Patents by Inventor Kevin Vinett

Kevin Vinett 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: 10420351
    Abstract: A grill smoker apparatus provides a container and a cover. A carrier is disposed in the container. The carrier is configured to store smoke producing material such as wood chips. The carrier may be removable from the container for filling the container, for emptying the container, for replacing the container or for cleaning the smoker apparatus. The carrier includes an outer dimension smaller than the inner dimension of the container. As such, a carrier gap is defined between the inner container wall and the outer region of the carrier. The carrier gap may form a uniform, annular gap in some embodiments. Alternatively, the carrier gap has a non-uniform radial dimension around the perimeter of the container. The carrier gap provides enhanced airflow to the smoke producing material in the carrier for improving smoker performance. A heat concentrator also focuses heat to the smoker apparatus for igniting the smoke producing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Vinett
  • Publication number: 20180310577
    Abstract: A heat concentrator device is provided for concentrating heat from a heat source for heating a container. The heat concentrator includes a heat concentrator body including a first side wall, the body including an upper concentrator end and a lower concentrator end, the body forming an inverted funnel shape. A lower concentrator opening is defined at the lower concentrator end, and an upper concentrator opening defined at the upper concentrator end, the lower concentrator opening being larger than the upper concentrator opening. A plurality of concentrator holes is defined in the side walls. At least one concentrator support extends from the lower concentrator end of the side walls, the at least one concentrator support resiliently biased inwardly, wherein the at least one concentrator support of the side walls is configured to directly engage the heat source, support the side walls, and orient the upper concentrator end toward the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Vinett
  • Patent number: 10021889
    Abstract: A grill smoker apparatus provides a container and a cover. A carrier is disposed in the container. The carrier is configured to store smoke producing material such as wood chips. The carrier may be removable from the container for filling the container, for emptying the container, for replacing the container or for cleaning the smoker apparatus. The carrier includes an outer dimension smaller than the inner dimension of the container. As such, a carrier gap is defined between the inner container wall and the outer region of the carrier. The carrier gap may form a uniform, annular gap in some embodiments. Alternatively, the carrier gap has a non-uniform radial dimension around the perimeter of the container. The carrier gap provides enhanced airflow to the smoke producing material in the carrier for improving smoker performance. A heat concentrator also focuses heat to the smoker apparatus for igniting the smoke producing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Vinett
  • Publication number: 20180020685
    Abstract: A grill smoker apparatus provides a container and a cover. A carrier is disposed in the container. The carrier is configured to store smoke producing material such as wood chips. The carrier may be removable from the container for filling the container, for emptying the container, for replacing the container or for cleaning the smoker apparatus. The carrier includes an outer dimension smaller than the inner dimension of the container. As such, a carrier gap is defined between the inner container wall and the outer region of the carrier. The carrier gap may form a uniform, annular gap in some embodiments. Alternatively, the carrier gap has a non-uniform radial dimension around the perimeter of the container. The carrier gap provides enhanced airflow to the smoke producing material in the carrier for improving smoker performance. A heat concentrator also focuses heat to the smoker apparatus for igniting the smoke producing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Vinett
  • Publication number: 20140299005
    Abstract: A grill smoker apparatus provides a container and a cover. A carrier is disposed in the container. The carrier is configured to store smoke producing material such as wood chips. The carrier may be removable from the container for filling the container, for emptying the container, for replacing the container or for cleaning the smoker apparatus. The carrier includes an outer dimension smaller than the inner dimension of the container. As such, a carrier gap is defined between the inner container wall and the outer region of the carrier. The carrier gap may form a uniform, annular gap in some embodiments. Alternatively, the carrier gap has a non-uniform radial dimension around the perimeter of the container. The carrier gap provides enhanced airflow to the smoke producing material in the carrier for improving smoker performance. A heat concentrator also focuses heat to the smoker apparatus for igniting the smoke producing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Vinett