DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable electric food warming dipping hot plate. More particularly, the present invention discloses a portable electric food warmer which has corded/cordless functionality and is in the shape of plate which can warm the food anywhere and anytime using any type of bowl by dipping the said hot plate inside food.
BACKGROUND ART
The current food warmers available are all in the form of containers, which limit the amount of food to be warmed. It can take around 30-50mins to warm 950 ml of food. Currently, to heat food in microwave special microwavable containers of different sizes need to be purchased. While heating on stove, food has to be transferred from stored vessel to another warming vessel.
Most of the time the food on the dinner table goes cold because one or the other person in the family is busy and can’t arrive for warm food in time. Eventually he/she ends up having cold food. On the go food warming, which are powered by car socket take lot of time to warm food (anywhere between 30-40 mins)
Some of the drawbacks of electric tiffin warmer/ electric hot container are:
1. Outer body gets very hot
2. Long time taken to warm food – 40-60mins
3. SS container gets hot enough to burn finger
4. Leakage problem once tiffin tilted
5. People by mistakenly cleaned with water causing damage to product
In the prior art, a Chinese utility model CN202436759U discloses an electric heating spoon which comprises an electric heating spoon body; the electric heating spoon is provided with a heating device and a power jack; and the electric heating spoon is provided with a temperature control button and a temperature display device. According to the electric heating spoon, because an electric heating device is arranged in the ordinary spoon, a heating role can be played, and people can use the spoon to heat soup, tea, rice and the like; when people feed kids, the soup, tea, rice and the like do not cool down; and in addition, people can also heat cold things, so that not only can kids eat warm rice but also food is saved and waste is reduced. The electric heating spoon is convenient and practical.
In another prior art a Chinese utility model CN202078196U, discloses multifunctional household heating and heat transmitting device and comprises an electric frying shovel, a heating spoon and a heat transmission tray. The household heating and heat transmitting device is characterized in that a socket arranged on a handle shell is connected with a plug arranged on a tube body, the other end of the tube body is connected with a metal heat conduction block which is internally provided with a heating element, the metal heat conduction block is respectively connected with the shovel, or the spoon, or the heat transmission tray, and the handle shell is internally provided with transformation arrangement and temperature control arrangement.
In yet another prior art a Korean utility model KR20110003912U discloses a heat transfer spoon for effectively preventing the rise and waste of power.
Another Chinese utility model CN2933186Y discloses an electric heating spoon, for heating refrigerated food and fixing food easily. The invention is substantially formed by a hole, a spoon handle, a battery, a spoon body, a wire, a switch, and an electric resistance, while it is characterized in the wire of the battery is connected with the wires of the switch and the electric resistance via wires to form a closed circuit, and the battery, the wires, the switch and the electric resistance are integrally sealed in the spoon body and the spoon handle, the side of the spoon body is fixed with the lower end of the spoon handle, while the lower end of the spoon body is drilled with a hole mechanically.
However, the prior art electric heating spoon according to the above mentioned applications is operated by electric heating by connecting the plug provided at the upper end of the spoon handle to the outlet on the wall, so the container containing food is inevitably placed close to the outlet. There are problems that need to be addressed.
In other words, if a container containing food is disposed at a location far from an outlet, there is a problem in that the intended purpose cannot be easily achieved because defrosting through the electric spoon is not possible.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The principle object of the present invention is to provide portable electric food warming dipping hot plate configured to warm any quantity of food and can warm food in any type of container
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hot plate with compact design, portability and simple function and can be kept at desk or dining table or wherever the user wants to heat the food.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a corded / cordless version. The cordless version will benefit users to warm the food on the go. The product can provide better levels of convenience for the user by being portable & amp; lightweight.
The cordless version will have a portable power source as shown below.
This can avoid the difficulty of finding a power socket for powering the device.
Below image shows the portable power source connected to the product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hot plate configured to warm the food quickly without the need of using any specific bowl for heating. The heating element is adapted with thermal cut off for safe operation. The said plate would be inserted in bowl of food and stirred occasionally to warm the food.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hot plate having various temperatures setting to achieve different levels of heating. With a cordless functionality it can give flexibility in heating food like while on the move.
Another object of present invention is that hot plate having is adaptable to various shapes of vessels, based on the size of vessel, there is different modular attachment of plate.

As per another object of the present invention the modularity of hot plate is achieved by detachable connection from the ball joint.
Therefore such as herein described there is provided a portable electric food warming dipping hot plate comprising of a heating surface plate formed of a conductor; an housing formed of synthetic resin, an MCU, a electric energy supply, and a pin connector; a TRIAC switch for AC to DC conversion and a thermostat with power buttons and a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the hot plate according to the heat transfer temperature; wherein the said heating surface plate is operably connected with the controller and the said housing vide a ball joint enabling the movement/twisting of the heating plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of portable electric food warming dipping hot plate according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view showing the coupling state of the portable electric food warming dipping hot plate according to the present invention;
Figure 3(a) is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the charging state of the electric spoon according to the present invention.
Figure 3(b) is an assembled perspective view showing an example of the use of the electric spoon according to the present invention.
Figure 4(a) is an assembled perspective view showing long heating plate which can be used for long/deep vessels according to the present invention;
Figure 4(b) is an assembled perspective view showing wide heating plate which can be used for long/deep vessels according to the present invention;
Figure 4(c) is an assembled perspective view showing narrow heating plate which can be used for long/deep vessels according to the present invention;
Figure 5(a) is an assembled view showing ball joint enabling movement/twisting of the heating plates according to the present invention;
Figure 5(b) is an assembled view showing ball joint of the plurality of heating plates according to the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The portable electric food warming dipping hot plate according to the present invention includes a heating surface plate formed of a conductor, an housing formed of synthetic resin, an MCU, a electric energy supply, and a pin connector, further includes a TRIAC switch for AC to DC conversion and a thermostat with power buttons for controlling the operation of the hot plate according to the heat transfer temperature as a basic feature of its technical configuration.
The said heating surface is formed of a conductor to facilitate heat generation through heat transfer connected with a thermostat for real time protection of overheating. The heating plate may be formed of copper, and in addition, any metal material capable of generating heat may be used as the material of the said plate. The said heating plate includes a head cover which needs to be removed before use. The heating surface is coated with FDA approved PTFE/ceramic/PEEK coating which is used in cookware for non-sticky use & easy clean.
As shown in FIG. 1, the heating plate is formed in a rectangular plate shape so that it can easily move inside soup, lentil (dal), and / or other food materials including Indian foods as well irrespective of container size and / or shape. The said heating plate is fastened and assembled to the front end of the said housing, and for this purpose, the other connection part extends to the outside of the housing head cover and protrudes and accommodated inside a base cover. The connection part is shown as an embodiment in Fig 2 and 3 as well in which the diameter is formed other than the front end of the said housing and is assembled by inserting into the front end of the housing. The base cover housing also conceals the 3-pin power connection that needs to be removed. This is done by simply sliding out the cover from right side.
As described above, in the base cover according to the present invention, the head cover is fastened and assembled to the front end to secure the hot plate inside. The complete housing is made of synthetic resin / plastic in order to prevent from generating heat together due to heat exchange caused by heat generated by the heating plate and electric connections and preventing the user from easily gripping the assembly. This is to prevent malfunction of installed electronic components.
The substrate PCB has a conventional configuration in which circuits are printed so as to easily supply electrical energy and electrical control and is installed at the rear of the storage space of bottom base cover, that is, at the rear end of the said housing. The heating plate is connected to the said substrate PCB to receive electrical energy (DC). More specifically, one end of the said heating plate is connected to the substrate PCB, and the other side is connected with a preset thermostat. The user has to connect the power cord & switch on the product by pressing the power button. Default mode is 50 Deg C (warm mode). If the consumer wants to switch to 65 deg C (hot mode) then he/she can long press the power button for 3 secs.
Therefore, the DC electric energy supplied to the heating plate converted from AC input using a TRIAC converter generates heat in the said plate and by bringing the plate into contact with food, it becomes warm. The heating plate is usually made of copper. Once mode is set, the consumer has to place the said heating plate inside the bowl properly covering the hot plate head inside the food. A thermal sensor monitors the temperature of the food. Once the temperature is reached the electronics will maintain that temperature according to the particular mode it is set in. The consumer has to switch off the product by long pressing for 5 secs. Once the hot plate head is wiped / cleaned, consumer can safely place the spoon head cover.
In an exemplary embodiment, the invention also has a variant which adopts a rechargeable battery as power for supplying electric energy to the heating plate.
In addition, in an embodiment the hot plate having is adaptable to various shapes of vessels, based on the size of vessel, there is different modular attachment of plate. Above image the spoon sits properly inside the vessel since it rotates freely.
In yet another exemplary embodiment there is provided an operable connection between hot plate and housing. The ball joint also further enables movement/twisting of the heating plates with 360 degree of freedom, so that the plates can sit well inside the vessel. This ensures maximum heating surface dipped in food to accelerate heating efficiency as shown in Fig 5(a) and (b) .
Another area of invention is the function light. It is required to give a visual indication to the user that the device is powered after connecting the portable battery source. It becomes green indicates if the device is powered is on. It will be in red color when surface is not heating. This will give visual indication to users to be careful while handling product.
Operation steps for Cordless/Smaller version
1. To start using the product, the bottom base cover which conceals the 1 pin power connection needs to be removed. This is done by simply sliding out the cover.
2. The consumer switches on the product by connecting the portable power source into the single pin. Then he/she has to press the ON/OFF power button as shown in above image.
3. The function light turns green color which means the heating surface is heating. The consumer has to place the spoon inside the bowl properly covering the spoon heating surface inside the food.
4. A thermostat monitors the temperature of the heating element and safeguards it from burning out. It provides similar benefits in a geyser, where the thermostat switches off the geyser if user leaves the geyser switch On by mistake. This is a very important safety feature in a product.
5. Once the food is warmed as per user requirement, he/she can take out the product and press the off button and enjoy the warm food.
6. The spoon heating surface is wiped/cleaned & can be safely stored in dry place.
The present invention includes a power button for ON / OFF and control modes so that the power saving effect through the power switch can be maximized.
In another embodiment a display may be installed outside the housing to display the heating temperature of the heating plate and, if necessary, also display the charging level of the rechargeable battery (if any).
Operation steps for Corded version
1. The portable electric food warming dipping / stirrer hot plate has a hot plate head cover which needs to be removed before use.
2. Next, the bottom base cover which conceals the 3 pin power connection needs to be removed. This is done by simply sliding out the cover from right side.
3. The consumer switches on the product by pressing the power button. Default mode is 50 deg C (warm mode). If the consumer wants to switch to 65 deg C (hot mode) then he/she can long press the power button for 3 secs.
4. Once mode is set, the consumer has to place the spoon inside the bowl properly covering the spoon head inside the food.
5. A thermal sensor monitors the temperature of the food. Once the temperature is reached the electronics will maintain that temperature according to the particular mode it is set in.
6. The consumer will be alerted with a beep once warming is done.
7. The consumer has to switch off the product by long pressing for 5 secs.
8. Once the spoon head is wiped/cleaned, consumer can safely place the spoon head cover.
The salient features of this food warmer are:
1. The product can warm food without using separate vessels for warming
2. It could rate highest in terms of portability compared to other warmers
3. It can have different temperature setting for different type of food (solid /liquid)
4. The product can be charged and used as per convenience (for cordless variant)
5. It will have smart sensors to cut off power to avoid any risky situation for user
6. The function light provides visual indication to user above the status of operation of the heating plate/spoon.
Technological advancement
1. The heating surface is coated with FDA approved PTFE/ceramic/PEEK coating which is used in cookware for non-sticky use & easy clean
2. It uses highly compact 200W PTC heater
3. There are various levels of safety:
a. While in use: It’s protected with thermostat which cuts off power at 120 degree C to prevent overheating of heating element
b. Not in use-Once plate is used it can be washed with either water or cloth. Also, a mechanical case(cover) can be used to cover the heating surface to avoid an injury.
4. It is designed for various Indian foods like curry’s, dal, soups, chapati, breads, milk etc.
5. The smaller version of the hot plate with portable power source is 30% more compact than the earlier version as seen below.
Appendix
1. Position of the heating element inside the aluminum block
2. Placement of thermostat beside it
3. Connection between the power supply and the heating element via the thermostat
4. Heat mode LEDs, start/stop mode selection button.
5. PCB placement with components inside it
6. 3 pin Power socket
7. Heat resistant body material – Nylon FR
8. Waterproof construction of the hot plate with help of silicon gasket
9. Teflon coating surface of spoon makes it very easy to use non sticky & easy to clean
These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
,CLAIMS:
1. A portable electric food warming dipping hot plate comprising of:-
a heating surface plate formed of a conductor;
an housing formed of synthetic resin, an MCU, a electric energy supply, and a pin connector;
a TRIAC switch for AC to DC conversion and a thermostat with power buttons and a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the hot plate according to the heat transfer temperature; wherein the said heating surface plate is operably connected with the controller and the said housing vide a ball joint enabling the movement/twisting of the heating plates.

2. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positions of the heating element inside aluminum block.

3. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heating surface of said hot plate is coated with FDA approved PTFE/ceramic/PEEK coating which is used in cookware for non-sticky use & easy cleans.

4. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hot plate is configured to operate at default mode which is 50 deg C (warm mode) and 65 deg C (hot mode).

5. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermostat cuts off power at 120 degree C to prevent overheating of heating element.

6. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is Heat resistant body material and is Nylon FR.
7. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hot plate is adaptable to various shapes of vessels, based on the size of vessel, there is different modular attachment of plate.

8. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein under condition that the said hot plate is not in use, it can be washed with either water or wiped.

9. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ball joint is configured to operate at 360 degree of freedom and ensureing maximum heating surface dipped in food to accelerate heating efficiency.

10. The portable hot plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power supply includes 3 pin Power socket and / or battery supply.