FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A food preparation system includes a food treatment unit having a food treatment function, a functional unit having an auxiliary function associated with the food treatment function, and a control unit provided to cause execution of a recipe and to control the food treatment function and the auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner when guided by the recipe.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A food preparation system, comprising: a food treatment unit having a food treatment function; a functional unit having an auxiliary function associated with the food treatment function; and a control unit provided to cause execution of a recipe and to control the food treatment function and the auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner when guided by the recipe.

17. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit automatically sets operating parameters required to reach a predefined target value, when controlling the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function in the open-loop and/or closed-loop manner.

18. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is provided to output an information item before activating the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function.

19. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is provided to activate the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function as a function of an operating input.

20. The food preparation system of claim 16, further comprising a further functional unit having a further auxiliary function, which the control unit controls in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner when guided by the recipe.

21. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is provided to cause execution of a further recipe step of the recipe while performing the auxiliary function.

22. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit controls the food treatment function and the auxiliary function in the open-loop and/or closed-loop manner at least to some degree simultaneously when guided by the recipe.

23. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the food treatment unit is provided to treat food thermally via the food treatment function.

24. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the food treatment unit is a cooktop.

25. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the functional unit is provided to treat food mechanically via the auxiliary function.

26. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the functional unit is provided to output an information item via the auxiliary function.

27. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the functional unit is configured as a small appliance.

28. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is provided to output an operating prompt for positioning the functional unit in proximity to the food treatment unit.

29. The food preparation system of claim 16, wherein the control unit is integrated at least largely in the food treatment unit.

30. A method for operating a food preparation system, said method comprising controlling a food treatment function of a food treatment unit and an auxiliary function of a functional unit in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner when guided by a recipe.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising automatically setting operating parameters required to reach a predefined target value, when controlling the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function in the open-loop and/or closed-loop manner.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising outputting an information item before activating the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising activating the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function as a function of an operating input.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising controlling a further auxiliary function of a further functional unit in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner when guided by the recipe.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising executing a further recipe step of the recipe while performing the auxiliary function.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the food treatment function and the auxiliary function are controlled in the open-loop and/or closed-loop manner at least to some degree simultaneously when guided by the recipe.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the food treatment unit is provided to treat food thermally via the food treatment function.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the functional unit is provided to treat food mechanically via the auxiliary function.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising outputting an information item via the auxiliary function.

40. The method of claim 30, further comprising outputting an operating prompt for positioning the functional unit in proximity to the food treatment unit.

Description

[0040] Further advantages will emerge from the description of the drawing which follows. The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and bring them together in useful further combinations.

[0041] In the drawing:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of a food preparation system and

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a method for operating the food preparation system.

[0044] FIG. 1 in particular shows a food preparation system 10a, which in particular comprises at least one and advantageously just one food treatment unit 12a.

[0045] In the present exemplary embodiment the food treatment unit 12a in particular has a number of food treatment functions. In particular in a least one operating state the food treatment unit 12a treats at least one food and/or at least one dish and/or at least one product thermally by means of at least one of the food treatment functions. At least one of the food treatment functions could comprise for example sautéing and/or boiling and/or cooking and/or steam cooking and/or simmering and/or poaching and/or grilling and/or baking and/or keeping warm and/or heating and/or blanching and/or frying and/or steaming and/or deep-frying and/or braising and/or stewing. Only one of the food treatment functions is described in the following.

[0046] In particular the food treatment unit 12a is a cooking appliance. The food treatment unit 12a could for example be at least one oven, for example a cooker and/or a conventional oven. Alternatively or additionally the food treatment unit 12a could for example be a microwave and/or a grill appliance and/or a steam cooker. In the present exemplary embodiment the food treatment unit 12a is advantageously a cooktop 22a. The food treatment unit 12a is in particular an induction cooking appliance. In particular in the present exemplary embodiment the food treatment unit 12a is an induction cooktop.

[0047] The food preparation system 10a in particular has at least one and advantageously just one base body 24a. In the present exemplary embodiment the base body 24a is configured in particular as an appliance plate, in particular as a positioning plate and advantageously as a cooktop plate. In a mounted state the base body 24a in particular forms part of an appliance external housing, in particular a cooktop external housing, in particular an appliance external housing and advantageously a cooktop external housing, in particular of the food treatment unit 12a. The base body 24a is provided in particular for positioning cookware (not shown).

[0048] The food preparation system 10a has in particular at least one heating unit (not shown). In the present exemplary embodiment the food preparation system 10a in particular has a plurality of heating units. Only one of the heating units in particular is described in the following. In an installed position the heating unit is arranged in particular below the base body 24a. In a mounted state the heating unit is integrated in particular at least largely and advantageously completely in the food treatment unit 12a, in particular in the cooktop 22a. The heating unit is provided in particular to heat cookware positioned on the base body 24a above the heating unit.

[0049] The food preparation system 10a has in particular at least one and advantageously just one operator interface 26a. The operator interface 26a is provided in particular for inputting and/or selecting operating parameters, for example a heat output and/or heat output density and/or heating zone. The operator interface 26a is provided in particular for outputting a value of an operating parameter to an operator. In a mounted state the operator interface 26a is integrated in particular at least largely and advantageously completely in the food treatment unit 12a, in particular in the cooktop 22a. The food treatment unit 12a, in particular the cooktop 22a, in particular comprises the operator interface 26a.

[0050] The food preparation system 10a has in particular at least one and advantageously just one output unit 28a. The output unit 28a is configured at least partially as a single piece with the operator interface 26a. In particular the output unit 28a is part of the operator interface 26a. The operator interface 26a in particular comprises the output unit 28a.

[0051] The output unit 28a is provided in particular to output, in particular optically, to an operator. In the present exemplary embodiment the output unit 28a comprises in particular a liquid crystal display. Alternatively or additionally the output unit 28a could be provided to output for example optically and/or haptically to an operator.

[0052] In a mounted state the output unit 28a is integrated in particular at least largely and advantageously completely in the food treatment unit 12a, in particular in the cooktop 22a. The output unit 28a is in particular part of the food treatment unit 12a, in particular the cooktop 22a. Alternatively the output unit 28a could be integrated for example partially in the food treatment unit 12a and in particular partially in at least one mobile device of the food preparation system 10a. In particular the food treatment unit 12a, in particular the cooktop 22a, comprises the output unit 28a.

[0053] The food preparation system 10a in particular has at least one and advantageously just one control unit 16a. The control unit 16a is provided in particular to perform actions and/or to change settings as a function of operating parameters input by means of the operator interface 26a. In at least one heating operating state the control unit 16a in particular regulates an energy supply to the heating unit. In a mounted state the control unit 16a is integrated in particular at least largely and advantageously completely in the food treatment unit 12a, in particular in the cooktop 22a. The food treatment unit 12a, in particular the cooktop 22a, in particular comprises the control unit 16a.

[0054] In particular the food preparation system 10a comprises at least one functional unit 14a. For example the food preparation system 10a could comprise just one functional unit 14a. For example the food preparation system 10a could comprise at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least five, preferably at least six and particularly preferably multiple functional units 14a. Only one of the functional units 14a is described in the following.

[0055] The functional unit 14a in particular has at least one auxiliary function associated with the food treatment function. In the present exemplary embodiment the functional unit 14a is provided in particular to treat at least one food and/or at least one product and/or at least one dish mechanically by means of the auxiliary function. In the operating state the functional unit 14a in particular treats at least one food and/or at least one product and/or at least one dish mechanically by means of the auxiliary function.

[0056] In particular the food preparation system 10a comprises at least one further functional unit 18a, in particular in addition to the functional unit 14a. The further functional unit 18a in particular has at least one further auxiliary function associated with the food treatment function.

[0057] In the present exemplary embodiment the further functional unit 18a is provided in particular to output at least one information item by means of the further auxiliary function. In the operating state the further functional unit 14a outputs at least one information item in particular by means of the further auxiliary function. Alternatively or additionally the functional unit 14a could output at least one information item in particular by means of the auxiliary function in the operating state.

[0058] The control unit 16a is provided in particular to guide through at least one recipe, in particular for preparing at least one food and/or at least one product and/or at least one dish, in particular from at least one ingredient combination, in particular by way of the output unit 28a. In particular the ingredient combination defines a totality of all the ingredients provided to prepare the dish. In the operating state the control unit 16a guides through at least one recipe, in particular by way of the output unit 28a. In particular the control unit 16a is provided to guide through at least one recipe.

[0059] While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a controls in particular the food treatment function and the auxiliary function and in particular the further auxiliary function in an open loop and/or closed loop manner. In particular, while controlling the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function and/or the further auxiliary function in an open loop and/or closed loop manner, the control unit 16a automatically sets the operating parameters required to reach a predefined target value.

[0060] In particular while guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a outputs at least one information item, in particular by means of the output unit 28a and/or by means of the operator interface 26a. For example before performing and/or initiating at least one recipe step of the recipe the control unit 16a could output at least one information item, in particular by means of the output unit 28a and/or by means of the operator interface 26a.

[0061] In particular before activating the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function and/or the further auxiliary function the control unit 16a outputs at least one information item, in particular by means of the output unit 28a and/or by means of the operator interface 26a.

[0062] In particular while guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a activates the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function and/or the further auxiliary function, in particular solely, as a function of at least one operating input, in particular by means of the operator interface 26a. This results in particular in a high level of safety for an operator.

[0063] For time optimization reasons in particular, while guiding through the recipe, the control unit 16a could guide through at least one further recipe step of the recipe while performing the auxiliary function. While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a controls in particular the food treatment function and the auxiliary function and in particular the further auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed loop manner, at least to some degree simultaneously.

[0064] In particular before starting to guide through the recipe the control unit 16a outputs in particular at least one operating prompt, in particular by means of the output unit 28a and/or by means of the operator interface 26a. In particular the control unit 16a outputs at least one operating prompt for positioning the functional unit 14a and/or the further functional unit 18a in proximity 20a to the food treatment unit 12a.

[0065] The functional unit 14a is configured in particular as a small appliance. The functional unit 14a is configured in particular as a household small appliance. In particular the further functional unit 18a is configured as a small appliance. The further functional unit 18a is configured in particular as a household small appliance.

[0066] For example the functional unit 14a and/or the further functional unit 18a could be configured as a mixer and/or a blender and/or as a stirring appliance and/or as a chopping appliance and/or as a kneading appliance and/or as a food processor and/or as a buzzer and/or as a kitchen clock and/or as a microwave.

[0067] The functional unit 14a and/or the further functional unit 18a could be configured in particular as an electrical and/or electronic small kitchen appliance.

[0068] In a method for operating the food preparation system 10a, in particular while guiding through the recipe, the food treatment function of the food treatment unit 12a and the auxiliary function of the functional unit 14a and in particular also the further auxiliary function of the further functional unit 18a are controlled in an open-loop and/or closed loop manner, in particular by the control unit 16a.

[0069] In particular in at least one selection step 30a an operator selects at least one recipe, in particular from a catalog of recipes, in particular by means of the operator interface 26a. In particular in at least one initiation step 32a the control unit 16a in particular initiates guiding through the recipe, in particular as a function of an operating input, by means of which the operator in particular selects the recipe. The control unit 16a in particular transitions from the initiation step 32a to at least one recipe guidance step 34a, in which the control unit 16a guides in particular through the, in particular selected, recipe.

[0070] In particular while guiding through the recipe, in particular in the recipe guidance step 34a, the control unit 16a controls the food treatment function and the auxiliary function and in particular the further auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner. In at least one output step 36a in particular, before activation of the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function and/or the further auxiliary function, the control unit 16a outputs at least one information item, in particular to an operator. In particular in at least one activation step 38a, while guiding through the recipe, in particular in the recipe guidance step 34a, the control unit 16a activates in particular the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function and/or the further auxiliary function, in particular solely, as a function of at least one operating input.

[0071] In particular in at least one termination step 40a, the control unit 16a outputs in particular at least one information item relating to termination of the recipe.

[0072] Some examples of guidance through different recipes are set out in particular below, in particular describing guidance through the recipe based on different recipes selected by way of example.

[0073] For example an operator selects a recipe for preparing a Bolognese sauce. The recipe for preparing a Bolognese sauce could comprise the recipe steps set out by way of example in the table below.

TABLE-US-00001 Number Recipe step 1 Peel and chop onions and garlic 2 Peel and dice carrots 3 Heat a pan on the cooktop according to instructions and further to an, in particular acoustic, output, add oil and vegetables to pan 4 When the onions are soft and browning, add the ground meat and increase the heat output of the heating zone heating the pan according to instructions 5 Break the ground meat up with a wooden spoon. When the ground meat is cooked and lightly browned, add red wine to deglaze 6 When the red wine has evaporated, add the tomato puree and cook briefly 7 Chop the peeled tomatoes. Add the tomatoes, herbs and seasoning to the pan and reduce the heat output of the heating zone heating the pan according to instructions 8 Simmer the sauce for approximately half an hour

[0074] While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a could control at least one auxiliary function of the functional unit 14a, which could in particular be a blender, in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner, for example to chop at least one food, in particular onions and/or garlic. Alternatively or additionally the control unit 16a could in particular grind meat and/or puree tomatoes by means of the auxiliary function, in particular by means of at least one functional unit 14a, which could in particular be a blender.

[0075] In particular while performing the auxiliary function the control unit 16a could guide through at least one further recipe step of the recipe. For example while performing the auxiliary function, which could in particular be chopping at least one food, in particular onions and/or garlic, the control unit 16a could guide through at least one further recipe step of the recipe, in particular through the second recipe step of the recipe.

[0076] In particular while controlling the food treatment function and/or the auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner to reach a predefined target value, which could be for example a degree of fineness for chopping at least one food, the control unit 16a could set the required operating parameters automatically. The operating parameters could be in particular be a time period for performance of the auxiliary function and/or a speed of movement of cutting elements of the functional unit.

[0077] While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a controls the food treatment function and the auxiliary function and in particular the further auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner remotely and/or using wireless communication.

[0078] For example an operator selects a recipe for preparing a gorgonzola sauce. The recipe for preparing a gorgonzola sauce could for example comprise the recipe steps set out in the table below.

TABLE-US-00002 Number Recipe step 1 Heat a pan on the cooktop according to instructions. Further to an, in particular acoustic, output add butter and cheese to the pan 2 Pour in the cream and stir occasionally. Note: constant stirring substantially reduces risk of burning

[0079] While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a could in particular control the food treatment function and the auxiliary function in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner at least to some degree simultaneously, in order for example to prevent burning. For example the control unit 16a could treat at least one food and/or at least one product thermally by means of the food treatment function and mechanically in particular at least to some degree simultaneously by means of the auxiliary function.

[0080] In the example of the recipe for preparing a gorgonzola sauce in particular the control unit 16a could heat at least one food and/or at least one product by means of the food treatment function and stir it in particular constantly at least to some degree simultaneously in particular by means of the auxiliary function. The control unit 16a could in particular output at least one operating prompt to position the functional unit 14a, which could in particular be a stirring appliance, on the cookware, in particular on the pan.

[0081] While guiding through the recipe the control unit 16a could in particular control the functional unit 14a, which could in particular be a stirring appliance, automatically in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner and in particular allow an operator to perform at least one further activity, for example preparing at least one further food and/or at least one further product, which is to be added in particular at a later time, in particular while the control unit 16a performs the auxiliary function.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0082] 10 Food preparation system [0083] 12 Food treatment unit [0084] 14 Functional unit [0085] 16 Control unit [0086] 18 Further functional unit [0087] 20 Proximity [0088] 22 Cooktop [0089] 24 Base body [0090] 26 Operator interface [0091] 28 Output unit [0092] 30 Selection step [0093] 32 Initiation step [0094] 34 Recipe guidance step [0095] 36 Output step [0096] 38 Activation step [0097] 40 Termination step