Patents Assigned to TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLC
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Patent number: 11910946Abstract: An apparatus for preparing fruit includes a main housing with a cutting area containing a cutting assembly and a drive assembly, a removable cup assembly for inserting the fruit into the apparatus, and a removable drawer and tray for removing cut pieces of fruit from the apparatus after a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a rinsing assembly for cleaning the fruit and the cutting assembly, and a deflector configured to route cut pieces of fruit into the tray and waste material through a disposal outlet. The cutting assembly is configured to perform one or more cutting operations depending on the type of fruit detected in the cup assembly: wedging for apples, lemons, limes, and pears, and cutting/peeling for oranges and grapefruits. The apparatus quickly prepares various fruits for consumption without requiring an operator to touch the cut pieces of fruit.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Robert Richard Tuchrelo, Jeffrey Quint Cahoon
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Patent number: 11844462Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Carl A Pahnke, Dennis J. Nelson, Christopher P. Norris, Jeffrey L. Sands, Nathan A. Matz, Otley Dwight Freymiller
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Patent number: 11825986Abstract: A grill including a first platen assembly, an second platen assembly movable with respect to the first platen assembly, a motor operable to move the second platen assembly with respect to the first platen assembly, and a control operable to measure movement of the second platen assembly with respect to the first platen assembly while the motor is off.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventor: Daniel L. Kelly
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Patent number: 11793355Abstract: A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grilling surface. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling surface. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure with a mounting bracket. A portion of each leveling mechanism is arranged in contact with the lower platen assembly. The leveling mechanisms are configured to automatically level the lower grilling surface relative to the upper grilling surface. Each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms is configured to independently move a portion of the lower grilling surface about a different axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventor: Dennis J. Nelson
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Patent number: 11717005Abstract: A system and method for treating a portion of a food flow path in a food processor having a freezer chamber includes imparting a continuous flow of solution through a portion of the food flow path with sufficient flow rate, temperature and flow duration to impart at least one of (i) impart at least a 6 log reduction in inoculum count and (ii) extend the necessary time for manual cleaning of the portion of a food flow path exposed to the continuous flow of solution to at least 7 days.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Robert Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith
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Patent number: 11712047Abstract: A plurality of bypass lines are configured to selectively engage a corresponding plurality of food flow paths in a food processor. Each bypass line fluidly communicates with an inlet of a pressure regulating valve such that a common pressure occurs at a spaced position in each food flow path providing an equal pressure at the pressure regulating valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Nathan E. Smith, Robert Tuchrelo
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Patent number: 11643321Abstract: An interface assembly for a frozen dessert machine is disclosed that includes a freezer door having opposed front and rear sides and including at least one recessed mounting pocket formed in the rear side thereof, the at least one recessed mounting pocket including a cornice covering an upper portion thereof, and at least one elongated baffle having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the at least one baffle including a retention flange that is dimensioned and configured for detachable reception within the at least one mounting pocket of the freezer door behind the cornice.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Mark E. Bush, Nathan Matz
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Patent number: 11596265Abstract: A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Dennis J. Nelson, James J. Minard, Jeffrey L. Sands
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Patent number: 11589708Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Dennis J. Nelson, Otley D. Freymiller
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Patent number: 11553811Abstract: An apparatus for preparing fruit includes a main housing with a cutting area containing a cutting assembly and a drive assembly, a removable cup assembly for inserting the fruit into the apparatus, and a removable drawer and tray for removing cut pieces of fruit from the apparatus after a cutting operation. The apparatus includes a rinsing assembly for cleaning the fruit and the cutting assembly, and a deflector configured to route cut pieces of fruit into the tray and waste material through a disposal outlet. The cutting assembly is configured to perform one or more cutting operations depending on the type of fruit detected in the cup assembly: wedging for apples, lemons, limes, and pears, and cutting/peeling for oranges and grapefruits. The apparatus quickly prepares various fruits for consumption without requiring an operator to touch the cut pieces of fruit.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Robert Richard Tuchrelo, Jeffrey Quint Cahoon
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Patent number: 11497348Abstract: A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly connected to the base structure, and a second platen assembly connected to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further comprises a retaining ring movable to receive and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Carl A. Pahnke, Dennis J. Nelson, Christopher P. Norris, Jeffrey L. Sands, Nathan A. Matz, Otley Dwight Freymiller
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Patent number: 11497228Abstract: A microchannel freezing cylinder assembly is disclosed that includes an inner cylinder located within an outer cylinder. Multiple grooves are located on the exterior of the inner cylinder that form multiple microchannels when the inner cylinder is located within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder includes an inlet header and a distribution header, with multiple orifices located in a ridge between the inlet header and distribution header. The distribution header is in fluid communication with the microchannels.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Stephen M. Wadle, James J. Minard
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Patent number: 11471000Abstract: A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper gritting plate. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling plate. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure and arranged in contact with the lower grilling plate. The leveling mechanisms are configured to move the lower gritting plate relative to the upper grilling plate. At least one grease receptacle has an inboard sidewall and an outboard sidewall connected by a compartment configured to receive grease from a grilling surface of the lower plate. The inboard sidewall is mounted to the lower grilling plate at or below the grilling surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventor: Dennis J. Nelson
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Patent number: 11337549Abstract: A self-contained system is provided for cleaning a food flow path in a food processor. The system can be operably engaged without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor or can be operably engaged after a partial disassembly of the food processor. The system includes a control assembly for directing passage of a solution through the food processor without requiring constant operator oversight. The system can employ available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through a food flow path in the food processor, though typically countercurrent to the normal processing food flow. A manifold assembly includes an intake manifold and a distribution manifold, with an induction port and/or access port in the distribution manifold for introducing additives or agents into a controlled motive stream passing through the manifold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Robert Tuchrelo, Jeffrey Cahoon, Richard T. Aab, Alfred S. Mustardo, Nathan E. Smith, Jacob R. Parisi, Edward F. Ruppel, III, Gary M. Russotti, William Salminen
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Patent number: 11286152Abstract: An interface assembly for a frozen dessert machine is disclosed that includes a freezer door having opposed front and rear sides and including at least one recessed mounting pocket formed in the rear side thereof, the at least one recessed mounting pocket including a cornice covering an upper portion thereof, and at least one elongated baffle having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the at least one baffle including a retention flange that is dimensioned and configured for detachable reception within the at least one mounting pocket of the freezer door behind the cornice.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Mark E. Bush, Nathan Matz
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Patent number: 11278040Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Robert K. Newton, Stephen W. Wadle
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Patent number: 11116357Abstract: A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Ronald J. Glavan, Dennis J. Nelson, Otley D. Freymiller
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Patent number: 11118841Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first tube extending along a central axis. The first tube defines a chamber that contains a first medium. A corrugated sheath of the heat exchanger is disposed radially outward from and extends circumferentially about the outer face for transferring heat through the inner tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventor: James J. Minard
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Patent number: D946350Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: James J. Minard, Nathan A. Matz
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Patent number: D946970Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLCInventors: James J. Minard, Nathan A. Matz