Abstract:
A method and apparatus for safely preparing food items is provided. A food item is placed in a container with an open top. The container holds a secondary receptacle with a lucid substance therein. A covering is placed over the top of the container to hold both the food item and secondary receptacle within the walls of the container. Prior to breaking the seal of the top covering, or in the process of breaking the seal of the top covering, the secondary receptacle may be pierced. Breaking the seal of the secondary receptacle forces the contents stored therein to exit the secondary receptacle and to come in contact with the food item stored in the container. The process of breaking the seal of the secondary container enables the food item in the container to be marinated without subjecting the food item to unnecessary handling or external sources of contamination.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    This invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing foods. More specifically, the method and apparatus enables preparation of food items in a safe manner for both the preparer and the recipient of the food item.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The process of preparing a meal for family and friends requires planning and careful food preparation. If the food is not properly handled in the preparation stage, the end food product can be hazardous and illness can arise in those eating the prepared foods. Cooks, whether professional or recreational, often need to review their food preparation practices, and inspect and clean the food preparation environment to maximize the likelihood that the food they prepare is safe for consumption. Regularly checking key critical control points in food preparation, such as proper cooking, cooling, reheating leftovers, and identifying and controlling points of contamination when preparing food will reduce the risk of food borne illness. This process is also known as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (“HACCP”). HACCP is used in food processing plants to reduce pathogens on meat, poultry and seafood products. Although foods that are prepared using the HACCP process are not sterile, the HACCP process enhances the safety of the foods and reduces risks associated with improper handling of food.  
           [0005]    Potential hazards associated with food preparation in household, food service, food processing, and food preparation locales include biological, chemical and physical hazards. Biological hazards are hazards associated with food borne bacteria. Effects of food borne bacteria in improperly prepared foods can lead to illness if the food is mishandled. In general, young children, elderly and ill people are at the highest risk of suffering from such bacteria. Certain processes of handling practices by consumers and foodservice workers both in the home and in the commercial kitchen have been identified as being essential or critical in preventing food borne illness. These practices, which prevent or control the microbial contamination associated with food borne illness, are under the direct control of the consumer and foodservice workers, from food acquisition through disposal. Such practices include proper purchasing of the food, storing, pre-preparation, cooking, serving and handling of leftover foods. Accordingly, failure to take appropriate action at any of the above listed stages could result in food borne illness resulting from the food served.  
           [0006]    Food preparation is a critical step in the process of producing a safe and healthy food product. However, there also are several steps involved in the pre-preparation of food. One step is the process of having the food preparer properly wash there hands. This is a simple practice that aids in preventing food contamination or cross-contamination, but is frequently not properly practiced by those who handle food. Hand washing should be conducted before beginning food preparation, as well as subsequent to handling raw meats, or at any time in the process of preparation when the food handlers hands may have been exposed to a source of contamination. Not only should the food handler&#39;s hands be properly cleaned, it is also critical that the counter, and all food equipment be properly cleaned prior to use and that they be cleaned immediately following use as well. In addition, the food handler should make sure that juices from raw meat, poultry or seafood do not come into contact with cooked foods or foods that are commonly eaten in a raw form, such as fruits and salads. As for the food product, all foods that require thawing should be thawed in a refrigerated environment and not on a counter surface at room temperature. Alternatively, the food product can be thawed in a microwave, or alternative method of rapid thawing, just prior to cooking. Finally, food that is intended to be marinated subsequent to any required thawing process and prior to cooking should be marinated in the refrigerator and not on a counter or open surface. The marinate sauce should not be used on cooked food unless it is boiled prior to use. Accordingly, following the basic principles of time and temperature control, with the use of barriers to cross-contamination, will help minimize the occurrence of food borne illness.  
           [0007]    In view of the hazards associated with food preparation, and specifically in thawing meats and poultry and marinating the food items prior to cooking, it is desirable to utilize a product that mitigates such known hazards. Accordingly, there is a need for a product and a process that marinates the food items while mitigating exposure to outside food borne bacteria, as well as a product and process that guards against exposing other food items in the kitchen work area from bacteria inherent to raw meat, poultry and seafood while being prepared.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    This invention comprises a product and process for marinating pre-packaged food items.  
           [0009]    In a first aspect of the invention, a container for packaged food product is provided. The container includes a first compartment defined by a bottom wall and side walls. Opposite to the bottom wall is an open portion. The food content is positioned between the side walls, and a bladder is also positioned between the side walls. The container may be modified to include multiple bladders. A seal is used to enclosed the open portion and to maintain the food content and bladder within the container. The food content may be positioned adjacent to a top surface of the bottom wall. Alternatively, the food content may be positioned adjacent to a top surface of the bladder. The bladder may be positioned adjacent to a top surface of the bottom wall. Alternatively, the bladder may be positioned adjacent to a top surface of the bladder. In addition to positioning of the food content and bladder, the container may include an element adapted to pierce through the bladder. The piercing element may be positioned on an interior surface of one of the side walls, and may be in a form selected from the following group: a pincer with a spring loaded safety cap, a clip with a safety cap, and a spring clip with a safety cap. In addition, the bladder may be fixed within the container, or it may be removable from the container.  
           [0010]    In a second aspect of the invention, a method for marinating food content is provided. A sealed bladder is placed within a container. In addition, a food item is placed within the container adjacent to the bladder. A seal is placed over a top portion of the container to hold the food and bladder within the container. The bladder is pierced to enable liquid contents held within the bladder to be expelled from the bladder into the container. The step of piercing the bladder may include placing an external element into contact with the bladder through the seal. Alternatively, the step of piercing the bladder may include placing an element internal to the container into contact with the bladder.  
           [0011]    Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food holding receptacle according to the preferred embodiment of this invention, and is suggested for printing on the first page of the issued patent.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a food holding receptacle with the contents of a secondary receptacle.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 a  is a side view of the food handling receptacle taken along line A of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of an internal clip piercing element.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of an internal spring based piercing element.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a side view of an internal pincer apparatus. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Overview  
       [0018]    Proper preparation of food items requires careful planning and preparation to avoid preparing foods that may be potentially harmful to the intended recipients. One important component when preparing meats, poultry and/or seafood items is to thaw the food items properly if the items are frozen. A popular step in preparing food items is to marinate the foods for a set period of time prior to cooking. Often the marination process can be messy and cumbersome, and may be challenging for both experienced and inexperienced cooks alike. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an arrangement that alleviates any difficulties associated with food marination from selecting a flavor for a desired affect, as well as an efficient product and process for marinating foods that maintains the safety elements associated with food preparation.  
       Technical Background  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a primary receptacle  10  adapted to hold a food item  25  within the walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  of the primary receptacle  10 . In addition to the food item  25 , the primary receptacle  10  includes a secondary receptacle  30  that preferably contains a liquid or comparable lucid substance. The secondary receptacle  30  is sealed, and is independent of the primary receptacle  10 . The primary receptacle  10  has a bottom wall  22 , and side walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . Each of the side walls extend their full length so that adjacent walls meet at their respective comers. A top portion of the primary receptacle  10  is open. When the contents that are intended to be placed in the primary receptacle  10  have been properly placed and positioned within the walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  thereof, the primary receptacle  10  may be sealed with a covering  40 . Accordingly, the primary receptacle  10  has a bottom wall  22  and side walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  and is adapted to receive a covering  40  over the top portion to enclose whatever contents are intended to be placed within the primary receptacle  10 .  
         [0020]    The primary receptacle  10  in a static state will contain the food item  25  adjacent to a secondary receptacle  30 , or multiple secondary receptacles. In order to change the phase and function of the primary receptacle  10  and the food item  25  therein, a person handling the primary receptacle  10  must form an opening in the secondary receptacle  30 . FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment demonstrating how the lucid contents of the secondary receptacle  30  may exit therefrom. A person handling the primary receptacle  10  may place the primary receptacle  10  on a flat surface, and thereafter place a sharp object through the covering  40  and into the seal of the secondary receptacle  30 . Once the secondary receptacle  30  has been pierced, an aperture will have been formed for the contents of the secondary receptacle to exit therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the sharp object will have pierced through a bottom surface of the secondary receptacle  30  to enable the contents to exit therefrom through the force of gravity. If the food item  25  in this embodiment is placed adjacent to the bottom surface of the secondary receptacle  30 , the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  will flow directly into the food item  25 . FIG. 2 a  is a side view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A. This figure shows the placement of the food item  25  relative to the secondary receptacle  30 , together with the covering  40  placed over the primary receptacle. Accordingly, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2 a  show one embodiment which requires piercing of the secondary receptacle  30  as well as the covering  40  to allow the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  to exit therefrom.  
         [0021]    One limitation associated with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the requirement of breaking the covering  40  in addition to the seal of the secondary receptacle  30 . In some environments it may be desirable to maintain the covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10  while breaking the seal of the secondary receptacle  30 . This would enable the food item  25  to be exposed to the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  while preserving the contents of the primary receptacle  30  in a sealed container. FIG. 3 is a side view of a clip  70  that enables maintaining the contents of the primary receptacle  10  within a cohesive seal of the covering  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the clip  70  is placed in the primary receptacle  10  prior to placement of the covering  40  over the contents within the primary receptacle  10 . The clip  70  includes an elongated stem  72  with a proximal end  74  and a distal end  76 . The proximal end  74  of the stem  72  is secured to a wall of the primary receptacle  10 . The distal end  76  of the stem  72  is placed adjacent to the secondary receptacle  30  when the clip  70  is secured in the primary receptacle  10 . The distal end  76  of the stem  72  includes a piercing element  78  enveloped by a safety cap  80 . In a stationary position, the piercing element  78  remains enclosed by cap  80  and does not subject the secondary receptacle  30  to piercing by a sharp object. However, at such time as pressure is exerted on the distal end  76  of the stem  72 , the piercing element  78  is pushed out of the safety cap  80  and breaks through the material of the secondary receptacle  30 . Accordingly, the elongated stem  72  in combination with the safety cap  80  and piercing element  78  provides an embodiment that enables piercing of the secondary receptacle  30  without breaking the seal of the covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10 .  
         [0022]    The elongated stem  72  of FIG. 3 may be placed in a plurality of locations within the walls of the primary receptacle  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the stem  72  is placed along a corner where two of the walls of the primary receptacle  10  meet. The stem  72  includes a proximal end  74  and a distal end  76 . The distal end  76  is fixed to one wall of the primary receptacle  10 , and the proximal end  74  is fixed to a second wall of the primary receptacle  10 . The safety cap  80  and piercing element  78  are located at the proximal end  74 . A person who would like to have the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  enter the primary receptacle  10  must exert pressure on the two walls of the primary receptacle  10  to which the proximal and distal ends  74  and  76 , respectively, are fixed. When the piercing element  78  is adjacent to the secondary receptacle  30  and the pressure exerted on the secondary receptacle  30  exceeds the threshold defined by the material enclosing the secondary receptacle  30 , an opening in the secondary receptacle  30  will occur. Thereafter, the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  will begin exiting the secondary receptacle  30  and entering the primary receptacle  10 . This process enables the contents  25  of the primary receptacle  10  to be exposed to the contents of the secondary receptacle  30 . In addition, since the piercing element  78  is internal to the primary receptacle  10 , the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10  remains intact, thereby preventing the fluid in the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, from exiting the primary receptacle  10  or otherwise being exposed to the atmosphere. Accordingly, the piercing element  78  enables the contents of the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, to remain isolated from exposure to potential contaminants.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a side view of a spring element  90  for piercing the secondary receptacle  30  without piercing or otherwise opening the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10 . As shown in FIG. 4, the spring element  90  includes an elongated stem  92  with a proximal end  94  and a distal end  96 . Both ends  94  and  96  include piercing elements  98  and  100 , respectively. Each of the piercing elements  98  and  100  are enclosed with a covering  102 ,  104 , respectively, to prevent the piercing elements  98  and  100  from accidentally creating an opening in either the secondary receptacle  30  or the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10 . The covering  102 ,  104  of the piercing elements  98 ,  100  prevent the piercing elements  98 ,  100  from exposure to the secondary receptacle  30 , the top covering  40 , the walls of the primary receptacle  10 , and any other elements sensitive to piercing from sharp objects. The stem  92  is preferable secured to a wall of the primary receptacle  10 , so as to enable the stem  92  to be fixed to a stationary object. A person who would like to have the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  enter the primary receptacle  10  must exert pressure on both the proximal and distal ends  94  and  96 , respectively, of the spring element  90 . Pressure on the piercing elements  98  and  100  may also occur through exerting pressure on the walls of the primary receptacle  10  to which the stem  92  is fixed. When the piercing elements  98  and  100  are adjacent to the secondary receptacle  30  and the pressure exerted on the secondary receptacle  30  exceeds a piercing threshold, the piercing element  98 ,  100  extends beyond the limit of the respective covering  102  and  104 . The piercing element  98 ,  100  creates an opening in the material enclosing the secondary receptacle  30 . Thereafter, the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  will begin exiting the secondary receptacle  30  and entering the primary receptacle  10 . This process enables the contents of the primary receptacle  10  to be exposed to the contents of the secondary receptacle  30 . In addition, since the piercing element  98 ,  100  is housed withing the primary receptacle  10 , the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10  remains intact, thereby preventing the fluid in the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, from exiting the primary receptacle  10  or otherwise being exposed to the atmosphere. Accordingly, the piercing elements  98  and  100  enable the contents of the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, to remain isolated from exposure to potential contaminants external to the primary receptacle  10 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a side view pincer apparatus  120  for piercing the secondary receptacle  30  without piercing or otherwise opening the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10 . As shown in FIG. 5, the pincer apparatus  120  includes a primary stem  122  and a secondary stem  128 . The primary stem  122  includes a proximal end  124  and a distal end  126 . The distal end  126  of the primary stem  122  is secured to a distal end  130  of the secondary stem  128 , and a corner  134  of the primary receptacle  10 . Similarly, the distal end  130  of the secondary stem  128  is secured to a distal end  126  of the primary stem  122  and a corner  134  of the primary receptacle  10 . The proximal end  124  of the primary stem  122  includes a piercing element  140  secured to the proximal end  124  by means of a spring  142 . In a rest position, the tension in the spring  142  maintains the piercing element  140  within the confines of a receiving cap  144 , and prevents the piercing element  140  from accidentally creating an opening in either the secondary receptacle  30  or the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10 . The secondary stem  128  includes a receiving cap  150  at a proximal end thereof. The receiving cap  150  is a hollow and circular shaped element although alternative shaped elements may be used. The circumference of the enclosing cap  150  of the secondary stem  128  is greater than the circumference of the receiving cap  144  of the primary stem  122 . Accordingly, this enables the receiving cap  144  of the primary stem  122  to receive the enclosing cap  150  of the secondary stem.  
         [0025]    A person who would like to have the contents of the secondary receptacle enter the primary receptacle must exert sufficient pressure on the piercing element  140  to exceed the tension in the spring  142  holding the piercing element  140  within the receiving cap  144 . Pressure on the piercing element  140  may also occur through exerting pressure on the walls of the primary receptacle  10  to which the primary and secondary stems  122  and  128 , respectively, are fixed. When the piercing element  140  is adjacent to the secondary receptacle  30  and the pressure exerted on the secondary receptacle  30  exceeds the threshold defined by tension in the spring  142 , the piercing element  140  extends beyond the limit of the receiving cap  144 . The piercing element  140  places an opening in the material enclosing the secondary receptacle  30 . Thereafter, the contents of the secondary receptacle  30  will begin exiting the secondary receptacle  30  and entering the primary receptacle  10 . This process enables the contents of the primary receptacle  10  to be exposed to the contents of the secondary receptacle  30 . In addition, since the piercing element  140  is internal to the primary receptacle  10 , the top covering  40  of the primary receptacle  10  remains intact, thereby preventing the fluid in the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, from exiting the primary receptacle  10  or otherwise being exposed to the atmosphere. Accordingly, the piercing element  140  enables the contents of the primary and secondary receptacles  10  and  30 , respectively, to remain isolated from exposure to potential contaminants external to the primary receptacle  10 .  
       Advantages Over The Prior Art  
       [0026]    The structure of the food storage apparatus together with the means for piercing the secondary receptacle provides a clean and safe manner in which food items can be marinated or otherwise prepared prior to cooking. It is common to marinate food items, or to otherwise subject food items to a preparative fluid prior to the cooking of the food item. The apparatus and method disclosed herein, enables a food preparer to subject a food item to a fluid without exposing a raw food item to human skin or to atmospheric conditions and limiting exposure of food items to potential contaminants. Concern for spilling of raw juices and cleanliness of associated raw food items are mitigated by maintaining the integrity of the apparatus.  
       Alternative Embodiments  
       [0027]    It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, alternative mechanisms may be placed within the container to enable a person to open the contents of the secondary receptacle without subjecting the primary receptacle to an opening. Additionally, the apparatus may contain multiple food items, as well as multiple secondary receptacles. Enlargement of the apparatus would also enable placement of additional elements for opening the secondary receptacles placed within the apparatus. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.