RECHARGEABLE ELECTRIC FOOD THERMOMETER AND CHARGING DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a food thermometer with a temperature sensor, with a rechargeable battery, with a coil through which the battery can be inductively charged. The food thermometer may comprise an elongated, liquid-tight container having an opening at an end face, wherein the opening is closed in a liquid-tight manner by a cap. The disclosure further relates to a charger for the food thermometer. The charger may be a food processor.

Claims

1. A food thermometer comprising a temperature sensor, a rechargeable battery, and a coil through which the battery can be inductively charged.

2. The food thermometer of claim 1, further comprising an elongated, liquid-tight container having an opening at one end face, wherein the opening is closed in a liquid-tight manner by a cap.

3. The food thermometer of claim 2, wherein the cap is connected to the container in a materially bonded manner.

4. The food thermometer of claim 3, the coil is arranged at the bottom of the cap.

5. The food thermometer of claim 2, the container consists of metal and the cap consists of plastic.

6. The food thermometer of claim 1, wherein the food thermometer has a pointed end, and wherein the battery and a temperature sensor are arranged at the pointed end.

7. A charger for a food thermometer, the charger comprising a coil for inductively charging the food thermometer, and an elongated receptacle providing means for receiving and charging the food thermometer and/or a holder by which the food thermometer can be held for charging.

8. The charger of claim 7, wherein the shape of the food thermometer is adapted to the shape of the elongated receptacle in such a way that the food thermometer can be received by the elongated receptacle only in a predetermined location and orientation relative to the coil such that the food thermometer can be charged.

9. The charger of claim 7, wherein the charger is a charging tray with an elongated container.

10. The charger of claim 9, wherein the charging tray comprises the coil in an end side of the elongated container for charging the food thermometer.

11. The charger of claim 9, wherein the charging tray comprises a battery for charging the food thermometer.

12. The charger of claim 11, wherein the charging tray comprises a second coilconfigured to charge the battery of the charging tray.

13. The charger of claim 12, wherein the second coil is arranged in the bottom of the container of the charging tray.

14. The charger of claim 8, wherein the charger is a food processor comprising a stand part, a vessel insertable into the stand part, a mixing and/or cutting tool, and a motor as a drive for the mixing and/or cutting tool.

15. The charger of claim 14, wherein the food processor comprises a recess (25, 29) for one of a charging tray shaped to receive the food thermometer or shaped to receive the food thermometer directly.

16. The food thermometer of claim 2, wherein the food thermometer has a pointed end, and wherein the battery and a temperature sensor are arranged at the pointed end.

17. The charger of claim 8, wherein the charger is a charging tray with an elongated container.

18. The charger of claim 10, wherein the charging tray comprises a battery for charging the food thermometer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a front part 1 of a food thermometer. The front part 1 is shown in cross-section. The front part 1 comprises a tubular section 2, which is tightly closed at one end by a tip 3. The tubular section 2 and the tip 3 may have been produced from a single piece to ensure a tight connection between the tubular section 2 and the tip 3. However, it is also possible that the tubular section 2 and the tip 3 have first been produced separately. Subsequently, the tubular section 2 may have been materially bonded to the tip 2. The front part 1 is thus an elongated, tight container with an opening at one end face.

[0051] The tubular section 2 and the tip 3 may consist of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as metal. The tubular section 2 and the tip 3 may, in the case of metal, have been joined by welding or soldering or brazing following their producing. The tubular section 2 and the tip 3 may consist of a ceramic, for example.

[0052] Within the tubular section 2 there is a circuit board 4, which is connected to a rechargeable battery 6 via an electrical line 5. The circuit board 4 may be equipped with a radio unit to be able to send measured temperatures wirelessly. The circuit board may be equipped with an AC/DC converter that converts alternating current to direct current. The circuit board 4 may be equipped with an integrated circuit or with a microcontroller which can control the operation of the food thermometer.

[0053] The temperatures inside the food during its producing by heat supply are usually lower than outside the food. The battery 6 is located at the tip 3 to be protected from heat during operation. The battery 6 is protected from heat because the tip 3 is intended and suitable to be inserted into a food.

[0054] Inside the front part there is at least one temperature sensor 7, which is electrically conductively connected to the circuit board 4. The temperature sensor 7 may conveniently be located within the tip 3. It is then ensured that the temperature inside a food can be measured during its producing.

[0055] In FIG. 2, an end piece 8 of the food thermometer is shown in cross-section. The end piece 8 comprises a cap 9. The outer diameter 10 of the cap 9 is reduced at the opening of the cap 9. This may have been achieved by a reduced wall thickness. The material of the cap 9 preferably consists of a poorly heat conducting material such as plastic. The material of the cap 9 preferably consists of a non-metallic material to avoid electromagnetic shielding. This is another reason why plastic is a suitable material. The end piece 8 is then particularly suitable to be used as a handle. The material of the cap 9 may consist of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), for example. Alternatively, a ceramic material is possible.

[0056] One or more further temperature sensors may also be present to measure temperatures inside and outside a food. At least one temperature sensor is therefore preferably arranged in the upper half of the food thermometer, which is opposite the tip 3.

[0057] A coil 11 is present in the bottom of the cap 8. The coil 11 is connected to an electrical conductor 12.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the end piece 8 into the cap 9. The coil 11 and the electrical conductor 12 can therefore be seen. It can be seen that the electrical conductor 12 terminates in the center of the winding of the coil 11. The coil 11 may have been bonded to the bottom of the cap 9. The coil 11 may have been embedded into the material of the cap 9. The coil 11 may have been applied to a non-metallic substrate to avoid electromagnetic shielding.

[0059] The end piece 8 serves as a closure for the front part 1. In a first step, the electrical conductor 12 is suitably connected to the circuit board 4 for closing the front part 1, usually by soldering or brazing. For example, a clamp connection is alternatively possible. Thanks to the reduced diameter 10, this area of the end piece 8 can be pushed into the tubular section 2, which is done following the first step. Moreover, the area of the reduced diameter 10 is firmly and tightly connected to the tubular section 2 by clamping action and/or bonding. Preferably, therefore, there is an interference fit between the reduced diameter 10 and the inner diameter of the tubular section 2 to ensure a particularly tight connection. At least, it is preferably a transition fit. Subsequently, the final assembly is completed and the food thermometer shown in cross-section in FIG. 4 is present. Since the coil 11 serves as a receiving coil, the battery 6 of the food thermometer can be inductively charged by an external transmitting coil 13. Induced electric current is passed from the receiving coil 11 to the AC/DC converter via the electrical conductor 12. Direct electrical current is then conducted to the battery 6 via the electrical conductor 5. The battery 6 can be charged in this way.

[0060] The coil 11 serving as the receiver does not necessarily have to be arranged in or at the bottom of the cap 9. It can also be arranged differently so that inductive contact with a transmitting coil 13 is possible. However, the arrangement in the bottom of the cap 11 is particularly advantageous, since it allows important properties of the food thermometer to be realized: The coil 11 can be reached inductively very well and reliably. Charging can then be performed with high efficiency. A very tight housing can be created in order to protect the inside of the food thermometer very well from harmful external influences, such as can occur during the preparation of a food.

[0061] In order to charge the food thermometer, a charging tray may be provided. An example of a charging tray is shown in FIG. 5 in a top view into the charging tray, and in FIG. 6 in cross-section. The charging tray comprises a container 14 having an elongated interior, thus having long sides, and short sides in comparison thereto. The interior of the container 14 is sized to allow the food thermometer to be placed within the container 14. Preferably, the interior of the container 14 is adapted to the shape of the food thermometer such that the food thermometer can only be placed into the interior space in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is then such that a transmitting coil 13 of the charging tray arranged at the end face is adjacent to the receiving coil 11 of the food thermometer. For example, in this end face, a rechargeable battery 16 may be provided via which electrical energy may be provided for charging the food thermometer. If the coil 11 in the bottom of the cap 9 is arranged in a plane parallel to the bottom, no particular direction of rotation is required for charging the food thermometer.

[0062] Preferably, a coil 15 may be provided in the bottom of the charging tray, via which the battery 16 of the charging tray can be charged. In this embodiment, conventional inductive chargers with a transmitting coil 17 may be used to charge the battery 16. The charging tray may comprise an AC/DC converter to initially convert induced alternating current to direct current. By means of the direct current, the battery 16 can then be charged.

[0063] The container 14 of the charging tray may be elongated like the interior. The container 14 then has opposing long sides and opposing short sides relative thereto.

[0064] In FIG. 7, a food processor 18 is shown. The food processor 18 comprises a stand part 19 and a vessel 20. A food can be prepared in the vessel 20. The vessel 20 is inserted into a recess 21 of the stand part 19. The vessel 20 can be removed from the stand part 19. A mixing and/or cutting tool is located in the bottom of the vessel 20. The mixing and/or cutting tool can be driven by a motor located in the stand part 19. In particular, the mixing and/or cutting tool may be driven at rotational speeds of more than 5000 revolutions per minute, preferably of more than 10000 revolutions per minute.

[0065] The food processor 18 may comprise a heating device by means of which the container 20 can be heated. The food processor 18 may comprise a scale by means of which the weight of a food contained in the vessel 20 can be weighed. The food processor 18 may comprise a display 22 which may be a touch-sensitive display. The food processor 18 may then be operated via the display 22. The food processor 18 may comprise one or more mechanical control elements 23. A control element 23 may be a rotatable knob and/or pressable knob to operate the food processor 18.

[0066] The food processor 18 may comprise a holder 24 for the food thermometer. The holder 24 may be a part-circular opening 24 in a protruding edge portion of the food processor 18. If the end piece 8 widens towards its free end, the food thermometer can be suspended in the holder 24 as shown in FIG. 7. Holder 24 and/or end piece 8 are then preferably shaped such that the food thermometer is always suspended in the same manner. The end piece 8 may therefore be, for example, drop-shaped when viewed in top view as shown in part in FIG. 8. The opening 24 may be adapted to this drop shape. In particular in this embodiment of the disclosure, a transmitting coil 13 may be provided in the food processor 18 through which the battery of the food thermometer may be charged. If the food thermometer can only be suspended always in the same manner, it can be ensured in an improved manner that a transmitting coil 13 of the food processor can be inductively coupled to a receiving coil 11 of the food thermometer.

[0067] The holder 24 is oriented such that the food thermometer can be held in the holder 24 by means of gravity. As shown, the food thermometer may make an angle less than 90° with the ground when the associated surface of the food processor 18 is not parallel to the ground. The end portion 8 of the food thermometer serving as a handle may protrude with respect to the surface comprising the holder 24, as shown in FIG. 7, so as to be particularly easy to grasp. This is particularly true when the corresponding surface is already a surface inclined relative to the ground as shown in FIG. 7. In the suspended state, the food thermometer can enclose a right angle with this inclined surface in order to be easily accessible.

[0068] In FIG. 9, a food processor 18 is shown with a side recess 25 in the inclined surface of the food processor 18. The recess 25 is sized to allow the food thermometer to be placed within the recess 25. Preferably, the recess 25 is open at the side so that the food thermometer can be easily grasped. A web 26 of the food processor, projecting upwardly laterally from the recess 25, may be present to protect the food thermometer from falling out laterally. The web 26 is preferably disposed as shown at the transition region between the cap 9 and the front portion 1 of the food thermometer, to indicate an insertion direction of the food thermometer. Adjacent to the end face of the cap 9, a transmitting coil may then be integrated in the food processor 18 via which the battery of the food thermometer can be inductively charged.

[0069] For example, the web 26 and/or wall areas of the recess 25 may be adapted to the shape of the food thermometer in such a way that the food thermometer can only be inserted into the recess 25 in a predetermined direction. This can ensure that the food thermometer can only be inserted into the recess 25 in such a way that the battery of the food thermometer is then inductively charged. The food thermometer may have a groove, for example a circumferential groove, for example in the region of the cap 9 or adjacent to the cap 9, in which, for example, the web 26 and/or projections in the wall region of the recess 25 engage when the food thermometer is inserted into the recess 25. This is one way to ensure that the food thermometer can only be inserted into the recess 25 such that the battery of the food thermometer battery is inductively charged.

[0070] For example, there may be a permanent magnet behind a wall portion of the recess 25 by which the food thermometer inserted into the recess 25 is magnetically held. A web 26 or other holding means can then be omitted without difficulty. The magnet can be used to specify a direction for inserting the food thermometer into the recess.

[0071] Instead of a web, the food thermometer may also be protected from falling out of the recess by a wall section 27 shown in FIG. 10. A side opening 28 may be provided at the height of the cap 9 to facilitate removal of the food thermometer. It may be that the side opening 28 is mandatory due to a widening of the cap 9 to allow the food thermometer to be inserted into the recess. This may also define the direction that is mandatory for inserting the food thermometer into the recess.

[0072] The food processor 18 may comprise a recess 29, as shown in FIG. 11, into which the charging tray comprising the container 14 may be inserted. A transmitting coil may be provided in the bottom of the recess 29, for example, such that the battery of the charging tray may be charged thereby. The recess 29 may have a side opening for easy removal of the charging tray from the recess 29. The container 14 of a charging tray inserted into the recess 29 may protrude from the adjacent surface of the stand part 19 to allow the charging tray to be easily grasped for removal.

[0073] A recess 29 for the charging tray can alternatively be provided in a side wall of the stand part 19 of the food processor 18. In this way, the charging tray is better protected from contamination. An example of such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 12.

[0074] In FIG. 13, the case of a magnetic holder on a side wall of the food processor 18 is shown. The magnetic holder comprises, for example, as shown, two permanent magnets 30. Corresponding permanent magnets may be embedded in the housing 14 of the charging tray, or platelets of ferromagnetic material, so that the housing 14 can be magnetically held at the side wall of the food processor 18. A coil may be disposed in the side wall between the two permanent magnets 30 such that the battery of the charging tray may be charged when the charging tray is magnetically held. The housing 14 then consists of a non-metallic material, such as plastic, so as not to impede inductive coupling for charging. When the food thermometer 1, 8 is inserted into the housing 14 of the charging tray, the food thermometer is indirectly held by the magnetic holder 30 for charging.

[0075] Such a magnetic holder may also be provided directly for the food thermometer 1, 8.

[0076] A food thermometer in the sense of the present disclosure is not designed to be able to measure very low temperatures such as, for example, temperatures significantly below sub-zero temperatures as are reached in household freezers. Thus, a food thermometer in the sense of the present disclosure is not designed to measure temperatures lower than −70° C. In principle, a food thermometer in the sense of the present disclosure is designed so that it cannot measure temperatures below −50° C. because food is generally produced with a supply of heat and very low temperatures are only applied for freezing a food.

[0077] A food thermometer in the sense of the present disclosure can withstand a steam atmosphere. A food thermometer is therefore generally encapsulated in a waterproof manner. A food thermometer in the sense of the present disclosure is resistant to common ingredients of a food, such as acid of lemons or vinegar.