Food preparation and dispensing system

• US 3,945,534 A
• Filed: 12/20/1972
• Issued: 03/23/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker & ADY Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Baker & ADY Incorporated
• Inventors: Ady, Esthmel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handren, Frederick R.
• Application Number:
  US05/316,686
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 222/131, 222/183, 222/195, 222/400.7, 222/146 HS, 222/105, 426/412, 426/520, 426/523
• US Class Current: 222/105
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/01 with dispensing devices

Abstract

Food preparation, or processing and dispensing apparatus having an outer housing provided with an opening in a one wall, and an inner housing arranged in the first housing with a projecting portion arranged extending through the outer housing opening and in sealed relationship with the opening. Each housing has an access opening sealable simultaneously by connected-together covers. A food package is arrangeable in the inner housing. This food package has a neck threadable through the projecting portion, and a flexible bag attached to the neck. A collar mounted on the end of the neck engages an end surface of a valve assembly connected to the projecting portion of the inner housing to lock the package in the device. The valve assembly may pinch the neck and close it off, or release the neck and permit it to open. Either a pipe associated with the collar or a venting tube, or both, may be used to increase the pressure inside the bag and force the contents of the package out through the neck when same is open. If the pipe is used, an advantageous sparging action is obtained.

Claims

1. Apparatus for processing and dispensing food, comprising, in combination:

a. a first housing provided with a cavity, an opening, and a further opening, both openings communicating with the cavity, the opening being disposed in a wall of the first housing;

b. a cover pressure withstandingly connected to the first housing and arranged for sealing the further opening thereof and permitting the first housing to be a pressure vessel;

c. a second housing arranged in the first housing and having a further cavity, an open side, and a hollow projecting portion, the latter being arranged extending through the first housing opening, with the open side and projecting portion communicating with the further cavity;

d. a further cover arranged on the second housing for sealing the open side thereof, the open side being disposed adjacent the first housing further opening;

e. passage means connected to the further cover and passing through the cover for permitting communication with the further cavity from outside the first housing;

f. a food package including a bag removably arranged in the second housing and provided with a constricted portion forming a neck terminating in an outlet opening, the bag neck arranged in the projecting portion of the second housing; and

g. a valve assembly connected to the projecting portion and arranged for selectively opening and closing the bag neck.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the further cover is connected to the cover so placement of one in an opening sealing position assures placement of the other in an opening sealing position.

3. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the bag neck is threaded through the valve, and means is mounted on the bag neck adjacent the opening for locking the food package in the second housing and valve.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is constricted and forms a further neck arranged for receiving a neck of the food package contained in the second housing.

5. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the projecting portion extends through the opening of the first housing in sealed relation with respect thereto, and the first housing forms a container for a fluid which processes contents of the second housing, the second housing forming a restraining container.

6. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including means for selectively injecting a fluid into the bag and forcing a substance contained in the bag out of the outlet opening of the bag neck.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the injecting means is a fluid line connected to the locking means for additionally sparging the contents of the bag.

8. A method for heating and dispensing food, comprising the steps of:

a. placing food to be cooked in a bag and arranging the bag in a restraining container;

b. arranging the restraining container within a heating container;

c. controlling pressure within the restraining container and heating container;

d. supplying a heating medium under pressure into the heating container for indirectly heating the food bag for cooking the food in the bag;

e. selectively venting the bag during cooking of the food;

f. opening an outlet to the heated food bag and through the restraining container and the heating container; and

g. increasing the pressure inside the bag to force the food out of the bag through the opened outlet.