Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to a machine and to a method for cooking food by means of the supply of hot water and steam.

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 fresh food contained in a container by means of the supply of hot water and steam in the container containing the food.

Document <CIT> discloses a further example of an apparatus for heating and cooking food, said apparatus comprising:.

Generally, the machines for cooking fresh food by means of water and steam require a high consumption of steam in the periods of continuative use. In particular, the cooking of fresh food prepared in accordance with specific recipes requires a supply of steam prolonged over time. In order to deal with the aforementioned uses, it would be necessary to manufacture a boiler for the generation of steam of large dimensions which, consequently, would increase the weight and bulks of the machine in its whole.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for cooking food, which allows mitigating the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a machine for cooking food according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to supply hot water from the second boiler to the first boiler by means of the third duct during the cooking of the fresh food, standing up to a possible high consumption of steam.

Furthermore, in this manner the supply of hot water from the second boiler to the first boiler takes place independently of the supply of hot water from the second opening and of the supply of steam from the first opening, allowing controlling with accuracy the quantity of hot water inside the first boiler in every instant of the cooking process of the fresh food.

Additionally, the supply of the first boiler with hot water heated by the second boiler allows reducing the thermal jump inside the first boiler during the refilling of the first boiler.

In particular, the machine comprises a first solenoid valve for controlling the steam supply along the first duct.

In this manner, it is possible to control the start and the end of the supply of steam into the container and/or determine supply intervals of steam into the container.

In particular, the machine comprises a second solenoid valve for controlling the supply of hot water along the second duct and a third solenoid valve for controlling the supply of hot water along the third duct.

Thanks to the second solenoid valve, it is possible to control the start and the end of the supply of hot water into the container and/or determine supply intervals of hot water into the container.

Furthermore, thanks to the third solenoid valve, it is possible to control the refilling modes of the first boiler with hot water.

In particular, the machine comprises a control unit configured to control the first, the second and the third solenoid valves.

More specifically, the control unit is configured to control the third solenoid valve depending on the state of the first solenoid valve.

In use, when the first solenoid valve is open and determines the supply of steam into the container, it is possible to open the third solenoid valve and refill the first boiler with hot water so as to maintain a suitable level of hot water in the first boiler during the cooking process of the food.

In particular, the control unit comprises a user interface configured to select a cooking process of the food from a plurality of cooking processes of the food; the control unit being configured to control the first, the second and the third solenoid valves depending on the selected cooking process of the food so as to dispense steam and/or hot water into the container and supply hot water to the first boiler from the second boiler according to the cooking parameters associated with the selected cooking process.

In particular, the machine comprises a level probe associated with the first boiler and configured to emit a level signal related to the level of water in the first boiler; the control unit being configured to control the third solenoid valve depending on said level signal.

In use, in case the level signal is below a given reference threshold, the control unit controls the opening of the third solenoid valve so as to supply hot water into the first boiler and re-establish a suitable level of water in the first boiler.

In particular, the control unit is configured to control the third solenoid valve intermittently with opening and closing cycles of duration equal to tenths of a second so as to prevent the alteration of the properties of the steam inside the first boiler.

In particular, the machine comprises a fourth duct configured to evacuate steam from the container of food.

More specifically, the fourth duct is connected to a steam discharge.

In this manner, it is possible to evacuate the excess steam from the container, limiting the pressure inside the container and preventing the condensate formation in the container.

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

In accordance with the present invention, a method for cooking food according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Thanks to the present method, it is possible to refill the first boiler with hot water during a cooking process, standing up to a possible high consumption of steam and reducing at the same time the thermal jump inside the first boiler.

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

With reference to <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> indicates, as a whole, a machine for cooking food <NUM> in a container <NUM> containing said food <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> can be used in public catering places (for example coffee bars, restaurants, diners etc.) or at home.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the food <NUM> contained in the container <NUM> can be a dose of raw pasta or a sauce for said dose of pasta.

The machine <NUM> comprises a dispenser <NUM> configured to be arranged over the container <NUM> and to close the container <NUM> and comprising at least one opening <NUM> for dispensing steam into the container <NUM> and at least one opening <NUM> for dispensing hot water into the container <NUM>; at least one boiler <NUM> and one duct <NUM> for supplying steam to the opening <NUM>; and at least one boiler <NUM> and one duct <NUM> for supplying hot water to the opening <NUM> and one duct <NUM> for supplying hot water to the boiler <NUM> from the boiler <NUM>.

Although in the case described and illustrated herein the machine <NUM> comprises one single boiler <NUM> and one single boiler <NUM>, it is understood that the machine <NUM> can comprise a plurality of boilers <NUM> and/or a plurality of boilers <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, each boiler <NUM>, <NUM> comprises electric resistors, not shown in the accompanying figures, for adjusting the quantity of heat provided and, consequently, the steam temperature and the hot water temperature, respectively.

In particular, the boiler <NUM> is configured to heat the steam at a temperature ranging between approximately <NUM> and approximately <NUM>, and the boiler <NUM> is configured to heat the hot water at a temperature ranging between approximately <NUM> and approximately <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> further comprises a solenoid valve <NUM> for controlling the supply of steam along the duct <NUM>; a solenoid valve <NUM> for controlling the supply of hot water along the duct <NUM>; and a solenoid valve <NUM> for controlling the supply of steam along the duct <NUM>.

In particular, the machine <NUM> comprises a duct <NUM> for supplying hot water from the boiler <NUM> to a discharge <NUM>, and a safety valve <NUM>, which is coupled to the boiler <NUM>, is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM> and is configured to allow the passage of the hot water in the duct <NUM> in case the pressure inside the boiler <NUM> exceeds a given threshold.

In particular, the machine <NUM> comprises a duct <NUM> for supplying steam from the boiler <NUM> to the discharge <NUM>, and a safety valve <NUM>, which is coupled to the boiler <NUM>, is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM> and is configured to allow the passage of steam in the duct <NUM> in case the pressure inside the boiler <NUM> exceeds a given threshold.

Furthermore, the machine <NUM> comprises a duct <NUM> for supplying discharge water from the boiler <NUM> to the discharge <NUM>, and a solenoid valve <NUM> configured to control the supply of discharge water to the discharge <NUM> along the duct <NUM>.

In particular, the machine <NUM> comprises a temperature sensor <NUM>, which is configured to emit a first temperature signal related to the temperature of the steam in the boiler <NUM>; and a temperature sensor <NUM>, which is configured to emit a second temperature signal related to the temperature of the hot water in the boiler <NUM>.

Furthermore, the machine <NUM> comprises a level probe <NUM>, which is associated with the boiler <NUM> and is configured to emit a level signal related to the level of water in the boiler <NUM>.

In the case described and illustrated herein, the machine <NUM> comprises a connection <NUM> to a water supply network, which ensures an almost unlimited supply of water at ambient temperature; a duct <NUM> for supplying water at ambient temperature from the connection <NUM> to the boiler <NUM>; a solenoid valve <NUM> for controlling the supply of water at ambient temperature along the duct <NUM>; a pump <NUM>, which is configured to provide a head sufficient for allowing the flow of the water inside the machine <NUM>; and a flow-rate meter <NUM>, preferably a flowmeter, which is configured to emit a flow-rate signal related to the flow-rate of the water running in the duct <NUM>.

In accordance with a further embodiment, not shown in the accompanying figures, the machine <NUM> comprises, in alternative to the connection <NUM>, a tank, which is configured to contain water at ambient temperature and is fluidically connected to the duct <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container <NUM> comprises a base wall <NUM>, preferably having a circular shape; a side wall <NUM>, preferably slightly flared, provided with an upper edge <NUM>; and an opening <NUM>, preferably having a circular shape, opposite the base wall <NUM>.

The dispenser <NUM> comprises a central body <NUM> provided with a steam supply channel <NUM>, which is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM> and with the openings <NUM>, and with a hot water supply channel <NUM>, which is in fluidic communication with the duct <NUM> and with the openings <NUM>; and a lid <NUM>, which is arranged around the central body <NUM> and is configured to close the opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> so as to form a substantially closed cooking compartment for the cooking of the food <NUM>.

In particular, the central body <NUM> comprises a central protrusion <NUM>, which is provided with openings <NUM>; and an annular wall <NUM>, which extends around the central protrusion <NUM> and is provided with the openings <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a duct <NUM>, which is configured to evacuate steam from the container <NUM> and is connected to a steam discharge <NUM>. In particular, the duct <NUM> extends through the lid <NUM> so as to put the inside of the cooking compartment in fluidic communication with the steam discharge <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> further comprises a control unit <NUM> configured to control the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valves <NUM> and <NUM> and the pump <NUM> and to receive the signals emitted by the temperature sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, by the level probe <NUM> and by the flow-rate meter <NUM>.

In particular, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> depending on the signals received from the temperature sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, from the level probe <NUM> and from the flow-rate meter <NUM>.

More specifically, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valve <NUM> depending on the state of the solenoid valve <NUM>, so as to supply hot water from the boiler <NUM> to the boiler <NUM> during the supply of steam into the container <NUM> for maintaining a suitable level of hot water inside the boiler <NUM>.

Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valve <NUM> depending on the level signal emitted by the level probe <NUM>, so as to ensure a suitable level of water in the boiler <NUM> in every operational condition.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are on-off type. The control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valve <NUM> intermittently with opening and closing cycles of duration equal to tenths of a second.

Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> comprises a user interface <NUM> configured to allow the selection of a cooking process of the food <NUM> from a plurality of cooking processes of the food <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is configured to control the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> depending on the selected cooking process of the food <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, the user interface <NUM> comprises a touch-screen panel, not shown in the accompanying figures, by means of which an operator can view and manually select a desired recipe.

In particular, the control unit <NUM> comprises a storage <NUM>, in which a plurality of recipes is stored. Each recipe is associated with a plurality of cooking parameters which define a given cooking process.

More specifically, the plurality of cooking parameters comprises a total quantity of hot water to be dispensed inside the container <NUM>; and/or a number of steps wherein the total quantity of hot water is supplied inside the container <NUM>; and/or a total quantity of steam to be supplied inside the container <NUM>; and/or a number of steps wherein the total quantity of steam is dispensed inside the container <NUM>; and/or a delay time interval which intervenes between the start of the supply of steam and the start of the supply of the first step of hot water; and/or a delay time interval which intervenes between the end of the supply of steam and/or hot water and the emission of a notice signal for the removal of the container <NUM> of cooked food <NUM>; and/or a flow rate of hot water to be dispensed inside the container <NUM>.

Furthermore, the user interface <NUM> is configured to enable an operator to manually set said cooking parameters and to store said cooking parameters in the storage <NUM>.

In use and with reference to <FIG>, an operator arranges the container <NUM> containing food <NUM> under the dispenser <NUM> so that the lid <NUM> closes the opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> and selects by means of the user interface <NUM> the desired recipe from the plurality of recipes stored in the storage <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> associates a plurality of cooking parameters with the selected recipe and controls the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and the pump <NUM> depending on said cooking parameters and on the signals emitted by the temperature sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, by the level probe <NUM> and by the flow-rate meter <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, the control unit <NUM> controls the solenoid valve <NUM> depending on the state of the solenoid valve <NUM>. In particular, the control unit <NUM> controls the opening of the solenoid valve <NUM> so as to allow the passage of hot water in the duct <NUM> and consequently the supply of hot water into the boiler <NUM> when the solenoid valve <NUM> is open and allows the supply of steam into the container <NUM>. In this manner, it is possible to maintain a suitable level of hot water in the boiler <NUM> during the cooking process of the food <NUM> also when it is necessary to dispense a considerable quantity of steam inside the container <NUM>.

In accordance with an embodiment, the control unit <NUM> controls the solenoid valve <NUM> depending on the level signal emitted by the level probe <NUM> and related to the level of water in the boiler <NUM>. In particular, the control unit <NUM> receives the level signal and, in case the level signal is below a given reference threshold, controls the opening of the solenoid valve <NUM> so as to supply hot water into the boiler <NUM>.

Any excess steam inside the container <NUM> is evacuated towards the steam discharge <NUM> through the duct <NUM>.

During each cooking process, the control unit <NUM> controls the solenoid valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> independently of each other. In this manner, it is possible to supply steam and hot water into the container <NUM> simultaneously and/or according to any sequence and it is possible to supply hot water from the boiler <NUM> to the boiler <NUM> simultaneously with the supply of steam and/or with the supply of hot water into the container <NUM> and/or according to any sequence.

Claim 1:
A machine for cooking food, the machine (<NUM>) comprising:
- a dispenser (<NUM>) configured to be arranged over a container (<NUM>) containing food (<NUM>) and to close the container (<NUM>) and comprising at least one first opening (<NUM>) to dispense steam into the container (<NUM>) and at least one second opening (<NUM>) to dispense hot water into the container (<NUM>);
- at least one first boiler (<NUM>) and one first duct (<NUM>) to supply steam to the first opening (<NUM>); and
- at least one second boiler (<NUM>) and one second duct (<NUM>) to supply hot water to the second opening (<NUM>) and one third duct (<NUM>) to supply hot water to the first boiler (<NUM>) from the second boiler (<NUM>).