WO2007123521A1 - Grill including automatic gap calibration - Google Patents
Grill including automatic gap calibration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007123521A1 WO2007123521A1 PCT/US2006/015157 US2006015157W WO2007123521A1 WO 2007123521 A1 WO2007123521 A1 WO 2007123521A1 US 2006015157 W US2006015157 W US 2006015157W WO 2007123521 A1 WO2007123521 A1 WO 2007123521A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- grilling surface
- motors
- grill
- upper grilling
- current
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J37/00—Baking; Roasting; Grilling; Frying
- A47J37/06—Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills
- A47J37/0611—Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J37/00—Baking; Roasting; Grilling; Frying
- A47J37/06—Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills
- A47J37/0611—Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons
- A47J2037/0617—Roasters; Grills; Sandwich grills the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons with means to adjust the distance between heating plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a grill that automatically calibrates a gap between an upper grilling surface and a lower grilling surface.
- Grills or griddles are used to cook various foods, such as hamburgers.
- the sides of the food are grilled separately.
- the food is placed on a grilling surface, grilling the side of the food that contacts the grilling surface. After that side of the food is cooked, the food is manually flipped to cook the opposite side. After the food is cooked, the food is manually removed from the grill for serving.
- both sides of the food are grilled simultaneously.
- the food is placed on a lower grilling surface.
- An upper platen assembly having an upper grilling surface is then lowered onto the food, positioning the food in a gap between the upper and lower grilling surfaces to simultaneously grill both sides of the food. After a predetermined amount of time has passed, the upper platen assembly raises, and the food can be manually removed from the grill.
- the upper grilling surface should be level to ensure that the upper grilling surface uniformly contacts the food. If the upper platen assembly is not level, a service technician must travel to the site to manually calibrate the grill. This requires additional cost and labor.
- a grill includes an upper platen assembly pivotally attached to a lower platen assembly.
- the lower platen assembly and the upper platen assembly each include a respective grilling surface.
- the upper platen assembly is lifted by an operator to a raised position, the lower grilling surface is exposed. Food items are placed on the lower grilling surface by the operator for cooking.
- the upper platen assembly is pivoted downwardly to a lowered position, positioning the food items in a gap between the lower grilling surface and the upper grilling surface.
- the upper platen assembly includes three motors encased in a shell.
- a control operates and controls the three motors.
- the motors each operate independently to rotate a shaft including a disc.
- the upper grilling surface suspends from cables. A first end of each cable is attached to the upper grilling surface, and an opposing second end of each cable is attached to one of the discs.
- the grill is automatically calibrated to ensure that the upper grilling surface is level.
- An operator presses a button to initiate the auto-calibration sequence.
- the upper grilling surface is lowered to contact the lower grilling surface.
- One motor is then operated to rotate the shaft, raising a portion of the upper grilling surface.
- a current sensor detects the current in the motor. When the upper grilling surface is slightly lifted from the lower grilling surface, the current of the motor changes. When the percent change in the current increases over a threshold value, the position of the upper grilling surface and the motor setting are stored in the control. The calibration steps are then repeated.
- the calibration steps are then performed by the other two motors individually and sequentially. After the calibrations steps are performed by all three motors, the upper grilling surface is level.
- the grill also automatically recognizes a food item placed on the lower grilling surface.
- An operator presses a button to initiate a cooking cycle.
- the upper grilling surface lowers towards the lower grilling surface and onto the food items.
- the current in the motors changes.
- the current sensor detects that the current changes, the size of the gap between the upper grilling surface and the lower grilling surface is determined, indicating the size of the food item. Based on the size of the food item, the cooking parameters of the grill are determined.
- Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a grill of the present invention in a lowered position
- Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the grill in a raised position
- Figure 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the grill in a closed position with a shell removed
- Figure 4 schematically illustrates a top view of the grill with the shell removed
- Figure 5 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a disc and a cable of a motor
- Figure 6 schematically illustrates a side view of the motor when rotating the disc in a first direction
- Figure 7 schematically illustrates a side view of the motor when rotating the disc in a second opposite direction.
- FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate illustrates a grill 20 in a lowered position and a raised position, respectively.
- the grill 20 includes a lower platen assembly 22 and an upper platen assembly 24 pivotally attached to the lower platen assembly 22 by a hinge 28.
- a handle 26 on the upper platen assembly 24 can be grabbed by an operator to pivot the upper platen assembly 24 relative to the lower platen assembly 22 between the lowered position and the raised position.
- the lower platen assembly 22 and the upper platen assembly 24 each include a respective grilling surface 30 and 32. When the upper platen assembly 24 is lifted by an operator to the raised position, the lower grilling surface 30 is exposed.
- Food items 34 are placed on the lower grilling surface 30 by the operator for cooking.
- the food items 34 are hamburgers.
- the operator grabs the handle 26 and pivots the upper platen assembly 24 downwardly to the lowered position, positioning the food item 34 in a gap 36 between the lower grilling surface 30 and the upper grilling surface 32.
- An arm 42 contacts the lower grilling surface 30 to provide a mechanical stop that defines the gap 36 between the upper grilling surface 32 and the lower grilling surface 30.
- the grilling surfaces 30 and 32 are heated by a heater (not shown) to cook the food items 34.
- the upper platen assembly 24 includes a leveling mechanism 38 that automatically levels the upper grilling surface 32 relative to the lower grilling surface 30.
- the leveling mechanism 38 includes three motors 46a, 46b and 46c encased in a shell 44 (shown in Figures 1 and 2). Each of the motors 46a, 46b and 46c operate independently to level a portion of the upper grilling surface 32.
- a control 78 independently controls the three motors 46a, 46b and 46c. Although three motors 46a, 46b and 46c are illustrated and described, it is to be understood that any number of motors 46a, 46b and 46c can be used.
- the motors 46a, 46b and 46c each operate to rotate a shaft 48a, 48b and 48c, respectively. Each shaft 48a, 48b and 48c rotates a respective disc 52a, 52b and 52c having a respective groove 54a, 54b and 54c.
- the upper grilling surface 32 suspends from cables 58a, 58b and 58c.
- a first end 60a, 60b and 60c of each cable 58a, 58b and 58c, respectively, is attached to an upper surface 88 of the upper grilling surface 32 by an attachment member 62a, 62b and 62c, respectively.
- an opposing second end 64a, 64b and 64c of each cable 58a, 58b and 58c is attached in the grooves 54a, 54b and 54c, respectively, of the disc 52a, 52b and 52c, respectively, such that a portion of each of the cables 58a, 58b and 58c is received in a groove 54a, 54b and 54c, respectively.
- cables 58a, 58b and 58c are illustrated and described, it is to be understood that metal drive belts can be employed.
- the cable 58a is attached near a first corner 66 of the upper grilling surface 32 with the attachment member 62a
- the cable 58b is attached near a second corner 68 of the upper grilling surface 32 with the attachment member 62b.
- An edge 70 is located between the first corner 66 and the second corner 68.
- the third cable 58c is attached to the upper grilling surface 32 with the attachment member 62c at a location between a third corner 72 and a fourth corner 74 of the upper grilling surface 32.
- the attachment member 62c is substantially centrally between the third corner 72 and the fourth corner 74.
- An edge 76 opposite to the edge 70 is located between the third corner 72 and the fourth corner 74.
- the cables 58a, 58b and 58c are attached to the upper grilling surface 32 in a substantially triangular pattern. However, it is understood that any configuration of the cables 58 a, 58b and 58c is possible.
- Each of the motors 46a, 46b and 46c independently move and level a portion of the upper grilling surface 32 that is near the respective attachment members 62a, 62b and 62c.
- the grill 20 is automatically calibrated to ensure that the gap 36 is maintained at the desired size between the lower grilling surface 30 and the upper grilling surface 32.
- calibrated it is meant that the upper grilling surface 32 is level relative to the lower grilling surface 30 to ensure proper cooking of the food items 34 in the grill 20.
- the grill 20 is calibrated daily. If the upper grilling surface 32 becomes unlevel during the day, the calibration steps performed the following day will correct this. However, if the operator notices that the upper grilling surface 32 has become unlevel during use of the grill 20, for example by observing the quality or appearance of the food items 34, the operator can press a button 84 to intitate the auto-calibration sequence, as described below.
- an operator presses the button 84 to initiate the auto-calibration sequence that levels the upper grilling surface 32.
- the button 84 communicates with the control 78.
- the control 78 sends a signal for the motors 46a, 46b and 46c to rotate the respective shafts 48a, 48b and 48c in the direction A, lengthening the respective cables 58a, 58b and 58c and lowering the upper grilling surface 32 onto the lower grilling surface 30, providing a hard stop for the upper grilling surface 32 and providing slack in the cables 58a, 58b and 58c.
- a current sensor 80 detects the current in the windings of each of the motors 46a, 46b and 46c.
- the current sensor 80 is a Hall-Effect sensor. However, it is to be understood that any type of sensor can be employed.
- the cables 58a, 58b and 58c begin to sustain the weight of the upper grilling surface 32, the tension in the cables 58a, 58b and 58c increases and therefore the current in the windings of the motor 46a, 46b and 46c changes.
- one motor 46a is operated to rotate the shaft 48a in the direction B, wrapping the cable 58a around the disc 52a to shorten and remove any slack in the cable 58a and raise the upper grilling surface 32.
- the current of the windings of the motor 46a is detected by the current sensor 80.
- the current sensor 80 detects a change in the current in the windings of the motor 46a, this indicates that the upper grilling surface 32 has lifted from the lower grilling surface 30.
- the settings of the motor 46a and the location of the upper grilling surface 32 are stored in the control 78.
- the calibration steps are then repeated.
- the motor 46a rotates the shaft 48a in the direction A to lower the upper grilling surface 32 onto the lower grilling surface 30.
- the motor 46a is again operated to rotate the shaft 48a in the direction B, wrapping the cable 58a around the disc 52a to shorten and remove any slack in the cable 58a.
- the current of the windings of the motor 46a is detected by the current sensor 80.
- the settings of the motor 46a and the location of the upper grilling surface 32 are stored in the control 78 and compared to the settings of the motor 46a and the location of the upper grilling surface 32 previously stored in the control 78.
- the settings of the motor 46a and the location of the upper grilling surface 32 match within a given range, these values are stored and indicate the calibration settings of the motor 46a. If the settings of the motor 46a and the location of the upper grilling surface 32 do not match, the calibration steps are repeated until they do match within a given range to settings determined in the previous set of calibration steps. By repeating the calibrating steps more than once, accurate calibration can be ensured.
- the calibration settings of the motor 46a are determined by detecting a percent change in the current over a threshold level, it is to be understood that the calibration settings of the motor 46a can be determined by detecting a specific current or an average current.
- the calibration steps performed by the motor 46a are then repeated by the motors 46b and 46c individually and sequentially.
- the motor 46a is described as performing the calibration steps first, it is to be understood that the motors 46a, 46b and 46c can perform the calibration steps in any order.
- the upper grilling surface 32 is lowered onto the lower grilling surface 30.
- the calibration settings of each of the motors 46a, 46b and 46c that result in the leveling of the upper grilling surface 32 are stored in the control 78.
- a calibration point of the upper grilling surface 32 is defined when each of the motors 46a, 46b operate in the calibration settings, resulting in the upper grilling surface 32 being level. Alternately, the motors 46a, 46b and 46c are calibrated at the same time.
- the grill 20 automatically recognizes a food item 34 that is to be cooked in the grill 20.
- the operator grabs the handle 26 to lower the upper platen assembly 24 or presses a button 86 to initiate a cooking cycle.
- the button 86 communicates with the control 78.
- the control 78 actuates the motors 46a, 46b and 46c to lower the upper grilling surface 32 towards the lower grilling surface 30.
- the upper grilling surface 32 lowers to a predetermined location and compresses the food items 34 between the upper grilling surface 32 and the lower grilling surface 30 to sear the food items 34.
- the motors 46a, 46b and 46c are then operated to rotate the respective shafts 48a, 48b and 48c in the direction B, wrapping the respective cables 58a, 58b and 58c around the respective discs 52a, 52b and 52c to shorten and remove the slack in the cables 58a, 58b and 58c and raise the upper grilling surface 32.
- the shafts 48a, 48b and 48c rotate, the current of the windings of the motors 46a, 46b and 46c is detected by the current sensor 80.
- the control 78 determines the size of the gap 36 between the upper grilling surface 32 and the lower grilling surface 30 based the settings of the motor 46a, 46b and 46c and the calibration point.
- the size of the gap 36 indicates the size of the food item 34.
- the cooking parameters of the grill 20 are determined.
- the cooking parameters are programmed into the control 78. For example, based on the size of the gap 36, the cooking time, the cooking temperature and the size of the gap 36 during cooking of the food items 34 are determined.
- the control 78 sets the temperature of the heaters on the upper grilling surface 32 and the lower grilling surface 30, the size of the gap 36 between the upper grilling surface 32 and the lower grilling surface 30, and the cooking time. After the cooking time has passed, the upper platen assembly 24 raises, allowing an operator to remove the food items 34 from the lower grilling surface 30.
- the size of the gap 36 is determined by detecting when the upper grilling surface 32 contacts the food item 34 based on the detected current.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2650544A CA2650544C (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
CN2006800542808A CN101431929B (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Roasting frame with automatic clearance emendation function |
AU2006342514A AU2006342514B2 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
EP06751022.2A EP2007257A4 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
NZ572686A NZ572686A (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | A grill with upper and lower plattens the upper made made level with the lower by control of individual motors |
PCT/US2006/015157 WO2007123521A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
JP2009506469A JP4808270B2 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill with automatic gap adjustment |
US12/287,941 US8833243B2 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2008-10-15 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2006/015157 WO2007123521A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/287,941 Continuation US8833243B2 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2008-10-15 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2007123521A1 true WO2007123521A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
Family
ID=38625307
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2006/015157 WO2007123521A1 (en) | 2006-04-20 | 2006-04-20 | Grill including automatic gap calibration |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2007257A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4808270B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101431929B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006342514B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2650544C (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ572686A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007123521A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190045972A1 (en) * | 2013-11-26 | 2019-02-14 | Taylor Commerical Foodservice Inc. | Grilling appliance with automated platen leveling and gap calibration system |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR101314935B1 (en) | 2012-04-12 | 2013-10-04 | 왕태철 | Control device of motor for heating plate space control of that is meat roaster |
MX2014015653A (en) * | 2012-07-03 | 2015-08-05 | Garland Commercial Ind Llc | Clamshell grill and method with product cook procedures. |
CA2878453A1 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2014-01-16 | Garland Commercial Industries, Llc | Precision platen positioning devices and methods for grills |
US11116357B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2021-09-14 | Taylor Commercial Foodservice, Llc | Cooking gap control of a cooking apparatus |
GB201520358D0 (en) * | 2015-11-18 | 2015-12-30 | Jm Posner Ltd | Waffle makers |
EP3192413B1 (en) * | 2016-01-14 | 2020-03-04 | ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL S.p.A. | Cooking appliance comprising a first and a second cooking plate, and method for controlling the distance between cooking plates |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6257126B1 (en) * | 1999-09-29 | 2001-07-10 | Star Manufacturing International Inc. | Food grill assembly |
US6263786B1 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-07-24 | Proprocess Corp. | Digitally controlled clamshell press |
US6467400B2 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-10-22 | Proprocess Corporation | Digitally controlled clamshell press |
US6539839B1 (en) * | 1997-10-07 | 2003-04-01 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Uniform temperature cooking surface |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4586428A (en) * | 1985-08-22 | 1986-05-06 | Special Equipment Companies, Inc., Taylor Freezer Division | Cooking apparatus for two-sided cooking |
CN2138946Y (en) * | 1992-11-21 | 1993-07-28 | 赖友仁 | Rotary electric oven |
US6016743A (en) * | 1999-01-13 | 2000-01-25 | Taylor Company | Clamshell cooking apparatus with automatic gap size determination |
CA2558098C (en) * | 2004-03-02 | 2013-09-10 | Enodis Corporation | Cooking apparatus and method with product recognition |
-
2006
- 2006-04-20 NZ NZ572686A patent/NZ572686A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-04-20 CA CA2650544A patent/CA2650544C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-04-20 AU AU2006342514A patent/AU2006342514B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2006-04-20 CN CN2006800542808A patent/CN101431929B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-04-20 WO PCT/US2006/015157 patent/WO2007123521A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-04-20 JP JP2009506469A patent/JP4808270B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-04-20 EP EP06751022.2A patent/EP2007257A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6539839B1 (en) * | 1997-10-07 | 2003-04-01 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Uniform temperature cooking surface |
US6257126B1 (en) * | 1999-09-29 | 2001-07-10 | Star Manufacturing International Inc. | Food grill assembly |
US6263786B1 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-07-24 | Proprocess Corp. | Digitally controlled clamshell press |
US6467400B2 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-10-22 | Proprocess Corporation | Digitally controlled clamshell press |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP2007257A4 * |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190045972A1 (en) * | 2013-11-26 | 2019-02-14 | Taylor Commerical Foodservice Inc. | Grilling appliance with automated platen leveling and gap calibration system |
US10617256B2 (en) * | 2013-11-26 | 2020-04-14 | Taylor Commercial Foodservice Inc. | Grilling appliance with automated platen leveling and gap calibration system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2006342514A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
EP2007257A1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
JP2009534091A (en) | 2009-09-24 |
CN101431929A (en) | 2009-05-13 |
NZ572686A (en) | 2010-12-24 |
CN101431929B (en) | 2011-04-06 |
CA2650544C (en) | 2011-06-21 |
CA2650544A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
AU2006342514B2 (en) | 2010-10-21 |
JP4808270B2 (en) | 2011-11-02 |
EP2007257A4 (en) | 2015-08-26 |
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