Abstract:
The present invention relates to an improved, simplified apparatus for rapidly cooking food in heated water with the assistance of increased pressure that provides the benefits of improved stirring capabilities, increased simplicity of the apparatus, and improved self-cleaning capabilities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/785,509.  
           [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly cooking food in heated water with the assistance of increased pressure.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The relevant art teaches several automatic apparatuses for rapidly cooking, with increased pressure, doses of pasta in a relatively short time period. Generally, such automatic apparatuses are designed to cook pastas in a two-step process. The pasta is first exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure water for a brief period of time. The pasta is then exposed to heated water at a pressure and temperature that is lower than that which is used during the first stage of the cooking cycle to allow the pasta to continue cooking, and to absorb an appropriate amount of water. After the second stage of the cooking cycle, the pasta is then separated from the water. Once separated, the pasta is ready for consumption.  
           [0006]    The apparatuses taught in the relevant art have several drawbacks. While some apparatuses are designed to allow an influx of water into the first cooking chamber to stir the pasta being cooked, this frequently is not sufficient. As a result, individual pieces of pasta tend to adhere to each other. Additionally, due to the apparatuses&#39; enclosed design, they are difficult to clean. While it is possible to run a cooking cycle without the pasta to flush the apparatus with water, simply filling the apparatus with water, without more, does not sufficiently remove food residue from the interior of the apparatus. An improved apparatus that will alleviate these problems is desired. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a process diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, with the exterior panels partially shown; FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking stack according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a cooking chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of a cooking stack according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a process diagram according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]    The apparatus of the present invention is capable of cooking virtually any food product that may be cooked using overheated water and steam. Such foods include pastas, grains, vegetables, prepared frozen foods, seafood, and meats. The invention may be made in larger sizes to accommodate industrial amounts of food, and in smaller sizes to prepare smaller quantities of food.  
         [0013]    Intake water that is used with the present invention may come from any suitable supply, such as a community water system. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intake water is put through a water filter and a water softener prior to entering the main body of the present invention. This helps to ensure regular operation and reduces service and maintenance costs. Water entering the present invention may pass through an intake line pressure switch  32 . This switch  32  ensures that pump  20  does not receive an inrush of water at greater-than-expected pressures.  
         [0014]    The apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may be viewed as composed of essentially 4 components, the combination of which will be referred to as the apparatus: the boiler; the cooking stack or system; the programmable logic controller (“PLC”); and various accessories. The boiler primarily provides overheated water to the cooking system. The cooking stack is primarily composed of a cooking chamber  46 , where the food is initially exposed to pressurized, heated water, and a conditioning chamber  38  where the food may absorb additional water and flavorings. The PLC may be a standard industry control device that is capable of reading electrical signals and generating outputs. The accessories include items that are required to manage water, steam, raw and cooked product, and perform the cycle in a suitable manner. Such items include, but are not limited to, solenoid valves, water pumps, pressure switches, drain lines, and a strainer.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a process diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The boiler  10  is configured to produce heated, pressurized water. In one embodiment of the present invention, this water is preferably heated to a temperature between 160 and 200 degrees Celsius, and pressurized to a pressure between 8 and 14 bar. In order to produce such heat and pressure, the boiler  10  is equipped with at least one heater  11 . In one embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 1, there is a plurality of heaters  11 . Preferably, such heaters are metal-clad electrical resistance heaters; however, any appropriate heater as is known in the art may be used. Water enters the boiler  10  through inlet line  100  and leaves the boiler through outlet lines  101 . The inlet line  100  and outlet lines  101  may each have valves as required to control fluid flow. Water is supplied to the boiler  10  through inlet line  100  by a pump, such as positive displacement pump  20 , or any other pump as is known in the art. The positive displacement pump  20  may supply water to the boiler  10  at moderate pressure (2 to 4 bar).  
         [0016]    The volume of the boiler  10  may vary depending on the intended production capacity of the apparatus of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the boiler  10  holds approximately 6 liters of water.  
         [0017]    As noted above, the level switch  13  operates to maintain the water level in the boiler  10 . When the water in the boiler  10  falls below a certain level, level switch  13  may operate to activate the positive displacement pump  20  and open valve  16  and check valve  18 . While such valves may be any appropriate valve as is known in the art, they are preferably solenoid valves.  
         [0018]    There may be an additional check valve  18  that may operate to prevent hot boiler water from reaching the displacement pump  20  and causing damage if the boiler feed valve  16  fails to open. The temperature of the water inside boiler  10 , is maintained at a set temperature by means of a temperature sensor  12 . This temperature sensor  12  may be installed inside the boiler. This temperature sensor  12  may provide continuous or periodic readings of the water temperature. Preferably, the temperature is maintained above 100° C., and most preferably the water temperature is maintained at 180° C.  
         [0019]    The pressure in the supply lines, the water level and temperature in the boiler  10 , and the flow of the water through the valves and other control procedures may be controlled by the PLC. Specifically, for example, each time that water is withdrawn from the boiler  10  to begin the cooking cycle, the central processing unit or other suitable device restores the water, temperature and pressure automatically.  
         [0020]    The PLC (not shown) uses the temperature reading from the temperature sensor  12  to maintain the previously selected temperature in the boiler  10  by controlling the power going to the heaters  11 . For the purposes of this description of the present invention, it is presumed that any embodiment of the present invention would include a power source and all wires, connections, interfaces and power systems necessary to allow the system to interface with the PLC. The PLC may be made accessible to the user at a control box, such as control box  62  (See FIG. 2).  
         [0021]    As show in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the present invention may be encased in an exterior casing (not numbered). This casing serves to contain the system, and may provide some insulation. Such casing may have a frame  60 .  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 1, the boiler  10  may be equipped with several features that serve to ensure first that the boiler  10  will maintain an adequate supply of heated, pressurized water and, secondly, that the boiler  10  does not become over-pressurized. Such over-pressurization could result in rupturing of the system or even explosion of the boiler  10 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a level switch  13  that measures the water level in the boiler  10 , and sends signals to the PLC when there is sufficient (or excess) water in the boiler  10 , and when water needs to be added. There is also a thermocouple temperature sensor  12 . Additionally, there may be a pressure switch  30  that interrupts the power going to the heaters  11  and pump  20  if the boiler pressure exceeds a preset pressure threshold may be included. Alternatively, or additionally, there may be a relief valve  15  which may release excess pressure from boiler  10  when the pressure inside the boiler  10  reaches a preset pressure into a line which will route the steam, water and/or air through the system and eventually to the drip tray  52 . If this relief valve  15  is used in conjunction with the pressure switch  30 , the preset pressure should be is higher than the pressure at which the pressure switch  30  is set. In this situation where the two safety devices are used in conjunction, the relief valve  15  acts as a backup system in the case the pressure switch  30  fails.  
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire system is insulated in order to minimize heat losses. Such insulation may be any appropriate insulation as is known in the art.  
         [0024]    The cooking stack, which may be seen in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 5, is designed to cycle a measured, predetermined amount of food through a two stage cooking process. The food is first exposed to heated, pressurized, water in a cooking chamber  46 , then passed to a conditioning chamber  38  where it may absorb additional water and seasonings, if desired. These seasonings may be initially placed into the system with the food product as it enters the cooking chamber. Alternatively, there may be an opening (not shown) in the conditioning chamber through which a user may add seasonings before the heated water and food enters.  
         [0025]    The cooking stack is generally composed of a plurality of parts that are aligned in a liner, and preferably vertical, manner. As shown in the figures in varying detail, there is a funnel  34  which leads to the mounting plate  43 . This funnel  34  is preferably coupled to the mounting plate  43 . There is also a cooking chamber  46  located beneath the funnel, in which the product to be cooked is first exposed to the heated, pressurized water. The cooking chamber  46 , has an upper flange  45 , which upper flange is designed to be a swirl flange in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, and a lower flange  47 . An upper ball valve  21  and seal plate  44  are located between the mounting plate  43  and the cooking chamber swirl flange  45 . There is also a vent valve  27 , which may be a solenoid valve, that is associated with the cooking chamber  46  to permit the release of pressure from the cooking chamber  46 . Such release of pressure may be associated with an over-pressurization of the cooking chamber  46 , with a desired agitation of the cooking food, or with the transfer of food from the cooking chamber  46  to the conditioning chamber  38 .  
         [0026]    The cooking chamber  46  may be located directly below the cooking chamber swirl flange  45 . The cooking chamber  46  may be tube-like in shape, as shown in the figures. However, the cooking chamber  46  may take any shape that permits the ready flow of water and material that is being cooked from the cooking chamber  46  to a conditioning chamber  38 .  
         [0027]    The cooking chamber  46  is prepared for operation by closing the lower ball valve  22  and opening the upper ball valve  21 . The upper ball valve may be performed by an upper ball valve actuator  40 , while the lower ball valve may be performed by a lower ball valve actuator  41 . The opening and closing of the upper ball valve  21  and the lower ball valve  22  may be controlled by the PLC, or may be designed so that they may be manually opened. Such manual manipulation may be included in one embodiment of the present invention as a safety feature, since it allows a user to bypass the PLC in case the PLC fails to operate appropriately.  
         [0028]    Uncooked food is fed through the funnel  34  and into the cooking chamber  46 . Movement of the uncooked food through the funnel  34  and into the cooking chamber  46  may be controlled by the opening and/or closing of the upper ball valve  21  and the force of gravity. The upper ball valve  21  is then closed, and hot, pressurized water is allowed to enter the bottom of the cooking chamber  46  through the cooking chamber inlet line  57  until it covers the food to be cooked. Inlet line  57  preferably feeds the heated, pressurized water into the bottom of cooking chamber  46 . This prevents linear pasta and other elongated foods from being broken by the force of the inrush of overheated pressurized water into the cooking chamber  46 , stirs the food being cooked, and facilitates even cooking.  
         [0029]    The flow of the hot, pressurized water may be controlled by a valve  24 , which may be a solenoid valve, to ensure that the cooking chamber  46  receives sufficient water, yet does not receive too much water. The cooking chamber  46  should be sized such that once it has received the food and the hot, pressurized water, there should be only a small amount of air in the cooking chamber. Due to gravity, the food being cooked is generally located in the lower portion of the cooking chamber  46 , and should be generally covered by the high temperature water.  
         [0030]    The upper ball valve  21  and lower ball valve  22  provide a high pressure seal that prevents water and/or steam from escaping during the cooking cycle. Additionally, the cooking chamber  46  is equipped with a pressure switch  31  that prevents the opening of both the upper ball valve  21  and lower ball valve  22  if there is a high pressure in the cooking chamber  46 . This safety feature prevents high temperature water from escaping from the cooking chamber  46  during the cooking cycle.  
         [0031]    There is also a thermocouple  39  attached to the exterior of the cooking chamber  46 . This provides temperature feedback to the PLC. Based on this information, the PLC may add heat to the cooking chamber  46  by opening valve  24  and allowing heated, pressurized water to flow into the cooking chamber  46 . Alternatively, the PLC may reduce the heat in the cooking chamber  46  by opening the vent valve  27  and allowing air, steam and heated water to escape from the cooking chamber  46 .  
         [0032]    During the time that the food is located in the cooking chamber  46 , it is desirable to agitate the food to promote uniform cooking and minimize the food&#39;s tendency to adhere to itself. This may be done while the valve  24  is closed by venting a small amount of pressure through the vent valve  27  that is associated with the cooking chamber  46 . The reduction in pressure will cause the high temperature, pressurized water in the cooking chamber to boil, thereby agitating the food. Further agitation may be provided by briefly reopening the cooking chamber fed valve  24  after the venting step to allow for an influx of heated, pressurized water. This will also restore some of the heat and pressure that was lost during the venting agitation step. The PLC of the present may be pre-programmed to perform these steps periodically, or almost continuously throughout the time that the food is in the cooking chamber  46 .  
         [0033]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vent valve  27  is designed to ensure that air, not water, is primarily venting process. As such, the location of the vent valve  27  is preferably towards the top of the cooking chamber  46  so that steam is vented instead of water. Additionally, flange  45  may be a swirl flange that is equipped with a swirl ring  55 . The swirl ring  55 , as shown in FIG. 4, may be equipped with a multiple of slots  104  to provide multiple paths from the cooking chamber  46  to the swirl inlet line  56 . The swirl inlet line  56  leads to vent valve  27  as well as to boiler  10 . The flow of water through swirl inlet line  56  from the boiler  10  may be controlled by a valve  23 . There may also be an o-ring or washer  54  located between the upper flange  45  and the seal plate  44 . The seal plate  44  serves to hold the washer  54  and the swirl ring  55  in position so that a seal is formed; this may be is assisted by an o-ring  54  which may be located between the seal plate  44  and the swirl flange  45 .  
         [0034]    The multiple slots  104 , which are located towards the top of the cooking chamber  46 , serve several purposes. First, they are sized to prevent food from escaping. Secondly, they help to ensure that steam, and not water, escape through the vent valve  27 . Additionally, as described below, they assist in the cleaning cycle of the invention.  
         [0035]    The conditioning chamber  38  is located below the cooking chamber  46 . The conditioning chamber  38  has an upper flange  48  and a lower flange  49 . A valve such as a ball valve  22  may be located between the cooking chamber lower flange  47  and the conditioning chamber top flange  48 . There may also be a slide valve assembly  80  coupled to the lower flange  49  that may be opened when it is desired to remove the cooked food from the conditioning chamber. This slide valve assembly  80  may be opened when the operator desires to remove the cooked food from the conditioning chamber, or after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. As shown in FIG. 3, A strainer  50 , with optional handle  51  and a drip tray  52  may be located under the conditioning chamber  38  to receive the cooked food once the slide valve assembly  80  is opened and the cooked food is removed from the conditioning chamber.  
         [0036]    Once the food in the cooking chamber  46  has been exposed to the high temperature pressurized water for a sufficient amount of time, it is ready to be transferred to the conditioning chamber  38 . Before transfer, the elevated pressure in the cooking chamber  46  is preferably reduced to by opening the vent valve  27 . This reduced pressure is preferably from 1 to 2 bar. The reduction in pressure reduces the possibility of a high velocity flow that may damage the food being cooked. The lower ball valve  22  may then be opened to allow the food and heated water drop into the conditioning chamber  38 . This movement of the water and food may be caused primarily by gravity. The movement of the water and food may be also caused or facilitated by residual pressure left in the cooking chamber  46  after vent valve  27  has been opened. Such natural movement of the water and food product obviates the need for additional pumps, the action of which may break or otherwise damage the food, to move food between stages. The slide valve assembly  80  at the bottom of the conditioning chamber  38  is preferably closed at the time the lower ball valve  22  is opened. Valve  22  is then closed after the water and food product have passed into the conditioning chamber  38 .  
         [0037]    The closing of the ball valve  22  isolates the cooking chamber  46  from the conditioning chamber  38 . As such, cooking chamber  46  will be ready to repeat the cooking cycle once the ball valve  22  is closed.  
         [0038]    If the slide valve assembly  80  was closed at the time the lower ball valve  22  was opened, the conditioning chamber  38  will retain the food in a pool of heated water, and allow the food to further cook and/or absorb water. Alternatively, if a conditioning step is not desired by the operator, the slide valve assembly may remain open at the time the lower ball valve is opened, and the food and water may proceed directly to the strainer. The texture of the food may be affected by time, temperature and agitation. To optimize the conditioning effect, the conditioning chamber  38  is equipped with hot and cold water supplies. The cold water may be supplied by a cold water intake line  26  and may enter the conditioning chamber  38  through the conditioning chamber cold water inlet  58 . The hot water may enter the conditioning chamber  38  through a hot water intake line and valve  25  from the boiler  10  to the hot water inlet  53 . The hot water inlet  53  is preferably located near the bottom of the conditioning chamber  38  so that the blast of heated water will further agitate the cooking and conditioning food.  
         [0039]    Once the food in the conditioning chamber  38  has been exposed to the heated water for a sufficient amount of time, the slide valve assembly  80  may be opened so that the food can drop into the strainer  50 . A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a safety sensor (not shown) that prevents the slide valve assembly  80  from opening when the strainer  50  is not in place. This prevents the operator of the invention from the burns that may be caused by when the hot food and water spills out. Additionally, the placement of the strainer  50  prohibits the operator from placing their hand in the path of the hot food and water. The strainer  50  may also be retained by a latch assembly  61  (see FIG. 2) that locks the strainer  50  in position and releases only after excess water has drained from the cooked food.  
         [0040]    Once the latch assembly  61  unlocks, the strainer  50  may be removed, and the contents may be accessible for their intended use (individual servings, large platters, storage, etc.). The empty strainer  50  may then be replaced so that it is ready to receive the next batch of cooked product. When processing batches of food in succession, the cooking chamber  46  and conditioning chamber  38  will both contain product at the same time. To accommodate this, if the length of time the food is in the cooking chamber  46  is shorter than the time that the food is in the conditioning chamber  38 , the operator may either (1) space the input of food into the cooking chamber  46  so that the conditioning chamber  38  is timed to be empty when the food is due to be transferred from the cooking chamber  46  to the conditioning chamber  38  or (2) adjust the length of time of each cycle so that the conditioning chamber  38  cycle is not longer than the cooking chamber  46  cycle.  
         [0041]    The PLC may be any electronic control device as is known in the industry. It should be capable of reading electrical signals from a variety of sensors, such as pressure switches, position sensors and thermocouples. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the PLC is capable of interacting with a touch screen  70  to allow an operator to command the PLC to initiate and perform a cooking sequence. The PLC takes input from such sensors, performs a logic sequence, and generates a series of outputs. These outputs take the form of a display on the touch screen  70  that provides information to the operator. The outputs also include the electrical signals that operate the valves, heaters and motors that are required to execute the cook sequence.  
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the PLC is equipped with modem capacity. This permits remote monitoring of the functions of the invention. The monitoring can be used for billing, inventory control, and diagnostic purposes.  
         [0043]    The present invention has a cleaning cycle in which high temperature water is passed through the apparatus. During this cycle, valve  23  is opened to allow hot water to flow through the swirl inlet line  56 . This water is directed to swirl ring  55 . The slots  104  in the swirl ring  55  are oriented to direct cleaning water tangentially along the inner wall of the cooking chamber  46 . The high velocity and the centrifugal force of the swirling water on the inside of the cooking chamber  46  enhance the action of the cleaning water. Further, the high temperature pressurized water that is used to wash the apparatus is hot enough to kill bacteria, either in liquid or vapor form. This is a significant improvement over the cleaning methods that are known in the art.  
         [0044]    The drain line is also regularly cleaned to prevent bacteria build-up. The vent lines that transport high temperature fluid and steam are routed to the drain fitting on the drip tray  52 . This ensures that the drain line is purged with steam every cooking cycle.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of a cooking stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the cooking chamber  46  is located above the conditioning chamber  38 . While the cooking chamber  46  shown is primarily tubular and the conditioning chamber  38  has a bulbous shape, it should be understood that these aspects of the present invention may take any shape that is appropriate for the cooking of food as taught by the present invention.  
         [0046]    As may be seen in FIG. 5, food may be provided to the cooking chamber  46  through funnel  34 . This funnel may be covered by a top plate  33  to prevent unwanted materials from dropping into the funnel and, consequently, into the cooking chamber  46 . Towards the bottom of the funnel  34 , there is a sliding door  35  that may be opened when it is desired to add food to the cooking chamber  46  at an appropriate point in the cooking cycle. Such opening may be performed by a sliding door actuator  42 . The funnel  34  is mounted on the apparatus at the mounting plate  43 . Upper ball valve  21  is located below the mounting plate  43 . Upper ball valve  21  may be opened by any means as is known in the art, such as upper actuator crank  63 . Upper ball valve motor  71  may be used to open upper ball valve  21 . Below the upper ball valve  21 , the seal plate  44  and cooking chamber o-ring  54 , which provide a seal between the ball valve  21  and the cooking chamber  46 , may be seen. Swirl inlet line  56 , which provides pressurized, heated water, and swirl flange  45  may also be seen in this view of the present invention.  
         [0047]    Cooking chamber inlet line  57 , through which heated, pressurized water may enter the cooking chamber  46 , is also shown in the view of FIG. 5. The cooking chamber inlet line  57  is preferably located towards the bottom of the cooking chamber  46  to allow the heated, pressurized water to enter the cooking chamber  46  without subjecting the food to be cooked to unnecessary forces. A cooking chamber lower flange  47  is also located towards the bottom of the cooking chamber. A lower ball valve, through which food and heated water may flow into the conditioning chamber  38 , is located below lower flange  47 . Lower ball valve  21  may be opened by any means as is known in the art, such as lower actuator crank  64 . Lower ball valve  21  is also equipped with ball valve stam  78  and a lower ball valve motor  72 , which may be used to open lower ball valve  21 .  
         [0048]    The conditioning chamber  38  has an upper flange  48  and a lower flange  49 . There is a cold water inlet line  58  to allow cool water to enter the conditioning chamber  38 , and a hot water inlet line  53  to allow heated water from the boiler  10  to enter the conditioning chamber. Hot water inlet line  53  is preferably located towards the bottom of conditioning chamber  38  so that the addition of heated, pressurized water may be used to agitate or stir the cooking food.  
         [0049]    As further shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the invention there may be a slide valve assembly  80  coupled to the lower flange  49  that may be opened when it is desired to remove the cooked food from the conditioning chamber. Such slide valve assembly  80  may include a sliding door o-ring  65  to provide an adequate seal between the conditioning chamber  38  and the sliding door plate  73 . The sliding door plate  73  may be supported and guided by a sliding door plate support  74 . The sliding door plate  73  may also be supplied with sliding door rails  66  along which it may slide. A wheel  68  may rotate about an axle  77  to facilitate and guide the movement of the sliding door plate  73 . The slide valve assembly  80  may also have a sliding door plate activator  81  to and a sliding door activator bracket  75 , which served to link the sliding door plate activator  81  to the apparatus. The actuator  81  may pivot around a lead screw  69  at pivot  76 . The sliding door plate  73  may be moved into either an open position or a closed position by the turning of the lead screw  69 . The sliding door actuator  81 , which controls the turning of the lead screw  69  may be manually manipulated to open the slide plate door. Alternatively, the PLC may be programmed to open the sliding door plate  73  when the food has spent sufficient time in the conditioning chamber  38 . There may also be what will be referred to as a cam track  67 , which is a track along which those portions of the present invention that are joined to the sliding door plate  73  may move.  
         [0050]    While a detailed description of a slide valve assembly  80  has been provided, it should be understood that any configuration that would allow for a controllable opening at the bottom of the conditioning chamber is within the scope of this disclosure.  
         [0051]    As noted above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a cooking stack that is primarily vertical. That is, the cooking chamber  46  is arranged so that it is located substantially above the conditioning chamber  38 . While a large set-up may be suitable in some settings, it may be preferable to limit the height of the present invention so that it is appropriately sized for a larger number of spaces. To this end, it may be preferable to limit the height of the cooking chamber so that it is suitable for cooking food that is no longer than 7.5 inches in length.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a process diagram according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The alternative embodiment of the present invention allows for the rapid cooking of concurrent multiple servings of pasta in a relatively short period of time. The alternative embodiment of the present invention also provides additional safeguards against over-pressurization as described below.  
         [0053]    The apparatus according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention may be viewed as composed of essentially 8 components, the combination of which will be referred to as the apparatus: the make-up-tank  104 ; the steam generator  106 ; four separate cooking chambers  120 ; the programmable logic controller (“PLC”); and various accessories.  
         [0054]    As described above, water may come from a community water system and pass through a water filter and a water softener prior to entering the main body of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6. Upon entering the main body, the path of the water  200  may first pass through a pressure regulator  128 . The function of the pressure regulator  128  is twofold. The first function is to improve the cooking consistency of the food used in the apparatus. The second function is to guarantee the same water pressure regardless of the source of the water supply. The pressure regulator  128  ensures that the apparatus does not receive an inrush of water at greater-than-expected pressures. Preferably, the pressure regulator is set in the range of 25 to 30 pounds per square inch (“PSI”). However, as will be realized by one skilled in the art, a variety of pressures may be set to efficiently and safely operate the apparatus.  
         [0055]    After passing through the pressure regulator  128 , a constant pressure of water then travels through a pressure switch  150 . The pressure switch  150  communicates with the PLC indicating if a sufficient flow of water is traveling into the apparatus. In the event the pressure switch  150  detects an insufficient flow of water, the PLC, based on the readings from the pressure switch, shuts down the apparatus. Thus, the PLC and the pressure switch  150  act in concert to protect the heating elements  108  in the steam generator  106  and other parts of the apparatus from operating without a sufficient amount of water.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 6 further illustrates the path of water  200  after it successfully travels through the pressure switch  150 . The water may either travel to the cooking chambers  120  or to the make-up-tank  104 . The flow path of the water  200  may be controlled by a solenoid valve  102  and a level switch  103 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solenoid valve  102  is located outside the make-up-tank  104  and the level switch  103  is contained within the tank. However, as will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, other configurations may be acceptable. The level switch  103  in the make-up-tank determines whether or not the solenoid valve  102  will be opened or closed. The level switch has sensors that detect the amount of water in the make-up-tank. The purpose of the level switch  103  is to maintain the same level of water in the make-up-tank  104  at all times. If the level switch  103  detects a sufficient amount of water in the make-up-tank  104 , the level switch will close the solenoid valve  103 . Faced with a closed solenoid valve, the water path  200  cannot travel to the make-up tank  104  and will be forced in the direction of the cooking chambers  120 . Conversely, if the level switch  103  detects an insufficient amount of water in the tank, the solenoid valve will be opened and water is permitted to flow into the make-up-tank  104 .  
         [0057]    There are several purposes for the make-up tank  104 . One purpose is to serve as a reservoir for the water pump  105 . In order for the water pump  105  to operate properly, a sufficient amount of water needs to be supplied to the pump. Since it is a reservoir, the make-up tank  104  stores water and thus, ensures that enough water is supplied to the operating water pump  105 . Another function of the make-up tank  104  is to serve as a heat exchanger. Steam, built up in the cooking chambers  120 , is released into passageways that lead to a heating coil  117  contained within the make-up tank  104 . The energy from the heat of the steam traveling through the coil is used to preheat the water within the make-up tank before the water is released to the water pump  105  and then pumped to the steam generator  106 . The preheating function of the make-up tank  104  allows less energy to be expended in heating the water in the steam generator  106 . Yet another function of the make-up tank  104  is to serve as a safety device. The make-up tank  104  prevents pressure built up in the steam generator  106  from backing up into the community water system or other suitable water source.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 6 also illustrates a pump  105  and a steam generator  106 . The pump  105 , located between the make-up tank  104  and the steam generator  106 , forces the path of water  200  from the make-up tank  104  to the steam generator  106 . The pump  105  operates at a greater force than the force generated by the steam generator  106 . The greater force of the pump  105  pushes water into the steam generator  106 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pump  105  operates at 160 PSI to overcome the 80 PSI generated by the steam generator  106 .  
         [0059]    One purpose of the steam generator  106  is to produce enough steam to cook multiple servings of food. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steam generator produces enough steam to cook four servings of food. Another purpose of the steam generator  106  is to produce and recover pressure used to heat the water in the generator in less than three and a half minutes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure generated by the steam generator is 80 PSI.  
         [0060]    Various components may be used with the steam generator to achieve the desired results of cooking multiple servings of food, producing and recovering pressure in less than three and a half minutes, and reducing or eliminating the risk of over-pressurization. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, seven components, in addition to the steam generator  106 , contribute to achieving these desired results. The seven components are illustrated in FIG. 6 and are (1) a check valve  130 , (2) a site glass  129 , (3) a level switch  107 , (4) a safety pressure relief valve  109 , (5) a mercury pressure control  110 , (6) a pressure gauge  126 , and (7) a manual blowout valve  124 .  
         [0061]    The check valve  130  is located between the pump  105  and the steam generator  106 . The check valve  130  controls the direction of the path of water  200  and is also an added safety device that prevents the backup of pressurized steam into the source of water.  
         [0062]    The site glass  129  is clear wall of the steam generator  106 . The site glass  129  allows an operator of the apparatus to monitor the water level inside the steam generator  106 . Too much or too little water may be detected upon visual inspection and the operator may then take the necessary steps to ensure protection and proper functioning of the apparatus. This may include shutting off the apparatus and checking the water source.  
         [0063]    Inside the steam generator, the level switch  107  controls the water level in the steam generator  106  much like the level switch  103  in the make-up-tank  104 . If water is needed, the level switch communicates with the PLC and the PLC in turn switches the pump  105  on. However, if a sufficient amount of water is detected by the level switch  103 , the PLC turns the pump  105  off and water is blocked from the steam generator  106 .  
         [0064]    To produce steam, water must be heated in the steam generator  106 . The production of steam also creates pressure in the generator. The safety pressure relief valve  109  prevents over-pressurization within the steam generator  106 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety pressure relief valve  109  is attached to the top of the steam generator  106  and is independent of any PLC control. If at anytime the pressure in the steam generator  106  exceeds a maximum pressure tolerance, the safety relief valve  109  will automatically open and release the excess pressure until a tolerable pressure is maintained. Preferably, the safety relief valve will open if the pressure exceeds 150 PSI within the steam generator  108 , but any maximum pressure may be selected depending on the tolerance of the apparatus construction.  
         [0065]    Since pressure is directly related to temperature, regulating pressure in the steam generator  106  is crucial to consistent cooking temperatures in the apparatus. To maintain an average cooking pressure, the mercury pressure control  110  communicates with the PLC and the PLC, depending on the mercury control reading, switches the heating elements  108  in the generator on and off. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the average cooking pressure in the steam generator  106  is 80 PSI, but any pressure may be chosen for optimal cooking. The mercury pressure control  110  is attached to the steam generator and is a precise device that detects the pressure within the steam generator  106 . If the pressure in the steam generator  106  exceeds maximum mercury pressure control reading, the PLC will turn the heating elements  108  off. In the alternative, if the pressure is too low, the PLC will turn the heating elements  108  on.  
         [0066]    Located on the front of the apparatus is the pressure gauge  126  that allows a user to monitor the pressure within the steam generator  106 , independent of the PLC. The pressure gauge  126  is attached to the steam generator  106  and is an added visual component allowing a user to take the necessary steps to safely maintain the apparatus in optimal cooking conditions. For instance, if the pressure gauge  126  indicates too much pressure within the steam generator  106 , a user may turn off the apparatus or recalibrate the PLC.  
         [0067]    The manual blowout valve  124  for the steam generator  106  is primarily used for maintenance purposes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the manual blowout valve  124  is located below the steam generator  106  and is only used when the apparatus is turned off. The manual blowout valve  124  can be opened only after connecting one end of a high temperature flexible hose to it. The other end of the hose should be submerged in a separate drainable tank that is partially filled with cold water. The manual blowout valve  124  and hose allow a user to purge the steam generator  106  of all hot water and steam in a safe and efficient manner.  
         [0068]    Referring again to FIG. 6, steam produced by the steam generator  106  travels in a path  300  to the separate cooking chambers  120 . However, before steam is allowed to enter the cooking chambers  120 , food must be introduced into cooking chambers. Preferably, an automated process introduces the food, but food may also be placed manually in the chambers. Prior to introducing food into a cooking chamber  120 , the PLC brings the lower slide gate  118  to a closed position. The PLC switches the lower gear motor  119  on and the motor then push the lower slide gate  118  through rails until the gate is tightly closed against a cooking chamber  120 . A magnetic switch  127  corresponding with the lower slide gate  118  indicates to the PLC the open and closed positions of the gate.  
         [0069]    Once the lower slide gate  118  of a cooking chamber  120  is closed, food may then be introduced. After food is introduced into the cooking chamber  120 , the PLC then brings the upper slide gate  112  to a closed position and the lower slide gate  118  maintains its closed position as well. Again, the PLC switches the upper gear motor  113  on and the motor then pushes the upper slide gate  112  through rails until the gate is tightly closed against the cooking chamber  120 . A magnetic switch  127  corresponding with the upper slide gate  112  indicates to the PLC the open and closed positions of the gate. At this point, the cooking chamber  120  is hermetically closed.  
         [0070]    Once the magnetic switches  127  associated with the upper  112  and lower slide  118  gates simultaneously indicate closed positions to the PLC, the PLC switches an upper solenoid valve  114  open. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the PLC switches the valve open for four seconds, but the time may be varied depending on the size of the cooking chamber  120 . Water that is unable to gain access to the make-up-tank  104  follows a path  200  to the cooking chambers  120 , but must first pass through the upper solenoid valves  114 . The quantity of water introduced into each cooking chamber  120  is determined solely by amount of time that the upper solenoid valve  114  is open. The cooking chamber  120  now possesses food and water mixed together.  
         [0071]    Immediately after an upper solenoid valve  114  is closed, the PLC switches the lower solenoid valve  111  of the same cooking chamber  120  to an opened position. The steam enters into the cooking chamber  120  and comes into contact with the food and water mixture. The steam raises the water temperature, which in turn cooks the food. The PLC keeps the lower solenoid valve  111  open for a certain amount of time until the water temperature inside the cooking chamber  120  exceeds boiling temperature. Preferably, the temperature exceeds  212  degrees Fahrenheit. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the path of steam  300  is introduced to the bottom of the cooking chambers  120  so that both food and water temperatures are raised at the same time. This is important to the cooking consistency of the food. A needle valve  140  is placed at each steam inlet to each cooking chamber  120 . The needle valves  140  control the flow of steam and prevent sudden drops of pressure in the steam generator  106  when all the cooking chambers  120  need steam at the same time. The needle valves  140  also prevent sudden steam flow in the cooking chambers  120  when one chamber is being used to cook.  
         [0072]    Following closure of a lower solenoid valve  111 , a venting solenoid valve  116  to the same cooking chamber  120  is switched open by the PLC to release pressure. The released pressure is excess steam and this steam follows a vent path  400  to the make-up-tank  104 . The vented steam travels through the coil  117  in the make-up-tank  104  and out to a drain when condensed. As described previously, the vented steam serves to preheat the water in the tank. A check valve  120  is placed at each venting outlet to prevent pressure from backing up into the cooking chamber  120  especially from other cooking chambers.  
         [0073]    From the time that water is introduced into a cooking chamber  120  with food until steam is vented from the venting solenoid valve, this is considered one cooking cycle. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, one cooking cycle is four minutes in duration. However, cooking cycle times may be changed depending on the desired cooked food consistency.  
         [0074]    Upon completion of a cooking cycle, the PLC checks that all pressure is released from the cooking chamber  120 . A pressure switch  125  transmits this information to the PLC. If the pressure switch indicates that no pressure remains in the cooking chamber  120 , the PLC simultaneously opens both the upper  112  and lower slide  118  gates. The force of gravity then moves the cooked food and water to a serving strainer  123  located underneath the cooking chamber  120 . The serving strainer  123  traps food and the water passes through to a drainage strainer  122 . The drainage strainer  122  collects any remnants of food particles and the water passes through to a collecting sink  121 .  
         [0075]    While the materials of the present invention may be made from any reasonable material as is known in the art, it is preferable that the portions of the present invention that contact food are preferably made from stainless steel. The stainless steel has a tendency to shed food build up after a thorough rinse with water, such as the manner described above.