Kitchen appliance comprising weighing sensor assembly

Abstract

A kitchen appliance (100) is provided that includes a food preparation chamber (102) and a storage container (104) in which contents (106) may be stored prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber. The food preparation chamber and the storage container are integrated in a main assembly (108) of the kitchen appliance. A support member (110), such as a support foot, supports at least a portion of the storage container thereon. A weighing sensor assembly (112) supports and thus is able to weigh the main assembly other than at least a portion of the storage container, the at least a portion of which is supported on the support member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a load cell assembly. Background Art

[0002] There are currently many kitchen appliances on the market with integrated weighing systems. The integrated weighing systems facilitate determining how much ingredients have been added when following a recipe and / or can help follow the food preparation (e.g. cooking) process. To this end, for example, the entire kitchen appliance can be placed on three or four load cells.

[0003] Some kitchen appliances include integrated storage containers, the contents of which, such as ingredients, can be delivered to a food preparation chamber. Food can be cooked, mixed, stirred, chopped, etc., in such a food preparation chamber, depending on the type of kitchen appliance.

[0004] Placing the entire kitchen appliance on a load cell can present certain challenges, especially if the kitchen appliance includes this type of integrated storage container. For this type of kitchen appliance, the weight of the entire kitchen appliance can be kept constant by delivering the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber. This can present difficulties in tracking the weight of the contents specifically received in the food preparation chamber.

[0005] Such tracking can be critical to ensuring that the desired amount of contents of a storage container is delivered to the food preparation chamber, but can also be important for tracking and / or controlling any changes in the weight of ingredients received in the food preparation chamber during food preparation (e.g., cooking).

[0006] Therefore, it may be desirable to place a load cell inside the kitchen appliance so that only the food preparation chamber is weighed. However, placing a load cell in this manner is problematic. The food preparation functionality of a kitchen appliance makes it difficult to install a load cell for weighing only the food preparation chamber in a manner that properly accounts for / corrects for the effects associated with the food preparation functionality (e.g., mechanical forces, heat, etc.). Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kitchen appliance, comprising: a food preparation chamber; a storage container, in which contents can be stored before being delivered to the food preparation chamber, the food preparation chamber and the storage container being integrated in a main component of the kitchen appliance; a supporting member, on which at least a portion of the storage container can be supported; and a weighing sensor assembly, on which the main component except for the at least a portion of the storage container can be supported so as to be weighed by the weighing sensor assembly.

[0009] At least a portion of the storage container is supported by a supporting member, and a weighing sensor assembly weighs the main component (except for at least a portion of the storage container supported on the supporting member), so that specific weighing of the food preparation chamber can be facilitated even though the storage container is integrated with the food preparation chamber in the main component of the kitchen appliance, in other words, provided together.

[0010] This is because the support member can help exclude the weight of the storage container from the weight of the main assembly sensed by the load cell assembly, wherein the food preparation chamber is included in the main assembly.

[0011] Thus, the load cell assembly can be arranged to support the main assembly of the kitchen appliance, rather than being arranged, for example, inside the main assembly, in order to weigh the food preparation chamber. This can help to reduce the risk of interference between the load cell assembly and the food preparation functionality arranged inside the main assembly. Nevertheless, due to the inclusion of the support member, the load cell assembly can still track the weight of the contents of, in particular, the food preparation chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support member and the load cell assembly protrude from a tabletop-facing side of the main assembly, wherein the support member is disposed below the storage container. Such protrusion of the load cell assembly from the tabletop-facing side of the main assembly can, for example, help position the load cell assembly away from food preparation functionality of kitchen appliances included in the main assembly.

[0013] In some embodiments, the main assembly includes structure for holding a food preparation chamber and a storage container, wherein the structure (except for at least a portion of the storage container supported on a support member) is supported on a load cell assembly.

[0014] The structural retention of the food preparation chamber and the storage container may facilitate or define the integration of the food preparation chamber and the storage container into the main assembly.

[0015] The food preparation chamber may be supported by the structure, wherein the structure (except for at least a portion of the storage container) is supported on the load cell assembly.

[0016] The structure of the main component can take any suitable form.In some embodiments, this structure comprises for example being defined by the chassis and / or shell of the main component.

[0017] In some embodiments, the storage container is arranged above the support member, wherein the support member includes a support limb portion upright from the storage container. The support limb portion can support the storage container above the tabletop-facing side of the main component.

[0018] In such embodiments, an aperture may be defined in the structure of the primary component through which the support limb portion stands upright toward the storage container.

[0019] The aperture may help exclude the weight of the storage container from the weight of the main assembly sensed by the load cell assembly because a support member including a support limb portion extending through the aperture may support the storage container independently of the structure.

[0020] In such embodiments, the aperture can be wider than the width of the support limb portion, wherein the support limb portion extends through the aperture so that a gap is defined between the support limb portion and a portion of the structure defining the aperture. The gap can help the support member including the support limb portion to support the storage container independently of the structure of the main assembly (e.g., chassis and / or housing).

[0021] In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance includes a flexible conduit through which the contents of the storage container can be delivered to the food preparation chamber. The flexibility of the conduit can help separate the weight of the storage container from the weight of the rest of the main assembly.

[0022] The conduit may comprise a flexible hose, for example in the form of a flexible hose.

[0023] In at least some embodiments, the load cell assembly includes one or more force measuring elements. Such force measuring element(s) may rest on a tabletop, and support a main assembly disposed on top of the force measuring element(s), in addition to at least a portion of a storage container supported on a support member. For example, three or four force measuring elements may be disposed on a side of the main assembly facing the tabletop, spaced apart from one another.

[0024] In at least some embodiments, the underside of the load cell assembly is arranged to contact a tabletop on which the kitchenware is placed.Alternatively or additionally, the underside of the support member may be arranged to contact the tabletop.

[0025] In some embodiments, the storage container is suitable for storing liquids. Such liquids may include, for example, water. Delivering liquids to the food preparation chamber may assist in cooking, mixing, stirring, chopping, juicing, etc., of food ingredients in the food preparation chamber.

[0026] In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance includes a dosing device for controlling the delivery of the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber.

[0027] The dosing device may, for example, be configured to control delivery of the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber based on the weight of the primary assembly excluding at least a portion of the storage container supported on the support member.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, a food preparation process (eg, a cooking process) occurring in the food preparation chamber may be controlled based on the weight of the primary assembly other than at least a portion of the storage container supported on the support member.

[0029] For example, a control signal indicating completion of a food preparation program (e.g., a cooking process) occurring in the food preparation chamber may be generated by a controller included in the kitchen appliance. The generation of the control signal may be based on the weight of the main assembly other than at least a portion of the storage container, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member.

[0030] Such control signals may cause a change in the operation of the food preparation functionality (eg, the heating system and / or the motorized drive system), such as a stop, and / or may cause a user interface to alert a user of the kitchen appliance that the food preparation program is complete.

[0031] More generally, the kitchen appliance may comprise a heating system for heating the food preparation chamber.Alternatively or additionally, the kitchen appliance may comprise a motorized drive system for driving the movement of appliances arranged in the food preparation chamber.

[0032] The kitchen appliance can be any type. In certain embodiments, the kitchen appliance is a cooking appliance, such as an air fryer, an air cooker, a food steamer, a bread maker or a rice cooker. Alternatively, the kitchen appliance can be a pasta maker, a coffee maker, a food processor, a juicer or a blender.

[0033] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] For a better understanding of the invention, and to more clearly show how the same may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 schematically depicts a kitchen appliance according to a first example;

[0036] Figure 2 schematically depicts a kitchen appliance according to a second example;

[0037] Figure 3 schematically depicts a kitchen appliance according to a third example; and

[0038] Figure 4 A kitchen appliance according to a fourth example is schematically depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system and method, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, system and method of the present invention will become better understood based on the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that in all drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0041] A kitchen appliance is provided, comprising a food preparation chamber and a storage container in which contents can be stored prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber. The food preparation chamber and the storage container are integrated into a main assembly of the kitchen appliance. A support member, such as a support foot, supports at least a portion of the storage container thereon. A load cell assembly supports and is thus capable of weighing the main assembly except for at least a portion of the storage container, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member.

[0042] Figure 1 A kitchen appliance 100 according to one example is schematically depicted. The kitchen appliance 100 includes a food preparation chamber 102 in which food ingredients can be received. The kitchen appliance 100 also includes a storage container 104 in which contents 106 (e.g., food ingredients) can be stored before being delivered to the food preparation chamber 102.

[0043] Various food preparation processes may be performed in the food preparation chamber 102, such as cooking, mixing, and / or cutting food ingredients.

[0044] In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance 100 comprises a cooking appliance including a heating system for heating the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0045] In such embodiments, the cooking appliance may include a circulation system for circulating air heated by the heating system in the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the kitchen appliance 100 may include a motorized drive system for driving movement of appliances disposed in the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0047] Such utensils can be of any type. In some embodiments, the utensils include one or more of a cutter, a mixer, a stirrer, a rotatable filter, and a dough hook.

[0048] The kitchen appliance 100 may be any type of kitchen appliance 100 for food preparation. Particularly mentioned kitchen appliances are air fryers, air cookers, food steamers, rice cookers, pasta machines, bread machines, coffee machines, food processors, juicers or blenders.

[0049] In some embodiments, storage container 104 is suitable for storing liquid. Such liquid may include, for example, water. Delivery of liquid into food preparation chamber 102 may assist in cooking, mixing, stirring, chopping, juicing, etc. of food ingredients in food preparation chamber 102.

[0050] In an embodiment where the kitchen appliance 100 is a rice cooker, the storage container 104 can store water for delivery to the food preparation chamber 102. In such embodiments, the food preparation chamber 102 can be heated by the heating system to cook rice in the water delivered from the storage container 104 to the food preparation chamber 102.

[0051] In embodiments where the kitchen appliance 100 is an air fryer, an air cooker, or a food steamer, the storage container 104 may store water for delivery into the food preparation chamber 102 to provide steam cooking conditions in the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0052] It should be noted that when the kitchen appliance 100 is an air fryer, the above-mentioned circulation system can be arranged to cause air to circulate upward in the top direction of the food preparation chamber 102 through the food contained in the food preparation chamber 102, and / or circulate downward in the bottom direction of the food preparation chamber 102 through the food contained in the food preparation chamber 102.

[0053] On the other hand, when the kitchen appliance 100 is an air cooker, the circulation system can be arranged to circulate air laterally across and through food received in the food preparation chamber 102, wherein the air is laterally directed toward a side portion of the food preparation chamber 102 extending between a top and a bottom portion of the food preparation chamber 102.

[0054] In embodiments where the kitchen appliance 100 is a coffee maker, the storage container 104 may store water for delivery to the food preparation chamber 102 so that coffee can be brewed in the food preparation chamber 102. In such embodiments, the food preparation chamber 102 may be considered a coffee brewing chamber.

[0055] In embodiments where the kitchen appliance 100 is a pasta maker or a bread maker, the storage container 104 may store water and / or flour.

[0056] In embodiments where storage container 104 stores more than one type of ingredient, such as water and flour, storage container 104 may be divided into storage portions where each type of ingredient may be stored separately from the other type(s) of ingredients.

[0057] Such storage sections may, for example, be arranged in a row.

[0058] It should be noted that such rows can extend to Figure 1 The view provided in the plane is such that only one storage section of such multiple storage sections is visible.

[0059] Reference again Figure 1 , the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 are integrated, in other words, are arranged together in a main assembly 108 of the kitchen appliance 100. Food preparation functionality, such as a heating system and / or a motorized drive system, may also be included in the main assembly 108.

[0060] In some embodiments, the main assembly 108 includes structure for retaining the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104. Retention of the structure of the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 may facilitate or define integration of the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 in the main assembly.

[0061] The structure of the main assembly 108 can take any suitable form. In some embodiments, the structure includes a chassis and / or a housing of the main assembly 108, for example, defined by a chassis and / or a housing of the main assembly 108.

[0062] The structure, such as the chassis and / or housing, may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic and / or metal materials.

[0063] In some embodiments, the food preparation chamber 102 and / or the storage container 104 may be detachable from the structure of the main assembly 108 .

[0064] This may facilitate cleaning and / or maintenance of the kitchen appliance 100. Disassembly of the food preparation chamber 102 and / or storage container 104 may also facilitate loading and unloading of food ingredients into and from the corresponding vessels.

[0065] It should be noted that although in some embodiments one or both of the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 may be removable from the structure, the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 may be retained by the structure of the main component 108 by being mounted or mountable in the structure.

[0066] By the structure of the main assembly 108 , the food preparation functionality of the kitchen appliance 100 , such as a heating system and / or a motorized drive system, may be maintained along with the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 .

[0067] The kitchen appliance 100 includes a support member 110 on which at least a portion of the storage container 104 may be supported, and a load cell assembly 112 on which the main assembly 108 other than at least a portion of the storage container 104 may be supported so as to be weighed by the load cell assembly 112. For example, a structure for holding the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104, such as a chassis and / or a housing, is supported on the load cell assembly 112, but the load cell assembly 112 does not support at least a portion of the storage container 104, which is supported on the support member 110.

[0068] The remainder of the main assembly 108 that is supported on the load cell assembly 112 rather than on the support member 110 may therefore include the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0069] At least a portion of the storage container 104 is supported on the support member 110 , which implies that the support member 110 is arranged below at least a portion of the storage container 104 .

[0070] In at least some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 are arranged at different lateral positions relative to each other in the main component 108, wherein the support member 110 is located below at least a portion of the storage container 104, but is laterally spaced from the bottom of the food preparation chamber 102, in other words, not below the bottom of the food preparation chamber 102.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the support member 110 and the load cell assembly 112 may protrude from a desktop-facing side 113 of the main assembly 108, with the support member 110 being disposed below the storage container 104. The desktop-facing side 113 of the main assembly 108 may be, for example, a desktop-facing side 113 of a structure (e.g., chassis and / or housing) of the main assembly 108.

[0072] Such protrusion of load cell assembly 112 from tabletop-facing side 113 of main assembly 108 may, for example, help position load cell assembly 112 away from food preparation functionality, such as a heating system and / or a motorized drive system included in main assembly 108 .

[0073] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the storage container 104 is arranged above the support member 110, wherein the support member 110 includes a support limb portion 114 upright from the storage container 104. The support limb portion 114 enables the storage container 104 to be supported above the tabletop-facing side 113 of the main assembly 108.

[0074] The support member 110 may include support feet, for example, may be in the form of support feet.

[0075] In embodiments where the support limb portion 114 is included in the support member 110, the support limb portion 114 may, for example, be considered to be included in such a support foot.

[0076] More generally, at least a portion of the storage container 104 is supported by the support member 110, and the weighing sensor assembly 112 weighs the main component 108 (except for at least a portion of the storage container 104 supported on the support member 110), so that specific weighing of the food preparation chamber 102 can be facilitated even though the storage container 104 is integrated with the food preparation chamber 102 in the main component 108 of the kitchen appliance 100, in other words, provided together.

[0077] This is because support member 110 may help exclude the weight of storage container 104 from the weight of main assembly 108 sensed by load cell assembly 112, wherein food preparation chamber 102 is included in main assembly 108.

[0078] Thus, the load cell assembly 112 can be arranged to support the main assembly 108 of the kitchen appliance 100, rather than being arranged, for example, inside the main assembly 108, such as inside the structure of the main assembly 108, in order to weigh the food preparation chamber 102. This can help to reduce the risk of interference between the load cell assembly 112 and the food preparation functionality (such as the heating system and / or the motorized drive system) disposed inside the main assembly 108. Nevertheless, due to the inclusion of the support member 110, the load cell assembly 112 can achieve tracking of the weight of the contents of the food preparation chamber 102 in particular.

[0079] In at least some embodiments, the load cell assembly 112 includes one or more load cells. Such load cells (one or more) can rest on a tabletop 115 on which the kitchen appliance 100 is disposed and support the main assembly 108 disposed on top of the load cell (one or more) (except for at least a portion of the storage container 104 supported on the support member 110). For example, three or four load cells can be disposed on the tabletop-facing side 113 of the main assembly 108 spaced apart from one another.

[0080] The underside of the load cell assembly 112, such as the underside of the load cell(s) included in the load cell assembly 112, may be arranged to contact a tabletop 115 on which the kitchen appliance 100 is disposed. Alternatively or additionally, the underside of the support member 110 may be arranged to contact the tabletop 115.

[0081] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an aperture 116 is defined in the structure of the main assembly 108 through which the support limb portion 114 stands upright toward the storage container 104 .

[0082] The hole 116 can help exclude the weight of the storage container 104 from the weight of the main assembly 108 sensed by the load cell assembly 112 because the support member 110 including the support limb portion 114 extending through the hole 116 can support the storage container 104 independently of the structure (e.g., chassis and / or housing) of the main assembly 108. Figure 1 The embodiment shown can improve the weighing accuracy of the food preparation chamber 102. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, such support limb apertures 114, 116 are not included in the kitchen appliance 100. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the latter may benefit from fewer force measuring elements required for the load cell assembly 112.

[0083] In some embodiments, the aperture 116 is wider than the width of the support limb portion 114, wherein the support limb portion 114 extends through the aperture 116 such that a gap is defined between the support limb portion 114 and a portion of the structure defining the aperture 116. The gap can help the support member 110 and the support limb portion 114 support the storage container 104 independently of the structure of the main assembly 108 (e.g., the chassis and / or the housing).

[0084] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the support member 110 is at least partially, such as completely, defined by the bottom of the storage container 104 .

[0085] In such embodiments, the bottom of the storage container 104 may rest on a tabletop 115 upon which the kitchen appliance 100 is disposed.

[0086] It should be noted that although the bottom of the storage container 104 at least partially defines the support member 110 , the storage container 104 is still integrated into the main assembly 108 of the kitchen appliance 100 along with the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0087] In this regard, the storage container 104 may be lifted from the tabletop 115 along with the remainder of the main assembly 108 (including the food preparation chamber 102 ).

[0088] To this end, the storage container 104 may, for example, include an upper lip or edge 124 that is arranged to enable the storage container 104 to rest on an upper portion of the main component 108, such as an upper portion of a structure of the main component 108, while the main component 108 is lifted from the desktop 115.

[0089] In general, it should be noted that the integration of the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 in the main assembly 108 can mean that, in at least some embodiments, the food preparation chamber 102 and the storage container 104 can be lifted from the table top 115 as a unit.

[0090] In embodiments where the bottom of the storage container 104 at least partially (e.g., entirely) defines the support member 110, the structure of the main component 108 can define an opening 126 through which the storage container 104 extends so that the bottom of the storage container 104 can reach the desktop 115.

[0091] In such embodiments, the opening 126 may be wider than the width of the storage container 104 , wherein the storage container 104 extends through the opening 126 such that a space is defined between the storage container 104 and a portion of the structure defining the opening 126 .

[0092] This space can help the bottom of the storage container 104 support the storage container 104 independently of the structure of the main component 108 (e.g., the chassis and / or housing).

[0093] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the kitchen appliance 100 includes a conduit 118 through which the contents 106 of the storage container 104 can be delivered to the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0094] In such embodiments, the conduit 118 can be a flexible conduit 118. The flexibility of the conduit 118 can help separate the weight of the storage container 104 from the weight of the rest of the main assembly 108.

[0095] The conduit 118 may include a flexible hose, for example in the form of a flexible hose. Such a flexible hose may be formed of an elastic material such as silicone, for example.

[0096] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the kitchen appliance 100 includes dosing devices 120 , 122 ; 128 for controlling the delivery of the contents 106 of the storage container 104 to the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0097] The dosing devices 120 , 122 ; 128 may be designed in any suitable manner, such as utilizing gate(s), valve(s) 122 and / or pump(s) 128 , to control delivery of the contents 106 of the storage container 104 to the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0098] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , the dosing device 120 , 122 comprises an overflow stop element 120 and a valve 122 . Such a dosing device 120 , 122 may be particularly suitable for dosing liquid from a storage container 104 to a food preparation chamber 102 .

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, the dosing device 120 , 122 ; 128 may include a gate for controlling the passage of solid contents 106 , such as flour or coffee grounds, from the storage container 104 to the food preparation chamber 102 .

[0100] More generally, the dosing devices 120, 122; 128 can be configured to control the delivery of the contents 106 of the storage container 104 to the food preparation chamber 102 based on the weight of the main component 108 other than at least a portion of the storage container 104, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member 110.

[0101] Alternatively or additionally, a food preparation procedure (e.g., a cooking process) occurring in the food preparation chamber 102 can be controlled based on the weight of the main component 108 in addition to at least a portion of the storage container 104, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member 110.

[0102] For example, a control signal indicating completion of a food preparation procedure (e.g., a cooking process) occurring in the food preparation chamber 102 can be generated by a controller of the kitchen appliance based on the weight of the main component 108 in addition to at least a portion of the storage container 104, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member 110.

[0103] Such control signals may cause a change in the operation of food preparation functionality (eg, heating system and / or motorized drive system), such as cessation, and / or may cause a user interface to alert a user of the kitchen appliance 100 that a food preparation program is complete.

[0104] As an illustrative, non-limiting example, the kitchen appliance 100 is in the form of a pasta maker, and a defined amount of flour is dosed from a storage container 104, in particular from a first storage portion of the storage container 104, to a food preparation chamber 102, and a defined amount of water is dosed from a storage container 104, in particular from a second storage portion of the storage container 104, to the food preparation chamber 102.

[0105] Correct dosing of flour and water may be accomplished by weighing the main assembly 108 excluding at least a portion of the storage container 104 , which is supported on the support member 110 , via a load cell assembly 112 .

[0106] In another illustrative, non-limiting example, the kitchen appliance 100 is in the form of a rice cooker, and the weight of the rice in the food preparation chamber 102 is determined by weighing the main assembly 108 except for at least a portion of the storage container 104, which is supported on the support member 110, via the load cell assembly 112. Similarly, the weight of the water for mixing with the rice is determined by weighing the main assembly 108 except for at least a portion of the storage container 104, which is supported on the support member 110, via the load cell assembly 112.

[0107] In such examples, completion of the rice cooking process can be indicated by determining the amount of water evaporated from the food preparation chamber 102 by weighing the main component 108 excluding at least a portion of the storage container 104 via the weighing sensor assembly 112, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member 110.

[0108] In another illustrative, non-limiting example, during a cooking process occurring in an air fryer or air cooker, weight loss of food is monitored to determine the degree of doneness, wherein the weight loss of the food is determined by weighing the main assembly 108 excluding at least a portion of the storage container 104 by the load cell assembly 112, at least a portion of which is supported on the support member 110.

[0109] Based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0110] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0111] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0112] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A kitchen appliance (100), comprising: food preparation room (102); a storage container (104) in which contents (106) can be stored before delivery to the food preparation chamber, the food preparation chamber and the storage container being integrated into a main assembly (108) of the kitchen appliance; a support member (110) on which at least a portion of the storage container can be supported; as well as A load cell assembly (112) on which the main assembly except for the at least a portion of the storage container can be supported so as to be weighed by the load cell assembly.

2. The kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support member (110) and the load cell assembly (112) protrude from a tabletop-facing side (113) of the main assembly (108), wherein the support member is arranged below the storage container (104).

3. The kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main component (108) includes a structure for holding the food preparation chamber (102) and the storage container (104), and the structure except for at least a portion of the storage container is supported on the weighing sensor assembly (112).

4. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage container (104) is arranged above the support member (110), and the support member includes a support limb portion (114) upright from the storage container.

5. The kitchen appliance (100) of claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein a hole (116) is defined in the structure through which the support limb portion (114) stands upright toward the storage container (104).

6. The kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 5, wherein the hole (116) is wider than the width of the support limb portion (114), and wherein the support limb portion extends through the hole so that a gap is defined between the support limb portion and a portion of the structure defining the hole.

7. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a flexible conduit (118) through which the contents (106) of the storage container (104) are deliverable to the food preparation chamber (102).

8. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the load cell assembly (112) comprises one or more force measuring cells.

9. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an underside of the load cell assembly (112) is arranged to contact a tabletop on which the kitchen appliance is placed.

10. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a lower side of the support member (110) is arranged to contact a tabletop on which the kitchen appliance is disposed.

11. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the storage container (104) is used to store liquid.

12. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a dosing device (120, 122; 128) for controlling the delivery of the content (106) of the storage container (104) to the food preparation chamber (102).

13. The kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 12, wherein the dosing device (120, 122; 128) is configured to control the delivery of the contents (106) of the storage container (104) to the food preparation chamber (102) based on the weight of the main component (108) excluding the at least a portion of the storage container, and the at least a portion of the storage container is supported on the support member (110).

14. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: a heating system, the heating system being used to heat the food preparation chamber (102); and / or A motorized drive system is provided for driving movement of utensils arranged in the food preparation chamber.

15. The kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising an air fryer, an air cooker, a food steamer, a rice cooker, a pasta maker, a bread maker, a coffee maker, a food processor, a juicer or a blender.

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