Abstract: In one embodiment of a container protector the container protector comprises two opposing side skirts, two opposing end skirts, and a interior lip connected to both side skirts and end skirts. The container protector may also include one or more handle extension to facilitate use with a container having one or more handles. The container protector is designed to sealing fit around the top periphery of a container with the interior lip extending upward to prevent material within the container from flowing outward therefrom during transitions. Such transitions may be caused by heating, transportation, or other disturbances. The precise dimensions of the container protector will vary from one embodiment to the next, and the container protector may take any shape depending on the container for which it is designed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a container protector the container protector comprises two opposing side skirts, two opposing end skirts, and a interior lip connected to both side skirts and end skirts. The container protector may also include one or more handle extension to facilitate use with a container having one or more handles. The container protector is designed to sealing fit around the top periphery of a container with the interior lip extending upward to prevent material within the container from flowing outward therefrom during transitions. Such transitions may be caused by heating, transportation, or other disturbances. The precise dimensions of the container protector will vary from one embodiment to the next, and the container protector may take any shape depending on the container for which it is designed.

Abstract: A roller grill includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to a pre-cooked food product; a plurality of rollers mounted in a row, each roller mounted on an end of a corresponding tube and including a plurality of detented projections extending from a circumferential surface of the roller; and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a continuous looped surface coupled to a motor shaft and contactingly engaged with the detented projections of the plurality of rollers. The roller grill further includes a protrusion mounted to the housing structure and in contacting engagement with the continuous looped surface, such that the continuous looped surface is contactingly engaged with at least two detented projections of each roller of the plurality of rollers mounted in the row.

Abstract: A roller grill for heating a pre-cooked food product includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to the pre-cooked food product; a plurality of timing pulleys, each timing pulley mounted on an end of a corresponding tube and including a notched circumferential surface; and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor including a shaft, the motor adapted to generate rotational power through the shaft at a first rotational speed; and a timing belt coupled to the motor and contactingly engaged with the notched circumferential surfaces of the timing pulleys, the timing belt adapted to transfer the rotational power generated by the motor to the tubes at a second rotational speed.

Abstract: A roller grill for heating a pre-cooked food product includes a plurality of tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to the pre-cooked food product; a plurality of spur gears, each spur gear mounted on an end of a corresponding tube; and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor; a timing pulley coupled to a shaft having a plurality of worm gears mounted thereon; and a timing belt coupled to the motor and the timing pulley and adapted to transfer rotary motion generated by the motor into rotary motion of the tubes through contacting engagement of the worm gears with the spur gears.

Abstract: A roller grill for heating a pre-cooked food product includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to a pre-cooked food product; a plurality of tube gears, at least one tube gear mounted on an end of a corresponding tube; and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor having a shaft adapted to rotate at a first rotational speed; and a plurality of idler gears mounted to a portion of the housing structure and contactingly engaged with the plurality of tube gears, the idler gears adapted to transfer a rotational power from the motor to the plurality of tube gears at a second rotational speed.

Abstract: A roller grill for heating a pre-cooked food product includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubes having outer surfaces adapted to transfer heat to the pre-cooked food product; a plurality of non-metallic gears, each non-metallic gear mounted on an end of a corresponding tube; a motor including a motor shaft and adapted to generate a rotational power through the motor shaft at a first rotational speed; and a drive sub-assembly adapted to transfer the rotational power from the shaft to the plurality of non-metallic gears at a second rotational speed.

Abstract: There is described a method for stabilizing a post-trimming resistance of a thermally isolated electrical component made from a thermally mutable material, the method comprising: generating at least one heating pulse, the at least one heating pulse having an initial amplitude corresponding to a trimming temperature, a slope corresponding to a given cooling rate and a duration corresponding to a given cooling time; and applying the at least one heating pulse to one of the thermally isolated electrical component and a heating device in heat transfer communication with the thermally isolated electrical component, after a trimming process, in order to cause the electrical component to cool in accordance with the given cooling rate, the given cooling rate being slower than a passive cooling rate determined by the thermal isolation of the electrical component.

Abstract: A divided cake pan and a method enable simultaneous baking, in a single unitary cake pan, of at least two varieties of cake in corresponding complementary cake segments for presenting a single predetermine cake configuration in the at least two varieties. A single batch of cake batter is divided into sub-batches, each having different ingredients, and the sub-batches are baked simultaneously in the unitary cake pan to establish the complementary cake segments with complementary faces. The complementary cake segments are removed from the cake pan, joined at complementary faces, and presented as a single integrated predetermined cake configuration including at least two varieties of cake. A preferred cake configuration is a simulated bundt cake configuration wherein the cake segments have a substantially arcuate configuration for presentation in a completed integrated ring-like configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for forming articles of food. The methods and devices are configured for forming exterior portions and interior portions of a food article so as to form a cavity for placement of similar or different articles of food therein. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a forming device configured for forming an exterior portion of the food article in a first step, an interior portion of the food article in a second step and an interior and exterior portion in a third step.

Abstract: For use with a baking pan of the type formed from a sheet having a plurality of frusto-conical depressions and inter-spaces between the depressions, a hole maker. The hole maker includes a plate having upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of tubes each have an upper end secured to the lower surface of the plate. The tubes each have a lower end positionable in an associated depression. The upper and lower ends of each tube are separated by a tube length. A plurality of similarly configured posts are provided. The posts each have an upper end secured to the lower surface of the plate. The posts each have a lower end positionable on the upper surface of the sheet at an associated inter-spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating eggs and other food products and a method and apparatus for releasing an egg and other food products from a food-retaining ring are provided. The apparatus includes one or more food-retaining rings suitable to be disposed on a treating surface; and a ring shaped release tool, the exterior perimeter of the release tool being adapted to fit closely to the inside perimeter of the ring. The method of treating eggs and other food products comprises: adding a food product to a volume defined by an interior of a ring disposed on a cooking surface; treating the food product to form a self-supporting mass; and inserting a complementary-shaped release member within the ring containing the self-supporting mass, the release member being adapted to fit closely to an inside perimeter of the ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming and baking an edible cone-shaped container, the container being of a bread dough provided with a light, flaky texture by the inclusion of solid flaked fat pieces in the dough mixture and the cone formed by an initial forming and cooking step followed by multiple baking steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing tostones, referred to herein as a tostonera, has a base member with an upper surface including a plurality of concave recesses therein and a relatively planar bottom surface. A first press member is connected to the base member along a first periphery, and has a plurality of punches equal in number and co-located with the plurality of concave recesses. The first press member hingedly connected to the base member is capable of engaging the base member when pressure is applied to the first press member. A second press member hingedly connected to the base member along a second periphery, has at least one depression therein. The depression within the second press member may be configured to permit either a series of tostones or an entire half banana to be pressed at a single time.

Abstract: An edible container, the means of and apparatus for its production where the container has the shape of a tube with a closed bottom end, an opened top end and an annular wall extending from the bottom end to the top end; said container is handheld, lightly crusted on the inside and outside and comprised of an egg-based dough thus creating a virtually leak proof container. The apparatus is comprised of a pair of Teflon coated complimentary female half-molds, each half-mold having a concave inner surface. Means of production involves initiating a dough heating process using a heating element source and vibrating the complimentary female half-molds at a frequency that enhances product uniformity and allowing heated gases to escape thus minimizing any seam vestige.

Abstract: A device and method of making a cake includes a base wall and a cake form that has a size and shape for receiving the base wall. The cake form includes an outer wall having a shape corresponding to an outer perimeter of the base wall. A bottom edge of the outer wall has a peripheral flange attached thereto. The base wall is positioned into the cake form. Each of a plurality of ring portions is attached to the cake form. A lifting member includes a hand grip and a plurality of tines each having a first end attached to the hand grip and a second end comprising a hook. Each of the ring portions is simultaneously engaged by one of the hooks and the cake form lifted with the hand grip to lift the cake form from a cake after it has been formed in the cake form.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are provided for cooking. A shell, made of high temperature material is disclosed for use in a frying apparatus. Thus, conductive heating and so cooking occurs on the food contained within the shell.

Abstract: A rolled shell and stuffer apparatus, particularly useful for deep frying, utilizes a number of structures which together provide the ability to quickly produce a large number of stuffed taquito type shells having high quality. The basic components of the system include a shell mold having an outer diameter of about 0.5 inches for example, formation mandrel, a rolling support, a frying support, a removal support, a stuffing system, and an optional handling tool. As will be seen, the degree of interrelatedness of these components can vary, but the result is a uniformity of high quality product which enables a wider range of food stuffing.

Abstract: A baking apparatus includes a sleeve having a base, a sidewall, and a lip. The sidewall protrudes upwardly from said base. The lip is positioned on an opposite end of the sidewall from the base. The sidewall establishes a cutout. The base, the sidewall and the cutout define a reservoir.

Abstract: An adjustable temperature electrothermal grill is provided. The present invention discloses a grill comprising a grill pan provided with a heating member, a temperature sensing member for sensing temperature of the grill pan. The heating member and the temperature sensing member are connected to a control circuit. The temperature sensing member provides the temperature signal of the grill pan to the control circuit. The grill further comprises a thermoregulation member and a high temperature switch. The thermoregulation member and the high temperature switch provide the temperature control signal to the control circuit. The control circuit controls the power on/off of the heating member based on the temperature signal of the grill pan and the temperature control signal.

Abstract: An improved pet feeding dish is herein disclosed for causing pets to eat their mealtime ration at a slower pace. The pet feeding dish generally comprises an annular-shaped trough which compels the pet to move its snout in a circular fashion therethrough, thereby slowing the eating process. Additionally, obstructions in the form of wave-like indentations are formed in the base of the dish to provide for even distribution of food within the dish as well as to cause the pet to reach into each of the furrows created thereby, thus further retarding the eating process. The teachings of the present invention may be adapted for use with virtually any type of pet that is capable of consuming food from a dish structure such as dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, or other similar type domesticated or non-domesticated animal.

Abstract: An assembly for forming multiple individual compound desserts in a predetermined dome shape including a base tray having a plurality of recessed cavities to form a base for said compound dessert. A rack and a plurality of dome shaped bowl assemblies secured in a fixed position to said rack. Each bowl assembly is formed with a closed semi-spherical end and an open end forming a cavity, and a cover member which is mounted over said open end, the cover member having an inner bowl extending therefrom which extends into the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for forming a compound dessert in a predetermined compound ring shape including a first outer ring shaped pan defining a cavity, the cavity having a dome shaped cross section with a closed circular end, an open end and a centrally positioned funnel shaped support having an upper solid planar surface. A cover including a second dome ring shaped pan of a smaller width and depth and a surrounding circular skirt is mounted to the outer ring shaped pan with the second inner ring shaped pan extending into a cavity of the first outer ring shaped pan.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for forming a compound dessert in a predetermined compound ring shape including a first outer ring shaped pan defining a cavity, the cavity having a dome shaped cross section with a closed circular end and an open end. A cover including a second dome ring shaped pan of a smaller width and depth and a surrounding circular skirt is mounted to the outer ring shaped pan with the second inner ring shaped pan extending into a cavity of the first outer ring shaped pan.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for forming a compound dessert in a predetermined dome shape including a first outer mold having a dome shaped bowl with a closed semi-spherical end and an open end, and a ring shaped support base secured to said closed end of bowl body. A cover including a second dome shaped bowl of a smaller diameter is mounted in the chamber formed in the first mold bowl and the cover is mounted to an extended portion of the outer mold.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for forming a compound dessert in a predetermined dome shape including a first outer mold having a dome shaped bowl with a closed semi-spherical end and an open end, and a ring shaped planar support base secured to said closed end of bowl body. A second dome shaped bowl of a smaller diameter is mounted in the chamber formed in the first mold bowl. A lip is formed on the open end of both bowls extending outward from the open end of each bowl which holds a retainer strap assembly holding the second inner mold bowl in place within the first outer mold bowl.

Abstract: A baking dish includes a generally shallow platter made of ceramic material suitable to withstand a baking environment and having a baking surface defining a supporting plane on which a baked product can be made. A substantially upright continuous wall in the form of a ring generally conforming to the shape of the baking surface is provided that has a height dimension when supported on the baking surfaces relative to the supporting plane to define a generally cylindrical space for receiving and containing a food product to be baked. The platter and ring have substantially conforming peripheries. A laterally extending bead or a protuberance extends about the periphery of the platter and a deformable engaging member in the form a peripheral lip is provided about the periphery of the ring for removably attaching the ring to the platter about the periphery and for providing a generally sealed connection at the mating surfaces of the platter and wall of the ring.

Abstract: A multi-layer platter apparatus includes an extensible elongated rod having a plurality of hollow tapered sections which are disposed concentrically one around the other in a retracted position and which are movable relative to one another along the length of the rod, the tapered sections having recesses and projections such that the recesses of each of the tapered sections interengage the projections of an adjacent one of the tapered sections in an extended position. The apparatus further includes a plurality of platters mounted respectively on the tapered sections.

Abstract: The baking device produces endless strips of baked goods from pourable baking dough. A cylindrical baking ring of metal is disposed to rotate about its central axis, while it is supported outside its center. The baking ring has one or more endless baking surfaces on which the strips are produced. A stationary depositing device deposits baking mass onto the rotating baking surface before the baking surface travels into a baking zone. A stationary receiving device removes the at least partially baked strips from the baking ring for further processing. A stationary electrical induction coil is disposed in the baking zone. The induction coil is arranged adjacent the baking ring so that the ring, as it moves through the magnetic field of the coil, is heated by induction for generating heat with which the strips are baked from below.

Abstract: A donut making arrangement includes a drip tray for placement over a source of cooking heat, and a donut maker with base and cover. The base has a head defining a recess for receiving batter and cover has a lid for engaging over the recess. The head and lid have shapes and sizes to engage into the opening so that when the batter has been cooked to a selected extent on one side, aligned handles connected to the head and lid are used to turn the donut maker over to cook the batter on the opposite side to create a donut.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of making a toroid filled bagel dough product and the product formed thereby.

Abstract: A machine for making cones from baked wafers utilizes roll-up mechanism in the form of a roll-up mandrel and a roll-up form. A multiplicity of such mechanisms is carried by a chain along an endless path. Each roll-up mechanism can have a frame on which the roll-up mandrel and roll-up form is mounted.

Abstract: A method for forming and baking food particles into a unified, shaped product, e.g., shaped like pizza, has heated top and bottom plates, the mating faces of which have recesses and protrusions for molding the desired shaped product. The bottom plate is in two parts that are abutted together when food particles are deposited thereon and during a baking period with the top plate placed thereon. After raising the top plate, the two bottom parts are moved apart to release the baked, shaped product. Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, can be formed into a pizza-like shell.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for preparing a unified serving of a batter-cooked food, for example shrimp tempura in the shape of a ring, that comprises the steps of: providing multiple pieces of a food to be cooked; coating each piece with a batter; frying the coated pieces in a mold in a hot oil or fat medium in order to cook the food, expand the batter, and join the battered pieces into a shaped food product reflecting the shape of the mold; and removing the shaped food product from the oil or fat and the mold. The cooking mold is preferably a deep-frying cooking vessel assembly comprising a generally U-shaped channel of flat metal. The cooking vessel assembly is configured with apertures and with a handle and/or a scraper. The apertures and handle are configured to provide quick submerging and quick fryer medium contact around the food being deep-fried in the cooking vessel assembly. The cooking vessel assembly is further configured to shape food items to be deep-fried in the cooking vessel assembly.

Abstract: A cooking spit including a heat transfer arrangement for the cooking or roasting of foods, especially such as fowl or other types of meats, wherein the cooking spit is adapted to be rotated as a component of a rotisserie. More particularly, there is provided a heat transfer fluid medium incorporated into the hollow interior of the cooking spit and which is adapted to provide a source of convective heat for assisting in internally cooking the food, and also a coolant upon cooling of the spit.

Abstract: A downwardly tapering core forms a guide part for an end portion which can be pushed into the core so as to be flush therewith when the core is introduced into a downwardly tapering cavity in the form member in the production of ice cream cups, cones or the like. Upon an initial baking of the dough to increase the resistance thereof, the core can be pressed further into the dough to compress the latter into final thickness, whereupon baking can occur with the end portion fully pressed into the guide part.

Abstract: A baking mold for baking goods includes an upper movable and substantially conical part provided with independently slidable guide part which has a plurality of steam vents providing a free passage for the steam upon displacing the upper part into a lower part while baking the goods.

Abstract: A baking utensil so shaped as to mold within bread dough baked upon it one or more buns, each with a recess to retain a weiner, bratwurst, frankfurter, processed meat link, hamburger or other cooked meat product.

Abstract: A device for cooking meatballs, which may be made for use in a microwave oven, conventional oven or stove-top. The invention comprises a horizontal drip pan having a plurality of relatively short vertical pegs projecting upward from the bottom, spaced throughout the pan sufficiently apart to allow each meatball to be impaled on a peg without touching its neighbor meatball. Each peg has a disk-like stop for supporting a meatball, and preventing it from sliding down the peg into the bottom of the pan. The pan is preferably fabricated of microwave-oven safe material, but can also be made of metal and covered with Teflon.RTM. or a similar anti-stick coating for better cleaning in stove-top or regular oven use. The pan is preferably dishwasher safe for easier cleaning.

Abstract: A cake mold includes a base having a number of receptacles disposed thereon, and ring-shaped side parts of different diameters that are adapted for inserting into corresponding receptacles. The side parts are independent of and separate from the base. In one embodiment, the receptacles are in the form of concentric grooves that are arranged in a circular patterns. In another embodiment, the receptacles are in the form of slits that are arranged in concentric circular patterns, and that are staggered with respect to one another. The side parts each include a lower edge that is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding groove or slit. In another embodiment, the side part has a variable diameter side wall with radial ends that are adapted to slidably engage one another to permit making cakes of different diameters.

Abstract: An appliance for the preparation of fowl which has been dressed, comprising a heat transfer member having an exterior configuration which substantially conforms to the interior cavity of the dressed fowl and which, when inserted into the cavity, makes substantially total contact with the interior wall, the interior region of the heat transfer member defining a cavity, which cavity is heated to cooking temperature so that when said heat transfer member is disposed within a heated environment, the fowl is initially seared, both from within and on the outside, and thereafter quickly cooked for human consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for baking bread bowls are described. A bread bowl baker includes a concavo-convex body including a wide diameter circumference and a narrow diameter circumference; a first end coextensively joined to the wide diameter circumference, the first end i) having an axially outermost extent that defines a first end plane and ii) including a nonplanar cylindrical flange that doubles back from the axially outermost extent to form a raised edge, the raised edge defining a raised edge plane that is noncoplanar with the first end plane; and a second end coextensively joined to the narrow diameter circumference, the second end defining a second end plane. The systems and methods provide advantages in that resulting bread bowls are of uniform shape and are uniformly baked.

Abstract: Apparatus or device for the preparation of fowl which has been dressed, comprising a heat transfer member having an exterior configuration which substantially conforms to the interior cavity of the dressed fowl and which, when inserted into the cavity, makes substantially total contact with the interior wall such that when the heat transfer member, with fowl mounted thereon, is placed in a heated environment, the fowl is initially seared in the interior cavity and thereafter cooked for human consumption in accordance with the method prescribed herein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-piece portable oven having an oven body (22), a baking mold (24), and a cover (28). Oven body (22) has and upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall (34) and a substantially flat bottom (32). Baking mold (24) has an upwardly extending cylindrical sidewall (38) and a substantially flat bottom wall (40) with an upwardly extending frusto-conical opening (44) at the center thereof. Baking mold (24) is placed inside oven body (22) for baking and steaming. Cover (28) has a circular configuration and downwardly extending peripheral edge (42) that is adapted to provide a tight fit over the baking mold (24) and oven body (22). The portable oven is adapted to be placed on top of a gas stove or electric range. The direct heat of the flame on the oven body will heat the air inside the portable oven and cause the food inside to be cooked or baked.

Abstract: Machines are disclosed for making arepas from corn flour dough which is then formed into arepas in a cavity situated between abutting, opposing forming members. The cavity, when the forming members are closed with dough occupying the cavity, is of predetermined dimensions, is substantially circular in the plane where said members abut, is substantially bilaterally symmetrical with reference both to said plane and the central axis of that circular portion, and, axially from that plane, is of progressively increasing thickness dimension proceeding from said edge of said circle toward that axis. The forming members are then moved apart from each other by a distance at least equal to the axial dimension of the cavity and the arepa preform is disassociated from the forming members and its entire outer surface, but not its interior, is cooked using primarily radiant and/or convective heat, but not conductive heat to any significant extent.

Abstract: An improved, multi-purpose cake pan which offers the flexibility of having both a flat-cake pan and a tube-cake pan, the compact storageability of a single cake pan, and a simplified means of removing either a flat-cake or a tube-cake from the outer rim of the cake pan itself. Two separate cake pan insets are provided to allow the cake pan user to bake either a flat-cake or a tube-cake. Both such insets fit securely into an outer rim--giving the appearance of a standard, one-piece cake pan. A tube-cake handle quickly connects to the tube-cake inset and allows it to be easily removed from the outer rim of the cake pan. A quick procedure for removing the flat-cake inset is performed by simply lowering the cake pan over the tube-cake inset whereby a vertical column of the tube-cake inset pushes the flat-cake inset up and out of the outer rim of the cake pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an edible container, its production process and its production apparatus, and its object is to easily and reliably form a bottom surface for said edible container that enables it to be set down. This object is achieved by kneading wheat flour, sugar, an oil or fat and other raw materials with water to form a dough, forming this dough into a flat sheet having an arc-shaped side (a) that is formed by opening up a conical shape from which the tip has been cut, and a plurality of parabolic pieces (c) separated on the side opposing arc-shaped side (a), and together with sequentially folding these parabolic pieces from their base ends followed by overlapping and adhesion, both right and left sides (b) of arc-shaped side a are overlapped and adhered to form a cup in the shape of an inverted cone with a bottom.

Abstract: A heat transfer ring that is readily usable in any application requiring heat transfer from a heat source to a medium coming in contact with the ring. The ring may also be used in a reverse application where it is used to cool the medium coming into contact with it. The ring is a cast body consisting of a plurality of integrally connected circular rings to which a series of tapered prongs are attached so as to provide a large heat sink. The prongs are of a tapered conical shape and are specifically positioned with respect to each other thereby spanning a larger dimension of the medium being treated so as to effectively and efficiently transfer heat thereto or therefrom.

Abstract: A baking apparatus with a plurality of spaced-apart female molds, and a co-acting top tray provided with and equal plurality of hollow spikes adapted to extend downwardly into the female molds which produce an elongated cavity in a bread roll baked in the apparatus. The distance between the lower end of each spike and the lower end of an associated female mold is greater than the distance between the interior wall of the mold and outer wall of the spike with the first longitudinal cross-section of said female mold rounded at the closed end thereof and the second longitudinal cross-section, in a plane normal to the first longitudinal cross-section, is conical at the closed end.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for cooking and preferably roasting or grilling food, in particular food with an accessible cavity such as fowl or the like, wherein the food is heated simultaneously externally and internally and when preferably at least one heater element is inserted into the food.An apparatus implementing the process of the invention is characterized by a food receiving chamber and by a heating system associated with the food receiving chamber that supplies both external and internal heat to the food, this system preferably including at least one one external heater element and one inside heater element insertable into the food. Preferably the inside heater element is electrical and preferably it is substantially rod-like.