Patents by Inventor Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg

Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg 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: 11627839
    Abstract: A portioning device includes an integrated handle, actuating lever, and rack with teeth, with the handle having an aperture at the top. The rack is formed to be easily placed, and retained, in an initial position for assembly. One or more scoops are provided which may each be detachably connected the handle top end. A wiping blade may be detachably connected to the scoop for free rotation within the scoop. The wiping blade includes a shaft having a number of gear teeth, together with a camming surface leading to the first tooth on the shaft. Insertion of the scoop and wiping blade shaft into the handle aperture results in the first rack tooth acting as a camming surface and rotating the wiping blade to the proper clocking position with the first tooth of the shaft engaged with the first tooth of the rack. In this manner the number of component parts is reduced significantly, while at the same time allowing for re-use of the handle with the various interchangeable scoops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Antoon Keymeulen, Katelijne Daelman, Judicaƫl Cornu
  • Publication number: 20220022697
    Abstract: A portioning device includes an integrated handle, actuating lever, and rack with teeth, with the handle having an aperture at the top. The rack is formed to be easily placed, and retained, in an initial position for assembly. One or more scoops are provided which may each be detachably connected the handle top end. A wiping blade may be detachably connected to the scoop for free rotation within the scoop. The wiping blade includes a shaft having a number of gear teeth, together with a camming surface leading to the first tooth on the shaft. Insertion of the scoop and wiping blade shaft into the handle aperture results in the first rack tooth acting as a camming surface and rotating the wiping blade to the proper clocking position with the first tooth of the shaft engaged with the first tooth of the rack. In this manner the number of component parts is reduced significantly, while at the same time allowing for re-use of the handle with the various interchangeable scoops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Antoon Keymeulen, Katelijne Daelman, Judicaƫl Cornu
  • Patent number: 10986964
    Abstract: A dual speed manual stand mixer. The mixer has a bowl with a cover fixed to the bowl. The cover includes a ring selectively mounting to the rim of the bowl, and a turntable mounted for rotation within the ring. Multiple whisks extend downward from the turntable into and within the bowl. Gearing is provided to cause both rotation of the turntable, as well as rotation of each individual whisk. A transmission is also provided to selectively connect a manual crank arm in one of two possible limit positions. The gearing ratios differ between these two position to thus drive the turntable and whisk rotation at two different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Antoon Keymeulen, Dongjin Byeon
  • Publication number: 20210059477
    Abstract: A dual speed manual stand mixer. The mixer has a bowl with a cover fixed to the bowl. The cover includes a ring selectively mounting to the rim of the bowl, and a turntable mounted for rotation within the ring. Multiple whisks extend downward from the turntable into and within the bowl. Gearing is provided to cause both rotation of the turntable, as well as rotation of each individual whisk. A transmission is also provided to selectively connect a manual crank arm in one of two possible limit positions. The gearing ratios differ between these two position to thus drive the turntable and whisk rotation at two different speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Antoon Keymeulen, Dongjin Byeon
  • Patent number: 9681770
    Abstract: A microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanisms. A blow vent is provided in cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to cooker lid in a position to block blow vent when lock bar is resting under its own weight. Free end of lock bar includes a lock tab. Lock tab extends through slot at periphery of lid. Cooker base includes handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. Cooker lid is placed on base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During this rotation lock tab rides over cam section and then falls adjacent lock wall, thus sealing blow vent. After cooking cover is physically prevented from rotating back to release position by lock tab abutting lock wall. User must physically lift lock bar to unseal blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released. A spline may hold lock bar in raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitri M. C. J. Backaert, Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Ine Vandaele, Ledu Q. Nguyen, Edward M. Poslinski
  • Patent number: 9456713
    Abstract: Microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanism. A blow vent is provided in cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to cooker lid in a position to block blow vent when lock bar is resting under its own weight. Free end of lock bar includes a lock tab. Lock tab extends through a slot at periphery of lid. Cooker base includes handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. Cooker lid is placed on base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During rotation lock tab rides over cam section and then falls adjacent lock wall, thus sealing blow vent. After cooking cover is physically prevented from rotating back to release position by lock tab abutting lock wall. User must physically lift lock bar to unseal blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released. A spline may hold lock bar in raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitri M. C. J. Backaert, Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Ine Vandaele
  • Publication number: 20150335191
    Abstract: A microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanisms. A blow vent is provided in the cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to the cooker lid in a position to block the blow vent when the lock bar is resting under its own weight. The free end of the lock bar includes a lock tab with a spline projecting outward. The lock tab extends through a slot at the periphery of the lid. The cooker base include a handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. The cooker lid is placed on the base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During this rotation the lock tab rides over the cam section and then falls adjacent the lock wall, thus sealing the blow vent. After cooking the cover is physically prevented from rotating back to the release position by the lock tab abutting the lock wall. The user must physically lift the lock bar which in turn unseals the blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dimitri M.C.J. Backaert, Ralph F.E. Eikelenberg, Ine Vandaele, Ledu Q. Nguyen, Edward M. Poslinski
  • Publication number: 20140339223
    Abstract: Microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanism. A blow vent is provided in cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to cooker lid in a position to block blow vent when lock bar is resting under its own weight. Free end of lock bar includes a lock tab. Lock tab extends through a slot at periphery of lid. Cooker base includes handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. Cooker lid is placed on base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During rotation lock tab rides over cam section and then falls adjacent lock wall, thus sealing blow vent. After cooking cover is physically prevented from rotating back to release position by lock tab abutting lock wall. User must physically lift lock bar to unseal blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released. A spline may hold lock bar in raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitri M.C.J. Backaert, Ralph F.E. Eikelenberg, Ine Vandaele
  • Patent number: 7648088
    Abstract: The invention provides a food grater assembly comprising a base; an external cylindrical portion removably attached to the base; a grater disc disposed within and removably attached to the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion; an inner divider having a cross wall dividing the inner space of the inner cylindrical portion in two equal portions; said divider being able to rotate freely within the external cylindrical portion; a plunger disposed within the divider, said plunger having a plurality of annular ridges disposed along a portion of its length; said plunger portion having a closed bottom wall and a slot defined axially and longitudinally along a portion of is length; a pair of engaging strips flexibly attached to and disposed in the wall of the external cylinder, each of said engaging strips having horizontal ridges along a portion of the inner surface thereof for engaging and disengaging the horizontal ridges of the plunger; and a cap disposed on the upper end of the inner plunger portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Jan-Hendrik de Groote
  • Publication number: 20090050723
    Abstract: The invention provides a food grater assembly comprising a base; an external cylindrical portion removably attached to the base; a grater disc disposed within and removably attached to the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion; an inner divider having a cross wall dividing the inner space of the inner cylindrical portion in two equal portions; said divider being able to rotate freely within the external cylindrical portion; a plunger disposed within the divider, said plunger having a plurality of annular ridges disposed along a portion of its length; said plunger portion having a closed bottom wall and a slot defined axially and longitudinally along a portion of is length; a pair of engaging strips flexibly attached to and disposed in the wall of the external cylinder, each of said engaging strips having horizontal ridges along a portion of the inner surface thereof for engaging and disengaging the horizontal ridges of the plunger; and a cap disposed on the upper end of the inner plunger portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Ralph F.E. Eikelenberg, Jan-Hendrik de Groote
  • Patent number: D713197
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Lucille P. Seyers, Dimitri M. C. J. Backaert, Ralph F. E. Eikelenberg, Ledu Q. Nguyen, Edward M. Poslinski