Comprising Hinged Or Separable Compartment (e.g., Waffle Iron Type) Patents (Class 219/524)
  • Patent number: 11882961
    Abstract: A cooking device is provided. In one embodiment, the cooking device includes a base having a recessed cavity arranged in a top surface. The cooking device can also include a heating element arranged within the recessed cavity of the base. A first bracket can be positioned on the base, and a cooking plate can be positioned on the top surface of the base. A lid assembly can be provided and can include a cover plate configured to be removably positioned over the cooking plate. The cover plate can include a plurality of through-holes arranged therein. A second bracket can be positioned on the cover plate and it can be configured to couple to the first bracket such that the lid assembly is connected to and rotatable relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Simon Christopher Smith, Nathaniel R. Lavins
  • Patent number: 11839569
    Abstract: A heating device includes a heating unit and device electronics. The heating unit is configured to deliver heat to a user's body. The heating unit includes a substrate and a heating element supported by the substrate. The device electronics are coupled to the heating element and are configured to store a first heating profile that includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a first period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the first heating profile. The device electronics are configured to wirelessly receive a second heating profile from an external computing device. The second heating profile includes data indicating how power should be delivered to the heating element over a second period of time. The device electronics are configured to deliver power to the heating element according to the second heating profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Relief Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Moulton Thomas, Brian James Krieger, Richard Thomas Caligaris, Elizabeth Ann Miracle, Grace Hina Lee
  • Patent number: 11337429
    Abstract: A pancake cooking device with two opposable, generally circular, internally heated cooking plates having substantially smooth cooking surfaces that are cooperatively configured to be selectively placed in facing and spaced-apart relation to contact and cook flowable pancake batter disposed between the plates to form a generally circular pancake that, when removed from the device and oriented in a preferred serving position, has a substantially uniform thickness between substantially planar, top and bottom pancake surfaces, and a continuous, circumferentially extending, outwardly inclined and upwardly facing lip of substantially uniform height disposed around the perimeter of the top surface of the pancake. The pancake cooking device is desirably configured to cook each pancake in an inverted position with the circumferentially extending, outwardly inclined lip projecting downwardly and away from the top and bottom pancake surfaces when the cooked pancake is oriented in a preferred serving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 10813495
    Abstract: A grilling accessory for use in a cooking space of a cooking appliance is described, which includes two food carriers with at least one cooking area each, which contact a food at the same time. The food carriers are arranged to each other such that the respective cooking areas face each other, wherein at least one of the food carriers has openings in the respective cooking area, wherein the two food carriers are connected with each other via a connecting element comprising a joint. Further, a grilling system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: RATIONAL AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 10709141
    Abstract: Device to prepare turnovers which has a base element, a top contact element, and lever for closing. The base element has two parts which are joined by two hinges. One part is fixed and the other one performs a 180° opening and closing movement to form the turnover. This movable part has engravings on its interior surrounding walls which are marked in the dough when the two parts come together to form the pie. The outer edge of the periphery of the base element has a slope that serves to cut the dough excess of the turnovers. When the lever presses the top contact element against the base element a concave tortilla will form. Then, the concave tortilla is stuffed with your choice of filling and the movable part closes to form the turnover. Finally, the movable part opens and the turnover is taken out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Alejandra Isabel Saldana
  • Patent number: 10413120
    Abstract: A grill device is for cooking a fluidic food material, and includes an upper grill unit and a lower grill unit. The lower grill unit includes a lower grill plate. The upper grill unit removably covers and is operable to uncover the lower grill unit, and includes an upper grill plate that cooperates with the lower grill plate to define a cooking space therebetween, which is adapted to accommodate the fluidic food material when cooking, and that defines an opening, which is in spatial communication with the cooking space and which is adapted to permit the fluidic food material to flow into the cooking space therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yixin Zhan, Dongmei Chen, Wenyu Chang, Xiaoyue Zhu
  • Patent number: 10412793
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprising a base member, an upper member and a cooking chamber defined between the base member and the upper member, wherein the upper member is displaceable between a closed position, in which the upper member is closed on the base member and access to the cooking chamber is prevented, and an open position, in which access to the cooking chamber is permitted. The cooking appliance comprises a locking device displaceable from a locking condition, in which it prevents the upper member from being displaced from the closed position to the open position, and an unlocking condition in which it allows the upper member to be displaced from the closed position to the open position. The cooking appliance comprises an automatic actuating device for automatically taking the locking device in the unlocking condition upon a predetermined condition is reached, and a further manual actuating device for manually taking the locking device in the unlocking condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Guiseppe D'Andrea, Loris Corai
  • Patent number: 10368395
    Abstract: A cooking plate includes a metal plate for cooking; a heating element, which is in contact with the metal plate and is configured to heat the metal plate; and a temperature sensing element which is integrated with the metal plate and which is configured to sense a temperature of the metal plate and outputs a sensing signal for control heating of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventors: Eric Norman, Paolo Baruzzi, John Hsudan Yu
  • Patent number: 10314432
    Abstract: A stove includes a stove unit having a top grilling surface, a cover unit, a guiding unit, and a balance-providing unit having a cross bar, at least one mounting seat, and at least one constant-force spring that is mounted on the at least one mounting seat and that is connected to the cross bar. During the movement of the cover unit in a top-bottom direction, the at least one constant-force spring provides a substantially constant resilient force which counteracts a weight of the cover unit to position the cover unit at any point between a lifted position, where the cover unit is spaced apart from the top grilling surface, and a cover position, where the cover unit covers the top grilling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 10159379
    Abstract: A grill is provided including a base structure. An upper platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes an upper grilling surface having a first cooking surface. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling surface having a second cooking surface. A release sheet is removably mounted to the grill. The release sheet has a central portion configured to cover at least the first cooking surface and a joint between the upper platen assembly and the lower platen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taylor Commercial Foodservice Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10010216
    Abstract: A small cooking appliance with a bottom housing, a top housing, and a ring assembly. An uppermost cooking cavity is defined in the top housing and may be used to cook or heat a top food layer. The uppermost cooking cavity includes a floor that forms an uppermost cooking surface. The uppermost cooking cavity may have an open top. The appliance may include a hinged or pivoting lid to selectively close off the open top of the uppermost cooking cavity. The uppermost cooking surface may be heated by one or more heating elements in the top housing. The appliance cooks a food item in an assembled manner save a top food layer of the food item needs to be manually removed from the uppermost cooking cavity and placed onto the other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Garman, David L Jackson, Abraham S Longmire, George Stamper, Micheal M Pierce, Derek A McCullough, Mark C Steiner, Andrea L Radford
  • Patent number: 9900935
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food products includes: a first heating plate adapted to support the food products; a second heating plate adapted to face the food products during a cooking operation; a first resistive heating element associated with the first heating plate and adapted to provide heat to the food products during the cooking operation; a second resistive heating element associated with the second heating plate and adapted to provide heat to the food products during the cooking operation, and at least one microwave generator element configured to selectively generate microwave radiation for haeting the food products during the cooking operation. At least a selected resistive heating element between the first resistive heating element and the second resistive heating element is joined to a surface of the associated heating plate so that it forms a single piece with the associated heating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Simonato, Alessandro Morassut
  • Patent number: 9848730
    Abstract: A food carrier for use in a cooking space of a cooking appliance has a first cooking area and a second cooking area on which a food to be cooked can be placed. The cooking areas can in particular be grilling areas. The first and the second cooking areas are arranged on opposite sides of the food carrier, and each of the first and second cooking areas has a structuring. The structuring of the first cooking area is different from the structuring of the second cooking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rational Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 9554670
    Abstract: An apparatus for making waffles with customized shapes having a top plate with a top lid having a plurality of variable length protrusions in a shape that fits a round recess on the bottom plate. The apparatus can be used to make the top of a sandwich bun and/or the bottom of a sandwich bun in the same or different waffle irons. Variable shaped protrusions allow for even distribution of heat to a mixture for making shaped edible items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Chi Yung Yan
  • Patent number: 9462912
    Abstract: A small cooking appliance comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a ring assembly. The bottom housing has a top surface that forms a bottom cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing has a bottom surface that forms a top cooking surface of the appliance. The top housing is movably attached to the bottom housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position. The ring assembly is positionable between the top and bottom cooking surfaces when the top housing is in its closed position. The ring assembly comprises a top ring, a bottom ring, and an optional center cooking plate. The center cooking plate is movable between (i) a closed position in which a space defined by the ring assembly is divided into top and bottom cooking cavities and (ii) an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc
    Inventors: David L Jackson, Michael Garman, Derek A McCullough, George Stamper, Claire Ashley
  • Patent number: 9211029
    Abstract: An electric grill pan device includes a heating pan detachably mounted above a base. A socket is mounted in the base and includes a seat and an upper cover. A compartment is defined between the upper cover and the seat. The upper cover includes a plurality of insertion holes aligned with terminals on the seat. The upper cover further includes a notch aligned with an abutment peg on the heating pan. A shield is pivotably mounted in the compartment and includes a guiding portion aligned with the abutment peg. The shield is biased to a position covering the insertion holes. When the heating pan is mounted to the base, the abutment peg presses against the guiding portion and pivots the shield to another position not covering the insertion holes, and conductive ends of a heating element on the heating pan is in electrical contact with the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: UNI-SPLENDER CORP.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8863652
    Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, Douglas S. Jones, Jan Claesson, Ryan J. Stephens, David W. Harter
  • Publication number: 20140202341
    Abstract: A spill-resistant appliance may be constructed to prevent spilled liquids from entering a control housing and contacting electronics with the use of a first sealant preferably formed out of santoprene and a second sealant preferably formed out of a very high bond, double-sided foam tape. The first sealant and the second sealant may be used in various areas of the control housing that contains electronics for operating the appliance. The first and second sealants may also be used to help attach the control housing to other components of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Jonovic, William H. Punzel, Robert E. Fredrick
  • Patent number: 8698047
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a handheld clamp device for applying heat to a golf ball. The clamp may have two lever arms each attached at one end to a pivot. A golf ball receiving unit may be attached to each lever arm at the opposite end as the pivot. Each golf ball receiving unit may include a heating element. The internal heating surface of each golf ball receiving unit may contain a pattern, which can be a dimple pattern. When in use, the handheld device may heat the surface of a golf ball such that the pattern on the internal heating surfaces forms a dimple pattern into the surface of the golf ball. The handheld clamp device may be included as part of a kit, along with multiple sets of golf ball receiving units, and sometimes at least one golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8692164
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Soul of India, LLC
    Inventor: Arvind G. Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8624167
    Abstract: A device for making a muffle, with which dental restoration parts can be produced with the aid of an embedding compound, at least one press blank and a pressing device, the device having a muffle base, a tubular sleeve surrounding the muffle base and at least one muffle insert which is arranged on the muffle base and can be separated from it. At least two cylindrical press-channel forming elements (16, 18, 20) extend parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another from a flat-formed portion of the muffle insert (12), which can be burned out at least with respect to the forming elements, which elements are formed in a closed manner, and in particular with thin walls, at least on one free end face opposite from the flat-formed portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Diethard Bertsch
  • Publication number: 20130315544
    Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcing heating device 6A is equipped with a base part 12, while the base part 12 is provided with a sleeve accommodation groove that contains a fiber reinforcement sleeve and a heater having a U-shaped cross section, which heats the fiber reinforcement sleeve. A pair of fiber holders 19 that holds and clamps fusion-spliced optical fibers 3 are disposed on both end sides of the sleeve accommodation groove. A lid part 23 that covers the fiber accommodation groove 13 is attached openably and closably to the base part 12 through a rotary axis. A protector 24 for windbreak and heat insulation is joined to the lid part 23 through a rotary axis 25. The protector 24 is a member for preventing winds from entering the sleeve accommodation groove from a gap between a side wall of the base part 12 and the lid part 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Fukuda, Ryuichiro Sato, Hisao Yui, Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8450651
    Abstract: A human skin mask heating/warming device includes a case and an electrical heating device. The case includes an upper casing and a lower casing. One end of the upper casing is pivotally connected with one end of the lower casing. The upper and lower casings can be opened/closed to enclose a mask (pack) in the case. Alternatively, the case is integrally formed with the upper and lower casings or the upper and lower casings are integrally assembled with each other to form the case. One side of the case is formed with a slot or slit. The mask (pack) can be guided into the case through the slot or slit. The electrical heating device includes an electrical unit and a heating unit. The electrical unit provides a current to the heating unit for generating heat. The heating unit is disposed on the case for providing heat to the mask (pack).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Chen
  • Patent number: 8444010
    Abstract: A food dispensing device having a frame with first and second sidewalls in spaced parallel relation that house a heating board and a slant board. The slant board is positioned below the heating board and both slope downwardly. Specifically, the heating board has a plurality of slots therein such that juice from a food product flows through the slots and onto the slant board. Adjacent and below the heating board and slant board is a flange that is positioned such that when a food product is placed on the heating board the food product rolls toward the flange and simultaneously juice flows from off the slant board into a juice tray disposed below the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Benchmark USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom S. Berger
  • Patent number: 8365655
    Abstract: A barbecue stove includes a body, a cover, a storage device, two primary feet and two secondary feet. The cover is pivotally connected to the body. The storage device is attached to the body. The primary feet are attached to the body. The secondary feet are attached to the storage device. The barbecue stove lies on the primary feet in use and stands on the secondary feet in storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Arlo Lin
    Inventor: Jan-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 8359970
    Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Ron Dorsten, Mike Zagorski
  • Patent number: 8357128
    Abstract: A portable heater with ovoid receptacle is disclosed. The portable heater comprises a top member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a bottom member comprising a semi-ovoid cavity, a hinge operatively connected to the top and bottom members, and a heating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Shrikant S Bhamre
  • Patent number: 8286548
    Abstract: A cooking appliance is provided which includes a 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 relative to the lower cooking surface in at least a substantially vertical manner, wherein the upper cooking surface and lower cooking surface remain substantially parallel to one another when the upper cooking surface translates relative to the lower cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Soul of India, LLC
    Inventors: Arvind G. Krishnan, Christopher Matthew D'Eramo
  • Patent number: 8283611
    Abstract: A compact, low-cost hinge assembly for mounting a door to a household appliance. A stay bar has first and second elongate edge surfaces extending between opposing first and second ends. The first end is pivotally connected to a door-mounting bracket on which an abutment is located. A torsion spring is mounted to a body-mounting bracket, and an arm of the spring resiliently engages the first edge surface to urge the second surface into engagement with the abutment, urging the door, in a closed position, toward the closed position. A detent recess in the second surface receives the abutment to hold the door partially open. A stop face projects from the first edge surface, and the spring arm contacts the stop face to hold the door horizontal, in a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Way Plastic & Metal Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hon Man Choi
  • Patent number: 8283603
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a handheld clamp device for applying heat to a golf ball. The clamp may have two lever arms each attached at one end to a pivot. A golf ball receiving unit may be attached to each lever arm at the opposite end as the pivot. Each golf ball receiving unit may include a heating element. The internal heating surface of each golf ball receiving unit may contain a pattern, which can be a dimple pattern. When in use, the handheld device may heat the surface of a golf ball such that the pattern on the internal heating surfaces forms a dimple pattern into the surface of the golf ball. The handheld clamp device may be included as part of a kit, along with multiple sets of golf ball receiving units, and sometimes at least one golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8232510
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Johnsonville Sausage, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Addesso, Hong Ji, Shelly Ann Stayer
  • Patent number: 8210100
    Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, Douglas S. Jones, Jan Claesson, Ryan J. Stephens, David W. Harter
  • Patent number: 8006684
    Abstract: A superheated stream grill includes a heating tray to serve as a heat source for heating and cooking the food materials. In addition, it also provides a function of heating food materials by using a superheated stream. The grill has a heating system for generating the superheated stream. The heating system atomizes the water molecules to form mist by means of the supersonic vibration, and then the mist is heated and converted into the superheated stream. The superheated stream is injected and sprayed onto the food materials. In this way, the mouth feeling of the food materials after cooking is much better and the time for cooking is also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Star Comgistic Capital Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Lee, Lu-Shan Chang, Shih-Yao Liu, Shih-Wei Tung
  • Patent number: 7992489
    Abstract: A contact electric grill for the cooking of food products is provided having a base shoulder (2) and a lid shoulder (3) joined to each other by a hinging structure including a rotation pin (4), a slot (5) into which the rotation pin (4) is slid, and a support and passage element (6) from the lid shoulder to the base shoulder of electric connection cables (7) among electric components present in the base and in the lid, operationally connected to the base shoulder and the lid shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: De'Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Mazzon
  • Patent number: 7960673
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: George T. C. Li, William Terry Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7878109
    Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Ron Dorsten, Mike Zagorski
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7651666
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals, and refill units for use therewith. Some of these devices have a well facing the heater and a transparent wall to view the use up of the air treatment chemical. Other of these devices have a refill with wells positioned in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Gopal P. Ananth, David P. Mather
  • Patent number: 7638740
    Abstract: A waffle making assembly for the creation of a plurality of bite-sized waffles, wherein said bite-sized waffles have the necessary dimensional qualities to enable the consumption thereof without having been previously severed into multiple pieces. The waffle making assembly comprises an upper and lower plate, each having an inner surface with a cavity formed therein such that the cavities form a chamber for the creation of a waffle matrix when the inner surfaces of each plate lie adjacent each other. Easy separation of individual bite-sized waffles from the waffle matrix is enabled by tear portions formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the waffle matrix. The tear portions are formed in the waffle matrix during the cooking operation by a plurality of partitioning flanges defined by lattices in the upper and lower cavities, which sub-divides the cavity into a plurality of smaller sub-cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Veronica Hradecky
  • Patent number: 7582850
    Abstract: The subject is a household electrical appliance (1) comprising two articulated heating sub-assemblies (2, 3) and resistances (7) connected to an electricity supply component (8). The component (8) can be separated from the resistances and includes contactors (9). It is moreover adapted to engage with a hinge (4) by which the two heating sub-assemblies (2, 3) are articulated, the hinge, which includes at least one mobile part (16), being configured in a way either to implement the articulation of the sub-assemblies, under the effect of acting upon said mobile part (16) to bring it towards an articulation position through the electricity supply component (8, 11) then engaging its connection with the corresponding electric resistance (7), or to allow the relative separation of the sub-assemblies by releasing the mobile part (16) which is no longer acted upon by the electricity supply component (8, 11), when it is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventor: Denis Gruaz
  • Publication number: 20090120302
    Abstract: A contact electric grill for the cooking of food products is provided having a base shoulder (2) and a lid shoulder (3) joined to each other by a hinging structure including a rotation pin (4), a slot (5) into which the rotation pin (4) is slid, and a support and passage element (6) from the lid shoulder to the base shoulder of electric connection cables (7) among electric components present in the base and in the lid, operationally connected to the base shoulder and the lid shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: DE'LONGHI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Mazzon
  • Patent number: 7525070
    Abstract: Hinge (4) comprising at least one housing (6) formed in a first panel (2), and at least one rod (7) integral with a second panel (3) and rotationally mounted in the housing (6). According to the invention, the rod (7) is movable from a retracted position in which it is prevented from moving into the housing (6) when the two panels (2, 3) are in a correct mutual position, and a control element (9) movable from a release position to a locking position and adapted to cooperate with the rod (7) with the result that said rod is in the retracted and hinged positions when the control element (9) is in the release and locking positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventor: Denis Gruaz
  • Patent number: 7514655
    Abstract: An electric grill for use to create healthier meals is disclosed. The electric grill comprises a support structure which holds a top heating section and a bottom heating section connected by a hinge. The hinge allows for a wide range of movement whereby the top heating section may be face to face with the bottom heating section, may be perpendicular, or may be at a 180 degree angle. Moreover, the top and bottom heating sections may be tilted such that excess grease, oils and juices may be separated from the food being cooked. The electric grill disclosed herein also may include a digital read-out display and a user input keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Products of Tomorrow, Inc., South Asia International
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul Mc Grath, Raymond Hoi Tak 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: 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: 7285751
    Abstract: An automatic electric muffin maker for baking muffins and related foodstuffs is disclosed. The present muffin maker comprises a housing assembly enclosing a bottom heating plate having an integrated heating element and a top heating element for browning (i.e. to scorch slightly in cooking). Advantageously, the heating plate includes a plurality of integrally formed, internally tapered heating wells which receive a mating baking pan having tapered cylindrical mold cups configured to provide complementary surface-to-surface engagement within the heating wells and efficient heat transfer therebetween. The heating elements are electrically interconnected to a heat control thermostat, which regulates the baking cycle. In an alternative embodiment the baking functions are carried out by electronic controls including a timed cooking cycle which changes to a warming mode upon completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: George T. C. Li
  • Patent number: 7274003
    Abstract: A grill for use especially in commercial kitchens includes at least one electric heating element and, directly above said heating element, at least one food-product holder these components jointly forming a grill platform and said food-product holder featuring nozzles through which steam and/or hot water and/or seasoning can be sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Baumann
  • 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: 7227100
    Abstract: A warmer includes: a main casing adapted for storing a wiper box therein; a drawer casing slidably engaged in the main casing and operatively withdrawn outwardly for storing a fluid container including nursing bottle or beverage cup in the drawer casing; and a heating device provided in the casing for warming a wet tissue or wiper in the wiper box stored in the main casing and for warming the fluid container in the drawer casing; whereby when the warming of the fluid container is unnecessary, the drawer casing may be pushed inwardly into the main casing just for warming the wiper box only and also for saving the volume of the complete warmer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Tsang-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 7180034
    Abstract: The electrically powered omelet former and cooker has a base defining the cookers footprint and supporting a clamshell type cooking apparatus having two cooking halves that are independently pivotable vertically, and together are horizontally and vertically pivotable, within the footprint of the base. Each half having a hot plate and a heating element for heating the hot plate to the desired temperature. The lower half provides one or more vessel type recesses to accept the mixture to be cooked while the top half has a corresponding set of raised convex chamber caps each designed to nest with the other creating a form and cooking chamber. When in use the cooking unit is initially opened with the two halves at ninety degree angles from each other with the lower half resting on the base, the chamber vessels facing upward to be filled. The egg mixture is poured into the vessel chamber/s and then any ingredients of the omelet are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry Oppenheimer