Patent Application
20080060634
Referring to
According to an exemplary embodiment, heat source 26 provides heat energy by radiant heat transfer. A thermostat 27 (mounted on a thermostat holder) is disposed below griddle 28 and is used for controlling the temperature of griddle 28. According to a preferred embodiment, heat source 26 provides infrared heat energy directed to griddle 28. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, heat source 26 includes a ceramic tile infrared burner. Alternatively, the heat source may be other resistive-type sources (e.g., paper, metal foam, Calrod, etc.) or any of a variety of radiant heat sources (e.g., gas flame, induction, etc.). Absorption of the heat energy by griddle 28 depends on several factors, including distance between griddle 28 and heat source 26, texture of griddle 28, material of griddle 28, and color of the griddle surface facing the heat source.
Referring to
Vent 32 is coupled along a rear end of plate 30 and is configured to allow passage of gases (e.g., air, fumes, exhaust, smoke, etc.) between the space under griddle 28 and the space surrounding range 10. According to a preferred embodiment, vent 32 is a shaped member (e.g., u-shaped channel) coupled to plate end with a plurality of slots 40. Receptacle 34 (e.g., cup, trough, tray, etc.) is configured to receive and contain grease or other food particles that drain or are scraped from top surface 36 of plate 30. According to a preferred embodiment, receptacle 34 is a shaped member (e.g., U-shaped channel) coupled to a front end of plate 30.
An exterior or outer coating 42 (e.g., layer, material, etc.) is coupled to bottom surface 38 of plate 30 to increase the efficiency and uniformity of heat transfer between heat source 26 and griddle 28 (and therefore to the food being heated). Because coating 42 improves the heat transfer through plate 30, the temperature measured by thermostat 27 more accurately reflects the temperature of surface 36. According to an exemplary embodiment, coating 42 has a greater heat absorbing capacity than (the uncoated) bottom surface 38 of plate 30. Conventional griddle bottom surfaces a base metallic and reflective/glossy surface. According to a preferred embodiment, coating 42 is a color darker than bottom surface 38 and is capable of withstanding high temperatures over a long period of time. Coating 42 is preferably a mat gray or black color. Preferably, coating is a paint or other coating that is applied (e.g., brushed, rollered, sprayed, powder coated, etc.) to second surface that chemically and/or mechanically bonds (e.g., adheres) material to the second surface. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, coating 42 is an Industrial Marine and Coating system commercially available as KEM® HI-TEMP COATINGS No. 850 SERIES from the Sherwin-Williams Company. According to alternative embodiments, the coating may be any of a variety of materials that is coupled to the bottom surface of the plate that increases heat transfer efficiency and uniformity, and is coupled by any of a variety of methods.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the coated griddle bottom as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the two components. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.
