Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to a system and to a method for preparing a dose of food comprising various ingredients.

Within the scope of the quick catering industry, it is known to use machines for cooking fresh food and/or for heating precooked food by means of the use of steam.

Patent applications No. <CIT>, No. <CIT> and No. <CIT> of the applicant teach how to cook a dose of fresh food contained in a container by means of the supply of hot water and steam in the container containing the dose of food.

Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further examples of machines for cooking and/or heating food. <CIT> discloses a system for preparing a dose of food, the system comprising:.

On the one hand, cooking fresh food by means of water and steam requires dosing the steam and the hot water and controlling the dispensing times of the water and of the steam so as to cook the food quickly.

On the other hand, the will to reach high quality levels of the dose of food requires preparing each ingredient according to high quality levels.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for preparing a dose of food which is able to conciliate the times required by the quick catering and the will to provide doses of food of high quality.

According to the present invention, a system for preparing a dose of food according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In this way, the first and the second ingredients are cooked or heated separately in order to be joined and mixed together when still hot. This mode for preparing food is particularly suitable for preparing pasta dishes where the first ingredient is fresh pasta, whereas the second ingredient is the pasta sauce.

In the quick catering industry, the system can comprise two or more identical machines where at least one machine is used to cook or heat the second ingredient.

Moreover, in this way, the machine and the container form a substantially closed compartment inside which the first ingredient is cooked.

Furthermore, the system comprises a container having an upper opening delimited by a second rim and configured to contain the at least one second package so as to perform the cooking/heating of the second ingredient within the container without opening the second package.

In this way, it is possible to cook or heat the second ingredient in a simple and quick manner.

In particular, the container is configured to cook/heat the second ingredient in a plurality of second packages.

In this way, it is possible to simultaneously cook or heat a plurality of second ingredients within the container.

In particular, the container comprises a cup body; and an insert configured to be housed in the cup body and maintain the second packages at a predetermined position in the cup body.

More specifically, the insert is configured to convey steam to a determined portion of the second packages so as to favor the cooking or the heating of the second ingredients.

In particular, the first and the second rims are equal in shape and size.

In this way, it is possible to couple both the tray and the container to the same machine so as to perform the cooking or the heating of the first and the second ingredients by means of the same machine.

In particular, said machine is configured to dispense steam and hot water independently of each other.

In this way, it is possible to supply steam and hot water into the tray or into the container simultaneously and/or in any sequence.

In particular, the system comprises a plurality of interchangeable dispensers depending on the modes of operation of the machine.

In this way, it is possible to change the dispenser according to the type of food to be cooked or heated and/or according to the recipe to be prepared.

In particular, the machine comprises a first steam supply duct; a second hot water supply duct; and a first connector extending along an axis and integral with the machine in which the first and the second ducts converge; each of the dispensers comprising a respective first sleeve configured to be fitted around the first connector, so as to couple by pressure each dispenser to the first connector.

In particular, the first connector comprises at least one body selectively movable in a radial direction, whereas the first sleeve of each dispenser comprises a compartment suitable for housing said movable body to lock the respective dispenser in position.

In this way, it is possible to snap-couple each dispenser to the first connector in a simple and cost-effective manner.

In particular, the machine comprises a steam evacuation duct; and a second connector integral with the machine and connected in a fluidic manner to the evacuation duct; each dispenser comprising a second sleeve configured to be selectively fitted to the second connector so as to evacuate excess steam from the tray or from the container.

In particular, the system comprises a junction configured to connect in a fluidic manner the first connector and the second connector directly to allow the recirculation of steam and/or hot water from the first connector to the second connector so as to perform the washing of the first and the second connectors.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for cooking food according to claim <NUM> which allows mitigating the drawbacks of the prior art.

In this way, it is possible to cook or heat the first and the second ingredients directly inside the first and the second packages, which are also used for transporting the first and the second ingredients.

The invention is described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein:.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a system for preparing a dose of food comprises a sealed package <NUM> (<FIG>) containing an ingredient <NUM> (<FIG>), in this case fresh pasta; a sealed package <NUM> (<FIG>) containing an ingredient <NUM> (<FIG>), in this case a sauce for the fresh pasta; and a machine <NUM> configured to directly cook and/or heat the ingredient <NUM> (<FIG>), in accordance with respective cooking and/or heating parameters and indirectly cook and/or heat the ingredient <NUM> (<FIG>) in accordance with respective cooking and/or heating parameters.

With reference to <FIG>, the sealed package <NUM> comprises a tray <NUM> with a compartment containing the ingredient <NUM>; an upper opening delimited by a rim <NUM>; and a sheet <NUM> sealed at the rim <NUM> of the tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> has the triple function of defining part of the sealed package <NUM> for transporting the ingredient <NUM> from the production site to the preparation and consumption site; defining the container in which the cooking of the ingredient <NUM> is performed; and defining the container in which the dish defined by the combination of the ingredients <NUM> and <NUM> suitably mixed will be consumed.

With reference to <FIG>, the sealed package <NUM> is a bag suitable for containing the ingredient <NUM> in a pasty or semifluid form with two opposite rims <NUM>, which are at least at sections converging. This configuration of the sealed package <NUM> draws on the configuration of a "sac à poche" and, once opened at one end where there is a pre-weakened section, it allows expelling the ingredient <NUM> with the pressure of the hands.

With reference to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a dispenser <NUM> configured to be coupled to the tray <NUM> at the upper opening of the tray <NUM> so as to close the compartment inside the tray <NUM>; two connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, to which selectively coupling the dispenser <NUM>; a duct <NUM> connected to the connector <NUM> for supplying steam to the dispenser <NUM>; a duct <NUM> connected to the connector <NUM> for supplying hot water to the dispenser <NUM>; and a duct <NUM> connected to the connector <NUM> for evacuating steam from the tray <NUM> to a discharge, not shown in the accompanying figures.

More specifically, the connector <NUM> comprises a channel <NUM>, which extends along a substantially vertical axis A and is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM>; and a channel <NUM>, which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis A and is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM>.

The free ends of the channels <NUM> and <NUM> are provided with respective openings <NUM> and <NUM> configured to supply steam and hot water, respectively. In this way, the machine <NUM> is configured to dispense steam and hot water independently of each other.

The connector <NUM> is fixed to a support <NUM> of the machine <NUM> and comprises an annular gasket <NUM> configured to prevent steam or hot water leakage from the dispenser <NUM>. In the case described and illustrated herein, the annular gasket <NUM> is made of polymeric material and is housed in an annular seat <NUM> obtained in the connector <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> is preferably made of polymeric material and comprises a cylindrical sleeve <NUM>, which is configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM>; a lid <NUM> coaxial to the cylindrical sleeve <NUM>; and a further cylindrical sleeve <NUM> configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> has two annular appendages <NUM> and <NUM> which define a compartment configured to house the rim <NUM> of the tray <NUM> so as to close the upper opening of the tray <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> further comprises a central protrusion <NUM>, which extends along the axis A and is provided with an opening <NUM>; and an annular wall <NUM>, which extends around the central protrusion <NUM> and is provided with openings <NUM> for dispensing hot water. In particular, the annular wall <NUM> comprises a portion <NUM>, which is substantially perpendicular to the axis A, is adjacent to the central protrusion <NUM> and has openings <NUM> extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis A; and a portion <NUM>, which is inclined with respect to the axis A, is arranged between the portion <NUM> and the cylindrical sleeve <NUM> and has openings <NUM> extending in a direction transverse to the axis A.

The dispenser <NUM> is configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM> so that the channel <NUM> extends at least partially through the opening <NUM> of the central protrusion <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the channel <NUM> faces the tray <NUM> directly.

Furthermore, the dispenser <NUM> is configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM> so as to form an annular chamber <NUM>, which is delimited by the annular wall <NUM> and the connector <NUM> and is configured to be filled with hot water.

With reference to <FIG>, the system comprises a container <NUM> having an upper opening delimited by a rim <NUM> and configured to contain at least one sealed package <NUM> so as to perform the cooking/heating of the ingredient <NUM> within the container <NUM> without opening the sealed package <NUM>. In the case described and illustrated herein, the container <NUM> is configured to simultaneously cook/heat the ingredient <NUM> in a plurality of sealed packages <NUM>.

In particular, the container <NUM> comprises a cup body <NUM>; and an insert <NUM> configured to be housed in the cup body <NUM> and maintain the sealed packages <NUM> at a predetermined position in the cup body <NUM>.

More specifically, the container <NUM> comprises a shoulder <NUM> configured to support the insert <NUM>.

The insert <NUM> is configured to convey steam to a determined portion of the sealed packages <NUM>. In particular, the insert <NUM> can be selectively removed from the container <NUM> and comprises a central duct <NUM> connected in a fluidic manner to the openings <NUM> and <NUM> so as to convey steam to the sealed packages <NUM>; and a plurality of housing seats <NUM>, each of which is configured to retain a respective sealed package <NUM> in a determined position on the bottom of the container <NUM>.

In particular, the rim <NUM> of the tray <NUM> and the rim <NUM> of the container <NUM> are equal in shape and size. In this way, it is possible to couple both the tray <NUM> and the container <NUM> to the same dispenser <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the case described and illustrated herein, the system comprises a dispenser <NUM>, which differs from the dispenser <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) in the shape of the central protrusion <NUM>. In particular, the central protrusion <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> is dome-shaped and has a plurality of openings <NUM> for dispensing steam, which extend in a direction transverse to the axis A.

The dispenser <NUM> is configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM> so that the opening <NUM> of the channel <NUM> is arranged inside the central protrusion <NUM>, in proximity to the openings <NUM>.

In accordance with the present invention, the dispensers <NUM> and <NUM> are interchangeable depending on the mode of operation of the machine <NUM>. In particular, the dispenser <NUM> is particularly suitable for cooking or heating solid foods contained within the tray <NUM> and the dispenser <NUM> is particularly suitable for cooking or heating liquid foods contained within the tray <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the connector <NUM> comprises two bodies <NUM> selectively movable in the radial direction, each of which is housed in a respective seat <NUM> obtained in the connector <NUM>. Each movable body <NUM> comprises a rounded end <NUM> and is movable between an extended position, in which the rounded end <NUM> protrudes radially from the connector <NUM>, and a retracted position, in which the rounded end <NUM> is arranged within the respective seat <NUM>.

In particular, the connector <NUM> comprises two elastic elements <NUM>, in this case coil springs, each of which is coupled to a respective movable body <NUM>. Each elastic element <NUM> is configured to provide a force to counteract the movement of the respective movable body <NUM> in the respective seat <NUM>.

The cylindrical sleeve <NUM> extends around the axis A and comprises a compartment <NUM> suitable for housing the movable body <NUM> to lock the dispenser <NUM> in position. In particular, the compartment <NUM> is configured to house the rounded end <NUM> of the movable body <NUM> so as to snap-couple the dispenser <NUM> to the connector <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the system comprises a junction <NUM> configured to connect in a fluidic manner the connector <NUM> and the connector <NUM> directly. In particular, the junction <NUM> comprises a sleeve <NUM> configured to be fitted on the connector <NUM>, and an L-shaped duct <NUM> configured to convey steam or hot water from the sleeve <NUM> to the connector <NUM>.

In use and with reference to <FIG>, the sheet <NUM> is removed from the tray <NUM> and, with reference to <FIG>, the tray <NUM> is coupled to the dispenser <NUM> so that the rim <NUM> is arranged between the annular appendages <NUM> and <NUM> to close the upper opening of the tray <NUM>. At this point, steam and hot water are dispensed according to determined cooking and/or heating parameters within the tray <NUM> respectively from the opening <NUM> and the openings <NUM> simultaneously and/or according to any sequence so as to heat or cook the ingredient <NUM> directly.

With reference to <FIG>, each sealed package <NUM> is arranged within the container <NUM>, in the respective housing seat <NUM> of the insert <NUM>. At this point, the steam is dispensed according to determined cooking and/or heating parameters within the container <NUM> from the openings <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM> so as to heat or cook the ingredient <NUM> indirectly.

With reference to <FIG>, the sleeve <NUM> is fitted on the connector <NUM> and the duct <NUM> is connected to the sleeve <NUM> on a first end and to the connector <NUM> on a second end so as to form the junction <NUM>. Subsequently, the machine <NUM> dispenses hot water from the opening <NUM>. The dispensed hot water is conveyed directly to the connector <NUM> through the junction <NUM> so as to be supplied to the discharge, not shown in the accompanying Figures. In this way, it is possible to perform the washing of the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system for preparing a dose of food, the system comprising:
- a first sealed package (<NUM>) containing a first ingredient (<NUM>) and comprising a tray (<NUM>) with a compartment containing the first ingredient (<NUM>), an upper opening delimited by a first rim (<NUM>), and a sealing element of the tray (<NUM>);
- a second sealed package (<NUM>) containing a second ingredient (<NUM>); and
- at least one machine (<NUM>) configured to supply hot water and steam for cooking and/or heating the first ingredient (<NUM>) in accordance with first cooking and/or heating parameters and configured to supply steam for cooking and/or heating the second ingredient (<NUM>) in accordance with second cooking and/or heating parameters,
the machine (<NUM>) and the tray (<NUM>) being configured to be coupled to each other at the upper opening of the tray (<NUM>) once the sealing element has been removed so as to perform the cooking/heating of the first ingredient (<NUM>) in the tray (<NUM>) .