With Separate Support For Fume-producing Material Patents (Class 99/482)
  • Publication number: 20030140800
    Abstract: A smoker oven that includes a housing having an internal cavity having a top portion, a mid-portion, and a lower portion. The internal cavity houses a support frame that has at least one generally horizontal support surface for supporting a jerky rack, the support frame being suspended from the top portion of the housing. A heater and a smoke source, positioned immediately over the heater are located in the lower portion of the internal cavity, so that an amount of smoke released in the lower portion is allowed to rise to the support frame to expose the support surface of the support frame to the amount of smoke as a filter is used to remove the smoke form the top portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Dean Clark
  • Patent number: 6595197
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates a cooking chamber, including a lower portion and a lid that cooperate to define a cooking enclosure. Preferably, the lid is moveably mounted to the lower portion, and the lower portion has a lower surface, which is arranged at least partially beneath the cooking enclosure. Additionally, the lower surface preferably includes an opening formed therethrough that cooperates with a firebox so that an interior of the firebox engages in fluid communication with the cooking enclosure via the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventor: John Ganard
  • Patent number: 6581513
    Abstract: A modular barbecue including a central portion, four lower support legs, and an upper portion. The central portion, made of refractory concrete, is a parallelepipedic body with rectangular base and two chambers, one frontal roasting chamber where foods, placed on a vertically movable steel grill, are roasted, and a rear combustion chamber in which solid fuel or charcoal is transformed into embers that, by actuating on a crank, fall onto the rear chamber bottom. The combustion chamber has its own access gate to introduce the solid fuel or charcoal. The upper portion has two truncated pyramidal pieces with respective conducts for smoke evacuation, a frontal conduct for smoke from the roasting chamber and a rear conduct for smoke from the combustion chamber. Both conducts have respective inner protecting pieces. This upper portion has, on top, a double conduct chimney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Jose Luis Prado Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6582745
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus (100) includes a housing (102), a food supporting structure (202), such as a grill and/or a rotisserie and a heat source below the food supporting structure. A delivery tube (114) ends in a plurality of nozzles (206) spaced from each other and above the food supporting structure. A pump (110) is selectively activated by an electronic control circuit to inject a basting liquid into the delivery tube from a supply tube (112). By periodically activating the pump, a basting liquid is applied to food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Theodore Northern
  • Patent number: 6561082
    Abstract: A barbecue grill cart including a right leg frame assembly and a left leg frame assembly, each having a front leg and a rear leg, the front leg and the rear legs being connected by a support member. The cart further includes a front panel and securing means, the securing means being disposed through the front panel and the right front leg and the left front leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventors: Bradley R. Gillespie, Otha Richardson
  • Publication number: 20030051608
    Abstract: A novel grill top cooking tool is provided that contains and cooks food on a grill surface. The grilling tool is comprised of a main body with removable perforated or slotted end caps that are secured to either edge of the main body. An attaching device allows for connection of a detachable tool to place the grilling tool on a hot surface and for turning the grilling tool during the cooking process and removing the grilling tool when finished cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Prip
  • Publication number: 20030041744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a barbecue grill assembly 10 including a cooking surface assembly 12 positioned in a cooking chamber 14. The cooking surface assembly 12 includes a first portion or griddle 16 and a second portion or grate 18. The second portion or grate 18 has a plurality of openings 32 and a plurality of ribs 33. A transition wall 40 is positioned between the first portion 16 and the second portion 18. A duct 46 depends from a lower surface 48 of the first portion 16. The duct 46 has an end 47 that is cooperatively positioned with the aperture 30 to form a passageway or channel 50. The passageway 50 is adapted to permit the drainage of grease and other byproducts generated by cooking food on the assembly 12 past a plurality of burner tubes and to a lower portion of the cooking chamber 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Robert T. Stephen, Adrian A. Bruno, J. Michael Alden
  • Patent number: 6523461
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to permit the use of charcoal for cooking in a gas barbecue grill, the gas grill having a bottom casting containing a gas burner element, a cooking rack supported thereabove, and a top casting rotatably affixed thereto. The apparatus includes a tray configured to be received within the bottom casting and the tray includes a pair of handles. Each of the handles includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the handles are rotatably connected to the tray at the proximal ends and the distal ends are configured to support the cooking rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventors: Robert Johnston, Bradley R. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6523463
    Abstract: A device for smoking food items using charcoal briquettes as fuel. The device has a channel into which the charcoal briquettes are placed so that ignition of one of the charcoal briquettes will result in eventual ignition of the adjacent charcoal briquette. The device is preferably placed in a standard barbecue grill, thereby allowing a user to smoke meat or fish using charcoal briquettes and the charcoal barbecue grill they already own.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Richard E. Hogle
  • Patent number: 6508165
    Abstract: The present invention is a barbecue grill assembly having a frame with a work surface secured by a sliding mechanism, such as a sliding track assembly. The present invention alternatively provides a work surface being a slidable burner cover assembly for an auxiliary burner of a barbecue gas grill. The assembly includes a burner cover having a body portion disposed over the auxiliary burner in a closed position and a slide mechanism attached to the grill and the cover to allow the cover to be slidably moved from the closed position to a second position wherein the auxiliary burner is exposed from underneath the body portion of the burner cover. The slide mechanism also provides extended cantilever support for the work surface in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030000396
    Abstract: A chafing dish with utility handles connected to the chafing dish at such an angle as to permit a lid to be placed on top of the chafing dish and allow a safe, efficient, and balanced grip to be had to lift and exchange or serve food in a chafing dish assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph L. Leonard
  • Patent number: 6481344
    Abstract: A smoke generating device for use in providing flavored smoke in a controlled manner comprising: non combustible, sealed, pressurizable container; organic matter disposed within the container, wherein the organic matter is capable of producing a smoke without igniting; and at least one perforation in said container which enables the container to become pressurized such that smoke flows out of the container in a controlled direction and at a velocity that does not combust during heating of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventors: Margaret Jane Green, Forrest Lee Green
  • Publication number: 20020166460
    Abstract: A smoke producing device adaptably configured for use in either a gas and electric barbecue grill having a plurality of heat diffusers, heat bars or plates, or sear bars (collectively referred to hereinafter as the “heat distribution bar”) principally serving as means to distribute heat and aid in preventing flare-ups within a grilling compartment, the smoker device substantially comprising a rectangular-shaped receptacle having a pair of longitudinal walls positioned perpendicular and integrally attached to a pair of end walls and an inwardly-protruding channel situated between a pair of bottom plate members and extending lengthwise thereabout to form a pair of legs for engaging the heat distribution bar. A detachable top having a plurality of elongate openings allows venting of accumulated smoke as heat is applied to a smoke-producing material contained within the rectangular-shaped receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald Michael O'Shea
  • Patent number: 6439111
    Abstract: A collapsible barbecue grill in the present invention includes a body in a box shape capable of being pivoted with two side plates respectively disposed at both side walls thereof and a cover plate disposed at a rear wall thereof, each of the two side plates provided with a plurality of engagement grooves; a plurality of positioning members capable of being screwed with the cover plate for connecting the two side plates and the cover plate when the body is extended; and, a supporting frame capable of being placed across the two side plates of the body for supporting a grid member, by which a combination of the aforementioned components enables the barbecue grill of the present invention to be quickly extended in use or folded into a reduced dimension for the convenience of carrying and storage only occupied with minimal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Chien-Chang Lu
  • Patent number: 6439107
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook (boiling, steaming or frying). The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner can include upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. Alternatively, the burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Struts are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman R. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 6422134
    Abstract: A grill apparatus for grilling large quantities of food. The grill apparatus includes a drum support assembly including a plurality of leg members, and also including cross members interconnecting said leg members; and also including a drum member having a side wall which is securely mounted upon top ends of the leg members and also having end walls and further having an opening disposed through the side wall and into the drum member and also having a hole being disposed through one of the end walls; and also includes a lid being hingedly attached to the drum member and being closable over the opening; and further includes a door being hingedly attached to the drum member and being closable over the hole; and also includes a grate assembly including a grate member being removably disposed in the drum member; and further includes tray members being attached to the drum member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventors: Elmor Barksdale, Kesha Green
  • Patent number: 6397731
    Abstract: A barbecue grill cart including a right and a left leg frame assembly, each of the leg frame assemblies having a lower frame assembly and an upper frame assembly. Each of the upper leg frame assemblies also includes a support member configured to receive a barbecue grill. The right and left lower frame assemblies telescopically engage the right and left upper frame assemblies, respectively, thereby forming the right and left leg frame assemblies. As such, each of the front and rear legs has an overlapping region. A front panel and a rear panel, both having flange means at each end configured to receive a corresponding leg, are included. Securing means are passed through the flange means of the front and rear panels, as well as through the corresponding legs on opposing ends of said overlapping region, thereby creating a secure barbecue grill cart structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: W.C. Bradley Company
    Inventors: Bradley R. Gillespie, Otha Richardson
  • Patent number: 6386093
    Abstract: A grill flame-up suppressor that includes a bottom container assembly, a vent cap assembly and a lifting tong assembly; the bottom container assembly being constructed from a heat resistant metal in the general shape of an open topped can having a flanged lip opening edge and a circumferential inwardly directed indentation about one third up from a bottom surface of the bottom container assembly upon which a removable heat resistant flavoring agent support screen is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: John D. Mackay
  • Publication number: 20020040644
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for improved heat circulation and containment when smoking or grilling using electric, gas, or charcoal as the heat source. The base pan design enhances heat containment, and offers a channel design in the bottom of the base pan. A flame disk for even heat distribution is provided and can be used in conjunction with the base pan, and prevents internal food drippings from escaping through the disk The disk design enhances the heat efficiency, and safeguards against drippings or ashes falling through to the burner or ground The holes in the disk are raised, and has attached covers strategically placed over the holes to deter drippings or ashes from falling through. A fire pit container is also provided and designed for use with the base pan. The fire pit container supports a: heat source such as a gas burner which directs a flame toward the base pan open hole and also toward the underside of a flame disk when a flame disk is suspended above the base pan hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Don McLemore, John D. McLemore
  • Patent number: 6357344
    Abstract: A removable firebox for use in a portable, collapsible barbecue grill including retractable heating grate on top of the firebox and a retractable mid-level cooking grill for providing high-temperature cooking. A lower main grill is disposed in a base cavity of the barbecue grill for providing moderate temperature cooking. The firebox rests in the base cavity of the grill housing and provides heat to a cooking area defined by the base cavity, an upper lid of the housing and a pair of side walls extending upward from the base cavity. The firebox and/or the upper lid includes insulation and/or cooling baffles to protect users from heated surfaces. Venting is provided from the sides and rear of the grill housing. When collapsed, the grate and grills fold onto or are retracted within the firebox, and the entire firebox assembly is stowed in a sealed grill housing. The top and bottom portions of the grill housing mate to form a sealed container-like structure for convenient transportability or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard M. O'Grady, Glen Nielsen, William D. Hester, Alphonso G. Andress
  • Publication number: 20020020303
    Abstract: The present invention is a barbecue grill assembly having a frame with a work surface secured by a sliding mechanism, such as a sliding track assembly. The present invention alternatively provides a work surface being a slidable burner cover assembly for an auxiliary burner of a barbecue gas grill. The assembly includes a burner cover having a body portion disposed over the auxiliary burner in a closed position and a slide mechanism attached to the grill and the cover to allow the cover to be slidably moved from the closed position to a second position wherein the auxiliary burner is exposed from underneath the body portion of the burner cover. The slide mechanism also provides extended cantilever support for the work surface in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 6332395
    Abstract: A structure of BBQ pushcart having a cart body, a grilling oven mounted on the cart body is disclosed. The two lateral sides of the push-cart are respectively pivotally mounted with a plurality of support frames, the height of the frame is lower than the width of the cart body and the bottom edge of the cart body, at the corner of the frame is mounted with a mounting tube having a horizontal tube body and a through hole is mounted at the wall of the mounting tube and an elastic peg is inserted, an engaging hole, corresponding to the elastic peg, is provided at the support frame such that when the frame is vertically extended from the bottom board of the cart body, the elastic peg will automatically engage with the engaging hole to lock the frame, and the releasing of the elastic peg will fold the frame and assemble below the cart body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 6327967
    Abstract: A meat roasting frame has a frame formed by assembling a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of angle connectors. In using, it is only necessary to combine the connecting rods with the angle connectors. The frame can be divided into a plurality of layers for supporting a fuse receiver and food receiver. Furthermore, rotary rods for supporting larger food can be installed therein so as to be formed as a meat roasting frame for baking) cooking and roasting Mongolian food, etc. Meanwhile, it can be stored with less space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jainn-Nan Pei
  • Patent number: 6321640
    Abstract: A portable brazier includes a support frame with an accommodating space for accommodating a source of heat, such as charcoal, a perforated surrounding member which is mounted perimetrically on an upper peripheral edge of the support frame and which confines a roasting space, and a lid member which is mounted on the perforated surrounding member to cover the roasting space. The perforated surrounding member has an access hole to provide access to the roasting space. By virtue of the perforated surrounding member, the portable brazier can permit cooking of foodstuffs and can serve as a heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6308616
    Abstract: The present invention is a barbecue grill assembly having a frame with a work surface secured by a sliding mechanism, such as a sliding track assembly. The present invention alternatively provides a work surface being a slidable burner cover assembly for an auxiliary burner of a barbecue gas grill. The assembly includes a burner cover having a body portion disposed over the auxiliary burner in a closed position and a slide mechanism attached to the grill and the cover to allow the cover to be slidably moved from the closed position to a second position wherein the auxiliary burner is exposed from underneath the body portion of the burner cover. The slide mechanism also provides extended cantilever support for the work surface in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventor: Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 6298774
    Abstract: An outdoor barbecue grill including a cooking chamber with a lower portion and an upper portion removably positioned atop the lower portion. An automobile-shaped cover surrounds upper portion at a distance so as to form an insulative air gap therebetween. At locations reminiscent of automobile tail pipes, one or more conduits extend from the upper portion of the cooking chamber and through the cover for venting heat and smoke from said cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Gary A. Latham, Maria V. Latham
  • Patent number: 6279468
    Abstract: A roll-up grill having an integral and foldable frame. The roll-up grill comprises a flexible grill surface, such as a wire mesh grid. The integral frame comprises a first end frame member attached laterally to a first end of the flexible grill surface and a second end frame member attached laterally to a second end of the flexible grill surface such that the flexible grill surface, the first end frame member and the second end support member are oriented in a parallel plane. The first end frame member and the second end frame member each comprise an end support member having a proximal end and a distal end, a side support member pivotally connected to one of the proximal end or the distal end of the end support member, a proximal leg support member being pivotally connected to the end support member at the proximal end and a distal leg support member being pivotally connected to the end support member at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Timothy Webster
  • Publication number: 20010015137
    Abstract: A removable firebox for use in a portable, collapsible barbecue grill including retractable heating grate on top of the firebox and a retractable mid-level cooking grill for providing high-temperature cooking. A lower main grill is disposed in a base cavity of the barbecue grill for providing moderate temperature cooking. The firebox rests in the base cavity of the grill housing and provides heat to a cooking area defined by the base cavity, an upper lid of the housing and a pair of side walls extending upward from the base cavity. The firebox and/or the upper lid includes insulation and/or cooling baffles to protect users from heated surfaces. Venting is provided from the sides and rear of the grill housing. When collapsed, the grate and grills fold onto or are retracted within the firebox, and the entire firebox assembly is stowed in a sealed grill housing. The top and bottom portions of the grill housing mate to form a sealed container-like structure for convenient transportability or storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Richard M. O'Grady, Glen Nielsen, William D. Hester, Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 6263783
    Abstract: A broiler frame includes a base, a net, an ash plate, two sloping side plates and a net frame combined together. The broiler frame has good heat concentration, and possible to broil food in various ways, with food to be broiled not sticking to the net, easy to assemble and disassemble for washing and convenient for storing away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: I-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 6263784
    Abstract: An indoor/outdoor smokeless grill for grilling and barbecuing food, this grill emits a variable controlled amount of steam during the grilling process: more steam during the early part of the process when the food is raw, and a reduction in the amount of steam emitted as the cooking process continues. This is accomplished by way of insulating the water containers from direct, intense heat and a grill situated on top of the heat source, and with a lid or cover on the grill to capture the steam and cook the food through a combination of steam and heat in a convection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Josef Wodeslavsky
  • Patent number: 6257125
    Abstract: A portable stove that is especially useful for marine and recreational vehicle use in that the cooking vessel (pot or pan) holding the food or liquid is gimbaled to swing about perpendicular axes to remain upright despite substantial rolling or pitching of the marine vehicle and the movement of the recreational vehicle to prevent the spilling of the contents of the cooking vessel. The portable stove generally comprises a gimbal ring having two sets of gimbals or bearings therearound, a frame associated with one set of gimbals or bearings for pivotally supporting the gimbal ring, a hanger assembly associated with the other set of the gimbals or bearings and being pivotally supported by the gimbal ring, a fuel supply tank positioned within a basket formed in the hanger assembly, a burner assembly connected with the fuel supply tank, and a pedestal within the vehicle, associated with the frame for normally maintaining the frame in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Joel R. Pate
  • Patent number: 6257130
    Abstract: A smoker attachment for heating and burning smoker particles in a barbecue grill, and further for dispersing the produced smoke throughout the grilling chamber of the grill. The smoker attachment includes a container having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls defining an interior cavity. The smoker particles are heated in the interior cavity of the container. The smoker attachment further includes a duct member having an outer wall and a passageway extending through the duct member, and a plurality of openings about a length of the duct extending from the passageway through the outer wall. The passageway of the duct member associates with the interior cavity of the container to allow smoke produced in the container to flow out of the container, into the passageway of the duct member, and to exit the duct through the openings and into the chamber of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventor: Erich J. Schlosser
  • Patent number: 6237472
    Abstract: A drip collector for a grill includes side walls, end walls, and a bottom. The drip collector is connected to a rear wall of a grill. When the grill is in use, grease and other droppings fall from the rear wall of the grill cover into the collector. The collector is then removed for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Richard L. Gates
  • Patent number: 6213006
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus especially useful as an outdoor portable barbecue grill wherein a housing has a heat source at the bottom thereof, a cooking grate or griddle at the top thereof and a heat-funnel disposed between the heat source and the cooking grate. The heat-funnel, in turn, is removably positioned in relation to a separate grease deflector or drip shield member to provide an air gap between the two units. Heated air from the heat source flows upwardly around the grease deflector, passes through the gap to enter the heat-funnel member which is constructed in such a manner to direct the heated air stream directly upon the cooking grate undersurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Lee J. Reardon, Robert van de Ven
  • Patent number: 6209533
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the smoker grill of the present invention incorporates a smoker chamber and a firebox. The smoker chamber defines a smoker interior, which is adapted for receiving food items for smoking, and includes an opening for providing access to the smoker interior. The firebox engages in fluid communication with the smoker interior so that smoke produced within the firebox can flow into the smoker interior for smoking the food items placed therein. Preferably, the firebox is sized and shaped so that it is insertable through the opening and into the smoker interior. In embodiments so configured, the firebox may be placed within the smoker interior, such as during shipping of the smoker grill, thereby allowing components of the grill to be stored and shipped in a container that is smaller than could otherwise be utilized. Method aspects also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventor: John Ganard
  • Patent number: 6205912
    Abstract: A collapsible barbecue grill includes a tray-like ash/grease catcher having a predetermined depth. The ash/grease catcher is provided at a bottom surface with a pair of wheeled collapsible legs and locating means, along two lateral walls of its top surface with two outward bent edges to provide two supporting frames, and along a rear wall of its top surface with an inward bent edge to provide a baffle, such that a cooking grid having front hooks is removably positioned on and between the two supporting frames and below the baffle. The ash/grease catcher is also provided at an outer front surface with a handle, and near middle points of outer surfaces of its two lateral walls with two bar receivers for a suspension grid set to detachably mount thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Chung Chiu
  • Patent number: 6199474
    Abstract: A smokeless barbecue grill includes a tubular frame with a grill received therein and an annular gap defined between the frame and the grill. A plurality of nozzles are located around and below the grill and a divider is located below the nozzles, wherein the divider has a protrusion extending toward the grill with a hole defined therethrough so that water sprayed from the nozzles containing the grease and ash particles drops through the hole. A ventilator is located below the divider to suck air from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Mong-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 6196116
    Abstract: A removable firebox for use in a portable, collapsible barbecue grill including retractable heating grate on top of the firebox and a retractable mid-level cooking grill for providing high-temperature cooking. A lower main grill is disposed in a base cavity of the barbecue grill for providing moderate temperature cooking. The firebox rests in the base cavity of the grill housing and provides heat to a cooking area defined by the base cavity, an upper lid of the housing and a pair of side walls extending upward from the base cavity. The firebox and/or the upper lid includes insulation and/or cooling baffles to protect users from heated surfaces. Venting is provided from the sides and rear of the grill housing. When collapsed, the grate and grills fold onto or are retracted within the firebox, and the entire firebox assembly is stowed in a sealed grill housing. The top and bottom portions of the grill housing mate to form a sealed container-like structure for convenient transportability or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Richard M. O'Grady, Glen Nielsen, William D. Hester, Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 6182559
    Abstract: An ash catcher assembly for catching ash falling out through openings in the bottom of a charcoal grill is disclosed. The ash catcher assembly can be assembled easily and removably mounted on the bottom of the charcoal grill. The ash catcher assembly for a charcoal grill includes a cylinder mounted on the bottom of the charcoal grill. Multiple slots are defined in the exterior edge of the cylinder opposite to the charcoal grill. The slots are essentially L-shaped and each includes a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a vertical key directed toward the cylindrical basket. Multiple vents are defined in a line in the side of the cylinder to provide oxygen into the charcoal grill. A cylindrical basket is removably mounted on the exterior end of the cylinder to catch and hold ash and debris. Multiple stubs extend inward from side of the cylindrical basket near the top. The stubs correspond to the slots in the cylinder and are received in the slots to hold the cylindrical basket in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chiang
  • Patent number: 6173644
    Abstract: A apparatus for converting a gas grill into a charcoal burning grill for conveniently using charcoal or other flammable material in a gas grill. The apparatus for converting a gas grill into a charcoal burning grill includes an adapter container for holding flammable material. The adapter container is removably positionable in the interior of the housing. The screen is removable from the housing. The adapter container is positionable on the heating system within the housing of a gas grill. The flammable material is placed in the container and ignited. The screen is replaced such that the screen covers the adapter container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Michael A. Krall
  • Patent number: 6167800
    Abstract: An oven includes a housing, two supporting plates mounted at two opposite inner sides of the housing, each of the supporting plates having an upper edge formed with a first recess at an intermediate portion of the upper edge and a second recess close to an outer end of the upper edge, a roasting cage having two circular discs at two opposite sides thereof, each of the circular discs provided with an outwardly extending axle at a center thereof and a plurality of slots at a circumferential edge thereof, and a plurality of sticks each being fitted between two aligned slots, the axle being configured to be received in any one of the first and second recesses, a driven gear fixedly mounted on an axle of one of the circular discs, a motor mounted on one inner side of the housing and provided with an output shaft on which is mounted a driving gear meshed with the driven gear, a heater fixedly mounted on an inner side of the housing, and a lid openably engaged with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Yung Sen Su
  • Patent number: 6167797
    Abstract: A transportable, commercial, barbecue cooking apparatus housed in an insulated, conventionally shaped building structure, the apparatus further including a vertical diametrical smoke chamber having an adjacent force draft heat chamber integral therewith, the smoke chamber fitted with sloped, horizontal screens attached to a rotating vertical shaft thereby providing increased visibility, efficient, circulation and improved rendering, the heat chamber being fired with a gas burner and utilizing hardwood saw dust to produce a heavy smoke which is force drafted through a duct into the cooking chamber. The cooker is further provided with onboard hot water tanks for cooking and cleanup and includes provisions for humidity and temperature control. Provisions are made for food boiling, frying and steam cooking capability and includes amenities such as a storage locker, internal oven lighting, smoke blow back fans, and view windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Gerald Bollich
  • Patent number: 6152024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing a food product is disclosed. The food product is placed inside of an air-tight chamber, in which the food product is to be cooked, wherein steam is generated from a source of water and is introduced into the cooking chamber. The steam heats the inside of the cooking chamber and serves as a heat transfer media to heat the food product as well as a color and flavor transfer media to color and flavor the food product. That is, a flavoring and coloring additive, such as liquid smoke, may be added to the water utilized in generating the steam in order to flavor the food product being cooked. The steam then transfers the flavoring and coloring additive to the food product which condenses on the food product adding flavor and color to the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Eugene R. Tippmann
  • Patent number: 6142066
    Abstract: An apparatus, and method for cooking and smoking food items and a smoked product produced by the inventive method. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises (a) an oven including a belt-type conveyor, for continuously conveying food items through the oven, and a circulation system for circulating a cooking medium in the oven such that the cooking medium contacts and cooks the food items and (b) a smoke generation and delivery system for delivering smoke to the circulating system such that the smoke contacts the food items along with the cooking medium. The inventive method preferably comprises the steps of (a) continuously conveying food items through an oven and (b) delivering smoke into the oven such that the smoke contacts the food items. The oven used in the inventive apparatus and inventive method is preferably an indirect-fired oven. The smoke most preferably contacts the food items in an impinging manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tyson Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary H. Anders, Joseph F. Bott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6102028
    Abstract: A smoker attachment for heating and burning smoker particles in a barbecue grill. The smoker attachment includes a housing having a side wall, end wall, and bottom wall fining a cavity therein. The bottom wall of the housing has a plurality of openings and the side walls have a plurality of corresponding cutouts adjacent the bottom wall such that the cutouts in the side walls cooperate with the openings in the bottom wall. The openings provide access to the cavity of the housing such that a conductive member within the barbecue grill is able to contact the housing adjacent the opening to position the housing within the bottom chamber of the barbecue grill. The conductive member further passes through the opening of the housing into the cavity of the housing to define a portion of the perimeter of the cavity for directly contacting and heating the smoker particles within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, Edna Schlosser, Robert T. Stephen
  • Patent number: 6099882
    Abstract: A system for preparing a skinned food product includes a roasting unit, a smoking chamber, and a conveyor system for transporting the skinned food product through the roasting unit and through the smoking chamber. The roasting unit has a heated zone for at least partially loosening the skin of the skinned food product. The heat in the heated zone may also blacken portions of the skinned food product. The conveyor system rotates the skinned food product as the product passes through the heated zone. The contact with the smoke in the smoking chamber provides the skinned food product with a desired flavor. A method for preparing a skinned food product includes contacting the product with heat to at least partially loosen a skin thereof, and contacting the product with smoke for a period of time sufficient to provide the product with a smoked flavor. The system and method may be used to prepare skinned food products such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, corn, potatoes, and artichokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: California Fire-Roasted, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Spencer Charles Risner, Jr., Greg M. Durst, Salvatore C. Felice
  • Patent number: 6079322
    Abstract: A rotary roasting food holder used in a barbecue stove to hold food for roasting, having two end plates, and a plurality of flat pins for joining the end plates and holding food for roasting, the end plates each having a fixed gear at an outer side for coupling to a motor drive inside the barbecue stove, an annular flange around the gear, and a plurality of keyway-like peripheral notches spaced around the annular flange; the fiat pins each having two necks near two opposite ends for engaging into the peripheral notches at the end plates and setting into engaged position through a rotary motion of the respective flat pin, and a hooked portion at one end for hooking on the annular flange at one end plate after the respective flat pin has been set into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Yung-Sen Su
  • Patent number: 6058830
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook (boiling, steaming or frying). The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. An upper ring extends above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. A table removably attaches to the burner frame, preferably at the upper ring. The burner can include an upper ring member that is supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower ring member that engages an underlying supporting ground surface. Alternatively, the burner frame has a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Struts are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Metal Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman R. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 6058832
    Abstract: A portable barbecue apparatus comprises a hollow base of truncated pyramidal configuration for storing fuel. The hollow base supports a firebox thereon. A cooking grill-oven is disposed above the firebox. A carriage is employed to support the barbecue apparatus. The carriage is pivotally attached to a two-wheeled trailer to permit portability for the barbecue apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Herman Fountain
  • Patent number: 6050177
    Abstract: A charcoal, gas or electric-fired, fuel-isolated cooker comprising: an outer box separated by rigid insulation from an inner box, a multi-level cooking grill with a detachable grease catchpan, a heat chamber to isolate food from fuel source and to provide an additional hot surface for grilling items such as bread, removable cooking spikes, an optional flavor chip box, insulated handles, magnetized utensil hooks, a magnetically secured door, solid fuel, gas manifold or electric heating element holders, and an extendable vent pipe for use with solid fuel(charcoal briquettes) or gas combustion options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: O. L. Lassig, Jr.