DE102019214723A1 - Device and system for preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of a food, in particular for steaming such food, as well as a method for controlling a corresponding device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (15) is disclosed for the preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of a foodstuff (10), in particular for steaming such foodstuffs, for example portioned amounts of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs by foaming an egg mixture. The device (15) comprises a steam generator (2), a pump (4), regulation / control electronics (16) and a connection module (17). The steam generator (2) is designed to generate and release water vapor into the food (10) via a lance (7). The pump (4) is arranged in the flow path between a water source or a water tank (3) and the steam generator (2). The regulation / control electronics (16) are designed to control the steam generator (2) and the pump (4) based on parameter data. The connection module (17) has at least one network interface (21, 22) for communication with a mobile terminal (14) and / or a remote server (25) and is preferably communicating with the regulating / control electronics ( 16) connected. The connection module (17) is designed to send parameter data to the regulating / control electronics (16) based on data received via the at least one network interface (21, 22) and thereby to influence the preparation of the food (10). The parameters can be part of a recipe for preparing the food. Furthermore, a corresponding system and a method for controlling the device (15) are disclosed.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a system for the preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of a foodstuff, in particular for steaming such foodstuffs, for example portioned amounts of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs by foaming an egg mixture. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a corresponding device.

As an egg dish, scrambled eggs is a simple dish made from eggs, which is traditionally cooked in a pan. To prepare it, raw eggs are cracked open, whisked, salted and whipped under heat in butter or vegetable oil. The beaten eggs are often mixed with a little milk, cream, water or creme fraiche to make the scrambled eggs creamier and looser. Alternatively, the eggs can be whipped straight into a pan with melted butter or mixed with other ingredients while cooking. Depending on your preference, the egg mixture can be cooked evenly by stirring, turning or scraping with a spatula. Constant movement of the scrambled egg gives it a creamy consistency. Stirring less often results in larger pieces and a firmer consistency.

Although scrambled eggs are a simple dish, their preparation is complex, especially when scrambled eggs are to be cooked for several people, for example in a restaurant. In addition, the reproducibility of an identical appearance and an identical stirring quality is difficult, especially since it depends on the pan temperature, the amount and quality of fat / oil, etc. Furthermore, especially when cooking in conventional pans, it is necessary to use a sufficient amount of fat to avoid burning on the bottom of the pan. However, the use of excessive fat is an obstacle to a health-conscious diet. This is especially true when it comes to cholesterol.

There are similar requirements for other foods, such as the preparation of porridge, in which an oatmeal-water mixture is usually boiled to a creamy pulp.

• - an einem nach oben herausragenden Stiel - gekocht oder gegrillt. Hier ist nachteilig, dass regelmäßig ein vertikaler Dichtegradient der gekochten Eimasse entsteht. Außerdem arbeitet ein solcher Rühreikocher für den Gastronomiebereich viel zu langsam und ist daher ungeeignet.

Different devices for cooking scrambled eggs are known from practice, for example a so-called vertical egg cooker for producing “egg on a stick”. Here the scrambled egg mass is placed in a vertically extending vessel and in it

• - on a stick protruding upwards - cooked or grilled. The disadvantage here is that the cooked egg mass regularly creates a vertical density gradient. In addition, such a scrambler works far too slowly for the catering sector and is therefore unsuitable.

From the DE 10 2018 200 890 A1 a device for the fat-free preparation of portioned amounts of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs is known. A steam generator generates steam from water, which is fed into a portion of an egg mass to be cooked using a lance. The steam foams the egg mixture and cooks it at the same time. This results in high-quality scrambled eggs with a reproducible appearance and a loose consistency in a very short time.

A similar device can be the US 2010/0151092 A1 can be removed.

The disadvantage of these devices is that the method of preparation is firmly specified during production of the device. As a result, it is not possible to achieve different variants of the preparation by means of the device. In principle, it would be conceivable for the device - similar to fully automatic coffee machines - to store various preparation programs that can be activated by the user of the device depending on his preferences and the food to be prepared. However, this makes the device significantly more complex and therefore more expensive. In addition, the preparation variants remain limited to the preparation variants stored when the device was produced. The preparation of other foodstuffs that would require other preparation programs is not possible with it, or at most it is expensive to retrofit.

The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a device, a system and a method of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that a flexible and as adaptable as possible preparation of portioned amounts of a food is possible.

• einem Dampfgenerator zum Erzeugen und Abgeben von Wasserdampf über eine Lanze in das Lebensmittel,

• einer Pumpe, die im Strömungspfad zwischen einer Wasserquelle oder einem Wassertank und dem Dampfgenerator angeordnet ist,
• einer Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik, die zum Ansteuern des Dampfgenerators und der Pumpe basierend auf Parameterdaten ausgebildet ist, und
• einem Verbindungsmodul, das mindestens eine Netzwerkschnittstelle zur Kommunikation mit einem mobilen Endgerät und/oder einem entfernten Server aufweist und vorzugsweise mittels eines Bus kommunizierend mit der Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik verbunden ist,
• wobei das Verbindungsmodul dazu ausgebildet ist, basierend auf über die mindestens eine Netzwerkschnittstelle empfangenen Daten Parameterdaten an die Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik zu senden und dadurch die Zubereitung des Lebensmittels zu beeinflussen.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The device in question is then equipped with:

• a steam generator for generating and releasing water vapor through a lance into the food,

• a pump, which is arranged in the flow path between a water source or a water tank and the steam generator,
• regulation / control electronics which are designed to control the steam generator and the pump based on parameter data, and
• a connection module which has at least one network interface for communication with a mobile terminal device and / or a remote server and is preferably connected to the regulating / control electronics by means of a bus in a communicating manner,
• wherein the connection module is designed to send parameter data to the regulating / control electronics based on data received via the at least one network interface and thereby to influence the preparation of the food.

• einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• einem mobilen Endgerät, das zum Abarbeiten mindestens eines Computerprogramms ausgebildet ist und kommunizierend mit der Vorrichtung verbunden ist, und
• einem entfernten Server, vorzugsweise einem Cloud-System, der kommunizierend mit dem mobilen Endgerät und/oder dem Verbindungsmodul der Vorrichtung verbunden ist,
• wobei das mobile Endgerät und/oder der entfernte Server dazu ausgebildet ist, Daten an das Verbindungsmodul zu senden, wobei das Verbindungsmodul dazu ausgebildet ist, basierend auf empfangenen Daten Parameterdaten an die Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik der Vorrichtung zu senden und dadurch die Zubereitung des Lebensmittels zu beeinflussen.

With regard to the system, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 9. According to this, the system in question is equipped with:

• a device according to the invention,
• a mobile terminal which is designed to process at least one computer program and which is connected to the device in a communicating manner, and
• a remote server, preferably a cloud system, which is communicatively connected to the mobile device and / or the connection module of the device,
• wherein the mobile terminal and / or the remote server is designed to send data to the connection module, wherein the connection module is designed to send parameter data to the control electronics of the device based on received data and thereby to prepare the food influence.

• Übertragen von Daten an ein Verbindungsmodul durch ein mobiles Endgerät und/oder einen entfernten Server,
• Empfangen der Daten durch das Verbindungsmodul zum Gewinnen von empfangenen Daten,
• Senden von Parameterdaten an eine Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik durch das Verbindungsmodul, wobei die Parameterdaten basierend auf den empfangenen Daten erzeugt werden,
• Pumpen von Wasser mittels einer Pumpe aus einer Wasserquelle oder einem Wassertank zu einem Dampfgenerator, wobei die Pumpe im Strömungspfad zwischen der Wasserquelle/dem Wassertank und dem Dampfgenerator angeordnet ist, Erzeugen von Dampf aus dem Wasser mittels des Dampfgenerators und Einleiten des Dampfes in das Lebensmittel,
• wobei der Dampfgenerator und die Pumpe für die Zubereitung des Lebensmittels durch die Regelungs-/Steuerelektronik basierend auf den Parameterdaten angesteuert werden.

With regard to the method, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 15. Thereafter, the procedure in question comprises the steps:

• Transmission of data to a connection module by a mobile device and / or a remote server,
• Receipt of the data by the connection module to obtain received data,
• Sending of parameter data to regulation / control electronics through the connection module, the parameter data being generated based on the received data,
• Pumping water by means of a pump from a water source or a water tank to a steam generator, the pump being arranged in the flow path between the water source / water tank and the steam generator, generating steam from the water by means of the steam generator and introducing the steam into the food,
• wherein the steam generator and the pump for the preparation of the food are controlled by the regulation / control electronics based on the parameter data.

According to the invention, it was first recognized that complex redesigns of the preparation device are not necessary in order to be able to adapt it to different foods to be prepared. The preparation device in question has a steam generator, a pump and regulating / control electronics. The steam generator generates water vapor from water drawn from a water tank or a water source and releases this water vapor through a lance into the food to be prepared. The pump is arranged in the flow path between the water source or the water tank and the steam generator and conveys water from the water source or the water tank to the steam generator. The regulation / control electronics are designed to control the steam generator and the pump while the device is in operation. The preparation is based on parameter data that define the target behavior of the controlled components during preparation.

In order to achieve adaptability of the preparation process of the food, a connection module is provided according to the invention, which is connected to the regulating / control electronics in a communicating manner. The connection module has at least one network interface that enables communication with a mobile terminal and / or a remote server. The connection module is designed to send parameter data to the regulating / control electronics based on data received via the at least one network interface and thereby to influence the preparation of the food. In this way, by simply adding to the connection module, it is possible to influence the preparation process and to send new parameter data for the preparation of a food item to the regulating / control electronics via a network interface. This enables the preparation process to be influenced without the need for complex changes to the preparation device. Rather, the connection module can also be added to existing preparation devices, provided that the control / Control electronics has a suitable interface for transferring parameter data. Furthermore, such connection modules can be easily implemented and flexibly controlled via mobile devices that are usually present anyway, such as smartphones or tablets. In addition, the connection module allows a connection to a mobile terminal and a remote server to be standardized and a wide variety of regulation / control electronics to be used. In this way, the device can be made more flexible with little additional effort.

The regulation / control electronics can be implemented in the most varied of ways. It is essential that the regulation / control electronics are designed to control the pump, the steam generator and possibly other components of the device. Corresponding regulation / control electronics are well known from practice. These regulation / control electronics are preferably based on a microprocessor, in particular a microcontroller.

Further components that could be controlled by the regulation / control electronics can, for example, be a valve for supplying air to the steam, a flow heater for generating hot water, a valve for dispensing hot water (for example into the food to be prepared) or a feed device for portioning the food to be prepared or for portioning spices can be formed.

The connection module can also be implemented in the most varied of ways. Preferably, important functions are also implemented in a microprocessor and through a combination of software and hardware. The connection module can be arranged on the same board as the regulation / control electronics. However, it is also conceivable that the connection module forms a separate unit which is connected, for example, via one or more cables to other electronic parts of the device, for example the regulation / control electronics.

The communication capability between the regulation / control electronics and the connection module can also be provided in various ways. It is essential that the connection module can communicate with the regulation / control electronics in order to send parameter data to the regulation / control electronics. It is also advisable if the regulation / control electronics can send information to the connection module, for example sensor data or operating parameters. However, these requirements can be met by a wide variety of means known from practice. However, the connection between the regulation / control electronics and the connection module is preferably formed by a bus.

The device can be designed to prepare a wide variety of foods. It is essential that the food can be prepared, in particular cooked, in portions by means of steam. This food is preferably scrambled eggs, which is prepared by foaming egg mass, fresh eggs, whole eggs, egg mixtures, etc., or the food is formed by porridge or soup. The portioned food could also be in powder form and the device could be designed to mix the powder with (hot) water at the start of preparation.

The parameter data that influence the preparation of the food can in principle be any information that can be monitored by means of the regulating / control electronics and that can influence the preparation process of the food. These can in particular be variables that can be detected by means of sensors. In one embodiment, the parameter data include a target temperature, a target pressure, a target pressure profile, a target quantity, a target humidity of the steam, a target temperature profile and / or time specifications for the preparation of the food. The target amount can be formed, for example, by the food to be portioned or by the addition of (hot) water. The target humidity of the steam can define how wet the steam should be, i.e. whether, for example, wet steam or dry steam should be present. Depending on the food to be prepared, the moisture in the steam can be important for the preparation result that can be achieved. In addition to the temperature of the steam, the setpoint temperature can also relate to the temperature of water if the device is also designed to output hot water (for example via the lance).

Such parameter data can be part of a standardized data profile that can form a recipe for the preparation of the food. This standardized data profile preferably includes the parameter data that are important for the preparation of the food. Furthermore, the data profile can include a descriptive text and / or an image of a food prepared using the respective recipe. The data profile can be described in a description language, for example XML (Extensible Markup Language).

In a further development, the device comprises at least one sensor which is designed to detect at least one physical variable within the device. The at least one sensor is communicating with the control / Control electronics and / or connected to the connection module, this connection can be used to transfer a recorded measured value. If several sensors are present, it is conceivable that individual sensors are connected to the regulation / control electronics and other sensors are connected to the connection module. It is also conceivable that sensors can send measured values both to the regulation / control electronics and to the connection module. The physical variable (s) that can be detected by the at least one sensor is / are preferably a temperature of the water vapor, a pressure of the water vapor, a fill level in the water tank, an availability of water from the water source, hot water dispensed, Moisture of the water vapor and / or quantities of a food product released by a metering device are formed. If the measured values of the at least one sensor are transmitted to the regulating / control electronics, the regulating / control electronics can use these measured values to regulate a setpoint value specified by the parameter data. Measured values that are communicated to the connection module can be used, for example, to check the proper functioning of the device and to send a warning message via one of the at least one network interface if predetermined limit values are not complied with.

The at least one network interface that is provided in the connection module can work radio-based and / or wired and / or optically. The at least one network interface is preferably provided by a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, an Ethernet module and / or a cellular module. The mobile radio module can use a wide variety of communication standards, for example 5G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) or GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), to name just a few common mobile radio standards. The at least one network interface should be selected in such a way that sufficient bandwidth can be guaranteed for the transmission of the required information from the connection module and to the connection module.

In principle, it is conceivable that a network interface is an integral part of the connection module. This would mean that essential components of the network interface are implemented in the connection module, for example in its integrated circuit, or are permanently attached to the circuit board of the connection module. The network interface can, however, also be provided as a plug-in module that can be plugged into a corresponding base on the connection module or can be connected to it and, depending on the equipment variant of the connection module, can be retrofitted. In this way, for example, a base connection module can include a connection to a wireless network, for example WiFi (a standard for wireless networks according to IEEE 802.11b, also known as WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network) and offer the possibility of retrofitting a cellular module by means of a connector. In this way, the connection module can be adapted to different equipment variants of the device for different price segments.

In a further development of the device, the connection module comprises a first network interface and a second network interface. The first network interface is preferably formed by an interface that requires little configuration effort by the user. This is the case with Bluetooth, for example. The second network interface can require more configuration effort, but provide a more stable and / or faster communication connection, such as WiFi, for example. In this development, the connection module can be designed in such a way that an initial connection between a mobile terminal and the connection module can be established via the first network interface and that the connection via the second network interface can be configured via this initial connection. This enables a user to very easily establish a connection between the mobile terminal and the connection module without having to have in-depth technical knowledge. A program running on the mobile device can support the user in this. For example, after starting the device and after starting a program on the mobile terminal, a connection can be searched for via the first network interface. If the program has recognized the device via the first network interface and the user has allowed the connection, the user can be requested to send the setup data for the second network interface, which are already used on the mobile device, for example, to the connection module via the first network interface send. The connection module would receive this information and configure the second network interface based on the received information in such a way that the connection module can communicate via the second network interface. Once communication has been successfully established via the second network interface, the connection can be terminated again via the first network interface.

When the first network interface is used in this way, there is a clear association between the mobile terminal and the device. Alternatively, this assignment can also take place by means of a factory link between the mobile terminal and the device. This is useful, for example, when the device is delivered together with a mobile terminal, for example a tablet in kiosk mode. As a further alternative, the assignment can be made later by the user of the device. This can be done, for example, by entering the serial number of the device or another unique identification code in a program running on the mobile terminal or by scanning a barcode, a QR code or an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag. The identification code that has been read out can then be sent to the remote server and an associated device can be logically linked to the terminal.

In one development, the connection module is designed to establish a connection to a mobile terminal and / or to a remote server via the at least one network interface. This connection is preferably encrypted, for example using SSL (Secure Socket Layer), IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) or SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol), to name just a few common methods for encrypted communication.

A connection between the connection module and the mobile terminal or remote server can be used to send data for a parameterization of the regulation / control electronics to the connection module by means of parameter data and measured values and / or operating parameters from the connection module to the mobile terminal and / or remote Server to transmit. The data for a parameterization can be the parameter data itself. However, it is also conceivable that the connection module processes received data in a suitable manner and generates parameter data therefrom.

Measured values that are transmitted to the mobile terminal device and / or the remote server can include, for example, different temperatures, an electrical current flowing into the pump, a pressure or the like. These measured values can, for example, allow conclusions to be drawn about the state of the device, for example the degree of calcification of the steam generator or a blockage of the steam outlet line.

Operating parameters, which could also be referred to as usage and telemetry data, can include information such as, for example, the number of prepared products, started cleaning or maintenance programs, version numbers of software or other information arising during operation of the device. This information can be used, for example, to generate maintenance reminders, reminders about required spare parts (for example a new water filter), repair instructions or impending device failures and to issue them to the user. On the other hand, user statistics, general status information of the device or similar information supporting the user can be provided. In principle, there is also the possibility of coupling the device with an ordering system. In this way, for example, when a certain number of prepared portions of a food item is recorded, an order for a predefined number of portions can be automatically triggered in the ordering system.

In a further development, a connection between the connection module and the terminal device or remote server can be used to import updates to the software of the device - possibly using a version management system. In principle, any software in the device can be updated, in particular software that is used in the connection module.

The regulation / control electronics and the connection module can be coordinated with one another in such a way that the regulation / control electronics can transmit measured values and / or operating data to the connection module. These measured values and / or operating data can be automatically transmitted to the connection module by the regulating / control electronics, for example after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In this case the connection would be operated in a push procedure. However, it is also conceivable that the connection module actively queries the required information from the regulating / control electronics in a pull process. Such a query can relate, for example, to all of the measured values and / or operating data that have occurred since the last query. It is also conceivable that a transmission of measured values and / or operating parameters are transmitted to the connection module each time the device is started. The connection module can transmit received information - possibly in aggregated form - to the mobile terminal and / or the remote server.

In a further development, the device can have at least one operating element as HMI (Human Machine Interface), the operating element preferably being formed by a switch, a button, a button, a rotary pushbutton (also known as a “jog dial”) and / or a touch-sensitive screen is. This at least one control element can be used with the control / Control electronics and / be connected to the connection module. If there are several control elements, different functions are likely to be assigned to the control elements. For example, an operating element can start a process of preparing a first food item in accordance with first parameter data, while a second operating element can trigger a process of preparing a second food item in accordance with second parameter data. The meaning and function of the operating elements can be defined by the parameter data and / or by data transmitted to the connection module.

A system according to the invention comprises a device according to the invention, a mobile terminal and a remote server. The mobile terminal is designed to process at least one computer program and is connected to the device in a communicating manner. The communication between the terminal and the device can either take place directly via a point-to-point connection or by arranging the mobile terminal and the device in a common network, for example. The mobile terminal can be formed in the most varied of ways. It is only important that the mobile terminal has a processor for processing the computer program, a memory for the computer program and data, an input device and at least one network interface. However, these requirements can be met by a wide variety of end devices. However, the mobile terminal is preferably formed by a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a smartwatch. The remote server is communicatively connected to the mobile terminal and / or the connection module of the device. Here, too, it is basically irrelevant how the server is implemented. The server can be a single dedicated server, but is preferably formed by a cloud system. Several such devices, the remote server and possibly several mobile terminals can form a loT (Internet of Things) platform.

In the system according to the invention, the mobile terminal and / or the remote server is designed to send data to the connection module, the connection module being designed to send parameter data to the control electronics of the device based on received data and thereby the preparation affecting the food. The mobile terminal or the remote server can send data directly to the connection module, the sending of the data being triggered, for example, by a user of the terminal. However, it is also conceivable that a user of the mobile terminal causes the remote server to transmit the data to the connection module.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is designed to provide one or more recipes for a user and, when the recipe or one of the several recipes is selected and activated, to send parameter data linked to this selected recipe to the connection module. It is also conceivable that the selection of the recipe immediately triggers the preparation of the food according to the selected recipe. A recipe can be a collection of information, in particular parameter data, a descriptive text and a picture of a prepared food. The recipe can be transferred directly to the connection module from the remote server (possibly with the mobile device as an intermediate station). Alternatively, the recipe can be transmitted from the mobile terminal to the connection module.

To accelerate the preparation, the connection module and / or the regulation / control electronics can store a predefined number of parameter data, for example three sets of parameter data. The mobile terminal and / or the remote server can keep track of which parameter data is available at the device. Alternatively, a query routine can be available with which this information can be queried. If the parameter data for a selected recipe are already available on the device, preparation can be started directly. Otherwise the transmission of the parameter data to the regulation / control electronics can be triggered.

In one embodiment, the connection module is designed to output a warning message to a user and / or to block the preparation of food when a connection to the remote server is interrupted for a predetermined period of time, for example one or more hours or one or more days. In this way it can be ensured that the device can always send operating parameters to the remote server and thus the operational reliability of the device can be ensured.

The remote server can have a database, wherein measured values and / or operating data received from the device can be stored in the database and / or wherein the database stores at least one recipe with associated parameter data for the preparation of one or more foods. The database can store information from several devices.

The remote server can include a web front end that provides access to a website. Saved measured values and / or Operating data of the device and / or selectable and / or preparable recipes are displayed. In this way, a user can flexibly access and / or influence information stored in the remote server. For example, new recipes could be created or existing recipes adapted via the website.

The device can in principle be available in different design variants. For example, an inexpensive version with a reduced range of functions can be sold to private consumers, while catering establishments may have a need for more powerful devices with a greater range of functions. Correspondingly, the program processed on the mobile terminal device can also be designed to be adaptable in one embodiment. Regardless of the functional scope of the devices, certain basic functions will remain identical, such as, for example, communication with the connection module, the selection of recipes or the reading out of operating parameters of the device. These parts, which are uniform for all variants of the device, can be implemented in a basic module of the computer program. All program parts special for the variants of the device can be contained in one or more expansion modules. In this way, the computer program can be adapted comparatively easily to different variants of the device, and when a new variant of the device is introduced, it is only necessary to write an adapted expansion module and not a completely new computer program. This further contributes to an economical and inexpensive system.

In a method according to the invention for controlling a device for preferably fat-free preparation of portioned amounts of a foodstuff, in particular a device according to the invention, data is transmitted to a connection module of the device by a mobile terminal and / or a remote server in a first step. This data is received by the connection module for obtaining received data. The connection module generates parameter data based on this received data and sends this parameter data to a regulation / control electronics of the device. A pump pumps water from a water source or a water tank to a steam generator, the pump being arranged in the flow path between the water source / water tank and the steam generator. The steam generator generates steam from the water, which is then introduced into the food. The steam generator and the pump for preparing the food are activated by the regulation / control electronics based on the parameter data.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,
• 2 ein Blockschaltbild mit Funktionsgruppen eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems und
• 3 ein weiteres Blockschaltbild mit Funktionsgruppen eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,
• 2 a block diagram with functional groups of an embodiment of a system according to the invention and
• 3 a further block diagram with functional groups of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention

1 shows in a schematic view, from the side, an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the fat-free preparation of portioned amounts of a food. This food can be, for example, scrambled eggs that are prepared by foaming egg mass, fresh eggs, whole eggs, egg mixtures, etc. The food can also consist of porridge, a soup or other steamable food.

The device comprises a housing 1 , in terms of dimensions similar to that of a commercially available fully automatic coffee machine. Inside the case 1 is an electric steam generator 2 arranged, which is used to produce water vapor. The steam generator 2 is with a water tank 3 fluidly connected, filling the steam generator 2 via a pump 4th can be done. At the pump 4th it can be, for example, a vibration pump or a diaphragm pump. In the steam generator 2 a pressure relief valve can be integrated and / or the steam generator 2 a pressure relief valve 5 downstream to prevent clogging of the steam outlet line 6th to avoid overpressure in the pipe system. The steam outlet pipe 6th leads through the wall of the housing 1 through to the outside and opens into a lance 7th with end nozzle 8th or nozzle head. The nozzle 8th or the nozzle head has at least one, preferably several openings for discharging the water vapor. In this way, the water vapor generated by the steam generator can be released into the food.

On the case 1 is a recording 9 for positioning the food to be frothed 10 containing container 11 intended. In the simplest case, it is the recording 9 around a table in the sense of a platform, which is advantageously adjustable in height, namely around the container standing on it 11 position so that the nozzle 8th the lance 7th within the in the container 11 located egg mass 10 is positioned. The recording 9 can be attached to a weighing device that detects, for example, the amount of food or water added.

Furthermore, in 1 an electronics 12th indicated. The Electronic 12th comprises at least one regulation / control electronics and a connection module, the functions of which will be discussed in more detail below. The Electronic 12th and further electrical / electronic assemblies of the device are via a power connection 13th can be supplied with energy. The power connection 13th In the embodiment shown, it is designed for connection to a single-phase power supply network with an effective voltage of 230V or 120V, for example. The connection module allows communication with a mobile terminal 14th , which can be formed by a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or some other microprocessor-based terminal.

2 shows a block diagram with functional groups of an embodiment of a device according to the invention 15th . The pump 4th and the steam generator 2 are through a regulation / control electronics 16 controllable based on parameter data. The parameter data can be transmitted through a connection module 17th to the regulation / control electronics 16 are passed, with the regulation / control electronics 16 and the connection module 17th over a bus 18th are connected to each other. In the 2 illustrated device 15th also includes three sensors 19th , 19 ' , 19 "and three controls 20th , 20 ' , 20 " . There are the sensors 19th , 19 ' and the control element 20th with the regulation / control electronics 16 and the sensor 19 "and the controls 20 ' , 20 " with the connection module 17th connected. The sensors 19th , 19 ' , 19 "record physical quantities within the device 15th . For example, Sensor 19th the temperature of the water vapor and sensor 19 ' record the pressure of the water vapor. Their measured values can be used by the regulation / control electronics to regulate the water vapor to a target temperature and a target pressure. Sensor 19 "can see the level in the water tank 3 record and send the measured value to the connection module 17th communicate. Control element 20th may for example include a button that controls the device 15th switches on or wakes up from an energy-saving mode. The controls 20 ' , 20 " can be designed to start the preparation of a first and a second food according to associated parameter data.

The connection module 17th also has a first network interface 21 and a second network interface 22nd on that connect to corresponding network interfaces 23 , 24 of a mobile device 14th allow. Even if in 2 the connections between these network interfaces is shown by solid lines, they do not have to be wired. So can the first network interfaces 21 , 23 via Bluetooth, the second network interface 22nd , 24 be implemented using WiFi. The second network interfaces 22nd , 24 also allow communication with a remote server 25th , here a cloud system.

On the mobile device 14th becomes a computer program 26th processed, the one basic module 27 and an expansion module 28 includes. The basic module 27 is for basic functions of the computer program 26th responsible, such as communication with the connection module 17th and the remote server 25th and the presentation of content for operating the device 15th . The expansion module 28 can include program parts which special functions of model variants of the device 15th cover.

With the block diagram after 3 this division is clarified again. A first variant of a device according to the invention is drawn in with reference symbol 15 'and a second variant of a device according to the invention is drawn in with reference symbol 15 ". Variant 1 can, for example, a device for private customers and variant 2 be a device for catering establishments. In both variants, slightly different regulation / control electronics are used, which is indicated by the two reference symbols 16 'and 16 ". The common part of the system according to the invention, which forms a common loT platform, is represented by the rectangle 32 marked. This includes the connection module 17th , the network interfaces 21 , 22nd , a cellular module 29 (implemented as a plug-in module, for example), the remote server 25th (especially a cloud system), a web front end, a dashboard 31 and the basic module of the computer program for the mobile terminal. Two expansion modules 28 'and 28 "form the special features of the variants 1 and 2 of devices 15 'and 15 ".

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, the system according to the invention and the method according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described Exemplary embodiments serve only to explain the teaching claimed, but do not restrict them to the exemplary embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

casing

2

Steam generator

3

Water tank

4th

pump

5

Pressure relief valve

6th

Steam outlet pipe

7th

lance

8th

jet

9

admission

10

portioned food

11

container

12th

electronics

13th

Power connection

14th

mobile device

15th

contraption

16

Regulation / control electronics

17th

Connection module

18th

bus

19, 19 ', 19' '

Sensors

20, 20 ', 20 "

Controls

21

first network interface

22nd

second network interface

23

first network interface

24

second network interface

25th

remote server

26th

Computer program

27

Basic module

28

Expansion module

29

Cellular module

30th

Web front end

31

Dashboard

32

common part

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102018200890 A1 [0006]
• US 2010/0151092 A1 [0007]

Claims (15)

Device for preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of a foodstuff, in particular for steaming such foodstuffs, for example portioned amounts of scrambled eggs or scrambled eggs by foaming an egg mixture with a steam generator (2) for generating and emitting steam via a lance into the food (10), a pump (4) which is arranged in the flow path between a water source or a water tank (3) and the steam generator (2), regulation / control electronics (16) which are designed to control the steam generator (2) and the pump (4) based on parameter data, and a connection module (17) which has at least one network interface (21, 22) for communication with a mobile terminal (14) and / or a remote server (25) and preferably communicating with the regulating / control electronics ( 16) is connected, wherein the connection module (17) is designed to send parameter data to the regulation / control electronics (16) based on data received via the at least one network interface (21, 22) and thereby to influence the preparation of the food (10). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the parameter data include a target temperature, a target pressure, a target amount, a target humidity of the steam, a target temperature curve, a target pressure curve and / or time specifications for the preparation of the food. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized by at least one sensor (19, 19 ', 19 ") which is designed to detect at least one physical variable within the device, the at least one sensor (19, 19', 19") communicating with for transferring a detected measured value the regulation / control electronics (16) and / or the connection module (17) is connected and wherein the at least one physical variable is preferably a temperature of the water vapor, a pressure of the water vapor, a level in the water tank (3), released hot water, moisture of the water vapor and / or an availability of water from the water source. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the at least one network interface (21, 22) works radio-based and / or wired and / or optically and is preferably provided by a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, an Ethernet module and / or a cellular module. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the connection module (17) is designed to establish an initial connection to a mobile terminal (14) via a first network interface (21) and to be configured via the initial connection for a connection via a second network interface (22) . Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the connection module (17) is designed to establish a preferably encrypted connection with a mobile terminal (14) and / or with a remote server (25), and that data for a parameterization of the control / Control electronics (16) can be transmitted by means of parameter data to the connection module (17) and / or measured values and / or operating parameters to the mobile terminal (14) and / or the remote server (25). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the regulation / control electronics and the connection module are matched to one another in such a way that the regulation / control electronics can transmit measured values and / or operating data to the connection module. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized by at least one operating element (20, 20 ', 20 "), wherein the at least one operating element (20, 20', 20") is connected to the regulation / control electronics (16) and / or the connection module (17) and is preferably designed to start a preparation process and wherein the at least one operating element (20, 20 ', 20 ") is preferably formed by a switch, a button, a button, a rotary pushbutton and / or a touch-sensitive screen. System for preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of food, in particular for steaming such food, for example portioned amounts of scrambled eggs or scrambled variants by foaming an egg mass, with a device (15) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , a mobile terminal (14) which is designed to process at least one computer program (26) and is connected to the device (15) in a communicating manner, and a remote server (25), preferably a cloud system, which communicates with the mobile terminal (14) and / or the connection module (17) of the device (15), the mobile terminal (14) and / or the remote server (25) being designed to send data to the connection module (17), wherein the connection module (17) is designed based on this to send parameter data to the regulation / control electronics (16) of the device (15) based on received data and thereby to influence the preparation of the foodstuff (10). System according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the mobile terminal (14) is designed to provide one or more recipe (s) for a user and, when the recipe or one of the several recipes is selected and activated, to send parameter data linked to this recipe to the connection module, and preferably the Trigger preparation of the food according to the selected recipe. System according to Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the connection module (17) is designed to issue a warning message to a user and / or to block the preparation of the food for a predetermined period of time when a connection to the remote server (25) is interrupted. System according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that the remote server (25) has a database, the measured values and / or operating data received from the device (15) can be stored in the database and / or the database at least one recipe with associated parameter data for the preparation of a foodstuff (10) saves. System according to one of the Claims 9 to 12th , characterized in that the remote server (25) comprises a web front end (30) which provides access to a website with stored measured values and / or operating data of the device (15) and / or selectable and / or createable recipes. System according to one of the Claims 9 to 13th , characterized in that the computer program (26) comprises a base module (27) and an expansion module (28), the base module (27) being designed to control communication with the connection module (17) and / or the remote server (25) and wherein the expansion module (28) is adapted to design variants of the device. Method for controlling a device for the preferably fat / oil-free preparation of portioned amounts of a foodstuff, in particular a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , comprising the steps of: transmitting data to a connection module (17) by a mobile terminal (14) and / or a remote server (25), receiving the data by the connection module (17) to obtain received data, sending parameter data to regulation / control electronics (16) through the connection module (17), the parameter data being generated based on the received data, pumping water by means of a pump (4) from a water source or a water tank (3) to a steam generator (2) , wherein the pump (4) is arranged in the flow path between the water source / the water tank (3) and the steam generator (2), generating steam from the water by means of the steam generator (2) and introducing the steam into the food (10), wherein the steam generator (2) and the pump (4) for the preparation of the food (10) are controlled by the regulating / control electronics (16) based on the parameter data.

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