COOKING MANAGEMENT DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROVED DISPLAY

Abstract

A food cooking management device configured to be removably positioned on a cooking vessel, the cooking management device including a control device in which is stored data characterizing a type of cooking vessel on which the cooking management device is positioned and/or several cooking cycles activated by a control unit, as well as a segmented liquid crystal display that permits emitting visual signals to the user, wherein the control device is configured to activate one or more segments of the display to permit displaying a first icon representing a first type of cooking vessel corresponding to the stored data and/or a first cooking cycle activated, the control device being configured to display at least a second icon representing a second type of cooking vessel and/or a second cooking cycle by activating at least one segment activated to display the first icon

Claims

1. A food cooking management device configured to be removably positioned on a cooking vessel, said cooking management device including a control device in which is stored data characterizing a type of cooking vessel on which it the cooking management device is positioned and/or several cooking cycles activated by a control unit, as well as a segmented liquid crystal display that permits emitting visual signals to the user, wherein the control device is configured to activate one or more segments of the display to permit displaying a first icon representing a first type of cooking vessel corresponding to the stored data and/or a first cooking cycle activated, the control device being configured to display at least a second icon representing a second type of cooking vessel and/or a second cooking cycle by activating at least one segment activated to display the first icon.

2. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to activate a segment in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, in order to display the first icon representing a frying pan, the stored data characterizing a frying pan.

3. The food cooking management device according to claim 2, wherein the control device activates is configured to activate the segment in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, as well as a segment formed of two straight lines extending from the side branches, in order to display the second icon representing a saucepan or a Dutch oven, the stored data characterizing a saucepan or a Dutch oven.

4. The food cooking management device according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to activate the segment in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, the segment formed of two straight lines extending from the side branches, as well as a curved segment and a segment formed of two hooks and a vertical line, in order to display a third icon representing a pressure cooker, the stored data characterizing a pressure cooker.

5. The food cooking management device according to claim 4, wherein a number of segments activated by the control device to form the first, second and third icons is lower than 7.

6. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, further comprising a manual control unit that permits the user to modify the data characterizing the type of cooking vessel stored.

7. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic recognition system that permits autonomously modifying the data characterizing the type of cooking vessel stored.

8. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection system connected to the control device, the connection system being configured to cooperate with a temperature sensor positioned on the cooking vessel.

9. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to activate a substantially rectangular segment of the display, including a notch representing a food to be prepared, the control device activating a segment formed of several short lines positioned above the food when a sear cycle is activated to display a first icon, or a segment formed of several short lines positioned above the notch when a cook thoroughly cycle is activated to display a second icon, or a segment formed of several disks positioned above the food when a simmer cycle is activated to display a third icon.

10. The food cooking management device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to activate one or more display segments to display an icon representing the cooking cycle activated, as well as the icon representing the type of cooking vessel corresponding to the data stored, the icon representing the cooking cycle being designed to be displayed inside the icon representing the type of cooking vessel.

11. A set formed of at least one cooking vessel and a cooking management device according to claim 1.

12. The set according to claim 11, wherein the cooking vessel includes a handle, the cooking management device being positioned on the handle.

13. The food cooking management device according to claim 5, wherein the number of segments activated by the control device to form the first, second and third icons is lower than 5.

14. The food cooking management device according to claim 8, wherein the connection system includes pads.

Description

[0037] The invention will be more fully understood in consideration of the embodiments, which are in no way restrictive, illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking vessel including a cooking management device according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the handle of the cooking vessel including the cooking management device illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the cooking management device illustrated in FIG. 1, as well as the display.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a table of icons displayed by the display illustrated in FIG. 3, according to the type of cooking vessel and the cooking cycle.

[0042] As seen in FIGS. 1 to 2, a cooking vessel 1 includes a bowl 2 which includes a bottom 3 and a side wall 4. The bowl 2 is made of a non-magnetic material, in particular of aluminum, for example by striking a disk or by casting. The bottom 3 presents a thickness in which is inserted a temperature sensor 80, in particular a thermocouple or a negative temperature coefficient resistor. The cooking vessel 1 includes a handle 7 in which is removably positioned a cooking management device 20. The cooking management device 20 is connected, for example electrically, to the temperature sensor 80 in order to receive information representing the temperature of the bottom 3. The cooking management device includes a display 30 and a control device 50, in particular of the display 30.

[0043] As seen in FIG. 2, the handle 7 includes a cavity 70 in which is positioned a connector 60. The cavity 70 is closed with a cover 71. The connector 60 is equipped with a first contact area 61 and a second contact area 62. The first contact area 61 and second contact area 62 are connected to the temperature sensor 80 by two conductive parts 63, 64. The cooking management device 20 includes the first pad 25 and the second pad 26 connected to the control device 50 and intended to cooperate with the first contact area 61 and second contact area 62. The handle 7 includes a housing 8 equipped with a through opening 9. The cooking management device 20 includes a foot 29 intended to cooperate with the through opening 9 in order to keep the cooking management device 20 on the handle 7, as well as the first pad 25 and the second pad 26 in contact with the first contact area 61 and the second contact area 62. The foot 29 may hold a supply battery (not shown in the figures) of the cooking management device 20. Advantageously, the through opening 9 is intended to form a ring for hanging up the cooking vessel 1.

[0044] The control device 50 includes a system 21 to recognize automatically the type of cooking vessel 1 on which the cooking management device 20 is positioned. The automatic recognition system 21 acts on the display 30 to adapt the signals emitted by the display 30 according to

the type of cooking vessel 1 recognized.

[0045] The cooking management device 20 is intended to cooperate with different types of cooking vessels each including a temperature sensor 80, in particular a thermocouple with a specific resistance range characteristic of the type of cooking vessel. The automatic recognition system 21 includes a memory 22 in which are stored the resistance value ranges, each value range being associated with data characterizing the type of cooking vessel. The automatic recognition system 21 is designed to detect the resistance value of the thermocouple and, based on the value ranges stored, to determine the data characterizing the type of cooking vessel and store it in the memory 22. The control device 50 controls the display 30 according to the data stored in the memory 22.

[0046] The cooking management device 20 includes an on/off button 28. Each time the device is switched on, the automatic recognition system 21 is activated to detect the type of cooking vessel on which the cooking management device 20 is installed.

[0047] In accordance with FIG. 3, the display 30 includes an area 31 presenting a particular arrangement of segments, intended to display icons representing a type of cooking vessel and icons representing cooking cycles. The cooking icons are stored in the memory 22 and the cooking management device 20 includes a control unit 27 which permits activating a cooking cycle. The control device 50 displays in the area 31 the icon representing the cooking cycle activated.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a table of icons displayed by the area 31 of the display 30 according to the type of cooking vessel and the cooking cycle selected. Advantageously, the icon representing the cooking cycle is inserted inside the icon representing the

cooking vessel.

[0049] The type of cooking vessel characterized by data referenced as I in the memory 22 corresponds to a frying pan. The control device 50 activates a segment 34 of the display 30 in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, in order to display the icon representing a frying pan.

[0050] The type of cooking vessel characterized by data referenced as II corresponds to a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates the segment 34 in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, as well as a segment 35 formed of two straight lines extending from the side branches, in order to display the icon representing a saucepan or a Dutch oven.

[0051] The type of cooking vessel referenced as III corresponds to a pressure cooker. The control device 50 activates the segment 34, the segment 35 as well as a curved segment 36 and a segment 38 formed of two hooks and a vertical line, in order to display a third icon representing a pressure cooker. The hooks represent locking of the lid and the vertical line represents the steam exhaust valve.

[0052] The cooking cycle referenced as A corresponds to the sear cycle compatible with a frying pan or a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates a substantially rectangular segment 40 of the display including a notch representing a food to be prepared and a segment 41 formed of several short lines positioned above the food representing a release of heat.

[0053] The cooking cycle referenced as B corresponds to the cook thoroughly cycle compatible with a frying pan or a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates the segment 40 and a segment 42 formed of several short lines positioned above the notch representing a release of heat from inside the food.

[0054] The cooking cycle referenced as C corresponds to the simmer cycle compatible with a frying pan or a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates the segment 40 and a segment 43 formed of several disks

positioned above the food, representing a release of steam bubbles. The control device 50 also activates a curved segment 37 representing a lid when the cooking vessel is a frying pan. The control device 50 activates a segment 44 formed of several disks and the curved segment 36 representing a lid when the cooking vessel is a saucepan or a Dutch oven.

[0055] The cooking cycle referenced as D corresponds to the heat cycle compatible with a frying pan or a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates the segment 40 and a segment 45, 46 formed of a circular arrow positioned above the cooking vessel, representing the heating symbol. The control device 50 also activates the curved segment 36 or the curved segment 37.

[0056] The cooking cycle referenced as E corresponds to the boil cycle compatible with a saucepan or a Dutch oven. The control device 50 activates a segment 47 formed of a wavy line and a segment 48 formed of several disks positioned above the line, representing a release of steam bubbles above a liquid food. The control device 50 also activates the curved segment 37.

[0057] The cooking cycle referenced as F corresponds to the pressure cook cycle compatible with a pressure cooker. The control device 50 activates the segments 44, 48 formed of several disks representing a release of steam bubbles.

[0058] As seen in FIG. 3, the display 30 includes an area 32 with information on the cooking temperature status of the cooking vessel in relation to the cooking cycle selected. The area 32 includes three color icons 10, 11, 12 printed on the display 30: a blue icon 10, a green icon 11 and a red icon 12. The control device 50 activates a circular segment 13 surrounding the green icon 10 in order to indicate to the user that the cooking temperature is correct. The control device 50 activates a circular segment 14 surrounding the blue icon 11 in order to indicate to the user that the cooking temperature is too low and that the user can increase the heating power. The control device 50 activates a

circular segment 15 surrounding the red icon 12 in order to indicate to the user that the cooking temperature is too high and to prompt the user to reduce the cooking power.

[0059] The display 30 includes an area 33 forming a timer to display cooking times.

[0060] During use, the user chooses a cooking vessel 1 adapted to the size and/or type of food the user wishes to prepare, such as a frying pan, for example, and the user fits the cooking management device 20 onto this cooking vessel. The user then turns on the cooking management device 20, which activates the automatic recognition system 21 which detects the resistor value of the temperature sensor 80. The automatic recognition system 21 then determines that it is positioned on a frying pan and the control device 50 activates a segment 34 of the display in the shape of a flattened U having two short side branches, in order to display the icon representing a frying pan. The user then selects the cooking cycle using the control unit 27, such as the sear cycle, for example. The control device 50 activates a substantially rectangular segment 40 of the display including a notch representing a food to be prepared and a segment 41 formed of several short lines positioned above the food representing a release of heat. The user then places the cooking vessel 1 on a hot plate that the user has previously switched on. During food preparation, the control device 50 will activate, depending on the heating cycle selected, one of the circular segments 13, 14, 15 surrounding one of the colored icons 10, 11, 12 in order to indicate to the user the cooking temperature status and to permit the user to adjust the heating power if necessary.

[0061] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been provided only as examples. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of composition of the various components or by substitution of equivalent techniques, without departing

from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0062] Thus, in one variant, the cooking management device 20 includes a radio wave transceiver, in particular a Bluetooth transceiver, to cooperate with a remote terminal, in particular a smartphone, which has an application containing recipes, each recipe being associated with a cooking cycle.