The present invention relates to systems and devices for delivering combustible material to a burn box for use in cooking appliances such as grills, smokers, or other types of cookers.
Grills and smokers have long been popular tools for outdoor cooking, with wood pellets often used as fuel due to their ability to provide consistent heat and flavor. However, wood pellets are expensive to produce, requiring a significant amount of energy. The process involves grinding wood into fine sawdust, pushing it through a die under high temperature and pressure to melt the lignin, and then rapidly cooling the material to form pellets. This energy-intensive process may reduce the wood's natural flavor imparted by guaiacol—a key molecule responsible for the distinct taste of smoked foods.
Wood chips, by contrast, require only minimal processing—typically just one or two passes through a chipper—without the need for high energy consumption or complex machinery. As a result, wood chips offer a good alternative to pellets. Furthermore, it is believed that wood chips, due to the preservation of guaiacol during the chipping process, may impart a richer, more authentic wood smoke flavor to food compared to pellets.
In addition to requiring minimal processing, wood chips offer functional advantages in grilling, such as retaining higher moisture content than pellets. Wood chips used in the grills typically contain 15-20% moisture, compared to the 8-10% moisture found in wood pellets. This higher moisture content enhances the grilling process, helping to keep food moister and more tender by releasing steam as the wood burns. The result is juicier, more flavorful grilled meats, such as rotisserie chicken, that benefit from the increased moisture released during cooking.
Despite the advantages of wood chips, their use in grills and smokers has been limited due to challenges in reliably delivering them to the firebox. Wood chips, being irregular in shape and size, are prone to jamming, which can interrupt the flow of fuel and cause inconsistent cooking temperatures. The present invention addresses these issues by providing a reliable system for delivering wood chips or other irregular combustible material to a firebox, particularly in a barbecue grill setting, as well as to reduce backflow of combustion gases.
Moreover, due to different structural and functional demands related to burning the different types of fuel, it has not been possible or practical to provide for grills or smokers configured to effectively use both wood pellets and wood chips. The present invention addresses these issues and provides increased versatility by allowing users to switch between wood pellets and wood chips, depending on fuel preference or availability. Unlike traditional pellet grills that are limited to pellet fuel, this dual fuel capability ensures greater convenience and flexibility. Users can choose pellets when a milder smoke flavor or choose wood chips when seeking a more robust smoke flavor, or otherwise dependent on fuel availability. This adaptability provides significant practical benefits, especially in situations when specific cooking outcomes are desired, such as baking, or where one fuel type may be unavailable.
The present invention is directed to an auger-based material transport system designed to prevent jamming, ensure consistent material flow, and reduce backflow of combustion gases, while enabling the use of irregularly shaped and sized combustible materials. The invention also addresses mechanisms for controlling the flow of combustible material, reducing the risk of bridging, and enhancing overall system reliability and efficiency. The invention also incorporates an automated switching and programming system that adjusts operational parameters such as auger speed, fan speed, and hopper agitation based on the type of combustible material being used, further optimizing fuel delivery, combustion efficiency, and temperature control.
The invention features an auger tube larger in diameter than the auger itself, allowing the auger to pivot when it encounters larger chips, thus preventing jams. This design has proven effective in maintaining a consistent flow of wood chips, something that was not possible with previous designs that used fixed-position augers. Additionally, the inclusion of a rotating clearing mechanism ensures that the wood chips do not bridge or clump together, further improving the reliability of the fuel delivery system. In addition, the inclusion of an optional auger cover flap reduces backflow of combustion gases. Additionally, in some embodiments the present invention incorporates an advanced switching and programming system that adjusts the auger speed and fuel feed rate based on the type of fuel selected, ensuring consistent combustion performance and preventing jams. This innovation makes the use of wood chips in grills and smokers more practical and safer, and that represents a significant advancement in barbecue technology.
In certain embodiments, a device for delivering and burning combustible material includes a hopper, a burn box to receive and burn the combustible material, an auger tube through which the combustible material is moved from the hopper to the burn box, a motor, and an auger pivotably connected within the auger tube to facilitate adjustment of the auger's orientation within the auger tube in response to irregularly sized or shaped combustible material. In alternative embodiments, the motor includes a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and the auger is pivotably connected to the drive shaft to allow the auger to pivot relative to the drive shaft about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
In other embodiments, an apparatus for delivering and burning combustible material includes a hopper to store combustible material, a burn box having an inner volume defined by a sidewall and a bottom wall capable of burning combustible material, an auger tube having an inlet end in communication with the hopper and an outlet end in communication with the burn box, the auger tube suitable for transporting combustible material from the hopper to the burn box, a motor configured to drive the auger, the motor having a drive shaft with an axis of rotation, and an auger positioned within the auger tube, the auger being rotatable about a longitudinal axis to facilitate movement of the combustible material through the auger tube, wherein the auger is pivotably connected within the auger tube to facilitate adjustment of the auger's orientation within the auger tube in response to irregularly sized or shaped combustible material. In alternative embodiments, the auger pivots relative to the drive shaft about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
In certain other embodiments, a system for delivering and burning combustible material in a cooking appliance including a hopper to store combustible material, an auger tube having an inlet end in communication with the hopper and an outlet end, the auger tube facilitating transport of combustible material from the hopper to the outlet end, an auger positioned within the auger tube, the auger being rotatable about a longitudinal axis to move the combustible material through the auger tube, a burn box having an inner volume defined by a sidewall and a bottom wall, the burn box receives and burns combustible material delivered from the auger tube, a motor with a drive shaft having an axis of rotation, and a pivotable coupling connecting the auger to the drive shaft of the motor, the pivotable coupling enabling the auger to pivot relative to the drive shaft about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, wherein the auger can pivot within the auger tube in response to irregularly sized or shaped combustible material.
In alternative embodiments, the invention includes a cover flap pivotally mounted at an outlet end of the auger tube to cover the outlet end to allow combustible material to exit the outlet end when the auger is rotating with combustible material in the auger tube without allowing combustible material in the auger tube to ignite. In certain embodiments, the invention includes a loop extending through at least two openings in the cover flap, the loop being attached to the auger tube or the burn box, wherein the cover flap is constrained to pivot around the loop in a path that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the auger tube. In other embodiments, the cover flap lays flat against the outlet end under the force of gravity when the auger is not rotating, thereby preventing combustion gases from escaping into the auger tube, and pivots open when the combustible material is forced through the auger tube by the rotating auger.
In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the auger tube is substantially larger than the diameter of the auger.
In alternative embodiments, at least one pin is rotatably mounted over an opening through which combustible material engages the auger and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the auger.
In certain embodiments, the grill incorporates a switching control system that, upon selection, adjusts its internal programming when transitioning between different fuel types. This system modifies both structural and functional parameters, including the speed of the auger, the speed of the fan, and the activation of an agitator, to ensure the optimal fuel feed rate for maintaining the desired British Thermal Unit (BTU) output. The programming is designed to accommodate the differences in burn characteristics between wood chips and pellets, adapting the operation of the grill to match the fuel's specific energy content and combustion behavior. This level of adjustment provides a seamless cooking experience, making the Present invention highly adaptable for various grilling scenarios.
In other embodiments, the invention's switching and programming system operates through an integrated control board that detects the type of fuel being used—whether wood chips or pellets—and adjusts the grill's operational parameters accordingly. Upon switching fuel types, the control system automatically reconfigures key components, such as the auger speed, burn box air intake, and hopper agitation, to maintain optimal combustion and achieve the required heat output or BTU. This programming dynamically recalibrates the system based on real-time fuel demands and energy output, ensuring that the grill provides efficient and consistent performance regardless of the fuel type. By automating these adjustments, the system eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing the user to seamlessly transition between fuel sources while maintaining precise temperature control and fuel efficiency, effectively enhancing the grill's versatility and usability.
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the hopper 78 incorporates a trap door element at the base of the hopper 78 (not shown) to aid in efficiently removing combustible material if the user elects to switch from the type contained in the hopper 78. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a trap door element could have various dimensions and be placed in multiple locations around the hopper 78 such that the force of gravity would cause the combustible material to fall through the trap door and out of the hopper 78.
The illustrated cooker 90 is exemplary only. Any cooker or heating device using an auger to supply combustible material to be burned may benefit from the invention features described herein.
Referring to
The hopper 78 containing the combustible material 60 that may be positioned above the auger 16 and auger tube 14. The auger 16 is rotated by the motor 80, causing the combustible material 60 to be conducted along the auger tube 14 to the inner volume 22 of the burn box 24. The auger 16 is rotated by a motor or manually to drive combustible material from an opening 18 positioned under the hopper 78 or other source of the combustible material to an outlet end 20. As is apparent, the outlet end 20 may be substantially (e.g., within 5 degrees of) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical auger tube 14. The axis of symmetry of the cylindrical auger tube 14 may be substantially (e.g., within 5 degrees of) parallel to the longitudinal direction 12a such that the outlet end 20 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction 12b and horizontal direction 12c. Likewise, the axis of rotation of the auger 16 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 12a.
The outlet end 20 is positioned within, or is otherwise in fluid communication with an inner volume 22 of the burn box 24 in which combustible material is burned to heat a cooking chamber, grill, or other structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner volume of the burn box 24 is defined by a sidewall 26 having and a bottom wall 28 extending across the bottom of the sidewall 26. The upper end of the sidewall 26 may be open and may have a mounting plate 30 mounted thereto for mounting the burn box 24 to cooking chamber, housing for a grill, or other structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall 26 is generally cylindrical with various openings formed therein, with the axis of the cylinder being substantially parallel to the vertical direction 12b. The sidewall 26 may have one or more vent openings 32 formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, louvers 34 positioned adjacent each opening 32 direct air passing through the openings 32 into the inner volume 22 to spin, thereby cooling the sidewall 26. The louvers 34 may be formed by bending portions of the sidewall 26 inward. The outlet end 20 may be positioned closer to the top of the sidewall 26 than to the bottom wall 28 such that combustible material forced out of the outlet end 20 by the auger 16 will fall onto the bottom wall 28 and be burned. The burn box 24 may be configured according to any approach for implementing a burn box known in the art. The burn box 24 may include an igniter, temperature sensor, fuel sensor, or any other component known to be used with a burn box 24.
Referring to
In some embodiments, a fuel conditioner may be positioned between the hopper 78 and the auger tube 14 for grinding wood chips into smaller wood chips or otherwise modifying one or more of the size, shape, or uniformity of the fuel, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,940,153, commonly assigned, entitled FUEL CONDITIONER FOR GRILL, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A person of skill in the art would understand from the present disclosure that other intermediate elements can be included between the hopper 78 and the burn box 24. For example, the present invention may use an auger 18 or another form of channel fluidly coupled to the outlet of hopper 78 and the burn box 24. A channel, such as an auger tube 14, can have a diameter of, for example, 2.2 inches, 2-2.5 inches, 1.5-3 inches, or any other diameter sized to pass wood chips, which may or may not be pre-conditioned. Whether or not conditioned via an integrated fuel conditioner or pre-conditioned, wood chips 60 exiting the hopper 78 or fuel conditioner can travel through the channel to the burn box 24 for use as fuel. The channel could have a smooth inner surface to facilitate passage of wood chips 60 to the burn box 24 by pressure from the hopper 78 or fuel conditioner. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand from the present disclosure that channel can be sized to ensure that maximum and/or average sized wood chips 60 can pass through at a rate sufficient to maintain typical and/or maximum desired cooking temperatures within the cooking chamber. And could be equipped with an auger 16 to facilitate or regulate the flow of wood chips 60 through the auger tube 14 to the burn box 24.
In some embodiments, the present invention may incorporate a programmable controlled clearing mechanism or agitator an agitator 138, described below with reference to
In some embodiments, described with reference to
The auger flap 10 may be mounted to the auger tube 14, or to the sidewall 26 by a loop 40. The loop 40 may pass through an upper opening 42 defined by the auger flap 10 and a lower opening 44 defined by the auger flap 10. The openings 42, 44 may be offset from one another along the vertical direction 12b. The lower opening 44 may be oblong with the long dimension thereof oriented substantially (e.g., within 5 degrees of) parallel to the vertical direction 12b. For example, the long dimension of the lower opening 44 may be between 1.5 and 4 times the diameter of the upper opening 42, which may be substantially the same, e.g., within 5% of, the width of the lower opening 44 in the horizontal direction 12c. The diameter of the upper opening 42 and width of the lower opening 44 may be slightly, e.g., between 1 and 5 percent greater than the width of the loop 40 such that the openings 44 are able to freely slide along the loop 40.
In the illustrated embodiment, the auger flap 10 includes a circular portion 48. The circular portion 48 may be substantially, e.g., preferably within 3 percent of, equal to the outer diameter of the auger tube 14 and at least larger than the inner diameter of the auger tube 14 such that the auger flap 10 will not be inducted into the auger tube 14 during use. The auger flap 10 may include a non-circular portion 50, e.g., a protrusion from the circular portion 48. The upper opening 42 may be partially or completely positioned within the non-circular portion 50. In particular, the size of the loop 40 and position of the upper opening 42 may be such that at rest and under the action of gravity, the auger flap 10 will rest flat against the outlet end 20 with the perimeter of the circular portion 48 substantially aligned with the perimeter of the auger tube 14, e.g., within x*D of aligned along the vertical and horizontal directions 12b, 12c, where D is the diameter of the auger tube 14 and x is a value less than 0.1, 0.05, or 0.01. The auger flap 10 itself may be formed of a flat plate or other shape such that a surface of the auger flap 10 in contact with the outlet end 20 will conform to the outlet end 20. The auger flap 10 may be made of aluminum, stainless steel, or other type of steel or other metal.
The engagement of the openings 42, 44 with the loop 40 constrains the auger flap 10 to pivot around the loop 40, or cause the loop 40 to pivot within opening 46, in a rotational path 52 that is substantially, e.g., within 5 degrees of, parallel to the longitudinal direction 12a and the vertical direction 12b. The use of two openings 42, 44 rather than a single opening helps avoid movement of the auger flap away from the path 52 and becoming stuck in an open position.
The auger tube 14 may itself define an opening 46 with the loop 40 passing through the opening 46. The portion of the auger tube 14 defining the opening 46 may be positioned within the inner volume 22 of the burn box 24. The loop 40 may be implemented as a piece of metal formed into a ring. The loop 40 may for example be implemented as a curved or straight material bent into a ring shape passing through the openings 42, 44, 46. The loop 40 may be free to move within the opening 46 or may be welded or otherwise secured in place relative to the auger tube 14. The diameter of opening 46 may be slightly, e.g., between 1 and 5 percent greater than the width of the loop 40 such that the ring 40 is able to freely move through the opening 46.
Referring back to
Referring specifically to
When the auger 16 stops moving or combustible material 60 is no longer being forced through the tube 14 and any combustible material at the outlet end 20 has fallen into the inner volume 22, the auger flap 10 will be compelled by gravity to fall back to the position shown in
Referring to
Referring to
To account for variations in ambient temperature, fuel moisture, etc., a preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporates a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller that compares the target temperature set by the user to the actual temperature in the cooking chamber 94 to calculate the proportional difference in temperature, the cumulative sum of past temperature error (the integral of the temperature error), and the rate of change of the difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature (the derivative of the temperature error).
Depending on the nature of the temperature error calculations determined by the PID, the programmable controller may adjust the speed of fuel and air inputs to dynamically maintain the target temperature without adjusting the input too rapidly, which could result in the combustion in the firebox to be extinguished. In the event the programmable controller detects the fire has been extinguished based on direct sensor readings, or calculations from the PID, a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be configured to activate the ignitor to reignite combustible material in the burn box 24.
Referring to
The controller also preferably includes a probe 1 selector 153 and a probe 2 selector 154, which allow the user to display and manage the temperature readings from a wireless thermometer probe 155 that communicates with the cooker. Multiple wireless thermometer probes 155 can be paired to the cooker through a probe input slot 156, which is also designed to securely store the probe when not in use. A temperature selectors 157 allow precise adjustment of the grill's target cooking temperature, while a temperature unit selector 158 provides the option to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit units. Finally, the controller may be operated by an on/off switch 159, providing easy power control for the entire system.
The controller or other part of the system (e.g., control housing 100) disclosed in the present invention further includes one or more microprocessors (not shown) coupled to or otherwise configured to actuate or control one or more system components, such as the hopper 78, fan 70, motors 72, 80, air chamber 74, auger tube 14, auger 16, and agitator 138 using instructions that are predetermined or dynamically established based on fuel type characteristics and other grill operation variables, as further described with reference to
At block 1607, an ignitor in the burn box 24, and fan 70, feeding air into the burn box is activated to initiate combustion of the selected fuel. At block 1608, the cooker reads the temperature selector 157 setting, and at block 1609 collects temperature sensor data from the cooking chamber 94. If the temperature selector 157 setting does not align with the sensor data collected from the cooking chamber 94, at block 1610, the system adjusts the rate of fuel delivery through the auger 16 to the burn box 24, and/or the rate of air flow delivered to the burn box 24 by the fan 70, to maintain the selected temperature. If the temperature in the cooking chamber 94 is too low the rate of fuel and air delivery to the burn box 24 may be increased. And if the temperature is too high, the rate of fuel and air delivery to the burn box 24 may be decreased.
In a preferred embodiment, when the fuel type selector 150 is triggered by the user at block 1600, the programmable controller will maintain the prior rate of fuel delivery to the burn box 24 for approximately 3 minutes, or until the auger 16 has completed sufficient rotations to fully dispense combustible material retained in the auger tube 14, prior to engaging either the newly selected Pellets program at 1601, or the newly selected Chips program at 1603. In other embodiments the calculations from the PID controller will cause the programmable controller to dynamically adjust the feed rate of combustible material until the prior fuel contained in the auger tube 14 has been dispensed to the burn box 24 and replaced by the newly selected fuel type contained in the hopper 78.
Various methods exist for calculating BTU content for different fuels, including based on weight or volume. For example, one pound of hardwood pellets, or about 0.025 cu ft of pellets, adjusted for moisture content, produces about ˜7,900 BTUs. One pound of hardwood chips, or about 0.043 cu ft of chips, adjusted for moisture content, produces about 7,300 BTUs. An alternative embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a scale or volume measurement feature in the hopper that weighs or measures fuel before moving it into the auger and subsequently the burn box, and the rate can be calculated based on such measurements.
The maximum size of the chip is a mathematical function of the auger tube diameter, auger diameter, pitch (distance the product moves during one revolution of the auger), and motor torque. In one example, the largest chip a 2 inch diameter auger tube could accommodate would theoretically be 1.99999 inches, but the motor torque required to move this through the tube would be astronomical. After experimentation, it was determined that a 25 nm (newton-meter or 18.44 ft-lbs.) motor will reliably deliver chips as large as ¾ inch diameter through a 2 inch diameter auger tube to the burn box. However, it should be understood that different auger tube sizes may be used depending on the specific fuel characteristics.
In a preferred operation of the present invention, wood chips are dried to below 20% moisture content, and preferably about 15% moisture content, in order to let the steam produced when burning the wood chips to permeate the food and condition it to a much moister result. This 15% moisture content is well below the “mold threshold” of between 20% and 27%, which is generally understood to be a range that is safe from fungal infection. Accordingly, the optimum rate for dispensing fuel is in part a function of the moisture content of the fuel. For example, if for wood chips the moisture content is 0% (meaning the chips are 100% dry), a preferred rate may be 1.76× seconds at y rpm, or a time of x seconds at a rate of 1.76 rpm, instead of 1.89× if the moisture content is 15%. Note that a different rate will still work (for example 1.76× used with 0% moisture content), although it would take longer to reach the desired temperature.
The controller calculates the quantity of fuel needed by starting with which fuel type selected-Pellets or Chips. Pellets produce ˜183 BTUs per cubic inch. Wood chips produce ˜97 BTUs per cubic inch. A typical 30,000 BTU pellet grills (this means 30,000 BTUs per hour) will need to put 164 cubic inches of pellets per hour (2.73 cu. in. per minute) or 309 cubic inches of wood chips per hour (5.14 cubic inches per minute) into the burn box, ignoring ambient temperatures. Colder ambient temps will require increased BTUs, as hotter ambient temperatures will require decreased BTUs. The standard measurements of BTUs for any combustible are done at 20° C. (68° F.), so variations from this temperature will result in lower or higher BTU production. For this reason, a preferred embodiment includes a sensor that measures ambient temperature, and the system adjusts the fuel and air flow rate depending on the measured ambient temperature. The number of turns of the auger and the RPMs necessary to transport the required amount of fuel into the burn box is readily calculated once ambient temperate and fuel type are known. Accordingly, the sensor, reading the AT (Actual Temperature) information, will feed this information to the controller, which will adjust (for now anyway) the feed rate proportionally (mathematically) to attain the desired temperature. Of course, there are guiderails, as this rate cannot be so high as to pack the burn box with fuel, which would extinguish the fire.
Further, the system adjusts the rate depending on changes to the desired burn box (grill surface) temperate. Preferably, the system changes the temperature gradually in order that the fire does not go out. The rate of change should be modulated to a much lower one in order to prevent this result. So whereas a temperature increase can be rapid by transporting a higher quantity of fuel into the burn box, it is not possible to simply stop transporting fuel into the burn box to lower the temperature. Through experimentation, the minimum rate of fuel and air flow required to prevent the fire from going out across a wide range of ambient temperatures as measured by the ambient temperature sensor has been determined and incorporated.
The process of
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the written description and/or claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring at least one element from the group (A, B, C . . . N), rather than A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,706 filed Apr. 30, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
100410 | Hull | Mar 1870 | A |
103736 | Gregory | May 1870 | A |
119169 | Ogden | Sep 1871 | A |
161577 | Thomas | Mar 1875 | A |
382886 | Lee | May 1888 | A |
1038420 | Newcomer et al. | Sep 1912 | A |
1433062 | Bellamy | Oct 1922 | A |
RE16011 | Simon | Mar 1925 | E |
1650634 | Lutzler | Nov 1927 | A |
1755674 | Tauriainen | Apr 1930 | A |
1919407 | Wood | Jul 1933 | A |
1938565 | Anderson | Dec 1933 | A |
1960778 | Goss et al. | May 1934 | A |
2068018 | Goetz | Jan 1937 | A |
2354240 | Young et al. | Jul 1944 | A |
2365679 | Casey | Dec 1944 | A |
2620970 | Palmer et al. | Dec 1952 | A |
2641085 | Robinson et al. | Jun 1953 | A |
2833363 | Henehan | May 1958 | A |
2997566 | Pierce et al. | Aug 1961 | A |
3021386 | Clark | Feb 1962 | A |
3073263 | Wynkoop | Jan 1963 | A |
3307506 | Rose | Mar 1967 | A |
3327698 | Leslie | Jun 1967 | A |
3384066 | Tufts | May 1968 | A |
3413935 | Behrns | Dec 1968 | A |
3453975 | Gunter | Jul 1969 | A |
3474725 | McClaren | Oct 1969 | A |
3586518 | Folmar | Jun 1971 | A |
3600969 | Pitner | Aug 1971 | A |
3609236 | Heilman | Sep 1971 | A |
3739732 | Graham | Jun 1973 | A |
3742839 | Maley | Jul 1973 | A |
3745303 | Epperson et al. | Jul 1973 | A |
3765397 | Henderson | Oct 1973 | A |
3814005 | Widdel | Jun 1974 | A |
3838249 | Detterbeck | Sep 1974 | A |
3903866 | Polinski | Sep 1975 | A |
3934520 | Brennan et al. | Jan 1976 | A |
4020322 | Muse | Apr 1977 | A |
4094295 | Boswell et al. | Jun 1978 | A |
4094649 | Osterried | Jun 1978 | A |
4227510 | Frazier et al. | Oct 1980 | A |
4241650 | John et al. | Dec 1980 | A |
4334462 | Hefling | Jun 1982 | A |
4374489 | Robbins | Feb 1983 | A |
4395958 | Caffyn et al. | Aug 1983 | A |
4401017 | Feld | Aug 1983 | A |
D270987 | Scheufler | Oct 1983 | S |
4413609 | Tisdale | Nov 1983 | A |
4417565 | Karpinia | Nov 1983 | A |
4454805 | Matthews | Jun 1984 | A |
4481408 | Scheufler | Nov 1984 | A |
4491722 | Fischer et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
4495860 | Hitch et al. | Jan 1985 | A |
4503835 | Williams | Mar 1985 | A |
4508094 | Hait | Apr 1985 | A |
4509412 | Whittenburg et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4510916 | Ogden | Apr 1985 | A |
4512249 | Mentzel | Apr 1985 | A |
4531505 | Hait et al. | Jul 1985 | A |
4531507 | Gerson | Jul 1985 | A |
4539973 | Hait | Sep 1985 | A |
4554864 | Smith et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4574776 | Hidle | Mar 1986 | A |
4587947 | Tomita | May 1986 | A |
4591698 | Chang | May 1986 | A |
4603679 | Ogden | Aug 1986 | A |
4624238 | Hait | Nov 1986 | A |
4626352 | Massey et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
4628351 | Heo | Dec 1986 | A |
4638787 | Tyson | Jan 1987 | A |
4706643 | Tyson | Nov 1987 | A |
4711979 | Glasser et al. | Dec 1987 | A |
4714013 | Telfer | Dec 1987 | A |
4721037 | Blosnich | Jan 1988 | A |
4762056 | Virag | Aug 1988 | A |
4788905 | Von Kohorn | Dec 1988 | A |
4803921 | Nuss | Feb 1989 | A |
4867050 | Patenaude et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4877010 | Hait | Oct 1989 | A |
4909235 | Boetcker | Mar 1990 | A |
4909237 | Karpinia | Mar 1990 | A |
4910372 | Vukich | Mar 1990 | A |
4938202 | Hait | Jul 1990 | A |
4958578 | Houser | Sep 1990 | A |
4962696 | Gillis | Oct 1990 | A |
4976252 | Cianciola | Dec 1990 | A |
4987827 | Marquez | Jan 1991 | A |
5070777 | Novak | Dec 1991 | A |
5086752 | Hait | Feb 1992 | A |
5094223 | Gonzalez | Mar 1992 | A |
5094280 | Kahilahti et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5097817 | Dodgen | Mar 1992 | A |
5123360 | Burke et al. | Jun 1992 | A |
5154159 | Knafelc et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5167183 | Schlosser et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5168796 | Porton et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5172682 | Luebke et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5176067 | Higgins | Jan 1993 | A |
5176124 | Wrasse | Jan 1993 | A |
5185047 | Ray | Feb 1993 | A |
D333941 | Hait | Mar 1993 | S |
5195423 | Beller | Mar 1993 | A |
5197379 | Leonard, Jr. | Mar 1993 | A |
5197455 | Tessien | Mar 1993 | A |
5218950 | Hait | Jun 1993 | A |
5253634 | LeBeouf | Oct 1993 | A |
5269286 | Cowan | Dec 1993 | A |
5276307 | Higgins | Jan 1994 | A |
5287799 | Pickering et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5313877 | Holland | May 1994 | A |
D347548 | Boehm et al. | Jun 1994 | S |
5359988 | Hait | Nov 1994 | A |
5425352 | Gillam et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5437222 | Franklin | Aug 1995 | A |
5469835 | Stephen et al. | Nov 1995 | A |
5473980 | Carpenter | Dec 1995 | A |
5495845 | Hait | Mar 1996 | A |
5516009 | Kautz | May 1996 | A |
5517902 | Boston | May 1996 | A |
5524610 | Clark | Jun 1996 | A |
5528984 | Saurwein | Jun 1996 | A |
D376510 | Ting | Dec 1996 | S |
5586488 | Liu | Dec 1996 | A |
5605092 | Riccio | Feb 1997 | A |
5617778 | Schroeter et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
D379900 | Gillam et al. | Jun 1997 | S |
5649477 | Lingwood | Jul 1997 | A |
5655435 | Rachesky | Aug 1997 | A |
5687704 | Lerch et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5775315 | Baykal | Jul 1998 | A |
5797386 | Orr | Aug 1998 | A |
5809871 | Arathoon | Sep 1998 | A |
5809991 | Pai | Sep 1998 | A |
5821507 | Sasaki et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5884006 | Frohlich et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5891498 | Boehler | Apr 1999 | A |
D411407 | Anthony | Jun 1999 | S |
5957038 | Shimazaki | Sep 1999 | A |
6035770 | Whitefield | Mar 2000 | A |
6055901 | Gantos et al. | May 2000 | A |
6058832 | Fountain | May 2000 | A |
6065464 | Zajec | May 2000 | A |
6065466 | Baykal | May 2000 | A |
6076515 | Smith | Jun 2000 | A |
6097004 | Seul | Aug 2000 | A |
6103291 | Fernandez Tapia | Aug 2000 | A |
6108489 | Frohlich et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6125740 | Hedrington et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6161534 | Kronman | Dec 2000 | A |
6167799 | Macias | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6176173 | Holbrook et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6187359 | Zuccarini | Feb 2001 | B1 |
D439792 | Hedrington et al. | Apr 2001 | S |
6213006 | Reardon et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6223737 | Buckner | May 2001 | B1 |
6229563 | Miller, II et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6263786 | Raio et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6289795 | McLemore et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6307193 | Toole | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6314868 | Christensen et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6314869 | Bourgeois, Jr. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6425388 | Korinchock | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6467400 | Raio et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6523463 | Hogle | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6525299 | Hannon et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6546849 | Shimazaki | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6568314 | Stepanova | May 2003 | B1 |
6640695 | Stark | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6675794 | Yang | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6688301 | McNeill | Feb 2004 | B1 |
6874495 | McFadden | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6874496 | Waits et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
7021202 | Sizer | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7101583 | Bove | Sep 2006 | B1 |
7107983 | West | Sep 2006 | B1 |
7312424 | Hannon et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
7337712 | Wang et al. | Mar 2008 | B1 |
7449665 | Fadelli et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7467718 | Donohue | Dec 2008 | B1 |
7575002 | DeMars et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7681493 | Moore | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7685931 | Rivera | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7686010 | Gustavsen | Mar 2010 | B2 |
D623013 | Alden et al. | Sep 2010 | S |
D624781 | Allen et al. | Oct 2010 | S |
7832330 | Thompson | Nov 2010 | B1 |
7900553 | Maurin | Mar 2011 | B1 |
7900624 | DeMars et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
D640896 | Molayem | Jul 2011 | S |
D642421 | Difante | Aug 2011 | S |
8067716 | Lloyd | Nov 2011 | B1 |
D653074 | Difante | Jan 2012 | S |
D658424 | Difante | May 2012 | S |
D658425 | Difante | May 2012 | S |
8181640 | Park | May 2012 | B2 |
8291896 | Gonnella et al. | Oct 2012 | B1 |
8365717 | Perry | Feb 2013 | B1 |
D687257 | DiFante | Aug 2013 | S |
8578927 | Gustavsen | Nov 2013 | B2 |
8651018 | Loud, III | Feb 2014 | B1 |
8662069 | Gasparini et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8662070 | Johnston | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8720322 | West | May 2014 | B2 |
D707075 | Fung | Jun 2014 | S |
8752479 | Sacherman et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8763519 | Ricchio et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
8826806 | Difante | Sep 2014 | B2 |
9003962 | Broerman | Apr 2015 | B2 |
D733483 | Baker et al. | Jul 2015 | S |
9182129 | Dahle et al. | Nov 2015 | B2 |
9226343 | Moon et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
D748424 | Funnell, II et al. | Feb 2016 | S |
9504352 | Lin | Nov 2016 | B2 |
D782864 | Bhogal et al. | Apr 2017 | S |
D784730 | Kruger | Apr 2017 | S |
D784759 | Nadal | Apr 2017 | S |
D786014 | Knight | May 2017 | S |
9635979 | Abrams et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
9644847 | Bhogal et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
9668615 | Contarino, Jr. | Jun 2017 | B2 |
9702563 | Probst et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
9718220 | Claridge Huggins | Aug 2017 | B1 |
D802996 | Bhogal et al. | Nov 2017 | S |
9848731 | Dahle et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
9879435 | Kruger et al. | Jan 2018 | B2 |
D812973 | Nadal | Mar 2018 | S |
9927129 | Bhogal et al. | Mar 2018 | B2 |
9970661 | Calvin | May 2018 | B2 |
10021889 | Vinett | Jul 2018 | B2 |
10024544 | Bhogal et al. | Jul 2018 | B2 |
10058172 | Staib | Aug 2018 | B2 |
D828713 | Correa | Sep 2018 | S |
D844961 | Toms, Jr. et al. | Apr 2019 | S |
10292531 | Hancock et al. | May 2019 | B1 |
D861409 | Bhogal et al. | Oct 2019 | S |
10523851 | Armstrong | Dec 2019 | B2 |
10674569 | Luckhardt et al. | Jun 2020 | B2 |
10778876 | Goettlein | Sep 2020 | B2 |
D901244 | Baker et al. | Nov 2020 | S |
D921413 | Fitzpatrick | Jun 2021 | S |
11166590 | Zheng | Nov 2021 | B2 |
20020017290 | Hines, Jr. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020069764 | Cohen | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020166460 | O'Shea | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030001721 | Daum et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030096159 | Suzuki | May 2003 | A1 |
20040020482 | Chen | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040025862 | Lor et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040094142 | Christensen et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040154611 | Beech | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040226454 | Pirkle et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040255926 | Waits et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050098168 | Williams et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050205076 | Boucher | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20060042475 | Craig | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060102167 | Driscoll, Jr. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060124120 | Gross | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060225580 | Fernandez et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060236995 | Chang | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060260603 | Shah | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070006863 | Barbarich | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070108177 | Engelhardt | May 2007 | A1 |
20070169636 | Carlson et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070221191 | O'Brien et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070246453 | Nam et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070277800 | Chiang | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080000467 | Dudley et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080047540 | Hoffman et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080085172 | Harman et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080196708 | Lee | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080230043 | Bruno | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080247313 | Nath et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090004348 | Silva | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090013985 | Little | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090064985 | Gustavsen | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090078246 | Leavens et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090165772 | Hunt et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090173238 | Martinez et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090229476 | Bedard | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090293860 | Carlson | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20090301463 | Park | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100051600 | Maier | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100084355 | Parks et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100124596 | Nelson | May 2010 | A1 |
20100147281 | Gustavsen | Jun 2010 | A1 |
20100218754 | Kuntz | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100258104 | DeFoort et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20110048399 | Hong | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110123689 | Luckhardt et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110132347 | Kim | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110197872 | Thiry | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20110214662 | Contarino, Jr. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110219957 | Fogolin | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110219958 | Noble | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110265663 | Li | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20120017884 | Van Den Hoff et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
20120060819 | Hunt et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120076351 | Yoon et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120107476 | McLemore et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
20120174798 | Kulikowski | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120225178 | Degnan | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120240790 | Difante | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120258229 | Mindrup | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120260903 | Buerkle | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20120269028 | Gordon | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20130074702 | Difante | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20130081609 | Dhuper et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130112186 | Crichlow | May 2013 | A1 |
20130125765 | Difante | May 2013 | A1 |
20130276643 | Krolick et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
20130319258 | Cleveland et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140026762 | Riefenstein | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140026881 | Abrams et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140048055 | Ruther | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140130788 | Contarino, Jr. | May 2014 | A1 |
20140144333 | Ahmed | May 2014 | A1 |
20140165851 | Shingler | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20140196609 | Snyman | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20140251160 | Contarino, Jr. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140287119 | Dahle et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140299005 | Vinett | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20150027432 | Contarino, Jr. | Jan 2015 | A1 |
20150034065 | McQuillan | Feb 2015 | A1 |
20150068512 | Mehler et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150079250 | Ahmed | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150114238 | Palermo | Apr 2015 | A1 |
20150124849 | Parthasarathy | May 2015 | A1 |
20150164278 | Kohler et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20150201805 | Cedar et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
20150208669 | Klock et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
20150233585 | Creel | Aug 2015 | A1 |
20150253364 | Hieda et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
20150285512 | Matarazzi et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150285513 | Matarazzi et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150289719 | Contarino, Jr. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150297029 | Smith et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150305560 | Hamlin | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150320259 | Tucker | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20150338104 | Lipinski | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20150371513 | Stokes | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20160102868 | Johnson et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
20160102869 | Johnson et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
20160174766 | Schlosser et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
20160183723 | Nadal | Jun 2016 | A1 |
20160183724 | Nadal | Jun 2016 | A1 |
20160227965 | Johnston et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20160302606 | Kallos | Oct 2016 | A1 |
20160334112 | Wiseman et al. | Nov 2016 | A1 |
20160366314 | Pfaffinger, Jr. et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
20170020148 | Dixon et al. | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170020337 | Borovicka et al. | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170055535 | Froelicher et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170065124 | Colston | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170074522 | Cheng | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170102149 | Nadal | Apr 2017 | A1 |
20170115008 | Erbe et al. | Apr 2017 | A1 |
20170195542 | Thomas et al. | Jul 2017 | A1 |
20170257226 | Bi | Sep 2017 | A1 |
20170261213 | Park et al. | Sep 2017 | A1 |
20170303348 | Kondo et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
20170332841 | Reischmann | Nov 2017 | A1 |
20180058702 | Jang et al. | Mar 2018 | A1 |
20180157232 | Chen | Jun 2018 | A1 |
20180187898 | Matarazzi et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
20180296031 | Terrell, Jr. et al. | Oct 2018 | A1 |
20180324908 | Denker et al. | Nov 2018 | A1 |
20180325314 | Walters | Nov 2018 | A1 |
20180347821 | Wild | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20180368618 | Measom et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20180372326 | Park et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
20190132396 | Finnegan et al. | May 2019 | A1 |
20190134580 | Ghazarian | May 2019 | A1 |
20190274476 | Dahle et al. | Sep 2019 | A1 |
20190277509 | Hildner et al. | Sep 2019 | A1 |
20190285283 | Ebrom et al. | Sep 2019 | A1 |
20190298107 | Baker et al. | Oct 2019 | A1 |
20200041134 | Luckhardt et al. | Feb 2020 | A1 |
20200069111 | Eiter et al. | Mar 2020 | A1 |
20200154943 | Baker | May 2020 | A1 |
20200154944 | Baker | May 2020 | A1 |
20200214503 | Altenritter | Jul 2020 | A1 |
20200236743 | Yang et al. | Jul 2020 | A1 |
20200281402 | Witzel et al. | Sep 2020 | A1 |
20210052107 | Pruitt et al. | Feb 2021 | A1 |
20210071871 | Stork-Wersborg | Mar 2021 | A1 |
20210113016 | Dean | Apr 2021 | A1 |
20210152578 | Alanazi | May 2021 | A1 |
20210222887 | Moore et al. | Jul 2021 | A1 |
20210356130 | Li | Nov 2021 | A1 |
20210401223 | Han et al. | Dec 2021 | A1 |
20220170638 | Baker | Jun 2022 | A1 |
20220373173 | Chlebovec | Nov 2022 | A1 |
20230083403 | Jun et al. | Mar 2023 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
411098 | Sep 2003 | AT |
201794520 | Apr 2011 | CN |
102300492 | Dec 2011 | CN |
206669789 | Nov 2017 | CN |
107616719 | Jan 2018 | CN |
107697574 | Feb 2018 | CN |
107697574 | Feb 2018 | CN |
208967878 | Jun 2019 | CN |
211657980 | Oct 2020 | CN |
112263156 | Jan 2021 | CN |
112716318 | Apr 2021 | CN |
213189188 | May 2021 | CN |
113558489 | Oct 2021 | CN |
114089639 | Feb 2022 | CN |
102008042804 | Apr 2009 | DE |
202013000669 | Jun 2013 | DE |
2597319 | Oct 1987 | FR |
2008286466 | Nov 2008 | JP |
20160069359 | Jun 2016 | KR |
2022204182 | Sep 2022 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority mailed Nov. 27, 2024, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2024/044927, 13 pages. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated May 17, 2022, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/062211, 9 pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority completed Jan. 22, 2021, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/062211, 10 pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority completed Feb. 15, 2024, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2023/080610, 19 pages. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority completed Oct. 20, 2022 (+ English translation), in International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2022/078958, 15 pages. |
Casement Window: Site Visited Oct. 30, 2024, available from URL: https://www.archiexpo.com/prod/andersen/product-8990-1349389.html, 3 pages. |
Drip EZ Pellet Grip Hopper Shelf, announced online Jun. 23, 2023, site visited Oct. 30, 2024, at https://www.bbqguys.com/drip-ez/pellet-grill-hopper-shelf-hs-1, 7 pages. |
GMG Hopper Assembly for Ledge, site visited Oct. 30, 2024, available from URL: https://grillcollection.com/products/gmg-hopper-assembly-for-ledge-daniel-boone-and-peak-jim-bowie-12v-only-stainless-steel-lid-with-window, 6 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63640706 | Apr 2024 | US |