Temperature sensing utensil with detachable head

• US 6,412,398 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2000
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trucook LLC
• Original Assignee: Trucook LLC
• Inventors: Edmonds, Frederick, Gutterman, Arthur, Norcross, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US09/521,065
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 993/42, 993/43, 993/44, 994/21.A, 994/19, 374/155, 374/147, 374/208, 294/907, 294/49, 294/55.5
• US Class Current: 99/342
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/28 using microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/30 Physical treatment, e.g. electrical or magnetic means, wave energy or irradiation cooking A23L5/10
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/32 using phonon wave energy, e.g. sound or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/283 Tongs; Devices for picking, holding or rotating food
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/288 Spatulas; Scrapers; Multi-purpose hand implements
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 45/07 of detachable type separate handles, devices for gripping hot cooking utensils A47J45/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations

Abstract

A temperature sensing utensil including a handle and a detachable head. The handle includes an engagement region, having an engagement member moveable between locking and release orientations, and a temperature indicating display assembly. The detachable head includes a receiving region having a receiving member and temperature sensing circuitry. The receiving region releasably receives the engagement region such that positioning of the engagement member in a locking orientation relative to the receiving member locks the detachable head onto the handle, while creating an electrical connection between the temperature sensing circuitry and the temperature indicating display circuitry. However, positioning of the engagement member in a release orientation permits detachment of the head from the handle, and disconnection of the electrical circuit. The temperature sensing utensil may take the form of a fork, spoon, probe or other utensil.

Claims

1. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which includes a food utensil member, having at least two food piercing locations, said food utensil member being capable of penetrating food from each of said at least two food piercing locations simultaneously, for manipulating said food from at least two spaced apart positions on said food utensil member, and which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit.

2. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 1 wherein said engagement member includes at least one detent operably moveable between said locking and release orientations.

3. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 2 wherein said at least one detent includes at least a base portion and a contact portion.

4. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 2 wherein said engagement member comprises at least two detents, each detent operably moveable between respective locking and release orientations.

5. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 1 wherein secured attachment of said engagement region to said receiving region electrically couples said temperature indicating display assembly to said temperature sensing assembly to connect said electrical circuit, said electrical circuit further including:

an electrical power source and an electrical conduit within said handle, and

an electrical conduit and an temperature sensor in said head, said electrical conduit in said handle being electrically connected to said electrical conduit in said head through male electrical connectors and female electrical connectors which respectively, releasably, receive one another to connect said circuit when said head is positioned on said handle in said locking orientation.

6. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 1 wherein said temperature indicating display assembly includes an display circuit which converts a temperature signal from said temperature sensing assembly to temperature indicating output.

7. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 1 wherein said head is dishwasher safe.

8. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member including at least one detent operably moveable between said locking and release orientations,

said at least one detent being depressible for movement from said locking orientation to said release orientation.

9. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member including at least one detent operably moveable between said locking and release orientations,

said at least one detent biased to said locking orientation.

10. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 9 wherein said at least one detent is constructed from a resilient material such that said at least one detent returns to said locking orientation after movement of said at least one detent from said locking orientation to said release orientation.

11. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 9 wherein said at least one detent is biased to a locking orientation by a spring positioned within said engagement region.

12. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member including at least one detent operably moveable between said locking and release orientations,

said at least one detent including at least a base portion and a contact portion,

at least a portion of said base portion being separated by a gap from at least a portion of said contact portion to allow movement of said contact portion relative to said base portion.

13. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said at least one detent is housed within said engagement region in said handle.

14. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said base potion is securely restrained within said engagement region, and wherein at least a portion of said contact portion is moveable relative to said engagement region.

15. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member comprising at least two detents, each detent operably moveable between respective locking and release orientations,

said engagement region further including opposing front and back faces and opposing side faces, and wherein said at least two detents are positioned in at least two of said opposing faces.

16. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said receiving member including at least two opposing walls defining a retaining region, at least one of said at least two opposing walls including at least one aperture alignable, in said locking orientation, with a respective one of said engagement members.

17. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 16 wherein said at least one aperture is configured to telescopically receive at least a portion of said engagement member to facilitate locking of said head relative to said handle.

18. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 16 wherein said at least two opposing walls each include at least one aperture, each configured to accept at least a portion of a respective aligned one of said engagement members to facilitate locking of said head onto said handle.

19. The temperature sensing utensil according to claim 16 wherein said receiving region includes at least two sets of opposing walls at least partially defining said retaining region.

20. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations, and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member further including at least one of an engagement key and an engagement slot, said receiving member including the other of said engagement key and said engagement slot, such that said at least one engagement key matingly engages said at least one engagement slot to facilitate attachment of said head to said handle, while controlling the connection orientation of said electrical circuit to preserve uniform polarity.

21. A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,

said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations; and

a head which is both attachable to and detachable from the handle, said head including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,

said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures said head to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of the head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit,

said engagement member biased to said locking orientation.