# US 2019/0167036 A1 · Oven system for pressed food items > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167036 A1 - Document ID: US20190167036A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/269,105 - Filed: 2019-02-06 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-21 - Assignees: Turbochef Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: TurboChef Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: James K. Pool, III; Pete Ashcraft; Karl Jobst - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167036A1 ## CPC - A47J 37/0611: {the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons} - A21B 3/131: {removable, foldable or disposable} - F24C 15/16: Shelves, racks or trays inside ovens; Supports therefor - A47J 2037/0617: {with means to adjust the distance between heating plates} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - A21B: BAKERS' OVENS; MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING (domestic baking equipment A47J37/00) - F24C: DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES (exclusively for solid fuels F24B); DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for creating a pressed food item in an oven cooking cavity. The oven system is secured within the oven cooking cavity and is not dependent upon oven door movement or any other oven function. A movable platen is configured to move up and down with respect to a lower platen in order to press a food item during the cooking process. The movable platen may be activated via an actuating arm that extends and is manipulated from outside the oven cooking cavity. In another example, the movable platen may be activated by motor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An oven system for pressed food items, comprising: a frame supporting a first platen and a second platen, the frame configured to be positioned within an oven cooking cavity, and the second platen configured to move with respect to the first platen, an actuation system configured to allow the second platen to be raised and lowered with respect to the first platen, and an actuating arm configured to cooperate with the actuation system and extend outside of the oven cooking cavity, wherein manual activation of the actuating arm from outside the oven cooking cavity causes movement of the second platen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises a linkage connecting the first platen and the second platen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system comprises hinged connectors connecting the first platen and the second platen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The oven system of claim 3, wherein the actuation system further comprises a rotation actuator comprising (a) an oven-side connection that cooperates with a rotatable element on the frame and (b) an actuating arm-side connection that cooperates with the actuating arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The oven system of claim 4, wherein the oven-side connection of the rotation actuator comprises an elongated protrusion, where in the rotatable element of the frame comprises a groove, and wherein mating between the elongated protrusion and the groove both secures the frame within the oven cavity and provides cooperation between the actuating arm and the upper platen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, wherein the actuating arm comprises an extension portion the extends the handle outside the oven cooking cavity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, wherein the cooking cavity comprises delivery of forced hot air and a microwave system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, wherein the first platen and second platen each have a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface and the second surface may be any combination between a flat surface, a rubbed surface, a slotted surface, or a stone surface, with the first surface having the same surface pattern as the second surface or a different surface pattern. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, further comprising an oven housing comprising a support with an internal channel for securing the actuating arm in place on a side of the oven housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The oven system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket securing the upper platen in place with respect to the frame. ### Claim 11 An external system configured to activate an oven system for pressed food items, comprising: a first platen configured to be positioned within an oven cooking cavity; a second platen configured to move with respect to the first platen, an actuating system cooperating with both the first platen and the second platen, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuating arm configured to be secured to at least one pivot point of the actuating mechanism, wherein raising and lowering of the actuating arm causes consequent raising and lowering of the second platen. ### Claim 12 A method for pressing a food item in an oven, comprising: providing a food item pressing system comprising upper and lower platens that are secured but movable within the oven, moving the upper platen to an open position; positioning a food item to be pressed on the lower platen; lowering the upper platen to a closed position such that it contacts the food item to be pressed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the upper platen is moved via an external actuating arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the upper platen is moved via a motor.