Steam Or Hot Water Patents (Class 126/20)
  • Patent number: 11647861
    Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food, a controller configured to operate the cooking system in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, a first temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the conductive cooking mode, and a second temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the convective cooking mode. The controller is configured to receive an initial user input that initiates at least one of the conductive cooking mode and the convective cooking mode and switch between operation of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor following the initial user input and without further user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Rupert Elliston, Roger Neil Jackson, Steven Carter, Benjamin Sharp, Daniel Cavalcanti, Christopher T. Martin, Michaela Dubeau, Joshua D. Anthony
  • Patent number: 11589700
    Abstract: A food steamer includes a base, a cooking container receivable by said base, a lid receivable atop said cooking container, a boiler housed within the base, a steam flow pathway extending from said boiler to said lid for directing steam generated by said boiler into said container through said lid, a control unit configured to control operation of said food steamer in response to a user input. The control unit is configured to automatically deactivate the boiler when the lid is removed from the cooking container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Conair LLC
    Inventor: Yau Shan Bernadette Leung
  • Patent number: 11297857
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly cooking food includes a housing having a reservoir, a heating element, a binary distributor, and a container. In a method of using the apparatus for rapidly cooking food, food is placed into the container and water is poured into the reservoir. The heating element heats the water in the reservoir, and the resulting steam travels into the binary distributor. Pressurized steam then exits the binary distributor to uniformally cook the top of the food. Condensed steam gathers at the bottom of the container and is kept at a temperature capable of cooking the food. In such a way, food in the container is rapidly cooked. In one embodiment, the food to be cooked is a single serving of ramen brick style noodles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: 2T2J, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Michael Thul, Jiju George Johnson
  • Patent number: 11116359
    Abstract: Air-based fryer including a food preparation chamber including an outer wall, an inner wall defining a food receiving space with an air inlet and an air discharge opening, and a circulation channel defined between the outer wall and the inner wall. The fryer includes an air heater for heating air in the food preparation chamber, a fan for moving a flow of hot air successively through the air inlet, the food receiving space, the discharge opening, and the channel. The fryer includes a steam generator including at least one nozzle extending into the food receiving space for spraying temperature-controlled steam onto the food; and a controller adapted to control the steam generator to spray steam to food placed in the food receiving space for a first predetermined period, and to control the air heater and the fan to circulate hot air to the food for a subsequent second predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Yun Chen, Ning Zhou, Wen Sun, Xiaoyun Kui
  • Patent number: 11058133
    Abstract: A self-contained popcorn popper has an open side provided with an air-flow curtain extending at least partially across the open side and directed inwardly. Effluent from popping flows upwardly into a “U”-shaped vent, through an effluent filter and flows into said air flow curtains to reduce particulate-bearing effluent emitted from the popper cabinet. Heated air is recirculated in a lower warming bin to maintain heat in popped corn dumped from a popping kettle and that air is recirculated in the bin, also to reduce emission of particulars into the environment surrounding the popper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Company
    Inventor: Timothy A. Rhome
  • Patent number: 10966432
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating an oven using nebulized water particles and compressed air including the steps of heating water contained in reservoir that is located outside of a cooking chamber by transferring water within the reservoir through a water heater to reach a desired end point temperature that is less than boiling, heating compressed air by sending compressed air through an air heater that is submerged within the water of the reservoir, conveying the heated water and the heated compressed air to a nebulizer, nebulizing the heated water into heated water particles and introducing the heated water particles into the cooking chamber via the heated compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: AHA, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Hoerter
  • Patent number: 10932613
    Abstract: An electrically operated food processor for preparing a cooked product, which exhibits a basic unit, a vessel with an agitator that can be inserted into the basic unit, a cooking container that sits on the vessel, a heating device allocated to the vessel, a temperature sensor, a transceiver device for communicating with the temperature sensor, and an evaluator for evaluating the measurement data received from the temperature sensor. In order to provide an electric food processor with an alternative connection between the temperature sensor and evaluator, the temperature sensor can be a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW sensor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Koetz
  • Patent number: 10842310
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cooking device (1A) which, in a case where food items are cooked consecutively, makes the cooked food items uniform in condition. The cooking device (1A) includes an upper heater (17), a d lower heater (18), a steam supplying section (20), a temperature sensor (27), and a heating control section (31A). The heating control section (31A) controls, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (27), the operations of the upper heater (17) and the lower heater (18) so that the temperature in a cooking room (14) becomes equal to a given temperature. In a case where the time from the start of a cooking process to the end of the cooking process is divided into a preceding time period and a subsequent time period, the heating control section (31A) suspends the operations of the upper heater (17) and the lower heater (18) while the temperature in the cooking room (14) is higher than a given preceding target temperature (T1) during the preceding time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Kitatani, Masayuki Iwamoto, Manami Kobayashi, Rika Nozawa, Keisuke Morishita, Minoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10842316
    Abstract: The present application relates to an air based fryer (1) for preparing food ingredients. The air based fryer comprises a food preparation chamber (2), an air heater (3) for heating air in the food preparation chamber (2) and a fan (4) for circulating a flow of hot air in the food preparation chamber (2). The air-based fryer (1) further comprises a fluid inlet (5) for the introduction of a fluid directly into the circulating flow of hot air. This solution allows increasing the humidity of the flow of hot air results in superior quality food in terms of taste, texture, and aesthetics and increases the versatility of the air-based flyer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Sladecek, Jan Vaupot
  • Patent number: 10842155
    Abstract: A baking drawer includes an oven cavity and a drawer assembly movable relative to the oven cavity between an extended position, where the drawer assembly is accessible by a user, and a retracted position, where the drawer assembly is located within the oven cavity. The drawer assembly has a bottom wall, two opposing sidewalls and a rear wall. A first vent is formed in the bottom wall, and a second vent is formed in the rear wall. The vents allow air to flow into and out of a ventilated region delineated by the bottom wall, the two sidewalls and the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Chatot, Lauren E. Bull, Pallavi Saha
  • Patent number: 10808942
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out a cleaning procedure for a cooking appliance, a first tank of the cooking appliance is filled by a user with water. A first portion of water in the first tank is moved into a buffer store and then moved from the buffer store into a cooking chamber to provide a first treatment agent therein. The first treatment agent remains in the cooking chamber for a first time period. A second portion of water in the first tank is moved into the buffer store and the first treatment agent is moved into the first tank. The second portion of water in the buffer store is into the cooking chamber to provide a second treatment agent in the cooking chamber. The second treatment agent remains in the cooking chamber for a second time period and the second treatment agent is then moved into the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Stéphane Clauss, Sebastien Flesch, Nicolas Chabut, Julien Adam
  • Patent number: 10729144
    Abstract: A multi-compartment oven providing steam assisted cooking employs active venting to provide improved humidity control and reduced humidity leakage between closely adjacent compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Alto-Shaam, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Lee Thomas VanLanen, Jeff Maddox
  • Patent number: 10645765
    Abstract: Cooking device includes heating chamber with door for housing object to be heated, vapor generator for supplying vapor into heating chamber, and water storage tank. Cooking device further includes cooling air passage provided between heating chamber and water storage tank and allowing cooling air to pass therethrough, and air inlet provided to the side of door and introducing cooling air into cooling air passage. This enables cooling, using a smaller and more inexpensive cooling fan. As a result, cooking device is made shorter in overall height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Akira Kataoka
  • Patent number: 10492638
    Abstract: A steam cooker accessory for steam heating and/or cooking foods contained in a container, the steam cooker accessory includes a steam generator including a steam production chamber, the steam cooker accessory including a water tank supplying water to the steam production chamber, the steam production chamber being connected to at least one steam delivery outlet provided in a lower part of the steam generator. The steam generator has at least one vent bringing the lower part of the steam generator into communication with an external part of the steam generator extending above the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Guegan, Laurent Blond
  • Patent number: 10451290
    Abstract: A convection oven includes a convection fan assembly and a trough assembly that surrounds a portion of the heating element(s) of the convection fan assembly. Fluid in the trough assembly is heated and turned into steam by the heating element(s) and blown into the cooking cavity of the convection oven by the convection fan of the convection fan assembly. The steam in the cooking cavity provides moisture to the items that are being cooked and/or heated in the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy A. Mayberry
  • Patent number: 10349775
    Abstract: In a method for operating a vaporizer of a domestic appliance, the vaporizer is filled at least to a predetermined filling level. The vaporizer can be emptied using an emptying arrangement. A time measurement is started, when a filling level falls below the predetermined filling level. A heating system of the vaporizer is switched on, when the filling level falls below the predetermined filling level. The time measurement is stopped, when the heating system has overheated, and a delivery output is calculated during emptying of the vaporizer, from a duration for emptying that is determined by the time measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Lego, Martin Nagel, Benjamin Wagner
  • Patent number: 10330343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices including a heating element with an opening, which can control condensation of liquid samples during thermal incubation. The opening of the heating element can provide direct access to the samples in a process that may be automated. The invention also provides methods for heating containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: T2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Suchocki
  • Patent number: 10299505
    Abstract: A method of steam cleaning a roaster bowl, such as one used in a roasting/glazing apparatus, in which an electronic technique is employed to determine, during cleaning, whether water is boiling within the roaster bowl. The method entails adding water into a roaster bowl having sugar adhered thereto and placing a cover on top of the roaster bowl. A steam vent is formed between the cover and the roaster bowl. The method further comprises heating the roaster bowl and then electronically determining whether the water within the roaster bowl has reached a boiling point (i.e., is boiling). After electronically determining that the water is boiling, the water remains boiling for an amount of time sufficient to cause the internal surface of the roaster bowl and the cover to be properly steam cleaned. The water in the roaster bowl (with sugar dissolved therein) is then poured out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CALICO COTTAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Montoya, Mark Wurzel, David Sank, Lawrence Wurzel, Steven Nagle, Robert Delauro, Barbara Riordan, Hanif Chung-Ying, Judith Levin, Christa Harrison, Andrew Irwin, Duane Saxton, Kevin Blakelock, Kenneth Antes, Mark Whatley, Ronald Beilin, Barnett Tessler
  • Patent number: 10285530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking attachment (2) for a heatable vessel (3) of a kitchen appliance, which cooking attachment (2) has a bottom (4) comprising at least one bottom opening (5), through which steam, which escapes from the vessel (3), can enter the cooking attachment (2) and/or condensate, which escapes from the cooking attachment (2), can enter the vessel (3). To attain a more homogenous and quicker cooking of the food contained in the cooking attachment (2), it is proposed for the bottom (4) to have a plurality of spacers (6), which stick out from the bottom (4), for keeping a food contained in the cooking attachment (2) at a distance from the bottom opening (5), on the side, which faces the interior of the cooking attachment (2), wherein the bottom opening (5) is at least partially surrounded by the spacers (6) in circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Cornelissen
  • Patent number: 10264921
    Abstract: A cookware assembly comprises a lid including an underside and a plurality of basting projections. The underside has a center and extending toward a perimeter of the lid. Each of the plurality of basting projections protrudes downwardly from the underside of the lid. Each of the plurality of basting projections includes an interior concave surface, an exterior concave surface, and a drip ridge. The interior concave surface extends downwardly away from the underside to form a bay adjacent to the interior concave surface. The drip ridge is formed along a border between the interior concave surface and the exterior surface and defines a vertex along the drip ridge. During use of the lid, condensate formed on the underside collects along the interior concave surface, which funnels the condensate to the vertex for droplet formation and release from a corresponding one of the plurality of basting projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TUESDAY MORNING PARTNERS, LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10247452
    Abstract: A device for supporting a person may include a thermoelectric generator configured to receive heat provided from the person. The device may further include a first heat conductor overlapping the first thermoelectric generator and configured to conduct the heat to the thermoelectric generator. The device may further include a second heat conductor overlapping the first heat conductor and configured to conduct the heat to the first heat conductor. The first heat conductor may be disposed between the first thermoelectric generator and the second heat conductor. The second heat conductor may be softer than the first heat conductor. The device may further include a heat sink thermally connected to the first thermoelectric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Yi-Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 10231461
    Abstract: A steam generating system in an oven includes an external housing which encloses an oven chamber, a hot air channel where hot air is about to flow and a hot air inlet in the form of a series of openings in the wall of the oven chamber through which hot air is blown into the oven chamber, an exhaust outlet via which hot air is removed from the oven chamber and a door. The steam generating system includes a control unit adapted to control a baking or cooking procedure by generating control signals, and an elongated steam generating module horizontally arranged in the hot air channel, the steam generating module being rotatable along a longitudinal axis and including steam module elements. Each steam module element is elongated and includes one main surface provided with a generally flat extension, the steam generating elements are arranged in parallel above each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: REVENT INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Olof Engstrom, Per Junesand, Tom Halve
  • Patent number: 10208417
    Abstract: An apparatus for dye application to textile manufactures, exhaustion of the applied dye, and drying of the textile manufacture. The apparatus, in some implementations, includes a dye applicator that applies dye evenly to a textile manufacture of varying length, one or more steam release conduits for heating the textile manufacture with applied dye to exhaust the dye, and a blower system to dry the textile manufacture after application of the applied dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Bekir Beyer
  • Patent number: 10104999
    Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Mark Sloot, Fred Fraij, Klaas Kooijker
  • Patent number: 10092128
    Abstract: A user-manipulable apparatus uses a steam generator responsive to pressure while also allowing the user to increase or decrease cooking speed, water consumption and energy efficiency of a steam cooker as desired. In one exemplary embodiment, a steam cooker includes a variable-area vent orifice and a steam generator responsive to pressure in the cooking chamber. If the pressure in the cooker is lower than desired, more steam is generated until the pressure reaches a predetermined set point. If the pressure is higher than desired, steam generation is slowed or stopped until the pressure lowers to a predetermined set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: AccuTemp Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Seitz, Larry R. Wolf
  • Patent number: 10054317
    Abstract: A food cooking oven includes a device for distributing water inside the cooking chamber of an oven for producing steam inside the cooking chamber, at least a first and a second impeller of corresponding electric fan units positioned, respectively, vertically one above the other, heating means for generating heat inside the cooking chamber, at least one water supply line in the intake area of each corresponding fan impeller, and a water supply conduit. At least one flow deflector device is provided in the oven, which divides the flow of water into at least a first and a second outgoing flow from the deflector, having respective predetermined values, the first outgoing flow from the deflector being guided into the intake area of the first impeller, and the second outgoing flow being guided along the second portion of conduit towards the intake area of the second impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: UNOX S.P.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Franzolin
  • Patent number: 10028608
    Abstract: An oven includes a cooking enclosure including one or more cooking heater elements, a steam source in the cooking enclosure, and a steam source heater for the steam source. A sensor is responsive to the temperature of the steam source. A fluid reservoir is exterior to the cooking enclosure and a conduit extends from the fluid reservoir to or proximate the steam source. A controller energizes the steam source heater if the temperature of the steam source is below a predetermined threshold and de-energizes the steam source heater if the temperature of the steam source is above the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Carbone, Kyle Scott McKenney, Karen Benedek, Brian McGee, Eric Hyp, Michael Joseph Smith, Mark Allen Nichols, William R. Arling, Joyce Chen Tu
  • Patent number: 9903598
    Abstract: A convection oven having a vapor collection system; water injection system; easily accessible electrical components; and a variable-speed, reversible blower is disclosed. The vapor collection system collects vapor from the cooking chamber during a cooking event, condenses the vapor, and drains the condensed vapor. The water injection system injects water for impact against a blower wheel for dispersion into the air circulating through the cooking chamber. The electrical components are housed within a housing that in a closed position conceals the components and in a closed position exposes the components for easy access. The rotational speed and direction of the variable-speed, reversible blower is controlled during a cooking event according to predetermined speed curves which may include one or more reversal events to achieve more uniform cooking of food. A main controller is programmable via an operator input (e.g., liquid crystal display touch screen) to control operating parameters of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jack Greenwood, Robert J. Reese
  • Patent number: 9801487
    Abstract: A steam cooking apparatus includes a steam generating unit to generate steam from a supply of water, a steam container to cook food using the steam from the steam generating unit, a steam supply pipe coupled to the steam generating unit in order to supply the steam container with the steam generated by the steam generating unit, a steam pipe coupled to the steam container in order to supply the steam container with the steam passing through the steam supply pipe, and a steam pipe connection tube including a first connection portion coupled with the steam supply pipe and a second connection portion coupled with the steam pipe, the second connection portion coupled with the steam pipe being formed to have a diameter which is expanded toward the steam pipe so as to guide the steam pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guen Yong Park, Jae Hyoun Kim, Han Seong Kang, Yun Ic Hwang, Kyoung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9788678
    Abstract: A heating cooker includes a housing having a heating chamber defined therein, cooking dish support sections respectively provided on mutually opposed inner wall surfaces of the heating chamber to support opposite ends of a cooking dish in one of a plurality of vertically spaced support positions, a steam generating unit, and a steam ejecting portion having a single discharge port formed in an inner wall surface of the heating chamber and a steam passageway provided to guide the steam to the discharge port. The steam ejecting portion ejects the steam into the heating chamber through the discharge port. The single discharge port is provided in the inner wall surface confronting a space between the cooking dish supported in an uppermost support position of the cooking dish support sections and a ceiling surface of the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Abe, Yuji Hayakawa, Masaki Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9775459
    Abstract: A cooking device comprising a first interior chamber, a second interior chamber being fluidly connected with the first interior chamber via a drain and comprising a first water reservoir, the drain and the first water reservoir forming a first air trap, and a device outlet downstream of the second interior chamber, whereby said air trap is adapted to be opened or closed by lowering or lifting the first water reservoir between the first interior chamber and the second interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Wurdinger, Hannes Laessig, Lutz Riefenstein
  • Patent number: 9655468
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly cooking food includes a housing having a reservoir, a heating element, a binary distributor, and a container. In a method of using the apparatus for rapidly cooking food, food is placed into the container and water is poured into the reservoir. The heating element heats the water in the reservoir, and the resulting steam travels into the binary distributor. Pressurized steam then exits the binary distributor to uniformally cook the top of the food. Condensed steam gathers at the bottom of the container and is kept at a temperature capable of cooking the food. In such a way, food in the container is rapidly cooked. In one embodiment, the food to be cooked is a single serving of ramen brick style noodles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: 2T2J, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Michael Thul, Jiju George Johnson
  • Patent number: 9599347
    Abstract: An oven includes a cooking chamber for housing food to be cooked, a control unit, and a reservoir for containing washing detergent at room temperature. The washing detergent has an activation temperature. The oven also includes a liquid supply arrangement selectively activated by the control unit for supplying the washing detergent into the cooking chamber, and one liquid heating element for heating the washing detergent and to be selectively activated by the control unit. During a washing cycle, the control unit performs the following ordered operations: a) activate the one liquid heating element for a first time period sufficient to increase its temperature to the activation temperature; b) deactivate the liquid heating element; c) when the temperature of the liquid heating element is about the activation temperature, activate the liquid supply arrangement so that the washing detergent is heated by the liquid heating element while supplied into the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Furlanetto, Michele Simonato, Paolo Cescot
  • Patent number: 9565963
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steam generator capable of preventing water inflow into a cooking compartment and easily discharging water therefrom and a cooking apparatus having the steam generator. The steam generator includes a first part to store water therein, a second part extending from the first part and having a smaller width than the first part, a heater disposed in the first part to heat water in the first part, and a temperature sensor mounted to an outer surface of the first part to detect a temperature of the heater. Whether the steam generator lacks water is determined by detecting a temperature of the heater using the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Ki Jeon, Sun Ki Kim, Hae Sang Jung, Ga Young Jo
  • Patent number: 9247842
    Abstract: A food steamer is described hereinafter. The food steamer includes a base unit, a steam basket supported on the base unit, a heating device configured in the base unit for converting water into steam, a water tank configured for supplying water for the heating device, a drip tray configured for collecting water drops from the steam basket, and an electronic controller configured for control the heating device. The heating device includes at least a steam outlet for jetting steam to the steaming basket. The water tank is detachably sited on the base unit and beside the steam basket. This food steamer can reserve much more water, extend the cooking time and shorten the time of steam generation, convenient and safe operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Huiyang Allan Plastic & Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu Sang Cheung, To Yin Pang
  • Patent number: 9021944
    Abstract: A treatment device for treating food products with conditioned air comprises a housing which delimits a treatment space and is provided with an entry and an exit, at least one conveying device for conveying the products from the entry throughout the treatment space to the exit, the conveying device between the entry and the exit following a conveying path with several windings which are situated one above the other, air-circulation device for circulating conditioned air throughout the treatment space via a hollow drum. According to a first aspect, air-conditioning device are provided upstream of the air-circulation device for conditioning the air. According to a second aspect, at least one winding of the conveying path near the entry has a pitch which is different to the pitch of the downstream windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Stork Titan B.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Wilhelmus Franciscus Leferink, Hendricus Franciscus Jacobus Maria Van Der Eerden, Jeroen Robert Willemsen, Jacobus Cornelus Maria Baltussen
  • Patent number: 8925445
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance. Steam generated in a steam generation part is selectively supplied into a cooktop part or a steam cooking part. The steam supplied into the cooktop part is used for cleaning a top plate. Also, the steam supplied into the steam cooking part is used for cooking a food. Thus, the steam may be used in a lot of uses, e.g., for cooking the food and cleaning the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyoun Park, Young-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8911812
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cooking apparatus for cooking a foodstuff. The cooking apparatus comprises a vessel configured to accept, in use, liquid therein; a closing sub-assembly configured to be releasably coupled to the vessel, the closing sub-assembly defining an aperture; a steam leading tube operatively coupled to the aperture, the steam leading tube configured to provide a passage, in use, for the steam generated within the vessel from the liquid towards an interior of the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Eduardo C. Suarez—Mason
  • Patent number: 8881646
    Abstract: A system and method for applying steam to baked products in a conveyorized oven. A steam tunnel sub-enclosure includes exhaust ducts collecting steam at the conveyor's entrance and exit thereof to prevent steam from being released into the rest of the oven where it might interfere with ignition control equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baking Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8850968
    Abstract: A steam generation device is placed at a lower portion of a side wall of a heating chamber. A steam jet-out part is placed upper than the steam generation device of the side wall of the heating chamber with a distance from the steam generation device. Thus, even if bumping has occurred within a water storage part of the steam generation device, causing boiling water to rush out from a steam supply port into a steam supply pipe, the boiling water is prevented from intruding into a steam jet-out part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Youhei Seguchi, Shinya Ueda, Takashi Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8726791
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a control panel that is movable between a rest position and an exposed position. A reservoir, which is adapted for holding a fluid, has a filling opening and is positioned behind the control panel in an interior of the household appliance when the reservoir is in an operating position. The control panel is configured to impede access to the reservoir and/or the filling opening when the control panel is in the rest position and the reservoir is in the operating position. The control panel is further configured to allow access to the reservoir and/or the filling opening when the control panel is moved to the exposed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Adamczak, Uwe Berger, Ruediger Hoehn, Franz Thorman, Wolfgang Wieneke
  • Patent number: 8704138
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking with steam in a cooking appliance by forming the steam from atomized particles of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joel M. Sells, Matthew G. Voglewede, Marco Poma, Shawn F. Olsson
  • Patent number: 8647692
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a combined process for generating steam in a steam-baking oven. The oven (2) comprises a baking chamber (3) containing at least one air heating element (10) and at least one fan (4) to keep the air moving inside the baking chamber (3); the oven (2) is associated with a steam generator (5) and is connected to a water supply (6). The combined process includes a saturation step, in which the steam generator (5) is activated until a substantial steam saturation is obtained in the baking chamber (3), and a spraying step in which the steam generator (5) is deactivated and the steam is produced by spraying water onto the heating elements (10); the steam generator (5) is temporarily and periodically activated during the spraying step to keep the steam quality substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Giorik S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Giazzon, Massimo Tesser, Paolo Candiago
  • Patent number: 8648281
    Abstract: A steam generating device (1) is provided with a metal housing (2), a water supply opening (3) for supplying water into the housing (2), a steam generating heater (4) embedded in the lower part of the housing (2) and evaporating the water supplied from the water supply opening (3), a steam temperature raising heater (5) provided above the steam generating heater (4) with a predetermined distance from an inner wall of the housing (2) and raising the temperature of the steam generated by the steam generating heater (4), and a discharge opening (8) for discharging the superheated steam generated by the steam temperature raising heater (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Utsumi, Hideo Shimoda, Shinya Ueda, Yasuhiro Sakoda
  • Patent number: 8642929
    Abstract: A steaming oven having a collector plate disposed in an oven chamber. A collector plate is disposed above a boiling water reservoir in the oven chamber. The collector plate has a drain tube inserted into an overfill tube. Waste material from the steam and food droppings is conveyed from the oven chamber via the drain tube and the overfill tube. A barrier shields one or more water level probes or sensors from water turbulence, thereby providing reliable water level sensing by the water level probes or sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cleveland Range LLC
    Inventors: Victor D. Saltenis, Carl F. Scheu, III, Rupesh T. Savadekar, David S. Schwerzler, Joseph S. Bellassai, John E. Richnafsky, Jason D. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 8601939
    Abstract: A steam cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber having an access door and a drain for draining condensate from the steam cooking chamber along a drain path. A steam generator unit heats water to generate steam. The steam generator unit is connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the steam cooking chamber via a first steam path during a cooking operation. The steam generator unit is also connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the drain path via a second steam path during a steam flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Atul Saksena, Larry W. Lyons, Michael B. Reckner
  • Publication number: 20130319255
    Abstract: A steam generator device has an outer grill and an inner grill. The outer grill has an inner rim, a burner and an injecting hole. The inner rim is formed on and protrudes from an opening top of the outer grill. The injecting hole is formed through the inner rim. The inner grill is mounted in the outer grill between the burner and the outer grill and has a closed bottom and an opening top. The closed bottom of the inner grill is connected to the outer grill to form a water chamber between the outer grill and the inner grill to communicate with the injecting hole. The opening top of the inner grill is mounted in the outer grill below the inner rim to form an annular channel to communicate with the water chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Dick CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20130291852
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved heating systems for aircraft galleys and other passenger transport vehicles, where meals are prepared. The embodiments are particularly designed to save space and in some instances, may lower the weight of the overall vehicle, by moving heat generating components to a position remote from the cooking cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Abdelaziz Boubeddi
  • Publication number: 20130291740
    Abstract: A connector for receiving and transmitting signals from a sensor that is adapted for use in a harsh environment of, e.g., a steam cooker is disclosed. A connector of the present disclosure may be utilized in an environment having a high temperature relative humidity and which is under positive or negative pressure. A single conductor in the form of a male extension extends into a sealable cooking chamber and is sized to be received in a female connector communicatively connected to a sensor such as a temperature sensor. An arrangement of seals and inflators are interposed between the connector and the cooking chamber to isolate the connector and protect it from corrosion and electrical conductivity to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ACCUTEMP PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Gary L. Seitz
  • Publication number: 20130220301
    Abstract: A food cooking device includes a cooking structure defining a volume for receiving food product to be cooked, and a heating arrangement for heating food product within the volume. The heating arrangement includes a gas burner system that includes a blower and fuel gas flow feed device arranged such that operation of the blower draws in ambient air and the flow of ambient air through the blower in turn draws fuel gas from the fuel gas flow control device such that a ratio of fuel gas to ambient air remains substantially the same regardless of blower speed. A burner is connected to receive the fuel gas and ambient air mixture from the blower. A controller is connected for controlling blower speed, the controller configured to vary the blower speed between at least two different non-zero blower speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Atul Saksena, Timothy L. Cupp, Jeffrey L. Frock, Larry W. Lyons