A method for operating a food processing apparatus comprises: collecting feedback information by means of a human-machine interface (MMI), and/or by means of at least one sensor; creating, by means of a local control unit, feedback data sets representing one or more of the feedback information items; sending the feedback data sets from the apparatus to a central computing unit; classifying, by means of the central computing unit, the feedback data sets on the basis of at least one stored feedback comparison data set; generating, by means of the central computing unit, a change signal depending on the classification of at least one feedback data set; sending the change signal to the apparatus; changing a user input request directed to the user by the MMI in the apparatus based on the change signal and/or changing a function program of the apparatus based on the change signal.

A method for operating a food processing apparatus comprises: collecting feedback information by means of a human-machine interface (MMI), and/or by means of at least one sensor; creating, by means of a local control unit, feedback data sets representing one or more of the feedback information items; sending the feedback data sets from the apparatus to a central computing unit; classifying, by means of the central computing unit, the feedback data sets on the basis of at least one stored feedback comparison data set; generating, by means of the central computing unit, a change signal depending on the classification of at least one feedback data set; sending the change signal to the apparatus; changing a user input request directed to the user by the MMI in the apparatus based on the change signal and/or changing a function program of the apparatus based on the change signal.

The invention relates to a meal preparation assembly for preparing meals for infants, that includes a first culinary preparation module, such as a mixing module, and a connection base (8; 8′) for at least the first module (6; 4′, 6′), the base being adapted to be supplied with electrical energy and including an electrical connector (90; 90′, 92) in order to connect the first module in a removable manner and to transfer the electrical energy to the first module when it is connected, this electrical connector (90; 90′, 92) being retractable. The assembly includes a second steam cooking module (4, 4′) which is separate and distinct from the first module (6; 6′) and the base includes a user interface.

A master controller programmed to execute a recipe, stored in computer memory, for a finished food product, prepared from a plurality of raw ingredients; a raw ingredients storage unit controller controlled by the master controller and programmed to control a mechanism for getting the plurality of raw ingredients for the recipe; a cleaning controller controlled by the master controller and programmed by computer software to control one or more cleaning devices configured to clean one or more of the plurality of raw ingredients; a manipulator controller programmed to control one or more devices which physically manipulate one or more of the plurality of raw ingredients by one or more of grinding, mincing, peeling, cutting, and rolling one or more of the plurality of raw ingredients; and a heater controller programmed to control one or more heating devices to heat one or more of the plurality of raw ingredients.

A cooking device comprises a power supply, a cooking pot, and a hot plate connected to the power supply and on which the cooking pot sits. The hot plate applies heat to the cooking pot. A plurality of food ingredient dispenser compartments is positioned upright in adjacent locations, aligned in a row at a front of the cooking device. A robotic arm consisting of five articulating joints provide a robotic arm with five corresponding degrees of motion. A computing device connected to the robotic arm controls the robotic arm to move the robotic arm according to the five degrees of motion to separately grasp and hold on to each of the plurality of upright food ingredient dispenser compartments, lift each grasped food ingredient dispenser compartment from its respective position in the row at the front of the cooking device, move each lifted food ingredient dispenser compartment to a position above the cooking pot, and rotate each lifted food ingredient dispenser compartment from its upright position substantially about a horizontal axis while positioned above the cooking pot to dispense food ingredients stored therein into the cooking pot.

A cooking device comprises a power supply, a cooking pot, and a hot plate connected to the power supply and on which the cooking pot sits. The hot plate applies heat to the cooking pot. A plurality of food ingredient dispenser compartments is positioned upright in adjacent locations, aligned in a row at a front of the cooking device. A robotic arm consisting of five articulating joints provide a robotic arm with five corresponding degrees of motion. A computing device connected to the robotic arm controls the robotic arm to move the robotic arm according to the five degrees of motion to separately grasp and hold on to each of the plurality of upright food ingredient dispenser compartments, lift each grasped food ingredient dispenser compartment from its respective position in the row at the front of the cooking device, move each lifted food ingredient dispenser compartment to a position above the cooking pot, and rotate each lifted food ingredient dispenser compartment from its upright position substantially about a horizontal axis while positioned above the cooking pot to dispense food ingredients stored therein into the cooking pot.

An end of arm tool for robotic cooking system having: a rotary actuator, a flexible coupling, a linear actuator, a gripper operably connected with the linear actuator and designed to releasably grip an object. The flexible coupling is connected with the rotary actuator and releasably engaging an engagement means of a plurality of the containers for holding a supply of an ingredient. The flexible coupling is designed to compensate misalignment and/or ensure easy entering of the engaging part of the flexible coupling to the corresponding engagement means of the plurality of the containers. The gripper comprising two rods associated with load cells, providing a representation of a load on the gripper; each rod is provided with a ledge having one or more recesses, designed to accommodate an object gripped; the rods are provided with heads, to engage with cavities on a container for holding a supply of an ingredient.

Proposed is a grain dispenser including: a storage unit including a plurality of storage hoppers in which different kinds of grain, respectively, are stored; a stirring and washing container accommodating the kinds of grain to be dispensed from the storage unit; a water supply unit supplying water to the stirring and washing container; a water draining unit draining the water from the stirring and washing container; a container actuator rotating the stirring and washing container in different directions in order to stir and wash the kinds of grain accommodated; and a controller controlling the storage unit, controlling the container actuator, determining an amount of water for meal cooking and a macerating time, controlling the water supply unit, counting an elapsed time in a state where as much water as the amount of water for meal cooking is supplied, and providing alerting information when the multigrain mixture is completely macerated.

Proposed is a grain dispenser including: a storage unit including a plurality of storage hoppers in which different kinds of grain, respectively, are stored; a stirring and washing container accommodating the kinds of grain to be dispensed from the storage unit; a water supply unit supplying water to the stirring and washing container; a water draining unit draining the water from the stirring and washing container; a container actuator rotating the stirring and washing container in different directions in order to stir and wash the kinds of grain accommodated; and a controller controlling the storage unit, controlling the container actuator, determining an amount of water for meal cooking and a macerating time, controlling the water supply unit, counting an elapsed time in a state where as much water as the amount of water for meal cooking is supplied, and providing alerting information when the multigrain mixture is completely macerated.

A cover for an automated robot includes elastic sheets that are adhered to each other in a geometry. The geometry is configured to allow the elastic sheets to expand and contract while the automated robot moves within its range of motion. The elastic sheets are attached to the automated robot by elasticity of the elastic sheets. A first group of the elastic sheets forms an elastic collar configured to grip the automated robot at a distal end and a proximal end of the cover in a non-breakable manner such that during operation of the robot, the elastic sheets hold their elasticity and integrity without breaking.