GB2414063A - A hob hotplate control knob for setting both cooking heat and time - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooking hob hotplate energy level control knob has a timer, so one using the hotplate can set with the knob not only the heat level, but also how long the heat lasts. In embodiments the knob may rotate and also slide axially; have a rotary bezel; or have two rotary bezels for setting the heating level or time. An audible and/or visual signal indicates when the set time is reached. The signal may be intermittent and repeating. A hob may have one or more timed control knobs, and a knob may function with computer managed remote control.

Description

C O N T R L K N O B

A cooking bob i' a domestic cooking appliance that exhibits one or more hotplates on which cooking pots and pans are placed, for cooking what is in them. They are individually controlled by a control knob. The person doing the cooking rotates the knob to set the cooking heat from the hotplate.

When the time of cooking is to be controlled, one uses a separate timer.

For example, when boiling an egg one uses an egg timer.

When cooking in a microwave oven, one also turns a knob to control cooking, but the knob selects not cooking heat but cooking time. As to cooking heat energy flux, either there is no option of different levels, or one chooses the level by pushing buttons.

But hotplate users also need to set cooking times, so that, on expiry of that time, energy flux is cut off. Despite this long felt want, the market does not meet this need.

The present invention meets this need. It is defined below in claim 1.

The dependent claims define optional or preferred features.

Implementation of the invention should not be a problem for skilled engineers although much trial and error is likely, before a design is found that satisfies the requirements of both cooking bob manufacturers and users.

Camera lens technology is instructive, especially since hotplate control these days is likely to be electronic, so the operation of the knob need not involve physical movement of substantial mechanical linkages.

Just as a camera user may slide a lens housing component axially with respect to the lens axes to "zoom" the lens focal length, so could a hotplate user slide the knob to set the hotplate heat (or the time for - 2 which the hotplate should heat).

Just as a camera user rotates a bezel to focus the lens, so the knob features a bezel, to be used either to select a heat level or a heating time.

Just as a camera lens may have two bezels, one for aperture and one for exposure time, so the knob of the present invention may have two bezels, one for heating power and the other for heating time.

Unlike a camera lens, the knob of this invention conveniently and advantageoutsly provides with means to indicate visually or audibly, or both, that the heating time has ela ed. Optimal might be a winking or continuous visual indicator together with an audible "Peep" tone that sounds at regular intervals, say, 5 seconds duration at intervals of one minute.

For a conventional bob with 4 hotplates, one Envisages three conventional control knobs with the fourth a "special" knob in accordance with this invention. The addional cost of manufacture could be recovered by the technical effect and advantage to the user, with more freedom to do things other than watching food cook, and less spoiled food and cooking utensils. Thus, more than one "special" knob could be provided and, in the ultimate, all individual hotplates could be so controlled.

Control knobs in accordance with this invention could function in conjunction with computer-ma ed remote control of the hotplate, allowing the user to arrive home to find the food cooked, the hotplate turned off, and a "Peep"-tone apouncing that dinner is ready to eat.

Claims (6)

C L A I M S

1. A control knob for a hotplate within the bob of a domestic cooking appliance, which comprises a first temper means to set the cooking heat of the hotplate, and characterized by a second actuation means to select a heating time period.

2. Knob as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second actuation means comprises a rotatory bezel.

3. Knob as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first actuation means is a slider.

4. Knob as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slider is provided by a sliding mounting of the knob, as such, to a housing.

5. Knob as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and provided with an audible or visual indicator of the elapse of a selected time period.

6. Knob as claimed in claim 5, wherein the audible or visual indication is intermittent and repeating.