U.S. patent application number 13/325002 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for cookware with rf detection function and cookware system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEXUS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Charles WONG. Invention is credited to Charles WONG.
Application Number | 20130056379 13/325002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45879919 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130056379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WONG; Charles |
March 7, 2013 |
COOKWARE WITH RF DETECTION FUNCTION AND COOKWARE SYSTEM
Abstract
A cookware includes a cookware body, and the cookware body
includes an RF device and a time module thereon. The time module
monitors a cooking time of the cookware and sends a cooking time
signal to the RF device; and the RF device sends a time alarming
signal for alerting a user to an external receiver once the cooking
time reaches a pre-set time. Once the cooking time reaches a
pre-set time or the cooking temperature reaches a pre-set over
boiling temperature, corresponding alarming signals are sent by the
RF device to the receiver so that the user can take corresponding
actions to prevent occurrence of an accident, thus improving the
safety of the cookware. Furthermore, the cookware can periodically
monitor the cooking time and the cooking temperature automatically
to allow the user to keep track of the cooking time and the cooking
temperature in real time, which is convenient.
Inventors: |
WONG; Charles; (Hong Kong,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WONG; Charles |
Hong Kong |
|
HK |
|
|
Assignee: |
NEXUS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
LIMITED
|
Family ID: |
45879919 |
Appl. No.: |
13/325002 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 ;
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 36/321
20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 ;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/48 20060101
B65D090/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2011 |
CN |
201110258891.7 |
Claims
1. A cookware with a radio frequency (RF) detection function,
comprising a cookware body, the cookware body being provided with
an RF device and a time module thereon, wherein: the time module is
configured to monitor a cooking time and send a cooking time signal
to the RF device; and the RF device is configured to send to an
external receiver a time alarming signal for alerting a user once
the cooking time reaches a pre-set time.
2. The cookware of claim 1, wherein the cookware body is further
provided with a temperature module for monitoring a cooking
temperature and sending a cooking temperature signal to the RF
device; and the RF device is further configured to send to the
receiver a temperature alarming signal for alerting the user once
the cooking temperature reaches a predetermined over boiling
temperature.
3. The cookware of claim 1, wherein the RF device is further
configured to send time alerting signals for alerting the user to
the receiver at time intervals of a first preset time period before
the cooking time reaches the pre-set time.
4. The cookware of claim 2, wherein the RF device is further
configured to send temperature alerting signals for alerting the
user to the receiver at time intervals of a second preset time
period before the cooking temperature reaches the predetermined
over boiling temperature.
5. The cookware of claim 2, wherein the cookware body comprises a
body having a cookware handle, and the time module, the temperature
module and the RF device are all disposed on the cookware
handle.
6. The cookware of claim 2, wherein the cookware body includes a
lid having a lid handle, and the time module, the temperature
module and the RF device are all disposed on the lid handle of the
lid.
7. The cookware of claim 2, wherein the time module is at least a
timer or a time sensor, and the temperature module is at least a
thermometer or a temperature sensor.
8. The cookware of claim 7, wherein the time alarming signal and
the temperature alarming signal are each at least an audio signal,
a flashing light signal or a vibration signal.
9. The cookware of claim 6, wherein the receiver is a remote
controller having an interface for displaying the temperature and
the time.
10. A cookware system with an RF detection function, comprising a
cookware and a receiver in communication with the cookware through
an RF signal, wherein: the cookware is as claimed in claim 1; and
the receiver is configured to receive an alerting signal sent by
the RF device and alert the user by means of the interface, the
audio signal, the flashing light signal or the vibration
signal.
11. The cookware of claim 3, wherein the time module is at least a
timer or a time sensor, and the temperature module is at least a
thermometer or a temperature sensor.
12. The cookware of claim 4, wherein the time module is at least a
timer or a time sensor, and the temperature module is at least a
thermometer or a temperature sensor.
13. The cookware of claim 5, wherein the time module is at least a
timer or a time sensor, and the temperature module is at least a
thermometer or a temperature sensor.
14. The cookware of claim 6, wherein the time module is at least a
timer or a time sensor, and the temperature module is at least a
thermometer or a temperature sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of
cookware, and more particularly, to a cookware and a cookware
system with a radio frequency (RF) detection function.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Cookware is indispensable for people's daily life.
Currently, a thermometer is usually provided on a lid of the
cookware to measure the cooking temperature.
[0005] The thermometer is usually of an analog type and measures
the temperature by use of a thermo bimetal. The thermo bimetal is
generally made of an iron or copper alloy with elements such as
nickel or manganese being incorporated therein to alter the
coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) thereof. Thus, a high-CTE
side and a low-CTE side of the thermo bimetal are produced
respectively and then combined together. Then, as the temperature
changes, the thermo bimetal will bend gradually because the CTE of
the high-CTE side is much higher than that of the low-CTE side. By
fixing one end of the thermo bimetal and installing a pointer at
the other end, the pointer can deflect to give an indication of the
temperature as the thermo bimetal bends.
[0006] Although the cookware currently available can provide a
temperature indication to indicate a cooking temperature to the
user, the thermometer disposed on the lid makes poor thermal
contact with the heat. Therefore, the thermometer has a slow
response speed, and a significant difference of about 20.degree.
C..about.30.degree. C. exists between the displayed temperature and
the actual temperature of the lid. Such an inaccurate temperature
measurement result is of little reference value in the cooking and
might lead to undue cooking to cause waste of both the food and the
energy source. Moreover, because the cookware is unable to
automatically indicate the cooking time to the user, the user has
to keep standing beside the cookware to monitor variations in
temperature of the food cooked in the cookware. Furthermore, the
current cookware with a temperature measuring function is unable to
give an alarming when the cooking temperature exceeds an over
boiling temperature, which makes the cookware unsafe to use.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a cookware and a cookware system with an RF detection function that
have improved usability and safety and are convenient to use.
[0008] To achieve the aforesaid objective, the present invention
provides a cookware with a radio frequency (RF) detection function,
which includes a cookware body. The cookware body is provided with
an RF device and a time module thereon. The time module is
configured to monitor a cooking time of the cookware and send a
cooking time signal to the RF device; and the RF device is
configured to send to an external receiver a time alarming signal
for alerting a user once the cooking time reaches a pre-set
time.
[0009] Preferably, the cookware body is further provided with a
temperature module for monitoring a cooking temperature and sending
a cooking temperature signal to the RF device; and
[0010] the RF device is further configured to send to the receiver
a temperature alarming signal for alerting the user once the
cooking temperature reaches a predetermined over boiling
temperature.
[0011] Preferably, the RF device is further configured to send time
alerting signals for alerting the user to the receiver at time
intervals of a first preset time period before the cooking time
reaches the pre-set time.
[0012] Preferably, the RF device is further configured to send
temperature alerting signals for alerting the user to the receiver
at time intervals of a second preset time period before the cooking
temperature reaches the predetermined over boiling temperature.
[0013] Preferably, the cookware body includes a body having a
handle, and the time module, the temperature module and the RF
device are all disposed on the cookware handle.
[0014] Preferably, the cookware body includes a lid having a lid
handle, and the time module, the temperature module and the RF
device are all disposed on the lid handle of the lid.
[0015] Preferably, the time module is at least a timer or a time
sensor, and the temperature module is at least a thermometer or a
temperature sensor.
[0016] Preferably, the time alarming signal and the temperature
alarming signal are each at least an audio signal, a flashing light
signal or a vibration signal.
[0017] Preferably, the receiver is a remote controller having an
interface for displaying the temperature and the time.
[0018] The present invention further provides a cookware system
with an RF detection function, which includes a cookware and a
receiver in communication with the cookware through an RF signal.
The cookware is as described above; and the receiver is configured
to receive an alerting signal sent by the RF device and alert the
user by means of the interface, the audio signal, the flashing
light signal or the vibration signal.
[0019] In the cookware and the cookware system with an RF detection
function according to the present invention, the time module, the
temperature module and the RF device are provided on and the RF
technology is applied in the cookware. Thus, the cooking time and
the cooking temperature can be monitored by the time module and the
temperature module respectively. Once the cooking time of the
cookware reaches the pre-set time, a time alarming signal for
alerting the user is sent by the RF device to the external
receiver; and once the cooking temperature reaches the
predetermined over boiling temperature, a temperature alarming
signal for alerting the user is sent to the receiver so that the
user can take corresponding actions timely to prevent occurrence of
an accident, thus improving the safety in use of the cookware.
Furthermore, the cooking time and the cooking temperature may also
be monitored periodically by the time module, the temperature
module and the RF device, so it is unnecessary for the user to
stand beside the cookware; rather, the user can keep track of the
cooking time and the cooking temperature in real time by means of a
screen of the receiver (e.g., a remote controller). This makes it
convenient for the user to fully and effectively monitor the
cooking process from a long distance, and also saves much time for
the user to deal with other things in the house.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a first embodiment
of a cookware system with an RF detection function according to the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a second embodiment
of the cookware system with an RF detection function according to
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective structural view of an
embodiment of a receiver in the cookware system with an RF
detection function according to the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective structural view of an
embodiment of a cookware in the cookware system with an RF
detection function according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] To make the technical solutions of the present invention
more apparent and obvious, the present invention will be detailed
with reference to the attached drawings hereinafter.
[0025] The technical solution of embodiments of the present
invention is as follows: a time module, a temperature module and an
RF device are provided on and the RF technology is applied in the
cookware. Thus, the cooking time and the cooking temperature can be
monitored by the time module and the temperature module
respectively. Once the cooking time of the cookware reaches the
pre-set time, a time alarming signal for alerting the user is sent
by the RF device to the external receiver; and once the cooking
temperature reaches the predetermined over boiling temperature, a
temperature alarming signal for alerting the user is sent to the
receiver so that the user can take corresponding actions timely to
prevent occurrence of an accident, thus improving the safety in use
of the cookware.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 together, a first
embodiment of the present invention provides a cookware system with
an RF detection function. The cookware system includes a cookware
and a receiver 104 in communication with the cookware through an RF
signal. In this embodiment, the cookware is as shown in FIG. 4, and
the receiver 104 is as shown in FIG. 3. The cookware includes a
cookware body 101, which is provided with an RF device 103 and a
time module 102 thereon.
[0027] Specifically, in this embodiment, the cookware has a lid
provided with a lid handle 1012, and both the time module 102 and
the RF device 103 are all disposed on the lid handle 1012 (not
shown in FIG. 4) of the lid 1011. The time module 102 is configured
to monitor a cooking time of the cookware and send a cooking time
signal to the RF device 103; and the RF device 103 is configured
to, once the cooking time of the cookware reaches a pre-set time,
send a time alarming signal for alerting the user to the external
receiver 104 so that the user can take corresponding actions timely
in response to the signal received by the receiver 104.
[0028] The receiver 104 has an RF signal reception function, so it
can receive the RF signal sent by the RF device 103 and, according
to the RF signal received, also can indicate time information or
give an alarming signal to the user. The receiver 104 in this
embodiment has a display screen 1041 for displaying, among others,
the time information sent by the RF device 103. Meanwhile, in order
to accomplish the function of alerting the user, the receiver 104
may also be provided with an audio function, a flashing light
function or a vibration function. Thereby, an audio signal, a
flashing light signal or a vibration signal can be given to alert
the user that the cooking time has reached the pre-set time so that
he or she can take corresponding actions timely.
[0029] Furthermore, a switch button 1042 may also be provided on a
casing of the receiver 104.
[0030] The receiver 104 may be a functional device that is commonly
used by the user and convenient to carry about, for example, a
remote controller of a TV set.
[0031] The pre-set cooking time may be set depending on the user's
practical needs or functional characteristics of the cookware
itself. For instance, the user may set a soup-cooking time by
himself; and once the soup-cooking time reaches the pre-set time, a
time alarming signal will be sent by the RF device 103 to the
receiver 104.
[0032] Additionally, in order for the user to keep track of the
cooking time on a periodical basis, the RF device 103 may also be
configured to send time alerting signals for alerting the user to
the receiver 104 at intervals (i.e., the first preset time period
set forth in this embodiment) (e.g., 15 minutes) before the cooking
time of the cookware reaches the pre-set time.
[0033] The time alerting signals described above may be displayed
by the display screen of the receiver 104 to the user or may alert
the user of the cooking conditions through an audio signal, a
flashing light signal or a vibration signal. Thereby, it is
unnecessary for the user to stand beside the cookware; rather, the
user can keep track of the cooking time of the cookware in real
time by means of the screen of the receiver 104 or by means of the
relevant signals. This makes it convenient for the user to monitor
the cooking process from a long distance, and also saves much time
for the user to deal with other things in the house.
[0034] In this embodiment, the time module 102 may be a timer, a
time sensor or the like.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the second embodiment of the present
invention is a system with an RF detection function. On basis of
the aforesaid embodiment, the cookware body 101 of this embodiment
is further provided with a temperature module 105 for monitoring a
cooking temperature and sending a cooking temperature signal to the
RF device 103; moreover, the RF device 103 sends a temperature
alarming signal for alerting the user to the receiver once the
cooking temperature reaches the predetermined over boiling
temperature.
[0036] The temperature module 105, the time module 102 and the RF
device 103 are all disposed on the lid handle of the lid. The
temperature module 105 may be a thermometer, a temperature sensor
or the like. The cooking temperature refers to a temperature
detected around the lid handle of the lid.
[0037] After the receiver 104 has received the temperature alarming
signal sent by the RF device 103, the corresponding temperature
value is displayed on the display screen and, meanwhile, an audio
signal, a flashing light signal or a vibration signal is given to
alert the user that the cooking temperature has reached the over
boiling temperature so that the user can take actions timely to
prevent occurrence of an accident, thus improving the safety in use
of the cookware.
[0038] Additionally, in order for the user to keep track of the
cooking temperature on a periodical basis, the RF device 103 may
also be configured to send temperature alerting signals for
alerting the user to the receiver 104 at intervals (i.e., the
second preset time period set forth in this embodiment) (e.g., 15
minutes). Thereby, it is unnecessary for the user to stand beside
the cookware; rather, the user can keep track of the cooking time
and the cooking temperature in real time by means of the display
screen of the receiver 104. This makes it convenient for the user
to fully and effectively monitor the cooking process from a long
distance, and also saves much time for the user to deal with other
things in the house.
[0039] In the embodiment described above, the time module 102, the
temperature module 105 and the RF device 103 may also be disposed
on the lid handle of the cookware body 101 depending on practical
conditions.
[0040] The cookware described in the aforesaid embodiment is just a
subject matter of the present invention, and functional and
structural features thereof will not be detailed herein.
[0041] In the cookware and the cookware system with an RF detection
function according to the embodiments of the present invention, the
time module 102, the temperature module 105 and the RF device 103
are provided on the cookware and the RF technology is applied in
the lid handle of the cookware. Thus, the cooking time and the
cooking temperature can be monitored by the time module 102 and the
temperature module 105 respectively. Once the cooking time of the
cookware reaches the pre-set time, a time alarming signal for
alerting the user is sent by the RF device 103 to the external
receiver 104; and once the cooking temperature reaches the
predetermined over boiling temperature, a temperature alarming
signal for alerting the user is sent to the receiver 104 so that
the user can take corresponding actions to prevent occurrence of an
accident, thus improving the safety in use of the cookware.
Furthermore, the cooking time and the cooking temperature may also
be monitored periodically by the time module 102, the temperature
module 105 and the RF device 103, so it is unnecessary for the user
to stand beside the cookware; rather, the user can keep track of
the cooking time and the cooking temperature by means of a display
screen of the receiver 104 (e.g., a remote controller). This makes
it convenient for the user to fully and effectively monitor the
cooking process from a long distance, and also saves much time for
the user to deal with other things in the house.
[0042] What described above are only preferred embodiments of the
present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, any equivalent structural or
process flow modifications that are made on basis of the
specification and the attached drawings or any direct or indirect
applications in other technical fields shall also fall within the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *