Patents by Inventor Troy R. Tope

Troy R. Tope 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: 10969113
    Abstract: An oven includes a steam input arrangement with a thermal mass and one or more water flow directors to more effectively deliver water onto the thermal mass so that less water ends up bypassing the thermal mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Stephens, Troy R. Tope
  • Patent number: 10677473
    Abstract: Ovens having spray systems for spraying cleaning fluid in a cooking chamber are disclosed that include a chamber drain flow path that leads to a grease drain path and a water drain path. A baffle wall in the chamber drain flow path controls the flow of fluid between the grease drain path and the water drain path. The chamber drain flow path may also have a recirculation path to return water to the spray system. Ovens having spray systems for cleaning are disclosed that include a door having a latch mechanism that automatically latches upon closure of the door and a gasket disposed between the door and an oven housing that directs water impinging upon the door back into the cooking chamber and the chamber drain flow path. The door may have an inner glass pane and an outer glass pane pivotably mounted to the inner glass pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Stephens, Troy R. Tope, Daniel L. Kerby
  • Patent number: 9980494
    Abstract: A dough proofing apparatus includes a proofing chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the proofing chamber. An air duct assembly includes at least one inlet opening and at least one fan for drawing in air from the proofing chamber. At least one heating element is located within the air duct assembly for heating the air and a flow path for delivering the heated air back to the proofing chamber. A vent chamber is divided into an exhaust side and an intake side, the exhaust side fluidly connected to the air duct assembly, the intake side fluidly connected to the proofing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Miguel A. Gomez Jimenez, Troy R. Tope, Steven J. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20170045233
    Abstract: Ovens having spray systems for spraying cleaning fluid in a cooking chamber are disclosed that include a chamber drain flow path that leads to a grease drain path and a water drain path. A baffle wall in the chamber drain flow path controls the flow of fluid between the grease drain path and the water drain path. The chamber drain flow path may also have a recirculation path to return water to the spray system. Ovens having spray systems for cleaning are disclosed that include a door having a latch mechanism that automatically latches upon closure of the door and a gasket disposed between the door and an oven housing that directs water impinging upon the door back into the cooking chamber and the chamber drain flow path. The door may have an inner glass pane and an outer glass pane pivotably mounted to the inner glass pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Stephens, Troy R. Tope, Daniel L. Kerby
  • Publication number: 20170045234
    Abstract: An oven includes a steam input arrangement with a thermal mass and one or more water flow directors to more effectively deliver water onto the thermal mass so that less water ends up bypassing the thermal mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Stephens, Troy R. Tope
  • Publication number: 20160050940
    Abstract: A dough proofing apparatus includes a proofing chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the proofing chamber. An air duct assembly includes at least one inlet opening and at least one fan for drawing in air from the proofing chamber. At least one heating element is located within the air duct assembly for heating the air and a flow path for delivering the heated air back to the proofing chamber. A vent chamber is divided into an exhaust side and an intake side, the exhaust side fluidly connected to the air duct assembly, the intake side fluidly connected to the proofing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Miguel A. Gomez Jimenez, Troy R. Tope, Steven J. Woodward