Patent ID: 6280781
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: A23G,A47J,H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for preparing yogurt, comprising the steps of:(a) providing an appliance comprising a housing having a base and side walls defining a warming chamber with an open top, said chamber adapted to be warmed by an electrical element, a cover for said open top, one of the cover and the base having an air vent opening therein, a paddle member supported for relative movement relative to the base and side walls of the housing, an occluding member movable from a first position occluding the air vent opening to a second position in which the air vent opening is uncovered, and a drive motor operatively coupled for imparting movement to the paddle member and occluding member;(b) introducing a milk product and a yogurt starter into the warming chamber;(c) placing the appliance of step (a) containing the milk product and yogurt starter of step (b) in a cooling environment;(d) applying power to the electrical element;(e) periodically applying relative motion between the paddle member and the housing for testing the consistency of the milk product within the warming chamber; and(f) automatically moving the occluding member to the second position and disconnecting the electrical element from the source of electrical power upon a transition of the milk product to a gel consistency.