Patent Publication Number: US-2022225833-A1

Title: Heated food processor

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a food processor, and more particularly to a container of a food processor configured to receive one or more food items therein. 
     Food processors are commonly used to process a plurality of different food products, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. It is well-known that food processors are useful devices for blending, cutting, and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings, including home kitchen use, professional restaurant or food services use, and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternative to chopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range of operational settings and modes adapted to provide specific types or amounts of food processing, e.g., as catered to particular food products. 
     Food preparation often requires heating one or more food items in addition to mixing foods together. Integration of a heater into a food processor increases the functionality of the food processor, by providing a single system that may be capable of performing an entire food preparation process. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a food processing system includes a food processing base, an attachment configurable with said food processing base, said attachment including a processing chamber, a heat distribution element for transferring heat to a fluid within said processing chamber, and a controller associated with the system. The controller is programmable to evaluate a plurality of successive changes in temperature of said heat distribution element, and a value of each temperature change between each of said plurality of successive changes in temperature to determine if a fluid temperature in said processing chamber is equal to a target temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said controller is programmable to perform a plurality of successive control operations, each of said plurality of successive changes in temperature of said heat distribution element being determined for said plurality of successive control operations. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said fluid temperature in said processing chamber is equal to a target temperature when said value of each temperature change between each of said successive changes in temperature is within an allowable tolerance. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said allowable tolerance is 1%. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said attachment further comprises at least one heating element located remotely from said processing chamber. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said attachment further comprises a container body having a first end and a second end defining said processing chamber being; and a processing assembly at least partially arranged within said processing chamber. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said heat distribution element seals said second end of said container body. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said heat distribution element forms a portion of said container body. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said processing assembly is connectable to said second end of said container body and said heat distribution element is a portion of said processing assembly. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a sensor for detecting said changes in temperature of said heat distribution element said sensor being operably coupled to said controller. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said target temperature is less than or equal to a maximum allowable temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said food processing system is operable in a plurality of modes and said maximum allowable temperature is determined in response to a selected mode of said plurality of modes. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of controlling a temperature in a container of a food processing system includes transferring heat to a processing chamber of the container, evaluating a plurality of successive changes in temperature of a heat distribution element associated with the container, and evaluating a value of each temperature change between each of said plurality of successive changes in temperature to determine if a fluid temperature in said processing chamber is equal to a target temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising maintaining said fluid temperature of said processing chamber below a maximum temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said maximum temperature varies in response to a mode of operation of the food processing system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said maximum temperature is about 100° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said maximum temperature is about 82° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said maximum temperature is about 71° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising performing a plurality of successive control operations, each of said plurality of successive changes in temperature of said heat distribution element being determined for said plurality of successive control operations. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said change in temperature of said heat distribution element for each of said plurality of successive control operations further comprises heating said heat distribution element to a first temperature, performing at least one processing step, sensing a second temperature of said heat distribution element after said performing at least one processing step, and comparing said first temperature and said second temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said fluid temperature of the container is equal to said target temperature when said value of each temperature change between each of said successive changes in temperature is within an allowable tolerance. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said allowable tolerance is 1%. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said fluid temperature of the container is not at said target temperature when said value of each temperature change between each of said successive changes in temperature exceeds an allowable tolerance. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a food processing system includes a food processing base an attachment configurable with said food processing base, said attachment including a processing chamber, a heating element operable to heat a fluid in said processing chamber, and a controller associated with the system. The controller is programmable to operate said heating element in a plurality of modes. Each of said plurality of modes is associated with a distinct target temperature of said processing chamber and at least one of said distinct target temperatures being below 100° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said controller is programmable to operate said heating element in each of said plurality of modes to heat said processing chamber to said target temperature without exceeding said target temperature. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said target temperature is below 82° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said target temperature is below 71° C. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said heating element is located remotely from said processing chamber. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said attachment further comprises a container body having a first end and a second end defining said processing chamber being; and a processing assembly at least partially arranged within said processing chamber. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a heat distribution element in a heat transfer relationship with said heating element and said processing chamber. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said heat distribution element seals said second end of said container body. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said heat distribution element forms a portion of said container body. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said processing assembly is connectable to said second end of said container body and said heat distribution element is a portion of said processing assembly. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments comprising a sensor for detecting a change in temperature of said heat distribution element said sensor being operably coupled to said controller. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of an attachment suitable for use with a food processing system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a food processing system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a food processing system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a control system of the food processing system according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a control sequence of an algorithm according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , is an example of a multi-functional food processing system  20  is illustrated. In general, the food processing system  20  can be adapted to perform any food processing or blending operation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting, slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or the like. 
     The food processing system  20  includes a base  22  having a body or housing  24  within which a motorized unit M (see  FIG. 4 ) and at least one controller  64  (see  FIG. 4 ) are located. The base  22  includes at least one rotary component, such as a drive coupler (not shown) for example, driven by the motorized unit located within the housing  24 . The base  22  additionally includes a control panel or user interface  28  having one or more inputs  29  for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous food processing. The at least one drive coupler is configured to engage a portion of an attachment  30  coupled to the base  22  for the processing of food products located within an interior of the attachment  30 . This will become more apparent in subsequent FIGS. and discussion. 
     One or more attachments  30  varying in size and/or functionality may be configured for use with the base  22 . A first attachment illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a jar or container  32  having a rotatable blade assembly  34 . In some embodiments, the container  32  is a pitcher sized to hold approximately  72  fluid ounces. However, embodiments where the container  32  has a larger or smaller capacity are also within the scope of the disclosure. As shown, the container  32  typically includes a first open end  36 , a second closed end  38 , and one or more sidewalls  40  extending between the first end  36  and the second end  38  to define a processing chamber  42  of the container  32 . A rotatable blade assembly  34  may be integrally formed with the second end  38  of the container  32 , or alternatively, may be removably coupled thereto. The attachment  30  may additionally include an accessory, such as a lid  44  configured to couple to the first open end  36  of the container  32  to seal the container  32 . The second closed end  38  of the attachment is configured to mount to the base  22  to perform a food processing operation. Accordingly, the orientation of the container  32  when the attachment  30  is connected to the base  22  and separated from the base  22  remains generally constant. However, it should be understood that other attachments, such as a personal blender container having a first configuration when separated from the base  22  and a second inverted configuration when coupled to the base  22  and a rotatable blade assembly  34  configured to removably couple to the container are also within the scope of the disclosure. 
     In each of the various attachment configurations, the rotatable blade assembly  34  is configured to couple to the base  22  of the food processing system  20 . A driven coupler (not shown) associated with at least one blade  46  of the rotatable blade assembly  34  is positioned at an exterior of the rotatable blade assembly  34 . The at least one drive coupler is configured to engage the driven coupler to rotate the at least one blade  46  about an axis X (see  FIG. 1 ) to process the food products located within the processing chamber  42  of the attachment  30 . It should be understood that the attachments  30  illustrated and described herein are intended as an example only, and that other attachments suitable for use with the base  22 , are also contemplated herein. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in an embodiment, the container  32  of the attachment  30 , for example the pitcher container as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a heating element  50  selectively operable to heat the contents of the processing chamber  42 . Although a single heating element  50  is illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that embodiments having multiple heating elements  50  are also within the scope of the disclosure. The heating element  50  may be located at any suitable position about to the container  32 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, best shown in  FIG. 3 , the heating element  50  is arranged adjacent the second end  38  of the container  32 , for example at an underside of the container  32  near the driven coupling. 
     An upper connector  52  including one or more contactors or prongs is coupled to the heating element  50  adjacent the underside of the second end  38 . When the container  32  is seated on the base  22 , the upper connector  52  mates or contacts a corresponding lower connector  54  mounted on the base  22  (see  FIG. 3 ), to deliver power from a circuit within the base  22  to the heating element  50 . However, any suitable connection or mechanism for delivering power to the heating element  50  is contemplated herein. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , a heat distribution element  56  is located upwardly adjacent the heating element  50  at the second end  38  of the container  32 . Accordingly, a shaft  58  supporting the at least one blade  46  of the rotatable blade assembly  34  extends through the heat distribution element  56  and into the processing chamber  42 . The heat distribution element  56  may have a size and shape generally complementary to the container  32  at its mounted position. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the heat distribution element  56  seals the second end  38  of the processing chamber  42 . In such embodiments, a gasket  60  is positioned about the outer periphery of the heat distribution element  56  to prevent any contents of the processing chamber  42  from leaking onto the heating element or corresponding electronic components. Further, in embodiments where the heat distribution element  56  seals the second end  38  of container  32 , the heat distribution element  56  may be incorporated into the container  32  directly, or alternatively, may be integrated into a portion of a rotatable blade assembly  34  connectable to the second end  38  of the container  32 . 
     The heat distribution element  56  may be formed from a metal, or another suitable material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. The heat distribution element  56  is heated by operation of the heating element  50 , such as via conduction, radiation, or induction for example. Heat from the heat distribution element  56  is then transferred to the contents of the processing chamber  42 , such as via conduction. However, heat may be transferred from the heat distribution element  56  to the contents of the processing chamber  42  via any suitable heat transfer process, including conduction, convection, and radiation. Although the heat distribution element  56  is illustrated and described herein with respect to an attachment  30  including a pitcher container, any attachment, such as a personal blender attachment including an inverted container for example, may be adapted for use with a heating element  50 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and further reference to  FIG. 4 , the container  32  may additionally include a sensor  62  operable to monitor a temperature of at least one of the heating elements  50  and the heat distribution element  56 . In an embodiment, the sensor  62  is mounted in contact with a surface of the heat distribution element  56 . The sensor  62  is operatively coupled to a controller  64  located within the base  22  and communicates signals indicating the sensed temperature thereto. The sensor  62  may be wired to the controller  64 , or alternatively, may be able to communicate with the controller  64  wirelessly. 
     During a heating operation of the food processing system  20 , the sensed temperature of the heat distribution element  56  is provided to the controller  64 . The temperature may be sensed and communication continuously or at predetermined time intervals. In response to the sensed temperature, the controller  64  may vary operation of the heating element  50 . For example, if the sensed temperature of the heat distribution element  56  is below a target temperature, the controller  64  may increase the power provided to the heating element  50 . Similarly, if the sensed temperature is above a target temperature, the controller  64  may decrease the power provided to the heating element  50 , or cease operation of the heating element  50  entirely. 
     Because the heating element  50  is mounted at a localized region of the container  32 , remote from the processing chamber  42 , the contents of the processing chamber  42  positioned directly adjacent the heat distribution element  56  will heat more quickly than the contents located remotely from the heat distribution element  56 . Because of this resulting temperature gradient, the temperature of the heat distribution element  56  detected by the sensor  62  does not accurately represent the temperature of all of the contents within the processing chamber  42 . Accordingly, during a heating operation, the controller  64  may execute an algorithm  66  to determine the temperature of the processing chamber  42 . The algorithm  66  may be stored within a memory  68  accessible by the controller  64 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , the algorithm  66  includes a repeatable control sequence  100  for evaluating the fluid temperature within the processing chamber  42 . As shown, in a first step  102 , the heating element  50  is energized to heat the heat distribution element  56  to a target temperature. The sensor  62  may be used to monitor the temperature of the heat distribution element  56  to identify when the heat distribution element  56  has reached the target temperature. The length of time required to achieve the target temperature will vary based on both the target temperature and the initial temperature of the heat distribution element  56 . Once the heat distribution element  56  reaches the target temperature, the heating element  50  remains energized to maintain the heat distribution element  56  at the target temperature, as shown in step  104 , for a predetermined period of time. The period of time that the heating element  50  remains operational after the heat distribution element  56  has reached the target temperature is also referred to herein as a “dwell” time. The dwell time may be any suitable length of time, including but not limited to at least  30  seconds, at least  60  second, and at least  90  seconds. During the dwell time, heat from the heat distribution element  56  is transferred to the contents of the processing chamber  42 . 
     In step  106 , the heating element  50  is de-energized, and in step  108 , the rotatable blade assembly  34  is rotated about its axis X (see  FIG. 1 ) to stir the contents of the processing chamber  42 . The stirring operation performed in step  108  may be a quick 1 second pulse, or alternatively, may be a longer continuous or discontinuous rotation of the at least one blade  46 . Stirring the contents of the processing chamber  42  facilitates a more even distribution of heat across the contents of the processing chamber  42  by moving different portions of the contents into contact with the heat distribution element  56 . In step  110 , after the stirring operation, the food processing system  20  remains inactive or paused for a predetermined period of time, also referred to herein as “soak” time, such as  10  seconds for example. During this soak time, heat from the heat distribution element  56  will continue to transfer to the contents of the processing chamber  42 , even though the heating element  50  is non-operational. Through this heat transfer, heat within the processing chamber  42  is more evenly distributed across the contents located therein and the difference between the temperature of the heat distribution element  56  and the temperature of the contents is reduced. As a result, the temperature of the heat distribution element  56  after the soak time more accurately reflects the temperature of the contents of the processing chamber  42 . After the soak time has elapsed, the temperature of the heat distribution element  56  is sensed, as shown in step  112 . In step  114 , the temperature sensed at the end of the sequence is compared to the target temperature from the beginning of the sequence, and the change in temperature is stored in a database or memory  68 . It should be understood that one or more parameters of the control sequence  100 , such as the dwell time, the soak time, or the time to initially heat the heat distribution element  56  to the target temperature, may vary based on the application. 
     The change in temperature of the heat distribution element  56  that occurs during a control sequence will vary based on the amount of heat that is transferred to the processing chamber  42  during the control sequence. For example, if the contents of the processing chamber  42  are at a temperature similar to the temperature of the heat distribution element  56 , the amount of heat that is transferred from the heat distribution element  56  to the processing chamber  42  during a control sequence will be limited. Therefore, the change in temperature of the heat distribution element  56  will be relatively small. However, if the contents of the processing chamber  42  are substantially cooler than the heat distribution element  56 , a greater amount of heat will transfer from the heat distribution element  56 . As a result of this increased heat transfer, the change in temperature of the heat distribution element  56  during the control sequence will be larger than when the temperature of the processing chamber  42  is similar to the temperature of the heat distribution element  56 . 
     In an embodiment, the algorithm  66  uses this change in temperature to evaluate whether the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is stable, as shown in step  116  of  FIG. 5 . As used herein, the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is considered “stable” if the temperature is generally constant within an allowable tolerance. In an embodiment, the algorithm  66  does not rely solely on this change in temperature of the heat distribution element  56  that occurs during a control sequence  100  to determine whether the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is stable. Rather, the algorithm  66  will compare the change in temperature to the change in temperature determined for at least the previously performed control sequence  100  to determine the variation in the determined change in temperature between successive control sequences  100 . 
     If the temperature change determined for two or more successive control sequences is within an allowable tolerance, such as within 1% or alternatively 1° C. for example, the algorithm  66  will determine that the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is stable and at the target temperature. In an embodiment, three sequential changes in temperature must be within the allowable tolerance to determine that the temperature of the processing chamber  42  is at the target temperature. Upon determining that the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is stable, and therefore that the processing chamber  42  is heated to the target temperature, the food processing system  20  may indicate to a user that container  32  has been heated to the target temperature. Alternatively, or in addition, the food processing system  20  may proceed to perform another food processing operation, such as blending for example. If the temperature change associated with successive control sequences  100  is varies by an amount exceed the allowable tolerance, the algorithm  66  will determine that temperature of the processing chamber  42  is not yet stable, and will continue to run additional control sequences until such a determination is made. In an embodiment, even after determining that the temperature within the processing chamber  42  is stable, the algorithm  66  may continue to run continuously during a heating operation to maintain the processing chamber  42  at a desired temperature, such as in the event that cold ingredients are added to the processing chamber  42 . 
     The algorithm  66  described herein reduces the thermal gradient within the processing chamber  42 , thereby reducing the total length of time required to heat the processing chamber  42  to a target temperature. In addition, inclusion of a controller  64  capable of running the algorithm  66  increases the accuracy of the temperature detection of the processing chamber  42 . This increased accuracy is particularly relevant for applications where one or more of the ingredients provided to the processing chamber  42  are temperature sensitive ingredients. Temperature sensitive ingredients may degrade or evaporate when exposed to high temperatures. For example, alcohol typically boils when heated to a temperature above 82° C. Accordingly, if the food processing system  20  is being used to prepare food that includes alcohol as an ingredient, it is desirable to accurately maintain the temperature of the processing chamber  42  below the boiling temperature of the alcohol to maintain the integrity of the food being prepared. 
     The food processing system  20  may be operable in one or more modes of operation, each of which is associated with a different maximum temperature of the processing chamber  42 . In an embodiment, the food processing system  20  includes a “High” mode of operation where the temperature of the processing chamber  42  is maintained below 100° C., a “Medium” mode of operation where the temperature of the processing chamber  42  is maintained below 82° C., and a “Low” mode of operation where the temperature of the processing chamber  42  is maintained below 71° C. It should be understood that the maximum temperatures identified herein for each mode are intended as an example only and that any relative low, medium, and high temperatures are within the scope of the disclosure. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.