UTENSIL ORGANIZING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A utensil organizing assistive device, comprising a rectangular frame 1 positioned on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet, an imaging unit 2 installed on the frame 1 to determine dimensions of the cabinet, a drawer arrangement integrated in the frame 1 to increase/decrease dimensions of the frame 1, multiple suction cups 3 arranged underneath the frame 1 for securing the frame 1 on the surface, a first and second set of vertical plates 4 arranged on corresponding lateral ends of the frame 1 by means of motorized hinge joints 5 to allow a user to accommodate multiple dishes, a motorized slider 6 integrated in between the frame 1 and each of the plates 4 for adjusting position of the plates 4, multiple air blowers 7 arranged on the frame 1 to provide a pressurized flow of air on the dishes for desiccating the detected moisture on the dishes.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a utensil organizing assistive device which is capable of providing a means to assist a user in organizing utensils including dishes on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet by acquiring proper space to the dishes as per dimensions of the dishes without any requirement of human interference thereby reduces chances of mismanagement in arranging the dishes o the cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many people own a variety of cooking utensils and devices adapted to serve various purposes. Kitchen utensils have various shapes and sizes and many such utensils do not fit within conventional horizontal drawers. Some utensils are too wide to fit within a horizontal drawer, or consume too much space therein. Further, horizontal drawers and other typical storage spaces are not adjustable in size and cannot be made to accommodate larger utensils.

[0003] Generally, the kitchen utensils are managed by using manual methods that require lot of physical efforts as well as consumes lot of time of the user. Sometimes utensil falls on the surface resulting in the damage during the process of managing utensils making the process unreliable. The user has to spent lot of energy in managing the different utensils.

[0004] US2015238032A1 discloses about an invention that provides a kitchen utensil organizing device that can be used to store and organize utensils and other articles in an upright orientation. The storage device includes a substantially rectangular container having a bottom, sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. Dividing walls can be removably inserted into the interior volume so as to form a plurality of compartments within the interior volume. The user can insert rectangular dividing walls so as to form a number of compartments of a desired size. The sidewalls of the container include channels thereon that are able to receive the sides of the dividing walls. Furthermore, the exterior of a pair of opposing sidewalls of the container include tracks on a lower portion thereof such that the container can be slidably installed in a cabinet. Thus, the present invention provides a customizable storage device for kitchen utensils.

[0005] US20160066767A1 discloses about an invention that provides a dish organizing device for organizing, soaking, washing, and drying dirty or used dishware. The dish organizing device includes a container having a base, one or more sidewalls, and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. The base comprises a plurality of ridges used to support and organize dishes and an opening to allow liquid to drain from the container. The device further includes one or more removable utensil holders that can be attached to the sidewalls of the container by means of a U-shaped lip disposed on the upper end of the removable utensil holder. One or more hooks can be removably attached to the sidewalls so that drinkware may be held thereon. The device prevents dishware from being haphazardly piled on top of one another and subsequently causing dishware to break. The device further provides additional dishware washing capacity when a user's sink is already occupied.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of managing the utensils in the kitchen. However, these devices are incapable of detecting moisture present in the dishes in order to aid a means to keep the dishes dry by blowing air over the dishes. Additionally, these devices fail to determine temperature of the cabinet to provide a heating or cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around the glass dishes that are being kept in the cabinet.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of assisting a user in organizing utensils including dishes on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet as well as detects moisture present in the dishes in order to aid a means to keep the dishes dry by blowing air over the dishes. In addition, the proposed equipment is capable of determining temperature of the cabinet to provide a heating/cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around the glass dishes that are being kept in the cabinet, thereby preventing any cracks on the dish.

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 assisting a user in organizing utensils including dishes on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet by acquiring proper space to the dishes as per dimensions of the dishes without any requirement of human interference thereby prevent mismanagement in arranging the dishes.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting moisture present in the dishes in order to aid a means to keep the dishes dry by blowing air over the dishes thereby allow the user to access the dishes for various purposes.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable in determining temperature of the cabinet to provide a heating/cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around the glass dishes that are being kept in the cabinet, thereby preventing any cracks on the dish.

[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 utensil organizing assistive device that is capable of assisting a user in organizing utensils including dishes on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet by acquiring proper space to the dishes according to the dimension of the dishes without human intervention. The proposed device is capable of detecting moisture present in the dishes in order to aid a means to keep the dishes dry by blowing air over the dishes thereby allow the user to access the dishes for various purposes.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a utensil organizing assistive device comprises of a rectangular frame developed to be positioned on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the frame paired with a processor for capturing as well as processing multiple images in vicinity of the frame to determine dimensions of the cabinet, a drawer arrangement integrated in the frame to increase or decrease dimensions of the frame, plurality of suction cups are arranged underneath the frame to adhere to surface for securing the frame on the surface, a first as well as second set of vertical plates arranged on corresponding lateral ends of the frame each by means of a motorized hinge joint to provide converging or diverging movement to the plates in a manner that the frame is divided into multiple sections that are accessed by a user to accommodate multiple dishes in the sections, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is embedded on the frame for determining dimensions of the dishes and a motorized slider integrated in between the frame or each of the plates to provide translation to the plate for adjusting position of the plates in view of increasing or decreasing dimensions of the sections thereby allowing the dishes to get properly accommodated in the sections.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a moisture sensor embedded on the frame for detecting presence of moisture on the dishes, plurality of air blowers arranged on the frame to provide a pressurized flow of air on the dishes for desiccating the detected moisture on the dishes thereby assisting the user in accommodation and desiccation of the dishes, the frame is fabricated with rubberized layer to prevent the dishes from any scratches and scuffs, a temperature sensor is embedded on the frame for determining temperature of the cabinet, plurality of Peltier units to provide a heating or cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around the glass dish thereby preventing any cracks on the dish and a battery is configured with the device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered 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 utensil organizing assistive 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 utensil organizing assistive device that is capable of providing a means to assist a user in organizing utensils including dishes on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet by acquiring proper space to the dishes as per dimensions of the dishes without any requirement of human interference thereby reduces chances of mismanagement in arranging the dishes o the cabinet.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a utensil organizing assistive device is illustrated, comprising a rectangular frame 1 positioned on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet, an imaging unit 2 installed on the frame 1, multiple suction cups 3 arranged underneath the frame 1, a first and second set of vertical plates 4 arranged on corresponding lateral ends of the frame 1 by means of motorized hinge joints 5, a motorized slider 6 integrated in between the frame 1 and each of the plates 4, multiple air blowers 7 arranged on the frame 1 and multiple Peltier units 8 arranged on the frame 1.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of a rectangular frame 1 that is developed to be positioned on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet. The frame 1 is constructed from sturdy and robust materials that may include but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum. These materials offer rigidness and robustness to the frame 1 making the frame 1 resistant to mechanical stress and pressure. The frame 1 is fabricated with rubberized layer to prevent the dishes from any scratches and scuffs.

[0024] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 is installed on the frame 1 that is paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the frame 1, respectively to determine dimensions of the cabinet. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 used herein incorporates AI protocols to enhance its functionality and capabilities to enables immediate responses and faster decision-making. The imaging unit 2 captures images or records videos in vicinity of the frame 1 by the help of specialized lenses. The captured data is pre-processed and is fed into AI protocols for analysis which utilizes machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data. This acquired data is processed by the processor and then an inbuilt microcontroller analysed the processed data to determine dimensions of the cabinet.

[0025] In accordance to determined dimensions of the cabinet, a drawer arrangement is integrated in the frame 1 that is actuated by the microcontroller to increase/decrease dimensions of the frame 1. The drawer arrangement consists of multiple plates 4 that are overlapped to each other with a sliding unit, wherein upon actuation of the drawer arrangement by the microcontroller, the motor in the sliding unit starts rotating a wheel coupled via a shaft in clockwise/anticlockwise direction providing a movement to the slider 6 in the drawer arrangement to increase/decrease dimensions of the frame 1.

[0026] Simultaneously, multiple suction cups 3 are arranged underneath the frame 1 to adhere to surface for securing the frame 1 on the surface. The suction cups 3 use the atmospheric pressure to vacuum and hold the frame 1 at one place on the surface of the front bumper. The suction cups 3 consist of a circular disc which are made of a flexible material mostly rubber with a rounded edge, whenever the pressure is applied in the center of the disc, a concave shape is generated and when the cups 3 is forced against the surface, a vacuum is created in the cups 3 which causes the cups 3 to stick strongly with the surface.

[0027] Upon securing the frame 1 on the surface, a first and second set of vertical plates 4 arranged on corresponding lateral ends of the frame 1, each by means of a motorized hinge joint 5 that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to the plates 4, in a manner that the frame 1 is divided into multiple sections that are accessed by a user to accommodate multiple dishes in the sections. The motorized hinge joint 5 comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the plates 4.

[0028] The leafs are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the plates 4 for providing converging/diverging movement to the plates 4 that are accessed by the user to accommodate multiple dishes in the sections.

[0029] Further, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is embedded on the frame 1 for determining dimensions of the dishes. The LiDAR sensor sends out rapid laser pulses in a sweeping motion towards the dishes for determining the position. These pulses travel through the air and interact with the dishes. When the laser pulses encounter the dishes, the laser bounces off from the surface of the dishes. The LiDAR sensor precisely measures the time it takes for these laser pulses to travel to the dishes and back to the sensor and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo. This data is converted into electrical signal and is sent to the microcontroller which further processes the acquired data and determines dimensions of the dishes.

[0030] Upon determining the dimensions of the dishes, a motorized slider 6 is integrated in between the frame 1 and each of the plates 4 that is actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to the plate for adjusting position of the plates 4, in view of increasing/decreasing dimensions of the sections. The slider 6 consists of a pair of sliding rail fabricated with grooves in which the wheel of a mini slider 6 is positioned that is further connected with a bi-directional motor via a shaft. The microcontroller actuates the bi-directional motor to rotate in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction that aids in rotation of shaft, wherein the shaft converts the electrical energy into rotational energy for allowing movement of the wheel to translate over the sliding rail by a firm grip on the grooves. The movement of the slider 6 results in translation of the plate for adjusting position of the plates 4 for increasing/decreasing dimensions of the sections, thereby allowing the dishes to get properly accommodated in the sections.

[0031] Furthermore, a moisture sensor is embedded on the frame 1 for detecting presence of moisture on the dishes. The moisture sensor comprises a couple of conductive probes used for measuring moisture content in any sample. The probes are electrodes capable of conducting charge and corresponding electrical resistance is measured by the sensor. As the water content is present in the dishes, the resistance through probes increases and the corresponding signal is received by the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal compares the received signal with a pre-fed data stored in the database of the microcontroller and consequentially determines presence of moisture on the dishes.

[0032] In case the presence of moisture on the dishes, the microcontroller actuates multiple air blowers 7 arranged on the frame 1 to provide a pressurized flow of air on the dishes for desiccating the detected moisture on the dishes. The air blower 7 employed herein are designed to take in air at an inlet, and expel it at an outlet, whilst increasing both the speed and the volume of air. The air blower 7 fan consists of the motor and a blade which is directly coupled with the shaft of the motor. The blade is designed in such a way that on rotation generate air swirl, which result in a pressurized flow of air on the dishes for desiccating the detected moisture on the dishes, thereby assisting the user in accommodation and desiccation of the dishes.

[0033] In case the imaging unit 2 detects a glass dish in the sections, the microcontroller actuates a temperature sensor embedded on the frame 1 for determining temperature of the cabinet. The temperature sensor is composed of two type of metal wire joint together. When the sensor experiences a heat in the cabinet then a voltage is generated in the two terminal of the temperature sensor. This voltage is proportional to the temperature so this voltage is sent to the microcontroller for detecting the temperature. The microcontroller calibrates the voltage in terms of temperature to calculate the temperature of the cabinet.

[0034] Based on the temperature of the cabinet, the microcontroller actuates multiple Peltier units 8 to provide a heating/cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around the glass dish. The Peltier unit 8 employed herein is based on the Peltier effect that stated that the cooling of one junction and the heating of the other when electric current is maintained in a circuit of material consisting of two dissimilar conductors. The Peltier effect consists of two semiconductor plates, known as Peltier plates, connected in series and sandwiched between two ceramic plates. When an electric current is applied to the Peltier unit, one side of the unit absorbs heat from its surroundings, while the other side releases heat the Peltier unit 8 generates the heating/cooling effect in order to maintain the temperature of the cabinet.

[0035] Lastly, 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 electrodes named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses 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.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following, where the rectangular frame 1 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be positioned on the fixed surface of the kitchen cabinet. Upon activation, the imaging unit 2 starts for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the frame 1 to determine dimensions of the cabinet. In accordance to determined dimensions of the cabinet, the drawer arrangement is actuated by the microcontroller to increase/decrease dimensions of the frame 1. Simultaneously, multiple suction cups 3 are actuated to adhered to surface for securing the frame 1 on the surface. Upon securing the frame 1 on the surface, the motorized hinge joint 5 is actuated by the microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to the plates 4, in the manner that the frame 1 is divided into multiple sections that are accessed by the user to accommodate multiple dishes in the sections. Further, the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor determines the dimensions of the dishes. In accordance to the determined dimensions of the dishes, the motorized slider 6 is actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to the plate for adjusting position of the plates 4 for increasing/decreasing dimensions of the sections, thereby allowing the dishes to get properly accommodated in the sections. Furthermore, the moisture sensor detects the presence of moisture on the dishes. In case the presence of moisture on the dishes, the microcontroller actuates the multiple air blowers 7 to provide the pressurized flow of air on the dishes for desiccating the detected moisture on the dishes, thereby assisting the user in accommodation and desiccation of the dishes. In case the imaging unit 2 detects the glass dish in the sections, the temperature sensor determines the temperature of the cabinet. Based on which the microcontroller actuates plurality of Peltier units 8 to provide the heating/cooling effect to the blown air for maintaining the ambient temperature around the glass dish, thereby preventing any cracks on the dish.

[0037] 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 utensil organizing assistive device, comprising:

i) a rectangular frame 1 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface of a kitchen cabinet, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 2 installed on said frame 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said frame 1, respectively to determine dimensions of said cabinet;
ii) a drawer arrangement integrated in said frame 1 that is actuated by an inbuilt microcontroller to increase/decrease dimensions of said frame 1, wherein plurality of suction cups 3 are arranged underneath said frame 1 to adhere to surface for securing said frame 1 on said surface;
iii) a first and second set of vertical plates 4 arranged on corresponding lateral ends of said frame 1, each by means of a motorized hinge joint 5 that is actuated by said microcontroller to provide converging/diverging movement to said plates 4, in a manner that said frame 1 is divided into multiple sections that are accessed by a user to accommodate multiple dishes in said sections, wherein a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is embedded on said frame 1 for determining dimensions of said dishes;
iv) a motorized slider 6 integrated in between said frame 1 and each of said plates 4, that is actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to said plate for adjusting position of said plates 4, in view of increasing/decreasing dimensions of said sections, thereby allowing said dishes to get properly accommodated in said sections; and
v) a moisture sensor embedded on said frame 1 for detecting presence of moisture on said dishes, based on which said microcontroller actuates plurality of air blowers 7 arranged on said frame 1 to provide a pressurized flow of air on said dishes for desiccating said detected moisture on said dishes, thereby assisting said user in accommodation and desiccation of said dishes.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame 1 is fabricated with rubberized layer to prevent said dishes from any scratches and scuffs.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said imaging unit 2 detects a glass dish in said sections, a temperature sensor is embedded on said frame 1 for determining temperature of said cabinet, based on which said microcontroller actuates plurality of Peltier units 8 to provide a heating/cooling effect to said blown air for maintaining an ambient temperature around said glass dish, thereby preventing any cracks on said dish.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said device for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

Documents