Steam Chamber For Food Patents (Class 126/369)
  • Patent number: 12114806
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steam-type air fryer including a main body. A chamber is disposed in the main body. A heating element is disposed in the main body. An air duct plate is disposed on an upper side of the chamber. A hot air wind wheel and a heating tube are disposed in the air duct plate. The steam-type air fryer further includes a door sealing structure, wherein an openable door panel and a door frame are disposed on a side of the air fryer. An opening is provided in a side of the chamber facing the door panel. A second sealing ring is mounted between the door frame and the door panel. The steam-type air fryer further includes a water tank mounted at the top of the steam-type air fryer and including a water tank body and a top cover located on the top of the water tank body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: NINGBO CARELINE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yichi Zhang
  • Patent number: 12059097
    Abstract: A moisture control apparatus for a cooking chamber of a cooking device. A cooking system that can include the cooking device and the moisture control apparatus connected to the cooking chamber of the cooking device. The moisture control apparatus can include a control portion and a dispersal portion. The control portion can be located on the outside of the cooking device. The control portion can control the flow of water to the dispersal portion so as to control moisture on a food in the cooking chamber of the cooking device by providing, by the dispersal portion, a mist or fog of water particles to the cooking surface of the cooking chamber. The dispersal portion can be located inside the cooking chamber of the cooking device, and the control portion can be located outside the cooking chamber of the cooking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Method Barbecue, LLC.
    Inventors: James McMillan, George T. Hazelton, Jr., George Thomas Hazelton, III
  • Patent number: 12055301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing a drying function after a cooking function, in particular after a steam cooking function, wherein said method comprises the steps of: running the cooking function or steam cooking function (12) for a predetermined time or being manually finished by the user, detecting and/or calculating (16; 26) at least one parameter value (Y; H; te) after the cooking function or steam cooking function has been finished, comparing (18; 28) the detected and/or calculated parameter value (Y; H; te) with a corresponding threshold parameter value (Yth; Hth; teth), checking, if the drying function is required, and running the drying function (22) if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Riccardo Foiera, Giovanni Di Piano, Claudia Patella
  • Patent number: 12000593
    Abstract: A collapsible fire pit that is easy to transport and store. The collapsible fire pit comprises a ring base. A first ring that extends upward from the ring base. And, a second ring that extends upward from the first ring. The collapsible firepit uses L-Shaped guides and pins to secure and collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Inventor: Eduardo M Cantelar
  • Patent number: 11986126
    Abstract: A collapsible chafer stand for heating food is disclosed. The chafer stand includes a base frame. The chafer stand includes leg frames placed apart from one another. The leg frames connect at distal ends of the base frame via T-shaped members. The chafer stand includes poles extending from distal ends of each leg frame. The chafer stand includes a top frame removably connected to the poles. The top frame includes pole receiving sections. The pole receiving sections receive the poles and connect the top frame to the base frame. The poles are connected via a straight connecting bar and handle. The top frame receives a tray having a dish. The base frame receives a heating member for chafing the dish. The top frame is removed and the poles are made to collapse over the base frame when not in use. The chafing stand provides an easily stackable structure that can be folded for easy transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventor: Lauren Klein
  • Patent number: 11974692
    Abstract: A drain structure of an air fryer having a steaming function is provided. The air fryer includes a shell, a cooking cavity located at a lower side of the interior of the shell and a control cavity located at an upper side of the interior of the shell. The control cavity is provided therein with a control panel and a drive motor. The upper side of the shell is provided with a vent in communication with the control cavity. A top portion of the shell is provided with a water tank. The shell is provided therein with a steam generator in communication with the water tank. The steam generator is configured to input steam into the cooking cavity. The water tank is in a structure that is opened at bottom and closed at top, and the water tank is detachably mounted on the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: NINGBO CARELINE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yichi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11825988
    Abstract: A deep fat fryer (1) comprising: a housing (2), a pot (3) adapted to contain a cooking medium, one or more heating elements (4a, 4b), external to said pot (3), for heating a cooking medium contained in said pot (3), a temperature sensor (5) adapted to measure the temperature of a cooking medium contained in said pot (3), a control unit (9), controlling the electrical components of the deep fat fryer (1). The deep fat fryer (1) comprises one or more heat-shield elements (6a, 6b) arranged for slowing down the heat transfer from said one or more heating elements (4a, 4b) to a cooking medium contained in said pot (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Amadei, Flavio Caucci
  • Patent number: 11666171
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a pressure vessel, a lid, a locking mechanism having a locking member, and a resiliently compressible seal member. The cooking appliance is adapted to affect the locking mechanism into an inoperable state at an inner vessel pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure when in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Brun-Cosme-Gazot
  • Patent number: 11525624
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing defining an interior compartment with an open side and a door rotatably coupled with the housing. The door includes a liner defining an outer attachment surface and an opposite inner surface. The attachment surface includes a plurality of indicia corresponding with a plurality of predetermined attachment locations along the attachment surface. The door further includes a plurality of first magnetic components adjacent the interior surface and aligned with respective ones of the indicia. The refrigerator further includes a storage component defining a mounting surface having an area smaller than the attachment surface. The storage component includes a second magnetic component selectively releasably attachable to the liner at a selected one of the predetermined attachment locations by mutual attraction between the first magnetic component corresponding with the selected one of the predetermined attachment locations and the second magnetic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Pasquale Ciniello, Kamil El Sayed, Marek Gorzelanczyk, Piotr Grzyb, Roberto Riccardi
  • Patent number: 11458261
    Abstract: A curcumin entrained vapor generator providing the release of an essence, or compound or substances, from a solid or powder or liquid into a vapor exiting the generator, comprising a container having an interior volume and a region disposed to contain a liquid which emits or forms a vapor, and an openable closed end distal from said contained liquid. An interior support formed to support material (e.g. curcumin or other) thereon and is included and has a plurality of openings, and is dimensioned less than said container interior dimension across said container liquid to form a large vapor passage allowing the essence of the included material to be gently released into the vapor of the liquid and released into the external environment via the container openings. Other embodiments include esthetically shaped support structures, e.g. a leaf, a plant twig-like arms, etc. and/or graphic overlays, etchings, engravings, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Vijaya Natarajan, Joanne Michelle Martin
  • Patent number: 11399656
    Abstract: A temperature regulation device for positioning in a well of food service equipment, the temperature regulation device including a housing and a support coupled to the housing. The housing includes a top surface and a bottom surface and the support includes a connector having a connector axis, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The support is rotatable about the connector axis between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position of the support, the housing is positioned in a first position relative to the well, and in the retracted position of the support, the housing is positioned in a second position relative to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter Roever, Jill Hundley, Jeremiah Kopiness, Megan Raspel
  • Patent number: 11395556
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatic and fast cooking of food comprising: a base structure (12) in the form of a vessel open at the top housing a vertical pressure cooker (10); said apparatus comprises a solenoid (13) positioned close to said cooker; said solenoid is positioned below the cooker and beside the cooker covering a height ranging from 50% to 70% of the total height of the cooker starting from the bottom; said solenoid is made of coils with variable pitch widening from bottom to top; said pressure cooker (10) comprises: a lid (15) having a closing system; a pressure release valve (30); a temperature measurement system (70-76); where said cooker operates at a temperature higher than 140° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Giannantonio Spotorno
  • Patent number: 11084641
    Abstract: A support includes a central portion configured to receive one or more products, a perimeter band which completely surrounds the central portion, a projection defined at the perimeter band and exhibiting at least one raised portion emerging with respect to the perimeter band and extended away from the central portion. The raised portion includes a through channel crossing the projection and having an access opening which is completely extended at a position spaced from the perimeter band and is configured to enable gas to pass into the through channel through the projection. The central portion and the perimeter band are made of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventors: Simona Di Fiore, Giulio Benedetti, Jvanohe Rizzi
  • Patent number: 10973360
    Abstract: A steam generator for generating steam by boiling water, or other hot water heating device, in either case such as for use in a steam cooker or warewasher, includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, and at least one heating element associated with the tank structure for heating water. The tank structure includes a main body wall having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile formed by opposed first and second side wall portions of the heating chamber and a curved bottom wall portion of the heating chamber, wherein the curved bottom wall portion is monolithic with the first and second side wall portions, wherein the main body wall is sheet metal material that has been curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Frock, Michael B. Reckner, Timothy L. Cupp
  • Patent number: 10955142
    Abstract: A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Catherine L. May, Andrew Worley, Marco Carnevali, Alberto Dell'Olio, Paolo Faraldi
  • Patent number: 10932605
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rice cooking device, which includes a base, a water storage assembly, a heating assembly, a steaming assembly, and a pressure regulating assembly. The water storage assembly includes a shell, a water storage container, and an energy gathering cover. The shell is disposed in the base, the water storage container is disposed in the shell, and the energy gathering cover is disposed in the water storage container. The energy gathering cover divides the water storage container into a first chamber positioned outside the energy gathering cover and a second chamber positioned inside the energy gathering cover. A water flow channel is formed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The heating assembly is disposed between the shell and the water storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU XIANGTIAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhongliang Tian, Xin Li
  • Patent number: 10765250
    Abstract: A steam cooking apparatus containing a water retaining cooking vessel with a vertically invertible insert basket and associated vertically adjustable lid which clamps the food stuffs in exact position when insert basket is inverted. Steam cooking apparatus includes an interior pedestal mount, removable insert basket handle, and lid fitting atop of the exterior cooking vessel having multiple specific venting apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Wyman Harding Griffin
  • Patent number: 10716421
    Abstract: A serving container and associated ring element that includes a serving dish and a ring element having a ring element lip with a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of a serving dish lip, wherein portions of the ring element lip are formed to be positionable around at least a portion of the serving dish lip to provide frictional engagement between portions of said ring element lip and at least a portion of said serving dish lip, such that said ring element is capable of securing a foil pan within said serving dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Sabine S. Miller
  • Patent number: 10646068
    Abstract: A multipurpose cooker is composed of a base, a cooker body, cooker feet, a cooker cover, a cooker cover handle, cooker lugs, and a panel assembly and an operating mechanism on the cooker body; and an inner cooker is arranged in the cooker body, characterized in that, a food plate is arranged at the bottom of the inner cooker, a groove hole for placing heating members is opened in the middle of the food plate, and a heating tube as well as a seasoning box and a seasoning box cover outside the heating tube are arranged in the groove hole; and peripheral heating rings are also arranged in the side wall of the inner cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Foshan Shunde Aide Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhigang He
  • Patent number: 10470609
    Abstract: Steaming accessory (4) including a receptacle (5) for collecting condensates designed to rest on a mixing bowl of a household appliance having a means of heating the contents of the mixing bowl, the receptacle (5) having a cavity (50) for collecting condensates and two gripping handles (52). The cavity (50) having a bottom with a protruding shaft (53) equipped with a central orifice allowing steam to pass through the accessory (4) also having at least one basket (6) for cooking food that is positioned on the receptacle (5), in which the shaft (53) includes, near its upper end, an annular wall extending around the central orifice and crosswise to the shaft (53), and in that the shaft (53) includes a deflecting wall that stands taller than the level of the annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Gerard, Johan Nespoux
  • Patent number: 10463186
    Abstract: A device for steam pressure cooking and heating and/or reviving of portions of fresh and/or frozen pre-cooked pasta and other foods having a frame that accommodates a boiler for producing steam and a tank for water, the device further including a supporting assembly with which a container provided with a handle is associated detachably, a basket, and means for feeding and/or storing and discharging water and a condenser. The basket is arranged detachably in a suspended manner in the pressure-tight container, with means for storing and/or feeding and discharging water from the boiler to the tank and to and from the pressure-tight container and a condenser for receiving water from the pressure-tight container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: COQUENDAM S.R.L.
    Inventors: Basilio Di Ronco, Piero Mazza, Alessandro Muneratti, Rodolfo Valenti
  • Patent number: 10448525
    Abstract: A moisture control system for an electrical enclosure can include a control module. The system can also include a drain assembly coupled to the control module, where the drain assembly is disposed, at least in part, within the cavity of the electrical enclosure, where the drain assembly is configured to remove, based on instructions received from the control module, liquid from the cavity to the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Jesse Wade Taylor, Benjamin Avery Freer, Stephan P Iannce, Alvah B. Aldrich, Adam Douglas Ledgerwood
  • Patent number: 10412981
    Abstract: A system and method for cooking a food item, such as poultry, includes heating cooking fluid in a cooking vessel to a temperature sufficient to cook poultry and placing the poultry on a substantially horizontal perforate plate, breast down, such that the poultry is at least partially immersed in the cooking fluid. The perforate plate prevents poultry skin from sticking to a support, such as a deep fry cooking basket. The immersed poultry is cooked for a selected cooking period and then removed, along with the perforate plate from the cooking fluid. The poultry is then removed from contact with the perforate plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 10352554
    Abstract: The present invention intends to suppress energy consumption while making it possible to generate superheated steam in a short period of time. Specifically, the present invention includes: a steam generating part that generates steam; a superheated steam generating part that generates superheated steam; an on/off valve that switches between supplying the steam to the superheated steam generating part or stopping the supply; and a control device that sends a control signal to the switching mechanism for switching between a waiting state in which the steam generating part generates the steam and the supply of the steam is stopped, and a supply state in which the steam is supplied to the superheated steam generating part. When switching from the waiting state to the supply state, the control device gradually increases an amount of the steam supplied to the superheated steam generating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOKUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Tonomura, Yasuhiro Fujimoto, Masayoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10343835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved manually openable self-venting ovenable packages which include a rigid or semi-rigid tray having a single thermoplastic overwrap comprising a polymeric laminate surrounding the tray and having a front panel and an opposing back panel. The inventive packages also include a continuous seal circumscribing a recessed cavity of the tray which comprises a heat seal formed by heat sealing a portion of the front panel to the peripheral flange of the tray. The packages of the present invention are self-venting whereby a venting region comprising a release coating applied between the inner surface of the front panel and the inner surface of the back panel permits the overwrap to rupture and release steam in response to heat and/or overpressure generated during heating of a food item in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Klipstine, Brian K. Murdick, Blake A. Bougie, Tara K. Cruz
  • Patent number: 10321782
    Abstract: Electric rice pressure cooker without rubber packing includes a case, an inner pot inside case, and a cover coupled to case. Inner pot has flange portions provided on a top portion along a circumferential direction and the top end has a tapered surface. Cover includes a sealing member having a hole in its center and a bottom surface seated on inner pot. An inner cover includes a space for sealing member to move vertically, inner surface of space maintains a seal with the end portion of sealing member. The surface of inner pot tapers inwards, a bent portion of sealing member contacts the sloped surface and inner surface of inner cover, and part of bent portion contacting the sloped surface acts as a sealing surface corresponding in shape to the sloped surface, so steam from cooking passes through the hole and presses sealing member downward to maintain a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Woo Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 10301100
    Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Sloat, Fermin P. Resurreccion, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10226146
    Abstract: An electric cooking device includes a food holding portion, the food holding portion configured to receive a food product for cooking; an electric heating device thermally coupled to the food holding portion, the electric heating device configured to heat the food product disposed in the food holding portion; and a control unit operatively coupled to the electric heating device, the control unit configured to control the electric heating device such that the food product is heated for a predetermined amount of time. An electric cooking system includes the electric cooking device and a smart digital device operatively coupled to the electric cooking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Smartstr Inc.
    Inventor: Roland Zeder
  • Patent number: 10182680
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1) for preparing a cooked product, which exhibits a basic unit (14), a vessel (2) with an agitator (18) that can be inserted into the basic unit (14), a heating device (9) allocated to the vessel (2), a temperature sensor (5), a transceiver device (12) for communicating with the temperature sensor (5), and an evaluator (13) for evaluating the measurement data received from the temperature sensor (5). In order to provide an electric food processor (1) with an alternative connection between the temperature sensor (5) and evaluator (13), it is proposed that the temperature sensor (5) be a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW sensor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Koetz
  • Patent number: 10165889
    Abstract: A device and method for steaming and presenting of food deploys a spacer that rests on top of a cookware vessel. The spacer has a lower inner flange to support a steaming rack. A leg supported serving or presentation rack is adapted for lifting, supporting and presenting the steamed food when the spacer and steaming rack are lowered over it. The spacer has a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the presentation rack so that the spacer may be lowered around the presentation rack to engage the steaming rack along the presentation rack. The presentation rack has a sufficient height relative to the spacer height to dispose the food proximal to or above the rim of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Meyer Intellectual Properties Limited
    Inventors: Jacquelyn Maitram Truong, Xi Zheng
  • Patent number: 10121218
    Abstract: A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing control of at least partial treatment of the one or more portions of the one or more ingestible substrate structures according to the treatment instructional information regarding the one or more subsequent injection operations including at least one or more injections of one or more materials into the one or more portions of the one or more ingestible substrate structures to form at least in part the one or more selected ingestible products subsequent to and based at least in part upon the electronically receiving the user status information and the electronically receiving the selection information at least in part identifying the one or more selected ingestible products. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Paul Holman, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, Neal Stephenson, Christopher Charles Young
  • Patent number: 10094576
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a case, a cooktop at an upper part of the case, including a heating source, a cavity in the case, including a cooking chamber for cooking foods, a steam generator receiving heat from the heating source to generate steam, and a steam flow part having one end connected to the steam generator and another end connected to the cooking chamber to guide the steam generated from the steam generator to the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Wontae Kim, Wansoo Kim, Byungkyu Park
  • Patent number: 10045546
    Abstract: An electric food smoker includes a heating element that provides a main source of heat and a separate smoke element that is controlled independently from the heating element and provides heat to a wood chip box. Separate control of the heating element and the smoke element allows providing a cold smoke cycle for the food smoker. A hot smoke cycle provides independent control of the heating element and the smoke element according to a hot smoke program. A fast smoke cycle allows adding more smoke during any existing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Masterbuilt Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Giebel, Paul J. Simon
  • Patent number: 10039406
    Abstract: A steam cooker with a first pot and a second pot is provided. The second pot may fit within the first pot and may be suspended above the bottom of the first pot. The bottom of the first pot may be filled with water. Food may be placed within the second pot. A lid may cover the first pot, sealing the water and the second pot within. The first pot may be heated by a fire or stove. The steam from the heated water may sufficiently cook the food. Further, condensation may be collected and water may drip into the second pot. The water is purified due to the boiling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: George Carson
  • Patent number: 10029287
    Abstract: Provided are cleaning devices adapted for a microwave oven. A head cap of the cleaning device includes multiple through holes, and thus steam generated by heating a cleaning liquid can flow out of the through holes in a faster and more concentrated mode. Using the cleaning device of this disclosure, the cleaning operation for the microwave oven is more convenient, and safety hazard such as explosion or splashing is also prevented as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Wing Hang Au
  • Patent number: 9961929
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the steaming heating of food. The apparatus is designed for placement within and onto an outer vessel. The apparatus including a steaming pedestal, bowl, bowl lid, steaming platform, lid, bowl plate, and under plate. The steaming platform including a plurality of venting/draining apertures and flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew K. Olsson
  • Patent number: 9930994
    Abstract: The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted for use in storing butter. The electrically powered butter storage device is designed to cool and warm butter while it is being stored within the electrically powered butter storage device. The electrically powered butter storage device is adapted to use one or more commonly available butter dishes that may or may not have a lid. Each of the one or more butter dishes are placed upon one or more electrically controlled heating and cooling elements which can be used to chill or warm the individual butter dishes as desired. The electrically powered butter storage device comprises a housing, one or more temperature elements, a control system, a fan, and a power connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Terrance Skarda, Marilyn Skarda
  • Patent number: 9687038
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ironing apparatus for a hat. The ironing apparatus for a hat includes: a hollow spherical conductor having an opening formed at a lower portion thereof; supports installed under the spherical conductor to support the spherical conductor with being spaced apart from a bottom plate; and a hot air supplier installed under the opening formed at the lower portion of the spherical conductor to vertically supply hot air to an inner space of the spherical conductor. According to the present invention, it is possible to rapidly and economically ironing the hat, thereby improving a commercial value of the hat. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to freely use his/her two hands while adjusting heat required for ironing by using his/her foot during ironing the hat, thereby improving ironing quality of the hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Keum-ok Chae
  • Patent number: 9675212
    Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system is provided including a container body configurable with a food processing base. A chamber is defined by the container body. A pressure relief mechanism is associated with the container body and is configured to relieve pressure when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a defined pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: James R. Hewitt, Ping Chu, Nick OLoughlin, Charles Brunner, Mark Lance
  • Patent number: 9649612
    Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapour from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: RUBRECO INC.
    Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
  • Patent number: 9510610
    Abstract: A process for producing precooked bacon slices comprising the steps of (a) conveying bacon slices through a spiral oven, (b) indirectly cooking the bacon slices in the spiral oven using a cooking medium which is circulated within the oven at a low rate sufficient to prevent the bacon slices from being displaced on the conveyor, and (c) adding steam to the cooking medium as necessary to at least reduce the percentage or substantially eliminate the presence of air in the cooking medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Unitherm Food Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Howard
  • Patent number: 9445685
    Abstract: An apparatus for steaming at least one tamale has a top rack with a plurality of openings formed therein and extending in a generally horizontal orientation, a bottom rack having a plurality of openings formed therein and extending in a generally horizontal orientation in spaced relation to the top rack, and at least one leg extending downwardly from the bottom rack so as to support the bottom rack a desired distance above an underlying surface. Each of the plurality of openings of the bottom rack has an area less than an area of each of the plurality of openings of the top rack. A handle is affixed to at least one of the top rack and the bottom rack. The handle has a gripping portion extending above the top rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Jose M. Diaz
  • Patent number: 9427484
    Abstract: A household sterilizer for disinfecting fabric material that has become soiled. The unit involves an upright tub containing an electric heating element at its base. A suspension bar extends generally across at least part of the tub interior, for hanging clothing to be treated. An electric cord for the heating element has a switch and timer module in series, to control current flow to the heating element. The arrangement is such that a wide variety of garments, including miscellaneous fabrics in general, can be readily steam cleaned with a minimum of water being required. The tub occupies a minimum of space, suitable for a conventional home or apartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Jose Alvarado, Jean Zamora
  • Patent number: 9379548
    Abstract: A reactive power compensator according to an embodiment comprises: multilevel inverter circuits respectively constituting each of the three phases; a filter circuit for reducing harmonics connected between the output terminals of each of the multilevel inverter circuits and a power system interconnection terminal; and a control section for causing prescribed three-phase AC voltage to be output by controlling each of said multilevel inverter circuits. Each of the multilevel inverter circuits is constituted by connecting in series one or more single-phase full-bridge single-pulse inverters and is arranged to convert DC voltage to respective positive and negative single-pulse voltages once per cycle of the fundamental wave of the voltage instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yushi Koyama, Yosuke Nakazawa, Hiroshi Mochikawa, Atsuhiko Kuzumaki, Takeru Murao
  • Patent number: 9301644
    Abstract: A dry cooking fryer (1) comprising a main body (2) receiving food items that are to be fried, and a stirrer (6) automatically coats the items with a film of fat by mixing the food items with fat. The coated food items are cooked within the fryer without immersion in a cooking fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Payen, Jean-Claude Bizard
  • Patent number: 9074776
    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: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jack Greenwood, Robert J. Reese
  • Patent number: 8997638
    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: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guan Yong Park, Jae Hyoun Kim, Han Seong Kang, Yun Ic Hwang, Kyoung Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20150083110
    Abstract: A steam generator comprises a water storage chamber which stores water, a steam generating heater which heats water in the water storage chamber, a water supply pump which supplies water stored in a water supply tank through a water supply port provided in the water storage chamber and a water supply passage, a discharge passage which discharges water formed with a first water discharge passage having a U shape to be convex downward, which is in fluid communication with a discharge port provided in the water storage chamber, and a second water discharge passage having an inverted U shape to be convex upward, and configured such that water stored in the water storage chamber is discharged through the discharge port and the water discharge passage according to the theory of a siphon, wherein the first water discharge passage is formed by a nonmetallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Hiroshi Kawai, Yuji Hayakawa, Kuniaki Abe
  • 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: 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