Method and apparatus for generating and applying steam for food cooking and finishing
US6171630A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J27/04
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Food cooking apparatus for melting cheese disposed on a food product. The cheese topped food product, for example a bun half, burger patty and cheese stack, is transferred in and out of a cooking chamber by a trolley. Entry of the trolley to the cooking chamber starts a cooking cycle. A steam generator provides pressurized steam from a location just above the cheese by a distance of up to about 2.0 inches for a short time until the cheese is melted. The trolley carries a transport medium upon which the food product is placed. A plurality of holes is disposed in the medium to remove from it any water formed by condensation. The steam generator includes a heated platen and a lid that form a steam generating chamber. Water is injected into the chamber onto the heated platen in a small enough quantity that substantially all of the water is converted to steam substantially instantaneously. The steam quickly pressurizes the chamber and is forced through passageways disposed in bosses that extend from the platen into the chamber. The steam exits the passageways on the outside surface of the platen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.