Method for Indirect Food Temperature Measurement
AssigneeConnectivity Systems Incorporated
InventorJohn Rankin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for the preparation of food, but without the requirement of weight, time and/or temperature probe usage to determine the point at which the food has completed preparation. The exemplary embodiments provide a process where the food can be cooked without the requirements of calculation or temperature probes. The described process allows the process operator to be informed when the cooking process has completed, without regard to the size, shape, weight, density, or amount of materials to be prepared. The energy required to maintain the temperature of a water bath is compared to the energy required to maintain the temperature once a food item has been placed within the water bath.
Claims20
A method for measuring the temperature of food during preparation, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting a desired temperature for the food;
- heating a water bath until the water has reached the selected temperature;
- storing the energy required to maintain the water bath at the selected temperature as eBase;
- placing a food item into the water bath;
- maintaining the water bath at the selected temperature while storing the energy required to maintain the water bath at the selected temperature as eOperation;
- continuously comparing eOperation to eBase;
- and
- providing an indication to a user once eOperation is equal to eBase.
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A method for measuring the temperature of food during preparation, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a basin, a thermostat adapted to measure the temperature of water within the basin, a heating element in thermal communication with the basin, and a controller in electrical communication with the thermostat, heating element, and a user interface;
- inputting a desired temperature value at the user interface;
- causing the controller to direct the heating element to heat the water in the basin until the thermostat indicates that the desired temperature has been reached;
- measuring an eBase for the basin;
- storing the value of the eBase at the controller;
- transmitting a notification when eBase has been stored;
- measuring an eOperation of the basin;
- and
- transmitting a notification when eOperation is substantially equal to eBase.
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An apparatus for measuring the temperature of food during preparation, comprising
- a basin;
- a thermostat adapted to measure the temperature of the basin;
- a heating element in thermal communication with the basin;
- a user interface adapted to accept a desired temperature from a user;
- a means for notifying the user;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the thermostat, heating element, user interface, and the means for notifying the user;
- wherein the controller is adapted to
- receive a desired temperature from the user interface,
- direct the heating element to heat the basin until it has reached the desired temperature,
- store the energy required to maintain the basin at the desired temperature as eBase,
- direct the heating element to maintain the basin at the desired temperature while storing the energy required to maintain the basin at the desired temperature as eOperation,
- frequently compare eOperation to eBase, and
- initiate the means for notifying the user once eOperation is equal to eBase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.