Automated cooking table egg cooker

Abstract

Provided are kitchen devices for cooking eggs using various cooking methods. For example, provided herein are kitchen devices including a storage component configured to store a plurality of raw eggs, an egg breaking component configured to receive a plurality of raw eggs from the storage component and crack the raw eggs to form cracked eggs, a cooking component configured to receive the cracked eggs from the egg breaking component and cook the cracked eggs to form cooked eggs, and a warming component configured to receive the cooked eggs from the cooking component and warm the cooked eggs.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 126,875, filed December 17, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to kitchen devices, and more particularly, to kitchen devices for storing, preparing and cooking eggs. [Background technology]

[0003] Kitchen devices can perform a variety of specialized functions. In many cases, kitchen devices can minimize the amount of time, effort, and cleanup required to prepare and cook food. Generally, specific kitchen devices aid users either by assisting in the preparation of food or by assisting in the cooking of food. A blender, one example of a conventional kitchen device, aids users in food preparation by liquifying, chopping, or pureeing food. Another type of conventional kitchen device, a food processor, also aids in food preparation in a similar manner. By liquifying, chopping, or pureeing, these devices reduce the amount of time and effort that would otherwise be required using manual methods.

[0004] A microwave oven, on the other hand, is a traditional kitchen device that serves the user by cooking food. Toaster ovens, slow cookers, and rice cookers are other examples of traditional kitchen devices that aid in food preparation. Each of these items reduces the amount of time and effort that would otherwise be required to cook using more traditional methods (e.g., using an oven and cooking over a fire). Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Provided are kitchen devices that can store, prepare, and cook eggs. Unlike conventional kitchen devices that are designed to perform a single specific function, the kitchen devices provided herein can refrigerate raw eggs, store them until they are ready to be used, prepare raw eggs by cracking them, and cook the cracked eggs using any of a variety of cooking methods. For example, the kitchen devices provided herein can cook eggs to form scrambled eggs, soft-boiled eggs, soft-boiled eggs, and omelets, among other variations. Thus, unlike conventional kitchen devices such as those described above, the kitchen devices described herein can perform both food preparation and food cooking functions, further reducing the amount of time and effort required by a user to achieve a cooked food product. In some embodiments, the kitchen devices provided herein are also self-cleaning, which further reduces the amount of time and effort that is inherently involved in preparing and cooking food using conventional methods.

[0006] As explained above, in most cases, kitchen devices perform a single specific function. For example, a blender can prepare food by liquefying, chopping, or pureeing various types of food. However, a blender does not store food prior to blending, it does not peel or slice / cut food prior to blending, if necessary, and in most cases, it does not achieve a final food product. A toaster exposes sliced ​​bread to heat to brown or toast the bread. However, a toaster does not store bread prior to toasting, it does not slice bread. Also, a microwave oven cooks food, but it cannot store or prepare food prior to cooking. Thus, most conventional kitchen devices are very limited in their capabilities. This limitation requires a person to acquire more kitchen devices and / or kitchen tools to meet his needs. More kitchen devices generally lead to increased expenses, reduced space in the kitchen (e.g., counter space or cabinet storage space taken up by an increased number of kitchen devices), and increased cleaning.

[0007] For example, to cook scrambled eggs using conventional methods, one would need to have storage space (i.e., space in a refrigerator) to hold the eggs until they were ready to be cooked, a tool to effectively crack the eggs, a cookware (e.g., frying pan, spatula) to cook the eggs, and a heat source (e.g., hot plate, stove) to cook the eggs on. Thus, cooking eggs using conventional methods requires at least four different types of devices / tools, each performing a different specialized function.

[0008] However, the kitchen devices provided herein can reduce the number of devices and tools required to store, prepare, and cook food. Specifically, the kitchen devices provided herein can store, prepare, and cook eggs in several different ways, eliminating the need for external devices or tools. This also essentially reduces the amount of cleaning required. Instead of cleaning four or more kitchen devices and tools, a user now only needs to clean one when using the kitchen devices provided herein. Furthermore, the kitchen devices provided herein can include a closed-loop cleaning system to eliminate or reduce the amount of cleaning that a user must manually perform in the proper working order to keep the device sanitary.

[0009] In some embodiments, what is provided is a kitchen device for cooking eggs, the kitchen device comprising: a storage component configured to store a plurality of raw eggs; an egg breaking component configured to receive the plurality of raw eggs from the storage component and crack the raw eggs to form cracked eggs; a cooking component configured to receive the cracked eggs from the egg breaking component and cook the cracked eggs to form cooked eggs; and a warming component configured to receive the cooked eggs from the cooking component and warm the cooked eggs.

[0010] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the plurality of raw eggs comprises 6 or 12 eggs.

[0011] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component is cooled to a temperature of 5-40° F. for refrigerating multiple raw eggs.

[0012] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component comprises a tray configured to hold a plurality of raw eggs.

[0013] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the tray comprises a plurality of cups, each cup of the plurality of cups configured to hold a raw egg of the plurality of raw eggs.

[0014] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism configured to transfer a raw egg from a first cup of the plurality of cups to a second cup of the plurality of cups.

[0015] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, a gravity mechanism is configured to transfer the raw egg from a second cup of the plurality of cups to an egg cracking component of the kitchen device.

[0016] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism comprising a helical coil configured to transfer the plurality of raw eggs from a first location of the storage component to a second location of the storage component.

[0017] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the spiral component is configured to transport the raw eggs from the storage component to an egg breaking component of the kitchen device.

[0018] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the egg cracking component is configured to position the raw egg in an optimal cracking orientation.

[0019] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the egg cracking component is configured to crack a raw egg and separate the cracked egg shell from the cracked egg white and egg yolk.

[0020] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooking components include a hot plate and a spatula that are controlled by a multi-axis robotically controlled arm.

[0021] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooking component is configured to cook the white and yolk of the cracked egg using feedback from a vision detection system configured to communicate to the cooking component the position of the egg white and the position of the egg yolk relative to the spatula.

[0022] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the kitchen device comprises a controller, the controller configured to receive a request for a cooked egg type and to cook a raw egg according to the requested cooked egg type.

[0023] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

[0024] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the warming component is configured to warm the first cooked egg using recycled warm air from the cooking component.

[0025] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the kitchen device comprises a graphical user interface configured to allow a user to input a number of process parameters.

[0026] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

[0027] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the plurality of process parameters includes one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time, or a cooking temperature.

[0028] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the kitchen device comprises a closed-loop cleaning system for cleaning a cooking surface of the kitchen device.

[0029] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the closed loop cleaning system uses ultraviolet light to sanitize the cooking surfaces of the kitchen device.

[0030] In some embodiments, provided is a method of cooking an egg, the method including receiving a raw egg from a storage component of a kitchen device; positioning the raw egg at an optimal cracking position; cracking the raw egg at the optimal cracking position and separating the cracked egg shell from the cracked egg white and egg yolk; and cooking the cracked egg white and egg yolk on a temperature controlled hot plate of the kitchen device.

[0031] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes warming the cooked eggs with warm air generated by and recycled from a temperature controlled hot plate.

[0032] In some embodiments of the method, positioning the raw egg in an optimal cracking position includes constraining the raw egg using two arms configured to mechanically advance toward each other and press against the raw egg.

[0033] In some embodiments of the method, cracking the raw egg includes advancing a sharp object into the raw egg to puncture the shell of the raw egg.

[0034] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes receiving a request for a cooked egg type and cooking an egg white and an egg yolk of a cracked egg according to the requested cooked egg type.

[0035] In some embodiments of the method, the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

[0036] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes storing a plurality of raw eggs in a storage component, the storage component being controlled at a temperature between 5 and 40°F.

[0037] In some embodiments of the method, the plurality of raw eggs comprises 6 or 12 eggs.

[0038] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes receiving the raw egg from a storage component of the kitchen device includes gravitationally transferring the raw egg from the storage component.

[0039] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes inputting, by a user, a number of process parameters.

[0040] In some embodiments of the method, inputting, by the user, the plurality of process parameters includes indicating the plurality of process parameters using a touch screen graphical user interface.

[0041] In some embodiments of the method, the plurality of process parameters includes one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time, or a cooking temperature.

[0042] In some embodiments of the method, the method includes cleaning a cooking surface of the kitchen device.

[0043] In some embodiments of the method, cleaning the cooking surface of the kitchen device includes using ultraviolet light to sterilize the cooking surface.

[0044] In some embodiments, what is provided is a kitchen device for cooking eggs comprising a storage component, an egg cracking component, a cooking component, a warming component, and a controller configured to receive a request for a cooked egg type, and in response to receiving the request for a cooked egg type, move a raw egg from the storage component to the egg cracking component, crack the raw egg such that the cooking component receives the cracked egg, cook the cracked egg in the cooking component, and move the cooked egg to the warming component for warming.

[0045] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component is configured to store a plurality of raw eggs.

[0046] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component is cooled to a temperature of between 5 and 40°F.

[0047] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component comprises a tray configured to hold a plurality of raw eggs.

[0048] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the tray comprises a plurality of cups, each cup of the plurality of cups configured to hold a raw egg of the plurality of raw eggs.

[0049] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the controller is configured to transfer a raw egg from a first cup of the plurality of cups to a second cup of the plurality of cups.

[0050] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, a gravity mechanism is configured to transfer the raw egg from a second cup of the plurality of cups to an egg cracking component of the kitchen device.

[0051] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism comprising a helical coil configured to transfer the plurality of raw eggs from a first location of the storage component to a second location of the storage component.

[0052] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the spiral component is configured to transport the raw eggs from the storage component to an egg breaking component of the kitchen device.

[0053] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the egg cracking component is configured to position the raw egg in an optimal cracking orientation.

[0054] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the egg cracking component is configured to crack a raw egg and separate the cracked egg shell from the cracked egg white and egg yolk.

[0055] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooking components include a hot plate and a spatula, and the controller is configured to control the spatula with a multi-axis robotic control arm.

[0056] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooking component is configured to cook the white and yolk of the cracked egg using feedback from a vision detection system configured to communicate to the cooking component the position of the egg white and the position of the egg yolk relative to the spatula.

[0057] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

[0058] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the warming component is configured to warm the cooked eggs using recycled warm air from the cooking component.

[0059] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the kitchen device comprises a graphical user interface configured to allow a user to input a number of process parameters.

[0060] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

[0061] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the plurality of process parameters includes one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time, or a cooking temperature.

[0062] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the kitchen device comprises a closed-loop cleaning system for cleaning a cooking surface of the kitchen device.

[0063] In some embodiments of the kitchen device, the closed loop cleaning system uses ultraviolet light to sanitize the cooking surfaces of the kitchen device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0064] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A shows a kitchen device for cooking eggs, according to some embodiments.

[0066] [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows a kitchen device for cooking eggs, according to some embodiments.

[0067] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates a storage component of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0068] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows a storage component of a kitchen device that includes a spiral coil mechanism, according to some embodiments.

[0069] [Figure 2C]FIG. 2C shows a storage component of a kitchen device that includes a conveyor belt mechanism, according to some embodiments.

[0070] [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows an egg cracking component of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0071] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows an egg cracking component of the kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0072] [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C illustrates an egg cracking component of the kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0073] [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A illustrates cooking components of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0074] [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B illustrates cooking components of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0075] [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C shows a cooking component of a kitchen device that includes a rotating hot plate, according to some embodiments.

[0076] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the warming components of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments.

[0077] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 provides a method of cooking eggs, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] Detailed Description Provided are kitchen devices that can store, prepare, and cook eggs. The kitchen devices provided herein streamline the egg cooking process by minimizing the number of devices / tools needed to store, prepare, and cook eggs. This streamlining also reduces the amount of cleaning required (due in part to fewer devices / tools being needed) and reduces the amount of storage space dedicated to the devices / tools needed to cook eggs (fewer devices / tools translates to less counter, drawer, and cabinet space being taken up).

[0079] The kitchen device provided herein includes four components: a storage component, an egg cracking component, a cooking component, and a warming component. Each component is dedicated to a specific function of the process. For example, the storage component stores raw eggs. A user can insert multiple raw eggs into the storage component for storage until preparation and cooking is desired. Thus, the storage component is temperature controlled.

[0080] The egg breaking component receives raw eggs from the storage component and prepares the raw eggs for cooking. For example, the egg breaking component can crack the eggs and separate the egg shells from the whites (i.e., egg whites) and yolks (i.e., egg yolks). The egg breaking component can include a container for collecting waste materials such as egg shells. In some embodiments, the egg breaking component can also separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. For example, this separation can be selected for a user who desires their cooked food product to contain only egg whites and not any egg yolks (e.g., for a user who desires a lower cholesterol option). Thus, the container can also collect the egg yolks in some embodiments.

[0081] The cooking component receives cracked eggs from the egg cracking component and cooks the eggs. In some embodiments, the kitchen devices provided herein can cook eggs using any of a variety of methods. A user can select the various methods used to cook the user's eggs. For example, the cooking component may receive eggs and cook them soft-boiled according to user input selecting soft-boiled as the cooking method. Other cooking methods may include, for example, scrambled or soft-boiled.

[0082] In some embodiments, the kitchen devices provided herein include a warming component for warming cooked eggs. After the eggs are cooked in the cooking component, they can be held and warmed in the warming component until a user retrieves them from the device.

[0083] Other features of the kitchen devices provided herein may include a graphical user interface, a self-cleaning feature, and various user-controlled process parameters.

[0084] Described below are each of the components of the kitchen devices provided herein, including the storage component, the egg cracking component, the cooking component, the warming component, the cleaning process, the graphical user interface, and the method of cooking eggs using the kitchen devices provided herein.

[0085] Egg Cooking Kitchen Device 1A illustrates a kitchen device 100A according to some embodiments provided herein. As shown in the figure, the kitchen device 100A includes a storage component 102A, an egg cracking component 104A, a cooking component 106A, and a warming component 108A.

[0086] In some embodiments, the storage component 102A is configured to receive and store one or more eggs on the tray 110A. In some embodiments, the tray 110A includes a multi-dimensional array of one or more cups 112A. In some embodiments, each cup 112A is configured to receive and hold a single egg. In some embodiments, the storage component 102A comprises a helical coil configured to hold one or more eggs. Storage components comprising helical coils are described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2B.

[0087] The storage component 102A may include temperature control for optimal storage of eggs. For example, raw eggs in the storage component 102A may be refrigerated. The storage component 102A may also include an insertion door with an open / close sensor and monitoring features. This can help maintain the temperature within the storage component while also allowing a user to insert eggs into the storage component.

[0088] Other features of the storage component can include a transfer mechanism. For example, the transfer mechanism may be configured to transfer a raw egg from the first cup 112A to the second cup 112A. The storage component 102A may also include features such as a sensor configured to sense and indicate when a raw egg is present in the tray 110A and / or which cup 112A of the tray 110A comprises a raw egg at any given moment, and an output mechanism 118A configured to transfer the raw egg from the second cup 112A to the egg cracking component 103A. Each of these features of the storage component 102A will be described in more detail with respect to the storage components 200A, 200B, and 200C of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively.

[0089] The egg cracking component 104A is configured to receive raw eggs from the storage component 102A, orient the eggs to an optimal cracking position, and crack the raw eggs. The mechanism for receiving raw eggs from the storage component 102A can include an output mechanism 118A of the storage component 102A. For example, transporting eggs from the storage component 102A to the egg cracking component 104A can include a ramp. Other suitable transport mechanisms can include a belt, a paddle advancement system, or a helical coil (e.g., helical coil 280 of FIG. 2B, also configured to advance eggs from one location of the storage component to another location of the storage component).

[0090] The egg cracking component 104A is configured to prepare one or more eggs prior to cooking. For example, the egg cracking component 104A may include a mechanism for cracking one or more eggs and separating the cracked shells from the egg white and yolk of the cracked eggs. The egg cracking mechanism may be configured to crack multiple eggs at a time, or it may be configured to crack one egg at a time. In some embodiments, the egg cracking mechanism may be configured to crack multiple eggs by sequentially cracking each egg of the multiple eggs.

[0091] Other features of the egg breaking component 104A can include an egg positioning device and a waste bin for collecting waste by-products (e.g., cracked egg shells). Each of these features of the egg breaking component 104A are described in more detail in Figures 3A-3C.

[0092] The cooking component 106A is configured to cook one or more cracked eggs. The one or more cracked eggs are received by the cooking component 106A from the egg cracking component 104A. In the cooking component 106A, the one or more cracked eggs may be cooked in any one of several ways. For example, the one or more cracked eggs may be scrambled, cooked soft-boiled, cooked soft-boiled, etc. The cooking component 106A may include a spatula 132A and a hot plate 130A to cook the one or more eggs. In some embodiments, the cooking component 106A may be configured to cook the one or more eggs according to a user input identifying one of a plurality of cooking methods preferred by the user. In some embodiments, the spatula may be configured to perform an action specific to the cooking method selected by the user. The action performed by the spatula 132A may vary for each cooking method. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the type of cooking. For example, the controller may use a closed loop system to control the type of cooking of the eggs. The closed loop system may include a feedback loop that includes a vision system or a system that otherwise indicates the position of the tool and the eggs. The feedback loop may have the ability to determine the degree to which the eggs are "cooked" using, for example, an infrared heat mechanism or a color recognition algorithm.

[0093] Cooking component 106A is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 4A-4C.

[0094] The warming component 108A is configured to receive cooked eggs from the cooking component 106A and warm the cooked eggs. Cooked eggs may be received from the egg cracking component 106A for warming. A user can also receive cooked eggs from a kitchen device at the warming component 108A. In some embodiments, the warming component 108A recycles warm air generated by the cooking component 106A to warm the cooked eggs.

[0095] Warming component 108A is illustrated in greater detail in FIG.

[0096] 1B illustrates a kitchen device 100B according to some embodiments provided herein. As shown in the figure, the kitchen device 100B includes a storage component 102B, an egg cracking component 104B, a cooking component 106B, and a warming component 108B.

[0097] The storage component 102B can include any of the features described with respect to the storage component 102A. For example, the storage component 102B can include a tray 110B and a number of cups 112B. Each cup 112B of the tray 110B can be separated by teeth attached to a conveyor belt. This feature is described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2C.

[0098] The egg breaking component 104B may include any of the features described with respect to the egg breaking component 104A. The egg breaking component 104B receives eggs to be broken from the storage component 102B using an output mechanism 118B.

[0099] The cooking component 106B can include any of the features described with respect to the cooking component 106A, including the hot plate 130B and the spatula 132B.

[0100] Warming component 108B can include any of the features described with respect to warming component 108A.

[0101] Storage Components FIG. 2A illustrates a storage component 200A of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments. As shown, the storage component 200A includes a tray 210A with a multi-dimensional array of multiple cups 212A. Each cup 212A is configured to hold a single egg in a particular orientation. A cup 214A, also referred to herein as a launching cup, is shown in FIG. 2A holding an egg. In some embodiments, the tray 210A may be fixed in place. The tray 210A may also be removable. For example, the tray 210A may be removable from the storage component 200A using an access door. A removable tray 210A may allow a user to remove the tray 210A, place multiple raw eggs in the tray 210A, and place the tray 210A back into the storage component 200A of the kitchen device. In some embodiments, the tray 210A is configured to receive eggs in a certain orientation for processing. For example, normal preparation and cooking of eggs may require that the eggs be received by the device 200A in a certain orientation.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 2A, the tray 210A includes six cups 212A. However, the tray 210A may include more than or less than six cups 212A. For example, the tray 210A may include 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, or 23 cups 212A. In addition, the tray 210A is shown with a 2×3 array of cups 212A. However, the array configuration may also be any of 1×6, 2×3, 3×2, or 6×1 for a tray 210A with six cups. Other configurations may include 1×12, 2×6, 3×3, 3×3, 6×2, or 12×1 for a tray 210A with twelve cups. Other cup array configurations may also be utilized.

[0103] In some embodiments, the storage component 200A may be temperature controlled. For example, the storage component may include a cooling or refrigeration system configured to keep the raw eggs at a low temperature until they are ready to be cooked. For example, the storage component 200A may be cooled to a temperature between 0 and 30°F. In some embodiments, the storage component 200A may be cooled to a temperature below 30°F, below 35°F, below 30°F, below 25°F, below 20°F, below 15°F, below 10°F, or below 5°F. In some embodiments, the storage component 200A may be cooled to a temperature above 5°F, above 10°F, above 15°F, above 20°F, above 25°F, above 30°F, or above 35°F. In some embodiments, the storage component 200A may be cooled to a temperature between 5 and 30°F.

[0104] Each cup 212A may be configured to hold and store a single raw egg in an orientation. Geometrically, an egg is oval with a single axis of symmetry. Thus, the egg's oval shape has two ends, a wide end and a narrow end. As shown in the figures, each cup 212A of the tray 210A is configured to hold an egg in an orientation such that the narrow end is upright and the wide end is pointing downward within the cup. In some embodiments, the cup 212A may be configured to hold an egg with either end (narrow or wide) in an upright position. In some embodiments, the cup 212A may be configured to hold a raw egg lying on its side.

[0105] In some embodiments, the kitchen device may be configured to track the number of eggs present in the tray 210A. For example, if 12 eggs were originally placed in the tray 210A and 2 were processed, so that only 10 eggs remain, the kitchen device may be configured to account for each egg in the tray 210A at any given time and communicate to the user the number of eggs remaining / present. In this way, the user can determine when the user may need to replenish the egg supply in the tray 210A. Suitable examples of sensors may include pressure sensors, laser sensors, and the like. A display, such as a graphical user interface, may be included on the exterior of the kitchen device that displays the number of eggs present in the tray 210A.

[0106] The tray 210A includes a mechanism configured to transfer eggs from one cup to another. In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism may be configured to move eggs from a non-firing cup to the firing cup 214A. In some embodiments, an egg may have to progress through multiple cups one by one until it reaches the firing cup 214A.

[0107] The transfer mechanism shown in FIG. 2A includes multiple ejectors 216A. Each cup 212A includes a single ejector 216A. The ejector 216A is configured to rise from the base of the first cup 212A into the interior space of the first cup 212A, push the egg in the first cup 212A up, over the edge of the first cup 212A, and into the adjacent second cup 212A. Each cup 212A may include a hole in the base to allow the ejector 216A to retract from the interior space of the cup 212A when not in use, and advance into the interior space of the cup 212A when the egg in the cup 212A is to be transferred to the adjacent cup 212A.

[0108] In some embodiments, each ejector 216A is positioned such that it is configured to transfer an egg in the cup 212A associated with that ejector 216A to a given adjacent second cup 212A. For example, the tray 210A may include six cups 212A, i.e., labeled A, B, C, D, E, and F. The cups 212A may include a launch cup 214A. To pass from the storage component 200A to the cooking component of the kitchen device (e.g., cooking components 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C, respectively), the egg in cup D may not be transferred directly from cup D to cup A. Instead, a series of ejectors 216A, one in each cup 212A, may be configured to transfer the egg from cup D to cup A in a stepwise manner. Thus, the egg in cup D may need to proceed to cup A by first passing through cups C and B.

[0109] As described above, one cup 212A includes a launch cup 214A. The launch cup 214A is located adjacent to the exit mechanism 218A. The exit mechanism 218A is configured to receive eggs from the storage component 200A and transfer them using gravity or mechanical means to an egg breaking component (e.g., egg breaking components 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C, respectively). In some embodiments, the exit 218A may include a ramp that allows the eggs to slide from the storage component 200A, follow the ramp, and into the egg breaking component of the kitchen fixture. Other suitable exit mechanisms may include a belt, a paddle advancement system, or a helical coil.

[0110] In addition, the kitchen devices described herein are configured to process and cook different types of eggs. For example, the kitchen devices provided herein may be configured to process eggs from different animals (i.e., animals other than chickens). In some embodiments, the kitchen devices provided herein may be configured to process chicken eggs of different sizes.

[0111] FIG. 2B illustrates a storage component 200B that includes a transfer mechanism having a helical coil 280. The helical coil 280 is configured to advance an egg from one position within the storage component 200B to a second position within the storage component 200B. In some embodiments, the helical coil 280 may be configured to advance an egg toward a launch position 284. As shown in the figure, the storage component 200B includes two launch positions 284. The egg at the launch position 284 is the next egg to be transferred to an egg breaking component (e.g., egg breaking component 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C). In some embodiments, the end 282 of the helical coil 280 may be configured to transfer an egg from the storage component 200B to an egg breaking component (e.g., egg breaking component 300 of FIG. 3). The storage component 200B of FIG. 2B may also include any features described above with reference to the storage component 200A of FIG. 2A.

[0112] 2C illustrates a storage component 200C according to some embodiments, which may include any of the features described with respect to storage component 200A of FIG. 2A and / or storage component 200B of FIG. 2B. As shown, storage component 200C may include a number of tines 286 attached to a conveyor belt 288. A space between two adjacent tines may accommodate a single egg. As conveyor belt 288 moves along the length of storage component 200C, any egg held between two tines 286 will move as well.

[0113] Cracked egg components FIG. 3A shows an egg cracking component 300A of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments. The egg cracking component 300A includes an egg cracking mechanism, including an egg positioning device, a mechanical constraint pusher 324A, and an egg cracker 322A. Specifically, the egg positioning device includes two arms 320A. Once an egg 350A enters the egg cracking component 300A, it is positioned within the egg positioning device. The arms 320A of the egg positioning device advance toward the egg 350A and help to properly orient and hold the egg 350A in place. The mechanical constraint pusher 324A is also configured to advance toward the egg 350A and help to hold the egg 350A in place for cracking.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 3A, egg 350A is positioned such that its axis of symmetry extends parallel to the direction in which egg cracker 322A extends. Specifically, egg cracker 322A is configured to advance toward egg 350A in a direction that is parallel to the axis of symmetry of egg 350A. Thus, arm 320A is configured to gently push against a location of egg 350A adjacent one of the two ends of egg 350A (i.e., the narrow end or the wide end), and mechanically constrained pusher 324A is configured to gently push against a side of the egg. Egg cracker 322A is configured to advance toward egg 350A and crack egg 350A at a location along the side of egg 350A that is opposite the side held in place by mechanically constrained pusher 324A.

[0115] As described, the egg cracker 322A is configured to mechanically advance towards the egg 350A and forcefully break the shell of the egg 350A to expose the white and yolk of the egg 350A. In some embodiments, the egg cracker 322A may comprise a blade or other sharp object that may pierce the shell of the egg 350A. For example, the egg cracker 322A may comprise a blade or an awl configured to pierce and crack the shell of the egg 350A. In some embodiments, the egg cracker 322A may be configured to spread the cracked shell open, allowing the white and / or yolk of the egg 350A to separate and / or fall from the shell of the egg 350A. In some embodiments, the egg positioning device is configured to hold and retain the cracked or fractured shell while allowing the white and / or yolk to separate from the shell. In some embodiments, egg cracker 322A may comprise a sharp object having at least two components configured to separate to retain the cracked shell and allow the egg white and egg yolk to be transferred to a cooking component (e.g., cooking component 400A, 400B, or 400C of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, respectively). For example, the two components of the sharp object may spread apart in a direction that is perpendicular to the forward direction (i.e., the direction in which egg cracker 322A advances toward egg 350A) to release the cracked shell and achieve a cracked and separated egg 350A (i.e., the egg white and egg yolk separated from the cracked shell). The two components of the sharp object of egg cracker 322A may be configured such that egg cracker 322A advances toward and pierces egg 350A when the two components are both flush, and spreads apart after egg cracker 322A cracks egg 350A and separates a portion of cracked egg 350A. In some embodiments, egg cracking component 300A is configured to crack egg 350A and allow the egg white and / or yolk of the cracked egg to fall downward from the cracked eggshell into a cooking component (e.g., cooking component 400A, 400B, or 400C of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, respectively).In some embodiments, egg breaking component 300A is configured to break egg 350A and allow the egg white and / or yolk of the broken egg to fall into a holder that is then configured to transfer the egg white and / or yolk to a cooking component (e.g., cooking component 400 of FIG. 4).

[0116] In some embodiments, the egg cracker 322A may include a closed-loop control system configured to uniquely determine and terminate termination conditions for egg white and / or egg yolk removal using vision-based system algorithms. For example, the closed-loop control system may be a proportional-integral-derivative based control system. Additionally, the egg cracking component 300A may be configured to move back and forth (e.g., in a forward and reverse motion) to shake out the egg contents (i.e., the egg white and yolk) and effectively separate the egg white and / or yolk from the egg shell. This back and forth motion may also be accomplished using the closed-loop control system.

[0117] In some embodiments, the kitchen device includes a monitoring system that may indicate a situation in which the operation of the egg cracking component 300A is incorrect. For example, the monitoring system may be able to detect that there is no egg in the egg positioning device. In this scenario, perhaps the transfer of an egg from a storage component (e.g., storage components 200A, 200B, or 200C of FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C, respectively) to the egg cracking component 300A has failed. In some embodiments, the monitoring system may detect that an undesirable egg crack has occurred. For example, the egg 350A may not have been cracked sufficiently to allow the egg white and egg yolk to be released from the egg 350A, or the shell of the egg 350A may have been over-cracked, allowing part of the shell to be transferred to the cooking component along with the egg white and egg yolk. In some embodiments, the monitoring system may detect a "bad" egg. For example, the monitoring system may determine that an egg is "bad" if it is not the right shape or the right size. In some embodiments, the monitoring device may detect that the egg 350A is not in the right orientation for optimal cracking. In some embodiments, a vision-based monitoring system may be configured to identify egg size, eggs that are over- or under-cracked, whether the yolk and white are properly separated from the shell, "bad" eggs, and / or eggs that are not properly oriented for optimal cracking.

[0118] In some embodiments, the egg cracking component 300A includes a trash receptacle. For example, the shell of the cracked egg 350A may be collected in the trash receptacle and removed from the kitchen device. In some embodiments, the shell of the cracked egg 350A may be the only material collected by the trash receptacle. In some embodiments, one of the egg white or the egg yolk may be collected by the trash receptacle for removal from the kitchen device. In some embodiments, a user may manually remove the trash receptacle from the kitchen fixture, empty it, and reinstall it back into the kitchen device. For example, the trash receptacle may include a removable and reinsertable drawer. In some embodiments, the trash receptacle may be ejected from the kitchen device in response to a user input directing ejection of the trash receptacle. In some embodiments, the trash receptacle may be dishwasher safe.

[0119] In some embodiments, the cracked shell of egg 350A (and any other material determined as trash) may be transferred to a trash receptacle using an ejector ramp. The ejector ramp may be configured to slide, push, or otherwise direct the cracked shell of egg 350A into the trash receptacle using gravity and / or mechanical force. For example, the ejector ramp may be configured to receive and direct the cracked shell into the trash receptacle via gravity. In some embodiments, the cracked shell of egg 350A may be configured to drop from a mechanically restrained pusher onto a surface, and the ejector ramp may be configured to slide or push the cracked shell from the surface into the trash receptacle. In some embodiments, the cracked shell of egg 350A may be configured to drop from a mechanical restraint pusher onto a surface of a hot plate (e.g., hot plate 430A or 430B or 430C of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, respectively), and a spatula (e.g., spatula 432A or 432B of FIG. 4A or 4B, respectively) may be configured to push the cracked shell into a waste bin.

[0120] 3B illustrates an egg cracking component 300B of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments. The egg cracking component 300B can include any of the features of the egg cracking component 300A described above. Specifically, FIG. 3B illustrates an egg 350B ready to be cracked within the egg cracking component 300B, which includes an arm 320B, an egg cracker 322B, and a mechanical constraint pusher 324B. Each of these components can operate in a manner similar to that described with respect to the egg cracking component 300A of FIG. 3A.

[0121] FIG. 3C illustrates an egg cracking component 300C of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments. The egg cracking component 300C can include any of the features of the egg cracking components 300A or 300B described above. As shown, FIG. 3C illustrates an egg 350C ready to be cracked within the egg cracking component 300C, which includes an arm 320C, an egg cracker 322C, and a mechanical constraint pusher 324C. Each of these components can operate in a manner similar to that described with respect to the egg cracking component 300A of FIG. 3A and / or the egg cracking component 300B of FIG. 3B.

[0122] Cooking components 4A shows a cooking component 400A of a kitchen device. Specifically, the cooking component 400A includes a hot plate 430A and a spatula 432A. The spatula 432A is coupled to a control device 434A configured to control the movement of the spatula 432.

[0123] The control device 434A may include a multi-axis robotic control arm or gantry to move the spatula 432A in various directions. For example, the motion of the spatula 432A may vary with different types of cooking methods (e.g., scrambled, soft-boiled, soft-boiled). The control device is configured to mechanically direct the movement of the spatula 432A. For example, the control device 434A may be configured to rotate the spatula 432A such that the spatula 432A rotates along an axis that extends along the length of the spatula handle. The control device 434A may also be configured to move the spatula 432A up and down in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the hotplate 430A surface such that the blade of the spatula 432A contacts the hotplate 430A when the spatula is in the down position. The control device 434A may be configured to move the spatula 432A to any position located between a bottom position (i.e., the spatula 432A contacts the hot plate 430A) and a top position. The control device 434A may also be configured to move the spatula 432A in a side-to-side motion in a direction parallel to the plane of the hot plate 430A surface. In some embodiments, this side-to-side motion of the spatula 432A may be used to push the cracked shell of the cracked egg into a trash receptacle. In some embodiments, the spatula 432A may be removable from the control device 434A. For example, a user may remove the spatula 432A from the control device 434A to clean the spatula 432A. In some embodiments, the spatula 432A may be dishwasher-safe. Additionally, although the cooking component 400A of FIG. 4 includes a spatula 432A, other suitable tools or devices may be used to manipulate the eggs to achieve a desired cooked egg product.

[0124] Hot plate 430A includes a cooking surface. In some embodiments, the cooking surface may be completely flat and level (i.e., as shown in FIG. 4A). In some embodiments, the cooking surface may include a recess for receiving and cooking an egg. For example, the cooking surface may be flat along the edges of the surface and include a shallow recess in the middle of hot plate 430A to receive the egg (i.e., the egg white and / or egg yolk) to be cooked. The recess may also help prevent the egg white and / or egg yolk from sliding along and possibly off the cooking surface. The recess may also help to contain the egg during the cooking process, ensuring that a maximum amount of the egg white and / or egg yolk is handled by spatula 432A. In some embodiments, the cooking surface of hot plate 430A may include a raised edge along one or more edges of the cooking surface to help prevent the contents of the egg from falling off the edge of hot plate 430A.

[0125] The eggs may be cooked on the hot plate 430A using temperature control of the hot plate 430A and physical manipulation with the spatula 432A. In some embodiments, the temperature of the hot plate 430A may be programmed to correspond to a specific cooking method. Thus, the temperature or temperature profile may differ for each cooking method. In some embodiments, the temperature of the hot plate 430A may remain constant for the duration of cooking. In some embodiments, the temperature of the hot plate 430A may change throughout the duration of cooking to correspond to different stages of the cooking cycle.

[0126] In some embodiments, the cooking component 400A may be configured to cook the egg according to feedback from a detection system configured to detect and communicate to the cooking component 400A the position of one or more components of the kitchen device. For example, a vision-based detection system may be used to detect and communicate to the cooking component 400A the position of the egg, the orientation or shape of the egg, the position of the spatula 432A, etc. This feedback may also determine the movement of the spatula 432A (i.e., based on the position, orientation, and / or shape of the egg). Additionally, the cooking component 400A may be configured to determine the degree to which the egg is "cooked," for example, using an infrared heat mechanism or a color recognition algorithm.

[0127] In some embodiments, a kitchen device according to embodiments described herein may include a controller. The controller may be configured to receive a request from a user for a cooked egg type (e.g., soft-boiled, scrambled, soft-boiled). In response to receiving the request for a cooked egg type, the controller may be configured to transfer the raw egg from a storage component to an egg cracking component and to crack the raw egg such that the cooking component receives the cracked egg. In some embodiments, the controller may then be configured to cook the cracked egg in the cooking component and to transfer the cooked egg to a warming component for warming.

[0128] In some embodiments, the hot plate 430A and / or the spatula 432A may include a non-stick surface. The non-stick surface may reduce friction during cooking, minimize the amount of cleaning required, and add additional flavor to the cooked eggs. For example, the non-stick surface may be achieved using a surface coating. Suitable non-stick surface coatings may include fluoropolymer coatings or ceramic coatings. Other methods of forming a non-stick surface may include a lubrication system configured to lubricate the cooking surface of the hot plate 430A and prevent sticking. For example, the lubrication system may include a refillable storage container for a liquid fat extract and a method for delivering the liquid fat extract to the hot plate 430A. In some embodiments, the method for delivering the liquid fat may be a gravity method or a pump. In some embodiments, the non-stick surface may be achieved using porous absorption of oil into an iron-based metal. For example, a cast iron material may be used for the hot plate 430A.

[0129] In some embodiments, the cooking component 400A may include a gutter system to catch and contain grease overflow and / or by-products from the cooking process and for easy grease / by-product removal and cleaning. The gutter system may be sloped downward toward the trash receptacle to allow waste to flow into the trash receptacle. In some embodiments, the gutter system may include a non-stick or slippery coating. The gutter system may also surround some or all of the cooking surface such that the gutter system is configured to catch debris that falls off the cooking surface and transport it to the trash receptacle. In some embodiments, a washdown system may also be included to help clean and remove any buildup. The washdown system may include spray nozzles to help move cooking overflow and / or waste by-products into the trash receptacle.

[0130] Once the eggs are cooked, they may be transferred to a warming component. In some embodiments, transfer from the cooking component 400A to the warming component may involve gravity and / or mechanical force.

[0131] Once the eggs are cooked on the hot plate 430A of the cooking component 400A, they can be transferred to a warming component (eg, warming component 500 of FIG. 5) for warming and receipt by a user.

[0132] 4B illustrates a cooking component 400B of a kitchen device, according to some embodiments. Cooking component 400B can include any of the features described above with respect to cooking component 400A. As shown, cooking component 400B can include a hot plate 430B, a spatula 432B, and a control device 434B. Each of these components can include any of the features described above with respect to hot plate 430A, spatula 432A, and / or control device 434A.

[0133] FIG. 4C depicts cooking component 400C, which includes a hot plate 430C. Hot plate 430C differs from hot plate 430A of FIG. 4A in that it is round and configured to rotate about a central axis. In some embodiments, hot plate 430C also includes raised edges to help prevent egg yolk and / or egg white from sliding off the surface of hot plate 430C during cooking. Hot plate 430C of FIG. 4C may include any of the features of hot plates 430A or 430B of FIG. 4A or 4B, respectively.

[0134] Heating components 5 illustrates a warming component 500 of a kitchen device according to some embodiments herein. The warming component 500 is configured to receive cooked eggs from a cooking component (e.g., cooking component 500 of FIG. 5), keep the cooked eggs warm, and transport the cooked eggs to a user for consumption. The warming component includes a warming tray 530 and an access door.

[0135] The warming tray 530 is temperature controlled to keep the cooked eggs warm until the user removes them from the kitchen device. In some embodiments, the warming tray 530 may keep the cooked eggs warm by recycling or retaining warm air from the cooking process of the kitchen device. In some embodiments, the warming tray 530 may keep the cooked eggs warm by recycling or retaining temperature treated air from the heating / cooling system of the storage component (e.g., storage components 200A, 200B, or 200C of FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C, respectively). In some embodiments, the warming component 500 may include its own dedicated heating element, which may be used exclusively, without the functional sequence of the rest of the device. For example, a user may remove the cooked eggs from the warming component 500, place cheese on top of the cooked eggs, and place the cooked eggs (with cheese) back into the warming component 500. In addition, the user may have other food products that the user wishes to keep warm and may place the other food products in the warming component 500 and keep them warm.

[0136] The controller may be configured to adjust the warming temperature of the warming tray 530 based on user input. In some embodiments, the user may input a warming temperature. In some embodiments, the user may input a warming time. For example, the warming tray 530 may keep the cooked eggs warm for an amount of time based on user input. In some embodiments, the warming tray 530 may be configured to keep the cooked eggs warm until the user removes the cooked eggs from the warming tray 530 and the kitchen device.

[0137] The warming component 500 may also include an access door to allow a user to physically remove the cooked eggs from the kitchen device. In some embodiments, the access door may be configured to open and eject the warming tray 530 with the warmed cooked eggs. The user may then remove the cooked eggs from the warming tray 530, and the access door may be configured to reinsert the warming tray 530 into the kitchen device as the access door closes. In some embodiments, the access door may be configured to open and receive a plate from the user. The access door may then close and insert a plate into the kitchen device and receive the cooked eggs. For example, the warming tray 530 may be configured to gravitationally and / or mechanically transfer the eggs to the plate. Once the cooked eggs have been transferred, the access door may reopen and eject the plate from the kitchen device to the user. In some embodiments, the access door is configured to open and close in a manner that allows for thermal stabilization of the warming component within the kitchen device.

[0138] Purification System In some embodiments, the kitchen devices provided herein may include a closed-loop cleaning system that may include, for example, a storage tank for holding cleaning materials, a method for removing residue from surfaces of the kitchen device, a filtration system for separating liquids from solid waste, a heating element, and / or a method of sterilization.

[0139] The storage tank may be drainable and / or refillable. In some embodiments, it may be configured to store a disinfectant, a grease remover antimicrobial solution, or other cleaning solution for cleaning surfaces within the kitchen device. The cleaning solution may be used to remove any grease or oil buildup from cooking surfaces.

[0140] Methods for removing residue or "unwanted leftovers" from surfaces of kitchen devices may be accomplished with a pump. In some embodiments, removal may be accomplished using a gravity system. The removed residue may be transferred to a filtration system to separate liquid waste from solid waste. After the residue is removed from surfaces within the kitchen device, a sterilization system may be used to clean and sanitize the surfaces. For example, methods of sterilization may include ultraviolet light, sterilizing fluids, soap, high pressure nozzles, or combinations thereof.

[0141] In some embodiments, the closed loop cleaning system may clean kitchen devices at regular intervals. For example, the cleaning system may be programmed to run once a day, once every three days, once a week, etc. In some embodiments, the cleaning system may be programmed to run after every cooking cycle, after every other cooking cycle, etc. In some embodiments, the cleaning system may be configured to run in response to a user input.

[0142] Graphical User Interface for User Control In some embodiments, a kitchen device according to embodiments provided herein may include a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include, for example, a touch screen that allows a user to control various process parameters. A user may use the touch screen to indicate a cooking method (e.g., scramble, soft-boiled, soft-boiled). In some embodiments, a user may also use the touch screen to indicate one or more temperatures (e.g., egg storage temperature in the storage component, hot plate temperature for cooking in the cooking component, warming temperature in the warming component). In some embodiments, a user may indicate one or more times. For example, a user may use the touch screen to program a start time for the kitchen device. A user may also indicate a cooking time (e.g., the degree of "doneness" to which the egg is cooked) or a warming time. A user may also use the touch screen to open an input access door and place a raw egg into the kitchen device in the storage component, start a cleaning cycle, and / or open an output access door and remove a cooked egg.

[0143] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may also include an electronic display. The electronic display can be used to show the user one or more features of the kitchen device. For example, the electronic display may be configured to show when a cleaning cycle is running, the number of raw eggs in the tray of the storage component, the position of the raw eggs in the tray of the storage component, the length of time one or more raw eggs have been present in the tray of the storage component, when a cooking cycle is running, the cooking method being used during an active cooking cycle, when the last cleaning cycle was completed, how often a cleaning cycle is programmed to run, when the next cooking cycle is programmed to run, the amount of cleaning fluid remaining, the amount of lubricating oil remaining, etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface can include both a touch screen and an electronic display.

[0145] In some embodiments, kitchen devices according to embodiments herein may include additional features, such as wireless Internet and / or Bluetooth connectivity. By connecting to the kitchen device remotely via wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, a user may be able to control the features of the kitchen device from their smartphone or other electronic device. For example, a user may be able to remotely control any or all of the features described with reference to the touch screen.

[0146] Method of Cooking Eggs Using the Kitchen Device Described Herein FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for cooking eggs using a kitchen device according to some embodiments herein.

[0147] Step 602 includes receiving a raw egg from a storage component of the kitchen device. For example, step 602 may be completed in storage component 200 of FIG. 2 and egg breaking component 300 of FIG. 2. Specifically, step 602 may include transferring a raw egg from a storage component (e.g., storage component 200A, 200B, or 200C of FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C, respectively) to an egg breaking component (e.g., egg breaking component 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C, respectively).

[0148] Step 603 includes positioning a raw egg in an optimal egg breaking location. Step 602 may be completed in an egg breaking component (eg, egg breaking component 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C, respectively).

[0149] Step 606 may include cracking the raw egg and separating the cracked egg shell from the white and yolk of the cracked egg. Step 603 may also be completed in an egg cracking component of a kitchen device described herein (e.g., egg cracking component 300A, 300B, or 300C of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3C, respectively). Separating the cracked egg shell from the white and yolk of the cracked egg may include transferring the egg white and yolk to a cooking component of the kitchen device (e.g., cooking component 400A, 400B, or 400C of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, respectively).

[0150] Step 608 includes cooking the white and yolk of the cracked egg on a temperature controlled hot plate of a kitchen device. For example, step 608 may be completed in a cooking component of a kitchen device described herein (e.g., cooking component 400A, 400B, or 400C of FIG. 4A, 4B, or 4C, respectively).

[0151] The foregoing description sets forth exemplary methods, parameters, and equivalents. However, it should be recognized that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure, but is instead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments described above are not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles of the disclosed techniques and their practical applications. Those skilled in the art will thereby be enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as suited to the particular use envisaged.

[0152] Although the present disclosure and examples have been thoroughly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present disclosure and examples as defined by the claims. In the foregoing description of the present disclosure and embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may be practiced are shown. It should be understood that other embodiments and examples may be practiced and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0153] Although the foregoing description uses the terms first, second, etc. to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0154] It is also to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used in the foregoing description are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It is further to be understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising," as used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and / or units, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and / or groups thereof.

[0155] The term "if" can be interpreted to mean "when" or "in response to" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context.

[0156] Although the present disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A kitchen device for cooking eggs, comprising: a storage component configured to store a plurality of raw eggs; an egg breaking component configured to receive the plurality of raw eggs from the storage component and break the raw eggs to form broken eggs; a cooking component configured to receive the cracked eggs from the egg cracking component and cook the cracked eggs to form cooked eggs; a warming component configured to receive the cooked egg from the cooking component and warm the cooked egg; A kitchen device equipped with:

2. The kitchen device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of raw eggs comprises 6 or 12 eggs.

3. 3. The kitchen device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage component is cooled to a temperature of 5-40° F. for refrigerating the plurality of raw eggs.

4. The kitchen device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the storage component comprises a tray configured to hold the plurality of raw eggs.

5. 5. The kitchen device of claim 4, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of cups, each cup of the plurality of cups configured to hold one raw egg of the plurality of raw eggs.

6. 6. The kitchen device of claim 5, wherein the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the raw egg from a first cup of the plurality of cups to a second cup of the plurality of cups.

7. The kitchen device of claim 6, wherein a gravity mechanism is configured to transfer the raw egg from the second cup of the plurality of cups to the egg cracking component of the kitchen device.

8. 4. The kitchen device of claim 1, wherein the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism comprising a helical coil configured to transfer the raw eggs of the plurality of raw eggs from a first location of the storage component to a second location of the storage component.

9. The kitchen device of claim 8 , wherein the spiral component is configured to transport the raw eggs from the storage component to the egg breaking component of the kitchen device.

10. The kitchen device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the egg cracking component is configured to position the raw egg in an optimal cracking orientation.

11. 11. The kitchen device of any of claims 1-10, wherein the egg cracking component is configured to crack the raw egg and separate the cracked egg shell from the egg white and egg yolk of the cracked egg.

12. A kitchen device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooking components comprise a hot plate and a spatula controlled by a multi-axis robotically controlled arm.

13. 13. The kitchen device of claim 12, wherein the cooking component is configured to cook the white and yolk of the cracked egg using feedback from a vision detection system configured to communicate to the cooking component a position of the egg white and a position of the egg yolk relative to the spatula.

14. 14. A kitchen device according to any of claims 1 to 13, comprising a controller, the controller configured to receive a request for a cooked egg type and to cook the raw egg according to the requested cooked egg type.

15. 15. The kitchen device of claim 14, wherein the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

16. A kitchen device according to any preceding claim, wherein the warming component is configured to warm a first cooked egg using recycled warm air from the cooking component.

17. A kitchen device according to any preceding claim, comprising a graphical user interface configured to enable a user to input a number of process parameters.

18. The kitchen device of claim 17 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

19. 19. A kitchen device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the plurality of process parameters comprises one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time or a cooking temperature.

20. A kitchen device according to any preceding claim, comprising a closed-loop cleaning system for cleaning cooking surfaces of the kitchen device.

21. 21. The kitchen device of claim 20, wherein the closed loop cleaning system uses ultraviolet light to sanitize the cooking surfaces of the kitchen device.

22. 1. A method of cooking eggs, comprising: receiving a raw egg from a storage component of a kitchen device; Positioning the raw egg at an optimal breaking position; cracking the raw egg at the optimal cracking location and separating the cracked egg shell from the cracked egg white and egg yolk; cooking the egg white and the egg yolk of the cracked egg on a temperature controlled hot plate of the kitchen device; A method comprising:

23. 23. The method of claim 22, comprising warming the cooked eggs with warm air generated by and recycled from the temperature controlled hot plate.

24. 24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein positioning the raw egg in an optimal breaking position comprises constraining the raw egg using two arms configured to mechanically advance towards each other and press against the raw egg.

25. 25. The method of any of claims 22-24, wherein cracking the raw egg comprises advancing a sharp object into the raw egg to puncture the shell of the raw egg.

26. 26. The method of any of claims 22-25, further comprising receiving a request for a cooked egg type and cooking the egg white and the egg yolk of the cracked egg in accordance with the requested cooked egg type.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

28. 28. The method of any of claims 22-27, comprising storing a plurality of raw eggs in the storage component, the storage component being controlled at a temperature of 5-40°F.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of raw eggs comprises 6 or 12 eggs.

30. A method according to any of claims 22-29, wherein receiving a raw egg from a storage component of a kitchen device comprises gravitationally transferring the raw egg from the storage component.

31. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 30, comprising inputting a number of process parameters by a user.

32. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein inputting, by a user, a plurality of process parameters includes indicating the plurality of process parameters using a touch screen graphical user interface.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the plurality of process parameters includes one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time, or a cooking temperature.

34. A method according to any of claims 22-33, comprising cleaning a cooking surface of the kitchen device.

35. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein cleaning the cooking surface of the kitchen device comprises using ultraviolet light to sterilize the cooking surface.

36. 1. A kitchen device for cooking eggs, comprising: A storage component; [0023] A cracking egg component; Cooking components; A heating component; and A controller, the controller comprising: receiving a request for a cooked egg type; in response to receiving the request for the cooked egg type; transferring raw eggs from the storage component to the egg breaking component; cracking the raw egg such that the cooking component receives the cracked egg; cooking the cracked egg in the cooking component; and transferring said cooked eggs to said warming component for warming; a controller configured to A kitchen device equipped with:

37. 37. The kitchen device of claim 36, wherein the storage component is configured to store a plurality of raw eggs.

38. A kitchen device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the storage component is cooled to a temperature of between 5 and 40°F.

39. A kitchen device according to any of claims 36-38, wherein the storage component comprises a tray configured to hold the plurality of raw eggs.

40. 37. The kitchen device of claim 36, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of cups, each cup of the plurality of cups configured to hold one raw egg of the plurality of raw eggs.

41. 38. The kitchen device of claim 37, wherein the controller is configured to transfer the raw egg from a first cup of the plurality of cups to a second cup of the plurality of cups.

42. 40. The kitchen device of claim 38, wherein a gravity mechanism is configured to transfer the raw egg from the second cup of the plurality of cups to the egg cracking component of the kitchen device.

43. 43. The kitchen device of any of claims 36-42, wherein the storage component comprises a transfer mechanism comprising a helical coil configured to transfer the raw eggs of the plurality of raw eggs from a first location of the storage component to a second location of the storage component.

44. 44. The kitchen device of claim 43, wherein the spiral component is configured to transport the raw eggs from the storage component to the egg breaking component of the kitchen device.

45. A kitchen device according to any of claims 36-44, wherein the egg cracking component is configured to position the raw egg in an optimal cracking orientation.

46. 46. ​​The kitchen device of any of claims 36-45, wherein the egg cracking component is configured to crack the raw egg and separate the cracked egg shell from the egg white and egg yolk of the cracked egg.

47. A kitchen device according to any of claims 36-46, wherein the cooking components comprise a hot plate and a spatula, and the controller is configured to control the spatula using a multi-axis robotic control arm.

48. 48. The kitchen device of any of claims 36-47, wherein the cooking component is configured to cook the white and yolk of the cracked egg using feedback from a vision detection system configured to communicate to the cooking component the position of the egg white and the position of the egg yolk relative to the spatula.

49. 49. The kitchen device of claims 36-48, wherein the cooked egg type is one of scrambled, soft-boiled, or soft-boiled.

50. A kitchen device according to any of claims 36-49, wherein the warming component is configured to warm the cooked egg using recycled warm air from the cooking component.

51. A kitchen device according to any of claims 36-50, wherein the kitchen device comprises a graphical user interface arranged to enable a user to input a number of process parameters.

52. 52. The kitchen device of claim 51, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

53. 53. A kitchen device as claimed in claim 51 or 52, wherein the plurality of process parameters comprises one or more of a cooking method, a cooking start time or a cooking temperature.

54. A kitchen device according to any one of claims 36 to 53, comprising a closed-loop cleaning system for cleaning cooking surfaces of the kitchen device.

55. 55. The kitchen device of claim 54, wherein the closed loop cleaning system uses ultraviolet light to sanitize the cooking surfaces of the kitchen device.

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