A panini press operated by a paddle inside the oven.

Abstract

1. A grilling apparatus for use within a cooking chamber of an oven, the apparatus comprising: a panini press comprising an upper grill including a pair of oppositely disposed, downward facing, first guide rails; and a lower grill including a pair of oppositely disposed, upward facing guide surfaces, the upper grill being disposed within each of a pair of upwardly facing guide surfaces coupled to the lower grill and vertically reciprocatable toward and away from the lower grill by a pair of oppositely disposed alignment devices coupled to either side of the upper grill; and a paddle for holding at least one food item, the paddle comprising a base and a pair of oppositely disposed, upwardly facing, second guide rails that align with respective first guide rails such that as the paddle enters the cooking chamber, the second guide rails contact respective first guide rails and the upper grill moves upwardly and away from the lower grill thereby allowing a food item to be positioned between a lower surface of the upper grill and an upper surface of said lower grill, and upon removal of the paddle, the upper grill moves toward the food item to apply sufficient pressure to compress and brown the food item during the cooking process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 187,053, filed on May 11, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus (i.e., a panini press) for manufacturing oven - grilled / baked products. More particularly, the apparatus includes an upper grill that reciprocates in a substantially vertical direction, which can be lifted by a panini paddle from a stationary lower grill so that one or more foods disposed at the base of the paddle can be inserted between the upper grill and the lower grill, and thus grilled / baked marks can be imparted to the opposing surfaces of the food(s). The paddle is configured to mechanically lift the upper grill from the lower grill so that the food(s) can be placed therebetween without causing damage to the food(s) during insertion.

Background Art

[0003] Typically, panini sandwiches are cooked by a prior - art panini press rather than in an oven. Otherwise, attempts have been made to make panini sandwiches in an oven, but with varying degrees of success. In one such oven apparatus, an operator places the food on the grill surface inside the oven to cook the first side, and then manually flips the food to cook the second side. This process is very time - consuming and not only requires further intervention by the operator, but also poses a risk to the operator when putting an arm into the oven to flip the food.

[0004] Furthermore, complex double-sided grilling devices have been developed to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and enable rapid cooking by grilling both sides simultaneously. Moreover, their ease of disassembly allows for easy cleaning without the need for any tools. One such double-sided grilling device is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2015 / 0272387 dated October 1, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and includes a grilling device for use in the cooking chamber of an oven, comprising an upper cooking surface, a lower cooking surface, at least a pair of connectors movably connecting the upper cooking surface to the lower cooking surface, a guide positioned around the door of an oven, and actuators coupled to the pair of connectors. The actuators are slidably positioned around the guides. The guides are coupled to the door of the oven, and the movement of the door causes the actuators to slide within the guides, moving the upper cooking surface and the lower cooking surface toward / away from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272387 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The problem with this device is the excessive number of required movements and connecting parts, as well as the need for guides that connect to the oven door. These guides and connecting parts are cumbersome and must be removed from the door before cleaning or maintenance. This complexity, especially considering that the oven needs to be replaced by a service technician rather than installed by the customer, results in considerable time, expense, and breakage. Maintenance is also expensive, as consumable parts are complex and costly assemblies, in contrast to simple, low-cost, modular, customer-replaceable parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This disclosure provides a simple three-point design comprising a lower grill, an upper grill, and a highly space-efficient paddle, which maintains the existing versatility of the oven when not used to “press” food between the upper and lower grills. The simple design facilitates cleaning and minimizes access to areas essential for machine operation. The advantages of this disclosure are one-handed operation, speed, efficiency, safety, and comfort when using the panini press in the oven cavity. This disclosure uses a lower grill to guide the novel paddle into a position for safe and reliable operation. The paddle has a special function to engage with the upper grill while generating a lifting force between the lower and upper grills. The shape and materials of such features are optimized to produce smooth, safe, and reliable operation (i.e., entry / lift, exit / pressure / removal). The lower grill has a function to contact the upper grill to safely, easily, and reliably guide the operation of the upper grill. These are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled by the user using inexpensive, customer-replaceable modular parts. This disclosure offers many advantages, including its simplicity, the small number of mechanically connected parts, and the absence of guides that connect to the front door, which will become clear in the following description.

[0008] A grilling device for use in the cooking chamber of an oven, comprising a panini press comprising an upper grill comprising a pair of opposing downward-facing first guide rails and a lower grill comprising a pair of opposing upward-facing guide surfaces, wherein the upper grill is reciprocally movable substantially vertically toward and away from the lower grill by a pair of opposing alignment devices positioned within each of the pair of upward-facing guide surfaces coupled to the lower grill and coupled to both sides of the upper grill, and a paddle for holding at least one food, comprising a base and a pair of opposing upward-facing second guide rails, which align with each of the first guide rails, so that when the paddle enters the cooking chamber, the second guide rails contact each of the first guide rails, thereby moving the upper grill upward away from the lower grill, so that the food is positioned between the lower surface of the upper grill and the upper surface of the lower grill, wherein when the paddle is removed, the upper grill moves toward the food, applying sufficient pressure to compress and brown the food during the cooking process.

[0009] In the grilling device, the upper and lower grills include bars or slots inside, so that during the cooking process, grill marks are left on both the top and bottom surfaces of the food.

[0010] Furthermore, in the grilling device, the upper grill includes bars or slots inside, while the lower grill includes a base without bars or slots, thus enabling grilling only the top surface of the food.

[0011] In the grille device, the second guide rail has a slender and tapered shape at its front, and the first guide rail has a slender and tapered shape at the part facing the front of the second guide rail. Therefore, it is possible to insert the upward-facing second guide rail from the paddle directly beneath the downward-facing first guide rail of the upper grille, thereby lifting the upper grille and moving it away from the lower grille.

[0012] To improve cooking results, the grilling surfaces of both the upper and lower grills are perpendicular to each other. To optimize cooking results and simplify operation, they are oriented diagonally to the direction in which the food is placed. The mass of the upper grill is important for achieving good cooking results.

[0013] A method for cooking food in a cooking chamber of an oven, the method comprising the steps of: operating a panini press in the cooking chamber, the panini press comprising an upper grill comprising a pair of opposing downward-facing first guide rails and a lower grill comprising a pair of opposing upward-facing guide surfaces, the upper grill being reciprocable in a substantially vertical direction toward and away from the lower grill by a pair of opposing alignment devices positioned within each of the pair of upward-facing guide surfaces coupled to the lower grill and coupled to both sides of the upper grill; and delivering at least one food into the cooking chamber via a paddle, the paddle comprising a base and a pair of opposing upward-facing second guide rails, which align with each of the first guide rails, so that when the paddle enters the cooking chamber, the second guide rails contact each of the first guide rails, causing the upper grill to move upward away from the lower grill, and thus allowing the food to be positioned between the lower surface of the upper grill and the upper surface of the lower grill. Guide rail The invention comprises the steps of: removing the paddle from the cooking chamber so that the upper grill moves toward the food, and during the cooking process, the underside of the upper grill comes into contact with the food, applying sufficient pressure to compress and brown the food, as well as improving heat transfer to reduce cooking time.

[0014] Furthermore, the configuration and design of the panini press in this disclosure utilize materials and shapes to achieve an optimal insulating design for microwave arc protection.

[0015] Several techniques can be used to remove food from a paddle inside an oven, including momentum, vibration, clamping, and manual methods. Momentum is provided by inserting the paddle at a speed sufficient to generate momentum, resulting in the food being lowered from the paddle onto the lower grill as the paddle is retracted from the oven. Vibration is provided by inserting the paddle into the oven and using a shaking motion to lower the food onto the lower grill. For larger foods, clamping is provided by inserting the paddle and food into the oven, and once a certain depth is reached, the food interferes with the lower surface of the angled upper grill, resulting in the food being clamped. This can also be achieved with a slight rise when removing the paddle containing smaller foods, producing a similar clamping effect. Finally, manual removal is achieved by inserting (not completely) the paddle into the oven, and as the paddle retracts, the free hand is used to maintain the position of the food and eliminate contact between the paddle and the food. The final removal may be done using the paddle to push the food into its final position. Alternatively, the rear of the upper grill may be configured to include a clamp that holds the food in place when it is inserted deep enough and has sufficient height or is sufficiently stable, so that the food remains in the lower grill after the paddle is removed.

[0016] Other purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure will be understood by referring to the following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1a] The diagram shows a schematic perspective view of the main components of a double-sided grilling device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a front right perspective view of the panini paddle. [Figure 1b] This diagram shows a schematic perspective view of the main components of a double-sided grilling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a right-side cross-sectional perspective view of a paddle into which food is inserted between an upper grill and a lower grill located within an oven chamber. [Figure 1c]A schematic perspective view of the main components of a double-sided grill device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and a front perspective view of food being compressed by an upper grill descending towards a lower grill during the cooking process. [Figure 1d] Another design of an upper grill and a lower grill according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, where the grill slots and / or bars of the upper grill and the lower grill are diagonal and oriented approximately 90 degrees to each other. [Figure 1e] Another embodiment of a lower grill having a flat and solid central portion according to the present disclosure. [Figure 1f] Another embodiment of an upper grill having diagonal grill slots and / or bars as shown in FIG. 1d is shown. [Figure 2] An enlarged front right perspective view of a panini paddle. [Figure 3] A right side cross-sectional view of a panini device having an upper grill and a lower grill in a closed position or a lowered position, with grill bars arranged from front to back within the oven. [Figure 4] A right side cross-sectional view of the panini device according to FIG. 1d, where the downward guide rails of the upper grill are shown semi-transparent and the grill bars are arranged diagonally within the oven. [Figure 5a] A right side cross-sectional view of one configuration of the device, showing a state where a panini paddle with food placed on it is inserted into an oven including a double-sided panini press of FIG. 3 in a lowered position or a closed position, and the grill bars extend from front to back within the oven. [Figure 5b] A right side cross-sectional view of another configuration of the device, showing a state where a panini paddle with food placed on it is inserted into an oven including a double-sided panini press of FIG. 3 in a lowered position or a closed position, and the grill bars extend diagonally within the oven. [Figure 6a] A right side cross-sectional view of a panini paddle lifting an upper grill, showing that the grill bars extend from front to back within the oven. [Figure 6b]Right side cross-sectional view of a panini paddle lifting an upper grill, showing that the grill bars extend diagonally within the oven. [Figure 6c] Another right side cross-sectional view of a panini paddle lifting an upper grill, showing that the grill bars extend diagonally within the oven. [Figure 6d] Another right side cross-sectional view of a panini paddle lifting an upper grill, showing that the grill bars extend from front to back within the oven. [Figure 7] Front right side cross-sectional perspective view showing the upper grill of FIG. 1d lifted above the food so as not to damage the food, with the grill bars extending diagonally within the oven. [Figure 8] Right side cross-sectional view of food placed under the upper grill before removing the panini paddle, with the grill bars extending diagonally within the oven. [Figure 9a] Right side cross-sectional view with the panini paddle removed and the upper grill in contact with the upper surface of the food, showing that the grill bars extend from front to back within the oven. [Figure 9b] Right side cross-sectional view with the panini paddle removed and the upper grill in contact with the upper surface of the food, showing that the grill bars extend diagonally within the oven. [Figure 10a] Right side cross-sectional view showing the upper grill compressing the food, with the grill bars extending from front to back within the oven. [Figure 10b] Right side cross-sectional view showing the upper grill compressing the food, with the grill bars extending diagonally within the oven. [Figure 11] Upper front view of an oven into which the panini press of the present disclosure can be inserted. [Figure 12] Partial front perspective view of a double-sided grill device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] Top perspective view of the upper grill of the double-sided grill device of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] Top perspective view of the lower grill of the double-sided grill device of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] Figure 12 is a partial right-hand cross-sectional view of a double-sided grille device, showing the downward-facing guide rails of the upper grille in a semi-transparent manner. [Figure 16] Figure 12 is a partial right-hand cross-sectional view of the double-sided grille device. [Figure 17] Figure 12 is an enlarged front-right perspective view of the panini paddle used with the double-sided grilling device. [Figure 18] This is a right-hand cross-sectional view of a panini paddle with food placed on it, inserted into an oven including the double-sided panini press shown in Figure 12, in the lowered or closed position. [Figure 19] This is a right-hand cross-sectional view of the panini paddle, which is lifting the upper grill of the panini apparatus shown in Figure 12, inside the oven. [Figure 20] Figure 12 is a right-side perspective cross-sectional view of a panini paddle with food placed on it, inserted into the oven while lifting the upper grill of the panini apparatus shown in Figure 12. [Figure 21] This is a right-hand cross-sectional view of the panini paddle, which is lifting the upper grill of the panini apparatus shown in Figure 12, inside the oven. [Figure 22] Figure 12 shows a right-side cross-sectional view of the panini paddle, with the upper grill of the panini apparatus raised to the open position and the food placed inside the oven beneath the upper grill. [Figure 23] This is a right-side perspective cross-sectional view of a panini paddle in an oven, with the upper grill of the panini apparatus shown in Figure 12 raised to the open position and food placed under the upper grill. [Figure 24] This is a right-side cross-section showing the panini paddle positioned beneath the upper grille, with the upper grille shown in translucent, before the panini paddle is removed. [Figure 25] This is a right-hand cross-sectional view showing the panini paddle removed and the upper grill in contact with the top surface of the food, with the upper grill visible on the top surface of the food. [Figure 26]This is a right-hand cross-sectional view showing the panini paddle removed and the upper grill in contact with the top surface of the food, illustrating the upper grill applying pressure to the top surface of the food to compress it. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a right-side perspective cross-sectional view. [Figure 28] This is a right-side perspective view of the lower grille, which has been changed from the lower grille shown in Figure 12. [Figure 29] This is a right-side perspective view of a different lower grille, modified from the lower grille in Figure 12. [Figure 30] This is a right-side perspective view of the panini paddle, modified from the panini paddle shown in Figure 17. [Figure 31] This is a right-hand perspective view of a different panini paddle, modified from the panini paddle in Figure 17. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] By grilling both sides of the food simultaneously, the cooking process is accelerated and a desirable charring similar to that of an open-type charbroiler is achieved. In this disclosure, a grill or grill is connected to open and close by inserting a novel panini paddle, which has a pair of guide rail grill lifters, or a pair of guide rails directed upward from the base of the panini paddle, which are designed to slide downward and lift upward on a pair of opposing, tapered, elongated guide rails projecting downward from the underside of the upper grill. Such opposingly positioned guide rails allow the panini paddle to be inserted between the upper and lower grills, and its adjacent surfaces will not come into contact with food until the panini paddle is removed from the oven.

[0019] This disclosure is best described by reference to the drawings, Figures 1a–1c and 2, which show a panini paddle 1 having a base 3 and a pair of opposing side walls 7 having guide rails 5, 6 positioned perpendicular to the base 3. Furthermore, a rear wall 8 is positioned upward from the base 3, to which a handle 10 and a handle shield 12 are attached. As shown in the cross section of Figure 1b, the opposing lifters or guide rails 6, together with a lifter or guide rail 5 (not shown), contact a downward-facing guide rail 14, thereby enabling the panini paddle 1 to lift the upper grill 16, and as a result, food 18 placed on the base 3 can slide into the space between the upper grill 16 and the lower grill 34. Figure 1c shows the panini paddle 1 moving downward from the upper grill 16 when removed from the oven chamber 22, resulting in the food 18 contacting the lower surface of the upper grill 16 and the upper surface of the lower grill 34.

[0020] Figures 1d, 1e, and 1f illustrate alternative embodiments of the panini press. For example, Figure 1d shows an upper grille 23 having angled bars or slots 26, and a lower grille 34 having opposing and angled bars or slots 27, which are positioned opposite the bars or slots 26 of the upper grille 23 at a 90-degree angle. Figure 1e shows yet another embodiment, in which the lower grille 28 has a gapless base 29, unlike the bars or slots shown in Figure 1d. Figure 1f shows an upper grille 23 having angled bars or slots 26.

[0021] Figure 3 is a right-side cross-sectional view of a panini device 30 in a closed or lowered position, having an upper grille 32 including a guide rail 36a facing downward toward a lower grille 34. Fixedly attached to the upper grille is an alignment device 39a, which is movably positioned within an alignment surface 38a coupled to the lower grille (both reference numerals 24 and 34).

[0022] Figure 4 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the panini machine 30 according to Figure 1d, showing the opposing downward-facing guide rails 36b in translucent form when the panini press 30 is in the closed or lowered position. The opposing alignment surface 38b is shown along with the guide rail 39b located within it. As shown in this figure, the side rails 40 are positioned perpendicular to the base of the lower grill 34 and are movably positioned on oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a fixed to the side wall of the oven (not shown).

[0023] Figures 5a and 5b are right-side cross-sectional and right-side cross-sectional views, respectively, of the panini paddle 1, into which food 5 is placed, inserted into an oven chamber 50 containing a double-sided panini press 30 in the lowered or closed position. Figure 5a shows the tapered front portion 52 of the lift or rail guide 5, which is pushed in beneath the opposing tapered end 54 of the rail guide 36a. Figure 5a further shows that the opposingly positioned alignment surfaces 38a are shown together with the guide rails 39a located therein. As shown in this figure, the side rails 56, positioned parallel to the base of the lower grill 34, are movably positioned on oven mounting stubs 41b, 42b fixed to the side wall of the oven (not shown).

[0024] Similarly, Figure 5b shows the tapered front portion 53 of the lift or rail guide 6, which is pushed in beneath the opposing tapered end 55 of the rail guide 36b.

[0025] Figures 6a to 6d show how, as the lift or rail guides 5 and 6 move along the rail guides 36a and 36b, the tapered front portions 52 and 53 of the lift or rail guides 5 and 6 lift the upper grill 32 at a certain angle from front to back, thereby further inserting the food 18 into the space between the upper grill 32 and the lower grill 34. Note that as the food 18 moves further between the upper grill 32 and the lower grill 34, the alignment device 39a rises together with the upper grill 32 within the alignment surface 38a.

[0026] Figures 6a and 6d are right-side cross-sectional views of the panini paddle with the upper grill lifted.

[0027] Figures 6b and 6c are right-side cross-sectional views of the panini paddle with the upper grill lifted.

[0028] Figure 7 is a front right cross-sectional perspective view showing the lifting of the upper grill before compressing the food as shown in Figure 1d.

[0029] Figure 8 is a right-side cross-sectional view showing the food 18 placed under the upper grill 32 before the panini paddle 1 is removed.

[0030] Figures 9a and 9b are right and right cross-sectional views, respectively, showing the panini paddle removed and the upper grill 32 in contact with the upper surface 19 of the food 18.

[0031] Figures 10a and 10b are right-side and right-side cross-sectional views, respectively, showing the state in which the upper grill 32 is compressing the food 18 during the grilling process.

[0032] Figure 11 is an upper front view of an oven 61 into which the panini press of the present disclosure can be inserted into the oven chamber 50. Once food is placed in the panini press in the oven chamber 50, the front door 63 is closed to cook the food.

[0033] Referring to Figure 12, a double-sided grilling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, collectively denoted by reference numeral 1200 ("apparatus 1200"). Apparatus 1200 is located within an oven chamber 50. Apparatus 1200 has an upper grill 1202 and a lower grill 1204. During operation of apparatus 1200, food 1219 is placed between the upper grill 1202 and the lower grill 1204 for cooking.

[0034] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the upper grille 1202 has an upper plate 1208 that forms angled bars or slots 1226. As shown in Figure 12, the upper grille 1202 has a downward-facing guide rail 1214 coupled to a first side of the upper plate 1208, and a downward-facing guide rail 1214 on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side. Each of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 has a first inclined surface 1215 that slopes away from the upper plate 1208 toward a first plane 1217. Fixedly attached to the upper grille 1202 are an alignment device 1239a on the first side of the upper plate 1208 and an alignment device 1239b on the second side of the upper plate 1208. Alignment device 1239a protrudes outward from the upper plate 1208 on the first side, and alignment device 1239b protrudes outward from the upper plate 1208 on the second side.

[0035] Referring to Figure 14, the lower grill 1204 has a bottom plate 1218. The bottom plate 1218 has slots 1220. The lower grill 1204 has an alignment surface structure 1238a extending from a first side of the bottom plate 1218 and an alignment surface structure 1238b extending from a second side of the bottom plate 1218, opposite to the first side. The alignment surface structure 1238a has a lower side 1222, each having a groove 1224 that engages with one of the oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a of the oven chamber 50. The alignment surface structure 1238a has an upper side 1226 that forms a support surface 1228. The support surface 1228 is formed to fit with the alignment device 1239a of the upper grill 1202. Similarly, the alignment surface structure 1238b has a lower side 1230, each having a groove 1232 that engages with one of the oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a of the oven chamber 50, the oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a being on the opposite side of the oven chamber from the mounting stubs 41a, 42a that engage with groove 1224. The alignment surface structure 1238b has an upper side 1234 that forms a support surface 1236. The support surface 1236 is formed to fit with the alignment device 1239b of the upper grill 1202. The support surfaces 1228 and 1236 have sides that taper toward the plane. The alignment devices 1239a and 1239b are inverted trapezoidal in shape, formed complementary to the support surfaces 1228 and 1236.

[0036] Referring to Figures 12, 15, and 16, the device 1200 is positioned within the oven chamber 50 by inserting one of the oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a into one of the grooves 1224 of the lower grill 1204 and the other mounting stub 41a, 42a into another groove 1224, and also by inserting one of the oven mounting stubs 41a, 42a, which is on the opposite side of the oven chamber from these mounting stubs 41a, 42a that engage with groove 1224, into one of the grooves 1232 of the lower grill 1204 and the other mounting stub 41a, 42a into another groove 1232. The upper grille 1202 is positioned above the lower grille 1204 by alignment devices 1239a inserted into the support surface 1228 and 1239b inserted into the support surface 1236. As a result, the support surfaces 1228 and 1236 guide the movement of the alignment devices 1239a and 1239b, respectively, causing the upper grille 1202 to move toward and away from the lower grille 1204 during operation.

[0037] Referring to Figure 17, the device 1200 is used with the panini paddle 1701. The panini paddle 1701 is the same as the panini paddle 1, except that the panini paddle 1701 has guide rails 1705 and 1706 that have a different shape from the guide rails 1705 and 1706. In particular, the panini paddle 1701 has a base 1703 and a pair of opposing side walls 1707 with guide rails 1705 and 1706 positioned perpendicular to the base 1703. Furthermore, a rear wall 1708 is positioned upward from the base 1703, and a handle 1710 and a handle shield 1712 are attached to it. The guide rails 1705 and 1706 each have a second inclined surface 1715 and a second flat surface 1716. The base 1703, the opposing side walls 1707, and the guide rails 1705 and 1706 are sized such that when the panini paddle 1701 comes into contact with the device 1200 during operation, the guide rail 1705 comes into contact with one of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the upper plate 1208, and the guide rail 1706 comes into contact with the other downward-facing guide rail 1214 on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side.

[0038] Referring to Figure 18, during operation, the food 1219 is placed on the base 1703 of the panini paddle 1701. Next, the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 is moved to contact one of the first inclined surfaces 1215 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the top plate 1208, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 is moved to contact the other first inclined surface 1215 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the top plate 1208, opposite to the first side. Next, the panini paddle 1701 is moved in direction A, resulting in the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 sliding along one of the first inclined surfaces 1215 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the upper plate 1208, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 sliding along the other first inclined surface 1215 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side, while the alignment device 1239a rises with the upper grille 1202 in the alignment surface 1238a in contact with the support surface 1228, and the alignment device 1239b rises with the upper grille 1202 in the alignment surface 1238b in contact with the support surface 1236, lifting the upper grille 1202 as shown in Figures 19 and 20.

[0039] As shown in Figure 21, the panini paddle 1701 is then moved further in direction A, resulting in the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 being moved to contact one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the top plate 1208, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 being moved to contact the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the top plate 1208, opposite to the first side. The first planes 1217 can be made parallel to the top plate 1208. As further shown in Figure 21, the panini paddle 1701 is then moved in direction A, resulting in the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 sliding along one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the top plate 1208, while the alignment device 1239a rises with the upper grille 1202 in the alignment surface 1238a in contact with the support surface 1228, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 sliding along the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the top plate 1208, opposite to the first side, to lift the upper grille 1202, while the alignment device 1239b rises with the upper grille 1202 in the alignment surface 1238b in contact with the support surface 1236, allowing the panini paddle 1201 to lift the upper grille 1202.

[0040] Next, the panini paddle 1701 is moved further in direction A, and as a result, the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1705 is moved to contact one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the upper plate 1208, and the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1706 is moved to contact the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side. The second plane 1716 can be made parallel to the base 1703. Next, the panini paddle 1701 is moved further in direction A, resulting in the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1705 sliding along one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the upper plate 1208, while the alignment device 1239a rises together with the upper grille 1202 within the alignment surface 1238a in contact with the support surface 1228, and the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1706 moves opposite to the first side. While the upper plate 1208 slides along the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rail 1214 located on the second side of the upper plate 1208, the alignment device 1239b rises together with the upper grill 1202 within the alignment surface 1238b in contact with the support surface 1228, further lifting the upper grill 1202 as shown in Figures 22 to 24, so that the food 1219 placed on the base 1203 can slide between the upper grill 1202 and the lower grill 1204.

[0041] Next, the panini paddle 1201 may be removed from the oven chamber 50 by moving the panini paddle 1201 in direction B opposite to direction A, so that the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1705 slides along one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the top plate 1208, while the alignment device 1239a descends with the upper grill 1202 in the alignment surface 1238a in contact with the support surface 1228, and the second plane 1716 of the guide rail 1706 slides along the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the top plate 1208, opposite to the first side, while the alignment device 1239b descends with the upper grill 1202 in the alignment surface 1238b in contact with the support surface 1228 and descends over the food 1219. Next, the panini paddle 1701 is moved further in direction B, and as a result, the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 is moved to contact one of the first planes 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the first side of the upper plate 1208, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 is moved to contact the other first plane 1217 of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side. Next, the panini paddle 1701 is moved in direction B, and as a result, the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1705 slides along the first inclined surface 1215 of one of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 located on the first side of the upper plate 1208, and the second inclined surface 1715 of the guide rail 1706 slides along the other first of the downward-facing guide rails 1214 located on the second side of the upper plate 1208, opposite to the first side. While sliding along the inclined surface 1215, the alignment device 1239a descends with the upper grill 1202 within the alignment surface 1238a in contact with the support surface 1228, and the alignment device 1239b descends with the upper grill 1202 within the alignment surface 1238 in contact with the support surface 1236, lowering the upper grill 1202 over the food as shown in Figures 25 to 27, and removing the panini paddle 1701 from the oven chamber 50.As described herein, there are several techniques that can be used to remove the food 1219 from the panini paddle 1701 located inside the oven chamber 50, including force, vibration, clamping, and manual methods. Once the panini paddle 1701 is removed, the food 1219 is cooked in contact with the underside of the upper grill 1202 and the top surface of the lower grill 1204. As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the food 1219 may be compressed during cooking.

[0042] The apparatus 1200 and the panini paddle 1701 have the same advantages as the panini paddle 1, the upper grill 16, and the lower grill 34.

[0043] As shown in Figure 28, the lower grille 1204 may be modified to include a rear wall 1240. As shown in Figure 29, the lower grille 1204 may be modified to replace the bottom plate 1218 with a solid bottom plate 1218a, the groove 1224 with a recess 1224a, and the groove 1232a with a recess 1232a.

[0044] The device 1200 may be used in conjunction with other panini paddles, such as the panini paddle 3000 shown in Figure 30 and the panini paddle 3100 shown in Figure 31. The panini paddles 3000 and 3100 function similarly to the panini paddle 1701, except that the guide rails 1705 and 1706 in the panini paddle 3000 are replaced with guide rails 3005 and 3006 having a modified shape, and the panini paddle 3100 is modified to be a single unit and includes a modified handle 3111 with a handle front shield 3112.

[0045] While several embodiments of this disclosure have been illustrated and described, it should be clearly understood that many modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended to limit ourselves to the illustrated and described details, but rather to illustrate all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A grilling device for use in the cooking chamber of an oven, wherein the device is An upper grille including a pair of opposing, downward-facing first guide rails, Lower grille including a pair of opposing upward-facing guide surfaces A panini press equipped with, The upper grille is positioned within each of a pair of upward-facing guide surfaces coupled to the lower grille, and is capable of reciprocating in a substantially vertical direction toward and away from the lower grille by a pair of opposing alignment devices coupled to both sides of the upper grille, and includes a panini press. A paddle that holds at least one food item, The base and, At least one opposing upward-facing second guide rail, aligned with each of the first guide rails, such that when the paddle enters the cooking chamber, the second guide rail contacts each of the first guide rails, causing the upper grill to move upward away from the lower grill, thus allowing the food to be positioned between the lower surface of the upper grill and the upper surface of the lower grill. Paddle equipped with Equipped with, When the paddle is removed, the upper grill moves toward the food, applying sufficient pressure to compress and brown the food during the cooking process. Grilling device.

2. The grilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper grill and the lower grill include bars or slots inside, so as to leave grill marks on both the top and bottom surfaces of the food during the cooking process.

3. The grilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper grill includes bars or slots inside, and the lower grill includes a base without bars or slots, so that only the top surface of the food can be grilled.

4. The grill device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide rail has a slender and tapered shape in its front portion, and the first guide rail has a slender and tapered shape in the portion facing the front portion of the second guide rail, so that the upward-facing second guide rail can be inserted from the paddle directly below the downward-facing first guide rail of the upper grill, and so that the upper grill can be lifted and moved away from the lower grill.

5. A method of cooking food in the cooking chamber of an oven, The step of operating a panini press in the cooking chamber, wherein the panini press is An upper grille including a pair of opposing, downward-facing first guide rails, Lower grille including a pair of opposing upward-facing guide surfaces Equipped with, The upper grille is positioned within each of a pair of upward-facing guide surfaces coupled to the lower grille, and is capable of reciprocating in a substantially vertical direction toward and away from the lower grille by a pair of opposing alignment devices coupled to both sides of the upper grille, and includes a step. A step of delivering at least one food item into the cooking chamber via a paddle, wherein the paddle is The base and, A pair of opposing upward-facing second guide rails, each aligned with the first guide rails, such that when the paddle enters the cooking chamber, the second guide rails contact each of the first guide rails, causing the upper grill to move upward away from the lower grill, thus allowing the food to be positioned between the lower surface of the upper grill and the upper surface of the lower grill. It has steps, The step of removing the paddle from the cooking chamber so that the upper grill moves toward the food, wherein during the cooking process, the lower surface of the upper grill comes into contact with the food and applies sufficient pressure to compress and brown the food. Methods that include...

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of removing the food from the paddle when it is placed in the cooking chamber by at least one technique selected from the group consisting of force, vibration, clamping, and manual.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the removal of the food from the paddle is achieved by force, which is provided by inserting the paddle into the cooking chamber at a speed sufficient to generate force, and as a result, when the paddle is removed from the cooking chamber, the food is lowered from the paddle onto the lower grill.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the removal of the food from the paddle is achieved by vibration, the vibration is provided by using a shaking motion to insert the paddle into the cooking chamber and lower the food onto the lower grill.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the removal of the food from the paddle is achieved by clamping the far ends of the upper grill and the lower grill, which are located at the rear of the cooking chamber away from the opening of the cooking chamber, and the clamp is provided by inserting the paddle, together with the food placed on the paddle, into the cooking chamber to a certain depth, and as a result, the food is clamped between the upper grill and the lower grill by interfering with the lower surface of the angled end of the upper grill.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the removal of the food from the paddle is achieved by a slight rise of the paddle during removal, and therefore a similar clamping effect occurs, especially when the height of the food is low.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the removal of the food from the paddle is achieved manually, and such manual removal is caused by inserting the paddle into the oven, and when the paddle is retracted from the cooking chamber, the user's free hand is used to maintain the position of the food and remove the food from the paddle.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the final removal of the food from the paddle is achieved by using the paddle to push the food into its final position within the cooking chamber.

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