Patents by Inventor Alan L. Backus

Alan L. Backus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100173050
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7739948
    Abstract: A device to bake farinaceous foods such as cakes, cookies, breads, pies, and pizzas more rapidly and flavorfully, with retention of desire food textures and reduced risk of burning by the use of intermittent application of radiant energy. The preferred embodiment rotates farinaceous ingredients in front of a radiant heat source. The preferred embodiment may control oven temperatures by regulating the amount of outside cool air fan forced into the oven cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20100071565
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved rotisserie oven, having the following features: a removable side mounted control box; single wall oven cabinet construction; single wall oven cabinet construction with tabs protruding from the lower side edges of the oven cabinet which mount feet to support the cabinet; a rigid heat coil structurally connected to the removable control box; a heat coil, supported by a bracket within the oven cabinet which both allows the heat coil to be slid in and out of the oven cabinet and allows for expansion of the heat coil when the coil is energized; a light bulb integrated with the removable control box so that the bulb's globe protrudes into the interior of the oven cabinet when the control box is mounted on the oven cabinet; a drive mechanism integrated into the removable control box which allows the control box to be easily removed from the oven cabinet; a drip pan located below the spit, which has its liquid catching reservoir recessed in from the pan's perimeter
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7681494
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7626142
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved rotisserie oven, having the following features: a removable side mounted control box; single wall oven cabinet construction; single wall oven cabinet construction with tabs protruding from the lower side edges of the oven cabinet which mount feet to support the cabinet; a rigid heat coil structurally connected to the removable control box; a heat coil, supported by a bracket within the oven cabinet which both allows the heat coil to be slid in and out of the oven cabinet and allows for expansion of the heat coil when the coil is energized; a light bulb integrated with the removable control box so that the bulb's globe protrudes into the interior of the oven cabinet when the control box is mounted on the oven cabinet; a drive mechanism integrated into the removable control box which allows the control box to be easily removed from the oven cabinet; a drip pan located below the spit, which has its liquid catching reservoir recessed in from the pan's perimeter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20090173240
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20090090248
    Abstract: A horizontal axis rotisserie oven with versatile electronic controls. The rotisserie further includes: an improved spit for quick mounting of food, and a door which hides blemishes due to normal use, and easily referenced food cooking indexes, and means for keeping countertops clean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7500428
    Abstract: A container for holding food to be cooked. The container being generally cylindrical, defining a longitudinal axis and including first and second ends. The first and second ends each include first and second spit rod openings therein, and the first and second ends each include at least one food introduction opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20080265594
    Abstract: Double hooked device with the hooks being transversely positioned on the end of a shaft having a handle at its opposite end. The hooks may snag, lift, move and/or flip food or other articles by the hooks being rotated generally about the shaft's axis until one of the double hooks penetrates into the article to be lifted. A shield at the base of the handle is a guard to cover the tips of the hooks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20080250940
    Abstract: An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: ALAN L. BACKUS, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7424849
    Abstract: A horizontal axis rotisserie oven with versatile electronic controls. The rotisserie further includes an improved spit for quick mounting of food, a door which hides blemishes due to normal use, easily referenced food cooking indexes, and added features that aid in keeping countertops clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7395602
    Abstract: Double hooked device with the hooks being transversely positioned on the end of a shaft having a handle at its opposite end. The hooks may snag, lift, move and/or flip food or other articles by the hooks being rotated generally about the shaft's axis until one of the double hooks penetrates into the article to be lifted. A shield at the base of the handle is a guard to cover the tips of the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisitions Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20080075817
    Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The. device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: RONCO MARKETING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7325484
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. Grease-tight rotisserie/barbecue gloves make food handling easier and safer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7225729
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Ronco Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7225730
    Abstract: A support base for supporting the spit assembly of a rotisserie oven. The support base includes a substantially circular-shaped member having a periphery and an indented portion defined therein. The indented portion has a frustum-conical shape and extends downwardly into the substantially circular-shaped member, and the substantially circular-shaped member has an opening for receiving the stub axle of a spit assembly defined therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Ronco Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7153120
    Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ronco Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7065883
    Abstract: Double hooked device with the hooks being transversely positioned on the end of a shaft having a handle at its opposite end. The hooks may snag, lift, move and/or flip food or other articles by the hooks being rotated generally about the shaft's axis until one of the double hooks penetrates into the article to be lifted. A shield at the base of the handle is a guard to cover the tips of the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ronco Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 7021203
    Abstract: An enclosed rotisserie cooking oven having an enclosure able to rest on a horizontal surface housing a rotisserie spit, and opening to introduce food into the enclosure, a door covering the opening having a first and a second axle rod protruding from the door's perimeter, and first and second tracks coupled to the enclosure and the axle rod so that the door may pivot on the axle rods to cover the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Partners LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7021204
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved rotisserie oven, having the following features: a removable side mounted control box; single wall oven cabinet construction; single wall oven cabinet construction with tabs protruding from the lower side edges of the oven cabinet which mount feet to support the cabinet; a rigid heat coil structurally connected to the removable control box; a heat coil, supported by a bracket within the oven cabinet which both allows the heat coil to be slid in and out of the oven cabinet and allows for expansion of the heat coil when the coil is energized; a light bulb integrated with the removable control box so that the bulb's globe protrudes into the interior of the oven cabinet when the control box is mounted on the oven cabinet; a drive mechanism integrated into the removable control box which allows the control box to be easily removed from the oven cabinet; a drip pan located below the spit, which has its liquid catching reservoir recessed in from the pan's perimeter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil