WO2025223653A1

WO2025223653A1 - Temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of food and/or of a cooking environment

Info

Publication number: WO2025223653A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/061190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franci ŠTRAJHAR; Luka BROZIC
Original assignee: Gorenje d o o
Current assignee: Gorenje d o o
Priority date: 2024-04-24
Filing date: 2024-04-24
Publication date: 2025-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-24

Abstract

A temperature measuring device (10) for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment, comprises a first part (1) which includes at least one first temperature sensor (3) and an electronic component (4) for operating the at least one first temperature sensor (3); a holding part (5), to which the first part (1) is connected; and a second part (2) which is connected to the holding part (5) or which can be connected and removed with the holding part (5), wherein the second part (2) includes at least one second temperature sensor (6) and the electronic component (4) is configured to operate the at least one second temperature sensor (6) and wherein the at least one first temperature sensor (3) and the at least one second temperature sensor (6) and the electronic component (4) are configured such that a first range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one first temperature sensor (3) at least partly differs from a second range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one second temperature sensor (6).

Description

Temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of food and/or of a cooking environment

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temperature measuring device for measuring temperature of food and/or of a cooking environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Meat probes for measuring the temperature in meat during the cooking process typically have a part where a temperature sensor is located, wherein the number of temperature sensors in this part ranges usually from 1 up to 5.

On the measuring side a marked line can be engraved till which the probe needs to be inserted into the meat due to the provision of low temperatures since a possible harm to electronics, which are typically located in the sensing part, if the temperature exceeds 100°C can be possible. Wireless meat probes can have a communication part and for the storage a charger can be used and also for charging up a battery inside the probe, which supports the electronics inside the probe for sending signal to paired (connected) devices (phone, tablet,...).

For known meat probes a maximum internal (food preparation) temperature can be 105°C.

The probe does not need to be paired (connected) to an external device - it can work as a broadcaster, wherein all supported devices which are in the range of a sending signal (which can be reached by a wireless communication device of the temperature measuring device, for example an oven, a phone, a hob etc. can receive data from the temperature measuring device at the same time. On the other side also a pairing mode with a particular external device can be available - that means, that the temperature measuring device can be paired with an external device after the temperature measuring device is available just for the paired device in a working mode - for example - when the temperature measuring device is taken from a charger it can automatically connect with a paired device.

Document US 2016/0377490 A1 describes a food thermometer for measuring temperature of a food exposed to heat. A portion for measuring the temperature can include a particular sensor.

Since for some particular processes or environments for food preparation the prevailed temperatures can also exceed a critical temperature of 100 °C it is desired to improve the temperature measuring device such that measuring also temperatures above 100 °C could be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve the ability of measuring the temperature of food and/or of the environment for food preparation such that different sensing means are provided which can be used each for a particular range of expected temperature.

The object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

The present invention pertains a temperature measuring device for measuring temperature of food and/or of a cooking environment according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims. According to the invention the temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment, comprises a first part which includes at least one first temperature sensor and an electronic component for operating the at least one first temperature sensor; a holding part or divider, to which the first part is connected; and a second part which is connected to the holding part or divider or which can be connected and removed with the holding part or divider, wherein the second part includes at least one second temperature sensor and the electronic component is configured to operate the at least one second temperature sensor and wherein the at least one first temperature sensor and the at least one second temperature sensor and the electronic component are configured such that a first range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one first temperature sensor at least partly differs from a second range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one second temperature sensor.

The temperature measuring device can send a signal when it is out (or low) of charge - when it is placed in a charger a charging can be supported and other functions switched off.

The temperature measuring device can be a portable device which can be sticked partly inside the food to be measured and/or in or at the particular environment where the food should be prepared or cooked, in particular with that part which is able to sustain the expected temperatures which can arise there. For example, if in an environment or in the food itself a temperature of above 100 °C is expected it is recommended to use the second part there. Under this example and for this purpose there is no electronics included in the second part which can be sensitive to temperatures above 100 ° C.

The food can be represented by all possible kinds of food, for example meat, vegetables, liquids, or similar. The environment for preparing the food can be represented for example by a heated or even boiling liquid such as oil or water or heated air in a cavity of an oven. For example, liquid food can be cooked and in that scenario a shorter tip of the second part can be used to measure the temperature. Further, food like a steak can be prepared, wherein in that scenario the temperature measuring device can be used in the same way as in the oven, in particular a longer part (first part) can be sticked in the meat.

The first part and/or the second part can be embodied as longitudinal parts, for example with a tip at its end by which it can be sticked into the food or just placed in the particular environment. Operating the first or second temperature sensor(s) can mean an activation of the sensor and monitoring the measured temperature or measuring the temperature at one or several particular time (moments). The first or second temperature sensor(s) can be connected to the electronic component by means of conductors. The electronic component can comprise a controller, a battery (or capacitor as source of energy) and a wireless communication device which can all be operated by the battery.

The first range of temperature and the second range of temperature to be measured by the particular sensor can be pre-set in the controller and the controller can be able to receive the particular temperature ranges from the particular sensor. Further, the controller can also be able to receive signals and operate the particular sensors at the same time for the case of measuring at the overlapping temperatures if any. The first range and second range of temperature can also be disjunct.

When choosing the particular first or second temperature sensor (and its corresponding first or second part of the temperature measuring device) it becomes possible to specifically use only said sensor(s) which are expected to resist the arising temperatures at the particular food or environment. Due to this choice an exposure of sensors which are not intended for the expected temperatures can be avoided and a damage at the sensors avoided.

The second part can be fixedly arranged at the holding part (or divider) or can be removed if needed. In each case there can be conductor lines inside the housing of the first part and/or of the second part and/or of the holding part such that the second sensor(s), the ambient sensor(s) and the first sensor(s) can be connected to the electronic component. The first part and the second part can have a housing inside which the corresponding temperature sensors can be arranged and the housing can have a suitable material with a good thermal conductivity for enabling a quick response of the temperature sensor(s) on a temperature change at the particular housing. The holding part can have a housing (part) which can have a better temperature isolation than the first part and/or the second part for allowing the temperature measuring device to be held at the holding part without quickly transferring the heat at the holder to the temperature sensors of the first and/or second part.

By having two sensing parts which are configured for sensing of different ranges of temperature the temperature measuring device can represent a cross category wireless food probe for low and high temperature food preparation processes.

The temperature measuring device can be operate at higher temperatures, on multiple appliances - cross category (ovens, hobs, BBQ, ...).

The first and second sensors and electronic component can be able to measure in the mentioned temperature ranges (configured such to operate the sensors and the control- ler/electronic component) and receive the corresponding signals.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the first range of temperature covers temperatures of lower or equal to 100 °C and the second range of temperature covers temperatures of greater or equal to 100 °C.

For example, it is also possible that the second range of temperature can contain also the entire first range of temperature and in addition to that also temperatures above 100 °C in an example.

The second range of temperature to be measured can cover also temperatures above said temperatures which could be critical for the electronic component (e. g. 100 °C) since the second temperature sensor(s) are not located at the first part where the electronic component is. The holding part can physically separate the first part and the second part and lower the heat transfer from the second part to the first part thereby thermally at least partly isolating the first part from the second part.

The first part can have a tip region and also the second part can have a tip region. Said tip regions can be tapered or curved. The first part can be longer than the second part.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the second part is connected to a side of the holding part or divider (which can separate the first and second part) which is opposite to a side of the holding part to which the first part is connected.

The second part can mainly extend from the holding part along an opposite direction along which the first part mainly extends. In other words, the first part with the holding part and the second part can form a device having a shape similar to a bar.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the first part and the holding part or divider and the second part are embodied in an integral manner.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the second part is removably connected to the holding part or divider by a connecting means.

The second part can be removed from the holding part if needed, for example if little space is to be occupied or if the temperature sensing by the second sensor(s) is temporarily not needed (in this case the energy consumption for sensing by the second temperature sensor can be avoided since the second sensor can sense only by connection with the battery and electronic component). According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the connecting means is a magnetic component and/or a snap component and/or a sticking component and/or a threaded component and/or a snipped component (snip fit or similar type of connection.

A quick and easy connection or disconnection can be achieved by the mentioned connecting means. These connecting means can be provided at the holding part and/or at the second part.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device it comprises an electric connection between the electronic component and the second part.

The electric connection can comprise a conductor path to each second sensor.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device it comprises at least one ambient sensor which is located in the holding part and/or in the second part, and which is configured to measure a temperature of an environment (surrounding) of the temperature measuring device.

The ambient sensor can be located in the holding part and provide an information about the temperature of the environment whether the temperature measuring device is in a region where the temperature measurement of the first and/or second sensor makes sense or is needed or not. The ambient sensor can recognize, for example, whether the temperature measuring device is inside an oven. The ambient sensor can also be placed in the second part, or there can be both an ambient sensor in the holding part and at the same time another ambient sensor in the second part. An ambient sensor can be also located in the second part.

In case that a cooking device doesn't have a precise temperature regulation (for example BBQ or smokers) an ambient sensor (in the holding part or in the divider or in the second part) can help the user to detect and control the right temperature of the cooking. In the oven, where the precise temperature regulation exists, it can be used as a redundancy. Also, the ambient sensor can enable a development of different algorithms (safety and functional). For example an ambient sensor can be used to detect if the temperature measuring device is in the oven or not, etc..

If the temperature measuring device is inserted into a meat piece, for example not till the marking line - what can mean an improper use - and if then the temperature measuring device is put into an oven - it can possibly recognized that there is an inproper use such that the ambient sensor temperature trend and a trend of one of the first or second on food side can be similar (due to the thermal conductivity of the measuring part this temperature is expected lower than ambient temperature for example if meat is prepared).

The ambient sensor in the holding part can thus be used to measure the temperature of an environment which is not the environment for food preparation, for example air around a meat (also if the meat itself is in hot oil) and also of an environment of the food preparation (for example in an oven)

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the second part comprises two or more second temperature sensors.

By several sensors (first/second) a better accuracy and precision of the measurements can be achieved. For example, the more sensors there are the easier it gets to detect the center of the food (coldest point). For the second part there can be just one temperature sensor or several ones.

If there are several sensors, more temperature information is available and one can choose depending on which temperature a regulation of a cooking process can be performed, what can be monitored. In this regard also an averaging can be done etc.. The first and/or second temperature sensors can be, for example NTC sensors or other suitable temperature sensors (PTC, resistors, RTD (resistance temperature detector) etc.).

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device the electronic component comprises a battery and a wireless communication device for sending measured temperature signals from the first temperature sensor and/or from the second temperature sensor to a household appliance and/or to an external receiver and/or to a repeater.

A repeater can be a signal extender and in particular a device which extends the signal range.

Further, also information/data about a battery level status, ID of the temperature measuring device and also other informations can be generated and transmitted.

The wireless communication can be a Bluetooth connection or a wireless connection in general (all possible types of) and the external receiver can be a household appliance or a mobile phone or a data platform (cloud) or a tablet or similar.

According to a further embodiment of the temperature measuring device along a lateral side of the holding part, the first part and/or the second part are flush with the holding part and the lateral direction is perpendicular to a direction along which the first part and the second part are connected to the holding part.

The temperature measuring device can have a continuous shape along the transition from the first part to the holding part and from the holding part to the second part.

Regarding a possible application of the temperature measuring device it can be used in a built-in oven or a standalone oven or a cooking hob, a pan, a pot or other devices for preparing or cooking food, in other words for household appliances, household appliances with heating cavity, household appliances with a cooking area (induction, gas,...), indoor and outdoor grills (BBQ,...), ovens, food preparation devices (convection ovens,...) and similar.

The first and/or second part (their housing) can contain stainless steal with, for example, a probe diameter of 5mm.

A possible ambient temperature can be, for example, 550°C or similar.

By the mentioned temperature measuring device the additional second part can improve the cooking experience and bring more possibilities/applications to the end user and encourage the user to use only one wireless probe for many different possible uses or use cases. Therefore, a merging of multiple probes or wireless probe or wired probes into one can be achieved as a user friendly probe which can result in monetary and spatial optimization for the user and an improved, utilized cooking experience. Overall this represents a food and environment probe of higher and improved level of utility at different devices and food preparation processes/technologies.

The holding part can be a handle for easy operating and/or a divider between the first and second part. Further, the temperature measuring device can be dishwasher safe.

The second part can comprise a metal part (as housing and same as the first part or different from it) or can be made from another temperature withstandable material, which can be thermally isolated from the remaining parts of the temperature measuring device.

When having the second part applied there is no need to have an ambient sensor placed in the holding part (or it can be present if needed) - since the second part can overtake its functionality of sensing the ambient temperature also. With this operation it becomes possible to improve precision, speed and accuracy of the ambient temperature measurement because the ambient sensor in the second part can respond faster than in the holding part due to a quicker heat transport in the second part material.

The first part can be fixed to the holding part and for the case that the second part is also fixed (both not removable) to the holding part an assembling of the temperature measuring device can be easier and made easily dishwasher safe (waterproof).

The temperature measuring device can also have a charger included (for charging bat- tery/capacitor which can represent the energy source for the temperature measuring device).

The temperature measuring device can also be applied at other food preparation processes (sous vide, pasteurization, food melting, slow cook...) and in various appliances or usage on other appliances (air fryer, sous vide cooker, free stand cookers, ...) or different temperature sensitive food preparations. The temperature measuring device can be used also before cooking processes - for meat or other raw food temperature check or after cooking processes - monitoring of temperature while resting food outside the cooking environment.

All mentioned features and their advantages can apply also to a corresponding method for operating and/or applying the temperature measuring device.

BRIEF DESCIRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate a comparative embodiment and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

Fig. 1 shows a temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the temperature measuring device at one possible application for measuring temperature according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows the temperature measuring device at another possible application for measuring temperature according to an embodiment of the invention.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

Fig. 1 shows a temperature measuring device 10 for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment according to an embodiment of the invention.

The temperature measuring device 10 for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment, comprises a first part 1 which includes in this example five first temperature sensors 3 and an electronic component 4 for operating the first temperature sensors 3 (and second sensors 6 and ambient sensor 7). Further, the temperature measuring device 10 comprises a holding part 5 or dividing part 5 (divider), to which the first part 1 is connected; and a second part 2 which is connected to the holding part 5 or which can be connected and removed with the holding part 5, wherein the second part 2 includes in this example two second temperature sensors 6 and the electronic component 4 is configured to operate the second temperature sensors 6 and wherein the first temperature sensors 3 and the second temperature sensors 6 and the electronic component 4 are configured such that a first range of a temperature to be measured by the first temperature sensors 3 at least partly differs from a second range of a temperature to be measured by the second temperature sensors 6.

The first part 1 can be embodied such to have a material (housing) with a high thermal conductivity and which can include the electronic component 4 inside a longitudinal tiplike housing. The holding part 5 can have also a longitudinal part between the first part 1 and a handle region inside which handle region the ambient sensor 7 can be located. The longitudinal part of the holding part 5 can start at a marking line SL which can indicate until where the first part 1 extends and until where the first part 1 should be placed inside a food, for example meat. This first part 1 should not exceed the first range temperature in order to not harm the electronic component 4. If there is no marking line and the first part 1 extends until the holding part 5 then the whole first part 1 should be inserted.

The second part 2 can be connected to a side of the holding part 5 which is opposite to a side of the holding part 5 to which the first part 1 is connected and the first part 1 and the holding part 5 and the second part 2 are either embodied in an integral manner or the second part 3 is removably connected to the holding part 5 by a connecting means such as a magnetic component and/or a snap component and/or a sticking component and/or a threaded component.

The temperature measuring device 10 can comprise an electric connection between the electronic component 4 and the second part 2 (not shown). The second part 2 can be shorter than the first part 1 and can have a tip region at its end (opposite the holding part 5), wherein said tip region can be tapered (to be put into the food to be measured) or curved. The first part 1 can have an end opposite to the holding part 5 which can be a tip region wherein said tip region can be tapered (to be put into the food to be measured) or curved.

The temperature measuring device 10 can be placed in a food F, for example meat, with the first part being sticked into the food F with the parts which are sensitive to temperatures above the first range. The food F can be placed inside an oven. This holds for a case where the cooking process of the food F will not higher the internal temperature of the food F above the first range of temperatures. The temperature measuring device 10 can be placed in the heated environment but, for example, only the holding part 5 and the second part 2 are exposed to the environment (further, also the part from the handle of the holding part to the marking line (SL in Fig. 1) can be exposed) which can then be measured by the ambient sensor and/or by the sensors of the second part.

In this application the second part 2 can be used as ambient temperature meter, for example in an oven.

According to Fig. 3 the temperature measuring device 10 can be placed with the second part 2 in a liquid E (environment for cooking) which is expected to reach the second range of temperature. The liquid E can be inside a pot. Since the temperature sensitive electronic component is placed in the first part 1, said first part 1 can be kept outside the liquid E (and in this option the first sensors can act also as ambient sensor) and the holding part 5 can also partly or fully enter the liquid E. Therefore, the temperature measuring device 10 can be applied as a temperature meter, for example on hobs.

From Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 it is clear that it becomes possible to use the same temperature measuring device 10 for using on different devices, for example on hobs (not just for roasting a meat but also for measuring temperature of liquids which are around or above 100°C), or similar devices for different food preparation methods. This brings the probe to a completely different level than usual probes.

In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. Temperature measuring device (10) for measuring a temperature of a food and/or of a cooking environment, comprising:

- a first part (1) which includes at least one first temperature sensor (3) and an electronic component (4) for operating the at least one first temperature sensor (3);

- a holding part (5) or divider (5), to which the first part (1) is connected; and

- a second part (2) which is connected to the holding part (5) or divider (5) or which can be connected and removed with the holding part (5) or divider (5), wherein the second part (2) includes at least one second temperature sensor (6) and the electronic component (4) is configured to operate the at least one second temperature sensor (6) and wherein the at least one first temperature sensor (3) and the at least one second temperature sensor (6) and the electronic component (4) are configured such that a first range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one first temperature sensor (3) at least partly differs from a second range of a temperature to be measured by the at least one second temperature sensor (6).

2. Temperature measuring device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first range of temperature covers temperatures of lower or equal to 100 °C and the second range of temperature covers temperatures of greater or equal to 100 °C.

3. Temperature measuring device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second part (2) is connected to a side of the holding part (5) or divider (5) which is opposite to a side of the holding part (5) or divider (5) to which the first part (1) is connected.

4. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first part (1) and the holding part (5) or divider (5) and the second part (2) are embodied in an integral manner.

5. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second part (3) is removably connected to the holding part (5) or divider (5) by a connecting means.

6. Temperature measuring device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the connecting means is a magnetic component and/or a snap component and/or a sticking component and/or a threaded component and/or a snipped component.

7. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, which comprises an electric connection between the electronic component (4) and the second part (2).

8. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, which comprises at least one ambient sensor (7) which is located in the holding part (5) and/or in the second part (2), and which is configured to measure a temperature of an environment of the temperature measuring device (10).

9. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second part (2) comprises two or more second temperature sensors (6).

10. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic component (4) comprises a battery and a wireless communication device for sending measured temperature signals from the first temperature sensor (3) and/or from the second temperature sensor (6) to a household appliance and/or to an external receiver.

1 1. Temperature measuring device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein along a lateral side of the holding part (5), the first part (1) and/or the second part (3) are flush with the holding part (5) and the lateral direction is perpendicular to a direction along which the first part (1) and the second part (2) are connected to the holding part (5).