Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Food flagging device and method of use thereof

a flagging device and food technology, applied in the direction of flags/banners, display means, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of quality assurance, unappealing in look and texture, and tough textur

Inactive Publication Date: 2002-01-01
CHEVRON PROD
View PDF1 Cites 2 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In the making and retailing of grilled food items, a common problem is quality assurance.
If the hot dog remains on the grill too long, it becomes unappealing in look and texture.
The texture becomes tough, the hot dog loses flavor, and the hot dog becomes hard to bite.
After about 4 hours, the hot dog is no longer considered edible.
The problem is keeping track of how long a food item has been on a grill.
In a busy retail environment it is hard to keep track of which food items were placed upon the grill at what time.
While cardboard markers have been used to monitor the time that a food item has been in a storage bin, those cardboard markers would not be of use in monitoring the time that a food item has been on a grill.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Food flagging device and method of use thereof
  • Food flagging device and method of use thereof
  • Food flagging device and method of use thereof

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

In its broadest aspect, the present invention involves a food flagging device useful for monitoring the time that a food item remains on a grill system.

The food flagging device comprises a flag stem having attached thereto, or containing therein, a time identification means; a magnet support platform that is either attached to, or is contiguous with, the flag stem; and a magnetic means attached to the magnet support platform. The magnetic means has a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to hold the food flagging device to a metallic surface, such as stainless steel.

The food flagging device needs to be heat-resistant and needs to be capable of being sanitized. That food flagging device, and its separate components, must be heat-resistant because it will be subjected to high temperatures from the rotary grill. That food flagging device, and its separate components, must be capable of being sanitized because it will be used in close proximity to food items.

THE FLAG STEM

The flag s...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A food flagging device has a flag stem, a time identification means, a magnet support platform, and a magnetic means. The time identification means is either attached to, or is contained within, the flag stem. The magnet support platform is either attached to, or is contiguous with, the flag stem. The magnetic means is attached to the magnet support platform and has a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to hold the food flagging device to a stainless steel surface. The food flagging device is heat-resistant and is capable of being sanitized.

Description

The present invention relates to a flagging device useful in monitoring the time that a food item has been on a grill, and a method of using that flagging device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSausages and hot dogs are widely known and consumed foodstuffs that have been adapted to informal and fast service food preparation and sale. In particular, Americans are well known for eating of hot dogs, usually served by preparing sausages and buns and inserting the sausages into the buns.As fast service restaurants have developed in the United States, attention has been turned toward improved methods and apparatus for preparing foodstuffs, including hot dogs. Grill apparatus of varying kinds, including heated rollers and rotisserie structures have been developed and used in efforts to meet requirements for fast food service of sausages and buns, such as hot dogs in buns.Representative of one such grill apparatus is the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,485, titled "Device for Cooking Foo...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G09F17/00
CPCG09F17/00
Inventor JOHNSON, MARK R.
Owner CHEVRON PROD