With Stirring Patents (Class 99/348)
  • Patent number: 7726234
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a trough, a well, and a pot. The trough is configured to hold a first cooking medium. The trough has insulated floors, insulated walls, and a steam pipe as a heating element to directly heat the first cooking medium. The well is joined to a cover plate. The cover plate is configured to fit over the trough with a seal, such that at least a portion of the well extends into the trough for submersion into the first cooking medium. The pot is inserted in the well. A second cooking medium may be introduced in the well adjacent to the pot. A food product such as goetta may be introduced to the pot for cooking. Heat may be transferred from the heating element, to the first cooking medium, to the well, to the second cooking medium, to the pot, and then to the goetta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel William Glier
  • Publication number: 20100116145
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for steaming and blending food products such as baby food. The apparatus includes a base including a steam chamber and a drive shaft. A container assembly can be mounted to the base in an inverted position for steaming the food and in an upright position for blending the food. The apparatus may further include a baby bottle sterilizing unit and a bottle warmer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SUNBEAM PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: James Tracy, Augusto Picozza
  • Publication number: 20100107893
    Abstract: A food processor arrangement comprises an electrically powered blender (10, 50) having a working receptacle (70) within which ingredients can be processed, by means of a macerating tool (71), and heated. The receptacle (70) is provided with a lid (72) formed with an aperture (73) through which additional ingredients can be introduced into the receptacle (70), and the arrangement further comprises a ladle (74) mounted to a shank (75) dimensioned to pass through the aperture (73) so that the ladle (74) can be manipulated to sample the content of the receptacle (70). The ladle (74) can be used without fouling the tool (71), and the ladle (74) comprises a spoon-like portion (79) for sampling the stock; the aperture (73) in the lid (72) of the receptacle (70) being elongated in one dimension to accommodate withdrawal of the spoon-like portion (79).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Christina Goodrick-Meech
  • Patent number: 7698995
    Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) for thermally treating a confectionery mass includes a housing (1) having an approximately vertical axis (2), a core (3) being located in the housing (1) and being arranged in an approximately concentric way with respect to the axis (2) of the housing (1), a plurality of tubes (12) being located in the housing (1), each of the tubes (12) having an approximately vertical axis and being designed and arranged for a tempering medium to flow through them, and at least one deflecting element (13) being designed and arranged to connect the housing (1) to the core (3) such that a flow path of the confectionary mass through the apparatus (100, 100?) is determined, the flow path extending in a transverse direction with respect to the tubes (12), at least a part of the deflecting element (13) having a helical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chocotech GmbH
    Inventors: Lucian Demmel, Erhard Hilker, Klaus Markwardt
  • Patent number: 7695749
    Abstract: A method of controlling a food processor includes retaining in a container cooked rice and sushi dressing in a predetermined ratio, mixing the cooked rice and the sushi dressing in the container to perform a mixing process, and cooling the cooked rice and the sushi dressing with air to perform a cooling process. The mixing process and cooling process are performed intermittently according to a cooling-mixing process, which comprises a plurality of cycles carried out repeatedly. One cycle includes one-cooling operation, having a standstill duration, for merely sending air while keeping the cooked rice without mixing, and another-cooling operation for sending air while mixing the cooked rice. The standstill duration of the one-cooling operation is gradually prolonged in every predetermined number of the cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Junji Majima
  • Patent number: 7685933
    Abstract: A food processing device having a motor shaft of a motor from the device coupled to the tool carrying shaft for multi-speed operation. The tool carrying shaft and the motor shaft are connected by two distinct trains, continuously driven, each train comprising one free wheel, mounted with relation to the free wheel of the other train in such a way that power from the motor is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the relevant train in a single direction of rotation of the motor and that for the other direction of rotation of said motor, the power is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the other train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hameur S.A.
    Inventor: Loïc Xavier Fevre
  • Patent number: 7685935
    Abstract: Provided in a food processor (1) is a driveable holder (13) for a tool unit (29), which tool unit (29) is equipped with multiple tools (26, 27, 28) and can be relocated in relation to the holder (13), so that one tool (26) at a time from the tool unit (29) can be brought into an operational position in the area of a window (25) in a holder wall (21) of the holder (13), and the other tools (27, 28) are hereby covered by the holder wall (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Heimo Obersteiner
  • Patent number: 7677792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic stirring system that is selectively mounted to a cooking vessel. The cooking vessel includes a handle, an opening for receiving food items, and a lid. The automatic stirring system includes a housing mounted to the handle, a ring gear rotatably mounted to the cooking vessel, a drive assembly for rotating the ring gear, and at least one stirring vane attached to the ring gear. In various other embodiments, the automatic stirring system includes at least one forward swept stirring vane, at least one aperture in the stirring vane, a variable speed control unit, and a component orientation that provides substantially unimpeded access to the opening of the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Saunders, Sarah N. Antonetti
  • Patent number: 7677164
    Abstract: The subject of this invention is a reactor for food processing in a composite geometrical shape, and a cover screwed in to the upper section, which principle of operation to generate high levels of temperature and pressure will be to utilize hot air supplied by a compressor in series with a heat exchanger, which conducted through 3 inputs designed in position and angle to, in combination with the helicoidally design of the interior and a relief exit, generate a hurricane like effect that maintains the food in constant movement during all the process cycle time. The reactor is equipped with entrance and exit fast action butterfly like valves activated by mechanical actuators and temperature and pressure sensors, all connected in a network and managed by a Programmable Logic Control that monitors the parameters and executes the actions by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Abel Luis Paredes Urzua
  • Patent number: 7669517
    Abstract: Appliance for preparing a froth from a milk-based liquid which includes a tank for receiving liquid that is to be frothed, and in which liquid a rotatable stirrer is positioned, a stand associated with the tank, and a system for driving the stirrer. The stirrer drive system and the stirrer include magnetic elements allowing the stirrer to be rotationally driven magnetically in the tank. At least one disturbance member is also provided to break or prevent symmetric circulation of the liquid about the median vertical axis of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe S. Boussemart, Alfred Yoakim, Francesco Chiarella
  • Publication number: 20100043649
    Abstract: A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel D. Maupin, David R. Zittel
  • Publication number: 20100040742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing individually coated, baked, edible core products is disclosed. Individual edible cores are coated with a farinaceous dough and baked. The coated cores are agitated as their coatings expand to prevent them from clumping or agglomerating during baking. The baked, coated cores are individual core pieces with an expanded, crispy coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: MIA DIJKHUIS, Marco Michielsen, Rob Van Temmen, Joop Vrees
  • Patent number: 7654812
    Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kearns, Galen J. Rokey, Philip B. Wiltz, Anthony L. Bruning, Lafe N Bailey
  • Patent number: 7654813
    Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kearns, Galen J. Rokey, Philip B. Wiltz, Anthony L. Bruning, Lafe N Bailey
  • Patent number: 7650834
    Abstract: A machine for the production of ice-cream in portions is equipped with a feeding device for a preparation comprising a whisking cylinder (15), cooled by a cooling circuit and equipped with a propeller mixer (16) and means for discharging the ice-cream produced. Said machine further comprises a feeding device (11, 11?) for feeding a dose of preparation for ice-cream into said cylinder (15) which includes a series of containers (30, 30?) containing a preparation or composition, for the production of a number of doses of ice-cream, supply means (40) of a quantity of preparation, a collection and mixing tank (35) and an interception device (41) of a feeding channel (36) of the preparation towards said whisking cylinder (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Francesco Bravo
  • Publication number: 20100012639
    Abstract: A food cooking device includes a base housing defining an interior space and a heating element within the interior space. The heating element provides a source of heat for cooking food. A bowl is separate from the heating element and is positionable into the interior space with the heating element between the base housing and the bowl. The bowl may have a concave bottom wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a food space for receiving food for cooking. The bowl further has an upper rim defining an opening to the food space. A lid cooperates with the bowl to close the opening to the food space. A stirrer is positionable within the food space, the stirrer being rotatable within the food space about a substantially horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ARLOESI
    Inventors: Phillip Kevin Merrell, Dan Dvorak
  • Patent number: 7617766
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for steaming and blending food products such as baby food. The apparatus includes a base including a steam chamber and a drive shaft. A container assembly can be mounted to the base in an inverted position for steaming the food and in an upright position for blending the food. The apparatus may further include a baby bottle sterilizing unit and a bottle warmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Tracy, Augusto Picozza
  • Publication number: 20090280214
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a heat conductive container for receiving yogurt ingredients, a heating unit installed in the housing and provided with a heating element for heating the container, a cooling unit installed in the housing and provided with a refrigerant pipe for cooling the container by a refrigeration cycle caused by supplying electric power, a stirring unit provided with a stirring blade which is driven by a motor to be rotated in the container, and a control unit configured to selectively control the heating unit, the cooling unit and the stirring unit to make frozen yogurt of the yogurt ingredients. A method includes steps for preparing frozen yogurt using the apparatus, wherein the frozen yogurt is fermented, ripened and frozen under control of the control unit within a single container, for example. In alternative examples, other fermented yogurt and non-fermented ice cream or sherbet products are made using the same apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: NUC Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Boo Kim, Bong Soon Kwak, Bong Sool Kim, Kyung Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20090266242
    Abstract: A bread vessel used in a breadmaker includes a separated upper part and lower part, the lower part includes a bread vessel bottom (7), a blending rod (15) and a bread vessel support (8), the blending rod (15) is fixed on the bread vessel support (8) below the bread vessel bottom (7) and the blending rod (15) extends through the bread vessel bottom (7) to reach above the bread vessel bottom (7), wherein the upper part is detachably fixed on the lower part. Also a breadmaker equipped with the bread vessel of the present invention is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Dong-lei Wang
  • Publication number: 20090260523
    Abstract: A blender (100). Blender (100) comprises a jar (102) having an open top and an open bottom for holding food, a top cap (104) for closing the open top of jar (102), a heated bottom (106) sealingly engaged with the lower end of jar (102) for forming a cooking chamber (107), blending or stirring device (114) installed inside cooking chamber (107) for blending/stirring food, a heating tube (116) fixedly installed on the bottom of heated bottom (106) for heating food, a blender base (112) disposed underneath cooking chamber (107) for supporting cooking chamber (107), a motor (124) installed inside blender base (112) and removably coupled with device (114) for driving device (114) to blend or to stir food, a jar base (110) engaged with the lower portion of jar (102) for adapting cooking chamber (107) to stand on blender base (112), and an in-position detector (128) installed inside blender base (112) for user safety protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Zheng Peng
  • Publication number: 20090238929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pan roasting a mass of green coffee beans at rest by heat conduction from the pan bottom to the beans mass. A glass cover and smoke filter closes the roasting chamber. A radial blower operates at slow speed to draw ambient air and vacate smoke from the chamber to permit visual monitoring of roasting beans. Periodically, the fan can operate a high speed for a short time to mix or swirl the bean mass without substantial cooling them. The blower can sequence through high and low speed cycles until roasting completes and heating ceases. A high speed cool down phase removes remaining chaff, smoke, and quick cools the beans to preserve freshness. Electric power drives the blower and resistant heating element. The system enables the operator to use appearance, sound, smell, and time to determine roasting completeness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey Freedman
  • Patent number: 7585105
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a scraper assembly. For example, in one embodiment, a scraper assembly comprises: a substantially rigid member; a pin with a first end and a second end, wherein a tab protrudes from a side of the first end and the second end is attached to the substantially rigid member; a scraper head with a hole therethrough that is large enough to receive the pin, wherein the scraper head has a first channel that runs the depth of the scraper head and is large enough to receive the tab, and wherein the scraper head has a second channel that does not run the depth of the scraper head and is large enough to receive the tab; and a coil spring, wherein the coil spring is disposed around the pin and is held captive between the substantially rigid member and the scraper head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Tim V. Reinecke
  • Publication number: 20090212044
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to solve the above problem by providing a cooking appliance comprising a cooking appliance comprising a heating component; an area for receiving, in use, an ingredient storage device comprising a plurality of ingredient locations, each ingredient location storing an ingredient; control means; and a cooking region the appliance being arranged to selectively control, in use, in accordance with instructions provided by the control means, the cooking position of the ingredient locations such that the ingredient in a location is only heated when said location coincides with the cooking region, to bring, in use, the ingredients to readiness for consumption at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: The Technology Partnership PLC
    Inventors: John Stanton, Sarah Barrington, David Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090208621
    Abstract: Appliance for cooking food articles, which comprises a container for receiving an amount of the food articles to be cooked and an amount of cooking liquid sufficient to only partially immerse the food articles therein. The container has a discharge and comprising an opening for discharging the cooked food articles and a cover for closing the opening during the cooking operation. The appliance also comprises a helical paddle; a shaft on which the paddle is mounted, such that shaft is rotatably supported by the container; a motor for driving the shaft; means for causing the motor to drive the shaft in either the cooking direction or the discharging direction; and a support for supporting the container in a slightly slanted position wherein the front end of the shaft is slightly higher than the rear end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: EVERLASTING GLORY LIMITED
    Inventor: Simon Dotan
  • Publication number: 20090186139
    Abstract: Steam-heat-only, food-preparation bowl structure and related methodology. The bowl structure includes (a) an outer bowl unit having a water well disposed adjacent its base, (b) an inner bowl unit nestable in the outer unit in a condition having its base spaced above the water well whereby water in the well does not contact the inner bowl's base, and with a generally closed, bowl-shaped void space then existing between the two units, the inner unit being constructed to receive a mixable mass of food, and (c) a controllable heater disposed within the well, operable to heat water contained therein to produce steam within the void space. The related methodology includes the steps of (a) applying mixing action to such a mass within the inner bowl unit, and while so applying, vapor-heating the mass indirectly and solely by an adjacent body of steam disposed in the void space between the units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Marinela Luminita Dragan
  • Publication number: 20090169694
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus (100, 100?) serve to continuously produce fruit leather from a fruit mass. The fruit leather does not include added sugar or fat. The fruit mass includes a share of dry substance of at least 50% and a share of water. The fruit mass exposed to vacuum is cooked for less than one minute in a way to reduce the share of water in the fruit mass to increase the share of dry substance in the fruit mass to approximately between 80% to 90%. The fruit mass is then formed to attain the fruit leather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: CHOCOTECH GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Fleisch, Erhard Hilker, Klaus Markwardt
  • Publication number: 20090120301
    Abstract: A cooking device for making candy. The device includes: a U-shaped base member, a heating module, a container, a mixing module, a temperature indictor module, and a control module. The heating module includes a heating surface coupled to an interior surface of a first arm of the U-shaped base member. The container contains ingredients. The mixing module mixes ingredients in the container. The temperature indictor module indicates a temperature. The control module includes a heating temperature control module, and a mixing speed control module. The heating temperature control module controls a temperature of the heating module. The mixing speed control module controls a speed of the mixing module. A second arm of the U-shaped base member is hingedly coupled to the U-shaped base member member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Teri L. Severnak
  • Publication number: 20090117248
    Abstract: A method of producing a pasta filata cheese product, such as a Mozzarella-type cheese, in a continuous process without emulsifier or pH regulator additives requires preparing a typical pasta filata-type cheese curd and supplying the curd in cut pieces to one end of a processing chamber (14). The chamber (14) has an agitator (18) which rotates to work, knead, stretch and move the curd through the chamber. At the same time, steam is injected into the curd in the chamber through a plurality of injection nozzles (23) spaced along the length of the chamber (14) to heat and cook the cheese while it is simultaneously mechanically worked. The cooked product exiting from the chamber (14) is moulded to a desired shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Gold Peg International Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Murray Smith, Alastair Graeme Sorley, Mark Wynn Kirkby
  • Patent number: 7523697
    Abstract: The invention includes a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking plate and a handle assembly. The cooking plate has a cooking surface and an opposed lower surface. A handle assembly is operably coupled to the cooking plate and shiftable between a first handle position and a second handle position relative to the cooking plate, the handle assembly includes an interface structure having a first depth and a second depth. The first depth engages the lower surface when the handle assembly is in the first handle position and the second depth engages the lower surface when the handle assembly is in the second handle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Hedrington
  • Patent number: 7520659
    Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Wulf, Gerald J Lozinski, Matthew Craig Denton, Jerry Lee McColgin, Michael Morton, Daniel S. Soultanian
  • Publication number: 20090084274
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a circuit closer and, a safety lock system which unlocks the circuit closer and permits operation of the kitchen appliance only if the kitchen appliance is properly assembled. The safety lock system includes switches having sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kovacic, Marjan Mak, Jurij Pesec, Darko Rudez
  • Publication number: 20090071950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a breadmaker, in which the heating element is shieldingly protected in the shell body without being exposed outside so as to prevent people's hand from touching and being hurt by the heating element, more important, it is able to avoid getting flour falling onto the heating element and being baked excessively to stick on the heating element which may lead to a fire, thus the breadmaker of the present invention is more safely to operate and conforms to the requirements of European safety standards. The breadmaker comprises a shielding member for the heating element, and the shielding member is disposed between the heating element and the upper opening of the bread vessel, the downward projection of the shielding member can completely cover the contour of the heating element so as to completely shield the heating element from the above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: VESTA ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE MANUFACTURING (ZHONGSHAN) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Lei WANG
  • Publication number: 20090068316
    Abstract: A pet food mixture, pet food processing system, and process for making the pet food are disclosed. The pet food includes meat pieces formed from a mixture of meat and at least one vegetable, wherein the meat pieces are cooked and coated with a first liquid and color changed to obtain color coated meat pieces, the coated meat pieces providing a balanced nutrition for a pet. The process for making pet food includes forming slugs of a meat mixture, cooking the slugs of meat mixture to form cooked meat pieces, cooling the cooked meat pieces, packaging the meat pieces, and maintaining the meat pieces refrigerated to achive a refrigerated shelf life between approximately 8 weeks and approximately 30 weeks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: JOHN PHELPS, Kent Hemphill, Scott Morris, Thomas K. Ray
  • Publication number: 20090064867
    Abstract: A stir cooker (100). Stir cooker (100) comprises a container (102) having an open top and an open bottom for holding food, a lid (104) for closing the open top of container (102), a heated bottom (106) sealingly engaged with the lower end of container (102) for forming a cooking chamber (103), stir means (114) installed inside cooking chamber (103) for stirring food, a heating tube (116) fixedly installed on the bottom of heated bottom (106) for heating food, a stir base (112) disposed underneath cooking chamber (103) for supporting cooking chamber (103), a motor (124) installed inside stir base (112) and removably coupled with stir means (114) for driving stir means (114) to stir food, and an adapting member (110) engaged with the lower portion of container (102) by means of threading for adapting cooking chamber (103) to stand on stir base (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Zheng Peng
  • Patent number: 7500426
    Abstract: A food processing apparatus includes a tank having an inlet end and a discharge end and at least one baffle divides the tank into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein a temperature of the first compartment is greater than a temperature of the second compartment. A first drum is rotatably mounted within the first compartment of the tank such that a heat transfer medium contained in the first compartment of the tank will enter the first drum and a second drum is rotatably mounted within the second compartment of the tank such that a cool transfer medium contained in the second compartment of the tank will enter the second drum. A food product transfer device transfers food product from the first drum to the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Zittel, Daniel D. Maupin, Steven W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7485830
    Abstract: An automatic cooking device of the present invention comprises a rotating body and a cooking vessel that can regulate and control cooking processes. The rotating body is connected to a fixed structure, and the cooking vessel is attached on top of the rotating body. The automatic cooking device further utilizes integrated rotating devices, the cooking vessel and several driving motors to perform 3-dimensional movement including rotation, vibration, expanding and contracting motions, swinging or a combination of these motions. The automatic cooking device of the present invention is designed in such that it is simple to use and cost effective yet imparts meals cooked therein with the taste and flavor of food cooked traditionally. In other words, the automatic cooking device can cook various meals rapidly without impairing in quality of taste and flavor of the food. The automatic cooking device also can be used to prepare different meals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Volks Robot Taiwan Corp.
    Inventor: Tsanyao Jeremy Wang
  • Patent number: 7484455
    Abstract: A pasta cooker has a base carrying a bowl having an electrical heater. A basket can move between a lower position immersed in water in the bowl and an upper position largely out of the bowl. A stirring element rotatably mounted on the basket carries a paddle projecting upward into the basket. A controller energizes the heater to bring the water in the bowl to a boil, then lowers the basket into it. The stirring element fits with a drive in the base so it can rotate and stir the water and any foodstuff in the bowl in the boiling water. After an interval preset in a timer elapses, the controller lifts the basket out of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: De'Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De'Longhi
  • Patent number: 7475629
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for cooking foods, includes a support frame (3), a container (2) for food to be cooked, provided with a door (6) for introduction and withdrawal of the foods, and heating fluid supply elements, characterised in that the container is rotatably mounted on a fixed axis (4) of the frame (3); and in that it includes a motor rotating the container (2), foods contained within the container (2) being cooked by the heating fluid during rotation of the container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Turatti S.r.l.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Patent number: 7469629
    Abstract: A homogenising and kneading mixer comprising a premixer (12) placed upstream from a kneader and at least two kneading screws (20, 21) in turn connected with a vacuum tank (37) feeding final compression screws (44), in which the kneader has a containment cylinder (19a, 19b) and respective kneading screws (20, 21) realised in portions of different diameter, a first portion of smaller diameter (19a, 20a, 21a) arranged at a pasta scrap feeding conduit (25) and a second portion of greater diameter (19b, 20b, 21b) arranged at the premixer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignees: FAVA S.p.A., STORCI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Fava, Anzio Storci
  • Patent number: 7464639
    Abstract: An automatic liquid density-regulating device according to this invention is provided, comprising a workbench with a preparation area, a stir area, and a storage area; a controlling mechanism at a side of the workbench and connected with a clipping unit; a powder supply mechanism vertically on the preparation area of workbench, on which a plurality of container units may be provided; a weighing mechanism on the preparation area of workbench and connected to the controlling mechanism; a liquid supply mechanism located on the preparation area of workbench and at a side of the weighing mechanism and connected to the controlling mechanism; an absorption mechanism on the preparation area of workbench and at a side of the weighing mechanism. Thus, the device may flexibly set up the preparation flow and automatically pour powder and cold and hot water (or solvent) for achievement of precise and fast liquid density regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Logic Art Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pang-Chih Juan
  • Patent number: 7461589
    Abstract: A countertop cooking device for automating the preparation of food that requires stirring, heating, and the addition of liquid is proposed. The cooking device comprises a body containing a heated cooking pot, one or more separately heated reservoirs, and a means for transferring liquid to the cooking pot from the reservoir(s). The cooking device also comprises a means for stirring the contents of the cooking pot and scraping the inner surfaces of the cooking pot. A means is provided to control the temperatures of the cooking pot and reservoir(s), the sequence and duration of steps, and the stirring of the cooking pot. The sequence and duration of events may be controlled by a predetermined schedule, or based upon information from sensors in the device. The usefulness of the proposed cooking device is demonstrated in the application by describing its use in the preparation of risotto. This device may optionally be used in the preparation of other dishes such as rice and bulgur pilaf, or polenta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander J Sinton
  • Publication number: 20080295704
    Abstract: A hot cereal maker includes a housing with a basin defined therein for accommodating cereal grains, and a paddle disposed within the housing and operable to mix the cereal grains. The housing includes a base and a lid movable relative thereto, the basin being defined within the base and the paddle being connected to the lid. A mixing apparatus includes a housing having a basin defined therein, a paddle disposed within the basin having a channel, and at least one opening communicating between the channel and the basin, defined therein. A fluid conduit is included in the housing for supplying fluid from a fluid source to the channel. A mixing paddle includes a shaft having a channel defined centrally therein, and a plurality of openings extending through the shaft to the channel also defined therein. At least one vane extends from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Charles R. ROSE, III, Michael R. Booker
  • Publication number: 20080289510
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for waggling or shaking a pot comprises the following steps: (1) moving a pot in a planar or curved surface, and (2) accelerating or decelerating the pot at an appropriate position and at appropriate moment, and thus making all of or part of the materials in the pot to move linearly, curvilinearly or circularly. The present invention also discloses a device for waggling or shaking a pot to perform the above method, comprising a pot, a motion mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a control system, in which the driving mechanism drives the motion mechanism and the pot to make a linear, curvilinear or circular movement in a planar or curved surface in variable speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Xiaoyong Liu
  • Publication number: 20080271609
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance that has a removable cooking pot, positive locking between the cooking pot and a base configured for heating food in the pot, with the heating base also being configured for tilting the cooking pot up to an approximate forty-five degree angle from its original position. The appliance also includes a collar configured for upward positioning beyond the top edge of the cooking pot and a stirring motor arm with at least one connected stirring blade that extends into the cooking pot when the pot is in its usable position and locked onto the base. The collar tapers inwardly over the lateral edges of the stirring blade to reduce splashing and spilling in both level and tilted orientations. Stirring speed and the amount of tilt are adjustable. Further, applications can include, but are not limited to, the cooking of stir fry dishes, fudge, soups, vegetables, and stews.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Charles Pahl, Gregory Jarrett Walsh
  • Publication number: 20080264270
    Abstract: A baby food maker (100). Baby food maker (100) comprises a jar (102) having an open top and an open bottom for holding food, a top cap (104) for closing the open top of jar (102), a bottom cap (106) sealingly engaged with the lower end of said jar for forming a cooking chamber (103), blending or stirring means (114) installed inside cooking chamber (103) for blending/storing food, a heating tube (116) fixedly installed on the bottom of bottom cap (106) for heating food, a blender base (112) disposed underneath cooking chamber (103) for supporting cooking chamber (103), a motor (124) installed inside blender base (112) and removably coupled with means (114) for driving means (114) to blend or stir food, and an adapting member (110) engaged with the lower portion of jar (102) for adapting cooking chamber (103) to stand on blender base (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Zheng Peng
  • Publication number: 20080257168
    Abstract: A cooking device and method heats a removable vessel with heaters of a cooking capsule, which includes a separator wall between the heaters and vessel. The heaters mount to the separator wall. The capsule is fixed in a housing, which also mounts a motor that rotates the vessel. The housing tiltably mounts on a base. Accessories can be fixed to the vessel or a lid secured to the housing, so the accessories can rotate with the vessel or remain stationary with respect to the vessel as it rotates. A locking mechanism that secures the lid to the housing prevents lid detachment when the vessel counter-rotates and an accessory is fixed to the lid. A heat sink wall reflects heat toward the vessel and fins draw heat from the heat sink wall away from the housing and out vent holes. Computer hardware and software control power to the motor and heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Amy Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7421941
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a domestic porridge making appliance comprising a generally cylindrical cooking vessel into which a predetermined amount of water and porridge ingredients are put and having an upper side opened, a vessel handle grip formed at one side thereof for moving the cooking vessel, and a locking part mounted at both ends of the opened upper side thereof, respectively, and a driving part having a lower surface formed to correspond to the opened upper side of the cooking vessel, a locking protrusion formed at a position corresponding to the locking part of the cooking vessel at both ends of the outer peripheral surface thereof, respectively, a motor disposed on the bottom surface thereof in such a manner as to be inserted into the inside of the cooking vessel, the motor having a pulverizing blade connected to an end of a rotating shaft thereof, a heater formed at the outside of the pulverizing blade for heating the water in the cooking vessel, and a controller forme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Hong-Bae Kim
  • Publication number: 20080213447
    Abstract: A dry cooking fryer (1) comprising a main body (2) receiving food items that are to be fried, and a stirrer (6) automatically coats the items with a film of fat by mixing the food items with fat. The coated food items are cooked within the fryer without immersion in a cooking fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Payen, Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Publication number: 20080202348
    Abstract: A method for turning over cooking materials in a cooker, comprising: 1) making the cooker rotate around a rotation axis which is within the edge range of the cooker; and 2) generating an acceleration at an appropriate position or at an appropriate time to cause all or a part of the material inside the cooker to turn over. The present invention also discloses a turning-over device utilizing the above turning-over method, which comprises a cooker, a first motion mechanism and a driving mechanism which is an electric device, a magnetic device, an aerodynamic device, a hydraulic device, or a mechanical device. The first motion mechanism comprises a rotation shaft lying within the edge of the cooker, and the driving mechanism drives the cooker to rotate around the rotation shaft at variable speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Xiaoyong Liu
  • Publication number: 20080206420
    Abstract: An accelerated cooking air fryer is disclosed comprising a cavity, controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, gas directing means and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the air fryer cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the accelerated cooking of the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: David H. McFadden