Collapsible, Expansible Or Sectional Support Patents (Class 99/449)
  • Patent number: 6178877
    Abstract: A portable roaster having a drum that is rotated either by hand or by a motor and able to roast a variety of items including fruits and vegetables, nuts, meats and seafood depending on the type of roaster drum or drum attachment used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Samuelson
  • Patent number: 6176173
    Abstract: Cooking appliances, cooking assemblies, and cooking assembly components that improve heat distribution are provided. In one embodiment, a cooking assembly has a sear grid including a radiant panel having an undulating shape. The panel defines at least one generally parabolic dome with a radiused peak to allow liquids at the peak to be rapidly heated by the burner. The dome has sides extending away from the peak with a generally increasing slope to cause liquids flowing down the sides of the dome to accelerate. In another embodiment, a double U-shaped burner is provided. A U-shaped burner has a base for positioning at the front of the cooking assembly and a pair of legs that extend toward the rear of the cooking assembly. A second U-shaped connecting tube is positioned to connect the U-shaped burner base to the front of the cooking assembly housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Thermador Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Holbrook, Jeff Busta, Scott Turner, Filiberto Betancourt, Karel Slovacek, Jeff Lam, James Layfield
  • Patent number: 6164194
    Abstract: A roaster rack for supporting meat or poultry for cooking. The rack comprises complementary halves releasably secured together to form a continuous support surface. Removal of a retaining pin from a hinge assembly permits the complementary halves to be separated, whereby the cooked food may be efficiently deposited on a platter or cutting board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Ola Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 6135014
    Abstract: A barbecue rack including a barbecue grill, a base seat, two support legs and a barbecue tray. The frame of each of the barbecue grill and the base seat has a longitudinal section, whereby the barbecue grill, base seat and the barbecue tray can be stacked into one single unit as a thin rectangular body. Therefore, the storage room is saved and the barbecue rack can be easily quickly assembled. The components of the barbecue rack can be firmly associated and the barbecue grill is not easy to detach and drop and the barbecue grill can be entirely used. The height of the barbecue grill can be stagelessly adjusted by means of the support legs of the base seat as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Yin Shou Chang
  • Patent number: 6131560
    Abstract: A portable grill having telescoping legs is disclosed. The grill includes a substantially rectangular grate and two pairs of telescoping legs. Each pair of telescoping legs is pivotally attached to one end of the rectangular grate. The grill can be used to cook food over an open fire, or the grill can be used to cook with charcoal with the aid of a charcoal tray that can be hung below the rectangular grate using S-hooks. The invention also includes a carrying case for allowing the grill to be carried in a backpack without the grill soiling other items in the backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis Healy
  • Patent number: 6123014
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disassemblable oven roaster. The disassemblable oven roaster comprises a geared motor having a main shaft to a free end of which a fan is mounted and a reduction shaft to a free end of which a roasting spit is connected; a motor housing for accommodating the geared motor; an intermediate supporting member detachably and horizontally coupled to the motor housing for supporting a roasting heater and the roasting spit which are disposed therein in a manner such that they are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, the intermediate supporting member having opened upper and lower ends; and upper and lower oven elements covering the opened upper and lower ends, respectively, of the intermediate supporting member, the upper and lower oven elements being configured so that they can be separated from the intermediate supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignees: Jong-Yeon Jo, Sang-Hun Park
    Inventor: Jong-Yeon Jo
  • Patent number: 6123015
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus for baking food, is provided including a tray having a bottom surface with an inner section and an outer section which is separate from the inner section. Multiple legs are coupled to the tray to support the apparatus on the ground, or other substantially flat surface. A platter is disposed over at least a portion the inner section. The platter has a plate and a projecting member extending from the plate, or through an aperture in the plate, for supporting the food. A cylindrical upper member is provided having an interior cavity and an opening to this cavity at the bottom of the upper member. Through this opening, the upper member is positionable on the tray over the platter along either an annular gap between the inner and outer sections, or in the inner section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Leisure Cook Company
    Inventors: Joseph T. McLain, Gene R. Price
  • Patent number: 6119588
    Abstract: A formed rack providing a plurality of horizontally extending, spaced rods with extending wire formed handles for lifting. The rack provides a first horizontal surface, formed of the spaced rods, upon which foodstuffs may be placed for roasting or baking with a pair of formed members having their bottommost portions constructed to be interlocked with selected of the horizontal rods to provide a pair of vertically arranged poultry receiving elements which are receivable into the interior of a poultry carcass to hold the same in upright position. The vertical members also interlock with one another at ninety degree angles to provide support for the carcass placed thereon and hold the same in a vertical position during baking or roasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: T & L Nifty Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Tiemann
  • 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: 6101930
    Abstract: A baking device for use in a domestic oven. The baking device is composed of refractory insulating material and includes a base and a pair of walls. The base is generally rectangular and has a pair of spaced-apart grooves formed therein. The walls are generally rectangular and have concave interior surfaces. The walls have bottom edges adapted for insertion into the grooves so as to mount the walls to the base. When the walls are mounted to the base, the baking device is generally channel-shaped, creating a partially curvilinear baking surface resembling a "c" in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Charles Van Over
  • Patent number: 6085643
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting arrangement for a cooking plate having a perimeter edge. The arrangement includes the plate and a frame around the plate, the frame having a support portion extending over the perimeter edge and a rib extending away from the support portion. In the improvement, the perimeter edge and the rib define a space between them and the space is filled with reaction foam. A related method for mounting a cooking plate and a mounting support to one another includes the steps of constructing a mounting support having a support portion and a rib and providing a cooking plate having a perimeter edge. The cooking plate and the mounting support are placed against one another so that the cooking plate and the rib have a space between them. The space is filled with reaction foam, preferably by injecting such foam through a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Schott Glaswerke
    Inventor: Horst Stedron
  • Patent number: 6076451
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for alternately cooking, broiling, or grilling foods in a single vessel. The apparatus includes a bottom pan portion which is supported by a lower frame portion. An upper frame is pivotally supported from the bottom pan portion. A top portion is provided, wherein the top portion is pivotally affixed to the upper frame. The top portion includes a reversible combination lid portion and a grille portion. The grille portion of the top portion is the inner wall surface of the lid portion, and is thus located in the upper reaches of the lid portion when the lid portion is in a cooking position. When the top portion is rotated one hundred eighty (180) degrees, the grille portion provides an upwardly exposed grille surface for food preparation. The top portion is shaped suitable for nesting in the bottom pan portion when the upper frame is returned to a normal, grille cooking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Loye E. Studer
  • Patent number: 6073542
    Abstract: This invention presents dual functions in a sole appliance. The present griddle has the feature to be heated by gas or electricity. This makes the griddle portable. The griddle comprising of housing (1) and a plurality of supporting legs (7a, b, c, d)(not shown) and attached to said housing (1) a removable top plate fixture (2), and attached to the interior of the housing (1) a separator plate (15) covering the entire interior area of the housing (1)characterized in that the housing (1) contains an electrical heating device (16), and electrical socket (9) and a gas manifold (17) with connector locking valve (3) the housing contains thermal insulation (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Primitivo Perez
  • Patent number: 6073546
    Abstract: A cooking grill is provided with a tubular compartment positioned within a fuel container. The tubular compartment has a removable tray upon which food items may be placed. Heat is evenly distributed within the tubular compartment by burning charcoal to provide an even, uniform cooking temperature throughout. Additionally a grill cooking basket is provided which is well suited to positioning over the grill's fuel container. The grill basket includes a transverse member which rides upon a ledge within the fuel container of the grill. When rotated, the transverse member forces the grill basket upwardly away from the burning fuel in order to prevent the grill basket from inadvertently contacting the burning fuel. V-shaped forks hold each grill basket in place on the fuel container at the front and rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Gary S. Alcorn
  • Patent number: 6065394
    Abstract: An improved, easily cleanable folding pan with a continuous cooking surface includes a pair of pan sections with generally planar cooking surfaces joined at the perimeter in side-by-side relationship by a pair of upstanding hinges. The hinges permit pivotal movement of the pan sections from a generally flat cooking position into a folded position for cleaning or storage. The fold margin of one of the pan sections slightly overlaps the fold margin of the other cooking surface, so that in the cooking position the pan presents a continuous cooking surface. The fold margin of one of the cooking surfaces may include a dependent lip for overlapping the fold margin of the other cooking surface when the pan is in the cooking position. A pair of opposed, upstanding handles may be coupled with the perimeter margin of the cooking surface. The perimeter margin of the pan section may be surmounted by an upstanding sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: John F. Gelderman
  • Patent number: 6058925
    Abstract: An adjustable grill grid construction 10 including at least one generally rectangular open framework member 20 having a pair of opposed side channel elements 21, 22 and a centerline brace element 23 provided with a plurality of spaced transverse recesses 24 which are dimensioned to at least partially receive the intermediate portion 33 of a plurality of rod members 30 which are moveable relative to the framework member 20 and adapted to be captively engaged relative to the centerline brace element 23 by a bar clamp member 40 to vary the spacing of the rod members 30 relative to the framework member 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Mack Patterson
  • Patent number: 6050257
    Abstract: An open grill assembly, with a radiant heating sheet, can be assembled together into a rigid grill, with rods forming a frame supporting the radiant sheet and the grid in a spaced apart relationship. The components can be disassembled into a compact bundle, preferably a flat bundle. When assembled, in a preferred embodiment, the radiant heating sheet is adapted to rest on the top of the burner, so that the rods forming the frame need not touch the ground, allowing a single, economical design to be used with most, and perhaps all, commercially available burners. In operation, the burner heats the radiant heating sheet and radiant heat from the sheet cooks food on the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Bondco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph N. Bond
  • Patent number: 6038965
    Abstract: A portable barbecue grill apparatus has multiple functions including barbecuing, baking, roasting, and pan broiling, some of which can be accomplished simultaneously on joined cooking elements. The grill apparatus can have an extendable rear lid having a rotisserie attached to a base. Alternatively, a pair of slotted side plates attached to the lid and covered by a heat shield can permit the spacing of the spit from the burner in the lid according to the size of the rotating fool. The lid and base each contain heating elements energized by one or two portable propane tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Robert J. Thorndyke
  • Patent number: 6035768
    Abstract: A portable heat unit is described. The heat unit is useful as an oven, barbecue, griddle, etc. The heat unit comprises a body, a lid, a cooking support member such as a grill rack or oven plate and a brace. The body comprises a number of rectangular panels joined to form an open-ended polyhedron such as a box. The panel joints are movable, and preferably comprise piano hinges, thus rendering the body collapsible. When in use, the stand is rendered noncollapsible by installation of the brace. The brace comprises a rigid member which is placed between two panels to permit control of the burning of the fuel, heat flow, temperature and to define an opening through which the fuel and food may be conveniently accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6035767
    Abstract: A camp skillet and biscuit maker, (10) primarily useful for cooking biscuits, meats and other food items at a campsite over a direct heat source, such as a camp fire or camp stove. Biscuit maker (10) includes an upper skillet member (20) and a lower skillet member (30). Upper skillet member (20) and lower skillet member (30) are hingedly fixed together. Lower skillet member (30) is of sufficient depth to serve as a deep fryer and a fry basket (65), is provided that is dimensioned so as to nest within lower skillet member (30). For cooking biscuits over a camp fire, biscuit skillet (70), which has a foraminous bottom (72), which also nests within lower skillet member (30) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald E. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6021708
    Abstract: A spit riser mount for mounting a rotating spit to a tabletop grill. The spit riser mount includes an annular spit mount that has a plurality of pieces. Each of the pieces has opposite first and second ends. The first end of a piece removably engages the second end of an adjacent piece. A first of the pieces has a slot downwardly extending from an upper edge of the piece. The slot is adapted for receiving a spit therein. A second of the pieces has a first aperture positioned towards its upper edge. The first aperture is adapted for receiving a spit therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Le Roy Hoglund
  • Patent number: 6000319
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of cooking and smoking food is disclosed. The apparatus has an outer container, an inner container, and a cover for the inner container. The outer container is provided with a bottom wall which receives a smoke material such as wood chips, herbs and the like thereon and the inner container is provided with a bottom wall with smoke flow apertures therein wherein food is placed on the bottom wall of the inner container, the bottom wall of the inner container being spaced from the bottom wall of the outer container. The smoke material is ignited to provide smoke which flows up through the apertures in the bottom wall of the inner container and along with the heat being generated by the bottom wall of the outer container and the ignited material provides the smoke and cooking heat for the food. One embodiment has cylindrical telescoping containers and another pan shaped nesting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Hightemp LLP
    Inventor: Rodney L. Treiber
  • Patent number: 5988046
    Abstract: A new deep frying and serving implement for efficiently deep frying foods and being utilized as a serving tray. The inventive device includes a planar platter portion having a generally rectangular configuration defined by opposed long side walls and opposed short end walls. The platter portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of stainless steel rods extend outwardly of the lower surface of the planar platter portion. The plurality of stainless steel rods each have pointed free ends and spiraled threads extending upwardly from the pointed free ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Philip A. Noll
  • Patent number: 5964145
    Abstract: A griddle adapted for use in the food service industry. The griddle comprises a stainless steel griddle plate and a plurality of copper plates held against the underside of the griddle plate. High temperature grease is placed between the adjacent surfaces of the stainless steel plates and copper plates. The copper plates are held in place by leaf springs. Suitable heating devices, such as gas burners or electric heater bars, heat the griddle. When there is a differential in temperature between the stainless steel plate and the copper plates, the copper plates can move relative to the stainless steel plate. The movement is facilitated by the use of high temperature grease. The high temperature grease also provides efficient heat transfer between the copper plates and the stainless steel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Legion Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5947007
    Abstract: A removable firebox for use in a portable, collapsible barbecue grill including retractable heating grate on top of the firebox and a retractable mid-level cooking grill for providing high-temperature cooking. A lower main grill is disposed in a base cavity of the barbecue grill for providing moderate temperature cooking. The firebox rests in the base cavity of the grill housing and provides heat to a cooking area defined by the base cavity, an upper lid of the housing and a pair of side walls extending upward from the base cavity. The firebox and/or the upper lid includes insulation and/or cooling baffles to protect users from heated surfaces. Venting is provided from the sides and rear of the grill housing. When collapsed, the grate and grills fold onto or are retracted within the firebox, and the entire firebox assembly is stowed in a sealed grill housing. The top and bottom portions of the grill housing mate to form a sealed container-like structure for convenient transportability or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alphonso G. Andress
    Inventors: Richard M. O'Grady, Glen Nielsen, William D. Hester, Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 5931085
    Abstract: A portable, adjustable grill apparatus for cooking over a source of heat, including at least three grill legs having respective upper ends and lower ends, the grill legs being interconnected at the upper ends and angularly spaced relative to each other, and the lower ends being adapted to rest on the ground. A grill extends generally horizontally and has a perimeter connected to the grill legs for sliding movement therealong. A height adjusting mechanism selectively adjusts the height of the grill relative to the legs. The height adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of flexible members that are each routed inside an interior passage of a respective one of the grill legs, the flexible members having inner ends connected to the grill and outer ends connected to a securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Grate Mate Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Benzschawel
  • Patent number: 5921172
    Abstract: Apparatus can cook foodstuffs with a pot and at least one support assembly adapted to rest atop the pot. The support assembly has a pair of walls. Each of the walls is dependently mounted from the support assembly. The walls are spaced apart an adjustable amount. The support assembly also has a floor hinged to and spanning the pair of walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Wladyslaw Kiczko, Miroslaw Kiczko
  • Patent number: 5884553
    Abstract: A foldable fuel cooker is provided including a central member and a plurality of legs pivotally connected to central member via pipes mounted thereon. An inlet tube is connected to the central member and extends therefrom to a central extent of one of the legs. A brace is mounted on one of the legs for preventing the inlet tube from being inadvertently removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: James O. Morris
  • Patent number: 5884554
    Abstract: The invention relates to a barbecue with a flat barbecue food carrier swiveling by means of a motor and a lifting and/or lowering device for changing the spacing of the barbecue food carrier from a heating device at least while turning the barbecue food carrier, with a combined turning as well as lifting device consisting of a lifting arm and swivel arms swiveling by means of a drive being provided, which are connected with the barbecue food carrier, the fulcrums of the swivel and lifting arms being spaced from each other in favor of a swiveling and rotary movement of the barbecue food carrier with simultaneous movement of the lifting and swivel arms, the lifting and swivel arms being provided with guide elements engaged with each other for at least part of the path of motion of the lifting and swivel arms in foavour of the force guidance of the swivel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Hermann-Josef Sprick
  • Patent number: 5881637
    Abstract: A chafing dish skirt made of fabric having fire-retardant qualities and a method of making a particular fabric fire retardant. The chafing dish skirt is sized and configured to shield the heating device for the chafing dish while permitting air circulation to the heating device if such device is an open-flame type device. The chafing dish skirt is weighted to counter the effects of wind. The device is flexible, easily washable, and economical to produce. The skirt device helps retain heat within the chafing dish. The fire-retardant chafing dish skirt is attached to the chafing dish or the chafing dish frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: David L. Strickel
  • Patent number: 5878656
    Abstract: A disposable and interchangeable roasting pan/cover features a base panel with a side wall about its perimeter. A platform for supporting a food product is positioned on the interior surface of the base panel. A handle recess may form the platform so as to define a handle upon the exterior surface of the base panel. Alternatively, a pair of side wall recesses in the interior surface of the side wall may define handles on the side wall exterior surface while enhancing the structural strength of the pan/cover. A rim is disposed about the outer edge of the side wall and features an even number of staggered tongue and groove features. Two of the pan/covers may be oriented with their rims abutted so that one pan/cover serves as a cover for the other serving as a pan. The tongue and groove features of the two pan/covers engage one another so that the cover oriented pan/cover does not slide off of the pan oriented pan/cover holding the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Handi-Foil Corporation
    Inventors: Carl R. Fletcher, Norton Sarnoff
  • Patent number: 5865105
    Abstract: A generally planar rectangular base plate supports a quartet of upwardly extending outwardly angled support members each terminating in a receptacle end. The receptacle ends receive and support a rectangular generally planar cutting board at the four corners thereof. A plurality of openings are formed between the base plate and the upwardly extending support members through which a generally rectangular working pan having a bottom, opposed sides, frontal wall and rear wall is slidingly received through any of the openings to rest upon the base plate beneath the cutting board. The working pan may be partially withdrawn from the cutting board tray thus formed to extend partially beyond the overlying edge of the cutting board to facilitate the transfer of discarded materials from the cutting board to the working pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: George Pepelanov
  • Patent number: 5862742
    Abstract: Cantilevered cooking grills for campfires include a post having an upper end and an opposite, pointed lower end, a plurality of cantileverable arms slidably mountable into a cooking position, at first ends thereof, onto the first post so as to slidably journal the first post through collars rigidly mounted to the first ends, a plurality of cooking platforms mounted to corresponding second ends of the cantileverable arms, the second ends opposite the first ends, wherein each cooking platform of the plurality of cooking platforms is generally co-planar with its corresponding cantileverable arm of the plurality of cantileverable arms, a second post rigidly mounted at an end thereof perpendicularly to the first post, at a first location on the first post, the plurality of cantileverable arms, in a storage position slidably mountable, at the first ends thereof, onto the second post so as to slidably journal the second post through the collars rigidly mounted to the first ends, and so as to generally align parallel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Russell Bond
    Inventor: Paul A. Bjerg
  • Patent number: 5839361
    Abstract: A cooking surface for use with cooking kettles, such as outdoor grills, is disclosed. The cooking surface is made from a single sheet of stainless steel of sufficient thickness to prevent warping under normal cooking temperatures. The cooking surface has a grill section with a plurality of parallel slots cut into the stainless steel to emulate a rack type cooking surface and a griddle section that is substantially solid. Two embodiments of the combination griddle and grill cooking surface are disclosed, one directed to a rectangular kettle and one directed to a circular kettle. An adaptable embodiment of the rectangular cooking surface having extendable slide bars to fit various size cooking kettles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: John T. Richter
  • Patent number: 5823100
    Abstract: A baking and/or cooling rack having at least two shelves formed of wire. The shelves are connected by wire support legs such as at the outside corners of the shelves. The connection between each shelf and its attached support legs is provided by a spring pin. The spring pins form hinges which provide a friction force preventing free movement of the connected support legs with respect to the shelves, but which allows forced movement of the connected support legs with respect to the shelves, thereby allowing the rack to fold between an upright position and a knocked down position. A third shelf may be removably supported by the support legs between the first and second shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: L & L Products
    Inventors: James L. Wienhold, Irene C. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5819640
    Abstract: A fire retardant, portable chafer structure is disclosed. The chafer structure includes four sides and a bottom defining a generally rectangular-shaped structure having an interior chamber therewithin. The bottom is connected along a lower edge of each of the four sides to define a bottom tray adapted for holding and containing spilled material. A chafer rack is provided for placement in nested engagement within the chafer structure. One of the four sides has an aperture for providing access to the interior chamber by a user. Handles are provided on upper portions of the chafer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cuomo, Neal E. Katz
  • Patent number: 5802962
    Abstract: A new outdoor adjustable grill for grilling over an open wood fire with numerous options. The inventive device includes a circular grill portion having four circular sleeves secured to an outer periphery thereof. The four circular sleeves are disposed at ninety degree intervals. The circular sleeves have open upper and lower ends. The open lower ends are internally threaded. Four leg portions are provided with each having threaded upper ends. The threaded upper ends couple with the open lower ends of the circular sleeves for elevating the circular grill portion above a recipient surface. A pair of forked posts are provided with each having lower ends. The lower end of the forked posts are received within the open upper ends of diametrically opposed circular sleeves. A crank spit extends between upper forked ends of the pair of forked posts. One end of the crank spit has a handle disposed thereon. The crank spit has a pair of claws disposed thereon in a facing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Goldyn
  • Patent number: 5791235
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for roasting a poultry item having a breast portion to be faced downward, first and second leg portions, and first and second wing portions. In one embodiment, the device comprises first and second members each having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and an upper support portion. The first and second leg portions of the first and second member extend downward from and are substantially perpendicular to their corresponding upper support portion. The upper support portion of the first and second member each comprise a wing support portion and a leg support portion. The first and second leg portions of the first member are rotatably connected to the first and second leg portions of the second member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Anthony Gray Anselmo
  • Patent number: 5782168
    Abstract: A portable grill is provided in which a heat source is located laterally of food to be cooked. The grill is particularly well suited for rotisserie cooking. The portable grill of the present invention can be disassembled into a compact portable carrying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Peter S. Krhnak
  • Patent number: 5782173
    Abstract: A device for grilling small pieces of food is described which is a basket including a mesh. The device fits inside of conventional grills even when the lid of the grill is closed and can be easily removed for shaking and turning over of the small pieces of food without their falling out. The basket optionally has a removable lid that can be used independently of the device as a cooking surface. When the lid is in place, the entire device may be turned over. When the lid is either off or in the up position, the food inside the basket may be stirred or moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Marvin Fabrikant, Patricia Fabrikant
  • Patent number: 5775209
    Abstract: A multi-layer or multi-shelf baking and cooling rack which provides a plurality of layer surfaces which will fit into an oven of a stove for receiving articles to be baked thereon. Its lower layer will rest upon the lowest positioned oven shelf and provide three layers in spaced vertical relation thereabove with the normal second shelf of the oven being positionable upon the upper oven rack supports to provide four baking levels. The unit is removable from the oven for cooling of the baked products. The unit consists of a lower rack having a forward and rearward leg rotatable thereon into vertical positions. The rearward leg is provided with a pair of spaced shelf elements rotatably attached thereto with the frontmost ends of such shelf elements provided with hook elements to engage with the forward leg of the lower rack when the same is shifted to its vertical position. The rotatable connections allow for complete collapsing of the unit for storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: T&L Nifty Products Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Tiemann
  • Patent number: 5768979
    Abstract: In a cooking device composed of a frame for receiving a heating element, the device further including a cooking plate supported on the frame and elements for fixing the cooking plate to the frame, the fixing elements are constituted by at least one adhesive band having two active adhesive surfaces, with a first one of the adhesive surfaces contacting and adhering to the frame and a second one of the adhesive surfaces contacting, and adhering to, the plate. A process for assembling a cooking device composed of a cooking plate and a frame, the process including the steps of providing at least one adhesive band having two opposed active adhesive surfaces, and assembling the cooking plate to the frame with the at least one adhesive band interposed between the cooking plate and the frame such that a first one of the active adhesive surfaces is fixed to the frame and a second one of the active adhesive surfaces is fixed to the cooking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Dominique Antoine
  • Patent number: 5768983
    Abstract: A wood smoker comprises an outer cooking container, an inner cooking container, and a cover for the inner cooking container. The outer cooking container is provided with a bottom wall which receives wood chips and the like thereon and the inner cooking container is provided with a bottom wall with smoke flow apertures therein wherein pre-portioned foods are placed on the bottom wall of the inner cooking container, the bottom wall of the inner cooking container being spaced from the bottom wall of the outer cooking container. Wood chips and the like which are ignited provides smoke which flows up through the apertures in the bottom wall of the inner container and along with the heat being generated by the bottom wall of the outer container and the ignited wood chips provides the smoke and cooking heat for the pre-portioned food products on the surface of the bottom wall of the inner cooking container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Rodney Treiber
  • Patent number: 5768980
    Abstract: A new baking form assembly for forming a product pre-positioned on the standing rack before baking. In this way the need for the transfer of the product from the shape form to the standing rack after baking is negated. The inventive device includes a shape form which defines an enclosure for the forming of a product, characterized in that a standing rack is removably juxtaposed a bottom wall inside the shape form, the arrangement being such that on release of the product from the shape form the product is pre-positioned on the standing rack. In this way the need for the transfer of the product from the shape form to the standing rack is negated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Monika Degen
  • Patent number: 5758570
    Abstract: A portable cooking grill assembly includes a ground penetratable base which is essentially a screw mechanism, a support shaft which is detachably mounted to the screw mechanism, a ground stabilizer member which mounts about the support shaft and which has an extended portion which rests upon the ground to help prevent tipping over of the ground penetratable base, a grill bracket mounted upon and adjustable along the support shaft, and a grill member having two grill sections hingedly attached to each other, the grill member being detachably mounted to the grill bracket and being suspended above the ground at selected heights and being disposed generally horizontally. The portable cooking grill assembly can be quickly and easily set up and taken apart and stored in a carrying case which takes up very little space and can be stored in places where conventional cooking grills are too big and can be taken anywhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Curtis J. Hill
  • Patent number: 5749284
    Abstract: An earthen kiln cooking pot comprising a pot body, a plurality of erection posts and a plurality of support columns, whereby in its application a pit is dug on the ground, the material so dug out is used to fill the erection posts and the support columns and to cover the surface of the pot body where the material is retained within the pot body by means of the retention wall while the ventilation tube is exposed outside the material; then the support columns are arranged around the circumference of the pit according to the size of the pot body, the erection posts are placed on the support columns, and the pot body is placed on the erection posts to complete the erection of the present invention; for cooking purpose a fuel is placed and burned within the pit to heat the pot body, the erection posts and the support columns as well as the material therein while by action of the ventilation tube on the pot body, the fuel is kept on burning, till the pot body, the erection posts and the support columns as well as
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Chun-Mu Chiu
  • Patent number: 5746118
    Abstract: A holding device for at least one cooking product carrier in a baking oven by means of which the cooking product carrier can be drawn out of the baking oven muffle and slid back into it, is to be improved with regard to its operating characteristics. For this purpose, holding device (8) has at least one parallelogram linkage (10, 11, 16, 17) with a base arm (11) which is in a fixed-position in relation to the baking oven muffle (1), pivot arms (16, 17) articulated at articulation points (12, 13, 14, 15) and a movable mounting arm (10) of a holding element (9) of the cooking product carrier (24) which can be moved with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Gaggenau Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Brunner, Joachim Damrath, Martin Kornberger
  • Patent number: 5722316
    Abstract: A carrier for shallow downwardly dished flexible aluminum food pans. The carrier is generally channel-shaped, having a bottom wall and side walls extending upwardly from the opposite side edges of the bottom wall. Flanges extend laterally inwardly from the upper edge portions of the side walls and are adapted to engage over the side margins of the pan. The carrier is supported by at least two carrying straps each having its ends secured to the flanges. The carrier is open at both ends so that it may support food pans of varying lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Matthew Rutland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5714740
    Abstract: A microwave bacon cooker device and method are provided including a tray having a bottom and an upstanding side. Two inverted V-shaped racks are positioned in the tray for supporting bacon strips over the tray during cooking, each rack including first and second panels defining each V-shaped rack. The first and second panels further define a gap at an apex of the V-shape sized for receipt of a utensil for handling the bacon strips after cooking. Each rack is separable from the tray, and each rack is separable into first and second panels. The panels mount to one another with a post and socket arrangement. The separable racks and the separable panels facilitate cleaning and compact storage. The tray includes a rectangular inner perimeter for receiving the racks, and a handle surrounding an outer periphery of the tray defining a circular shape. Each panel of the rack includes air ventilation holes, and legs for supporting the panel above the bottom of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: National Presto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Kelly, Brent W. Dressel
  • Patent number: 5711210
    Abstract: A rugged, flatly folding, portable chafing dish assembly is comprised of a cover, food pan, water pan, collapsible stand and heat source. The collapsible stand is rectangular and is comprised of four rigid plates forming the sides of the rectangular stand which are rotatably coupled together by means of a flatly folding piano hinge. The hinge is integrally formed with the sides and can be disassembled for cleaning. The two lateral sides of the stand are identical and interchangeable, as are the two end sides. The rectangular stand is provided with apertures through the lateral and end sides, both for air access to create a heat draft for the burner source when placed within the stand, as well as access to the burners when the chafing dish assembly is assembled. A rigid rectangular tray extends the length of the stand and connects to the end sides along an access aperture edge thereby rendering the otherwise collapsible rectangular stand rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Kaufman