For Direct Contact With Food (e.g., Grill, Griddle, Etc.) Patents (Class 219/450.1)
  • Publication number: 20110084057
    Abstract: An electric grill includes a base having a compartment in an upper side thereof. A control device is mounted to the base and includes a first electrical coupling mechanism adapted to be electrically connected to an external power source by a power cable. A grill plate is mounted above the compartment of the base and removable from the base. An electric heating device is mounted to the grill plate. The electric heating device includes an electric heating tube and a second electrical coupling mechanism electrically connected to the electric heating tube. The electric heating tube is non-conductive when the grill plate is removed from the base. When the grill plate is mounted on the base, the second electrical coupling mechanism is in electrical connection with the first electrical coupling mechanism, and the electric heating tube is controllable by the control device to be conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20110062141
    Abstract: A cooking device comprises a base and a heating element supported by the base. A cooking plate is heated by the heating element and includes at least a first cavity for receiving an item being cooked. At least a first temperature probe is disposed in the first cavity for piercing the item being cooked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Addesso, Hong Ji, Shelly Ann Stayer
  • Publication number: 20110049125
    Abstract: A high efficiency electrical outdoor barbecue device includes plural arc reflective boards that juxtapose and are spaced from each other to define a residue discharge gap, heating tube connection end protection boxes, heating tubes, shielding screens, and roasting gratings, which are sequentially deposited, from lower side to upper side, in a roasting basin that has a top opening to which a cover is pivotally connected. Opposite ends of the heating tubes are respectively positioned in and supported by the protection boxes, which are fit into and retained by positioning cavities defined in corresponding walls of the basin. The shielding screens are set above and thus protect the heating tubes from being stained by drippings of the roasted food. The arc reflective boards are set below the heating tubes to reflect the infrared light and heat generated by the heating tubes toward the roasting gratings for fully heating the roasted foods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: WILLIAM HOME
  • Publication number: 20110049126
    Abstract: The present invention generally concerns a Combination Urn and Hot Plate for supplying heat to both liquids and solids, typically beverages and food, for heating or keeping same warm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Fundways Ltd.
    Inventor: Herbert S. Weissman
  • Publication number: 20110031234
    Abstract: An electric grilling device with partial high-temperature heating function has an electric heating tube installed on the bottom of a grilling plate. The electric heating tube is bent into an intensive distribution structure shape and the bottom of the grilling plate has an embedding groove corresponding to the shape of the electric heating tube. The electric heating tube is installed in the embedding groove. The surface of the grilling plate corresponding to the intensive distribution structure of electric heating tube is defined as high-temperature region. This structure has a partial high-temperature function of the grilling plate and satisfies the different temperature requirements of grilling different food. The device utilizes the energy more efficiently to overcome the shortages of conventional electric grilling devices wherein temperature of the grilling plate is relative low. The structure of the device is simple and it is easy to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN(CHINA) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hwaihsiang Kuo, Qisheng Lai
  • Publication number: 20100326979
    Abstract: This appliance comprises a pair of plates made of a material that conducts heat well which are heated electrically and are hinged to each other, each of these plates having a cooking surface, which two cooking surfaces can be brought toward each other by pivoting one plate onto the other in order to cook a food product which is clamped between them, the rear or non-cooking surface of each of these plates having a depression with a flat base whose area is large; in accordance with disclosure, a heating module whose shape is complementary to that of said depression is fitted into and fixed removably inside the latter, this module being provided with a shielded electric resistor capable of heating said plate and is supplied with electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KRAMPOUZ
    Inventor: Serge Kergoat
  • Publication number: 20100300305
    Abstract: A cook top includes a lower grill and an upper grilling unit that is mounted adjacent to a back edge of the lower grill. The upper grill unit can be moved from a recessed position at a back edge of the cook top to a raised vertical position by a raising mechanism. From the raised position, the upper grilling unit can be rotated forward so that food placed on the lower grill can also be cooked by the upper grilling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Neal Schon
  • Publication number: 20100288749
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grilling device, especially relates to a steam grilling device. It comprises a main body and a steam generator disposed on the main body. Compared to the conventional technique, by adding a steam generator on the main body of grilling device, the grilling device will has not only a general grilling function, but also has the steam heating function, so the heating of the grilling device will speed up, the loss of the nutrition of the food will be eliminated, and it also has effects such as degreasing and freshen, so the cooked food will be more nutritious and healthy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunyu Wu, Jingliang Yu
  • Publication number: 20100275898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a barbecue (1) comprising a carrier element (2), a grilling area (3) being substantial horizontal orientated and being located at the top of the carrier element (2) and a cover (4), wherein the cover (4) can be positioned in a first position (A) in which the grilling area (3) is covered and in a second position (B) in which the grilling area (3) is accessible. To improve the functionality of such a barbecue, the invention suggests that means (5, 6) are provided to allow the cover (4) to move from the first position (A) into the second position (B), wherein the cover (4) is pivoted during the movement from the first position (A) into the second position (B) around a horizontal axis (7) and wherein the barycentre (S) of the cover (4) is moved from a first level (hA) to a second, lower level (hB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Mattias Jansson, Christoph Schaden
  • Patent number: 7825353
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an electrical cooking apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical cooking apparatus includes a substantially continuous cooking surface, a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed under the substantially continuous cooking surface, and at least two temperature controllers configured to allow independent control of temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Evo, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Shingler
  • Publication number: 20100199858
    Abstract: A muffin maker comprises a support device, a main body and a collecting plate. A pedestal of the support device includes a first inserted portion. Two support arms of the support device include a rotary device. The main body is used for baking muffin and is connected to the rotary device. The collecting plate is mounted on the pedestal of the support device and includes a second inserted portion. The second inserted portion is connected with the first inserted portion and the normal line of the collecting plate is perpendicular to the normal line of the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (CHINA) ENTERPRISE LTD.
    Inventor: Shuhui CHANG
  • Publication number: 20100187217
    Abstract: There is provided a cooking device including a plurality of switches that is easy to use for users requiring only part of the functions of the cooking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Keiko Isoda, Hideaki Kobayashi, Yoshiaki Ishio, Hidekazu Suzuki, Taihei Oguri
  • Publication number: 20100180776
    Abstract: A lifting-cover type frying-roasting device is provided. The frying-roasting device comprises a bottom base (1), an oil storing plate (2), an electric heating frying-roasting plate (3) and an upper cover (4). There is respectively a boss (15) extending backwards at two sides of the back end of the bottom base (1). A r-shaped orbit (16) whose opening is from its back end and extends toward its front lower part is respectively set in the inside of each boss (15). There is respectively a short jointed shaft (42) extending outward at the back end of two sides of the upper cover (4). Each short jointed shaft (42) is inserted in the corresponding r-shaped orbit (16) so that the hinging connection between them is formed. There is respectively a block wall (17) that extends from the back end to the inside of each boss (15). The height of two blocking walls (17) is lower than the opening of the r-shaped orbit (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN(CHINA) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jing Lin, Tachi Liu
  • Publication number: 20100148641
    Abstract: The invention described herein is modular system which includes standard components for constructing a code-compliant, customized easily leveled modular kitchen system which can be installed and safely used in non-traditional kitchen settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Ehmke
  • Patent number: 7726235
    Abstract: A relatively compact cooking assembly includes means for selectively positioning a cooking element above several cooking zones of a lower grill. In addition to a lower heated metal surface having several cooking zones, which may be delineated by vertical barriers or splash plates, the system includes an upper assembly comprising an upper member in which a radiant heating element is positioned, said assembly being adapted to fit over the back splash plate of the grill and extending the depth (back to front) of the grill, and further adapted to be raised or lowered and selectively raised or lowered as well as positioned by a sliding motion above a designated zone in predetermined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: In-N-Out Burgers
    Inventor: Howard Jay Frantz
  • Publication number: 20100126357
    Abstract: A removable grill for a baking or grilling appliance is disclosed. The grill has a spring element attached to the side opposite the cooking surface which centrally engages the electric heating element and can be attached or removed by insertion and rotation of the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Vincenzo Misceo, Raffaele Misceo, Alexander J. Feldman, Herb Bentz
  • Publication number: 20100116811
    Abstract: A grill comprises a first and a second electrothermal tube respectively connected to an external power supply by a temperature control unit; wherein at least one regional interval between said first and second electrothermal tube is smaller than the other, and the area forms a regional high temperature area. Compared with known grills in related art, the present invention provides a regional high temperature area of the grill pan by two electrothermal tubes, and the two electrothermal tubes are respectively controlled, which is operated expediently. When the first and second electrothermal tubes work at the same time, the temperature of the regional high temperature area will rise rapidly, which makes food can be heated rapidly and can cut down heat time. When the high temperature function is off, the power consumption of the grill can be cut down, which will save electric energy and can meet different cooking needs of different foods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta Chi LIU, Xiaofei Li
  • Publication number: 20100051603
    Abstract: A utensil for cooking eggs without shells which has separate egg cooking and steam generation zones, a lid and direct heat in co-ordination with controls so that at least one cooking cycle can be repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Brian Powell
  • Publication number: 20100000983
    Abstract: A griddle cooking system is disclosed. A heating block includes a heat plenum and a plurality of heat release chambers fluidically coupled to the heat plenum. Each of the heat release chambers includes a chamber opening onto a first side of the heating block. A griddle is disposed opposite the first side of the heating block and includes a cooking surface opposite an under surface. A heat distributor is disposed between the under surface and the heating block. The heat distributor includes a plurality of heat diffusers, each being disposed over one of the chamber openings, a plurality of heat deflectors disposed about each heat diffuser, each heat deflector being positioned at an angle relative to the under surface, and an exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Robert S. Babington
  • Patent number: 7638738
    Abstract: A griddle cooking system is disclosed. A heating block includes a heat plenum and a plurality of heat release chambers fluidically coupled to the heat plenum. Each of the heat release chambers includes a chamber opening onto a first side of the heating block. A griddle is disposed opposite the first side of the heating block and includes a cooking surface opposite an under surface. A heat distributor is disposed between the under surface and the heating block. The heat distributor includes a plurality of heat diffusers, each being disposed over one of the chamber openings, a plurality of heat deflectors disposed about each heat diffuser, each heat deflector being positioned at an angle relative to the under surface, and an exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Babington Enterprises
    Inventor: Robert S. Babington
  • Patent number: 7635827
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus powered by a detachable electrical control, the apparatus having a cooking surface and a support member hingedly attached to the cooking surface. The support member has a folded position generally parallel to the cooking surface and an extended position generally perpendicular to the cooking surface. A barrier element extends generally perpendicularly from the support member. An inlet port is disposed on the cooking surface, defining an opening, and having a connector sized to fit the detachable electrical control. The inlet port is electrically connected to the heating element and disposed on the cooking surface proximate the barrier element such that the barrier element obstructs the inlet port's connector when the support member is folded under the cooking surface and the barrier element does not obstruct the inlet port's connector when the support member is unfolded and generally perpendicular to the cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Dean Sie, Chevis Watkinson
  • Publication number: 20090114782
    Abstract: A support foot of an electric grill for the cooking of food products is provided. The support foot includes a height regulator, including a first fixed foot portion suitable for rigid connection to the grill's body, and a second orientable foot portion suitable for supporting the grill on a support plane, the first and respectively second foot portions being hinged one to the other along a hinging axis tilted in relation to the support plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: DE'LONGHI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Mazzon
  • Publication number: 20090071345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a steam chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, a steam chamber is placed in selective communication with a vacuum pump and a heat transfer medium, such as a source of deaerated water. The steam chamber is then placed in communication with the vacuum pump, which draws a vacuum on the steam chamber and begins removing air from the interior thereof. Once a sufficient vacuum has been drawn on the steam chamber and substantially all of the air removed therefrom, the steam chamber may be placed in communication with the heat transfer medium. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer medium is deaerated water. A predetermined amount of heat transfer medium is then allowed to fill the steam chamber. Once the predetermined amount of deaerated water has been received within the steam chamber, a steam chamber may be sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: ACCUTEMP PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Larry R. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20080163763
    Abstract: A barbecue grill for barbecuing an object. The barbecue grill includes a number of elongate ribs for supporting the object. The ribs are spaced apart from each other by at least a first predetermined distance to permit liquid from the object to pass between the ribs. The barbecue grill also includes one or more resistive element subassemblies for generating heat to barbecue the object. The resistive element subassembly is positioned at a second predetermined distance below the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA LIMITED
    Inventors: Victor Hoyles, Kristoffer Hess
  • Publication number: 20080142502
    Abstract: A food preparation range having built-in cooking pots and a detachable heated griddle is disclosed. The cooking pots are formed into the cooking surface of the top of the range. The range includes water fill and drain valves for each cooking pot. The built-in cooking pots are self cleaning. An oven or combination microwave oven is secured to the front wall of the range. The range includes a warming flap for keeping foods warm and a square slot depression adapted form frying foods such as chicken or fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Elias Bratcher, Deborah Bratcher
  • Publication number: 20080142503
    Abstract: A portable electric grill including an exhaust fan for indoor grilling is disclosed. The present grill is constructed to permit its supporting frame to be folded from an open position wherein the horizontally disposed grilling plates are supported by folding leg members to a closed position wherein the grilling plates are folded vertically along with the leg members for convenient portability and storage. The present grill provides heating elements associated with each grilling plate, which permits the grilling plates to be selectively energized. An air filter is disposed within the air intake of the exhaust fan utilizing filter media capable of capturing particulate matter of a size range found in cooking fumes generated by the grill. In an alternative embodiment the present grill is designed to permit operation in an either an unfolded or a folded position and also includes a detachable exhaust fan module for the user's convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: George T.C. Li, William Terry Robertson
  • Patent number: 7388176
    Abstract: A heating device includes a case having a plurality of openings and a plurality of slits are defined in bars of the case so that a plurality of heating boards are engaged with the slits of the case at an equal distance. A power control device is connected to the case and includes a power line having a plurality of male connectors. Each heating board includes a heating layer sandwiched between two isolation plates. Two wires are connected to the heating layer and each wire has female connectors, which are connected with the male connectors of the power line. The heating layers of the heating boards dispense heat evenly from the openings of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Song Chen
  • Patent number: 7385162
    Abstract: A heater unit comprises: a hot wire heating unit; an induction heating unit provided adjacent to the hot wire heating unit and operated by induction heating; and connectors each for connecting the hot wire heating unit to the induction heating unit. A cooker comprises: a casing; a heating plate provided on an upper surface of the casing; a hot wire heating unit provided on a bottom surface of the heating plate for generating heat according to application of an electric power; an induction heating unit provided on the bottom surface of the heating plate for being adjacent to the hot wire heating unit and operated by induction heating; connectors each for connecting the hot wire heating unit to the induction heating unit; and support members each provided on the bottom surface of the hot wire heating unit and for supporting the hot wire heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung hee Ryu, Jong Gwan Ryu, Eui Sung Kim, Doo Yong Oh, Byeong Wook Park
  • Patent number: 7381929
    Abstract: Portable griddle, which comprises a container (2) of metallic nature coated on the inside with a thermal wave reflector plate (6); one or several electric elements (7), placed on the inside of the container (2) but without direct contact with it so that air can circulate between the two; and a glass-ceramic plate (1), slightly sloping, covering the top of the container (2) and equipped with a peripheral groove (4) on its upper surface (S) with a conduit (9) that comes out in a sauce collector tray (5) placed under one edge of the glass-ceramic plate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Patent 2000, S.L.
    Inventor: Jokin Pedreno Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20080116193
    Abstract: A portable multi-purpose electric oven comprises: case-shaped upper and lower covers which can be opened and closed and have a handle; a pair of insert roasting plates with a built in heating device, wherein the plate has on one surface a plurality of protruding bars to form grids for roasting and the other surface of the plate is a plane for frying, and the transformation between the functions of frying and baking can be achieved if the plate is inserted reversely again after being pulled out; a pair of electrical outlets inside the upper and lower covers which can automatically spring up and are connected with the heating device inside the pair of the roasting plates; a pair of oil collecting cups for collecting oil flowing out from channels between the protruding bars on the pair of roasting plates; a heating plate which can be inserted over the roasting plates; and a set of electronic controlling devices comprising a plurality of buttons and indicator lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Hoi Tak Raymond Lam
  • Patent number: 7335860
    Abstract: A multifunctional griddle having hinged top and bottom heating plate assemblies which receive reversible cooking plates or, alternatively, interchangeable cooking plates for cooking different types of foods such as waffles, pancakes, and hot sandwiches. In one embodiment the reversible cooking plates are nested in face-to-face contact with mating top and bottom heating plates to improve heat transfer to the cooking plates. This is accomplished by forming a mating waffle grid in the heating plates for receiving the waffle iron surfaces of the cooking plates in intermeshing engagement. The intermeshing engagement of the cooking plates with the heating plates also reduces the overall vertical height of the appliance providing a slimmer profile. In an alternative embodiment a set of interchangeable cooking plates is provided having a sliding interface with modified heating plates. In this embodiment the cooking plates are conveniently interchanged to vary the cooking configurations of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7312426
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a heater mounting unit that mounts a heater on a reflecting plate in a simple manner and allows an internal construction of the cooking apparatus to be simple. The cooking apparatus also includes a cabinet, at least one heater mounted in the cabinet, a grill unit positioned on a top of the cabinet to allow food to be cooked while being laid thereon, at least one reflecting plate mounted behind the heater to reflect heat radiated toward a position behind the heater, and at least one elastic mounting unit to mount the heater on the reflecting plate through an elastic deformation thereof. Accordingly, an efficiency of production of the cooking apparatus may be improved, and the cooking apparatus may have a simple internal construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Sung Han, Chul Kim, Yong-Woon Han, Seong-Deog Jang, Kyung-Hee Ham, Joo-Yeong Yeo, Han-Seong Kang
  • Patent number: 7301128
    Abstract: A portable electric grill including an exhaust fan for indoor grilling is disclosed. The present grill is constructed to permit its supporting frame to be folded from an open position wherein the horizontally disposed grilling plates are supported by folding leg members to a closed position wherein the grilling plates are folded vertically along with the leg members for convenient portability and storage. The present grill also provides heating elements associated with each grilling plate, which permits the grilling plates to be selectively energized. An air filter is disposed within the air intake of the exhaust fan utilizing filter media capable of capturing particulate matter of a size range found in smoke and cooking fumes generated by the grill during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: George T. C. Li, William Terry Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7288747
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a grill part to cook food thereon, and a grill housing coupled with the grill part. The cooking apparatus includes a cover member coupled with the grill housing, to cover the grill part, and having an opening part, and at least one opening and closing member coupled with the cover member, to open and close the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sung Han, Han-seong Kang, Yong-hyun Kwon, Chul Kim, Han-jun Sung, Tae-uk Lee, Seong-deok Jang
  • Publication number: 20070221653
    Abstract: A cooking appliance for producing flatbreads or other foodstuffs is provided. The cooking appliance includes a base, lower heating assembly, and an upper heating assembly. The lower heating assembly includes a lower cooking surface, and the upper heating assembly includes an upper cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is translatable and rotatable relative to the lower cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is locatable in at least three operative positions relative to the lower cooking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Arvind G. Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7227105
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus which prevents a top casing thereof from being heated by heat transmitted from an electric heater. The cooking apparatus having a grill part to cook food thereon, and a electric heater to cook the food, includes a grill housing having a main casing including an opening part coupled with the grill part, providing the electric heater thereon, and a top casing coupled with an upper side circumferential area of the main casing with the center to the opening part, and the top casing including a plurality of top casing units separately provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-deog Jang, Han-seong Kang, Yong-hyun Kwon, Chul Kim, Han-jun Sung, Dae-sung Han, Tae-euk Lee
  • Patent number: 7227106
    Abstract: A modular grill cooker that is easily installed in a multipurpose cooking apparatus, including an outer casing and an inner casing set in the outer casing. A heating unit is mounted to a heat reflecting plate fastened to the inner casing. A grilling unit is seated on a frame provided along upper edges of the inner and outer casings. An elastic piece is fitted over a projection on a back surface of the heating unit to mount the heating unit to the heat reflecting plate. A grease collecting unit is set in the inner casing to collect grease therein and reflect heat onto the grilling unit. First and second contact terminals are respectively provided on the outer casing and on the multipurpose cooking apparatus to supply electricity to the heating unit when the grill cooker is installed in the multipurpose cooking apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Jun Sung, Yong Hyun Kwon, Chul Kim, Tae Uk Lee, Sung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7227104
    Abstract: A device for producing patterns includes a thermal conductivity mask that has at least one cavity, a thin film positioned adjacent to the mask, and a heater which may be any convenient heat source. In a preferred embodiment, the thermal conductivity mask includes a pattern of cavities, holes or openings, and the thin film in held in tension over the mask. The cavities, holes or openings in the mask selectively control the flow of heat because they contain material having lower thermal conductivity than the material of the mask. The device may be used to transfer a pattern or image to a pancake, among other things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Lithoware, Inc
    Inventor: Lucien P. Ghislain
  • Patent number: 7193190
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plate warming apparatus for use in keeping food warm in a restaurant. The invention has four primary components: a serving plate; a heater assembly; a plate adapter for coupling the plate and heater assembly; and a base fixture that enables the adapter to be selectively coupled to the heater assembly. These elements allow the heater assembly to heat the underside of a serving plate and, thereby, keep food warm as it is delivered to and consumed at a user's table. The invention allows the heater assembly to be uncoupled from the underside of the plate and recharged as necessary for reuse on other serving plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7064298
    Abstract: A multifunctional griddle having hinged top and bottom heating plate assemblies which receive reversible cooking plates or, alternatively, interchangeable cooking plates for cooking different types of foods such as waffles, pancakes, and hot sandwiches. In one embodiment the reversible cooking plates are nested in face-to-face contact with mating top and bottom heating plates to improve heat transfer to the cooking plates. This is accomplished by forming a mating waffle grid in the heating plates for receiving the waffle iron surfaces of the cooking plates in intermeshing engagement. The intermeshing engagement of the cooking plates with the heating plates also reduces the overall vertical height of the appliance providing a slimmer profile. In an alternative embodiment a set of interchangeable cooking plates is provided having a sliding interface with modified heating plates. In this embodiment the cooking plates are conveniently interchanged to vary the cooking configurations of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7041942
    Abstract: A heating assembly is provided for heating objects, for example, food items, that comprises a substrate attached to an insulating frame, which may optionally be attached to a metal pan. The complete assembly is attached to a cooking appliance. The substrate may take the form of a glass disk, for example, tempered soda-lime silica glass, having a conductive coating disposed on one of its surfaces. Conductive metal bus bars, for example, sprayed copper, are disposed onto and in electrical contact with the coating. A temperature sensor may be placed in thermal contact with the heating assembly. As a result, the temperature sensor would allow a cooking appliance to control the electric current being conducted through the heating assembly and, consequently, the temperature of the object being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Engineering Glass Products, LLC
    Inventor: Peter F. Gerhardinger
  • Patent number: 7002110
    Abstract: An electric smokeless roaster capable of eliminating ducts installed on the inside and outside of a shop and almost eliminating the generation of harmful gases such as NOx, comprising an electric heater unit (2) installed on the upper part of a casing (1), a water pan (6) installed on the lower part of the heater unit (2), a grill (9) disposed above the heater unit (2), a table (7) installed on the upper surface of the casing (1) and having an opening at the portion thereof corresponding to the grill (9), a suction unit (10) installed around the grill (9) and having suction ports for sucking air around the grill (9), an electric dust collecting unit (30) installed in the casing (1) and dedusting air sucked from the sucking unit (10), and a deodorizer (50) installed in the casing (1) and decomposing odor components contained in the air dedusted by the electric dust collecting unit (30) and exhausting the decomposed odor components to the outside of the casing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., Minematsu Electric Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Satou, Kazuyuki Hashimoto, Tomoki Kakitsuka
  • Patent number: 6930288
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a base plate, a cooking plate mounted on and cooperating with the base plate to define a receiving space therebetween and formed with at least a drain hole in fluid communication with the receiving space, and a partition unit mounted on the base plate within the receiving space and dividing the receiving space into a warming compartment that is adapted to receive food therein so as to warm the food during cooking, and an oil compartment that is isolated from the warming compartment and that is adapted to receive oil, which is formed on the cooking plate as a result of cooking and which is drained through the drain hole in the cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang-Chuan Lin, Ta-Chi Liu, Chia-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6844529
    Abstract: An electric grill comprised of a primary cooking unit that includes a ribbed grilling surface adjacent to a planar cooking surface with a containment wall around the unit and an adjustable food divider that is used to keep unwanted liquids such as fat and water separate from other foods. One side of the ribbed grilling surface is elevated above the planar cooking surface and includes channels between the ribs that direct grilling liquids into a flat reservoir area. The ribs slope downwardly into the flat reservoir area. The detachable and slideable food divider is used to isolate selected areas of the primary cooking unit and thereby restrict the mixing of foods and grilling liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Robert L. Grohs
  • Patent number: 6831256
    Abstract: A thin food heating unit suitable for use as a restaurant griddle includes a silicone rubber heating blanket vulcanized to the underside of a highly thermally conductive metal food warming plate for heating a food item placed thereon, a base insulated from the heating blanket and the food warming plate by a high temperature ceramic fiber insulation, insulating standoffs between the food warming plate and the top of the base, a separate power supply which supplies electrical energy to the griddle at a relatively low voltage compared to standard line voltage, and a power controller including an on/off switch which is separate from the base and which can be mounted separately in a restaurant installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Omniteam, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Haasis, Donald Hyatt, Sr., Donald Hyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6818868
    Abstract: An electric grill comprised of a primary cooking unit that includes a ribbed grilling surface adjacent to a planar cooking surface with a containment wall around the unit and an adjustable food divider that is used to keep unwanted liquids such as fat and water separate from other foods. One side of the ribbed grilling surface is elevated above the planar cooking surface and includes channels between the ribs that direct grilling liquids into a flat reservoir area. The ribs slope downwardly into the flat reservoir area. The detachable and slideable food divider has a lower portion that may be formed in a “U” or “V” shape. The food divider is used to isolate selected areas of the primary cooking unit and thereby restrict the mixing of foods and grilling liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Grohs
  • Patent number: 6809299
    Abstract: A hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device, in which hot plate, when an object to be heated such as a silicon wafer is heated in a state that the object is distanced by a certain distance from the heating face, air is less likely to stagnate between the silicon wafer and the heating face and thus the object to be heated can be evenly heated. Specifically, the hot plate for a semiconductor producing/examining device includes a resistance heating element formed on a surface of a ceramic substrate or inside the ceramic substrate, wherein the glossiness of the heating face of the ceramic substrate is 1.5% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuji Hiramatsu, Yasutaka Ito
  • Publication number: 20040065658
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for vending food products in food outlets. The method includes the steps of providing a heating cavity having thermal conductive heating surfaces; placing a container including the food product into the heating cavity, the container engaging at least a first and second surfaces of the thermal conductive heating surfaces; resistively energizing the heating surfaces for heating the food product through conduction of thermal energy to produce a heated food product; and opening the container and serving the heated food product. The invention also relates to a portable, compact and space saving heating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Dominick Damiano, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, Hua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20040035850
    Abstract: An electric grill comprising a primary cooking unit that is defined as a ribbed grilling surface adjoined by a planar cooking surface with four shallow walls around the unit and an adjustable food divider used to separate food from liquids, when positioned on the primary unit. The ribbed surface is for grilling foods and the flat surface is suitable for cooking foods. The ribbed surface has channels between the ribs that carry away liquids and grease while cooking. A reservoir at the end of the ribbed surface collects the runoff. The parallel ribs slope downwardly to the reservoir area. Placement of the food divider within the primary unit, will yield two or three cooking compartments. Liquids from food, are contained in different areas on the primary unit, when the food divider is in use. A thermostat with an on-off control is used to select any desired temperature for cooking. The primary cooking unit sits on a platform base structure that is not attached or encumbered to the primary unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Grohs
  • Publication number: 20040031785
    Abstract: The electrical gridiron that utilizes water is very small and portable, practical for household and easily maintained, and it could be utilized in an enclosed areas, with optimal temperature grilling and without creating smoke, while it does not allow overheating of food that can create substances harmful to health. Heating elements are placed laterally on the sides of the gridiron away from food juices that drain and could otherwise burn and create smoke which would be partially absorbed by the food being cooked, which is harmful for health. The heating elements radiate heat upwards, preventing excessive evaporation of water from the water container that would otherwise require frequent addition of water. The optimal temperature for grilling is maintained by raising the grilling bars to desirable heights by placing legs of the grilling bars in the provided slots, and if more ventilation is desired, by opening and adjusting a grating plate at the bottom of the gridiron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Omer Muftic