DE20003319U1 - Containers for storing and / or preparing food and a system with a container - Google Patents

Description

HP Household Products GmbH
Graf-von-Zeppelin-Strasse 1

56410 Montabaur

HP403

Containers for storing and/or preparing food and a system with a container

Description

The invention relates to a container for storing and/or preparing food according to the preamble of claim 1 and a system with a container for storing and/or preparing food according to claim 18.

Time plays a major role in the preparation of food. Specially designed time measuring devices, such as egg timers, are used to indicate the passage of a certain time interval. Timers are also known, for example in ovens, which control the timing of food preparation.

The disadvantage is that these time measuring devices are always separate from a container for storing and/or preparing food, so that an additional time measuring device is required in the kitchen. The known time measuring devices are also not suitable for measuring the storage time of food stored in containers, since the time measuring devices are always separate from the containers.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a container and a system with which the time measurement for the preparation and/or storage of food can be carried out in a simple manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a container having the features of claim 1.

Because the container for storing and/or preparing food is equipped with a time measuring device and/or a time display device, time information is provided directly on the container. A time measuring device is understood to be a device that can measure the passage of a time interval (e.g. a countdown timer like an egg timer). With a time display device, a certain

point in time without measuring an elapsed time interval (e.g. a fixed display of a specific date).

A device for monitoring the time that is separate from the container is not necessary when using the container according to the invention. A user of the container receives the time information, e.g. regarding the expiration date of a food item, directly on the container.

In an advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention, the time measuring device and/or the time display device can be detachably connected to the container. This means that the time measuring device and/or the time display device can also be used separately from a container if, for example, the container is not being used. This makes it possible, for example, to use one time measuring device for different containers.

A further advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention has a time measuring device and/or a time display device with an analog and/or digital display for the current time and/or for at least one time interval. An analog display is particularly easy to read. A digital display is particularly suitable for displaying longer time intervals such as days or weeks.

Advantageously, the time measuring device and/or the time display device is mechanically designed. Such a device does not require any auxiliary power and is easy to manufacture.

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Advantageously, the time measuring device emits a signal, in particular an acoustic or optical signal, after the expiration of at least one predeterminable time interval. This enables a user to quickly and easily recognize that a certain time interval has expired.

Advantageously, the container according to the invention has a sensor means for detecting the closed state of the container and for providing a signal for controlling the time measuring device. The time measurement can thus be started automatically when the container is closed.

It is particularly advantageous for the container according to the invention to have a data processing device for recording and storing information, in particular relating to the contents of the container and/or time-related information. Such a data processing device allows the container to be used in a particularly versatile manner, in particular information can be processed more easily with a large number of containers. For example, the user is given the opportunity to more easily monitor the expiration of food and the stockpiling of food. It is particularly advantageous if this information can be transmitted to a receiver device by the data processing device. This allows the information from different containers to be further processed in the receiver device, which is of interest, for example, in warehouse management in large kitchens.

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The data processing device advantageously generates a data set for individualizing the container. This creates a logical connection between the contents of the container and the container, which is of great interest for automatic stockpiling.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention, the data processing device has a voice chip for receiving and/or sending voice information. In this way, information such as expiration dates or a preparation time can be entered in a simple manner.

It is also advantageous if the container according to the invention has an insulating means against thermal influences for the time measuring device, the data processing device and/or the sensor means. This means that the container can be used at very low temperatures (e.g. in a freezer) or very high temperatures (e.g. in an oven), depending on requirements. It is also advantageous if the container according to the invention has a sealing means against moisture for the time measuring device, the data processing device and/or the sensor means, since sensitive parts of the container are thereby protected from moisture.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the container according to the invention is designed as a teapot, in particular as an insulated jug. When preparing tea, the individual choice of the necessary for brewing the tea is

time is of great importance, so that a time measuring device and / or time display device arranged on the teapot itself facilitates tea preparation.

It is particularly advantageous if a tea strainer can be inserted into the teapot, as this makes preparing the tea particularly easy.

Furthermore, it is also advantageous if the time measuring device is arranged on or in the lid of the teapot, as this enables particularly easy operation.

It is particularly advantageous if the container has a means for automatically removing the tea strainer after a predetermined time interval. This prevents the tea strainer from remaining in the hot water for too long, which would impair the taste of the tea.

The container is advantageously designed as a food storage container, bread container, cake container, baking tin, baking tray, microwave dish or thermos flask. With these designs, a variety of different foods can be stored or prepared, whereby the time measuring device and/or the time display device make it possible to observe time limits such as expiry dates, etc.

The object is also achieved by a system for storing and/or preparing foodstuffs with the features of claim 18. By coupling a container with a time measuring device and/or a time display device, the time required for storing and/or preparing

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important temporal information is recorded or processed. Because this data is transmitted from at least one container to a receiving device via a data processing device, it is possible to manage temporal information that concerns different containers. This can be used, for example, to monitor the stockpiling of several containers.

It is advantageous that the data, in particular the time information relating to the at least one container, can be displayed on a display device. This allows a user to quickly obtain an overview.

It is particularly advantageous if a data reading device is used to record information, in particular expiration dates for foodstuffs. With a means for transmitting this information to the data processing device, expiration dates on food packaging, for example, can be recorded and quickly transferred to the data processing device of the container.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of the drawings using several exemplary embodiments. They show:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a teapot with a time measuring device integrated in the lid;

Fig. la is a detailed view of the lid, the time measuring device and a tea strainer of the teapot shown in Fig. 1;

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Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a container for storing food with a mechanical time measuring device;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a container for storing food with a digital time measuring device and a data processing device.

In Fig. 1, a teapot is shown as a container 1 for storing and/or preparing a foodstuff, wherein the teapot 1 is designed as an insulated jug.

A tea strainer 12 can be inserted into the teapot 1 and can hold tea leaves (not shown here). The tea strainer 12 is attached to a holding device 11 of a lid 10 of the teapot 1.

When the teapot 1 is filled with hot water and the tea strainer 12 is inserted, the aromatic substances are extracted from the tea leaves.

The lid 10 of the teapot 1 has a recess as a receiving device for a time measuring device 2. The time measuring device 2 can be inserted into this recess. In the embodiment shown, the time measuring device 2 has a clockwork 2a and a rotary switch 2b.

When preparing tea, it is very important to adhere to certain time intervals for brewing the tea. Individual preferences play a large role here, so that a fixed preset time interval is not

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makes sense. The time interval in which the tea leaves are in contact with hot water is crucial for the taste.

The time measuring device 2 on the container 1 serves to determine these time intervals precisely, whereby operation is ensured in a simple manner.

After pouring hot water into the teapot 1, the tea strainer 12 with tea leaves is placed in the teapot 1. The teapot 1 is then closed with the lid 10 to prevent heat loss. The desired time interval for brewing the tea is now set on the rotary switch 2b; e.g. three minutes. In a known manner, the time measuring device 2 now measures the passage of the three minutes. After the time interval has elapsed, the time measuring device 2 triggers an acoustic signal so that the person making the tea knows that the three minutes have elapsed. The lid 10 is unscrewed, the tea strainer 12 is removed from the pot and the tea can be served.

In an alternative embodiment, the tea strainer is inserted into the water under pre-tension of a spring element and locked in this position. After the time interval has elapsed, the lock is automatically released so that the tea strainer is automatically removed from the water. This spring element, the lock and the release mechanism for the lock form a means for automatically removing the tea strainer from the water.

In the present embodiment, the time measuring device 2 is integrated into the teapot 1, so that no external clock (e.g. in the kitchen) is required to measure the correct "tea brewing time".

Alternatively, the container can also be designed as a teacup, with the time measuring device 2 of which the brewing of a tea bag can be monitored.

In Fig. 1a, the functional parts described in Fig. 1 are shown again in an enlarged scale. The time measuring device 2 is inserted into a recess in the lid 10. The lid 10 can be connected to the holding device 11 of the tea strainer 12.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a container 1 for storing food (e.g. a fresh food container). The container has an upper part 1a and a lower part 1b. A mechanical time measuring device 2 is arranged on the upper part 1a. The time measuring device 2 is designed as a rotary switch, the elapsed time being read off a scale 5.

If you want to set a specific time on the time measuring device 2, you turn the rotary knob by a corresponding angle. The time interval to be measured can be read off the scale 5. At any time, you can also read off the scale 5 how much time is left. After the specified time interval has elapsed, an acoustic signal is emitted. Alternatively, it is also possible for an optical signal to be emitted, e.g. a color change in a display window.

A mechanical timing device 2 is particularly simple in construction and does not require an external energy source.

In an alternative embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention, a time display device is used, i.e. the passage of a time interval is not actively measured, but the time interval is set by a user on the time display device. For example, the expiration date of a foodstuff can be set on a scale so that a viewer of the container can see the expiration date at a glance.

The embodiment of a container 1 shown in Fig. 3 is particularly advantageous for measuring longer periods of time.

Basically, the container 1 is constructed as described in Fig. 2. The time measuring device 2, which is arranged in the upper part la of the container 1, is here, however, electronic and has some additional functions which are described below.

The setting of a time interval is carried out using a keyboard 6. A display 3 shows the remaining running time of the time interval. In the example shown here, an LCD display is used, which has low power consumption and requires little space.

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With such a time measuring device 2 it is possible to measure even relatively long time intervals such as days and weeks; expiry dates of foodstuffs are normally in this order of magnitude.

After shopping, the container 1 is filled with food. An expiration date, which is indicated on a package, for example, is entered into the time measuring device 2 using the keyboard 6.

Optionally, the remaining time until the food expires or the time that has passed since the food was packed in container 1 can be displayed.

A sensor means (not shown here) in the region of the connection between the upper part la and the lower part 1b serves to automatically start the timing device 2.

In an alternative version of the display 3, no time interval is shown, but only an indicator that shows that the time interval has not yet expired (e.g. green signal) or has already expired (e.g. red signal). Such a version allows a particularly quick overview of the condition of the food.

A user of container 1 then has the information at a glance as to when the food in container 1 must be consumed.

The container 1 also has a data processing device 4 which is coupled to the time measuring device 2. This data processing device 4 receives signals from the time measuring device 2 and transmits them to a receiver device not shown here. In addition, the data processing device 4 transmits an identification code for the container 1 which is either automatically assigned to it or which was entered via the keyboard 6. The identification code contains information about the contents of the container 1.

Alternatively, a data reading device (e.g. a barcode reader) is used to read data provided on the packaging of a food product. This information is then transmitted, for example, via infrared data transmission to the time measuring device 2 and/or the data processing device 4.

At the receiver device, which is arranged, for example, on the door of a refrigerator, a user receives information about which container 1 inside the refrigerator and/or another location in a kitchen contains which food and when this food will expire. The receiver device can also be, for example, a computer that automatically adds to or creates a shopping list based on this transmitted information. By combining a container 1 with a time measuring device 2, a data transmission and a receiver device, a system for automatically monitoring food in the home or in commercial kitchens is created.

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The data input for the time interval or other information (e.g. the contents of the container 1) can alternatively also be carried out via voice input if the data processing device 4 has a corresponding voice chip.

Basically, all objects in which food is stored and/or prepared can be used as container 1, such as food storage containers, bread containers, cake containers, baking tins, baking trays, microwave dishes or thermos flasks. Depending on the operating temperature, it may be necessary to provide special protection for the time measuring device 2 against temperatures or moisture.

The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiments given above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the container according to the invention and the system according to the invention even in fundamentally different embodiments.

Claims (20)

1. Container for storing and/or preparing food, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) has a time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) and/or a time display device. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) and/or the time display device can be detachably connected to the container ( 1 ). 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) and/or the time display device has an analogue and/or digital display ( 3 , 5 ) for the current time and/or for at least one time interval. 4. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) and/or the time display device is mechanically constructed. 5. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) emits a signal, in particular an acoustic or optical signal, after the expiration of at least one predeterminable time interval. 6. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sensor means for detecting the closed state of the container ( 1 ) and for providing a signal for controlling the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ). 7. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a data processing device ( 4 ) for receiving and storing information, in particular concerning the contents of the container ( 1 ) and/or time-related information. 8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that information, in particular time information, can be transmitted from the time measuring device to a receiver device by the data processing device ( 4 ). 9. Container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the data processing device ( 4 ) generates a data set for individualizing the container ( 1 ). 10. Container according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the data processing device ( 4 ) has a voice chip for receiving and/or transmitting voice information. 11. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by an insulating means against thermal influences for the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ), the data processing device ( 4 ) and / or the sensor means. 12. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a sealing means against moisture for the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ), the data processing device ( 4 ) and / or the sensor means. 13. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) is designed as a teapot, in particular as an insulated jug. 14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that a tea strainer ( 12 ) can be inserted into the teapot ( 1 ). 15. Container according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) is arranged on or in the lid ( 10 ) of the teapot ( 1 ). 16. Container according to at least one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by a means for automatically removing the tea strainer ( 12 ) after expiration of a predeterminable time interval. 17. Container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) is designed as a freshness container, bread container, cake container, baking tin, baking tray, microwave dish or thermos flask. 18. System for storing and/or preparing foodstuffs, with
at least one container ( 1 ),
a time measuring device ( 2 , 2a , 2b ) and/or time display device coupled to the container ( 1 ),
a data processing device ( 4 ) coupled to the at least one container ( 1 ) for transmitting data, in particular about the contents of the container ( 1 ) and time information, and
a receiving device for the data. 19. System according to claim 18, characterized in that the data, in particular the time information relating to the at least one container ( 1 ), can be displayed on a display device ( 3 ). 20. System according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by a data reading device for recording information, in particular expiration dates of foodstuffs and a means for transmitting this information to the data processing device ( 4 ).