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).

  • Patent number: 10687667
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10524616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10405699
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10132502
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180325316
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Patent number: 10105008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10051997
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170231428
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170234546
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Patent number: 9681775
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9668615
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9556653
    Abstract: The invention is a saddle lock that is inexpensive to manufacture and can be used with different style and/or size saddles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160198899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Patent number: 9289097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150289719
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150282669
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150027432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140251160
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140130788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Patent number: D814238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.