Sensor probe for measuring a food preparation parameter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11460349-B2
Application number	US-201816626698-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 1, 2018
Priority date	Jul 21, 2017
Publication date	Oct 4, 2022
Grant date	Oct 4, 2022

Abstract

A sensor probe (10) for measuring a food preparation parameter, comprises an elongate handle portion (12) for manipulating the sensor probe, an elongate sensor portion (14), and a stepped connecting portion (16) connecting the handle portion (12) and the sensor portion (14), such that the longitudinal axis of the handle portion is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sensor portion.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor probe for measuring a food preparation parameter, comprising:
an elongate handle portion for manipulating the sensor probe;
an elongate sensor portion; and
a stepped connecting portion connecting the handle portion and the sensor portion such that a longitudinal axis of the handle portion is offset with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sensor portion, wherein dimensions and weights of the handle portion, the sensor portion, and the connecting portion are selected such that the sensor probe has a center of gravity located in the connecting portion.

2. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is at least partially made of a heat resistant plastic material.

3. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein an intermediate portion of the connecting portion comprises a slip-resistant surface at an upper and/or lower side.

4. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein the handle portion at a free end thereof facing away from the connecting portion comprises a gripping portion having an enlarged cross-section.

5. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate sensor portion has a pointed tip.

6. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor portion or the handle portion comprises one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, impedance sensors, density sensors, pressure sensors and combinations thereof.

7. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein the handle portion comprises a transmitter for wireless transmission of sensor data.

8. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor portion, the connecting portion or the handle portion comprises a heat resistant wire connection for transmission of sensor data.

9. The sensor probe of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion has a first end connected to the handle portion, a second end connected to the sensor portion, and a substantially flat intermediate portion connecting the first end and the second end.

10. The sensor probe of claim 9 , wherein the connecting portion has an upper side facing towards the handle portion and a lower side facing towards the sensor portion, wherein the connecting portion at its first end comprises a protrusion that extends from the lower side of the connecting portion.

11. The sensor probe of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion is provided with magnetic properties.

12. The sensor probe according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor portion comprises an elongate element extending along a main axis of the sensor portion, wherein the stepped connecting portion extends at an angle to the main axis of the sensor portion.

13. The sensor probe of claim 12 , wherein the stepped connecting portion and the main axis of the sensor portion are arranged at an angle of between 45° and 90°.

14. The sensor probe of claim 12 , wherein the handle portion comprises an elongate element extending along a main axis of the handle portion that extends substantially parallel to the main axis of the sensor portion.

15. A sensor probe for measuring a food preparation parameter, comprising an elongate handle portion extending along a first axis, an elongate sensor portion extending along a second axis, and a connecting portion extending along a third axis; said connecting portion being located intermediate to and connecting the handle portion and the sensor portion such that said first axis is offset with respect to said second axis; said third axis being at an angle of from 45 degrees to 90 degrees relative to said second axis; a protrusion extending from a lower side of said connecting portion at an end thereof adjacent to where the connecting portion connects to said handle portion; said sensor probe having its center of gravity located in said connecting portion.

16. The sensor probe of claim 15 , wherein said first axis is substantially parallel to said second axis, a weight of said sensor portion corresponding to a weight of said handle portion; said handle portion and said connecting portion being integrally formed of a heat resistant plastic material that is molded over said sensor portion; and said connecting portion being substantially flat and having an upper surface at an upper side thereof and a lower surface at the lower side thereof.

17. The sensor probe of claim 16 , further comprising a slip-resistant coating on the upper surface and the lower surface of said connecting portion.

18. A cooking assembly comprising: a cooking vessel having a rim, a lid seated on said rim, and the sensor probe of claim 15 ; wherein a lower surface of said connecting portion at the lower side thereof rests on said rim between said protrusion and said sensor portion, and said lid rests on an upper surface of said connecting portion at an upper side thereof, thereby clamping said connecting portion in between said lid and said rim; and wherein said sensor portion extends within said cooking vessel while said handle portion extends outside said cooking vessel; said cooking vessel being closed by said lid with minimum interference by said sensor probe.

Assignees

• Electrolux Appliances AB

Inventors

• Burkhardt Jennifer
• Herzog Michael
• King Scott
• Puchinger Bianca

Classifications

• G01K2207/06

  for preparation purposes · CPC title

• G01K1/14 Primary

  Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations · CPC title