Chad A Erickson

US Patent:

6558726, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/967820

Inventors:

Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN
Wesley C. Drumm - Manitowoc WI

Assignee:

The Metal Ware Corporation - Two Rivers WI

International Classification:

A23N 1200

US Classification:

426466, 34371, 34576, 34586, 34591, 993235, 99474, 99483, 426467

Abstract:

A roasting apparatus for roasting nuts, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other small food stuffs comprising a base, a motor and afterburner assembly attached to the top of the base on one side thereof, a roasting assembly attached to the top of the base on the other side thereof, and a top cover assembly removably attached to the tops of the motor and afterburner assembly, and the roasting assembly. The apparatus further includes a blower assembly coupled to an electric motor for providing airflow through the roasting assembly, a fan coupled to the motor for providing airflow through the afterburner assembly, a drive assembly also coupled to the motor for driving an auger positioned within a roasting chamber of the roasting assembly, a roasting chamber heating assembly for heating the airflow from the blower assembly prior to entering the roasting chamber, a chaff collection assembly and filter positioned above the roasting chamber, and a digital control assembly for controlling and programming operation of the roasting apparatus. The afterburner assembly preferably includes an afterburner intake member for receiving exhaust gases from the roasting assembly, a catalyst heating element for heating the exhaust gases before entering a catalyst, and a catalyst heat shield surrounding the catalyst.

US Patent:

D3555640, Feb 21, 1995

Filed:

Mar 31, 1993

Appl. No.:

D/006031

Inventors:

David A. Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN
James B. Easley - Minneapolis MN
Richard C. Jackson - Minneapolis MN
Andrew L. Von Duyke - Greenwood MN

Assignee:

American Harvest, Inc. - Chaska MN

US Classification:

D 7350

US Patent:

54669120, Nov 14, 1995

Filed:

Jul 27, 1993

Appl. No.:

3/337692

Inventors:

David A. Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN
Troy M. Iverson - Chaska MN
Jeffrey E. Sandahl - Burnsville MN
Kevin B. Moore - Chaska MN
Neal P. Barnes - Maple Grove MN
James B. Easley - Minneapolis MN
Richard C. Jackson - Minneapolis MN
Andrew L. Von Duyke - Greenwood MN

Assignee:

American Harvest, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

F27D 704

US Classification:

219400

Abstract:

A convection oven includes a frame having a base member and two upright members which extend upwardly from the base member. A cooking chamber is removably supported by the frame and includes an upper enclosure member and a lower enclosure member. A housing attached to the upper enclosure member is configured so that cool air flows from a peripheral portion of an arm into a central portion of the housing and then is expelled from the arm over the upper surface of the upper enclosure member. A passive hinge connects the housing to the frame such that the housing and upper enclosure member may be both separated from the frame and lower enclosure member by lifting the housing vertically and pivoted relative to the frame and lower enclosure member. An extension ring selectively enlarges the size of the cooking chamber. A holster may hold the upper enclosure member and the housing when they are separated from the lower enclosure member.

US Patent:

60854421, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Mar 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/263416

Inventors:

Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN

Assignee:

The Metal Ware Corporation - Two Rivers WI

International Classification:

G26B 700

US Classification:

34381

Abstract:

A modular food dehydrator utilizing a heater blower assembly located on a top surface of a dehydrator module is disclosed. The heater blower assembly includes a motor driven fan, a heating element and an air distribution portion for directing heated air across the support surfaces. The heater blower assembly is preferably releasably attachable to the dehydrator module. In a first embodiment, the dehydrator module has a central opening extending generally vertically through the support surfaces in fluid communication with the heater blower assembly for directing heated air radially outward across the plurality of support surfaces. The dehydrator module preferably includes outlet vents on an outer perimeter surface for exhausting the heated air. At least one outlet vent is preferably located between each of the plurality of support surfaces. In a second embodiment, the dehydrator module includes air ducts on an outer perimeter surface in fluid communication with the heater blower assembly for directing pressurized, heated air radially inward across the plurality of support surfaces.

US Patent:

54203937, May 30, 1995

Filed:

Jan 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/182624

Inventors:

David A. Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
Steven M. Alseth - Cologne MN
Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN

Assignee:

American Harvest, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

F27D 704
F24H 304

US Classification:

219400

Abstract:

Assemblies for increasing airflow and heating efficiency in a multi-shelf food heating device having a base, a plurality of circular vertically stacked trays, and a top, wherein the airflow within the device is assisted by a fan is disclosed. One assembly involves a biasing system supported in the base for biasing the motor in place. Another assembly involves a thin, substantially planar constructed heater and a radial fan supported within a chamber of the base of the device, wherein the heater is aligned with the movement of the airflow within the chamber so that the airflow therein is substantially unobstructed by the heater. Another assembly involves providing the base with a wall substantially surrounding and adjacent an air inlet in the base to define a cavity into which substantially all of the airflow from the air inlet is directed, so that the motor is continuously cooled during operation of the device.

US Patent:

55200966, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Mar 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/397948

Inventors:

David A. Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN
Steven Alseth - Cologne MN
N. Philip Sked - Bloomington MN
Robert T. Lee - Clinton NC
Theodore H. Rehmeyer - Winston-Salem NC

Assignee:

American Harvest, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

A47J 2700
A47J 3700
A47J 4510
A21B 152

US Classification:

99340

Abstract:

A handle adapted for replacing a heater and blower system removably located in a central opening defined a top enclosure of a countertop oven. The handle comprises a mounting system for removably attaching the handle to the top enclosure in order to replace the heater and blower system when the heater and blower system is removed. The handle enables a user to remove the top enclosure from the bottom enclosure by lifting up on the handle when the handle is installed in the top enclosure. In this manner, the countertop oven may be converted to a food server comprising the handle, the top enclosure, and the bottom enclosure.

US Patent:

51653281, Nov 24, 1992

Filed:

Nov 12, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/790566

Inventors:

Chad Erickson - Plymouth MN
David Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
John Finn - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Alternative Pioneering Systems, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

A47J 2700
A47J 3700

US Classification:

99330

Abstract:

A rapid cooking method is provided in which food pieces are contacted with an air stream at a velocity of at least 1,000 linear feet per minute. Rapid cooking equipment is disclosed which creates high velocity air current.

US Patent:

55135587, May 7, 1996

Filed:

May 5, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/057446

Inventors:

Chad Erickson - Plymouth MN
David Dornbush - Prior Lake MN
John Finn - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

American Harvest, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

A47J 2700
A47J 3700

US Classification:

99330

Abstract:

A rapid cooking method is provided in which food pieces are contacted with an air stream at a velocity of at least 1,000 linear feet per minute. Rapid cooking equipment is disclosed which creates high velocity air current.