Method and apparatus for folding cooked eggs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for making egg patties which have been cooked, folded, frozen and which may be reheated to provide an egg patty which resembles an egg patty made from fresh eggs. The invention includes an egg folding apparatus, a method for folding cooked liquid whole egg and a system for cooking and folding a cooked egg composition. The egg folding apparatus includes an endless linear array of egg cooking pans movable as an endless conveyor. One side of the pans has a ramp which extends downward to the bottom pan. A plurality of spatulas are disposed above the pans in an array above the pans. The spatulas are rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the linear array of pans, the pans movable upwardly away from the pans and downwardly toward the pans. As the pans move toward the spatulas, the spatulas move downwardly onto the ramp of the pan, move under the coagulated egg composition and rotate such that they fold cooked eggs in the pans onto themselves as the pans move past the spatulas. The invention also relates to a method of packaging, freezing and thawing packaged frozen folded egg patties.

1 . An egg folding apparatus comprising:
 an endless linear array of egg cooking pans, the pans having at least three side walls, a bottom and a ramp which extends downward to the bottom, the array of pans movable as an endless conveyor; and   a plurality of spatulas in an array above the pans, the spatulas rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the linear array of pans, the spatulas movable upwardly away from the pans and downwardly toward the pans,   the spatulas being held at an angle that is about the angle of the downwardly extending ramp at a point of engagement of the spatula with the ramp, and   the pans movable toward the spatulas which are downwardly extending toward the pans, the spatulas rotatable to fold cooked eggs in the pan as the pans move past the spatulas.   
     
     
         2 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 1  where the angle of the ramp is from 1° to 40°. 
     
     
         3 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 1  where the angle of the ramp is from 10° to 18°. 
     
     
         4 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the spatulas are rotatable to an angle of 120° from the horizontal to fold the cooked egg in the pan. 
     
     
         5 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the spatulas include ridges on a spatulas surface which will hold the eggs without frictionally engaging and holding the eggs on the surfaces of the spatulas, the spatulas further including at least one hole which will be effective in avoiding formation of a vacuum which will hold the eggs on the surface of the spatulas. 
     
     
         6 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein the spatulas include ridges on a spatulas surface which will hold the eggs without frictionally engaging and holding the eggs on the surfaces of the spatulas, the spatulas further including at least one hole which will be effective in avoiding formation of a vacuum which will hold the eggs on the surface of the spatulas. 
     
     
         7 . The egg folding apparatus as recited in  claim 2  wherein the apparatus includes a servo motor which moves the spatulas up and down. 
     
     
         8 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An egg folding apparatus comprising:
 an endless linear array of egg cooking pans, the pans having at least four side walls and a bottom, the array of pans movable as an endless conveyor; and   a plurality of spatulas in an array above the pans, the spatulas rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the linear array of pans, the spatulas movable upwardly away from the pans and downwardly toward the pans,   the spatulas being held at an angle that is about the angle of the downwardly extending at a point of engagement of the spatula pan, and   the pans movable toward the spatulas which are downwardly extending toward the pans, the spatulas rotatable to fold cooked eggs in the pan as the pans move past the spatulas.   
     
     
         20 .- 29 . (canceled)