GB2453720A - Multiple sequence countdown timer with simultaneous finish - Google Patents

Abstract

The timing device may store a plurality of tasks having different durations and may organise the start time of said tasks so that each of the tasks finishes at the same time. Said device may be used in the food preparation industry wherein several ingredients are to be fully cooked at the same time in order to complete a meal. Said device may have a display screen 1 and a plurality of input buttons 3 wherein a time may be entered in hours and or minutes for a plurality of operations, which may be the cooking of several ingredients or dishes, marked as T1 - T6 inclusive on said device. Each ingredient is entered into said device and the user initiates the timer by pressing the start button. The timer calculates the relative start and finish times for each ingredient so that the ingredient having the longest cooking time is started first. The timer then counts down until the ingredient having the next longest time is reached, a second signal is emitted. The process is repeated for all ingredients. Upon completion of cooking of all ingredients a further signal is emitted.

Description

UCOUNT DOWN MULTI TIMER"

DESCRIPTION:

This invention relates to a timing device that enables a number of tasks, with different durations and requiring completion at the same time, to be accurately timed by prompting each start time.

The invention is primarily aimed at the food preparation and cooking process but can be used where multiple tasks are required to be completed concurrently with a common finish time.

Cooking a meal with several components can be a complex process requiring each component to be prepared and cooked so that. each is ready at precisely the same time.

The usual method employed by the cook when cooking, for example, a meal with one ingredient requiring 30 minutes of cooking time, another requiring 25 minutes, another requiring 15 minutes and another requiring 5 minutes -is to calculate the difference between each ingredient and remember or write down the start time for each. In this example the first ingredient. at 30 minutes is placed in the oven or on the hob. The second ingredient at 25 minutes is started 5 minutes later.. The third ingredient at 15 minutes is started 10 minutes after the second ingredient and the fourth ingredient, at 5 minutes, is started 10 minutes after the third ingredient. Whilst mathematically simple to do it is not so easy to get the meat right in the heat of the kitchen without some sort of prompt.

The invention, known as "The Countdown Multi Timer", removes the need for calculation by automatically prompting the cook at each stage of the cooking process. The "Countdown Multi Timer" need not be restricted to ingredients.

If the cook knows when the meat needs to be turned or basted then that time, the time before the meal is due to be completed, may also be used.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The "Countdown Multi Timer" enables the cook to simply enter the cooking time for each ingredient and the time before completion that the meat should

DESCRIPTION. Continued

be turned or basted. The "Countdown Multi Timer" then automatically calculates the finish time from the longest cooking time and counts back from that time to determine the start time for each ingredient or action such as basting.

The cook prepares the ingredients and once ready activates the "Countdown Multi Timer". The "Countdown Multi Timer" prompts ingredient one to be placed in the oven/hob. When the next ingredient should be placed in the oven/hob the "Countdown Multi Timer" prompts the cook with an audible signal. The cook places the next. ingredient in the oven/hob and presses the start/continue button on the "Countdown Multi Timer". The process is repeated for each ingredient. When all of the ingredients are ready to be removed from the oven/hob the "Countdown Multi Timer" prompts the. cook with an audible signal.

The "Countdown Multi Timer" may also be used for pre-prepared, ready meals where each component requires a different cooking time.

The invention will now be described, solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing: Figure 1.

The user presses Button Ti, (key pad T1-T6) fig 1 no. 2, and enters the time for the first ingredient/process in hours, minutes and seconds using Key Pad (numbered 0-9), fig 1 No.3. In so doing Display, fig 1 No.1 shows the Ti symbol highlighted and shows the entered time.

The user presses Button 12, Key Pad No.2, and enters the time for another ingredient in hours, minutes and seconds, using Key Pad No.3. The T2 symbol is highlighted on Display No.1. The time duration entered is also shown on Display No. 1.

The user continues with the same procedure for each ingredient/process.

If a time entry is entered incorrectly, then by pressing the appropriate T1-T6 Button and the "clear" Button, fig 1 No. 5, simultaneously then the incorrect time may be removed. The time entry procedure, above,. is repeated to enter a new time. -3.

DESCRIPTION: Continued

Once all ingredients/process times are entered a count down from the longest time may commence, by pressing the "Start/Continue" Button, fig 1 No.4.

The countdown begins and the device prompts the user when the second longest time is due to begin by sounding an audible alarm. The countdown stops at that moment and restarts when the "Start/Continue" Button, fig 1 No.4 is pressed. This stop period should be kept to a minimum.

When the time for the next longest process is due to commence the device once again prompts with an audible signal. The "Start/Continue" Button, fig 1 No. 4 is again pressed once the next process is ready to start Once all concurrent times are complete the final common finish time is signalled with another audible sound.

Use the "clear" button, fig 1 No.5, to dear the memory.

Claims (14)

1. A timing device that can store a number of different time durations.

2. A timing device according to Claim 1 that can store a number of different time durations such that the relationship each is known.

3. A timing device according to Claim 2 that stores said different time durations such that, once started, all are completed at the same moment.

4. A timing device according to Claim. 3 that enables each different time duration to be entered under its own unique reference, e.g. Ti, T2,, T3 etc, the time being displayed on, for example, a digital display. The time duration being entered using numbered buttons or switches.

5. A timing device according to Claim 4 that having entered the different times determines the longest time.

6. A timing device according to Claim 5 that enables the user to start a count-down process by operating a "start/continue" button, or similar switch, thus starting the longest sequence.

7. A timing device according to Claim 6 that prompts the user when the second longest time is about to start. The prompt being an. audible signal.

8. A timing device according to Claim 7 that continues the count-down once the user operates the start/continue button or switch.

9. A timing device according to Claim 8 that continues the countdown for each time of reducing length, prompting the user at each step as Claim 7 and enabling the device to continue as Claim 8..

10. A timing device according to Claim 9 that on completion of all the concurrent times prompts the user with an audible signal.

ii. A timing device according to Claim 10 that enables each time entry to be edited by using the appropriate timing button, e.g. Ti to edit Time 1.

12. A timing device according to Claim 11 that enables the memory to be cleared by operating the "clear" switch or button.

13. A timing device according to Claim 12 that displays the remaining time to completion.

14. A timing device according to Claim 13 that relies on the underlying principles of control and is not necessarily constrained by the physical

description.