Abstract:
An electrically operated countertop grill that includes an upper housing with a removable upper cooking plate disposed therein, and a lower housing with a removable lower cooking plate disposed therein. The lower housing defines a horizontal plane, and the lower cooking plate is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. The upper cooking plate is movable about a pivot axis relative to the lower cooking plate to a closed position to form a cooking chamber for cooking foodstuffs that substantially restrains the escape of vapor therefrom. At least one heating element is disposed within the lower housing for supplying heat to the lower cooking plate to provide heat to the cooking chamber, and at least one heating element is disposed within the upper housing for supplying heat to the upper cooking plate to provide heat to the cooking chamber. The lower cooking plate inclines gradually and downwardly from a proximate position relative to the pivot axis toward a distal position relative to the pivot axis such that liquid byproducts emitted by foodstuffs during cooking flow downwardly on the lower cooking plate toward a liquid byproducts collection reservoir disposed at the distal position. In one embodiment of the invention, a clasp and clip system holds the lower cooking plate to the lower housing, and the upper cooking plate to the upper housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an improved electric countertop contact grill for cooking meats, fish, poultry, and other foodstuffs, and more particularly to an electric countertop contact grill having removable cooling plates.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     Indoor, electrically operated countertop contact grills have grown substantially in popularity among the consuming public and many models are commercially available through retail outlets. These countertop contact grills offer a convenient and safe alternative to a traditional barbeque and, as their popularity continues to grow, there is a continuing need to provide electric countertop contact grills that are attractive, safe, and convenient to use.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,905 discloses an electric countertop contact grill having an upper housing and a lower housing hinged together in a clamshell arrangement. The lower housing typically bears feet or pads for supporting the grill on a countertop, and the upper housing is pivotally mounted or hinged to the lower housing for rotation about a horizontal pivot axis such that the upper housing may be pivoted into an opened or closed position. The lower housing includes an upwardly facing cooking surface and the upper housing includes a downwardly facing cooking surface such that when the upper housing is pivoted into the opened position both surfaces are exposed and when the upper housing is pivoted into the closed position the downwardly facing cooking surface of the upper housing will come into close proximity to and/or contact with the upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower housing.  
         [0004]     In many embodiments, the cooking surfaces of the lower and upper housings may be flat, use of flat griddle-like cooking surfaces are useful for cooking foods such as potatoes or pancakes. Alternatively, the cooking surfaces may be formed with channels or “ribs”. Formation of ribs allows for easier and more efficient cooking of foods like meats or vegetables. A ribbed surface more closely approximates an outdoor meat grilling or barbeque arrangement, and the channels between the ribs can carry away grease and fats that drain from meats while cooking.  
         [0005]     When using a conventional electric countertop contact grill, the user places foodstuffs on the upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower housing and then closes the upper housing down upon it, such that the foodstuff are then held between the downwardly facing cooking surface of the upper housing and the upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower housing, thereby allowing the foodstuffs to cook on both sides simultaneously and speeding up the grilling or cooking process.  
         [0006]     In many countertop contact grills, the lower housing is configured with a downwardly sloping surface such that upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower housing slopes downward and away from a proximal location near the pivot axis to a distal location that is considered to be at the front of the grill. Liquid, fat and small food particle byproducts of the cooking process (hereinafter “liquid byproducts”) will then slide or flow down the sloping upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower housing. These liquid byproducts may flow into a collection reservoir or vessel at the front of the grill, which may constitute a reservoir or recess formed in the lower housing or which may be a individual vessel, separate and apart from the lower housing. For example, many electric countertop contact grills commonly provide a liquid byproduct outlet at the front of the grill and a liquid byproduct collection tray which may placed underneath the liquid byproduct outlet, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,741. Such liquid byproduct collection trays are easily cleaned because they are separate from the countertop contact grill and are easily separable from the rest of the grill unit. More particularly, such liquid byproduct collection trays can be easily washed under a faucet, soaked in a sink, or even placed in a dishwasher.  
         [0007]     Unfortunately, conventional electric countertop contact grills are not entirely satisfactory due to the difficulty involved in cleaning such grills. The cooking surfaces of conventional electric countertop contact grills disclosed in the prior art are not separate from or easily separable from the upper and lower housings. Hence, unlike the liquid byproduct collection tray disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,741, such cooking surfaces must be washed along with the entire grill unit, which cannot be easily washed under a faucet, soaked in a sink, or placed in a dishwasher. It is particularly troublesome to clean residue left in the channels between adjacent ribs on ribbed cooking plates found on many electric countertop contact grills.  
         [0008]     Additionally, such electric countertop contact grills are not entirely satisfactory due to the inability to easily vary cooking surfaces. As explained earlier, some cooking surfaces are more useful than others for cooking particular types of foods. For instance, flat griddle-like cooking surfaces are useful for cooking foods such as potatoes or pancakes, while ribbed cooking surfaces are better for cooking foods like meats because the ribbed surface allows channels between the ribs to carry away grease and fats that drain from meats while cooking.  
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It would therefore be advantageous to have an electric countertop contact grill that incorporates all of the features of electric countertop contact grill devices disclosed in the prior art, yet allows for greater ease in cleaning of the cooking surfaces. It would further be advantageous to have an electric countertop contact grill that incorporates all of the features of the electric countertop contact grill disclosed in the prior art, yet allows for easy replacement and variation of the cooking surfaces. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The invention provides an improved electric countertop contact grill device that obviates the disadvantages and limitations of conventional electrically operated countertop contact grills as noted above by providing for removable cooking plates coupled to the upper and lower housings. More particularly, the invention provides an improved electric countertop contact grill device with cooking plates that may be easily removed and cleaned. Furthermore, the invention also provides an improved electric countertop contact grill device that allows for easy variation of its cooking surfaces by easy removal and substitution of various cooking plates having different cooking surfaces.  
         [0011]     In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a grill that includes an upper housing with a removable upper cooking plate disposed thereon, and a lower housing with a removable lower cooking plate disposed thereon. The upper housing is preferably pivotally mounted or hinged to the lower housing for rotation about a horizontal pivot axis such that the upper housing may be pivoted into an opened or closed position relative to the lower housing.  
         [0012]     The lower housing includes a removable lower cooking plate having an upwardly facing cooking surface which defines a horizontal plane. The lower housing is preferably disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane such that the removable lower cooking plate slopes downward and away from a proximal location near the pivot axis to a distal location that is considered to be at the front of the grill. The upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower cooking plate is preferably formed of or coated with a non-stick material such as Teflon.  
         [0013]     As explained, the upper housing also includes a removable upper cooking plate having a downwardly facing cooking surface. The downwardly facing cooking surface of the upper cooking plate is preferably formed of or coated with a non-stick material such as Teflon. The upper housing is movable about a pivot axis relative to the lower housing into a closed position bringing the downwardly facing cooking surface of the upper cooking plate and the upwardly facing cooking surface of the lower cooking plate into close proximity and/or contact and thereby forming a cooking chamber for cooking foodstuffs that substantially restrains the escape of vapor therefrom.  
         [0014]     At least one heating element is disposed within said lower housing below or under the lower cooking plate, for supplying heat to said lower cooking plate to provide heat to said cooking chamber. Additionally, at least one heating element is disposed within said upper housing above or over the upper cooking plate for supplying heat to said upper cooking plate to provide heat to said cooking chamber.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment of the invention, a clasp and clip system holds said lower cooking plate to said lower housing, and said upper cooking plate to said upper housing. Said clasp and clip system comprises one or more clips disposed on the end of said lower housing proximate to said pivot axis, one or more catches disposed within the end of said lower housing distal to said pivot axis, one or more catches disposed on the non-cooking or bottom surface of the lower cooking plate at an end proximate to said pivot axis, one or more clasps disposed on the non-cooking or bottom surface of said lower cooking plate at an end distal to said pivot axis, one or more clips disposed on the end of said upper housing distal to said pivot axis, one or more catches disposed on end of said upper housing proximate to said pivot axis, one or more catches disposed on the non-cooking or bottom surface of said upper cooking plate at an end distal to said pivot axis, and one or more clasps disposed on the non-cooking or bottom surface of said upper cooking plate at an end proximate to said pivot axis, wherein said lower cooking plate when fastened to said lower housing is fastened to said lower housing by said one or more clips and said one or more catches of said lower housing, and said upper cooking plate when fastened to said upper housing is fastened to said upper housing by said one or more clips and said one or more catches of said upper housing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electric countertop contact grill constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of an electric countertop contact grill in an open position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the grill in an open position with the cooking plates removed;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the removable lower cooking plate which illustrates the upwardly facing cooking surface;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the removable lower cooking plate which illustrates the non-cooking bottom side of the lower cooking plate;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the catches of the lower housing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the clasps located on the non-cooking bottom side of the lower cooking plate;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp of  FIG. 5B  juxtaposed over the catch of  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp of  FIG. 5C  secured within the catch of  FIG. 5C ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the proximate clips of the lower housing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the proximate catches of the removable lower cooking plate;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 6A  when displaced by the application of a normal force on the clip;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 6A  against the catch of  FIG. 6B  such that the clip is secured by the catch;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a proximate clip of the lower housing;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a close-up view of the alternate embodiment of the clip in  7 A which illustrates the reverse tension springs of the clip;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7C  is a close-up view of the clip of  FIG. 7A  when displaced by the application of a normal force on the clip;  
         [0033]      FIG. 7D  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 7A  against the catch of  FIG. 6B  such that the clip is secured by the catch;  
         [0034]      FIG. 8A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the catches located within the upper housing;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8B  is a fragmentary perspective view one of the clasps located on the non-cooking bottom side of the removable upper cooking plate;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp of  FIG. 8B  juxtaposed beneath the catch of  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8D  is a cross-sectional view of the clasp of  FIG. 8C  secured within the catch of  FIG. 8C ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the clips of the upper housing;  
         [0039]      FIG. 9B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the catches disposed within the removable upper cooking plate;  
         [0040]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 9A  displaced by the application of a normal force on the clip;  
         [0041]      FIG. 9D  is a cross-sectional view of the clip of  FIG. 9C  engaged within the catch of  FIG. 9B  such that the clip is secured by the catch; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the electrically operated countertop, contact grill of the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the grill in a closed position.  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the grill in an open position. As shown in both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the electrically operating countertop, contact grill of the present invention includes a lower housing  10  and an upper housing  80  pivotally coupled to the lower housing. The lower housing  10  includes a removable lower cooking plate  20  having an upwardly facing cooking surface and the upper housing includes a removable upper cooling plate  90  having a downwardly facing cooking surface.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment with the lower cooking plate  20  removed from the lower housing  10 , and the upper cooking plate  90  removed from the upper housing  80 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the preferred embodiment further includes at least one lower heating element  10  housed within the lower housing  10  and designed to provide heat to the lower cooking plate  20  when the lower cooking plate is coupled to the lower housing  10 . The grill further includes at least one upper heating element  101  housed within the upper housing  80  and designed to provide heat to the upper cooking plate  90  when the upper cooking plate is coupled to the upper housing  80 .  
         [0044]     Preferably, the upper housing  80  is pivotally mounted to the lower housing  10  by connecting unit  75 . The upper housing  80  is pivotally mounted to the lower housing  10  for rotation about a horizontal pivot axis such that the upper housing may be pivoted into an opened or closed position relative to the lower housing.  
         [0045]     In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the upper  90  and lower  20  cooking plates are coupled to the upper and lower housings, respectively, through the use of a clasp/catch arrangement on one end and a clip/catch arrangement on another end. It is understood that the position, order and arrangement of each clasp/catch and clip/catch arrangement may be altered and or varied in order to still achieve the objects of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 a  preferred embodiment includes one or more clips  60  disposed within a first end of said lower housing, proximate to said pivot axis, and one or more catches  40  disposed within a second end of said lower housing, distal to said pivot axis. This embodiment further includes one or more clips  130  disposed within a first end of said upper housing, distal to said pivot axis, and one or more catches  110  disposed within a second end of said upper housing, proximate to said pivot axis.  
         [0046]      FIG. 4A  shows a top or cooking surface view of a first preferred embodiment of the lower cooking plate  20  and  FIG. 4B  shows a bottom or non-cooking surface view of a first preferred embodiment of the lower cooking plate  20 . As show in FIGS.  4 A-B, the lower cooking plate has an upwardly facing cooking surface  22 . This upwardly facing cooking surface  22  is preferably formed of or coated with a non-stick surface such as Teflon. The lower cooking plate  20  also has one or more clasps  50  positioned at a first end of the lower cooking plate along the non-cooking bottom surface of the cooking plate, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A second end of the lower cooking plate preferably includes a lipped edge  23  which extends outwardly away from the non-cooking bottom surface of the cooking plate. The lipped edge  23  preferably includes one or more catches  70 .  
         [0047]     As explained further hereinafter, the one or more clasps  50  positioned along the non-cooking or bottom surface  22  of the lower cooking plate  20  are designed to engage with the one or more catches  40  disposed within the second end of said lower housing, distal to said pivot axis, when said lower cooking plate is coupled to said lower housing. Likewise, the one or more vertical catches  70  in the lipped edge of the lower cooking plate are designed to engage with the one or more clips  60  disposed within the first end of said lower housing, proximate to said pivot axis, when said lower cooking plate is coupled to said lower housing.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of the lower housing  10  distal to the connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 5A , catch  40  is coupled to the inside of the lower housing and includes an aperture  42  and a base  44 . Catch  40  may be comprised and/or formed from any number of different metals or practical equivalents, including steel, iron, copper, brass, or any combination thereof.  FIG. 5B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of non-cooking or bottom surface of the lower cooking plate  20  distal to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 5B , clasp  50  is coupled to the non-cooking or bottom surface of lower cooking plate  20  and includes a protrusion  52  and a base  54 . Clasp  50  may be comprised and/or formed from any number of different metals or practical equivalents, including steel, copper, brass, or any combination thereof.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of clasp  50  juxtaposed over catch  40 . Referring to  FIG. 5C  when the lower cooking plate is coupled to the lower housing, catch  40  accepts the protrusion  52  of clasp  50  through the aperture  42  of catch  40 , such that protrusion  52  is secured within the aperture  42 , thereby engaging and securing clasp  50  within catch  40 .  FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of clasp  50  secured within catch  40 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 6A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of lower housing  10  proximate to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , clip  60  includes protrusion  62 . As shown, protrusion  62  is rectangular in shape, although it is understood it may have any alternate shape such square, trapezoidal and or retangular. Referring to  FIG. 6A , the bottom  66  of clip  60  is smooth and continuous (i.e. flushed) with the back side of lower housing  10  but separated vertically from the outer shell of lower housing  10  at separation  64  and separation  65 . Clip  60  may be comprised of plastic or other materials possessing a high elastic limit or yield point, as those terms “elastic limit” and “yield point” are commonly known among those skilled in the art.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of lipped edge of lower cooking plate  20  proximate to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 6B  relative to  FIG. 3 , lower cooking plate  20  has been flipped upside down such that the non-cooking or bottom surface of lower cooking plate  20  (i.e.: the bottom side of lower cooking plate  20  that does not come in contact with food during cooking) is revealed. Referring to  FIG. 6B , catch  70  is preferably formed within the lipped edge of lower cooking plate  20  and is comprised of an aperture for reception of protrusion  62 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of clip  60 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , clip  60  may be displaced by the application of a normal force at  63 , as applied by a finger or thumb of the grill user, allowing juxtaposition of catch  70  against clip  60  such that protrusion  62  is positioned for entry into catch  70 . Subsequent removal of the normal force at  63  allows clip  60  to snap back to its default position such that protrusion  62  is secured within catch  70 , as shown in  FIG. 6D . In the preferred embodiment, the length of lower cooking plate  20  that lies between clasps  50  and catches  70  is precisely long enough such that when protrusions  62  are secured within catches  70 , the lower cooking plate is secured to the lower housing and there is no unwanted shifting of lower cooking plate  20  during cooking.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of clip  60 . In this embodiment, clip  60  is comprised of a hinged base  61  having a protrusion  62 .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the protrusion as rectangular in shape, although it is understood that the protrusion may have alternate shapes such as square, trapezoidal or triangular. The hinged base  61  of the clip  60  is coupled to the lower housing  10  via a pair of reverse tension compression springs  64 . If force is applied to the tip of the clip  60 , the hinged base extends outward, away from the lower housing  10  and the tension in the pair of reverse tension compression springs increases.  
         [0054]     Therefore, in this alternate embodiment, and as shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D , clip  60  may be displaced by the application of a normal force, as applied by a finger or thumb of the grill user, thereby expanding the reverse tension compression springs and moving the clip outward. This allows for juxtaposition of catch  70  against clip  60  such that protrusion  62  is positioned for entry into catch  70 . Subsequent removal of the normal force causes the reverse tension springs to pull the clip  60  back to its default position such that protrusion  62  is then secured within catch  70 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . In the preferred embodiment, the length of lower cooking plate  20  that lies between clasps  50  and catches  70  is precisely long enough such that when protrusions  62  are secured within catches  70 , the lower cooking plate is secured to the lower housing and there is no unwanted shifting of lower cooking plate  20  during cooking.  
         [0055]     Similarly, the facilitated removal and replacement of upper cooking plate  90  is enabled by a catch/clasp and clip/catch arrangement.  FIG. 8A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of upper housing  80  proximate to connecting unit  75 . In the preferred embodiment, catch  110  is identical to catch  40  except for its placement in the upper housing as opposed to the lower housing. Referring to  FIG. 8A , catch  110  includes aperture  112  and base  114 . Catch  110  is coupled to the upper housing  80  by base  114 . Catch  110  may be comprised of a number of different metals or practical equivalents, including steel, iron, copper, brass, or any combination thereof.  
         [0056]      FIG. 8B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of the upper cooking plate  90  proximate to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 8B  relative to  FIG. 3 , upper cooking plate  90  has been flipped such that clasp  120  is coupled to the non-cooking or bottom surface of upper cooking plate  90  (i.e.: the side of upper cooking plate  90  that does not come in contact with food during cooking). In the preferred embodiment, clasp  120  is identical to clasp  50  except for its placement on upper cooking plate  90  as opposed to the lower cooking plate  20 . Referring to  FIG. 8B , clasp  120  includes a base  124  and a protrusion  122  and is coupled to the non-cooking or bottom surface of upper cooking plate  90  by base  124 . Catch  120  may be comprised of a number of different metals or practical equivalents, including steel, copper, brass, or any combination thereof.  
         [0057]      FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional view of clasp  120  juxtaposed beneath catch  100 . Referring to  FIG. 8C , when the upper cooking plate is coupled to the upper housing, catch  110  accepts clasp  120  through aperture  112  such that protrusion  122  is secured above border  116 .  FIG. 8D  is a cross-sectional view of clasp  120  secured within catch  110 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 9A  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of upper housing  80  distal to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 9A , upper housing  80  include a clip  130  having a bottom  136  and a protrusion  132 . The bottom  136  of clip  130  is continuous with the outer shell of upper housing  80  but separated vertically from the outer shell of upper housing  80  at separation  134  and separation  135  such that said clip  130  is not integrally formed as part of said upper housing  80 . Clip  130  may be comprised of plastic or other materials possessing a high elastic limit or yield point, as those terms “elastic limit” and “yield point” are commonly known among those skilled in the art.  
         [0059]      FIG. 9B  is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the corners of upper cooking plate  90  distal to connecting unit  75 . Referring to  FIG. 9B  relative to  FIG. 3 , upper cooking plate  90  has been flipped such that the non-cooking bottom side of upper cooking plate  20  (i.e.: the side of lower cooking plate  20  that does not come in contact with food during cooking) is shown. As shown, the bottom side of the upper cooking plate includes a lipped edge having at least one catch  140  position distal to the connecting unit  75  Referring to  FIG. 9B , catch  140  is comprised of an aperture for reception of protrusion  132 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of clip  130  of the upper housing. As shown in  FIG. 9C , clip  130  may be displaced by the application of a normal force at  133 , as applied by a finger or thumb of the grill user, allowing juxtaposition of catch  140  against clip  130  such that protrusion  132  is positioned for entry into catch  140  when the upper cooking plate is coupled to the upper housing. Subsequent removal of the normal force at  133  allows clip  130  to snap back to its default position such that protrusion  132  is secured within catch  140 , as shown in  FIG. 9D . In the preferred embodiment, the length of upper cooking plate  90  that lies between clasps  120  and catches  140  is precisely long enough such that when protrusions  132  are secured within catches  140 , the upper cooking plate is secured to the upper housing and there is no unwanted shifting of upper cooking plate  90  during cooking.  
         [0061]     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , lower cooking plate  20  is attached to lower housing  10  by first lowering the end of lower cooking plate  20  distal to connecting unit  75  such that clasps  50  located on the non-cooking or bottom surface of lower housing  10  are secured within catches  40  located within the lower housing, as shown in  FIGS. 5C-5D . Once clasps  50  are secured in catches  40 , clips  60  of the lower housing  10  are displaced by the application of normal forces at  63 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6D , as the normal force is applies to clip  60 , the end of lower cooking plate  20  proximate to connecting unit  75  is lowered toward the lower housing  10  such that the catches  70  in the lipped edge  23  are placed into position in order to receive protrusions  62  of clips  60  of the lower housing  10 . The normal forces at  63  are then released such that protrusions  62  are secured within catches  70 , as shown in  FIG. 6D , thus securing the lower cooking plate  20  to the lower housing  10 .  
         [0062]     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , upper cooking plate  90  is attached to the upper housing  80  by first lowering the end of upper cooking plate  90  proximate to connecting unit  75  such that clasps  120  located on the non-cooking bottom side of the upper cooking plate  90  are secured within catches  110  located within the upper housing  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 8C-8D . Once clasps  120  are secured in catches  110 , clips  130  of the upper housing  80  are displaced by the application of normal forces at  133 , as shown in  FIG. 9C . Referring to FIGS.  9 A-D, while the normal force is applied to clips  130  of the upper housing  80 , the end of upper cooking plate  90  distal to connecting unit  75  is juxtaposed against upper housing  80  such that catches  140  of the upper cooking plate  90  are in position to receive protrusions  132  of clips  130 . The normal forces at  133  are then released such that protrusions  132  are secured within catches  140 , as shown in  FIG. 9D , thus securing the upper cooking plate to the upper housing.  
         [0063]     As explained earlier one of the objects of the invention is to allow for the easy removal of the upper and lower cooking plates for cleaning or replacement. Therefore, after cooking, and referring to  FIGS. 9C-9D , upper cooking plate  90  may be easily removed from upper housing  80  by reapplying normal forces at  133  and pulling the end of upper cooking plate  90  distal to connecting unit  75  away from upper housing  80 . As normal forces are applied to clip  130  of the upper housing, the protrusion is released from catch  140 , thereby allowing the grill user to pull the end of upper cooking plate  90  distal to the connecting unit  75  outward and away from the upper housing  80 . Once the end of upper cooking plate  90  distal to connecting unit  75  has been freed from the clips  130  of upper housing  80 , the upper cooking plate  90  is free to shift in a direction away from connecting unit  75  and may be lifted away from the upper housing  80  such that clasps  120  on the non-cooking bottom surface of the upper cooking plate  90  may be easily removed from catches  110  of the upper housing  80 , thereby releasing upper cooking plate  90  from upper housing  80 .  
         [0064]     Similarly, referring to  FIGS. 6A-6D , lower cooking plate  20  may be easily removed from lower housing  10  by reapplying normal forces to clip  60  of the lower housing  10  and lifting the end of lower cooking plate  20  proximate to connecting unit  75  up and away from the lower housing. As normal forces are applied to clip  60  of the lower housing, protrusion  62  is released from catch  70  in the lipped edge of the lower cooking plate  20 , thereby allowing the grill user to pull the end of lower cooking plate  20  proximate to the connecting unit  75  upward and away from the lower housing  10 . Once the end of lower cooking plate  20  proximate to connecting unit  75  has been so displaced, lower cooking plate  20  is free to shift in a direction toward connecting unit  75  such that clasps  50  on the non-cooking bottom side of the lower cooking plate may be easily removed from catches  40  of the lower housing, thereby releasing lower cooking plate  20  from lower housing  10 .  
         [0065]     Once removed, upper cooking plate  90  and lower cooking plate  20  may be easily washed under a faucet, soaked in a sink, or placed in a dishwasher. Additionally, the upper cooking plate and lower cooking plate maybe each be easily removed and replaced with cooking plates possessing alternative cooking surfaces that are more useful for cooking particular types of foods. For example, the cooking plates illustrated in the all the diagrams are shown to have “ribs”. As explained earlier, formation of ribs allows for easier and more efficient cooking of foods like meats or vegetables because the channels between the ribs can carry away grease and fats that drain from meats while cooking. Alternatively, upper and lower cooking plates may be used which have flat cooking surfaces. Use of flat griddle-like cooking surfaces are useful for cooking foods such as potatoes or pancakes.  
         [0066]     Thus, the invention describes an electric countertop contact grill device with easily removable cooking plates. The user may more easily clean the cooking plates by removing them and washing them under a faucet, soaking them in a sink, or placing them in a dishwasher. The user may also easily vary the cooking surfaces by replacing the cooking plates with other cooking plates possessing alternative cooking surfaces that are more useful for cooking particular types of foods.  
         [0067]     While the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of particular embodiments thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art may made many changes, modifications, and substitutions without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in another embodiment of the invention, no heating element is disposed within the upper housing for supplying heat to the upper cooking plate to provide heat to the cooking chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, the upper housing defines a compartment with a vented lid adapted to hold at least one bun in order to warm the bun with heat derived from the cooking chamber. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cooking chamber contains a seasoning supply vessel adapted to receive a body of seasonings in liquid form, and a thermal conductive dispenser extendible into the vessel when the grill is in a closed position and that when heated releases a stream of seasonings continuously from the seasoning supply vessel into the cooking chamber via vaporization. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments described above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.