WIRELESS TEMPERATURE SENSING SYSTEM FOR A COOKING APPLIANCE

• US 20150037471A1
• Filed: 08/02/2013
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conair LLC (Conair Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Lai
• Inventors: Fung, Kam Fai, Lai, Kin Man
• Granted Patent: US 11,219,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/231
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/10 General methods of cooking foods, e.g. by roasting or frying
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2202/00 Devices having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/321 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0611 the food being cooked between two heating plates, e.g. waffle-irons
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/06 for preparation purposes

Abstract

A temperature sensing system for a cooking appliance includes a control unit having a receiver. The control unit and the receiver are housed within the cooking appliance. The temperature sensing system further includes a wireless temperature sensing probe having a temperature sensor and a wireless transmitter module. The wireless temperature sensing probe is configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit housed within the cooking appliance.

Claims

1. A temperature sensing system for a double contact cooking appliance, said temperature sensing system comprising:

an upper housing having a first heating surface configured to contact a first side of a food item;

a lower housing pivotally connected to said upper housing and having a second heating surface configured to contact a second, opposed side of said food item;

a control unit having a receiver, said control unit and said receiver being housed within said cooking appliance; and

a wireless temperature sensing probe having a temperature sensor and a wireless transmitter module, said wireless temperature sensing probe being configured to wirelessly communicate with said control unit.

2. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitter module is configured to wirelessly send signals indicative of a temperature detected by said temperature sensor to said receiver.

3. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said wireless temperature sensing probe includes a housing containing said wireless transmitter module and a shaft extending from said housing, said shaft terminating in a pointed distal tip containing said temperature sensor.

4. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitter module is a radio-frequency transmitter module.

5. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitter module is an infrared transmitter module.

6. The temperature sensing system of claim 3, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery contained within said housing for powering said wireless temperature sensing probe.

7. The temperature sensing system of claim 6, wherein:

said wireless temperature sensing probe is configured to mate with said cooking appliance for recharging of said rechargeable battery.

8. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a control panel on said cooking appliance, said control panel having one or more input buttons for allowing a user to select at least one input parameter, said at least one input parameter including a desired internal temperature of a food item; and

wherein said control panel is in electrical communication with said control unit.

10. The temperature sensing system of claim 8, wherein:

said control unit is configured to generate an audible alert when said desired internal temperature is detected by said wireless temperature sensing probe.

11. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said control unit is configured to deactivate said first and second heating surfaces when said desired internal temperature is detected by said wireless temperature sensing probe.

12. The temperature sensing system of claim 1, wherein:

said control unit is configured to control operation of at least one of said first and said second heating surfaces in dependence upon said at least one input parameter and an internal temperature of said food item detected by said wireless temperature sensing probe.

9. (canceled)

13. A wireless temperature sensing probe for detecting the internal temperature of a food item, comprising:

a housing containing a wireless transmitter module, said wireless transmitter module being configured to wirelessly communicate with a receiver of a cooking appliance;

a shaft extending from said housing, said shaft having a distal tip and a temperature sensor positioned in the distal tip; and

a rechargeable battery contained within said housing for powering said probe;

wherein said temperature sensor is in electrical communication with said wireless transmitter module; and

wherein said wireless temperature sensing probe is configured to mate with a cooking appliance for recharging of said rechargeable battery.

16. The wireless temperature sensing probe of claim 13, wherein:

said wireless transmitter module is a radio-frequency transmitter module.

17. The wireless temperature sensing probe of claim 13, wherein:

said wireless transmitter module is an infrared transmitter module.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A method of operating a double contact cooking appliance, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an upper housing having a first heating surface configured to contact a first side of a food item;

providing a lower housing pivotally connected to said upper housing and having a second heating surface configured to contact a second, opposed side of said food item;

equipping said cooking appliance with a control unit, said control unit operatively controlling said first heating surface and said second heating surface of said cooking appliance;

providing a temperature sensing probe, said temperature sensing probe selectively communicating with said control unit; and

wherein said control unit controls operation of said first heating surface and said second heating surface in dependence upon a temperature detected by said temperature sensing probe.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

said communication between said control unit and said temperature sensing probe is accomplished wirelessly.