# US 2019/0167014 A1 · Temperature monitoring and control system

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0167014 A1
- Document ID: US20190167014A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/111,610
- Filed: 2018-08-24
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-24
- Assignees: Unified Brands, Inc.
- Applicants: Unified Brands, Inc.
- Inventors: Rick SEISS; ARTHUR DELORENZO; SAKTHIVEL SANDHALINGAM; RYAN MCMARTIN
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167014A1

## CPC

- A47F 3/0478: {Control or safety arrangements}
- A47F 3/145: {Closable display containers (jars B65D)}
- A47F 10/06: for restaurant service systems (table equipment A47G {; dirty crockery transport in association with crockery washing machines A47L15/00})
- A47J 36/24: Warming devices
- A47J 39/00: Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils
- G01K 3/005: {Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature (fire detection G08B17/00)}
- G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- A47F 3/043: {Doors, covers (A47F3/0434 takes precedence)}
- A47F 3/0486: {for charging, displaying or discharging the articles}
- A47F 7/0071: {for perishable goods}
- G01K 2207/06: for preparation purposes
- A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)

## Abstract

A temperature monitoring and control system is provided. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors for obtaining temperature readings of food items. The system is scalable and configurable with each sensor being capable of functioning as an individual sensor and/or as part of a grouping of sensors. The system is configured to obtain a variety of information, such as ambient air temperature, dwell time of food items, moisture levels, and the like, thereby enabling the system to recognize current and future temperature concerns. The system provides audio and visual warnings and visual displays. In some embodiments, the system performs one or more physical operation based on one or more detected condition. The system is further configured to distinguish between accurate temperature readings and inaccurate temperature readings and/or to otherwise determine if an obstacle is preventing a temperature sensor from obtaining an accurate temperature reading.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A food prep system comprising:
a plurality of bins, each bin being configured to hold at least one respective topping;
a base for holding the plurality of bins;
a first temperature sensing device configured to sense a temperature value of at least one of the toppings; and
a first indication means for indicating a first temperature event,
wherein said first temperature sensor is integrated with said system such that said first temperature sensor does not interfere with a user accessing the respective one or more topping while sensing the respective temperature value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a support structure extending over at least a portion of the top opening, the first temperature sensor being secured to said support structure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, further comprising a base lid secured to said base and being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration such that a first set of bins are accessible when said base lid is in the open configuration and inaccessible when said base lid is in the closed configuration.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, further comprising one or more bin lid associated with one or more respective bin, each bin lid being movable between a respective open configuration for providing access to respective toppings and a closed configuration for inhibiting access to respective toppings.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, further comprising a drive system for moving one or more bin lid between its respective open and closed configurations.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, further comprising a drive system for moving said base lid between its open and closed configurations.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, further comprising a drive system for moving said base lid between its open and closed configurations and a locking system moveable between a locked and unlocked configuration, the locking system being configured to inhibit the base lid from moving away from the closed configuration when the locking system is in the locked configuration.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the locking system is configured to move to the locked configuration when one or more temperature value is outside of a respective first temperature range, thereby inhibiting access to one or more respective topping.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling system that is configured to initiate a super-cooling mode.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more proximity sensors for detecting when one or more user is within a vicinity of the base.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, further comprising:
a base lid secured to said base and being movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration such that a first set of bins are accessible when said base lid is in the open configuration and inaccessible when said base lid is in the closed configuration; and
a drive system for moving said base lid from an open configuration to a closed configuration when there are no users detected in the vicinity of said base.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, further comprising a processor in data communication with the one or more proximity sensor and the drive system, wherein the processor is configured to cause the drive system to move the base lid to the closed configuration when there are no users detected in the vicinity of the base, and wherein the processor is configured to wait a first predetermined period of time prior to causing the drive system to move the base lid to the closed configuration.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first indication means comprises a display panel that is configured to display a default screen, said default screen comprising at least one of a banner, an icon, or a temperature display associated with one or more of the toppings.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the banner displays real-time information associated with two or more toppings, wherein the icon displays identification information associated with at least one respective topping, wherein the temperature display is associated with a respective icon, and wherein the temperature display displays real-time information associated with the at least one respective topping.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the temperature display is configured to display a first color when a respective temperature value is within a first temperature range, a second color when the respective temperature value is outside of the first temperature range but within a second temperature range, and a third color when the respective temperature value is outside of the first and second temperature ranges.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first indication means comprises a plurality of indication lights positioned adjacent to respective toppings.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of indication lights are configured to display a first color when a respective temperature value is outside of a first temperature range but within a second temperature range and a second color when the respective temperature value is outside of the first and second temperature ranges.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first indication means comprises a plurality of projectors that are configured to project light onto a projection surface located on or positioned adjacent to a respective topping.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of projectors are configured to project a first color of light when a respective temperature value is outside of a first temperature range but within a second temperature range and a second color of light when the respective temperature value is outside of the first and second temperature ranges.

### Claim 20

A temperature monitoring system comprising:
a first sensor for sensing a first temperature value associated with a first monitored item;
a database for storing information associated with a first temperature range; and
a processor in data communication with said database and said first sensor, said processor being configured to compare said first temperature value with said first temperature range,
wherein the system is configured to perform a first function if the first temperature value is outside of the first temperature range.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the first function comprises initiating at least one of a stirring process, a heating process, a cooling process, a notification process, or an inhibiting process.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, further comprising a first bin, wherein the inhibiting process comprises moving said first bin from a first configuration to a second configuration, thereby moving the first item from an accessible configuration to an inaccessible configuration.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The system of claim 22, wherein said first bin comprises an interior area for holding the first monitored item and defines an opening for providing access to said interior area, wherein moving said first bin from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises inhibiting access to said interior area.

### Claim 24 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the first function comprises initiating a notification process, the notification process comprising providing notification to one of a worker or a customer in the vicinity of the first monitored item and providing notification to one of a supervisor or inspector located remotely from the first monitored item.

### Claim 25 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the first function comprises initiating a notification process, the notification process comprising providing notification to one of a worker or a customer in the vicinity of the first monitored item, the notification being in the form of a color indication illuminated onto or adjacent to the first monitored item.

### Claim 26 (depends on 20)

The system of claim 20, wherein the first temperature range is derived by the system using predictive algorithms for determining potential future temperature values associated with the first monitored item based on thermodynamic information associated with the first monitored item.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein the system determines a first remediation threshold value for the first monitored item based on one or more rise profile associated with the first monitored item.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, wherein an upper threshold of the first temperature range is equal to the first remediation threshold value.