Movably Connected Mold Sections Patents (Class 99/380)
  • Patent number: 11873996
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a burner mounted on the cooktop. At least one coupling member is coupled to the cooktop. A grate, a griddle, or a reversible griddle is selectively coupled to the at least one coupling member and is operable between a raised position and a lowered position when the grate, the griddle, or the reversible griddle, is engaged with the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Machado Bardal, Randall Vernen Crawford, Patrick J. Duffy, Ken E. Johnson, Michele Harpring Johnson, John Ryan McNally, Paul J. Neuman, Gaston A. Leoni, Leonardo Portilho Soares, Sarah Katherine Small
  • Patent number: 11497351
    Abstract: A herb processor has an upper cutting element with blades extending downward, a circumferential groove in an inner diameter of the upper cutting element, and a first opening into the groove from the planar lower end, a lower cutting element with blades extending upward and a laterally-extending key that fits through the opening into the groove, locking the upper and lower cutting elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jason Ashton
  • Patent number: 11141021
    Abstract: The invention provides an appliance for making a hollow toasted food product. The appliance includes a pair of opposed parts which is hingedly connected along one side such that opposed surfaces can, in use, be folded onto each other, a heating element in heat communication with each surface, a hollow formed in one or each opposed heating surface, such that a cavity is formed when the parts are folded closed onto each other, and wherein the opposed edges of each hollow is proximate each other, when closed. The appliance further includes an inside mould of which the outer surface is complementary and smaller than the inner surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Albert Stanford
  • Patent number: 10682010
    Abstract: A food cooking appliance such as a waffle maker, pizza maker or toaster uses a combination of sensor inputs and optional user preferences to determine an optimal cooking time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Hoare, Brendan John Foxlee, Emma Craig, Vyvyan Rose, Ashley Marsh-Croft
  • Patent number: 8695488
    Abstract: A multi-function induction cooker comprises: a left body with a left upper cover and a corresponding lower left cover, a left supporting board for supporting the heating plate disposed on the left upper cover, a left electromagnetic induction component disposed inside the chamber between the left upper and left lower cover; a right body connected on the right side of the left body, and the right body can be returned on the upper surface of the left body to a folded status, or an unfolded status; wherein a status switching device for switching the folded and unfolded status is disposed on the left or right body, and said status switching device can switch the power proportion between the two bodies in folded or unfolded status. With the multi-function induction cooker: the food can be heated from the top and the bottom, and pans can be heated on both surfaces simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sen-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 8661969
    Abstract: A food staging device particularly suited for shelled eggs, a method of storing shelled eggs, and a method of cooking shelled eggs are provided. The shelled egg staging device comprises an elongated body, individual receiving receptacles, a pour spout associated with each receiving receptacle, and a handle. The food staging device can be used to hold shelled eggs prior to cooking, for example. A method of storing shelled eggs in a shelled egg staging device is provided. A method of cooking the shelled eggs is provided and comprises containing shelled eggs in a food staging device and pouring the shelled eggs onto a cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Ewald, Craig Conley, Thomas Tapper
  • Patent number: 8616120
    Abstract: A grilling device with the rotatable lock catch, has a pin module and a rotary shaft joint with two semi-shafts. The upper half shaft of the rotary shaft has a post rod, the lower half shaft of the rotary shaft has a through hole for accommodating the passing in and out of the post rod. The upper end of a supporting shelf of the pin module is disposed with a U-shaped opening for adapting the rotary shaft, two short shafts are respectively disposed by the two sides of the U-shaped opening, two arc-shaped spacing flakes with opposite openings are respectively hinged joint with the corresponding short shafts. A movable ejector pin is disposed on the supporting shelf and along the midline of the U-shaped opening. A pressing board of the middle portion of the ejector pin upward presses the lower portions of the two spacing flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dongmei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130019761
    Abstract: A grill with an anti-shaking structure has an upper pan and a lower pan, an upper heater and a lower heater for heating the upper pan and lower pan respectively. At least one shaft member having a shaft and a shaft base for containing the shaft is disposed between the upper and lower pan. The shaft base has a triangular shaft hole with a protrusion in a side of the triangle. The shaft passes through the triangular shaft hole and can be moved among the three angles for switching the use of the upper pan and lower pan. When the upper pan and the lower pan are unfolded to 180°, the shaft can be limited by the protrusion. The grill can be switched among three using status: 0°, 105° and 180°, and in each status both the upper pan and lower pan are stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (ZHANG ZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yixin ZHAN, Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 8358921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a line feedthrough through a heating kettle cover of a heating kettle of a reducing agent tank. At least one line penetrates an opening of the heating kettle cover and is sealed by means of a sealing element. It is provided that the sealing element is configured as an elastic plug sealing stopper, which is inserted in a holder associated with the heating kettle cover in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Haeberer, Matthias Horn
  • Publication number: 20130008319
    Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a pet treat baking kit designed to make healthy and affordable pet treats. The pet treat baking kit comprises a pet treat baking device, a recipe book, a wire cooling rack, and an utensil. The pet treat baking device, comprises a top portion and a bottom portion secured together to form a hinge at a first end. The pet treat baking device further comprises a heating element secured to an interior of either the top portion or the bottom portion of the device, and at least one baking plate removably secured to the interior of the bottom portion. Furthermore, the pet treat baking device comprises at least one baking plate removably secured to an interior of the top portion of the device. The baking plates comprise molds in various shapes, such as a dog bone shape, a paw shape, or an animal shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Louis John Kokenis
  • Patent number: 8261657
    Abstract: There is provided a toaster grill having a lower housing that supports a lower cooking surface and an upper housing that supports an upper cooking surface. The upper housing pivots with respect to a “U” shaped frame that is hinged with respect to the lower cooking surface. A locking hinge allows the pivoting motion of the frame to be automatically arrested in an intermediate orientation between the fully closed and fully open grill orientations. The locking hinge automatically resets when the upper housing is rotated from the fully open grill orientation to the fully closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Serra, Richard Hoare
  • Patent number: 8109206
    Abstract: The inventive waffle iron has two baking sub-assemblies pivotable with respect to each other from an open position and a closed proximate position in which they define a baking chamber. At any position of the baking sub-assemblies between the closed proximate position and the closed offset position thereof, wherein they are offset from each other by a product expansion, a peripheral element of a baking sub-assembly slides along a corresponding peripheral element of the other baking sub-assembly in such a way that the variable volume baking chamber is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seb SA
    Inventors: Roger Rosset, Guillaume Prieto, Jérôme Tranchant
  • Patent number: 7963215
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction heating grill toaster that includes a first casing body, a first baking tray, a second casing body, and a second baking tray. The first casing body has a first electromagnetic induction element, a first micro-crystal plate, and a control element. The first baking tray is detachably disposed on the first casing body. The second casing body has one side pivoted on one side of the first casing body and has a second electromagnetic induction element and a second micro-crystal plate. The second baking tray is detachably disposed on the second casing body. The present invention utilizes the advantage of quick heating of electromagnetic induction, in order to reduce the amount of time users need to wait for the grill toast to preheat. Hence, the present invention not only reduces power use, but also saves time for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Ching Ho, Shih-Wei Tung, Yi-Hao Lin, Jr-Ren Ji
  • Publication number: 20100319550
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a grill, comprising an upper shell, a lower shell and a hinge mechanism for controlling the relative position of the two shells; the hinge mechanism comprises a first hinge unit and a second hinge unit; the first hinge unit comprises a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft comprises a horizontal shaft connected to the upper shell and a vertical shaft connected to the lower shell; the second hinge unit comprises a fixed hinge part on the lower shell and a detachable hinge part on the upper shell, and the detachable hinge part is removablly hinged to the fixed hinge part. Compared to the conventional technique, the upper shell and the lower shell could be easily arranged side by side when they are opened to 180°, and the upper grill pan and the lower grill pan are near to the user so that the grill is easy to operate and is designed humanized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chunyu WU
  • Publication number: 20100300305
    Abstract: A cook top includes a lower grill and an upper grilling unit that is mounted adjacent to a back edge of the lower grill. The upper grill unit can be moved from a recessed position at a back edge of the cook top to a raised vertical position by a raising mechanism. From the raised position, the upper grilling unit can be rotated forward so that food placed on the lower grill can also be cooked by the upper grilling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Neal Schon
  • Publication number: 20100148641
    Abstract: The invention described herein is modular system which includes standard components for constructing a code-compliant, customized easily leveled modular kitchen system which can be installed and safely used in non-traditional kitchen settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Ehmke
  • Patent number: 7735416
    Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus is light, packable, compatible with back-country hiking, and is multi-functional for use over a heat source. An arm of the apparatus may elongate and shorten and may have an attachment system on the arm that allows the attachment of a plurality of food and drink holding attachments. The attachments may be coupled to a strap connected to a handle. The handle may include a compartment for holding parts of the apparatus or other articles so that the apparatus may be disassembled and stowed. A rotisserie mode enables rotation of food over an open flame. A rotisserie handle can be releasably coupled to the apparatus handle. The rotisserie handle can be placed in a locked condition to prevent rotation in a variety of cooking positions. A pivoting arm stabilizer enables cooking food to be horizontally pivoted to and from the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Lane A. Ekberg
  • Publication number: 20090320695
    Abstract: There is provided a toaster grill having a lower housing that supports a lower cooking surface and an upper housing that supports an upper cooking surface. The upper housing pivots with respect to a “U” shaped frame that is hinged with respect to the lower cooking surface. A locking hinge allows the pivoting motion of the frame to be automatically arrested in an intermediate orientation between the fully closed and fully open grill orientations. The locking hinge automatically resets when the upper housing is rotated from the fully open grill orientation to the fully closed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Serra, Richard Hoare
  • Publication number: 20090145307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mold (1) for producing a batter-based food that swells under heat, which mold (1) comprises two cooking subassemblies (2, 3) capable of moving between an open position enabling the batter to be deposited and a closed position in which they define a cooking chamber, in which each cooking subassembly (2, 3) includes a cooking plate (4, 5), with the lower cooking plate (4) comprising a peripheral wall that delimits the cooking chamber and extends above the median plane of said chamber. According to the invention, the peripheral wall includes, on a discharge portion (11), a lowering forming an opening enabling an excess of expanding batter to be discharged, in which the discharge portion (11) extends vertically at least to the median plane of the cooking chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre LUBOWICKI, Rodolphe Touchard
  • Publication number: 20090139412
    Abstract: A rotary double-layer grill comprises a base and a pan member, wherein the base has two brackets, and the pan member revolvably connects to the two brackets. The pan member comprises a lower pan unit, an upper pan unit and a middle pan unit, wherein the top side of the lower pan unit has a grilling surface, and the bottom side of the upper pan unit has a grilling surface. The left end of the upper pan unit and the left end of the lower pan unit form a pivot connection. Both the top side and the bottom side of the middle pan unit are grilling surfaces, and the middle pan unit is separately mounted between the upper pan unit and the lower pan unit. The pans form two grilling spaces, which can be used to grill more food simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yixin ZHAN
  • Patent number: 7514655
    Abstract: An electric grill for use to create healthier meals is disclosed. The electric grill comprises a support structure which holds a top heating section and a bottom heating section connected by a hinge. The hinge allows for a wide range of movement whereby the top heating section may be face to face with the bottom heating section, may be perpendicular, or may be at a 180 degree angle. Moreover, the top and bottom heating sections may be tilted such that excess grease, oils and juices may be separated from the food being cooked. The electric grill disclosed herein also may include a digital read-out display and a user input keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Products of Tomorrow, Inc., South Asia International
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul Mc Grath, Raymond Hoi Tak Lam
  • Publication number: 20080178746
    Abstract: The inventive waffle iron comprises two baking sub-assemblies pivotable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed proximate position in which they define a baking chamber. The waffle iron also comprises at least one exhaust pipe provided with an orifice which is open above the central plane of the baking chamber when two baking sub-assemblies are in the closed proximate position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Roger Rosset, Guillaume Prieto, Jerome Tranchant
  • Publication number: 20080156199
    Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus is light, packable, compatible with back-country hiking, and is multi-functional for use over a heat source. An arm of the apparatus may elongate and shorten and may have an attachment system on the arm that allows the attachment of a plurality of food and drink holding attachments. The attachments may be coupled to a strap connected to a handle. The handle may include a compartment for holding parts of the apparatus or other articles so that the apparatus may be disassembled and stowed. A rotisserie mode enables rotation of food over an open flame. A rotisserie handle can be releasably coupled to the apparatus handle. The rotisserie handle can be placed in a locked condition to prevent rotation in a variety of cooking positions. A pivoting arm stabilizer enables cooking food to be horizontally pivoted to and from the heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Lane A. Ekberg
  • Patent number: 6860191
    Abstract: A waffle baker grill for producing a waffle product, including a first heating plate having a first surface and a first peripheral wall extending from the first surface to a predetermined distance. The first peripheral wall includes a first side and a second side. A second heating plate has a second surface and a second peripheral wall extending from the second surface to the predetermined distance. The second peripheral wall includes at least a third side and a fourth side. The second heating plate is pivotally connected to the first heating plate to move between a closed position and an open position. The first and second surfaces include at least one scoring flange extending to a distance less than the predetermined distance. The waffle produced from the grill may be divided into a plurality of waffle sticks along score lines created by the scoring flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Procter-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Jackson, Jeffrey Thomas Mauch, Xiaogang Guo
  • Patent number: 6849830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for vending food products in food outlets. The method includes the steps of providing a heating cavity having thermal conductive heating surfaces; placing a container including the food product into the heating cavity, the container engaging at least a first and second surfaces of the thermal conductive heating surfaces; resistively energizing the heating surfaces for heating the food product through conduction of thermal energy to produce a heated food product; and opening the container and serving the heated food product. The invention also relates to a portable, compact and space saving heating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Dominick Damiano, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, Hua Zhang
  • Patent number: 6782804
    Abstract: A fry pan with its position angle adjustable includes a body, a tightening device and a base. The body has an upper plate and a lower plate capable of being tightened by the tightening device. The body has a shaft and is pivotally connected to the base by the shaft. The base has a position device connected with the body. The body can be adjusted in its desired position angle by the shaft functioning as a pivot and then is tightened by the position device at the adjusted sloping angle for fat to flow down easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Kenny Lin
  • Patent number: 6776085
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a pivot unit disposed below and interconnecting pivotally bottom surfaces of two tray halves of a tray unit to permit pivotal movement of the tray halves between extended and folded positions. The tray halves have inner sides contacting each other and defining a seam therebetween, and top surfaces flush with each other for providing a large cooking area when the tray halves are disposed at the extended position. An oil-collecting member is mounted on the bottom surface of one of the tray halves, and spans the width of the seam for collecting oil that permeates through the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yi Tang
  • Patent number: 6747250
    Abstract: A counter-top electric oven includes a head having an electric heating unit. The heating unit includes a heating lamp and a grill underlying the heating lamp. A motor powers two fans for circulating air around the motor, and through the heating unit. An oven body removably receives at least a portion of the electric heating unit, and is supported by a dish. The head, oven body and dish form an interior cavity for cooking food. An expansion ring may be disposed between the oven body in the dish to enlarge the cooking enclosure area. A base supports the dish on the flat surface, such as a counter-top. A holder is slidably connected to the base so as to be extended away from the base for supporting the head and oven body when these are moved to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Morning Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: KeonJong Cha
  • Patent number: 6595114
    Abstract: The electrically-powered cooker has a base that pivotally supports a clam shell-type cooking unit having two independently pivotal cooking halves, each half being provided with its own hot plate. One or more dished recesses are provided in the bottom half of the unit, while a matching set of slightly raised bosses are provided on the top half. Each cooking half has its own separate electrically energized heating element to raise the temperature of the corresponding hot plate to the desired level. In use, the cooking unit is initially opened with the two halves laid open on opposite sides of the base and with the hot plates facing upwardly. After batter is poured into the dished receptacles of the bottom half and allowed to cook, the top half is closed upon it and latched, whereupon the closed unit is flipped over onto the opposite side of the base to flip the pancakes contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Select Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Endres, W. Eric Endres, Duane K. Smith, Mark T. Krasne
  • Patent number: 6412400
    Abstract: A baking assembly for preparing a baked filled waffle is disclosed. The baking assembly comprises an upper plate and a lower plate each of the plates having a baking surface with a plurality of outer pyramids and a plurality of inner pyramids. Each of the outer pyramids have a height that is greater than the height of the inner pyramids. The upper plate is receivable on the lower plate and when so received the outer pyramids of the upper plate align with the outer pyramids of the inner plate to form a plurality of pinch points. The inner pyramids of the upper plate align with the inner pyramids of the lower plate when the upper plate is received on the lower plate and thereby form a pocket region defined between the inner pyramids of the upper plate and the inner pyramids of the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Charles Gambino, Mark King, Michael J. Bauman
  • Patent number: 6397733
    Abstract: A food roasting apparatus has a roasting main body and an upholding device is mounted on the roasting main body at the far end with respect to the oil-collected hole. The upholding device includes an upholding element and a covering body, which can shield the upholding element and can be locked at a bottom of the roasting main body. The upholding element has a pulling rod part. Two ends of the pulling rod part are forwardly bent to form a crossing part. The end of the crossing part is again inwardly bent to form a stopping part. With respect to the crossing part, the roasting main body and the cover body both has indentations for crossing over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6363839
    Abstract: A grill device includes a horizontal upper grill unit with a rear side, a horizontal lower grill unit with a rear side, and a connecting unit. The upper grill unit is superposed on the lower grill unit. The connecting unit interconnects the rear sides of the upper and lower grill units in such a manner that the upper grill unit can be turned rearward from the lower grill unit to an open position. At the open position, the upper grill unit is prevented by the connecting unit from being moved to left and right sides of the lower grill unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA Inc.
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6321639
    Abstract: Prior ice cream cone baking machines were manually raised and lowered, causing the cone to be sometimes overcooked or burnt. The present invention automatically raises the upper cooking plate after a pre-set cooking time, and maintains the baked cake at a warm temperature until removed from the lower cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Vincenzo Misceo
  • Patent number: 6276263
    Abstract: A grill device includes a horizontal upper grill unit with a rear side, a horizontal lower grill unit with a rear side, and a connecting unit. The upper grill unit is superposed on the lower grill unit. The connecting unit interconnects the rear sides of the upper and lower grill units in such a manner that the upper grill unit can be turned rearward from the lower grill unit to a half-open position and to a horizontal fully-open position. When turned to the half-open position, the upper grill unit is retained automatically thereat unless it is pulled upwardly relative to the lower grill unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Olivia Huang
  • Patent number: 6269738
    Abstract: A grill device includes an annular bottom wall adapted to be placed above a flat support, and outer and inner annular walls which extend uprightly from outer and inner annular peripheries of the bottom wall to form outer and inner upper annular edges and which cooperate with the bottom wall to confine an annular fluid collecting groove. A lower cooking member includes upper and lower major walls normal to a central line. The upper major wall includes an outer circumferential area integrally formed with and extending inwardly from the upper inner annular edge, and a central area that is raised so as to be higher than the outer circumferential area. The lower major wall is punched upwardly to form a plurality of first and second ridge portions respectively in the central and outer circumferential areas. The first and second ridge portions are of such heights so that the respective first ridge portion is not higher than the respective second ridge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Olivia Huang
  • Patent number: 6244167
    Abstract: A tortilla forming machine for molding dough into a tortilla shell having a top, a bottom, a peripheral edge, and a thickness. The forming machine includes a first member having a first forming surface, a second member having a second forming surface moveable toward and away from the first forming surface, and at least one removable sizing ring. The sizing ring includes a first edge and an opposing second edge, an inner surface and a height defining a cavity between the first and second forming surfaces when the first forming surface is adjacent the first edge and the second forming surface is adjacent the second edge such that the inner surface of the ring forms the peripheral edge of the tortilla shell and the height of the ring forms the thickness of the tortilla shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Poquito Mas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin T. Mc Carney
  • Patent number: 6196117
    Abstract: An apparatus for baking thin-walled shaped bodies has a baking shaft defining adjacent up and down paths and a respective stack of pairs of cavity-forming baking plates in the shaft at each of the paths. A heater in the shaft heats the stacks between upper and lower ends thereof. A lower transporter conveys plates from the lower end of the down-path stack to the lower end of the up-path stack and an upper transporter conveys plates from the upper end of the up-path stack to the upper end of the down-path stack. Upper and lower fillers and strippers above the respective upper and lower transporter deposit a bakable preproduct on the plates and for removing a baked product from the plates. The plates are transferred from the downstream end of the lower transporter to the lower end of the up stack which is thus stepped upward, and are transferred from the lower end of the down stack to the upstream end of the lower transporter to step the down stack downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen-Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz sen. Haas, Johann Haas, Johann Sachsenhofer
  • Patent number: 6194017
    Abstract: An apparatus and method easily and quickly produce multiple holes in a dough layer. An apparatus according to the invention includes a top portion, a number of pins supported by the top portion in a fixed pattern, and a base portion having a number of holes arranged in a fixed pattern corresponding to the pins of the top portion. Structure, such as a hinge, is provided to lower the top portion toward the base portion and to guide the pins through a dough layer placed between the top portion and base portion and into the holes. A number of openings in the dough layer are thus produced. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Pizza Hut, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Woodward, James E. Mabe, Jr., Malcolm F. Dyer
  • Patent number: 6167796
    Abstract: A waffle baker is disclosed which is of tubular frame construction having a pair of shell members which have a food receiving part, a handle, and a hinge. The shell members include a heater coil for connecting to a power source and a thermocouple to monitor the heat index of the shell members. A timing system is incorporated into the system, preferably through a magnetic and proximity switch, such that the baker turning and cooking time is monitored with either visual and/or audio warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: New Carbon Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Irvin E. Wright, Rodney L. Osborne, Paul E. George, II
  • Patent number: 6148718
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming and baking food particles into a unified, shaped product, e.g., shaped like pizza, has heated top and bottom plates, the mating faces of which have recesses and protrusions for molding the desired shaped product. The bottom plate is in two parts that are abutted together when food particles are deposited thereon and during a baking period with the top plate placed thereon. After raising the top plate, the two bottom parts are moved apart to release the baked, shaped product. Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, can be formed into a pizza-like shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: SBJR Restaurants Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. D'Alterio
  • Patent number: 6129009
    Abstract: A baking apparatus for the production of foamed carbohydrate-based baked products which expand during the baking process has a baking tongs with a pair of tong parts hinged together and a baking mold whose mold halves are each received in a respective one of the tong parts. The hinge has hinge sections connected by two pivot pins with pivot axes offset from one another and enabling a change in the volume of the baking mold. Opposite the hinge sections, a holding device can hold the baking tongs closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen-Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Johann Haas, Johann Sachsenhofer
  • Patent number: 6044755
    Abstract: Prior ice cream cone baking machines were manually raised and lowered, causing the cone to be sometimes overcooked or burnt. The present invention automatically raises the upper cooking plate after a pre-set cooking time, and maintains the baked cake at a warm temperature until removed from the lower cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Vincenzo Misceo
  • Patent number: 6026737
    Abstract: A simple apparatus for molding and baking food particles into edible unified products comprises a heated stationary ring sandwiched by a heated bottom plate and a heated top plate. Both plates can alternately be brought against, and removed from, the ring. By placing a measured quantity of food particles on the bottom plate while against the ring and by bringing the top plate down on the ring, the food particles are compressed for a selected baking period. The top plate is then raised from the ring and the bottom plate is lowered from the ring so that the resulting unified product is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: SBJR Restaurants Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. D'Alterio, Paul W. Garbo
  • Patent number: 5955129
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and processes for producing baked thin-walled shaped articles from baking or pouring mixtures which expand during the baking process. The bottom half (18) of a baking mold (16) for producing thin-walled shaped articles is accommodated in the bottom tongs section (13) of a pair of baking tongs (7) and the top half (17) of the baking mold is accommodated in the top tongs section (15) of the tongs (7). The mold halves (17, 18) and tongs sections (13, 15) are provided with stop surfaces (68c, 64d) and sealing surfaces (17a, 18a, 21a, 22a) and are in mutual contact when the baking mold (16) is closed. At least one clamp device (30, 31) is provided to press the mold halves (17, 18, 21, 22) of the closed baking mold (16) together; said clamp device forces at least the two mold halves (17, 18) of the closed baking mold (16) together with a predetermined clamping force during clamping and eliminates at least the play between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Sr., Franz Haas, Jr., Johann Haas, Erich Koletnik
  • Patent number: 5937742
    Abstract: A waffle baker includes a stationary stand which mounts a clam shell style baker assembly such that the baker assembly can be freely rotated relative to the stand. The baker assembly includes an upper and a lower shell, within each of which is mounted a stainless steel bowl which acts as a heat reflecting shield to reflect heat toward a respective light weight, quick heating griddle. A series of tabs are positioned on and extend upward from each of the reflective bowls with the tabs on each bowl supporting a respective heating cal rod in position above the floor of that bowl. The lower shell reflecting bowl includes a central opening which is surrounded by an upstanding perimeter wall to receive a bi-metal temperature sensing switch and isolate it from the cal rods and from heat reflected by the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Heartland Food Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Steeb, Charles H. Nickloy, III
  • Patent number: 5848567
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a base unit, an upper unit hinged to the base unit along a pivot axis, an oil accumulating tray, and slidably retaining device. The base unit defines a horizontal plane, and has a lower cooking plate disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, a plurality of grilling members mounted on the lower cooking plate in heat conducting relationship, and a bottom wall disposed underneath the lower cooking plate. The upper unit has an upper cooking plate disposed therein and movable relative to the lower cooking plate. The lower cooking plate inclines gradually and downwardly from a proximate position relative to the pivot axis toward a distal position, and is formed with a fluid outlet at the distal position to communicate the lower cooking plate with the bottom wall. The base unit further has a pair of engagement portions disposed on the bottom wall and spaced apart from each other in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Hanh Chiang
  • Patent number: 5845562
    Abstract: A grill for cooking food is provided that has an inclined cooking surface with diagonally positioned ribs projecting therefrom. The ribs have a rounded elongated configuration that all point toward a liquid drain. The ribs have liquid flow channels there between to facilitate liquid flow down the incline into a collection vessel. The cooking surface is surrounded by a retaining wall for holding food in position during a cooking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Keystone Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Deni, Joseph A. Deni
  • Patent number: 5820907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a baking mold for manufacturing moldings, comprising a lower baking section mounted on a lower arm and an upper baking section mounted on an upper arm, wherein the baking sections, in the closed condition of the baking mold and in superposed condition, define at least one baking form, and wherein during use the upper arm can be fixedly connected with the lower arm. At least one of the baking sections is movably connected with the relevant arm, and pressure means are included for pressing under bias on the baking section in the closed condition of the baking mold and thereby closing the baking form at least during normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Suntray B.V.
    Inventors: Wiebe Kloppenburg, Johan Hendrik Adolf Arentsen
  • Patent number: 5809871
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking or heating a material has a base formed from a thermally conductive material. The base has a floor and a wall which define a receptacle adapted to receive the material to be heated. The cooling apparatus further includes a lid, also formed of a thermally conductive material. A heat source is provided in thermal connection with the wall. A second heat source may also be provided in thermal connection with the lid. The lid is provided with a vent to permit fluids generated during use of the apparatus to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Mercury Far East Limited
    Inventor: Barbara Arathoon
  • Patent number: 5671658
    Abstract: A new Waffle Sandwich Making System for cooking waffle sandwiches by pouring half of the required batter into the waffle sandwich molds, add fillings on top such as hot dogs, cheese, ham, sausage, and/or bacon along with a stick projecting outwardly from one end of the waffle sandwich allowing clean manual manipulation of the cooked waffle sandwich, and pouring the remaining batter over the filling and cooking. The inventive device includes a housing structure, a molding means within the housing structure and a heating means within the housing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Jorge Macasaet