FOOD FLIPPING DEVICE

Abstract

A food flipping device V-shaped body 1 constructed with a first and second elongated members having first ends attached with each other and second ends connected with each other via an extendable plate 2, a C-shaped motorized expandable clamp 3 is installed with the body 1 via an L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4 that is positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil in which a food item is being cooked, a microphone positioned on one of the members for enabling a user to give voice commands for securing the body 1 with the utensil, and an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 5 mounted on one of the members for detecting dimensions of the food item.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a food flipping device that is capable of flipping a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil by getting positioned in contact with edge of the utensil, thereby handling the whole process with minimal human intervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People generally use to consume different of food items in their usual lives. However, while cooking some of the food items in the utensil they need to be flipped at a regular interval of time. People usually uses tongs as these are kitchen utensils used to grasp and flip food items kike steaks, vegetables or alike other food items that are being cooked on a grill or in a frying pan. However, tongs might lack the precision and control required for delicate flipping tasks, such as flipping small or fragile food items without breaking them. So, people use an equipment that flip a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil efficiently.

[0003] Conventionally, some ways were used by people for flipping a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil. People usually uses tongs as these are kitchen utensils used to grasp and flip food items kike steaks, vegetables or alike other food items that are being cooked on a grill or in a frying pan. However, tongs might lack the precision and control required for delicate flipping tasks, such as flipping small or fragile food items without breaking them. Therefore, they also use wooden spoon for flipping food item that is been cooked in the utensil. But the equipment is quite ineffective as well as lack in precision.

[0004] US20140157997A1 discloses about an invention that includes a flipping device for cooking foods in an oven at home or at a commercial location resulting in a uniform cooking of the food as well as retaining a juicy texture uniformly within the food.

[0005] US20120031284A1 discloses about an invention that includes a cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of performing flipping a food item. However, these devices are incapable of flipping a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil, and fails in eliminating the requirement of any skilled chef for flipping the food item. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in detecting the food item to be rotten and are insufficient in notifying the user to discard the food item.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that flip a food item efficiently that is being cooked in a cooking utensil by getting positioned in contact with edge of the utensil, thus eliminates the requirement of any skilled chef for flipping the food item. In addition, the developed device should also detect the food item to be rotten and notify the user to discard the food item.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing a means to flip a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil by getting positioned in contact with edge of the utensil, thereby eliminating the requirement of any skilled chef for flipping the food item.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting dripping of excessive oil from the food item and accordingly removing the oil from the food item by allowing collection of the oil.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the food item to be rotten and notifying the user to discard the food item.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a food flipping device that is capable of providing a means for flipping a food item that is being cooked in a cooking utensil by getting positioned in contact with edge of the utensil, thereby eliminating the requirement of any skilled chef for flipping the food item. Additionally, the proposed device also detects dripping of excessive oil from the food item and accordingly remove the oil from the food item by allowing collection of the oil.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a food flipping device comprises of, a V-shaped body constructed with a first and second elongated members having first ends attached with each other and second ends connected with each other via an extendable plate, a C-shaped motorized expandable clamp is installed with the body via an L-shaped telescopically operated rod that is positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil in which a food item is being cooked, a microphone positioned on one of the members for enabling a user to give voice commands for securing the body with the utensil, along with defining time duration at which the food item is to be flipped, a laser sensor positioned on the clamp to detect thickness of the edge, a drawer arrangement assembled on the body for gripping the edge, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit mounted on one of the members for detecting dimensions of the food item, in accordance to which the plate extend via a drawer arrangement such that the members are tilted away from each other via a hinge incorporated between the first ends, and an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module synced in the microcontroller for monitoring real-time, wherein as soon as the monitored time matches the user-defined time duration, the rod extend for accommodating the food item over the plate.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, a motorized ball and socket joint configured between the rod and body for rotating the body with respect to the rod in view of flipping the food item for allowing even cooking of the food item from either side, a weight sensor arranged with the plate, a moisture sensor positioned on the plate to detect dripping of excessive oil from the food item, plurality of iris pores crafted with the plate to open for allowing collection of the oil in a tray attached with the plate, a vibrating unit is configured with the plate for generating vibrational sensations in view of allowing dripping of maximum oil from the food item, an odor sensor positioned on the plate to detect the food item to be rotten, and a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a food flipping device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a food flipping device that flip a food item efficiently that is being cooked in a cooking utensil by getting positioned in contact with edge of the utensil, thus eliminates the requirement of any skilled chef for flipping the food item. In addition, the proposed device also detects the food item to be rotten and notify the user to discard the food item.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a food flipping device illustrated, comprising a V-shaped body 1 constructed with a first and second elongated members having first ends attached with each other and second ends connected with each other via an extendable plate 2, a C-shaped motorized expandable clamp 3 is installed with the body 1 via an L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 5 mounted on one of the members.

[0023] The device disclosed herein, comprises of a V-shaped body 1 constructed with a first and second elongated members having first ends attached with each other and second ends connected with each other via an extendable plate 2, wherein a C-shaped motorized expandable clamp 3 is installed with the body 1 via an L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4, that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller that is positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil in which a food item is being cooked.

[0024] The clamp 3 includes a pair of flaps which are pivoted with each other for allowing the axial motion of the flaps required to get positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil, a DC motor is paired with the pivot joint that is activated by the microcontroller for providing a rotational motion to the joint for automating the movement of the flaps to get positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil in which a food item is being cooked.

[0025] After positioning of the clamp 3, the microcontroller activates a microphone positioned on one of the members for enabling a user to give voice commands for securing the body 1 with the utensil, along with defining time duration at which the food item is to be flipped. The microphone plays a crucial role by converting spoken words or commands into electrical signals which are then processed and analyzed to trigger specific actions. When the user speaks or commands for securing the body 1 with the utensils, their vocal cords vibrate, creating sound waves. These sound waves travel through the air as variations in air pressure. The microphone mentioned herein is a transducer that converts these variations in air into electric signals.

[0026] The analog electrical signal is converted into digital form which is done by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The digital signal is then subjected to various signal processing techniques to enhance voice quality and eliminate noise. The microcontroller then converts the signal into specific commands and activates a laser sensor positioned the clamp 3 detects thickness of the edge.

[0027] The laser sensor activates and emits a focused and narrow beam toward the mouth portion of the edge. When the laser beam strikes the surface of the edge, it gets reflected back towards the sensor. The receiver of the laser sensor captures the reflected light and employs a time-of-flight measurement principle to determine the thickness of the edge, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates the clamp 3 to expand via a drawer arrangement for gripping the edge.

[0028] The drawer arrangement consists of a drawer that typically slides on the rails inside the clamp 3. These rails provide a smooth and stable path for the compression and expansion of the clamp 3. When the microcontroller actuates the drawer arrangement, the motor starts rotating and the rotational motion is converted into linear motion through the use of gears. As the motor rotates, the drawer moves either outward or inward along the sliding rails. This expansion and compression increases and decreases the size of the clamp 3.

[0029] After expanding the clamp 3, the microcontroller activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 5 mounted on one of the members and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the food item, respectively, for detecting dimensions of the food item. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the food item. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification.

[0030] The image captured by the imaging unit 5 is real-time images of the food item. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 5 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines dimensions of the food item, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates the plate 2 to extend via a drawer arrangement such that the members are tilted away from each other via a hinge incorporated between the first ends.

[0031] Further, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module integrated with and actuated by the microcontroller for monitoring real-time, wherein as soon as the monitored time matches the user-defined time duration, the microcontroller actuates the rod 4 to extend for accommodating the food item over the plate 2.

[0032] Simultaneously, a motorized ball and socket joint configured between the rod 4 and body 1, wherein upon accommodation of the food item on the plate 2, via a weight sensor arranged with the plate 2, the microcontroller actuates the ball and socket joint for rotating the body 1 with respect to the rod 4 in view of flipping the food item for allowing even cooking of the food item from either side.

[0033] The motorized ball and socket joint consists of a ball-shaped element that fits into a socket, which provides rotational freedom in various directions. The ball is connected to a motor, typically a servo motor which provides the controlled movement. The rod 4 is attached to the socket of the motorized ball and socket joint. The motor responds by adjusting the ball and socket joint and rotates the ball in the desired direction, and this motion is transferred to the socket that holds the rod 4. As the ball and socket joint move, it provides the necessary angular movement to the rod 4.

[0034] In case the microcontroller via a moisture sensor positioned on the plate 2 detects dripping of excessive oil from the food item, the microcontroller actuates plurality of iris pores crafted with the plate 2 to open for allowing collection of the oil in a tray attached with the plate 2.

[0035] Further, a vibrating unit is configured with the plate 2 that is activated by the microcontroller for generating vibrational sensations in view of allowing dripping of maximum oil from the food item. In case the microcontroller via an odor sensor positioned on the plate 2 detects the food item to be rotten, the microcontroller sends an alert on the computing unit for notifying the user to discard the food item.

[0036] The computing unit is linked wirelessly with the microcontroller via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. The user interface serves as a bridge between the user and the microcontroller, notifying the user to discard the food item.

[0037] A battery is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery use a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the device.

[0038] The present invention works well in following manner, where the proposed device comprises of the V-shaped body 1 constructed with the first and second elongated members having first ends and second ends via the extendable plate 2, the C-shaped motorized expandable clamp 3 via the L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4 in which the food item is being cooked, the microphone for enabling the user to give voice commands for securing the body 1 with the utensil, along with defining time duration at which the food item is to be flipped, the laser sensor to detect thickness of the edge, the drawer arrangement for gripping the edge, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 5 for detecting dimensions of the food item, in accordance to which the plate 2 extend via the drawer arrangement such that the members are tilted away from each other via the hinge incorporated between the first ends, and the RTC (Real-Time Clock) module for monitoring real-time, wherein as soon as the monitored time matches the user-defined time duration, the rod 4 extend for accommodating the food item over the plate 2. Further, the motorized ball and socket joint for rotating the body 1 with respect to the rod 4 in view of flipping the food item for allowing even cooking of the food item from either side, the moisture sensor to detect dripping of excessive oil from the food item, plurality of iris pores crafted with the plate 2 to open for allowing collection of the oil in the tray attached with the plate 2, the vibrating unit for generating vibrational sensations in view of allowing dripping of maximum oil from the food item, the odor sensor to detect the food item to be rotten, and the battery for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0039] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A food flipping device, comprising:

i) a V-shaped body 1 constructed with a first and second elongated members having first ends attached with each other and second ends connected with each other via an extendable plate 2, wherein a C-shaped motorized expandable clamp 3 is installed with said body 1 via an L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4 that is positioned in contact with edge of a cooking utensil in which a food item is being cooked;

ii) a microphone positioned on one of said members for enabling a user to give voice commands for securing said body 1 with said utensil, along with defining time duration at which said food item is to be flipped, wherein a microcontroller linked with said microphone processes said voice commands and activates a laser sensor positioned said clamp 3 detects thickness of said edge, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates said clamp 3 to expand via a drawer arrangement for gripping said edge;

iii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 5 mounted on one of said members and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said food item, respectively, for detecting dimensions of said food item, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates said plate 2 to extend via a drawer arrangement such that said members are tilted away from each other via a hinge incorporated between said first ends;

iv) an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module integrated within said microcontroller for monitoring real-time, wherein as soon as said monitored time matches said user-defined time duration, said microcontroller actuates said rod 4 to extend for accommodating said food item over said plate 2; and

v) a motorized ball and socket joint configured between said rod 4 and body 1, wherein upon accommodation of said food item on said plate 2, via a weight sensor arranged with said plate 2, said microcontroller actuates said ball and socket joint for rotating said body 1 with respect to said rod 4 in view of flipping said food item for allowing even cooking of said food item from either side.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via a moisture sensor positioned on said plate 2 detects dripping of excessive oil from said food item, said microcontroller actuates plurality of iris pores crafted with said plate 2 to open for allowing collection of said oil in a tray attached with said plate 2.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein a vibrating unit 5 is configured with said plate 2 that is activated by said microcontroller for generating vibrational sensations in view of allowing dripping of maximum oil from said food item.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via an odor sensor positioned on said plate 2 detects said food item to be rotten, said microcontroller sends an alert on said computing unit for notifying said user to discard said food item.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, GSM module, Bluetooth module.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said L-shaped telescopically operated rod 4 is powered by a pneumatic unit 5 that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said rod 4.

7) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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