By Time Patents (Class 99/332)
  • Patent number: 11925792
    Abstract: An apparatus for the destruction of needles and other sharp objects using electrical current. In addition to an incineration ports where needles are inserted for destruction, the apparatus also includes certain improvements related to the shape and composition of the electrical contacts, certain safety circuits related to power source overheating, and digital monitoring and control of current throughput to minimize sparking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: James Palmer, III, Nolan J. Edwards, II
  • Patent number: 11805881
    Abstract: The wax warmer with automated stirring combines the heating element and wax temperature control with a rotating wax reservoir. The rotating wax reservoir causes the associated stored wax to rotate with respect to the body of the device. To interrupt the flow of the wax within the rotating reservoir, and cause mixing and stirring, a stationary stir stick is placed in the path of rotation. As the moving wax contacts the stationary stir stick, turbulence is caused, resulting in mixing. The mixing helps to maintain a consistent temperature of wax within the reservoir. The stir stick is preferably held in position by a slot within the lid, removal of the lid causing removal of the stir stick, removing the stir stick as an obstacle to the user accessing the wax within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Kirsten Goetzelman
  • Patent number: 11751711
    Abstract: Food stuffs are cooked at precise temperatures, which are optionally below 100° C., in a vessel that is evacuated to exclude air, in which low pressure steam replaces the air. When a sufficient quantity of air is excluded and replaced with water vapor, the temperature of vapor is accurately measured inside the vessel below the lid to control the temperatures within about 1° C. Air is preferably excluded via a controlled heated process for a relatively short period of time at high temperature to generate steam, the temperature is lowered to condense water vapor upon which the lid will sealingly engage the rim of the vessel, forming a partial vacuum in the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Stanley Kin Sui Cheng, Edward S. Sherman, Chun Wing Wong, Kam Yuen Li, Hin Hang Homer Cheung
  • Patent number: 11672379
    Abstract: A grill of top projecting and radiating type includes a projection heater, a support connection beam, a base and a grilling pan arranged on the base, wherein the base includes a substrate housing; an upper face of the substrate housing is provided with an oil collection upper housing; a grilling pan rotating motor is arranged in the substrate housing; the center of an upper surface of the grilling pan is low and the periphery thereof is high; a rotary socket pipe is fixedly arranged at the bottom center of the grilling pan; an electric motor shaft of the grilling pan rotating motor passes through the oil collection upper housing from bottom to top, is inserted into the rotary socket pipe and is then connected to the grilling pan to realize the synchronized rotation of the motor shaft and the grilling pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Wei Ying
  • Patent number: 11559164
    Abstract: Disclosures of the present invention describe a coaxial microwave rotary applicator for material processing, mainly comprising: a waveguide unit, a microwave generator connected to one end of the waveguide unit, a bearing unit, a chamber, a rotary shaft, a driver unit, a sampling unit. The bearing unit is connected to the waveguide unit through a non-rotary ring, and the chamber is connected to a rotary ring of the bearing unit, and the microwave generator is configured for supplying a microwave to the chamber. By such arrangements, it is able to uniformly heat a specific material disposed in the chamber by driving the chamber to rotate. It is worth noting that, a user is allowed to clearly observe the processing progress via the sampling unit during the heating process of the specific material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hsein-Wen Chao, Tsun-Hsu Chang, Huan-Jun Guo, Cheng-Hsuan Chan, Po-Yen Chiu, Yu-Tzu Chang
  • Patent number: 11533784
    Abstract: The present invention provides single units that contain a large lower chamber, and one or more display shelves above this chamber on the inside of the unit. A roller grill or other large appliance may be provided in the lower chamber, or the chamber may be left open to display large food products or other items. The shelves may be heated for keeping foods displayed on the shelves warm; however, the shelves need not be heated for food products that do not need to be kept warm. Heating elements, lights and sensors may be adjusted using electronic controls to provide optimum temperatures inside the various chambers of the display units. Display units of the present invention allow store owners to utilize the space above a roller grill or other appliance to merchandise additional food products as opposed to requiring a separate food merchandiser to occupy additional valuable counter space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Sanden Vendo America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Weisser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11503679
    Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device and method of controlling the same is provided herein. The cooking device has a cavity in which popcorn is placed and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity for popping the popcorn. A controller is provided and is configured to: analyze forward and backward power at the plurality of RF feeds to calculate efficiency; determine and monitor a coefficient of variation of the efficiency; detect a popping state of the popcorn based on changes in the coefficient of variation; and adjust a power level of the electromagnetic radiation in response to detection of the popping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Guatta, Valeria Nocella, Mattia Rigo
  • Patent number: 11426027
    Abstract: An air fryer with a steaming function includes a cooking chamber and a water tank arranged inside a housing. A steam generator is also arranged in the air fryer. A heating chamber is provided in the steam generator. The heating chamber in the steam generator is connected to a water tank via a water pump. High-temperature steam produced in the heating chamber of the steam generator is introduced into the cooking chamber. The steam generator is equipped with an over-temperature protector and a temperature sensor. Each of the over-temperature protector, the temperature sensor, the water pump, and the steam generator is electrically connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO CARELINE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yichi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11382458
    Abstract: A rotisserie cooking system and a skewer rotation system for a rotisserie cooking system having a plurality of independent motors that are capable of independent rotation of a plurality removable skewers. The system having a main body of sidewalls, top, bottom, door, and a heating element. The system is also capable of battery operation and variable adjustability for the motors of the system. The rotisserie cooking system also defining an interior cooking chamber and a mechanical components chamber wherein all components can operate under high-heat conditions. In some embodiments, a warming compartment exists in the top wall of the rotisserie cooking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: DASHEM BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Guilherme Kunz, Gilberto Lucas
  • Patent number: 11311136
    Abstract: An electric pot may have an improved relay installation position. The electric pot may include a supporter and a pot main body provided with a heater driven to provide heat through an electric connection with connection terminals. The supporter may include a relay part that optionally switches between a connection of the power supply to a third connection terminal and a disconnection of the power supply to the third connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ho Yong Jang, Donghyun Kim, Sehwa Yoon
  • Patent number: 11300299
    Abstract: A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: June Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhogal, Matthew Van Horn, Seunghoon Park, Ravishankar Sivalingam, Christopher Russell Clark
  • Patent number: 11221145
    Abstract: A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: June Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhogal, Matthew Van Horn, Seunghoon Park, Ravishankar Sivalingam, Christopher Russell Clark
  • Patent number: 11179000
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking container, a heater, a driving unit, and a heat insulating member. The cooking container is configured to store food. The heater is configured to heat the cooking container. The driving unit includes a power generator configured to generate power for rotating the cooking container and a driving shaft extending in one direction and rotated by the power generator. The heat insulating member is provided between the cooking container and the power generator to prevent heat generated by the heater from being transferred to the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WHEALTHY FRANCHISE INC.
    Inventor: Hyung Jick Lee
  • Patent number: 10405556
    Abstract: Food service equipment for effectively making a hollowed-out dough product from bread or another dough product is disclosed wherein the hollowed-out dough product can then be used in connection with the housing or containment of salads, soups, hamburgers, sandwiches, desserts, or the like. The hollowed-out dough products are formed from bread or other dough products as a result of being placed atop and compressed downwardly upon a pair of platens. Concomitantly with the formation of the bread or dough products into the desired hollowed-out dough products, the interior portions of the hollowed-out dough products are also toasted by means of the platens which are heated internally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: A. J. ANTUNES & CO.
    Inventors: Bhupendra R. Patel, Jignesh Patel, Francisco Vega
  • Patent number: 9565971
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a lower housing having a lower heating element, an upper housing having an upper heating element, opposed frame members disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing and operatively connecting the lower housing to the upper housing. The cooking appliance further includes a food mounting assembly. The food mounting assembly includes a bracket extending between the opposed frame members for retaining a means for supporting food items over the lower heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kam Fai Fung, Kin Man Lai
  • Patent number: 9237826
    Abstract: A sandwich press and grill apparatus. The apparatus comprising a lower housing and an upper housing, each hingedly interconnected. The lower housing is adapted to releasably engage a lower cooking plate, the lower housing including a first temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the lower cooking plate when engaged. The upper housing is adapted to releasably engage the upper cooking plate, the upper housing including a second temperature sensor adapted to be in thermal communication with the upper cooking plate when engaged. The lower housing has a first releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to a lower heating element integrally formed with the lower cooking plate, and the upper housing has a second releasable power coupling element for providing electrical power to an upper heating element integrally formed with the upper cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Robinson, Lochana Subasekara Widanagamage Don
  • Publication number: 20150144005
    Abstract: A toasting machine for toasting a food product includes a housing having a bottom and a top, and a heating source for toasting a food product. The heating source is mounted in the housing and extends upright in a direction from the bottom of the housing to the top of the housing, and completely encircles a toasting chamber in the housing for sourcing surrounding heat to the toasting chamber. An opening in the top of the housing communicates with the toasting chamber for admitting a food product into the toasting chamber for toasting. The heating source is a heat-insulative wall that has an inner face that completely encircles the toasting chamber, and resistance wire carried by the wall, which is uniformly distributed along the inner face of wall for sourcing surrounding heat to the toasting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Richard A. Becker
  • Publication number: 20150147441
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food cooking device (300) having a plurality of heating means (301a-301d) for heating a respective food item. The device is provided with control means (302) arranged to individually control energy supply to each of the heating means (301a-301d). According to the invention the device (300) includes a microprocessor (303) with downloading means (304) arranged to download a set of food cooking process data. The control means (302) is arranged to control the energy supply in response to the downloaded set of food cooking process data. The invention also relates to an electronic library (600) having a plurality of information units, which are arranged to be downloadable from external users. According to this aspect of the invention each information unit includes a set of food cooking process data. Each set includes at least two food item cooking instructions. Each food item instruction includes data defining a food item and one or more groups of operation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: BBBL INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Johan Lagerlöf
  • Publication number: 20150132450
    Abstract: Cooking apparatus comprising at least one baking mould (11, 12) with a first (13) and a second (14) heating element; and a control system (16) configured to control the power supply to the first (13) and the second (14) heating element, wherein the control system (16) is configured to provide the first heating element (13) with a first electric power, while the second heating element (14) is provided with a second electric power which differs from the first electric power, wherein the first and the second electric power lie in a range from zero to a determined maximum electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Benny Marcelinus Lydie PITTEURS
  • Publication number: 20150122134
    Abstract: A control device for gas appliances comprises at least one control module (20) having a supporting structure that can be associated to a gas tap (10) and defines a housing, contained within which is at least one first part of a circuit arrangement. The control module (20) comprises a command element operable by a user for activating at least one timing function and/or a function of ignition of a gas burner. The first part of the circuit arrangement comprises control elements, electrical-interconnection elements, and detection elements (45) configured for detecting actuation of the command element and supplying corresponding signals to the control elements. The circuit arrangement comprises further control and/or command elements (PSD, IS, F, LE, BC, ISC) and/or an auxiliary module (PSD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ELTEK S.p.A
    Inventors: Marco Moro, Paolo Savini
  • Publication number: 20150107462
    Abstract: A control device for gas appliances (1) comprises: a manual-control element (12, 22); a circuit arrangement (25a) that includes control elements, electrical-interconnection elements, detection elements for detecting actuation of the manual-control element (12, 22) and supplying corresponding signals to the control elements; and a supporting structure (21), which can be associated in a stationary way with respect to a gas tap, wherein the supporting structure (21) includes at least one first part of stationary structure (40, 41) that defines a housing for at least part of the circuit arrangement (25a), the first part of structure (40, 41) being in particular designed for being housed within a body of a gas appliance. The control elements are designed for counting the time, and the device includes optical warning elements (43?, LG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Moro, Paolo Savini
  • Patent number: 8980102
    Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Florkey, Joseph J. Tiszai
  • Publication number: 20150068408
    Abstract: In a cooker according to the present invention, in order to prevent a heating capacity from being raised rapidly against the intention of a user, when a contactant which contacts an operating area of a display operating portion flicks the display operating portion, if a detected operation of the contactant such as flicking is in the direction to raise a heating capacity, a changing amount (a varying amount) of a heating capacity according to a moving speed of the contactant in the operating area is limited in comparison with the case that a detected operation of the contactant such as flicking is in the direction to lower a heating capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Erina Nagae, Kohji Niiyama
  • Publication number: 20140322403
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing foods includes providing a flexible package. A pre-processed food product (e.g., raw food) is provided and is processed by rapidly heating the food product. This processed food product is delivered into the flexible package for consumption by a user. Additionally, in other embodiments, methods and systems for processing frozen food products to shelf stable or refrigerated products are provided. A frozen food product is provided, converted to a pumpable state, and then processed by rapidly heating the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ASEPTIA, INC.
    Inventors: James Michael Drozd, Michael Druga
  • Publication number: 20140318382
    Abstract: A commercial toaster apparatus having a “quick start” feature that nearly instantly changes from a “stand-by” mode to a “toasting” mode. The “quick start” mode is provided by changing the circuitry of some of the quartz heating elements from a series configuration to a parallel one wherein a higher voltage can be applied for a controlled amount of time to regulate the quartz heaters without adversely affecting the life span of the heating elements. Temperature probes are used to adjust the duty cycle of the apparatus to enable a uniform toast color as the cavity chamber temperature of the toaster changes over time. A sensor is also provided that determines when a last product is placed on the conveyer and the duty cycle has been completed such that the unit will automatically switch to a “stand-by” mode, thus reducing the energy requirements of the toaster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Standex International Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas L. Hornbeck, James E. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8869679
    Abstract: Methods to control power to a cooking appliance are provided. The methods include monitoring a power signal to the portion of the cooking appliance, including monitoring a current and/or voltage of the power signal. The methods also include selectively interrupting power to the portion of the cooking appliance in response to: determining that the current fails to exceed a current threshold within a time threshold, determining that the voltage fails to exceed a voltage threshold within a time threshold, determining that the current exceeds a current threshold for a first time threshold but fails to exceed the current threshold for a second time threshold, and determining that the voltage exceeds a voltage threshold for a first time threshold but fails to exceed the voltage threshold for a second time threshold. The methods also include temperature sensing and controlling the power signal based thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Company
    Inventors: John J. Ryan, Ronald R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8850963
    Abstract: An automatic multiple-stage cooking machine for food preparation includes a housing having an upper area and a lower area with an elongate member in the upper area. The elongate member has one or more sections to receive a liquid or a food which is then heated by a first heating element controlled by a controller. After the liquid or food is heated it is deposited by a drive mechanism controlled by the controller from the elongate member into one or more containers positioned below on a platform located in the lower area of the housing. The one or more containers receive the heated liquid or heated food and an additional liquid or an additional food for combining together or can include an additional liquid or additional food alone. A second heating element controlled by the controller heats the one or more containers for the preparation of dishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Shawaf Mohammed Alshawaf
  • Publication number: 20140245897
    Abstract: A rotisserie convection oven including a rotatable drum assembly which allows cooking of food items therein without added cooking oils is disclosed. The present oven is designed for cooking of pre-prepared or frozen foods with minimal ingestion of cooking oils and residual oil byproducts of concern to the health-conscious consumer. The present oven provides a countertop appliance having an enclosed cooking chamber with tubular heating elements wherein a rotatable drum containing foodstuffs is coupled to a rotisserie drive assembly. An integrated control chamber protects electrical components and encloses a convection fan assembly which is disposed in air transfer communication with the cooking chamber to enable circulation of air across the heating elements and through the rotatable drum during the cooking cycle. In one embodiment the rotatable drum is constructed of wire mesh to permit the continuous circulation of heated air therein to reduce cooking temperatures and shorten the cooking cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: George T.C. Li
  • Publication number: 20140230661
    Abstract: A safety timer device, for a cooking appliance connected to an energy source, the cooking appliance having a heat generating component in communication with a heat controller. A timer communicates with the heat controller configured to count down a predetermined cooking time. An alarm unit, in communication with the timer, is configured to communicate an alarm signal for a predetermined alarm time after the cooking time expires. An ON/OFF device in communication with the timer, the energy source and the heat generating component, is configured to disconnect the energy source from the heat generating component after the alarm time expires. A reset device in communication with the timer, the alarm unit and the ON/OFF device configured to reset the timer to the predetermined cooking time, terminate the alarm signal after the cooking time expires, and reconnect the energy source with the heat generating component after the alarm time expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Tom STILO, Wayne ZU
  • Publication number: 20140157994
    Abstract: A multi-function cooking apparatus and method. The apparatus including: a user interface element; one or more heating elements used for cooking; and a processor element adapted to receive an input command from the user interface element; the processor element being configured to control the one or more heating elements used for cooking. The user interface control element includes a function selector having a plurality of cooking function configurations. The user interface control element further includes a first input selector for enabling a user to select when a bit more additional cooking time is requested; the processor element adding a supplemental cooking time to a current cooking time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Garth Ryan, Keith Hensel, Garth Ryan
  • Publication number: 20140102317
    Abstract: An assembly for cooking food products in a substantially upright orientation comprising a mold housing including one or more food mold chambers, each structured to configure the food product being cooked to correspond to the interior dimensions and configuration of a mold chamber in which it was cooked. Each mold chamber is further structured to retain an uncooked liquid, semi-liquid, semi-solid, or solid food composition therein during the cooking procedure. A heat source is disposed either externally or internally of the mold housing and generates sufficient heat to cook a food composition disposed within the mold chamber. A frame assembly may be utilized to operatively support one or more mold housing in the substantially upright orientation, such that a heat source may be incorporated into the frame assembly to provide adequate cooking temperatures to the corresponding mold chamber(s) of one or more supported mold housings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Shoshan
  • Publication number: 20140044851
    Abstract: The present invention includes an appliance that has a cook vessel and a temperature regulation system with a Peltier device. The active side of the Peltier cools and heats the cook vessel in the absence of a motive heat distribution system. The temperature regulation system may include a motive heat distribution system on its waste side where the top edge of the fan is located at or above the bottom edge of the any waste heat sink. Methods of cooling and heating food are also part of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Brian C Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20140033929
    Abstract: A programmable control system for controlling the ratio of heating time “on” compared to time “off”. The digital control can be set to an “on”/“off” time duty cycle, and power level that determines the temperature of the cooking surface. The cooking surface can be divided into separately controllable zones. The need to actually sense the temperature at the roller tube is eliminated. The time based control can be set to cook at higher temperatures by increasing the “on time” relative to the “off time” or inversely, reducing the “on time” to the “off time”. A “pre-heat” cycle is provided to raise the grill to a predetermined set point for holding the elements full “on” for a selectable time period. Then, after the selectable time period has been reached, the control automatically sets the programmed “cook” time and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: James E. Humphrey, Anthony M. Kukla
  • Patent number: 8631737
    Abstract: The bread toaster includes a toaster frame defining at least one toaster slot for selectively receiving the bread slice, a heating device, and a lid arrangement. The lid arrangement includes a front and a rear sliding member, a plurality of sliding guiders, and at least one toaster lid. The toaster lid is coupled with the front and the rear sliding members in such a manner that the toaster lid is arranged to move between a closed position and an opened position, wherein in the closed position, the toaster lid is moved by the front and the rear sliding members to close the toaster slot, wherein in the opened position, the toaster lid is moved by the front and the rear sliding members to expose the toaster slot to an exterior of the toaster frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen
  • Patent number: 8621987
    Abstract: A cooking skillet that provides a unique automatic stirring system for continuously stirring foods during cooking. The cooking skillet comprises a base, a receptacle, a heating element, and an automatic stirring system. The automatic stirring system comprises a stirring wand located in the receptacle and a bracket located in the base. The stirring wand and the bracket are attracted to each other through magnetic forces that provide sufficient magnetism to attract one to the other. A motor is attached to the bracket by a connecting rod and provides the means to rotate the bracket in a clockwise direction. The magnetism between the magnets in the bracket and the magnets in the stirring wand forces the stirring wand to rotate in connection with the bracket. During rotation, the stirring wand is designed to mix the food contained within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Walter B. Herbst
  • Patent number: 8610036
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly, Charles Philip Wasilewski
  • Patent number: 8574649
    Abstract: A stove and a method for preventing a cooked material from being burnt dry are provided. The stove includes a stove body for heating the cooked material, a weighing unit for generating a weighing signal of the cooked material, a monitoring unit for judging whether the user is managing the cooked material, and a computing unit. The weighing signal is changed with time. A plurality of weighing signal change amounts respectively generated within a plurality of time intervals are calculate by the computing unit. According to the weighing signal change amounts, the heat source of the stove body is adjusted. Consequently, the function of preventing the cooked material from being burnt dry will be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Chien Lin
  • Publication number: 20130236613
    Abstract: A slow cooker includes a housing and a heating element to heat a heating cavity of the housing. The heating element is operable in only a single cooking mode and only a single warming mode. A container is sized and shaped to fit within the heating cavity of the housing. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container. A controller is configured to control operation of the heating element in either the single cooking mode or the single warming mode. A control knob is rotatably mounted to the housing and is operatively connected to the controller. Rotation of the control knob causes a controller to actuate the heating element to heat contents within the container to a first predetermined temperature at a selected amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Marta Phillips
  • Publication number: 20130216673
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the movement of liquids into and out of a container is described. The cleanable, portable, fully automated apparatus includes a main container for holding the food product, a liquid inlet container having a liquid inlet and inlet valve for controllably providing liquid into the main container and a liquid outlet container receiving liquid drained from the main container. A heater automatically heats the main container and a motor rotates or otherwise moves the main container and a receiving position for receiving fresh liquid from the inlet container to a drainage position for draining waste liquid via gravity from the main container into the outlet container. This rotation/movement of the main container can be used repeatedly to add fresh liquid and remove waste liquid during multiple fully automated cycles (e.g., sprouting, rinsing, soaking, cooking, etc.) that do not require user interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: David Storek, Antonia L. Sequeira, Robert Peter Otillar
  • Patent number: 8455028
    Abstract: A method for operating at least one cooking process in a cooking chamber of a cooking appliance is based on a multiple number of parameters that can be entered through an input device of the cooking appliance. Based on the parameters, at least one cooking product and/or cooking program, at least one starting and/or ending time of the cooking of at least one cooking product and/or for at least one cooking program, and at least one cooking parameter can be selected. An output device indicates when each cooking product is to be loaded into and removed from the cooking chamber in dependence of the starting time and/or ending time, and the selection of a multiple number of cooking products. Additionally, the sequence of cooking of the cooking products can be optimized based on at least one parameter that determines at least one cooking parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Rational AG
    Inventors: Manfred Breunig, Michael Greiner
  • Patent number: 8402884
    Abstract: In a toaster, a toasting carriage is latched during toasting by an electromagnet actuated by a timer control circuit, and released when toasting time has elapsed. One of two rectifying circuits is always live and supplies a DC current to the timer control circuit and another, separate rectifying circuit supplies a DC current to energise the electromagnet when the toasting cycle is initiated. A first switching module switches a current flow through the heating element, while a second switching module isolates the always live rectifying circuit from the heating element. Switches of the first and second switching modules are disposed in an array and are closed by movement of the toasting carriage to the toasting position. More responsive and stable electromagnetic latching contributes to reducing risks associated with a fire that could occur during use of the toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Way Plastic & Metal Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hon Man Choi
  • Patent number: 8342080
    Abstract: A programmable cooking system includes a controller, at least one of a cooking range and an oven interfacing with the controller, a set of scales interfacing with the controller, a timer interfacing with the controller and at least one data entry component interfacing with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Steven M. Richardson, R. Keith Harrison
  • Publication number: 20120251698
    Abstract: A portable cooking system comprises a grilling assembly including: a grill-housing with a rotatable lid and doors; a generator for generating electricity, the generator being removably couplable within confines of the grill-housing; a water container with water dispensed from the water container; a grill rack; a side burner; at least one convection fan located in the rotatable lid; a control panel useful to set temperature(s) and cooking times; a first removable sliding drawer, the first removable sliding drawer for catching and containing grease drippings; a second removable sliding drawer, the second removable sliding drawer for containing wood chips for flavoring food as it cooks; a pull-out table top useful for setting at least one cooking-related item; a spice rack shelf; an inner storage and utensil storage shelf; electrical outlets located on a back of the grill-housing; and wheels such that the grilling assembly is movable about a planar surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Gilbert Dennis
  • Publication number: 20120240787
    Abstract: A safety device for an electrical stove comprising a main control button and a timer relay interposed between the control button and the stove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Tony Boulanger
  • Patent number: 8217321
    Abstract: According to the invention, an improved analysis method for temperature monitoring of a hotplate (11) as a cooker with a temperature sensor (S) may be achieved by means of differentiating once over time and inverting the electronically interrogated temperature signal (T). The result of the inversion is raised to the power of ? to give an output value (A). This output value is used in further processing wherein, in the second processing, the output value is compared with stored values for an output value for defined events. The recording of the output value (A) occurs for a maximum time of up to 300 seconds after starting a cooking process, advantageously 60 to 120 seconds, and then said recording and analysis is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Thimm, Wolfgang Wittenhagen
  • Publication number: 20120167777
    Abstract: A motorised toaster with heating elements has a user input that communicates with an electronic device that controls an electric motor. A reciprocating toast carriage is under the influence of the motor. A user activated control is adapted to cause an inspection subroutine, the subroutine being the motorised elevation of the carriage and without further user input and a returning of the carriage to the lower position during a toast cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventor: Scott Brady
  • Publication number: 20120148713
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking food, such as meat, protein, vegetable, or soup is disclosed. In one embodiment, the food items are supplied in a flexible polymer package that can withstand the temperature needed to cook the item. The cooking apparatus has two cooking surfaces in the form of heated platens. These platens come together to simultaneously contact both sides of the food item. The cooking apparatus further includes a controller, configured to prepare the food using various control system algorithms. The apparatus cooks the food item from both sides to affect rapid and even cooking. It uses a combination of temperature, time, food thickness, platen force and a cooking code that is unique for each food type. The control system algorithm uses some or all of these parameters to determine precisely when the food item is cooked correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Charles R. Sperry, Dennis F. McNamara, Stephen D. Smith, Suzanne M. Scott, Vincent A. Piucci
  • Patent number: 8191465
    Abstract: An oven includes a scanning mechanism that facilitates cooking food items according to cooking recipes/programs associated with the food items. The oven may include a Bluetooth link to facilitate receipt of cooking programs and other information, as well as export of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: David D. Sager, Sebastien R. Delbos, Michel G. Foray
  • Publication number: 20120017771
    Abstract: An internally electric heated barbecue comprising a cabinet with at least one upper opening is provided in the present invention. The cabinet has electric heating units on both sides inside it; the opening has rack supporting part to support the barbecue rack, and the opening is 55 mm-100 mm wide; the barbecue rack consists of a barbecue frame and a support rod holder, the barbecue frame is within the opening, and the support rod holder is on the supporting part; the barbecue rack is equipped with food skewers, and the food skewer comprises a handle, a support locating part and a food fixing part. The internally electric heated barbecue provided in the present invention is characterized in that the operation is simple, safe and cleanness, and that it can effectively reduce the energy consumption and control the barbecue quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Lin Li
  • Patent number: 8071918
    Abstract: A controller for a food holding oven determines one or more time periods during each of which heat is directed at a pre-cooked food item. By controlling the heat intensity and the time over which different amounts of heat are provided to different types of pre-cooked food items, the time during which a particular type of pre-cooked food item can be kept palatable is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC.
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Jeff Schroeder, Richard L. Thorne