FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a foodstuff. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for heating a foodstuff having a display for indicating a temperature of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooking temperature can have a strong influence on the taste and/or appearance of a foodstuff being cooked. For example, a foodstuff cooked at a lower than desirable temperature can, in addition to taking additional time, have a higher moisture content than desired. Cooking a foodstuff at a higher than optimal temperature can result in the foodstuff burning or drying out. Furthermore, cooking at an excessively high temperature can be a safety hazard in which fires can occur.

Also, it can be difficult to gauge the temperature of a foodstuff cooked using conventional cooking equipment, particularly for amateur cooks.

Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of previous cooking equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for heating a foodstuff, comprising a receptacle for receiving the foodstuff, a sensor in communication with the receptacle for measuring a temperature of the receptacle, and a display remote from and in communication with the sensor, the display configured to display a value corresponding to a measurement taken by the sensor. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor is in communication with a base of the receptacle. The sensor can be in direct or indirect communication with the receptacle. In one embodiment, the base can include a conductive plate and the sensor is in communication with the conductive plate. The conductive plate may be bonded or otherwise fixed to an outer surface of the base. The sensor can be in contact with a periphery of the base, a periphery of the conductive plate or both. Alternatively, the sensor can be in contact with a thermal energy transfer plate in communication with the base and/or the conductive plate. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a power source for powering the display, which is preferably a device for generating electrical energy from thermal energy. Preferably, the device is in the form of a thermopile or pelter plate.

According to a preferred embodiment, the value displayed by the display corresponds to a temperature of the receptacle. In an alternative form, the display may provide a visual indication of the temperature of the receptacle relative to a predetermined temperature range. In this regard, the display may simply indicate if the temperature of the receptacle is below, equal to, or greater than a desired cooking temperature. In a preferred form, the display is a digital LCD screen. The display can be fixed to a handle of the apparatus and is preferably received in a recess formed in the handle. In an alternative form, the display is fixed to the receptacle. In another form, the display may be remote from the receptacle and fitted to a cooking hob or stovetop, for example. In such embodiments, the display is in communication with the sensor via a wireless link.

The apparatus can further comprise a power interface board, which may be incorporated into the handle. The power interface board is configured for receiving an electrical signal from the power source and the sensor and providing an electrical signal to the display based on the electrical input signal.

Preferably, the sensor is a thermocouple or thermistor. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a communication module configured for communication with a cooking hob.

Preferably, the communication module is configured for transmitting data relating to the value measured by the sensor. Preferably, the communication module operates using a Bluetooth protocol.

According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is in the form of a firypan or saucepan. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus for heating a foodstuff of one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus being in the form of a frypan;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of another apparatus for heating a foodstuff of another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus 10 for heating a foodstuff according to a preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 1. The apparatus 10 is in the form of a frypan and comprises a receptacle 12 for receiving the foodstuff, a sensor 20 in communication with the receptacle 12 for measuring a temperature of the receptacle 12, and a display 16 remote from and in communication with the sensor 20. The display 16 is configured to display a value corresponding to a measurement taken by the sensor 20. The measurement may be in the form of a value, such as a value of resistance which relates to a value of temperature of the receptacle 12. The sensor 20 is in the form of a temperature probe, in particular a thermocouple or a thermistor, though it will be appreciated that the sensor 20 can also take other forms. The sensor 20 measures a change in voltage or resistance, which, based on known material properties, can be used to determine the temperature or change in temperature of the sensor 20.

It will be appreciated that although the display 16 and sensor 20 are physically separated, they are electrically linked by wires, either directly or indirectly, so as to be in communication so that a temperature measured by the sensor can be displayed by the display.

The sensor 20 is in communication with the receptacle 12 at a lower portion thereof and near a base of the receptacle 12. The receptacle 12 can have a conductive plate 18 bonded or otherwise fixed to an outer surface of the base of the receptacle 12 for distributing heat evenly to the receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor 20 is in communication with plate 18. The sensor 20 can be in contact with a periphery of the base, a periphery of the conductive plate 18 or both. Furthermore, an intermediate member can be used between the sensor 20 and the receptacle 12, such as a thermal energy transfer plate in communication with the receptacle 12.

It will be appreciated that, owing to the high heat conduction properties of the materials typically used in cookware, that the location of the sensor 20 can be varied without having a largely detrimental effect on the temperature measurements obtained. The apparatus 10 can further include a power source for powering the display. As illustrated in Figure 2, the power source is a device for generating electrical energy from thermal energy and may be in the form of a thermopile, thermoplate or pelter plate. In the described embodiment, the device is in the form of a thermopile 24 and is in communication with the receptacle 12 and may be fixed directly or indirectly to the receptacle 12. The thermopile 24 is preferably positioned on the apparatus at a location which maximises heat transfer. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermopile 24 is affixed to an outer surface of the receptacle 12 and in communication with the display via wire 22. In alternative forms, the thermopile 24 is in communication with the base and/or the conductive plate 18, without necessarily directly touching. In the illustrated example, one face of the thermopile 24 is in contact with the receptacle 14 and the remainder of the thermopile 24 is preferably enclosed in the handle 14, or a further housing.

By using a device for generating electrical energy from thermal energy, i.e. thermopile 24, an electrical signal is generated for powering the display without requiring an auxiliary power source such as a battery, though in other forms an alternative configuration which requires a battery for power may be provided. Furthermore, as the thermopile or thermoplate operate on thermal energy, the described apparatus may be used with different types of cooking apparatuses without restriction. For example, the apparatus can operate equally well on electric, gas or induction cooking hobs. In a preferred form, the value displayed by the display 16 corresponds to a temperature of the receptacle 12. In an alternative form, the display 16 may provide a visual indication of the temperature of the receptacle 12 relative to a predetermined temperature range. In this regard, the display 16 may simply indicate if the temperature of the receptacle 12 is below or greater than a desired cooking temperature. For example, the display may be configured to display different colours, for example yellow to indicate that the temperature is below a desired temperature, green to indicate that the temperature is within a range of desirable cooking temperatures and red to indicate that the temperature of the receptacle 12 is too high. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus may include a selection means, preferably in the form of a switch or dial, to indicate the type of foodstuff being cooked. Based on the input from the selection means, the temperature range may vary in accordance with predetermined values. In further alternative embodiments, the display may also be configured to act as a count down timer and the apparatus provided with an indicator, which may be an audible or visual indicator in the form of an alarm, to indicate the end of a selected time period. In such embodiments, an input device, which may also the selection means, will be configured to select a desired time period. In a preferred form, the display 16 is a digital LCD screen that can display the measured temperature of the receptacle 12. The LCD screen may include a backlight. Also, the apparatus 10 may be sold with a chart indicating a preferred cooking temperature for different foods and this chart may be provided on a handle 14 of the apparatus 10. As illustrated in Figure 3, the display 16 is fixed to the handle 14 of the apparatus 10 and is preferably received in a recess formed in the handle 14 and sealed to prevent moisture ingress. By providing the display 16 in a recess, the display can be protected against damage and cleaning of the apparatus can be simplified. For example, by providing adequate protection to the display 16, the apparatus may be dishwasher safe. In an alternative form, the display 16 is fixed to the receptacle 12 at another location. For example the display 16 may be fixed to a pod formed on the side of the receptacle 12 to enable the display 16 to be clearly seen while a user is holding the handle 14. As will be described in further detail below, the display may be remote from the receptacle. Also, the display may include a backlight to aid visibility and/or improve appearance.

The apparatus 10 includes a power interface board 26, which in the illustrated embodiment is incorporated into the handle 14. The power interface board 26 may be disposed remote from the handle in a separate housing for example. The power interface board 26 is configured for receiving power from the thermopile 24 and an input signal from the sensor 20 and for providing an electrical signal to the display 16 based on the electrical input signal. In a preferred form, the power interface board 26 includes a step up transformer. To prevent damage to the power interface board 26 it is preferably sealed from moisture and insulated from heat. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment in which the apparatus 110 is in the form of a saucepan. Like features have been given like numbers which are incremented by 100 and the preceding description of apparatus 10 is intended to also apply to apparatus 110. In other preferred embodiments (not shown) the apparatus includes a communication module configured for communication with a cooking device, preferably a stovetop such as a cooking hob for example. The communication module is configured for transmitting data relating to the value measured by the sensor, i.e. the temperature of the receptacle. Advantageously, such an arrangement can allow the actual temperature of the receptacle to be displayed on the cooking hob, to provide greater temperature control to a user. Although temperature control may be effected by a user simply adjusting a temperature control nob in response to a displayed reading (displayed on either the apparatus or the cooking hob), it will be appreciated that temperature control may be automatically controlled by the hob in response to a desired cooking temperature selected by a user.

The communication module is also powered by the thermopile 24 and, in a preferred embodiment, the communication module operates using a Bluetooth protocol, though it will be appreciated that other wireless protocols or transmission methods may similarly be used.

The apparatus may be configured to display the measured temperature of the receptacle on both the apparatus and the cooking hob, or it may be configured to display only on the cooking hob when communication has been established, reverting to displaying only on the apparatus when communication is lost. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the receptacle may not be provided with a display, with the measured value being only displayed on the cooking hob.

The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed. For example, the apparatus may take the form of other types of cooking equipment, such as a wok, grill pan, skillet, saute pan, or stew pot. The apparatus may be provided with a non-stick coating. The material used for the receptacle may vary and may be aluminium or steel for example. The apparatus may be configured for use with electric or gas stove tops and in an alternative form, the apparatus may be in the form of an electric firypan with integral heating element. Also, the described sensor may take other forms and include commercially available sensors. Also, the sensor may measure a temperature of the receptacle at locations remote from the base or the handle.