Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Grill With Safety System
Cross-References to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Application Serial Number
61/627,662 filed
on October 17, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to cooking appliances for use in domestic and
commercial
kitchens. The invention relates particularly to electric grills that can be
used to cook food in a
way that removes fat from the food that is cooked. In particular the invention
relates to a safety
systems for an electric grill.
Background of the Invention
[0003] The present application addresses the need for additional safety
systems in grills to
prevent fires from occurring. One way to prevent fires is to clean the drip
tray between each use.
Methods and systems are provided to encourage this by forcing the user to
interact with the tray
between each use.
Brief Summary of Embodiments of the Invention
[0004] (1) In a variant, an electric grill for cooking food items comprises a
receptacle for
receiving fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food,
and a safety
mechanism configured to prevent the grill from operating without at least one
movement of the
receptacle subsequent to the grill being powered on.
[0005] (2) In another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism is
configured to prevent
the grill from operating without at least one movement of the receptacle
subsequent to the grill
being powered on and powered off.
[0006] (3) In a further variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a
mechanical lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle prior to the
grill being
powered off and mechanically disengage the receptacle when the unit is powered
off.
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[0007] (4) In still a further variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a first
biasing element to urge the receptacle out of the grill. The mechanical lock
is configured to lock
the receptacle in place while the receptacle is under outward bias by the
first biasing element.
[0008] (5) In another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a moveable
stop configured to hold the receptacle against the biasing element when the
receptacle is placed
into the grill prior to being powered on.
[0009] (6) In a further variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a plunger
configured to engage the receptacle after the grill is powered on and to hold
the receptacle
against the force of the biasing element.
[0010] (7) In yet another variant of the electric grill, the moveable stop
is biased to
maintain a position against the receptacle to prevent the receptacle from
moving under the
influence of the first biasing element.
[0011] (8) In still a further variant of the electric grill, the first
biasing element is a spring.
[0012] (9) In another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a mechanical
lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle prior to the grill being
powered off and
mechanically disengage the receptacle when the unit is powered off. The
mechanical lock
comprises: a power on off switch; a plunger connected to the power on off
switch; a spring
configured to urge the receptacle out of the grill; a moveable stop disposed
below the plunger
and the moveable stop being biased upward toward the plunger, and configured
to hold the
receptacle against the spring; and a port in the receptacle, configured to
receive the plunger, and
the port disposed above the moveable stop, wherein when the power switch is
placed in an on
position, the plunger is pushed through the port, and is configured to push
the moveable stop
down to disengage the stop from holding the receptacle back against the urging
of the spring.
[0013] (10) In a further variant of the electric grill, a side of the port is
configured to abut the
plunger when the plunger is pushed through the port, and is pressing down on
the stop to move
the stop away from the receptacle and the receptacle being released under the
bias of the spring.
Ejection of the receptacle from the grill is prevented while the plunger is
through the port.
[0014] (11) In still another variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a
mechanical lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle. The
mechanical lock
comprises: a ridge disposed on the receptacle; and a moveable stop configured
to engage the
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ridge, and having slope to guide the ridge over the moveable stop when the
receptacle is placed
into the grill into its docked position.
[0015] (12) In yet a further variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises an
infrared photo-interrupter sensor having an emitter and a receiver, configured
with the grill such
that when the receptacle is either removed or properly docked into the grill,
the status of the
photo-interrupter sensor is changed.
[0016] (13) In a variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism comprises
a proximity sensor
configured to detect a change in position of the receptacle, wherein the
receptacle in its docked
position with the grill comprises a first state of the sensor and any position
where the grill is not
docked comprises a second state of the sensor. The grill is configured to
preclude operation of
the grill until the state of sensor has changed at least once after the most
recent occurrence of the
grill being powered off.
[0017] (14) In another variant of the electric grill, an electric grill for
cooking food items
comprises: a receptacle for receiving fats and breakaway solids generated
during the cooking of
the food; and a safety mechanism configured to prevent a fire in the unit.
[0018] (15) In a further variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a weight
sensor disposed below the receptacle configured to output a signal based on
the weight of the
receptacle. The grill is configured to power off if the weight of the
receptacle reaches a
predetermined threshold amount.
[0019] (16) In still another variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a liquid
level sensor configured to measure the level of liquid in the receptacle.
[0020] (17) In yet a further variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a
temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature inside the
receptacle. The grill is
configured to power off when the temperature sensor measures above a
predetermined
temperature.
[0021] (18) In a variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism comprises
a proximity sensor
configured to detect an obstruction above an opening of the grill. The grill
is configured to
power down or is precluded from powering on if the proximity sensor detects an
obstruction
within a predetermined distance from the opening.
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[0022] (19) In a further variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a fire
suppression system configured to activate if the temperature of the grill
reaches a predetermined
temperature.
[0023] (20) In another variant, a method of ensuring safe operation of an
electric grill having
drip tray comprises: powering off the grill; detecting that the grill has been
powered off;
precluding the grill from being powered on subsequent to being powered off,
without the drip
tray first being moved from its docked position within the grill.
[0024] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by
way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
The summary is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by
the claims attached
hereto.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0025] The present invention, in accordance with one or more various
embodiments, is described
in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided
for purposes of
illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the
invention. These
drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the
invention and shall not be
considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention.
It should be noted
that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily
made to scale.
[0026] Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of
the invention from
different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer
to such views
as "top," "bottom" or "side" views, such references are merely descriptive and
do not imply or
require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial
orientation unless
explicitly stated otherwise.
[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a grill;
[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram of a grill having a mechanical safety system;
[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram of a grill having a mechanical safety system;
[0030] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a infrared photo-
inten-upter sensor;
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[0031] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a proximity sensor
for detection of movement of the drip tray between each use;
[0032] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a weight sensor for
detection of movement of the drip tray between uses;
[0033] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a liquid level
sensor;
[0034] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a temperature
sensor;
[0035] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system based on
a proximity sensor
for detection of obstructions near the grill;
[0036] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system
comprising a fire
suppression system;
[0037] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a grill having a safety system
comprising a timing
system; and
[0038] Fig. 12 is a flow chart of a method for ensuring safe operation of a
grill.
[0039] The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise form
disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with
modification and
alteration, and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the
equivalents thereof.
[0040] Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the
invention can
involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a
combination
thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of
embodiments of the
method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be
implemented by
hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an
operating system.
[0041] For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to
embodiments of the
invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected
tasks according to
embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software
instructions being
executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary
embodiment of the
invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method
and/or system as
described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing
platform for executing
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a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a
volatile memory for storing
instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a
magnetic hard-disk and/or
removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network
connection is
provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or
mouse are
optionally provided as well.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention
[0042] From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms
of example
environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow
the various
features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an
exemplary
application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the
art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative
environments.
[0043] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same
meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention
belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other
publications referred to
herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set
forth in this section is
contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in
applications, published
applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference,
the definition set
forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0044] The following variants discuss applications of various safety systems
which are
applicable to electrical grills with internal or external drip trays. Various
systems are provided to
prevent the grill from being operated, without the drip tray first being
removed from the grill.
This action encourages users to clean the tray to reduce the likelihood of
fire.
[0045] Optionally, other safety features include, a fire suppression system,
temperatures sensors,
proximity sensors for detecting obstructions near the grill, weight sensors,
liquid level sensors
and infrared photo-interrupter sensors for detecting whether the tray has been
removed from the
grill, since the grill's last operation.
[0046] (1) In a variant, referring to Fig. 1, an electric grill 100 for
cooking food items having a
safety system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention,
comprises a
receptacle 105 for receiving fats and breakaway solids generated during the
cooking of the food,
and a safety mechanism configured to prevent the grill from operating without
at least one
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movement of the receptacle 105 subsequent to the grill being powered on. The
grill may be
powered on and off via an on off switch 110.
[0047] (2) In another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism is
configured to prevent
the grill from operating without at least one movement of the receptacle
subsequent to the grill
being powered on and powered off.
[0048] (3) In a further variant of the electric grill, referring to Figs. 2
and 3 the safety mechanism
comprises a mechanical lock 115 configured to mechanically engage the
receptacle 105 prior to
the grill being powered off and mechanically disengage the receptacle when the
unit is powered
off.
[0049] (4) In yet another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a first
biasing element 120 configured to urge the receptacle 105 out of the grill.
Referring to Fig. 3,
the mechanical lock 115 is configured to lock the receptacle in place while
the receptacle is
under bias from the first biasing element 120.
[0050] (5) In another variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a moveable
stop 125 configured to hold the receptacle 105 against the biasing element 120
when the
receptacle is placed into the grill prior to being powered on.
[0051] (6) In a further variant of the electric grill, the safety mechanism
comprises a plunger 130
configured to engage the receptacle 105 after the grill is powered on and to
hold the receptacle
against the force of the biasing element 120.
[0052] (7) In yet another variant of the electric grill, the moveable stop 125
is biased to maintain
a position against the receptacle 105 to prevent the receptacle from moving
under the influence
of the first biasing element 120.
[0053] (8) In still a further variant of the electric grill, the first
biasing element is a spring
120. Optionally, the spring is housed in a spring box.
[0054] (9) In another variant of the electric grill, referring to Figs. 2 : 3,
the safety mechanism
comprises a mechanical lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle
105 prior to the
grill being powered off and mechanically disengage the receptacle when the
grill is powered off.
The mechanical lock comprises: a power on off switch 135; a plunger 130
connected to the
power on off switch; a spring 120 configured to urge the receptacle out of the
grill; a moveable
stop 125 disposed below the plunger 130 and the moveable stop 125 being biased
upward toward
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the plunger 130, and configured to hold the receptacle 105 against thc spring
120; and a port 140
in the receptacle, configured to receive the plunger 130. The port 140 is
disposed above the
moveable stop 125. When the power switch 135 is placed in an on position, the
plunger 130 is
pushed through the port 140, and pushes the moveable stop 125 down to
disengage the stop 125
from holding the receptacle 105 back against the urging of the spring 120.
[0055] (10) In a further variant of the electric grill, a side 145 of the port
140 is configured to
abut the plunger 130 when the plunger is pushed through the port 140, and is
pressing down on
the stop 125 to move the stop away from the receptacle 105, and thus releasing
the receptacle
and allowing it to move under the bias of the spring 120 until it abuts the
plunger 130. Ejection
of the receptacle 105 from the grill 100 is prevented while the plunger is
through the port 140.
[0056] (11) In still another variant of the electric grill, the safety
mechanism comprises a
mechanical lock configured to mechanically engage the receptacle. The
mechanical lock
comprises: a ridge 150 disposed on the receptacle and the moveable stop 125
configured to
engage the ridge. The ridge has a slope 155 to guide the ridge over the
moveable stop when the
receptacle is placed into the grill into its docked position.
[0057] (12) In yet a further variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig.
4, the safety mechanism
comprises an infrared photo-interrupter sensor 160 having an emitter 165 and a
receiver 170,
configured with the grill such that when the receptacle is either removed or
properly docked into
the grill, the status of the photo-interrupter sensor is changed, by virtue of
the receptacle 105
either blocking or unblocking the path of the light from the emitter 165 to
the receiver 170.
[0058] (13) In a variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig. 5, the
safety mechanism comprises a
proximity sensor 180 configured to detect a change in position of the
receptacle 105. The
receptacle in its docked= position with the grill (which is during normal
cooking for example, as
shown in Fig. 1) comprises a first state of the sensor and any position where
the grill is not
docked comprises a second state of the sensor. The grill is configured to
preclude operation of
the grill until the state of sensor has changed at least once after the most
recent occurrence of the
grill being powered off. Optionally, the receptacle 105 has a sensor element
185 disposed on a
side of the receptacle to function with the proximity sensor 180.
[0059] (14) In another variant of the electric grill, an electric grill for
cooking food items
comprises: a receptacle for receiving fats and breakaway solids generated
during the cooking of
the food; and a safety mechanism configured to prevent a fire in the unit.
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[0060] (15) In a further variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig. 6,
the safety mechanism
comprises a weight sensor disposed below the receptacle configured to output a
signal based on
the weight of the receptacle. The grill is configured to power off if the
weight of the receptacle
reaches a predetermined threshold amount.
[0061] (16) In still another variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig.
7, the safety mechanism
comprises a liquid level sensor 195 configured to measure the level of liquid
in the receptacle.
When liquid reaches the level of contacts 200 of the sensor, the sensor is
tripped.
[0062] (17) In yet a further variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig.
8, the safety mechanism
comprises a temperature sensor 205 configured to measure the temperature
inside the receptacle
105. Optionally, the sensor is configured to measure the mean temperature
inside the grill. '1'he
grill is configured to power off or to preclude being powered on when the
temperature sensor
measures above a predetermined temperature.
[0063] (18) In a variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig. 9, the
safety mechanism comprises a
proximity sensor 210 configured to detect an obstruction 215 above an opening
212 of the grill.
The grill is configured to power down or is precluded from powering on if the
proximity sensor
detects an obstruction within a predetermined distance from the opening.
[0064] (19) In a further variant of the electric grill, referring to Fig.
10, the safety mechanism
comprises a fire suppression system 220 configured to activate if the
temperature of the grill
reaches a predetermined temperature.
[0065] In yet another variant, referring to Fig. 11, the safety mechanism
comprises a timer 225.
Optionally, the unit can only be powered on by turning the timer to the
desired time. Optionally,
the unit is powered on by simultaneously by turning the timer to the desired
position.
[0066] (20) In another variant, referring to Fig. 12, a method 300 of ensuring
safe operation of
an electric grill having drip tray comprises: powering off the grill 305;
detecting that the grill
has been powered off 310; precluding the grill from being powered on
subsequent to being
powered off, without the drip tray first being moved from its docked position
within the grill
315.
[0067] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described
above, it should
be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of
limitation.
Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other
configuration for
=
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the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and
functionality that can be
included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated
example architectures
or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety
of alternative
architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill
in the art how
alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations
can be implemented to
implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of
different
constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to
the various
partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational
descriptions and method
claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate
that various
embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same
order unless the
context dictates otherwise.
[0068] Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary
embodiments
and implementations, it should be understood that the various features,
aspects and functionality
described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in
their applicability to
the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be
applied, alone or in
various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the
invention, whether or not
such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented
as being a part
of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0069] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless
otherwise
expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As
examples of the
foregoing: the term "including" should be read as meaning "including, without
limitation" or the
like; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in
discussion, not an
exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms "a" or "an" should be read as
meaning "at least
one," "one or more" or the like; and adjectives such as "conventional,"
"traditional," "normal,"
"standard," "known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as
limiting the item
described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time,
but instead should be
read to encompass conventional, traditional, nolinal, or standard technologies
that may be
available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this
document refers to
technologies that would he apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the
art, such
technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or
at any time in the
future.
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[0070] A group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read
as requiring that
each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather
should be read as
"and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked
with the
conjunction "or' should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that
group, but rather
should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Furthermore, although items,
elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural
is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly
stated.
[0071] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at
least," "but not
limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean
that the narrower
case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be
absent. The use
of the term "module" does not imply that the components or functionality
described or claimed
as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or
all of the various
components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be
combined in a
single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed across
multiple locations.
[0072] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in
terms of
exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become
apparent to one
of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated
embodiments and their
various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated
examples. For
example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be
construed as
mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
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