Patents by Inventor John H. Wiker
John H. Wiker 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: 10842156Abstract: An oven with a sensor positioned to detect an event that will cause a decrease in the internal temperature of a tunnel. The oven includes a controller configured to increase the thermal output of a heating element in anticipation of the upcoming decrease in the internal temperature. In some embodiments, the oven is a conveyor over and the sensor is positioned to detect a food item approach the tunnel on a conveyor. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to an electric heating element is increased by increasing the target temperature. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to the electric heating element is increased by a predetermined offset.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATIONInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, William S. Schjerven, Sr., Magdy A. Albert
-
Patent number: 10746410Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided for setting a peak operating power level for an oven having an oven compartment, a user interface, and a controller having a memory with a maximum peak operating power level stored therein. The method includes the steps of displaying an oven set-up user interface window on the user interface during an initial start-up of the oven; in response to an input for selecting a maximum output for the oven, displaying a maximum output user interface window on the user interface. Further, after input of a peak operating power level, the method stores the peak operating power level in the memory and selectively provides a power control signal to generate heat that corresponds to the peak operating power level. The oven is either an electric oven or gas oven. In operation, the oven heats at the peak operating power level, which is less than the maximum peak operating power level.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATIONInventors: John H. Wiker, William S. Schjerven, Sr., Theodore James Chmiola, Richard H. Van Camp
-
Patent number: 10362898Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: The Middleby CorporationInventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
-
Publication number: 20190003720Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided for setting a peak operating power level for an oven having an oven compartment, a user interface, and a controller having a memory with a maximum peak operating power level stored therein. The method includes the steps of displaying an oven set-up user interface window on the user interface during an initial start-up of the oven; in response to an input for selecting a maximum output for the oven, displaying a maximum output user interface window on the user interface. Further, after input of a peak operating power level, the method stores the peak operating power level in the memory and selectively provides a power control signal to generate heat that corresponds to the peak operating power level. The oven is either an electric oven or gas oven. In operation, the oven heats at the peak operating power level, which is less than the maximum peak operating power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: John H. Wiker, William S. Schjerven, SR., Theodore James Chmiola, Richard H. Van Camp
-
Publication number: 20180338503Abstract: An oven with a sensor positioned to detect an event that will cause a decrease in the internal temperature of a tunnel. The oven includes a controller configured to increase the thermal output of a heating element in anticipation of the upcoming decrease in the internal temperature. In some embodiments, the oven is a conveyor over and the sensor is positioned to detect a food item approach the tunnel on a conveyor. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to an electric heating element is increased by increasing the target temperature. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to the electric heating element is increased by a predetermined offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, William S. Schjerven, SR., Magdy A. Albert
-
Patent number: 10039289Abstract: An oven with a sensor positioned to detect an event that will cause a decrease in the internal temperature of a tunnel. The oven includes a controller configured to increase the thermal output of a heating element in anticipation of the upcoming decrease in the internal temperature. In some embodiments, the oven is a conveyor over and the sensor is positioned to detect a food item approach the tunnel on a conveyor. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to an electric heating element is increased by increasing the target temperature. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to the electric heating element is increased by a predetermined offset.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: The Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, William S. Schjerven, Sr., Magdy A. Albert
-
Patent number: 10036558Abstract: A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor movable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The burner has a combustion airflow rate, and operates at a first output during the first mode of operation and at a second output that is greater than the first output during the second mode of operation. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: The Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
-
Patent number: 10024548Abstract: A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor moveable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, the burner having a combustion airflow rate, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation. The controller is responsive to at least one of a burner output and an internal temperature of the oven chamber, and adjusts the combustion airflow rate based in part on at least one of the burner output and the internal temperature of the oven chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: The Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
-
Publication number: 20170215434Abstract: An oven with a sensor positioned to detect an event that will cause a decrease in the internal temperature of a tunnel. The oven includes a controller configured to increase the thermal output of a heating element in anticipation of the upcoming decrease in the internal temperature. In some embodiments, the oven is a conveyor over and the sensor is positioned to detect a food item approach the tunnel on a conveyor. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to an electric heating element is increased by increasing the target temperature. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to the electric heating element is increased by a predetermined offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, William S. Schjerven, SR., Magdy A. Albert
-
Patent number: 9609981Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATIONInventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
-
Patent number: 9585400Abstract: An oven with a sensor positioned to detect an event that will cause a decrease in the internal temperature of a tunnel. The oven includes a controller configured to increase the thermal output of a heating element in anticipation of the upcoming decrease in the internal temperature. In some embodiments, the oven is a conveyor over and the sensor is positioned to detect a food item approach the tunnel on a conveyor. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to an electric heating element is increased by increasing the target temperature. In some embodiments, the amount of current provided to the electric heating element is increased by a predetermined offset.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATIONInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, William S. Schjerven, Sr., Magdy A. Albert
-
Patent number: 9585401Abstract: A conveyor oven according to some embodiments has a first mode and a second mode of operation and includes a tunnel in which food is cooked, a conveyor for moving the food through the tunnel, a first set and a second set of one or more burners, each set configured to generate heat for the tunnel, and a controller responsive to the detection of an absence of food in the tunnel, the controller configured to change operation of the first set of one or more burners and the second set of one or more burners from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation based at least in part upon the detection of the absence of food product from the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATIONInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, William S. Schjerven, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20170035234Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: William S. Schjerven, SR., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
-
Publication number: 20140360381Abstract: A conveyor oven according to some embodiments has a first mode and a second mode of operation and includes a tunnel in which food is cooked, a conveyor for moving the food through the tunnel, a first set and a second set of one or more burners, each set configured to generate heat for the tunnel, and a controller responsive to the detection of an absence of food in the tunnel, the controller configured to change operation of the first set of one or more burners and the second set of one or more burners from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation based at least in part upon the detection of the absence of food product from the tunnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Magdy A. Albert, William S. Schjerven, SR.
-
Publication number: 20140360382Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
-
Patent number: 8839714Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: The Middleby CorporationInventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
-
Patent number: 8839779Abstract: A conveyor oven according to some embodiments has a first mode and a second mode of operation and includes a tunnel in which food is cooked, a conveyor for moving the food through the tunnel, a first set and a second set of one or more burners, each set configured to generate heat for the tunnel, and a controller responsive to the detection of an absence of food in the tunnel, the controller configured to change operation of the first set of one or more burners and the second set of one or more burners from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation based at least in part upon the detection of the absence of food product from the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Magdy A. Albert, William S. Schjerven, Sr.
-
Patent number: 8413646Abstract: A self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven is provided. One embodiment of the oven provides a self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven for cooking food products. The oven includes a control system that regulates oven temperature during a pyrolitic, self-cleaning procedure for incinerating contaminants that accumulate inside; a burner for cooking food products and incinerating contaminants; a modulating air and fuel control system arranged for proportionally delivering air and fuel to the burner; a plurality of convection air fingers for directing heated air toward the food products; a collapsible conveyor, capable of fitting into the oven when collapsed, for passing the food products through the oven; a plurality of blowers, each having a dedicated speed controller; a floating cooking chamber; and a vent system that maintains a negative pressure in the oven during the self-cleaning procedure.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
-
Patent number: 8371285Abstract: An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Middleby CorporationInventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Magdy A. Albert, William S. Schjerven, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20130008424Abstract: A conveyor oven according to some embodiments has a first mode and a second mode of operation and includes a tunnel in which food is cooked, a conveyor for moving the food through the tunnel, a first set and a second set of one or more burners, each set configured to generate heat for the tunnel, and a controller responsive to the detection of an absence of food in the tunnel, the controller configured to change operation of the first set of one or more burners and the second set of one or more burners from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation based at least in part upon the detection of the absence of food product from the tunnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: John H. Wiker, Mohan K. Panicker, Magdy A. Albert, William S. Schjerven, SR.