Movable Or Adjustable Carrier Or Grid Patents (Class 99/391)
  • Patent number: 11677901
    Abstract: An infrared toaster and a method of toasting use a support configured to hold a food product relative to an infrared source. A light source and a camera are arranged relative to the support to illuminate the food product and capture digital images of the food product. A processor receives and analyzes successive images from the camera. The processor operates the IR source to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the food product. The processor operates the IR source to terminate operation directing IR energy when the predetermined toasting level is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Shei, Nick Mandarino, Dave Paton, Benjamin Slotarski, Jason Pittenger
  • Patent number: 11517148
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven, has a lifting arm including ribs that form a support surface for a food product in a cooking cavity of the appliance. Each rib can include an opening configured to permit infrared radiation from a heating assembly to pass through the rib to the food product supported by the lifting arm and/or to reduce a thermal mass and capacitance of the lifting arm. The heating assembly can include a support and/or heating element with a curved shape having a concave side facing a cooking cavity. The support and/or heating element can have a planar shape when unstressed and a curved shape when stressed. The heating element may be coupled to the support so as to be slidably movable relative to the support, e.g., so the heating element can slide relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Revolution Cooking, LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Carbone, Peter J. Loftus, Ryan O'Donnell, Cody O'Sullivan, James Poon, Aurelio Reyes, Richard Simmers
  • Patent number: 11019961
    Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for a toaster includes a damper arm pivotally mounted on a frame that includes a damper unit. The damper unit including (a) a cavity in which a viscous fluid is stored, (b) a rotor that resides partially in the cavity and partially outside of the cavity, the viscous fluid resisting rotation of the rotor relative to the cavity, and (c) an engagement member attached to the rotor that engages a track on the frame. The damper arm is movable between a deactivated position and an activated position. An electrical switch configured to engage an electrical contact when the damper arm is in the activated position and to disengage from the electrical contact when the damper arm is in the deactivated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: William D Starr
  • Patent number: 10631685
    Abstract: A toaster includes a housing having a toasting chamber therein. An upper end of the toasting chamber has an inlet for feeding sliced bread. A lower end of the toasting chamber has an outlet for discharging the sliced bread. The outlet is provided with a door for opening and closing the outlet. The door is driven by a door opening structure. The door opening structure includes a door locking mechanism, a lift door opening mechanism, a magnetic suction mechanism, a power switch mechanism, and a PCB control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DONGGUAN TANGXIA NYHANG ELECTRICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoping Leng
  • Patent number: 9888810
    Abstract: A toaster for evenly toasting bread products is provided. The toaster comprises at-least one heating zone inside a toasting chamber, the heating zone having at-least one baffle provided on top of at-least one heating element, the baffles trapping the hot air and reducing the rate at which hot air moves up maintaining a minimum temperature gradient along the toaster, thereby evenly toasting the bread product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Bipin Prabhakar Deshpande
  • Patent number: 8921742
    Abstract: A toaster cover control device with fireproofing function comprises a cover sliding-frame or a cover opening-closing mechanism and a power switch (K), a cover switch (K1) and a control circuit that are provided in the toaster. The said control circuit is provided with a microprocessor. An output terminal of the control circuit is connected with a transistor (Q1). The said control circuit is connected with a sensor (S). The sensor detects the temperature of the toaster. The control circuit provides a control signal when the detected temperature exceeds the set temperature value, so that a circuit controlling cover action keeps the cover closed. The cover can be opened normally when the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature value. It is also provided with an application method of the said control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen
  • Patent number: 8863654
    Abstract: A cooking device has a casing 1, a heating chamber 8 provided in the casing 1, an exhaust tube 18 for guiding exhaust from inside of the heating chamber 8 through an electric component chamber 9 in the casing 1 to front face side, and a dew receiving container 4 that is provided on front face side of the casing 1 and that receives and diffuses the exhaust from the exhaust tube 18 to outside of the casing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Asami, Takashi Utsumi, Shinya Ueda, Hiroyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 8846124
    Abstract: A method for forming a pressed, baked food product including providing a dough intermediate puck. The dough intermediate puck is processed through a first, compression station that applies a compression force and heat to the dough intermediate puck, resulting in a pressed puck. The pressed puck is processed through a second, dwell and heating station that contacts opposing major surfaces of the pressed puck in a manner allowing the pressed puck to naturally rise and applies heat to the puck, resulting in a pressed, at least partially-baked, food product. The above steps are characterized by continuous movement of the puck from an upstream end of the first station to a downstream end of the second station. In one embodiment, residual heat from the first station is applied in the second station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Heinzen
  • Patent number: 8808780
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for making shaped food chip products (2) including hotplates (3) (4) that are arranged in such way that, when in use, food snacks are hold between the hotplates and where at least one hotplate surface is covered with a steam permeable membrane (5). Also a method for making food chip product (2) including feeding slices of food in a monolayered between hotplates (3, 4) where at least one of the hotplate surfaces pressing on the food snack is covered with a membrane (5) that guidance the steam away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Anders Fredlund
  • Publication number: 20140144331
    Abstract: A countertop multi-function oven has a baking and a toasting mode. The oven uses a rotating input dial as a function selector. A second rotating input dial is used to allow a user selection of a bake time or a toasting load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Keith James Hensel, Ze Kang Li
  • Patent number: 8707858
    Abstract: An oven serves for heat-treating food pieces laid upon a grid in a cabinet by a heat source. The grid has an upper part of an endless chain running around a number of chain supports of which a lower and upper support defines a lower and upper end of the upper chain part. Portions of food pieces such as French fries can be quickly and easily heat-treated in rapid succession in this oven in a simple and economical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MOM's A/S
    Inventor: Per Heindorf Iversen
  • Patent number: 8656828
    Abstract: An electric oven includes a cooking chamber having at least one heating member and at least one support member for supporting food, the cooking chamber being provided with a movable pressing member for pressing the food against the support member to cook the food while kept pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 8561527
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cooking apparatus having a pan with a sidewall, a bottom wall and a grill top. The bottom wall has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface facing a heating source and the top surface facing an air space. A grill covering is disposed on top of the sidewall, with the air space forming between the grill covering and the top surface of the bottom wall. The sidewall also contains at least one handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eden Variety Products, LLC
    Inventor: Wilfredo Ganuza
  • Patent number: 8561526
    Abstract: A bread toaster includes an outer cover, a toaster base, a toaster frame mounted on the toaster base, a first sliding member slidably provided on a predetermined side of the toaster frame, a second sliding member also provided on the same predetermined side of the toaster frame, a front supporting frame and a rear supporting frame provided at a front side and a rear side of the toaster frame respectively, a lid arrangement, and a control circuitry, wherein the lid arrangement is arranged to be operated between a closed position and an opened position for closing and opening the toasting slots of the bread toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen, Faxi Huang
  • Publication number: 20130220144
    Abstract: A toaster has a housing has an operation cavity and a heating cavity. One side of the housing has a first opening, at least one second opening is disposed at the bottom of the housing, the operation cavity is connected to the heating cavity; a longitudinal groove with same number with the second opening, the longitudinal groove is disposed inside the housing, the longitudinal groove is extended upwards from the second opening; at least one transparent movable baffle, which is sliding and connected to the longitudinal groove from the bottom of the housing from down to up, part of the side surface of the movable baffle is exposed to the first opening; and at least one positioning mechanism, which is fastened to the housing and positioned or supported the movable baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (ZHANG ZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TSANN KUEN (ZHANG ZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO. LTD.
  • Patent number: 8372459
    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, which may be arranged in a vertical orientation. 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Vincent A. Piucci, Charles R. Sperry, Dennis F. McNamara, Stephen D. Smith, Suzanne M. Scott
  • Patent number: 8291813
    Abstract: A variable-width toaster is described, in which the food-supporting carriage (5, 60) adapts readily, robustly and in a cost-effective manner to different width settings of the toasting chamber (2, 70). Respective elongate members (51, 52; 61, 62) are mounted to either side of the toasting chamber and are linked together by linking members (53a-53n; 63a, 63b) which form part of the food-supporting surface and are pivotally attached to the elongate members to accommodate lateral relative movement between the elongate members as the width of the toasting chamber is varied. In one embodiment, unitary linking members (53a-53n) link the two elongate members (51, 52) and the elongate members are urged apart by a spring (54). In another embodiment, chevron-like linking members, comprising pairs of pivotally associated linking members (63a, 63b) are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kenwood Limited
    Inventor: Keith Leaman
  • Patent number: 8240246
    Abstract: A removable toaster basket assembly to be removably received in a toasting slot of an electric pop-up toaster facilitates inserting and removing food articles in the toasting slot for toasting of the food article. The removable toaster basket assembly includes an elongate substantially planar frame for resting on an upper surface of the toaster and defines a rectangular slot therethrough. A handle extends from one end of the frame. An elongate basket is slidably received in the slot, the basket having ends and sides which define an open top for receiving a food article. A stop on the basket limits translation of the basket with respect to said frame to maintain the basket captive within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Rick Davis
  • Patent number: 8234972
    Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, James D. Conlin, Thomas J. Franken, Andrew Paul Franklin, Randy L. Ginner, Ronald J. Glavan, Scott A. Glawe, David A. Hill, Michael J. Newberry, Jack Pellicane, Manuel Calzada, Henry Thomas Ewald
  • Patent number: 8127666
    Abstract: An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carnage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: G.E.W. Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Chung Lik Yip
  • Patent number: 8069776
    Abstract: A toaster in which spaced, vertically oriented heating assemblies are nested within a cover that pivots between open and closed positions. In the open position, an consumer can add food slices to or remove toasted food slices from baskets in the toaster remotely from the heating assemblies. When the cover closes, the heating assemblies pivot to be positioned on both sides of the baskets. When energized, the heating assemblies toast the food slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Appliance Development Corporation
    Inventors: Dov Z. Glucksman, David Normand Belanger
  • Publication number: 20110277643
    Abstract: A commercial toaster apparatus having a “quick start” feature that nearly instantly changes from a “standby” 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 so that the unit will automatically switch to a “standby” mode, thus reducing the energy requirements of the toaster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Roger Schwierking, Douglas L. Hornbeck
  • Patent number: 8033213
    Abstract: A flexible automatic broiler and method of use for variable batch cooking for particular use in quick serve and fast food service restaurants. The automatic cooking devices include a conveyorized cooking surface for alignment and discharge of food products, an altering/pulsating infrared energy radiation heat sources, and a control system. The arrangement and method facilitate a combination of batch preparation and made-to-order assembly of fast-food sandwiches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Burger King Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Cook, Robert J. Wenzel, Mark Finck, Steven M. Shei, Clement J. Luebke
  • Patent number: 8015916
    Abstract: Provided is a toaster chassis, comprising at least one heating chamber, a pair of steel meshes, a bread-elevating mechanism, a pair of supporting plates, a pair of grooves, a pair of sliding rods and an extension spring; wherein the supporting plates are disposed on both ends of the heating chamber, the grooves are disposed on the supporting plate, the sliding rods are disposed on the steel mesh, pass through the supporting plate and abut against the grooves, the extension spring is disposed below the bread-elevating mechanism, and both ends of the extension spring are connected to the sliding rods. The invention is applicable for breads with different thickness and capable of ensuring uniformity of heat and consistency of colors on both sides and the upper and lower portion of each thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ningbo Changsheng Electric Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huandong Pan
  • Publication number: 20110185918
    Abstract: A bread toaster includes an outer cover, a toaster base, a toaster frame mounted on the toaster base, a first sliding member slidably provided on a predetermined side of the toaster frame, a second sliding member also provided on the same predetermined side of the toaster frame, a front supporting frame and a rear supporting frame provided at a front side and a rear side of the toaster frame respectively, a lid arrangement, and a control circuitry, wherein the lid arrangement is arranged to be operated between a closed position and an opened position for closing and opening the toasting slots of the bread toaster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen, Faxi Huang
  • Patent number: 7958817
    Abstract: One embodiment of a food heating device includes a platen (101) and an opening (103) disposed in the platen (101). The opening (103) is arranged and sized to receive a food product (203) from a first side of the platen (101) and to output the food product (203) to a second side of the platen (101). Alternative embodiments involve diagonally guiding a food product (203) along a different arrangements of platens (801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1401).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Terry Tae-Il Chung, Loren Veltrop, Brian Hee-Eun Lee, Donald Van Erden, Christopher B. Lyons
  • Patent number: 7921767
    Abstract: A flexible automatic broiler and method of use for variable batch cooking for particular use in quick serve and fast food service restaurants. The automatic cooking devices include a conveyorized cooking surface for alignment and discharge of food products, an altering/pulsating infrared energy radiation heat sources, and a control system. The arrangement and method facilitate a combination of batch preparation and made-to-order assembly of fast-food sandwiches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Burger King Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Cook, Robert J. Wenzel, Mark Finck, Steven M. Shei, Clement J. Luebke
  • Publication number: 20100294136
    Abstract: An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carriage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of, an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: G.E.W. CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Thomas Chung Lik Yip
  • Patent number: 7726235
    Abstract: A relatively compact cooking assembly includes means for selectively positioning a cooking element above several cooking zones of a lower grill. In addition to a lower heated metal surface having several cooking zones, which may be delineated by vertical barriers or splash plates, the system includes an upper assembly comprising an upper member in which a radiant heating element is positioned, said assembly being adapted to fit over the back splash plate of the grill and extending the depth (back to front) of the grill, and further adapted to be raised or lowered and selectively raised or lowered as well as positioned by a sliding motion above a designated zone in predetermined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: In-N-Out Burgers
    Inventor: Howard Jay Frantz
  • Publication number: 20090223382
    Abstract: A toaster has a carriage for raising and lowering a bread support in a pop-up toaster having a toasting cycle. The carriage is adapted to be guided on one or more vertical rods mounted on a housing of the toaster. The carriage includes a first member having an actuator, adapted to actuate a switch on the toaster to start the toasting cycle, the first member being further adapted to be held in a first position once the switch has been actuated. The carriage further includes a second member adapted to be independently moveable of the first member so that the bread support can be raised without actuating the switch or breaking contacts thereon. Once the toasting cycle is complete, the first member is released from a first position into a second position, in which second position the switch is not actuated and/or the contacts on the switch are broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Leslie Alexander Gort-Barten
  • Publication number: 20090064870
    Abstract: Provided is a toaster chassis, comprising at least one heating chamber, a pair of steel meshes, a bread-elevating mechanism, a pair of supporting plates, a pair of grooves, a pair of sliding rods and an extension spring; wherein the supporting plates are disposed on both ends of the heating chamber, the grooves are disposed on the supporting plate, the sliding rods are disposed on the steel mesh, pass through the supporting plate and abut against the grooves, the extension spring is disposed below the bread-elevating mechanism, and both ends of the extension spring are connected to the sliding rods. The invention is applicable for breads with different thickness and capable of ensuring uniformity of heat and consistency of colors on both sides and the upper and lower portion of each thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Huandong PAN
  • Patent number: 7472644
    Abstract: An electric baking oven includes an open mesh vertically oriented baking basket to hold food while the food is baked in air by a programmed combination of radiant and convective and conductive energy transfer. An electrical programming control controls the energy from vertically oriented toaster heating elements located juxtaposed to the large vertical faces of the basket and from at least one elongated heating member located below the vertical baking basket with the axis of the elongated heating member oriented nominally horizontal and parallel to the longer horizontal axis of the vertically oriented baking basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Edgecraft Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel D. Friel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7467583
    Abstract: A compact combined toaster and cooker includes in a single housing a toaster and a cooker that has first and second food-heating locations. The toaster is in most ways conventional, having at least one slot and at least one electrical heating element. The cooker has a separate electrical heating element. The first food-heating location of the cooker is recessed within the housing above the cooker's heating element. This first food-heating location opens upwardly from the housing to receive a cooking pan. The first food-heating location also opens through an opening in a face of the housing. The cooking pan has a handle that projects through this opening. The second food-heating location is within the housing and below the heating element. The second food-heating location receives a warming receptacle through a slot in the wall of the housing. The cooking pan handle is pivotally attached to the pan and locks in either an outwardly extended position or in a downwardly pivoted, contracted storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: South Asia International
    Inventor: Raymond Hoi-Tak Lam
  • Publication number: 20080115676
    Abstract: A retractable structure of a grill includes a lower grill base with a connecting groove at a rear end of the lower grill base and a limit portion on the connecting groove, and an upper grill cover and the lower grill base define a space for containing a foodstuff. The upper grill cover has a combining portion connected to the connecting groove, and the combining portion has a limit member to define a limit relation, such that the upper grill cover is connected horizontally with the lower grill base for providing a displacement travel and a rotation travel of the foodstuff. The upper grill cover can be turned over from the lower grill base and moved horizontally to fit the thickness of different foodstuffs. The distance between the upper grill cover and the lower grill base can be adjusted to evenly heat the whole surface of the foodstuff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Samson Tsen
  • Patent number: 7314000
    Abstract: A toaster composed of a case having lateral walls that constitute the outer cover of the toaster, the case containing a frame forming a toasting chamber having an opening at an upper part of the case and an opening at a lower part of the case, a base removably connectable to the case and facing the opening at the lower part of the case, and a heating unit for the chamber having heating elements situated in proximity to the chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements. The base is completely removable from the case, and the base and the case have respective elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, such that withdrawal of the case from the base suppresses the interaction to prevent the supply of electric power to the heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Houel
  • Patent number: 7189945
    Abstract: A toaster for heating foodstuffs includes a chassis having a cavity therein and having at least one chassis opening for accessing the cavity. A door is movable with respect to the chassis between a closed position in which the door substantially covers the chassis opening, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible through the chassis opening. A carriage with at least one slot is movable between a first position disposed completely within the cavity and a second position extending at least partially from the cavity through the chassis opening. The toaster has a heating configuration in which the carriage is in the first position and the door is in the closed position to confine the foodstuff being heated and create a generally enclosed chamber within the cavity in which heat and moisture loss is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Starr, Nhiem V. Nguyen, Terry L. Myers, Paul M. Blankenship, Adam D. Steinman
  • Patent number: 7094991
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for warming tortillas and other foods. The device operates with a standard electric alternating current ranging from 110 to 120 volts in the US and 220v–240v in other countries. This appliance is to be used in homes or in businesses for the purpose of warming either corn or flour tortillas in quantities ranging from one up to six at a time. The electric current provides energy to heater elements located within the unit and thus provide the heat necessary to warm the tortillas placed on a plurality of circular loading trays. The loading trays are specially designed to lock-in-place in the open and closed positions and are designed to work with a vertical pivot tube which allows the loading trays a pivot-swivel action for efficiency in the loading and unloading of tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: IJN International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan J. Naranjo, Pedro M. Ojeda
  • Patent number: 7047871
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 for a toaster appliance having at least one circular-like carriage 14 forming a support element for food articles 12 such as tortillas, pita, naan and other flatbreads during a warming/toasting session. The support walls 16, 20 are comprised of wire mesh 18 with one side having a partial lower peripheral rim or lip 38 positioned flange extending thereinbetween acting as a carriage for the food article. Diametrically opposed is the other support wall that is spaced over the depending flange 38 extending from the other wall. Adjacent coplanar posts or pins 36 extend from the mesh-walls 16, 20 traveling in and through guide tracks 40 located at each end of the interior housing 24 with tensioning members 34 fastened to the post distal ends keeping the support walls compressed. One of the tracks 40 is of greater width thereby providing for variable thickness of the food article, which is held by the tensioned mesh walls 16, 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Brett M Christoffel
  • Patent number: 7013798
    Abstract: A toaster having: a frame enclosing an open heating chamber; a bread supporting carriage mounted in the chamber and vertically movable relative to the frame, the carriage being retainable in a lowered position for toasting; an extension piece fixed to the carriage; a restoring element coupled between the frame and the extension piece for urging the carriage upwardly away from the lowered position to a first bread discharge position; and a control mechanism for controlling the position for the carriage. The control mechanism includes: a lever mounted for rotation about a first axis, a crank element extending perpendicular to the first axis and connected to the lever for rotation as a unit therewith, and a cam device connected to the extension piece and engaged by the crank element at a location spaced from the first axis for converting rotational movements of the actuating lever into vertical movements of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Julian Arnedo, Guy Mauffrey
  • Patent number: 6998582
    Abstract: An open-air cooking apparatus for cooking pizza and the like, includes a horizontal, rotatable, circular turntable cooking surface, sized to support and cook several items simultaneously. The turntable should preferably structured to provide constant, even heat throughout its surface. As the oven is open-air, the cooking of the items will be primarily conduction of heat from the surface of the turntable through the bottom of the item. As the items rotate, they will pass under a static radiant heat source located above the turntable. The radiant heat source will thus direct heat towards the top of the item only periodically, i.e. at one point per rotation. This allows the item, such as a pizza, to cook thoroughly from below by way of the cooking surface, while cooking and/or browning the top portion at a different, desired degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hickory Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Maroti
  • Patent number: 6979803
    Abstract: A taco shell heating apparatus for providing a fast, convenient, oil free way to heat taco shells. The taco shell heating apparatus includes a housing with four slots positioned through a top wall of the housing. Each one of the four slots is for selectively receiving a taco shell. A heating assembly is positioned within the housing. The heating assembly toasts the taco shell when the taco shell is received within the housing. The heating assembly further comprises a plurality of heat reflecting elements, at least one heating element, a timing assembly, and at least one extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Jesse Webb
  • Patent number: 6973871
    Abstract: An electrical toaster includes a case unit having a laterally extending supporting wall and defining a heating chamber that is disposed below the supporting wall, at least a lower slot that is formed in the supporting wall and that is in spatial communication with the heating chamber, and a warming chamber that is disposed above the supporting wall and that is in fluid communication with the lower slot. An electrical heating unit is disposed in the heating chamber. A cover is mounted removably on the case unit for covering at least a top side of the warming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yi Chuang, Li-Hsuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6899019
    Abstract: A grilling apparatus is provided with a grill of an improved structure, thus preventing food from being burnt due to overheating of the grill and reducing a cooking period to cook the food. The grilling apparatus includes a cabinet defining an external appearance of the grilling apparatus. An opening is formed at a top of the cabinet. A grill comprises a plurality of pipes, is set in the cabinet through the opening of the cabinet, and is downwardly bent, at a portion thereof, to form a food supporting part supporting opposite side surfaces of the food. The grilling apparatus includes two water tanks which are connected to respective ends of the plurality of pipes to supply the water to the plurality of pipes. One or more heating units are provided at predetermined positions adjacent to respective sides of the food supporting part in the cabinet so as to irradiate heat to the food supporting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Woon Han, Seong-Deog Jang, Han-Seong Kang, Joo-Yong Yeo, Dae-Sung Han
  • Patent number: 6868775
    Abstract: A toaster includes a toaster housing having a toaster slot for the bread slice disposing therein, a toasting device for toasting the bread slice in the toaster slot, and a toast racking arrangement including a bread supporting rack movably mounted in the toaster slot, a motor having a driving shaft for producing a rotational force, and a rack driving unit including a driving member having two ends respectively engaged with the driving shaft and the bread supporting rack to drive the bread supporting rack to slidably move along the toaster slot between an upper releasing position and a lower toasting position. At the releasing position, the driving member is driven to lift up the bread supporting rack along the toaster slot, and at the toasting position, the driving member is driven to lower the bread supporting rack for toasting the bread slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-Jin Chen
  • Patent number: 6829983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toaster in which the housing (1) comprises: a toasting chamber (2); a toast rack (5), which can move vertically inside said chamber (2) between an eject position and a toasting position; a driver (6), which is linked to the toast rack (5), is slide mounted on a vertical column (7) and is used to lower the toast rack (5) from the eject position, in which the driver (6) is returned by an elastic means (9), to the toasting position, in which the driver (6) is held in place by an unlockable means (10); and a rising damping device comprising a piston (16) which can slide vertically along a determined path in a housing (17) that is solidly connected to the drive and the upper face of which can come into contact with a stop end (19) located in the top part of the housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: SEB S. A.
    Inventors: Julian Arnedo, Antonio Basora
  • Publication number: 20040221745
    Abstract: A toaster includes a toaster housing having a toaster slot for the bread slice disposing therein, a toasting device for toasting the bread slice in the toaster slot, and a toast racking arrangement including a bread supporting rack movably mounted in the toaster slot, a motor having a driving shaft for producing a rotational force, and a rack driving unit including a driving member having two ends respectively engaged with the driving shaft and the bread supporting rack to drive the bread supporting rack to slidably move along the toaster slot between an upper releasing position and a lower toasting position. At the releasing position, the driving member is driven to lift up the bread supporting rack along the toaster slot, and at the toasting position, the driving member is driven to lower the bread supporting rack for toasting the bread slice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hua-Jin Chen
  • Patent number: 6799505
    Abstract: The toaster shell (2) is open at the top, and is reinforced by a ring (30) which is mechanically attached to the top edge of the walls (2a) forming the toaster shell. The ring has a ‘U’-shaped cross-section which fits over the edges of the walls. The ring is made of a material with low thermal conductivity, ideally molded from a heat-resistant plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Guy Mauffrey
  • Patent number: 6789464
    Abstract: An automatic toaster, comprising heating means (2) with slices of bread pass passing in front of said heating means, and means for transporting slices of bread to said heating means, characterized in that the means for transporting the slices of bread include a spiral-shaped rotating element (6) defining a plurality of housings (11) for slices of bread (30), the length of said housings corresponding essentially to the pitch of the spiral (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Rousseau
  • Patent number: 6772678
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a toaster, in which slices of bread can be baked. The microwave oven has a heating chamber for heating food therein; an instrument compartment containing electric components for generating microwave oven supplied to the heating chamber; a toaster casing disposed in front of the instrument compartment with its front open; a toaster door for opening and closing the open front of the toaster casing; and at least a heater disposed in the toaster casing so as to heat bread. In the microwave oven, the toaster section is arranged in front of the instrument compartment, so that the space in the microwave oven is most effectively utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Soo Choi, Sang-Jin Oh, Yoon-Gun Baek
  • Publication number: 20040149141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toaster in which the housing (1) comprises: a toasting chamber (2); a toast rack (5), which can move vertically inside said chamber (2) between an eject position and a toasting position; a driver (6), which is linked to the toast rack (5), is slide mounted on a vertical column (7) and is used to lower the toast rack (5) from the eject position, in which the driver (6) is returned by an elastic means (9), to the toasting position, in which the driver (6) is held in place by an unlockable means (10); and a rising damping device comprising a piston (16) which can slide vertically along a determined path in a housing (17) that is solidly connected to the drive and the upper face of which can come into contact with a stop end (19) located in the top part of the housing (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Julian Arnedo, Antonio Basora