Patent ID: 7343719

Claim:
An automated system for dispensing, frying and storing cooked food comprising: an automated dispensing device contained in a first housing, capable of dispensing a desired quantity portion of food to be cooked; an automated fry device contained in a second housing, separate from the first housing and located proximate the dispensing device to directly receive and fry the portion of food dispensed from the dispensing device, and to produce and dispense a quantity of fried food, the fry device further comprising a fry wheel; a drive mechanism for rotating the fry wheel; a food receiving device contained in a third housing, separate from the first and second housings and located proximate the fry device to directly receive and store the cooked food received from the fry device; and a control system for causing the drive mechanism to periodically rotate the fry wheel back and forth through a relatively small amount of angular rotation to simulate shaking of a fry basket.