Cooking appliance

Abstract

Cooking appliance, in particular a cooktop appliance, comprising at least one heating unit (12a-f) for heating a sales container (16a-f) in which food and / or pet food are sold and which is at least partially metallic, and at least one control unit (14a-f) which is provided for controlling and / or regulating the heating unit (12a-f) to carry out a cooking program, characterized in that the control unit (14a-f) is provided for determining at least one volume parameter of the sales container (16a-f), wherein the control unit (14a-f) is provided for carrying out a special cooking program for the sales container (16a-f) which differs from a cooking program for ordinary cooking utensils, in particular a saucepan and / or a frying pan, and characterized by a sensor unit (24c;24e), which is designed to optically determine at least one volume parameter, wherein the at least one volume parameter is a diameter, a height or a volume of the sales container (16a-f).;

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A cooktop device with a heating unit for heating a cooking vessel and with a control unit which is intended to control and / or regulate the heating unit for carrying out a cooking program is already known.

[0003] Document DE 10 2008 054 909 A1 discloses a method for determining a characteristic physical parameter of a container, e.g. a pot or pan, by analyzing a resonance frequency and energy absorption behavior of an inductive energy transfer system, wherein the container comprises a receiving coil that interacts with a generating coil of the energy transfer system, thus enabling an estimation of a container type.

[0004] Document DE 198 28 170 A1 discloses a method for determining specific properties of a container, such as a pot or pan, using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device integrated into a container wall or lid, wherein the SAW device emits a coded response signal in response to a query signal, the coded signal indicating a pot size or a fill quantity of the container.

[0005] Document DE 10 2007 021 295 A1 discloses a method for determining the fill level of a medium located in a container, such as a pot or pan, wherein an infrared sensor element detects the infrared radiation emitted by the container, and the height of the fill level in the container is determined based on the intensity of the detected radiation.

[0006] Document EP 0 788 293 A2 discloses a method for determining the size of a container, such as a pot or pan, by evaluating the coverage of a sensor coil located in a heating zone of a radiant heating element and analyzing the resulting frequency shift of a high-frequency resonant circuit caused by electromagnetic interaction with the container to determine whether the container covers a central heating zone, outer heating zones or both heating zones, or is displaced relative to the heating zones.

[0007] Document DE 195 33 514 A1 discloses a method for determining a volume characteristic of a container, such as a pot or pan, wherein during a first phase of the heating process the energy supply to the heating plate is temporarily interrupted or reduced and the resulting dynamic temperature-time profile is measured by sensors, processed by an evaluation and control unit and used to calculate the absorbed and emitted heat, which serves as an indicator for the volume, fill level and position of the container on the heating plate.

[0008] The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a cooking appliance of the generic type with advantageously increased ease of use. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention relates to a cooking appliance, in particular a hob appliance, with at least one heating unit for heating a sales container in which food and / or pet food are sold and which is at least partially metallic, and at least one control unit which is provided to control and / or regulate the heating unit for the execution of a cooking program.

[0010] According to the invention, the control unit is designed to determine at least one volume parameter of the sales container. In particular, this is a retail sales container. Specifically, the container has a temperature resistance of at least 70°C, preferably at least 85°C, and particularly advantageously at least 100°C. It is particularly advantageous that the sales container is at least partially ferromagnetic. "Designed" is understood to mean, in particular, specially programmed, designed, and / or equipped. A "heating unit" is understood to mean, in particular, a unit, preferably an electronic unit, designed to provide a heating power of at least 500 W, in particular at least 1000 W, and preferably at least 1500 W, in at least one operating state. Preferably, the heating unit comprises at least one induction heating element.In this context, an "induction heating element" is understood to be, in particular, a wound electrical conductor, preferably in the form of a circular disk, through which a high-frequency alternating current flows in at least one operating state. The induction heating element is preferably designed to convert electrical energy into an alternating magnetic field, which is intended to induce eddy currents and / or remagnetization effects in a metallic, preferably at least partially ferromagnetic, container, leading to heating of the container. A "cooking program" is understood to be, in particular, a sequence of events for a cooking operation, automatically executed by the control unit, which assigns a heating power to each point in time, measured from the start of the cooking operation.Preferably, the control unit comprises a processing unit and, in particular, in addition to the processing unit, a storage unit with a control and / or regulation program stored therein, especially the cooking program, which is intended to be executed by the processing unit. In this context, a "volume parameter" is understood to mean, in particular, a quantity that at least partially characterizes a volume. The volume parameter can be a diameter, a height, or a volume.

[0011] Preferably, the control unit is designed to read and / or receive information in at least one operating state via a further unit, in particular an operating unit of a user interface and / or a sensor unit, which is controlled and / or regulated by the control unit. In this context, a "sensor unit" is understood to be, in particular, a preferably electronic unit that is designed to qualitatively or quantitatively detect at least one physical and / or chemical quantity. In particular, the sensor unit may be designed to determine a power parameter and / or a temperature parameter. A "power parameter" is understood to be, in particular, a quantity that at least partially characterizes a power output, in particular an electrical voltage and preferably an electrical current.In this context, a "temperature parameter" is understood to mean, in particular, a quantity that at least partially characterizes a temperature. The sensor unit may also be designed to detect an electric and / or magnetic field, in particular a change in an electric and / or magnetic field, and / or electromagnetic radiation, in particular light, and preferably red or infrared light. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor unit may also include an RFID reader and / or a Bluetooth receiver for reading an electronic data carrier that contains information relating to the volume parameter.In this case, the sensor unit has in particular at least one means for generating an electric and / or magnetic field, in particular a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field, in particular with a frequency of at least 125 kHz, preferably of at least 1 MHz and particularly advantageously of at least 300 MHz.

[0012] Such a design can significantly improve ease of use. In particular, it enables advantageous, and especially at least partially automated, determination of the volume parameter. Furthermore, cooking results can be improved because the heat input to the sales container can be adjusted to its volume.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit be designed to query at least one volume parameter of the sales container from an operator. The phrase "the control unit is designed to query the volume parameter of the sales container from an operator" is to be understood in particular as the control unit issuing an input prompt, especially visual and / or audible, to the operator via an operator interface in at least one operating state, requesting input of the volume parameter of the sales container, specifically its volume and / or diameter and / or height, and awaiting such input from the operator via the operator interface. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may also be designed to query a mass parameter of the sales container and / or its contents from an operator.A "mass parameter" is understood to be a quantity that at least partially characterizes a mass, in particular a volume and / or density. This eliminates the need for a special sensor unit to determine the volume parameter, thereby reducing costs.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the control unit be designed to determine at least one volume parameter based on at least one power consumption of the sales container. The phrase "designed to determine the volume parameter based on at least one power consumption of the sales container" is understood to mean, in particular, that the control unit, in at least one operating state, utilizes the relationship between the power consumption of the sales container, especially at a predetermined operating frequency of an induction heating element of the heating unit, and the volume parameter of the sales container, particularly its diameter, in order to deduce the volume parameter from the measured power consumption. This allows for an advantageous determination of the volume parameter of the sales container, especially its maximum diameter.Furthermore, the variety of components can be reduced, since it is possible to use components that are already present in a cooktop, especially an induction cooktop.

[0015] According to the invention, the cooking appliance comprises a sensor unit designed to optically determine at least one volume parameter. The sensor unit preferably includes an optical detection means for directly determining the volume parameter, in particular the height of the sales container, or for indirectly determining the volume parameter by reading a visible code, in particular a barcode or a 2D code, which carries information relating to the volume parameter. In this context, "visible code" is understood to mean, in particular, a code visible to the naked eye and preferably optoelectronically readable. "Barcode" is understood to mean, in particular, an optoelectronically readable code comprising parallel lines and spaces of varying widths.

[0016] A "2D code" is understood to be, in particular, an optoelectronically readable script comprising lines of varying widths and / or dots and / or squares of varying sizes, with spaces in between. This allows for the use of a particularly advantageous information carrier, which can be especially cost-effective and space-saving. Furthermore, a reliable technology can be employed.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the cooking appliance has a sensor unit designed to capacitively determine at least one volume parameter. Preferably, the sensor unit comprises a sensor element made of an electrically conductive material and is designed to detect contact with and / or approach to the sensor element, preferably by measuring a change in the electrical capacitance of the sensor element. This allows for a particularly cost-effective sensor unit, which can be advantageously integrated into a cooktop.

[0018] If the sensor unit is at least partially integrated with at least one touch and / or proximity sensor unit of a touch-sensitive control, the number of components and the required installation space can be advantageously reduced. Furthermore, a clearly structured user interface for the cooktop can be achieved. The phrase "at least partially integrated" with the touch and / or proximity sensor unit means that the sensor unit and the touch and / or proximity sensor unit share at least one common element. In this context, a "touch and / or proximity sensor unit" is understood to mean, in particular, a sensor unit designed to detect contact with an element of the sensor unit and / or proximity to an element of the sensor unit, especially by a user's finger.A "touch-sensitive operating device" is understood to be an operating device with at least one operating surface which, in a mounted state, can be touched by an operator and is intended for operation by means of touch and / or proximity, in particular of a finger of the operator.

[0019] Furthermore, a cooking appliance, in particular a cooktop and preferably an induction cooktop, is proposed, equipped with a cooking appliance device according to the invention. This allows for a cooking appliance with advantageously increased ease of use.

[0020] Furthermore, a system is proposed comprising a sales container, at least partially metallic, for selling food and / or pet food, and a cooking device according to the invention. Preferably, the sales container has a maximum wall thickness of at most 0.8 mm, particularly at most 0.6 mm, preferably at most 0.5 mm, and most advantageously is a tin can. This allows for significantly improved ease of use for a system comprising a container and a cooking device of the generic type. Furthermore, cleaning effort can be reduced, as the use of a separate cooking vessel is no longer necessary.

[0021] Advantageously, the container has a maximum wall thickness of at most 0.8 mm, particularly at most 0.6 mm, and preferably at most 0.5 mm. In particular, the container has a maximum diameter of at least 55 mm, preferably at least 60 mm, and particularly advantageously at least 65 mm. In particular, the container has a maximum diameter of at most 200 mm, preferably at most 175 mm, and particularly advantageously at most 150 mm. Preferably, the container is a tin can.According to the invention, the control unit is designed to execute a special cooking program for a sales container in which food and / or pet food are sold, particularly in retail, which has a maximum wall thickness of at most 0.8 mm, more specifically at most 0.6 mm, and preferably at most 0.5 mm, particularly a tin can. This special cooking program differs from a cooking program for ordinary cooking cookware, particularly a saucepan and / or a frying pan. Preferably, the special cooking program includes at least one warm-up period and at least one holding period. In this context, a "warm-up period" is understood to mean, in particular, a period during which the temperature of the food being cooked is preferably increased continuously.A "holding period" is understood to mean, in particular, a period during which the temperature of a product being cooked is kept above a temperature limit and preferably at least substantially constant. The phrase "at least substantially constant" means, in particular, that the heating unit is controlled and / or regulated such that the temperature has a relative fluctuation of no more than 15%, particularly no more than 10%, preferably no more than 5%, and most advantageously no more than 2.5%. This can significantly improve ease of use, as it enables reliably efficient heating of food and / or pet food directly in a sales container, especially a can.

[0022] Further advantages become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate six exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the descriptions, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0023] They show: Fig. 1a a hob with a hob device in a top view, Fig. 1b an enlarged view of the user interface of the cooktop device, Fig. 1cein diagram for determining the diameter of a container as a function of power consumption, Fig. 2a Another hob with an alternative hob device which has a temperature sensor, in a top view, Fig. Two-legged diagram for determining the height of a container as a function of a temperature change over time. Fig. 3 another hob with a hob device which includes an extractor hood with a sensor unit for optically determining the height of a container, Fig. 4. A user interface of another cooktop device with a sensor unit for capacitive determination of the height of a container in a top view. Fig. 5. A user interface of an alternative cooktop device with an optical sensor unit for reading an information carrier of a container in a top view and Fig. 6. A user interface of another hob device with control buttons for entering the volume of a container in a top view.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1a shows a cooktop designed as an induction cooktop 22a with a cooktop device designed as an induction cooktop unit 10a in a top view. The cooktop comprises a cooktop plate 32a, which is arranged horizontally in an installation position and is provided for placing cookware (not shown). Heating zones 34a, 36a, 38a, 40a of the cooktop are marked on the cooktop plate 32a in a known manner. Each of the heating zones 34a, 36a, 38a, 40a is assigned a heating unit 12a in the installation position below the cooktop plate 32a, wherein the heating units 12a are in Fig. 1a only the heating unit 12a assigned to heating zone 34a is indicated by a dashed line. The heating units 12a each comprise at least one induction heating element (not shown). To heat a preferably ferromagnetic cookware, it is placed on one of the heating zones 34a, 36a, 38a, or 40a. At least one induction heating element of the heating unit 12a, which is assigned to the corresponding heating zone 34a, 36a, 38a, or 40a, generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field in a known manner, which leads to heating of the cookware by induced eddy currents and / or remagnetization effects. The cooktop device comprises a component arranged below the cooktop plate 32a in the installation position and in Fig. 1a Control unit 14a, indicated by dashed lines. The control unit 14a is designed to control and / or regulate the heating units 12a for the execution of a cooking program in a known manner. The cooktop device also includes a user interface 42a, which is located in Fig. 1a is only indicated schematically.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1b shows an enlarged view of the operator interface 42a. The operator interface 42a includes touch-sensitive control buttons 44a, of which in Fig. 1b is merely an example and is explained below. The control button 44a has a control surface 46a, which is formed integrally with a cooktop plate 32a and is marked by a symbol 48a. The control button 44a further comprises a proximity sensor unit 50a, which is arranged in an installation position of the cooktop below the cooktop plate 32a and is designed to detect contact with the control surface 46a. The proximity sensor unit 50a can be any sensor unit that appears suitable to a person skilled in the art, in particular an optical sensor unit, but preferably a capacitive sensor unit. The user interface 42a further comprises display units 58a, 60a. The display units 58a, of which in Fig. 1b, which is merely an example and is explained below, are designed as 7-segment display units 62a. Each unit has a 7-segment display element 64a with light-emitting diodes arranged below the cooktop 32a in its installed position, the light from which is visible through the cooktop 32a. The display units 58a are used to display heating levels and time information. The display units 60a, of which in Fig. The units 66a, which are merely an example and are explained below, are designed as simple status indicator units 66a. Each unit has a light element 68a arranged below the cooktop 32a in its installed position, the light from which is visible through the cooktop 32a. The indicator units 60a serve to display general operating states. For example, the indicator unit 60a is arranged above the symbol 48a and indicates the general operating state that is present after the control button 44a has been pressed. The user interface 42a also includes an indicator unit 70a. The indicator unit 70a comprises a display 72a, which is arranged below the cooktop 32a in its installed position. The display 72a includes at least one light element, so that the display 72a is visible through the cooktop 32a.The display unit 70a is designed to output error messages, operating instructions, and / or status messages of a cooking program. The operator interface 42a may also include a speaker and / or a buzzer.

[0026] The user interface 42a further comprises a touch-sensitive control element 28a, which is designed as a touch slider 52a. The control element 28a includes a slider surface 54a, which is integrally formed with the cooktop plate 32a. The slider surface 54a is marked by a slider marking 56a. In this case, the slider marking 56a consists of a plurality of parallel lines. Alternatively, however, any design of a slider marking that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art is conceivable.The operating device 28a comprises a proximity sensor unit 26a, which is arranged in the installation position below the cooktop surface 32a and is designed to detect contact with the slider surface 54a, in particular by a user's finger, and movement, in particular a direction of movement and preferably also a speed of movement, along a longitudinal direction of the slider surface 54a. The proximity sensor unit 26a is designed as a capacitive sensor unit 24a.The capacitive sensor unit 24a has a plurality of sensor elements (not shown) made of an electrically conductive material, which are in direct contact with an underside of the cooktop plate 32a, and is designed to detect contact with the slider surface 54a above one of the sensor elements, and thus an approach to one of the sensor elements, in particular by a user's finger, in a known manner by measuring a change in the electrical capacitance of the respective sensor element. The touch slider 52a is designed for user-friendly input of variable parameters such as a heating level or a timer setting.

[0027] The cooktop includes a special operating mode for preparing food and / or animal feed directly in a container 16a designed as a can 18a, in particular a sales container 76a, using a special cooking program. The container 16a therefore has a maximum wall thickness of no more than 0.6 mm. Furthermore, the container 16a consists predominantly of sheet metal.

[0028] The special operating state can be selected by pressing the operating button 44a of the operator interface 42a. In the special operating state, the control unit 14a determines at least one volume parameter of the container 16a. The control unit 14a first prompts an operator, via the display unit 70a of the operator interface 42a, to place the container 16a on one of the heating zones 34a, 36a, 38a, or 40a. Alternatively, only one heating zone may be designated for a special operating state, whereby a heating unit assigned to the heating zone may be specifically designed for heating and / or detecting a container with a maximum wall thickness of no more than 0.6 mm. In this case, the control unit 14a determines a volume parameter, namely the diameter of the container 16a, based on the power consumption of the container 16a.For this purpose, the control unit 14a briefly operates the heating unit 12a assigned to the corresponding heating zone 34a, 36a, 38a, 40a at a fixed frequency and determines the power consumption of the container 16a in a known manner using a current sensor (not shown). From a in . Fig. The linear relationship shown in Figure 1c between the diameter d of the container 16a, plotted on an abscissa 82a of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the power consumption P of the container 16a at the frequency, plotted on an ordinate 84a of the coordinate system, allows the control unit 14a to determine the diameter of the container 16a from the measured power consumption. Fig. The relationship shown in Figure 1c is determined in a series of measurements before the cooktop is delivered and stored in the control unit 14a in a manner that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art. The control unit 14a obtains the height of the container 16a from a database, in particular an internet-based database, in which standardized pairs of diameters and heights, for example according to DIN EN 13027, are stored.

[0029] After determining the volume of container 16a, the control unit 14a outputs further instructions to the operator via the display unit 70a of the operator interface 42a. For example, the operator may be prompted to at least partially open container 16a. Furthermore, the operator may be prompted to wipe the bottom of container 16a dry. The operator may also be prompted to manually enter further cooking parameters that would be considered useful by a person skilled in the art, such as a desired preparation method, and / or a type and / or density characteristic, and / or a specific heat capacity characteristic, and / or the water content of the contents of container 16a, via the operator interface 42a.

[0030] The control unit 14a starts the special cooking program after being initiated by the operator via the operator interface 42a. The control unit 14a controls and / or regulates the heating unit 12a assigned to the corresponding heating zone 34a, 36a, 38a, 40a to execute the special cooking program, taking into account the available information, in particular the volume of the container 16a. The control unit 14a controls and / or regulates the heating unit 12a with the aim of first heating the contents of the container 16a to approximately 70°C, which generally takes less than 3 minutes, maintaining a temperature of 70°C for approximately 40 seconds, and finally keeping the contents warm at a temperature above 40°C, particularly by reducing the heating power.For this purpose, the control unit 14a calculates the instantaneous temperature of the contents of container 16a from the heating power delivered by the heating unit 12a and the approximate total heat capacity of the contents of container 16a. The control unit 14a estimates the approximate total heat capacity from the volume of container 16a and / or the mass of the contents of container 16a and the specific heat capacity and / or the density of water. Alternatively or additionally, at least one temperature sensor can be provided for direct temperature measurement. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, information regarding the specific heat capacity and / or the type and / or water content and / or the desired preparation method of the contents of container 16a can be taken into account by the control unit 14a.Once the 40 s have elapsed, the control unit 14a outputs an optical signal, in particular a light signal such as a flashing signal and / or a text output, via the operator interface 42a, via the display unit 70a, and / or an acoustic signal, in particular a beep signal and / or a voice announcement.

[0031] In an alternative configuration, a different sequence of preparation steps for a special cooking program may be used than the one shown here. For example, before placing a container on a heating zone, the operator may be prompted to manually enter cooking parameters that appear relevant to a person skilled in the art, such as a desired preparation method, the type and / or density characteristic, a specific heat capacity characteristic, and / or the water content of the container's contents. Furthermore, before placing a container on a heating zone, the operator may be prompted to at least partially open the container and / or dry the bottom of the container.

[0032] In the Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows five further embodiments of the invention. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, with regard to identical components, features and functions, reference is made to the description of the other embodiments, in particular the Fig. 1a-c, reference can be made. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in the Fig. 1a-c by the letters b to f in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments of the Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 replaced. With regard to identically designated components, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can generally also be made to the figures and / or the description of the other embodiments, in particular the Fig. 1a-c, are referred to.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2a shows a further cooktop designed as an induction cooktop 22b with a cooktop device designed as an induction cooktop device 10b in a top view. The cooktop differs from the cooktop from the previous embodiment in that each heating zone 34b, 36b, 38b, 40b is assigned a temperature sensor 20b of the cooktop device, wherein in Fig. 2a Only one of the temperature sensors 20b is shown schematically with a dashed line. The temperature sensors 20b are arranged in an installation position below a cooktop 32b. The temperature sensors 20b are in direct contact with the cooktop 32b. The temperature sensors 20b are designed as electrically conductive coatings on the underside of the cooktop 32b, which change their electrical conductivity depending on the temperature. Alternatively, however, any other type of temperature sensor that appears suitable to a person skilled in the art can be provided, in particular those that have a special thermal contact element, designed differently from a cooktop, for direct contact with a container. In an operating state, the temperature sensors 20b are supplied with current by a unit (not shown) controlled by a control unit 14b of the cooktop device.Furthermore, the unit measures the voltage drop across the temperature sensors 20b and transmits this information to the control unit 14b. The unit can, in particular, be at least partially integrated with the control unit 14b. The temperature sensors 20b are designed to determine the temperature of cookware placed on the cooktop 32b through the cooktop surface 32b.

[0034] The present cooktop also includes a special operating mode for preparing food and / or pet food directly in a container 16b designed as a can 18b, in particular a sales container 76b, using a special cooking program. In the special operating mode, identical to the previous embodiment, the control unit 14b first determines the diameter of the container 16b placed on one of the heating zones 34b, 36b, 38b, 40b.

[0035] The control unit 14b then outputs further instructions to the operator via a display unit 70b and an operator interface 42b. For example, the operator may be prompted to at least partially open the container 16b. Furthermore, the operator may be prompted to wipe the bottom of the container 16b dry. The operator may also be prompted to manually enter further cooking parameters deemed useful by a person skilled in the art, such as a desired preparation method, the type and / or density characteristic, and / or a specific heat capacity characteristic, and / or the water content of the contents of the container 16b, via the operator interface 42b. Finally, the control unit 14b starts the special cooking program after being initiated by the operator via the operator interface 42b.

[0036] First, the control unit 14b heats the container 16b by applying a relatively large amount of power. During this heating phase, the temperature is measured regularly using the temperature sensor 20b. Furthermore, the control unit 14b calculates a quotient of the temperature difference and the time difference from each pair of consecutive measurements. An arithmetic mean is then calculated from these quotients, representing the average temperature change per unit of time. Any number of measurements and / or time differences that would be considered reasonable by those skilled in the art can be used for this averaging. Preferably, however, 10 measurements are recorded, with a time difference of 20 seconds between each pair of consecutive measurements. Fig. The linear relationship shown in Figure 2b between the temperature change per unit time dT / ds of container 16b, plotted on an abscissa 82b of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the height h of container 16b, plotted on an ordinate 84b of the coordinate system, is used by the control unit 14b to determine the height of container 16b from the measured mean temperature change per unit time. Subsequently, the special cooking program follows the special cooking program described in the previous embodiment. The in Fig. The relationship shown in 2b is determined in a series of measurements before the cooktop is delivered and stored in the control unit 14b in a manner that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art.

[0037] Fig. Figure 3 shows another cooktop with a cooktop device designed as an induction cooktop device 10c. The cooktop device comprises an extractor hood 98c arranged above a cooktop plate 32c in a mounted state, with a sensor unit 24c. The sensor unit 24c is designed for optical detection of a container 16c placed on a heating zone 34c, which in Fig. 3 is schematically indicated by dashed lines. Alternatively or additionally, a sensor unit can also be used to detect a container placed on any heating zone. The sensor unit 24c comprises a digital camera and an image analysis unit (both not shown) for analyzing an image captured by the digital camera. Furthermore, instead of being integrated into a sensor unit, an image analysis unit can also be at least partially incorporated into a control unit of a cooktop.

[0038] The cooktop includes a special operating mode for preparing food and / or pet food directly in a container 16c designed as a can 18c, in particular a retail container 76c, using a special cooking program. This special operating mode can be selected via a user interface 42c. In this special operating mode, a control unit 14c first prompts the operator to place the container 16c on the heating zone 34c designated for the special cooking program. Subsequently, as already described in connection with the first embodiment, the control unit 14c determines the diameter of the container 16c from its power consumption. Simultaneously, the control unit 14c instructs the sensor unit 24c to take a digital image of the container 16c.The control unit 14c then instructs the sensor unit 24c to determine the ratio of the height of container 16c to its diameter from the diagram. From the diameter of container 16c, determined from the power consumption, and the ratio of its height to its diameter, the control unit 14c calculates the height and finally the volume of container 16c. Subsequently, the special cooking program follows the special cooking program described previously in the first embodiment.

[0039] In alternative embodiments, an optical sensor unit can be arranged not in an extractor hood but in any other location that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art, in particular in a decorative frame of a hob and preferably below a hob plate, whereby in this case at least partial transparency of the hob plate must allow an image of a container to be seen through the hob plate.

[0040] Fig. Figure 4 shows an operator interface 42d of another cooktop device of a cooktop designed as an induction cooktop 22d. The cooktop also includes a special operating mode for preparing food and / or pet food directly in a container 16d designed as a can 18d, in particular a sales container 76d, using a special cooking program. The special operating mode can be selected by pressing a control button 44d of the operator interface 42d. In the special operating mode, a control unit 14d prompts the operator, via a display unit 70d of the operator interface 42d, to first place the container 16d with its height parallel to a longitudinal direction of the slider surface 54d onto the slider surface 54d and / or to roll it down over the slider surface 54d.For this purpose, the control unit 14d indicates, via a preferably linear light element 86d, where the container 16d is to be positioned flush with the slider surface 54d with one of its base surfaces. The control unit 14d controls the sensor unit 24d to capacitively detect the height of the container 16d. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor unit configured differently from the operating device can also be provided for determining the height. The diameter of the container 16d is determined in a manner identical to that described in the first embodiment. Subsequently, the special cooking program follows the special cooking program described above in the first embodiment.

[0041] Fig. Figure 5 shows an operator interface 42e of a further cooktop device of a cooktop designed as an induction cooktop 22e. The operator interface 42e differs from the operator interface 42d of the previous embodiment in that a control element 28e, which is designed as a touch slider 52e, comprises a proximity sensor unit 26e, which is designed as an optical sensor unit 24e. The optical sensor unit 24e has at least one infrared light source and at least one photodiode array (both not shown) consisting of infrared-sensitive photodiodes arranged longitudinally on a slider surface 54e and uses, in a known manner, the reflection of infrared light from an object, in particular the operator's finger, to determine the position of the object on the slider surface 54e. Sufficient infrared transmittance of a cooktop plate 32e of the cooktop is required for this purpose.

[0042] The cooktop also includes a special operating mode for preparing food and / or pet food directly in a container 16e designed as a can 18e, in particular a retail container 76e, using a special cooking program. The container 16e has an information carrier 30e. The information carrier 30e includes a visible encoding 78e, in particular a barcode 80e. The information carrier 30e carries at least one piece of information that identifies a volume and / or mass and / or type of contents of the container 16e. If the barcode 80e is a barcode commonly used in retail, for example according to the UPC and / or EAN-13 standard, the information includes product identification and, if applicable, a volume indication.

[0043] The special operating state can be selected by pressing a control button 44e. In the special operating state, a control unit 14e of the cooktop device determines, at least semi-automatically, at least one piece of information carried by the information carrier 30e. For this purpose, the control unit 14e first prompts the operator, via the display unit 70e, to place and / or roll the information carrier 30e over the slider surface 54e. The control unit 14e then controls the sensor unit 24e to optically detect the barcode 80e. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor unit designed differently from the control device can also be provided for reading an information carrier.Depending on the information carried by the information carrier 30e, in particular the product identification, the control unit 14e may retrieve further information concerning the contents of the container 16e from a database, in particular an internet-based database. This further information may include, for example, the mass and / or volume and / or type of the contents of the container 16e and / or a special cooking program for preparing the contents of the container 16e and / or any other information that would appear relevant to a person skilled in the art. The control unit 14e then outputs further instructions to the operator via a display unit 70e. For example, the operator may be prompted to at least partially open the container 16e. Furthermore, the operator may be prompted to wipe the bottom of the container 16e dry.Furthermore, the operator may be prompted to manually enter additional cooking parameters that appear useful to a person skilled in the art, such as a desired preparation method and / or the type and / or water content of the contents of container 16e. The control unit 14e then starts the special cooking program when the operator places the container 16e on one of the heating zones 34e, 36e, 38e, or 40e. A method for cookware detection known to those skilled in the art is used for this purpose. The control unit 14e controls and / or regulates the heating unit 12e assigned to the corresponding heating zone 34e, 36e, 38e, or 40e to execute the special cooking program, taking into account the information read out. The special cooking program follows the special cooking program described above in the first embodiment.

[0044] Fig. Figure 6 shows an operator interface 42f of a further cooktop device of a cooktop designed as an induction cooktop 22f. The operator interface 42f comprises, in addition to a control button 44f for selecting a special operating state for the preparation of food and / or animal feed directly in a container 16f designed as a can 18f, in particular a sales container 76f, by means of a special cooking program, further control buttons 88f, of which in Fig. 6 is only one. The control buttons 88f are identical in principle to the control button 44f and differ only by a symbol 90f on a control surface 92f of the control button 44f. In a normal cooking operation state, the control buttons 44f are intended for setting a heating level. Accordingly, the symbols 90f are a number indicating the respective heating level. When the special operating state is selected by pressing the control button 44f, display units 94f assigned to the control buttons 44f are activated, of which in Fig.6 is designated only as one. Each control button 44f is spatially assigned a display unit 94f. The display units 94f each comprise a light element 96f arranged below a cooktop plate 32f of the cooktop when mounted. The light elements 96f display different numbers, which are visible through the cooktop plate 32f when in operation. The displayed numbers are centiliter values, namely 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 centiliters. The control unit 14f prompts the operator, via a display unit 70f, to enter an approximate fill volume of the container 16f using the control buttons 88f. Subsequently, the special cooking program follows the special cooking program described above in the first embodiment. Reference sign 10 Induction hob device 12 heating units 14 Control unit 16 containers 18 cans 20 Temperature sensor 22 induction hob 24 sensor units 26 Proximity sensor unit 28 Operating devices 30 information carriers 32 hob plates 34 heating zones 36 heating zones 38 heating zones 40 heating zones 42 User interface 44 operating button 46 User interface 48 Symbol 50 proximity sensor unit 52 Touch Sliders 54 Slider interface 56 Slider marker 58 Display unit 60 display units 62 7-segment display unit 64 7-segment display element 66 Status display unit 68 lighting elements 70 Display unit 72 Display 76 sales containers 78 Visible coding 80 barcodes 82 Abscissa 84 ordinates 86 lighting elements 88 Control button 90 Symbol 92 User interface 94 Display unit 96 lighting elements 98 Extractor hood

Claims

Cooking appliance, in particular a cooktop appliance, with at least one heating unit (12a-f) for heating a sales container (16a-f) in which food and / or pet food are sold and which is at least partially metallic, and at least one control unit (14a-f) which is provided for controlling and / or regulating the heating unit (12a-f) to carry out a cooking program, characterized in that the control unit (14a-f) is provided for determining at least one volume parameter of the sales container (16a-f), wherein the control unit (14a-f) is provided for carrying out a special cooking program for the sales container (16a-f) which differs from a cooking program for ordinary cooking utensils, in particular a saucepan and / or a frying pan, and characterized by a sensor unit (24c;24e), which is designed to optically determine at least one volume parameter, wherein the at least one volume parameter is a diameter, a height or a volume of the sales container (16a-f).; Cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (14f) is provided to query at least one volume parameter of the sales container (16f) from an operator. Cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (14a-d) is provided to determine at least one volume parameter based on at least one power input of the sales container (16a-d). Cooking appliance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sensor unit (24d) which is provided to capacitively determine at least one volume parameter. Cooking appliance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (24d; 24e) is formed at least partially in one piece with at least one touch and / or proximity sensor unit (26d; 26e) of a touch-sensitive control means (28d; 28e), wherein the sensor unit (24d; 24e) and the touch and / or proximity sensor unit (26d; 26e) have at least one common element, and wherein the touch-sensitive control means (28d; 28e) is a control means with at least one operating surface (46a) which, in a mounted state, can be touched by an operator and is provided for operation by means of a touch and / or proximity, in particular a finger of the operator. Cooking appliance, in particular a cooktop and preferably an induction cooktop (10a-f), with a cooking appliance device according to one of the preceding claims. System comprising a sales container (16a-f) in which food and / or pet food is sold and which is at least partially metallic, and a cooking device according to one of claims 1 to 5. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the sales container (16a-f) has a maximum wall thickness of at most 0.8 mm.

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