Claims:1. A food processor for producing milk-based products from milk, wherein the food processor comprising of:
a milk chamber for accommodating the milk;
a plurality of chambers for storing the milk-based products and catalyst ingredients;
a lactometer configured in the milk chamber for checking quality of the milk;
a temperature maintaining unit to facilitate the preservation of the milk and the milk-based products;
a dispenser unit that dispenses out pre-determined quantity of the milk;
a self-cleaning unit for cleaning the food processor; and
a control unit that is operatively coupled with the food processor to control functions of the food processor.
2. The food processor in the claim 1, wherein the milk chamber and chambers for storing the milk-based products are electronically coupled to an IoT enabled control unit, wherein the IoT enabled control unit electronically controls the food processor.
3. The food processor in the claim 2, wherein the milk chamber is configured with an electric stirrer, and a volume sensor, wherein the electric stirrer is configured to stir the milk and the volume sensor is electrically connected to an ultrasonic transducer configured to measure the level of liquid in the milk chamber.
4. The food processor in the claim 2, wherein the IoT enabled control unit is connected to a digital display unit and a touch keypad, wherein the display unit and the touch keypad facilitates an entity to interact with the food processor.
5. The food processor in claim 1, wherein the milk chamber is connected with chamber storing culture and vinegar and chamber for storing the milk-based products through conduit.
6. The food processor in the claim 4, wherein the temperature maintaining unit comprises of an induction-based heating unit and a Peltier thermal cooler, wherein the induction-based heating unit facilitates heating the milk and the Peltier thermal cooler facilitates cooling of the milk.
7. The food processor in claim 1, wherein the dispenser unit comprise of nozzle connected to the milk chamber.
8. The food processor in claim 1, wherein the self-cleaning unit comprises of cleaning solution tank including solution intake path;

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the food processors. In particular, the present patent disclosure pertains to a food processor for making cheese and curd.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Milk and various other milk products are used extensively all across the world. Milk can be processed to produce various dairy products such as cheese, butter, ghee, ice cream, curd etc. Milk and various milk products have high nutritional value and thus it is becoming an increasingly popular food product. Milk processing capacity is growing proportionally all over the world due to the demand for good quality, hygienic milk and milk products. The production of milk products is carried out separately which makes the process cumbersome and time taking.
[0003] The conventional method for processing milk and milk products includes several steps of initially heating the milk. Then if the curd or cheese is required a separate step of adding culture or vinegar to it is carried out. If culture is added, then the container is required to be left undisturbed at a certain temperature for a number of hours to obtain curd of desired consistency and acidity. If too high temperature is employed to accelerate the process to the point where it will be difficult to catch the end-point. For making cheese, initially, vinegar is added to milk. The mixture is maintained at a certain temperature and stirred to obtain the desired uniformity in cheese. However, considering the time taken the process is highly inefficient, cost-intensive and unpredictable.
[0004] Efforts have been made in the related prior art to provide different solutions for converting the milk into products such as cheese and curd. For example, United States Patent number, US20090223385A1 discloses a cheese-making appliance with a cooking vessel, a curd stirring assembly in the cooking vessel, and a controller for the cooking vessel and stirring assembly; the controller is used to set the temperature of the cooking vessel over a period of time and turns the stirring assembly on and off and control its speed. However, the arrangement disclosed in the patent document only provides the device which can be used to stir and/or heat milk in which culture or vinegar is already added. and therefore, fails to provide a complete comprehensive solution of completing the whole process of conversion in a single unit.
[0005] Taiwan Patent number, TW1605783B discloses a multifunctional fermentation machine for both yoghurt and cheese. It comprises of fermentation barrel groups which are capable of producing cheese and yoghurt. The raw material is fermented into the yoghurt initially and the cheese is produced by extruding the yoghurt by the means of the upper filter material and pressing function component thus removing the whey. The machine disclosed in the patent document is not fully automatic. The quantity it can process at one time is less. It cannot preserve either curd or cheese for a longer duration. It lacks self-cleansing capabilities.
[0006] As can be seen, prior art references provide different types of machines which are used for converting milk into cheese or curd. However, there is a need in the art to provide a device that obviates the above-mentioned limitation and is compact, easy to use, and operate remotely.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic and compact food processor to prepare milk-based products without human touch. Also, provide milk-based products on a large scale and to deliver it in a lesser amount of time and to reduce the labour cost.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide most hygienic milk-based products to the customer.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain the authentic and original flavour of milk-based products without human touch.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide separate chambers for storing the milk and the milk-based products.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for producing milk-based products, wherein a lactometer is provided for checking the water percentage in the milk.
[0012] A still further object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for producing milk-based products, wherein a temperature maintaining unit facilitates the preservation of the milk and the milk-based products.
[0013] A still further object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for producing milk-based products, wherein the said dispenser unit dispenses out a pre-determined quantity of the milk.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for producing milk-based products, wherein a self-cleaning unit is present for cleaning the food processor.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for producing milk-based products wherein a control unit which is IoT enabled, for controlling the functions of the food processor remotely.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is directed to a food processor for preparing milk-based products wherein the said interface unit comprises an input unit and a display unit, said input unit preferably consists of a touch keypad. The display unit is configured to display the entered details of the user, temperature, water percentage and process status.

SUMMARY
[0017] According to an aspect, the present disclosure discloses a food processor for producing milk-based products which comprises a plurality of chambers for storing milk, milk-based products and catalyst, control unit, dispenser unit and temperature maintaining unit. The milk can be added to the milk chamber which may be configured with a lactometer for checking the water percentage. The customer can select with the help of touch keypad which milk-based product is required. Then based on the selection the milk may be transferred to the milk-based product chamber through the conduit. The required catalyst can be added to the milk and the electric stirrer can be used to stir the milk to attain uniformity. The food processor can also be used to preserve the milk and the milk-based product with the help of the temperature maintaining unit. The whole process can be controlled remotely through an IoT enabled control unit. After the completion of the process, the container which contains the milk-based product can be detached and the milk-based product can be delivered to the customer.
[0018] The above and other mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention are described hereunder in greater details with reference to following accompanying non-limiting illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures and functions are generally represented by reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figure does not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0020] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates the front view of the food processor for producing milk-based products according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 1B illustrates the isometric view of the food processor for producing milk-based products according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates the flow-diagram of the working of the food processor for producing milk-based products according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The invention has been explained in relation to a specific embodiment. It is inferred that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that invention be limited or restrictive thereto. Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. All substitutions, alterations and modifications of the present invention which comes within the scope of the following claims are to which the present invention is readily susceptible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but should be determined with reference to appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The use of various phrases and terms is meant to encompass the items or functions identified and equivalents thereof as well as additional items or functions. Unless limited otherwise, various phrases, terms, and variations thereof as presented in this document are used broadly and encompass all variations of such phrases and terms.
[0025] The present disclosure gives an overview of a food processor for producing milk-based products from milk which can be designed to provide the most authentic and hygienic milk-based products to the customers. The food processor for producing milk-based products can provide a user-friendly interface including customization as per the customer’s preference. Further, the food processor for producing milk-based products according to the present invention can provide the more authentic, hygienic and best quality milk-based products in less time as the customer expects. This machine provides customization that can help customers choose the desired quantity of milk-based products.
[0026] In an embodiment, the food processor can include a milk chamber for accommodating the milk; a plurality of chambers for storing the milk-based products and catalyst ingredients; a lactometer configured in the milk chamber for checking quality of the milk; a temperature maintaining unit to facilitate the preservation of the milk and the milk-based products; a dispenser unit that dispenses out pre-determined quantity of the milk; a self-cleaning unit for cleaning the food processor; and a control unit that is operatively coupled with the food processor to control functions of the food processor.
[0027] In other embodiment, the milk chamber and chambers for storing the milk-based products can be electronically coupled to an IoT enabled control unit, wherein the IoT enabled control unit electronically controls the food processor.
[0028] An embodiment of the food processor for producing milk-based products is disclosed in the present disclosure. The food processor for producing milk-based products can not only provide milk-based products but also can store and preserve milk-based products. All the processes can be controlled by a single control unit which can be IoT enabled. The interface unit can allow the customer to choose appropriate options.
[0029] According to the present invention, the food processor for producing milk-based products can have a temperature maintaining unit, a lactometer and electric stirrer, wherein the temperature maintaining unit that can maintain the temperature of the chambers by using an induction-based heater and a Peltier thermal cooler. A lactometer can check the water content and an electric stirrer can be used to attain uniformity.
[0030] Now, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a front and isometric view, respectively, of food processor for producing milk-based products 100 comprises a body 102, milk chamber 104, chambers for storing milk-based products 106, dispensing unit 108 and control unit 110.
[0031] In an embodiment, the milk chamber 102 and the milk-based products chamber 104 can have detachable containers. These containers can have a cavity to hold milk and milk-based products. The milk chamber 102 and the milk-based products chamber 104 can be connected to a temperature maintaining unit which can include an induction-based heating unit for heating the milk can heat upto the required temperature of 82 degrees Celsius and a Peltier thermal cooler that can cool the milk and the milk-based products can cool upto 4 degrees Celsius. The temperature maintaining unit connected to the control system 108 can control the temperature according to the requirement. The lactometer can be configured with the milk chamber for checking the water percentage in the milk. The lactometer electronically connected to the control unit can display the water percentage on the display unit attached to the control unit.
[0032] In an embodiment, the milk-based product chamber 106 can be connected to the milk chamber 104 and chamber containing catalysts through the conduit. When the control system 110 receives the command for preparing a milk-based product, pre-determined milk can be transferred to the milk-based product chamber 104 through the conduit and a pre-determined amount of catalyst can be released into the milk. The electric stirrer configured with the milk-based product chamber 106 can be used to stir the milk in order to obtain uniformity. After a certain pre-determined time when the milk-based product is ready, then containers can be detached and the customer can use the milk-based product.
[0033] In an embodiment, the dispensing unit 108 can be provided with a discharge opening through which hot or cold milk can be discharged by a nozzle connected to the milk chamber 104 through the conduit. The dispensing unit 108 can also include a sink or other drainage mechanism. The sink can be positioned beneath the nozzle. The dispensing unit can also include a drainage connection and drainage tubing. The drainage tubing of the drainage connection can have two ends, and the proximal end of which can be attached to the sink and the distal end of which can be optionally connected to or leads to a drain.
[0034] In an embodiment, the control unit 110 configured to the display unit and touch keypad, the customer can see the water percentage and temperature of the milk. Through touch keypad, customers can select the milk-based product which may be required. The control unit 110 can be made IoT enabled so that it can be operated remotely.
[0035] In an embodiment, the self-cleaning unit provided with a solution intake path through which a solution of hot water and salt can be added to the cleaning solution tank. When the command for self-cleaning can be given to the control unit, the control unit 108 can release a pre-determined amount of solution into the chambers for cleaning.
[0036] In an embodiment, the food processor for producing milk-based products 100 includes a power supply which can supply electricity to the food processor 100 and particularly to the induction-based heater, the Peltier thermal cooler and control unit 110. In some embodiments, the power supply can provide electricity to one or more lights on the interior or exterior of the milk chamber 104 and the chambers for storing milk-based products 106. In some embodiments, the control unit 110 can include one or more switches to control power to the induction-based heater and the Peltier thermal cooler.
[0037] In the method 200 according to the FIG. 2, the IoT enabled control unit 108 can instruct the food processor for producing milk-based products from milk 100 to start the processing of the milk, at step 202. The lactometer configured with the milk chamber 104 can check the water percentage in the milk and displays the water percentage on the digital display attached to the control unit 110, at step 204. Based on the customer selection, the food processor can start processing the milk for producing the milk-based product, at step 206. The control unit 110 selects the pre-determined temperature and quantity of vinegar that can be added to the milk for processing, at step 208. For dispensing the milk, the customer can select the temperature and quantity of the milk, the milk dispenses out of the dispenser unit 108, at step 210. The control system 110 alerts the customer when the milk-based product may be ready, at step 212.
[0038] The food processor for producing the milk-based products described above can be designed as modular, portable units that can be transported to a site, including, but not limited to, a convenience store, grocery store, restaurant or the like for easy installation. The unit requires electrical input and optionally a drain. The particular unit to be installed can be selected based on the size and configuration of the available space. Similarly, the location of the power supply at the selected site can determine where the entry point or exit point of the various tubing, lines and supplies can be located on the dispensing unit.
[0039] The present invention has the beneficial advantage that can be compact, simple and easy to maintain. The food processor for producing the milk-based products can be quick and serves the most hygienic milk-based products to the customer. There can be no human touch while preparing milk-based products or dispensing of milk from the machine.
[0040] The invention has been explained in relation to the specific embodiment. It can be inferred that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it can be not intended that the invention be limited or restrictive thereto. Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure.
[0041] All substitutions, alterations and modifications of the present invention which comes within the scope of the following claims are to which the present invention can readily be susceptible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but should be determined with reference to appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0042] The present disclosure provides a food processor that can be used to preserve the milk and dispense the milk at the desired temperature.
[0043] The present disclosure provides a food processor that can prepare and preserve milk-based products.
[0044] The present disclosure provides a food processor that can be controlled remotely through the internet with the help of IoT enabled control unit.
[0045] The present disclosure provides a food processor that can perform a self-cleaning process after use.