DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to an automatic cooking apparatus with multi-functional cooking bot and in particular, relates to a cooking apparatus with detachable cooking units for automatic cooking and serving of different kinds of food items.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus, any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.
[0003] Cooking of one or more food items, such as those prepared from semi-solid liquid raw ingredients or from solid and / or liquid raw ingredients, is generally performed manually due to complex steps and requirement of controlled parameters, such as temperature, thickness of food products, ingredient levels, uniform mixing and spreading etc. Similarly, cooking processes such as roasting of bread toasts, air frying etc. require controlled parameters and complex mechanisms, which result in bulky and expensive machines. Conventional cooking apparatuses are customarily available to perform one step of multi-level steps required for food preparation at any given time. Performing of several steps of cooking simultaneously along with controlling of afore-mentioned parameters requires an arduous labor and is relatively time consuming. Some conventional apparatuses are required to be manually tilted in varying positions for facilitating collection and spreading of raw material onto the heating surface.
[0004] Even after all cooking steps are complete, serving of cooked food item requires precise handling by the user. In conventional apparatuses, a cooked food item has to be manually lifted off the cooking surface and served on a plate. This requires the user to carefully handle the cooked one or more food item while transferring it to a serving dish. Some conventional apparatuses can also be tilted manually for transferring the cooked one or more food item onto the serving dish. However, this requires the user to handle the cooking apparatus with great caution. There is a risk of injury to the user if a hot surface of the cooking apparatus comes in direct contact with the user. In some conventional apparatuses, if cooked food item is not removed from the cooking surface in a timely manner and the food item is subjected to heat longer than necessary, there is a risk of burning the one or more food item.
[0005] Therefore, a great amount of human intervention is required even for cooking a food item in automatic cooking apparatuses known in the art. Further, uneven application of raw ingredients on a heating surface results in uneven thickness and roast levels of the final food item, and in irregular control of degree of heat applied to the food item, thereby affecting the flavor and texture characteristics of the cooked food item.
[0006] In the case of food products such as dosa, crepes, pancakes etc., the temperature of a cooking surface plays a vital role when the batter is spread over said surface. If the cooking surface is too hot, the raw material sticks to the surface as soon as said it comes in contact with the cooking surface. This makes the process of spreading of batter very difficult and may result in a thicker final food product. Also, there are chances that the finally cooked food product does not come off the cooking surface cleanly. In order to mitigate these problems, the cooking surface of the conventional apparatus is generally greased with oil or a cooking spray before dispensing a raw material or batter. However, this renders the food item unhealthy. Moreover, during operation, the heated cooking surface of a conventional cooking apparatus remains unused during the interval when the cooked food item has been removed from the surface, but next batch of raw material is yet to be dispensed and spread on the surface. This makes the cooking process energy inefficient and time consuming. Moreover, in some conventional apparatuses, the cooking components are fixed permanently and cannot be removed for cleaning. This makes the cleaning of components cumbersome.
[0007] Fully automatic cooking apparatuses which perform more than one step of cooking a food item are also known in the art. However, such cooking apparatuses are restricted to cooking only one type of food item or different food items of same category. Even for a single type of food item preparation, separate components / sub-assemblies are employed by such fully automatic apparatuses for performing different cooking steps. Having large number of components / sub-assemblies for separate cooking steps puts a question mark on the reliability of such apparatuses. Further, large number of moving parts add to the challenges of reduced working life cycle and efficiency of such fully automatic cooking apparatuses. Furthermore, sound and vibrations due to multiple moving parts play quiet a decisive role in selection of a cooking apparatus by customers.
[0008] Accordingly in light of the aforementioned drawbacks and several other limitations inherent in the existing art, there is well felt need to provide a cooking apparatus that is simple and economical and at the same time is able to perform complex cooking steps of different types of one or more food items as well as one or more food items of different categories in an efficient and reliable manner without compromising its safety and stability and at the same time utilizes the space occupied by it in an efficient manner. Further, it is desired to provide the cooking apparatus controlling cooking processes in an easy and cost-effective manner with minimum moving components, which the present disclosure aims to address.
SUMMARY
[0009] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed system in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to a multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus comprising at least one cooking base assembly comprising an induction-based cooking unit being adapted to detachably receive and support thereon one or more cooking attachments and one or more cooking bots. The multi-function cooking apparatus further comprising a control unit being adapted to controllably operate the one or more cooking attachments detachably received and supported by the induction-based cooking unit, for cooking one or more food items in the one or more cooking attachments.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the induction-based cooking unit comprises a glass top cover defining an opening, a base casing, at least one heating source, a cooling fan being adapted to dispense excess heat generated within the induction-based cooking unit, and a plate locking coupler being adapted to detachably receive thereon the one or more cooking attachments, wherein the base casing at least houses and supports therein each of the at least one heating source and the cooling fan, and wherein the glass top cover fittingly engages with the base casing and receives and supports the plate locking coupler via the opening.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus comprising a collecting tray attached to the induction-based cooking unit, wherein the collecting tray is adapted to collect the one or more food items cooked on the one or more cooking attachments.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one heating source is one of an induction heater, a resistance heater, an infrared (IR) heater, ceramic heater and radiant heaters, a cooking gas, and combinations thereof.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the induction-based cooking unit comprises a plate driving mechanism being adapted to be connected to the plate locking coupler, comprising a plate drive motor, a plate drive gear, and a motor drive board being adapted to drive the plate drive motor. The plate locking coupler is connected to the plate drive motor via the plate drive gear, such that the plate drive gear transmits the rotary motion of the plate drive motor to the plate locking coupler, to further facilitate a rotary movement of the one or more cooking attachments detachably received on the plate locking coupler.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more cooking attachments comprises a hot plate unit, a cooking roller unit, a toaster unit, an air fryer unit, a cooking pot, and a mixing bowl, each being detachably installed relative to the induction-based cooking unit via the plate locking coupler.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more cooking bots comprises a batter dispensing mechanism, a mixer bot, and a stirrer bot.
[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the at least one cooking base assembly comprises an adjustable stand unit being adapted to adjust the induction-based cooking unit in a plurality of orientations, and wherein the orientation of the induction-based cooking unit is selected from amongst the said plurality of orientations based on the one or more cooking attachments detachably received and supported on the induction-based cooking unit.
[0018] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the induction-based cooking unit is a split type induction-based cooking unit adjustable amongst one or more configurations, wherein the split type induction-based cooking unit comprising a first half and a second half, such that each of the first and second half comprise the base casing, the glass top cover, and the at least one heating source.
[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the one or more configurations comprise a first configuration, such that the first configuration is a horizontal configuration for both the first and second half of the induction-based cooking unit, such that the each of the first and second half are adapted to support thereon one or more utensils such as a fry pan, a cooking pan, a grill pan.
[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more configurations comprise a second configuration, such that in the second configuration the glass top cover of the first half and the second half of the induction-based cooking top is replaced with the one or more cooking attachments.
[0021] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one of more cooking attachments comprise a sandwich maker, a waffle maker, and a set of grilling plates.
[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more configurations comprise a third configuration, wherein the induction-based cooking unit is in an inclined configuration, relative to a horizontal plane, such that the one or more cooking bots and the one or more cooking attachments can be fixedly attached to the induction-based cooking unit.
[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more cooking bots comprise a batter dispensing mechanism being one of a pivot type dispensing mechanism and a linear translational type dispensing mechanism.
[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more cooking attachments comprises the hot plate unit being one of a circular shaped hot plate unit and a rectangular shaped hot plate unit.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more cooking bots, and the one or more cooking attachments comprise a detachable motor drive setup being adapted to facilitate at least one of a flipping motion of the pivot type dispensing mechanism and rotary motion of the hot plate unit.
[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the hot plate unit may comprise a disc- or elliptical- or polygon-shaped hot plate unit having plane or concave or convex cooking surface.
[0027] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit is one of touch based control unit, an app based control unit, remote control unit, and combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those skilled in the art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.
[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a Perspective view of the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus with common control unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0031] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of an induction-based cooking unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0032] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking roller, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0033] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the cooking roller, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0034] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a hot plate with semi solid liquid feeding setup, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0035] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a toaster unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0036] Figure 8 illustrates another perspective view of the toaster unit of figure 7, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0037] Figure 9 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the toaster unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0038] Figure 10 illustrates an exploded view of the toaster unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0039] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of an air fryer unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0040] Figure 12 illustrates an exploded view of the air fryer unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0041] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking pot, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0042] Figure 14 illustrates another perspective view of the cooking pot of figure 13, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0043] Figure 15 illustrates a perspective view of a mixing bowl, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0044] Figure 16 illustrates another perspective view of the mixing bowl of figure 15, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0045] Figure 17 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the induction-based cooking unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0046] Figure 18 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in a first configuration of the one or more configurations, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0047] Figure 19 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in one or more configurations supporting one or more utensils, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0048] Figure 20 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in one or more configurations supporting one or more utensils, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0049] Figure 21 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in another embodiment in the first configuration of the one or more configurations, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0050] Figure 22 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in another embodiment in another configuration of the one or more configurations, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0051] Figure 23 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in a second configuration of the one or more configurations comprising a sandwich maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0052] Figure 24 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in of Figure 23 comprising a waffle maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0053] Figure 25 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit of Figure 22 comprising an embodiment of the toaster unit, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0054] Figure 26 illustrates an exploded view of the toaster unit of Figure 25, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0055] Figure 27 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in a third configuration of the one or more configurations, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0056] Figure 28 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in of Figure 27 depicting an exploded view of a cone dosa maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0057] Figure 29 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in of Figure 27 depicting a perspective view of the cone dosa maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0058] Figure 30 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in of Figure 27 depicting an exploded view of a cone dosa maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0059] Figure 31 illustrates the induction-based cooking unit in of Figure 27 depicting an exploded view of a roll dosa maker, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
[0061] The specification may refer to “an”, “one”, “different” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
[0062] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached” or “connected” or “coupled” or “mounted” to another element, it can be directly attached or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0063] The figures depict a simplified structure only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose implementation may differ from what is shown.
[0064] Referring to figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] comprising at least one cooking base assembly [102], a control unit [106], an adjustable stand unit [118] and a collecting tray [108]. The multi-functional cooking apparatus [100] is adapted for cooking one or more food items without human intervention in aspects such as collecting the one or more cooked food items, adding ingredients to one or more food items while being cooked. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] provides a user a hassle free experience of cooking food, such that no intervention of the user is required once one or more food items which are desired to be cooked are placed in the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100], and the one or more food items once cooked are served onto the collecting tray [108] to the user by the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100].
[0065] Referring to figures 1 to 3, the at least one cooking base assembly [102] comprising an induction-based cooking unit [104] being adapted to detachably receive and support thereon one or more cooking attachments [200] and one or more cooking bots [300]. The control unit [106] being adapted to controllably operate the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received and supported by the induction-based cooking unit [104], for cooking one or more food items in the one or more cooking attachments [200]. The induction-based cooking unit [104] comprises a glass top cover [104a] defining an opening [104a’], a base casing [104b], at least one heating source [104c], a cooling fan [104d] and a plate locking coupler [104e]. The plate locking coupler [104e] is adapted to detachably receive thereon the one or more cooking attachments [200]. The cooling fan [104d] is adapted to dispense excess heat generated within the induction-based cooking unit [104a]. The base casing [104b] at least houses and supports therein each of the at least one heating source and the cooling fan [104d]. The glass top cover [104a] fittingly engages with the base casing [104b] and receives and supports the plate locking coupler [104e] via the opening [104a’]. Further, the induction-based cooking unit [104] comprises a plate driving mechanism [110] being adapted to be connected to the plate locking coupler [104e], comprising a plate drive motor [112], a plate drive gear [114], and a motor drive board [116]. The drive board [116] is adapted to drive the plate drive motor [112]. The plate locking coupler [104e] is connected to the plate drive motor [112] via the plate drive gear [114], such that the plate drive gear [114] transmits the rotary motion of the plate drive motor [112] to the plate locking coupler [104e], to further facilitate a rotary movement of the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received on the plate locking coupler [104e]. the plate driving mechanism [110] enables rotation of the one or more cooking attachments [200] supported onto the induction-based cooking unit, while performing the desired cooking operation. The at least one heat source [104c] of the induction-based cooking unit [104] is one of an induction heater, a resistance heater, an infrared (IR) heater, a cooking gas, a ceramic heater, a radiant heater, and combinations thereof, and the like. The glass top cover [104a] of the induction-based cooking unit [104] is made up of ceramic material. The control unit [106] is one of touch based control unit, an app based control unit, remote control unit, and combinations thereof. The adjustable stand unit [118] is adapted to adjust the induction-based cooking unit [104] in a plurality of orientations, and wherein the orientation of the induction-based cooking unit [104] is selected from amongst the said plurality of orientations based on the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received and supported on the induction-based cooking unit [104]
[0066] Referring to figures 4 to 16, the one or more cooking attachments [200] comprises a hot plate unit [202], a cooking roller unit [204], a toaster unit [206], an air fryer unit [208], a cooking pot [210], and a mixing bowl [212], each being detachably installed relative to the induction-based cooking unit [104] via the plate locking coupler [104e]. The one or more cooking bots comprise a batter dispensing mechanism [302], a mixer bot [304], and a stirrer bot [306]. The one or more cooking bots aid the one or more cooking attachments [200] when cooking the one or more food items. The batter dispensing mechanism [302] is adapted to dispense semi-solid liquid onto the induction-based cooking unit [104] as and when required. The mixer bot [304] is adapted to mix the one or more food items as and when required, while the stirrer bot [306] is adapted to stir the one or more food items, when the one or more food items are being cooked.
[0067] The hot plate unit [202] is mounted onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The hot plate unit [202] is configured in the form of a circular disc and is detachably mounted on the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The hot plate unit [202] comprises a heating surface that forms the cooking surface on which a semi-solid liquid substance, such as batter for uttapam, chilla, and the like is dispensed and the one or more food items from the said batter is cooked. In an embodiment, the hot plate unit [202] may comprise a disc- or elliptical- or polygon-shaped hot plate unit [202] having plane or concave or convex cooking surface. In another embodiment, the hot plate unit [202] is configured to be placed and operated in a horizontal position instead of a vertical or inclined position. In yet another embodiment, the hot plate unit [202] is configured to rotate in clockwise and / or anticlockwise by about 360 degrees or less than 360 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the hot plate unit [202] is oriented in an angular position between 0 to 90 degrees from horizontal. In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable stand assembly is provided to hold the hot plate unit [202] at varying angles in the inclined position. In an embodiment, adjustable stand assembly is detachable from the hot plate unit [202]. In an embodiment, a dispensing mechanism comprising a feeder tank for dispensing the semi-solid liquid substance on the heating surface of the hot plate unit [202]. According to a preferred embodiment, the feeder tank is configured to flip towards and away from the hot plate by a feeder drive assembly. In yet another embodiment, the feeder drive assembly comprises but is not limited to a motor operated, or solenoid actuator operated or cam operated feeder drive assembly. In another embodiment, the feeder drive assembly may be operated by any other actuating mechanism. In yet another embodiment, an elongated blade is removably mounted in the radial direction on the cooking surface of the hot plate unit [202] for removing or peeling a cooked food item, prepared by cooking the semi solid liquid substance on the heating surface of the hot plate, from the heating surface when the hot plate unit [202] rotates about its axis from the cooking position in the same direction for removing the one or more cooked food item from the hot plate unit [202], and collecting the one or more cooked food item in the collecting tray [108].
[0068] Cooking one or more food items in the, the cooking roller [204] comprises cooking and mixing of raw ingredients of the one or more food items in the cooking roller [204] and mounting thereof, onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The cooking roller [204] is mounted on the induction-based cooking unit [104] by means of the plate locking coupler [104e] and is configured to rotate in a similar fashion as the hot plate unit [202]. However, it would be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the rotation of the cooking roller can be anticlockwise. A profile [204a] may be provided on the inner curved surface of the cooking roller unit [204] for mixing the one or more food items placed inside the cooking roller unit [204] during operation. The cooking roller unit [202] according to the present embodiment may comprising a lid [204b] be provided with a control panel for controlling temperature and /or pressure inside the cooking roller unit [202]. In an embodiment, the lid may additionally or alternately be provided with a safety pressure relief valve. According to the present embodiment, heating is provided by the induction-based cooking unit [104] in a similar fashion as in the first embodiment. However, the mixing of ingredients or food items inside the cooking roller unit [204] is performed by the profile [204a] when the cooking roller unit [204] rotates.
[0069] For toasting bread the toaster unit [206] is mounted onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The toaster unit [206] is detachably attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104] base in a similar fashion as the hot plate unit [202] in the first embodiment and the cooking roller unit [204] of the second embodiment. In an embodiment, the user may simply remove the hot plate unit [202] of the first embodiment or the cooking roller unit [204] of the second embodiment from the induction-based cooking unit [104] and mount the toaster unit [206]. The toaster unit [206] comprises two slots [206a] for inserting a bread sliced therein. However, in other embodiments, more than or less than two slots [206a] for inserting and toasting bread slices inside the toaster unit [206] may be employed as would be clear to a person skilled in the art. The toaster unit [206] comprises an induction compatible hot plate unit [202] that receives heat from the induction-based cooking unit [104]. A fan [206b] is provided inside the toaster unit [206] to spread heat to the bread slices evenly. A plurality of fins [206c] may be provided in the toaster unit to ensure a good heat transfer. In the embodiment, a user interface or a control panel or a control knob may be provided on the induction-based cooking unit [104] to control the operations of the cooking apparatus. A power on / off button may be provided on the induction-based cooking unit [104] for switching the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] on or off.
[0070] When the toaster unit [206] of the cooking apparatus is to be used, a flat surface of the toaster unit [206] comprising slots [206a] for inserting bread slices is configured at the top so that the flat surface is substantially parallel relative to a horizontal surface. In this position, the collecting tray [108] is provided at the bottom of the toaster unit [206] and bread slices are placed into the slots [206a] provided in the toaster unit [206]. In a preferred embodiment, bread slices fall inside the slots [206a] by gravity and a plate or a cage may be provided to limit the downward movement of bread slices towards heating members inside the toaster unit [206]. In another embodiment, a mechanism may be provided to hold the bread slices inside the toaster unit [206]. Thereafter, the induction-based cooking unit [104] is turned on and toasting operation is started. The heat emanating from the induction-based cooking unit [104] enables uniform heating of the bread slices. Once the toasting of the bread slices is complete, the toaster unit [206] is rotated by a predetermined angle so that a flat portion of the heating member of the toaster unit [206] is shifted in a direction facing the collecting tray [108]. In this position, the bread slices duly toasted are automatically dropped or dispensed out of the slots [206a] of the toaster into the collecting tray [108]. Sufficient clearance is provided between the toaster unit [206] and the collecting tray [108] so that toasted slices of bread can appropriately fall under gravity on the collecting tray [108]. The dropping or dispensing of the toasted bread slices is performed by gravity and no separate mechanism for ejection or dispensing of the toasted bread slices from the toaster unit [206] is required in the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100]. After dispensing, the toaster unit [206] is rotated back to its original position.
[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation of the toaster unit [206] may be performed manually by means of a knob or any other similar mechanism. In another preferred embodiment, the rotation of the toaster unit [206] may be performed automatically. During automatic rotation of the toaster unit [206], the time of rotation, the time of toasting bread slices, etc. are carefully selected so that the bread slices are evenly and uniformly toasted, and the toasted bread slices are suitably dispensed in the collecting tray [108]. In an embodiment, for automatic rotation, the angle of rotation of the toaster unit [206] may be restricted in both directions, i.e., in clockwise and anti-lock direction, so that only a limited rotation of the toaster unit [206] is possible. Thereafter, the fan evenly distributes heat inside the toaster unit [206]. Therefore, heat is evenly distributed across all surfaces of the bread slice, which ensures evenly roasted bread.
[0072] For air frying one or more food items, an air fryer unit [208] is mounted onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The construction of the induction-based cooking unit [104] base in the present embodiment is similar to that in the previous embodiments. However, in the present set up, the induction-based cooking unit [104] base is invertedly mounted on the air fryer unit [208]. In other words, the induction-based cooking unit [104] is mounted on the open end of the air fryer unit [208] in an upside-down position. The air fryer unit [208] of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of components. For examples and by no way limiting the scope of the present subject matter, the air fryer unit [208] comprises a basket drawer [208b] located inside a basket [208a]. The basket [208a] comprises a handle [208c] and a corresponding provision is provided in the basket drawer [208b] to accommodate the handle [208c] of the basket [208a] in the assembled position. The air fryer unit [208] further comprises a heating plate [208d] and a hot air outlet [208e]. In an embodiment, a blower fan [208f] is provided between the heating plate [208d] and the hot air outlet [208e] to evenly distribute hot air inside the air fryer unit [208]. During operation, heat generated by the induction based-cooking unit [104] is transferred to the heating plate [208d] of the air fryer unit [208]. The blower fan [208f] is configured to evenly circulate hot air inside the basket [208a] of the air fryer unit [208], thereby air frying of the one or more food items placed inside the basket [208a]. In an embodiment, a selection knob [208g] may be provided on the induction-based cooking unit [104] base to control parameters comprising but not limited to temperature, cooking time and other cooking modes of the apparatus. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the heating plate [208d] is heated by the induction-based cooking unit [104]. Then with help of the blower fan [208f], heat is evenly distributed inside the air fryer unit [208]. Thereafter, the hot air is forced through the hot air outlet [208e] and into the basket [208a]. With help of the radiation from the air fryer unit [208] and convection heat from the hot air, the one or more food items placed inside the basket are cooked or air fried.
[0073] For cooking one or more food items, a cooking pot [210] is mounted onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The cooking pot [210] comprises a detachable arm holder on which a tiltable arm [210c] is hingedly attached. In an embodiment, the detachable arm holder is detachably attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104] at one end and at the other end, the tiltable arm [210c] is attached to the cooking pot [210]. In an embodiment, the other end of the tiltable arm [210c] is attached to a lid [210a] of the cooking pot [210]. The cooking pot [210] is attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104] with the help of the plate locking coupler [104e] in a similar manner as in the previous embodiments. In an embodiment, the tiltable arm [210c] is movable between two positions, i.e., a first position in which the tiltable arm [210c] is positioned at about 90 degrees with respect to the detachable arm holder, and a second position in which the tiltable arm [210c] is positioned at about 180 degrees with respect to the detachable arm holder. Therefore, in the first position, the lid [210a] attached to the tiltable arm [210c] covers the open end of the cooking pot [210] whereas in the second position, the lid [210a] attached to the tiltable arm [210c] is displaced from the open end of the cooking pot [210] to expose the one or more food items or ingredients present inside the cooking pot [210]. According to the present embodiment, a stirrer [210b] may be attached on the inner side of the lid [210a] so that during operation when the lid [210a] covers the open end of the cooking pot [210] and the cooking pot [210] is rotated, a fixed stirrer [210b] enables stirring of the one or more food items or ingredients inside the rotating cooking pot [210]. In an embodiment, different types of fixed stirrers [210b] can be assembled inside the lid [210a] of the cooking pot [210] to mix the food items or ingredients while cooking. In a preferred embodiment, the stirrer [210b] is fixed and the cooking pot [210] is configured to rotate to mix the one or more food items or ingredients inside the cooking pot [210]. In an embodiment, the apparatus can be configured to include a water pump and an air pump setup. Different kinds of cooking pots [210] can be used in different embodiments with the induction-based cooking unit [104].
[0074] For performing various operations apart from cooking, a mixing bowl [212] is mounted onto the induction-based cooking unit [104]. In the present embodiment, the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] is configured to perform a plurality of operations comprising but not limited to mixing, grinding, kneading and juicing. In the present embodiment, mixing of food items with heat is possible. According to the present embodiment, a mixing bowl [212] is rotatably attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104] through the plate locking coupler [104e]. A holder setup is detachably attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104] and comprises a tiltable arm [212a] that is configured to tilt by about 90 degrees. In an embodiment, the tiltable arm [212a] is movable between two positions, i.e., a first position in which the tiltable arm [212a] is positioned at about 90 degrees with respect to the detachable arm holder, and a second position in which the tiltable arm [212a] is lifted off from 90 degrees position. In an embodiment, the free end of the tiltable arm [212a] is provided with a motor housing in which a motor is housed. An attachment mounting head is attached at the bottom of the free end of the tiltable arm [212a] to hold a tool attachment [212b]. In an embodiment, the tool attachment [212b] may include but is not limited to a mixer attachment, a beater, a spatula or a dough hook and is operated by the motor housed in the motor housing. In a preferred embodiment, the tool attachment [212b] is directly attached to the motor. In the first position of the tiltable arm [212a], the tool attachment [212b] attached to the tiltable arm [212a] is inserted inside the mixing bowl [212] to mix the one or more food items or ingredients inside the mixing bowl [212]. In the second position, the tiltable arm [212a] and hence, the tool attachment [212b] is displaced from mixing bowl [212] to expose the food items or ingredients present inside the mixing bowl. Similar to the previous embodiments, the working position in the present embodiment is also horizontal. In the present embodiment, the hot plate unit [212] of the first embodiment is replaced with the mixing bowl [212]. Further, the container drive setup of the previous embodiment is replaced with the detachable kneader and mixer unit. Furthermore, the motor housing setup of the present embodiment is tiltable by means of the tiltable arm [212a]. Different types of mixer attachments can be assembled in the mounting head as per requirement in different embodiments. In an embodiment, the mixing bowl [212] can also be heated. Further, multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] the cooking apparatus according to the present embodiment, food items like Atta kneading, Ingredient mixing, Blending, Juicing, Grinding can be produced.
[0075] Referring to figures 17 to 27, in another embodiment, the the induction-based cooking unit [104] is a split type induction-based cooking unit adjustable amongst one or more configurations, wherein the split type induction-based cooking unit comprising a first half [104f] and a second half [104g], such that each of the first and second half [104f, 104g] comprise the base casing [104b], the glass top cover [104a], and the at least one heating source [104c]. The one or more configurations comprise a second configuration, such that in the second configuration the glass top cover [104a] of the first half [104f] and the second half [104g] of the induction-based cooking top [104] is replaced with the one or more cooking attachments [200], such as sandwich maker [214], a waffle maker [216], and a set of grilling plates [218]. The sandwich maker [214] is adapted to make sandwiches, the waffle maker [216] is adapted to make waffles, and the set of grilling plates [218] enable grilling or toasting of one or more food items, for example, bread.
[0076] Referring to figures 27 to 31, the one or more configurations comprise a third configuration, wherein the induction-based cooking unit [104] is in an inclined configuration, relative to a horizontal plane, such that the one or more cooking bots [300] can be fixedly attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104]. The one or more cooking bots [300] comprising the batter dispensing mechanism [302] a cone dosa maker [308] and a roll dosa maker [310].
[0077] The cone dosa maker [308] comprises the hot plate unit [202] being the circular shaped hot plate, a scrapper and the batter dispensing mechanism [302], wherein the batter dispensing mechanism [302] is a pivot type dispensing mechanism, actuated using a detachable motor drive setup [312].
[0078] In the present embodiment, a user control panel is provided on one side of the induction-based cooking unit [104] while the pivot type dispensing mechanism is mounted on the opposite side of induction-based cooking unit [104]. The pivot type dispensing mechanism comprising a feeder tank is configured to support and flip a feeder tank towards or away from the circular shaped hot plate during operation. The motor drive setup [312] comprising a feeder drive assembly and a hot plate unit drive assembly, is used in conjunction with the pivot type dispensing mechanism and the hot plate unit [202]. In an embodiment, the pivot type batter dispensing mechanism houses a feeder drive assembly for enabling the flipping motion of the feeder tank, while the hot plate unit drive assembly enables rotation of the hot plate unit [202]. A container locking lever may be provided in the pivot type batter dispensing mechanism for locking the feeder tank with the pivot type dispensing mechanism in a preferred embodiment. According to different embodiments, the detachable motor drive set up may also be cam operated.
[0079] In an embodiment, the feeder tank is configured to store and dispense dosa batter onto the circular shaped hot plate. In an embodiment, the feeder tank extends along the radius of the circular shaped hot plate. However, the size and configuration of the feeder tank may vary depending upon the amount of batter to be stored therein. The size of the feeder tank can be varied based on the batter storage requirement. Further, the shape of the feeder tank is variable and not limited to the one depicted in the Figures and may vary as per the requirement. In an embodiment, the feeder tank may extend throughout the diameter of the circular shaped hot plate. The feeder tank comprises a mouth opening through which batter can be filled in the feeder tank and also, dispensed on the cooking surface of the hot plate. In a preferred embodiment, the mouth opening extends throughout the length of the feeder tank. However, the size and configuration of the mouth opening may vary depending upon the amount of the batter to be dispensed on the cooking surface of the circular shaped hot plate and the desired size of final cooked product. In an embodiment, one end of the feeder tank is fixed to the feeder drive assembly while the other end of the feeder tank is mounted on the scrapper [308a] that is stationary. In an embodiment, the scrapper [308a] is removably mounted in the radial direction of the circular shaped hot plate, wherein one end of the scrapper [308a] is attached to the center of the circular shaped hot plate and the other end is attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104]. In a preferred embodiment, the scrapper [308a] is mounted in the vertical direction, and is configured to peel the cooked one or more food items from the circular shaped hot plate. The placement of scrapper [308a] with respect to the feeder tank determines the size of food item to be cooked. In a preferred embodiment, the angle defined by the feeder tank and the scrapper [308a] in ready position is in the range of 180 to 280 degrees, preferably about 270 degrees. However, this angle may vary depending upon the requirement and desired size of the one or more food item to be cooked. Therefore, in other embodiments, the angle defined by the feeder tank and the scrapper [308a] in ready position may be less than 180 degrees and more than 280 degrees as per the requirement. In different embodiments, the scrapper [308a] may be mounted along the radius of circular shaped hot plate [308a]. The mounting portions of the feeder tank on the feeder drive assembly and the scrapper [308a] may vary from those described above and depicted in figures as per the requirement. In an embodiment, a user control panel is integrated with the induction-based cooking unit [104]. However, the user control panel may be a separate unit in another embodiment. In an embodiment, an electronic control board comprises a digital interface unit for operating the cooking apparatus. In another embodiment, the user control panel comprising the electronic control board may be replaced with a plurality of knobs. In yet another embodiment, the control panel may comprise a combination of electronic control board and one or more knobs. The control of the apparatus can also be possible with app based IOT Control, Remote Control and Touch Control and the like. In the assembled position, a removable collecting tray is provided under the hot plate for collecting the cooked food item peeled by the scrapper [308a].
[0080] The roll dosa maker [310] comprises the hot plate unit [202] wherein the hot plate unit [202] is a rectangular shaped hot plate, an elongated scrapper [310a] and a linear translational type dispensing mechanism. The working and technical arrangement of the roll dosa maker [310] is similar to that of the cone dosa maker [308] and hence the details for the same are not repeated for the sake of brevity, a person skilled in the art may envision the working of the roll dosa maker [310] upon understanding the working and arrangement of the cone dosa maker [310].
[0081] Various advantages of the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100], of the present invention exist. Firstly, the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] requires no human intervention for cooking and serving of the one or more food items. Secondly, one or more cooking attachments [200] can be attached to the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100], making thus making the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] versatile. Thirdly, the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] can cook and serve all sorts of one or more food items. Fourthly, a user’s time and effort is drastically saved by using the multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as lead time for cooking various food items can be eliminated.
[0082] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
LIST OF COMPONENTS
100 – Multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus
102 – At least one cooking base assembly
104 – Induction-based cooking unit
104a – Glass top cover
104a’ – Opening
104b – Base casing
104c – At least one heating source
104d – Cooling fan
104e – Plate locking coupler
104f – First half
104g – Second half
106 – Control unit
108 – Collecting tray
110 – Plate driving mechanism
112 – Plate drive motor
114 – Plate drive gear
116 – Motor drive board
118 – Adjustable stand unit
200 – One or more cooking attachments
202 – Hot plate unit
204 – Cooking roller unit
204a – Profile
204b – Lid
206 – Toaster unit
206a – Slots
206b – Fan
206c – Plurality of fins
208 – Air fryer unit
208a – Basket
208b – Basket Drawer
208c – Handle
208d –Heating plate
208e – Hot air outlet
208f – Blower fan
208g – Selection knob
210 – Cooking pot
210a – Lid
210b – Stirrer
210c – Tiltable arm
212 – Mixing bowl
212a – Tiltable arm
212b – Tool attachment
214 – Sandwich maker
216 – Waffle maker
218 – Set of grilling plates
300 – One or more cooking bots
302 – Batter dispensing mechanism
304 – Mixer bot
306 – Stirrer bot
308 – Cone dosa maker
308a – Scrapper
310 – Roll dosa maker
310a – Elongated scrapper
312 – Motor drive setup
400 – One or more utensils
402 – Fry pan
404 – Cooking pan
406 – Grill pan ,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] comprising:
- at least one cooking base assembly [102] comprising an induction-based cooking unit [104] being adapted to detachably receive and support thereon one or more cooking attachments [200] and one or more cooking bots [300]; and
- a control unit [106] being adapted to controllably operate the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received and supported by the induction-based cooking unit [104], for cooking one or more food items in the one or more cooking attachments [200].
2. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the induction-based cooking unit [104] comprises:
- a glass top cover [104a] defining an opening [104a’];
- a base casing [104b];
- at least one heating source [104c];
- a cooling fan [104d] being adapted to dispense excess heat generated within the induction-based cooking unit [104a]; and
- a plate locking coupler [104e] being adapted to detachably receive thereon the one or more cooking attachments [200],
wherein the base casing [104b] at least houses and supports therein each of the at least one heating source and the cooling fan [104d], and
wherein the glass top cover [104a] fittingly engages with the base casing [104b] and receives and supports the plate locking coupler [104e] via the opening [104a’].
3. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, comprising a collecting tray [108] attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104a], wherein the collecting tray [108] is adapted to collect the one or more food items cooked on the one or more cooking attachments [200].
4. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one heating source [104c] is one of an induction heater, a resistance heater, an infrared (IR) heater, ceramic heater and radiant heaters, a cooking gas, and combinations thereof.
5. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the induction-based cooking unit [104] comprises:
- a plate driving mechanism [110] being adapted to be connected to the plate locking coupler [104e], comprising:
• a plate drive motor [112];
• a plate drive gear [114]; and
• a motor drive board [116] being adapted to drive the plate drive motor [112],
wherein the plate locking coupler [104e] is connected to the plate drive motor [112] via the plate drive gear [114], such that the plate drive gear [114] transmits the rotary motion of the plate drive motor [112] to the plate locking coupler [104e], to further facilitate a rotary movement of the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received on the plate locking coupler [104e].
6. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more cooking attachments [200] comprises a hot plate unit [202], a cooking roller unit [204], a toaster unit [206], an air fryer unit [208], a cooking pot [210], and a mixing bowl [212], each being detachably installed relative to the induction-based cooking unit [104] via the plate locking coupler [104e].
7. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more cooking bots [300] comprises a batter dispensing mechanism [302], a mixer bot [304], and a stirrer bot [306].
8. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cooking base assembly [102] comprises an adjustable stand unit [118] being adapted to adjust the induction-based cooking unit [104] in a plurality of orientations, and wherein the orientation of the induction-based cooking unit [104] is selected from amongst the said plurality of orientations based on the one or more cooking attachments [200] detachably received and supported on the induction-based cooking unit [104].
9. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the induction-based cooking unit [104] is a split type induction-based cooking unit adjustable amongst one or more configurations, wherein the split type induction-based cooking unit comprising a first half [104f] and a second half [104g], such that each of the first and second half [104f, 104g] comprise the base casing [104b], the glass top cover [104a], and the at least one heating source [104c].
10. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claims 2 and 9, wherein the one or more configurations comprise a first configuration, such that the first configuration is a horizontal configuration for both the first and second half [104f, 104g] of the induction-based cooking unit [104], such that the each of the first and second half [104f, 104g] are adapted to support thereon one or more utensils [400] such as a fry pan [402], a cooking pan [404], a grill pan [406].
11. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claims 2 and 9, wherein the one or more configurations comprise a second configuration, such that in the second configuration the glass top cover [104a] of the first half [104f] and the second half [104g] of the induction-based cooking top [104] is replaced with the one or more cooking attachments [200].
12. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one of more cooking attachments [200] comprise a sandwich maker [214], a waffle maker [216], and a set of grilling plates [218].
13. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more configurations comprise a third configuration, wherein the induction-based cooking unit [104] is in an inclined configuration, relative to a horizontal plane, such that the one or more cooking bots [300] and the one or more cooking attachments [200] can be fixedly attached to the induction-based cooking unit [104].
14. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more cooking bots [300] comprise a batter dispensing mechanism [302] being one of a pivot type dispensing mechanism and a linear translational type dispensing mechanism.
15. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the one or more cooking attachments [200] comprises the hot plate unit [202] being one of a circular shaped hot plate unit and a rectangular shaped hot plate unit.
16. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claims 14 and 15, comprising a detachable motor drive setup [312] being adapted to facilitate at least one of a flipping motion of the pivot type dispensing mechanism and rotary motion of the hot plate unit [202].
17. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hot plate unit [202] is one of a disc-shaped hot plate unit, an elliptical-shaped hot plate unit, and a polygon-shaped hot plate unit, and wherein the heating surface of the hot plate unit [202] is one of a plane heating surface, a concave heating surface, and a convex heating surface.
18. The multi-functional automatic cooking apparatus [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is one of touch based control unit, an app based control unit, remote control unit, and combinations thereof.

Dated this 21st day of December 2023

______________________
ABHISHEK MAGOTRA
IN/PA No. – 1517
of MS LAW PARTNERS
Agent for the Applicant