Patents by Inventor Alan L. Backus

Alan L. Backus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11045047
    Abstract: A cooking enclosure is configured to hold food being cooked. The enclosure includes a surrounding, generally vertical, sidewall, projecting upward from a base. The base includes a floor bridging a bottom of enclosure, and the enclosure is capped by a vertically moving ceiling. The vertical moving ceiling secures a cooking heat source which is in thermal communication with the enclosure interior. The moving ceiling is configured to move up and down within the sidewall to vary, up and down, a volume of the cooking enclosure. The cooking enclosure is configured to have both a smaller cooking enclosure volume, suitable for quickly cooking small foods, and larger cooking enclosure volume necessary to cook larger foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 9924824
    Abstract: The subject application is directed to a food processing device to extract juice. The device includes an inlet coupled to a disintegrator. The inlet is configured to accept food items and the disintegrator configured to disintegrate food items passed through the inlet. The device further includes a separator that accepts the disintegrated food items and separates out the liquid components from the food item. The device further includes a reservoir that is coupled to the separator for accepting and holding the liquid components. The reservoir includes a translucent member for viewing of liquid levels within the reservoir, and a valved outlet. The valved outlet is configured to allow or prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the valved outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20150101495
    Abstract: The subject application is directed to a food processing device to extract juice. The device includes an inlet coupled to a disintegrator. The inlet is configured to accept food items and the disintegrator configured to disintegrate food items passed through the inlet. The device further includes a separator that accepts the disintegrated food items and separates out the liquid components from the food item. The device further includes a reservoir that is coupled to the separator for accepting and holding the liquid components. The reservoir includes a translucent member for viewing of liquid levels within the reservoir, and a valved outlet. The valved outlet is configured to allow or prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the valved outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 8850965
    Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried foods. Preferred embodiments herein also may be versatile enough to, besides deep frying foods, be able to steam and boil foods. Preferred embodiments may employ multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods. These may provide special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as by way of nonlimiting example, a Thanksgiving turkey. Preferred embodiments may provide advantages including, but not limited to: minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; lowering of warehousing costs; reduced manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Preferred embodiments of accessory items may simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus, Lauren Popeil
  • Publication number: 20140227411
    Abstract: Embodiments teaching appliance base constructions which increase stability, using both static and dynamic base extending elements. Methods to enhance coloring of the fried foods. Food support structures which utilize two-hand manipulation to increase safety and control. Removable handle construction, which decreases storage space. Peripheral feet on appliance base, to increase safety and stability. Various means for securing unitary food items, including fowl, during cooking. Structures which help prevent accidental deep fryer oil overflow onto supporting surfaces. Lid constructions, which keep a lid in place to protect the user, even while loading oversized, vertically extending foods. Food drainage opening assist device, to help drain fowl cavities after deep frying. Collapsible food support devices, used for cooking, serving, carving, and other purposes. Movable partitions within a food support, to compartmentalize, contain, cap, and space apart foods being cooked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Ron's Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 8309151
    Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ron's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20120167778
    Abstract: A combination food steamer and deep fryer cooking apparatus includes a vessel, a heat source, and first and second support structures. The vessel is configured to hold, at different times, associated water and associated cooking oil therein. The heat source is configured to heat the associated water within the vessel to a first selected temperature sufficient to boil the associated water held within the vessel. The heat source is further configured to heat the associated cooking oil within the vessel to a second selected temperature sufficient to deep fry associated food submerged in the associated cooking oil. The first support structure is separate from the second support structure and supports the associated food while submerged within the heated cooking oil which is contained within the vessel. The second support structure supports the associated food while being steamed by the boiling water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald M. POPEIL, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 8186265
    Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Ron's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Popeil, Alan L. Backus
  • Patent number: 8017167
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ronco Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 7998514
    Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The. device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ronco Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20110132891
    Abstract: An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7878111
    Abstract: An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20100269712
    Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald M. POPEIL, Alan L. Backus
  • Publication number: 20100260910
    Abstract: A device to bake farinaceous foods such as cakes, cookies, breads, pies, and pizzas more rapidly and flavorfully, with retention of desire food textures and reduced risk of burning by the use of intermittent application of radiant energy. The preferred embodiment rotates farinaceous ingredients in front of a radiant heat source. The preferred embodiment may control oven temperatures by regulating the amount of outside cool air fan forced into the oven cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Publication number: 20100173050
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7739948
    Abstract: A device to bake farinaceous foods such as cakes, cookies, breads, pies, and pizzas more rapidly and flavorfully, with retention of desire food textures and reduced risk of burning by the use of intermittent application of radiant energy. The preferred embodiment rotates farinaceous ingredients in front of a radiant heat source. The preferred embodiment may control oven temperatures by regulating the amount of outside cool air fan forced into the oven cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20100071565
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved rotisserie oven, having the following features: a removable side mounted control box; single wall oven cabinet construction; single wall oven cabinet construction with tabs protruding from the lower side edges of the oven cabinet which mount feet to support the cabinet; a rigid heat coil structurally connected to the removable control box; a heat coil, supported by a bracket within the oven cabinet which both allows the heat coil to be slid in and out of the oven cabinet and allows for expansion of the heat coil when the coil is energized; a light bulb integrated with the removable control box so that the bulb's globe protrudes into the interior of the oven cabinet when the control box is mounted on the oven cabinet; a drive mechanism integrated into the removable control box which allows the control box to be easily removed from the oven cabinet; a drip pan located below the spit, which has its liquid catching reservoir recessed in from the pan's perimeter
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7681494
    Abstract: A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 7626142
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an improved rotisserie oven, having the following features: a removable side mounted control box; single wall oven cabinet construction; single wall oven cabinet construction with tabs protruding from the lower side edges of the oven cabinet which mount feet to support the cabinet; a rigid heat coil structurally connected to the removable control box; a heat coil, supported by a bracket within the oven cabinet which both allows the heat coil to be slid in and out of the oven cabinet and allows for expansion of the heat coil when the coil is energized; a light bulb integrated with the removable control box so that the bulb's globe protrudes into the interior of the oven cabinet when the control box is mounted on the oven cabinet; a drive mechanism integrated into the removable control box which allows the control box to be easily removed from the oven cabinet; a drip pan located below the spit, which has its liquid catching reservoir recessed in from the pan's perimeter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Publication number: 20090173240
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RONCO ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil