Patent ID: 6021736
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A21C,G01G

Abstract:
A food preparation apparatus for supporting a food product while being prepared and for measuring and displaying the weight of the food product while being prepared, said apparatus comprising:a turntable comprising a rotatable platen and a shaft, said shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end of said shaft being connected to said platen, said platen for supporting a food product to be prepared;a base having an opening formed therein for receiving said shaft and for preventing lateral movement of said turntable with respect to said base;a support contained within said base providing vertical support for said shaft;a weight sensor contained within said base, said weight sensor including a transducer for sensing the weight of the food product supported on said platen while said platen is rotated and for producing an electric signal related to the weight of the food product supported on said platen;a signal processor contained within said base receiving the electric signal and processing the signal into display information for display; anda display connected to said signal processor for receiving the display information from said signal processor and for displaying a number which corresponds to the weight of the food product supported on said platen;wherein said support includes a beam, said beam supporting the second end of said shaft and allowing rotational movement of said shaft within said base, wherein said beam is in communication with the weight sensor, and wherein when a food product is supported on said platen, the weight of the food product deflects the beam which deflection is communicated to the weight sensor, thereby causing the electric signal to be produced related to the weight of the food product supported on said platen.