Abstract: A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user.

Abstract: A wireless or remote thermometer connected with an artificial intelligence (AI) system. The thermometer may be in communication with a voice-activated AI system to implement operation thereof, such as a cloud-based AI system implemented on a smart audio interface. User-accessible controls for the thermometer may be activated using the voice-activated AI system on the audio interface. The thermometer may include a wireless transceiver for communication with a user. The thermometer collects temperature measurement data to remotely monitor the temperature of food or other materials. The thermometer connects and communicates wirelessly with a receiver unit, such as user smartphone, tablet, or other computerized device. The thermometer unit sends data, alerts or notifications to the delegated receiver, smart device, and/or audio interface, to the user.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for a cooking appliance is capable of being calibrated for any arrangement of cooktop burners disposed on a surface of a cooking appliance. A thermal imaging system can be calibrated by processing a received thermal scan of a surface of a cooking appliance having a particular cooktop arrangement to identify a plurality of cooktop burners on the surface of the cooking appliance for the particular arrangement, determine a number of cooktop burners in the particular arrangement, and determine one or more locations of the cooktop to assign to each of the cooktop burners. Further, the determined one or more locations assigned to each of the cooktop burners can be stored in association with a respective cooktop burner. Once calibrated, the thermal imaging system can calculate a temperature for each of the cooktop burners to be used in performing subsequent control and/or safety functions.

Abstract: A gas cooktop may include: a gas burner; a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the gas burner; a valve configured to control flow rate of gas from a gas source to the gas burner; and a control system including circuitry. The control system may start operation of the gas burner; receive sensor signals from the sensor indicating the temperature of the cooking container; and based on received sensor signals representing the sensed temperature of the cooking container and a cooking profile indicating one or more durations and one or more temperatures, control the valve to change the gas flow rate to the gas burner.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking apparatus, preferably including a plurality of heating plates for contact cooking. The cooking time is determined by selecting a desired degree of cooking of the food. After estimating the surface area occupied by the food on one of the heating plates, said cooking time is calculated on the basis of the desired degree of cooking, the thickness of the food, and the surface area occupied by the food.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for cooking a food cooked by contact, characterized in that the apparatus is made to transmit information to a user after a period of time during which the food is heated by the resistor(s) has elapsed, said period of time depending on at least one value of the internal cooking temperature of the food, which is prestored in a memory of the apparatus at the factory prior to the first operational use thereof.

Abstract: A cooker device includes a main body that defines a cooking chamber and that defines an opening at a front of the main body, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the opening, an opening assembly configured to apply force to the door and cause the door to pivot relative to the main body based on the force, a proximity sensor configured to sense a proximity of an object located in front of the cooker device, an input interface configured to receive an opening command based on the proximity of the object sensed by the proximity sensor, a control unit configured to, based on the opening command, control the opening assembly to apply force to the door, and a display that is configured to indicate an operating state of the cooker device.

Abstract: A wireless or remote thermometer connected with an artificial intelligence (AI) system. The thermometer may be in communication with a voice-activated AI system to implement operation thereof, such as a cloud-based AI system implemented on a smart audio interface. User-accessible controls for the thermometer may be activated using the voice-activated AI system on the audio interface. The thermometer may include a wireless transceiver for communication with a user. The thermometer collects temperature measurement data to remotely monitor the temperature of food or other materials. The thermometer connects and communicates wirelessly with a receiver unit, such as user smartphone, tablet, or other computerized device. The thermometer unit sends data, alerts or notifications to the delegated receiver, smart device, and/or audio interface, to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a system operable to remotely monitor a cooking session from a remotely located computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking at least one egg with an eggshell. The apparatus comprises a housing provided with a device for providing microwave radiation in a confined space in the housing and a holder located in the confined space. The holder is provided with at least one cavity adapted to the shape of the egg with the eggshell. The holder comprises at least a first holder part and a second holder part being movable with respect to each other between a first position in which an egg with an eggshell can be positioned in the cavity to a second position wherein the holder parts enclose the cavity. The apparatus further comprises means to insert a liquid into the holder for filling the cavity with the liquid to at least partly surround the eggshell of the egg located in the cavity. The housing comprises at least a first housing part provided with the first holder part and a second housing part provided with the second holder part.

Abstract: A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user.

Abstract: A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user.

Abstract: A control device for gas appliances comprises at least one control module (20) having a supporting structure that can be associated to a gas tap (10) and defines a housing, contained within which is at least one first part of a circuit arrangement. The control module (20) comprises a command element operable by a user for activating at least one timing function and/or a function of ignition of a gas burner. The first part of the circuit arrangement comprises control elements, electrical-interconnection elements, and detection elements (45) configured for detecting actuation of the command element and supplying corresponding signals to the control elements. The circuit arrangement comprises further control and/or command elements (PSD, IS, F, LE, BC, ISC) and/or an auxiliary module (PSD).

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.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a barbecue spit equipped with a probe, which includes a rod configured to pierce a food and connected to a power device of an electric barbecue apparatus so that the rod can be driven to rotate by the power device, a temperature setting device provided adjacent to one end of the rod and including a control module and an alert module, a conductive wire provided in the rod and having one end electrically connected to the setting device, and a probe having one end to be inserted into the food and an opposite end electrically connected to the other end of the conductive wire. Thus, when the food temperature measured by the probe reaches a predetermined temperature, the control module drives the alert module to generate an alert signal (e.g., a continuous sound), thereby informing the user of the roasted state of the food.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a smoker with multiple separate drawers for smoking meat, fish, sausage, etc. In an example embodiment, one drawer may contain water and another drawer may contain smoking material such as wood chips. The sliding drawers enable the maintenance of a stable smoking temperature and offer a safer means to replenish water and/or wood during the actual smoking operation. The multiple drawers allow a user to add wood and/or water without opening the smoking chamber.

Abstract: A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user.

Abstract: Provided is a cooking apparatus, preferably including a plurality of heating plates for contact cooking. The cooking time is determined by selecting a desired degree of cooking of the food.

Abstract: An improved control system for a range hood that is capable of automatically responding to various air quality parameters including heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, humidity, and others. The system contains a number of features that, combining aspects of open-loop and closed loop control, manage the system dynamics for smoother operation, respond to both level and rate signals and compensate for background conditions and sensor variability by using relative values.

Abstract: An indicator device for proving an announcement of the status of a burner control knob, A base plate attaches to and rotates with a burner control shaft on a stove. An attitude sensing switch mounted with the base plate changes its conductive state when a burner control shaft moves from an “off” position. An annunciator senses the change in conductive state to initiate an announcement of that event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a motion detector configured to determine whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The motion detector is default deactivated. Further disclosed is a heat sensor configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The heat sensor is default deactivated. A processor is in operable communication with each of the motion detector and the heat sensor configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The processor is configured to perform a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus.

Abstract: A cooking skillet that provides a unique automatic stirring system for continuously stirring foods during cooking. The cooking skillet comprises a base, a receptacle, a heating element, and an automatic stirring system. The automatic stirring system comprises a stirring wand located in the receptacle and a bracket located in the base. The stirring wand and the bracket are attracted to each other through magnetic forces that provide sufficient magnetism to attract one to the other. A motor is attached to the bracket by a connecting rod and provides the means to rotate the bracket in a clockwise direction. The magnetism between the magnets in the bracket and the magnets in the stirring wand forces the stirring wand to rotate in connection with the bracket. During rotation, the stirring wand is designed to mix the food contained within the receptacle.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one cooking process in a cooking chamber of a cooking appliance is based on a multiple number of parameters that can be entered through an input device of the cooking appliance. Based on the parameters, at least one cooking product and/or cooking program, at least one starting and/or ending time of the cooking of at least one cooking product and/or for at least one cooking program, and at least one cooking parameter can be selected. An output device indicates when each cooking product is to be loaded into and removed from the cooking chamber in dependence of the starting time and/or ending time, and the selection of a multiple number of cooking products. Additionally, the sequence of cooking of the cooking products can be optimized based on at least one parameter that determines at least one cooking parameter.

Abstract: A motor-driven automatic cooking vessel stirring device having boil-over sensing and a boil over alarm that sounds when boil-over becomes imminent. The motor-driven automatic cooking vessel stirring device beneficially also provides for temperature sensing and can include electronic controls that control stirring rates and a clock-timer.

Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a pet treat baking kit designed to make healthy and affordable pet treats. The pet treat baking kit comprises a pet treat baking device, a recipe book, a wire cooling rack, and an utensil. The pet treat baking device, comprises a top portion and a bottom portion secured together to form a hinge at a first end. The pet treat baking device further comprises a heating element secured to an interior of either the top portion or the bottom portion of the device, and at least one baking plate removably secured to the interior of the bottom portion. Furthermore, the pet treat baking device comprises at least one baking plate removably secured to an interior of the top portion of the device. The baking plates comprise molds in various shapes, such as a dog bone shape, a paw shape, or an animal shape.

Abstract: A method for managing cooking programs first comprises selecting, at a point in time (t0), a type of item to be cooked (i), items (j) of the type of item to be cooked (i), and various treatment planes (k) of a cooking compartment that are to be filled at a point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, each treatment plane (k) is filled at point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, in dependence on at least the filling of the cooking compartment with items to be cooked at point in time (t2), a first cooking temperature is set at a point in time (t3). Then, a signal for removing the cooked items (j) from the cooking compartment is emitted at a point in time (t4ki) for each treatment plane (k).

Abstract: A baby feeding apparatus for the preparation and warming of infant formula with audio instructions includes a baby bottle having a well and an electrical probe for insertion into the well for heating the contents of the bottle. The apparatus also includes a reservoir for containing a supply of heated fluids such as water for maintaining the temperature of the infant formula and a visual and audio indicator to advise an individual when the temperature of the formula is appropriate for feeding a child. A brush for cleaning the bottle and a cover for the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.

Abstract: A drawer-type heating cooker capable of preventing, during an opening/closing operation of an automatic opening and closing door, a danger, such as being hit by the opening and closing door that is opening, or a hand or finger being get stuck in the opening and closing door that is closing, by calling attention to the opening and closing door movement, is provided. A drawer body allowing a heated object to be placed therein can be pulled out together with a door from a cooker body. In a state in which the drawer body is housed in the cooker body, an opening of a heating chamber is closed by the door. During opening/closing of the door, a warning sound is generated from a speaker provided in the cooker body or the door. For the warning sound, various settings such as the pitch, the tone and the volume can be made according to, for example, the open distance of the door detected by sensors.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus with an information exchange system that involves an assembly featuring a cooking apparatus such as a smoker or an electric turkey fryer and an information exchange system that provides for local and/or remote monitoring of cooking characteristic that preferably includes food item temperature probing that is displayed externally on the cooking appliance as in a local remote cooking characteristic information conveyance device that are preferably either in unidirectional of bi-directional.

Abstract: A knob assembly for a cooking pan lid that includes an improved visual and/or audible indicator of temperature conditions within the pan.

Abstract: Baking apparatus for baking edible products located on a conveying surface and preferably travelling along a conveyor track, comprising a number of electric infrared radiators arranged above the conveyor track. The infrared radiators each comprise at least one spiral filament having a gastight, infrared radiation-transmitting, breakable casing, in particular a glass casing. The baking apparatus further comprises monitoring means for monitoring breakage of the casings of the infrared radiators. The invention also relates to a method for baking an edible product by means of an electric infrared radiator having a breakable casing.

Abstract: A bread maker including a main body forming an oven compartment; a pair of kneading drums inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag filled with bread ingredients; a drum driving part rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to knead dough contained in the mixing bag; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to separate the mixing bag from the holding part of a first one of the kneading drums and wind the mixing bag on a second one of the kneading drums after kneading the dough, and to rotate the second one of the kneading drums in a releasing direction opposite the winding direction after the mixing bag is wound on the second one of the kneading drums to unwind the mixing bag from the second one of the kneading drums.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a timer removably attached to the cooking appliance by a dove-tail joint. The cooking appliance has a lid with a lid handle located on a top of the lid. The lid handle has a first portion of the dove-tail joint and the timer has a second portion of the dove-tail joint. The timer is removably attachable to the cooking appliance by aligning and engaging the first portion of the dove-tail joint of the timer with the second portion of the dove-tail joint of the lid handle. The display and controls are located on a top of the timer. A bottom portion of the timer includes the second portion of the dove-tail joint, and the bottom portion of the timer has a substantially planar bottom surface forming a stable base for the timer when the timer is in a detached state. The bottom portion of the timer extends below the controls of the timer to provide stability for the timer when the timer is operated in the detached state.

Abstract: A signal generating valve and timer assembly includes a valve slide and a controller. The controller is coupled to the valve and is adapted to engage the valve to move the valve from a first position to a second position. The valve generates a first signal in at least one of the first or second positions. Movement of the valve slide from the first position to the second position engages an actuator device to activate a switch on the timer to start the timer running for a pre-programmed time period. The timer generates a second signal at the expiration of the selected time period.

Abstract: A unit heats water to a specified temperature and then alerts a user or automatically mixes the heated water with dry baby formula and dispenses the mixture into a baby bottle.

Abstract: A bread maker including a main body divided into an oven compartment and an electric component compartment; a pair of parallel kneading drums spaced apart from each other inside the oven compartment, each kneading drum having a holding part holding opposite ends of a mixing bag containing ingredients for bread, and reversing rotary direction periodically; a drum driving part in the electric component compartment rotating the kneading drums in clockwise and counterclockwise directions; a kneading drum control part allowing a user to control rotation of the kneading drums as desired; and a controller controlling the drum driving part to rotate the kneading drums according to user control of the kneading drum control part.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring carbon dioxide production during a dough leavening process to improve the efficiency and quality of the baking process. A yeast dough is placed in an oven for rising and baking. A carbon dioxide sensor is connected to the oven to sense the carbon dioxide in the oven atmosphere, and a monitoring device monitors the signal from the carbon dioxide sensor to provide an output indicative of the substantial end of the rising stage, and may automatically control the oven to begin baking.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system Is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an indicator on a household appliance to alert a user to clean the appliance. For example, the indicator alerts the user when to clean a crumb tray in a toaster.

Abstract: An appliance comprising a housing consisting of two articulated shells maintained spaced apart by a spring (4) two hot plates (5,6) arranged in the housing, locking elements for maintaining the housing closed countering the spring, elements for adjusting (12) cooking parameters, and elements for controlling the locking elements to urge them in unlocked position in accordance with cooking parameters, thereby controlling the opening of the housing under the effect of the spring (4). The locking elements include a locking component linked to one of the shells (1) so as to be mobile between an unlocked position wherein it co-operates with a locking finger (24) integral with the other shell (2), a spring for urging back the locking component in unlocked position, and a relay magnet (25) controlled by the control elements, for maintaining the locking component in locked position.

Abstract: Generally speaking, a latching valve is easily installed in the path of gas flow on a gas grill. Once a grill is turned on, an automatically activated on/off switch activates a electric timing device, which begins monitoring time. The timing device is adjustable by the user to set the amount of time it will accrue prior to sending power to a latching valve, terminating the gas flow. So, if a gas grill is inadvertently left on, the latching valve will receive power and be closed, saving fuel and preventing a possible hazard. At this point a reset button on the timing device must be pressed to reopen the latching valve. But, if a gas grill is used and shut off prior to that time set by the timing device no action will result from the Gas Grill Propane Monitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an indicator on a household appliance to alert a user to clean the appliance. For example, the indicator alerts the user when to clean a crumb tray in a toaster.

Abstract: A griller includes upper and lower cooking grill members, and a temperature sensing device mounted removably on the housing of one of the grill members. The temperature sensing device includes a casing, a temperature sensing probe, a user input unit, a processor unit, a display unit, and an alarm unit. The temperature sensing probe generates a sensor output corresponding to a cooking temperature detected thereby. The user input unit is operable so as to provide a cooking time setting. The processor unit receives the sensor output and the cooking time setting, and is operable in a timer mode, wherein the processor unit generates an alarm activate signal for activating the alarm unit upon detection by the processor unit that a predetermined time period corresponding to the cooking time setting has elapsed.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for signaling a cooking state for at least one cooking item, such as an egg, a potato, a pepper, rice, noodles, that are being cooked in a liquid cooking medium. The device includes an at least partially floating jacket, a temperature sensor arranged in thermally conductive communication with the floating jacket, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital computing unit and a signaling device. The digital computing unit includes a digital delay portion to delay a temperature value of the liquid cooking medium that is measured by the sensor and digitized with the analog-to-digital converter. The delay portion has at least one thermal time constant to provide a thermally delayed inner temperature value as an output of the delay portion. A switching device is provided to activate the signaling device once a first temperature threshold is reached by the output of the delay portion, for signaling a first cooking state of the at least one cooking item.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.

Abstract: A portable toast warmer apparatus is described having a lower part detachably coupled to an upper part. The lower part of the portable toast warmer is connectable to an external electric power supply and is capable of transmitting electromagnetic energy to the upper part when the upper part is coupled to the lower part. The upper part of the portable toast warmer comprises a means for receiving the transmitted electromagnetic energy so that foodstuff slices may be warmed with the plurality of heaters mounted on the walls of the upper part when the upper part is coupled to the lower part. The upper part of the portable toast warmer also comprises a battery so that the toasted foodstuff slices may continue to be heated when the upper part is decoupled from the lower part so that the upper part containing the toasted foodstuff slices may be conveniently delivered to any desired location such as a dining room table.