patent ID: 7044177

Claim:
A food processing apparatus comprising: (A) a support surface that is adapted to support at least one food item; (B) an automated injection assembly that is configured for injecting said at least one food item with condiment while said at least one food item is being supported by said support surface, wherein said automated injection assembly: (1) comprises at least one injection nozzle, and (2) is adapted to move said at least one injection nozzle relative to said support surface; and (C) a food item scanning system disposed adjacent said support surface, said food item scanning system being adapted to determine position data for said at least one food item, said position data corresponding to a position of said at least one food item, wherein: said automated injection assembly is adapted for: moving said at least one injection nozzle to a pre-injection position in which said at least one injection nozzle is disposed adjacent said at least one food item, said pre-injection position being determined based, at least in part, on said position data; and after said step of moving said at least one injection nozzle into said pre-injection position, injecting condiment into said at least one food item via said at least one injection nozzle.