Auto heat lamp

Abstract

A novel form of food heating lamp is disclosed with built-in sensors for auto-detection of food. This exemplary innovation provides sensors capable of measuring distance and can be added or replaced to be readily used in food warming equipment already in the field to allow for this energy saving capability to be widely enabled at low cost. The associated application allows easy control, reminders, notifications and reporting on user request.

Claims

1. A food warming apparatus with sensors to detect the presence of food comprising of: Heat lamp unit (a), Sensor (b), Power switch (c), Reflector body (d), Bulb (heat source) (e), Bulb power contact (f), Circuit enclosure (g), AC power cable (h), Connection bar (i), Interface unit featuring a male lamp attachment for connecting to a female lamp attachment for the heat source bulb; plus, circuitry (j) A Mechanism to attach the sensor to a pendant body, Gantry (l), Food carrier (m), Level of sensor (n), Bottom of the gantry (r), wherein the sensor comprises a distance measuring sensor configured such that: (i) when the apparatus is powered on, the circuitry automatically calibrates a default distance between the sensor and a nearest surface assumed to be an empty pass beneath the heat source; (ii) when the sensor registers a reduction in the measured distance relative to the calibrated default distance, the apparatus determines that an object has been placed beneath the heat source and activates the heat source: and (iii) when the sensor subsequently detects that the measured distance has returned to the default distance, the apparatus deactivates the heat source; wherein the circuitry is further configured to recalibrate the default distance when the measured distance exceeds the default distance by a predetermined threshold.

2. A combination of lamp or heating unit used to provide radiant heat to keep cooked food warm with sensors wherein: the sensors of claim 1 are a built-in technology; and configured such that: the sensors can detect the presence of items only directly beneath; the sensors can measure distance to the nearest surface, such that a significant fall in the distance measured registers the introduction of an item placed directly under the sensor; the sensors are capable of measuring distance; wherein the sensors include but not limited to ultrasonic sensors, infra-red distance sensors, time of flight sensors and lidar sensors; wherein the sensors are configured for automated calibration of the distance between sensor and the surface which requires heating when the circuit is powered on, and when an increase in measured distance is detected, in order to support many different heights of equipment without manual intervention and to eliminate the need for the presence of manual controls; and, the sensors provide option to incorporate wireless connectivity in the circuitry to allow for remote control and reporting with various features.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the possible design for heated gantry with halogen lamps side and beneath views incorporating the invention.

(3) FIGS. 3 and 4 show the possible design for pendant style food warmer side and bottom view incorporating the invention.

(4) FIGS. 5,6,7 & 8 show the possible design for a retro-fit replacement halogen unit from right, left, top and bottom incorporating the invention.

(5) FIG. 9 shows the possible design for a retro-fit add-on for pendant-style heating equipment incorporating the invention with alternate attachment solutions.

(6) FIG. 10 shows the components and connections of the circuitry of the invention

(7) FIG. 11 shows the distance from the sensor changes when food and its carrier are introduced beneath it.

(8) The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(10) In many industrialized countries throughout the world the number of meals prepared and consumed outside of the home has steadily increased and is now estimated to exceed the number of meals prepared in the home. Many restaurants have been established to prepare, serve and/or deliver hot food to consumers. Particularly, significant for modern food consumption of prepared food are establishments known as fast food restaurants. Popular hot foods such as fried chicken, hamburgers, pizzas, and tacos are among some of the staples of the fast food industry. Purposes of cooking food and serving it hot are the same for home cooking, restaurants and fast food restaurants and include killing potentially harmful bacteria and certain viruses, terminating the growth of such potentially harmful microbes, and enhancing the flavor or otherwise improving the palatability of food.

(11) The current invention as per its preferred embodiments provides a unique form of energy saving system with sensors to keep food warm evenly and effectively only when food is placed under it.

(12) The assembly as shown in FIG. 1-11 can be utilized in multiple settings. The assembly consist of Heat lamp unit (a), Sensor (b) and Power switch (c) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The FIGS. 5,6,7 and 8 show the retro-fit replacement halogen unit with Sensor (a), Reflector body (b), Bulb (heat source) (c), Bulb power contact (d), Bulb power contact (e), Circuit enclosure (f), AC power cable (g) and connection bar (h).

(13) The FIG. 9 shows retro-fit add-on for pendant-style heating equipment. The Interface unit features a male lamp attachment for connection to the original equipment and female lamp attachment for the heat source, Bulb and circuitry. The original heat source will be bulb and the Sensor will be attached to pendant body, which can be done mechanically with a screw clamp but could be any alternative, such as magnetic

(14) The FIG. 10 shows the components and connections which include AC as main power with a main circuit board consisting of AD>DC, Relay switch and Micro-controller. This is connected at backend with bulb as heating source and sensor to detect the food.

(15) The FIG. 11 shows the distance from the sensor changes when food and its carrier are introduced beneath it. The configuration involves Top of gantry (a), heat source unit (b), sensor (c), Food carrier (d), Level of sensor (e), Distance to empty (f), surface (default), Reduced distance to food or food carrier (g), Increased distance when food/carrier removed (h) and Bottom of gantry (i).

(16) The working of proposed invention involves a sensor and circuit associated with each individual overhead heat source incorporated in the food warming equipment (FIG. 1). The equipment is switched on, the circuitry is also powered up and the software calibrates the device and establishes the default distance between the sensor and the nearest surface, assumed to be the empty pass below as shown in FIG. 11. When the sensor registers a significant reduction in this distance (for instance 0.5 cm or 1%), it is assumed that a dish carrying food has been placed under the heat source, and power is supplied to it as shown in FIG. 11. When the measured distance returns to the default, the heat source is switched off as shown in FIG. 11. If the distance registered become significantly greater than the default distance (for instance 1% or more), the system recalibrates. This is to account for the possibility that the pass was not empty when the solution was first switched-on FIG. 11.

(17) The assembly as per its further embodiments as shown in FIG. 11 consists of Sensor capable of measuring distance, a switch, such as a relay, to allow DC circuitry to switch an AC power source to the heat source, a microcontroller (incorporating a CPU, memory and I/O) for running code which is connected to the sensor and switch, code for monitoring the sensor readings and activating the switch under the correct conditions, circuitry for converting an AC electricity supply to DC for driving the sensor, microcontroller and switch, optional mechanisms for attaching the sensor and circuitry to existing equipment and optional wireless connectivity components.

(18) The above circuitry and sensor could be incorporated in association with each heat source at the point of manufacture or alternately which is Incorporated with a heating unit holder that can be used to switch out a standard unit in equipment already in the field as shown in FIGS. 5,6,7 & 8. It is further Incorporated with a lamp holder that can be inserted between the original manufacturer supplied lamp holder and the heating lamp FIG. 9.

(19) While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

(20) Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(21) The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.