Patent Grant
10569949
Prepared foods, such as those appearing in supermarkets, take-out establishments, and the like, while appearing to be home cooked, may be typically expensive. Additionally, like fast food, these prepared foods lack nutritional value, and may be usually high in calories, salt, and fat. Accordingly, both fast food and prepared foods do not appeal to health conscious consumers.
To address some of the problems of intermixed frozen meals, a food container for use in a microwave with an internal separator dividing the container into upper and lower compartments were developed. The upper compartment may be configured for a food product and the lower for a water or water-containing medium. The separator may be a thin perforated sheet that may be designed to snap into place with evenly spaced internal lugs. When the food container may be placed in the microwave and heated the steam created by the water medium passes through the separator to steam the product. The problem with this food container may be that the separator may be configured to latch into place for use with the container, thereby inhibiting the availability of the water-containing medium after the food product may be steamed.
Therefore a need still exists for an ovenable cooking apparatus that facilitates improved cooking of a food product in microwave ovens, conventional ovens, combination ovens and all other typical cooking apparatuses which separates the food product from the sauce or liquid and allows the consumer to easily access the food product and sauce after cooking.
There exists a similar need for improvements in the food service industry. The food service industry currently prepares food in commercial settings using foodservice tray pans that include a mixture of food ingredients. Typically, the food comprises a frozen mass of ingredients such as starch, protein, vegetables, and sauce. To prepare and serve the food, the frozen foodservice tray may be heated in an oven, commercial oven, convection oven, combination oven, microwave oven, steam cooker, or the like. Because the food ingredients may be frozen in a large mass, the heating times can be from one to two hours or more. The quality of the food using this method may sometimes be undesirable, resulting in overcooked or undercooked ingredients, variation in food texture, or discoloration of the food ingredients. Further, consumers cannot plate their meals according to their individual tastes because all the ingredients may be mixed together. The current method may be also incompatible with breaded ingredients because they come out soggy and do not meet consumer approval.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for preparing food in the commercial food sector that may be more efficient and produces higher quality food products.
An ovenable cooking apparatus may comprise one or more upper compartments and one or more lower compartments for food components wherein one or more of the upper compartments may be perforated. The compartments may be arranged such that a food component in an upper compartment may be cooked by steam generated by heating a food component in the lower compartment until at least a portion of the food component boils. The generated steam may enter the upper compartment through openings in the base and side walls of an upper compartment.
An ovenable cooking apparatus may include at least first and second substantially coplanar compartments wherein one or more solid food components and a liquid component may be maintained in spatial separation so as to avoid their commingling during storage or cooking. The apparatus may further comprise conduits between the coplanar compartments thereby permitting the transfer of steam generated from the liquid component so as to contact the solid food components.
The numerous advantages of the apparatus may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the cooking apparatus and methods, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout this document there may be references to directions and positions. These directional and positional references may be to the apparatus in typical orientations. The references include upper, lower, top, bottom, above, below, and may be exemplary only. They may be not limiting in any way, as they may be for description and explanation purposes. The terms “cooking” and “heating,” and variations thereof, may be collectively known as “cooking.”
An ovenable cooking or heating apparatus may be suitable for use with conventional, convection, combination, or microwave ovens as well as steamers. The apparatus may have separate compartments for different foods or food components, such that the separateness and integrity of each food type may be maintained from processing (filling and packaging) through storage and cooking.
The second or upper compartment may be received by the first or lower compartment such that after the food product may be heated, the compartments may be easily separated. The apparatus may also include a sheet of barrier material sealing the combined compartments and food products.
As the apparatus may be heated, at least a portion of a first food component in the first or lower compartment boils producing steam. The first food component may comprise liquids, gels, partially liquid or gelatinous compositions, and mixtures thereof (hereinafter collectively referred to as “liquid components”). Examples of such liquid components may include sauces, gravies, solid food components in sauces or gravies, broths, juices, beer, wine, spirits, sodas, oils, water and the like as well as frozen, refrigerated or shelf-stable formulations thereof. Such liquid components may also be used in dehydrated or partially dehydrated formulations (hereinafter collectively referred to as dehydrated liquid components) which may or may not be subjected to rehydration.
The steam may be utilized to cook the second food component in the upper compartment. Further, the second compartment may be steam impermeable. The steam may rise into the second or upper compartment thereby steam cooking the second food component. The second or upper compartment may include a plurality of openings that allow the steam to pass from the first and lower compartment into the second or upper compartment. The sheet of barrier material ensures that the food product may be cooked uniformly by preventing the steam from escaping the compartments or dissipating into the atmosphere during cooking. Although, the apparatus may be designed such that the foods or food components in each of the compartments cook simultaneously, as the compartments may be easily separated, the consumer may choose to consume the steamed second food product by itself or in combination with the first food component.
The container 22 holds a first food component. The basket 24, may be received and held by the container 22, and may be in coaxial alignment with the container 22. The basket 24 typically, holds a solid food component, such as starches and/or proteins, such as rice, grains, and pasta, vegetables, or other particulate foods, that may be typically steam cooked. Accordingly, the basket 24 may include openings 70 in its base 63 and its sidewalls 64 that allow steam, generated by the cooking of the first component, to enter the basket 24, and cook the second food component. The openings 70 may be also dimensioned to allow liquids, such as water and the like, generated in the upper compartment during cooking, to drain into the container 22.
As shown in detail in
The container's 22 sidewalls 34 include a shelf portion 38 within its cavity 32. The shelf portion 38 extends along the sidewall 34 and may be typically continuous. The sidewalls 34 typically include at least a portion that tapers outwardly, with the entire sidewall 34 typically tapering outwardly from the base 33 to a rim 36, at the opening of cavity 32. The shelf portion 38 provides support for the basket 24 and ensures that the base 63 of the basket 24 may be not in direct contact with the base 33 of the container 22 (as shown in
As shown in
As shown in detail in
The sidewalls 64 typically include at least a portion that tapers outward, with the entire sidewall 64 typically tapering outward from the base 63, to a rim 66, at the opening of the cavity 62. The sidewalls 64 and rim 66 typically include arcs 68 that may be typically rounded inward, into the cavity 62. The arcs 68, may be approximately oppositely disposed with respect to each other, and when the basket 24 sits in the container 22, serve as vents for steam, generated in the cavity 32 of the container 22 during cooking. The arcs 68 also provide sufficient portions for manually gripping the basket 24, for its removal from the container 22.
The basket 24 may include a plurality of openings 70. The openings 70 may be perforations or bores 72 that extend through the base 63 and through the sidewalls 64. The bores 72 may be of any size or dimension so as to allow steam to pass from the cavity 32 of the container 22 into the basket 24, in order to steam heat (or steam cook) the contents (e.g., the second food component) stored in the cavity 62 of the basket 24, as well as allowing liquid (typically water) to pass from the basket 24 into the container 22. Moreover, the openings 70 may be also dimensioned to keep particulate foods, such as rice and the like, including particles thereof, from dropping out of the basket 24 and into the cavity 32 of the container 22. Suitable bore shapes include small, circular, rounded, or oval cylindrical bores, but may be not limited thereto.
The openings 70 at the base 63 and sidewalls 64 may be arranged in any desired pattern, provided sufficient amounts of steam may be able to reach the basket 24 and there may be sufficient openings 70 to allow for the passage of liquid from the basket 24 to the container 22. The openings 70 at the base 63 may be arranged in a series of concentric circles. The openings 70 at the sidewalls 64 may be arranged in a line. Typically, one or more lines of openings 70 may be included in the sidewalls 64 of the basket 24. If a second line of openings 70 may be arranged at the sidewalls 64, the second line of openings 70 may be offset with the first line of openings, such that the cylindrical bores 72 of the second line may be not directly below the cylindrical bores 72 of the first line.
The body 60, may be constructed, such that when the basket 24 may be removably received by the container 22, there may be sufficient space in the cavity 32 of the container 22, between the base 33 of the container 22 and the base 63 of the basket 24, to accommodate a first food component in both dry or frozen (storage) and cooking (heated) states, without disrupting the seating of the basket 24 in the container 22. Additionally, the body 60 may be such that the basket 24 may be adequately supported in the container by the shelf portions 38 (
The basket 24′, like basket 24, may be substantially circular in shape, and designed to sit in the container 22, as detailed above. The basket 24′ differs from basket 24, in that the openings 70 may be slits 90, rather than circular, rounded, or oval cylindrical bores 72 as in basket 24. Like the cylindrical bores 72, the slits 90 may be dimensioned to facilitate the passage of steam, generated by cooking of the first food component, to enter the basket 24′. The dimensioning of the slits 90 also facilitates the passage of a liquid from the basket 24′ to the container 22. This dimensioning keeps particulate food, such as rice and the like, and particles thereof, from dropping out of the basket 24′ and into the cavity 32 of the container 22.
The slits 90 may be typically rectangular in shape, and extend through the base 63′. They may be typically arranged in a parallel alignment with respect to each other. The slits 90 may be typically oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis MM of the base 63′. Alternatively, the slits 90 may also be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis MM of the base 63′.
As stated above, the apparatus may be of any desired shape. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The outer side 160b of the body 160 may include protrusion segments 174. These protrusion segments 174 allow for ease of use in manually gripping the basket 124.
The basket 124″, like basket 124, may be substantially oval in shape, and designed to sit in the container 122, as detailed above. The basket 124″ differs from basket 124, in that the openings 170 may be slits 190.
The slits 190 may be similar in construction and function to the slits 90 of the basket 24, as detailed above. The slits 190 may be cut into and extend through the base 163″ of the body 160″. They may be typically arranged in a parallel alignment with respect to each other. The slits 190 may be typically oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LL of the base 163″. Alternatively, the slits 90 may also be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis LL of the base 163″.
The containers 22, 122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be made of polymers, such as Polypropylene (PP) (e.g., Co-polymer Polypropylene), Crystallized Polyethylene Terepthalate (CPET), or any other microwave and food safe non-toxic material. The containers 22, 122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be formed by conventional polymer forming and working techniques. Suitable forming and working techniques include injection molding, rotational molding, and the like, as well as thermoforming. The containers 22, 122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be suitable for refrigerated storage, freezer storage, and subsequent heating without substantial deformation.
The apparatuses 20,120, in particular, the containers 22,122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be typically of dimensions to ensure that during the cooking process the second food component may be uniformly steam cooked. In addition, the apparatuses 20, 120, in particular, the containers 22,122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be of dimensions to fit within a typical consumer, or alternatively, food service microwave oven, with sufficient space remaining. The containers 22 and 122 may be of circular shape and with a diameter of from about 4 to about 12 inches. Alternatively, the containers 22 and 122 may be of rectangular shape, with dimensions of from about 3 to about 6 inches in width to about 7 to about 12 inches in length. In addition, the containers 22 and 122 may include 1 to 6 servings, preferably 2 to 4 servings. Other dimensioning and/or shapes for the apparatuses 20, 120, containers 22, 122 and baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″ may be also possible, to accommodate different packages, cartons, or sleeves, that hold the apparatus prior to its use, as well as the internal cooking chambers of microwave ovens, high energy cooking apparatus, and the like. Similarly, other serving sizes may be also possible to accommodate consumer demand.
The apparatuses 20, 120 may be such that they may be covered by a sheet of barrier material (e.g., transparent, translucent, or opaque) continuously sealed to the rim 36 of the containers 22 and 122, but also could be sealed to the rim 66, 166 of the baskets 24, 24′, 124, 124′, 124″. This sheet of barrier material may be made of a material that may be suitable to withstand oven temperatures during cooking and may be moisture-impervious. Suitable materials include polymers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, among others. The sheet of barrier material may be sealed to the rim using any method generally known in the art The sheet of barrier material may be sealed to the rim to prevent substantial bulging or expansion of the sheet material during the cooking process. In particular, the seal may be such as to allow the release of some pressure build up inside the container while maintaining uniform heating and cooking of the food products therein.
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may be suitable for use in commercial foodservice applications.
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may include a passage for providing airflow and steamflow for cooking the second food component 236. These passages may be defined by the basket 222 and the container 224, and allow an area through which steam may pass to transfer heat and/or steam to the second food component 236. The passage may be defined between the bottom or base 240 of the basket 222 and the top surface of the second food component 236. Cooking the liquid-based second food component 236 generates steam, which may travel across this passage to contact the basket 222 and heat or steam the second food component 236. In the methods illustrated in
Referring to
The footed basket 244 may be depicted in
Employment of the footed basket 244 may provide sufficient support to the basket 222 so that rolled edges 226, 230 may be not required suspend the basket 222 above the first food component 234. This can provide certain manufacturing advantages, as modifications to the edge crimper which typically forms the rolled edges, would not be required. The footed basket 222 can be manufactured using a thermoform process, aluminum press, or other method known in the art.
Referring to
The basket 222 may be steam impermeable. Suitable materials include polymers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, among others. For example, the basket may be formed from one continuous material, such as a continuous sheet of metal or the like. The basket 222 may be utilized for cooking foods that need to be separated from the steam produced by the first food component. The basket 222 may be utilized for cooking a foodstuff such as bread, or the like. It will be appreciated that other foodstuffs may be cooked in the basket 222 and separated from steam generated by the first food.
The basket 222 may be of a generally rectangular shape as described previously and include indentations 248 in the side walls 250 of the basket 222. The basket 222 may include two indented side walls along the length of the basket 222. The basket 222 may include indentations 248 along both the length of the basket 222 and along the width of the basket 222.
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may also include a container 224. The container 224 may be dimensioned to define the passage and provide gaps 254 between the edge/rim of the container 224 and the rim/edge of the basket 222. These gaps 254 provide steam flow and airflow to heat the second food component 236. It will be appreciated that the lid 225 for the ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may be separated form the lip of the basket 222 to allow steam to move from the passage to the second food component 236.
Referring to
Referring to
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 described in
Referring to
The wok-shaped basket 256 may be depicted in
Referring to
Referring to
As depicted in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may include a container 224 with a first basket 222 and a second basket. The container 224 holds a first food component 234, the first basket 222 holds a second food component 236 and the second basket may hold a second food component 236 or a third food component. The first basket 222 and the second basket may employ any of the features described previously, including openings 238, handles, or foot members 246. The first basket 222 and the second basket may have different characteristics, particularly if they may be used to hold different food components. For example, the first basket 222 may include openings 238 to provide extra drainage and steam flow to a second food component 236, while the second basket may not include openings 238. The container 224 and baskets may be dimensioned to allow several baskets to be removably received within a single container 224.
The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may be used according to a number of methods. In one method, the container 224 containing the first food component 234 and the basket 222 containing a second food component 236 may be packaged and sold together. The basket 222 and the container 224 may be packaged in a nested fashion for efficiency, but prepared separately. For instance, a user may be instructed to heat the container 224 and the basket 222 separately instead of in a nested fashion to prepare the food components. The ovenable cooking apparatus 220 may include a container 224 containing a first food component 234 and a basket 222 containing a second food component 236, as well as a second basket containing a third food component. The first and second baskets may be removably received in the container 224 during transport and sale, and during preparation a user may separate the second basket and cook it separately while leaving the first basket and the container 224 to cook in a nested fashion.
The materials used to construct the basket 222 and the container 224 may depend on the cooking mechanism, the type of food, cost, and other factors. The materials may include all the aforementioned materials (PP, CPET, APET, Nylon, Aluminum, etc.), and others such as pressed paperboard, molded pulp, or the like. It may also be possible to construct the basket 222 from one material and the container 224 from another. For instance, the basket 222 may be constructed of polypropylene (PP) and the container 224 may be constructed of Crystallized Polyethylene Terepthalate (CPET).
An ovenable cooking apparatus 300 suitable for use in multi-serve or family style applications is presented.
While this arrangement may be beneficial for single-serve or large-batch preparation (as for food service) where all solid food components of the product may be combined in a single compartment, in multi-serve, family-style configurations, alternate constructions may also be desired. The meal preparation needs of today's busy families require convenient mechanisms for providing a variety of food items to accommodate the varied tastes of multiple individuals.
For example, a first individual may desire that all components of a meal be combined in a single grouping as the individual prefers the combined flavors and textures of various combinations of components, as in
As such,
In
As previously discussed, the base container 301 may hold a liquid component. A portion of this liquid component may be converted to a vapor phase upon heating, thereby facilitating the cooking of food items disposed in the trays 302, 303 removably received within the base 301.
The number and type of removably received trays 302, 303 may be configured based on the nature of the food components which may be disposed therein. For example, food items which require more thermal energy to ensure adequate cooking, such as proteins, may be disposed in a first basket-tray 302A which may be directly adjacent to the base 301. Food components which require less thermal energy for cooking but still benefit from the steaming characteristics provided by a basket-type tray construction, such as fruits, vegetables, and certain starches may be disposed in a second basket 302B. Further, components which require limited thermal energy or may be degraded by steaming, such as breads, may be disposed in a tray 303 having a base substantially or completely free of perforations so as to inhibit or prohibit the interaction between the vapor phase of the liquid component and the food components disposed within such perforation-free compartments.
Referring to
Referring to
Such a configuration may operate to create a gradient of vapor concentration as the components adjacent to the base container 305 will receive a greater level of steaming and flavoring from the liquid component 304 than will those at more distant levels 306, 307, 308.
It should also be noted that in the nesting configuration of the cooking apparatuses 300A-B, the flanged portion of each removably received tray rests upon the flanged portion of the tray beneath it. However, other nesting configurations are fully contemplated.
Referring to
The base container 301 and trays 302, 303 may be maintained in a stacked configuration through the use of an overwrap film 329. The film overwrap may be constructed of plastics, polymers, heat sealable papers, cellophane, foils and the like. Referring to
The level of interaction of the vapor phase of the liquid component with subsequent components may be regulated by the size and/or shape of the perforations of the basket-trays.
It should be noted that the size and relative arrangement of the perforations of trays 302A-C may be arbitrary and one skilled in the art would necessarily recognize that such parameters may be easily adjusted to obtain specified cooking characteristics for individual food components and/or combinations thereof.
Referring to
As previously described the size and shape of the perforations 311 may be adjusted so as to optimize the amount of interaction between the vapor-phase of the liquid component and the remaining food components disposed in the respective compartments 310. It should also be noted that one or more of the compartments 310E may be either substantially or completely free of perforations so as to inhibit or prohibit the interaction between the vapor phase of the liquid component and the food components disposed within such perforation-free compartments.
Referring to
Similarly,
As previously described, the cooking apparatuses generally comprise base containers which may hold a liquid component, such as liquids, gels, partially liquid or gelatinous mixtures, and mixtures thereof as a single mass maintained in a frozen condition which, upon heating, generates a vapor-phase which facilitates the cooking and/or flavoring of various other solid food components. The cooking apparatus may also comprise additional formulations and structures for the liquid component.
Referring to
The liquid component may be initially disposed in a frozen block or particulated 401-404 form atop the solid food components (not shown) such that, upon heating, the liquid component may melt and flow downward over the solid food items to create a braising effect for the solid food items.
As shown in
Referring to
The liquid component may be formulated as a dehydrated or partially dehydrated composition, or as a powdered mix. Such formulations may provide numerous benefits. Maintaining the liquid component in a dehydrated or dry formulation may reduce or eliminate the need for full hermetic sealing of the cooking apparatus due to the shelf-stable or semi-shelf-stable nature of the dehydrated food component so that the cooking apparatus could be utilized in combination with refrigerated or shelf-stable solid food components.
Additionally, common practices in the art utilize blast freezing to freeze liquid components. Prior to its freezing, a liquid component may be introduced into a cooking apparatus at temperatures above its freezing point so that it may be conveniently poured into the apparatus. However, solid food components which may have already been individually quick frozen (IQF) and disposed within the apparatus may be partially thawed due to their exposure to the warmer liquid component. Such freezing and thawing may cause degradation of the cell structures of certain solid components resulting in negative taste and/or textural characteristics. Further such blast freezing steps may be both time and energy intensive. The use of dehydrated or partially dehydrated liquid components would eliminate the need for blast freezing steps in the production of components used in the cooking apparatus. The removal of moisture from the liquid component would also result in a lighter overall product thereby lowering production and shipping costs.
Referring to
Should a dehydrated liquid component be incorporated into a cooking apparatus 600, a mechanism for rehydrating the component would necessarily be required. Various rehydration mechanisms are presented in
Similarly,
Similarly,
It may also be desirable for the consumer or end-user to add the liquid required to rehydrate a dehydrated liquid component. Such a configuration may have several inherent benefits over frozen liquid components. For example, the cost of adding the liquid may be saved. Further, because less liquid may be contained in the food product, the overall weight of the food product may be reduced decreasing the cost of shipping the food product. Also, if the solid food components may be frozen, utilization of a dehydrated liquid component will decrease cooking time as the liquid component will not need to be thawed. Additionally, pre-heated liquids may be used as the rehydration medium so as to further reduce the cook time. Further, if the product may be to be frozen, the sauce will not have to be selected from sauces with lower freezing points so as to prevent the sauce from thawing prematurely and creeping into unintended areas.
Furthermore, partially dehydrated and fully dehydrated liquid components may not require pre-cooking as may be the case with hydrated liquid components. Therefore, the rehydrated liquid component will be fresher and taste better when it may be cooked for the first time by the consumer.
Also, the consumer or end-user may be permitted to vary the rehydrating liquid so as to customize the resulting liquid component to their particular tastes. The liquid may be any edible liquid, such as dairy based liquids (i.e. milk or cream), alcoholic beverages (i.e. beer or wine), meat stocks or broths, oils, sodas, waters, juices, and the like.
Referring to
Referring to
A cooking apparatus 700B, may comprise a resealable lid structure 710 having cooperating resealing means 711. Such resealing means 711 may comprise a complementary tooth and grove system, a zipper seal, resealable adhesives, snap-on connections, and the like. Such configurations may be beneficial when a complete seal about the entirety of the apparatus 700B may be desired.
Similarly, as presented in
It may be desirable to provide a cooking apparatus 800 which may allow for the pressure generated by the heating of the food components (particularly the liquid component) to be either vented or maintained so as to optimize the cooking characteristics of the food components.
Referring to
The substantially unsealed portion 806 may comprise sufficient sealing strength so as to maintain a complete seal for a period of time, thereby enabling pressure cooking of the food components 804, but which will vent at a given time, temperature or internal pressure so as to provide for further vented cooking.
The apparatus 800 may comprise one-way or two-way valves or vents (not shown) as the pressure release mechanism. Such mechanisms may allow for more precise maintenance of the pressure levels within the apparatus. Other self-venting or controlled venting mechanisms which may be commonly known in the art may also be incorporated in the cooking apparatus 800.
A sealable cooking apparatus 800 may be vacuum sealed or flushed with non-oxidative gasses, such as nitrogen, so as to prevent the oxidation and/or degradation of the food components, thereby extending the shelf-life of the food components 804.
Furthermore, any of the cooking apparatuses described herein may be disposed within a film overwrap, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/636,260, herein incorporated by reference. Referring to
The non-venting film overwrap 903 may have one or more of the following properties:
Such properties may enable the film overwrap 903 to expand to a certain degree under heating while maintaining its structural integrity and avoiding rupture. This allows the cooking apparatus 900 to maintain the sealed, non-venting environment in which the temperature and pressure can be increased during the cooking process. Such capabilities may provide for the pressure cooking of the food items 904. Because water's boiling point increases as the surrounding air pressure increases, the pressure built up inside the food packaging allows the liquid in the packaging to rise to a temperature higher than 212° F. before boiling, thereby providing elevated cooking temperatures resulting in reduced cook times.
The film overwrap 903 may be a heat-releasable or pressure-releasable film overwrap where the interior of the overwrap remains sealed until heating begins. The film overwrap may be constructed of plastics, polymers, heat sealable papers, cellophane, foils and the like.
Similarly, one or more individual food components disposed within various basket trays or tray compartments may also be enclosed within separate venting or non-venting cooking bags so as to produce specified cook characteristics such as pressure cooking, steam cooking, and the like. The material of the cooking bags may comprise nylon; Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET); PP; EVOH; polyurethane; formed, opened, or closed cellulose structures; combinations, blends or laminations thereof, and the like.
Referring to
Referring to
Additionally, the apparatus 1000A may comprise a condensation absorption mechanism. Particularly, the second compartment may comprise a liquid absorbing insert 1011 constructed of or coated with a moisture absorbing coating, such as polypropylene, cellulose, silica or foam based materials so as to prevent the solid food components 1005 from sitting in any condensate generated during cooking. Alternately, the portion of the base container 1001 comprising the second compartment 1004 may, itself, be constructed of like moisture absorbing materials.
Referring to
Additionally, the cooking apparatus 1000B may comprise a second compartment 1004 having an inclined floor 1014 so as to direct any condensed liquid back through the screen 1009 and into the liquid component 1003. The inclined floor 1014 may include channels (not shown) directed down the slope of the incline or a plurality of raised knobs (not shown) thereon to elevate the solid food components 1005 above the flow paths for any condensed liquid so as to facilitate the transfer of the condensed liquid from the second compartment 1004 back to the first compartment 1002. Such a configuration ensures that any nutrients which may leach out of the solid food components 1005 during cooking may be retained within the liquid food component 1003 so that the consumption of the solid food components 1005 and the liquid component 1003 ensures that all nutrients present in the original components may be preserved.
Additionally, there may be currently a limited number of materials that may be viable for dual ovenable cooking (i.e. suitable for use in both conventional ovens and microwave ovens). Such materials include crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET)/CPET composites, and nylon/CPET composites. These materials may be acceptable for dual ovenability due to their high melting point and glass transition points.
However, certain limitations exist with respect to these materials. Typically, these materials must to be thermoformed and may be not capable of being formed through injection molding. This limits the size and variety of shapes available. Additionally, perforations can not be created in these materials in a tray format without adding a secondary cutting operation, which adds potential quality and food safety may besues (e.g. hangers, slivers, missed punches, etc). Containers constructed from these materials may also have highly crystalline structures making them fragile and prone to breakage upon forceful contact. It may also difficult to create and maintain hermetic seals to these materials.
Conversely, in dual-ovenable constructions, other traditional packaging materials, such as polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density (LDPE), may be not capable of withstanding the high temperatures of ovens due to their lower melting and glass transition points. For example, PP melts at roughly 350° F. However, these traditional materials may be capable of accounting for the shortcomings of CPET, APET/CPET, and nylon with respect to their thermoforming, perforation, and durability may besues.
Currently, foods packaged in a trays may be generally single-tray configurations (for all frozen, refrigerated, and shelf stable products) which requires that the single-tray must be able to withstand the full temperature of the oven. A solution to solving this may besue may be to utilize food components disposed within progressively removably received trays thereby providing thermal insulation for the internal trays.
Referring to
Typical finished cook temperatures of most food products may be approximately 165-185° F., with a fail-safe at 212° F. when the water in a water-containing component 1102, 1104 would begin to boil, thereby maintaining that temperature until the water was fully evaporated.
In such a configuration, the basket-trays 1103 could be manufactured from materials which can withstand temperatures of approximately 212° F. As such, numerous other material including PP (melting point at 348.5 deg F.), polyethylene (melting point of 278 deg F.), Poly(1-butene) (melting point of 270 deg F.), and others may be utilized in dual-ovenable constructions. Use of these materials would allow the basket-trays 1103 to be injection molded, allowing for a greater variety of shapes and features (including perforations or holes that may be made in-mold), greater shock resistance, and a much lower cost for the inner tray than if previously made from standard dual ovenable materials.
The presently disclosed cooking apparatus may have numerous advantages over the prior art by separating the different types of food components. This separation leads to significant improvements in food quality, including improvements in texture, hold life, color, and flavor.
First, the separate cooking produces a food product that may be plateable. Plateability allows the consumer to choose between different food items and/or sauces that may be cooked simultaneously. Therefore, an individual may plate, assemble, and customize their meal according to his or her preferences and tastes. Moreover, plateability allows food to be placed on a plate or tray in different visually appealing configurations. Further, if an individual may be allowed to plate his or her own meal, the cooking apparatus allows each individual to sort out unhealthy items if desired.
Second, the cooking apparatus provides several thermodynamic advantages in cooking by separating the different types of food components to create a more appetizing and higher quality food product. Separating the food components increases the surface area of the food components by total volume. The increased surface area increases the surface area to which heat may be transferred resulting in greater efficiency in cooking. Further, the thickness of the food components may be decreased, allowing for shorter cooking times and more even cooking.
Moreover, the density of the food components may be decreased allowing the heating apparatus (e.g., microwave oven, convection oven, and the like) greater access to the center of the food component for better and faster cooking times. Additionally, the food components may be not as densely packed, allowing the food component to be more effectively heated with better heat transfer also helping to shorten cooking times. Typically, the less cooking time utilized, the less heat degradation of the food product.
Furthermore, the cooking apparatus may be compartmentalized to allow food components that require that require varying amounts of thermal energy for cooking to be properly heated so as to prevent undercooking and/or overcooking of a food component. Individual compartments may comprise varying degrees of insulation so as to provide appropriate levels thermal energy transfer to a given food component.
Third, the cooking apparatus provides several storage advantages by separating the different types of food components to produce a more appetizing and higher quality food product. The separation of food components may help to prevent degradation and discoloration during storage from the interaction of differing types of food components. Further, separation of food components in multiple compartments may help to prevent freezer burn when the cooking apparatus may be stored in a freezer.
Fourth, the cooking apparatus provides several processing advantages by separating the different types of food components to produce a more appetizing and higher quality food product. The separate trays or compartments allow different types of food components to be manufactured, frozen, and/or processed, separately. Differing types of food components may require different processing, manufacturing, and freezing conditions and the conditions required for one food component may have negative effects on the quality of another food component by effecting texture, color, and the flavor of the food component. Therefore, by separating the differing types of food components, each type of foodstuff may get the exact amount of freezing, processing, and manufacturing required producing a better tasting and higher quality food product.
Fifth, the separation of the different types of food components also provides decreased freeze times for products that may be freezer stored. The reduced density and increased surface area of the food components provided by the separation of the different types of food components makes the food components freeze faster. The decrease in freeze time reduces overall processing requirements and increases the efficiency of producing the product. An increase of efficiency reduces the cost of making the freezer stored product.
It may be believed that the above description may be further understood by the following examples, which may be not limiting in any way.
Two samples of Chicken Primavera were prepared under the same conditions to look for improvement in food quality and cook times. The first sample was prepared according to current methods using an aluminum tray and a frozen block of the Chicken Primavera with all ingredients mixed together. The second sample was prepared using a foodservice compatible ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 with openings 238 removably received within an aluminum container 224. The container 224 included a medium depth tray pan and contained sauce. The basket 222 was a shallow tray pan with between 20 and 40 oval shaped openings 238 approximately 1″ long. The basket 222 was removably received within the container 224 and contained vegetables and proteins. The size of the basket 222, container 224, and the amount of sauce allowed for an air gap between the base 240 of the basket 222 and the sauce.
Significant improvements were observed in comparisons between the conventional method and the ovenable cooking apparatus 220. The sample prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220 resulted in huge improvements in product quality, including improved sauce color and improved vegetable texture, color, and flavor.
Two samples of Beef Stew were prepared under the same conditions to look for improvement in food quality and hold life. The first sample was prepared according to current methods using an aluminum tray and a frozen block of the Beef Stew with all ingredients mixed together. The second sample was prepared using a foodservice compatible ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 with openings 238 removably received within an aluminum container 224. The container 224 included a medium depth tray pan and contained sauce. The basket 222 was a shallow tray pan with between 20 and 40 oval shaped openings 238 approximately 1″ long. The basket 222 was removably received within the container 224 and contained vegetables and proteins. The size of the basket 222, container 224, and the amount of sauce allowed for an air gap between the base 240 of the basket 222 and the sauce. The products were sampled after preparation, 30 minutes later, 60 minutes later, and 90 minutes later to compare their quality under conditions where they may be kept warm for serving after being cooked (their hold life).
Significant improvements were observed in comparisons between the conventional method and the ovenable cooking apparatus 220. The sample prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220 resulted in huge improvements in product quality, including improved sauce color and impoved vegetable texture, color, and flavor. The potatoes and carrots prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220 were significantly better than the ptoates and carrots prepared using conventional methods. The beef also showed superior quality over time compared to the beef that was prepared conventionally.
A first sample of chicken parmigiana was prepared according to the conventional method, which included a frozen block of all ingredients in a foodservice tray. A second sample of chicken parmigiana was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus. The sauce was placed in the container and the chicken parmigiana and pasta were placed in the basket and cooked. The basket did not include openings for steam to enter the basket.
There were significant improvements in the sample prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus. The chicken from the first sample was soggy and did not meet consumer standards. The chicken from the ovenable cooking apparatus had the appropriate crispy texture. The pasta also had improved texture and flavor.
Tandoori Chicken was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 removably received within an aluminum container 224. The basket 222 did not include perforations. The basket 222 contained 30 ounces of minted couscous with garbanzo beans. The container 224 contained 25 ounces of curry sauce and 30 ounces of Tandoori chicken breast in 1″ chunks.
Significant improvements were observed compared to Tandoori Chicken prepared using a single tray and a frozen block of all Tandoori Chicken ingredients mixed together. There were particular improvements to sauce color and vegetable texture, color, and flavor.
Jerk Chicken was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 removably received within an aluminum container 224. The basket 222 did not include perforations. The basket 222 contained 30 ounces of protein and 30 ounces of white rice. The container 224 contained 40 ounces of black beans and sauce.
Significant improvements were observed compared to Jerk Chicken prepared using a single tray and a frozen block of all the Jerk Chicken ingredients mixed together. There were particular improvements to sauce color and vegetable texture, color, and flavor.
Chicken Milanese was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 and an aluminum container 224. The basket 222 did not include perforations. The basket 222 contained 20 ounces of Chicken Milanese, which included 10 chicken breast tenders. The container 224 contained 20 ounces of broccoli rabe and 30 ounces of mushroom risotto. The container 224 was covered and steamed for 1 hour. The chicken Milanese in the basket was reheated in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Significant improvements were observed compared to chicken Milanese prepared using a single tray and a frozen block of all the chicken milanese ingredients mixed together. There were particular improvements to sauce color and vegetable texture, color, and flavor.
Vegetarian Pad Thai was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 and an aluminum container 224. The basket 222 did not include perforations. The basket 222 contained 30 ounces of rice flour vermicelli and 12 ounces of vegetables, including julienne carrots, bean sprouts, and green onions. The container 224 contained 30 ounces of sietan (wheat gluten) and 25 ounces of Pad Thai sauce. The container 224 was covered and steamed for 1 hour. The basket was covered and steamed for 20 minutes.
Significant improvements were observed compared to Vegetarian Pad Thai prepared using a single tray and a frozen block without separating the ingredients. There were particular improvements to vegetable texture, color, and flavor, as well as sauce color.
A Dim Sum Party Pack was prepared using the ovenable cooking apparatus 220, which included an aluminum basket 222 and an aluminum container 224. The basket 222 did not include perforations. The basket 222 contained 6 boa buns with asian barbeque pork, 6 LaChoy Chicken Potstickers, and 6 steamed vegetable spring rolls. The container 224 contained 12 ounces of teriyaki sauce. The container 224 was heated for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven while covered. The basket was steamed uncovered for 10 minutes.
The Dim Sum Party Pack was not compared to a Dim Sum Party Pack prepared using the conventional single tray method because this type of meal may be cannot be prepared according to traditional methods due to the breaded ingredients. However, use of the ovenable cooking apparatus 220 to prepare the Dim Sum Party Pack resulted in a very high quality result, with no sogginess in the breaded ingredients.
The presently disclosed apparatus and methods provides numerous advantages over prior art. First, use of the container to hold the liquid component and the basket to hold the second food component provides separation of the food ingredients during cooking. This may lead to significant improvements in food quality, including improvement in texture, hold life, color, and flavor. Separation of the food ingredients also provides enhanced control of the moisture levels and ultimately, the quality of the food ingredients. Individually quick frozen (IQF) foods may be placed in the basket and may be separated from other food ingredients. As the IQF foods thaw, moisture can drain from the basket into the container. This keeps the IQF foods from becoming soggy from excess moisture, and also ensures that the other food ingredients in the container do not dry out.
Second, the apparatus and methods may allow the introduction of new food items into the foodservice industry. Currently, breaded items may not meet consumer standards when prepared in foodservice trays that do not provide separation of ingredients. By placing breaded items in the basket of the ovenable cooking apparatus, they may come out crispy instead of soggy. This will open up a plethora of new food items for the foodservice industry without excessive changes to current methods.
Third, apparatus and method may also provide significant thermodynamic and heat transfer advantages. Separating the food ingredients increases the surface area to volume ratio, which increases the surface area to which heat may be transferred. This may result in greater efficiency in cooking.
Fourth, the apparatus may be largely compatible with existing methods of meal preparation in the foodservice industry. By nesting the basket in the container during packaging and cooking, there may be no need for additional oven space to prepare the meal.
Last, the ovenable cooking apparatus may allow users to plate, assemble, and customize their meal according to their preferences and taste. The presentation of the meal may be more attractive and appealing when consumers can choose how to place each component and how much of each food ingredient they would like to put on their plate. By keeping the food components separate during cooking, the ingredients don't intermix and consumers can customize their meals with varying amounts of ingredients.
It may be believed that cooking apparatuses and methods and many of their attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the above description or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory representation thereof, it may be the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/903,732 filed Sep. 24, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/703,066 filed Feb. 5, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/423,259, filed Jun. 9, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/728,259 filed Oct. 20, 2005. The present application herein incorporates U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 11/903,732, 11/703,066, 11/423,259 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/728,468 by reference in their entirety. The present application is also related to a commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/880,458, filed Jul. 20, 2007, incorporated herein, by reference in its entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11703066 | Feb 2007 | US |
| Child | 11903732 | US | |
| Parent | 11423259 | Jun 2006 | US |
| Child | 11703066 | US |
