Drip Segregating, Receiving Or Directing Patents (Class 99/425)
  • Patent number: 11832764
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking apparatus in which a heating plate, a frame, and a pocket part are independently provided and which has a structure that is capable of securing use convenience and safety by a coupled structure of the heating plate, the frame, and the pocket part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kookhaeng Lee, Yangho Kim, Junho Seok
  • Patent number: 11800954
    Abstract: Embodiments of a griddle of the type for an outdoor cooking station is provided herein. The griddle includes a flat cooking surface with a splash guard extending along a periphery of the flat cooking surface. The flat cooking surface defines a trough positioned adjacent a rear end of the cooking surface such that the trough includes a sloping surface extending downward toward a rear opening defined in the splash guard along and adjacent the rear end of the flat cooking surface. With this arrangement, as a user cooks food on the griddle, unwanted grease may be pushed to the rear of the griddle and into the trough so that the grease funnels down the sloped surface and through the rear opening and into a grease container centered below the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: North Atlantic Imports, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Dahle, Scott W. M. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11730316
    Abstract: A griddle having a grease management system and independent cooking zones is disclosed. The griddle may have a cooking surface back wall with an opening provided therein for grease removal. A grease drip flange may extend away from the cooking surface at a downward angle at or near the back wall opening. A removable grease receptacle having a pivotable handle, as well as a squeegee element, may be provided below the grease drip flange. The independent cooking zones may be provided by burner assemblies having front and rear burners that provide different levels of heat using a single dual gas control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Halo Products Group, LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. Simon, Michael R. Giebel
  • Patent number: 11619399
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for using direct solar radiation. The apparatus may include a housing defining a window configured to transmit solar radiation and a secondary radiation source for transmitting a second radiation in response to the solar radiation via a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon and configured to be executed by a processor to measure the solar radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: William H. White
  • Patent number: 11534026
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to a grill with a continuous cooking surface having individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones. One example provides a grill, comprising a continuous cooking surface comprising a plurality of individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones, each heating zone comprising a heating zone plate with one or more heating elements disposed beneath the heating zone plate, and each isolation zone comprising an isolation bar joined to adjacent conductive plates of adjacent heating zones, each isolation bar comprising a cooling channel extending at least partially along a length of the isolation bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: EVO AMERICA, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Shingler, Joseph R. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11317762
    Abstract: A multi-bank cooking system includes multiple discrete cooking systems sharing common plumbing and integrated safety features. The multi-bank cooking system may include two or more rack-fryer systems, each with discrete frypots, operating mechanisms and cooking controllers. Each of the discrete cooking systems, may share a common plumbing system with integrated valves and controls receiving coordinated safety signals to facilitate safe and efficient operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: PITCO FRIALATOR, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Cyr, Steven Savage, Michael T. Fecteau, John P. Gardner, Steven Gallerani, Karl M. Searl
  • Patent number: 11284743
    Abstract: Embodiments of a griddle of the type for an outdoor cooking station is provided herein. The griddle includes a flat cooking surface with a splash guard extending along a periphery of the flat cooking surface. The flat cooking surface defines a trough positioned adjacent a rear end of the cooking surface such that the trough includes a sloping surface extending downward toward a rear opening defined in the splash guard along and adjacent the rear end of the flat cooking surface. With this arrangement, as a user cooks food on the griddle, unwanted grease may be pushed to the rear of the griddle and into the trough so that the grease funnels down the sloped surface and through the rear opening and into a grease container centered below the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: North Atlantic Imports, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Dahle, Scott W. M. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11234556
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking apparatus in which a heating plate, a frame, and a pocket part are independently provided and which has a structure that is capable of securing use convenience and safety by a coupled structure of the heating plate, the frame, and the pocket part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kookhaeng Lee, Yangho Kim, Junho Seok
  • Patent number: 11156365
    Abstract: A heating device for a hob has a flat rectangular carrier with an outer edge, two heating elements which each have a heating conductor and which together form a heating area and which are fastened on the carrier, wherein each heating element defines a partial heating area, and the partial heating areas are situated inside the rectangular shape of the carrier. The heating elements and their partial heating areas can be operated independently of one another. The partial heating areas of the heating elements do not intersect. A first partial heating area is rectangular and extends, by way of at least one of its outer sides, to the outer edge of the carrier and runs parallel in relation to the outer edge. A second partial heating area covers the portion of the rest of the carrier which is left free by the first partial heating area. Various configurations of heated areas can be achieved owing to the independent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Rickert, Volker Block, Marcus Frank, Gabriel Rupp, Tilo Fucik
  • Patent number: 11148253
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a surface of a utensil as well as to a utensil having been treated by the method. A substrate is provided to form a component of the utensil. The substrate has a surface area to be treated. Through a shot peening process particles impact the substrate substantially evenly across the surface area, so as to dimple the substrate with depressions across the surface area, in order to reduce adhesion of matter on the treated surface area of the utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: LES PROMOTIONS ATLANTIQUES INC. /ATLANTIC PROMOTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Zhihui Feng, Junbin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10743714
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a housing and at least one upwardly facing cooking wall on which food product can directly sit for cooking, where the cooking wall is supported by the housing and has an associated drain path for residual cooking fluid and/or for cleaning fluid, where the drain path includes an outlet end. A mobile fluid receptacle located in an installed use position within the housing is positioned below the cooking wall. The mobile fluid receptacle is movable to a transport position fully disengaged from the housing. The mobile fluid receptacle may be configured to sit in a generally horizontal use orientation when in the installed use position, as well as an upright orientation when disengaged from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Eric D. Guy
  • Patent number: 10034578
    Abstract: An electric grill and method, and an electrically-powered heat radiating module which is removably or permanently positioned in the grill housing. The heat radiating module includes one or more electric heating elements which are preferably contained within a shallow heating cavity which is at least 95% closed to air flow into or out of the heating cavity and is also preferably insulated. Fat and water drippings from the food product flow around the heat radiating module rather than into the heating cavity. An infrared cooking grate assembly with a food support grate positionable on an emitter plate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: W.C. BRADLEY CO.
    Inventor: Mallik Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9918588
    Abstract: An auxiliary barbecue device has been designed to improve the process of cooking meat simply and conveniently. The auxiliary cooking device includes a rectangular frame designed to support the food where said rectangular frame has four lateral sides, a left side, a right side, a lower side, and an upper side. The auxiliary cooking device described can be made of cast iron or enameled cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Santiago Vitagliano
  • Patent number: 9801497
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance comprises a base frame having a front and rear and left and right sides connecting the front and rear. A generally planar, electrically heated cooking surface is supported by the base frame and has a front and rear edge and a pair of sides connecting the front and rear edges. A splash guard is removably or secured to and extends upwardly from the rear edge and a portion of each of the sides of the cooking surface. A recess or groove is formed in the cooking surface to collect excess cooking oil; and an oil reservoir is carried by the base frame and in fluid communication with the recess in the cooking surface to collect cooking oil from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Nomura USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jinzhao Feng
  • Patent number: 9648974
    Abstract: A baking sheet formed of a metal planar plate member having a polygon shape defined by multiple sides, having a thickness and periphery, having upper and lower planar surfaces, having a cross-sectional dimension that is an order of magnitude greater than the thickness of the metal planar plate member, a peripheral channel that extends about the periphery of the metal planar plate member, and the peripheral channel being disposed closely adjacent to all sides of the metal planar plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Andris Lagsdin
  • Patent number: 9474294
    Abstract: A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet is supported (e.g., removably) above the lower sheet. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. A food stuffing apparatus provides a receptacle having an interior, an upper end portion with a larger opening and a lower end portion with a smaller opening, and a tapering portion in between the upper and lower end portions. A plunger is provided having a head, a lower end portion with a shaft having a lower pushing surface and a joint, joining the head to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: METAL FUSION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Bourgeois, Norman R. Bourgeois, Barbara Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 9357879
    Abstract: A griddle (10) is disclosed which includes a base (11) and a griddle plate (13). The base includes a frame (15) and a removable grease trough (16). The frame includes sidewalls (18) with top surface (22) having a grease collection channel (23) with a capture hole (24) located so that liquids within the grease collection channel flow through the grease capture hole and into the grease trough. The base has a grease trough well (26) configured to receive the grease trough therein. The grease trough includes a trough collection catch (28) with a sump (32), a handle base (29), and a thermally insulative handle or handle insert (30). The griddle plate has a top surface (38) and a stepped bottom surface (39) defined by a peripheral side edge (40). The stepped bottom surface includes a groove (44) which forms a drip edge (45) positioned above the grease collection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Viking Range, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ortner, Michael C. Milner
  • Patent number: 9192265
    Abstract: A counter-top grease collector receptacle that is co-operative with a cooking vessel to collect and dispose of cooking fluids and grease. A cover defines a sloped cooking vessel support. A mechanism or wedge may be provided to control the slope angle. A receptacle has an interior that is adapted to operatively receive and contain fluids drained from the cooking vessel. The receptacle is located beneath the cooking vessel support to enable gravity transfer of fluids from cooking vessel to receptacle. An oil drain stem is adapted to operatively removably couple the cooking vessel to the receptacle. The cover is cooperative with the cooking vessel support and receptacle to enclose and conceal the receptacle interior. An auxiliary funnel inlet may also be provided above the receptacle to receive fluids from cooking vessels not otherwise adapted to couple through the oil drain stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9138101
    Abstract: A cooking pan apparatus, system, and method of use, comprising: a drain opening in a side wall of the pan; and a pan handle attached to the side wall, comprising a hollow drain channel enclosing the drain opening and running from proximate the drain opening to a drain exit proximate a distal end of the pan handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Douglas Palmer
  • Patent number: 9035225
    Abstract: A cookware system includes a microwaveable metal collecting pan, configured in a bowl shape with a plurality of elongated slots disposed thereon. The collector pan is positioned in a supporting bowl to catch dripping fluids and to provide a basin to hold water during steam cooking. A food item can be placed inside the pan, which is in turn placed inside the bowl and covered with a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Neilson Zeng, Weiyun Luo
  • Patent number: 8919243
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a cooktop part on which a grill module for grill cooking is detachably disposed, a collection device for sucking an exhaust gas generated in the grill module, an exhaust device forcibly sucking the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to exhaust the exhaust gas to the outside, and a guide device for guiding the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to the exhaust device. The cooking appliance enables different types of food to be simultaneously cooked according to different cooking methods, and thus cooking time for food may be reduced and various demands of users may be met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myeong-Yeol Kang, Eun Hyae Han
  • Patent number: 8893611
    Abstract: The invention concerns a center arm for holding an upper contact grilling or roasting plate, the center arm having a substantially vertical supporting section and a holding section which is arranged pivotably on the vertical supporting section and to which the upper contact grilling or roasting plate can be attached, which is distinguished in that a device for fixing the holding section relative to the supporting section is associated with the holding section, the fixing device comprising a control element and a latch device, and the control element being capable of being brought into engagement with the latch device for fixing the holding section in different pivot positions relative to the supporting section, and out of engagement for free pivoting of the holding section relative to the supporting section. Furthermore, the invention concerns a contact grilling or roasting device having such a center arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: H.H. Scholz KG
    Inventors: Kay Scholz, Otto Langguth, Karsten Anklam
  • Patent number: 8869681
    Abstract: An improved frying pan configured with two surfaces/levels, the first cooking surface used to cook foods and a second surface (a convenient shelf) used to hold/store foods having a slope or pitch towards the outer perimeter of the frying pan. The storage shelf allows the user to store ingredients on the pan itself without the need for additional holding plates. The outward pitch of the storage shelf along with its ridges allows liquids such as fats and oils to drain away from the ingredients and stop them from re-entering the lower cooking surface. Therefore liquids will not combine with the food in the lower cooking surface and will not combine with other food ingredients when they are cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: Otto Schroeder, Annette Gucciardo
  • Patent number: 8820222
    Abstract: Described herein is a cooking assembly, generally comprising two major components, these components being a cooking pan and an insert 24 having a perforated portion which would retain the desired food component within the pan, and allow the fluid component to be removed through the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Magellan Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Andre Dean Cloutier, Debra Lynne Sasken-Duff
  • Patent number: 8794131
    Abstract: A grill with improved-configuration grease collecting box comprising feet, a pan mounted on the feet and a heating device on the backside of the pan, the feet form an opening to contain the grease collecting box, both sides of the opening have supports, the opening mounted a grease collecting box inside, and the grease collecting box mounted on the supports, said pan has grease outlet orifices on the top of grease collecting box. The grease collecting box of the present invention located below the pan, it does not occupy the additional space and uneasy to be turn overed by incaution, which add the security; Mounting the grease collecting box on the feet does not need any additional fitting device, and the simple configuration is advantageous to be carried; The grease collecting box being hidden in the feet make the appearance of the grill to be more aesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qisheng Lai, Youming Yang
  • Patent number: 8739692
    Abstract: A commercial cooking apparatus is provided for simultaneous steaming and two-sided grilling of food items having non-uniform thickness and/or variations in nominal thickness. The apparatus includes a compressible, heat-resistant ring member, and optionally a flexible, non-stick, heat-resistant film material associated with the ring member to form a cavity defined by the inner perimeter of the ring member. A cooking method is also disclosed, wherein a food item and a quantity of water are introduced into the cavity, and the food item is simultaneously cooked by the heated upper and lower platens of a conventional clamshell grill or similar apparatus and by steam generated by heating the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, Henry T. Ewald, Paul G. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8621987
    Abstract: A cooking skillet that provides a unique automatic stirring system for continuously stirring foods during cooking. The cooking skillet comprises a base, a receptacle, a heating element, and an automatic stirring system. The automatic stirring system comprises a stirring wand located in the receptacle and a bracket located in the base. The stirring wand and the bracket are attracted to each other through magnetic forces that provide sufficient magnetism to attract one to the other. A motor is attached to the bracket by a connecting rod and provides the means to rotate the bracket in a clockwise direction. The magnetism between the magnets in the bracket and the magnets in the stirring wand forces the stirring wand to rotate in connection with the bracket. During rotation, the stirring wand is designed to mix the food contained within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Walter B. Herbst
  • Patent number: 8613250
    Abstract: An angled frying pan stand that includes a truncated cylindrical tilt stand rotatably disposed upon a generally circular base, the tilt stand having a bottom side and an upper surface, the upper surface disposed at an acute angle relative the bottom side, each of a pair of side supports retractably extendable upon an extendible track portion disposed on a sidewall, with a first holding edge and a second holding edge configured to support an extant frying pan at an angle upon the top surface, the angled frying pan stand including a strainer piece removably attachable over the rim of a frying pan to partition a segment of the frying pan wherein grease may collect under the influence of gravity separated from any foodstuffs in the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventors: Brian A. Pruitt, Maleeia T. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 8535052
    Abstract: A cap for a gas burner is disclosed. The cap includes a center portion including a top surface having a periphery; at least one extension extending outward from the center portion, the at least one extension defining a drain channel extending outward and downward from the top surface; and a ledge extending along the periphery. A spill resistant gas burner assembly incorporating such a cap is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 8474372
    Abstract: An egg pan has individual egg bowls and a water reservoir having channels surrounding the egg bowls. Water is introduced into the water reservoir during the final stage of cooking eggs. A user would cook eggs inside the egg bowls to desired consistency and then pour a small amount of water into the water reservoir and close a snugly-fitting lid, thus generating steam. Exposure to steam at the final stage of cooking causes improvement in shape and appearance of the cooked eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Edwin J. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20130152802
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TSANN KUEN (ZHANGZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130125766
    Abstract: A barbecue accessory for addressing flare ups, uneven heat distribution, and open lid heat loss features a series of spaced-apart longitudinal members connected together in a flexible endless loop having a width less than a first one of the length and width dimensions of a barbecue firebox. A closed loop drive system is arranged for mounting in the firebox between the bottom wall to engage the flexible endless loop to drive each of the spaced apart members of the flexible endless loop in a closed-loop path back and forth along a second one of the length and width dimensions of the firebox. At least one wiping member presents an upward facing wiping surface in the firebox beneath a moving path of the longitudinal members in close proximity thereto to clean the longitudinal members as they pass the wiping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan D. George
  • Patent number: 8444010
    Abstract: A food dispensing device having a frame with first and second sidewalls in spaced parallel relation that house a heating board and a slant board. The slant board is positioned below the heating board and both slope downwardly. Specifically, the heating board has a plurality of slots therein such that juice from a food product flows through the slots and onto the slant board. Adjacent and below the heating board and slant board is a flange that is positioned such that when a food product is placed on the heating board the food product rolls toward the flange and simultaneously juice flows from off the slant board into a juice tray disposed below the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Benchmark USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom S. Berger
  • Publication number: 20130108750
    Abstract: A cooking device, having a cooking surface made of a solid corrugated panel that is positioned at a non-horizontal angle such that fats and greases drain first into natural troughs in the panel and then down into a drainage trough running along a lower front edge of the cooking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Santiago Vitagliano
  • Patent number: 8353243
    Abstract: A frying pan having an arced opening for pouring out cooked stuff, which is formed to the extent of a peripheral portion of a flange that outwardly projects from a periphery of the pan side wall, and having a spill opening formed on at least one end of the flange by gradually narrowing the flange from the periphery of the side wall toward the end of the upper surface of the spill opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chefel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Sam Lee
  • Publication number: 20120325095
    Abstract: A griddle pan for domestic use, having a base, a plurality of ridges extending upwardly from the base, and gulleys between successive ridges. The pan includes a plurality of barriers, each barrier being arrangable between successive ridges, at a height at or lower than the height of successive ridges. The barriers allow liquid to flow from tops of ridges towards the gulleys, and the barriers being arrangable to prevent at least some liquid from spitting from the gulley away through the space between the tops of successive ridges and away from the pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Edward Michael O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 8277747
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Stokley-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Dhruv, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael J. Mastio
  • Patent number: 8273293
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stokley-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Dhruv, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael J. Mastio
  • Publication number: 20120199016
    Abstract: A griddle pan comprises a pan body having sides and an inside bottom defining a perimeter at which the sides protrude upward from the inside bottom. The inside bottom has a center and an upper face on which protrude upwardly rising ribs upon which food to be grilled is laid. The ribs have outside ends disposed at a distance from the sides. The ribs have upper surfaces all lying in a same horizontal, non-curvilinear plane and define intervening spaces therebetween. In the intervening spaces between the ribs, the inside bottom slopes from the center to the outside ends of the ribs and toward the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Joachim Droese
  • Publication number: 20120118173
    Abstract: A grilling device comprises an upper shell and a lower shell, an upper pan disposed on the lower surface of the upper pan and a lower pan disposed on the top surface of the lower shell, and electric heating tubes disposed on the rear sides of the pans, wherein the top surface of the lower pan is slant from two sides to the middle portion, and the shape of the lower surface of the upper pan is cooperated with the shape of the top surface of the lower pan. When cooking, the oil will flow to the middle and will be discharged out from the opening in the middle. The steam can be discharged from two sides because the pan is lower in middle and higher in two sides. Steam is prevented from being discharged from front side. The arc surface has more cooking surface in the same size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yixin Zhan
  • Patent number: 8171844
    Abstract: A griddle for a cooking appliance is disclosed. The griddle includes a main body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a recessed area formed on the second surface, the recessed area having a center, a periphery, and a thickness which diminishes from the periphery toward the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Northcut, Michael Thomas Chezem, David Joseph Najewicz, Daniel Joseph Trice, Guy Henry Turner
  • Patent number: 8158076
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Dhruv, Rei-Young Amos Wu, Michael J. Mastio
  • Patent number: 8151698
    Abstract: A collection lip for a griddle is disclosed. The collection lip includes a longitudinally elongated body member having a first end, a second end, a lateral center line and a longitudinal side. The collection lip further includes a lip member extending from the longitudinal side away from the longitudinally elongated body member, the lip member including sides configured to direct cooking byproducts flowing across the lip member towards the lateral center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gagan Mehta, Howard Richard Bowles, John Adam Yantis, Jose Hernandez Burgos
  • Patent number: 8109263
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking grill includes a removable grease drip pan. The grease drip pan has a drain hole and a drain assembly having a plug that is selectively moveable to seal the drain hole. The user may use the drain assembly to drain grease and other liquid collected in the grease drip pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: David Adam Pliml
  • Publication number: 20120024167
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a cooktop part on which a grill module for grill cooking is detachably disposed, a collection device for sucking an exhaust gas generated in the grill module, an exhaust device forcibly sucking the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to exhaust the exhaust gas to the outside, and a guide device for guiding the exhaust gas collected into the collection device to the exhaust device. The cooking appliance enables different types of food to be simultaneously cooked according to different cooking methods, and thus cooking time for food may be reduced and various demands of users may be met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Myeong-Yeol Kang, Eun Hyae Han
  • Publication number: 20120024166
    Abstract: A smoke-free roaster includes a roaster body having a bottom to which a grease collection tray is mounted, a roasting grating mounted on a top of the roaster body, and a heating structure mounted inside the roaster body. The roasting grating includes grating bars, between which solid sloping plates are formed and gently inclined downward from front and rear side edges in a direction along the grating bars toward a central portion of the roaster body and the heating structure comprises reflector assemblies, which includes heating modules respectively mounted below the sloping plates and respectively receive therein carbon fiber heating tubes that irradiate and thus heat the roasting grating and comprise electrical terminals forming power supply connection modules. The sloping plates increase the surface area on the two opposite sides of the roaster body for heat transfer and heat accumulation thereby raising roasting temperature on the two side portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: WILLIAM HOME
  • Publication number: 20120017775
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a spatula surface having a plurality of holes. The spatula surface is configured for handling food during a cooking process and for enabling fluids to drain through the holes. An arm supports the spatula surface during the cooking process. A handle is joined to an end of the arm. A drainer is positioned generally horizontally above a top surface of the spatula surface for contacting food positioned between the spatula surface and the drainer, and for enabling a pressure to be applied to the food to substantially remove excess fluids from the food. Attaching bars support the drainer and enable movement of the drainer relative to the spatula surface. A lever is joined to the attaching bars for enabling a user to impart a relative downward movement of the drainer to apply the pressure to the food, thereby enabling the user to substantially drain the excess fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jim Wallace Sargent, III
  • Publication number: 20110132204
    Abstract: A grease strainer that will allow grease to drain from food through the strainer and into a food cooking apparatus such as a skillet when cooking pre-selected food items as the food cooks or as the strainer is raised above the level of grease in the food cooking apparatus. The grease strainer having a substantially flat plate like member of a predetermined shape and thickness with a plurality of apertures formed through the strainer to allow grease to drain. A handle having a predetermined shape is attached at a first end thereof to an upper surface adjacent an outer edge of the substantially plate like member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: JOY DONNELLAN
  • Publication number: 20110038999
    Abstract: An item of cookware having a reservoir for containing a cooking liquid is described herein. The cookware includes an outer surface sized for engagement with a cooking device and retention of one or more food items. A reservoir is disposed within the outer surface in a position for receiving heat from the cooking device. The reservoir is sized to contain one or more food items and a quantity of cooking oil or another liquid sufficient to cook the food items. The outer surface is sloped toward the reservoir, such that oil and other liquids from cooked food items placed on the outer surface drains into the reservoir for reuse, providing both health and economic benefits. The outer surface also receives heat from the cooking device sufficient to warm food items not currently being cooked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Payne Lara, James Emmett Moody
  • Patent number: 7867539
    Abstract: The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby means (14) are provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugo Braeken