Patents Examined by Reginald Alexander
  • Patent number: 11968989
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated station for salting meat pieces in a predetermined manner, enabling a method for salting poultry meat pieces to be automated, thus increasing productivity and thereby improving safety conditions. The station comprises motorised supply means for supplying meat pieces (P) in a forward direction, handling means for handling meat pieces in order to handle the meat piece coming from the supply means, salt supply means configured to provide salt on an inner and outer area of the meat piece (P), as well as a retrieval system for retrieving salt coming from the salt supply means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Diseño y Construccion De Maquinaria Automatizada, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Antonio Tobias Granado
  • Patent number: 11968953
    Abstract: An apparatus for fusing curd and a method for fusing curd. The curd is fused in the apparatus, which is configured to form a curd stack in a container that has a temperature comprised within a temperature range that favors acidification of the cheese curd in the curd stack. The formation of the curd stack compresses the cheese curd in the curd stack, which causes the curd stack to express whey as the acidification of the curd takes place and as the syneresis process takes place. The curd stack is subjected to a vacuum, which assists in the removal of air from the curd stack. The curd stack has a continuous casein matrix, which allows for a cheese block obtained from the curd stack to be milled into cheese curds, which have substantially similar dimensions and very few fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Michel Doré
  • Patent number: 11963543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heated air popcorn popper which provides a heating base assembly and popping pitcher having an interior popping volume which is detachable from the base assembly for introduction of popcorn kernels. The base assembly providing heated air to the popping pitcher causing unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher lifting handle such that the popping pitcher can be lifted away from the heating base assembly to permit any remaining unpopped or popped kernels to be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R Berge
  • Patent number: 11957263
    Abstract: A juicer includes a housing being open to top and including an annular first flange on a top and at least one lower juice spout on a peripheral surface, and a support on a bottom; a filtering mechanism in the housing and including longitudinal ridges on an inner surface, screens each disposed between two adjacent ones of the ridges, annular second flanges on an outer surface, a first rim extending downward from the lowest second flange, and at least one port through the first rim; a rotating mechanism in the filtering mechanism and including an annular element on a bottom edge, a helical screw blade on an outer surface, and an electric motor for rotating the screw blade; and a feed chute on the housing and including an annular member on a bottom edge and a second rim extending downward from the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aislow Electric (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xu Zhang, Enshi Zhu
  • Patent number: 11950727
    Abstract: The invention involves an electrical corn-on-the-cob roaster including a repository with a cavity having a structure that generally forms a plurality of cylindrical tubes for receiving a plurality of cobs of corn. In exemplary embodiments, a corn roaster assembly includes a cover concealing a heating element, a repository including a cavity defined by the heating element, and a removable cage forming a plurality of cylindrical receptacles, each of the plurality of cylindrical receptacles configured to receive a cob of corn. To improve heating or roasting the cob of corn a polygonal, circular, or semi-circular configuration of heating panels may be dispose about a heating chamber so as to maximize heat for roasting the corn but minimizing heat on the casing or cover surrounding the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Farshid Partiyeli
  • Patent number: 11950613
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a camera, a motion sensor, a receiving section, gas tanks, a screen, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to control the camera to take electronic images, determine a type of food placed in a particular container, determine an amount of gas and a type of gas to fill the particular container, generate an electronic message to request placement of the particular container onto the receiving section, and inject gas into the particular container when the particular container is placed onto the receiving section. The injected gas is used to preserve food inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Andrew David Jenkins
  • Patent number: 11950614
    Abstract: A food material powder supply device 1 of the disclosure includes a supply tank 50 that temporarily stores food material powder in a tank 50A and supplies the food material powder to a processing container 2A of a food processing machine 2, a vacuum device 70 that reduces the pressure inside the supply tank 50 with vacuum pumps 71A and 71B, and a control device 3 that operates the vacuum device 70 to reduce the internal pressure of the supply tank 50 to be equal to or lower than a predetermined atmospheric pressure at which moisture of the food material powder is evaporated and cools the food material powder in the supply tank 50. A stirring member 54 which is driven to rotate during the cooling of the food material powder is arranged inside the tank 50A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SODICK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Katsumata, Takeshi Okiyama, Yasuhisa Ogata
  • Patent number: 11944230
    Abstract: System for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, the system comprising an exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) having a cup-shaped body (6A, 6B) and a lid (12A, 12B) and comprising an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a first brew chamber part (18) having a cavity for holding the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B) and a second brew chamber part (20) for closing the first brew chamber part (18) to form a brew chamber (16). The second brew chamber part (20) has a sealing member (36, 37) for providing a liquid sealing engagement between the second brew chamber part (20) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the exchangeable capsule (4A, 4B). The sealing member (36, 37) comprises an air purge groove (40) forming an air purge opening between the sealing member (36, 37) and the lid (12A, 12B) of the capsule for allowing air in the brew chamber (16) to escape to an exterior of the apparatus while pressurised liquid is supplied into the brewing chamber (16) for preparing the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Joeke Noordhuis, Andrea Favero, Judith Margreet Hanneke Ogink, Johan Van Toor, Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Jarno Beekman
  • Patent number: 11944108
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a food ingredients container and a tool. The food ingredients container is configured to receive one or more food ingredients. The tool is configured to blend and/or chop the one or more food ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: VORWERK & CO. INTERHOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Svenja Stolze, Christiane Stach, Stefan Kraut-Reinkober
  • Patent number: 11930957
    Abstract: Pie crust protector or pie shield for protecting the outer edge of a pie crust during baking is disclosed. The pie crust protector includes an annular section with a first flange segment and a second flange segment, each of which encompasses first grooves and first cut sections. The first grooves and the first cut sections allow each of the first flange segment and the second flange segment to easily flex and receive a pie and/or a pie pan. The pie crust protector includes a C-cross member segmented on the top and bottom sides. The annular section encloses the outer edge of the pie on three sides and the C-cross member encloses the remaining portion of the pie. The pie crust protector protects the outer edge of the pie during long bake times in standard or convection ovens, regardless of the location of a heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Thornton, Jo Thornton
  • Patent number: 11925294
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern. The spreader bar is coupled to the upper surface of the electric heating coil and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Caudill, Mark Gogel
  • Patent number: 11925289
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus for implementing the method, for adjusting a dispensing temperature of a hot beverage by an automatic beverage maker. The temperature of the hot beverage and/or the water supplied to a brewing unit for producing the hot beverage is measured. The measured temperature is compared with a desired value and the temperature of the hot beverage is adjusted to the desired value by cooling. The hot beverage or the water supplied to the brewing unit for producing the hot beverage is cooled directly via a machine-controlled addition of cold water. The temperature is adapted to the desired value by an amount of cold water supplied by the machine-controlled addition of cold water. The temperature is adapted by a controllable metering valve that meters the amount of added cold water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MELITTA PROFESSIONAL COFFEE SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Buchholz, Thomas Diester
  • Patent number: 11925299
    Abstract: A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Hansen, John Eisenbrandt, Joseph A. Ebert, Scott A. Lindee, E. William Wight, Thomas C. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 11918136
    Abstract: A jug for a juicer has sealing features so that its contents may be isolated from the environment when it is not being filled or when used for pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Thomas, Samuel Adeloju, Richard Hoare, Stephen John McClean
  • Patent number: 11910957
    Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11903528
    Abstract: A grease absorbing utensil includes a pad that includes a set of layers and a handle coupled to the pad. Each layer is made from at least one flexible material that is lipophilic and biodegradable. The handle is lipophilic and biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KAROGEN LLC
    Inventors: Kathy E. Goodman, Robert Sunstone
  • Patent number: 11903517
    Abstract: A coffee machine, including a grinder configured to grind coffee beans, and a coffee machine made to remove waste, such as chaff, from a separation area, where the waste such as chaff is separated from ground beans. The coffee machine includes a first grinder configured to grind the coffee beans by grinding, a separation area where the waste is separated from the ground beans ground by the first grinder. And, the waste from the separation area is cleaned by wind pressure while the first grinder is in a stop state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DAITO GIKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Junya Tsuchida, Takayuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11903513
    Abstract: A portable coffee machine includes a housing, a drainage module, an extraction module, and a controller, wherein the drainage module includes a water storing cup, a water pump, a conduit, and a drainage assembly, wherein the water storing cup is connected to the housing and is located at a top of the housing, the extraction module is detachably connected to the drainage module, the extraction module includes a transferring cup and an extraction container, the transferring cup is detachably connected to the extraction container, wherein the controller controls the water pump to pump the water in the water storing cup through the conduit and the drainage assembly into the extraction module for making coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: UUOOSS LTD
    Inventor: Sandy Sa
  • Patent number: 11904476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cookware handling in varied environments including that in robotic systems, production lines, automated cooking and ingredient collection systems, washing and sanitizing manual or automated systems. The method involves use of electromagnetic force to generate friction that translate into gripping force for the cookware or likewise. The electromagnetic force may be generated by degaussing electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: David Ben David
  • Patent number: 11903519
    Abstract: A method for recognising a capsule in an apparatus that uses capsules for making beverages, comprising the steps of: acquiring an electronic image which shows a part of the outer surface of the capsule lid and in which an asymmetrical graphical element and a graphical code are present; identifying in the image the asymmetrical graphical element or parts of it, identifying its position in the image and saving it as a reference position; and starting from the reference position and using a predetermined position of the graphical code relative to the asymmetrical element, identifying in the image a position in which the graphical code is located and a graphical code reading orientation; reading the graphical code taking into account the position and orientation previously identified in the image, obtaining a code in electronic format; and considering the capsule recognised when the code in electronic format has been obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Accursi, Maurizio Diamanti