Movably Or Adjustably Supported Carrier Or Grid Patents (Class 99/393)
  • Patent number: 11925293
    Abstract: A stove includes a heating unit, an adjustment unit and a grill grate. The adjustment unit includes two lifting units, a synchronizer, and a drive unit. Each lifting unit has a screw rod, a sliding block movable along the screw rod, and a lift frame mounted to the sliding block. The synchronizer connects the lifting units. The drive unit is connected to the screw rod of one of the lifting units and is operable to drive synchronized rotation of the screw rods through the synchronizer. The grill grate is supported by the lift frames for moving between a first position, where the grill grate is proximate to the heating unit, and a second position, where the grill grate is distal from the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 11393365
    Abstract: Provided is an advertisement display system for a roller grill assembly and a food separating device. The display system includes a first advertisement display that covers the roller grill assembly control panel. The display utilizes an advertising panel and a pair of J-shaped clips extending from the top of the panel, such that the clips attach to the food separating device crossover bars to hold the advertising panel in position. The system also includes a second advertisement display comprising a removable advertising panel, an advertising panel support bracket, and a pair of bracket clips. The bracket clips attach to the food separating device separator bars to support the second advertisement display above the food separating device. The advertisement display system provides a convenient solution for providing information to consumers related to the items contained on the roller grill while preventing the controls from being inadvertently accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Michael M Kurmlavage
  • Patent number: 11051652
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic rotating grill machine which can be used at home or elsewhere so that an ordinary user can enjoy new pleasure and leisure time. An automatic rotating grill machine is a machine that cooks a food item that is a cooking target, by heating while rotating the food item held on a rotating skewer member. The automatic rotating grill machine includes a housing, a wheel attached to the housing, a heating portion including a heating source provided in the housing or a heating source placement tool on which the heating source is to be placed, a driving device which rotates the rotating skewer member in a given position where the food item can be heated by the heating portion, and a driving control device configured to supply power to a driving source for the driving device and to control driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: STRIVE L.L.C.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Aihara
  • Patent number: 10982844
    Abstract: A poolside burner having a central gas feed and a burner ring having longitudinally-oriented slit-like flame orifices. The burner ring is securely attached to a burner plate having a centralized hole through which a feeder extends and mates with a central distribution tube connected to the burner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: PEBBLE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Taylor James Moore, Dylan Garrett Pratt
  • Patent number: 9144244
    Abstract: A grease shield smoke assembly provides smoke to flavor food grilled in a gas grill. The assembly includes a shield having a pair of planar side portions to replace the existing grease shield of the gas grill. Proximal edges of the side portions are coupled together defining an apex of the shield. Distal edges of the side portions relative to the apex are positioned in spaced relationship. Each of a pair of rails is coupled to and extends from an associated one of the side portions. The rails are positioned in alignment extending along the shield between the side portions. A rack is provided having lateral edges. The lateral edges of the rack are supported on the rails wherein the rack is supported between the side portions of the shield. Briquettes to produce smoke may be positioned on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: James C. Harris
  • Publication number: 20150114237
    Abstract: A flatbread toaster is an apparatus that is utilized to toast flatbread. Flatbreads of various sizes are toasted within a plurality of toasting slot assemblies. The flatbread toaster features an expandable slot assembly that is capable of accommodating and cooking additional types and sizes of food as well. The expandable slot assembly includes a translating wall that may be moved in order to adjust the size of the expandable slot assembly. The flatbread toaster is regulated through a plurality of physical inputs located on a control panel that allows the user to provide commands. User commands provided through the plurality of physical inputs are processed by a computing unit. Heat is provided to cook food via a plurality of heating elements within each of the plurality of toasting slot assemblies and a first heating element and a second heating element within the expandable slot assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Abdalla S. Abukashef
  • Patent number: 8997635
    Abstract: A vertical grill (11) for cooking food items is disclosed wherein the vertical grill is comprised of a body (12) containing at least one vertical grilling area disposed between at least two sources of radiant heat energy (24), and wherein the body (12) is adapted to direct fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food into an external receptacle (32) via the external opening (22). It achieves this by including (Evacuation Slides) guides (28) and (30) which are contained within the body (12) of the grill (11) and arranged in various shaped assemblies such that food and fats falling on (Evacuation Slide) guide 28 travels down until it is collected by (Evacuation Slide) guide (30) which delivers the food and fats to the external receptacle (32) where they are not in any danger of catching fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bonnie Lee Buzick, Robert Bair
  • Patent number: 8993026
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infrared-style broiler sized to be portable, safe, and occupy minimal space, while still providing surface area for use in warming foods. The warming surface may be heated from below by way of radiant heat and/or may be heated by way of venting hot air from the inside of the broiler to the warming surface by way of vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SCI Direct, LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Molnar, Neil R. Tyburk
  • Patent number: 8919335
    Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus includes a plurality of panels temporarily coupled to each other and a plurality of rods. Each panel includes a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. At least two of the plurality of panels each include a plurality of slits. Each slit of the plurality of slits extends from the top edge of a panel toward a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of rods removably extend between two panels of the plurality of panels, each rod of the plurality of rods being inserted into a first slit of the plurality of slits formed in one of the two panels and a second slit of the plurality of slits formed in another of the two panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher D. Weyandt
  • Patent number: 8921742
    Abstract: A toaster cover control device with fireproofing function comprises a cover sliding-frame or a cover opening-closing mechanism and a power switch (K), a cover switch (K1) and a control circuit that are provided in the toaster. The said control circuit is provided with a microprocessor. An output terminal of the control circuit is connected with a transistor (Q1). The said control circuit is connected with a sensor (S). The sensor detects the temperature of the toaster. The control circuit provides a control signal when the detected temperature exceeds the set temperature value, so that a circuit controlling cover action keeps the cover closed. The cover can be opened normally when the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature value. It is also provided with an application method of the said control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen
  • Patent number: 8863654
    Abstract: A cooking device has a casing 1, a heating chamber 8 provided in the casing 1, an exhaust tube 18 for guiding exhaust from inside of the heating chamber 8 through an electric component chamber 9 in the casing 1 to front face side, and a dew receiving container 4 that is provided on front face side of the casing 1 and that receives and diffuses the exhaust from the exhaust tube 18 to outside of the casing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Asami, Takashi Utsumi, Shinya Ueda, Hiroyuki Kato
  • 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: 8714077
    Abstract: A bun heating and toasting apparatus provides at least one elongated, inverted V-shaped bun support member formed of heat conductive material, each bun support member arranged to support a partially opened hot dog bun or other elongated bakery bun over an underlying heat source for heating and toasting of the interior surface of the supported bun. The bun support members capture the heat from the heat source in an air space between the base and the apex of the interior cavity of the inverted V-shaped support members. The bun-supporting surface of the bun support members is preferably provided with a non-stick coating or is highly polished to prevent sticking. The apparatus preferably includes enclosing, peripheral side walls that may include receivers for insertion of a removable carrier handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: James P. Roake
  • Patent number: 8707858
    Abstract: An oven serves for heat-treating food pieces laid upon a grid in a cabinet by a heat source. The grid has an upper part of an endless chain running around a number of chain supports of which a lower and upper support defines a lower and upper end of the upper chain part. Portions of food pieces such as French fries can be quickly and easily heat-treated in rapid succession in this oven in a simple and economical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MOM's A/S
    Inventor: Per Heindorf Iversen
  • Patent number: 8674269
    Abstract: A safe product transfer apparatus that heats refrigerated food products and then hold those heated food products in a hold drawer until they can be transferred to a heater merchandizer, preferably a roller grill as needed. The apparatus features a control assembly. A pre-heat indicator indicates when the preheat temperature has been reached so that the food products can be loaded into an operable drawer. The apparatus can heat a refrigerated product from 34° F. to greater than or equal to 140° F. in 35 minutes or less. The apparatus has a safe product transfer apparatus that has a heating cavity ranging from 250° F. to 425° F. The apparatus provides a safe product transfer apparatus that can hold the products stored therein at a safe holding temperature (ranging from greater or equal to 140° F. to not more than 205° F.), that is, not hot enough to continue heating or degrading the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Standex International Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Humphrey, Anthony Kukla, Diosdado Pangan
  • Patent number: 8667893
    Abstract: The patent of invention is provides with a side door switching mechanism for a toaster, which includes two side doors, a side door open lock catch, a side door closing lifting device and a timing electromagnetic controller. The side door can be closed automatically when the lifting board presses the side door shaft. The side door is opened by press the open push rod with the lock catch lifts up by the gear effect of the gear lever. The patent of invention presents the user hurt by directly contacting the side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shangqian Gao
  • Patent number: 8656828
    Abstract: An electric oven includes a cooking chamber having at least one heating member and at least one support member for supporting food, the cooking chamber being provided with a movable pressing member for pressing the food against the support member to cook the food while kept pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 8621989
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a food manufacturing apparatus comprising a feed system for inputting a plurality of materials, an extruder and a cutting assembly. The extruder comprises a pump system and a rotating extrusion die removably connected to the pump system, wherein the rotating extrusion die comprises at least one product channel for receiving and extruding the plurality of materials. The cutting assembly comprises at least one groove and a wire attached through the groove. The feed system is attached to the extruder and the cutting assembly is located at a position to cut the extruded plurality of materials with the wire from the rotating extrusion die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffel- und Keksanlagen-Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Hans van der Ent
  • Patent number: 8561526
    Abstract: A bread toaster includes an outer cover, a toaster base, a toaster frame mounted on the toaster base, a first sliding member slidably provided on a predetermined side of the toaster frame, a second sliding member also provided on the same predetermined side of the toaster frame, a front supporting frame and a rear supporting frame provided at a front side and a rear side of the toaster frame respectively, a lid arrangement, and a control circuitry, wherein the lid arrangement is arranged to be operated between a closed position and an opened position for closing and opening the toasting slots of the bread toaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Crastal Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: George Mohan Zhang, Bei Zhang, Huajin Chen, Faxi Huang
  • Patent number: 8561527
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cooking apparatus having a pan with a sidewall, a bottom wall and a grill top. The bottom wall has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface facing a heating source and the top surface facing an air space. A grill covering is disposed on top of the sidewall, with the air space forming between the grill covering and the top surface of the bottom wall. The sidewall also contains at least one handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eden Variety Products, LLC
    Inventor: Wilfredo Ganuza
  • Patent number: 8513571
    Abstract: An improved tortilla conveying system, for sequentially conveying a plurality of tortillas to be warmed, is disclosed. The conveying system provides a stack of tortillas and automatically conveys tortillas sequentially through a tortilla warmer. The tortillas are stored in a container. A dragger at least frictionally engages the top side of the top tortilla, dragging the tortilla off of the top of the container for subsequent heating by a heating element of the tortilla warmer. In some embodiments, the tortilla container can automatically elevate the stack of tortillas, so a top tortilla always remains exposed at the top of the container. In other embodiments, an extractor delivers the tortilla outside of the heating system once the tortilla is sufficiently warmed. The tortillas are warmed in sequence by a heating element, via conduction, convection, and/or radiation. In some embodiments, various components of the conveyer are synchronized, via a gearbox for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Ricardo Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20130081607
    Abstract: A portable cooking apparatus includes a plurality of panels temporarily coupled to each other and a plurality of rods. Each panel includes a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. At least two of the plurality of panels each include a plurality of slits. Each slit of the plurality of slits extends from the top edge of a panel toward a bottom edge thereof. The plurality of rods removably extend between two panels of the plurality of panels, each rod of the plurality of rods being inserted into a first slit of the plurality of slits formed in one of the two panels and a second slit of the plurality of slits formed in another of the two panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher D. WEYANDT
  • Patent number: 8381642
    Abstract: A system for providing a cooking rack, with or without a complementary container. The rack can comprise lateral elements and longitudinal elements arranged to form a grid. The rack can comprise a gate that can be affixed in a first position and moved from the first position to a second position. In the second position, items can easily be removed from the rack without lifting the items. The rack can further comprise one or more handles to facilitate movement of the rack by the user. The system can comprise a rack and a complementary pan. The pan can comprise a radiused bottom to enable the rack to sit in the pan above the bottom of the pan. The pan can further comprise one or more handles to facilitate movement of the pan by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lifetime Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Krent, William J. Lazaroff
  • Patent number: 8291813
    Abstract: A variable-width toaster is described, in which the food-supporting carriage (5, 60) adapts readily, robustly and in a cost-effective manner to different width settings of the toasting chamber (2, 70). Respective elongate members (51, 52; 61, 62) are mounted to either side of the toasting chamber and are linked together by linking members (53a-53n; 63a, 63b) which form part of the food-supporting surface and are pivotally attached to the elongate members to accommodate lateral relative movement between the elongate members as the width of the toasting chamber is varied. In one embodiment, unitary linking members (53a-53n) link the two elongate members (51, 52) and the elongate members are urged apart by a spring (54). In another embodiment, chevron-like linking members, comprising pairs of pivotally associated linking members (63a, 63b) are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kenwood Limited
    Inventor: Keith Leaman
  • Publication number: 20120204731
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a grill where a grilled object hardly sticks to the grill in case meat, fish, and the like are grilled thereon. The present invention implements a novel form of a grill wherein a grill has a function of simply putting the object to be grilled on a heat source and a function such as heat conduction or heat storage is minimized by using a metal wire having a small diameter of 0.1-2.0 mm, a nonflammable fireproof fiber such as carbon or glass fiber, and the like, thereby providing a grill which is sanitary because the grilled object hardly sticks or burns thereon and the taste of the grilled object is improved as much as possible. The grill provided by the present invention can improve health by minimizing carbonization in case of grilling, can reduce the number of grills, the cost of labor, detergent and cleaning water, can maximize the taste of direct grilled objects, and can reduce manufacturing costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Young Whan Yu
  • Patent number: 8240246
    Abstract: A removable toaster basket assembly to be removably received in a toasting slot of an electric pop-up toaster facilitates inserting and removing food articles in the toasting slot for toasting of the food article. The removable toaster basket assembly includes an elongate substantially planar frame for resting on an upper surface of the toaster and defines a rectangular slot therethrough. A handle extends from one end of the frame. An elongate basket is slidably received in the slot, the basket having ends and sides which define an open top for receiving a food article. A stop on the basket limits translation of the basket with respect to said frame to maintain the basket captive within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Rick Davis
  • Patent number: 8234972
    Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sands, James D. Conlin, Thomas J. Franken, Andrew Paul Franklin, Randy L. Ginner, Ronald J. Glavan, Scott A. Glawe, David A. Hill, Michael J. Newberry, Jack Pellicane, Manuel Calzada, Henry Thomas Ewald
  • Publication number: 20120186460
    Abstract: A divider apparatus for a roller grill. The invention has three main components: a front having front slots; a rear rail having rear slots; and at least one divider bar. There are three front rail variations, two major divider variations and four rear rail variations, thus providing a total of at least nine permutations and combinations by mixing and matching the apparatus components to enable the grill cooking surface to be divided into multiple cooking sections for different products to be cooked thereon. It can be retrofitted to fit on any size roller grill including grills with sneeze guards. It can also be attached without restricting access to the front of the roller grill so that products can be easily removed or placed on the grill or blocking the view or cleaning of the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: STANDEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Humphrey, Anthony Kukla
  • Publication number: 20120114822
    Abstract: An oven serves for heat-treating food pieces laid upon a grid in a cabinet by a heat source. The grid has an upper part of an endless chain running around a number of chain supports of which a lower and upper support defines a lower and upper end of the upper chain part. Portions of food pieces such as French fries can be quickly and easily heat-treated in rapid succession in this oven in a simple and economical manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MOM'S A/S
    Inventor: Per Heindorf Iversen
  • Patent number: 8127666
    Abstract: An electric toaster with a toasting carriage which is automatically raised from a toasting position to a first ejection position has a manually-operated mechanism for raising the carriage above the first ejection position to assist in removing smaller items from the toasting carnage. The carriage is slidably supported on an upright rail together with, and moveable independently of an actuating member, to which a handle is fixed, and a support member urged by a spring to an uppermost position. The actuating member abuts the carriage to move the carriage, the actuating member, and the support member simultaneously, both when the handle is moved downwards towards the toasting position and when the carriage, the actuating member and the support member are released by a hold-down mechanism to return the carriage to the first ejection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: G.E.W. Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Chung Lik Yip
  • Publication number: 20120024165
    Abstract: The patent of invention is provides with a side door switching mechanism for a toaster, which includes two side doors, a side door open lock catch, a side door closing lifting device and a timing electromagnetic controller. The side door can be closed automatically when the lifting board presses the side door shaft. The side door is opened by press the open push rod with the lock catch lifts up by the gear effect of the gear lever. The patent of invention presents the user hurt by directly contacting the side door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shangqian GAO
  • Patent number: 8015916
    Abstract: Provided is a toaster chassis, comprising at least one heating chamber, a pair of steel meshes, a bread-elevating mechanism, a pair of supporting plates, a pair of grooves, a pair of sliding rods and an extension spring; wherein the supporting plates are disposed on both ends of the heating chamber, the grooves are disposed on the supporting plate, the sliding rods are disposed on the steel mesh, pass through the supporting plate and abut against the grooves, the extension spring is disposed below the bread-elevating mechanism, and both ends of the extension spring are connected to the sliding rods. The invention is applicable for breads with different thickness and capable of ensuring uniformity of heat and consistency of colors on both sides and the upper and lower portion of each thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ningbo Changsheng Electric Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huandong Pan
  • Patent number: 7958817
    Abstract: One embodiment of a food heating device includes a platen (101) and an opening (103) disposed in the platen (101). The opening (103) is arranged and sized to receive a food product (203) from a first side of the platen (101) and to output the food product (203) to a second side of the platen (101). Alternative embodiments involve diagonally guiding a food product (203) along a different arrangements of platens (801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1401).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Terry Tae-Il Chung, Loren Veltrop, Brian Hee-Eun Lee, Donald Van Erden, Christopher B. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20110067579
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cooking apparatus having a pan with a sidewall, a bottom wall and a grill top. The bottom wall has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface facing a heating source and the top surface facing an air space. A grill covering is disposed on top of the sidewall, with the air space forming between the grill covering and the top surface of the bottom wall. The sidewall also contains at least one handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: WILFREDO GANUZA
  • Publication number: 20100229732
    Abstract: A forming machine includes a drum having an outer heating surface, a reservoir disposed below the drum and having a surrounding wall with a top edge that can contact the outer heating surface and that has a profile conforming to that of the outer heating surface, an applying disk disposed inside the reservoir and having perforations, and a rotary shaft extending into the reservoir to rotate the applying disk and movable upwardly or downwardly to raise or lower the applying disk. The reservoir is movable between non-contact and contact positions, where the top edge is spaced below and moves upward to abut against the outer heating surface, respectively. The applying disk is movable between pre-applying and applying positions, where the applying disk is lowered into the reservoir for dipping into the dough and is raised for applying the dough to the outer heating surface, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Chao-Hung Lin
  • 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: 7658143
    Abstract: A hot dog grill for cooking hot dogs or similar food products is disclosed. The grill has an inclined heating surface defined on a sloping top plate. A grill assembly having a top cross member is placed over and in proximity to the heating surface. The grill assembly is moveable between two positions relative to the inclined heating surface. The grill assembly has a pair of sides which support rails. The rails are interlocked with sockets on the sides of the sloping top plate to guide the movement of the grill assembly. Lateral rods are installed between the sides of the grill assembly. Hot dogs and similar foods are cooked on the heating surface and rest on the lateral rods. A motor has a rotating shaft extending from the inclined heating surface. The rotating shaft is mechanically coupled to the top cross member of the grill assembly via a pivot block and pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: C. Cretors & Company
    Inventor: Charles D. Cretors
  • Publication number: 20090301313
    Abstract: A variable-width toaster is described, in which the food-supporting carriage (5, 60) adapts readily, robustly and in a cost-effective manner to different width settings of the toasting chamber (2, 70). Respective elongate members (51, 52; 61, 62) are mounted to either side of the toasting chamber and are linked together by linking members (53a-53n; 63a, 63b) which form part of the food-supporting surface and are pivotally attached to the elongate members to accommodate lateral relative movement between the elongate members as the width of the toasting chamber is varied. In one embodiment, unitary linking members (53a-53n) link the two elongate members (51, 52) and the elongate members are urged apart by a spring (54). In another embodiment, chevron-like linking members, comprising pairs of pivotally associated linking members (63a, 63b) are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: KENWOOD LIMITED
    Inventor: Keith Leaman
  • Patent number: 7588027
    Abstract: A cooking grill assembly includes a foldable grill, wherein the components may be conveniently stored for transport, wherein the components include a lower support stake for insertion into soft ground or a free-standing base for use on hard ground, an upper extension post having at one of its ends a parallelogram linkage for vertically repositioning the cooking grill and for releasably securing the grill in a desired position, the other end of the upper extension post adapted to be rotatably mounted on the support stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventors: James McNeely, Kael James Forster Crichton
  • Publication number: 20080202347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toaster, in particular to a recognition device of the toaster. A sliding rack which can be moved up and down is provided within a housing of the toaster, and the sliding rack is connected with a toast rack. An end of the toast rack is fixedly connected to an end of a bracket, an assembly composed of the toast rack and the bracket is hinged to the sliding rack, an end portion of the bracket is connected with the sliding rack through a spring, and a sensor is fixed to the toaster for sensing the angular displacement of the assembly. One end of the bracket is hinged to the sliding rack and the other end thereof is connected with the sliding rack through the spring. Compared with the prior art, the toast rack of the present invention can be driven to rotate upwards at a certain angle about a center defined by the hinged point under the resilient force of a spring. When a bread slice is disposed into the toast rack, the toast rack is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CRASTAL TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN CO., LTD)
    Inventors: Huajin Chen, Youying Long
  • Patent number: 7377209
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a hot dog cooker having a rack with flat faced bars configured to move above and along a cooking surface so as to cause hot dogs to rotate along heated ridges of the surface. The ridges mark the hot dogs circumferentially as they are rolled along the cooking surface by the moveable rack. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventor: Arne Scott Perttola
  • Patent number: 7367261
    Abstract: A roller grill for cooking human food is disclosed which comprises a housing having a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted within the housing and a divider ensemble shaped to be positioned on the tubular cooking members for sectioning the tubular cooking members into a first cooking area and a second cooking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Star Manufacuring International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gaskill, Michael Lee Huegerich
  • Patent number: 7334517
    Abstract: A roller grill for cooking human food is disclosed which comprises a housing having a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted within the housing and a section divider ensemble for sectioning the tubular cooking members into a first cooking area and a second cooking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Star Manufacturing International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gaskill, Michael Lee Huegerich, Philip M. Ranft
  • 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: 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 220v–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: 6932078
    Abstract: A bamboo grid for a barbecue grill is introduced, which comprises a plurality of natural bamboo strips, a pair of end retainers and a grid mounting set having a metal frame and a pair of grid mounting plates for mounting the grid set. An arch-shaped bamboo grid set has a plurality of bamboo strips, a pair of end retainers, clip array, and a grid mounting set having a rectangular steel frame, bandies and grid mounting plates for mounting the bamboo grid. A bent mounting set comprises a steel frame, a bent mounting plate and a pair of braces at both sides for mounting the disposable bamboo grids. A narrow bamboo strip is sliced from a natural bamboo stalk and the surface is carved with various decorative incisions not only for decorating, but also for extracting bamboo sap and allowing it to permeate into the cooking meat during broiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Jae-Yeorl Lee
  • Patent number: 6923110
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vertical-pit barbecue using charcoal, wood or lava rocks. The invention concerns a box-shaped barbecue (1) accessible from the top. One or both opposite side(s) of the box is/are cut out in the horizontal direction (13) and is/are equipped with fins (3) sloping somewhat downwards. The cooking racks (5), spits and fat collecting receptacles (10) are supported by arms (8), stands (9) and stems (7) foldable on either side of the box (1). The inventive barbecue is used for vertical cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Jean Alazet
  • Patent number: 6854379
    Abstract: A rail system for food supports in a baking oven provides for a construction which can be fabricated economically, and possesses improved features, including the ability to pull out the food support from the oven, or even to in front of the oven, in a stable, easily slidable manner without tipping. The device includes telescopic rails which are adaptable for positioning outside an oven muffle for longer, more dependable operation and life expectancy by avoiding constantly high oven temperatures, exposure to food and spattering fats or other evaporating liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Accuride International GmbH
    Inventors: Steven Pattle, Markus Geberzahn
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6782802
    Abstract: A roller grill assembly for cooking human food has a plurality of horizontally aligned roller tubes which can be arranged to extend at an angle of about 3° to 5° are rotatably mounted to a housing frame. A sealing assembly comprises a bearing member and an annular sealing member. A drive chain engages an idler sprocket to rotate the tubes. The housing has a cavity that receives a sliding compartment assembly that has a frame comprising track members and a cross strut shaped to support a pan for holding food. The tubes have heating elements with compact spiraled configuration at the ends. A cover is pivotally mounted by a biased pin or two legged spring to cover a control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Star Manufacturing International
    Inventors: Thomas Hunot, Michael Lee Huegerich, Frank P. Ricchio