US20130056379A1

US20130056379A1 - Cookware with rf detection function and cookware system

Info

Publication number: US20130056379A1
Application number: US13/325,002
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Wong
Original assignee: NEXUS IND DESIGN Ltd
Current assignee: NEXUS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Ltd; NEXUS IND DESIGN Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-02
Filing date: 2011-12-13
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: CN102396999A

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.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
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.
2. Description of Related Art
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.
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.
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° C.˜30° 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

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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Preferably, the receiver is a remote controller having an interface for displaying the temperature and the time.
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.
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

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;

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;

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

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Furthermore, a switch button 1042 may also be provided on a casing of the receiver 104.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In this embodiment, the time module 102 may be a timer, a time sensor or the like.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.