权利要求：
1. A user equipment configured to transmit a food model to a cooking apparatus comprising a food shaping device configured to discharge food ingredients, the user equipment comprising:
a user interface including a touch-sensitive display, the user interface configured to:
receive a touch input from a user for selecting the food model comprising at least one of a shape, an ingredient, or a color of a food, and
display in response to the received touch input:
an automatic cooking button for selecting a predetermined food shape,
a draw button for inputting a food shape drawn on the user interface by the user,
a cooking method button for inputting a cooking method for the food, and
an output button for outputting instructions for making food in accordance with the selected predetermined food shape and the input cooking method;
a transceiver configured to transmit information of the selected food model to the cooking apparatus;
a camera configured to acquire a food image; and
a processor configured to:
control the transceiver to transmit the information of the food model to the cooking apparatus to instruct the cooking apparatus to shape the food according to the selected food model, and
display a preview of the food, the preview of the food representing an appearance of the food after cooking by the cooking apparatus.
2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display a list of food shapes on the user interface in response to a touch on the automatic cooking button.
3. The user equipment according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to:
identify food ingredients prepared in the cooking apparatus, and
control the user interface to display a list of foods shapeable from the food ingredients.
4. The user equipment according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display a food shape selected by the user.
5. The user equipment according to claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transmit the food model comprising the selected food shape to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food according to the food shape selected by the user.
6. The user equipment according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:
identify food ingredients prepared in the cooking apparatus, and
control the user interface to display an insufficient food ingredient to shape the food according to the food shape selected by the user.
7. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display a model drawing screen to draw the food shape selected by the user on the user interface in response to a touch on the draw button.
8. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:
sense a touch point of the user, and
create a food shape based on a moving path of the sensed touch point.
9. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display a reference image representing the food on the model drawing screen.
10. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:
control the user interface to display at least one of a line, a circle, or a polygon in accordance with a touch input of the user in a model drawing region, and
create the food shape from the at least one of the line, the circle, and the polygon.
11. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display an additional information input menu to input a thickness, an ingredient, and a color of the food based on the user touching an inside of the food shape.
12. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the user interface to display a cooking method setting screen to input a cooking method comprising a heating temperature and a heating time in response to a touch on the cooking method button.
13. The user equipment according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transmit the cooking method to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to cook the food according to the heating temperature and the heating time input via the cooking method setting screen.
14. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the preview of the food represents the appearance of the food after the food is cooked according to a heating temperature and a heating time input by the user.
15. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to modify a size of the food shape in accordance with the touch input of the user.
16. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically arrange the food shape in accordance with the touch input of the user.
发明内容：
[0007]Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking apparatus having an improved structure suitable for cooking various foods by using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.
[0008]Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user equipment and a cooking apparatus capable of displaying a food shape in response to a touch input of a user and shaping the food according to the displayed food shape.
[0009]Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user equipment and a cooking apparatus allowing a user to easily input a food shape.
[0010]Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user equipment and a cooking apparatus capable of showing an appearance of a food shaped in accordance with the food shape input by the user after heating.
[0011]Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.
[0012]In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided. The user equipment includes a user interface, a transceiver and a processor. The user interface may receive an input of a food model including at least one of a shape, an ingredient, or a color of a food in accordance with a touch input of a user. The transceiver may transmit information of the food model to a cooking apparatus capable of shaping and heating the food. The processor may transmit the information of the food model to the cooking apparatus via the transceiver to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food according to the food model. Further, the user interface may display an automatic cooking button for selecting a predetermined food shape, a draw button for inputting a food shape drawn on the user interface by the user, a cooking method button for inputting a cooking method for the food, and an output button for outputting the food in accordance with the food shape and the cooking method.
[0013]The processor may display a list of food shapes on the user interface in response to a touch on the automatic cooking button.
[0014]The processor may identify food ingredients prepared in the cooking apparatus and display a list of foods shapeable from the food ingredients.
[0015]The processor may display a food shape selected by the user.
[0016]The processor may transmit the food model including the selected food shape to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food according to the food shape selected by the user.
[0017]The processor may identify food ingredients prepared in the cooking apparatus and display an insufficient food ingredient to shape the food according to the food shape selected by the user.
[0018]The processor may display a model drawing screen to draw the food shape selected by the user on the user interface in response to a touch on the draw button.
[0019]The processor may sense a touch point of the user and create a food shape based on a moving path of the sensed touch point.
[0020]The processor may display a reference image representing the food on the model drawing screen.
[0021]The processor may display at least one of a line, a circle, or polygon in accordance with a touch input of the user in a model drawing region and create the food shape from the at least one of the line, the circle, and the polygon.
[0022]When the user touches the inside of the food shape, the processor may display an additional information input menu for inputting the thickness, an ingredient, and a color of the food.
[0023]The processor may display a cooking method setting screen for inputting a cooking method including a heating temperature and a heating time on the user interface in response to a touch on the cooking method button.
[0024]The processor may transmit the cooking method to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to cook the food according to the heating temperature and the heating time input via the cooking method setting screen.
[0025]The processor may display a preview of the food and the preview of food may represent an appearance of the food after cooking by the cooking apparatus in response to a touch on the output button.
[0026]The preview of the food may represent the appearance of the food after the food is cooked according to the heating temperature and the heating time input by the user.
[0027]The processor may modify a size of the food shape in accordance with the touch input of the user.
[0028]The processor may automatically arrange the food shape in accordance with the touch input of the user.
[0029]In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided. The user equipment includes a user interface, a storage, a transceiver and a processor. The user interface may receive a touch input of a user and display an image in response to the touch input. The storage may store information on a plurality of food shapes representing appearances of foods. The transceiver may transmit information of a food shape to a cooking apparatus capable of shaping and heating a food. The processor may display a food shape selected by the user among the plurality of food shapes on the user interface and transmit the information of the food shape to the cooking apparatus via the transceiver to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food in accordance with a food model.
[0030]The processor may detect a region closed by the selected food shape and inputs an ingredient and color of the food.
[0031]The processor may transmit a food model including the selected food shape, the ingredient, and the color to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to shape the food in accordance with the food shape, the ingredient, and the color.
[0032]The processor may receive an input of a cooking method including a heating temperature and a heating time via the user interface.
[0033]The processor may transmit the cooking method to the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to heat the food according to the heating temperature and the heating time of the food.
[0034]The processor may display a preview of the food representing an appearance of the food after heating.
[0035]The processor may modify a size of the food shape in response to the touch input of the user.
[0036]The processor may repeat an arrangement of the food shape in response to the touch input of the user.
[0037]In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a user interface, a food shaping device and a processor. The user interface may sense a touch input of a user and display an image in response to the touch input. The food shaping device may discharge food ingredients. The processor may sense a shape drawn on the user interface by the user and control the food shaping device to discharge the food ingredients in accordance with the drawn shape.
[0038]The processor may sense a touch point of the user on the user interface and display a moving path of the touch point in response to the touch input of the user.
[0039]The processor may display at least one of a line, circle, or a polygon on the user interface in response to the touch input of the user.
[0040]The processor may receive an input of an ingredient and color of the food for a closed region of the drawn shape.
[0041]The processor may display the input ingredient and color in the closed region.
[0042]The processor may control the food shaping unit to discharge the food ingredients according to the drawn shape, the ingredient, and the color.
[0043]In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking system includes a user equipment and a cooking apparatus. The user equipment may include a user interface configured to receive a touch input of a user and display an image in response to the touch input, a first transceiver configured to communicate with the cooking apparatus, and a first processor configured to sense a shape drawn on the user interface by the user and transmit information of the drawn shape to the cooking apparatus via the first transceiver. The cooking apparatus may include a second transceiver configured to communicate with the user equipment, a food shaping device configured to discharge food ingredients, a food heating device configured to heat a food shaped by using the food ingredients, and a second processor configured to receive information of the drawn shape via the second transceiver and control the food shaping device to discharge the food ingredients according to the drawn shape.
[0044]The first processor may sense a touch point of the user on the user interface and display a moving path of the touch point in response to the touch point of the user.
[0045]The first processor may receive an input of an ingredient and color of the food for a closed region of the drawn shape.
[0046]The user equipment may further include a camera configured to acquire a food image, and the first processor may transmit the food image acquired by the camera to the cooking apparatus via the first transceiver. The cooking apparatus may also include a camera configured to acquire a food image (e.g., inside or outside of the cooking apparatus) and transmit the food image acquired by the camera to the user equipment via the second transceiver,
[0047]According to the present disclose, a food to be cooked by the user may be three-dimensionally shaped and cooked by applying the food shaping module to the cooking apparatus.
[0048]According to the present disclosure, provided are a user equipment and a cooking apparatus capable of displaying the food shape in accordance with the touch input of the user and shaping the food in accordance with the displayed food shape.
[0049]According to the present disclosure, provided are a user equipment and a cooking apparatus that allow the user to easily input the food shape.
[0050]According to the present disclosure, provided are a user equipment and a cooking apparatus capable of displaying an appearance of a food shaped in accordance with a food shape input by the user after heating.
[0051]Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.
具体实施方式：
[0133]Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0134]The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0135]The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0136]It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0137]Additionally, embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numerals denote like elements throughout.
[0138]It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0139]It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” or “coupled,” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” or“directly coupled,” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0140]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0141]Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0142]FIG. 1 illustrates a cooking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0143]Referring to FIG. 1, a cooking system 1 may include a cooking apparatus 2 configured to shape and heat a food, a user equipment 3 (e.g., a laptop computer 3-1 and a smartphone 3-2) configured to acquire information on the food from a user, and an information relay device 4 configured to relay communications between the cooking apparatus 2 and user equipment 3.
[0144]The cooking apparatus 2 may shape the food by three-dimensional (3D) printing. The food that is a mixture of food ingredients and/or seasonings is in an uncooked or unheated state. After cooking or heating the food by the cooking apparatus 2, the user may eat the food.
[0145]The cooking apparatus 2 may receive an input of a 3D food shape and three-dimensionally shape a food having by 3D printing. For example, the cooking apparatus 2 may shape the 3D shape of food by forming a food ingredient layer with an appropriate thickness by repeating a discharge of proper amounts of food ingredients and stacking the food ingredient layer.
[0146]The cooking apparatus 2 may receive the 3D food shape from the user in various ways. For example, the cooking apparatus 2 may receive information on the 3D food shape from the user equipment 3 via communication networks or may directly receive an input of the 3D shape of food from the user via a user interface.
[0147]The cooking apparatus 2 may heat the food having a 3D shape in various ways. For example, the cooking apparatus 2 may directly heat the food using a heater or may heat air surrounding the food by convection. Also, the cooking apparatus 2 may heat the food using microwaves.
[0148]The cooking apparatus 2 may include an electric oven that heats food using an electric heater, a convection oven that heats food using hot air, a microwave oven that heats food using microwaves, a gas oven that heats food by burning a gas fuel, and the like.
[0149]The user equipment 3 may receive an input of the 3D shape of food from the user and transmit information on the 3D shape of food to the cooking apparatus 2. For example, the user equipment 3 may receive an input of the 3D shape of food from the user via the user interface 3 and transmit information on the 3D shape of food to the cooking apparatus 2 via the information relay device 4.
[0150]In addition, the user equipment 3 may assign the cooking operation to a plurality of cooking apparatuses 2-1 and 2-2 in accordance with operating states of the cooking apparatuses 2-1 and 2-2. For example, while a first cooking apparatus 2-1 is in operation, the user equipment 3 may transmit the cooking operation to a second cooking apparatus 2-2.
[0151]The user equipment 3 may be implemented using a computer or portable terminal that may access a network. In this regard, examples of the computer may include a notebook computer, desktop, laptop, tablet PC, slate PC, and the like provided with a WEB Browser. In addition, examples of the portable terminal, as a wireless communication device with portability and mobility, may include a hand-held wireless communication device such as a personal communication system (PCS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), personal digital cellular (PDC), personal handy-phone system (PHS), personal digital assistant (PDA), international mobile telecommunication (IMT)-2000, code division multiple access (CDMA)-2000, w-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), wireless broadband Internet (WiBro) terminal, and smartphone and a wearable device such as a watch, ring, bracelet, anklet, necklace, glasses, contact lenses, and head-mounted-device (HMD).
[0152]The information relay device 4 may relay information between the cooking apparatus 2 and the user equipment 3. For example, the information relay device 4 may receive information on the 3D shape of food from the user equipment 3 and transmit the information on the 3D shape of food to the cooking apparatus 2. Also, the information relay device 4 may receive information on the operating state from the cooking apparatus 2 and transmit the information on the operating state of the cooking apparatus 2 to the user equipment 3.
[0153]The information relay device 4 may include a server device that simply relays signals between the cooking apparatus 2 and the user equipment 3 or a network relay device that relays communications between the cooking apparatus 2 and the user equipment 3. For example, the information relay device 4 may include a server device for providing a service to clients, a repeater for amplifying a weakened signal, a Hub for sending out data received via one of a plurality of ports via another port, a bridge for connecting different segments in a network, a switch for transmitting data received via one of a plurality of ports to a target port, a router for connecting independent networks, and a gateway for connecting networks having different protocols.
[0154]Hereinafter, the cooking apparatus 2, the user equipment 3, and the information relay device 4 will be described in more detail.
[0155]FIGS. 2 to 8 illustrate views of a case to which a cartridge assembly 200 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0156]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0157]Referring to FIG. 2, a cooking apparatus 1a may include a main body 10. The main body 10 may define an appearance of the cooking apparatus 1a. The main body 10 may have a top surface 11, a bottom surface (not shown), a rear surface (not shown), both side surfaces 12, and a front surface 13.
[0158]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a cooking chamber 20 disposed inside the main body 10. The cooking chamber 20 may be defined by a top surface (not shown), a bottom surface 21, a rear surface (not shown), both side surfaces 22, and an open font surface 23. An insulating member (not shown) may be disposed between the cooking chamber 20 and the main body 10 to insulate the cooking chamber 20.
[0159]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a door 30. The door 30 may be rotatably installed on the main body 10 to open or close the front surface 23 of the cooking chamber20. The door 30 may define an appearance of the main body 10 and the cooking apparatus 1a. The door 30 may be provided with a handle 31 for the convenience of the user.
[0160]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a control panel 40 to control the operation of the cooking apparatus 1a. The control panel 40 may be installed at an upper portion of the font surface 23 of the main body 10, but the position of the control panel 40 may be modified in various ways.
[0161]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a food shaping module 100. The food shaping module 100 may be movably disposed inside the cooking chamber 20. The food shaping module 100 may include a cartridge assembly 200 and a driving device 120 configured to drive the cartridge assembly 200. The food shaping module 100 will be described in more detail later.
[0162]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a guide rod 50 configured to guide the food shaping module 100. The guide rod 50 may include fixed rods 51 fixedly installed at the both side surfaces 22 of the cooking chamber 20. The fixed rods 51 may be fixed to the both side surfaces 22 of the cooking chamber 20 to extend in a longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a. The fixed rods 51 installed at the both side surfaces 22 of the cooking chamber 20 may be parallel to each other. The guide rod 50 may further include moving rods 52 moving along the fixed rods 51. The moving rods 52 may extend in a lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a. Both ends of the moving rods 52 may be coupled to the fixed rods 51 respectively. In particularly, the both ends of the moving rods 52 may be coupled to the fixed rods 51 respectively by binding members 53 such that the moving rods 52 move in the longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a along the fixed rods 51. The food shaping module 100 may be movably coupled to the moving rods 52. Particularly, the food shaping module 100 may be coupled to the moving rods 52 to move in the lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a along the moving rods 52. The movement of the food shaping module 100 will be described in more detail later.
[0163]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a tray 60 disposed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20. The tray 60 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 to be rotated. The tray 60 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 such that a height of the tray 60 is adjusted in the in a vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0164]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include at least one heater 70 to heat food. The at least one heater 70 may be installed in the cooking chamber 20. For example, the at least one heater 70 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 or the top surface (not shown) of the cooking chamber 20. However, the installation position of the heater 70 may be modified in various ways.
[0165]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a machine room (not shown) in which various electric components used to drive the cooking apparatus 1a are installed. For example, the machine room may be disposed in a space between the cooking chamber 20 and the main body 10. However, the position of the machine room is not limited and may be modified in various ways.
[0166]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a fan (not shown) installed to circulate air heated by the at least one heater 70.
[0167]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a food shaping module of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0168]Referring to FIG. 3, the food shaping module 100 may include a cartridge assembly 200 and a driving device 120 configured to drive the cartridge assembly 200.
[0169]The driving device 120 may include a vertical movement adjusting unit 130 (e.g., a vertical movement adjusting device) that moves the cartridge assembly 200 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0170]The vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may include an actuator. For example, the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may include an electric actuator, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, or the like. Hereinafter, the pneumatic actuator will be described as an example of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130.
[0171]The vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may include a cylinder 131. Although the cylinder 131 may have a cylindrical shape, the shape of the cylinder 131 may be modified in various ways.
[0172]In addition, the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may further include a piston rod 132 reciprocating by an air pressure. The piston rod 132 may be accommodated in the cylinder 131 such that one end of the piston rod 132 is fixed to a connection unit 150 (e.g., a connection device). Particularly, one end of the piston rod 132 may be fixed to a bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150.
[0173]The vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may further include a housing 133. The housing 133 may be disposed on the connection unit 150. Particularly, the housing 133 may be disposed on a top plate 151 of the connection unit 150. The housing 133 may include a top cover 134 coupled to a top end of the cylinder 131 and a bottom cover 135 coupled to a bottom end of the cylinder 131. In addition, the housing 133 may further include a plurality of connection rods 136 connecting the top cover 134 with the bottom cover 135. The plurality of connection rods 136 may be disposed outside the cylinder 131. In another aspect, the cylinder 131 may be accommodated in a space defined by the top cover 134, the bottom cover 135, and the plurality of connection rods 136. One end of the piston rod 132 may penetrate the bottom cover 135 and the top plate 151 to be fixed to the bottom plate 153.
[0174]The type of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 is not limited to the actuator so long as the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may adjust the height of the cartridge assembly 200.
[0175]The driving device 120 may further include a rotation adjusting unit 140 (e.g., a rotation adjusting device) that rotates the cartridge assembly 200.
[0176]The rotation adjusting unit 140 may include a rotation shaft 141 coupled to the cartridge assembly 200. The rotation shaft 141 may be coupled to a cartridge body 210 to allow rotational movement of the cartridge assembly 200.
[0177]The rotation adjusting unit 140 may further include a driving motor 142. The driving motor 142 is connected to the rotation shaft 141 to provide a rotational force to the rotation shaft 141.
[0178]In addition, the rotation adjusting unit 140 may further include a casing 143 provided to accommodate the driving motor 142. The casing 143 may be fixed to the connection unit 150. Particularly, the casing 143 may be fixed to the bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150.
[0179]The driving device 120 may further include the connection unit 150 connecting the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 with the rotation adjusting unit 140. The connection unit 150 may be disposed between the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 and the rotation adjusting unit 140.
[0180]The connection unit 150 may include a top plate 151 provided to support the vertical movement adjusting unit 130. The bottom cover 135 of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may be fixed to the top plate 151. The top plate 151 may have moving rod mounting holes 152 to which the moving rods 52 are coupled. The number and size of the moving rod mounting holes 152 may correspond to the number and size of the moving rods 52. Since the moving rods 52 are movably coupled to the moving rod mounting holes 152 of the connection unit 150, the food shaping module 100 may move in the lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a along the moving rods 52.
[0181]In addition, the connection unit 150 may further include the bottom plate 153 coupled to the rotation adjusting unit 140. Particularly, the bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150 may be coupled to a casing 143 of the rotation adjusting unit 140. One end of the piston rod 132 of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may be fixed to the bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150.
[0182]In addition, the connection unit 150 may further include a guide rod 154 connecting the top plate 151 with the bottom plate 153. The guide rod 154 may penetrate the top plate 151. In addition, one end of the guide rod 154 may be fixed to the bottom plate 153. The vertical movement adjusting unit 130 may be disposed inside the guide rod 154. The guide rod 154 may move integrally with the bottom plate 153. For example, when the piston rod 132 of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 moves downward in the cooking apparatus 1a, a gap between the top plate 151 and the bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150 increases simultaneously increasing a length of the guide rod 154 between the top plate 151 and the bottom plate 153 of the connection unit 150. A stopper (not shown) may be disposed at the guide rod 154. The stopper may limit the movement of the guide rod 154 downward in the cooking apparatus 1a to prevent detachment of the guide rod 154 from the top plate 151. The connection unit 150 may include a plurality of guide rods 154.
[0183]The driving device 120 may further include an extruding unit 160 (e.g., an extruding device). The extruding unit 160 may press at least one cartridge 240. The extruding unit 160 may be installed inside the cooking chamber 20 such that a food ingredient contained in at least one cartridge 240 is discharged onto the tray 60 (FIG. 2) by pressing the at least one cartridge 240.
[0184]The extruding unit 160 may include an actuator. For example, the extruding unit 160 may include an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or the like. Hereinafter, the pneumatic actuator will be described as the extruding unit 160 by way of example.
[0185]The extruding unit 160 may include an extruding unit cylinder 161. Although the extruding unit cylinder 161 may have a cylindrical shape, the shape of the extruding unit cylinder 161 may be modified in various ways.
[0186]The extruding unit 160 may further include a piston 162 reciprocating by an air pressure. The piston 162 may include a pressing part 162a disposed at one end of the piston 162 to press the at least one cartridge 240.
[0187]The extruding unit 160 may be accommodated in the casing 143. Particularly, the extruding unit 160 may be accommodated in the casing 143 such that one end of the piston 162 is located outside the casing 143, In other words, the extruding unit 160 may be accommodated in the casing 143 such that the pressing part 162a of the piston 162 is located outside the casing 143. However, the extruding unit 160 may also be accommodated in a separate casing only for the extruding unit 160.
[0188]The driving device 120 may include a plurality of extruding units 160 respectively corresponding to a plurality of cartridges 240.
[0189]The cartridge assembly 200 may include a plurality of cartridges 240 in which food ingredients are contained. The extruding unit 160 may be provided to selectively press one of the plurality of cartridges 240. The cartridge assembly 200 will be described in more detail later. The type of the extruding unit 160 is not limited to the actuator so long as the extruding unit 160 may press the plurality of cartridges 240.
[0190]FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the cartridge assembly moving in the longitudinal direction X in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0191]Referring to FIG. 4, the cartridge assembly 200 may move in the longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0192]The movement of the cartridge assembly 200 in the longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a may be implemented by movement of the moving rods 52 that move along the fixed rods 51. The moving rods 52 may move in the longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a along the fixed rods 51. Thus, the food shaping module 100 coupled to the moving rods 52 may also move in the longitudinal direction X of the cooking apparatus 1a along the fixed rods 51 integrally with the moving rods 52.
[0193]FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the cartridge assembly moving in the lateral direction Y in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0194]Referring to FIG. 5, the cartridge assembly 200 may move in the lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0195]The food shaping module 100 may be coupled to the moving rods 52 to move in the lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a along the moving rods 52. Thus, the cartridge assembly 200 as a component of the food shaping module 100 may also move in the lateral direction Y of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0196]FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the cartridge assembly moving in the vertical direction Z in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Refer to FIG. 3 for the reference numerals not illustrated herein.
[0197]Referring to FIG. 6, the cartridge assembly 200 may move in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0198]The movement of the cartridge assembly 200 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a may be implemented by the operation of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130. Particularly, the movement of the cartridge assembly 200 moving in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a is determined by the movement of the piston rod 132. When the piston rod 132 of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 moves downward in the cooking apparatus 1a, the cartridge assembly 200 also moves downward in the cooking apparatus 1a. On the contrary, when the piston rod 132 of the vertical movement adjusting unit 130 moves upward in the cooking apparatus 1a, the cartridge assembly 200 also move upward in the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0199]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating rotation of the cartridge assembly in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0200]Referring to FIG. 7, the cartridge assembly 200 may rotate about the rotation shaft 141 of the rotation adjusting unit 140. The rotation shaft 141 may rotate upon receiving power from the driving motor 142 of the rotation adjusting unit 140. The cartridge assembly 200 may rotate in one direction or in both directions.
[0201]If the cartridge assembly 200 is designed as a rotatable device as described above, the plurality of cartridges 240 may be pressed by using one extruding unit 160. For example, under an assumption that the plurality of cartridges 240 contain different food ingredients, the extruding unit 160 may press one of the plurality of cartridges 240 by controlling the degree of rotation of the cartridge assembly 200.
[0202]However, the number of the extruding units 160 is not limited to one. For example, the driving device 120 may include a plurality of extruding units 160 corresponding to the number of the plurality of cartridges 240.
[0203]FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a tray moving in the vertical direction Z in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0204]Referring to FIG. 8, the tray 60 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 to be movable in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a. That is, the tray 60 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 such that the height of the tray 60 is adjustable.
[0205]The cooking apparatus 1a may further include a tray height adjusting unit 170 (e.g., a tray height adjusting device).
[0206]The tray height adjusting unit 170 may include an actuator. Examples of the tray height adjusting unit 170 may include an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator. Hereinafter, the pneumatic actuator will be described as the tray height adjusting unit 170 by way of example.
[0207]The tray height adjusting unit 170 may include a tray cylinder 171 and a tray piston rod 172. The tray piston rod 172 may reciprocate in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a by an air pressure.
[0208]The movement of the tray 60 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a may be implemented by the operation of the tray height adjusting unit 170. Particularly, the movement of the tray 60 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a is determined by the movement of the tray piston rod 172. When the tray piston rod 172 moves upward in the cooking apparatus 1a, the tray 60 also moves upward in the cooking apparatus 1a. On the contrary, when the tray piston rod 172 moves downward in the cooking apparatus 1a, the tray 60 also moves downward in the cooking apparatus 1a.
[0209]The tray height adjusting unit 170 may be disposed between the cooking chamber 20 and the main body 10. Particularly, the tray height adjusting unit 170 may be disposed between the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 and the main body 10. However, the position of the tray height adjusting unit 170 is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways.
[0210]The type of the tray height adjusting unit 170 is not limited to the actuator so long as it may adjust the height of the tray 60.
[0211]The tray 60 may be installed on the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20 so as to be rotatable.
[0212]As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the cartridge assembly 200 may be installed in the cooking chamber 20 so as to be linearly movable. In addition, the cartridge assembly 200 may be installed in the cooking chamber 20 so as to be rotatable as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0213]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cartridge assembly according to the first embodiment of the cooking apparatus of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge assembly according to the first embodiment of the cooking apparatus of the present disclosure.
[0214]Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cartridge assembly 200 may include a cartridge body 210. The cartridge body 210 may have a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the cartridge body 210 is not limited thereto and may be modified in various ways. A plurality of cartridge mounts 220 may be formed on the cartridge body 210. When the cartridge body 210 has a cylindrical shape, the plurality of cartridge mounts 220 may be formed on the side surface of the cartridge body 210 along a circumferential direction of the cartridge body 210. Grooves 221 may be formed on the side surface of the cartridge body 210 to define the plurality of cartridge mounts 220. The cartridge body 210 may include a rotation shaft coupling part 211 to be coupled to the rotation shaft 141 of the rotation adjusting unit 140.
[0215]The cartridge assembly 200 may further include a plurality of cartridge cases 230 mounted on the plurality of cartridge mounts 220. The plurality of cartridge cases 230 may have a cylindrical shape with one open surface. For example, the plurality of cartridge cases 230 may have a cylindrical shape with an open top surface. The plurality of cartridge cases 230 may include protrusions 231 respectively corresponding to the grooves 221 of the plurality of cartridge mounts 220. The protrusions 231 may protrude from the side surfaces of the plurality of cartridge cases 230 to be coupled to the grooves 221 of the plurality of cartridge mounts 220. The plurality of cartridge cases 230 may further have openings 232. The openings 232 may be formed in the plurality of cartridge cases 230 to face the bottom surface 21 of the cooking chamber 20. For example, the openings 232 may be formed at the bottom surfaces of the plurality of cartridge cases 230. Nozzle parts 242 of the plurality of cartridges 240 may selectively protrude out of the plurality of cartridge cases 230 through the openings 232.
[0216]The plurality of cartridge cases 230 are not limited to the cylindrical shape and may have a shape corresponding to the plurality of cartridge mounts 220.
[0217]The cartridge assembly 200 may further include a plurality of cartridges 240 disposed in the plurality of cartridge cases 230. Food ingredients may be contained in the plurality of cartridges 240. The food ingredients may be in a liquid phase or a solid phase. Also, the food ingredients may be in a powder form.
[0218]The plurality of cartridges 240 may include a transparent or opaque material.
[0219]The plurality of cartridges 240 may include at least one material selected from plastic, paper, and coated fiber. For example, the plurality of cartridges 240 may be formed of a polyethylene (PE) material. As another example, the plurality of cartridges 240 may be formed of paper having a plastic-coated inner surface. As another example, the plurality of cartridges 240 may be formed of a waterproof coated fiber.
[0220]Each of the plurality of cartridges 240 may include a containing part 241.
[0221]In addition, each of the plurality of cartridges 240 may further include a nozzle part 242 connected to the containing part 241 and having a discharge port 243 through which a food ingredient is discharged.
[0222]The containing part 241 may have wrinkles 244 found in at least one portion thereof. Preferably, the wrinkles 244 may be formed in the entire containing part 241. Since the wrinkles 244 are formed in at least one portion of the containing part 241 as described above, the food ingredient may be easily discharged when the extruding unit 160 presses each of the plurality of cartridges 240. That is, if the wrinkles 244 are formed in at least one portion of the containing part 241, smooth discharge of the food ingredient may be expected. Thus, throwing out or replacement of the plurality of cartridges 240 even when the food ingredients remain in the plurality of cartridges 240 may be prevented.
[0223]The cartridge assembly 200 may further include elastic members 250. The elastic member 250 may be accommodated inside each of the plurality of cartridge cases 230. Particularly, the elastic member 250 may be accommodated in each of the plurality of cartridge cases 230 so as to be disposed between the cartridge 240 and the opening 232 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking apparatus 1a. The nozzle part 242 of each of the plurality of cartridges 240 may selectively protrude out of each of the plurality of cartridge cases 230 through the opening 232 by an elastic force of the elastic member 250. For example, the elastic member 250 may include a spring.
[0224]The plurality of cartridges 240 may include different food ingredients.
[0225]FIGS. 11A and 11B are views illustrating a process of pressing the cartridge assembly according to the first embodiment of the cooking apparatus of the present disclosure. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, “F” indicates food ingredient.
[0226]Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the plurality of cartridges 240 may be pressed by the extruding unit 160 in the vertical direction Z of the cooking ap