Patent US3788302A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Maintaining the water level in baking beans
Assignee: William Underwood Co
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Filing: 1971-10-29
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-10-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for baking a pot of beans comprising an oven for receiving therein and heating the pot, a water distributer to discharge water into the pot while the pot is in the oven, a water supply piped to the water distributer, a valve for regulating flow of water from the water supply to the distributer, a fluid level sensor for sensing the level of fluid in the pot while the pot is in the oven, a controller responsive to the sensor and controlling the valve, the controller being operatively connected to maintain during baking the level of fluid in the pot within a predetermined range. Method for baking a pot of food comprising the steps placing the pot in an oven, placing a water distributer in position to discharge water into the pot, installing a liquid level detector in position to detect the level of liquid in the pot while in the oven, connecting the level detector and the water distributer to automatic control equipment responsive to the level detector and operative to control flow of water to the water distributer to maintain the level of liquid in the pot between predetermined limits, applying heat to the pot for baking the food therein, removing from its installed position and cleaning the detector when the food is finished baking, removing from its installed position and cleaning the distributer when the food is finished cooking.
Inventors
- 👤 S Malaney
- 👤 J Mcmanus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:58
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/14; A47J27/18; B; B05; B05B; B05B1/00; B05B1/14; B05B1/20; B05B1/205; B05B1/207
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
The method for cleaning and maintaining the water level in pots of beans baking comprising the steps for: placing a pot of beans with sauce in an oven, placing a water distributor in position to discharge water into said pot in said oven, installing in a predetermined position in said pot in said oven a liquid level sensor with an outer tube having near an end thereof an aperture for communication to the interior thereof, said position being such that said aperture is beneath the fatty layer accumulating at the top of baking beans, thereby excluding the fatty component of bean sauce from the interior of said tube, connecting said level detector and said water distributor to automatic control equipment responsive to said level detector and operative to control flow of water to said water distributor to maintain the level of liquid in said pot between predetermined limits, applying heat to said pot for baking said food therein, removing from its installed position and cleaning said detector when the beans are finished baking, removing from its installed position and cleaning said distributor when said beans are finished cooking.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
The method for cleaning and maintaining the water level in pots of beans baking comprising the steps for: placing a pot of beans with sauce in an oven, placing a water distributor in position to discharge water into said pot in said oven, installing in a predetermined position in said pot in said oven a liquid level sensor with an outer tube having near an end thereof an aperture for communication to the interior thereof, said position being such that said aperture is beneath the fatty layer accumulating at the top of baking beans, thereby excluding the fatty component of bean sauce from the interior of said tube, connecting said level detector and said water distributor to automatic control equipment responsive to said level detector and operative to control flow of water to said water distributor to maintain the level of liquid in said pot between predetermined limits, applying heat to said pot for baking said food therein, removing from its installed position and cleaning said detector when the beans are finished baking, removing from its installed position and cleaning said distributor when said beans are finished cooking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for automatically maintaining the water level in a pot of beans baking in an oven comprising a water distributor for discharging water into a pot of beans baking in an oven, said distributor being connected to a water supply for supplying water thereto, a fluid level sensor means for sensing the level of fluid in a pot of beans during baking including outer tube means with an end for insertion into the contents of a pot of baking beans, said tube means having an aperture near said end for communication to the interior of said tube, a support for said sensor tube means for holding said tube in a predetermined position within a pot while beans are baking therein while permitting removal of said tube means from the pot upon completion of the baking, said position being such that said aperture is beneath the fatty layer accumulating at the top of baking beans, the fatty component of bean sauce being excluded from the interior of said tube means, and a controLler connected to said sensor means to be responsive thereto and to regulate the flow of water to said distributor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for automatically maintaining the water level in a pot of beans baking in an oven comprising a water distributor for discharging water into a pot of beans baking in an oven, said distributor being connected to a water supply for supplying water thereto, a fluid level sensor means for sensing the level of fluid in a pot of beans during baking including outer tube means with an end for insertion into the contents of a pot of baking beans, said tube means having an aperture near said end for communication to the interior of said tube, a support for said sensor tube means for holding said tube in a predetermined position within a pot while beans are baking therein while permitting removal of said tube means from the pot upon completion of the baking, said position being such that said aperture is beneath the fatty layer accumulating at the top of baking beans, the fatty component of bean sauce being excluded from the interior of said tube means, and a controLler connected to said sensor means to be responsive thereto and to regulate the flow of water to said distributor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2, said distributer being in the form of a ring for discharge of water around the periphery of said pot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said distributer is attached to a hanger for supporting said distributer on said pot in a predetermined position relative to said pot and for removing said distributer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller has a higher and a lower control level and operates to open a valve when the fluid level in said pot declines to the lower control level and to close said valve when the fluid level rises to the upper control level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lower control level is 3 percent less than said upper control level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |