Patents by Inventor William Groll

William Groll 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).

  • Publication number: 20240122391
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has at least one stainless steel layer and at least one copper layer metallurgically bonded directly to the at least one stainless steel layer via solid state bonding. The at least one stainless steel layer may be a ferritic stainless steel layer, and the at least one copper layer may be a grain stabilized copper. The at least one stainless steel layer may be made from a 400 series stainless steel, such as a 436 stainless steel alloy, a 439 stainless steel alloy, or a 444 stainless steel alloy. The at least one copper layer may be made from a high purity, oxygen free copper alloy, such as a C101 copper alloy, a C102 copper alloy, or a C107 copper alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Patent number: 11930956
    Abstract: Provided is cookware made from a bonded multi-layer blank assembly. The cookware has a first metal layer, a second metal layer having a cavity with a plurality of spaced-apart posts protruding from a bottom surface of the cavity, and a perforated graphite layer having a thickness of at least 0.010 in. (0.254 mm) and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therethrough. The perforated graphite layer is positioned within the cavity of the second metal layer such that the plurality of spaced-apart posts extend through the plurality of spaced-apart holes. The second metal layer is metallurgically bonded to the first metal layer at least via the plurality of spaced-apart posts. A method of making the bonded multi-layer composite cookware is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Jean Murray Stewart
  • Patent number: 11903512
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has at least one stainless steel layer and at least one copper layer metallurgically bonded directly to the at least one stainless steel layer via solid state bonding. The at least one stainless steel layer may be a ferritic stainless steel layer, and the at least one copper layer may be a grain stabilized copper. The at least one stainless steel layer may be made from a 400 series stainless steel, such as a 436 stainless steel alloy, a 439 stainless steel alloy, or a 444 stainless steel alloy. The at least one copper layer may be made from a high purity, oxygen free copper alloy, such as a C101 copper alloy, a C102 copper alloy, or a C107 copper alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Publication number: 20220265079
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has at least one stainless steel layer and at least one copper layer metallurgically bonded directly to the at least one stainless steel layer via solid state bonding. The at least one stainless steel layer may be a ferritic stainless steel layer, and the at least one copper layer may be a grain stabilized copper. The at least one stainless steel layer may be made from a 400 series stainless steel, such as a 436 stainless steel alloy, a 439 stainless steel alloy, or a 444 stainless steel alloy. The at least one copper layer may be made from a high purity, oxygen free copper alloy, such as a C101 copper alloy, a C102 copper alloy, or a C107 copper alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Patent number: 11364706
    Abstract: Provided is cookware made from a bonded multi-layer composite having at least one upper metal layer, a lower metal layer having a plurality of upwardly protruding, spaced-apart dimples formed thereon, and a graphite core layer disposed between the at least one upper metal layer and the lower metal layer. The graphite core layer has a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending through the graphite layer. The plurality of dimples extend through the plurality of holes, and the plurality of dimples are metallurgically bonded to the at least one upper metal layer and an outer portion of the lower metal layer is metallurgically bonded to the at least one upper metal layer. The at least one upper metal layer has a layer of stainless steel or titanium bonded to a sub-layer of aluminum. A method of making the bonded multi-layer composite cookware is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Patent number: 11344145
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has at least one stainless steel layer and at least one copper layer metallurgically bonded directly to the at least one stainless steel layer via solid state bonding. The at least one stainless steel layer may be a ferritic stainless steel layer, and the at least one copper layer may be a grain stabilized copper. The at least one stainless steel layer may be made from a 400 series stainless steel, such as a 436 stainless steel alloy, a 439 stainless steel alloy, or a 444 stainless steel alloy. The at least one copper layer may be made from a high purity, oxygen free copper alloy, such as a C101 copper alloy, a C102 copper alloy, or a C107 copper alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Patent number: 11317766
    Abstract: A cookware rack configured for supporting a cookware set has a lower support section, an intermediate support section, and an upper support section spaced apart from each other by a plurality of posts. Each of the intermediate support section and the upper support section has a pair of longitudinal sides connected to a pair of lateral sides. Each longitudinal side of the intermediate support section and the upper support section has a recessed portion that is offset from end portions connected to opposing ends of the recessed portion. The lower support section has a pair of longitudinal sides connected to a pair of lateral sides and at least one intermediate side connected to the pair of longitudinal sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: William A. Groll
  • Publication number: 20210177195
    Abstract: Provided is cookware made from a bonded multi-layer blank assembly. The cookware has a first metal layer, a second metal layer having a cavity with a plurality of spaced-apart posts protruding from a bottom surface of the cavity, and a perforated graphite layer having a thickness of at least 0.010 in. (0.254 mm) and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therethrough. The perforated graphite layer is positioned within the cavity of the second metal layer such that the plurality of spaced-apart posts extend through the plurality of spaced-apart holes. The second metal layer is metallurgically bonded to the first metal layer at least via the plurality of spaced-apart posts. A method of making the bonded multi-layer composite cookware is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Jean Murray Stewart
  • Patent number: 10905279
    Abstract: A lid holder has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart arms having a proximal end connected to the base portion and a free distal end extending away from the base portion. The lid holder further has a U-shaped lug at the free distal end of each arm, the lug having a first end and a second end directed toward the base portion, and a leg connected to the second end of each U-shaped lug, the leg protruding in an outward direction away from the arms. The arms are deflectable from a first position to a second position with application of a deflecting force such that at least a portion of the arms is insertable between vertically extending posts of a lid handle. After a deflecting force is removed, the arms revert back toward the first position, thereby engaging the legs with the vertically extending posts of the lid handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Patent number: 10717252
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has a multi-layer bonded composite wall structure having an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer, and a core layer between the inner layer and the outer layer. The core layer has at least two perforated graphite plates, each plate having a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therethrough, and at least one intermediate metal element disposed between the at least two perforated graphite plates and extending through the plurality of spaced-apart holes of each of the at least two perforated graphite plates. The at least one intermediate metal element is metallurgically bonded to the inner layer and the outer layer at least through the plurality of spaced-apart holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ALL-CLAD METALCRAFTERS LLC
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Publication number: 20200198296
    Abstract: Provided is cookware made from a bonded multi-layer composite having at least one upper metal layer, a lower metal layer having a plurality of upwardly protruding, spaced-apart dimples formed thereon, and a graphite core layer disposed between the at least one upper metal layer and the lower metal layer. The graphite core layer has a plurality of spaced-apart holes extending through the graphite layer. The plurality of dimples extend through the plurality of holes, and the plurality of dimples are metallurgically bonded to the at least one upper metal layer and an outer portion of the lower metal layer is metallurgically bonded to the at least one upper metal layer. The at least one upper metal layer has a layer of stainless steel or titanium bonded to a sub-layer of aluminum. A method of making the bonded multi-layer composite cookware is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Publication number: 20200121134
    Abstract: A cookware rack configured for supporting a cookware set has a lower support section, an intermediate support section, and an upper support section spaced apart from each other by a plurality of posts. Each of the intermediate support section and the upper support section has a pair of longitudinal sides connected to a pair of lateral sides. Each longitudinal side of the intermediate support section and the upper support section has a recessed portion that is offset from end portions connected to opposing ends of the recessed portion. The lower support section has a pair of longitudinal sides connected to a pair of lateral sides and at least one intermediate side connected to the pair of longitudinal sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: William A. Groll
  • Patent number: 10478012
    Abstract: A method of making cookware containing a bonded composite comprising the steps of providing at least two layers of materials by pressurizing and heating wherein the first of the at least two layers of materials has a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles formed on its surface, defining a cooking surface of the cookware, and a second layer of two layers of material is bonded thereto, wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second material is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first and second layers of materials in areas intermediate the bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in the intermediate areas than in the bubbles. The method also includes providing a plurality of sets of bonding blank assemblies by solid state processing under pressure and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Publication number: 20190110637
    Abstract: A lid holder has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart arms having a proximal end connected to the base portion and a free distal end extending away from the base portion. The lid holder further has a U-shaped lug at the free distal end of each arm, the lug having a first end and a second end directed toward the base portion, and a leg connected to the second end of each U-shaped lug, the leg protruding in an outward direction away from the arms. The arms are deflectable from a first position to a second position with application of a deflecting force such that at least a portion of the arms is insertable between vertically extending posts of a lid handle. After a deflecting force is removed, the arms revert back toward the first position, thereby engaging the legs with the vertically extending posts of the lid handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Publication number: 20190029458
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has at least one stainless steel layer and at least one copper layer metallurgically bonded directly to the at least one stainless steel layer via solid state bonding. The at least one stainless steel layer may be a ferritic stainless steel layer, and the at least one copper layer may be a grain stabilized copper. The at least one stainless steel layer may be made from a 400 series stainless steel, such as a 436 stainless steel alloy, a 439 stainless steel alloy, or a 444 stainless steel alloy. The at least one copper layer may be made from a high purity, oxygen free copper alloy, such as a C101 copper alloy, a C102 copper alloy, or a C107 copper alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: William A. Groll, Bruce W. Perry
  • Publication number: 20180290432
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has a multi-layer bonded composite wall structure having an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer, and a core layer between the inner layer and the outer layer. The core layer has at least two perforated graphite plates, each plate having a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therethrough, and at least one intermediate metal element disposed between the at least two perforated graphite plates and extending through the plurality of spaced-apart holes of each of the at least two perforated graphite plates. The at least one intermediate metal element is metallurgically bonded to the inner layer and the outer layer at least through the plurality of spaced-apart holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Patent number: 10081163
    Abstract: Provided is an article of cookware and a method of making the same. The cookware has a multi-layer bonded composite wall structure having an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer, and a core layer between the inner layer and the outer layer. The core layer has at least two perforated graphite plates, each plate having a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed therethrough, and at least one intermediate metal element disposed between the at least two perforated graphite plates and extending through the plurality of spaced-apart holes of each of the at least two perforated graphite plates. The at least one intermediate metal element is metallurgically bonded to the inner layer and the outer layer at least through the plurality of spaced-apart holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Patent number: 10040118
    Abstract: Cookware in the form of a grill plate, griddle plate, waffle iron, panini press or the like is made from a cast composite including a graphite core plate encapsulated within a cast metal shell of aluminum or stainless steel, and a method for manufacturing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
    Inventor: William A. Groll
  • Publication number: 20180125290
    Abstract: A method of making cookware containing a bonded composite comprising the steps of providing at least two layers of materials by pressurizing and heating wherein the first of the at least two layers of materials has a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles formed on its surface, defining a cooking surface of the cookware, and a second layer of two layers of material is bonded thereto, wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second material is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first and second layers of materials in areas intermediate the bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in the intermediate areas than in the bubbles. The method also includes providing a plurality of sets of bonding blank assemblies by solid state processing under pressure and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins
  • Patent number: 9888808
    Abstract: A method of making cookware containing a bonded composite comprising the steps of providing at least two layers of materials by pressurizing and heating wherein the first of the at least two layers of materials has a plurality of spaced-apart bubbles formed on its surface, defining a cooking surface of the cookware, and a second layer of two layers of material is bonded thereto, wherein the bonding between the bubbles and the second material is of a lesser degree than the bonding between the first and second layers of materials in areas intermediate the bubbles, whereby a coefficient of heat conductivity is greater in the intermediate areas than in the bubbles. The method also includes providing a plurality of sets of bonding blank assemblies by solid state processing under pressure and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC
    Inventors: William A. Groll, John Watkins