Patents Assigned to CookTek Induction Systems, LLC
  • Patent number: 11730303
    Abstract: A tray assembly includes a tray having a top side, an underside opposite the top side, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the underside. Each protrusion defines a recess in the top side and has a bottom wall and a contoured surface connecting the bottom wall to the top side. The tray assembly also includes a diffuser in the form of a plate with a plurality of apertures therethrough. The diffuser is couplable to the tray and positionable a spaced distance above the top side of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC
    Inventors: James Kelly Pool, III, Peter Jerome Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 11058254
    Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber, Kevin J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10356853
    Abstract: An induction cooking system. The induction cooking system includes a base, one or more side walls, an induction coil, and an infrared temperature sensor. The base includes a base surface associated therewith. The base surface includes a window. The window is disposed within the base surface. The one or more side walls define a well above the base surface. The well is configured to receive a vessel disposed above the base surface. The induction coil is disposed within the base. The induction coil defines a first surface that is disposed below the base surface. The induction coil also defines a second surface that is disposed opposite from the first surface. The induction coil further defines an aperture disposed adjacent to the window and extending from a first surface toward a second surface of the induction coil. The infrared temperature sensor is disposed adjacent to the window and within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Reinhard Metz
  • Patent number: 9848463
    Abstract: A system for holding and warming food includes a container for holding and warming food. The container consists of 300-series stainless steel. The system further includes an induction heating unit with an induction heating circuit for induction heating the container. The induction heating circuit includes a 120 volt induction coil having 40 or more turns. The induction heating circuit operates at a frequency greater than 30 kilohertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J. Visher
  • Patent number: 9585202
    Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Warren S Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J Visher
  • Publication number: 20160206138
    Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC a division of Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber, Kevin J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9320389
    Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber, Kevin J Snyder
  • Patent number: 9066374
    Abstract: A method for holding and warming food. The method includes the steps of: using a container formed of 300-series stainless steel, wherein the container is formed by a cold working process; and applying to the container a magnetic field from an induction coil, wherein the magnetic field is sufficient to induce a current in the container to heat the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J. Visher
  • Publication number: 20140339220
    Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC a division of Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber, Kevin J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20130119049
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CookTek Inductions Systems, LLC a division of Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J. Visher
  • Patent number: 8344296
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for warming food by controlled heating of heat retention objects such as cookware items or pellets located on a trivet positioned on a countertop, using heating control units, such as induction heating units, remotely located beneath the countertop. The preferred trivet insulates the countertop against damages, and also includes circuitry enabling the indication or display of its proper positioning on the countertop, and also indicating whether the heating unit is heating the heat retention object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber
  • Publication number: 20120294990
    Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CookTek Induction Systems, LLC, a division of Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J. Visher
  • Patent number: D978604
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Yoder, Gabrielle Davis, Mingwei Shan
  • Patent number: D1027545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Yoder, Gabrielle Davis, Mingwei Shan
  • Patent number: D1027555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Yoder, Gabrielle Davis, Mingwei Shan
  • Patent number: D1028617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: COOKTEK INDUCTION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Yoder, Gabrielle Davis, Mingwei Shan