Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Cooking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-08-21
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Stoves
Cooking
C126S038000, C126S0390BA, C126S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276356
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gas grills which are portable in nature due to having a source of bottled gas, usually propane, connected to the grill to provide portability. Portable gas grills range from large models on wheels containing a 25 pound propane bottle to table top portable gas grills utilizing a one pound propane bottle or canister.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable gas grills available in the market utilize conventional burner arrangements for cooking food primarily by convection heating. In larger grills having a large container of gas such as propane, sufficient cooking temperatures are usually reached and the proper upright position of the gas bottle is usually acceptable; however, in the small portable gas grill area, particularly table top type models, cooking temperatures are frequently inadequate and the small propane gas bottle or canister is frequently connected or positioned in an undesirable manner. For example, in some grills, the gas canister is supported largely by the connector itself which poses a potential of breaking the connector tubing during use. In other instances, the gas bottle must be laid substantially horizontally in order to achieve the connection with the grill-burner system which poses the potential of liquid propane entering the burner system.
It is desirable to have an improved portable gas grill having improved cooking temperatures and having improved positioning for the propane canister.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, this invention provides a gas grill containing a radiant heating element comprising a jet gas burner in combination with a radiant heating tube element adapted for containing the flame from the jet burner within the tube and for heating to very high temperatures from the flame and radiating heat within the grill for desired cooking of food. The radiant heating tube can be open or closed at the end distal from the jet burner and can have appropriate openings along the length of the tube for exit of combustion gases. Preferably the tube is closed at the distal end and the openings are on the bottom of the tube to thereby provide maximum heating of the tube by the flame from the burner and thereby provide maximum radiant heating within the grill.
In another aspect, this invention provides a gas grill with the above radiant heating element in combination with a multi layer metal foil insulation/reflector element in the top and/or bottom portion of the grill adapted for reflecting the radiant heat from the radiant heating element toward the grill surface and the food on the grill surface and for insulating the grill housing to provide lower exterior surface temperatures of the grill housing. Preferably, the multi layer metal foil insulation/reflector elements provide sufficient reflectivity to enable the grill to operate with a single radiant gas heating element and sufficiently insulative to enable the use of a molded plastic housing including both the bottom portion of the grill housing and the top or lid portion of the grill housing. In a preferred aspect of this invention, the radiant heating element and the insulation/reflector elements provide a grill cooking temperature of at least 700° F. while providing a housing exterior surface temperature of less than about 300° F.
In another aspect of this invention a table top type gas grill is provided having a housing adapted to enclose a propane bottle or canister while it is connected to the burner of the grill to protect the bottle from outside impact during use, to separate the bottle from and insulate the bottle from the heat produced in the grill during use and to enable the use of the bottle in the desired upright position.
Another aspect this invention provides a lightweight portable gas grill capable of quick heat up and quick cool down for camping, tailgate, patio, or other outdoor table top use, which contains a removable grease dripping trap that can be removed and emptied without moving the grill, or can remain in the grill without being emptied during ordinary transport of the grill by hand or by vehicle without spilling the contents of the grease trap.
Another aspect of this invention provides a portable gas grill having a rigid cover adapted to fit over the entire grill, attached to the grill and serve as a carrying case for the grill. The cover can preferably be adapted to be removed from the grill, placed on the ground or patio and the grill placed on top of the cover to elevate the grill to a more comfortable height for use when a table or tailgate is not conveniently available.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a portable gas grill includes a grill housing including a base and a cover. A grilling surface is positioned within the housing and a radiant heating element is included within the grill housing for heating food on the grilling surface by radiant heating. The radiant heating element includes a gas jet and a multilayer metal insulation and reflector element within the grill housing for reflecting radiant heat from the radiant heating element to the grilling surface.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a cooking device includes a cooking surface, a radiant heating tube for delivering radiant heat to the cooking surface, and a gas burner positioned to generate a flame which is substantially contained within the radiant heating tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a portable gas grill includes a grill housing including a base and a cover, a grilling surface which is positioned within the housing, a gas heating element within the grill housing for heating food on the grilling surface, and a gas canister chamber within the grill housing configured to receive and completely contain a gas canister in an upright orientation.
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Constable Danny L.
Pearce J. Bradley
Ragland Scott W.
Remke Matthew S.
ATD Corporation
Burns, Donae, Swecker & Mathis, LLP
Yeung James C.
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