With Material Pressing Means (e.g., Ham Boilers) Patents (Class 99/349)
  • Patent number: 7586067
    Abstract: A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce M. Hill
  • Publication number: 20090178574
    Abstract: A handle and latch assembly for a flatbread maker, which includes a handle rotatably mounted to an upper heating plate of the flatbread maker. A roller plate extends downward from the handle, adjacent the peripheral edge of the upper plate, the roller plate having a roller rotatably mounted near the lower end thereof. A latch member is secured to a lower portion of the body of the flatbread maker, beneath the lower heating plate. The latch member has a lower surface configuration which includes at least two curved or notched areas therein. The handle is pressed downwardly so that is the roller engages one or the other of the two curved areas, flatbreads with two different thicknesses are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Marvin G. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20090145304
    Abstract: A grill with adjustable grilling space comprises an upper shell, a lower shell, an upper grill pan that is disposed on the bottom surface of the upper shell and a lower grill pan that is disposed on the top surface of the lower shell. The upper shell is connected to the lower shell by hinge mechanisms. The hinge mechanism comprises an upper oscillating rod and a lower oscillating rod. The adjacent ends of the upper oscillating rod and the lower oscillating rod are pivoted to each other, and the removed ends of the upper oscillating rod and the lower oscillating rod are pivoted to the upper shell and lower shell respectively. The upper shell is connected to the lower shell by adjustable hinge mechanisms, and the distance between them is adjustable, so it can adjust the grilling space between the upper grill pan and the lower grill pan by changing grill pans with different depths, while assuring that the upper grill pan is aligned with the lower grill pan in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (CHINA) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jingliang Yu
  • Publication number: 20090139411
    Abstract: A grill includes a lower platen assembly having a lower grilling surface and a pivotally attached upper platen assembly having an upper grilling surface. The upper platen assembly includes three motors encased in a shell. A cable attached to each motor suspends the upper grilling surface. The grill is automatically calibrated to ensure that the upper grilling surface is level. Each motor independently and sequentially raises the upper grilling surface from the lower grilling surface. When the upper grilling surface lifts from the lower grilling surface, the current in the motor changes. The settings of each motor at this instant are stored in a control to determine the calibration point when the upper grilling surface is level. The grill also automatically recognizes a food item placed on the lower grilling surface to determine the cooking parameters of the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Robert K. Newton, Ronald J. Glavan
  • Publication number: 20090092718
    Abstract: An oven and method of processing products such as fish and shellfish are disclosed. The oven may include a chamber that may be heated to ultra-high temperatures, such as within a range of about 600-2500° F. (315-1371° C.). A burner may heat the chamber from an exterior of the chamber such that the chamber may provide a uniform radiant heat inside the chamber. The products may be carried through the chamber on a conveyor belt to heat a surface of the products to brown and denature the surface, destroy microorganisms, and place grill marks on the products. The products may then be packaged in a microwavable package or boil-in-the-bag film such that the products may be cooked at a later time in a microwave oven or boiling water bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Von T. Mendenhall, J. Reeves Dahlstrom, Randy Loveland
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090074921
    Abstract: A method for forming a pressed, baked food product including providing a dough intermediate puck. The dough intermediate puck is processed through a first, compression station that applies a compression force and heat to the dough intermediate puck, resulting in a pressed puck. The pressed puck is processed through a second, dwell and heating station that contacts opposing major surfaces of the pressed puck in a manner allowing the pressed puck to naturally rise and applies heat to the puck, resulting in a pressed, at least partially-baked, food product. The above steps are characterized by continuous movement of the puck from an upstream end of the first station to a downstream end of the second station. In one embodiment, residual heat from the first station is applied in the second station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas E. Heinzen
  • Patent number: 7478585
    Abstract: A cooking device includes: a base unit; a cooking unit including a griddle member having opposite first and second portions and a pivot portion that is disposed between the first and second portions and that is pivoted to the base unit; and an adjusting unit including a rotatable spindle mounted rotatably on the base unit and having a bent end that is connected to the second portion of the griddle member in such a manner that rotation of the spindle relative to the base unit results in pivoting movement of the griddle member relative to the base unit so as to selectively lift and lower the second portion of the griddle member relative to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd,
    Inventor: Hsin Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 7472645
    Abstract: A grill includes a lower portion and a pivotably attached upper platen each having a grilling surface. A lift/latch mechanism lifts the upper platen relative to the lower portion without the use of a motor. The upper platen can be manually lifted by grabbing the handle. An arm is pivotably attached to an upper pivotable portion at an upper pivot and is pivotably attached to a lower pivotable portion at a lower pivot. When the upper platen is lifted, a heavy resilient member biases the upper platen to a raised position. When the upper platen is lowered, a light resilient member bias the upper platen to a lowered position. When a solenoid is actuated, projection engages the arm to move the arm and lift the upper platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hill, Robert E. Frisque, Dennis J Nelson
  • Patent number: 7448313
    Abstract: An apparatus for combining delivery of objects from a first transport conveyor (34) and a second transport conveyor (40), comprising a first continuous discharge conveyor (36), a second continuous discharge conveyor (42) which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis; means for pivoting the second discharge conveyor about the longitudinal axis between a lower position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are adjacent, and an upper position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate the objects therebetween; and means for synchronizing the pivoting means with discharge of the objects from the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Lawrence Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Clay Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7444928
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing crackers is provided. The apparatus includes: a main frame; a drive unit installed at the main frame, and having a drive motor provided with a reducer, and first and second drive shafts receiving power from the drive motor; first and second operation cams installed at the first drive shaft; an operation unit pivotally connected to the first operation cam; an upper mold movably connected to the operation unit in a vertical direction and having a heating means; a lower mold installed directly under the upper mold and having a heating means; a grain supply unit connected to the first drive shaft to discharge a predetermined amount of grain; a grain convey unit connected to the second operation cam to convey the grain supplied from the grain supply unit to the lower mold; and a control box installed at the main frame to control the respective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Delice Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung-Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 7441496
    Abstract: A method and system for designing, manufacturing and selling thematic cooking plates that are interchangeable with removable cooking plates in various waffle irons, sandwich grillers and waffle iron/sandwich griller combinations. The cooking plates may have a pattern on one or both sides. The plates may be packaged in a variety of combinations, but most often as a group of three cooking plates each with different patterns representing a single theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Mary F. Romano
  • Publication number: 20080184897
    Abstract: A food press utensil is disclosed that varies incrementally as needed a weight of the utensil for pressing and cooking different food items on a cooking surface, wherein weight adjustment of the food press, by stacking of a plurality of food presses or other compatible weights, results in even heat distribution on the food to allow for uniform cooking and browning. The food press further can comprise a plurality of apertures through the body of the food press, to allow steam to vent and thus to prevent the food from becoming soggy as it cooks. The food press also can be made to accommodate a surface area of the food that exceeds a surface area of the food press, and thus can be used in any pan or griddle. The invention further can comprise a scraper surface to effect debris removal and preparation of the food cooking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce M. Hill
  • Publication number: 20080178746
    Abstract: The inventive waffle iron comprises two baking sub-assemblies pivotable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed proximate position in which they define a baking chamber. The waffle iron also comprises at least one exhaust pipe provided with an orifice which is open above the central plane of the baking chamber when two baking sub-assemblies are in the closed proximate position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Roger Rosset, Guillaume Prieto, Jerome Tranchant
  • Publication number: 20080181987
    Abstract: A method for seasoning meat comprising providing at least a portion of a processed meat, applying a first adhesive layer on a surface of the at least a portion of the processed meat, and adhering a first seasoning blend to the at least a portion of the processed meat by utilizing the first adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Joey W. Lusby, Gary W. Uram, Gordon Lee Smith, Erik I. Hassid, Jennifer Weil, Shawn M. Peters, Jeffrey B. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7325483
    Abstract: An automated belt cooking machine (10) for pancakes and the like food products has upper and lower overlapping, thermally conductive belts (12, 14), counter-rotatably mounted to a frame (16) so that, in use, a bottom run (30) of the upper belt (12) and a top run (32) of the lower belt (14) co-operate to convey food (40) to be cooked. The lower belt (14) extends a predetermined distance to one side of the upper belt (12) so as to provide a dispensing platform portion (38) for dispensing thereon the food to be cooked (40), so that the food (40) is conveyed towards a mouth (52) formed between the upper belt and lower belts (12, 14) and thereafter is conveyed sandwiched between the bottom and top run (30, 32). Upper and lower heating platens (26,28) are mounted to the frame (16) and are in thermal contact with the bottom and top run (30, 32), wherein the food to be cooked (40) is initially exposed to heat from the lower platen (28) conducted through the dispensing platform portion (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Marek Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7299745
    Abstract: A juice press as used in the production of wine for removing liquids from solids, having a horizontally positionable press frame that allows a vertical press mechanism to be rolled to a first position for interference-free loading of a press basket with material to be pressed, and then rolled to a second operating position located over the press basket. The press basket has a liquid channeling plate having an arrangement of holes and channels that creates a perimeter seal along a circumference at the bottom of a loaded press basket. The liquid channeling plate traps naturally occurring sludge along the circumference bottom and allows for efficient evacuation of extracted juice from the bottom of the basket as the press mechanism is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Basket Press Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ned Nelson, Ross Mickel
  • Patent number: 7278350
    Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing, and particularly for contact toasters. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost, and are relatively easy to clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
    Inventors: Frank M. Keese, Kevin C. Bauler, Gerard T. Buss, John A. Effenberger
  • 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: 7234391
    Abstract: A bread maker including an oven compartment, parallel kneading drums inside the oven compartment that alternate between winding and unwinding rotations, and a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums. Each kneading drum includes a rotation shaft rotating according to the drum driving part; a hollow, cylindrical drum member disposed concentrically along an axis of the rotation shaft; and a clutch between the rotation shaft and the drum member, transmitting a rotary movement from the rotation shaft to the drum member in one direction and allowing the drum member to freewheel in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-uk Lee, Jong-wook Lee, Han-jun Sung, Jae-ryong Park
  • Patent number: 7168362
    Abstract: A bread maker including a main body forming an oven compartment; a pair of kneading drums inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag filled with bread ingredients; a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to knead dough contained in the mixing bag; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to separate the mixing bag from the holding part of a first one of the kneading drums and wind the mixing bag on a second one of the kneading drums after kneading the dough, and to rotate the second one of the kneading drums in a releasing direction opposite the winding direction after the mixing bag is wound on the second one of the kneading drums to unwind the mixing bag from the second one of the kneading drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-hyun Kwon, Dong-bin Lim, Jang-woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7160098
    Abstract: A string hopper making machine has a dough container removably mounted in a vertical manner in a frame. An extrusion piston is mounted on a vertical rod extending through a vertical guide channel formed in a guiding block mounted on the frame. The vertical rod is pivotally mounted to a front end of a lever arm which has a rear end pivotally mounted to a pivot arm of a pivot block rotatable relative to the frame. An elongated handle rod is mounted at a front end of the lever arm and is operative for pivoting the lever arm for moving the piston in an up and down vertical direction for mounting the dough container to the frame and for extruding the dough mixture from the dough container to form the string hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Rudland Eward Ingles
  • Patent number: 7159510
    Abstract: A jerky dehydrator comprises several baskets for receiving and retaining the product to be dehydrated and a racking grid for retaining several baskets in a vertical orientation. The racking grid is inserted into a metal tray, and the tray is inserted into the oven of a household range. The oven is preheated, prior to inserting the tray and its contents. Subsequently, the oven is maintained at a low temperature, about 200°, and the door of the oven is held open, slightly, to allow moisture to escape. Each basket comprises a first grate and a second grate, retained in pivotal relation by a pair of hinge clips. Tension springs, secured to an anchor on one grate and an extension on the other grate, urge the grates togther to form a basket and retain the jerky therebetween during the dehydration process. Receptacles at the trailing edge of one grate slip over upstanding pins on the racking grid and lock each basket in its vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Alan L. LaMaster, John E. Wisdo
  • Patent number: 7109442
    Abstract: A grill is provided that has an upper housing having a first heating plate removably connected thereto, a lower housing having a second heating plate removably connected thereto, and an arm FOR connecting to the upper housing at a first pivot point and connecting to the lower housing at a second pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Howard I. Steinberg, Michelle Carillo, Jill Kreutzer Orent, Amy Geiger, Maria Aljoburi, Erica Petrow, Amy Risinit
  • Patent number: 7086325
    Abstract: A tortilla press utilizing a single sensor provides improved efficiency and accuracy. The press has a belt driven by a motor and a platen driven by a hydraulic cylinder. The motor is controlled by an AC inverter. A programmable logic controller (PLC) controls the AC inverter and hydraulics associated with the hydraulic cylinder of the platen. The PLC coordinates the movement of the belt and the movement of the platen. A sensor detects detectible elements on the belt and sends a signal to the inverter to initiate stopping of the belt. The inverter detects the zero hertz from the motor once the motor and belt have stopped and sends a signal to the PLC indicating that the belt has stopped. The PLC in turn passes a command that sends a signal to bring the platen down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Casa Herrera, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Armstrong
  • Patent number: 7082941
    Abstract: A grill having a platen with a plurality of heating zones. Each heating zone has a heating unit. Thermal transfer between adjacent heat zones is limited by air gaps and insulation. The heater unit of each zone has a heater that is disposed to attain substantially uniform temperature of the platen for that zone before a temperature sensor senses a set temperature during either pre-heat or recovery modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: The Garland Group
    Inventors: Douglas J. Jones, Roberto Nevarez
  • Patent number: 7069840
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for pressing and cooking and/or chilling food product logs. The apparatus and method comprise or use a tower press which has vertically compressible tiers and is positioned and mounted at one location for selectively elevating and lowering the tower press. The apparatus and method further comprise or use a container positioned at the same location such that the tower press can be lowered into the container for cooking and/or chilling the food product logs. The tower press can also be elevated out of the container for loading and removing food product logs from the vertically compressible tiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: David Howard
  • Patent number: 7017476
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hinged canned food draining tool that includes first and second arms, and a presser equipped with a magnet for facilitating draining of liquid from canned food via a separated lid of the can. The tool is preferably hinged at ends of the first and second arms, and includes a portion that supports and accommodates a can between ends of the tool arms opposite the ends at which they are hinged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Jason A. Squires
  • Patent number: 7001170
    Abstract: A manually operated dough press comprising a frame with a base and a housing. A shaft mounted for reciprocating motion extends from an opening in the housing and an upper platen is attached to the lower end of the shaft. A pair of lower platens are pivotally mounted to the base so that they can be alternately aligned with the upper platen. A drive mechanism moves the shaft between an open position where the upper platen is spaced from the aligned lower platen and a closed position where dough on the aligned lower platen is compressed between the upper and lower platens. The drive mechanism includes a mechanism for latching the upper platen in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Somerset Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Voyatzakis, George Athanasiadis
  • Patent number: 6990892
    Abstract: An impression device for food items. More particularly, the present invention is a stamping device designed to create indented or raised images upon a variety of foods for decoration and/or marketing purposes. The stamper device of the present invention has the general appearance of a traditional rubber stamp, with large knob at the top to quickly adjust the depth of embossings. Small wings beside the knob provide an instant feature for orientation and comfortable ergonomic grip. The device provides both an emboss-only mode, and emboss-and-cut simultaneously mode, much in the manner of a cookie cutter. A simple snap, slide, or push means located at the bottom of the device functions to change such modes. Under the base of the device is a “socket set” style snap-in stamping die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Ben Errera
  • Patent number: 6915734
    Abstract: The invention provides an automated method and apparatus for pizza production which is initiated by individual order placement and uses only fresh ingredients (no ingredients are frozen, pre-prepared or pre-cooked). Each dough portion is individually and mechanically prepared from flour and other fresh, pre-proportioned ingredients. The dough portion passes through a series of shaping and pre-heating processing stations to prepare a flattened and partially baked pizza base. Using a preheated or continuously heated conveying tray, the pizza base passes under a number of metering and distribution devices for selected application of tomato sauce and/or various other toppings according to the order. Baking occurs in one of multiple ovens to complete pizza preparation. Multiple ovens are provided to facilitate the automated preparation of multiple pizzas at any given time. A tray conveying system transports one or more trays through the various processing stations to accommodate multiple orders at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Arios, S.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Torghele, Pierluigi Malfatti
  • Patent number: 6843167
    Abstract: A system for producing par-baked pizza crusts from dough portions includes a pan adapted to support the dough portions. A lid assembly is positioned to contact each dough portion. The dough portions are par-baked in an oven, while the lid assembly contacts the dough portions, in order to produce par-baked pizza crusts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Pizza Hut, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanny Kanafani, Ossama R. ElNakib, Staci L. Hayden, Michael A. Alagna, Jay E. Bauer, James L. Hilton
  • Patent number: 6827005
    Abstract: An automated broiling and cutting device for the production of cooked Doner meat. A rotating unit carries meat containers for holding Doner meat to be cooked. The meat containers rotate about the broiling units and the cutting unit. Automated control of cooking and cutting is performed via a central control and adjustment panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Ayhan Babacan
  • Publication number: 20040237799
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) and process for the manufacture of lollipops in which lollipops (3) are transferred from a substantially horizontal condition in a hopper (4), to a substantially vertical condition in a stick retainer (7) prior to placement in sugar confectionery. The apparatus comprises a hopper (4) for holding the sticks (3) with their longitudinal axes substantially horizontal, means (5) for ejecting a stick from the hopper in a substantially horizontal direction and feeder means (6) for feeding the ejected stick downwardly into a stick retainer (7) prior to placement in the sugar confectionery, the feeder means comprising a flexible tube (8) operable to conduct the stick from the hopper to the stick retainer whilst simultaneously changing the orientation at the stick to that of a downward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Martyn Thomas Wray, Russell Kevin Hall
  • Patent number: 6820537
    Abstract: A cooking appliance comprising a shell (4) and a control knob (7) mobile relative to the shell (4) which comprises a heating element and bears a removable hot plate fixed on the heating element by at least one locking member (1) and releasable by moving the member (1). The appliance comprises a lever (8) forming a crank-shaft assembly pivoting about a pin (12) whereby it is fixed to the shell (4); one part of the lever (20) co-operates with the knob (7) and another part (19), drives the locking member (1) when the knob is stressed and acts on the lever (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventor: Yves Patenotre
  • Publication number: 20040211323
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for processing food products and utilizes a series of guides for moving platens through several operative zones to press a food product intermediate. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming generally flat dough products such as tortillas, taco shells, snacks and the like by gradually pressing a dough intermediate between movable platens that are disposed on concentric, endless belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas E. Heinzen, James W. Finkowski, Jimmy A. Demars
  • Publication number: 20040194637
    Abstract: An improved pancake die is provided for use in a pancake production system for producing pancakes having a highly uniform weight but exhibiting a substantially random peripheral shape reflective of a desirable homemade appearance. The pancake die comprises a cavity of selected geometric shape formed in a reciprocal die plate adapted for movement between a first position underlying a batter reservoir for filling the die cavity with batter, and a second position underlying a discharge plunger for pushing the formed pancake from the die cavity onto a discharge conveyor for further processing. The die cavity is subdivided into an upper zone having the selected geometric shape, and an enlarged undercut lower zone separated therefrom by a substantially radially outwardly extending step. With this configuration, the periphery of each formed pancake distorts in a substantially random manner upon engagement by the discharge plunger, to provide a desirable homemade product appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: David N. Gallina
  • Patent number: 6796218
    Abstract: A grill device includes a base unit, a seasoning retaining vessel, and a seasoning supply unit. The base unit includes a housing, a cooking member mounted in the housing, and at least one supply tube connected to the cooking member and extending downwardly relative to the cooking member. The vessel has a tube immersing portion disposed under the cooking member for extension of the supply tube thereinto, and a container mounting portion in fluid communication with the tube immersing portion. The seasoning supplying unit includes a flow control member connected to a container member and mounted adjustably in the container mounting portion. The flow control member controls the flow of seasoning in the container member into the vessel in accordance with the level of the seasoning in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Ho Pan
  • Publication number: 20040182252
    Abstract: A portable electric grilling appliance (20) for household use which has first and second heating units (22, 24) which, in use, overlie one another has substantially identical housing shells to make it evident to the user that the grilling appliance (20) can be used with either one of the heating units as the lower heating unit and provide support for the other heating unit. The two heating units (22, 24) have substantially the same exterior appearance and both are designed to function as either the top heating unit or the bottom heating unit. The two heating units (22, 24) are substantially symmetrical about a horizontal plane extending between them when the heating elements are arranged one on top of the other to indicate to the user of the appliance that either heating unit could be placed on top and the other on the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Brady, Xiaogang Guo
  • Patent number: 6782804
    Abstract: A fry pan with its position angle adjustable includes a body, a tightening device and a base. The body has an upper plate and a lower plate capable of being tightened by the tightening device. The body has a shaft and is pivotally connected to the base by the shaft. The base has a position device connected with the body. The body can be adjusted in its desired position angle by the shaft functioning as a pivot and then is tightened by the position device at the adjusted sloping angle for fat to flow down easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Kenny Lin
  • Patent number: 6776085
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a pivot unit disposed below and interconnecting pivotally bottom surfaces of two tray halves of a tray unit to permit pivotal movement of the tray halves between extended and folded positions. The tray halves have inner sides contacting each other and defining a seam therebetween, and top surfaces flush with each other for providing a large cooking area when the tray halves are disposed at the extended position. An oil-collecting member is mounted on the bottom surface of one of the tray halves, and spans the width of the seam for collecting oil that permeates through the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Yi Tang
  • Patent number: 6773254
    Abstract: A dough shell mold for use with a dough press having lower and upper platens with opposed working surfaces. The shell mold has a hub integral with or secured to the lower platen and a ring resting on the lower platen with a hole that mates with the hub. The ring includes an annular groove adjacent to the ring perimeter for producing a raised rim on the shell. In a second embodiment, the ring may have an inner ring mating with the hub and an outer ring around the inner ring. The junction of the rings is the annular groove. Another aspect of the present invention is a notch in the shell mold surface between the mold perimeter and annular groove. A spatula is inserted through the notch between the dough and upper platen to put downward pressure on the dough in order to prevent the dough from shrinking after the upper platen is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Somerset Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Voyatzakis, George Anthanasiadis
  • Patent number: 6769898
    Abstract: A manually operated dough press comprising a frame with a base and a housing, an upper platen having a working surface, and a lower platen attached to the base and having a working surface opposed to, substantially parallel to, and spaced from the upper platen working surface. The upper platen is attached to the lower end of a shaft that extends from the housing and mounted for reciprocating motion. A pair of mated interlocking components, one attached to the shaft and one attached to the housing, provide stability for vertical reciprocation. The drive mechanism includes a rack on the shaft interlocking component, a mating pinion fixed to an axle that is part of a handle that an operator uses to raise and lower the upper platen. Counterbalance for the upper platen/shaft is provided by a torsion spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Somerset Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D Voyatzakis, George Athanasiadis
  • Patent number: 6761108
    Abstract: A pressing mold for receiving a foodstuff, such as ham pieces, as it is being cooked and pressed in a hermetically sealed wrap, comprises a cover to press the foodstuff being cooked and to allow the foodstuff to expel an exudate. The mold comprises at least one transverse partition bounding, inside the mold, a main pouch of the wrap. The main pouch carries the foodstuff. The wrap includes at least one lateral pouch connected to the main pouch by a bridge including passages through which the exudate flows during cooking. The lateral pouch fits into a space in the mold between the partition and an end wall of the mold. A space is provided between the upper edge of each partition and a cover of the mold. The space is such as to prevent pinching of the passages during cooking and pressing of the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Armor Inox S.A.
    Inventor: Claude Dreano
  • Patent number: 6745671
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system for transporting products through a bath of liquid, such as heated cooking oil in an oven, comprises a feed belt accommodated in a base frame and a top belt, located above the feed belt and accommodated in an auxiliary frame, for transporting the products through the bath of liquid between the top belt and the feed belt, as well an adjustable support mechanism for adjusting the distance between feed belt and top belt, which support mechanism comprises further adjustable supports by means of which the auxiliary frame is supported on the base frame. All supports are mechanically coupled to one another by coupling means for common adjustment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Koppens B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrikus Antonius Jacobus Kuenen
  • Patent number: 6743008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a set of baking moulds for food products such as hams, including a plurality of moulds mounted on a support frame (5, 6), each mould comprising a trough (2) with a generally U-shaped transverse section in order to form a bottom (13) and two side walls (4). The top edges of the side walls (4) form folded flaps (7), the adjacent flaps of the two troughs (2) being connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Armor Inox
    Inventor: Claude Dreano
  • Patent number: 6739242
    Abstract: An appliance comprising a housing consisting of two articulated shells maintained spaced apart by a spring (4) two hot plates (5,6) arranged in the housing, locking elements for maintaining the housing closed countering the spring, elements for adjusting (12) cooking parameters, and elements for controlling the locking elements to urge them in unlocked position in accordance with cooking parameters, thereby controlling the opening of the housing under the effect of the spring (4). The locking elements include a locking component linked to one of the shells (1) so as to be mobile between an unlocked position wherein it co-operates with a locking finger (24) integral with the other shell (2), a spring for urging back the locking component in unlocked position, and a relay magnet (25) controlled by the control elements, for maintaining the locking component in locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventors: Yves Patenotre, Jean-Christophe Perrier
  • Patent number: 6736051
    Abstract: A device for simultaneously and evenly toasting articles of differing contours and dimensions arranged upon a heated griddle. A clamshell plate, positioned in stand-off relationship above said griddle-arranged articles, has a plurality of slideably moveable fingers or pins mounted therein which float, that is, are brought into contacting and resting relation with the upper surfaces of said articles to provide a gentle pressure thereon to urge the lower surfaces into more intimate contact with the griddle until the toasting process is completed, thereby accelerating the toasting process without undesirable side effects such as distortion of, and condensation on, the upper surfaces and caramelization of the lower surfaces of said articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: In-N-Out Burgers
    Inventors: Howard Jay Frantz, John James Boyer
  • Publication number: 20040069153
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing cereal cakes or the like by a process of heating and expanding, comprising: a rotatable heatable platten 102 defining a plurality of moulds 104, a plurality of displaceable moulding tools 106, 108 for communicating with the platten, wherein as the platten is rotated, successive moulds are heated and closed by the moulding tools to produce a continuous supply of cereal cakes. The invention provides for the continuous production of granular cereal crackers or cakes. It has the advantage of improved yield per unit time, and thus reduced cost per unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Gordon MacDonald Bodie Smith
  • Patent number: RE40285
    Abstract: A grill device includes two independently controllable cooking sets confining two isolate cooking spaces such that two different meat pieces can be grilled therein under different cooking temperatures at the same time. Each of the cooking sets has a cooking plate provided with first and second grill ribs alternately disposed thereon. The first grill rib has a horizontal flat portion and a curved portion extending curvedly and downwardly from the flat portion. The second grill rib has a horizontal flat portion, and a curved portion extending curvedly and upwardly from the flat portion. The curved portion of the second grill rib has an elevation higher than those of the flat portions of the first and second ribs to prevent sliding out a meat piece from the cooking plate when the meat piece is disposed on the flat portions of the first and second grill ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 5234975
    Abstract: A composition for fiber-reinforced polyurethane resin, which comprises a long-fiber mat and a polyurethane composition, said polyurethane composition comprising:(a) an organic polyisocyanate,(b) a polyether polyol having a molecular weight of from 300 to 700, and having three or more functional groups,(c) ethylene glycol and/or 1,3 butanediol,(d) an imidazole represented by the general formula (1), as a curing catalyst, ##STR1## where m is an integer of from 1 to 4, and n is an integer of from 1 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Fukami, Yoshizumi Kataoka