Heat Channeling System For Outdoor Cooking Station And Method Thereof
Patent No. US12274394 (titled "Heat Channeling System For Outdoor Cooking Station And Method Thereof") was filed by Bank Of America Na on Jul 11, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’394 is related to the field of outdoor cooking stations, specifically those employing a griddle cooking surface. The patent addresses the problem of uneven heat distribution and potential overheating of components, such as side shelves and the hood, due to lateral heat flow from under the griddle. The background highlights the popularity of griddle cooking and the challenges associated with managing heat and space in such setups.
The underlying idea behind ’394 is to use baffles or duct units to channel heat generated by burners beneath the griddle. Instead of allowing heat to radiate outwards, these baffles redirect the heat upwards, towards the cooking surface and, when a hood is present, into the space under the hood. This controlled heat flow aims to improve cooking efficiency and protect surrounding components from excessive heat exposure.
The claims of ’394 focus on an outdoor cooking station comprising a frame, a griddle with a splash guard, a hood, and duct units (baffles) . The duct units are positioned between the hood's side panels and the griddle's splash guard, channeling heat from under the griddle to above the cooking surface. The claims emphasize the duct units' role in shielding the hood panels from direct heat, thereby minimizing overheating.
In practice, the cooking station operates by directing the heat from gas flame burners upwards through the duct units. These units, essentially heat-resistant channels , prevent the heat from spreading laterally. The splash guard on the griddle further contains the cooking area. When the hood is closed, the channeled heat is trapped, creating an oven-like environment for more even cooking. Vents in the duct units allow for controlled heat release.
This design differentiates itself from traditional griddle cooking stations by actively managing heat flow. Instead of relying on simple radiation, the ’394 design uses the duct units to create a more directed and efficient heating system. This not only improves cooking performance but also enhances safety by reducing the risk of burns from hot surfaces and prolongs the lifespan of the hood by minimizing heat damage to its side walls. The strategic placement of the duct units is key to achieving these benefits.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’394 was filed, barbequing and griddle cooking were popular methods, at a time when outdoor cooking stations typically included side shelves for managing food and utensils. However, hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to manage the heat flowing laterally from the underside of the griddle, potentially creating dangerous conditions and degrading hood sidewalls.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art does not teach or suggest a griddle positioned above the upper edge of the frame, combined with first and second duct units also located above the upper edge of the frame. The closest prior art, Lee, discloses side ducts for venting air from a griddle, but these ducts do not extend upwards past the upper surface of the frame. Extending the ducts upwards from Lee would require impermissible hindsight and could produce tolerance issues with the grill's lid. Additionally, Lee's griddle is placed within the frame, whereas the claimed invention positions the griddle above the frame, which the examiner considered to change the workability of the system.
Claims
This patent contains 17 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 5, and 13. The independent claims are directed to an outdoor cooking station configured to channel heat and a method for channeling heat in such a station. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, configurations, and steps related to the outdoor cooking station and the heat channeling method.
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Date
Description
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US12274394
- Application Number
- US16926681
- Filing Date
- Jul 11, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 2, 2041
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents