David M Winter

US Patent:

20130156902, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/326158

Inventors:

Manouchehr SHIRALI - Eaton OH, US
David WINTER - Eaton OH, US
Trent ABNEY - Eaton OH, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12
G01N 33/02

US Classification:

426231, 99331

Abstract:

A cooking medium level monitoring system includes a cooking vessel, which holds cooking media therein; a heating mechanism that transmits heat to cooking media in the cooking vessel in a first operation state; and temperature sensors for providing data corresponding to sensed temperatures. The temperature sensors include a first temperature sensor disposed at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor disposed at a second level of the cooking vessel above the first level. Further, a controller receives data from the temperature sensors, calculates a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and switches to a second operation state, in which the heating mechanism is deactivated, in response to the temperature differential being greater than or equal to a first threshold and less than a second threshold.

US Patent:

49685155, Nov 6, 1990

Filed:

Sep 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/239398

Inventors:

Douglas A. Burkett - Middletown OH
Gary L. Mercer - West Alexandria OH
Robert W. Stirling - Englewood OH
David B. Winter - Eaton OH

Assignee:

Henny Penny Corporation - Eaton OH

International Classification:

A23L 100
A47J 2700

US Classification:

426233

Abstract:

A cooking device and method for selectively automatically cooking and rotating a plurality of food products is disclosed. Cooking information for several cook cycles can be stored and later used to cook selected food products automatically based on the stored cooking information. According to one embodiment, at least sear, cook and hold modes may be programmed to automatically sear, cook and a hold a food product in a rotisserie cooking device. According to another aspect of the invention, automatic fan control during a hold mode is used to selectively operate a fan in a continuous or pulsed mode to minimize product dry out and increase the amount of time a product can be held without lowering the quality of the cooked food product. Another aspect of the invention is related to determining the feasibility of reinitiating an interrupted cooking cycle based on a temperature comparison.

US Patent:

60225726, Feb 8, 2000

Filed:

Dec 5, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/985680

Inventors:

David B. Winter - Eaton OH
Robert W. Stirling - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Henny Penny Corporation - Eaton OH

International Classification:

A23L 100
A47J 3700

US Classification:

426231

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for determining a load size of a food product in a cooking device is described. The apparatus includes a carrier assembly for receiving a food product; a cooking vessel containing a cooking medium, for receiving the carrier assembly; a lid assembly for raising and lowering the carrier assembly; a weight-bearing portion for supporting the lid assembly and the carrier assembly; a load sensor placed on the weight-bearing portion so as to measure a weight of the carrier assembly, the load sensor providing an output signal; and a control device for receiving the output signal and determining cooking parameters for the food product. A method for determining a load size of a food product in a cooking device includes the following steps: weighing a carrier assembly when the carrier assembly is empty to determine an empty carrier weight; weighing the carrier assembly when the carrier assembly contains a food product to determine a loaded carrier weight; determining a differential between the empty carrier weight and the loaded carrier weight, resulting in a food product load; reporting the food product load; and modifying cooking parameters responsive to the food product load.

US Patent:

50442627, Sep 3, 1991

Filed:

May 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/523543

Inventors:

Douglas A. Burkett - Middletown OH
Gary L. Mercer - West Alexandria OH
Robert W. Stirling - Englewood OH
David B. Winter - Eaton OH

Assignee:

Henny Penny Corporation - Eaton OH

International Classification:

A23L 100
A47J 2700

US Classification:

99327

Abstract:

A cooking device and method for selectively automatically cooking and rotating a plurality of food products is disclosed. Cooking information for several cook cycles can be stored and later used to cook selected food products automatically based on the stored cooking information. According to one embodiment, at least sear, cook and hold modes may be programmed to automatically sear, cook and a hold a food product in a rotisserie cooking device. According to another aspect of the invention, automatic fan control during a hold mode is used to selectively operate a fan in a continuous or pulsed mode to minimize product dry out and increase the amount of time a product can be held without lowering the quality of the cooked food product. Another aspect of the invention is related to determining the feasibility of reinitiating an interrupted cooking cycle based on a temperature comparison.

US Patent:

50605593, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Feb 9, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/307953

Inventors:

David Winter - Eaton OH

Assignee:

Henny Penny Corporation - Eaton OH

International Classification:

A47J 3712

US Classification:

99325

Abstract:

A cooking system is provided which includes a controller which controls a cooking process utilizing a cooking medium, a filter which filters the cooking medium, and a mechanism for determining when the cooking medium should be filtered by the filter. The cooking system further includes a lock-out mechanism responsive to the determining mechanism for inhibiting initiation of the cooking process for a predetermined time period if the determining mechanism determines that the cooking mechanism should be filtered.

US Patent:

59732970, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Mar 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/825377

Inventors:

David B. Winter - Eaton OH
James D. King - Kettering OH
Robert W. Stirling - Dayton OH

Assignee:

Henny Penny Corporation - Eaton OH

International Classification:

A47J 3712

US Classification:

219441

Abstract:

The invention relates to a cooking device including a vessel for heating a cooking substance. The cooking substance is divided between a heating zone, a transition zone, and a cold zone. A first heating element is used to heat the cooking substance in the heating zone, and a transition zone heating device is used to heat the cooking substance in the transition zone. The transition zone heating device may be a pump for introducing a mixing medium into the cooking substance in the transition zone whereby the cooking substance in the heating zone mixes with the cooking substance in the transition zone. The mixing medium may be air, whereby the cooking substance in the heating zone is turbulently mixed with the cooking substance in the transition zone. The mixing medium also may be a portion of the cooking substance withdrawn by the pump from the transition zone and then reintroduced to the transition zone, thereby creating turbulence in the transition zone. The transition zone heating device may also be a second heating element.

US Patent:

20200154947, May 21, 2020

Filed:

Jan 24, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/751583

Inventors:

- Eaton OH, US
Ben Krupp - Cincinnati OH, US
Bradley Loase - Dayton OH, US
David B. Winter - Eaton OH, US
Gary L. Mercer - Eaton OH, US
Tim A. Landwehr - West Alexandria OH, US
Keith Lambert - Springboro OH, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12

Abstract:

Methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer are provided. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure.

US Patent:

20170127883, May 11, 2017

Filed:

Jan 20, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/411291

Inventors:

- Eaton OH, US
Ben Krupp - Mason OH, US
Bradley Loase - Dayton OH, US
David B. Winter - Eaton OH, US
Gary L. Mercer - Eaton OH, US
Tim A. Landwehr - West Alexandria OH, US
Keith Lambert - Springboro OH, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12

Abstract:

Systems and methods for adjusting the pressure in a cooking chamber of a pressure fryer. The pressure inside the cooking chamber is determined in response to detecting closure of a valve that vents the cooking chamber. The pressure in the chamber is compared to a predetermined pressure. If the pressure in the chamber is less than the predetermined pressure, a pressure assist system is activated. The pressure assist system includes an air pump and/or pressure source, and when activated, supplies a gas to the cooking chamber to increase the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure may be determined at a predetermined time after closure of the valve, and an amount of gas to be added to the cooking chamber determined based on a difference between the measured pressure and the predetermined pressure. Use of the pressure assist system allows for optimal cooking of batches of food of many sizes.