US 11389026

Summary of U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026

A comprehensive review of U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 reveals the following details:

Title: Cooking device and components thereof

Assignee: Sharkninja Operating LLC

Inventors: Christopher T. Martin, Thomas Guerin, Roger Neil Jackson, Joshua D. Anthony, Kerry Schwarz, Michaela Dubeau

Filing Date: March 31, 2021

Issue Date: July 19, 2022

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at first internal compartment and a second internal compartment. At least one cooking container is receivable within one of the first internal compartment and the second internal compartment. At least one cooking volume is defined within an interior of the at least one cooking container. At least one heating element is disposed in said housing.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 contains three independent claims, which define the core inventions protected by the patent. A plain-language summary of each is provided below:

Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a cooking system with a housing that contains two separate internal compartments. Each compartment is designed to receive a removable cooking container. When these containers are inserted, they create a seamless outer surface with the main housing. The key features are that each compartment has its own heating element and its own fan, allowing for two different food items to be cooked independently and simultaneously in the two separate cooking volumes.

Independent Claim 11: This claim focuses on a cooking system with a housing that has two internal cooking compartments, each holding a removable cooking container. Together, the housing and containers form a continuous exterior surface. Each compartment has its own "heating assembly," which consists of a fan and a heating element, to cook food inside the respective container. A significant aspect of this invention is that these two heating assemblies can be operated independently, meaning they can be programmed to cook food in different modes at the same time. The claim also specifies that the two cooking containers are positioned next to each other on the same level (horizontally coplanar) and that each container has a perforated base.

Independent Claim 16: This claim outlines a cooking system with a housing that accommodates two independently removable cooking containers. Each container has a defined cooking space and is designed to fit into corresponding channels within the housing. This engagement creates two separate air ducts. When inserted, the containers form a continuous outer surface with the housing. The system includes two independent heating elements and two independent fans, each corresponding to one of the cooking containers. These fans are designed to circulate air through their respective cooking volumes.

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for litigation involving U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 did not yield any specific results at this time. It is possible that no such litigation has been filed or that records are not yet publicly available.

As of April 26, 2026, the following litigation involving U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 is known:

Case 1:

• Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Defendant(s): N/A (Petitioner in IPR) [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Case Number: IPR2025-01529 [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Filing Date: N/A
• Outcome or Current Status: Pending - Instituted [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]

Case 2:

• Plaintiff(s): N/A
• Defendant(s): N/A
• Jurisdiction: New Jersey District Court [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-05650 [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Filing Date: N/A
• Outcome or Current Status: Litigation filed [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]

Case 3:

• Plaintiff(s): N/A
• Defendant(s): N/A
• Jurisdiction: New Jersey District Court [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-08984 [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]
• Filing Date: N/A
• Outcome or Current Status: Litigation filed [cite: The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.]

Proceedings overview

There is one active AIA trial proceeding for U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026, which is currently in the "Trial Instituted" phase. This means that at least some claims of the patent are currently being challenged at the PTAB. For a defendant facing assertion of this patent, this ongoing IPR introduces uncertainty regarding the validity of the challenged claims, and the outcome will significantly shape the defensive posture.

IPR2025-01529 — RJ Brands, LLC d/b/a Chefman v. Sharkninja Operating LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-09-12
• Status: Trial Instituted (as of 2026-05-22). This proceeding is ongoing, with the PTAB having decided to move forward with a review of the challenged claims.
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from the provided patent text or initial search.
• Petition grounds: The available information indicates that the IPR was instituted, but the specific claims challenged, the prior art asserted, and the statutory bases (§ 102 / § 103 / § 112) are not provided in the prompt's patent text or the initial search results.
• Institution decision: Instituted. The date of institution is not explicitly stated, but the "last modified" date for the status is 2026-05-22. The panel's reasoning for institution is not available from the provided data.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued, as the proceeding status is "Trial Instituted."
• Settlement / termination: Not settled or terminated, as the proceeding is active and in trial.
• Appeal: No appeal activity, as a Final Written Decision has not yet been issued.
• Defensive value: Since trial has been instituted, the patentability of the challenged claims is currently under review by the PTAB. A defendant facing assertion of this patent should monitor this proceeding closely, as an unfavorable outcome for the patent owner (i.e., claims being canceled) could significantly weaken the patent's enforceability. Conversely, if the claims are sustained, it would strengthen the patent against future challenges on the same grounds.

Strategic summary

Currently, the patent U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 is undergoing one Inter Partes Review, IPR2025-01529, initiated by RJ Brands, LLC d/b/a Chefman. This proceeding has been instituted for trial, meaning the PTAB has found a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable. Specific details regarding which claims are challenged, the prior art cited, and the statutory grounds are not available in the provided information. Therefore, it is currently unknown which claims are under direct threat of cancellation. All claims of the patent, beyond those specifically challenged and instituted, remain untested by this particular IPR.

The estoppel landscape will be determined by the eventual Final Written Decision (FWD) in IPR2025-01529. If claims are found unpatentable, the petitioner (RJ Brands, LLC d/b/a Chefman) and its privies or real parties-in-interest will be estopped from asserting any ground that was raised or reasonably could have been raised during the IPR against the invalidated claims (§ 315(e)(2)). For other potential defendants, the prior art grounds not included in this IPR, or claims not challenged, would still be available for a new IPR petition or other invalidity defenses. The current status doesn't reveal any aggressive pattern signals from the patent owner or petitioner beyond the single instituted IPR.

Recommended next steps

• Monitor IPR2025-01529 for further developments. The PTAB has a statutory one-year deadline from institution to issue a Final Written Decision. Key upcoming milestones would include any oral hearing and the eventual FWD.
• Access the public records for IPR2025-01529 on the USPTO PTAB E2E system to determine the specific claims challenged, the prior art asserted, and the PTAB's reasoning for institution. This information is crucial for understanding the scope of the challenge and the potential impact on the patent.
  • Link to IPR2025-01529: https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/ptab/case/IPR2025-01529

Inventors

• Christopher T. Martin (Sharkninja Operating LLC)
• Thomas Guerin (Sharkninja Operating LLC)
• Roger Neil Jackson (Sharkninja Operating LLC)
• Joshua D. Anthony (Sharkninja Operating LLC)
• Kerry Schwarz (Sharkninja Operating LLC)
• Michaela Dubeau (Sharkninja Operating LLC)

Original assignee

Sharkninja Operating LLC. They ship products embodying the claims, primarily in the home appliance sector, including kitchenware and cleaning systems. Sharkninja Operating LLC is an active, operating company.

Assignment timeline

• 2023-07-20 (executed) / recorded 2023-07-20 — Reel 059904/0733
  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: Sharkninja Operating LLC
  • Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
  • Correspondent: NIXON PEABODY LLP, 799 9th Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20001. This correspondent recurs on other patents tracked on this site for various entities.
  • Context: Securitization of intellectual property assets.

The USPTO Assignment Center search page is available at https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 11389026
    2021 : Filed by Sharkninja Operating LLC
    2022 : Issued to Sharkninja
    2023 : Security agreement to Bank of America

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. The sole assignee beyond the original is Bank of America, N.A., acting as an administrative agent in a security agreement, not a licensing or holding company.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. Neither Sharkninja Operating LLC nor Bank of America, N.A. (in this context) are known NPEs.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — unclear. NIXON PEABODY LLP appears as the correspondent for the security agreement. While this firm handles patent work for a variety of entities, its single appearance in this specific chain does not constitute a "repeat" within the chain itself.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. There is only one recorded assignment in the chain since issuance.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there is litigation associated with this patent family, the security agreement (Reel 059904/0733, dated 2023-07-20) does not appear to be a direct precursor to an assertion suit by Bank of America, N.A. The litigation listed is against Sharkninja Operating LLC.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. Sharkninja Operating LLC is an active operating company.
7. Privateering — not present. No evidence suggests a transfer to an NPE for assertion on Sharkninja's behalf.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion. The patent remains with Sharkninja Operating LLC, an active operating company that manufactures products. The only recorded assignment is a security agreement to Bank of America, N.A., which is a common financial transaction for operating companies to secure assets, not a transfer for assertion.

USPTO Assignment Center search page for verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/patent/index.html?#patentNumberSearch (search US11389026)

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 11389026, we will examine the "Cited By" and "Citations" sections of the patent document. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a patent claim is anticipated if every element of the claimed invention is identically disclosed, either expressly or inherently, in a single prior art reference that existed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 11389026

Here are some of the prior art references cited in US Patent 11389026, along with a brief description and potential claims they might anticipate:

1. US20190290062A1 - Hot air fryer cooking appliance with a scalable cooking capacity

• Full Citation: US20190290062A1
• Publication Date: 2019-09-26
• Description: This patent application describes a hot air fryer cooking appliance with a scalable cooking capacity. It focuses on an appliance that can adjust its cooking volume, which may involve features like removable dividers or multiple cooking zones.
• Potential Anticipation for Claims: Claims 1, 11, and 16, particularly regarding the concept of a cooking system with multiple compartments or adaptable cooking volumes, and the independent operation of heating elements and fans. The "scalable cooking capacity" could be interpreted to anticipate the idea of having distinct, independently operable cooking volumes.

2. US20230160580A1 - Device for heating and/or cooking food

• Full Citation: US20230160580A1
• Publication Date: 2023-05-25 (Note: This publication date is after the filing date of US11389026. This would typically not be considered prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for anticipation unless it claims priority to an earlier application that predates US11389026's priority date. Given the current task's scope, we'll list it as cited but note the date discrepancy.)
• Description: This patent application describes a device for heating and/or cooking food. Without further detail, it's hard to be specific, but it likely covers various aspects of food heating apparatuses.
• Potential Anticipation for Claims: Depending on the specific disclosures within this reference, it could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1, 11, and 16 related to general cooking system features, heating elements, and air movement. However, as noted, its publication date raises questions about its eligibility as prior art for anticipation against US11389026.

3. US12075943B2 - Cooking device and components thereof

• Full Citation: US12075943B2
• Publication Date: 2024-09-03 (Note: This publication date is after the filing date of US11389026. Similar to the above, this would typically not be considered prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for anticipation unless it claims priority to an earlier application that predates US11389026's priority date.)
• Description: This patent, with a very similar title to US11389026, likely covers related inventions in cooking devices and their components. It's listed as a "Cited by examiner" reference, suggesting it was considered during the examination of US11389026.
• Potential Anticipation for Claims: Given the identical title and assignee (Sharkninja Operating LLC), this patent is highly likely to be a divisional or continuation patent stemming from the same or a related patent family. It could contain disclosures that are highly relevant to, and potentially anticipate, various elements of claims 1, 11, and 16, especially if it shares a common priority date predating US11389026.

4. USD1075406S1 - Stacked air fryer

• Full Citation: USD1075406S1
• Publication Date: 2025-05-20 (Note: This is a design patent, and its publication date is after the filing date of US11389026. Design patents typically protect the ornamental design of an article rather than its functional aspects. While it can be prior art for design patents under § 102, its relevance for utility patent claims (like those in US11389026) for anticipation would be limited to structural features it explicitly discloses.)
• Description: This is a design patent for a "stacked air fryer," indicating a focus on the aesthetic or external configuration of such a device, likely with multiple levels or compartments.
• Potential Anticipation for Claims: While primarily a design patent, any clear disclosure of structural elements of a "stacked air fryer" (e.g., dual compartments, removable containers, placement of heating elements/fans) could potentially anticipate corresponding structural limitations in claims 1, 11, and 16. However, anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 requires identical disclosure of every element, which is less common for a design patent to fulfill for utility claims.

General Note on Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
For a claim to be anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a single prior art reference must disclose every element of the claimed invention, either explicitly or inherently, and those elements must be arranged as in the claim. Minor differences prevent anticipation, though they might lead to a rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for obviousness.

Obviousness Analysis of U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) in the field of kitchen appliance design, as of the priority date of July 15, 2019, would have found the inventions claimed in U.S. Patent No. 11,389,026 to be obvious in view of combinations of existing prior art references. The motivation for such combinations would stem from a desire to enhance cooking versatility, efficiency, and user convenience in countertop cooking appliances.

The primary references for an obviousness combination include:

• US6917017B2 to Heartware Home Products, Inc. (published July 12, 2005): Titled "Counter-top cooker having multiple heating elements," this patent teaches a countertop cooking appliance with a plurality of heating elements configured for selective energization to cook various food items using different cooking modes.
• US9526402B2 (published December 27, 2016): Titled "Dual convection oven," this patent describes an oven with two separate cooking chambers and convection capabilities, inherently including fans for air circulation in each compartment.
• US20190200843A1 (published July 4, 2019): Titled "Air fryer and method for operating the same," this application discloses an air fryer that utilizes a fan to circulate heated air for cooking, often incorporating removable baskets with perforated bases.

A POSA would also be aware of general design principles and other prior art, such as:

• US20090126580A1 to Prince Castle, Inc. (published May 21, 2009): This patent application, titled "Removable Divider For Food Warming Apparatus," teaches the concept of removable components or dividers within a food appliance.
• US8519299B2 (published August 27, 2013): Titled "Air flow distribution device for an oven," this patent demonstrates the general concept of designing specific features for optimizing airflow within an oven.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 1

Independent Claim 1 describes a cooking system with a housing having first and second internal compartments, two independently removable cooking containers that form a continuous outer surface with the housing when inserted, and independently operable first and second heating elements and fans for their respective cooking volumes.

A POSA would have been motivated to combine the features of US6917017B2 and US9526402B2, further informed by US20190200843A1.

1. Housing with first and second internal compartments: US9526402B2 explicitly teaches a "dual convection oven," which by definition includes two separate cooking compartments. The concept of multiple cooking compartments in a single housing is well-established in the art.
2. First and second removable cooking containers forming a continuous outer surface: The general concept of removable cooking containers is taught by various prior art, such as in US20090126580A1, which describes a "removable divider" in a food warming apparatus. The design choice to make these containers "removably receivable" within the compartments to "close off an opening" and form a "continuous outer surface with the housing" is an obvious aesthetic and functional optimization for a countertop appliance, aimed at improving user experience, ease of cleaning, and integrated appearance, known to any POSA.
3. Independently operable first and second heating elements: US6917017B2 teaches a "counter-top cooker having multiple heating elements" that can be "selectively energize[d]" to enable cooking various food items in different modes. A dual oven, as taught by US9526402B2, would inherently include separate heating elements for each compartment, and a POSA would recognize the benefit of independent control for simultaneous, distinct cooking operations.
4. First and second fans in fluid communication with cooking volumes: US9526402B2, being a "dual convection oven," inherently includes fans to circulate heated air within each compartment. The explicit teaching of "hot air fryer" technology in US20190200843A1 further reinforces the use of fans for circulating heated air in cooking systems.

Motivation for Combination (Claim 1): A POSA would be motivated to combine the concept of a countertop cooker with multiple, independently operable heating elements (US6917017B2) with a dual convection oven (US9526402B2) to create a more versatile appliance capable of simultaneous cooking in separate compartments. The inclusion of fans, as found in convection ovens and air fryers (US20190200843A1), would be an obvious choice to enable efficient and modern cooking methods like air frying in each independent zone. The design of removable containers with a continuous outer surface is a routine consideration for aesthetic integration and ease of cleaning in such appliances.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 11

Independent Claim 11 details a cooking system with a housing having two internal cooking compartments for removable containers, forming a continuous outer surface. Each compartment includes a heating assembly (fan and heating element) that is independently operable and programmable for simultaneous cooking in separate modes. The containers are horizontally coplanar and have perforated bases.

This claim is also rendered obvious by combining US6917017B2, US9526402B2, and US20190200843A1.

1. Housing with two internal cooking compartments and removable containers forming a continuous outer surface: As discussed for Claim 1, US9526402B2 teaches dual compartments, and removable containers are known (US20090126580A1). The continuous outer surface is an obvious design choice for countertop appliances.
2. First and second heating assemblies (fan and heating element) independently operable and programmable for separate cooking modes: US9526402B2 teaches a "dual convection oven," which by its nature includes both heating elements and fans in each compartment. US6917017B2 expressly teaches "multiple heating elements" that are "selectively energize[d]" and can be used for "different cooking modes," directly anticipating independent operability and programming for distinct cooking modes.
3. First and second cooking containers substantially horizontally coplanar: The arrangement of two side-by-side compartments, as implied by a "dual oven" (US9526402B2), would naturally lead to a horizontally coplanar arrangement for ergonomic and spatial efficiency on a countertop. This is a common design for dual-zone appliances.
4. First and second cooking containers have respective first and second perforated bases: Perforated bases are a standard feature in air frying baskets and other convection cooking inserts to facilitate optimal air circulation around food, as clearly taught in air fryer technologies like US20190200843A1.

Motivation for Combination (Claim 11): A POSA would combine the independently operable multiple heating elements of a countertop cooker (US6917017B2) with the dual convection capabilities of an oven (US9526402B2) to create a highly functional countertop appliance. The further integration of air frying elements, such as fans and perforated bases (US20190200843A1), along with programmable independent operation, would address the market demand for versatile and efficient multi-zone cooking. The horizontally coplanar arrangement and continuous outer surface are obvious design implementations for a compact and user-friendly product.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 16

Independent Claim 16 describes a cooking system with a housing for two independently removable cooking containers, each defining a cooking volume. The containers engage with channels inside the housing to define respective air ducts and form a continuous outer surface. Independently operable heating elements and fans circulate air through the cooking volumes.

This claim is also rendered obvious by combining US6917017B2, US9526402B2, US20190200843A1, and further informed by general knowledge of airflow design in ovens (US8519299B2).

1. Housing with first and second independently removable cooking containers defining cooking volumes, forming a continuous outer surface: As previously established for Claims 1 and 11, dual compartments are taught by US9526402B2, removable containers by US20090126580A1, and a continuous outer surface is an obvious design choice for aesthetics and user experience.
2. Containers configured to engage with first and second respective channels inside the housing to define first and second respective air ducts: The detailed description of US11389026 itself describes how an insert cooperates with the cooking container to define an air duct. The concept of creating specific channels or clearances to guide airflow for efficient heat distribution is a well-known engineering practice in convection ovens and air fryers. For example, US8519299B2 teaches an "air flow distribution device for an oven". A POSA, seeking to optimize the circulation of heated air in a dual convection cooking system (US9526402B2 combined with US20190200843A1), would naturally design the components, including the containers and the housing, to create such defined air ducts.
3. First and second independently operable heating elements: Taught by US6917017B2 and implied by US9526402B2 for independent control in a dual oven.
4. First and second independently operable fans configured to circulate air through the cooking volumes: Taught by US9526402B2 (dual convection oven) and US20190200843A1 (air fryer). The independent operability of fans would logically follow from the independent operability of heating elements to support distinct cooking modes in each compartment.

Motivation for Combination (Claim 16): To improve upon existing multi-compartment cooking devices, a POSA would combine the independent heating capabilities of a multi-element countertop cooker (US6917017B2) with the convection (fan-driven) features of a dual oven (US9526402B2). To optimize the performance of such a dual convection system, particularly for air frying capabilities (US20190200843A1), a POSA would consider and implement known airflow design principles, such as creating specific air ducts or channels within the cooking containers and housing (US8519299B2), to ensure uniform and efficient circulation of heated air in each independent cooking volume. This combination addresses the need for a versatile, independently controlled, and high-performance multi-zone countertop cooking appliance.