51 results about "Proximate" patented technology

A hermetically sealed capsule containing a plunger proximate one end of the capsule and a selectively openable dispensing orifice proximate the other end of the capsule, and an automatic dispenser for controlled actuation of the plunger to dispense wet pet food from the capsule.

A computer-implemented method for food safety mapping. The method includes acquiring, via a wireless receiver, an encoded unique identifier from a label positioned proximate to a food item. The encoded unique identifier is saved in a food item record of a database. Current food temperature data for the food item is acquired via a temperature sensor and saved in the food item record.

The present disclosure is directed to a smoke infusion assembly for use with an appliance or cooking vessel. The smoke infusion assembly may be configured to infuse foodstuffs within the cooking vessel with smoke, via either a hot smoke or cold smoke process. The smoke infusion assembly may be a modular device or may be an integral component of the cooking vessel. The smoke infusion assembly may include a material container for retaining wood or pellets and a heater positioned proximate to the material container and configured to generate smoke by applying heat to the contents of the material container. The smoke infusion assembly may include a fan configured to remove smoke- infused air from the cooking vessel and a filter positioned adjacent to the fan and configured to filter the smoke-infused air before the smoke-infused air enters the external environment.

A cleaning tool (180) for cleaning a cutting mesh attachment (150) of a food processor (100), the cutting mesh attachment (150) having a cutting mesh (154) with a plurality of apertures (160) and an anchor hole (162) located proximate the cutting mesh (154), the cleaning tool (180) having: a body (182) having a plurality of projections (184) sized to be received by the plurality of apertures (160); an anchor arm (186) extending from the body (182), the anchor arm (186) having a shape conforming to an anchor bore (162) of a cutting mesh attachment (150) and being releasably engageable with the anchor bore (162) such that when the anchor arm (186) is engaged with the anchor bore (162), the body (182) is positioned relative to the cutting mesh (150) and is pivotable about the anchor bore (162) to allow the plurality of projections (184) to move into the plurality of apertures (160); and a handle (188) extending from the body (182) opposite the anchor arm (186) such that when the anchor arm (186) is engaged with the anchor bore (162), the handle (188) provides a leveraging action to increase an available force at the plurality of projections (184) as the projections (184) travel into the plurality of apertures (160).

An artificial bait selectively configurable in a first configuration or a second configuration is provided. In the first configuration, a hook may be positioned and located proximate to an upper side of the artificial bait. In the second configuration, a hook may be positioned and located proximate to a lower side of the artificial bait. The artificial bait may include a body sized and shaped to resemble a natural food source for fish. In addition, a guide may be positioned and located in the body. In the first configuration, fishing line may extend through the guide to an upper side of the body. However, in the second configuration, the fishing line may extend through the body and the guide to a lower side of the body. Thus, a hook may be selectively coupled with the fishing line proximate to the upper side or the lower side of the body.

An apparatus for filling a food item and method of use of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a filling receptacle enclosed by two pairs of opposed walls and having an open first end and an open second end, two pairs of opposed flaps disposed proximate the second end of the filling receptacle, each flap extending outwardly from each corresponding wall and oriented orthogonally thereto. When the apparatus is placed on a horizontal surface, the walls are disposed in a vertical orientation and the flaps extend horizontally outward from the filling receptacle, and the first end of the filling receptacle is above the second end. The apparatus is positioned over a flat, foldable food item to be filled, and ingredients are placed into the filling receptacle. The apparatus is then removed and the food item is folded to enclose the ingredients.

A food product slicing apparatus for slicing food products into slices is provided. A frame mounts a drive assembly which is configured to move the food products relative to the frame, a side strapping assembly which side straps a side of the food product, and a slicing blade configured to slice the food products into slices. The side strapping assembly is mounted to the frame proximate to the drive assembly. The side strapping assembly includes a releasable clamp which couples a blade of the side strapping assembly to the frame. The clamp can be released without the use of tools.

A removable collection tray for a beverage maker is provided. The removable collection tray is configured for use with a frozen beverage maker having a housing and a vaporizer disposed within the housing. The collection tray includes a collection chamber for receiving the liquid and a handle for removing the tray from the housing. The collection chamber is configured to be inserted into a slot in the housing proximate the evaporator. When inserted into the slot, the collection chamber is vertically spaced from the bottom side of the housing. The present disclosure provides a way for a user to remove condensate and other overflow liquids from a container, which reduces cleaning issues and increases ease of use.

Described herein are automated cooking apparatuses for storing and cooking food items as well as methods of operating such apparatuses. In some examples, an automated cooking apparatus comprises a storage unit, a delivery unit, and a cooking unit. The storage unit may be equipped with a refrigeration unit and a container delivery opening. The delivery unit is aligned with this opening and configured to load a set amount of the food items into each food compartment of the cooking unit. The cooking unit moves its food compartments through a cooking tank (e.g., filled with a cooking liquid and heated using a set of heating elements) and into a cooked food receiver. The storage unit or, more specifically, its uncooked food container unit is positioned proximate (e.g., within 200 millimeters) to the cooking tank thereby reducing the time for transporting the food items relative to the cooking time.

An oil receiving system includes a housing proximate to a vat and a fluid connection disposed in either the side wall or the bottom wall, the fluid connection vertically disposed below a top edge of the front wall and a system to remove the contents within the housing through the fluid connection. The housing is connected to a cooking vat by a transition between the outer edge of the vat and the front wall of the housing, the transition extends at an upwardly extending orientation from the outer edge of the vat to the front wall of the housing, wherein a conveyor extends along the transition, the conveyor has a first portion that moves along the transition from over the outer edge of the vat and toward and over the front wall of the housing, and a second portion that moves along the transition from over the front wall of the housing and toward and over the outer edge of the vat.

A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having a first burner and a second burner, a control knob assembly having a first control knob to control the first burner and a second control knob to control the second burner, a display assembly provided within the cooktop proximate the first burner, an air handler attached to the cooktop proximate the second burner, the air handler being in fluid communication with the display assembly, and a controller operably connected with the cooktop, the control knob assembly, the display assembly, and the air handler, the controller being configured to selectively operate the air handler based on an operational state of the first control knob.

The invention relates to a foldable, disposable food or beverage container (2). The invention relates to a container (1) comprising: a housing (4) comprising: a first end (6) comprising a top portion (8) defining an outlet (10); a second end (12) opposite the first end, the second end comprising a bottom portion (14); and a side portion (16a), b, the side portion extending from the first end to the second end; wherein a cavity for accommodating food or beverage is formed among the first end part, the second end part and the side part of the shell; the cavity is in fluid communication with the outlet; a longitudinal axis is defined between the first end part and the second end part of the shell; the container is switchable between two configurations: a first folded configuration at which one end or side portion of the housing is located at or proximate to a corresponding opposing end or opposing side portion, and a second folded configuration at which one end or side portion of the housing is located at or proximate to a corresponding opposing end or opposing side portion; a second expanded configuration at which one end or side portion of the housing is spaced from a corresponding opposing end or opposing side portion, thereby forming the cavity; the shell is completely made of paper. The entire container is suitable for domestic compost processing and / or is biodegradable.

A vacuum container assembly for storage of food includes a container, which comprises glass material, and a cover, which is sized complementarily to an open top of the container, through which food can be added to the container. The cover closes the open top upon positioning of the cover on an upper edge of a perimeter wall of the container with a gasket of the cover engaging the perimeter wall. The gasket is attached to a lower surface of a metal plate of the cover and extends circumferentially around the metal plate proximate to its perimeter edge. A valve, which is attached to and which extends through the metal plate, selectively allows passage of air through the metal plate. The valve fluidly couples the container to a vacuum generator to generate a partial pressure within the container, thereby sealingly engaging the gasket to the perimeter wall.

Described herein are automated cooking apparatuses for storing and cooking food items as well as methods of operating such apparatuses. In some examples, an automated cooking apparatus comprises a storage unit, a delivery unit, and a cooking unit. The storage unit may be equipped with a refrigeration unit and a container delivery opening. The delivery unit is aligned with this opening and configured to load a set amount of the food items into each food compartment of the cooking unit. The cooking unit moves its food compartments through a cooking tank (e.g., filled with a cooking liquid and heated using a set of heating elements) and into a cooked food receiver. The storage unit or, more specifically, its uncooked food container unit is positioned proximate (e.g., within 200 millimeters) to the cooking tank thereby reducing the time for transporting the food items relative to the cooking time.

A ventilation system for a cooking appliance includes a cooktop with at least one burner and a ventilation source including a suction fan disposed proximate the cooktop. At least one Time-of-Flight ( "ToF" ) system includes an illumination source configured to project a light onto the cooktop and an imager module that captures image data of the light signal reflected from the cooktop. A control system is configured to compute the image data of the light signal reflected from the cooktop to analyze a signal ratio from the reflected light captured by the imager module of the ToF system to determine a presence of at least one of smoke, steam, or a mixture of smoke and steam, and generate a signal to turn on the suction fan of the ventilation source in response to determining the presence of the smoke, steam, or a mixture of smoke and steam.

A cooktop appliance (10) includes at least one burner (12) and a temperature detection assembly (14) for measuring a temperature proximate the at least one burner (12). The temperature detection assembly (14) includes a temperature sensor (16), a spring (18) that extends from a base (20) to a distal end (22) defining a pocket (24), and a ball element (26). The ball element (26) that includes a rounded shape is at least partially located in the pocket (24) and floats relative to the pocket (24), and the temperature sensor (16) is coupled to the ball element (26).

An electronic visual food probe for insertion into and viewing of the interior of a body of food. The distal end of the stem has one or more openings that collectively allow light into and out of the cavity, the opening(s) exhibiting a degree of radial displacement. A light source in the stem illuminates the interior of the food exposed to the opening. An electronic image sensor receives the light reflected from the interior surfaces of the food proximate the opening(s) and generates an elongated color image of the reflected light. An electronic display system displays the elongated color image.

A ventilation system for a cooking appliance includes a cooktop with at least one burner and a ventilation source including a suction fan disposed proximate the cooktop. At least one Time-of-Flight ( "ToF" ) system includes an illumination source configured to project a light onto the cooktop and an imager module that captures image data of the light signal reflected from the cooktop. A control system is configured to compute the image data of the light signal reflected from the cooktop to analyze a signal ratio from the reflected light captured by the imager module of the ToF system to determine a presence of at least one of smoke, steam, or a mixture of smoke and steam, and generate a signal to turn on the suction fan of the ventilation source in response to determining the presence of the smoke, steam, or a mixture of smoke and steam.

A grill plate includes a body having a top surface for supporting food, a grease trap associated with said body, a cavity defined by said grease trap, and an opening to said cavity disposed proximate said top surface.

Described herein are automated cooking apparatuses for storing and cooking food items as well as methods of operating such apparatuses. In some examples, an automated cooking apparatus comprises a storage unit, a delivery unit, and a cooking unit. The storage unit may be equipped with a refrigeration unit and a container delivery opening. The delivery unit is aligned with this opening and configured to load a set amount of the food items into each food compartment of the cooking unit. The cooking unit moves its food compartments through a cooking tank (e.g., filled with a cooking liquid and heated using a set of heating elements) and into a cooked food receiver. The storage unit or, more specifically, its uncooked food container unit is positioned proximate (e.g., within 200 millimeters) to the cooking tank thereby reducing the time for transporting the food items relative to the cooking time.

An apparatus for filling a food item and method of use of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a filling receptacle enclosed by two pairs of opposed walls and having an open first end and an open second end, two pairs of opposed flaps disposed proximate the second end of the filling receptacle, each flap extending outwardly from each corresponding wall and oriented orthogonally thereto. When the apparatus is placed on a horizontal surface, the walls are disposed in a vertical orientation and the flaps extend horizontally outward from the filling receptacle, and the first end of the filling receptacle is above the second end. The apparatus is positioned over a flat, foldable food item to be filled, and ingredients are placed into the filling receptacle. The apparatus is then removed and the food item is folded to enclose the ingredients.

A multi-tier rack assembly for use in an oven including a cooking chamber, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, and a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber may include a bottom tier rack and a top tier rack. The bottom tier rack may be removable / insertable relative to the cooking chamber to be supported at a bottom wall of the cooking chamber. The bottom tier rack may include a first frame including a plurality of first frame members that surround a first grate structure. The top tier rack may be removable / insertable to be supported by the bottom tier rack. The top tier rack may include a second frame including a plurality of second frame members that surround a second grate structure. Each of the bottom tier rack and the top tier rack may define a lateral gap proximate to sidewalls of the cooking chamber and a rear gap proximate to a back wall of the cooking chamber to permit, along with the first and second grate structures, airflow vertically through, along sides, and along a back of the bottom and top tier racks, respectively.

A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.

To provide a system.SOLUTION: A system includes: means for suggesting a place to live according to user's preference; means for gathering information from a plurality of information sources; means for looking for stations suitable for the user's preference based upon the gathered information; and means for providing information on good public safety, the number of newly opened shops and their atmospheres, the assortment of products and the price zone of the closest store, etc.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

A system for measuring a temperature of a food in an oven includes an energy emitting antenna positioned in the oven proximate an oven cavity and a battery-free sensor probe configured to be inserted into the food in the oven cavity. The energy emitting antenna sends a plurality of first signals at a same frequency that are phase shifted relative to each other. The battery-free sensor probe has a sensor probe antenna harvesting energy transmitted from the energy emitting antenna and transmitting a plurality of second signals back to the energy emitting antenna. The first signals are steered by the phase shifting to ensure that the first signals are received by the sensor probe antenna.

An oven appliance includes a cabinet and a chamber defined within the cabinet for receipt of food items for cooking. A gas burner is positioned in the cabinet, and a temperature probe is positioned proximate the gas burner. The temperature probe is a dual junction probe that includes a pair of temperature junctions. The oven appliance further includes a controller positioned within the cabinet. The controller is in data communication with the temperature probe, and a voltage difference measured by the temperature probe is indicative of flames from the gas burner.

An oil receiving system is provided and includes a housing with front, side, and a bottom wall, the front wall configured to be connectable to an outer edge of a vat, the combined front, side, and bottom walls form a plenum for receipt of oil therein. A fluid connection is disposed in either the side wall or the bottom wall, the fluid connection vertically disposed below a top edge of the front wall. A piped system allows flow from within the plenum through the fluid connection. A valve is disposed at or proximate to the fluid connection and operable to either allow flow from the plenum through the fluid connection or prevent flow from the plenum through the fluid connection. The oil receiving system can be provided with a vat for frying foods or as a separate item that is attached to a vat after the vat has been installed.

A ventilation system for a cooking appliance includes a cooktop with at least one burner. A suction fan is disposed proximate the cooktop, and a routing path is in fluid communication with the suction fan that routes steam, smoke, or other particulates away from the cooktop. A filter is disposed along the routing path to filtrate the steam, smoke, or other particulates. A sensor is configured to determine a presence and quantity of the steam, smoke, or other particulates. A control system is configured to accumulate the quantity of steam, smoke, or other particulates over a period of time associated with the suction fan being energized. The control system is further configured to compare the accumulated quantity to at least one predetermined threshold, and generate a notification associated with an operational state of the filter.

The invention discloses a flavor and fragrance compounding method based on a taste feature fusion algorithm, which comprises the following steps: (1) carrying out electronic tongue evaluation on flavors and fragrances, and establishing a taste evaluation method; (2) obtaining a taste feature matrix; (3) calculating the similarity of the taste features based on a correlation analysis method, and screening out fragrance raw materials having high correlation with the target essence; (4) obtaining a taste feature matrix of the high-correlation aromatic raw material under different concentration gradient conditions; (5) establishing an interpolation model of the concentration-taste value of the high-correlation aroma raw material; and (6) constructing an Euclidean distance function and carrying out minimum search in a continuous concentration interval to obtain the optimal concentration of the high-correlation aroma raw material closest to the taste sense of the target essence. The method is objective, scientific and rapid.

A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.