Apparatus for detecting the internal temperature of a food

Abstract

A device for detecting the internal temperature of a foodstuff, with at least one temperature sensor arranged in a first housing section, which can be inserted into the foodstuff, while a second housing section protrudes from the foodstuff, a voltage source, an electronic analyzing unit for checking at least one predetermined temperature condition, and a temperature indicator. For precise, especially continuous measuring of the internal temperature of the foodstuff during the preparation, the first housing section remains within the foodstuff, wherein at least the analyzing unit and the temperature indicator 8 are arranged in the first housing section , and the second housing section 10 is designed so that information shown on the temperature indicator can be perceived. A method of preparing a foodstuff with the device is also disclosed.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for detecting the internal temperature of a foodstuff ( 2 ), with
 at least one temperature sensor ( 3 ), which is arranged in a first housing section ( 4 ) that can be inserted into the foodstuff ( 2 ) for the measurement, while a second housing section ( 10 ) protrudes from the foodstuff ( 2 ),   and a voltage source ( 7 ),   an electronic analyzing unit ( 6 ) for checking at least one predetermined temperature condition, and   a temperature indicator ( 8 ),   wherein the device ( 1 ) is autonomous,   characterized in that   for precise, especially continuous measuring of the internal temperature of the foodstuff ( 2 ) during the preparation, in particular during a grilling process, the first housing section ( 4 ) is designed to remain within the foodstuff ( 2 ), and for this purpose,   at least the analyzing unit ( 6 ) and the temperature indicator ( 8 ) are arranged in the first housing section ( 4 ), and the second housing section ( 10 ) is designed so that information issued by the analyzing unit through the temperature indicator ( 8 ) is perceptible.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor ( 3 ) is arranged so that an integral temperature measurement is carried out over at least a part of the first housing section ( 4 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the temperature sensor ( 3 ) is spaced apart from the inside of the first housing section ( 4 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cavity is provided between the at least one temperature sensor ( 3 ) and the inside of the first housing section ( 4 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a status indicator ( 12 ) for displaying the information from the temperature indicator ( 8 ) is arranged on the second housing section ( 10 ) and remains outside of the foodstuff during the preparation ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the temperature indicator ( 8 ) is optically connected with the status indicator ( 12 ) by one or more light conductors ( 13 ), especially a glass conductor. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the analyzing unit ( 6 ) is designed to monitor a temperature condition in dependence on the temperature gradient and/or the temperature in order to determine a degree of doneness. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device ( 1 ) is designed to indicate by the temperature indicator ( 8 ) the reaching of a first temperature condition, and further the subsequent reaching of a second, preferably higher temperature condition or a time condition, whereby in particular the monitoring of a resting period is possible. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the temperature indicator ( 8 ) different degrees of doneness can by displayed by means of different colors and/or flashing/audio signals. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the analyzing unit ( 6 ) can be activated by displacing and/or rotating the second housing part ( 10 ) relative to the first housing part ( 4 ). 
     
     
         11 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the analyzing unit ( 6 ) can be activated by a magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device ( 1 ) has two electrically conductive regions spaced apart on the first housing section ( 4 ), and can be activated by electrical bridging by means of the conductivity of the foodstuff ( 2 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transmission means is provided that transmits the information that has been determined by the analyzing unit ( 6 ) to a display device that is separate from the device ( 1 ). 
     
     
         14 . A method of preparing a foodstuff by a cooking process, in particular a grilling process, comprising the following steps:
 a) Insertion of an autonomous temperature measuring device ( 1 ) into the foodstuff ( 2 ) so that a first housing section ( 4 ) is arranged within the foodstuff ( 2 ), and at least one temperature sensor ( 3 ), an analyzing unit ( 6 ), and a temperature indicator ( 8 ) are arranged in the first housing section ( 4 ), while a second housing section ( 10 ) protrudes from the foodstuff ( 2 );   b) precise, especially continuous measuring of the internal temperature of the foodstuff ( 2 ) during preparation, in particular during a grilling process, by the device ( 1 ), for which purpose the first housing section ( 4 ) remains within the foodstuff ( 2 );   c) checking at least one temperature condition by the analyzing unit ( 6 ), and   d) outputting information from the analyzing unit ( 6 ) through the temperature indicator ( 8 ).   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein an integral temperature measurement is carried out over an area of the first housing section ( 4 ). 
     
     
         16 . The method according to any one of  claim 14  or  15 , wherein it is determined based on the temperature condition in dependence on the temperature gradient and/or the temperature, whether a desired degree of doneness has been reached. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to one of  claims 14  to  16 , wherein the device ( 1 ) is activated by a magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to one of  claims 14  to  17 , wherein the device ( 1 ) is activated through the electrical bridging due to the conductivity of the foodstuff ( 2 ) by two spaced electrically conductive areas on the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to one of  claims 14  to  18 , wherein the operator of the device is signaled ( 1 ) acoustically, optically and/or haptically that a predetermined temperature condition with respect to the foodstuff ( 2 ) has been reached, in particular by sound, visual or mechanical signals, for example, by beeping, buzzing, playing a melody and/or flashing or vibrating.