Patent Publication Number: US-2021169041-A1

Title: Pet Food Processing Machine

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/944,624 for a “Pet Food Processing Machine,” filed Dec. 6, 2019, and currently co-pending, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to food processing and preparation. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a process and apparatus for use in preparing food. The Present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a tool and corresponding process for preparing pet food. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pet food varies with the type of animal kept as a pet. Dogs and cats, which are among the most common pets kept in the United States, are generally fed kibble, often referred to as “dry food,” or canned “wet food.” As interest in more natural food options increases among the general population, pet owners are also taking an interest in better food options for their pets. Both healthier and fresher pet food options are becoming important to consumers, and, as a result, stores are offering refrigerated and frozen options in addition to the traditional canned wet food and bagged kibble. 
     Frozen food provides fresher, and often more nutritious, meals for pets, but comes with its own disadvantages, including the need for thawing the food. Common methods of thawing frozen pet food include thawing it in water, thawing it on a counter, and thawing it in a refrigerator. Each of these methods often require a number of hours to thaw the food. Due to the time required, pet owners will often thaw several days&#39; worth of food at a time, and store the thawed food in a refrigerator. Unfortunately, even when refrigerated, thawed food only lasts for a few days. 
     In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a natural pet food option with natural vitamins and minerals, fresh taste, and a mechanism for automated preparation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a pod machine for processing encapsulated food. A pod machine provides easy meal preparation by mixing and preparing packages of encapsulated food. A preferred embodiment is particularly useful for mixing and preparing packages of encapsulated pet food for consumption by a pet. 
     In a preferred embodiment, pet food is prepared without the use of synthetic vitamins and minerals. Feed testing is used for each formulation in order to ensure that it meets the minimum nutrient levels set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (“AAFCO”) for nutrient profiles for “all life stages.” The food is prepared according to the specifications of its corresponding formulation and is pressed through a dye to form small meat shapes. After pressing, one embodiment of the food is flash frozen. Another embodiment is freeze dried. Both embodiments are then placed in pod encapsulating machines in which the food is sandwiched between two pieces of non-polyvinyl alcohol (non-PVA) film and made into sheets for encapsulating. Preferred embodiments of the non-PVA film include film made out of agar agar, film made out of gelatin, and film made out of starch. A predetermined amount of food is encapsulated in each package or “pod.” In the case of flash-frozen food, the pods are frozen, packed, and packaged ready to ship to the consumer. For freeze dried foods, the food is freeze dried, chopped, and mixed with freeze dried vegetables and additives, packed and packaged into pods ready to ship to the consumer. 
     A preferred embodiment of a pod processing machine includes a removable stainless-steel bowl. In order to prepare the pods for consumption by a pet, a pet owner adds pods, still in the non-PVA film, to the bowl. The number of pods added to the bowl is based on the size and weight of the animal to be fed. The type of food (frozen or freeze dried) is selected on the machine, the number of pods is selected, and a start button is pressed. The machine then draws water from a reservoir and heats a predetermined amount of water by pumping it through a heater and a thermometer. The machine ultimately transfers the heated water to the bowl containing the pods. The food is then mixed in the bowl by a mixing paddle designed to dice up the meat in the pod into smaller pieces, allowing it to thaw more quickly in the warm water. 
     An alternative embodiment provides food pods made of food fit for human consumption encapsulated in edible film. The food is prepared according to the specifications of its corresponding formulation, including, in some embodiments, additives such as vitamins and minerals, and is pressed through a dye to form small food shapes. For some foods, the pressing step is omitted. After pressing, one embodiment of the food is flash frozen. Another embodiment is freeze dried. Both embodiments are then placed in pod encapsulating machines in which the food is sandwiched between two pieces of non-polyvinyl alcohol (non-PVA) film and made into sheets for encapsulating. Preferred embodiments of the non-PVA film include film made out of agar agar, film made out of gelatin, and film made out of starch. A predetermined amount of food is encapsulated in each package or “pod.” 
     In the alternative embodiment, a meal is prepared by determining a combination of one or more pods, adding pods into a bowl or mixing chamber in a food processing machine similar to that described above or in other embodiments herein, and operating the machine to mix the pods in heated water. In order to prepare more intricate meals, some combinations of pods will include pods inserted into the machine at different portions of the preparation process. For example, an exemplary pasta meal includes pods with pressed food for sauce and meat, and an unpressed pasta pod; the food and meat pods are inserted into the food processing machine at the beginning of the process, and the pasta pod is added after the food and meat pods are diced and mixed in heated water. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the machine and food preparation process are useful and appropriate to a variety of foods, and especially useful for pastas, soups, stews, and casseroles, among other foods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a process for creating food pods; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a processing machine for preparing food pods for consumption; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a mixing sequence performed by a processing machine; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another mixing sequence performed by a processing machine; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a processing machine for preparing food pods for consumption; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the processing machine of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a left side view of the processing machine of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the processing machine of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the processing machine of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the processing machine of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a control panel for a processing machine for preparing food pods for consumption; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates components of a preferred embodiment of a processing machine for preparing food pods for consumption. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a process for creating food pods is illustrated and generally designated  50 . In process  50 , pet food is prepared according to a predetermined formulation and pressed in a dye to form compressed pet food  52 . The compressed food is flash frozen  54  and then transferred to an encapsulation machine  56  where it is sandwiched between two pieces of edible film  62  and formed into capsules or pods  72  of compressed frozen food encapsulated in the edible film  62 . An alternative embodiment of process  50  is substantially similar, except that the compressed food is freeze dried rather than flash frozen. 
     A preferred embodiment of the compressed pet food  52  is made without the use of synthetic vitamins and minerals. Preferred embodiments of the edible film  62  are non-PVA film; among the embodiments of non-PVA film is film made out of agar agar, film made out of gelatin, and film made out of starch. The agar agar, gelatin, starch, or other edible material is formed into sheets for encapsulating. 
     A preferred embodiment of the edible film  62  is made with an agar agar base made into sheets for encapsulating. Variations of this embodiment have added vitamins and minerals to meet the AAFCO minimum pet nutritional requirements, and include the various combinations of one or more of zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid. A preferred embodiment is simply made of the base without added vitamins or minerals because the food that it will encapsulate already contains the necessary vitamins and minerals required by regulations or other relevant guidelines. 
     An alternative preferred embodiment of the edible film  62  is made with a starch base made into sheets for encapsulating. Variations of this embodiment have added vitamins and minerals to meet the AAFCO minimum pet nutritional requirements, and include the various combinations of one or more of zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid. A preferred embodiment is simply made of the base without added vitamins or minerals because the food that it will encapsulate already contains the necessary vitamins and minerals required by regulations or other relevant guidelines. 
     Another alternative preferred embodiment of the edible film  62  is made with a combination of starch and agar agar made into sheets for encapsulating. Variations of this embodiment have added vitamins and minerals to meet the AAFCO minimum pet nutritional requirements, and include the various combinations of one or more of zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid. A preferred embodiment is simply made of the base without added vitamins or minerals because the food that it will encapsulate already contains the necessary vitamins and minerals required by regulations or other relevant guidelines. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a pod  72  processing machine  100  is illustrated. Pod processing machine  100  has a water tank  110 , a heating element  112 , a thermostat  114 , a motor  120 , a tank valve  124 , an outlet valve  128 , a pump  134 , a mixing chamber  138 , and a mixing paddle  140 . Machine  100  also has a removeable stainless-steel bowl  142  configured for placement in chamber  138  and operational with the machine  100 . A preferred embodiment of bowl  142  is adjustable between two size depths in order to accommodate the different types of pet snouts. 
     To use machine  100 , the machine  100  is opened to allow access to bowl  142  for the placement of food pods  72  (not shown in this figure). The number of food pods  72  is determined based on an animal&#39;s size and weight. The food pods  72  are placed into bowl  142 , and the machine  100  is closed. A preferred embodiment of machine  100  is roughly egg-shaped, and opened by engaging a button  150  at the top of the machine  100 , which allows the top part  144  of the machine  100  to be separated at seam  146  from the bottom portion  148  containing chamber  138  and bowl  142 , exposing bowl  142  in order to allow the insertion of pods  72 . After placement of pods  72  and closing of the machine  100 , the number of pods  72  and whether they are freeze-dried or frozen is selected using control panel  152  on the machine  100  that interfaces with a controller  154  having a central processor, program memory, and control outputs. In response to the data entered through the control panel  152  as input to the central processor, the mixing process is initiated. Based upon the user input and operational criteria within the program memory, the machine  100  draws a quantity of water, determined by the type of food, from tank  110 . Pump  134  moves the water through heating element  112  and thermostat  114  in order to heat it to a predetermined temperature, and then transfers the water to bowl  142  via a drip system, where paddle  140  dices and mixes the food from pods  72 . Motor  120  operates pump  134  and paddle  140 . Upon completion of the mixing process, the bowl  142  is removed from the food processing machine  100  and the mixed food is fed to a pet directly from bowl  142 . The bowl  142  is then cleaned and replaced into food processing machine  100  for additional use; in preferred embodiments, bowl  142  is secured into chamber  138  of machine  100  with a screwing motion, and made removable by a corresponding reverse motion. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a preferred embodiment of a process performed by machine  100  for preparing a pet meal from pods  72  is illustrated and generally designated  200 . Process  200  is particularly useful for the preparation of meals from freeze dried pods  72 . In order to initiate process  200 , a user places one or more food pods  72  into bowl  142 , selects the number of pods  72  and the type of pods  72  on control panel  152  on the machine  100 , and presses a button to start the process  200 . 
     Process  200  begins with step  202  of closing the machine  100  or otherwise locking bowl  142  into place so that it cannot be removed until the food is ready. In step  204 , water from tank  110  is heated to twenty-six (26) degrees Celsius. In step  206 , the heated water is added to the chamber  138 , or, more particularly, bowl  142 . In preferred embodiments, the water is added by a drip system to bowl  142 . In step  208  paddle  140  is spun for five (5) rotations at a first predetermined speed, then in step  210  the spinning is stopped for fifteen (15) seconds. In step  212 , the spinning is resumed for ten (10) rotations at a second predetermined speed. In step  214 , the food is mixed for thirty (30) seconds by spinning mixing paddle  140  at a third predetermined speed. After mixing the food, in step  216  the food is allowed to sit for two (2) minutes, after which step  218  is performed. Step  218  includes spinning paddle  140  for five (5) additional rotations at a fourth predetermined speed followed by the control panel  152  emitting a signal that the food is ready. Preferred embodiments of machine  100  emit the signal as a beep, or an illumination signal, or a combination of both. The identification of four predetermined speeds is not intended to mean that in every embodiment each predetermined speed is different from any or all of the other predetermined speeds. In one embodiment, the third predetermined speed is a “medium speed,” meaning that at least one other predetermined speed is a higher speed, and at least one other predetermined speed is a lower speed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another preferred embodiment of a process performed by machine  100  for preparing a pet meal from pods  72  is illustrated and generally designated  250 . Process  250  is particularly useful for the preparation of meals from frozen pods  72 . As with process  200 , in order to initiate process  250 , a user places one or more food pods  72  into bowl  142 , selects the number of pods  72  and the type of pods  72  on control panel  152  on the machine  100 , and presses a button to start the process  250 . 
     Process  250  begins with step  252  of closing the machine  100  or otherwise locking bowl  142  into place so that it cannot be removed until the food is ready. In step  254 , water from tank  110  is heated to fifty-two (52) degrees Celsius. In step  256 , the heated water is added to the chamber  138 , or, more particularly, bowl  142 . In preferred embodiments, the water is added by a drip system to bowl  142 . In step  258  paddle  140  is spun for five (5) rotations at a first predetermined speed, then in step  260  the spinning is stopped for fifteen (15) seconds. In step  262 , the spinning is resumed for ten (10) rotations at a second predetermined speed. In step  264 , the food is mixed for two (2) minutes by spinning mixing paddle  140  at a third predetermined speed. After mixing the food, in step  266  the food is allowed to sit for thirty (30) seconds, after which step  268  is performed. Step  268  includes spinning paddle  140  for five (5) additional rotations at a fourth predetermined speed, followed by the control panel  152  emitting a signal that the food is ready. Preferred embodiments of machine  100  emit the signal as a beep, or an illumination signal, or a combination of both. The identification of four predetermined speeds is not intended to mean that in every embodiment each predetermined speed is different from any or all of the other predetermined speeds. In one embodiment, the third predetermined speed is a “medium speed,” meaning that at least one other predetermined speed is a higher speed, and at least one other predetermined speed is a lower speed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pod processing machine  300  is illustrated. Pod processing machine  300  includes a top part  344  separable at seam  346  from bottom portion  348  through engagement of button  350  on the side of machine  300 . In a preferred embodiment, bottom portion  348  sits on top of a base  349  supporting machine  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a front view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing top part  344  and bottom part  348  separated at seam  346 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a left side view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing water tank  310 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a right side view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing water tank  310  and button  350 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a rear view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing water tank  310 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a top view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing button  350  and control panel  352 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , control panel  352  is illustrated, showing the various selectable options. A preferred embodiment of a control panel  352  includes engageable user interface elements such as buttons for operating a pod processing machine  300 . Exemplary elements include an on/off button  362  for turning on or off machine  300 , buttons  364  engageable to select the number of pods in bowl  342  (shown in  FIG. 12 ), buttons  366  to select whether freeze-dried or frozen pods  72  (see  FIG. 1 ) are being used, and a start/stop button  368  to initiate preparation of the food. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an exploded view of pod processing machine  300  is illustrated, showing several of its components. Structurally, machine  300  is similar to machine  100 , having the same components described with respect to machine  100 ; the components, however, are arranged and laid out appropriate to the overall shape and design of machine  300 . 
     Functionally, machine  300  operates in a similar manner to machine  100 . Machine  300  has and is operable with bowls  342  of different sizes to accommodate the different types of pet snouts. To use machine  300 , the machine  300  is opened to allow access to bowl  342  for the placement of food pods  72  (not shown in  FIG. 12 ). The number of food pods  72  is determined based on an animal&#39;s size and weight. The food pods  72  are placed into bowl  342  (selected from the available bowls  342  as appropriate for the animal to be fed), which in turn is placed in the chamber of bottom portion  348 , and the machine  300  is closed. The number of pods and whether they are freeze-dried or frozen is selected using control panel  352  on the machine  300  that interfaces with a controller having a central processor, program memory, and control outputs. In response to the data entered through the control panel  352  as input to the central processor, the mixing process is initiated. Based upon the user input and operational criteria within the program memory, the machine  300  draws a quantity of water, determined by the number of pods  72 , from tank  310 . The pump moves the water through the heating element and thermostat in order to heat it to a predetermined temperature, and then transfers the water to bowl  342  via a drip system, where the paddle dices and mixes the food from pods  72 . Upon completion of the mixing process, the bowl  342  is removed from the food processing machine  300  and the mixed food is fed to a pet directly from bowl  342 . The bowl  342  is then cleaned and replaced into food processing machine  300  for additional use; in preferred embodiments, bowl  342  is secured into the chamber of bottom portion  348  of machine  300  with a screwing motion, and made removable by a corresponding motion in reverse. 
     Some embodiments of machine  300  intended for use with food for human consumption process the food with additional steps in the preparation processes described in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which vary depending upon the combination of food pods selected. Such embodiments of machine  300  include an alternative embodiment of control panel  352  suitable for selecting the combination of pods in order to instruct the machine to carry out the appropriate steps. Such steps include unlocking the bottom portion during parts of the process in order to add additional pods that do not require all the processing steps, mixing steps with an alternative paddle that doesn&#39;t dice the food, as well as other steps appropriate to a particular meal. 
     Embodiments of a pod processing machine with the various possible combinations of features of the pod processing machines described herein are also fully contemplated. 
     While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.