Patent Description:
There are currently many kitchen appliances with an integrated weighing system on the market. Some of kitchen appliances, such as <CIT> illustrated, integrate a scale at supporting pan to weigh a food container sitting or standing on the scale, for weighting the food container only. Some other kitchen appliances integrate a food preparation chamber at its main assembly, and the integrated weighing system facilitates determination of how much ingredients are being added into the food preparation chamber when following a recipe, and/or can assist with following a food preparation, e.g. cooking, processing. To this end, the whole kitchen appliance may, for example, stand on three or four weighing sensors.

Certain kitchen appliances include an integrated storage container whose contents, e.g. ingredients, are deliverable into a food preparation chamber. Food may be cooked, mixed, blended, chopped, etc. in such a food preparation chamber depending on the type of kitchen appliance.

Standing the whole kitchen appliance on weighing sensors can pose certain challenges, particularly should the kitchen appliance include such an integrated storage container. For kitchen appliances of this type, the weight of the whole kitchen appliance may remain unchanged by delivery of the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber. This can present difficulty in terms of tracking the weight of the contents received specifically in the food preparation chamber.

This tracking may be key to ensuring that the desired amount of contents of the storage container is delivered into the food preparation chamber, but may also be important for following and/or controlling any changes to the weight of ingredients received in the food preparation chamber during food preparation, e.g. cooking.

It may therefore be desirable to arrange weighing sensors inside the kitchen appliance so that only the food preparation chamber is weighed. However, arranging weighing sensors in this way can be problematic. The food preparation functionality of the kitchen appliance can make it difficult to install weighing sensors for weighing only the food preparation chamber in a way that appropriately accounts/corrects for influences, e.g. mechanical forces, heat, etc., associated with the food preparation functionality.

According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a kitchen appliance comprising: a food preparation chamber; a storage container in which contents are storable prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber, the food preparation chamber and the storage container being integrated in a main assembly of the kitchen appliance; a support member on which at least part of the storage container is supportable; and a weighing sensor assembly on which the main assembly, other than said at least part of the storage container, is supportable so as to be weighed by the weighing sensor assembly.

By the support member supporting at least part of the storage container, and the weighing sensor assembly weighing the main assembly other than the at least part of the storage container supported on the support member, specific weighing of the food preparation chamber may be facilitated, in spite of the storage container being integrated, in other words provided together, with the food preparation chamber in the kitchen appliance's main assembly.

This is because the support member may assist to exclude the weight of the storage container from the weight of the main assembly, in which the food preparation chamber is included, sensed by the weighing sensor assembly.

Thus, the weighing sensor assembly can be arranged to support the kitchen appliance's main assembly, rather than being arranged, for instance, inside the main assembly in order to weigh the food preparation chamber. This may assist to alleviate the risk of the weighing sensor assembly and food preparation functionality provided inside the main assembly from interfering with each other. The weighing sensor assembly may nonetheless enable tracking of the weight of contents of specifically the food preparation chamber due to inclusion of the support member.

In some embodiments, the support member and the weighing sensor assembly protrude from a table-top facing side of the main assembly, with the support member being arranged beneath the storage container. Such protrusion of the weighing sensor assembly from the table-top facing side of the main assembly may, for example, assist positioning of the weighing sensor assembly away from food preparation functionality of the kitchen appliance included in the main assembly.

In some embodiments, the main assembly comprises a structure for retaining the food preparation chamber and the storage container, with the structure, other than the at least part of the storage container supported on the support member, being supported on the weighing sensor assembly.

The structure's retention of the food preparation chamber and the storage container may assist with, or may define, the integration of the food preparation chamber and the storage container in the main assembly.

The food preparation chamber may be supported by the structure, with the structure, other than the at least part of the storage container, being supported on the weighing sensor assembly.

The structure of the main assembly can take any suitable form. In some embodiments, the structure comprises, e.g. is defined by, a chassis and/or a housing of the main assembly.

In some embodiments, the storage container is arranged above the support member, with the support member comprising a support limb portion that upstands to the storage container. The support limb portion may enable the storage container to be supported above the table-top facing side of the main assembly.

In such embodiments, an aperture may be defined in the structure of the main assembly, through which aperture the support limb portion upstands towards the storage container.

The aperture may assist with excluding the weight of the storage container from the weight of the main assembly sensed by the weighing sensor assembly, since the support member, including the support limb portion extending through the aperture, can support the storage container independently of the structure.

In such embodiments, the aperture may be wider than a width of the support limb portion where the support limb portion extends through the aperture, such that a gap is defined between the support limb portion and a portion of the structure delimiting the aperture. This gap may assist the support member, including the support limb portion, to support the storage container independently of the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, of the main assembly.

In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance comprises a flexible conduit through which the contents of the storage container are deliverable to the food preparation chamber. The flexibility of the conduit may assist with decoupling the storage container's weight from the weight of the remainder of the main assembly.

The conduit may comprise, e.g. be in the form of, a flexible hose.

In at least some embodiments, the weighing sensor assembly comprises one or more load cells. Such load cell(s) may rest on a table-top, and support the main assembly, other than the at least part of the storage container supported on the support member, arranged on top of the load cell(s). For example, three or four load cells may be arranged, spaced apart from each other, on the table-top facing side of the main assembly.

In at least some embodiments, an underside of the weighing sensor assembly is arranged to contact a table-top on which the kitchen appliance is disposed. Alternatively or additionally, an underside of the support member may be arranged to contact the table-top.

In some embodiments, the storage container is suitable for storing liquid. Such a liquid can, for example, comprise, e.g. be, water. Delivery of liquid into the food preparation chamber can assist with cooking, mixing, blending, chopping, juicing, etc. of food ingredients in the food preparation chamber.

In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance comprises a dosing arrangement for controlling delivery of the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber.

The dosing arrangement may, for example, be configured to control delivery of the contents of the storage container to the food preparation chamber based on the weight of the main assembly, other than the at least part of the storage container that is supported on the support member.

Alternatively or additionally, a food preparation procedure, e.g. a cooking process, taking place in the food preparation chamber may be controlled based on the weight of the main assembly, other than the at least part of the storage container that is supported on the support member.

For example, a control signal denoting completion of a food preparation procedure, e.g. a cooking process, taking place in the food preparation chamber may be generated by a controller included in the kitchen appliance. Generation of the control signal may be based on the weight of the main assembly, other than the at least part of the storage container that is supported on the support member.

Such a control signal may cause a change to, e.g. cessation of, operation of the food preparation functionality, e.g. heating system and/or motorized drive system, and/or may cause a user interface to alert a user of the kitchen appliance to the food preparation procedure being complete.

More generally, the kitchen appliance may comprise a heating system for heating the food preparation chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the kitchen appliance may comprise a motorized drive system for driving movement of a utensil arranged in the food preparation chamber.

The kitchen appliance can be of any type. In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance is a cooking appliance, such as an air fryer, an air cooker, a food steamer, a bread maker or a rice cooker. Alternatively, the kitchen appliance may be a pasta maker, a coffee maker, a food processor, a juicer, or a blender.

Provided is a kitchen appliance comprising a food preparation chamber, and a storage container in which contents are storable prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber. The food preparation chamber and the storage container are integrated in a main assembly of the kitchen appliance. A support member, e.g. a support foot, supports thereon at least part of the storage container. A weighing sensor assembly supports, and is thus able to weigh, the main assembly other than the at least part of the storage container that is supported on the support member.

<FIG> schematically depicts a kitchen appliance <NUM> according to an example. The kitchen appliance <NUM> comprises a food preparation chamber <NUM> in which food ingredients are receivable. The kitchen appliance <NUM> also includes a storage container <NUM> in which contents <NUM>, e.g. food ingredients, are storable prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Various food preparation processes can be implemented in the food preparation chamber <NUM>, for example cooking, mixing and/or cutting of food ingredients.

In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance <NUM> comprises a cooking appliance that includes a heating system for heating the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

In such embodiments, the cooking appliance may include a circulation system for circulating air heated by the heating system in the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the kitchen appliance <NUM> may comprise a motorized drive system for driving movement of a utensil arranged in the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Such a utensil can be of any type. In some embodiments, the utensil comprises one or more of a cutter, a mixer, a whisk, a rotatable filter, and a dough hook.

The kitchen appliance <NUM> can be any type of kitchen appliance <NUM> used for food preparation. Particular mention is made of the kitchen appliance being an air fryer, an air cooker, a food steamer, a rice cooker, a pasta maker, a bread maker, a coffee maker, a food processor, a juicer, or a blender.

In some embodiments, the storage container <NUM> is suitable for storing liquid. Such a liquid can, for example, comprise, e.g. be, water. Delivery of liquid into the food preparation chamber <NUM> can assist with cooking, mixing, blending, chopping, juicing, etc. of food ingredients in the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

In embodiments in which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is a rice cooker, the storage container <NUM> may store water for delivering into the food preparation chamber <NUM>. In such embodiments, the food preparation chamber <NUM> may be heated by the heating system in order to cook rice in the water delivered to the food preparation chamber <NUM> from the storage container <NUM>.

In embodiments in which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is an air fryer, an air cooker or a food steamer, the storage container <NUM> may store water for delivering into the food preparation chamber <NUM> in order to provide steam cooking conditions in the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

It is noted that when the kitchen appliance <NUM> is an air fryer, the above-mentioned circulation system may be arranged to circulate air upwardly through food received in the food preparation chamber <NUM> in the direction of the top of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and/or downwardly through food received in the food preparation chamber <NUM> in the direction of a bottom of the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the kitchen appliance <NUM> is an air cooker, the circulation system may be arranged to circulate air laterally across and through food received in the food preparation chamber <NUM>, with the air being laterally directed towards a side portion of the food preparation chamber <NUM> that extends between the top and bottom of the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

In embodiments in which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is a coffee maker, the storage container <NUM> may store water for delivering into the food preparation chamber <NUM> in order to enable coffee to be brewed in the food preparation chamber <NUM>. In such embodiments, the food preparation chamber <NUM> may be regarded as a coffee brewing chamber.

In embodiments in which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is a pasta maker or a bread maker, the storage container <NUM> may store water and/or flour.

In embodiments in which the storage container <NUM> stores more than one type of ingredient, such as water and flour, the storage container <NUM> may be divided into storage portions in which each type of ingredient is storable separately from the other type(s) of ingredient.

Such storage portions may, for example, be arranged in a row.

It is noted that such a row may extend into the plane of a view of the type provided in <FIG>, so that only one of such a plurality of storage portions would be visible.

Referring again to <FIG>, the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> are integrated, in other words provided together, in a main assembly <NUM> of the kitchen appliance <NUM>. Food preparation functionality, e.g. the heating system and/or the motorized drive system, may also be included in the main assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the main assembly <NUM> comprises a structure for retaining the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM>. The structure's retention of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> may assist with, or may define, the integration of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> in the main assembly.

The structure of the main assembly <NUM> can take any suitable form. In some embodiments, the structure comprises, e.g. is defined by, a chassis and/or a housing of the main assembly <NUM>.

The structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic and/or a metallic material.

In some embodiments, the food preparation chamber <NUM> and/or the storage container <NUM> may be detachable from the structure of the main assembly <NUM>.

This may assist with cleaning and/or maintenance of the kitchen appliance <NUM>. Detachment of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and/or the storage container <NUM> may also facilitate loading of food ingredients into and unloading of food ingredients from the respective vessel.

It is noted that the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> may be retained by the structure of the main assembly <NUM> due to being mounted or mountable in the structure, in spite of one or both of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> being, in some embodiments, detachable from the structure.

The kitchen appliance's <NUM> food preparation functionality, e.g. the heating system and/or the motorized drive system, may be retained, together with the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM>, by the structure of the main assembly <NUM>.

The kitchen appliance <NUM> includes a support member <NUM> on which at least part of the storage container <NUM> is supportable, and a weighing sensor assembly <NUM> on which the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM>, is supportable so as to be weighed by the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>. For example, the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, for retaining the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> is supported on the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> but without the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> supporting the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

The remainder of the main assembly <NUM> that is supported on the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> rather than on the support member <NUM> may thus comprise the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Implicit in the at least part of the storage container <NUM> being supported on the support member <NUM> is that the support member <NUM> is arranged beneath the at least part of the storage container <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> are arranged in the main assembly <NUM> at different lateral positions relative to each other, with the support member <NUM> being beneath the at least part of the storage container <NUM> but laterally spaced apart from, in other words not beneath, the bottom of the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the support member <NUM> and the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> may protrude from a table-top facing side <NUM> of the main assembly <NUM>, with the support member <NUM> being arranged beneath the storage container <NUM>. The table-top facing side <NUM> of the main assembly <NUM> may, for example, be a table-top facing side <NUM> of the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, of the main assembly <NUM>.

Such protrusion of the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> from the table-top facing side <NUM> of the main assembly <NUM> may, for example, assist positioning of the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> away from food preparation functionality, such as the heating system and/or the motorized drive system, included in the main assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the storage container <NUM> is arranged above the support member <NUM>, with the support member <NUM> including a support limb portion <NUM> that upstands to the storage container <NUM>. The support limb portion <NUM> may enable the storage container <NUM> to be supported above the table-top facing side <NUM> of the main assembly <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> may include, e.g. may be in the form of, a support foot.

In embodiments in which the support limb portion <NUM> is included in the support member <NUM>, the support limb portion <NUM> may, for example, be regarded as being included in such a support foot.

More generally, by the support member <NUM> supporting at least part of the storage container <NUM>, and the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM> other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> supported on the support member <NUM>, specific weighing of the food preparation chamber <NUM> may be facilitated, in spite of the storage container <NUM> being integrated, in other words provided together, with the food preparation chamber <NUM> in the kitchen appliance's <NUM> main assembly <NUM>.

This is because the support member <NUM> may assist to exclude the weight of the storage container <NUM> from the weight of the main assembly <NUM>, in which the food preparation chamber <NUM> is included, sensed by the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>.

Thus, the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> can be arranged to support the kitchen appliance's <NUM> main assembly <NUM>, rather than being arranged, for instance, inside the main assembly <NUM>, e.g. inside the structure of the main assembly <NUM>, in order to weigh the food preparation chamber <NUM>. This may assist to alleviate the risk of the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> and the food preparation functionality, such as the heating system and/or the motorized drive system, provided inside the main assembly <NUM> from interfering with each other. The weighing sensor assembly <NUM> may nonetheless enable tracking of the weight of contents of specifically the food preparation chamber <NUM> due to inclusion of the support member <NUM>.

In at least some embodiments, the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> comprises one or more load cells. Such load cell(s) may rest on a table-top <NUM> on which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is disposed, and support the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> supported on the support member <NUM>, arranged on top of the load cell(s). For example, three or four load cells may be arranged, spaced apart from each other, on the table-top facing side <NUM> of the main assembly <NUM>.

An underside of the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>, e.g. underside(s) of the load cell(s) included in the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>, may be arranged to contact the table-top <NUM> on which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is disposed. Alternatively or additionally, an underside of the support member <NUM> may be arranged to contact the table-top <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an aperture <NUM> is defined in the structure of the main assembly <NUM>, through which aperture <NUM> the support limb portion <NUM> upstands towards the storage container <NUM>.

The aperture <NUM> may assist with excluding the weight of the storage container <NUM> from the weight of the main assembly <NUM> sensed by the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>, since the support member <NUM>, including the support limb portion <NUM> extending through the aperture <NUM>, can support the storage container <NUM> independently of the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, of the main assembly <NUM>. The precision with which the food preparation chamber <NUM> can be weighed may therefore be enhanced relative to embodiments, such as that shown in <FIG>, in which no such support limp-aperture arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> is included in the kitchen appliance <NUM>. It is nonetheless noted that the latter may benefit from fewer load cells being required for the weighing sensor assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the aperture <NUM> is wider than a width of the support limb portion <NUM> where the support limb portion <NUM> extends through the aperture <NUM>, such that a gap is defined between the support limb portion <NUM> and a portion of the structure delimiting the aperture <NUM>. This gap may assist the support member <NUM> and the support limb portion <NUM> to support the storage container <NUM> independently of the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, of the main assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the support member <NUM> is defined, at least partly, e.g. entirely, by a bottom of the storage container <NUM>.

In such embodiments, the bottom of the storage container <NUM> may rest on the table-top <NUM> on which the kitchen appliance <NUM> is disposed.

It is noted that the storage container <NUM> is still integrated, together with the food preparation chamber <NUM>, in the main assembly <NUM> of the kitchen appliance <NUM>, in spite of the bottom of the storage container <NUM> at least partly defining the support member <NUM>.

In this respect, the storage container <NUM> may be lifted from the table-top <NUM>, together with the rest of the main assembly <NUM>, including the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

To this end, the storage container <NUM> may, for example, include an upper lip or rim <NUM> arranged to enable the storage container <NUM> to rest on an upper portion of the main assembly <NUM>, e.g. of the structure of the main assembly <NUM>, during lifting of the main assembly <NUM> from the table-top <NUM>.

It is generally noted that integration of the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> in the main assembly <NUM> may mean, in at least some embodiments, that the food preparation chamber <NUM> and the storage container <NUM> are liftable from the table-top <NUM> in one unit.

In embodiments in which the bottom of the storage container <NUM> at least partly, e.g. entirely, defines the support member <NUM>, the structure of the main assembly <NUM> may delimit an opening <NUM> through which the storage container <NUM> extends so that the bottom of the storage container <NUM> can reach the table-top <NUM>.

In such embodiments, the opening <NUM> may be wider than a width of the storage container <NUM> where the storage container <NUM> extends through the opening <NUM>, such that a space is defined between the storage container <NUM> and a part of the structure delimiting the opening <NUM>.

This space may assist the bottom of the storage container <NUM> to support the storage container <NUM> independently of the structure, e.g. chassis and/or housing, of the main assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the kitchen appliance <NUM> comprises a conduit <NUM> through which the contents <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> are deliverable to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

In such embodiments, the conduit <NUM> may be a flexible conduit <NUM>. The flexibility of the conduit <NUM> may assist with decoupling the storage container's <NUM> weight from the weight of the remainder of the main assembly <NUM>.

The conduit <NUM> may comprise, e.g. be in the form of, a flexible hose. Such a flexible hose may, for instance, be formed from an elastomeric material, such as silicone.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the kitchen appliance <NUM> comprises a dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> for controlling delivery of the contents <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

The dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> can be designed in any suitable manner, such as with shutter(s), valve(s) <NUM> and/or pump(s) <NUM>, to control delivery of the contents <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> includes a run out stop element <NUM> and a valve <NUM>. Such a dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> may be particularly suitable for dosing liquid from the storage container <NUM> to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> may comprise a shutter for controlling passage of solid contents <NUM>, such as flour or coffee grounds, from the storage container <NUM> to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

More generally, the dosing arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> may be configured to control delivery of the contents <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> to the food preparation chamber <NUM> based on the weight of the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, a food preparation procedure, e.g. a cooking process, taking place in the food preparation chamber <NUM> may be controlled based on the weight of the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

For example, a control signal denoting completion of a food preparation procedure, e.g. a cooking process, taking place in the food preparation chamber <NUM> may be generated by the kitchen appliance's controller based on the weight of the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

Such a control signal may cause a change to, e.g. cessation of, operation of the food preparation functionality, e.g. heating system and/or motorized drive system, and/or may cause a user interface to alert a user of the kitchen appliance <NUM> to the food preparation procedure being complete.

As an illustrative non-limiting example, the kitchen appliance <NUM> is in the form of a pasta maker and a defined amount of flour is dosed from the storage container <NUM>, and in particular from a first storage portion of the storage container <NUM>, to the food preparation chamber <NUM>, and a defined amount of water is dosed from the storage container <NUM>, and in particular from a second storage portion of the storage container <NUM>, to the food preparation chamber <NUM>.

Correct dosing of the flour and water may be via the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

In another illustrative non-limiting example, the kitchen appliance <NUM> is in the form of a rice cooker, and a weight of rice in the food preparation chamber <NUM> is determined via the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>. Similarly, a weight of water for mixing with the rice is determined via the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

In such an example, completion of the rice cooking process may be identified by determining the amount of water evaporated from the food preparation chamber <NUM> via the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

In a further illustrative non-limiting example, weight loss of food during a cooking process taking place in an air fryer or air cooker is monitored to determine doneness, with the weight loss of the food being determined via the weighing sensor assembly <NUM> weighing the main assembly <NUM>, other than the at least part of the storage container <NUM> that is supported on the support member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A kitchen appliance (<NUM>) comprising:
a food preparation chamber (<NUM>);
a storage container (<NUM>) in which contents (<NUM>) are storable prior to delivery to the food preparation chamber, the food preparation chamber and the storage container being integrated in a main assembly (<NUM>) of the kitchen appliance;
a support member (<NUM>) on which at least part of the storage container is supportable; characterised in that it further comprises:
a weighing sensor assembly (<NUM>) on which the main assembly, other than said at least part of the storage container, is supportable so as to be weighed by the weighing sensor assembly.