Patents by Inventor Michael R. Berge

Michael R. Berge 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: 11963543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heated air popcorn popper which provides a heating base assembly and popping pitcher having an interior popping volume which is detachable from the base assembly for introduction of popcorn kernels. The base assembly providing heated air to the popping pitcher causing unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher lifting handle such that the popping pitcher can be lifted away from the heating base assembly to permit any remaining unpopped or popped kernels to be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R Berge
  • Patent number: 11805933
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cold brew coffee maker and related methods of making cold brew coffee. The cold brew coffee maker can include a rotation plate assembly, a removable cup, a brew chamber and a filtration assembly. The rotation plate assembly can include an internal magnetic component for generating rotational movement of a selectively attachable component of the cup. The removable cup can include a detachable impeller and removable plate. In other embodiments, the impeller may be non-removably affixed to the cup. The impeller can engage with the rotation plate assembly by a magnetic connection. In the “on” mode, the impeller engages with the rotational plate assembly and internal magnetic component, allowing for rotational movement of the impeller. In the “off” mode, the impeller and magnetic component are freely moveable and able to disengage, allowing for easy separation of all assembly components for cleaning or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent T Ellis, Aaron J Munsinger, Michael R Berge
  • Patent number: 11432554
    Abstract: A batter template system and related methods of forming custom pancakes. The batter template system can include one or more template mats made from flexible, non-stick materials that are suitable for use with food and can accommodate conventional cooking temperatures. The template mat can have thermal properties allowing for rapid heating and can be non-perforated. Each template mat can include a permanently etched design on one or both sides of a non-stick sheet. The template mat can be sized and shaped to fit onto a cooking surface of a countertop griddle, cooking pan or even range top surface. One or more pancake batters can be traced or otherwise applied to the etched design to form a pancake depicting a visual design element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justun C. Seymour, Jesse Kukuk, Michael R. Berge
  • Publication number: 20220167776
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cold brew coffee maker and related methods of making cold brew coffee. The cold brew coffee maker can include a rotation assembly, a brew chamber, and a strainer/stirrer assembly. The strainer/stirrer assembly is adapted to be insertable into the brew chamber. The strainer/stirrer assembly having a first and second impeller that are located at a bottom portion of the strainer/stirrer assembly, the first impeller being located externally to the strainer/stirrer assembly and the second impeller located within a chamber formed by the strainer/stirrer assembly. The brew chamber portion of the cold brew coffee maker being filled partially with water, the strainer/stirrer assembly placed into the brew chamber and the brew chamber placed atop the rotation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron J. Munsinger, Michael R. Berge, Justun C. Seymour
  • Patent number: 11219231
    Abstract: A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in which unpopped kernels are retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelled before they have been exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in popping of the kernels. The popcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanism capable of moving in response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramatic volumetric increase in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within the popping portion increases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contact the retention mechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from a covering disposition to an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Rooney, Michael R. Berge
  • Publication number: 20210386241
    Abstract: A stuffed waffle utensil and related methods of use that facilitate cooking, removal and handling of a stuffed waffle. The stuffed waffle utensil can include a ring-style utensil having a handle portion and a perimeter ring portion. The perimeter ring portion can define a circular wall between an upper wall surface and a lower surface. The lower surface can define an interior flange and aperture or alternatively, the bottom surface can define a continuous surface defining a grid pattern. The handle portion can be attached to an exterior surface of the circular wall such that it projects outwardly away from the circular wall. The handle portion can define a grip portion intended to make handling easy for a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Russell W. Hall, Michael R. Berge
  • Publication number: 20210235923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waffle tong device and a method of using the waffle tong device. The waffle tong device being arranged so that a first and second side of the waffle tong device can be brought together by compressing a spring biased connector and once compressed, the waffle tong device can be placed on a waffle maker, filled with waffle batter and the waffle batter cooked to form a stuffed waffle. The spring biased connector configured such that once the waffle batter is cooked, the waffle tong device can be removed from the waffle maker and allowed to open whereupon the resultant stuffed waffle can be removed from the waffle tong device. Handle portions can be applied to the connector to allow for manipulation of the waffle tong device without risk of burns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Michael R. Berge, Brent T. Ellis, Russell W. Hall
  • Publication number: 20210177018
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heated air popcorn popper which provides a heating base assembly and popping pitcher having an interior popping volume which is detachable from the base assembly for introduction of popcorn kernels. The base assembly providing heated air to the popping pitcher causing unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher lifting handle such that the popping pitcher can be lifted away from the heating base assembly to permit any remaining unpopped or popped kernels to be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Michael R Berge
  • Publication number: 20210106176
    Abstract: A deep fryer and related methods of frying a whole turkey in a reduced cooking oil volume. A frying basin can have a rounded profile avoiding dead spaces within the frying basin. The frying basin can include a recessed channel at a bottommost portion of the frying basin to accommodate a heating element, such that the heating element does not project above a floor of the frying basin. The deep fryer can have a rotisserie assembly for mounting and rotating the whole turkey such that only a lower half of the whole turkey is submerged within the cooking oil at any one time. The deep fryer can include a kick-stand feature that allows a user to lower and raise the rotisserie assembly including the whole turkey using only one hand such that a user need not lean over or otherwise put their hands or body above the frying basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: James A. Hedrington, Michael R. Berge
  • Publication number: 20210059463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cold brew coffee maker and related methods of making cold brew coffee. The cold brew coffee maker can include a rotation plate assembly, a removable cup, a brew chamber and a filtration assembly. The rotation plate assembly can include an internal magnetic component for generating rotational movement of a selectively attachable component of the cup. The removable cup can include a detachable impeller and removable plate. In other embodiments, the impeller may be non-removably affixed to the cup. The impeller can engage with the rotation plate assembly by a magnetic connection. In the “on” mode, the impeller engages with the rotational plate assembly and internal magnetic component, allowing for rotational movement of the impeller. In the “off” mode, the impeller and magnetic component are freely moveable and able to disengage, allowing for easy separation of all assembly components for cleaning or replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Brent T. Ellis, Aaron J. Munsinger, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: 10849460
    Abstract: A deep fryer and methods of frying a whole turkey in a reduced cooking oil volume. A frying basin can have a rounded profile avoiding dead spaces within the frying basin. The frying basin can include a recessed channel at a bottommost portion of the frying basin to accommodate a heating element, such that the heating element does not project above a floor of the frying basin. The deep fryer can have a rotisserie assembly for mounting and rotating the whole turkey such that only a lower half of the whole turkey is submerged within the cooking oil at any one time. The deep fryer can include a kick-stand feature that allows a user to lower and raise the rotisserie assembly including the whole turkey using only one hand such that a user need not lean over or otherwise put their hands or body above the frying basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hedrington, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: 10681927
    Abstract: A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan H. Barrows, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: 10653171
    Abstract: A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan H. Barrows, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: D876156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Berge, Justun C. Seymour
  • Patent number: D880937
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: D917242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Berge, Brent T. Ellis, Russell W. Hall
  • Patent number: D934621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justun C. Seymour, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: D941077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Berge, Brent T. Ellis, Russell W. Hall
  • Patent number: D941626
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justun C. Seymour, Michael R. Berge
  • Patent number: D1007238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justun C. Seymour, Michael R. Berge