US3932675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for timed cooking of a food product
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-25
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Granted: 1976-01-13
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Expires: 1994-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A digital cooking timer responsive to the temperature of a cooking medium and incorporating minimum and maximum time decoders to insure that the cooking period is within a predetermined range is described. An interval timer sets up a counting period upon immersion of the product in the cooking medium but is inhibited from starting its counting function by the minimum time decoder until elapse of a fixed time period. After elapse of the fixed time period, the interval timer is enabled when and if the cooking medium reaches a predetermined temperature. The maximum time decoder provides an override control that energizes the control device after a fixed period in the absence of an energizing signal for the control device from the interval timer.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane C. Main
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:18
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1951
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for determining the state of readiness of a food product and indicating the completion of a cooking cycle for the product immersed in a preheated cooking medium comprising the steps of: monitoring the temperature of the cooking medium and generating a timer control signal when said temperature reaches a predetermined level after immersion of the food product for energizing a fixed interval timer, the timing interval of which establishes a desired cooking period for the product at said predetermined temperature level, inhibiting the start of said timing interval for a fixed time period after immersion of said food product in the heated cooking medium to thereby establish a minimum cooking time for tahe product immersed in the heated cooking medium, said minimum cooking time including the total of the fixed period plus the period of the interval timer and the time necessary for the cooking medium to reach said predetermined level after completion of the inhibiting fixed period, initiating the timing of an override time period upon immersion of the food product in the cooking medium to thereby establish the maximum cooking time for the produce immersed in the cooking medium, and energizing an alarm either in response to completion of the timing interval or completion of the override time period even though the desired cooking period for the product at said predetermined temperature level has not been maintained to indicate that the product is at the desired state of readiness.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for determining the state of readiness of a food product and indicating the completion of a cooking cycle for the product immersed in a preheated cooking medium comprising the steps of: monitoring the temperature of the cooking medium and generating a timer control signal when said temperature reaches a predetermined level after immersion of the food product for energizing a fixed interval timer, the timing interval of which establishes a desired cooking period for the product at said predetermined temperature level, inhibiting the start of said timing interval for a fixed time period after immersion of said food product in the heated cooking medium to thereby establish a minimum cooking time for tahe product immersed in the heated cooking medium, said minimum cooking time including the total of the fixed period plus the period of the interval timer and the time necessary for the cooking medium to reach said predetermined level after completion of the inhibiting fixed period, initiating the timing of an override time period upon immersion of the food product in the cooking medium to thereby establish the maximum cooking time for the produce immersed in the cooking medium, and energizing an alarm either in response to completion of the timing interval or completion of the override time period even though the desired cooking period for the product at said predetermined temperature level has not been maintained to indicate that the product is at the desired state of readiness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method for determining the state of readiness of a food product and indicating the completion of a cooking cycle for the product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the start of said timing interval is inhibited for a period of time greater than the period of the timing interval and said override time period is greater than twice the sum of the timing interval and the inhibit period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method for determining the state of readiness of a food product and indicating the completion of a cooking cycle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inhibit period is approximately 60 seconds, said timing interval is approximately 30 seconds and said override time period is approximately 4 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3326692A
Cited
US3590769A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-12 | 1979-07-14 | 1980-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-12 | 1983-07-14 | 1984-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-12 | 1987-07-14 | 1988-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |