Patents Examined by Timothy Simone
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Patent number: 6044757Abstract: An end cover for detachable connection on the end of a cylindrical shaped food roll. The end cover has an end plate with an external side that displays information such as advertising or marketing indicia. A retaining member extends from the end plate and forms an interference fit with the external surface of the food roll when the end cover is installed onto the food roll.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Inventor: Marvin Gene Mason
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Patent number: 6044755Abstract: Prior ice cream cone baking machines were manually raised and lowered, causing the cone to be sometimes overcooked or burnt. The present invention automatically raises the upper cooking plate after a pre-set cooking time, and maintains the baked cake at a warm temperature until removed from the lower cooking plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Inventor: Vincenzo Misceo
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Patent number: 6044756Abstract: A vacuum pot capable of showing the vacuum status comprises a container and a cover body. The cover body comprises a seat, a top lid, an air-pumping unit, and an indicating unit. The top lid connects with the seat. A groove is installed on the top edge of the top lid. The air-pumping unit is installed between the seat and the top lid to draw out the air inside the container unidirectionally by the pressing and releasing of an air-pumping button. The indicating unit has a retractable pump. One end of the retractable pump connects with the seat. The retractable pump connects with the inside of the container. The other end of the retractable pump connects with a rack. The rack is meshed with a gear. The gear is pivotably installed on the seat. The gear fixedly joins a pointer installed in the groove of the top lid. A scale is installed on the groove. Thereby articles can be superposed on the cover body, the vacuum degree of the vacuum pot can be known exactly, and the user can operate using only one hand.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Inventor: Kun Sheng Chang
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Patent number: 6041696Abstract: An apparatus for dehydrating fruits, vegetables and foods includes a base having a top formed with a center hole and two opposite vertical recesses close to two sides, the base having two opposite through holes at two opposite lower corners in communication with the two recesses, a cover having a bottom formed with two holes at two opposite sides thereof, a pair of positioning plates each having a top formed with a projection configured to engage with the holes of the cover, an inner side formed with a plurality of parallel grooves, and a lower edge with a hook engageable with a respective one of the through holes, and a plurality of trays each having a lower portion formed with two opposite flanges configured to slidably engage with respective grooves of the positioning plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Inventor: Yung-Sen Su
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Patent number: 6041697Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled fracture of the outer hull of a nut-like fruit wherein a reciprocable piston is moved within a frame and is supported and guided by arms that interfit with the piston to guide it or non-rotating movement into and out of engagement with the nut-like fruit. A key actuator is rotated by the user and which rotates an actuator, threadedly interengaged with the frame and which serves to provide the reciprocable movement of the piston. The nut hull is itself positioned between the piston and an anvil that among the surfaces of the piston and anvil that crack the nut hull are both configured so as to retain the nut in a stable position where it can be acted upon by the apparatus. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus is modified so as to act as a garlic press using the same piston constrained motion. In a still further embodiment. the apparatus is modified so as to operate as a corkscrew to safely and easily remove the corks from bottles such as wine bottles.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Inventor: Chaim Maoz
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Patent number: 6041694Abstract: An oven with multiple pans is composed of a base, a base plate, rotating frames and roast pans, the base includes a motor which extends its spindle upwardly through the base plate linked with a transmission gear, the base plate having a plural recesses around the motor with a centrally formed shaft extending therefrom for accommodating a spindle of roast pans therein. The roast pans comprise gears at the edges to be meshed with the transmission gear and activated by the motor to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1999Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Lundar Electric Inductrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tony Hsu
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Patent number: 6038965Abstract: A portable barbecue grill apparatus has multiple functions including barbecuing, baking, roasting, and pan broiling, some of which can be accomplished simultaneously on joined cooking elements. The grill apparatus can have an extendable rear lid having a rotisserie attached to a base. Alternatively, a pair of slotted side plates attached to the lid and covered by a heat shield can permit the spacing of the spit from the burner in the lid according to the size of the rotating fool. The lid and base each contain heating elements energized by one or two portable propane tanks.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: Robert J. Thorndyke
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Patent number: 6035769Abstract: A vacuum sealed preservation container comprises a container main body and a lid made of a synthetic resin which is heat resistant and cold resistant and has microwave permeability, in which the lid has on the upper surface thereof a check valve constituted such that gases in the container flow out only in one direction to the outside of the container through a vent hole and a packing mounted in a packing case disposed in contiguous with the circumferential edge thereof, and the container is constituted such that the lid and the container main body are in airtight contact with each other by way of the packing.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Hikari Kinzoku Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Nomura, Shigeru Nomura
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Patent number: 6035771Abstract: A food processor has a handle (4) connected to a gear assembly (G1, G2, G3, G4) by which different rotary tools (B) connected to the end (10) of a central shaft (8) in the processor may be rotated (FIG. 3). Different sets of the gears are engaged according to the speed with which the selected tool is to be rotated.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: William Levene LimitedInventors: Sebastian Conran, Joseph Patrick O'Connor
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Patent number: 6035772Abstract: An apparatus for cracking nuts is disclosed which employs a striker mechanism to apply a sharp force to the shell of a nut in order to fracture it. The nut is held in a chamber consisting of an anvil and a cup, with a spring-loaded striker being cocked and released by the single motion of a lever. In the lever's normal raised state, the anvil and cup are separated to allow for insertion of the uncracked nut. As the lever is lowered, the anvil is gently closed down upon the nut to secure it with a light force between the anvil and the cup. As the lever continues its travel downward, the striker is cocked and released, imparting an impulse force on the cup and the nut, thereby cracking the shell of the nut with a predetermined force independent of the size of the nut. A fragment shield integral to the lever is lowered into place along either side of the cracking chamber as the lever is lowered, providing a simple and reliable safety mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Inventor: Mark A. Thompson
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Patent number: 6035764Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus adaptable for various kinds of raw rice and a variety of finally cooked rice, which comprises a combination of a steaming line constructed of a single endless conveyor and a settling and/or cooling line constructed of a plurality of combined endless conveyor belts arranged downstream of the steaming line. The settling and/or cooling line is combined with the rice continuously steaming line which comprises the steps of placing rice, that has finished preliminary water absorption, on a carrying surface of a single conveyor belt evenly, moving the carrying surface while blowing steam to the rice placed on the carrying surface, and effecting primary steaming of the rice, sprinkling of hot water to absorb water into the rice, and secondary steaming of the rice having absorbed water successively during movement of the carrying surface without agitating the rice, the above steps being performed within a sealed housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Miyagawa, Yoshio Ishii, Takashi Tanaka
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Patent number: 6035767Abstract: A camp skillet and biscuit maker, (10) primarily useful for cooking biscuits, meats and other food items at a campsite over a direct heat source, such as a camp fire or camp stove. Biscuit maker (10) includes an upper skillet member (20) and a lower skillet member (30). Upper skillet member (20) and lower skillet member (30) are hingedly fixed together. Lower skillet member (30) is of sufficient depth to serve as a deep fryer and a fry basket (65), is provided that is dimensioned so as to nest within lower skillet member (30). For cooking biscuits over a camp fire, biscuit skillet (70), which has a foraminous bottom (72), which also nests within lower skillet member (30) is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Inventor: Ronald E. Gibson
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Patent number: 6035766Abstract: A multi heating zone cooking pot construction (10) including a receptacle unit comprising a receptacle member (20) having a base portion (21) and a peripheral sidewall (22) which are formed integrally with a divider unit (12) including a main divider wall member (30) and a secondary divider wall member (31) which divider the interior of the receptacle member (20) into segregated compartments (28, 29, 29') including an enlarged compartment (28) and two smaller compartments (29, 29'). The base portion (21) of each compartment is provided with a looped heat transfer coil (40) wherein the number of heat transfer loops (41) in at least two of the compartments (28, 29, 29') are different to produce more or less heat in the respective compartments (28, 29, 29').Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Inventor: Patricia C. Schirmer
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Patent number: 6032573Abstract: A cheesecake batter is baked in individual cups as it is continuously moved from one end of an oven to the other. Thereafter, it is cooled by being transferred to a cooling table covered with a hood. The cooling table and the hood are arranged in line with the other end of the oven, and contains a downward laminar sterile air flow to envelop the baked cheesecake batter on the cooling table. In addition, the cooling table and the hood are spaced from the other end of the oven a distance in which the flow of heated vapor from the oven react and create a vacuum, thereby maintaining the baked cheesecake batter under constant sterile conditions, as it moves from the oven to the cooling table.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Carousel Foods, Inc.Inventors: David Olkey, Charles Caruso
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Patent number: 6032572Abstract: A corn popping apparatus comprising a box-like cabinet with a tiltable lid to which is attached a large metal popping kettle. When the lid is lowered the bottom of the kettle projects downwardly into the cabinet interior through a panel covering the top of the cabinet. In this lowered lid position, the kettle is heated to popping temperature by a fuel burner inside the cabinet. The opening in the panel through which the kettle projects is sealed by the bottom wall of the kettle to block undesirable venting of combustion products and heated air through the top of the cabinet. The lid and the subjacent cabinet top panel also coact to provide an air space therebetween which provides a thermal barrier. A popped corn holding vessel is detachably secured to a cabinet exterior wall to receive the kettle contents when the lid is tipped upwardly. A lid counterbalancing device is provided to reduce the time and effort required to raise the lid for kettle dumping.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Inventor: Gary A Mann
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Patent number: 6029564Abstract: A combined baker and ice cream maker includes a base plate, a barrel-receiving container, and a bread baking unit and an ice cream making unit which are to be selectively received in the container. Each of the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit has a bottom mounting portion. A heater is disposed inside the container. A barrel seat is mounted on the base plate for selectively seating the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit thereon. A shaft extends through the base plate into the barrel seat. A driving unit is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the shaft. A switch is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the heater. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base plate and has opposite first and second ends. The first end extends to the switch, while the second end extends to the barrel seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventor: Olivia Huang
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Patent number: 6029563Abstract: A cooking machine which has: a cooking vessel removably provided in a case cavity and having an open top; a rotary shaft extending through a bottom of the cooking vessel and having an upper end to be fitted with an agitator blade; a driving mechanism provided below the cooking vessel for rotatively driving the rotary shaft of the cooking vessel; a heater provided in the case cavity for adjusting an ambient temperature within the case cavity; and a steam generating mechanism for supplying steam into the cooking vessel. The cooking machine selectively performs a kneading process for kneading an ingredient put in the cooking vessel, a shaping/fermenting process for allowing an ingredient to expand to a predetermined level in the cooking vessel, a baking process for baking an ingredient, and a steaming process for steaming an ingredient in the cooking vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Home Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Shunji Shiono, Tatsuhisa Fukuda
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Patent number: 6029568Abstract: A juice extractor is provided that includes an induction motor supported by a housing and having a rotatable shaft that is operably interconnected with comminuting basket adapted to pulverize food products, e.g., fruit and/or vegetables, into juice bearing pulp. The comminuting basket extracts the juice from the pulp and ejects the juiceless pulp. A servo-control mechanism is arranged in electrical and controlling cooperation with the induction motor, and is responsive to the rate of rotation of the shaft for maintaining the shaft at a substantially constant rate of rotation when the induction motor is in a power-on state and the comminuting basket is comminuting the food products. A bowl is positioned in substantially surrounding relation to the comminuting basket so as to (i) collect the juice and (ii) direct the juice to an exit opening in the bowel.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: L'Equip, Inc.Inventors: James Pascotti, B. S. Kim
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Patent number: 6026738Abstract: A self-contained pizza crust factory for creating a docked, formed pizza crust from a raw dough ball and positioning the crust on a crust container. The pizza crust factory includes an infeed conveyor belt that transports the ball of raw dough from an infeed end of the apparatus to a press assembly. The press assembly includes an upper platen and a lower platen positioned on opposite sides of the infeed conveyor belt. The upper platen of the press assembly is heated and in close contact with a crust die plate that is removably secured within a die holder assembly. The die holder assembly includes a pair of side supports that are pivotally movable between a locking position and a release position, such that the crust die plate can be easily removed and replaced from within the die holder assembly. A docking station is positioned downstream from the press assembly and receives the formed crust from the press assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: DOC Machines Works, Inc.Inventors: James P. Charles, Dennis A. Dolski, Joseph A. Lasee
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Patent number: 6026740Abstract: An apparatus for producing cheese includes a dispenser for applying salt to the cheese at a rate which varies in response to a control signal. The cheese travels across a platform to which a first sensor is attached for measuring the weight of the cheese. A second sensor measures the linear amount of cheese traveling across the platform. A controller derives the rate of cheese production based on the weight and the linear amount of cheese. The controller utilizes the rate of cheese production to produce the control signal and thereby control application of salt to the cheese.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Stainless Steel Fabricating, Inc.Inventor: Joseph H. Abler