Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Automatic Cooking Apparatus
Background of the Present Invention
Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic cooking apparatus, and
more
particularly to an automatic and grinding and cooking apparatus which is
capable of
cooking food items and supplying drinking water.
Description of Related Arts
[0002] Busy modern people are extremely time-sensitive in their works and
lives. Thus,
they usually purchase a number of automatic cooking apparatuses, such as a
microwave
oven, a dishwasher, and a coffee machine etc. The most outstanding feature of
these
appliances is that a user almost only needs to use one button for operation
thereof so as to
enjoy the convenience and efficiency brought by these new technologies.
However, in the
case of electrical rice-cookers or electrical cookers which are utilized for
cooking beans,
cereals or other agricultural food products, measuring cups are needed for
manually
measuring the correct amounts of food and water. This causes inconvenience to
many
people, especially office workers or housewives who then would rather cook
instant
noodles or eat in restaurants. This unsatisfactory situation causes
substantial difficultly in
promoting automatic or smart kitchens.
[0003] The inconvenience of the conventional automatic cooking apparatus as
mentioned above is caused by the absence of an automatic water supply
apparatus,
especially a hot water supply equipment for saving cooking time and energy. As
a result,
a user needs to manually acquire a right amount of cold water or hot water
from a water
tanker.
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[0004] Hence, there is a need to have an automatic cooking apparatus which is
capable
of cooking food items and supplying a correct amount of drinking water in
accordance of
predetermined cooking schedules.
Summary of the Present Invention
[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus which is capable of supplying drinking water and cooking food items
through a
predetermined program.
[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus which comprises a drinking water supply unit and a cooking
apparatus,
wherein the drinking water supply unit is arranged to deliver drinking water
for user's
consumption and for cooking food items in the cooking apparatus.
[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus which is capable of supplying drinking water and cooking food items
without
involving rinsing thereof.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus, wherein the cooking apparatus comprises a grinding arrangement
which is
capable of effectively grinding food items before cooking.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus, wherein the cooking apparatus comprises a filter arrangement which
is capable
.. of effectively mixing drinking water and grinded food items before cooking.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic
cooking
apparatus which does not require acquiring water from an external water pipe.
In other
words, the automatic cooking apparatus is a self-contained unit fOr supplying
drinking
water and for automatic cooking.
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[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fully
automatic
cooking apparatus which can operate sophisticated cooking processes by a one
button or
remote controller operated for reaching a really convenient cooking purpose
with saving
energy and time consumption.
.. [0012] In one aspect of the present invention, it provides an automatic
cooking
apparatus, comprising:
[0013] a main housing having a receiving cavity;
[0014] a drinking water supply unit, which comprises:
[0015] a drinking water tank supported in the receiving cavity, the drinking
water tank
having a drinking water cavity for storing a predetermined amount of water, a
first water
dispensing outlet, the water in the drinking water cavity being arranged to be
selectively
dispensed out of the drinking water cavity through the first water dispensing
outlet and
the second water dispensing outlet; and
[0016] a drinking water supplying apparatus supported in the receiving cavity,
the
drinking water supplying apparatus comprising a water delivering unit
connected to the
first water dispensing outlet of the drinking water tank, and at least one
drinking water
outlet which is provided on the main housing and is connected to the water
delivering
unit; and
[0017] a cooking apparatus, which comprises:
[0018] a food storage tank supported in the receiving cavity, the food storage
tank
having a food storage cavity for storing a predetermined amount of food items,
and a
food dispensing outlet, the food items being arranged to be dispensed out of
the food
storage cavity through the food dispensing outlet; and
[0019] a cooking unit, which comprises:
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[00201 a pot provided in the receiving cavity at a position correspond to
the food
dispensing outlet and the first water dispensing outlet, in such a manner that
the water
and the food contained in the drinking water tank and the food storage tank
are capable of
being dispensed to the pot through the food dispensing outlet and the first
water
dispensing outlet; and
[0021] a heater which is provided in the receiving cavity, and is thermally
communicated with the pot; and
[0022] a controller electrically which is connected to the drinking water
supply unit and
the cooking apparatus, and operates the automatic cooking apparatus on at
least one of a
water supplying mode and a cooking mode, wherein in the water supplying mode,
the
drinking water supply unit is arranged to dispense water from the drinking
water tank
through the drinking water outlet, wherein in the cooking mode, the water and
the food
items in the drinking water tank and the food storage tank are controllably
dispensed to
the pot through the first water dispensing outlet and the food dispensing
outlet
respectively, the pot being arranged to be heated up by the heater for cooking
the food
items and the water in the pot.
[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, it provides an automatic
cooking
apparatus, comprising:
[0024] a main housing having a receiving cavity;
[00251 a drinking water supply unit which comprises a drinking water tank
supported
in the receiving cavity, the drinking water tank having a drinking water
cavity for storing
a predetermined amount of water, and first water dispensing outlet, the water
in the
drinking water cavity being arranged to be selectively dispensed out of the
drinking water
cavity through the first water dispensing outlet;
[0026] a cooking apparatus, which comprises:
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[00271 a food storage tank supported in the receiving cavity, the food storage
tank
comprising a food valve and having a food storage cavity for storing a
predetermined
amount of food items, and a food dispensing outlet, the food items being
arranged to be
dispensed out of the food storage cavity through the food dispensing outlet;
5 .. [0028] a grinding arrangement supported in the main housing and is
connected to the
second food output member in such a manner that the food items passing through
the
food valve is selectively guided to enter one of the grinding arrangement and
the first
food output member; and
[0029] a cooking unit, which comprises:
[0030] a pot provided in the receiving cavity at a position correspond to the
food
dispensing outlet and the first water dispensing outlet, in such a manner that
the water
and the food contained in the drinking water tank and the food storage tank
are capable of
being dispensed to the pot through the food dispensing outlet and the first
water
dispensing outlet; and
[0031] a heater which is provided in the receiving cavity, and is thermally
communicated with the pot; and
[0032] a controller electrically which is connected to the drinking water
supply unit and
the cooking apparatus, and operates the automatic cooking apparatus on at
least a cooking
mode in which the water and the food items in the drinking water tank and the
food
storage tank are controllably dispensed to the pot through the first water
dispensing outlet
and the food dispensing outlet respectively, the pot being arranged to be
heated up by the
heater for cooking the food items and the water in the pot.
54
[0032a] In
another aspect, there is provided an automatic cooking apparatus, comprising:a
main housing having a receiving cavity; a drinking water supply unit, which
comprises: a
drinking water tank supported in said receiving cavity, said drinking water
tank having a
drinking water cavity for storing a predetermined amount of water; a drinking
water output tube
having a first water dispensing outlet, wherein the water in said drinking
water cavity being
arranged to be selectively dispensed out of said drinking water cavity through
said first water
dispensing outlet; and a cooking apparatus, which comprises: a food storage
tank supported in
said receiving cavity, said food storage tank having a food storage cavity for
storing a
predetermined amount of food items, and a food dispensing outlet disposed in
the food storage
tank, and a contracted food output portion, said food dispensing outlet
forming on said
contracted food output portion said food items being arranged to be dispensed
out of said food
storage cavity through said food dispensing outlet, said food storage tank
comprising a food
valve for selectively controlling a flow of said food items there through; a
cooking unit, which
comprises: a pot provided underneath the food dispensing outlet for receiving
the water and the
food items and said first water dispensing outlet being extended above the
pot, in such a manner
that said water and said food contained in said drinking water tank and said
food storage tank are
capable of being dispensed to said pot through said food dispensing outlet and
said first water
dispensing outlet; and a heater which is provided in said receiving cavity; a
first food output
member, said first food output member being extended from said food valve to
said pot; a second
food output member connected to said food valve; a grinding arrangement
supported in said
main housing and is connected to said second food output member in such a
manner that said
food items passing through said food valve is selectively guided to enter one
of said grinding
arrangement and said first food output member, wherein the grinding
arrangement comprises a
grinder housing and a tool member operatively provided in the grinder housing,
wherein the
second food output member being connected to the grinder housing in such a
manner that said
food items passing through said second food output member are arranged to
enter said grinder
housing for being grinded into small pieces; and a controller electrically
connected to said
drinking water supply unit and said cooking apparatus, and operates said
automatic cooking
apparatus on at least one of a water supplying mode and a cooking mode,
wherein in said water
supplying mode, said drinking water supply unit is arranged to dispense water
from the drinking
water tank through said drinking water outlet, wherein in said cooking mode,
said water and said
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5B
food items in said drinking water tank and said food storage tank are
controllably dispensed to
said pot through said first water dispensing outlet and said food dispensing
outlet respectively,
said pot being arranged to be heated up by said heater for cooking said food
items and said water
in said pot.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[00331 Fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view showing an appearance of
an
automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water according to
one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Fig. 2 is a schematic function block diagram of an automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water shown in Fig. 1.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water according to the first embodiment of the
present
invention.
[0036] Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C illustrate a flow chart showing the
operation of the
automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water according to
the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water according to the second embodiment of the
present
invention.
[0038] Fig. 5B is a schematic three-dimensional view of a pot according to the
second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water according to the third embodiment of the
present
invention.
[0040] Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C illustrate a flow chart showing the
operation of the
automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water according to
the third
embodiment of the present invention.
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[0041] Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water according to the fourth embodiment of the
present
invention.
[0042] Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C illustrate a flow chart showing the
operation of the
automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water according to
the fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an automatic cooking apparatus
according to a
fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of the automatic cooking apparatus according
to the
fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[00451 Fig. 12 is a sectional side view of the automatic cooking apparatus
according to
the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Fig. 13 is a first alternative mode of the automatic cooking apparatus
according
to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] Fig. 14 is a second alternative mode of the automatic cooking apparatus
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] Fig. 15 is a third alternative mode of the automatic cooking apparatus
according
to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] Fig. 16 is a fourth alternative mode of the automatic cooking apparatus
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that
the food
processing tool is a knife.
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[0050] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of the fourth alternative mode of the
automatic
cooking apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating
that the food processing tool is an S-shaped mixing bar.
(00511 Fig. 18A to Fig. 18C illustrate a flow chart showing the operation of
the
automatic cooking apparatus according to the third alternative mode of the
fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0052] The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is the
preferred
mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in any
limiting
sense. It is presented for the purpose of illustrating the general principles
of the present
invention.
[00531 Fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an appearance of an
automatic
cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water. Fig. 2 is a schematic
function
block diagram of an automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking
water
shown in Fig. 1. For illustrating the technical features of the present
invention more
specifically, four embodiments are provided. The first embodiment (as shown in
Fig. 3,
Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C) includes the least required components. The
second
embodiment (as shown in Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B) on top of the first embodiment
further
includes a confined space constructed by a partition and a pot for cooking,
wherein an
operation process of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first
embodiment.
The third embodiment (as shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C) and
the fourth
embodiment (as shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B, and Fig. 9C) use the
confined space
constructed by a pot cover and the pot for cooking, wherein a difference
between the
third embodiment and the fourth embodiment is an actuating pattern of a pot
cover
actuator, which impacts a process order of the third embodiment and the fourth
embodiment.
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[0054] As shown in FIG. 1 can be known form the appearance the present
invention,
the automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water 100
includes a
drinking water tank 104, a drinking water tank cover 101, a drinking water
outlet 102 and
103, a food storage 110, a food storage cover 112, a cooking unit 170, a
controller 130, a
door plate 123 and a door sensor 124. As the door plate 123 is opened state,
there is an
accommodation space in which a heater 126 and a pot 125 can be disposed.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 1, an upper left half part of the automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water 100 can be designed for providing drinking
water,
and an right half part can be designed for cooking food, and an upper half
part can be
designed for storing water or food. However, such a design can be made
flexibly
according to different needs, such as adding sets of food storages, etc.
[0056] As shown in Fig. 2, it can be known that, in the automatic cooking
apparatus
capable of supplying drinking water 100, the controller 130 includes a display
screen 131
and a control panel 132 on which a user can enter an instruction, wherein the
control
panel 132 is implemented by an electronic circuit. The controller 130 are
electrically
connected the several components for receiving or transmitting signals,
wherein the
components can be such as a drinking water sensor 107 and a drinking water
valve 105
disposed in the drinking water tank 104, a food sensor 111 and a food valve
115 disposed
in the food storage 110, an air release valve 155, the heater 126, the pot
sensor 127, and
the pot cover actuator 140 disposed in the cooking unit 170, the door sensor
124 and the
door plate 123.
[0057] For example, after receives a food type or quantity sensed by the food
sensor
111, the controller 130 may receive an instruction entered via the control
panel 132 and
then transmit a control signal to the food valve 115.
[0058] Continued from the above, the first embodiment of the present invention
can be
known by referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C. Fig. 3 is a
schematic cross-
sectional view of the automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying
drinking water
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B
and Fig. 4C
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illustrate a flow chart showing the operation of the automatic cooking
apparatus capable
of supplying drinking water according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0059] In the first embodiment, the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying
drinking water includes the drinking water tank 104, the drinking water tank
cover 101,
5 the drinking water sensor 107, a drinking water output tube 106 and the
drinking water
valve 105. The drinking water sensor 107 is disposed on a bottom-side surface
of the
drinking water tank 104, and the drinking water output tube 106 is disposed
under the
drinking water tank 104, and the drinking water valve 105 is disposed on the
drinking
water tube 106 to control the open or close of the drinking water tube 106,
thereby
10 appropriately adjusting the amount of drinking water. The drinking water
supply unit
includes at least one outlet such as a cold water outlet 102 and a hot water
outlet 103,
which is a well-known technology and thus is not described again. The drinking
water
tank cover 101 is disposed over the drinking water tank 104.
[0060] In addition, the food storage 110 includes the food sensor 111, the
food storage
cover 112, a food output member 114 and the food valve 115. The food sensor
111 is
disposed on a bottom surface of the food storage 110, and the food output
member 114 is
disposed under the food storage 110, and the food valve 115 is disposed on the
food
output member 114 to control the food output member 114. The shape of the food
output
member 114 can be a tubular shape or a grooved shape. The bottom surface of
the food
storage 110 can be a slant surface for allowing food to flow conveniently. The
food
storage cover 112 is disposed over the food storage 110.
[0061] The cooking unit 170 includes the heater 126, a steam output port 120,
the air
release valve 155 and the pot 125. The heater 126 is used for heating the pot
125 placed
thereon, and an opening of the pot 125 is corresponding to the drinking water
output tube
106 and the food output member 114 for receiving the drinking water and the
food. A
steam output member includes the air release valve 155 and the external steam
output
port 120, which is used for releasing water steam generated in the pot to the
outside
during cooking process. The air release valve 155 is controlled by the
controller 130 to
construct a confined space during cooking for conveniently braising food.
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[0062] Furthermore, please refer to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C for
understanding the
operation process of the first embodiment.
[0063] Before cooking, preparation steps for the user is to place a washed
empty or
contained food pot 125 on the heater 126 after opening the door plate 123, if
in a new
cooking mode, it will fill the drinking water tank 104 and the food storage
110 with water
and food.
[0064] Then, the user enters an instruction on the control panel 132 (step
401) to select
a cooking function or a warming function.
[0065] If the warming function is selected, step 430 is performed for using
the pot
sensor 127 to determine whether the pot 125 is already in position. When the
result of
step 430 is yes, step 431 is performed for using the door sensor 124 to
determine whether
the door plate 123 is already closed. When the result of step 431 is yes, step
416 is
performed for switching the heater 126 to a warming mode, and then the door
plate 123 is
opened (step 417), the heating process is ended and the heater 126 is turned
off for safety
reasons (step 418).
[0066] If the cooking function is selected (step 401), step 402 is performed
for using
the pot sensor 127 to determine whether the pot 125 is already in position.
When the
result of step 402 is yes, step 403 is performed for using the door sensor 124
to determine
whether the door plate 123 is already closed. When the result of step 403 is
yes, step 404
is performed for using the drinking water sensor 107 to determine whether the
drinking
water is adequate. When the result of step 404 is yes, step 405 is performed
for using the
food sensor 111 to determine whether the food is adequate. When the result of
step 405 is
yes, the food valve 115 is opened for transporting the food (step 406), and
then step 407
is performed for using the pot sensor 127 to determine whether the amount of
transported
food is correct. When the result of step 407 is yes, the food valve 115 is
closed (step
408), and the drinking water valve 105 is opened for transporting the drinking
water (step
409). Thereafter, step 410 is performed for using the pot sensor 127 to
determine whether
the amount of transported drinking water is correct. When the result of step
410 is yes,
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the drinking water valve 105 is closed (step 411), and a heating mode is
activated for the
heater 126 (step 413). Then, step 414 is performed for using the controller
130 to
determine whether the cooking is finished regularly. When the result of step
414 is yes,
the cooking is ended (step 415), and the heater 126 is switched to the warming
mode
(step 416), and the door plate 123 is opened (step 417), and the heater 126 is
turned off
for safety reasons (step 418).
[0067] In the entire operation process, as long as abnormality occurs, warning
and
reminding will be issued to the user (step 433), and then the initial state is
returned for
restarting the aforementioned steps and processes, thus ensuring that every
spare item has
been well prepared before entering the heating mode or the warming mode, and
also for
safety reasons. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C,
although the food
and the drinking water are sensed after the door plate is closed, yet step 403
also can be
performed later in accordance with the user's habits. Further, during cooking
process, the
open or close of the air release valve 155 also can be controlled for
releasing the
.. redundant water steam.
[0068] Please refer to Fig. 5A, Fig. 5B, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C for
understanding
the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-
sectional
view of an automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water
according to
the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5B is a schematic three-
dimensional view of a pot according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
As the second embodiment has the same operation process with the first
embodiment, the
operation process of second embodiment can be comprehended by referring to
Fig. 4A,
Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C. In the second embodiment, the automatic cooking apparatus
capable
of supplying drinking water includes the drinking water tank 104, the drinking
water tank
cover 101, the drinking water sensor 107, the drinking water output tube 106
and the
drinking water valve 105. The drinking water sensor 107 is disposed on a
bottom-side
surface of the drinking water tank 104, and the drinking water output tube 106
is disposed
under the drinking water tank 104, and the drinking water valve 105 is
disposed on the
drinking water tube 106 to control the open or close of the drinking water
tube 106,
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thereby appropriately adjusting the amount of drinking water. The drinking
water supply
unit includes a cold water outlet 102 and a hot water outlet 103. The drinking
water tank
cover 101 is disposed over the drinking water tank 104.
[0069] In addition, the food storage 110 includes the food sensor 111, the
food storage
cover 112, the food output member 114 and the food valve 115. The food sensor
111 is
disposed on a bottom surface of the food storage, and the food output member
114 is
disposed under the food storage 110, and the food valve 115 is disposed on the
food
output member 114 to control the food output member 114. The shape of the food
output
member 114 can be a tubular shape or a grooved shape. The bottom surface of
the food
storage 110 can be a slant surface for allowing food to flow conveniently. The
food
storage cover 112 is disposed over the food storage 110.
[0070] The cooking unit 170 includes the heater 126, the steam output port
120, a
steam output tube 121, the air release valve 155 and the pot 125. As shown in
Fig. 5B, the
pot 125 has a square flange 165 of which the size can be engaged with wall
surfaces, and
thus the pot 125 can be fixed in a position by the engagement of the flange
165 and the
wall surfaces while the pot 125 is being placed. The openings of the food
output member
114, the steam output tube 121 and the drinking water output tube 106 are
aligned with
the opening of the pot 125 through the partition 175. The heater 126 is used
for heating
the pot 125 placed thereon. The steam output member includes the air release
valve 155,
the external steam output port 120 and the steam output tube 121, which is
used for
releasing water steam generated in the pot to the outside during cooking
process. The air
release valve 155 is controlled by the controller 130, to construct a confined
space during
cooking for conveniently braising food. Accordingly, the partition can form a
confined
space with a flange of the pot to achieve a similar braising result of the pot
cover.
[0071] Referring to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C, in the entire operation
process, as
long as abnormality occurs, warning and reminding will be issued to the user
(step 433),
and then the initial state is returned for restarting the aforementioned steps
and processes,
thus ensuring that every spare item has been well prepared before entering the
heating
mode or the warming mode, and also for safety reasons. In addition, as shown
in Fig. 4A,
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Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C, although the food and the drinking water are sensed after
the door
plate is closed, yet step 403 also can be performed later in accordance with
the user's
habits. Further, during cooking process, the open or close of the air release
valve 155 also
can be controlled for releasing the redundant water steam.
[0072] The third embodiment of the present invention can be comprehended by
referring to Fig. 6, Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-
sectional
view of an automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water
according to
the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C
illustrate a
flow chart showing the operation of the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying drinking water according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0073] In the third embodiment, the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying
drinking water includes the drinking water tank 104, the drinking water tank
cover 101,
the drinking water supply unit 102 and 103, the food storage 110, the food
storage cover
112, the cooking unit 170 and the controller 130.
[0074] The drinking water tank 104 includes the drinking water sensor 107, the
drinking water output tube 106 and the drinking water valve 105, wherein the
drinking
water sensor 107 is disposed on a bottom-side surface of the drinking water
tank 104, and
the drinking water output tube 106 is disposed under the drinking water tank
104, and the
drinking water valve 105 is disposed on the drinking water tube 106 to control
the open
.. or close of the drinking water tube 106 thereby appropriately adjusting the
amount of
drinking water. The drinking water supply unit includes at least one outlet,
such as a cold
water outlet 102 or a hot water outlet 103. The drinking water tank cover 101
is disposed
over the drinking water tank 104.
[0075] The food storage 110 includes the food sensor 111, a food output member
114
and the food valve 115. The food sensor 111 is disposed on a bottom surface of
the food
storage 110, and the food output member 114 is disposed under the food storage
110, and
the food valve 115 is disposed on the food output member 114 to control the
food output
member 114. The shape of the food output member 114 can be a tubular shape or
a
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grooved shape. The bottom surface of the food storage 110 can be a slant
surface for
allowing food to flow conveniently. The food storage cover 112 is disposed
over the food
storage 110.
[0076] The cooking unit 170 includes the heater 126, the steam output port
120, the
5 steam output tube 121, the air release valve 155 and the pot 125. The
heater 126 is used
for heating the pot 125 placed thereon, and an opening of the pot 125 is
corresponding to
the drinking water output tube 106 and the food output member 114 for
receiving the
drinking water and the food. A steam output member includes the steam output
tube 121
and the external steam output port 120, which is used for releasing water
steam generated
10 in the pot 125 to the outside during cooking process. The steam output
port 120 can make
a confined space with a latch in the pot 125 in accordance with needs for
braising food, or
control the flow of the steam output tube 121 by directly using the air
release valve 155.
The pot cover actuator 140 is used for actuating the pot cover 128 to cover
and close the
pot 125, wherein the pot cover 128 corresponding to an opening of the pot 125
has a first
15 hole connected with the steam output tube 121.
[0077] The controller 130 is electrically connected to the drinking water
sensor 107,
the food sensor 111, the drinking valve 105, the food valve 115, the pot
sensor 127, the
pot cover actuator 140 and the heater 126, wherein the controller 130 receives
a sense
result from the drinking water sensor 107, the pot sensor 127, and the food
sensor 111,
.. and transmits a control signal to the drinking water valve 105, the food
valve 115, the pot
cover actuator 140 and the heater 126 in accordance with the instruction of
the user.
[0078] In the third embodiment of the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying drinking water, the pot cover actuator 140 is a single-arm
transmission
mechanism, and a movement of the pot cover 128 is an arc swing path.
[0079] In the third embodiment, the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying
drinking water further includes the pot sensor 127 disposed on the heater 126
and under
the pot 125 to sense a weight of the pot (empty pot state, with drinking water
state and/or
with food state), and is electrically connected to the controller 130 so as to
return the
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
16
weight of the pot to the controller 130. As shown in Fig. 3, the shape of
heater 126 is a
ring, and the pot sensor 127 can be disposed on the center of the heater.
[0080] In the third embodiment, the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying
drinking water further includes the door plate 123 and the door sensor 124.
The door
sensor 124 senses a door plate 123 state (the open or close) and is
electrically connected
to the controller 130 so as to return the door plate state to the controller
130. The heater
126 includes the heating mode and the warming mode. The drinking water output
tube
106 can be connected to the hot water outlet 103 to conduct hot water into the
pot 125 of
the cooking unit, thereby speeding the cooking time.
.. [0081] More specifically, the operation process of third embodiment can be
comprehended by referring to Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C.
[0082] Before cooking, preparation steps for the user is to place a washed
empty or
contained food pot 125 on the heater 126 after opening the door plate 123, if
in a new
cooking mode, it will fill the drinking water tank 104 and the food storage
110 with water
and food.
[0083] Then, the user enters an instruction on the control panel 132 (step
401) to select
a cooking function or a warming function.
[0084] If the warming function is selected, step 430 is performed for using
the pot
sensor 127 to determine whether the pot 125 is already in position. When the
result of
step 430 is yes, step 431 is performed for using the door sensor 124 to
determine whether
the door plate 123 is already closed. When the result of step 431 is yes, step
432 is
performed for actuating the pot cover actuator, and the heater 126 is switched
to the
warming mode (step 416), and then the door plate 123 is opened (step 417), and
the
heater 126 is turned off for safety reasons (step 418), and the pot cover 128
is lifted by
the pot cover actuator (step 419).
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
17
[0085] If the cooking function is selected (step 401), step 402 is performed
for using
the pot sensor 127 to determine whether the pot 125 is already in position.
When the
result of step 402 is yes, step 403 is performed for using the door sensor 124
to determine
whether the door plate 123 is already closed. When the result of step 403 is
yes, step 404
is performed for using the drinking water sensor 107 to determine whether the
drinking
water is adequate. When the result of step 404 is yes, step 405 is performed
for using the
food sensor 111 to determine whether the food is adequate. When the result of
step 405 is
yes, the food valve 115 is opened for transporting the food (step 406), and
then step 407
is performed for using the pot sensor 127 to determine whether the amount of
transported
food is correct. When the result of step 407 is yes, the food valve 115 is
closed (step
408), and the drinking water valve 105 is opened for transporting the drinking
water (step
409). Thereafter, step 410 is performed for using the pot sensor 127 to
determine whether
the amount of transported drinking water is correct. When the result of step
410 is yes,
the drinking water valve 105 is closed (step 411), and the pot cover 128 is
covered pot
125 by the pot cover actuator (step 412), and a heating mode is activated for
the heater
126 (step 413). Then, step 414 is performed for using the controller 130 to
determine
whether the cooking is finished regularly. When the result of step 414 is yes,
the cooking
is ended (step 415), and the heater 126 is switched to the warming mode (step
416), and
the door plate 123 is opened (step 417), and the heater 126 is turned off for
safety reason
(step 418), and the pot cover 128 is lifted by the pot cover actuator (step
419).
[0086] In the entire operation process, as long as abnormality occurs, warning
and
reminding will be issued to the user (step 433), and then the initial state is
returned for
restarting the aforementioned steps and processes, thus ensuring that every
spare item has
been well prepared before entering the heating mode or the warming mode, and
also for
safety reasons. In addition, as shown in Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C,
although the food
and the drinking water are sensed after the door plate is closed, yet step 403
also can be
performed later in accordance with the user's habits.
[0087] The fourth embodiment of the present invention can be comprehended by
referring to Fig. 8, Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-
sectional
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
18
view of an automatic cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water
according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C
illustrate a
flow chart showing the operation of the automatic cooking apparatus capable of
supplying drinking water according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
.. Continued from the above, the difference between the third embodiment and
the fourth
embodiment is the change of the pot cover actuator.
[0088] In the fourth embodiment, the pot cover actuator 140 belongs to a power
transmission mechanism such as a gear wheel including a track 141 and a gear
motor
142, and thus the movement of the pot cover 128 is a vertical path, which is
moving up
.. and down. As shown in FIG. 8, the pot cover 128 further includes a first
hole, a second
hole and a third hole, wherein the first hole connected with the steam output
tube 121, the
second hole connected with the drinking water output tube 106, and the third
hole
connected with the food output member 114. As the pot cover actuator 140
actuates the
pot cover 128 moving up and down, a flexible tube or an appropriate length
tube can be
used in the steam output tube 121, the drinking water output tube 106 and the
food output
member 114. Of course, as described above, the steam output port 120 can make
a
confined space with a latch in the pot 125 in accordance with needs for
braising food.
Based on the above, the operation processes of the fourth embodiment and the
third
embodiment are not quite the same, please refer to Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B, and Fig.
9C for
understanding the operation process.
[0089] Before cooking, the preparation steps are the same, and the warming
function is
the same, and step 401 to step 405 of the cooking function are also the same.
Thus, please
directly see step 405 of Fig. 9A. Step 405 is performed for using the food
sensor 111 to
determine whether the food is adequate. When the result of step 405 is yes,
the pot cover
.. 128 is covered pot 125 by the pot cover actuator (step 412), and the food
valve 115 is
opened for transporting the food (step 406), and then step 407 is performed
for using the
pot sensor 127 to determine whether the amount of transported food is correct.
When the
result of step 407 is yes, the food valve 115 is closed (step 408), and the
drinking water
valve 105 is opened for transporting the drinking water (step 409).
Thereafter, step 410 is
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
19
performed for using the pot sensor 127 to determine whether the amount of
transported
drinking water is correct. When the result of step 410 is yes, the drinking
water valve 105
is closed (step 411), and a heating mode is activated for the heater 126 (step
413). Then,
step 414 is performed for using the controller 130 to determine whether the
cooking is
.. finished regularly. When the result of step 414 is yes, the cooking is
ended (step 415),
and the heater 126 is switched to the warming mode (step 416), and the door
plate 123 is
opened (step 417), and the heater 126 is turned off for safety reason (step
418), and the
pot cover 128 is lifted by the pot cover actuator (step 419).
[0090] In the entire operation process, as long as abnormality occurs, warning
and
.. reminding will be issued to the user (step 433), and then the initial state
is returned for
restarting the aforementioned steps and processes, thus ensuring that every
spare item has
been well prepared before entering the heating mode or the warming mode, and
also for
safety reason. In addition, as shown in Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C, although
the food
and the drinking water are sensed after the door plate is closed, yet step 403
also can be
performed later in accordance with the user's habits.
[0091] Therefore, in the first embodiment the pot cover is not needed; in the
second
embodiment, the confined space is constructed by the pot and the partition; in
the third
embodiment, the confined space is constructed by covering the pot with the pot
cover,
wherein the drinking water and the food have to be put first and then covers
the pot with
.. the pot cover, in the fourth emly diment, the confined space is also
constructed by
covering pot with the pot cover, wherein the pot has to be covered with the
pot cover first
and then puts the drinking water and the food.
[0092] As can be known form the aforementioned embodiments of the automatic
cooking apparatus capable of supplying drinking water of the present
invention, the
processes of food cooking, drinking water supplying, heating, warming etc. are
assembled in an electrical apparatus controlled by a automation supplying
drinking water
directly, which can improve the trivial process of using conventional
electrical rice-
cooker or electrical cooker in which a measuring cup is still needed for
measuring the
amounts of food and water by manpower. Therefore, the present invention can
directly
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
introduce in required water by using a simple controller (even only using a
button) to
intelligently control the ratio of food and water during cooking, thereby
achieving a
convenient, time-saving and delicious cooking.
[0093] Referring to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 of the drawings, an automatic cooking
apparatus
5 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. Broadly,
the automatic cooking apparatus comprises a main housing 20' having a
receiving cavity
21', a drinking water supply unit 102', and a cooking apparatus 30'.
[0094] The drinking water supply unit 102' comprises a drinking water tank
104', and
drinking water supplying apparatus 12'. The drinking water tank 104' is
supported in the
10 receiving cavity 21', and has a drinking water cavity 109' for storing a
predetermined
amount of drinking water 500', a first water dispensing outlet 1042' and a
second water
dispensing outlet 1043'. The drinking water accommodated in the drinking water
cavity
109' is arranged to be selectively dispensed out of the drinking water cavity
109' through
at least one of the first water dispensing outlet 1042' and the second water
dispensing
15 .. outlet 1043'.
[0095] The drinking water supplying apparatus 12' is supported in the
receiving cavity
21' and comprises a water delivering unit 13' connected to the second water
dispensing
outlet 1043' of the drinking water tank 104', and at least a first drinking
water outlet 103'
provided on the main housing 20' and connected to the water delivering unit
13'.
20 .. [0096] The cooking apparatus 30' comprises a food storage tank 110' and
a cooking
unit 170'. The cooking unit 170' comprises a pot 125', a heater 126', and a
controller
130'. The food storage tank 110' is supported in the receiving cavity 21', and
has a food
storage cavity 1101' for storing a predetermined amount of food items 400, and
a food
dispensing outlet 1102'. The food items 400 are arranged to be dispensed out
of the food
storage cavity 1101' through the food dispensing outlet 1102'.
[0097] The pot 125' is provided in the receiving cavity 21' at a position
corresponding
to the food dispensing outlet 1102' and the first water dispensing outlet
1042', in such a
=
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
21
manner that the water and the food contained in the drinking water tank 104'
and the food
storage tank 110' are capable of being dispensed to the pot 125' through the
food
dispensing outlet 1102' and the first water dispensing outlet 1042'.
[0098] The heater 126' is provided in the receiving cavity 21', and is
thermally
communicated with the pot 125' so as to increase the temperature of the pot
125' for
cooking the food items disposed therein.
[0099] The controller 130' is electrically connected to the drinking water
supply unit
102' and the cooking unit 30', and operates the automatic cooking apparatus on
at least
one of a water supplying mode and a cooking mode, wherein in the water
supplying
mode, the drinking water supply unit 102' is arranged to dispense water from
the
drinking water tank 104' through the first drinking water outlet 103', wherein
in the
cooking mode, the drinking water and the food items stored in the drinking
water tank
104' and the food storage tank 110' are controllably dispensed to the pot 125'
through the
first water dispensing outlet 1042' and the food dispensing outlet 1102'
respectively. The
pot 125' is arranged to be heated up by the heater 126' for cooking the food
items and the
water in the pot 125'.
[00100] According to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the main
housing 20' comprises a first housing unit 22' and a second housing unit 23'
for
accommodating the drinking water supply unit 102' and the cooking apparatus
30'
respectively. The first housing unit 22' and the second housing unit 23' may
be attached
with each other in a side-by-side, manner, as shown in Fig. 10 of the
drawings.
Alternatively, the first housing unit 22' and the second housing unit 23' may
also be
arranged or connected in a top-bottom manner, or in any other configurations.
[00101] The first housing unit 22' has a first top wall 221', a first outer
sidewall 222', a
first inner sidewall 223', a first bottom wall 224', a first front wall 225'
and a first rear
wall 226' connected together to form a first accommodating compartment 227'
within the
first top wall 221', the first outer sidewall 222', the first inner sidewall
223', the first
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
22
bottom wall 224', the first front wall 225' and the first rear wall 226'. The
drinking water
supply unit 102- is supported in the first accommodating compartment 227'.
[00102] The second housing unit 23' has a second top wall 231', a second outer
sidewall
232', a second inner sidewall 233', a second bottom wall 234', a second front
wall 235'
.. and a second rear wall 236' connected together to form a second
accommodating
compartment 237' within the second top wall 231', the second outer sidewall
232', the
second inner sidewall 233', the second bottom wall 234', the second front wall
235' and
the second rear wall 236'. The cooking apparatus 30' is supported in the
second
accommodating compartment 237'.:
[00103] It is worth mentioning that the first housing unit 22' and the second
housing unit
23' may be two separate elements connected in a side-by-side manner to form
the main
housing 20'. The first inner sidewall 223' and the second inner sidewall 233'
divides the
receiving cavity 21' into the first accommodating compartment 227' and the
second
accommodating compartment 237'. Alternatively, the first housing unit 22' and
the
.. second housing unit 23' may form an integral body so that the first inner
sidewall 223'
and the second inner sidewall 233' form an integral common boundary which
divides the
receiving cavity 21' into the first accommodating compartment 227' and the
second
accommodating compartment 237'.
[00104] As shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, the drinking water tank 104'
comprises a
water tank member 1044' supported in the first accommodating compartment 227',
wherein the drinking water cavity 109' is formed within the water tank member
1044'.
The first housing unit 22' further has a first opening 228' formed on the
first top wall
221' of the first housing unit 22' and communicated with the drinking water
cavity 109'.
A user is able to pour drinking water into the drinking water cavity 109'
through the first
opening 228'. The drinking water tank 104' further comprises a top cap 108'
detachably
attached on the first top wall 221' so as to selectively cover the first
opening 228'. A
valve may be equipped on the top cap 108' for controllably releasing pressure
in the
drinking water tank 104'.
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
23
[00105] Moreover, the first water dispensing outlet 1042' and the second water
dispensing outlet 1043' are provided on the water tank member 1044' so that
the drinking
water stored in the drinking water cavity 109' can be guided to flow out
thereof through
the first water dispensing outlet 1042' and the second water dispensing outlet
1043'.
[00106] The drinking water supplying apparatus 12' comprises a second drinking
water
outlet 1031' provided on the first front wall 225' of the first housing unit
22' and
connected to the water delivering unit 13'. The drinking water stored in the
drinking
water tank 104' is guided to controllably enter the water delivering unit 13'
which is
arranged to heat up or cool down the drinking water. The drinking water
entering the
water delivering unit 13' is then dispensed out of the automatic cooking
apparatus
through at least one of the first drinking water outlet 103' and the second
drinking water
outlet 1031'. In this preferred embodiment, the first drinking water outlet
103' and the
second drinking outlet 1031' are arranged to dispense cold water and hot water
respectively. It is worth mentioning that the water delivering unit 13' may be
embodied
as a conventional heating element which is arranged to heat up or cool down
while the
drinking water is stored in the drinking water tank 104'. Alternatively, the
drinking water
may be guided to flow through the water delivering unit 13' which heats up or
cools
down the drinking water.
[00107] The drinking water supply unit 102' further comprises a drinking water
output
tube 106' having one end connected to the first water dispensing outlet 1042',
and
another end extended to reach the pot 125' of the cooking apparatus 30'
through the first
inner sidewall 223' of the first housing unit 22' and the second inner
sidewall 233' of the
second housing unit 23', wherein a predetermined amount of drinking water
stored in the
drinking water tank 104' is arranged to be controllably released to flow
through the
drinking water output tube 106' for supplying drinking water to the cooking
apparatus
30'. The drinking water supply unit 102' further comprises a water sensor 107'
disposed
on a bottom-side surface of the dripking water tank member 1044', and a
drinking water
valve 105' provided in the drinking water tube 106' for controlling a flow
rate of the
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
24
drinking water in the drinking water tube 106', thereby appropriately
adjusting the
amount of drinking water which is to be delivered to the pot 125'.
[001081 It is important to mention in this stage that the cooking apparatus
30' solely
utilizes the drinking water supplied by the drinking water supply unit 102'
for performing
its cooking function. The automatic cooking apparatus of the present invention
does not
need to connect to any external water pipe. As such, the automatic cooking
apparatus of
the present invention may be conveniently set up in any location in a domestic
or
commercial premise.
[00109] On the other hand, the food storage tank 110' of the cooking apparatus
30' is
provided in an upper portion of the second housing unit 23', and defines the
food storage
cavity 1101' within the food storage tank 110'. A predetermined amount of food
items
400', such as rice, soy, or red beans may be accommodated in the food storage
cavity
1101'. The food items 400' are readily dispensed to the pot 125'.
[00110] Moreover, the second housing unit 23' further comprises a partition
175'
provided in the second accommodating compartment 237' to define a cooking
cavity
238' in the second accommodating compartment 237'. Referring to Fig. 12 of the
drawings, the cooking cavity 238' is defined between the partition 175' and
the second
bottom wall 234', wherein the pot 125' is normally placed in the cooking
cavity 238'.
The second housing unit 23' further comprises a door plate 23' operatively
provided on
the second front wall 235' at a bottom portion of the second housing unit 23'
for
selectively closing or opening the cooking cavity 238'. The second housing
unit 23'
further comprises a door sensor 124' supported in the cooking cavity 238' for
sensing an
operation status or a position of the door plate 123'.
[00111] The second housing unit 23' further comprises a resilient member 2391'
mounted to the partition 175' in such a manner that when the door plate 123'
is closed,
the resilient member 2391' is arranged to exert a downward biasing force so as
to push
the resilient member 2391' to bias against the opening of the pot 125' so as
to effectively
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
seal the interior of the pot 125' when the drinking water valve 105', food
valve 115', and
the air release valve 155' are all closed.
[00112] As shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, the food storage tank 110'
further has a
contracted food output portion 1103' wherein the food dispensing outlet 1102'
is formed
5 in the contracted food output portioli 1103'. The food storage tank 110'
further comprises
a food valve 115' provided in the contracted food output portion 1103' for
selectively
controlling a flow of the food items therethrough. The second housing unit 23'
further
has a food passage opening 239' formed on the second top wall 231', wherein
the food
passage opening 239' communicates the food storage cavity 1101' with an
exterior of the
10 second housing unit 23' so that a user is able to put a predetermined
amount of food
items 400' into the food storage cavity 1101' through the food passage opening
239'.
Moreover, the cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a food sensor Ill'
provided in
the food storage tank 110' for detecting the amount of food items 400'
therein.
[00113] Note that the second top wall 231' may be detachably attached on the
second
15 outer sidewall 233', the second inner sidewall 234', the second front
wall 235' and the
second rear wall 236' for allowing a user to conveniently access the food
storage cavity
1101' from an exterior of the second housing unit 23'.
[00114] The cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a first food output member
114'
and a second food output member 31" connected to the food valve 115', wherein
the food
20 items 400' passing through the food valve 115' are guided to enter
either the first food
output member 114' or the second food output member 31'. The first food output
member 114' is extended from the food valve 115' to the pot 125' through the
partition
175' so that when the food items 400' are guided to flow into the first food
output
member 114', the food items 400' are guided to be delivered to the pot 125'
for cooking
25 by the heater 126'.
[00115] On the other hand, the cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a
grinding
arrangement 32' supported in the second accommodating compartment 237' of the
second housing unit 23' and is connected to the second food output member 31'
in such a
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
26
manner that the food items 400' passing through the food valve 115' may
alternatively be
guided to enter the grinding arrangement 32'. In such a situation, the food
items 400' will
not pass through the first food output member 114'.
[00116] The grinding arrangement 32' comprises a grinder housing 321' and a
tool
member 322' operatively provided in the grinder housing 321', wherein the
second food
output member 31' is connected to the grinder housing 321' in such a manner
that the
food items 400' passing through the second food output member 31' are arranged
to enter
the grinder housing 321' for being grinded or cut into small pieces. On the
other hand, the
cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a third food output member 33' which
is tubular
in structure and has one end connected to the grinder housing 321', and
another end
extended to reach the pot 125' through the partition 175' so that the grinded
food items
are arranged to be delivered to the pot 125' through the third food output
member 33'.
The first through third food output member 114', 31', 33' are all tubular in
structure for
allowing passage of food items 400.
[00117] According to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the food
items 400' are selectively guided to either enter the pot 125' through the
first food output
member 114', or enter the pot 125' through the second food output member 31',
the
grinding arrangement 32' and the third food output member 33'.
[00118] The controller 130' is supported by the second housing unit 23', and
comprises
a central processing module 133' supported on the second housing unit 23', a
display
screen 131' provided on the second front wall 235' of the second housing unit
23' and
electrically connected to the central processing module 133', and a control
panel 132'
also provided on the second front wall 235' of the second housing unit 23' and
electrically connected to the central processing module 133'. The controller
130' may
further comprises a remote control unit 134' wirelessly connected to the
central
processing module 133' for allowing a user to wireless control the automatic
cooking
apparatus of the present invention through operating on the remote control
unit 134'.
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
27
[00119] The cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a steam output port 120'
provided
on the main housing 20', a steam output tube 121' extended from the pot 125'
to the
steam output port 120', and an air release valve 155' provided in the steam
output tube
121'. The steam generated within the pot 125' is arranged to be ventilated out
of the
automatic cooking apparatus through the steam output tube 121' and the steam
output
port 120'.
[00120] According to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the steam
output port 120' is provided on the first top wall 221' of the first housing
unit 22' while
part of the steam output tube 121' extends from the pot 125' and penetrates
the second
inner sidewall 233' and the first inner sidewall 223' to reach the steam
output port 120'.
The air release valve 155' is provided in the steam output tube 121' and is
supported by
the second inner sidewall 233' of the second housing unit 23', as shown in
Fig. 12 of the
drawings.
[00121] The cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a ultrasonic vibration
generator
34' and a temperature sensor 35' provided underneath the pot 125' for
providing
ultrasonic vibration to the ingredients (i.e. the drinking water 500' and the
food items
400') in the pot 125' and for measuring the temperature thereof respectively.
The
ultrasonic vibration generator 34' is arranged to provide enhanced mixing of
ingredient in
the pot 125'.
[00122] The central processing module 133' of the controller 130' is arranged
to
coordinate and control the entire operation of the automatic cooking
apparatus. Control
instructions may be entered or programed through the control panel 132' or the
remote
control unit 134', so that the entire cooking and grinding process can be
fully automated.
Specifically, the central processing module 133' is electrically connected to
the water
delivering unit 13', the water sensor 107', the temperature sensor 35', the
pot sensor
127', the drinking water valve 105', the cooking unit 170', the grinding
arrangement 32',
the air release valve 155', and the food valve 115' for controlling the supply
of drinking
water and the food items into the pot 125', and for controlling the heating
parameters of
the heater 126'. Moreover, the central processing module 133' also controls
the release of
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
28
food items 400' into the grinding arrangement 32' through the food valve 115'.
The
grinding parameters of the grinding arrangement 32' is also controlled by the
central
processing module 133'.
[00123] Referring to Fig. 13 of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the
automatic
cooking apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present
invention is
illustrated. The first alternative mode is similar to the fifth preferred
embodiment as
described above, except the absence of the partition 175' and that the cooking
apparatus
30" further comprises a pot cover arrangement 36". The pot cover arrangement
36"
comprises a pot cover 361" and an actuation device 362" operatively mounted in
the
second housing unit 23' and electrically connected to the central processing
module 133'
for controllably moving the pot cover 361" to open or close the pot 125'. The
pot cover
361" has a plurality of passage openings 3611" wherein each of the steam
output tube
121', the drinking water output tube 106', the third food output member 33',
and the first
food output member 114' may pass through the pot cover 361" through the
corresponding passage opening 3611".
[00124] Referring to Fig. 14 of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the
automatic
cooking apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present
invention is
illustrated. The second alternative mode is similar to the fifth preferred
embodiment as
described above, except that the cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a
filter
arrangement 37A in which the grinder housing 321' is connected to the filter
arrangement
37A. According to the second alternative mode, the filter arrangement 37A
comprises a
grinder outlet valve 371A, a mixer-filtering unit 372A, a first connecting
tube 373A
connected between the grinder outlet valve 371A and the mixer-filtering unit
372A, a
second connecting tube 376A connected between the mixer-filtering unit 372A to
the pot
125' through the partition 175', and a water supplying tube 375A connected
between the
drinking water valve 105' and the mixer-filtering unit 371A.
[00125] As shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings, the grinder outlet valve 371A is
arranged
to selectively allow grinded food items to selectively pass through one of the
first
connecting tube 373A and the second connecting tube 374A. When the grinded
food
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
29
items are guided to pass through the first connecting tube 373A, the grinded
food items
will enter the mixer-filter unit 372A. When the grinded food items are guided
to pass
through the second connecting tube 374A, they will enter the pot 125'
directly. On the
other hand, the drinking water valve 105' is arranged to allow the drinking
water to
selectively remain in the drinking water output tube 106', to pass through the
water
supplying tube 375A, or to pass through the drinking water output tube 106'.
The
drinking water remaining in the drinking water output tube 106' is arranged to
enter the
pot 125'. However, the drinking water passing through the water supplying tube
375A is
arranged to enter the mixer-filter unit 372A. The mixer-filter unit 372A is
arranged to
to mix the drinking water with the grinded food items for producing a
solution-like food
ingredient. The mixed solution is then guided to pass through a pot connecting
tube 376A
which connects the mixer-filter unit 372A to the pot 125' through the
partition 175'.
[00126] As a result, drinking water may be either directly, dispensed to the
pot 125' or to
the mixer-filter unit 372A. On the other hand, the food items may be directly
dispensed to
the pot 125' through the first food output member 114'. Alternatively, the
food items may
be dispensed to the grinding arrangement 32' through the second food output
member
31'. The grinded food items may pass through the third food output member 33'
and the
grinder outlet valve 371A and enter the pot 125' directly through the second
connecting
tube 374A. Alternatively, the grinded food items may pass through the third
food output
member 33' and the grinder outlet valve 371A and the mixer-filter unit 372A
and the
second connecting tube 376A and enter the pot 125' for being mixed with the
drinking
water. The exact route taken by the drinking water and the food items may be
pre-
programed and controlled by the central processing module 133'.
[00127] Referring to Fig. 15 of the drawings, a third alternative mode of the
automatic
cooking apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present
invention is
illustrated. The third alternative mode is similar to the second alternative
mode as
described above, except the absence of the partition 175' and that the cooking
apparatus
30B further comprises a pot cover arrangement 36B. The pot cover arrangement
36B
comprises a pot cover 361B and an actuation device 362B operatively mounted in
the
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
second housing unit 23' and electrically connected to the central processing
module 133'
for controllably moving the pot cover 361B to open or close the pot 125'. The
pot cover
361B has a plurality of passage openings 3611B wherein each of the steam
output tube
121', the drinking water output tube 106', the pot connecting tube 376A, the
second
5 connecting tube 374A, and the first food output member 114' may pass
through the pot
cover 361B through the corresponding passage opening 3611B.
[00128] Referring to Fig. 16 to Fig. 17 of the drawings, a fourth alternative
mode of the
automatic cooking apparatus accoruing to the fifth preferred embodiment of the
present
invention is illustrated. The fourth alternative mode is similar to the first
alternative mode
10 as described above, except the cooking apparatus 30' further comprises a
food processing
device 38C. In this fourth alternative mode, the food processing device 38C is
provided
on the pot cover 361", and comprises a driving unit 381C provided on the pot
cover 361",
and a food processing tool 382C rotatably extended from the driving unit 381C
for
performing additional process on the food items in the pot 125'.
15 [00129] It is worth mentioning that the food processing tool 382C may be
embodied as a
wide variety of tools for performing additional processes on the food items.
For example,
as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings, the food processing tool 382C may be
embodied as a
knife for further cutting the food items in the pot 125'. On the other hand,
as shown in
Fig. 17 of the drawings, the food processing tool 382C may be embodied as a
curved
20 (such as S-shaped) mixing bar for thoroughly mixing the food items in
the pot 125'.
[00130] Referring to Fig. 18A to Fig. 18C of the drawings, an operation of the
automatic
cooking apparatus is schematically represented by a flow chart. Before
cooking,
preparation steps for the user is to place a washed empty or a pre-contained
food pot 125'
(depended on it operated on cooking or warming mode) on the heater 126' after
opening
25 the door plate 123', and fill the drinking water tank 104' and the food
storage 110' with a
predetermined amount of water and food items. Then, a user may enter an
instruction on
the control panel 132' (step 402) to select a cooking function or a warming
function. The
instruction may be entered through the control panel 132' (step 402) or the
remote control
unit 134' (step 403).
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
31
[00131] If the warming function is selected in step 404, step 440 is performed
for using
a pot sensor 127' to determine whether the pot 125' is already in position.
When the
result of step 440 is yes, step 441 is performed for using the door sensor
124' to
determine whether the door plate 123' is already closed. When the result of
step 441 is
yes, step 442 is performed for switching the heater 126' to a warming mode,
and the
heater 126' is turned on for keeping the food items warm in the pot 125' (step
443). In
step 444, the central processing module 133' determines whether or not the
temperature
in the pot 125' reaches a certain threshold as sensed by the temperature
sensor 35' which
is provided on a bottom side of the pot 125'. If no, step 443 keeps operating
and the
heater 126' is still on. If the temperature reaches the predetermined
threshold, and the
user wishes to retrieve the food items inside the pot 125', the door plate
123' is opened
for allowing a user to retrieve the food items (step 430), and the heater 126'
is switched
off for a safety reason (step 431) The pot 125' is also opened (step 432) and
the entire
operation ends or stops (step 433). When either result of step 440 and step
441 is no, a
warning signal is indicated on the control panel 132' (step 445).
[00132] If the cooking function is selected in step 404, step 405 is performed
for using
the pot sensor 127' to determine whether the pot 125' is properly positioned.
When the
result of step 405 is yes, step 406 is performed for using the door sensor
124' to
determine whether the door plate 123' is properly closed. When the result of
step 406 is
yes, step 407 is performed for using the drinking water sensor 107' to
determine whether
the drinking water is adequate. When the result of step 407 is yes, step 408
is performed
for using the food sensor 111' to determine whether the food items in the food
storage
tank 110' is adequate. When the result of step 408 is yes, the food valve 115'
is opened
for delivering a predetermined amount of food items (step 409) by the food
valve 115'.
[00133] In step 410, if direct cooking is selected, the food items will be
delivered to the
pot 125' through the first food output member 114'. If grinding of food items
is selected,
step 411 is performed in which the food items are delivered to the grinding
arrangement
32' through the second food output member 31'. The grinded food items are then
delivered to the pot 125' (step 412). In step 413, if direct cooking of the
grinded food
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
32
items is selected, the grinded food items are delivered to the pot 125'
through the third
food output member 33'. If the answer is no in step 413, the drinking water
valve 105' is
opened (step 414) and a predetermined amount of drinking water is also
delivered to the
pot 125' for mixing with the food items (step 415).
[00134] Step 415 and step 410 merge with step 416. In step 416, the pot sensor
127'
determines whether or not a correct amount of drinking water and food items
are stored
in the pot 125'. When the result of step 416 is yes, the food valve 115' and
the grinding
arrangement 32' are turned off (step 417), and the drinking water valve 105'
is opened
for delivering the drinking water (step 418) to the pot 125'. Thereafter, step
419 is
performed for using the pot sensor 127' to determine whether the amount of the
drinking
water in the pot 125' is correct. When the result of step 419 is yes, the
drinking water
valve 105' is closed (step 420). and the pot 125' is closed (step 421) and a
heating mode
is activated for the heater 126' to heat up the drinking water and the food
items in the pot
125' (step 422).
[00135] Step 423 determines whether or not ultrasonic vibration needs to be
performed
by the ultrasonic vibration generator 34'. If the answer is yes, the
ultrasonic vibration
generator 34' is activated (step 424). If no, the step 425 is performed to
determine
whether or not the pot 125' has reached a threshold temperature by the use of
the
temperature sensor 35'. If the temperature has reached a predetermined
threshold, and the
pressure of steam inside of cooking cavity reach a proper level, the step 426
is performed
to activate the air release valve 155' for releasing of steam from the pot
125'. When the
temperature has not reached the predetermined threshold, step 422 is performed
again.
[00136] Then, step 427 is performed for using the controller 130' to determine
whether
or not cooking is finished properly. When the result of step 427 is yes, the
cooking is
ended (step 428), and the heater 126' is switched to the warming mode (step
429), and
the door plate 123' is opened (step 430), and the heater 126' is turned off
for safety
reason (step 431). The pot 125' is opened (step 432) and the entire cooking
process will
end (step 433).
CA 02891779 2015-05-19
33
[00137] In the entire operation process, as long as abnormality occurs,
warning and
reminding will be issued to the user (step 445), thus ensuring that each step
has been
properly performed before entering the heating mode or the warming mode. Thus,
for
step 410 and step 413, if the determination is yes, step 416 is subsequently
performed. In
step 416, when the determination by the pot sensor 127' is no, step 409 is re-
performed.
In step 419, when the determination by the pot sensor 127' is no, step 418 is
re-
performed. In step 425 and step 427, when the determination by the controller
130' is no,
step 422 is re-performed.
[00138] It is worth mentioning that a user may control and monitor the
operation of the
automatic cooking apparatus by inputting instructions through the control
panel 132' and
or the remote control unit 134'. The central processing module 133' is
arranged to control
and coordinate all the operations of the automatic cooking apparatus. The user
may
operate the automatic cooking apparatus in at least one of the water supplying
mode and
the cooking mode. Both modes of operation can be performed simultaneously in
which
drinking water is dispensed through the first water dispensing outlet 1042'
and the second
water dispensing outlet 1043'.
[00139] The present invention, while illustrated and described in terms of a
preferred
embodiment and several alternatives, is not limited to the particular
description contained
in this specification. Additional alternative or equivalent components could
also be used
to practice the present invention.
