Patents Examined by Hemant Mathew
  • Patent number: 9545172
    Abstract: A roller grill includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubular heating surfaces mounted between a first end of the housing structure and a second end of the housing structure; a first side housing coupled to the first end of the housing structure; a second side housing coupled to the second end of the housing structure, at least one of the first side housing or the second housing including a pressurized plenum maintainable at a plenum air pressure that is greater than a tubular air pressure of an inner volume of the plurality of tubular heating surfaces; and a drive assembly at least partially enclosed in the first side housing or the second side housing, the drive assembly configured to rotatably drive the plurality of tubular heating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Raymond E. Davis
  • Patent number: 9542151
    Abstract: A method for interactive programming of a beverage brewing apparatus is presented. The method includes activating a beverage brewing apparatus; initiating a beverage brewing process within a microprocessor installed within the beverage brewing apparatus when commanded by a user; recording user responses to setup instructions presented as audible, vocal instructions from a speech circuit the verbal speech element associated with the beverage brewing apparatus; and brewing a selected beverage in accordance with the recorded user responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Klaus D. Hoog, Eric Hoog, Rodney Queen
  • Patent number: 9526367
    Abstract: Provided is a utensil for cooking food under pressure including: a vessel and a lid; at least one locking member mounted to move on the lid between a locking position and an unlocking position; a control device for controlling the movement of the locking member, including an operating member suitable for being actuated by a user in such a manner as to cause the locking member to move; wherein the locking member is mounted on the lid in such a manner as to be urged by positioning resilient return means towards its locking position; and the operating member is mounted to be drivingly linked to the locking member in a manner such that the action by the user on the operating member causes the locking member to move towards its unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Jean Marie Anota, Eric Chameroy, Herve Eugene Rene Blanc
  • Patent number: 9510704
    Abstract: A garlic clove peeler comprising a housing formed with a clove receiving compartment and with a friction wall and a balloon-like complimentary peeling element made of resilient material and having a shaft that has a rotational axis and that removably connects to the housing. The peeling element being formed with a peeler surface extending adjacent the friction wall and resiliently biased in a direction facing the friction wall wherein the friction wall and the peeler surface are concentric with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TICHKUM DISTRIBUTION OF ADVANCED CONSUMER PRODUCTS
    Inventors: Simon Haimoff, Ofer Haimov
  • Patent number: 9504350
    Abstract: A brewing device for a coffee machine, comprising a filter retainer (3), which holds a retention filter (6) for ground coffee beans and which is designed in particular as a filter carrier, a brewing cylinder (4), which can be moved relative to the filter retainer (3) between a loading position for ground coffee beans and a brewing position and which bounds a brewing chamber (13) together with the retention filter (6) of the filter retainer (3) in the brewing position, which brewing chamber has an inlet for pressurized brewing water, wherein a brewing chamber bottom can be moved within the brewing cylinder and the brewing cylinder can be moved into the loading position relative to a scraper in a movement step in order to scrape a cake of used grounds from the brewing chamber, and a cleaning element (7) for removing used coffee grounds adhering to the retention filter (6) after a brewing process during a cleaning motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Eugster/Frismag AG
    Inventor: Christian Brendle
  • Patent number: 9486008
    Abstract: A system for trimming a lettuce head using a digital imaging system and cutting mechanism. The lettuce head is conveyed between a lower feed conveyor and an upper feed conveyor that is disposed a fixed distance over and substantially aligned with a lower feed conveyor. The digital imaging system is configured to capture an image of the lettuce head and determine a cutting profile using the image. The cutting mechanism is disposed over the lower feed conveyor and includes: a servo motor mechanically coupled to a drive shaft; an armature with a pivot end mounted to the drive shaft and a sweep end disposed a radial distance from the pivot end; a cutting nozzle, mounted to the sweep end of the armature, configured to trim the lettuce head; and servo-control circuitry configured to articulate the cutting nozzle through a cutting arc based on the cutting profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Rosser W. Pryor, Roland C. Myers, Jr., Stephan C. Robinson, Roger D. Billingsley, Stephen Chris Jens, Frank E. Davis, Robert Ragon
  • Patent number: 9474402
    Abstract: A juicer having a body, a container, and an upper cover; a propelling screw, a cutting tool, a mesh filter and a rotary brush are arranged in the container. Between the container and the body, output connectors are arranged including a high speed output connector and a low speed output connector, on the high speed output connector a high speed output shaft is arranged; on the low speed output connector a low speed output shaft is arranged. The cutting tool is connected with the high-speed output connector through the high speed output shaft, and the propelling screw is connected with the low speed output connector through the low speed output shaft. The cutting tool is connected with the high-speed output connector through the high speed output shaft, and the propelling screw is connected with the low speed output connector through the low speed output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Shu Sang Cheung, Xianliang Ouyang, Gangzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 9468334
    Abstract: A grill pan, more particularly, a pan with ribs of grill and grill having the same, has a cambered plane for cooking with gradually decreasing height structure, wherein at least two abreast arranged are ribs saliently disposed, and the distance between two adjacent ribs is less than or equal to twofold of the breadth of each rib. The ribs prevent food from falling on the cooking plane of pan as it becomes floppy when cooking, so that the elimination of grease and the effect of cooking won't be affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TSAN KUEN (ZHANGZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ta Chi Liu, Lifeng Xie
  • Patent number: 9451789
    Abstract: A food coating apparatus includes a drum assembly with an input end for receiving coating material and food product, a hollow body for mixing the coating material and the food product to form coated food product and used coating material, and an output end for allowing coated food product and used coating material to exit the drum assembly. A basket is arranged adjacent to the output end of the drum assembly to retain the coated food product and pass the used coating material that exit the drum assembly. A funnel pan collects and funnels the used coating material passed by the basket into a sifter which separates the used coating material into refuse and reusable coating material. A reclamation receptacle receives the reusable coating material from the sifter and is removable from the food coating apparatus to enable pouring the reusable coating material from the receptacle into the drum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AyrKing
    Inventors: Chad Harned, James Bell, Donald King
  • Patent number: 9446477
    Abstract: A bonding head 6 is provided with a tool base 8 in a housing 6A and a laser for transmitting laser beam L is configured such that the laser beam L transmitted through this tool base 8 can heat an electronic component 3 and bond the same to a substrate 2. A surface of a heat-radiating member 15 is provided in contact with a surface of the tool base 8 on which the laser beam L impinges. This heat-radiating member 15 has a light transmittance for transmitting the laser beam L and also has a thermal conductivity higher than the thermal conductivity of the tool base 8. The tool base 8 is heated during bonding treatment, but heat transmitted to the tool base 8 rapidly escapes to the heat-radiating member 15 having a higher thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SHIBUYA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Hiroyuki Yasuyoshi
  • Patent number: 9445626
    Abstract: Citrus juice machine with a fruit feed chute, fruit cutting and squeezing means and a peel collection tray. The cutting and squeezing means have a fruit reception cup, located below the fruit feed chute; devices to initiate the rotation of the cup between a vertical fruit reception position and an inverted position; a horizontal tilting blade facing the rotating trajectory of the cup to cut the fruit in an upper and lower half; a retaining stop for the upper half of the fruit; a ramp to support the lower half of the fruit during the rotation of the cup from its vertical position to an inverted position; a squeezing ball located below the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ZUMMO INNOVACIONES MECANICAS, S.A.
    Inventors: Eugenio Contell Albert, Jorge Martinez Roca
  • Patent number: 9445460
    Abstract: A variable width transverse flux electric inductor has a fixed powered coil section and associated box-like moveable passive coil sections that electromagnetically couple with magnetic flux generated by current flowing through the fixed powered section. The passive coil sections can be transversely moved across the workpiece to accommodate induction heating of workpieces having different widths or track movement of the workpiece. Alternatively the fixed powered coil section and associated moveable coil sections may be connected to each other through flexible connections, sliding contacts or other means, such as clamps, so that an electrical connection can be maintained between both in any relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: INDUCTOTHERM CORP.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 9422104
    Abstract: A cartridge (10) for preparing a liquid product, for example a beverage such as coffee by introducing liquid and/or steam into the cartridge (10) contains a dose (12) of at least one substance, such as for example powdered coffee, which is able to form the aforesaid product using said liquid and/or steam. The dose is enclosed between foils (14, 16) that can be traversed by the aforesaid liquid and/or steam, said foils (14, 16) being connected together around the dose (12). The aforesaid foils (14, 16) are made of compostable material, i.e., a material that can be recovered by composting and biodegradation, and are connected together around the dose (12) using a connecting material (30), which is also compostable. The cartridge as a whole can hence be recovered by composting and biodegradation, in compliance with the European Norm UNI EN 13432:2002 and/or subsequent modifications and integrations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: LUIGI LAVAZZA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Vanni, Alberto Cabilli
  • Patent number: 9420800
    Abstract: An oven appliance includes a baking stone positioned within a housing at a bottom portion of a cooking chamber. A controller is in operative communication with an upper heating element array, a lower heating element array, a pair of upper temperature sensors and a pair lower temperature sensors. The controller is configured for independently operating each of a first zone of the upper heating element array, a second zone of the upper heating element array, a first zone of the lower heating element array and a second zone of the lower heating element array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bernard Froelicher, Christopher James Adelmann
  • Patent number: 9420640
    Abstract: An electrical heating device including a heating resistor including a contacting device connecting the heating resistor to a current source. The contacting device includes a main electrode and a plurality of branch electrodes. The main electrode distributes current from the current source to a plurality of branch electrodes. The heating resistor includes one or more fire retardant recesses. The heating device includes one or more tire propagation blocker strips extending transversely to at least one of the plurality of branch electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: William (Wei) Li, Sherry (Li) Chen, Luffy (Fei) Liu, Jonathan (Yu) Zhang
  • Patent number: 9408489
    Abstract: The removable infusion unit to produce hot beverages, in particular coffee, comprises a supporting structure (3, 5) mechanically connected to an infusion chamber comprising a first portion and a second portion, moving with respect to each other, and a mechanism for opening and closing said infusion chamber. The supporting structure and the opening and closing mechanism of the infusion chamber are made of materials that do not require external lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Fabio Trio
  • Patent number: 9396605
    Abstract: The vending machine includes a housing with an openable wall. In the housing, devices for the preparation of at least one beverage are arranged. At least some of the devices are supported by a supporting structure, which is pivotally arranged in the housing. Access to the devices through the openable wall is facilitated by pivoting the supporting structure around a pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Marco Righetti
  • Patent number: 9398641
    Abstract: An electrical heating device for a motor vehicle includes a frame that has openings formed on oppositely situated sides for the passage of a medium to be heated, a layer structure, arranged in the frame, and a connecting housing. The layer structure comprises layers of corrugated-rib elements and heat generating elements, and each heat generating element has at least one PTC element arranged between parallel contact plates. At least one power dissipation generating power switch is provided in the connecting housing. A heat sink lies exposed on the outside of the connecting housing. Improved and adequate cooling of the electrical heating device having the power switch is created as a result of the insertion of the heat sink into the connecting housing in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Christian Morgen
  • Patent number: 9386880
    Abstract: A waffle maker has upper and lower baking plates each of which is powered with at lease one heating element for baking waffle. A power control unit responds to a temperature sensing unit to control power applied to the heaters and to maintain the heating plates both before and after each baking cycle at a manually pre-selected temperature. A manually adjustable timer controls the duration of the baking cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel D. Friel, Sr., Daniel E. Friel, Jr., H. William Busch, Jr., James Fitzgerald, Terry Hall
  • Patent number: 9392648
    Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus, comprises the steps of a) transforming a supply current (Iin) having a base frequency, for example 50 Hz or 60 Hz, into an induction current (Iw) having a higher frequency than the base frequency of the supply current, b) feeding the induction current into at least one inductor of the induction heating cooking apparatus to generate a magnetic induction field, c) detecting a deviation or distortion of the actual shape or frequency spectrum of the supply current or a rectified supply current from a predetermined admissible shape or frequency spectrum lying outside of a pre-given tolerance range, d) adapting the induction current or the electrical power associated with the induction current until the detected deviation or distortion of the actual shape or frequency spectrum of the supply current or a rectified supply current from the predetermined shape or frequency spectrum lies within the pre-given tolerance range again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Laurent Jeanneteau, Svend Erik Christiansen, Alex Viroli, Massimo Zangoli, Thibaut Rigolle, Mario Barocci