Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a machine for cooking a dose of pasta.

In particular, the present invention relates to a machine configured to cook a dose of pasta in a container. The machine is configured to be used both in the food service field, for example in a restaurant or in a bar, and at home, without because of this loosing in generality.

Generally, machines to cook a dose of pasta comprise a steam generator and a nozzle to feed steam into a container containing the dose of pasta.

In particular, document <CIT> discloses an apparatus for cooking food in a container comprising a steam generator and a wand having a nozzle to supply steam.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> teach how to cook food inside a container by introducing steam into a container.

Furthermore, document <CIT> teaches how to cook a given quantity of pasta in a container, dosing liquid water and water vapour into said container. <CIT> discloses a food heating device using steam injection.

Currently known cooking machines are not capable of cooking a dose of pasta in the short amounts of time required by the quick-service food field and, at the same time, of preserving the organoleptic qualities of the dose of pasta.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine that can reduce the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the invention, there is provided a machine for cooking a dose of pasta in a container having a top opening, the machine comprising:.

Thanks to the present invention, a dose of pasta can be cooked in a container placed under the dispenser by delivering steam and hot water separately or simultaneously and/or according to any sequence, so as to optimize the cooking times and quality.

The reference element allows the container to be placed in a predetermined position relative to the dispenser in a simple, quick and repeatable manner. The relative position between the dispenser and the container allows for a better and more uniform distribution of steam and hot water in the container, with the advantage of obtaining a homogeneous cooking of the dose of pasta.

Taking into account the very short cooking time, the uniform distribution of steam and hot water is extremely important for obtaining a homogeneous cooking.

In particular, the lower structure comprises a supporting wall configured to support the container, said reference element being fixed to the supporting wall.

In this way, the container can be placed in the predetermined position on the supporting wall under the dispenser.

In particular, the supporting wall is movable along the longitudinal axis.

In this way, it is possible to change the relative distance, measured along the longitudinal axis, between the dispenser and the supporting wall.

Since the dispenser projects downwards, the insertion of the container in the cooking position entails pushing the supporting wall downwards so as not to interfere with the dispenser.

More in detail, the lower structure comprises a guide device to move the supporting wall along the longitudinal axis and at least one elastic element configured to push the supporting wall towards the dispenser.

In this way, the distance of the container from the dispenser can be controlled in a mechanical manner.

In particular, the force directed along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the dispenser, which is exerted upon the supporting wall by the at least one elastic element, increases as the distance, measured along the longitudinal axis, between the dispenser and the supporting wall increases.

In particular, the dispenser is shaped so as to define a lid for the container.

In this way, the dispenser also serves as a lid, so that the relative positioning between the dispenser and the container allows for the definition of a closed compartment, into which hot water and steam are introduced and which is kept at a light overpressure relative to the ambient pressure on the outside of the container.

When the pressure of the steam in the closed compartment becomes too high, the container and the supporting surface are slightly lowered so as to allow for the release of the excess steam, thus reducing the pressure in the closed compartment.

In particular, the dispenser comprises an external edge folded towards the lower structure.

In this way, there is an increase in the seal of the closed compartment defined by the relative positioning between the dispenser and the container.

In particular, the frame comprises a basement supporting the lower structure; and a vertical structure extending from the basement and supporting the upper structure.

In particular, the machine comprises a boiler, which is arranged within the frame on the opposite side of the vertical structure relative to the upper structure and the lower structure.

In this way, the dimensions of the bulk volume of the machine are reduced.

In particular, the machine comprises a steam distribution pipe in fluidic communication with the at least first opening and a hot water distribution pipe in fluidic communication with the at least second opening.

In this way, steam and hot water can be introduced into the container in an independent manner.

In particular, the machine comprises a display and interface panel supported by the upper structure.

In this way, a human operator can display and manually set the cooking parameters, which comprise, for example, the time interval during which the introduction of hot water or steam into the container takes place and the sequence of introduction of hot water and steam into the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for cooking a dose of pasta in a container, the system comprising:.

Thanks to the system, hot water and steam can separately and independently be introduced into the container containing a dose of pasta.

In particular, the container comprises a base wall, a lateral wall and the top opening opposite the base wall and delimited by an edge; wherein the maximum distance between two points belonging to the lateral wall is greater than the distance between the base wall and the edge of the opening, in particular the maximum distance between two points belonging to the lateral wall is greater than twice the distance between the base wall and the edge of the opening.

In this way, the hot water and the steam delivered inside the container can be distributed in a uniform manner.

More in detail, the dose of pasta contained inside the container can be wetted with hot water in a homogeneous and widespread manner so as to facilitate the cooking of the dose of pasta.

In particular, the system comprises a plurality of containers made of waterproofed cardboard.

In this way, the dose of pasta can be eaten from the same disposable container in which it was cooked.

In particular, the system comprises a plurality of packages, each of which is configured to store and transport the dose of pasta and comprises a container; a dose of pasta; and at least one protective foil to hermetically seal the dose of pasta in the container.

In this way, the operation of dosing the dose of pasta before the cooking can be avoided, with a consequent saving in terms of time.

In particular, the container of the package is configured to be used for cooking the dose of pasta and for consuming the dose of pasta.

In this way, the dose of pasta can be cooked and eaten using the same container, with no need to transfer the dose of pasta to another container after the cooking.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:.

With reference to <FIG>, number <NUM> indicates, as a whole, a system for cooking a dose of pasta P (<FIG>).

The system <NUM> comprises a machine <NUM> for cooking a dose of pasta P and a container <NUM> configured to contain the dose of pasta P (<FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, the dose of pasta P comprises a plurality of unitary pasta elements placed inside the container <NUM> in such a way that there are spaces between the unitary elements.

With reference to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>, a dispenser <NUM>, a reference element <NUM>, a display and interface panel <NUM>, a hot water distribution pipe <NUM> and a steam distribution pipe <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> comprises an upper structure <NUM>, a lower structure <NUM> facing the upper structure <NUM> and a vertical structure <NUM>, which extends from the lower structure <NUM> and supports the upper structure <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the upper structure <NUM> comprises a lower wall <NUM>, from which the dispenser <NUM> projects. The lower structure <NUM> comprises a basement <NUM>, which supports a guide device <NUM> and a supporting wall <NUM>, which is configured to define a bearing and supporting surface for the container <NUM> under the dispenser <NUM>.

In particular, the supporting wall <NUM> is elastically supported so as to allow the supporting wall <NUM> to translate in a vertical manner. More in detail, the guide device <NUM> comprises two bodies, which are coupled in a prismatic manner, and at least one elastic element <NUM>, which pushes the supporting wall <NUM> upwards. A stroke stop can be provided, which is not shown in the attached figures and fulfils the function of limiting the upper height of the supporting wall <NUM>. In the absence of a stroke stop, the upper height is defined by the elastic element <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a plurality of elastic elements <NUM> are shown.

The hot water distribution pipe <NUM> and the steam distribution pipe <NUM> are hydraulically connected to the dispenser <NUM>, which extends along a longitudinal axis A1 from the supporting wall <NUM> towards the lower wall <NUM> in the space comprised between the upper structure <NUM> and the lower structure <NUM>.

In particular, the dispenser <NUM> comprises a fixed body <NUM>, which is integral to the machine <NUM>; a nozzle body <NUM> (<FIG>); and a lid <NUM>, which comprises an outer edge <NUM> folded towards the lower structure <NUM> and is configured to delimit, together with the nozzle body <NUM> and the container <NUM>, a closed compartment, into which hot water and steam are introduced.

The reference element <NUM> is integral to the supporting wall <NUM> and is shaped so as to follow the lateral profile of the container <NUM>, so as to determine a predefined position for the container <NUM> on the supporting wall <NUM> and relative to the dispenser <NUM>.

The display and interface panel <NUM> is supported by the upper structure <NUM> and comprises a touch screen <NUM> on which a human operator can display and manually set the cooking parameters, which comprise, for example, the time interval during which the introduction of hot water or steam into the container <NUM> takes place and the sequence of introduction of hot water and steam into the container <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container <NUM> comprises a base wall <NUM>, a lateral wall <NUM> and a top opening <NUM>, which is opposite to the base wall <NUM> and is delimited by an edge <NUM>; wherein the maximum distance D1 between two points belonging to the lateral wall <NUM> along the base wall <NUM> is greater than the distance D2 between the base wall <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the top opening <NUM>.

In particular, , the maximum distance D1 between two points of the lateral wall <NUM> along the base wall <NUM> is greater than twice the distance D2 between the base wall <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the top opening <NUM>.

In other words, the container <NUM> has a horizontal dimension which is greater than twice its height.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> has a base wall <NUM> with a circular shape and a slightly flared lateral wall <NUM>. In this configuration, the diameter of the base wall <NUM> is greater than twice the distance between the base wall <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the top opening <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the reference element <NUM> is configured to keep the top opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> in correspondence of the dispenser <NUM> and in a predetermined position.

In particular, the reference element <NUM> develops along a half-circumference and is configured to keep the centre of the base wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> aligned with the longitudinal axis A1.

In other words, the longitudinal axis A1 goes through the centre of said half-circumference.

With reference to <FIG>, the fixed body <NUM> has a steam supply channel <NUM>, which extends along an axis A2 substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis A1, and two hot water supply channels <NUM>, which extend along two respective axes A3 and A4, which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 and are equally spaced apart from the axis A2.

The fixed body <NUM> has an appendage <NUM> comprising a cylindrical wall, which is configured to be coupled to the nozzle body <NUM> and to delimit the end part of the steam supply channel <NUM>.

The steam supply channel <NUM> is hydraulically connected to the steam distribution pipe <NUM> and the hot water supply channels <NUM> are hydraulically connected to the hot water distribution pipe <NUM>.

The nozzle body <NUM> develops around the longitudinal axis A1 and comprises a cylindrical wall <NUM>, which is shaped so as to be coupled to the fixed body <NUM> in a removable manner by means of a bayonet coupling.

The nozzle body <NUM> comprises a central protrusion <NUM>, which extends along the longitudinal axis A1.

The fixed body <NUM> and the nozzle body <NUM> are coupled so as to form a central chamber <NUM>, which is in fluidic communication with the steam supply channel <NUM>, and a chamber <NUM> arranged around the chamber <NUM>, which is in fluidic communication with the two hot water supply channels <NUM>.

In particular, the nozzle body <NUM> comprises an inner cylindrical wall <NUM> arranged around the appendage <NUM>, which is an extension of the central protrusion <NUM>, is coupled to the appendage <NUM> and separates the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> in a hydraulically sealed manner.

The nozzle body <NUM> comprises a plurality of openings <NUM> for feeding steam into the container <NUM>, which are distributed along the central protrusion <NUM> and extend along respective axes.

In particular, at least one opening <NUM> arranged along the longitudinal axis A1 and in correspondence of the lower end of the central protrusion <NUM> extends along a respective axis, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis A1, whereas the remaining openings <NUM> extend around the longitudinal axis A1 along respective axes, which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis A1.

The plurality of openings <NUM> hydraulically connect the chamber <NUM> and the container <NUM>.

Steam is introduced into the container <NUM> at a pressure greater than the ambient pressure on the outside. More in detail, according to a preferred embodiment non-limiting the present invention, the pressure of the steam introduced into the container <NUM> is comprised between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar, preferably between <NUM> bar and <NUM> bar.

Furthermore, the nozzle body <NUM> comprises a wall <NUM> and a wall <NUM>, which extend around the central protrusion <NUM> and have a plurality of openings <NUM> for feeding hot water into the container <NUM>.

In particular, some openings <NUM> extend along respective axes parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 and the other openings <NUM> extend along respective axes inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A1.

Hot water is introduced into the container <NUM> at a temperature exceeding <NUM>. More in detail, according to a preferred embodiment non-limiting the present invention, the temperature of the hot water introduced into the container <NUM> is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The free end of the central protrusion <NUM>, which is provided with openings <NUM>, is arranged under the level occupied by the dose of pasta.

The lid <NUM> is arranged around the nozzle body <NUM> and is configured to close the container <NUM>. In other words, the dispenser <NUM> and the container <NUM> are coupled so as to form a substantially closed compartment, which contains the dose of pasta P.

In particular, the lid <NUM> comprises an annular wall <NUM>, which is flat and is configured to be placed in contact with the edge <NUM> of the container <NUM>; an edge wall <NUM>, which is configured to be placed around the container <NUM>; and a connecting wall <NUM>, which is substantially cylindrical and is configured to be coupled to the nozzle body <NUM>.

Furthermore, the lid <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle body <NUM> by means of fixing elements <NUM> and, therefore, can selectively be removed from the nozzle body <NUM>.

In a variant of the invention, which is not shown in the attached Figures, the lid <NUM> is fixed to the nozzle body <NUM> in an integral manner.

With reference to <FIG>, the distribution of the openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM> can be clearly seen.

In particular, the openings <NUM> are distributed around the longitudinal axis A1, in correspondence of the free end of the central protrusion <NUM>.

The openings <NUM> having an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 are arranged around the longitudinal axis A1, along a wall <NUM> which is adjacent to the central protrusion <NUM>.

The openings <NUM> having an axis that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A1 are arranged around the longitudinal axis A1, along the inclined wall <NUM> which is adjacent to the wall <NUM> and to the cylindrical wall <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the system <NUM> comprises a plurality of packages <NUM>, each configured to store and transport a respective dose of pasta and comprising a container <NUM>; a dose of pasta P; and at least one protective foil <NUM> to hermetically seal the dose of pasta P in the container <NUM>.

In the example shown herein, the protective foil <NUM> is shaped like a closed bag.

In particular, the container <NUM> is configured to be used for cooking the dose of pasta P and for eating the dose of pasta P.

In use, the protective foil <NUM> is removed from a package <NUM> and the container <NUM> and the respective dose of pasta P are coupled to the dispenser <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, before steam and/or hot water are delivered by the dispenser <NUM>, the supporting wall <NUM> is moved apart from the lower wall <NUM> by applying a little pressure on the supporting wall <NUM>, which determines a temporary shortening of the elastic element <NUM> and is kept during the positioning of the container <NUM> under the dispenser <NUM>.

Said positioning is carried out by placing the container <NUM> on the supporting wall <NUM> so that a portion of the lateral wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> is in contact with the reference element <NUM>.

Subsequent to the positioning of the container <NUM>, the little pressure applied to the supporting wall <NUM> is released, thus determining the lengthening of the elastic element <NUM>, which pushes the container <NUM> resting on the supporting wall <NUM> against the dispenser <NUM>.

In particular, the edge <NUM> of the container <NUM> is pushed against the lid <NUM>, determining the closing of the top opening <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The introduction of steam into the container <NUM> determines an overpressure inside the container <NUM>, which is mechanically controlled and limited thanks to the supporting wall <NUM>, which is supported by the elastic element <NUM> and can slide thanks to the guide device <NUM>.

In detail, the force that tends to move the supporting wall <NUM> away from the lower wall <NUM>, which is exerted upon the lid <NUM>, upon the nozzle body <NUM> and upon the base wall <NUM>, is balanced by the force directed towards the lower wall <NUM>, which is exerted by the elastic element <NUM> upon the supporting wall <NUM>.

In particular, as the pressure on the inside of the container <NUM> increases, the force exerted upon the base wall <NUM>, upon the lid <NUM> and upon the nozzle body <NUM> increases. This force tends to increase the distance between the lower wall <NUM> and the supporting wall <NUM>, thus creating, between the edge <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the lid <NUM>, a slit, from which steam at an overpressure with respect to the outside environment escapes, reducing the value of the pressure inside the container <NUM>.

As the value of the pressure inside the container <NUM> decreases, the force directed towards the lower wall <NUM>, which is exerted by the elastic element <NUM> upon the supporting wall <NUM>, tends to close said slit, thus restoring the contact between the edge <NUM> of the container <NUM> and the lid <NUM>.

In particular and with reference to <FIG>, the relative positioning between the container <NUM> and the dispenser <NUM>, the delivery of steam from the plurality of openings <NUM> into the dose of pasta P contained in the container <NUM> and the delivery of hot water from the plurality of openings <NUM> above the dose of pasta P contained inside the container <NUM> allow for a homogeneous diffusion of hot water and of steam in the dose of pasta P.

Once the dose of pasta P is cooked, the container <NUM> is removed from the machine <NUM> and the dose of pasta P can be eaten in the same container <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A machine for cooking a dose of pasta in a container, the machine (<NUM>) comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>) comprising an upper structure (<NUM>) and a lower structure (<NUM>) facing the upper structure (<NUM>);
- a dispenser (<NUM>), which comprises at least a first opening (<NUM>) for delivering steam and at least a second opening (<NUM>) for delivering hot water, is supported by the upper structure (<NUM>), and extends from the upper structure (<NUM>) towards the lower structure (<NUM>) in the space between the upper structure (<NUM>) and the lower structure (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axis (A1);
- a reference element (<NUM>), which is supported by the lower structure (<NUM>) and is configured to place the container (<NUM>) with the top opening (<NUM>) in correspondence of the dispenser (<NUM>).