IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,104,502
Granted Patent B2
US 11,104,502 · App. 15/446,390 · Granted Aug 31, 2021

Multi-function compact appliance and methods for a food or item in a container with a container storage technology

Inventor: Edward P. Espinosa (Madrid, ES)
Assignee: Jeffrey S. Melcher
B65D81/2038A23L3/01A23L3/28A23L5/15A47F3/001A47F3/04A47F7/0071F25D17/042A47B2210/175B65D2203/10F25D25/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,104,502
App. No.
15/446,390
Granted
Aug 31, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-function appliance and methods and systems for manufacturing, producing, preparing, packaging, displaying, selling and marketing perishable food or items in a container with a container storage technology for use with select consumer goods or household appliances. A method and system for the use of multiple brand logos or names and communicative indicia on a container or product packaging wherein at least one of the brand logos or names, such as a secondary or tertiary brand logo or name can be used to represent different or distinct products, services or benefits from the primary brand logo or name.

Claims (104)

1. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-microwave compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a microwave element comprising a magnetron or solid state microwave system in communication with the compartment;

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

at least one camera with recognition software in communication with an interior of the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the temperature element, microwave element, camera, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the temperature element, microwave element, or camera, wherein the camera is configured to display or view a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to identify a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to provide storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element or microwave element based on the identification and data from the container or container with a barcode or QR code; or to provide related storage, preservation or marketing notices to the user interface device.

2. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

3. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-oven compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

at least one camera with recognition software in communication with an interior of the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the temperature element, camera, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the temperature element, or camera, wherein the camera is configured to display or view a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to identify a container or a container with a barcode or OR code to provide storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element or microwave element based on the identification and data from the container or container with a barcode or QR code; or to provide related storage, preservation or marketing notices to the user interface device.

4. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

5. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-oven compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device configured with a radio frequency reader in communication with the interior of the compartment;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the temperature element, a radio frequency reader, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the temperature element, or radio frequency reader, wherein the radio frequency reader is configured to identify and receive storage, preservation or cooking data from a tag or tag with a sensor in communication with a product, food item or container; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a product, food item or container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element based on the identification and data from the tag or tag with a sensor; or to provide related storage, preservation, cooking or marketing notices to the user interface device.

6. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a tag comprises an NFC, RFID, Bluetooth or hybrid tag configured to incorporate food, product, container, apparatus or marketing data and sensors connected to or in communication with a tag comprise gas, temperature, humidity or acidity sensors to monitor the condition of food, products or containers.

7. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

8. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-microwave compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a microwave element comprising a magnetron or solid state microwave system in communication with the compartment;

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

at least one ultraviolet-C light source in communication with an interior of the compartment;

at least one camera with recognition software in communication with an interior of the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the ultraviolet-C light source, temperature element, microwave element, camera, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the ultraviolet-C light source, temperature element, microwave element, or camera, wherein the camera is configured to display or view a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to identify a container or a container with a barcode or QR code to provide storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element or microwave element based on the identification and data from the container or container with a barcode or QR code; or to provide related storage, preservation or marketing notices to the user interface device.

9. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

10. A connected, smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-microwave compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a microwave element comprising a magnetron or solid state microwave system in communication with the compartment;

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device configured with a radio frequency reader in communication with the interior of the compartment;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the temperature element, microwave element, a radio frequency reader, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the temperature element, microwave element, or radio frequency reader, wherein the radio frequency reader is configured to identify and receive data from a tag or tag with a sensor; to provide product, food item or container storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a product, food item or container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element or microwave element based on the identification or data received from the tag or tag with a sensor; or to provide related storage, preservation, cooking, or marketing notices to the user interface device.

11. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a tag comprises an NFC, RFID, Bluetooth or hybrid tag configured to incorporate food, product, container, apparatus storage, preservation, cooking or marketing data and sensors connected to or in communication with a tag comprise gas, temperature, humidity or acidity sensors to monitor the condition of food, products or containers.

12. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

13. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a microwave compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the microwave compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a microwave element comprising a magnetron or solid state microwave system in communication with the compartment;

at least one ultraviolet-C light source in communication with the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device configured with a radio frequency reader in communication with the interior of the compartment;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the ultraviolet-C light source, microwave element, a radio frequency reader, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the ultraviolet-C light source, microwave element, or radio frequency reader, wherein the radio frequency reader is configured to identify and receive data from a tag or tag with a sensor in communication with a product, food item or container; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a product, food item or container; to activate, deactivate or operate the microwave element or ultraviolet-C light source based on the identification and data from the tag or tag with a sensor; or to provide related storage, preservation, cooking or marketing notices to the user interface device.

14. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein a tag comprises an NFC, RFID, Bluetooth or hybrid tag configured to incorporate food, product, container, apparatus, storage, preservation, cooking or marketing data and sensors connected to or in communication with a tag comprise gas, temperature, humidity or acidity sensors to monitor the condition of food, products or containers.

15. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

16. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing and preserving, comprising:

an ultraviolet-C light source compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

at least one ultraviolet-C light source in communication with the interior of the compartment;

at least one camera with recognition software in communication with an interior of the compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the ultraviolet-C light source, camera, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the ultraviolet-C light source and camera, wherein the camera is configured to display or view a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to identify a container or a container with a barcode or QR code to provide storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element or microwave element based on the identification and data from the container or container with a barcode or QR code; or to provide related storage, preservation or marketing notices to the user interface device.

17. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

18. A connected smart multi-function apparatus for storing, preserving and cooking, comprising:

a refrigerator-microwave compartment defining a cavity, the compartment comprising a base, sidewalls, and a top;

a door attached to the refrigerator-microwave compartment to form a sealable compartment; and

apparatus operating systems;

the apparatus operating systems comprising:

a microwave element comprising a magnetron or solid state microwave system in communication with the compartment;

a temperature element comprising a Peltier or solid state device in communication with the compartment configured to cool or heat the compartment;

at least one ultraviolet-C light source in communication with the interior of the refrigerator-microwave compartment;

a control system comprising a processor;

a user interface device configured with a radio frequency reader in communication with the interior of the compartment;

a voice control application or artificial intelligence software in communication with the processor configured to control the apparatus operating systems; and

the processor in communication with or connected to the ultraviolet-C light source, temperature element, microwave element, a radio frequency reader, and user interface device, the user interface device configured to operate the ultraviolet-C light source, temperature element, microwave element, or radio frequency reader, wherein the radio frequency reader is configured to identify and receive data from a tag or a tag with a sensor in communication with a product, food item or container; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions for a product, food item or container; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element, microwave element, or ultraviolet-C light source based on the identification and data from the tag or tag with a sensor in communication with a product, food item or container; or to provide related storage, preservation, cooking or marketing notices to the user interface device.

19. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the user interface device comprises a display configured to connect by wire or wirelessly to the processor and comprises a display, smartphone, tablet, reader, computer, watch, or glasses and can communicate using BLE, NFC, RF or Wi-Fi or any other wireless communication.

20. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein a tag comprises an NFC, RFID, Bluetooth or hybrid tag configured to incorporate food, product, container, apparatus, storage, preservation, cooking or marketing data and sensors connected to or in communication with a tag comprise gas, temperature, humidity or acidity sensors to monitor the condition of food, products or containers.

21. The smart multi-function apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein at least one camera with recognition software in communication with or connected to the processor and the interior of the compartment is configured to display or view a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to identify a container or a container with a barcode or QR code; to provide storage, preservation or cooking data; to determine freshness, expiration date, shelf-life, storage, preservation or cooking conditions; to activate, deactivate or operate the temperature element, microwave element, or ultraviolet-C light source based on the identification or data from the container or container with a barcode or QR code; or to provide related storage, preservation, cooking or marketing notices to the user interface device.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2020
From: ESPINOSA, EDWARD P.
To: MELCHER, JEFFREY S.
Reel/Frame 053185/0270 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2017
From: ESPINOSA, EDWARD P.
To: MELCHER, JEFFREY S.
Reel/Frame 041423/0186 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62301757 · Mar 1, 2016
Related Publication 20180093814A1 · Apr 5, 2018
Cited By (7)
US 12,366,476 US 12,387,065 US 12,412,053 US 12,423,731 US 12,450,449 US 12,686,517 US 12,688,380