Patents Examined by Reginald L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 10136760
    Abstract: A cooking device that allows you to BBQ and smoke different foods on a grill is disclosed. The present invention allows for use with or without a rotisserie. It has a locking lid on one end which doubles as a locking mechanism with a handle. Each end has holes to allow for most rotisseries on the market. The holes at both ends of the can are offset. This creates a tumbling effect that helps stir the ingredients when turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ALL ABOUT BBQ, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley D Markussen, Jack D Markussen, Vonda J Phipps, Wesley D Markussen
  • Patent number: 10136752
    Abstract: A method for translating cooking time and temperatures for prepackaged food products. The sous-vide program allows users to cook to a food manufacturer recommended doneness based on the size, shape and fat content of the food. The program also lets user adjust setting if the users modified the food product like cut it in half. The program can be located on the sous vide cooking device or on person computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Anova Applied Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Wu
  • Patent number: 10136754
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cartridge holder of a beverage forming machine. The cartridge holder may have an opening arranged to receive and hold a cartridge with the cartridge holder. The opening may be adjustable in size and/or shape to allow the cartridge holder to receive and engage with cartridges of different size and/or shape. The cartridge holder may include one or more movable portions that are adjustable in position to effectively adjust a size and/or shape of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Peter Thomas Launie, Jr., Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, Stoyan Plamenov Hristov, Jordan Dean Jack Greiner, Peter Nicholas Woskov, Yoav Rabino, James E. Shepard, Ian Tinkler, William T. Jacobs, Patrick J. Lazatin, William Philip McHugh, Kevin Thomas Brandimarte, Mario Liuzza, Timothy Maclean
  • Patent number: 10130206
    Abstract: A beverage machine includes a brewing unit with a main body defining a hollow for receiving different types of portable pad and/or capsule holders, and a lid connected to the main body for opening and closing the hollow. The beverage machine further includes first and second holders for receiving first and second types of a pad or capsule, respectively. The shape of the hollow is configured such that it may either receive the first or second holder. The lid includes (i) a first sealing member configured to seal a first brewing chamber between the lid and the first holder, when the first holder is inserted into the hollow, and (ii) a second sealing member which is different from the first sealing member and is configured to seal a second brewing chamber between the lid and the second holder, when the second holder is inserted into the hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Rijskamp, Rodin Enne Bruinsma, Hendrikus Lodewijk Joseph Franciscus Holten
  • Patent number: 10130207
    Abstract: A process for preparing coffee in a dispensing apparatus is described, the apparatus (1) having a feed chute (6) mounted on the supporting frame (2) and being able to rotate with respect to said frame in order to feed the ground coffee to the infusion chamber (3), wherein the feed chute (6) and the infusion chamber (3) are positioned so as to obtain a desired distribution of ground coffee in the chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aldo Doglioni Majer, Ezio Ceriani, Carlo Doglioni Majer, Luca Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 10123557
    Abstract: A thermal processing and control system (10) includes a thermal processing station (12) for receiving food products (14) being carried on a conveyor system (16). A first scanning station (18) is located upstream from a similar processing station (12) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (16). A second scanning station (20) is located downstream of the thermal processing station (12). A diverter conveyor (24) diverts selected food products (14) from the conveyor (16) to a transverse conveyor (26) which is capable of positioning the diverted food product onto a temperature measurement station (28), whereat the temperature of the food product is measured, either manually or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Hocker, John R. Strong, Ramesh M. Gunawardena
  • Patent number: 10117540
    Abstract: A consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of a consumable containing a food substance, for the preparation of a beverage using a beverage dispenser, includes a light sensor configured to sense light reflected from a reflection element of the consumable during a relative movement between the consumable and the light sensor to obtain a sensor signal. The sensor signal depends on the position, reflectivity and/or pattern of the reflection element. A movable sensor carrier is configured to carry the light sensor which is configured to sense light reflected from the reflection element during a movement of the sensor carrier. A signal processor is configured to recognize placement and/or type of consumable based on the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jasper De Vreede, Harmina Christina Zeijlstra, Gerben Kooijman
  • Patent number: 10117544
    Abstract: The present invention is a pie pan baking device having a pie pan with a plurality of heating vents arranged concentrically forming a ring with fastener apertures located at the same outer corner edge of each of the plurality of the heat vents, a fastener affixed through each fastener aperture, a latch and a cover affixed rotatably to each outer corner edge of the heat vents by the fastener, the cover and latch rotating independently of each other, wherein each cover is able to cover a heating vent, and an inner heating channel having a wall vent for each, wherein the wall vents have a base and ascending inner and outer walls arranged to able to extend through the heating vents, wherein the base is larger than the heating vents and having rectangular cutouts along their outer edges at locations near the latches to allow the latches to secure the base to the pie pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Van Dexter E. Duez
  • Patent number: 10117542
    Abstract: A coffee maker with continuously adjustable water flow rate, continuously adjustable feedback-controlled water temperature, and low thermal mass allows baristas to experiment with and digitally program and/or record different flow-rate and temperature profiles (brewing profiles) over the course of brewing a cup or batch of coffee. Brewing profiles may be recorded on one machine and reproduced (played back) on another machine, allowing reproducibility of subtle flavor variations in brewed coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Luminaire Coffee LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Coats, Benjamin Salinas, George Harris, Robert Macklin, Carl Tappan
  • Patent number: 10105000
    Abstract: A device (1) handles selectively a first capsule (2a) having a first flange (2a?) and a second capsule (2b) having a second flange (2b?) greater than the first flange (2a?). The device comprises: a first part (10) and a second part (20) that are relatively movable from a transfer position for inserting and/or removing such capsule (2a, 2b) to an extraction position for extracting such capsule (2a, 2b); and a third part (30) for guiding such capsule (2a, 2b) to inbetween the first and second parts (10, 20) when in the transfer position. The third part (30) has: a first portion (31a) for engaging with and guiding the first flange (2a?) of the first capsule (2a); and a second portion (31b) for engaging with and guiding the second flange (2b?) of the second capsule (2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Gunstone, Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Marc Flick
  • Patent number: 10104904
    Abstract: A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing control of at least partial treatment of the one or more portions of the one or more ingestible substrate structures according to the treatment instructional information regarding the one or more subsequent ingestible substrate structure parts assembly operations including assembling one or more substrate structure parts to form at least in part the one or more portions of the one or more ingestible substrate structures to be used for forming at least in part the one or more selected ingestible products subsequent to and based at least in part upon the electronically receiving the user status information and the electronically receiving the selection information. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul Holman, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, Neal Stephenson, Christopher Charles Young
  • Patent number: 10098493
    Abstract: An outdoor food frying apparatus includes a frame having a pot support, a burner element supported upon the frame, and a pot that removably fits the frame. The pot has end walls, a rear wall, a front edge portion, and a bottom wall. A basket is pivotally attached to the pot rear wall with one or more hinges. The basket is correspondingly sized and shaped to fit the pot interior. The basket is movable about the hinge between cooking and food discharge positions. The lid is pivotally attached to the pot. The lid is movable between a cooking position wherein the lid covers the pot upper opening and food discharge position wherein the lid rotates at least 180 degrees from said cooking position, forming a tray for receiving food discharged from the basket. A steamer plate can optionally be connected to the basket at the basket rim and/or basket side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: METAL FUSION, INC.
    Inventor: Norman Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 10098370
    Abstract: A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Kenyon Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Reischmann
  • Patent number: 10098500
    Abstract: A cooking system includes an upper cooking chamber configured to receive food therein; a lower heating chamber configured to burn fuel therein; a conduit in fluid communication between the upper cooking chamber and the lower heating chamber; a first valve operably associated with the conduit, the first valve being configured to open and close access between the upper cooking chamber and the lower heating chamber; a flue in gaseous communication with both the lower heating chamber and the upper cooking chamber; a second valve operably associated with the flue and the lower heating chamber, the second valve being configured to open and close access between the lower cooking chamber and the flue; and a third valve operably associated with the flue and the lower heating chamber, the second valve being configured to open and close access between the lower cooking chamber and the flue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: J. D. Hutton
  • Patent number: 10099839
    Abstract: By, according to the invention, producing a food product tray (1) with a lid (2) using a basic material (3) such as aluminum, and providing said material (3) with a coating (4) comprising at least two layers (9 and 10), of which at least one of the materials has a high emission value, it is possible with a suitable dimensioning and placement of the coating (4) on the inner and/or outer side of the tray (1) and the lid (2) to obtain a hitherto unknown precise heating of the individual food products within the same heating time in an oven (12). The oven (12) has heating elements (14-16) which may abut against the sides and bottom of the tray as well as against the lid (2), said heating elements (14-16) may have a zonal heat emission in order to obtain the best possible cooking of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Henny Jakobsgaard
  • Patent number: 10099849
    Abstract: A capsule for making beverages, containing a powdered food substance which can be extracted by passing hot water through it, the capsule (1) comprising a cup-shaped containment body (3) which inside it forms a chamber (2) for housing (16) the powdered food substance, and which comprises a bottom portion (7) through which, in use, hot water can be fed into the capsule (1), and a lateral wall (4) connected to the bottom portion (7) and forming an access opening for accessing the chamber (2), and a closing element (9) fixed to the lateral wall (4) at the access opening for closing it, and through which, in use, the beverage can come out of the chamber (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: CAFFITALY SYSTEM S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Accursi
  • Patent number: 10098501
    Abstract: A grill includes a base seat and a grill mechanism. The grill mechanism is mounted to the base seat, and includes a lower grill unit, an upper grill unit pivoted to the lower grill unit, and an auxiliary heating unit disposed on one of the upper and lower grill units. The grill mechanism is operable to rotate relative to the base seat to a draining position. The auxiliary heating unit includes an auxiliary heating pan heated by heat emitted from the one of the upper and lower grill units, and an affixing member mounted to the auxiliary heating pan for holding a food disposed on the auxiliary heating pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TSANN KUEN (ZHANGZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenyu Chang
  • Patent number: 10098499
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Taylor Commercial Foodservice Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10092131
    Abstract: The beverage frothing device comprises a first beverage passageway comprised of: a first beverage suction chamber (13) in communication with a first beverage suction duct (17) and a first steam inlet duct (21), wherein the first beverage suction duct is configured for communication with a beverage container; an air inlet port (27A); a frothing arrangement for mixing beverage delivered through the first beverage suction duct (17) with air from the air inlet port (27A) and producing frothed beverage; a first beverage dispensing spout (31), wherefrom frothed beverage is dispensed. The beverage frothing device further comprises a second beverage passageway comprised of a second beverage suction chamber (15) in communication with a second beverage suction duct (19) and a second steam inlet duct (23), wherein the second beverage suction duct is configured for communication with the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Andrea Ferraro, Marco Santini
  • Patent number: 10092029
    Abstract: A crushing machine for a vegetable food product frozen in blocks, or in IQF form. The machine includes a box-like body containing defining a crushing chamber. The box-like body has an inlet port, through which the frozen food product is put in the crushing chamber and an outlet port through which a frozen crushed product is discharged from the crushing chamber. In the crushing chamber a crushing unit is mounted comprising a plurality of crushing rollers, for example three crushing rollers. Each crushing roller is arranged to rotate about a respective rotation axis and is having peripherally a plurality of teeth arranged to cut the frozen product into blocks, or IQF form, for splitting it into the above described fragments of predetermined size. In particular, the rotation axes of the crushing rollers are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Alessandro Bertocchi