Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/151,800, filed Jun. 2, 2011, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/350,826, filed Jun. 2, 2010, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     This is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61,438,077, filed Jan. 31, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/350,826, filed Jun. 2, 2010, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/438,077, filed Jan. 31, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to food grilling racks that can be used to contain food and then be placed upon a cooking surface such as an outdoor grilling surface. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for stuffing a selected food stuffing into a food item such as a pepper or other vegetable food item. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus that holds a volume of food stuffing material (e.g., a rice based stuffing, cheese based stuffing or a mixture of meat and cheese and possibly other food items). 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Food items are often placed upon a perforated plate, which is then placed upon a barbecue pit, outdoor grill or other outdoor cooking surface. Such perforated plates are commercially available. At times, they are provided with handles for enabling a user to lift and move the plate before and after use. It is common and known to grill a number of different food items on such perforated grilling plates, such as onions, peppers, corn, and other food items. 
     Some food items such as jalapeno peppers or bell peppers can be stuffed with food items such as a breaded mixture of rice and meat or seafood. In such a case, users often cut the pepper transversely or longitudinally and fill each of the cut halves with a selected stuffing or filling. 
     One of the problems with the prior art grilling racks is that the food items can often fall in between the openings or become stuck in the openings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the upper plate removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing funnel; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing plunger or push rod; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the food dispensing plunger and push rod; 
         FIGS. 12-13  are sectional views illustrating the method of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating the method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Grilling rack  10  is in the form of a two part frame  11  which can be metallic (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). Frame  11  has a lower section  12  and an upper section  13 . Upper section  13  is a removable plate that can be perforated or apertured. 
     The upper section or plate  13  can be in the form of a perforated plate that can be removed from the lower section  12  by lifting the upper section  13  upwardly. Lower section  12  has a corrugated bottom panel  20  (see  FIGS. 2-4 ) that has troughs  21  and peaks  22  (See  FIGS. 2-3 ). Bottom panel  20  can be of a mesh material (e.g., stainless steel mesh) or of solid plate metal (e.g., stainless steel). Lower section  12  can be generally rectangular, providing side walls  14 ,  15  and end walls  16 ,  17 . Each end wall  16 ,  17  can be provided with a handle. End wall  16  has a handle  23 . End wall  17  has a handle  24 . Each trough  21  and peak  22  is connected with an inclined panel  25 . (See  FIG. 4 .) While multiple troughs  21  are shown, a single trough  21  could be provided on an elongated lower section  12  having a single row of openings  19  in an upper section  13  (as an alternate embodiment). 
     The upper section or plate  13  nests within the side walls  14 ,  15  and end walls  16 ,  17  and rests upon the plurality of peaks  22  of corrugated bottom panel  20  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ). The lower section  12  can be of welded metal construction including troughs  21  which can be formed of sections of angle members, flanged members or the like that are welded together. Alternatively, a single sheet of material can be corrugated to the shape of lower section  12  using a stamp or die. 
     Each trough  21  has a trough  21  lower end  26  that is centered upon the center  27  of an opening  19  as seen by referring to reference line  28  in  FIG. 3 . In this fashion, when an elongated food item (such as an elongated pepper  18 ) is placed in an opening  19 , the lower end of the pepper  18  also registers in the V-shaped trough  21  and more particularly in the lower most portion  26  thereof (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     When grilling stuffed elongated peppers (e.g., a jalapeno), the upper section or plate  13  is placed upon the lower section  12  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ). Notice in  FIG. 3  that the center  27  of each opening  19  is vertically aligned with the lowest end  26  of a trough  21  as indicated by the dotted reference line  28  in  FIG. 3 . Lower end  29  of pepper  18  rests in lower end  26  of trough  21 . Circular edge  30  that defines each opening  19  engages and supports pepper  18  in between its upper end  39  and lower end  29  as seen in  FIGS. 2-3 . Upper section or plate  13  is shown having an array of openings  19 . In  FIGS. 1-2 , there are seven rows of openings  19 , six openings  19  in each row. However, more or fewer rows can be provided. Each row can provide any selected number of openings  19 . 
     In  FIGS. 5-8 , an alternate version of the grilling rack is designated by the numeral  10 A in  FIGS. 5-6 and 8  and numeral  10 B in  FIG. 7 . For the racks  10 A- 10 B, there is no upper section or plate  13 . 
     In  FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 , the rack  10 A includes a pair of cylinders or cylindrically shaped members or receptacles  31 . Each cylinder  31  has an open top  32  and an interior  33  for holding a vegetable or other food item or a container of seasoning such as an opened can  34  of any selected beverage. Rack  10 B in  FIG. 7  provides only cylinder  31 . Each receptacle  31  is attached to corrugated bottom panel  20 . Receptacle  31  can be placed anywhere on the rack  10 A. Panel  20  can be a single sheet of corrugated material or a plurality of tapered or V-shaped members welded together. Corrugated panel  20  can have handles  23 ,  24  connected thereto (e.g., welded). 
     The present invention provides an improved grilling rack apparatus that enables a user to cook many food items including elongated peppers that have been stuffed with a filler or filling. For the embodiment of  FIGS. 4-8 , food item  35  such as poultry can be supported upon (e.g. skewered) a cylinder  31  that contains flavoring (e.g. opened can  34  of any selected liquid or spices or vegetables). Arrow  36  in  FIG. 8  illustrates placement of can  34  within interior  33  of cylinder  31  via open top  32 . A food item  35  such as a chicken can be placed over (e.g., skewered) the combination of opened can  34  and cylinder  31  as indicated by arrows  37  in  FIG. 8 . Such final position of the food item (e.g., poultry carcass, chicken, etc.) is designated as  38  in  FIG. 8  wherein the can  34  (or other spice or flavoring) occupies interior  33  of cylinder/receptacle  31  and the food item  35  is skewered over both cylinder  31  and the contained can  34  or spice or flavoring. Receptacle  31  can be placed anywhere on the rack  10 B. 
       FIGS. 9-11  show the food dispensing funnel, plunger, push rod.  FIGS. 12-14  show the method of the present invention. In  FIG. 11  there is a food stuffing apparatus, designated generally by the numeral  40 . Food stuffing apparatus  40  includes a receptacle or funnel  41  that can contain a volume of a selected food stuffing  58  (e.g., rice or cheese or meat based stuffing or dressing). Receptacle  41  can be of metallic (e.g., stainless steel) or plastic (e.g., any food grade plastic) construction. This food stuffing or dressing  58  can be added to interior  53  of receptacle  41  via an open top  44  at upper end portion  43 . The receptacle  41  has upper end portion  43  and lower end portion  45 . Tapered portion  47  joins upper end portion  43  to lower end portion  45 . (See  FIGS. 9, 11 .) 
     Upper end portion  43  can include a circular rim or edge  56 . A dispensing outlet opening  46  is provided at lower end portion  45 . Receptacle  41  can be manually supported and manipulated using handle  42  which is attached to the outer surface of receptacle  41  at attachments  54 ,  55 . (See  FIGS. 9, 11 .) 
     Plunger  48  has head  49  with lower end portion  50 . Head  49  has a circular, generally flat end surface  51 . Plunger  48  has a handle  57  attached at joint  52  to plunger head  49 . Head  49  can be generally cylindrically shaped or can have a taper as shown in  FIG. 10 . Outlet opening  46  has a circular configuration that closely matches the size and shape of end surface  51  of plunger  48 . Outlet opening  46  can be of the same diameter or slightly larger in diameter than plunger  48  surface  51 . Head  49  is preferably of a food grade plastic or metal material. Handle  57  can be of wood, plastic or metal. 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate more particularly the method of the present invention. In  FIGS. 12-14 , there can be seen an array  67  of peppers  18  placed in grilling rack  10 . As shown in the  FIGS. 1-8  and as discussed in the preceding, corresponding text, the grilling rack  10  has a lower section  12 , upper section  13 , a plurality of openings  19  and a corrugated bottom panel  20 . Each pepper  18  is first cut using a knife to form a transverse cut  63  and a pepper opening  64  through which food stuffing can enter the pepper cavity  65 . The cavity  65  extends between pepper opening  64  and lower end  66  as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
     After each pepper  18  is cut to provide the pepper opening  64  and to expose cavity  65 , the pepper  18  is placed on rack  10  with opening  64  facing up as shown in  FIG. 14 . Once each of the openings  19  of rack  10  is fitted with a pepper  18  as shown in  FIG. 14 , a user fills each pepper  18  cavity  65  with food stuffing  58  of the user&#39;s choice. During the filling of each pepper  18  cavity  65  with food stuffing  58 , a user positions one hand  61  to hold the handle  42  of receptacle or funnel  41 . The user grasps plunger  48  with the other hand  60  as shown in  FIG. 14 . An up and down movement of the plunger  48  relative to the receptacle  41  forces the stuffing  58  through the cylindrically shaped channel  62  at lower end portion  45  of receptacle  41 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a downward movement of plunger  48  as indicated by arrow  59  wherein stuffing  58  is pushed by plunger head  49  through lower end  45 , through channel  62 , and into pepper  18  cavity  65 . Note in  FIG. 12  that the lower end portion  45  of receptacle  41  is sized and shaped to fit inside of pepper  18  lower end of cavity  66 . The external diameter of lower end portion  45  at dispensing outlet opening  46  is preferably about the same diameter or is a smaller diameter when compared to the diameter of pepper opening  64 . This arrangement can be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
     By using the method of the present invention, a user can prepare an entire array  67  of peppers upon grilling rack  10  for placement in a cooking device, oven, barbeque pit, or the like. 
     The method of the present invention enables an entire array  67  of peppers to be supported in a position that places the lower end portion of the pepper in trough  21  of grilling rack  10  while orienting the transversely cut pepper opening  64  upwardly. In this fashion, the opening  64  easily receives lower end portion  45  and opening  46  of receptacle  41  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The user raises and lowers the plunger  48  repeatedly to push food stuffing into cylindrically shaped channel  62  and then into cavity  65  until the pepper  18  cavity  65  is filled with stuffing as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . In  FIG. 14 , most of the peppers  18  have been stuffed with food stuffing  58 . A final row at  68  shows six peppers  18  that have not yet been filled with food stuffing  58 . Once the user fills the cavity  65  of each pepper  18 , the array  67  of peppers supported upon rack  10  are placed in heat transfer contact with a selected cooking device, smoker, camp fire, barbeque pit, oven or the like. 
     PARTS LIST 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     Parts Number Description 
     
         
         
           
               10  grilling rack 
               10 A grilling rack 
               10 B grilling rack 
               11  frame 
               12  lower section 
               13  upper section/plate 
               14  side wall 
               15  side wall 
               16  end wall 
               17  end wall 
               18  pepper 
               19  opening 
               20  corrugated bottom panel 
               21  trough 
               22  peak 
               23  handle 
               24  handle 
               25  inclined panel 
               26  lower end 
               27  center of opening 
               28  reference line 
               29  lower end 
               30  circular edge 
               31  cylinder/receptacle 
               32  open top 
               33  interior 
               34  can 
               35  food item 
               36  arrow 
               37  arrow 
               38  position 
               39  upper end 
               40  food stuffer/food stuffing apparatus 
               41  receptacle/funnel 
               42  handle 
               43  upper end portion 
               44  open top 
               45  lower end portion 
               46  dispensing outlet opening 
               47  tapered portion 
               48  plunger 
               49  plunger head 
               50  lower end portion 
               51  flat, circular end surface 
               52  joint 
               53  interior 
               54  attachment 
               55  attachment 
               56  rim/edge 
               57  handle 
               58  food stuffing 
               59  arrow 
               60  user&#39;s hand 
               61  user&#39;s hand 
               62  cylindrically shaped channel 
               63  transverse cut 
               64  pepper opening 
               65  cavity 
               66  lower end of cavity 
               67  array of peppers 
               68  final row 
           
         
       
    
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Technology Category: 1