Kitchen safety device and method for controlling operation of a heating appliance

Abstract

A kitchen safety device automatically deactivates a heating appliance. The safety device includes an operator control panel which communicates with the appliance. The control panel includes input buttons for entering minimum weight and minimum time criteria for items placed on a cooking surface of the appliance. A weight sensor is operatively connected to the cooking surface of the appliance and communicates with the control panel. Upon activation of the appliance, the sensor operates to detect a positive application of the minimum weight onto the cooking surface within the prescribed minimum time. In the absence of a positive application within the prescribed minimum time, the sensor signals the control panel to deactivate the appliance.

1 . A kitchen safety device for automatically deactivating a heating appliance, said safety device comprising: 
 (a) an operator control panel communicating with the appliance, and comprising means for entering minimum weight and minimum time criteria for items placed on a cooking surface of the appliance; and    (b) a weight sensor operatively connected to the cooking surface of the appliance and communicating with said control panel, whereby upon activation of the appliance, said sensor operates to detect a positive application of the minimum weight onto the cooking surface within the prescribed minimum time, and in the absence of a positive application within the prescribed minimum time, said sensor signals said control panel to deactivate the appliance.    
     
     
         2 . A kitchen safety device according to  claim 1 , wherein said operator control panel comprises an LED alert for indicating activation of said safety device.  
     
     
         3 . A kitchen safety device according to  claim 1 , wherein said operator control panel comprises a message display screen for communicating a device status message to the operator.  
     
     
         4 . A kitchen safety device according to  claim 1 , wherein said operator control panel comprises a system reset button.  
     
     
         5 . A kitchen safety device for automatically deactivating a heating appliance, said safety device comprising: 
 (a) an operator control panel communicating with the appliance, and comprising means for entering minimum weight and minimum time criteria for items placed on a cooking surface of the appliance, said operator control panel comprising: 
 (i) an LED alert for indicating activation of the safety device;  
 (ii) a message display screen for communicating a device status message to the operator; and  
 (iii) a system reset button;  
   (b) a weight sensor operatively connected to the cooking surface of the appliance and communicating with said control panel, whereby upon activation of the appliance, said sensor operates to detect a positive application of the minimum weight onto the cooking surface within the prescribed minimum time, and in the absence of a positive application within the prescribed minimum time, said sensor signals said control panel to deactivate the appliance.    
     
     
         6 . In combination with a kitchen heating appliance, a safety device for automatically deactivating the heating appliance, said safety device comprising: 
 (a) an operator control panel communicating with said appliance, and comprising means for entering minimum weight and minimum time criteria for items placed on a cooking surface of said appliance; and    (b) a weight sensor operatively connected to the cooking surface of said appliance and communicating with said control panel, whereby upon activation of said appliance, said sensor operates to detect a positive application of the minimum weight onto the cooking surface within the prescribed minimum time, and in the absence of a positive application within the prescribed minimum time, said sensor signals said control panel to deactivate said appliance.    
     
     
         7 . A combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said operator control panel comprises an LED alert for indicating activation of said safety device.  
     
     
         8 . A combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said operator control panel comprises a message display screen for communicating a device status message to the operator.  
     
     
         9 . A combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said operator control panel comprises a system reset button.  
     
     
         10 . A combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said kitchen heating appliance comprises a stove.  
     
     
         11 . A combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said kitchen heating appliance comprises an oven.  
     
     
         12 . A method for controlling operation of a heating appliance, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) connecting a kitchen safety device to the appliance, the safety device including an operator control panel;    (b) entering into the control panel minimum weight and minimum time criteria for items placed on a cooking surface of the appliance; and    (c) determining a positive application of the minimum weight onto the cooking surface within the prescribed minimum time, and in the absence of a positive application within the prescribed minimum time, signaling the control panel to deactivate the appliance.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said step of determining comprises operatively connecting a weight sensor to the cooking surface of the appliance.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , and comprising the step of alerting the operator when the kitchen safety device has been activated.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , and comprising the step of communicating a device status message to the operator.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10 , and comprising the step of resetting the kitchen safety device after activation.