This inventor holds 3 USPTO granted patents and 2 EPO patents. Top assignees: Henny Penny Corporation, Utilization Technology Development, Nfp. Active years: 2017-2025.
Company Filing History:
3 out of 144 
1 out of 11 Years Active: 2017-2025
Title: The Innovations of Stephen L. Wilks
Introduction
Stephen L. Wilks is an accomplished inventor based in Trotwood, OH (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of cooking technology, particularly in the design and optimization of automatic fryers. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Wilks has focused on reducing oil volume while enhancing cooking efficiency.
Latest Patents
One of Wilks' latest patents is for an "Automatic fryer with heaters enabling reduced oil volume." This innovative cooking system is designed to minimize the amount of cooking medium required for operation while improving the temperature and flow characteristics of the cooking medium. The cooking vat features one or more heating elements and lanes for the flow of cooking medium and food products, ensuring that the heating elements do not impede the flow. Notably, printed heating elements can be coupled to or directly printed on the cooking vat, which reduces the total volume of retained cooking medium needed during the cooking process.
Another significant patent is the "Automatic fryer with oil-based product movement and reduced oil volume." This cooking system aims to optimize the amount of cooking medium while enhancing the reliability of food product movement through the fryer. The design includes heating elements positioned to avoid turbulent flow in the cooking medium, ensuring a smooth and efficient cooking process. This innovation not only improves the lifespan of the cooking medium but also reduces overall oil volume usage.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Stephen L. Wilks has worked with notable companies such as Henny Penny Corporation and Utilization Technology Development, Nfp. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in developing advanced cooking technologies.
Collaborations
Wilks has collaborated with talented individuals in his field, including Kimberly Reichelderfer and Frederick Pansing. These partnerships have likely played a role in the successful development of his innovative cooking systems.
Conclusion
Stephen L. Wilks is a notable inventor whose work in automatic frying technology has led to significant advancements in cooking efficiency and oil reduction. His patents reflect a commitment to innovation and improvement in the culinary industry.