By Forcing Gas To Circulate Patents (Class 99/474)
  • Patent number: 11490761
    Abstract: A cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes a housing, a lid, a heating element, a vent tube, and a piston. The housing has a hollow interior. The lid is movable relative to the housing, where the lid and housing cooperate to form a cooking chamber. The heating element is mounted within the lid. The vent tube is arranged within the lid and extends between the cooking chamber and an external environment. The vent tube includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a central channel arranged between the inlet and outlet channel. A piston is arranged within the central channel and configured to alternate between a venting and a non-venting position such that a low-moisture fluid is drawn through the inlet channel into the cooking chamber from the external environment, and a high-moisture fluid is evacuated through the outlet channel into the external environment from the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Jackson, Oliver Thomas Joyce, Nicholas Christo, Adam Garland
  • Patent number: 10362898
    Abstract: A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: The Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Schjerven, Sr., John H. Wiker, Richard H. Van Camp, Theodore James Chmiola, Mark A. Sieron
  • Patent number: 9961928
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a refrigerator including a defrost chamber for defrosting food. The defrost chamber is fluidly coupled to the ambient air surrounding the refrigerator so that the chamber can be selectively returned to ambient temperature during a defrost cycle in order to defrost food. A control module can be included to activate a defrost cycle after a predetermined amount of time, or in advance of a desired meal time. The control module can automatically determine an anticipated defrost duration, given an input weight and type of stored food. Therefrom, the control module can activate the defrost cycle sufficiently in advance of the desired meal time to ensure that food has adequately defrosted for use. Further, after the defrost cycle has elapsed, cooling can be automatically reactivated in order to avoid food spoilage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: 8318808 CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Neeraj Garg
  • Patent number: 9288997
    Abstract: A matchbox oven is disclosed. The matchbox oven includes a housing, a slider, a motor and a heat source. The housing includes a cavity and a first and second openings. The slider, which is configured for receiving food items, includes multiple stoppers serve as oven covers to prevent heat within the cavity from escaping through the first and second openings. The slider can be moved in and out of the cavity through the first and second openings by a motor. The heat source provides heat to the cavity for heating up any food item placed on a portion of the slider located within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ovention, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. McKee
  • Publication number: 20150128818
    Abstract: Heat-treating equipment for roasting food products, including a tub for receiving the product, which is associated with a stirrer and a heat source. The tube includes two vertical, coaxial and hollow cylinders, the inner cylinder defining a first wall, and the outer cylinder defining a second wall of a space having a crown-shaped cross-section, into which the product to be treated is introduced continuously from above for a loading operation that is continuous or in batches. At least one of the two walls in contact with the product is heated and a hot gas is injected into the inner hollow cylinder, so as to make the heat consistent around the product contained within the first crown-shaped space defined by said first and second walls of the tank, between which the stirrer is integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Florent Cheinet
  • Patent number: 9027470
    Abstract: The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Meister Cook LLC
    Inventor: Erik Magner
  • Patent number: 9016285
    Abstract: A flue-curing apparatus and a related method are provided. The flue-curing apparatus includes a circulation chamber and a curing chamber that are separated by a divider wall. An air circulation system includes a blower positioned in the circulation chamber that directs air to a heater device and a lower passage into the curing chamber. The air may be received from one or both of an inlet and an upper passage extending from the curing chamber to the circulation chamber. A humidity control system humidifies the air directed into the curing chamber. A controller may receive signals from wet and dry bulb thermometers to determine the conditions in the curing chamber and the condition of tobacco leaves being cured therein. The controller may adjust various operational parameters to cause the tobacco leaves in the curing chamber to cure at a desired rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Marvin Glenn Riddick
  • Patent number: 8997637
    Abstract: A system for treating edible fluids under high pressure to reduce microorganisms. The system comprises a high pressure housing having an interior chamber containing two parallel flexible bladders adapted to hold the fluid to be treated under high pressure within the confines of the chamber. A pressurizing fluid fills the interior chamber outside the bladders. When one bladder is filled the other bladder is collapsed. In operation pressure is exerted throughout the interior chamber by means of the pressurizing fluid for a period sufficient to reduce microorganisms in the fluid within the filled bladder. Pressure will be released and the collapsed bladder will then be filled with an edible fluid causing treated fluid to be removed from the first bladder due to expansion caused by the filling of the second bladder such that the first bladder is collapsed. The process can then be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Elend S. LeBaron
  • Patent number: 8993025
    Abstract: A fryer is provided for cooking food in a small volume of oil. The fryer includes a main body with a seat for supporting a tilted tank designed to contain the volume of oil in a bottom angular portion thereof. The fryer also includes a heater, and at least one mixing blade inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: De' Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De'Longhi
  • Patent number: 8925445
    Abstract: Provided is a cooking appliance. Steam generated in a steam generation part is selectively supplied into a cooktop part or a steam cooking part. The steam supplied into the cooktop part is used for cleaning a top plate. Also, the steam supplied into the steam cooking part is used for cooking a food. Thus, the steam may be used in a lot of uses, e.g., for cooking the food and cleaning the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyoun Park, Young-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8895902
    Abstract: An oven for heating food is disclosed. The oven has at least one heating compartment with a left side wall, a right side wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and an open front, without a door, in open communication with a surrounding environment outside the oven. Gas flow openings are provided in the left and right side walls. The oven includes a blower for blowing gas through the gas flow openings into the heating compartment, and a heater for heating gas blowing into the heating compartment through the openings. In certain embodiments, the gas flow openings are configured such that substantially all of the gas blowing into the heating compartment is directed generally away from the open front of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Steven M. Shei, Dennis R. Headberg, Clement J. Luebke
  • Patent number: 8881646
    Abstract: A system and method for applying steam to baked products in a conveyorized oven. A steam tunnel sub-enclosure includes exhaust ducts collecting steam at the conveyor's entrance and exit thereof to prevent steam from being released into the rest of the oven where it might interfere with ignition control equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baking Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8857324
    Abstract: Water leakage of a steam oven provided on an aircraft for heating ingredients is to be prevented. Two solenoid valves 6 and 7 are inserted in series in a water supply circuit of a steam oven. A power switch 12 supplies a 15 V direct current to the solenoid valves 6 and 7. A controller 1 transmits a command to driving circuits 4 and 5 of the solenoid valves according to a signal of a temperature sensor 10 in the oven. An output of a clock generator 14 is counted by a frequency counter and a time in which the valves are opened is counted. When count of a valve opening time becomes longer than a predetermined value, the power switch 12 of the solenoid valves is disconnected to prevent water leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hozumi, Hiroyuki Hoshino, Mineo Mizukami
  • Patent number: 8850968
    Abstract: A steam generation device is placed at a lower portion of a side wall of a heating chamber. A steam jet-out part is placed upper than the steam generation device of the side wall of the heating chamber with a distance from the steam generation device. Thus, even if bumping has occurred within a water storage part of the steam generation device, causing boiling water to rush out from a steam supply port into a steam supply pipe, the boiling water is prevented from intruding into a steam jet-out part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Youhei Seguchi, Shinya Ueda, Takashi Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8808776
    Abstract: A produce chamber (1) is provided to subject produce in a crate (7) to a controlled atmosphere. The chamber (1) has at least one inflatable/deflatable balloon seal structure (15) for sealingly engaging with a side wall of a produce crate (7) which has at least one opening (13) in a side wall (11) thereof. The balloon seal structure (15) has at least one discharge opening (19) that aligns with the at least one crate opening (13). Crates (7) with produce therein can be loaded in the chamber (1) with the balloon seal structure (15) deflated. The balloon seal structure (15) can then be inflated and controlled atmosphere allowed to circulate through the balloon seal structure (15) and discharged from the opening (19) and through the crate opening (13) to expose the produce to a controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Andrew North, Gary Martin North
  • Patent number: 8800436
    Abstract: A heating device of a food material that can heat a food material while preventing oxidation reaction and the like of the food material as much as possible is provided. A food material 8 is held under a reductive atmosphere where air is eliminated by filling superheated steam in a heating chamber 10 at a pressure exceeding an atmospheric pressure. Thus, because the food material 8 is heated under the reductive atmosphere where air is eliminated by filling the superheated steam, not under a conventional atmosphere where oxygen and nitrogen exist. Therefore, a Maillard reaction and an oxidation reaction can be suppressed, and a thermochemical reaction which could not be caused in the conventional heating method is caused in the food material 8. Thereby, it can be expected that the heated food material 8 acquires a characteristic which did not exist in the past, with less degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Nepuree Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kano, Toshio Wakamatsu, Masateru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8776675
    Abstract: A meat cooker effectively cooks meat by using heated convection air to cook inside meat sections and filings, and radiant heat to cook outside meat sections. The meat cooker may include a frame having a cooking zone therein, a heat exchange assembly located within the frame, first and second fans located adjacent to the cooking zone, and a spit disposed at the cooking zone and spaced downstream of the heat exchange assembly. The first fan generates and transmits a first quantity of ambient air along a first travel path inside the heat exchange assembly. The second fan generates and transmits a second quantity of ambient air along a second travel path outside the heat exchange assembly. Notably, the first and second quantities of ambient air are heated to corresponding first and second temperatures upon passing beyond the heat exchange assembly and reaching the spit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Rom Meris, Teodoro Biala, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8735778
    Abstract: A convection oven having a vapor collection system; water injection system; easily accessible electrical components; and a variable-speed, reversible blower. The vapor collection system collects vapor from the cooking chamber during a cooking event, condenses the vapor, and drains the condensed vapor. The water injection system injects water for impact against a blower wheel for dispersion into the air circulating through the cooking chamber. The electrical components are housed within a housing that in a closed position conceals the components and in a closed position exposes the components for easy access. The rotational speed and direction of the variable-speed, reversible blower is controlled during a cooking event according to predetermined speed curves which may include one or more reversal events to achieve more uniform cooking of food. A main controller is programmable via an operator input (e.g., liquid crystal display touch screen) to control operating parameters of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jack Greenwood, Robert J. Reese
  • Patent number: 8715461
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Activ International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen D. Scheide, John M. Stefanicha
  • Publication number: 20140083309
    Abstract: Methods, ovens, and associated apparatus. Ovens and methods are adapted for maintaining the quality of a pre-cooked food product. Rapid temperature and/or relative humidity restoration may be used. Ovens may include a partition movable to vary sizes of oven cavities. Ovens may include removable interior panels. Humidification mechanisms are adapted for generating water vapor which may be used to maintain the quality of a pre-cooked food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, John Edward Wright, Philip Tiberio, Steven M. Shei, Ralph Lee Macy, Christopher Seay Green, Gregory Glen Stettes, Jeffrey Steven Markwardt
  • Publication number: 20140050831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prolonging the shelf life of agricultural and food products placed in a large storage room having a volume greater than 200 m3, wherein said method comprises treating the air in said storage room by means of withdrawing air from the storage room, passing the air through a gas-liquid contactor, circulating an electrolyzed halide solution through said gas-liquid contactor, directing the treated air back into the storage room, wherein an acid is intermittently added to said circulated halide solution. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: MEGAIR LTD.
    Inventor: David Itzhak
  • Patent number: 8652556
    Abstract: A cooking system and a method for cooking food products. The cooking system comprises a forced-convection cooker having a conveyor continuously conveying stacks of product-laden trays through a cooking chamber. Fans in the cooking chamber establish a generally vertical convection path traversed by the conveyor. Foraminous bottoms in the trays allow cooking fluid in the convection path to be forced through the trays and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kovacs, Brent A. Ledet
  • Patent number: 8647692
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a combined process for generating steam in a steam-baking oven. The oven (2) comprises a baking chamber (3) containing at least one air heating element (10) and at least one fan (4) to keep the air moving inside the baking chamber (3); the oven (2) is associated with a steam generator (5) and is connected to a water supply (6). The combined process includes a saturation step, in which the steam generator (5) is activated until a substantial steam saturation is obtained in the baking chamber (3), and a spraying step in which the steam generator (5) is deactivated and the steam is produced by spraying water onto the heating elements (10); the steam generator (5) is temporarily and periodically activated during the spraying step to keep the steam quality substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Giorik S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Giazzon, Massimo Tesser, Paolo Candiago
  • Publication number: 20140037809
    Abstract: In various implementations, track ovens may include spiral conveyor systems, burners, and/or fans for heating. The fans may transfer heated air from a first portion of the oven and deliver the heated air to a second portion of the oven through a ducting system. The ducting system may deliver the air proximate a top surface and a bottom surface of a bakery product. The ducting system may allow variable control of the hot air delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Calan Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wesley Middleton, JR.
  • Patent number: 8635995
    Abstract: An oven for use in an aircraft is disclosed, including a preparation space. A fan and a heater are located behind a separating wall. The separating wall has at least one of the following devices for enhancing the uniformity of air flow: —a throat around a central air intake opening in the separating wall—the separating wall provided with end edges which run close to the side walls of the preparation space and which are curved or bent towards the preparation space—flow guides extending along an edge of the separating wall and directed away from the preparation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Antonius Maria Kühne
  • Publication number: 20140010937
    Abstract: A food holding cabinet having at least one heating chamber for holding at least one food tray therein, the cabinet comprising: a housing that defines the heating chamber and a heating chamber opening for access to the heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber comprises an top portion, front portion, a rear portion, and at least one tray location for receiving a food tray; a jet plate including a plurality of apertures, the jet plate is disposed between the heating chamber and an upper plenum, wherein the upper plenum is formed between an upper surface of the jet plate and a lower surface of the top portion of the heating chamber; and a blower positioned to provide heated gas into the upper plenum, wherein the gas exits the upper plenum through the apertures into the heating chamber such that it is direct substantially toward the food tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Keith A. Stanger
  • Patent number: 8603558
    Abstract: The waste food recycling machine includes an elongate, vertical housing divided into three stages. In the first stage, waste food is collected and sanitized by steam. After sanitation, the sanitized waste food passes into the second stage where the sanitized waste food is cut into smaller portions and dried. In the third stage, the dried waste food is cooled and mixed. An optional supplement infuser is provided to add additional nutrients. The final mixture is then packaged and further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Jarrah Ali Abdullah Ali Jaddan Almutairi
  • Patent number: 8581151
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide steam oven drain valve systems and methods for draining steam ovens and associated water lines on aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8578843
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a treatment chamber having an opening. The opening of the treatment chamber is configured to be closed by a door. The opening of the treatment chamber is bounded by at least one frame member. An external container is configured to hold at least one of an operating fluid or an operating powder. A filling device is disposed on the at least one frame member and in fluid connection with the external container. The filling device is configured to introduce, in an operating mode of the household appliance, at least one of an operating fluid and an operating powder to the treatment chamber, either treated or untreated. The filling device includes a filling device opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Torben Becker, Rudolf Nordemann, Joachim Render
  • Publication number: 20130295247
    Abstract: A display for supporting produce generating ethylene gas as the produce ripens includes a surface for supporting the produce, a blower positioned in communication with the produce to move a gas containing at least a portion of the ethylene gas from the produce and an ethylene scrubber positioned in communication with the produce and in a flow path of the gas. The ethylene scrubber removes the at least a portion of the ethylene from the gas. The display does not include a refrigeration system such that a life of the produce is lengthened without use of refrigeration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin Ryska, Marketa Kopecka, Lubos Forejt, John M. Roche, Daniel Zmola, Michal Kolda
  • Publication number: 20130239823
    Abstract: A smoking device (10) for smoking foods, which comprises: a smoking chamber (20) for containing food to be smoked, a combustion chamber (40) independent of the smoking chamber (20) and provided with a heat source for generating a mass of gas for smoking and conveyor means of the a flow of the smoking gas into the smoking chamber, wherein the conveyor means comprise a conduit (50) having a variable length and suitable for connecting the combustion chamber (40) with the smoking chamber (20) for regulating the temperature of the smoking gases conveyed into the smoking chamber itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: REBER S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio Re
  • Patent number: 8536493
    Abstract: A vertically stacked air impingement tunnel oven including a plurality of baking cases having vertically aligned food ports; an electronically controlled heater system connected to the baking cases, the heater system being adapted for heating selected groups of baking cases, the heater system including a plurality of on/off switches which are correspondingly electrically connected for actuating the heating of the selected baking cases; an exhaust hood and exhaust fan having an inlet over the food ports; and a first electronic motor drive system connected operatively to the exhaust fan, and being adapted for rotating the exhaust fan a rotation speed among a plurality of preset rotation speeds, the drive system including the plurality of on/off switches which are further electrically connected for simultaneously actuating the exhaust fan at rotation speeds corresponding with the selected baking case group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Wolfe Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8530796
    Abstract: A cooking device comprises a cooking device body comprising a heating chamber for heating an object; a fan, comprising a bladed wheel and a casing having the bladed wheel in rotatable manner, to discharge air in the heating chamber; and an exhaust duct comprising an exhaust guide plane to guide the air blown out by the fan to the outside of the cooking device body. The casing comprises an arc-shaped guide plane to guide an air flow generated by a rotation of the bladed wheel in a rotation direction of the bladed wheel, and an outlet port opened from a part of the arc-shaped guide plane to one side in a tangent direction of the arc-shaped guide plane. The rotation direction of the bladed wheel is a direction opposite to the opening direction of the outlet port, and turbulence is generated in the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Hirano, Tatsuhiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8525080
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oven (1), especially to a domestic oven, with a cooking cavity (2), wherein means (3, 4, 5, 6) are arranged for supplying hot air to the cavity (2). To improve the cooking result the invention is characterized in that the means (3, 4, 5, 6) comprise at least two heating elements (3, 4), wherein air is ventilated along or through the heating elements (3, 4) by at least one fan (5, 6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Florian Ruther
  • Patent number: 8502116
    Abstract: Cooking, smoking and aromatization device which consists of a casing or container (1) comprising a plurality of sealed compartments (2, 3, 4, 5) communicating with the main cooking chamber (6) by means of a plurality of channels or ducts (7) which are controlled by a plurality of valves (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d), there being at least one for each of the sealed compartments (2, 3, 4, 5) so that the contents of each of said sealed compartments are supplied to the central cooking compartment (6) with a constantly controlled flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Morganti Flavio Innovaciones Grastronomicas, S.L.
    Inventor: Flavio Morganti
  • Publication number: 20130152803
    Abstract: The Food Smoker Adapter converts an outdoor cooking system into a meat smoker without physical modification. It is comprised of a lid, smoke chamber, meat skewers, and a wood chip pan. It can also act as a stand alone meat smoking system when used with an electric heating element. The smoke chamber is a tube or duct, and is placed on the wood chip pan or an accessory allowing the stacking of an additional smoke chamber. The wood chip pan rests above the heat source. Skewers are placed across the top of the smoke chamber allowing meat to hang inside. The lid acts as a smoke chamber lifting mechanism, and has tabs that snap into slots near the top of the smoke chamber allowing the lid, smoke chamber, skewers, and meat to be removed and set aside allowing access to the wood chip pan for tending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Rick D. Patton
  • Publication number: 20120328753
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus (10) that comprises a cooking chamber (14) with an access door (16); a heating system (20) that radiates heat into the cooking chamber (14); and a plurality of air flow fans (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) circulating air within the cooking chamber (14) to distribute the heat in a substantially even manner within the cooking chamber (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ron Mondello
  • Patent number: 8304696
    Abstract: An air circulator and an oven including such an air circulator. Ducting has an inlet located toward an upper end of a cooking chamber of the oven and an outlet proximate the lower portion of the chamber. An air mover can move air in the chamber though a fluid passage defined in the ducting from the upper portion of the chamber to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: David B. Knight
  • Patent number: 8288690
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to steam ovens, and particularly to steam ovens configured to generate and deliver steam directly to the oven using a water reservoir in close proximity to an existing oven heat generating system. The steam ovens described may be designed so that they inject steam directly into the oven cavity, and in some instances, generate the steam directly in the oven cavity as well. Certain embodiments are designed with a water reservoir in close proximity to an oven heat generating system such that water in the reservoir is heated, turned to steam, and delivered to the oven cavity via a steam delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Mag Aerospace Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Boubeddi, Paul E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8267008
    Abstract: The centrifugal fan for circulating a steam in the cook chamber of a steam oven is rotated in the reverse direction only for a certain time of a set cooking time, whereby a steam circulating flow generated in the cook chamber is changed, and consequently, the foods on the casseroles placed in the cook chamber are uniformly heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Yasuhara
  • Publication number: 20120160111
    Abstract: Water leakage of a steam oven provided on an aircraft for heating ingredients is to be prevented. Two solenoid valves 6 and 7 are inserted in series in a water supply circuit of a steam oven. A power switch 12 supplies a 15 V direct current to the solenoid valves 6 and 7. A controller 1 transmits a command to driving circuits 4 and 5 of the solenoid valves according to a signal of a temperature sensor 10 in the oven. An output of a clock generator 14 is counted by a frequency counter and a time in which the valves are opened is counted. When count of a valve opening time becomes longer than a predetermined value, the power switch 12 of the solenoid valves is disconnected to prevent water leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hozumi, Hiroyuki Hoshino, Mineo Mizukami
  • Patent number: 8191468
    Abstract: A cooking utensil having five layer members which includes a first diaphragm member and a second diaphragm member, at least one thermostat set wherein said at least one thermostat set is situated within first layer, at least one heat sensor, wherein said at least one sensor comprises of a liquid which is sensitive to heat, a thermal induction actuator (81), which selectively closes said first diaphragm member and second diaphragm member according to temperature of the outer member of bottom of intermediate member. A hot air passage formed vertically in a part of the circumference between the sidewalls of the outer member and outer member of third layer, which causes the passage of hot air, a cool air passage formed vertically in a part of circumference between the sidewalls of outer member and inner member of second outer member which causes entering of cool air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Javad Malek Azary
  • Patent number: 8176844
    Abstract: A food container or cabinet may have a power cord extending and exiting from the cabinet at recess formed at a corner of side, top and back walls. The cabinet may be heated and humidified and operated with a control that operates air and water heating elements alternately and not simultaneously. The control may include a microprocessor and a digital storage device storing instructions for the microprocessor. An interface may be provided at the cabinet via which electronic signals can be directed to or received from the microprocessor or digital storage device. The container may be provided with a removable water receptacle and a water heating element positioned within the receptacle. The water heating element may be mounted in a pivotable fashion such that as the receptacle is removed from the container, the heating element is automatically pivoted out from within the receptacle and as the receptacle is returned to the container, the heating element is automatically pivoted into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Food Warming Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Deron Lichte, Bruce Grau, Souksomchay Luangnikone
  • Patent number: 8137504
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Flavor & Food Ingredients, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen D. Scheide, John M. Stefanicha
  • Patent number: 8134101
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a heated food container including an interior chamber with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wall defining an opening into the interior chamber. The opening is configured to permit the movement of food into and/or out of the interior chamber. The heated food container further includes a fan configured to supply air to a duct system and a heater configured to heat the air in the duct system. The duct system includes a first air duct configured to direct the heated air across the opening such that the heated air forms a barrier between the interior chamber and an exterior environment and a first bypass duct configured to deliver heated air directly to the lower portion of the interior chamber without being directed across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hatco Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Majchrzak
  • Publication number: 20110280993
    Abstract: A unit with a conveyor device for conveying slices of meat product arranged in a single layer on a permeable support surface along a path inside an enclosure, and an air circulation device with a air moving device associated to an arrangement of conduits provided with a plurality of inlet and outlet mouths in communication with the inside of the enclosure and arranged to make two mutually parallel conditioned air currents, in opposite directions parallel to said support surface and transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor device, pass through two respective regions of the enclosure traversed by the slices along said path. The process has several steps for preparing a relatively tender sausage meat product, cut into slices, using said unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: METALQUIMIA, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 8042458
    Abstract: A heating cooker has a side wall of a heating chamber (20) formed with an outlet (22) for discharging a heating fluid and an engagement portion (3a). A tray (4) has an edge portion (4a), a side wall portion (4b) having a thorough hole (4f), a flat surface portion (4c), an inner wall portion (4d), and a bottom portion (4e). When the tray is engaged with the engagement portion with its front surface side facing up, the through hole faces the outlet. A part of the discharged heating fluid is fed to the rear surface side of the tray through the through hole, and the remaining fluid is fed to the front surface side. When the tray is engaged with the engagement portion with its rear surface side facing up, an opening in a groove portion (4i) defined between the side wall portion and the inner wall portion faces upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Ueda, Kiyoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuyuki Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 8042532
    Abstract: A heat-cooking apparatus includes blowing means (100) that blows cooling air to an opening (20a) of a heating chamber (20) when a door (11) is opened after steam is supplied to the heating chamber (20) for preparatory operation before heat-cooking or for heat-cooking itself. More specifically, after steam is supplied to the heating chamber (20), when the door (11) is opened, the blowing means (100) drives a conventionally existing cooling fan (101) to suck in cooling air from outside the apparatus, and deflects the cooling air toward the opening (20a) of the heating chamber (20) with a decoration box (102) so that the cooling air is blown to the opening (20a) so as to pass sideways substantially across it. Thus, the cooling air mixes with high-temperature steam that tends to overflow frontward as soon as the door (11) is opened, and thereby lowers the temperature of the steam. This surely prevents the user from being hurt, as by being burnt, with the overflowing steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fuminori Kaneko, Yoshikazu Yamamoto, Yoshikazu Kitaguchi, Masato Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8035062
    Abstract: A combination cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means, deflecting means and a vent assembly wherein speed cooking or slower cooking of food products may be accomplished within the same appliance by movement of a gas baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 8028619
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a cooking chamber having an opening, a door configured to open and close the opening of the cooking chamber, the door including a channel and an inlet to allow communication between the cooking chamber and the channel, and an opening/closing unit to open and close the inlet in the door. A door including a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface to define a channel between the first surface and the second surface, an inlet formed in the second surface, the inlet being in flow communication with the channel, an outlet formed in one of the first surface and the second surface, the outlet being in flow communication with the channel, and an opening/closing unit to open and close the inlet in the second surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Woo Lee, Wan Soo Kim, Hyun Jung Kim