With Drip Or Crumb Receiving Means Patents (Class 99/400)
  • Publication number: 20010035099
    Abstract: A portable griddle stove has two non-stick cooking surfaces, either of which can withstand being on the underside of the cooking surface in use and the heat applied to the underside surface. A heat shield and heat diffuser control the temperature applied to the underside of the cooking surface by providing radiant heat to the center portion of the cooking surface and cooling the combustion gas diffused to the perimeter of the cooking surface. Secondary air provided through openings in case the and heat shield assist in cooling the combustion gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Robert F. Mosher, Norman D. Neugebauer, Randall L. May, Robert L. Lawhon
  • Patent number: 6298774
    Abstract: An outdoor barbecue grill including a cooking chamber with a lower portion and an upper portion removably positioned atop the lower portion. An automobile-shaped cover surrounds upper portion at a distance so as to form an insulative air gap therebetween. At locations reminiscent of automobile tail pipes, one or more conduits extend from the upper portion of the cooking chamber and through the cover for venting heat and smoke from said cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Gary A. Latham, Maria V. Latham
  • Publication number: 20010023642
    Abstract: A food mixing apparatus includes a main housing, a mixing container (3) for receiving food, and having a central axis: Y, a rotor ring (5) surrounding the mixing container, the rotor ring being fixed to the mixing container and having a central axis: X extending at an angle to the central axis: Y of the mixing container (3), and a support roller mechanism attached to the main housing, the support roller mechanism supporting the rotor ring at two points only from below to rotate the rotor ring about the axis: X. An aerating tube communicating with an opening formed in a bottom surface of the mixing container extends coaxially with the axis: X of the rotor ring. The aerating tube communicates with a blast duct mounted in the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Keiichi Sanpei, Yoshio Matsumoto, Sadao Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6289795
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for improved heat circulation and containment when smoking or grilling using electric, gas, or charcoal as the heat source. The base pan design enhances heat containment, and offers a channel design in the bottom of the base pan. A flame disk for even heat distribution is provided and can be used in conjunction with the base pan, and prevents internal food drippings from escaping through the disk. The disk design enhances the heat efficiency, and safeguards against drippings or ashes falling through to the burner or ground. The holes in the disk are raised, and has attached covers strategically placed over the holes to deter drippings or ashes from falling through. A fire pit container is also provided and designed for use with the base pan. The fire pit container supports a heat source such as a gas burner which directs a flame toward the base pan open hole and also toward the underside of a flame disk when a flame disk is suspended above the base pan hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Don McLemore, John McLemore
  • Patent number: 6289792
    Abstract: The invention comprises a gas barbecue (1; 20) for grilling food comprising a box-shaped container (2) with a griddle (3) that carries the food being cooked; one or more burners (4) placed underneath said griddle (3), each of which has a gas supply line (5); an ignition device (14) for said one or more burners (4); a main pipeline (6) which is connected to said supply lines (5) for each burner (4), connected to a gas supply source (F) and provided with a cut-off valve (7; 21); the cut-off valve's operation is connected to a timer (8) suited to keeping it open for a pre-set time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: OP Controls SpA
    Inventors: Maurizio Grando, Michele Bortoliero, Ken Fox
  • Publication number: 20010018868
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having an upper cooking unit pivotally mounted on a lower cooking unit for rotation substantially about a horizontal axis into three different positions, a first position in which the upper cooking unit is on top of the lower cooking unit to form a contact grill, a second position in which the upper cooking unit is substantially horizontally oriented with and parallel to the lower cooking unit to form therewith a double grooved griddle, and a third, generally upright, position intermediate the first and second positions to provide access to the lower cooking plate when the appliance is being used as a contact grill. The cooking plates have elongate grooves which are generally parallel to an axis of the hinge that connects the upper and lower cooking units together and which grooves increase in depth from one side of the cooking appliance to the other for carrying liquid cooking byproducts away from the food being cooked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6279462
    Abstract: The barbecuing cooker according to the invention comprises a main body(10) with side and rear reflecting plates(20 and 30) as the inner walls of a cooking chamber(11); an upper and lower door(40 and 50) for opening or closing the inlet opening of the cooking chamber(11); a ceramic heater(60) mounted on the rear reflecting plate(30); spits(80) provided rotatably through gear wheels(70) positioned at the central areas of the opposite side reflecting plates(20); a motor(100) for operating the gear wheels(70) by means of a driving gear(90); a control panel(C) for controlling the ceramic heater(60) and motor(100); an oil receiver(110) provided at a lower part of the cooking chamber(11); and a parching cage(120) in substantially a cylindrical form, said parching cage having a cover(121) and said parching cage having a circumferential surface formed with a plurality of small holes(122) and with axial spit grooves(123) at opposite sides, said spit grooves resulting in the formation of inward protuberances(124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Gwan-Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20010016222
    Abstract: A bread toaster comprising a housing and at least one slot opening for receiving an article to be toasted. The bread is progressively traversed by a linear heat source in a pair of passes. A first pass is at a rate which is sufficient to drive moisture from at least the surface of the bread, but which is insufficient to significantly darken the bread. A second pass is at a rate which is sufficient to darken and toast the surface to a desired degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Robert J. Tomsich, Mark E. Baskin, William T. Mars, Craig M. Saunders
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6267047
    Abstract: A portable griddle stove has two non-stick cooking surfaces, either of which can withstand being on the underside of the cooking surface in use and the heat applied to the underside surface. A heat shield and heat diffuser control the temperature applied to the underside of the cooking surface by providing radiant heat to the center portion of the cooking surface and cooling the combustion gas diffused to the perimeter of the cooking surface. Secondary air provided through openings in case the and heat shield assist in cooling the combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Mosher, II, Norman D. Neugebauer, Randall L. May, Robert L. Lawhon
  • Patent number: 6263783
    Abstract: A broiler frame includes a base, a net, an ash plate, two sloping side plates and a net frame combined together. The broiler frame has good heat concentration, and possible to broil food in various ways, with food to be broiled not sticking to the net, easy to assemble and disassemble for washing and convenient for storing away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: I-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 6260478
    Abstract: This invention describes a heat dissipation system that uses a pair of panels rotatably mounted in a grill, which allows a cook to equalize the heat radiated within a gas or electric grill to provide more even heat distribution and prevents wind from extinguishing the burner flame, even in the presence of a crosswind. A grease drainage system is also described for a gas or electric grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Uwe Harneit
  • Patent number: 6257130
    Abstract: A smoker attachment for heating and burning smoker particles in a barbecue grill, and further for dispersing the produced smoke throughout the grilling chamber of the grill. The smoker attachment includes a container having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls defining an interior cavity. The smoker particles are heated in the interior cavity of the container. The smoker attachment further includes a duct member having an outer wall and a passageway extending through the duct member, and a plurality of openings about a length of the duct extending from the passageway through the outer wall. The passageway of the duct member associates with the interior cavity of the container to allow smoke produced in the container to flow out of the container, into the passageway of the duct member, and to exit the duct through the openings and into the chamber of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventor: Erich J. Schlosser
  • Patent number: 6252204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device, particularly a locking mechanism for safe operation of an electric grill. The preferred embodiment is an electric cooking apparatus comprising a molded plastic base, a removable metal drip pan adapted to rest within the base and be supported by the base, a grill plate for cooking foods placed above the pan, where the grill plate contains bars and slots which, respectively, cook the food placed on the grill plate and allow drippings to pass through the grill plate to be captured on the drip pan without contacting the plastic base, an electric, resistance-type heater preferably disposed beneath the grill plate for heating the grill plate, and sheathed or case within the grill plate, and a combination thermo-probe and temperature detector with thermostat for supplying power to the electric heater, and for engaging a safety lock actuator lever and pin hook which allow the unit to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Poking Industrial Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Lam Po-Hei
  • Patent number: 6244166
    Abstract: A child proof toaster with touch pad controls including a housing having a generally rectangular configuration. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, opposed side walls and an interior. The top wall has a pair of slots formed therein. The slots are in communication with the interior. The slots receive toastable items therein. The interior has toasting elements disposed therein. The front wall has an opening therein in communication with the interior. A cover member is hingedly coupled with the top wall of the housing. The cover member has an open orientation exposing the pair of slots and a closed orientation covering the pair of slots. A tray portion is removably received within the opening in the front wall of the housing. The tray portion is positionable under the pair of slots in a closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Rebecca Lebron
  • Patent number: 6237472
    Abstract: A drip collector for a grill includes side walls, end walls, and a bottom. The drip collector is connected to a rear wall of a grill. When the grill is in use, grease and other droppings fall from the rear wall of the grill cover into the collector. The collector is then removed for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Richard L. Gates
  • Patent number: 6230612
    Abstract: Heating part of a steamer, composed of a base structure (1), a heating body (2), a main water reservoir (4) communicating with the heating body (2) and enclosing an air volume, a lid (10) closing the reservoir (4), a filling orifice (8) opening on an exterior wall of at least one of the base (1) and the lid (10), a wall (5) closing at least one part of the air volume enclosed by the water reservoir (4) and disposed between the heating body (2) and of the filling orifice (8), the lid (10) having at least one opening (14) provided for the passage of steam toward a cooking receptacle disposed above the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Fabrice Rossi
  • Patent number: 6220149
    Abstract: A barbeque grill structure includes a concave base, a grille-shaped framework, and a top cap. The framework defines an opening having two side walls each formed with a support step face. A material box is received in the opening and has two sides each formed with a support piece seated on the support step face. A top cover is removably mounted on the material box and defines a plurality of air vents. In such a manner, a closed chamber is defined between the framework and the top cap, and connects to the material box through the air vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6213006
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus especially useful as an outdoor portable barbecue grill wherein a housing has a heat source at the bottom thereof, a cooking grate or griddle at the top thereof and a heat-funnel disposed between the heat source and the cooking grate. The heat-funnel, in turn, is removably positioned in relation to a separate grease deflector or drip shield member to provide an air gap between the two units. Heated air from the heat source flows upwardly around the grease deflector, passes through the gap to enter the heat-funnel member which is constructed in such a manner to direct the heated air stream directly upon the cooking grate undersurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Lee J. Reardon, Robert van de Ven
  • Patent number: 6213004
    Abstract: A broiling device including a housing having a generally rectangular configuration. The housing has an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a rear wall, and opposed side walls. The front wall and the rear wall each have a pair of upper and lower support tabs extending inwardly from inner surfaces thereof to support grilling grates thereon. The opposed side walls each have corresponding upper and lower apertures therethrough. A dome-shaped lid is hingedly coupled with the open upper end of the housing. A heating element is disposed within an interior surface of the dome-shaped lid. A handled skewer selectively extends between the upper and lower apertures of the opposed side walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Gene Franco
  • Patent number: 6205912
    Abstract: A collapsible barbecue grill includes a tray-like ash/grease catcher having a predetermined depth. The ash/grease catcher is provided at a bottom surface with a pair of wheeled collapsible legs and locating means, along two lateral walls of its top surface with two outward bent edges to provide two supporting frames, and along a rear wall of its top surface with an inward bent edge to provide a baffle, such that a cooking grid having front hooks is removably positioned on and between the two supporting frames and below the baffle. The ash/grease catcher is also provided at an outer front surface with a handle, and near middle points of outer surfaces of its two lateral walls with two bar receivers for a suspension grid set to detachably mount thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Chung Chiu
  • Patent number: 6186054
    Abstract: The roaster includes two handles disposed at both sides of an upper portion of the roaster, two opposite racks respectively fixed at a front end and a rear end of the two handles, electric heating tubes arranged between the two handles, an oil-gathering pan located in a lower portion of the roaster, a guide tube disposed in an inner sidewall of the roaster and extending from an inner sidewall of one of the two handles to the oil-gathering pan, and a grill pan which is located on a top end of the roaster and of which bottom is connected with the guide tube so that excess oil and sauce remained in the grill pan will be guided through the guide tube into the oil-gathering pan, by which the grill pan is capable of being placed above and across the opposite racks of the two handles and being fixed at corresponding locations for grilling meat so as to fully using the inner and outer spaces of the roaster for achieving the multi-function of roasting and grilling in one roaster and saving electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eucore Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-China Hung
  • Patent number: 6182560
    Abstract: A gas-fired or briquette-burning barbecue grill that outputs extremely high BTUs from a removable, vertical firebox that is backwardly inclined so as to provide a combination of direct and indirect heating. In addition, multiple cooking grids positioned at various vertical levels across the face of the firebox provide an enormous cooking area for grilling, broiling, and searing. Inclination minimizes ash avalanche during briquette burning and also increases the effective heating area applied to multiple cooking grids of gas-fired and briquette-burning grills. A top grid located directly over the firebox provides a surface for searing or high-temperature cooking (i.e., direct heating), a mid-level cooking grid provides medium temperature indirect and/or partial direct heating cooking, and a lower main cooking grid provides indirect medium temperature for broiling or baking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 6182559
    Abstract: An ash catcher assembly for catching ash falling out through openings in the bottom of a charcoal grill is disclosed. The ash catcher assembly can be assembled easily and removably mounted on the bottom of the charcoal grill. The ash catcher assembly for a charcoal grill includes a cylinder mounted on the bottom of the charcoal grill. Multiple slots are defined in the exterior edge of the cylinder opposite to the charcoal grill. The slots are essentially L-shaped and each includes a vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a vertical key directed toward the cylindrical basket. Multiple vents are defined in a line in the side of the cylinder to provide oxygen into the charcoal grill. A cylindrical basket is removably mounted on the exterior end of the cylinder to catch and hold ash and debris. Multiple stubs extend inward from side of the cylindrical basket near the top. The stubs correspond to the slots in the cylinder and are received in the slots to hold the cylindrical basket in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chiang
  • Patent number: 6170389
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having an upper cooking unit pivotally mounted on a lower cooking unit for rotation substantially about a horizontal axis into three different positions, a first position in which the upper cooking unit is on top of the lower cooking unit to form a contact grill, a second position in which the upper cooking unit is substantially horizontally oriented with and parallel to the lower cooking unit to form therewith a double grooved griddle, and a third, generally upright, position intermediate the first and second positions to provide access to the lower cooking plate when the appliance is being used as a contact grill. The cooking plates have elongate grooves which are generally parallel to an axis of the hinge that connects the upper and lower cooking units together and which grooves increase in depth from one side of the cooking appliance to the other for carrying liquid cooking byproducts away from the food being cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6158330
    Abstract: A broiler pan cooking grid for a barbecue grill that catches and/or routes grease drippings, as well as permitting convection of heated air through the structure. The grid may be used with conventional horizontal barbecue grills or with grills having a vertical hearth or firebox. The grid assembly preferably comprises sheet metal having cutouts stamped in the upper surface, e.g., elongated slots or perforations, and a series of elongated troughs stamped in the lower surface. The elongated troughs of the lower layer route grease drippings to a grease box or tray that is disposed along the front edge of the cooking grid assembly. As series of stiffening rods are sandwiched between the layers to provide rigidity when using thin sheet metal. Preferably, the grid assembly is supported in an inclined position by the barbecue grill, but the lower sheet metal stamping may itself be formed to contain the grease or to effect the flow of grease to a grease box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 6158426
    Abstract: A water circulated grill with spaced apart food supporting tubes and with a water catching system including spaced apart collection troughs to receive condensed water dropping from the sides of the water cooled supporting tubes and heat supply source positioned beneath the collection troughs to supply heat upwardly between the water collection troughs to cook food placed on the food supporting tubes and to heat the collection troughs and vaporize water collected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Lawrence Wardell
  • Patent number: 6119584
    Abstract: A griller is provided which includes a case and a grill set mounted within the case. The case has a hollow body and electric heaters internally located with a gear box and a motor. The grill set is driven by the gear box and the case is formed having a recess within a top portion of the case. The grill set is formed with a screen, screen cover, socket, rod and fixture where the socket is secured within the center of the screen with opposing ends formed in a rounded contour and placed within the recesses of the case. The socket has a shank which is formed with a step-like section for insertion of the screen cover. The fixture is secured within the step-like section of the socket to facilitate assembling the screen and the screen cover with the rod secured in the socket having one end engaged with the gear box and rotatively driven by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lundar Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Hsu
  • Patent number: 6116150
    Abstract: A vertically extending, cylindrical toaster having a plurality of modules which may be integrally joined together in a single housing or may be separably stacked one upon the other. Each module comprises at least one individual heating unit having a horizontally oriented aperture opening into the unit. Each heating unit is separated from its vertical neighbors by a heat insulating layer and includes a food receiving grill, an upper heating element located above the grill, a lower heating element located below the grill, and a removable tray below the lower heating element for catching crumbs or other food particles which fall from the grill. The grill may also be movable and/or removable for easy access to the food thereon or for cleaning. Master controls for all the modules and individual controls for each separate module are contemplated to provide versatile control of the cooking processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Walter Greenfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6109169
    Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a non-electrical drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill pate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. In one disclosed embodiment, the drive is pneumatically actuated, and in a second disclosed embodiment, the drive employs a screw, gear, and electromagnetic clutch mechanism. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Dime Group Corp.
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 6105487
    Abstract: THE INVENTION provides a cooking appliance comprising a concave burner pan having a base and a peripheral side wall which together form a windshield and a gas burner disposed within the concavity of the pan, and an engagement formation adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement formation on a cooking surface, whereby such surface is releasably secured to the burner pan. A number of inter-changeable cooking surfaces are disclosed which may be utilized in conjunction with the burner pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: MTM Trading Limited
    Inventors: Simon Nash, Richard Sparks, Peter Labuschagne, Edward Parrett
  • Patent number: 6101931
    Abstract: A disposable, flame-resistant grill liner, having one or more pleated sections to enable the grill liner to be conformed to the interior surfaces of a grill. The grill liner may include a burner slot to enable the grill liner to be used with gas or electric grills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Edward J. Miklos
  • Patent number: 6082249
    Abstract: A multi-purpose cooker includes a base having a circular top formed with a plurality of equidistant holes, a heating seat having a bottom formed with a plurality of downwardly extending pins engageable with the holes, a heating member mounted within the heating seat and provided with a switch and a control button on an outer side of the heating seat, a frying pan configured to be mounted on the heating seat and provided with a plurality of slots for passage of oil so as to prevent food from sticking the frying pan, a barbecue grill provided with a plurality of supporting legs adapted to be arranged on the heating seat for roasting food, a circular tray having an annular recess and a central portion formed with a projection, a pot having a bottom formed with a cavity configured to engage with the projection, and a plurality of condiment trays configured to be fitted in the annular recess of the circular tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Yung-Sen Su
  • Patent number: 6062128
    Abstract: A toaster with at least one toasting chamber for receiving goods to be toasted such as slices of toast is disclosed. The toaster has at least one loading opening and at least one discharge opening for loading goods to be toasted and for removing toasted goods. It also includes a transport device for transporting toasted goods through the toaster. The functional elements of this toaster are surrounded by a wall of a housing supported on a chassis. The transport device moves one or several pieces of toasted goods in the toasting chamber by means of a spiral guiding system on a spiral transport path from the loading opening to the discharge opening. At the same time, the toasted goods are continuously and substantially uniformly exposed to the heat irradiated by at least one spiral heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Glenn Rolus Borgward
  • Patent number: 6062130
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having an upper cooking unit pivotally mounted on a lower cooking unit for rotation substantially about a horizontal axis into three different positions, a first position in which the upper cooking unit is on top of the lower cooking unit to form a contact grill, a second position in which the upper cooking unit is substantially horizontally oriented with and parallel to the lower cooking unit to form therewith a double grooved griddle, and a third, generally upright, position intermediate the first and second positions to provide access to the lower cooking plate when the appliance is being used as a contact grill. The cooking plates have elongate grooves which are generally parallel to an axis of the hinge that connects the upper and lower cooking units together and which grooves increase in depth from one side of the cooking appliance to the other for carrying liquid cooking byproducts away from the food being cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 6058832
    Abstract: A portable barbecue apparatus comprises a hollow base of truncated pyramidal configuration for storing fuel. The hollow base supports a firebox thereon. A cooking grill-oven is disposed above the firebox. A carriage is employed to support the barbecue apparatus. The carriage is pivotally attached to a two-wheeled trailer to permit portability for the barbecue apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Herman Fountain
  • Patent number: 6029566
    Abstract: An apparatus for improved heat circulation and containment when smoking or grilling using electric, gas, or charcoal as the heat source. The base design enhances heat containment, and offers a channel design in the bottom of the base pan. The strategically placed openings and legs add additional ventilation for improved air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: John C McLemore
  • Patent number: 6024014
    Abstract: A portable reversible grill apparatus wherein a grill plate having a cordoroy surface on one side and a flat surface on the other with openings in the periphery thereof is removably and firmly held on top of a base wherein a removable pan is held to catch any fluid leaking from food being cooked on the grill plate and passing through the openings in the periphery of the grill plate. Advantageously, the apparatus can be readily and easily assembled and disassembled with the base, pan and grill plate being separable from each other for washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hiraoka & Co. ( H.K. ) , Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 6023051
    Abstract: The flavor producing plate, resembling an inverted egg carton, has a smooth surface topography comprising symmetrical, convex protuberances disposed in a symmetrical array. Excess food drippings are drained away through through-openings (having diameters greater than 12 millimeters) located within the interstices between protuberances. Plate cleanability is improved by coating the surface with an anti-stick coating of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) preferably containing reinforcing particles that enhance the coating's scrub resistance. The plates can be made from cast, wrought, or sintered metal such as iron, aluminum, copper, or bronze. Plate mass provides an areal heat capacity (Q.sub.A) in the range of from 500 to 3,000 Joules per square centimeter thereby retaining the heat sink and heat modulating functions of prior art plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Margie Ann Fellows
  • Patent number: 6023049
    Abstract: An inserting structure of an oil-collecting plate for an electric oven in the present invention is provided with a plate-inserting groove located below several electric heating tubes, along and inward the lower portion of three inner walls of the roasting room of an electric oven. The plate-inserting groove is properly provided for three sides of an oil-collecting plate to be inserted in so as to make the oil-collecting plate form an oil-collecting scope bigger than the dripping scope formed by the inner walls of the roasting room and take the most effect of collecting oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Sheng-I Huang
  • Patent number: 6016741
    Abstract: An electric grill for cooking hamburgers and other foodstuffs includes a first grill plate assembly adapted for use atop a kitchen countertop, table top, or other horizontal support surface, a second grill plate assembly connected by a hinge arrangement to the first grill plate assembly in a clamshell arrangement, and a bun warmer portion of the second grill plate assembly that defines a compartment adapted to hold at least one bun (e.g., a hamburger bun) in order to warm the bun. In one embodiment, the bun warmer portion of the second grill plate assembly includes a metal plate adapted to support the bun, and a vented transparent lid over the plate. The first grill plate assembly may include an electric grill plate with an inclined cooking surface that slopes to facilitate grease runoff to a drip tray, and components in the form of leg extensions for adjusting the height of the first cooking surface above the horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan-Song Tsai, Michael G. Hu
  • Patent number: 6012382
    Abstract: A flame disk for even heat distribution when using an external flame such as in a smoker grill assembly, and which prevents internal food drippings from escaping through the disk. The disk design enhances the heat efficiency, and safeguards against drippings or ashes falling through to the burner or ground. The disk design offers better performance when cooking. The holes in the disk are raised, and has attached legs strategically placed over the holes to deter drippings or ashes from falling through. The legs also support and lift the disk on its cooking base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Don C McLemore
  • Patent number: 6003436
    Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill- plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill plate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 5988045
    Abstract: A utensil supporting multiple cooking environments for preparing foods is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as including a cooking grill and a cover member selectively disposed in relation to a base unit comprising one or more cooking compartments. The cooking grill having a cooking surface and a collection reservoir disposed beneath at least a portion of the cooking surface. Formed in the upper cooking surface of the cooking grill are a plurality of openings. Collection channels may also be disposed along the upper cooking surface so as to provide device for feeding run-off liquids through the openings and into the underlying collection reservoir of the cooking grill. Having a dimensional size and shape substantially corresponding to the outer perimeter of the base unit, the cooking grill, when selectively disposed over the internal periphery of the base unit, facilitates a first cooking environment within the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Todd B. Housley
  • Patent number: 5983786
    Abstract: A new food pan for placing on the grates of a barbecue grill for permitting grilling of small foods which would otherwise fall through the grates of a grill. The inventive device includes a plate member that has a pair of ends, a pair of sides that extend between the ends, and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of apertures extend through the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member to permit heat and smoke to reach food placed on the plate member. The apertures are arranged in a grid-like fashion having a plurality of columns and rows. The columns extend between the ends of the plate member. The rows extend between the sides of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Cynthia Brown
  • Patent number: 5970858
    Abstract: An appliance for cooking foodstuffs includes an electric grill plate adapted for use atop a horizontal table top surface, a plate component of the electric grill plate, and a frustum-shaped cooking surface on the plate component that slopes downwardly in all horizontal directions from a central vertical axis in order to promote drainage from foodstuffs during cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Boehm, Robert W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5970851
    Abstract: A grilling appliance includes a housing having a vertical food compartment for receiving a food article in a vertical position, a heated first grill plate mounted in a vertical position in one side of the food compartment, a heated second grill plate mounted in a vertical position in the opposite side of the food compartment, and a drive for driving the second grill plate to an extended position towards the first grill plate, or to a retracted position away from the first grill plate. Also described are food holders particularly useful with such grilling appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Dime Group Corp.
    Inventors: Ruben Masel, George Valdshtein
  • Patent number: 5967024
    Abstract: A juice removal frying pan which includes an inclined narrow channel formed within the internal chamber of the frying pan. The internal channel has an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being located at the frying surface and the outlet located directly adjacent the upper free edge of the upstanding sidewall of the frying pan. By slight tilting and pivoting of the frying pan, the juice can be caused to flow from the inlet to the outlet to then be dispensed exteriorly of the frying pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 5947013
    Abstract: An outdoor grill for charcoal grilling is designed to prevent flare-up from fat drippings and to facilitate the disposal of ashes. The grill comprises a portable stand and a horizontally disposed cylindrical-shaped housing on the stand. The housing has a cover door in sidewalls and access holes in flattened end walls. Within the cylindrical housing are a charcoal grate, a cooking rack and a flare-up shield. In one embodiment, an upper small mesh screen is positioned directly on top of the grate. The grate and/or upper small mesh screen are manually shaken to periodically knock ash from charcoal. The flare-up shield has an inverted V-shape and has louvered openings. Heat from the burning charcoal is efficiently transferred to meat on the cooking rack. Any fat drippings are deflected by the flare-up shield towards the housing's sidewalls away from the charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Preston E. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5934184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable gas grill (10) supported on a cart (20) with sliding covers (210), pivoting cooking guards (31), a fire box (100) of both cast sides (120) and sheet metal ends (140) hung on the cart (20), with an internal support structure (160) supporting a plurality of sear bars (410) and a cooking grid (101), a plurality of burners (510), a grease collector (62) and a tank support means (910) with a scale (913,914,915) for a fuel tank (900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen