Method and apparatus for roasting and smoking skinned food products
First Claim
1. A method of preparing a skinned food product, comprising:
- contacting a skinned food product with heat to at least partially loosen a skin thereof; and
contacting said skinned food product with smoke for a period of time sufficient to provide said skinned food product with a smoked flavor.
1 Assignment
2 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for preparing a skinned food product includes a roasting unit, a smoking chamber, and a conveyor system for transporting the skinned food product through the roasting unit and through the smoking chamber. The roasting unit has a heated zone for at least partially loosening the skin of the skinned food product. The heat in the heated zone may also blacken portions of the skinned food product. The conveyor system rotates the skinned food product as the product passes through the heated zone. The contact with the smoke in the smoking chamber provides the skinned food product with a desired flavor. A method for preparing a skinned food product includes contacting the product with heat to at least partially loosen a skin thereof, and contacting the product with smoke for a period of time sufficient to provide the product with a smoked flavor. The system and method may be used to prepare skinned food products such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, corn, potatoes, and artichokes.
21 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of preparing a skinned food product, comprising:
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contacting a skinned food product with heat to at least partially loosen a skin thereof; and contacting said skinned food product with smoke for a period of time sufficient to provide said skinned food product with a smoked flavor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of preparing a skinned food product, comprising:
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passing a skinned food product in proximity to a flame to at least partially blacken a skin thereof; and passing said skinned food product through a smoking chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for preparing a skinned food product, comprising:
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a roasting unit comprised of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a gas burner disposed within said housing, and a water spray disposed within said housing between said gas burner and said outlet; a smoking chamber comprised of a housing having an inlet and an outlet; and a conveyor system for transporting a skinned food product from said inlet of said roasting unit to said outlet of said roasting unit and from said inlet of said smoking chamber to said outlet of said smoking chamber. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for preparing a skinned food product, comprising:
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a roasting unit having a heated zone for at least partially loosening a skin of a skinned food product; a smoking chamber for smoking said skinned food product; and a conveyor system for transporting said skinned food product through said roasting unit and through said smoking chamber. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification