Patent Publication Number: US-2021169272-A1

Title: Flare resistant easy to clean grill for cooking food

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/946,181. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of this invention is grills for cooking food. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flare-ups are a known problem with cooking, particularly on barbeques. Flare-ups occur when the grease from the food drips onto the heating elements below the grill, causing flames which can burn the food, or otherwise affect the cooking of the food in undesirable ways (for example, over-cooking one side of the food). Typical existing grills—essentially a series of metal rods placed above the heating elements on which food is rested during cooking—do not prevent flare-ups. 
     Grills also need to be cleaned after use. 
     It is desirable to have a grill that helps to prevent flare-ups and allows for easier cleaning. 
     SUMMARY 
     The grills disclosed in this application addresses this need by proposing a grill with multiple grilling elements, each of which has a top surface for cooking food. Each grilling element also has a trench running along the length of this grilling element. The grilling elements are attached to rails that support and connect the grilling elements. 
     The grilling elements and trenches are not closed at the end, which makes them easy to clean. 
     The grilling elements have spaces or openings between them, to allow hot air to pass through the grill. In order for the trenches to catch drippings from the food, the grilling elements need to be slanted and/or shaped so that the drippings run down the sides of the grilling elements or otherwise end up in the trenches. Seen from above, ideally the spaces between the grill elements should not be visible. Ideally, the top surfaces of the grilling element should overhang the trench of the adjacent grilling elements. In a preferred embodiment, the grilling elements seen from the side are a slanted s-shape: the slant is oriented to direct drippings from the food into the trenches. 
     In one embodiment, the rails are of different sizes, thus allowing the drippings and grease to run to one side of the grill, where they can be dealt with. 
     In an optional embodiment, the grilling elements include tabs that are designed to wrap around the prongs of the rails, and the grilling elements are detachably attached to the rails. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a grill for cooking above a heat source comprising: two or more grill elements, each grill element having a length, each grill element including a top surface located opposite the heat source, each grill element including a trench running along the length of the grill element, the ends of the trenches being left open and the ends of the grill elements being left open, and the grill elements being slanted to direct liquids falling onto the grill from above the grill into the trenches. In an aspect of this invention, the grill elements are placed and slanted so that the top of each grill element overhangs the trench of the adjacent grill element. In another aspect, the two or more grill elements are arranged so that there are openings between the grill elements, and the grill elements being slanted so that, when viewed looking perpendicularly down on the top surfaces of the grill elements, the openings between the grill elements cannot be seen. In another aspect of this invention, there are at least two rails, and the grill elements are attached to the at least two rails. In a further aspect, the at least two rails are sized to tilt the trenches. In another aspect, the there are at least two rails, and the grill elements are detachably attached to the at least two rails. In a further aspect, the at least two rails are sized to tilt the trenches, and the grill elements are detachably attached to the at least two rails. In another aspect, the at least two rails have fingers, and the grill elements have tabs, and the tabs are detachably attached to the fingers. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a grill for cooking above a heat source comprising: two or more grill elements, each grill element having a length, each grill element including a top surface located opposite the heat source, each grill element including a trench running along the length of the grill element, the ends of the trenches being closed with a hole pierced therethrough, and the grill elements being slanted to direct liquids falling onto the grill from above the grill into the trenches. In an aspect of this invention, the grill elements are placed and slanted so that the top of each grill element overhangs the trench of the adjacent grill element. In another aspect, the two or more grill elements are arranged so that there are openings between the grill elements, and the grill elements being slanted so that, when viewed looking perpendicularly down on the top surfaces of the grill elements, the openings between the grill elements cannot be seen. In another aspect of this invention, there are at least two rails, and the grill elements are attached to the at least two rails. In a further aspect, the at least two rails are sized to tilt the trenches. In another aspect, the there are at least two rails, and the grill elements are detachably attached to the at least two rails. In a further aspect, the at least two rails are sized to tilt the trenches, and the grill elements are detachably attached to the at least two rails. In another aspect, the at least two rails have fingers, and the grill elements have tabs, and the tabs are detachably attached to the fingers. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       A grill suitable for use on a barbeque is disclosed. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the first embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side view of the first embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the first embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a first enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a second enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  is a second isometric view of the grill of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the second embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 14  is a right side view of the second embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the second embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the grill. 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 18  is a first enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 19  is a second enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 21  is a second isometric view of the grill of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  shows tabs which can be used to detachable attach the grills pictured in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 12  to the rails, as seen in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
         FIG. 24  shows the rails without the grilling elements. 
         FIG. 25  shows the grilling elements of  FIG. 23  detachable attached to the grills of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the grill. Turning to  FIG. 1 , there is a grill  10  with two or more elongated grill elements  12 , elongated meaning that they have a length dimension  300  (please see  FIG. 3 ) that is greater in relation to their width dimension  302  (please see  FIG. 2 ). Each grill element has a top surface  14  and a trench  13  running generally along the length of the grill element  12 . Supporting the grill elements  12  are rails  16  and  18 . In use, the grill is placed above a heat source so that heat flows in direction  100  up through the grill (i.e. arrow  100  is pointing towards the bottom of the grill) in direction  102  (i.e. arrow  102  is pointing away from the top of the grill). 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the isometric view of  FIG. 1 , showing rail  16  and a grill element  12  with a top surface  14  and forming a trench  13 . The grill-element  12  is s-shaped or slanted so as to funnel drippings from food sitting on top surface  14  into trench  13 , but s-shaped grill element  12  also overhangs the trench  13   a  of the neighbouring grill element funnel drippings from the other side  12   a  of grill element  12  into trench  13   a.    
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the first embodiment of the grill. Turning to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that rail  16  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  12 . Each grill element  12  has an S-shaped or slanted profile as seen from this view. Rail  18  is also shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  12 . Each grill element  12  has a width  302 . 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 2 . Turning to  FIG. 7 , rail  16  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  12 .  FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 2 . Turning to  FIG. 8 , rail  16  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  12 . Surface  30  of  FIG. 7  is sized so as to be able to nest against surface  32  of  FIG. 8  when two grills  10  are placed side by side, so that the top of grill element  34  in  FIG. 8  overhangs the trench  36  in  FIG. 7 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , the s-shaped grill element is covered by surface  35  (having surfaces  35   a,    35   b  and  35   c ) which is designed to funnel drippings from food into trench  36 , but also surfaces  35  overhangs trench  36   c,  and surface  35   c  is shaped to funnel drippings into trench  36   b.    
     Note that because rails  16  and  18  support the grill elements  12  from below, the ends of trenches  13  and the ends of top surfaces  14  are not closed. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the ends of the trenches  12  and top surfaces  14  are left open. The tops and ends of these trenches being open makes it possible to more easily clean the grill and allows drippings, fat and juices to run out of trenches  13 . In other embodiments, the ends of the trenches  12  and top surfaces  14  are closed but have an opening therethrough to allow drippings to escape. 
       FIG. 10  is a second isometric view of the grill of  FIG. 1 . Turning to  FIG. 10  there is the grill  10  with two or more grill elements  12 , each with a top surface  14 . Supporting the grill elements  12  are rails  16  and  18 .  FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 10 . Turning to  FIG. 11 , rail  18  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  12 , each of which has a top surface  14 . There are openings  20  between each grill element  12 . These openings  20  allow heat to pass from beneath to above the grill (in directions  100  and  102  as seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a right side view of the grill of  FIG. 1 , showing rails  16  and  8 , and a grill element  12  with a top surface  14  and a trench  13 .  FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a section of  FIG. 3 , showing rail  16  and a grill element  12  with a top surface  14 . Each grill element  12  has a length  300 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the grill of  FIG. 1 , showing two or more grill elements  12  with top surfaces  14  and trenches  13 .  FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the grill of  FIG. 1 , showing rails  16  and  18  as well as a two or more grill elements  12  and openings  20 . The top view in  FIG. 4  is from a perspective perpendicular to the top surfaces  12 . In a preferred embodiment, from the perspective in  FIG. 4 , the openings  20  between the grill elements  12  cannot be seen. 
     In use, the grill  10  is placed over a heating means and the food cooks on top surfaces  14 . Fat or drippings escaping from the food falls into and is channelled along trench  13 , thus minimizing flare-ups (which usually occur when fat escapes from the food and falls directly into the heating means below the grill). However, heated air can still pass through the grill  10  through spaces  20 . Note that since the heated air is passing by trenches containing drippings from the food, this may enhance the flavour of the food as it cooks. In a preferred embodiment, the openings  20  cannot be seen from the perspective of  FIG. 4 , as this will provide the best protection against flare-ups. However, this grill can still function to restrict flare-ups even if some of the openings are visible from above. 
     The ends of trenches  13  and the ends of top surfaces  14  are open. This allows for the easier cleaning of the grill  10 , compared to grills where trenches or similar structures are closed at the ends. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, the rails are of different sizes so that drippings or fat falling into the trenches is funnelled to one side of the grill, where it can be dealt with in a graceful manner so as to avoid flare-ups. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the grill. Turning to  FIG. 12 , there is a grill  110  with two or more elongated grill elements  112 , elongated meaning that they have a length dimension  400  (please see  FIG. 14 ) that is greater in relation to their width dimension  401  (please see  FIG. 13 ). Each grill element  112  has a top surface  114  and a trench  113  running generally along the length of the grill element  112 . Supporting the grill elements  112  are rails  116  and  118 . In use, the grill is placed above a heat source so that heat flows in direction  1100  up through the grill (i.e. arrow  1100  is pointing towards the bottom of the grill) in direction  1102  (i.e. arrow  1102  is pointing away from the top of the grill). 
       FIG. 17  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the isometric view of  FIG. 12 , showing rail  116  and a grill element  112  with a top surface  114  and forming a trench  113 . The grill-element  112  is s-shaped or slanted so as to funnel drippings from food sitting on top surface  114  into trench  113 , but s-shaped grill element  112  also overhangs the trench  113   a  of the neighbouring grill element funnel drippings from the other side  112   a  of grill element  112  into trench  113   a.    
     Rail  116  is larger than rail  118 , so that when grill  110  is laid upon a flat surface, the grill elements  112  are tilted. Dimension  115  of rail  116  is larger than dimension  117  of rail  118 . 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the first embodiment of the grill. Turning to  FIG. 13 , it can be seen that rail  116  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  112 . Each grill element  112  has an S-shaped profile as seen from this view. Rail  118  is also shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  112 . 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 13 . Turning to  FIG. 18 , rail  116  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  112 .  FIG. 19  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 13 . Turning to  FIG. 19 , rail  116  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  112 . Surface  130  of  FIG. 18  is sized so as to be able to nest against surface  132  of  FIG. 19  when two grills  110  are placed side by side, so that the top of grill element  134  in  FIG. 19  overhangs the trench  136  in  FIG. 18 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 18 , the s-shaped grill element is covered by surface  135  (having surfaces  135   a,    135   b  and  135   c ) which is designed to funnel drippings from food into trench  136 , but also surfaces  135  overhangs trench  136   c,  and surface  135   c  is shaped to funnel drippings into trench  136   b.    
     Note that because rails  116  and  118  support the grill elements  112  from below, the ends of trenches  113  and the ends of top surfaces  114  are not closed. In the preferred embodiment in  FIG. 18 , the ends of trenches  112  and top surfaces  114  are left open. The tops and ends of these trenches being open makes it possible to more easily clean the grill and allows droppings, fat and juices to run out of trenches  113 . In other embodiments, the ends of the trenches  112  and top surfaces  114  are closed but have an opening therethrough to allow drippings to escape. 
       FIG. 21  is a second isometric view of the grill of  FIG. 12 . Turning to  FIG. 21  there is the grill  110  with two or more grill elements  112 , each with a top surface  114 . Supporting the grill elements  112  are rails  116  and  118 .  FIG. 22  is an enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 21 . Turning to  FIG. 22 , rail  118  is shaped to support the curves and structure and slant of grill elements  112 , each of which has a top surface  114 . There are openings  120  between each grill element  112 . These openings  120  allow heat to pass from beneath to above the grill (in directions  1100  and  1102  as seen in  FIG. 12 ). 
       FIG. 14  is a right side view of the grill of  FIG. 12 , showing rails  116  and  118 , and a grill element  112  with a top surface  114  and a trench  113 .  FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of a section of  FIG. 14 , showing rail  116  and a grill element  112  with a top surface  114 . Each grill element has a length  400 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the grill of  FIG. 12 , showing two or more grill elements  112  with top surfaces  114  and trenches  113 .  FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the grill of  FIG. 12 , showing rails  116  and  118  as well as two or more grill elements  112  and openings  120 . The top view in  FIG. 15  is from a perspective perpendicular to the top surfaces  112 . In a preferred embodiment, from the perspective in  FIG. 5 , the openings  120  between the grill elements  112  cannot be seen. 
     In use, the grill  110  is placed over a heating means and the food cooks on top surfaces  114 . Fat or drippings escaping from the food falls into and is channelled along trench  113 , thus minimizing flare-ups (which usually occur when fat escapes from the food and falls directly into the heating means below the grill). However, heated air can still pass through the grill  110  through gaps or spaces  120 . Since rail  116  is larger than rail  118 , fat dripping into trench  113  is funneled along trench  113  towards rail  118 , where it can be disposed of in a manner than minimizes the chance of food-burning flare-ups. In a preferred embodiment, the openings  120  cannot be seen from the perspective of  FIG. 15 , as this will provide the best protection against flare-ups. However, this grill can still function to restrict flare-ups even if some of the openings are visible from above. 
     Since the ends of trenches  113  and the ends of top surfaces  114  are left open, the trenches  113  and top surfaces  114  of the grill  110  are easily cleaned. 
     If desired, in either the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , additional rails may be used in the same manner as rails  16  and  18  (or  116  and  118 ) for additional support. 
     As an additional option for the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , turning to  FIG. 23 , at least one tab  200  can be added to the ends of grill elements  12  (or equivalently  112 ) to provide detachable attachment of the grill elements  12  (or equivalently  112 ) to rails  16  and  18  (or equivalents  116  and  118 ). Turning to  FIG. 24 , rails  16  and  18  have fingers  206  and  208  and are connected by support members  202  and  204 . Tabs  200  fit around fingers  206  and  208  so that grill elements  12  are detachably attached to rails  16  and  18 .  FIG. 25  shows multiple grill elements  12  detachably attached to rails  16  and  18 . Although  FIGS. 23, 24 and 25  have been discussed in terms of the first embodiment seen in  FIG. 1 , the same approach may be used with the second embodiment grill of  FIG. 12 . The detachably attached grill elements allows for easier cleaning of the grill and grill elements, and for easier repair and maintenance.