Patents by Inventor Richard W. Hartzell

Richard W. Hartzell 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: 6175100
    Abstract: A pressure regulator and steamer oven for cooking food at low pressure includes heating elements and a cooking cavity having a pool for holding water to be turned into steam. A pressure sensor is disposed in a steam outlet passage connected to the cooking cavity. The pressure sensor is operable to turn off the heating elements when the pressure in the steam outlet passage exceeds a pre-determined level. The pressure sensor may be a float switch monitoring the water level in the steam outlet passage. The condensing steam in the steam outlet conduit may be routed back to the pool in the cooking cavity via an overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Middleby-Marshall, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Creamer, Thomas C. Hotard, Richard W. Hartzell, Murray Van Johnson
  • Patent number: 6107605
    Abstract: A pressure regulator and steamer oven for cooking food at low pressure is provided which conserves water and space. The oven includes heating elements and a cooking cavity having a pool for holding water to be turned into steam. A pressure regulator mechanism attached to the rear of the steamer includes a reservoir and a float switch. A steam outlet conduit connects the cooking cavity to the reservoir and extends below the normal water level in the reservoir. The lower end of the conduit is blocked by water in the reservoir. The float switch is operable to turn off the heating elements when the pressure in the conduit exceeds a pre-determined level. Thus, the pressure regulator employs a water seal and float switch to help indirectly measure the pressure in the cooking cavity and control the heating elements accordingly. The reservoir is connected to the pool via an overflow which allows condensate to be recirculated to the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Middleby-Marshall, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Creamer, Thomas C. Hotard, Richard W. Hartzell, Murray Van Johnson
  • Patent number: 5869812
    Abstract: A pressure regulator and steamer oven for cooking food at low pressure is provided which conserves water and space. The oven includes heating elements and a cooking cavity having a pool for holding water to be turned into steam. A pressure regulator mechanism attached to the rear of the steamer includes a reservoir and a float switch. A steam outlet conduit connects the cooking cavity to the reservoir and extends below the normal water level in the reservoir. The lower end of the conduit is blocked by water in the reservoir. The float switch is operable to turn off the heating elements when the pressure in the conduit exceeds a pre-determined level. Thus, the pressure regulator employs a water seal and float switch to help indirectly measure the pressure in the cooking cavity and control the heating elements accordingly. The reservoir is connected to the pool via an overflow which allows condensate to be recirculated to the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Middleby-Marshall, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Creamer, Thomas C. Hotard, Richard W. Hartzell