System and method for preparing a single serving of food

Abstract

A system for preparing a serving of food comprises a first sealed package (1) containing a first ingredient (2), a second sealed package (3) containing a second ingredient (4), and at least one machine (5) configured to supply hot water and steam to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to first cooking and / or heating parameters and to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to second cooking and / or heating parameters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application is related to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000012233 filed on May 12, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for preparing a single - serving food.

[0003] The present invention relates, in particular, to a system and method for preparing a single - serving food containing various materials.

Background Art

[0004] In the quick - catering industry, it is known to use machines to cook fresh food with steam and / or heat cooked food.

[0005] In Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 by the applicant, it is taught how to cook a single - serving fresh food contained in a container by supplying hot water and steam into the container containing the single - serving food.

[0006] On the one hand, in order to cook fresh food with water and steam, it is necessary to distribute a fixed amount of steam and hot water and control the distribution time of water and steam so as to cook the food quickly.

[0007] On the other hand, from the intention of achieving high quality in a single - serving food, high - quality preparation is required for each material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing single-serving food that can strike a balance between the time required for rapid catering and the desire to provide several high-quality food servings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the present invention, a system for preparing one serving of food is provided, - A first sealed package containing the first material, - A second sealed package containing the second material, - A machine configured to directly cook and / or heat a first ingredient according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and further to indirectly cook and / or heat a second ingredient according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, A system equipped with the above features is provided.

[0011] The first and second ingredients are then cooked or heated separately and combined and mixed together while still hot. This method of food preparation is particularly suitable for preparing pasta dishes where the first ingredient is fresh pasta and the second ingredient is pasta sauce.

[0012] In the quick catering industry, a system may have two or more identical machines, with at least one machine used for cooking or heating a second ingredient.

[0013] Specifically, the first package includes a tray having a cooking chamber containing a first material, an upper opening defined by a first rim, and a sealing material for the tray. When the sealing material is removed to cook / heat the first material in the tray, the machine and the tray are configured to be coupled to each other at the upper opening of the tray.

[0014] Thereby, the machine and the container form a substantially enclosed cooking chamber in which the first material is cooked.

[0015] Furthermore, the system includes a container having an upper opening defined by a second rim, including at least one second package, and configured to cook / heat a second material in the container without opening the second package.

[0016] Thereby, the second material can be cooked or heated easily and quickly.

[0017] In particular, the container is configured to cook / heat the second materials in a plurality of second packages.

[0018] By doing so, a plurality of second materials in the container can be cooked or heated simultaneously.

[0019] Specifically, the container includes a cup body and an insert configured to fit within the cup body and hold the second package in a predetermined position within the cup body.

[0020] More specifically, the insert is configured to convey steam to a predetermined part of the second package, which is advantageous for cooking or heating the second material.

[0021] Specifically, the first rim and the second rim are identical in both shape and dimensions.

[0022] By doing so, both the tray and the container can be coupled to the same machine, and the cooking or heating of the first material and the second material can be performed by the same machine.

[0023] Specifically, the machine is configured to distribute steam and hot water independently of each other.

[0024] By doing so, steam and hot water can be supplied into the tray or the container simultaneously and / or in some order.

[0025] Specifically, the system includes a plurality of distributors that can be replaced according to the operating mode of the machine.

[0026] Thereby, the distributor can be replaced according to the type of food to be cooked or heated and / or according to the preparation recipe.

[0027] Specifically, the machine includes a first steam supply duct, a second hot water supply duct, and a first coupler that extends along an axis and is integral with the machine, where the first duct and the second duct converge. Each distributor includes a respective first sleeve that fits snugly around the first coupler and is configured such that each distributor is coupled to the first coupler by pressure.

[0028] Specifically, the first coupler includes at least one body that is selectively movable in the radial direction, while the first sleeve of each distributor includes a compartment suitable for accommodating the movable body and locking each distributor in a fixed position.

[0029] Thereby, each distributor can be snap-coupled to the first coupler in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0030] Specifically, the machine comprises a steam exhaust duct and a second coupler integrated with the machine, which is fluidly connected to the exhaust duct, and each distributor comprises a second sleeve selectively attached to the second coupler and configured to discharge excess steam from a tray or container.

[0031] Specifically, the system includes a joint that fluidly connects a first coupler and a second coupler, and is configured to recirculate steam and / or hot water from the first coupler to the second coupler, thereby cleaning the first coupler and the second coupler.

[0032] A further object of the present invention is to provide a food preparation method that can mitigate the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0033] According to the present invention, a method for preparing one serving of food, - A step of providing a first sealed package containing the first material, - A step of providing a second sealed package containing a second material, - A step of supplying hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat a first ingredient according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and further in order to indirectly cook and / or heat a second ingredient according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, A method including this is provided.

[0034] This allows the first and second ingredients to be cooked or heated directly within the first and second packages, which are also used for transporting the first and second ingredients.

[0035] The present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings, which show exemplary embodiments of the present invention, not limited to those described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the system for preparing a single serving of food, which is the subject of the present invention, when it is in the first operating configuration (some parts have been removed for clarity, and some parts are shown in cross-section). [Figure 2] This is a front view of the system in the second operating configuration (some parts have been removed and others shown in cross-section for clarity). [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a sealing package configured to hold materials as part of the system covered by the present invention (partially removed for clarity). [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing a further sealing package configured to hold additional material as part of the system to be studied in the present invention (partially removed for clarity). [Figure 5] This is a side view of the system in Figure 1 when it is in the first operating configuration (some parts have been removed and some parts are shown as cross-sections for clarity). [Figure 6] This is a front view of the system in Figure 1 when it is in the third operating configuration (some parts have been removed and some parts are shown in cross-section for clarity). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the system for preparing one serving of food comprises a sealed package 1 (Figure 1) containing ingredient 2 (Figure 1), which is fresh pasta; a sealed package 3 (Figure 2), which contains ingredient 4 (Figure 2), which is a sauce for fresh pasta; and a machine 5 configured to directly cook and / or heat ingredient 2 (Figure 1) according to cooking parameters and / or heating parameters, respectively, and to indirectly cook and / or heat ingredient 4 (Figure 2) according to cooking parameters and / or heating parameters, respectively.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3, the sealed package 1 comprises a tray 6 having a compartment for holding the ingredients 2, an upper opening defined by a rim 7, and a sheet 8 sealed at the rim 7 of the tray 6. The tray 6 has three functions: it defines a part of the sealed package 1 for transporting the ingredients 2 from the production site to the preparation and consumption site, it defines a container in which the cooking of the ingredients 2 takes place, and it defines a container in which the dish defined by the appropriate combination of ingredients 2 and 4 is consumed.

[0039] Referring to Figure 4, the sealed package 3 is a bag suitable for holding a material 4 in a paste-like or semi-fluid form, having two rims 9 facing each other and having at least a converging cross-section. This configuration of the sealed package 3 is modeled after the structure of a "piping bag for whipped cream," and when opened at one end which has a pre-made weak section, the material 4 can be squeezed out by hand.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, the machine 5 comprises a dispenser 10 configured to be coupled to the tray 6 at the upper opening of the tray 6 to close a compartment within the tray 6; two couplers 11 and 12 to which the dispenser 10 is selectively coupled; a duct 13 connected to coupler 11 to supply steam to the dispenser 10; a duct 14 connected to coupler 11 to supply hot water to the dispenser 10; and a duct 15 connected to coupler 12 to discharge steam from the tray 6 to a discharge section (not shown in the accompanying drawing).

[0041] More specifically, the coupler 11 includes a flow path 16 that extends along a substantially vertical axis A and is in fluid communication with the duct 13, and a flow path 17 that extends in a direction substantially parallel to axis A and is in fluid communication with the duct 13.

[0042] The free ends of the flow paths 16 and 17 are provided with openings 18 and 19, respectively, configured to supply steam and hot water. This configures the machine 5 to independently distribute steam and hot water.

[0043] The coupler 11 is fixed to the support portion 20 of the machine 5 and includes an annular gasket 21 configured to prevent steam or hot water from leaking from the distributor 10. In the example described and illustrated herein, the annular gasket 21 is made of a polymer material and is housed in an annular seat 22 created within the coupler 11.

[0044] The distributor 10 is preferably made of a polymer material and comprises a cylindrical sleeve 23 configured to be fixed to the coupler 11, a cover 24 coaxial with the cylindrical sleeve 23, and another cylindrical sleeve 25 configured to be fixed to the coupler 12.

[0045] The lid 24 has two annular projections 26 and 27 that close the upper opening of the tray 6 by defining a compartment configured to accommodate the rim 7 of the tray 6.

[0046] The distributor 10 further comprises a central projection 28 extending along axis A, the central projection 28 having an opening 29, and an annular wall 30 extending around the central projection 28, the annular wall 30 having an opening 31 for distributing hot water. Specifically, the annular wall 30 comprises a portion 32 substantially perpendicular to axis A, the portion 32 having an opening 31 adjacent to the central projection 28 and extending substantially parallel to axis A, and a portion 33 inclined with respect to axis A and positioned between portion 32 and the cylindrical sleeve 23, the portion 33 having an opening 31 extending transversely with respect to axis A.

[0047] The distributor 10 is fixed to the coupler 11 so that the flow path 16 extends at least partially through the opening 29 of the central projection 28, and the opening 19 of the flow path 16 faces directly towards the tray 6.

[0048] Furthermore, the distributor 10 is fixed to the coupler 11 so that an annular chamber 34 is formed, which is defined by the annular wall 30 and the coupler 11, and is configured to be filled with hot water.

[0049] Referring to Figure 2, the system comprises a container 35 having an upper opening defined by a rim 36, and configured to allow cooking / heating of ingredients 4 within the container 35 without opening the sealing package 3, by including at least one sealing package 3. In the example described and illustrated herein, the container 35 is configured to allow simultaneous cooking / heating of ingredients 4 in multiple sealing packages 3.

[0050] Specifically, the container 35 comprises a cup body 37 and an insert 38 configured to fit inside the cup body 37 and hold the sealed package 3 in a predetermined position within the cup body 37.

[0051] More specifically, the container 35 includes shoulder portions 39 configured to support the insert 38.

[0052] The insert 38 is configured to deliver steam to a predetermined location in the sealed package 3. Specifically, the insert 38 is selectively removable from the container 35 and comprises a central duct 40 that is fluidly connected to openings 18 and 29 to deliver steam to the sealed package 3, and a plurality of receiving seats 41, each configured to hold its respective sealed package 3 in a predetermined position at the bottom of the container 35.

[0053] Specifically, the rim 7 of tray 6 and the rim 36 of container 35 are identical in both shape and dimensions. Therefore, both tray 6 and container 35 can be connected to the same dispenser 10.

[0054] Furthermore, in the example described and illustrated herein, the system includes a distributor 42 (Figures 1 and 5) whose central projection 43 has a different shape from that of the distributor 10. Specifically, the central projection 43 of the distributor 42 is dome-shaped and has multiple openings 44 for distributing steam, the openings 44 extending transversely with respect to axis A.

[0055] The distributor 42 is fixed to the coupler 11 so that the opening 18 of the flow path 16 is positioned within the central projection 43, close to the opening 44.

[0056] According to the present invention, dispensers 10 and 42 are interchangeable depending on the operating mode of the machine 5. Specifically, dispenser 10 is particularly suitable for cooking or heating solid foods placed in tray 6 and dispenser 42, and dispenser 42 is particularly suitable for cooking or heating liquid foods placed in tray 6.

[0057] Referring to Figure 5, the coupler 11 comprises two radially selectively movable body sections 45, each housed within a seat 46 located within the coupler 11. Each movable body section 45 is equipped with a rounded end 47, which is movable between a protruding position where the rounded end 47 extends radially from the coupler 11 and a retracted position where the rounded end 47 is positioned within the seat 46.

[0058] Specifically, the coupler 11 is equipped with two elastic elements 48 (in this case, coil springs), each of which is coupled to the respective movable body 45. Each elastic element 48 is configured to provide a force that counteracts the movement of the respective movable body 45 located at the respective seat 46.

[0059] The cylindrical sleeve 23 extends around the shaft A and includes a compartment 49 suitable for housing the movable body 45 and locking the distributor 10 in place. Specifically, the compartment 49 is configured to house the rounded end 47 of the movable body 45 and snap-connect the distributor 10 to the coupler 11.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the system includes a joint 50 configured to fluidly connect couplers 11 and 12. Specifically, the joint 50 includes a sleeve 51 configured to be fixed to coupler 11 and an L-shaped duct 52 configured to carry steam or hot water from the sleeve 51 to coupler 12.

[0061] When in use, as shown in Figure 3, the sheet 8 is removed from the tray 6, and as shown in Figure 1, the tray 6 is coupled with the dispenser 10, and the rim 7 is positioned between the annular protrusions 26 and 27, and the upper opening of the tray 6 is closed. In this state, steam and hot water are dispensed simultaneously and / or in some sequence from openings 18 and 31, respectively, according to predetermined cooking and / or heating parameters within the tray 6, to directly heat or cook the ingredients 2.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, each sealed package 3 is positioned in its respective receiving seat 41 of the insert 38 within the container 35. In this state, steam is dispensed from the opening 44 of the dispenser 42 according to predetermined cooking and / or heating parameters within the container 35, indirectly heating or cooking the ingredients 4.

[0063] In Figure 6, the sleeve 51 is fixed to the coupler 11, and the duct 52 is connected to the sleeve 51 at its first end and to the coupler 12 at its second end, forming a joint 50. Subsequently, the machine 5 dispenses hot water from the opening 19. The dispensed hot water is carried directly to the coupler 12 through the joint 50 and supplied to a discharge section not shown in the attached drawings. In this way, the couplers 11 and 12 can be cleaned.

[0064] It is clear that modifications of the present invention are possible without exceeding the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.

[0065] A system for preparing one serving of food, - A first sealed package (1) containing the first material (2), - A second sealed package (3) containing the second material (4), - At least one machine (5) configured to supply hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, A system equipped with these features.

[0066] The system according to paragraph

[0065] , wherein the first package (1) comprises a tray (6) having a compartment for the first material (2), an upper opening defined by a first rim (7), and a sealant for the tray (6), and the machine (5) and the tray (6) are connected to each other at the upper opening of the tray (6) when the sealant is removed to cook / heat the first material (2) in the tray (6).

[0067] The system according to paragraph

[0065] or paragraph

[0066] , comprising a container (35) having an upper opening defined by a second rim (36), and including at least one of the second packages (3), and configured to allow cooking / heating of the second material (4) in the container (35) without opening the second packages (3).

[0068] The system according to paragraph

[0067] , wherein the container (35) is configured to cook / heat the second ingredients (4) in a plurality of second packages (3).

[0069] The system according to paragraph

[0068] , wherein the container (35) comprises a cup body (37) and an insert (38) configured to fit within the cup body (37) and hold the second package (3) in a predetermined position within the cup body (37).

[0070] The system according to paragraph

[0069] , wherein the insert (38) is configured to deliver steam to a predetermined portion of the second package (3).

[0071] The system according to paragraphs

[0066] and

[0067] , wherein the first rim (7) and the second rim (36) are identical in shape and dimensions.

[0072] The system according to paragraphs

[0065] to

[0071] , wherein the machine (5) is configured to independently dispense steam and hot water, respectively.

[0073] The system according to paragraphs

[0065] to

[0072] , comprising a plurality of interchangeable distributors (10, 42) depending on the operating mode of the machine (5).

[0074] The system according to paragraph

[0073] , wherein the machine (5) comprises a first steam supply duct (13), a second hot water supply duct (14), and a first coupler (11) extending along an axis (A) and integral with the machine (5), the first duct (13) and the second duct (14) converging thereon, and each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a first sleeve (23) configured to fit snugly around the first coupler (11).

[0075] The system according to paragraph

[0074] , wherein the first coupler (11) comprises at least one body (45) that is selectively movable radially, and the first sleeve (23) of each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a compartment (49) suitable for housing the movable body (45) and locking each of the distributors (10, 42) in place.

[0076] The system according to paragraphs

[0073] to

[0075] , wherein the machine (5) comprises a steam exhaust duct and a second coupler (12) integral with the machine (5) and fluidly connected to the exhaust duct (15), and each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a second sleeve (25) configured to be selectively attached to the second coupler (12).

[0077] The system according to paragraphs

[0074] and

[0076] , comprising a joint (50) configured to fluidly connect the first coupler (11) and the second coupler (12).

[0078] A method for preparing one serving of food, - A step of providing a first sealed package (1) containing the first material (2), - A step of providing a second sealed package (3) containing the second material (4), - A step of supplying hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and further in order to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, A method that includes this. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1. First Encapsulation Package 2. First material 3. Second sealing package 4. Second material 5 machines 6 trays 7 rims 10-minute dispenser 11 Coupler 12. Second coupler 13. First steam supply duct 14. Second hot water supply duct 15 Steam exhaust duct 16 channels 18 Opening 21 Ring gasket 23 Cylindrical sleeve 24 Lid 25 Cylindrical Sleeves 26 Annular projection 27 Annular projection 28 Central protrusion 29 Opening 31 Opening 30 Ring Wall 35 Container 36 rim 37 Cup body 38 Inserts 39 Shoulder 40 Central duct 41 Seats 43 Central protrusion 44 Aperture 45. Movable torso 46 seats 47 Round end 48 Elastic elements 49 compartments 50 Joint 51 sleeves 52 L-shaped duct

Claims

1. A system for preparing one serving of food, - The first sealed package (1) containing the first material (2), - The second sealed package (3) containing the second material (4), - At least one machine (5) configured to supply hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, Equipped with, The system is configured such that the first sealing package (1) comprises a tray (6) having a compartment for containing the first material (2), an upper opening defined by a first rim (7), and a sealing material for the tray (6), and when the sealing material is removed to cook / heat the first material (2) in the tray (6), the machine (5) and the tray (6) are joined together at the upper opening of the tray (6).

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of interchangeable distributors (10, 42) depending on the operating mode of the machine (5).

3. A system for preparing one serving of food, - The first sealed package (1) containing the first material (2), - The second sealed package (3) containing the second material (4), - At least one machine (5) configured to supply hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to a first cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, and to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to a second cooking parameter and / or heating parameter, A plurality of distributors (10, 42) that can be swapped according to the operating mode of the machine (5), A system equipped with these features.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first sealing package (1) comprises a tray (6) having a compartment for containing the first material (2), an upper opening defined by a first rim (7), and a sealing material for the tray (6), and is configured such that when the sealing material is removed to cook / heat the first material (2) in the tray (6), the machine (5) and the tray (6) are joined together at the upper opening of the tray (6).

5. The system according to claim 1 or 4, comprising a container (35) having an upper opening defined by a second rim (36), comprising at least one of the second sealing packages (3), and configured such that the second material (4) in the container (35) can be cooked / heated without opening the second sealing packages (3).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the container (35) is configured to cook / heat the second material (4) in a plurality of second sealed packages (3).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the container (35) comprises a cup body (37) and an insert (38) configured to fit within the cup body (37) and hold the second sealing package (3) in a predetermined position within the cup body (37).

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the insert (38) is configured to deliver steam to a predetermined portion of the second sealing package (3).

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first rim (7) and the second rim (36) are identical in shape and dimensions.

10. The system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the machine (5) is configured to independently dispense steam and hot water.

11. The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the machine (5) comprises a first steam supply duct (13), a second hot water supply duct (14), and a first coupler (11) extending along an axis (A) and integral with the machine (5), the first steam supply duct (13) and the second hot water supply duct (14) converging thereon, and each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a first sleeve (23) configured to fit snugly around the first coupler (11).

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first coupler (11) comprises at least one movable body (45) that is selectively movable radially, and the first sleeve (23) of each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a compartment (49) suitable for housing the movable body (45) and locking each of the distributors (10, 42) in place.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the machine (5) comprises a steam exhaust duct (15) and a second coupler (12) integral with the machine (5) and fluidly connected to the steam exhaust duct (15), and each of the distributors (10, 42) comprises a second sleeve (25) configured to be selectively attached to the second coupler (12).

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a joint (50) configured to fluidly and directly connect the first coupler (11) and the second coupler (12).

15. A method for preparing one serving of food using the system described in Claim 1 or 3, - A step of providing the first sealing package (1) containing the first material (2), - The step of providing the second sealing package (3) containing the second material (4), - A step of supplying hot water and steam in order to directly cook and / or heat the first ingredient (2) according to the first cooking parameters and / or heating parameters, and further in order to indirectly cook and / or heat the second ingredient (4) according to the second cooking parameters and / or heating parameters, A method that includes this.

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