Patents by Inventor Alfred F. Contarino
Alfred F. Contarino 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).
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Patent number: 10687667Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 10524616Abstract: A cooking grill for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods includes a base portion, a cooking grate supported on the base portion, and a lid hingedly-attached to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position in which a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber is defined between the base portion/cooking grate and the lid. The lid is specially-configured to define a window therein, for admitting passage into the cooking chamber along an entrance pathway extending horizontally from the window. The lid is specially-configured so that the window remains open and unobstructed while the lid is in a closed position. A handle is joined to the lid in a position outside of the entrance pathway, so that it does not interfere with insertion of pizza/foods into, or removal of pizza/foods from, the cooking chamber while the lid remains in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 10405699Abstract: The invention pertains to an accessory for adapting cooking grills, especially kettle and kamado style grills for better cooking of pizzas and other foods not typically thought of as appropriate for grilling. The accessory is an insert that is adapted to sit between the bottom and the top of the grill and is generally shaped with a horizontal cross-section substantially similar to the horizontal cross section at the junction of the bottom and the top of the grill with which it is adapted to work. The insert increases the height of the cooking chamber. The insert includes a side opening or window through which food may be inserted and removed from the expanded cooking chamber without the need to open or remove the top of the grill.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 10132502Abstract: An apparatus usable in a kettle- or kamado-style grill instead of a conventional cooking grate. The apparatus includes a cooking surface support configured for support in a base of the grill in lieu of the conventional grate, and a complementary cooking surface supportable on the cooking surface support. The cooking surface support defines open fuel ports providing access to the fuel chamber. The apparatus may include a secondary fuel basket positionable within an open fuel port. An alternative apparatus comprises a unitary body adapted to be supported in the bottom portion of the cooking grill. The unitary body comprises a structural support portion configured to abut a bottom portion of the grill, and a cooking support portion spanning more than 50% of the area of the unitary body. The unitary body defines at least one open fuel port permit admission of additional fuel to the bottom of the grill.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180325316Abstract: The invention pertains to an accessory for adapting cooking grills, especially kettle and kamado style grills for better cooking of pizzas and other foods not typically thought of as appropriate for grilling. The accessory is an insert that is adapted to sit between the bottom and the top of the grill and is generally shaped with a horizontal cross-section substantially similar to the horizontal cross section at the junction of the bottom and the top of the grill with which it is adapted to work. The insert increases the height of the cooking chamber. The insert includes a side opening or window through which food may be inserted and removed from the expanded cooking chamber without the need to open or remove the top of the grill.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Patent number: 10105008Abstract: A cooking grill for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods includes a base portion, a cooking grate supported on the base portion, and a lid hingedly-attached to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position in which a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber is defined between the base portion/cooking grate and the lid. The lid is specially-configured to define a window therein, for admitting passage into the cooking chamber along an entrance pathway extending horizontally from the window. The lid is specially-configured so that the window remains open and unobstructed while the lid is in a closed position. A handle is joined to the lid in a position outside of the entrance pathway, so that it does not interfere with insertion of pizza/foods into, or removal of pizza/foods from, the cooking chamber while the lid remains in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 10051997Abstract: The invention pertains to an accessory for adapting cooking grills, especially kettle and kamado style grills for better cooking of pizzas and other foods not typically thought of as appropriate for grilling. The accessory is an insert that is adapted to sit between the bottom and the top of the grill and is generally shaped with a horizontal cross-section substantially similar to the horizontal cross section at the junction of the bottom and the top of the grill with which it is adapted to work. The insert increases the height of the cooking chamber. The insert includes a side opening or window through which food may be inserted and removed from the expanded cooking chamber without the need to open or remove the top of the grill.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Publication number: 20170231428Abstract: The invention pertains to an accessory for adapting cooking grills, especially kettle and kamado style grills for better cooking of pizzas and other foods not typically thought of as appropriate for grilling. The accessory is an insert that is adapted to sit between the bottom and the top of the grill and is generally shaped with a horizontal cross-section substantially similar to the horizontal cross section at the junction of the bottom and the top of the grill with which it is adapted to work. The insert increases the height of the cooking chamber. The insert includes a side opening or window through which food may be inserted and removed from the expanded cooking chamber without the need to open or remove the top of the grill.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Publication number: 20170234546Abstract: An apparatus usable in a kettle- or kamado-style grill instead of a conventional cooking grate. The apparatus includes a cooking surface support configured for support in a base of the grill in lieu of the conventional grate, and a complementary cooking surface supportable on the cooking surface support. The cooking surface support defines open fuel ports providing access to the fuel chamber. The apparatus may include a secondary fuel basket positionable within an open fuel port. An alternative apparatus comprises a unitary body adapted to be supported in the bottom portion of the cooking grill. The unitary body comprises a structural support portion configured to abut a bottom portion of the grill, and a cooking support portion spanning more than 50% of the area of the unitary body.; The unitary body defines at least one open fuel port permit admission of additional fuel to the bottom of the grill.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Patent number: 9681775Abstract: An apparatus usable in a kettle- or kamado-style grill instead of a conventional cooking grate. The apparatus includes a cooking surface support configured for support in a base of the grill in lieu of the conventional grate, and a complementary cooking surface supportable on the cooking surface support. The cooking surface support defines open fuel ports providing access to the fuel chamber. The apparatus may include a secondary fuel basket positionable within an open fuel port. An alternative apparatus comprises a unitary body adapted to be supported in the bottom portion of the cooking grill. The unitary body comprises a structural support portion configured to abut a bottom portion of the grill, and a cooking support portion spanning more than 50% of the area of the unitary body. The unitary body defines at least one open fuel port permit admission of additional fuel to the bottom of the grill.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 9668615Abstract: The invention pertains to an accessory for adapting cooking grills, especially kettle and kamado style grills for better cooking of pizzas and other foods not typically thought of as appropriate for grilling. The accessory is an insert that is adapted to sit between the bottom and the top of the grill and is generally shaped with a horizontal cross-section substantially similar to the horizontal cross section at the junction of the bottom and the top of the grill with which it is adapted to work. The insert increases the height of the cooking chamber. The insert includes a side opening or window through which food may be inserted and removed from the expanded cooking chamber without the need to open or remove the top of the grill.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 9556653Abstract: The invention is a saddle lock that is inexpensive to manufacture and can be used with different style and/or size saddles.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160198899Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Patent number: 9289097Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150289719Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Publication number: 20150282669Abstract: A cooking grill for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods includes a base portion, a cooking grate supported on the base portion, and a lid hingedly-attached to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position in which a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber is defined between the base portion/cooking grate and the lid. The lid is specially-configured to define a window therein, for admitting passage into the cooking chamber along an entrance pathway extending horizontally from the window. The lid is specially-configured so that the window remains open and unobstructed while the lid is in a closed position. A handle is joined to the lid in a position outside of the entrance pathway, so that it does not interfere with insertion of pizza/foods into, or removal of pizza/foods from, the cooking chamber while the lid remains in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Publication number: 20150027432Abstract: A cooking grill for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods includes a base portion, a cooking grate supported on the base portion, and a lid hingedly-attached to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position in which a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber is defined between the base portion/cooking grate and the lid. The lid is specially-configured to define a window therein, for admitting passage into the cooking chamber along an entrance pathway extending horizontally from the window. The lid is specially-configured so that the window remains open and unobstructed while the lid is in a closed position. A handle is joined to the lid in a position outside of the entrance pathway, so that it does not interfere with insertion of pizza/foods into, or removal of pizza/foods from, the cooking chamber while the lid remains in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Publication number: 20140251160Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Publication number: 20140130788Abstract: An apparatus usable in a kettle- or kamado-style grill instead of a conventional cooking grate. The apparatus includes a cooking surface support configured for support in a base of the grill in lieu of the conventional grate, and a complementary cooking surface supportable on the cooking surface support. The cooking surface support defines open fuel ports providing access to the fuel chamber. The apparatus may include a secondary fuel basket positionable within an open fuel port. An alternative apparatus comprises a unitary body adapted to be supported in the bottom portion of the cooking grill. The unitary body comprises a structural support portion configured to abut a bottom portion of the grill, and a cooking support portion spanning more than 50% of the area of the unitary body. The unitary body defines at least one open fuel port permit admission of additional fuel to the bottom of the grill.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
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Patent number: D814238Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.