Chiller with automatic probe detection and filtered temperature display
First Claim
1. In a chiller including a chilling compartment and a plurality of temperature probes, a method for automatically identifying a temperature probe for use in a chilling operation, comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting at least one of a plurality of temperature probes into a hot food product to be chilled;
(b) obtaining a temperature from each of the plurality of temperature probes; and
(c) identifying, for use in a chilling operation, a temperature probe with a corresponding temperature that exceeds a threshold temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a chiller, an apparatus and method for automatically identifying a temperature probe for use in a chilling operation is provided in order to reduce user error. In the place of manual selection by a user, automatic selection of the appropriate temperature probe is accomplished by comparing the temperature of the given temperature probe to a threshold temperature. An additional apparatus and method for filtering a displayed compartment temperature is provided to reduce user confusion. The responsiveness of the displayed temperature to temperature changes in the compartment is reduced when the compartment door is opened.
39 Citations
42 Claims
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1. In a chiller including a chilling compartment and a plurality of temperature probes, a method for automatically identifying a temperature probe for use in a chilling operation, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting at least one of a plurality of temperature probes into a hot food product to be chilled;
(b) obtaining a temperature from each of the plurality of temperature probes; and
(c) identifying, for use in a chilling operation, a temperature probe with a corresponding temperature that exceeds a threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
(d) obtaining a first temperature of each of the plurality of temperature probes at a first point in time, prior to step (b);
wherein in step (c) a distinct threshold temperature is determined for each of the plurality of temperature probes by adding a specified amount to the first temperature of each temperature probe.
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9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (d) is performed prior to step (a).
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10. The method of claim 8, wherein step (d) is performed after step (a).
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11. The method of claim 8, wherein the specified amount can be supplied by a user through a user input device.
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12. In a chiller including a chilling compartment having a plurality of temperature probes associated therewith, a method for automatically determining whether a given temperature probe has been selected for use in a chilling operation, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) comparing a temperature of the given temperature probe to a threshold temperature; and
(b) determining whether the given temperature probe has been selected for use in the chilling operation based at least in part upon the comparison made in step (a). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
(c) determining an air temperature within the chilling compartment;
wherein the threshold temperature of step (a) is a specified amount above the air temperature of the chilling compartment.
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15. The method of claim 12, wherein the threshold temperature is a specified amount above a prior temperature of the given temperature probe as determined prior to step (b).
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16. The method of claim 12 wherein the determination of step (b) is made in order to automatically identify the given probe for use in the chilling operation if a user selected the given probe by placing it in a hot food product.
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17. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of examining the given probe based upon user identification of the given probe via a user input device, wherein the determination of step (b) is made in order to verify that the user identification of the given probe was correct.
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18. A chiller apparatus comprising:
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a chilling compartment into which hot food products to be chilled are received;
a chilling system for cooling the chilling compartment;
a plurality of temperature probes insertable in food products for monitoring the temperatures of food products during chilling operations; and
a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of temperature probes for receiving signals therefrom, the controller operable to determine whether a given temperature probe has been selected for use in a chilling operation based, at least in part, on a signal received from the given temperature probe. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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- 27. In a cooling apparatus including a cooling compartment and a door that opens to the cooling compartment, a method for displaying a temperature that is representative of an air temperature in the cooling compartment, wherein a status of the door as being open or closed affects a responsiveness of the temperature that is displayed to temperature changes in the cooling compartment.
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37. A cooling apparatus comprising:
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a cooling compartment into which hot food products are received;
a door which can be opened to load or unload food products from the cooling compartment;
a door state sensor for monitoring an open/closed state of the door;
a cooling system for cooling the cooling compartment;
an air temperature sensor for obtaining an air temperature of the cooling compartment;
a display device for effecting display of information to a user;
a controller operatively coupled to the air temperature sensor for receiving a signal therefrom, the controller operable to repeatedly establish a display temperature for display by the display device based, at least in part, on the signal received from the air temperature sensor; and
wherein, the controller is operatively coupled to receive a signal from the door state sensor, the controller operable at least once during an open state of the door to reduce the responsiveness of the established display temperature to temperature changes in the cooling compartment. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification