Adjustable Separation Patents (Class 99/379)
  • Patent number: 11576526
    Abstract: A griddle apparatus, includes a lower cooking plate and an upper cooking plate, where the upper cooking plate is mounted for movement relative to the lower cooking plate between a lower cooking position and an upper access position by a biasing arrangement that provides an upward force sufficient to move the upper cooking plate up to the upper access position once the upper cooking plate has been manually moved to a set raised location between the lower cooking position and the upper access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kacy W. Denning, Jairad M. Sloyer
  • Patent number: 11185188
    Abstract: An appliance for cooking food including an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate provided with surfaces facing each other. The upper plate being movable between a closed position in which the upper and the lower plates are in contact with each other and an open position in which the upper and the lower heating plates are spaced apart. The appliance further includes parallelogram linkage constrained to the upper plate and to the lower plate to allow the upper plate to be lifted from or to approach in a parallel manner the lower plate. The appliance further includes one or more cavities for housing food to be cooked at least at one of said surfaces and at least one vent channel to put one or more cavities in fluid communication with an environment external to the appliance when plates are in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BITFOOD S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mauro Tonelli, Luca Tonelli
  • Patent number: 10993580
    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. A lower platen assembly is connected to the base structure and includes a lower grilling surface. A plurality of leveling mechanisms is mounted to the base structure with a mounting bracket. A portion of each leveling mechanism is arranged in contact with the lower platen assembly. The leveling mechanisms are configured to automatically level the lower grilling surface relative to the upper grilling surface. Each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms is configured to independently move a portion of the lower grilling surface about a different axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10238237
    Abstract: A toaster has a housing has an operation cavity and a heating cavity. One side of the housing has a first opening, at least one second opening is disposed at the bottom of the housing, the operation cavity is connected to the heating cavity; a longitudinal groove with same number with the second opening, the longitudinal groove is disposed inside the housing, the longitudinal groove is extended upwards from the second opening; at least one transparent movable baffle, which is sliding and connected to the longitudinal groove from the bottom of the housing from down to up, part of the side surface of the movable baffle is exposed to the first opening; and at least one positioning mechanism, which is fastened to the housing and positioned or supported the movable baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhanzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenwei Chen, Wangji Tong, Shangqian Gao, Yen Tung Lee, Yu-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 9844297
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance comprising a first structure having a hot plate for cooking food, and a measuring device for measuring the thickness of the food arranged thereon and comprising a pivoting rocker connected to a pivotable shaft by a first end thereof, and a means for measuring the pivoting angle of the rocker in order to estimate the thickness of the food. The appliance comprises a second mobile structure which, when moved away from the first structure, generates a pivoting of said shaft in relation to the first structure, causing the pivoting of the rocker, and the measuring means interacts with the rocker towards a second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Sebastien Volatier, Joel Lecerf
  • Patent number: 9307864
    Abstract: A grill has an upper and a lower grill unit and a lift lever. The lower of the lift lever is pivot jointed to the lower grill unit. The upper grill unit is pivot jointed to the lift lever. An elastic limit mechanism which has a torsional spring, a fixation piece and a limit rib, is disposed between the lift lever and the upper grill unit. The fixation piece is fixed to the upper grill unit, the limit rib is fixed to the lift lever, the fixation piece is coupled to the limit rib; the two ends of the torsional spring are separately connected to the upper grill unit and the lift lever, the torque of the torsional spring works on the fixation piece and the limit rib to make the two contact and limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: TSANN KUEN (ZHANG ZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 8846124
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Heinzen
  • Patent number: 8833243
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, Robert K. Newton, Ronald J. Glavan
  • Patent number: 8807020
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a toaster appliance in which an upper grilling plate is typically hinged to the lower grilling plate in a manner to be rotatable relative to said lower plate. The position of said upper plate relative to said lower plate is conventionally adjusted by means of a handle having predetermined locking positions according to the present invention. Said handle is provided with a connection device having a predetermined locking position, which is set to a perpendicular position of said upper plate relative to said lower plate. Said locking position is determined by a plurality of slots into which a set of spring loaded balls engages within said connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eksen Makine Sanayi ve Ticaret
    Inventor: Besim Tahincioglu
  • Patent number: 8763519
    Abstract: A food cooking grill assembly has a housing that supports a lower platen which has a cooking surface, and an upper platen having a cooking surface. A handle assembly connects to the upper platen. Handle assembly connects to a guidance assembly and to a hinged and pivotal counterbalance assembly to control the orientation and position of the upper platen relative to the lower platen. The counterbalance assembly interacts between the upper platen and the housing to counter the weight of the upper platen and to react to force exerted through the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Star Manufacturing International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Ricchio, Douglas Vogt, Phil Ranft, Kenneth Schaller, Thomas Hooss, Paul Farrell, Dale L. Picolet, Corey S. Feit
  • Publication number: 20140123861
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus facilitates efficient, consistent cooking of superior food products, while also being modular and flexible for use in a wide variety of kitchen arrangements and cooking scenarios. The cooking apparatus may include a variety of features and enhancements to further these goals, including: a steam barrier which prevents the escape of steam from the cooking surfaces during cooking; adjustable cooking surface spacers that ensure desired spacing between the cooking surfaces; a vertically adjustable upper platen that facilitates efficient use and placement of the cooking apparatus; and discrete lower platen cooking surfaces which facilitate multiple cooking processes depending on the needs of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Cooper, Gary L. Seitz
  • Patent number: 8621986
    Abstract: There is provided a toaster grill having a lower housing that supports a lower cooking surface and an upper housing that supports an upper cooking surface. The upper housing pivots with respect to a ā€œUā€ shaped frame that is hinged with respect to the lower cooking surface. A locking hinge allows the pivoting motion of the frame to be automatically arrested in an intermediate orientation between the fully closed and fully open grill orientations. The locking hinge automatically resets when the upper housing is rotated from the fully open grill orientation to the fully closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Breville Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Serra, Richard Hoare
  • Patent number: 8616120
    Abstract: A grilling device with the rotatable lock catch, has a pin module and a rotary shaft joint with two semi-shafts. The upper half shaft of the rotary shaft has a post rod, the lower half shaft of the rotary shaft has a through hole for accommodating the passing in and out of the post rod. The upper end of a supporting shelf of the pin module is disposed with a U-shaped opening for adapting the rotary shaft, two short shafts are respectively disposed by the two sides of the U-shaped opening, two arc-shaped spacing flakes with opposite openings are respectively hinged joint with the corresponding short shafts. A movable ejector pin is disposed on the supporting shelf and along the midline of the U-shaped opening. A pressing board of the middle portion of the ejector pin upward presses the lower portions of the two spacing flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dongmei Chen
  • Patent number: 8601940
    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: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce M. Hill
  • Patent number: 8555777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the meat. The method includes causing the food to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable, and adjusting the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Paul G. Simmons, Jerry Sus
  • Patent number: 8485091
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Neal Schon
  • Patent number: 8474370
    Abstract: A method for controlling a clam grill that has first and second platens. The second platen is moved toward the first platen. A signal is provided in response to a detection of an impediment to the motion of the second platen. The motion of the second platen is stopped in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, Douglas S. Jones, Jan Claesson, Ryan J. Stephens, David W. Harter
  • Patent number: 8372459
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking food, such as meat, protein, vegetable, or soup is disclosed. In one embodiment, the food items are supplied in a flexible polymer package that can withstand the temperature needed to cook the item. The cooking apparatus has two cooking surfaces in the form of heated platens, which may be arranged in a vertical orientation. These platens come together to simultaneously contact both sides of the food item. The cooking apparatus further includes a controller, configured to prepare the food using various control system algorithms. The apparatus cooks the food item from both sides to affect rapid and even cooking. It uses a combination of temperature, time, food thickness, platen force and a cooking code that is unique for each food type. The control system algorithm uses some or all of these parameters to determine precisely when the food item is cooked correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Vincent A. Piucci, Charles R. Sperry, Dennis F. McNamara, Stephen D. Smith, Suzanne M. Scott
  • 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: 8336451
    Abstract: A grill comprising an upper pan unit, a lower pan unit and a lever unit. The upper and the lower pan unit have an opposite position relative to each other, which comprises at least a first opposite position and a second opposite position having different distances relative to each other. The upper pan unit comprises an upper pan mounted on an upper base. The lower pan unit comprises a lower base, a deep pan, and a shallow pan. The deep pan can be detachably mounted on the lower base in the first opposite position. The shallow pan can be detachably mounted on the lower base in the second opposite position. The top peripheries of the shallow pan and the deep pan abut against the upper pan. In both positions, the pan of the lower pan unit can abut against the bottom periphery of the upper pan to avoid the misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hwaihsiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120090476
    Abstract: A griddle with adjustable space between the upper and lower pans, comprising an upper shell, a lower shell, an upper pan and a lower pan, wherein the rear sides of the upper pan and lower pan are connected together through adjustable hinges, said adjustable hinge comprises an upper hinge seat and a lower hinge seat; the bottom of said upper hinge seat extends downwardly to form an upper joint arm, and the top of said lower hinge seat extends upwardly to form a lower joint arm; a sliding groove is formed extending along vertical direction at the side of said lower joint arm, the top of said sliding groove extending forwardly to form a pivotal connecting groove, a position protrusion is mounted at the side of said lower joint arm and in the front of said pivotal connecting groove; the bottom of said upper joint arm extend to one side to form a pintle which can move in said sliding groove and said pivotal connecting groove, and a supporting portion is formed at the bottom of said upper joint arm and in the front
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen(China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin Tsung Wang, Chunyu Wu
  • Patent number: 8156860
    Abstract: A grill comprising a lower cooking unit and an upper cooking unit, the lower cooking unit comprising a lower shell and a lower cooking plate detachably mounted on said lower shell, the upper cooking unit comprising an upper shell and an upper cooking plate detachably mounted on said upper shell, wherein the lower shell has a storing unit for storing the plates. The present invention further comprises a storing unit, so when the equipped plates are not in use, they can be stored in the storing unit after being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tachi Liu, Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 8122816
    Abstract: A grill comprises an upper shell, a lower shell, an upper grill pan disposed on the bottom surface of the upper shell and a lower grill pan disposed on the top surface of the lower shell, wherein the upper shell connects to the lower shell by hinge mechanisms such that the distance between the two grilling pans is adjustable to accommodate to-be-grilled food items of varying thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jingliang Yu
  • Patent number: 8109206
    Abstract: The inventive waffle iron has two baking sub-assemblies pivotable with respect to each other from an open position and a closed proximate position in which they define a baking chamber. At any position of the baking sub-assemblies between the closed proximate position and the closed offset position thereof, wherein they are offset from each other by a product expansion, a peripheral element of a baking sub-assembly slides along a corresponding peripheral element of the other baking sub-assembly in such a way that the variable volume baking chamber is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seb SA
    Inventors: Roger Rosset, Guillaume Prieto, JƩrƓme Tranchant
  • Patent number: 8100051
    Abstract: The invention concerns a centre arm for holding an upper contact grilling or roasting plate, the centre arm having a substantially vertical supporting section and a holding section which is arranged pivotably on the vertical supporting section and to which is attached the contact grilling or roasting plate, and in the holding section being arranged a device for weight relief for the upper contact grilling or roasting plate to be fitted on the holding section, the device for weight relief including at least one guide means which is constructed and designed at one end for pivotable mounting and on which is movably arranged a sliding element, a return element arranged on the free end of the guide means and secured by a stop means between the sliding element and the stop means, and also an adjusting device which can be actuated by means of an actuating element for varying the distance between the sliding element and the stop means in the longitudinal direction of the guide means, which is distinguished in that th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: H.H. Scholz KG
    Inventors: Kay Scholz, Otto Langguth, Karsten Anklam
  • Publication number: 20110214576
    Abstract: A stepless height adjusting mechanism of a grilling pan lever, has a lever, a lifting pin, a cam and a knob. The cam is a disk-shaped element with a gradually increasing diameter and rotates around a fixed shaft disposed on the rear portion of the side of the lower housing, the inside of the articulated portion of the lever is fixed with a skew surface wall, the distance between the skew surface wall and the articulated shaft of the rear portion of the lower grilling pan increases gradually, the lifting pin is disposed between the cam and the skew surface wall, and moves vertically between the cam and the skew surface wall, and leaned against the outer peripheral surface of the cam and the skew surface wall; the outside of the cam is fixed with the knob. The mechanism realizes stepless height adjustment of the lever from 0Ā° to 45Ā°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (ZHANGZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xinzhu Li
  • Patent number: 7971521
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Marvin G. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7966928
    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: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce M. Hill
  • Patent number: 7954422
    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: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, Douglas S. Jones, Jan Claesson, Ryan J. Stephens, David W. Harter
  • Patent number: 7913615
    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: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Ron Dorsten, Mike Zagorski
  • Publication number: 20100282093
    Abstract: The lifting mechanism of a grill has an articulated lifting shaft attached to the edge of an upper shell, so that it covers the shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve is connected to the corresponding edge of a lower shell and an inserting portion which extends along radius is provided on the shaft sleeve. The inserting portion slideably inserts into a sliding sleeve set on the edge of the lower shell and a stop-motion unit prevents the inserting portion from sliding. When the stop-motion unit takes effect, the inserting portion is fixed in the sliding sleeve, and the upper shell can only rotate relative to the lower shell. Food is tightly sandwiched between the upper grill pan and the lower grill pan during baking. Otherwise, the inserting portion is slidable in the sliding sleeve. The upper shell can be freely lifted during baking, and rotate relative to the lower shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangshou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwai-Hsiang KUO, Yang Zhou
  • 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: 7640849
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a base, and lower and upper cooking plates pivotally mounted to the base such as to permit: (a) the upper cooking plate to be pivotted to an open position with respect to the lower cooking plate for introducing and removal of food articles between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates; (b) the upper cooking then to be pivotted to a closed position with respect to the lower cooking plate for contacting the food article between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates; and (c) both plates to be pivotted to any desired angular position with respect to the base for drawing fluids from the food article while being cooked between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: AAC Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Ann Grant
  • Patent number: 7600469
    Abstract: A barbecue device includes two cooking plates. The first cooking plate has two hinge joints at both rear ends, with each joint including an elliptical cavity, a shoulder on its inner wall, and a rib projected from the inner wall. The second pivotal cooking plate has two arc rabbets corresponding to the hinge joint, with each arc rabbet adapted to fit onto the joint and slide thereon. An inverted U-shaped handle is pivotally secured to the first cooking plate and has two rotation portions at both ends. Each rotation portion includes a projecting pin inserted into the elliptical cavity, disposed at one end of the elliptical cavity, and being lengthwise slidable therein, and a projecting stop member being parallel to the pin. The hinge is adapted to adjust an angle between the cooking plates in response to different thickness of foodstuffs or the number of foodstuffs to be broiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090000491
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for cooking foodstuffs, comprising an upper cooking plate unit, a lower cooking plate unit and a hinge unit; the hinge unit is connected between the lifting rod base and the lifting rod for controlling relative positions between the upper cooking plate unit and the lower cooking plate unit; the hinge unit comprises a push button whose tail end is installed through a connecting-through hole, an elasticity piece and a push piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (CHINA) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei CHEN
  • Patent number: 7448373
    Abstract: A grill includes a lower portion and an upper platen pivotably attached to the lower portion each having a grilling surface. An adjustment mechanism adjusts a dimension of the gap between the grilling surfaces between a large dimension and a small dimension. The adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable bar having a handle and a cam surface. The upper grilling surface is suspended by two cables. The cam surface is received between arms rotates the bar to move the position of the cam surface relative to the arms to adjust the gap between the grilling surfaces. This lengthens or shortens the cables to move the suspended upper grilling surface to adjust the gap between the grilling surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hill, Robert E. Frisque, Dennis J. Nelson
  • 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: 7094991
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for warming tortillas and other foods. The device operates with a standard electric alternating current ranging from 110 to 120 volts in the US and 220vā€“240v in other countries. This appliance is to be used in homes or in businesses for the purpose of warming either corn or flour tortillas in quantities ranging from one up to six at a time. The electric current provides energy to heater elements located within the unit and thus provide the heat necessary to warm the tortillas placed on a plurality of circular loading trays. The loading trays are specially designed to lock-in-place in the open and closed positions and are designed to work with a vertical pivot tube which allows the loading trays a pivot-swivel action for efficiency in the loading and unloading of tortillas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: IJN International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan J. Naranjo, Pedro M. Ojeda
  • Patent number: 6860191
    Abstract: A waffle baker grill for producing a waffle product, including a first heating plate having a first surface and a first peripheral wall extending from the first surface to a predetermined distance. The first peripheral wall includes a first side and a second side. A second heating plate has a second surface and a second peripheral wall extending from the second surface to the predetermined distance. The second peripheral wall includes at least a third side and a fourth side. The second heating plate is pivotally connected to the first heating plate to move between a closed position and an open position. The first and second surfaces include at least one scoring flange extending to a distance less than the predetermined distance. The waffle produced from the grill may be divided into a plurality of waffle sticks along score lines created by the scoring flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Procter-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Jackson, Jeffrey Thomas Mauch, Xiaogang Guo
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6615706
    Abstract: A griller includes upper and lower cooking grill members, and a temperature sensing device mounted removably on the housing of one of the grill members. The temperature sensing device includes a casing, a temperature sensing probe, a user input unit, a processor unit, a display unit, and an alarm unit. The temperature sensing probe generates a sensor output corresponding to a cooking temperature detected thereby. The user input unit is operable so as to provide a cooking time setting. The processor unit receives the sensor output and the cooking time setting, and is operable in a timer mode, wherein the processor unit generates an alarm activate signal for activating the alarm unit upon detection by the processor unit that a predetermined time period corresponding to the cooking time setting has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tsan Kuen USA INC
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6595116
    Abstract: A cooking device comprises two L-shaped supports, a lower cooking plate on the supports, an upper cooking plate matingly engaged with the lower plate and including a hollow protrusion at either side, a handle pivotably secured to the supports and including two first side slots, two sliding members inserted through the first slots and the protrusions for pivotably securing the upper plate to the handle and being adjustable for taking account of variations in thickness of steaks, and a second side slot adjacent one first slot, and a fastening mechanism secured to the handle. The device further guides oil drops formed by the thoroughly cooked steaks to flow from the pivoted, slanted upper plate to the lower plate, and is capable of standing upright for saving storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6591740
    Abstract: A barbecue grill with an adjustment device comprises a cover, a rack, a post, a tooth plate, an adjusting gear, a spring, a knob, a bolt and a nut, wherein the tooth plate has teeth along one inner side, and the knob comprises a threaded hole, the adjusting gear meshes with the teeth of the tooth plate, the bolt is inserted through the knob, the spring, the adjusting gear, the cover, and: is tightened by the nut from the other end. This secures the tooth plate to the cover while the post of the rack is placed in the tooth plate. When the knob is turned to loosen the adjusting gear, the adjusting gear is able to adjust with respect to the teeth of the tooth plate and the gap between the cover and the rack is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Lundar Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Hsu
  • Patent number: 6467400
    Abstract: There is provided a manually actuated press comprising a housing having a lower platen attached thereto. The lower platen defines a generally planar top surface. Moreover, at least one upper platen is in mechanical communication with the housing and defines a generally plated bottom surface. The at least one upper platen is translatable with respect to the lower platen in a manner forming a generally parallel relationship between the bottom and top surfaces when within a prescribed distance range therefrom. Further, the at least one upper platen is rotatable with respect to the lower platen when exceeding the prescribed distance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: ProProcess Corporation
    Inventors: Steve M. Raio, John J. Boyer
  • Patent number: 6439108
    Abstract: A grill device includes a U-shaped frame that is pivoted to a lower grill unit and that has two lateral arms. An upper grill unit is disposed between and is pivoted to the lateral arms by two first pivots. A space adjusting unit includes second, third and fourth pivots, and pivotally connected first and second links. The first link is pivoted to the upper grill unit via the second pivot which is disposed frontwardly of and which extends in a direction parallel to the first pivot. The second link is pivoted to the first link and one of the lateral arms via the third and fourth pivots, respectively, which extend in directions parallel to the first pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: EUPA International Corporation
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6397730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sandwich consisting of two toasted slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is essentially arranged in the inner region of the surfaces of the slices of bread and the slices of bread are pressed together in a peripheral edge area with greater force than in the inner region so that the slices of bread adhere to each other and form a cohesive sandwich arrangement, whereby the filling is packed between the slices of bread. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a toasted sandwich that consists of two slices of bread and an edible filling placed between said slices. According to the invention, the filling is initially and essentially arranged in the inner region of the surface of a first underlying slice of bread. A second slice of bread is subsequently placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: Ortwin Steinbach, Marion Ferstl
  • Patent number: 6363835
    Abstract: A grill device includes a lower grill unit with a lower cooking member, and a frame pivoted to a rear side of the lower grill unit so as to be turnable rearwardly relative to the lower grill unit. The frame has two lateral arms defining therebetween a receiving space and confining the lower cooking member therebetween when the frame is at a closed position relative to the lower grill unit. An upper grill unit is disposed in the receiving space, is pivoted to the lateral arms of the frame so as to be turnable relative to the frame, has an upper cooking member which is registered with and which is electrically coupled to the lower cooking member of the lower grill units, and cooperates with the lower grill unit to confine a cooking space therebetween when the frame is at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA Inc.
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6363839
    Abstract: A grill device includes a horizontal upper grill unit with a rear side, a horizontal lower grill unit with a rear side, and a connecting unit. The upper grill unit is superposed on the lower grill unit. The connecting unit interconnects the rear sides of the upper and lower grill units in such a manner that the upper grill unit can be turned rearward from the lower grill unit to an open position. At the open position, the upper grill unit is prevented by the connecting unit from being moved to left and right sides of the lower grill unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA Inc.
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 6276263
    Abstract: A grill device includes a horizontal upper grill unit with a rear side, a horizontal lower grill unit with a rear side, and a connecting unit. The upper grill unit is superposed on the lower grill unit. The connecting unit interconnects the rear sides of the upper and lower grill units in such a manner that the upper grill unit can be turned rearward from the lower grill unit to a half-open position and to a horizontal fully-open position. When turned to the half-open position, the upper grill unit is retained automatically thereat unless it is pulled upwardly relative to the lower grill unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Olivia Huang