Patent Application
20210330122
The subject matter described herein relates generally to modular grill and smoker apparatuses, support structures and user device integration and associated systems, methods, and devices.
Grilling and smoking are popular methods of food preparation that have existed for much of human history. The refinement of materials in modern times has allowed for advancement of grilling and smoking technology from fireplaces and open flames to include individual units that can grill and smoke food and may be permanently installed in one location or can be transported for use in various locations and can include enclosed chambers. As such, a wide variety of modern grills and smokers exist, from low-end, cheap versions to top of the line installations costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.
Modern grills and smokers, especially high-end versions, are typically constructed of materials that are welded and assembled by human hand and require significant investment of human time, energy and capital to construct. Additionally, these devices often require numerous joining means such as screws, nails, washers, seals and others that can be lost, broken or otherwise malfunction. Modern grills and smokers are also typically difficult to clean and must be washed by hand, again requiring significant time and energy. Additionally, modern grills generally do not have integration with wireless devices, networks or systems such that they provide for interaction, remote monitoring or integration with electronic data.
Thus, needs exist for improved techniques and methods by which to manufacture, grills and smokers. Additionally, improved cleanability, easier manufacturer, intermediary and end user assembly and transportation are valuable. Also, integration with modern electronic devices is desirable.
Provided herein are embodiments of systems, devices and methods for manufacturing, building and using modular grill and smoker apparatuses, support structures and, in some embodiments, user device integration.
In some embodiments, a modular cooking apparatus micro-coated with an oxide layer is provided. The modular cooking apparatus may include a heating source location; a first chamber defined by at least one first chamber wall; a second chamber defined by at least one second chamber wall and coupled with the first chamber, wherein the first chamber wall and the second chamber wall are micro-coated with the oxide-layer; an inlet vent coupled with the second chamber; and an outlet vent coupled with the second chamber, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the first chamber is operable to cook food by retaining heat generated in the heating source location and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the second chamber defines an airflow corridor such that air located exterior to the second chamber is drawn into the apparatus via the inlet vent and air heated in the airflow corridor is emitted from the apparatus via the outlet vent.
In some embodiments, a cooking system micro-coated with an oxide layer is provided. The cooking system may include a modular cooking device comprising: a heating source location; a first chamber having at least one first chamber wall micro-coated with the oxide-layer; an inlet vent; an outlet vent; and a second chamber, having at least one second chamber wall micro-coated with the oxide-layer, wherein the second chamber is coupled with the first chamber, the inlet vent and the outlet vent such that the second chamber defines an airflow corridor from the inlet vent, to a space between the first chamber wall and second chamber wall, to the outlet vent and wherein the modular cooking device includes at least one weld created using a robotic fabrication system; and a support device, operable to couple with the modular cooking device.
In some embodiments, a method of operating a modular cooking device using a computing device, wherein the modular cooking device includes a heating source location, a first chamber having at least one first chamber wall micro-coated with the oxide-layer, a second chamber, having at least one second chamber wall micro-coated with the oxide-layer, and wherein the second chamber is coupled with the first chamber, an inlet vent and an outlet vent such that the second chamber defines an airflow corridor from the inlet vent, to a space between the first chamber wall and second chamber wall, to the outlet vent, the method comprising: executable instructions associated with a recipe, stored in non-transitory memory, that when received from the computing device and executed by a processor of the modular cooking device, cause the processor to: initiate a heating operation of the modular cooking device in accordance with the recipe that causes heating inside a cooking chamber of the modular cooking device; monitor an internal temperature of the cooking chamber via at least one sensor; if necessary to comply with the recipe, adjust at least one component affecting the heating operation if a temperature threshold is met; and transmit at least one notification to the computing device that causes the device to notify a user of a condition of the recipe, wherein data from the sensor that is related to the heating operation are stored in non-transitory memory for later review by the user.
The configuration of the devices described herein in detail are only example embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Other systems, devices, methods, features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, devices, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation of those features in the claims.
The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to its structure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely.
Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.
Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for creating and using modular grills and smokers used to cook food, as well as associated manufacturing and user interfaces for interacting with the same.
In various embodiments described herein and otherwise contemplated, modular grills and smokers can be parametrically designed and modified using computers, for instance through the use of programs such as SolidWorks. Parametric design of modular grills and smokers can allow for quick and easy scaling changes of individual components and relative dimensions for all components to be saved in non-transitory computer readable memory. This can allow for customized production and production of unique sizes and provides great flexibility for the manufacturer. Since the relative dimensions of each part and section can be set as parameters, they can be easily exported from a design computer for use in robotic fabrication. Robotic fabrication can improve equipment setup and fabrication time and can provide savings of fifty to eighty percent, when compared to fabrication costs common to traditional manual grill and smoker fabrication processes.
In many embodiments, design and modification of grills and smokers is accomplished by executing computer operations using processors, that are stored in the form of instructions in non-transitory computer readable memory. These allow for manipulation of data and variables via user interfaces and provide for viewing of data on graphical user interfaces. Computing devices including these components and operable to execute these instructions can be user interface devices and are often networked together via public and private networks that include servers and other components and devices. Various forms of many of the computer-based devices and components required to perform these operations are described in more detail herein. Once a desired or acceptable design has been finished or formalized, it can be exported to a networked fabrication computer that can then fabricate components according to the designs via computer connected and controlled fabrication equipment to precisely calculated dimensions.
Robotic fabrication facilities can provide improved accuracy of metal shaping and welding techniques. Examples of known techniques include: arc welding, oxy-fuel gas welding, resistance welding, solid-state welding and others. Examples of arc welding include: atomic hydrogen welding (AHW), bare metal arc welding (BMAW), carbon arc welding (CAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW, FCAW-S), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten (GTAW), plasma arc welding (PAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), magnetically impelled arc butt welding (MIAB) and others. Examples of oxy-fuel gas welding include: air-acetylene welding (AAW), oxyacetylene welding (OAW), oxygen/propane welding, oxyhydrogen welding (OHW), pressure gas welding (PGW) and others. Examples of resistance welding include: resistance spot welding (RSW), resistance seam welding (RSEW), projection welding (PW), flash welding (FW), upset welding (UW) and others. Examples of solid-state welding include: co-extrusion welding (CEW), cold pressure welding (CW), diffusion welding (DFW), explosion welding (EW), electromagnetic pulse welding, forge welding (FOW), friction welding (FRW), friction stir welding (F SW), hot pressure welding (HPW), hot isostatic pressure welding (HPW), roll welding (ROW), ultrasonic welding (USW), and others. Some examples of other types of welding include: electron beam welding (EBW), electro-slag welding (ESW), flow welding, induction welding (IW), laser beam welding (LBW), laser-hybrid welding, percussion welding (PEW), thermite welding (TW), electro-gas welding, stud arc welding, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and others.
Utilizing these forms of equipment can be beneficial since the grills and smokers described herein are of a modular design they do not need a full scale production facility. Therefore, individual assemblies and sub-assemblies can be sourced from one or more offshore or domestic robotic fabricators, shipped in parts or pieces to reduce costs and an end product can be assembled elsewhere by distributors, retailers and end-users. An additional benefit is that during production, welds can be created more quickly and more accurately than could be accomplished by a human. This improves finished product quality and durability and increases the efficiency in creating such products.
The modular designs described herein provides for simple assembly and disassembly without the need for specialized tools or even traditional tools such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, nails, screws, washers, or others. Hitch-pins and other simple yet durable connections provide quick and easy securing means for assembly and disassembly. As such, cleaning of the modular grill and smoker is vastly improved over current and former grills and smokers. Many components are particularly sized so they can be soaked in standard kitchen and commercial sinks and fit within normal dishwashing machines for added convenience.
A secondary closable chamber 208, which can be sealable in some embodiments, can also be cylindrical or semi-cylindrical, can have similar radial or other dimensions, when compared to cooking chamber 202 and can have a similar secondary chamber access door 210 that opens and closes to seal secondary chamber 208. In some embodiments, this can be an airtight seal. Secondary chamber 208 can have an equal or shorter cylindrical length, when compared to that of cooking chamber 202. Secondary chamber 208 will also be referred to herein as a utility chamber. Handles 212 can be formed as built-in recesses, exterior flanges and can have other structures and can be permanently coupled to each of chambers 202, 208 in order to open and close chambers 202, 208. Other structures can also be used, as known in the art or later developed, including exterior horizontal, diagonal or vertical bars with or without connecting brackets.
Primary chamber 202 and secondary chamber 208 can be independently constructed or fabricated and combined or coupled later to form a single modular grill and smoker 200 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, these chambers can be constructed or fabricated from a single, large chamber. As would be understood in the art, additional or fewer chambers can be provided and dimensions can be varied in accordance with the embodiments described herein without departing from their scope.
In some embodiments secondary chamber 208 can be a utility or control chamber that can be specially designed to be used for warming food, maintaining food temperature with minimal heat loss, storing items, cooking food at different temperatures from primary chamber 202 or performing other purposes.
The chambers 202, 208 can have one or more external fuel coupling components 214 for allowing externally supplied fuel to be fed to appropriate use points or locations in various embodiments. Components 214 can be unique to each chamber 202, 208 or shared in some embodiments. A non-exhaustive list of external fuel sources 216 includes: liquid propane gas (LPG), butane, natural gas (NG), liquid or gaseous biofuels, hydrogen, kerosene and others currently in existence or later developed. In some embodiments no couplings may be provided if internal fuel is the only fuel for use, for instance in embodiments solely for use with combustible solid fuels such as charcoal, wood and others currently in existence or later developed. Many embodiments allow for the use of either or both external and internal fuel sources. Also contemplated are electrical heating sources, such as coils, that may be externally or battery powered.
As shown in the example embodiment, one or more displays can be provided on a user-facing surface of the modular grill and smoker 200. Here, this includes a primary display 218 that can be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, touchscreen display, or others as appropriate and can include electrical coupling to power sources, temperature sensors, timers, lighting, audio speakers, additional displays, user interfaces, processors, non-transitory memory, and others as understood in the art. In some embodiments these displays can be communicatively coupled to one or more external devices, such as smartphones, tablets, wearable smart devices, video game consoles, computers or other devices. These couplings can be wired or wireless and can be accomplished using various communication protocols or standards, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or others.
User interface controls 220 can be provided or mounted on various surfaces of modular grill and smoker 200, including: dials, buttons, switches, knobs, touchscreens, combinations thereof and others. As understood in the art, these user interface controls 220 allow a user to interface with modular grill and smoker 200 in order to control temperatures in chambers 202, 208, timers, clocks, power, lighting, fuel, audio output, and other necessary and optional components.
Other mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical components and features can be included on appropriate interior and exterior surfaces including support racks, holders, tables, cutting boards, pots, pans, storage compartments, and others as understood in the art without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein.
Also shown in the example embodiment, is a support rack 222 supporting primary and secondary chambers 202, 208, as well as a fuel source 216, which in this case is a LPG tank. In various embodiments, support racks 222 can be highly adjustable by users, including pitch, height and balancing adjustments. In some embodiments, these support racks 222 can be installed on balconies, fences, walls, boat railings, and many others.
An external fuel coupling component 214 is shown protruding from a rear of the modular grill and smoker 200 and extending downward at a right angle to couple with a mated coupling component from an external fuel source 216. Also shown is an exterior wire 226 for providing electrical power, in the form of a rotisserie motor power line. In some embodiments this can be provided or routed within the inside the modular grill and smoker device 200. A support rack 222 is shown as supporting the external fuel source 216 as well as the modular grill and smoker 200 that can provide permanent, semi-permanent or removable coupling for its supported components. Support rack 222 is discussed in further detail herein with respect to
As shown, one or more inner surfaces of an exterior wall 312 of airflow corridor 302 can have a variety of different radii from a central axis of cooking chamber 301. In some embodiments a single, uniform exterior wall inner surface radius can exist. As shown in the example embodiment a cooking chamber 301 can likewise have a non-uniform but generally circular cross sectional shape.
In the example embodiment, airflow corridor 302 has a cross sectional shape that is generally circumferentially located about a general cooking chamber 301 circumference. As such, the radius of a common wall 314 or walls separating cooking chamber 301 from airflow corridor 302 is generally smaller than the radius of the inner surface of the exterior wall 312 or walls of airflow corridor 302. As such, airflow corridor 302 can be a circumferential chamber that provides cooling properties in some embodiments. Openings 304a, 304b, 306a, 306b, 308 and 310 can include one or more of a plurality of flues, ducts, holes, vents or other components that are provided at specific locations in the airflow corridor exterior wall 312 to promote and provide airflow through the airflow corridor 302. As a result of this configuration, air can flow within the airflow corridor 302, between the exterior wall 312 or walls of the airflow corridor 302 and the common wall 314 or walls of the cooking chamber 301. The operation and dynamics of this airflow will be discussed in further detail with respect to
As shown in the example embodiment, additional vents can be provided in the common walls 314 to allow airflow within the interior cooking chambers 301 including one or more upper cooking chamber vents 320 and one or more lower cooking chamber vents 324. While in some embodiments vents may be located uniformly at standard locations in the walls 312, 314 of chamber 301, they can be located in any appropriate, desired or convenient locations such that they provide the desired airflow as described herein. The example embodiment in particular shows a front cooling-air exit 308 adjacent to a front wall of vent 320, that functions as a chimney and a rear cooling-air exit 310 adjacent to a rear wall of vent 320 at an upper area of the modular grill and smoker. At a middle to lower area of the modular grill and smoker are provided dual front cooling-air intakes 304a, 304b and dual rear cooling-air intakes 306a, 306b. At the bottom of cooking chamber 301, vent 324 has openings above a removable debris pan 326.
In the embodiments shown in
Although not shown in
In various embodiments airflow corridors 302 may not extend the full length of a modular grill and smoker apparatus and as such, may not surround a secondary chamber.
Also shown is a cooking chamber LED light strip 336 that can provide illumination to the interior of the cooking chamber 301 and is provided near the chimney flue vent 320 and above food supporting surfaces such as grill plates within chamber 301. LED cooking chamber light strip 336 may have a transparent or semi-transparent cover such that the light can reach the interior of the cooking chamber 301.
Also shown are transparent or semi-transparent panels for viewing the interior of cooking chamber 301. Here, an outer panel 332, inner panel 330 and a panel lock 334 are provided. Panels 330, 332 can be coupled in place using appropriate mechanisms, such that they do not fall off or otherwise move out of place. In some embodiments, this can be a panel lock 334 that may be a cam lock, for securing and optionally releasing one or both of outer panel 332 and inner panel 330. While cam locks rely on compression to secure panels in place, other mechanisms are also contemplated. In the diagram, there is a space between outer panel 332 and inner panel 330. This can allow outer panel 332 to remain cool, even while inner panel 330 becomes warm. In embodiments with locking mechanisms, outer panel can be removably or permanently coupled with exterior wall 312 while inner panel 330 is removably or permanently coupled with chamber wall 314. In some embodiments, one or more panels 330, 332 can be slid to a side, up or down or otherwise moved such that a door of chamber 301 does not need to be opened in order to view its contents in smoky or other less-than optimal viewing conditions, thus better maintaining the temperature and conditions within the chamber.
The double, removable transparent or semi-transparent panels 330 and 332 are unique improvements providing a viewing window into the interior cooking chamber 301 while maintaining the circumferential airflow corridor continuity (as described in
In some embodiments, the a modular grill and smoker may include a tertiary wall 315 behind the double wall to ensure child-resistant and/or burn-free curiosity.
Also shown are ribs that separate an airflow corridor exterior wall 412a, 412b respectively from a secondary chamber wall 414a a cooking chamber wall 414b. Ribs 440 can be stainless steel or titanium. In some embodiments a lower coefficient of heat transfer for titanium can prevent exterior walls 412a, 412b of the airflow corridor from becoming excessively heated. A vertical corridor 416b is provided on the exterior side of cooking chamber 402 that can be a separate airflow corridor in some embodiments with two or more airflow vents. A vertical corridor 416a is provided on the exterior side of utility chamber 408 that can be a separate airflow corridor in some embodiments with two or more airflow vents. Similarly, an airflow corridor 416c can separate utility chamber 408 from cooking chamber 402.
Rotary dampers 418a and 418b are respectively shown in the enlargements of rotary dampened door features 401a, 403a and can be provided in these vertical corridors 416a, 416b, helping to prevent them from becoming too hot, where they are maintained at a working and functional temperature.
Each chamber 402, 408 has a door that can be moved, to from partially to fully open or closed. These chamber doors may be permanently or removably coupled with a rotating feature of rotary dampers 418a, 418b, as they rotate circumferentially about a central axis drawn through the center of the rotary motion and noise damping mechanisms 418a, 418b. The rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 418b can provide sufficient damping, slowing, or friction such that a coupled door will not “clang” or make other loud or disturbing noises if accidentally or purposefully dropped, released, opened or shut quickly or carelessly. Each of the rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 41B are provided within a rotary damping support structure 420a, 420b respectively, such as a cylindrical support structure with an opening at one side and an anchoring means at the other side. In some embodiments, rotary dampers 418a, 418b can include and contain one or more viscous liquid substances to provide the damping effect.
In other embodiments, rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 418b can be provided within a cylindrical support structure 420a, 420b which is closed on both sides and has a slit or channel in the support structure for the door to travel circumferentially about the central axis of each of the rotary damping support mechanisms 418a, 418b when operated. Cylindrical support structures 420a, 420b can be coupled to the body of the modular grill and smoker in various appropriate locations by appropriate means such as welding or others. In the example embodiment the rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 418b are provided within the airflow corridor. In some embodiments, rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 418b can be coupled to an exterior surface of the modular grill and smoker. In embodiments where a single rotary damping mechanism is coupled with each chamber door, the door can be coupled to a pin, post or other structure with an appropriate receiving mechanism at its side opposite the rotary damping mechanism. Although rotary damping mechanisms 418a, 418b are shown at relatively the same location on either side of the chambers 402, 408 in the example embodiment, they can be at different locations relative to each other in different embodiments.
It should be understood that multi-surface tables 500 and supporting racks (e.g., see supporting rack 222 of
Also shown is a second panel 508 with a planar upper surface, and coupled to the legs for support such that it is substantially parallel to the first support surface. In use, this second surface can provide support for dishes, utensils, or any other objects that a user may wish to place in the space between its upper surface and a substantially planar lower surface of the first panel. Also shown is a third panel 510 with a planar upper surface and a cylindrical cutout 512 for supporting an external fuel tank.
Similar to the orientation of the first panel 504 and second panel 508, the third panel 512 can be parallel to the first two panels 504, 508. The distance between the lower surface of the first panel 504 and the upper surface of the third panel 510 is such that an external fuel tank can be conveniently removed and replaced. The circumference of the cylindrical cutout 512 should be such that it is larger than a cylindrical lower extension of an external fuel tank but smaller than a largest circumference of the external fuel tank. As such it can support the external fuel tank above the ground or other support structure on which the multi-surface table 500 is placed, i.e. a deck, patio, or others.
Although three panels 504, 508, 512 are shown in the example embodiment it should be understood that one or more of a back, side or front panels can also be provided that are substantially perpendicular to the upper planar surface of the first panel 504. In some embodiments, these panels can be doors with hinges or latches that allow them to open and close internal compartments. Holes, gaps, spaces or other cutouts should be provided in any such panels such that the external fuel tank can be coupled with the modular grill or smoker. Additionally, in some embodiments, racks, drawers and other accessory specific components and compartments can be provided to hold towels, utensils and other common pieces of equipment. Although described herein as a multi-surface table, in some embodiments a single surface may be provided.
In some embodiments, modular grill and smoker 550 may be attached or coupled to the table 500 on a permanent, semi-permanent or removable basis. In embodiments where modular grill and smoker 550 can be removed or decoupled from multi-surface support table 500, it can be transported to other locations for assembly, cleaning, modification or other purposes and goals. Coupling structures (obscured) in the form of external fuel coupling components may be provided with coupling locations for multiple external fuel sources, including external fuel source 552 on one side. It is understood in the art that these couplings can route external fuel within the interior of the modular grill and smoker 550 through appropriate pipes, hoses, or other sealed compartments to appropriate, safe and desirable locations for providing heat and other desired characteristics. An external power coupling can operably connect internal or external electrical grill components to an external power source such as a standard wall socket, for instance, using a power cord (not shown). In some embodiments, backup or primary battery sources can also be included.
The support rack 600 as shown includes posts or leg locks 604 that can couple to complementary mechanisms of the modular grill and smoker. Other couplings are also contemplated. The support rack 600 also includes an arm extension 606 for supporting an external fuel tank that extends from or couples with a support structure 608 and includes an external fuel tank support ring 610. In the example embodiment this arm extension 606 projects downward but in other embodiments it may be projected horizontally or in other directions as appropriate. The external fuel tank support ring 610 can be referred to as a LPG tank rank, external fuel tank rack or otherwise. Dimensions of the interior of the cylindrical ring 610 can be similar to those described previously for supporting an external fuel source with respect to the third panel of
The support rack 600 can also include additional planar surfaces for supporting dishes, utensils and other items in some embodiments as well as separate or common enclosures for housing one or both of a modular grill and smoker and external fuel source. While in some embodiments the support rack 600 provides a fixed height for a modular grill and smoker, this can be adjusted in other embodiments and changed per user requirements or desires. In some embodiments this can be done by adjusting support structure 608 up or down with respect to arms 602 before locking into place using an appropriate locking mechanism or pin.
Also shown are an electrical junction and central processing unit (CPU) box 752 for housing and protecting electrical equipment used with the modular grill and smoker 700. Secondary chamber 708 includes at least one utility shelf 742, utility door rotary damper 744, and fuel line 746. Also shown are debris tray 760, debris tray lock 762, ignition mechanism 764, fuel burner 766.
It should be understood that various internal structures can be provided that partition the interior of the interior chamber without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a lower portion of the chamber can be partitioned into two sides to allow for the user of one fuel source in a first side of the chamber and another fuel source in a second side of the chamber. As such, users may receive the benefit of unique flavor combinations imparted by the differing fuel sources without having the fuel sources combine or interact directly, which could lead to undesirable flavor characteristics. Similarly, the chamber can be divided such that airflow characteristics within the chamber are optimized for different objectives in particular orientations.
It should be understood that although the modular grill and smoker 1100 shown in the embodiments herein is generally a cylinder with a horizontal length oriented about a central axis, various other configurations and dimensions are contemplated without departing from the principles and objectives described herein. For instance, a vertically oriented modular grill and smoker is contemplated, with a central axis running in a vertical orientation, perpendicular with a ground surface. Different cross sections can be provided in various embodiments including triangular, square, elliptical, rectangular, irregular polygonal, and others. Likewise, the general three-dimensional profile is not limited to having two ends. Three dimensional profiles contemplated for various embodiments include pyramids, boxes and others. Likewise, irregular and non-traditional profiles and orientations are also contemplated, such as helixes and others. A variety of different benefits may be imparted by the various shapes and profiles of the modular grills and smokers contemplated including airflow optimization within the main and secondary chambers, insulation optimization at or near the exterior surfaces of the chambers, optimized and unique flavor profiles and numerous other benefits.
The internal surfaced of chambers can be coated in black, heather, charcoal or other dark colored materials that can provide utility in the form of reduced necessity to clean the interior of unsightly charring as is common on polished metal surfaces inside grills commonly in use today. Interior surface materials can be selected or applied in order to create other beneficial characteristics as well such as improved heat absorption, insulation, or others. In some embodiments, interior surfaces of one or more of the cooking and secondary chambers can be anodized stainless steel. As such, a chemical treatment reacts with the stainless steel and creates a pocked surface. In some embodiments a powder paint can be applied to interior surfaces that can be heat resistant and can be high gloss. This can lead to the benefit of improved cleaning of the associated surfaces. In some embodiments, chamber interiors can be coated in or made of ceramic or high temperature ceramic. In some embodiments, some interior sub-assemblies may be made of high R-value ceramic. In various embodiments the interior treatments of the chambers can be applied robotically in a fabrication plant.
Various internal structures 1106 can be provided as shown to support racks, food grilling surfaces, heating or warming surfaces, smoking surfaces or others as appropriate and known in the art. The height, location and orientation of these will be apparent through normal experimentation and may be highly customizable. Also provided can be hooks or other supports 1108 for rotisserie racks or other internal grill components.
In various embodiments, the user devices and modular grill and smoker apparatuses can perform complete logging of all system & user activity, including timestamps, locations, notes, technical issues and other information, allowing a user to perform queries of all historical data.
Mobile applications, mobile devices such as smart phones/tablets, application programming interfaces (APIs), databases, social media platforms including social media profiles or other sharing capabilities, load balancers, web applications, page views, networking devices such as routers, terminals, gateways, network bridges, switches, hubs, repeaters, protocol converters, bridge routers, proxy servers, firewalls, network address translators, multiplexers, network interface controllers, wireless interface controllers, modems, ISDN terminal adapters, line drivers, wireless access points, cables, servers and others equipment and devices as appropriate to implement the method and system is contemplated.
Various individual materials and combinations thereof are contemplated for fabricating the individual components and structures described herein. In many embodiments marine, stainless and titanium are contemplated. Future developed materials are also contemplated, as appropriate to achieve the objectives described herein. Some particular examples of materials that can be used to create components, portions, and items for modular grills and smokers, supporting racks, and supporting tables include: 316, 316L, 316F, 316N, 316TI stainless steel and titanium, and various other corrosion resistant alloys.
In many embodiments where stainless steel is used for the components, portions, and items of the modular grills and smokers, the supporting racks, and the supporting tables, a further process can be applied to these components, portions, and items to make them further resistant to corrosion. Generally, the process creates a light coat of protective material, such as metal oxide, to create a shell against corrosion. After thorough cleaning, the stainless-steel parts or components are immersed in a passivating acid bath, for example, any one of nitric acid, nitric acid with sodium dichromate and citric acid, at high temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Which bath and composition to use depends on the grade of stainless steel and prescribed acceptance criteria. In some embodiments, sodium dichromate may be added to the nitric acid bath. The protective shell reduces the chemical reactivity of the surface of the components, portions, and items of the modular grills and smokers, the supporting racks, and the supporting tables. In some embodiments, the process can remove free iron from the surface of the metal using an acid solution. After the removal of free iron, the surface of the metal, e.g., 316 and 316× stainless steel, chromium and often nickel are left behind as a surface layer over the underlying metal. The process can also strengthen the stainless-steel components, portions, and items, but still preserve their appearance. In some embodiments, the process can create an outer layer of shield material that is applied as a micro-coating, created by chemical reaction with the stainless-steel base material, or allowed to build from spontaneous oxidation in the air. In some embodiments, the protective shell may have a thickness of approximately 0.0000001-inch thick. The protective shell, when exposed naturally to oxygen, can reform automatically when the surface of the metal is damaged.
In some embodiments, the process can promote the increase of thickness of the protective shell, or oxide layer, over time. In some embodiments, an algorithm calculates the volume of oxide relative to the volume of the stainless steel, for example, the concentration of nitric acid at 20% to 50% by volume. In some other embodiments, an algorithm calculates a desirable thickness of the protective shell.
Another advantage of the process includes the ability to micro-coat all surface areas of the components, portions, and items of the modular grills and smokers, the supporting racks, and the supporting tables, including hard-to-reach areas.
Mounting and placement varies widely in various example embodiments of modular grills and smokers, including and not limited to: balcony railings, walled balconies, tabletops, marine rails or walls (e.g. as may be found on a boat) and numerous others.
Various aspects have been presented in terms of systems that may include several components, modules, and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the various systems may include additional components, modules, etc. and/or may not include all the components, modules, etc. discussed in connection with the figures. A combination of these approaches may also be used. The various aspects disclosed herein can be performed on electrical devices including devices that utilize touch screen display technologies and/or mouse-and-keyboard type interfaces. Examples of such devices include computers (desktop, mobile such as laptop, etc.), smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Internet platforms, and other electronic devices both wired and wireless.
In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Operational aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
Furthermore, the one or more versions may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed aspects. Non-transitory computer readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), BluRay™ . . . ), smart cards, solid-state devices (SSDs), and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope of the disclosed aspects.
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide for improvements over prior modes in the field of cooking devices. These improvements can include, for example, optimization of computer resources, improved data accuracy and improved data integrity, to name only a few. In a number of embodiments, instructions stored in the memory of computing devices (e.g., software) can cause one or more processors of the system to perform the steps of the embodiments described herein, as illustrated in at least
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In many instances, entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together, or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/US19/61166, filed Nov. 13, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/760,804, filed Nov. 13, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62760804 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US19/61166 | Nov 2019 | US |
| Child | 17320143 | US |
