Food management system

Abstract

A refrigerator management system 1 comprises a portable electronic device 2. The portable electronic device 2 has a visual display 4 on the front surface 6 which is configured in use to display inform

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator management configured in use to raise awareness of food waste. Background In 2023 / 2024, it was found that around 9.5 million tonnes of food was wasted in the UK. This is both costly and harmful for the environment With increasingly busy lifestyles, food can be bought and left to perish in refrigerators. There is therefore a need for a means to reduce the risk of perishable items unnecessarily being sent to landfill. Prior Art ON112235457 discloses an alarm clock reminding information playing method is characterized by comprising the following steps: if the current time is the preset alarm clock reminding information acquisition time, determining the type of the alarm clock reminding information to be acquired; acquiring the alarm dock reminding information of the type according to the pre-stored acquisition information of the alarm clock reminding information of the type; and generating an audio file corresponding to the alarm dock reminding information, and playing the audio file at the reminding time of the alarm dock reminding information. DE102020000060 discloses a reminder device for taking medicaments comprising a device for receiving a matrix-shaped arrangement of medicament containers, wherein n rows of the matrix are provided for n ingestion dates of one day and m columns of the matrix are provided for m ingestion days and a programmable control unit with speech memory and loudspeaker and lighting means and a switch. All m medication containers of the same ingestion date are assigned the same color marking which differs from the color marking of the medication containers of all other ingestion dates. Each ingestion day is assigned one of the m illuminants. The control unit is programmed in such a way that, as soon as the date of ingestion occurs, the lighting means of the column which is assigned to the current day of ingestion is switched on, the control unit is programmed in such a way that the acoustic instructions are either repeated for so long as the time required for the tablet to be taken is determined, until the switch is actuated and an adjustable period of time has not elapsed, or after an adjustable period of time has elapsed after the switch has not been pressed, the control unit sends a message via an electronic communication means (non-acceptance message). US11321677 discloses an electronic passive reminder device, comprising: a housing; a display mounted in the housing for showing an elapsed time; a first manually actuable switch mounted in the housing; a second manually actuable switch mounted in the housing; and circuitry mounted in the housing including control and data processing circuitry and a data storage connected to the control and data processing circuitry, the control and data processing circuitry being configured to execute an operation program stored in the data storage to enable a user to manually actuate the first switch to cause the display to show a count-up in the form of an elapsed time shown in days since a routine task was last completed, to enable the user to manually actuate the first switch again when the user subjectively determines that too long of an interval has elapsed, and after the task has been completed again, so that a new count-up of elapsed time is shown on the display, and to further enable the user to manually actuate the second switch to selectively show on the display a form of data representative of a plurality of historical intervals between actual successive completions of the task, wherein the form of data is selected from the group consisting of the average time between completions of the assigned task, the median time between completions of the assigned task, and the days of the week in which the user completed the assigned task the most frequently. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a refrigerator management system comprising: a portable electronic device comprising: a visual display on the front surface of the device, in which the visual display is configured in use to display information relating to items stored within the refrigerator to a user; a movement sensor located on the front surface of the device and configured in use to detect user movement in an area near the device, and on detection of user movement configured in use to power on die visual display; a magnetic portion located on the rear surface of the device configured in use to magnetically engage to a refrigerator, a battery configured in use to provide power to the visual display and movement sensor; a charging port configured in use to provide power to the battery during charging; and / or a docking station configured in use to wirelessly charge the battery during charging. The visual display is preferably operable to receive, store and present information relating to one or more of: the items present within the refrigerator; the best before dates of one or more of the items; the expiration dates of one or more items; items which need to be purchased; recipes suitable for items within the refrigerator. The user may input information by using a corresponding app on a mobile device and / or by directly inputting the information using the visual display. In one embodiment, the visual display is a touch screen display. The visual display is preferably operable to provide one or more visual and / or audible alerts for the user. One or more visual and / or audible alert is indicative of upcoming item expiration date(s) within an upcoming predetermined time period. The portable electronic device may further comprise a timer operable by a user. The user may utilise the timer when cooking, for example. In one embodiment, the visual display is configured in use to provide a visual indication as to the status of the timer. The charging port is preferably a USB-C charging point. The magnetic portion may be located at any suitable location on the device. The device may comprise a plurality of spaced apart magnetic portions. The magnetic portion is preferably located within a central portion of the rear surface of the device. The portable electronic device may further comprise LEDs located at or adjacent the rear surface of the device. The LEDs are preferably configured in use to be in communication with the battery. The LEDs are preferably configured in use to provide a visual indication when an alert and / or message is being signalled to a user. The LEDs are preferably configured to back light the portable electronic device. The LEDs may for example reflect on the surface of a refrigerator. The LEDs may be colour coded. For example, when operable to notify the user of a message on the device, the LEDs may present a first colour. When operable to notify an alert, the LEDs may present a second colour. The LEDs preferably extend along at least a portion of the periphery of the rear surface of the device. The docking station preferably comprises a base configured for use on a support surface; and a support portion extending outwardly at an angle from the base, in which the support portion is configured in use to support at least an end and at least a portion of the rear surface of the portable electronic device such that the visual display extends upwardly at an angle to the support surface. The base and / or support portion preferably comprises at least one engagement feature for releasably engaging the portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device comprises a first end, an opposed second end, and a pair of side portions extending therebetween. The support portion of the docking station preferably comprises a pair of opposed side portions, each defining a channel shaped and dimensioned to slidingly engage a corresponding side portion of the portable electronic device. The support portion of the docking station preferably comprises a magnetic portion to engage the magnetic portion of the rear surface of the portable electronic device. The device of the present invention is simple and efficient to use whilst providing visible alerts and messages to encourage food waste awareness, optimise food usage and streamline food management. In a family environment, the device is educating all members of the family to be aware of food waste and to encourage the contents of the refrigerator to be used in an effective way. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Desaription of Figures Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective front view of the refrigerator management system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective rear view of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective front view of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1 in which the portable electronic device is partially engaged with the docking station; Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective rear view of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1 in which the portable electronic device is partially engaged with the docking station; Figure 6 shows a schematic illusfration of a perspective front view of the portable electronic device of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective rear view of the portable electronic device of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective front view of the docking station of the refrigerator management system of Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the Figures, the refrigerator management system 1 comprising: a portable electronic device 2. The portable electronic device 2 comprises a visual display 4 on the front surface 6 of the device 2. The visual display 4 is configured in use to display information relating to items stored within the refrigerator to a user. The device 2 further comprises a movement sensor 8 located on the front surface 6 of the device 2 and configured in use to detect user movement in an area near the device, and on detection of user movement configured in use to power on the visual display 4. The device 2 further comprises a magnetic portion 10 located on the rear surface 12 of the device 2 configured in use to magnetically engage to a refrigerator. The device 2 further comprises a battery 14 configured in use to provide power to the visual display 4 and movement sensor 8. The device 2 further comprises a charging port 16 configured in use to provide power to the battery during charging; and / or a docking station 18 configured in use to wirelessly charge the battery during charging. The visual display is configured in use to receive, store and present information relating to one or more of: the items present within the refrigerator; the best before dates of one or more of the items; the expiration dates of one or more items; items which need to be purchased; recipes suitable for items within the refrigerator. The user may input information by using a corresponding app on a mobile device and / or by directly inputting the information using the visual display. The visual display 4 is operable to provide one or more visual and / or audible alerts for the user. One or more visual and / or audible alert is indicative of upcoming item expiration date(s) within an upcoming predetermined time period. The portable electronic device 2 further comprises a timer operable by a user. The user may utilise the timer when cooking, for example. In one embodiment, the visual display 4 is configured in use to provide a visual indication as to the status of the timer. The magnetic portion 10 is located within a central portion of the rear surface of the device. The portable electronic device 2 further comprises LEDs 20 located at or adjacent the rear surface 12 of the device. The LEDs are configured in use to be in communication with the battery. The LEDs are configured in use to provide a visual indication when an alert and / or message is being signalled to a user. The LEDs are configured to back light the portable electronic device 2. The LEDs when operable reflect on the surface of a refrigerator. The LEDs may be colour coded. For example, when operable to notify the user of a message on the device, the LEDs may present a first colour. When operable to notify an alert, the LEDs may present a second colour. The LEDs 20 extend along at least a portion of the periphery of the rear surface 12 of the device 2. The docking station 18 comprises a base 22 configured for use on a support surface; and a support portion 24 extending outwardly at an angle from the base 22. The support portion 24 is configured in use to support at least an end and at least a portion of the rear surface 12 of the portable electronic device 2 such that the visual display extends upwardly at an angle to the support surface. The portable electronic device 2 comprises a first end, an opposed second end, and a pair of side portions extending therebetween. The support portion 24 of the docking station 18 comprises a pair of opposed side portions, each defining a channel shaped and dimensioned to slidingly engage a corresponding side portion of the portable electronic device. The device of the present invention is simple and efficient to use whilst providing visible alerts and messages to encourage food waste awareness, optimise food usage and streamline food management. In a family environment, the device is educating all members of the family to be aware of food waste and to encourage the contents of the refrigerator to be used in an effective way. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator management system comprising:a portable electronic device comprising:a visual display on the front surface of the device, in which the visual display is configured in use to display information relating to items stored within the refrigerator to a user;a movement sensor located on the front surface of the device and configured in use to detect user movement in an area near the device, and on detection of user movement configured in use to power on the visual display;a magnetic portion located on the rear surface of the device configured in use to magnetically engage to a refrigerator;a battery configured in use to provide power to the visual display and movement sensor;a charging port configured in use to provide power to the battery during charging; and / ora docking station configured in use to wirelessly charge the battery during charging.

2. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 1, in which the visual display is operable to store and present information relating to one or more of: the items present within the refrigerator; the best before dates of one or more of the items; the expiration dates of one or more items; items which need to be purchased; recipes suitable for items within the refrigerator.

3. The refrigerator management system as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the visual display is a touch screen display.

4. The refrigerator management system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the visual display is operable to provide one or more visual and / or audible alerts for the user.

5. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 4, in which the one or more visual and / or audible alert is indicative of upcoming item expiration date(s) within an upcoming predetermined time period.

6. The refrigerator management system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a timer operable by a user.

7. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 6, in which the visual display is configured in use to provide a visual indication as to the status of the timer.

8. The refrigerator management system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the charging port is a USB-C charging point.

9. The refrigerator management system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the magnetic portion is located within a central portion of the rear surface of the device.

10. The refrigerator management system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising LEDs located at or adjacent the rear surface of the device.

11. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 10, in which the LEDs extend along at least a portion of the periphery of the rear surface of the device.

12. The refrigerator management system as claim in any preceding claim, in which the docking station comprises a base configured for use on a support surface; and a support portion extending outwardly at an angle from the base, in which the support portion is configured in use to support at least an end and at least a portion of the rear surface of the portable electronic device such that the visual display extends upwardly at an angle to the support surface.

13. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 12, in which base and / or support portion comprises at least one engagement feature for releasably engaging the portable electronic device.

14. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 13, in which the portable electronic device comprises a first end, an opposed second end, and a pair of side portions extending therebetween, and in which the support portion of the docking station comprises a pair of opposed side portions, eachdefining a channel shaped and dimensioned to slidingly engage a corresponding side portion of the portable electronic device,15. The refrigerator management system as claimed in claim 13, in which the support portion of the docking station comprises a magnetic portion to engage the magnetic portion of the rear surface of the portable electronic device.T +44(0)30 0300 2000Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Application No.: GB2418405.3Claims searched: 1-15Date search completed: 27 May 2026International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from F25D29 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 G06F1 / 16 01 / 01 / 2006 G06Q10 / 087 01 / 01 / 2023Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC: [None]Databases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant to claims Document of relevance X 1-15 US 2017 / 0248925 A1 (ROOT) - see especially paragraphs 36-50 and figures X 1-15 WO 2014 / 207509 A1 (SENEVIRATNE LALITH) - see whole document X 1-15 US 2014 / 0143567 A1 (ANDERSON) - see especially paragraphs 8, 18-19, 21-22, 44 and figures X 1-15 CN 206930053 U (SICHUAN CHANGHONG ELECTRIC CO LTD) - see whole documentNon-patent literatureT +44(0)30 0300 2000[None]CategoriesLetter or symbol Description X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the filing date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.