Foods and beverages: apparatus – Cooking – Convertible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-01-30
Simone, Timothy (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Cooking
Convertible
C099S394000, C099S395000, C099S419000, C099S4210HH, C099S427000, C099S449000, C099S450000, C126S00900B, C126S0250AA, C126S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178877
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to a food roasting apparatus, particularly those that are portable.
2. Background Art
Commercial roasters have been used for many years to roast a variety of foods. For example, during the late summer in New Mexico, commercial roasters occupy parking lots of nearly every large supermarket to roast thousands of pounds of green chile for every customer who purchases a 35 pound sack. Some customers exit the market with three or four 35 pound sacks, which they then take home to clean and freeze for use throughout the year. At state fairs and ballparks corn roasters are now a common sight. However, in spite of the growing and widespread use of roasters there exists the need for an alternative to the large commercial roasters. Such alternative must be portable and easy to assemble so consumers in their own backyard can roast a variety of food items in much the same way consumers presently use the barbecue grill. The present invention provides such a solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION)
The present invention is of a portable apparatus for roasting that is easily assembled and disassembled, comprising: two frames with frame legs and support for a roasting drum; a cylindrical shaft attached to either end of the roasting drum and supported by the two frames; a burner bar having a plurality of orifices and connectivity to a gas source allowing a plurality of open flames to be directed toward the roasting drum; reversibly attachment between the burner bar and the two frames; and rotatability of the roasting drum. In the preferred embodiment, the frames have adjustable legs, and the frame and the frame legs are reversibly attachable with respect to one another through a plurality of selectively located holes and placement of securing pins or bolts through the holes to secure the frame to the frame legs. The frame is preferably an A-frame and the frame legs are inserted into the bottom portion of the A-frame until the selectively located holes coincide, both the A-frame and the frame legs comprising metal tubing. The A-frame preferably includes a metal tube attached to the top of the A-frame and with an opening perpendicular to the face of the A-Frame, through which the cylindrical shaft passes and rotates. The burner bar is welded and sealed at each end to an open metal channel, the channel has at least two selectively located holes that coincide with selectively located holes in the frame and the frame legs, through which bolts are placed to secure the frame to the frame legs and the burner bar. The roaster drum comprises two metal end plates with the cylindrical shafts attached to either face of each the end plate, metal mesh attached to each the end plate, and item loading and unloading access for items to be roasted through a hinged door that is secured by a latch and located on the wire mesh portion of the roaster drum. A layer of sheet metal may be supported by the metal mesh of the roaster drum for use for smaller items or to create an oven. A slide tray may be employed, angled downward, that catches previously roasted items beneath the roaster and directs the items away from the roaster drum and flame. The roaster drum preferably has two metal end plates with the cylindrical shafts attached to either face of each the end plate and threaded on each free end, and attachability of optional attachments to the threaded portions of the cylindrical shafts located within the roasting drum. Power may be provided for rotation of the roaster drum through attachment of a hand crank to at least one of the threaded portion of the cylindrical shafts exterior to the roaster drum, or via attachment of a motor drive. One or more cylindrical baffles may be used to divide the roasting drum into separate roasting compartments. A secondary metal mesh drum that fits within the roaster drum may also be used.
The present invention gives consumers the opportunity to roast a variety of food items, such as vegetables, fruits, meats or seafood in their own backyards or on their apartment balcony. For example, the invention is quite useful for roasting chilies on an as needed basis. The consumer no longer has to devote considerable amounts of freezer space to the annual supply of chile. Instead, the invention can be assembled in a matter of minutes, connected to a portable gas supply, and within minutes the cook has a sufficient supply of roasted peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, or chestnuts to feed friends and family. Furthermore, when the invention is not being used, the invention can be disassembled in a matter of minutes and stored in a box no more then 12×12×30 inches in dimension.
A primary object of the present invention is provide a consumer size, portable roaster.
A primary advantage of the present invention is the ease at which the roaster is assembled and disassembled.
Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3126814 (1964-03-01), Brown
patent: 4982657 (1991-01-01), Ghenic
patent: 5172628 (1992-12-01), Pillsbury et al.
patent: 5184540 (1993-02-01), Riccio
patent: 5361686 (1994-11-01), Koopman
patent: 5367950 (1994-11-01), Sarich
patent: 5421318 (1995-06-01), Unruh et al.
patent: 5485780 (1996-01-01), Koether et al.
patent: 5562022 (1996-10-01), Schmid et al.
patent: 5715744 (1998-02-01), Coutant
patent: 5799569 (1998-09-01), Moreth
patent: 5819639 (1998-10-01), Spell
patent: 5887513 (1999-03-01), Fielding et al.
Barrera Joseph
Myers Jeffrey D.
Simone Timothy
LandOfFree
Portable roaster does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Portable roaster, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Portable roaster will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2451828