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).

  • Patent number: 6988445
    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 horizontal 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6965095
    Abstract: Indoor use rotisserie ovens which have construction features and scale which make the cleaning process easier. Shown are indoor use rotisserie ovens which also may rotate cooking foods about either a horizontal or vertical axis, which makes their applications more versatile. Construction features include: a scale appropriate for cleaning in a typical kitchen sink, use of removable electrical components, and single oven wall construction, all to allow easy cabinet cleaning. Also shown is a locking tab manufacturing detail which creates an inexpensive, light weight, oven cavity, which is easy to clean and also permits oven cavity washing and/or immersion in water. This manufacturing detail also is easy to handle by the end-user without projecting sharp edges. Self lubricated spit assembly axles are shown as well to help deaden sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ronco Inventions, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus, Lauren Popeil
  • Patent number: 6874408
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Advantage Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6840161
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods and other objects. The device utilizes a hollow needle with a moving cover at one end. A plunger moves inside the hollow needle to push contents from the needle into the object to be injected. Various apparatus for moving the can be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6837150
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including a rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Advantage Partners
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6814957
    Abstract: A process for treating balding spots and a composition which when applied to areas of thinning or balding hair increases the width and visibility of the hairs within the thinning or balding area and thus obscures visibility of the scalp or skin underlying the hairs. A bonding agent helps make the spray more efficient in application, decreases undesirable overspray, and increases formula adherence to hair shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth Pond, Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20040194644
    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: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6782806
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including a rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Advantage Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6782805
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including a rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Advantage Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20040144260
    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: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6742445
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie including countertop resting box enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure. 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 covered by an inclined glass panel door. Cooking times are decreased and manufacture simplified by the heating element remaining on constantly during the cooking process. Maintenance is minimized by various parts being removable for cleaning including a cleaning shield located behind the heating element, the glass door, and a drip pan with slotted cover. Accessories include wire baskets and a rotating stir fryer. Self-rotating kabob rods allow for increasing rotisserie capacity by increasing the length of rotating rods available for rotisserie food mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Advantage Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6743007
    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: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Advantage Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20040007494
    Abstract: Raised irregular surfaces on the walls of packaging, with specific application to the interiors of evacuated flexible wall packaging which contains food or other articles. Such raised irregular surfaces may facilitate package evacuation and, when contrasted against regular pattern raised surfaces, may eliminate undesirable, unnatural, regular patterns from being imprinted on package contents caused by: cooking, freezing, storage, chemical reaction, microbes, evacuative pressure or other reasons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20040006876
    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 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 6658991
    Abstract: A rotisserie spit kit adapted to use on a barbeque grill. The rotisserie spit assembly includes a spit rod, a circular set of geared teeth, and two stud axles. It is preferred that the assembly include two spit rods. The kit also includes two brackets that can be mounted onto the barbeque grill. The kit also includes a motor that can be mounted onto one of the brackets. The motor includes a drive shaft and a drive gear. Each of the brackets have a plurality of detents or recessed positions that can receive one of the stud axles such that the spit rods are in a generally horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20030126997
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods and other objects. The device utilizes a hollow needle with a moving cover at one end. A plunger moves inside the hollow needle to push contents from the needle into the object to be injected. Various apparatus for moving the can be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6578470
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods and other objects. The device utilizes a hollow needle with a moving cover at one end. A plunger moves inside the hollow needle to push contents from the needle into the object to be injected. Various apparatus for moving the can be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20030101877
    Abstract: An improved spit assembly which may be fitted on a variety barbeques. A preferred embodiment uses twin parallel horizontal spit rods to hold food and food supporting accessories. An adjustable bearing adapts to various barbeque widths. Cavity shaped receptacles with hand tightened set screws make assembly and disassembly of the spit simpler and improve space efficiency for storage, shipment or other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6568315
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box 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. A variety of foods may be cooked using the spit and accessories that attach to the spit. Such accessories include wire baskets and a rotating stir fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6568316
    Abstract: An improved spit assembly which may be fitted on a variety barbeques. A preferred embodiment uses twin parallel horizontal spit rods to hold food and food supporting accessories. An adjustable bearing adapts to various barbeque widths. Cavity shaped receptacles with hand tightened set screws make assembly and disassembly of the spit simpler and improve space efficiency for storage, shipment or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil