U.S. patent application number 10/454177 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for method for processing a product.
Invention is credited to Meenakshi J. Bove.
Application Number | 20060193955 10/454177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27613741 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060193955 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bove; Meenakshi J. |
August 31, 2006 |
METHOD FOR PROCESSING A PRODUCT
Abstract
A method of processing a product, such as food product, is
disclosed. Untreated product is placed inside a bottom-unloading
basket that is, in turn, placed within a covered vessel. For
processing a food product, the invention uses a porous steamer
apparatus for insertion into a covered cooking vessel. The steamer
apparatus is comprised of two unfastened pieces, a basket and a
support base, each of which has a plurality of small holes through
which steam, but not food product, may pass. The basket holds the
food product, is roughly cylindrical in shape, has an open-ended
top and an open-ended bottom, and rests firmly upon, but is not
fastened to, the support base during the steam-cooking process. The
support base has an inverted conical shape and a vertical pole that
has a hook-shaped upper terminus and that is integrally-connected
to and protruding above and below the uppermost point of the
support base. A perforated, closed spice container is removably
fastened to the pole at a point underneath the support base. During
the pressurized steam-cooking process, a pressure dome is removably
fastened onto the cooking vessel. Upon completion of the
steam-cooking process, the pressure dome is unfastened from the
vessel and the basket is lifted out of the vessel, thereby
releasing all of the food product directly into the vessel, and the
support base, due to its inverted conical shape and hooked upper
end, is easily lifted up through the cooked food product and out of
the vessel, simultaneously with the spice container. An agitator
dome having integrally-connected mixing blades is then removably
fastened onto the top of the vessel, and the food product is
mechanically mixed at ambient atmospheric pressure.
Inventors: |
Bove; Meenakshi J.; (Great
Falls, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eli D. Eilbott;Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, P.C.
1615 M Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
27613741 |
Appl. No.: |
10/454177 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09672005 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
6598515 |
|
|
10454177 |
Jun 5, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/510 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 220/912 20130101;
A47J 27/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/510 |
International
Class: |
A23L 1/01 20060101
A23L001/01 |
Claims
1. A method for processing a food product, comprising: placing
uncooked food product into a two-piece steamer apparatus having a
bottom-unloading basket that has a top opening for accepting a
product and a bottom opening for discharging a product, and a
support base configured to mate with said bottom opening of said
basket, whereby when said basket and said support base are mated,
the product is prevented from exiting the basket through said
bottom opening of said basket; placing said steamer apparatus
within a closable cooking vessel; securing a removable cover into a
closed position on said cooking vessel; steam-cooking said food
product in said cooking vessel; unfastening said removable cover
from said cooking vessel; removing said basket from the cooking
vessel, thereby separating said basket from said support base and
releasing the cooked food product directly into said cooking
vessel, and then removing the support base up through said cooked
food product and out of said cooking vessel; securing a removable
agitator dome into a closed position on said cooking vessel, said
agitator dome having integrally-connected mixing blades protruding
downwardly into said cooking vessel; and mechanically mixing the
steamed food product within the covered cooking vessel at
atmospheric pressure.
2. A method of steam-infusing spices and flavors into a food
product, comprising: placing spices and/or flavorings into a spice
container that is perforated with a plurality of holes and
removably fastening a perforated cover onto said spice container;
removably fastening said spice container onto a pole of a support
base piece of a two-piece steamer apparatus at a point on said pole
just above a lower terminus of said pole but below an uppermost
point of the support base; placing said support base and said
removably fastened spice container into a cooking vessel; placing
food product into a bottom-unloading basket of said two-piece
steamer apparatus and then placing said basket into said cooking
vessel such that said basket is resting firmly directly on top of
said support base; securing a removable dome into a closed position
on said cooking vessel and then processing the food product in said
vessel; unfastening and removing said dome from said cooking
vessel; removing said basket from said cooking vessel, thereby
releasing the processed food product through a bottom of said
basket and directly into said cooking vessel; and removing the
support base, together with said spice container, up through said
cooked food product and out of said cooking vessel.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the spice container is removably
fastened to said pole at a point above said support base and rests
upon the top surface of the support base during said processing of
said food product.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said removable cover is instead a
removable pressure dome and wherein said steam-cooking of the food
product instead occurs in said cooking vessel at elevated
atmospheric pressure.
Description
DIVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Divisional Application of pending application Ser.
No. 09/672,005, and therefore Applicant claims for this Divisional
Application the priority filing date of Sep. 28, 2000 for
application Ser. No. 09/672,005.
[0002] In a non-final Office Action dated Feb. 13, 2002, in
response to application Ser. No. 09/672,005, the PTO Examiner
stated that the invention disclosed in claims 10-12 of that
Application was drawn to a method of processing food, classified in
class 426, subclass 523, and was distinct from the invention
disclosed in claims 1-9 of such Application. Accordingly, the
Examiner indicated that "restriction for examination purposes as
indicated is proper." In her written response dated Jun. 13, 2002
to that Office Action, the Applicant "acknowledge[d] and affirm[ed]
her election with traverse to prosecute the invention of claims 1
through 9 in the Application, as well as new claim 13 as added by
this Amendment and Response, and to withdraw claims 10, 11 and 12
of the Application from further consideration by the Examiner
pending completion of final action on claims 1-9 and 13."
[0003] In the final Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2002, also in
response to application Ser. No. 09/672,005, the PTO Examiner
stated as follows: "This application contains claims 10-12 drawn to
an invention nonelected with traverse in Paper No. 3. A complete
reply to the final rejection must include cancellations of
nonelected claims or other appropriate action (37 CFR 1.144) See
MPEP .sctn. 821.01." In an After-Final Amendment and Response dated
Dec. 6, 2002, Applicant expressly "cancel[led] nonelected claims
10-12 solely with respect to the elected invention."
[0004] On Mar. 4, 2003, the PTO mailed a "Notice of Allowance and
Fee(s) Due" form to Applicant, indicating that claims 2-9 and 13-15
of application Ser. No. 09/672,005 were being allowed. The March 4
correspondence also required Applicant to submit corrected
drawings. On Jun. 3, 2003, Applicant submitted the issue fee and
corrected drawings to the PTO. The instant Divisional Application
sets forth original claims 10-12 from application Ser. No.
09/672,005 (identified herein as claims 1-3, with slight revisions
made to original claim 10), along with the corresponding
specification and disclosure from that earlier Application, and
discloses no new matter herein. In addition, this Divisional
Application sets forth a new claim 4 based on the original
disclosure and specification from application Ser. No.
09/672,005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to a method for processing a
product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
method for processing a product using a bottom-unloading product
basket for placement in a processing vessel.
[0007] 2. Description of Related Technology
[0008] Processing products in treatment vessels is known in the art
for many applications and in many industries. For example, cooking
a food product through exposure to culinary steam, at either
elevated pressure or at ambient atmospheric pressure, has been
known for many years. Prior art steam-cooking processes often
include a method for using the steam as a transfer medium for
infusing the food product with spices and flavorings. Moreover,
various methods exist for mechanically mixing a cooked food product
to attain uniform texture, consistency and taste.
[0009] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,878 discloses an apparatus
and method of producing a food product. The food product is placed
inside an air-tight chamber, in which the food product is to be
cooked, wherein steam is generated from a source of water and is
introduced into the cooking chamber. The steam heats the inside of
the cooking chamber and serves as a heat transfer medium to heat
the food product as well as a color and flavor transfer medium to
color and flavor the food product. Flavoring and coloring additive,
such as liquid smoke, may be added to the water utilized in
generating the steam in order to flavor the food product being
cooked. The steam then transfers the flavoring and coloring
additive to the food product which condenses on the food product
adding flavor and color to the food product.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,524 discloses a food processor with a
mixing vessel and a drive mechanism for an agitator in the mixing
vessel, the lower region of which can be heated. A top unit for the
mixing vessel has a perforated base to allow food to be
steam-cooked. The perforations are formed in a support plate in the
base of the top unit and condensation and moisture are led back
into the mixing vessel.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,161 discloses a food steamer having a
base, a combined support and collector, and a cooking bowl. The
base has a heater and a reservoir for holding water to be heated
into steam. The cooking bowl is mounted on top of the base and has
a bottom with holes. The combined support and collector has a frame
and a screen. The frame is mounted to the base between the heater
and the cooking bowl. The frame has a center aperture with the
screen located therein for supporting flavoring items thereon. The
frame has raised walls to form a condensed steam holding area for
holding all condensed steam that has traveled into and then back
out of the holes in the cooking bowl. The frame also has a side
wall with inwardly recessed grooves and holes through the frame at
the tops of the grooves. These form pressure release vents at the
sides of the frame.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,235 discloses a food steamer having a
base, a combined support and collector, and a cooking bowl. The
base has a heater and a reservoir for holding water to be heated
into steam. The cooking bowl is mounted on top of the base and has
a bottom with holes. The combined support and collector has a frame
and a screen. The frame is mounted to the base between the heater
and the cooking bowl. The frame has a center aperture with the
screen located therein for supporting flavoring items thereon. The
frame has raised walls to form a condensed steam holding area for
holding all condensed steam that has traveled into and then back
out of the holes in the cooking bowl.
[0013] Ordinarily, steam-cooking involves placing a food product
within or on a bowl-shaped apparatus having a plurality of small
holes throughout the bottom surface and sides, and either
positioning the apparatus above a quantity of potable water that is
heated into steam or placing the apparatus within a covered vessel
into which culinary steam is introduced. Typically, the bottom
surface of the bowl-shaped apparatus holding or containing the food
product to be steam-cooked is integrally fastened to the sides
thereof, and has a plurality of small holes that allow steam, but
not food product, to pass through. Removal of the food product from
the bowl-shaped apparatus after completion of the steam-cooking
process usually involves the tilting or inversion of the apparatus
to release the food product. In addition, steam-cooking of a food
product often is performed in a closed vessel under elevated
atmospheric pressure.
[0014] Moreover, certain food products may be subjected to further
processing subsequent to steam-cooking. For example, it may be
desirable for a food product that has been steam-cooked at elevated
atmospheric pressure then to be mechanically mixed at a
non-elevated pressure, either to add spices or flavorings or to
attain a uniform or otherwise more desirable taste, texture or
consistency. To subject the steamed food product to a mechanical
mixing process, the food product usually is transferred from the
cooking vessel in which the steam-cooking was performed into a
second cooking vessel in which mechanical mixing will be performed.
Such transfer commonly is accomplished through the use of
vessel-to-vessel pipes and pipe pumping equipment or through the
hoisting and removal of the food product from the first vessel and
placement into the second vessel. Furthermore, the second vessel
may be equipped with integrally-attached agitators, blades or
scrapers to mix or blend the steam-cooked food product. The need
for multiple vessels for such multi-step processing is particularly
evident where the first cooking vessel is designed and equipped to
steam-cook food products at elevated pressure in a closed
environment and the subsequent mechanical food product mixing step
also needs to be accomplished in a covered vessel but at ambient
atmospheric pressure.
[0015] In commercial-scale food processing operations, it is common
for food products to be steam-cooked in very large batches by
placing the food products into a large, bowl-shaped, perforated
apparatus that is, in turn, placed into a closable cooking vessel
having a capacity of 50 gallons or more. Such large quantities of
food product can weigh hundreds of pounds or more, and thus
typically necessitate the use of sophisticated hoisting and tilting
equipment, not only to remove the bowl-shaped apparatus from the
cooking vessel after completion of the steam-cooking step, but also
to remove the cooked food product from the bowl-shaped apparatus
itself, and then to place the cooked food product into a second
vessel for mechanical mixing, blending or other further
processing.
[0016] In addition, selected flavors are often added to food
products during steam-cooking processes, typically either by
placing the whole, non-extract, non-concentrate form of spices
(e.g., whole bay leaves, whole vanilla beans, whole peppercorns)
directly into a covered vessel in which steam-cooking occurs or
into a closed, perforated container that is placed within the
vessel, thereby facilitating steam-infusion of the spices into the
food product. Alternatively, flavoring of food products during
steam-cooking processes is frequently accomplished through the
addition of an extract, concentrate form of spices directly into
the food product, thereby enabling the spices to be fully absorbed
into the food product.
[0017] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,
there are numerous other industries and fields wherein a product is
processed in one or more treatment vessels. For example, it is
common in the commercial waste management industry for waste
materials to be treated to reduce the toxicity or mobility of
chemical compounds in such materials by subjecting the materials to
thermal energy within a closed vessel and subsequently subjecting
the materials to further treatment, such as mechanical mixing or
agitation, in the same or a second vessel. Similarly, concrete
production or mining-related activities may involve the use of
multiple vessels to accomplish heating and subsequent mixing or
sorting of naturally-occurring materials such as sand or rocks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The foregoing underscores some of the problems associated
with conventional product processing techniques which require
multiple vessels and/or lifting and/or tilting equipment.
Furthermore, the foregoing highlights the need for a method for
processing a product using a bottom-unloading product basket which
may preclude the need for multiple vessels and/or lifting and/or
tilting equipment to process the product.
[0019] For example, the prior art does not disclose a method that
enables both steam-cooking at above-atmospheric pressure and
mechanical mixing at ambient atmospheric pressure to be performed
sequentially in a single covered vessel. Instead, it is typical in
the food processing industry to use a separate vessel or container
for each of the separate food processing steps that are applied to
a particular food product, such as pressurized steam-cooking and
non-pressurized mixing or blending. Moreover, prior art does not
disclose an apparatus nor a method that enables a food product to
be directly released from the bottom of a steamer basket apparatus
without the need to invert or tilt such basket so as to discharge
its food product contents. Instead, it is typical for the bottom
surface of a steamer basket apparatus to be integrally fastened to
the sides thereof, and not to be designed to be opened or otherwise
separated from such sides, thereby necessitating the use of complex
and expensive hoisting and tilting equipment to remove cooked food
product from such an apparatus, particularly during
commercial-scale processing of large quantities of food
product.
[0020] The need to purchase, operate and maintain hoisting and
tilting equipment to remove steam-cooked food product from a
steamer basket, as well as the common practice of using multiple
vessels to accomplish multi-step processing of a food product, add
undesirable inefficiency, time, expense and food handling steps to
the food preparation process. The additional exposure, handling and
movement of food product, in turn, tend to cause loss of minerals,
vitamins, spices and the like, and thus diminish the nutritional
value and flavor of the steam-cooked food, and to increase the risk
that the food product may be exposed to harmful bacteria during
processing.
[0021] In addition, prior art does not disclose an apparatus nor a
method that both enables the whole, non-extract, non-concentrate
form of spices to be used to steam-infuse flavor into a food
product within a cooking vessel, and further enables such spices to
be removed from the vessel following completion of the
steam-cooking process without the need to filter the cooked food
product. On the other hand, where flavor enhancement of
steam-cooked food product is accomplished through the use of the
extract form of spices, no filtration or removal of the spices is
required, but the extracts frequently contain undesirable
additives, including alcohols, resins and oils, that are necessary
to promote the absorption of the spice into the food product.
[0022] In light of the foregoing shortcomings and limitations of
the prior art, a need exists for a food processing method that
enables a food product to be held in a bottom-unloading apparatus
while the food product is steam-cooked at above-atmospheric
pressure in a closed cooking vessel, and which further enables the
food product, following completion of the steam-cooking process, to
be removed from such bottom-unloading apparatus, and which still
further enables such apparatus to be removed from the cooking
vessel upon completion of the steam-cooking process without having
to remove any of the food product from the cooking vessel as well.
A further need exists for a method that enables food product to be
both steam-cooked at above-atmospheric pressure and then
mechanically mixed at ambient atmospheric pressure in a single
closed vessel. An additional need exists for a method that enables
food product in a closed vessel to be steam-infused with selected
flavors using whole spices that may be easily removed from the
vessel and that need not be filtered out of the cooked food
product.
[0023] It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome
the aforementioned shortcomings and limitations associated with the
prior art by providing a new method for processing a product. In
accordance with this object of the invention, there is provided a
method for processing a product using a bottom-unloading product
basket adapted for insertion in a treatment vessel. According to
this aspect of the invention, a product treated in the basket may
be unloaded and the basket removed from the vessel without the need
for lifting or tilting equipment, and the product may then be
subjected to further processing in the same vessel.
[0024] It is another object of the invention to provide a new
method for processing food products. According to one aspect of the
invention, there is provided a method for preparing a food product
through steam-cooking at above-atmospheric pressure followed by
mechanical mixing of the steamed food product, at ambient
atmospheric pressure, in a single covered vessel.
[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method for preparing a food product in a single
covered vessel, wherein a bottom-unloading perforated steamer
basket holds the food product above the water level within the
vessel during a steam-cooking process and, after completion of the
steam-cooking process, all of the food product may be easily
released from the bottom of the steamer basket directly into the
vessel, and the empty steamer basket may then be removed from the
vessel without having to remove any of the food product from the
vessel as well.
[0026] In accordance with one advantageous feature of the
invention, there is provided the aforementioned method for
preparing a food product in a single covered vessel, wherein a
two-piece perforated steamer basket holds the food product above
the water level within the vessel during a steam-cooking process
and, after completion of the steam-cooking process, all of the food
product may be easily released from the steamer basket directly
into the vessel, and both pieces of the steamer basket may then be
removed from the vessel without having to remove any of the food
product from the vessel as well.
[0027] In accordance with another advantageous feature of the
invention, there is provided the aforementioned method for
preparing a food product in a single covered vessel, wherein the
vessel may be operated with either one of two domes secured in
place, one of which is removably fastened to the top of the vessel
during a pressurized steam-cooking process, and the other of which
is removably fastened to the top of the vessel during a
non-pressurized mechanical mixing process.
[0028] In accordance with yet another advantageous feature of the
invention, there is provided the aforementioned method for
preparing a food product in a single covered vessel, wherein the
source of the steam for cooking the food product is either a
measured quantity of potable water which has been introduced into
the bottom interior of the vessel, or culinary steam which has been
introduced directly into the interior of the vessel, and wherein
some or all of the water and other liquids remaining within the
vessel after completion of the steam-cooking process is mixed with
and fully incorporated into the food product during the mechanical
mixing process, thereby restoring to the cooked food product nearly
all nutrients, minerals and flavor that may have been lost or
released from the food product during the steam-cooking
process.
[0029] It is another feature of the invention is to provide the
aforementioned method for preparing a food product in a single
covered vessel, wherein a perforated, closed container holding the
whole, non-extract, non-concentrate form of various spices is
removably fastened to a food product steamer basket at a point
below the top of the water level in the vessel, to facilitate the
infusion of selected flavors into the food product during the
steam-cooking process and to enable the spices and container to be
easily removed from the vessel simultaneously with removal of the
steamer basket.
[0030] These and other objects, aspects and features of the
invention may be realized by the provision of a method for
processing a product using a bottom-unloading steamer basket which
holds a product during processing within a covered treatment
vessel, and which basket enables such product to be released
directly from the bottom of the basket and into the vessel. Related
objects may be realized by the provision of a method of processing
a product through the application of both thermal energy at above
atmospheric pressure and mechanical energy at ambient atmospheric
pressure in a single covered treatment vessel.
[0031] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,
a method according to the invention may be suitable for use in any
field or industry requiring the processing of a product in a
treatment vessel. Accordingly, the present invention should not be
viewed as limited to any particular use or use in any particular
industry. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
present invention will be set forth in part in the description that
follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Copyright Notice pursuant to 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.71 (2002): A
portion of the disclosure of this patent application, namely the
accompanying drawings, contain material which is subject to
copyright protection. The inventor of the present invention is the
copyright owner for such drawings and has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
whatsoever.
[0033] The drawing figures depict the present invention by way of
example, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference
numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece steamer
apparatus according to the invention, with a bottom-unloading
basket separably resting on a support cone.
[0035] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the bottom-unloading basket
of the steamer apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the support cone of the
steamer apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the invention.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an uncovered cooking vessel,
with a cross-sectional view of the two-piece steamer apparatus of
FIG. 1 and a spice container inside the vessel.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel of
FIG. 4 with a pressure dome removably fastened onto the cooking
vessel and the two-piece steamer apparatus of FIG. 1 placed within
the cooking vessel.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking vessel of
FIG. 4 with an agitator dome having integrally-connected mixing
blades removably fastened onto the cooking vessel and with the
two-piece steamer apparatus of FIG. 1 removed from the cooking
vessel.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the support cone of
FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional view of a spice container removably
fastened onto the pole of the support cone.
[0041] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a lower portion of the pole
of the support cone of FIG. 3 and the spice container of FIG. 7 and
a spice container cover.
[0042] FIG. 9 is another isometric view of the spice container and
spice container cover of FIG. 8.
[0043] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the support cone and spice
container of FIG. 7 and a spice ring positioned on top of the
support cone.
[0044] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the spice container of FIG.
7 removably fastened onto the support cone of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Generally, the present invention relates to a method for
processing a product. According to a presently preferred
embodiment, the present invention provides a method for preparing a
food product in a single covered vessel, wherein a bottom-unloading
perforated steamer basket holds the food product above the water
level within the vessel during a steam-cooking process and, after
completion of the steam-cooking process, all of the food product
may be easily released from the bottom of the steamer basket
directly into the vessel, and the empty steamer basket may then be
removed from the vessel without having to remove any of the food
product from the vessel as well.
[0046] While the present invention is described in connection with
the processing of food products, it will be readily appreciated by
one of ordinary skill in the art that the apparatus, method and
teachings of the present invention can be applied to other fields
and industries where products are processed in treatment vessels.
Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as being limited to
any particular product or industry.
[0047] In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, there
is provided a method for processing a food product in a two-piece
steamer apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a
cross-sectional view of a two-piece steamer apparatus 1 according
to the invention, wherein a bottom-unloading basket 2 separably
rests on a support cone 3. As depicted in FIG. 1, the basket 2 is
configured to mate with the support cone 3 and is preferably
constructed of like materials. The basket 2 rests on the support
cone 3 at a point on the support cone where the diameter of a
bottom opening 31 of the basket 2 roughly equals the diameter of
the support cone 3. The basket 2 is not attached or fastened to the
support cone 3 in any way, but is instead frictionally held firmly
in place on top of the support cone 3 when food product is placed
within the basket 2 and both the basket 2 and the support cone 3
are placed within a cooking vessel (best shown in FIG. 4). Due to
the weight of the basket 2 and of the food product within the
basket 2, as well as the close proximity between the vertical sides
4 of the basket 2 and the inner sides of the cooking vessel as
shown in FIG. 4, which proximity minimizes the degree to which the
basket 2 can shift position in the cooking vessel, the basket 2 is
prevented from disengaging from the support cone 3 during
processing of the food product within the vessel. Still referring
to FIG. 1, the upper, hook-shaped terminus 5 of the pole 6 of the
support cone 3 preferably rises above the circular, open-ended top
7 of the basket 2, and such terminus 5 preferably removably latches
into the handle 8 of the basket 2.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an isometric view of
the bottom-unloading basket 2 of the two-piece steamer apparatus 1
of FIG. 1 shown apart from the support cone 3. The basket 2 of FIG.
2 has a cylindrical shape, an open-ended, circular-shaped top 7,
and an open-ended, circular-shaped bottom 31. As will be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, other geometric
configurations of the basket 2 (and/or vessel) may be suitable for
use with the present invention. Likewise, the physical dimensions
and volume of the basket 2 (and/or vessel) may be varied based upon
the intended use of the invention. The basket 2 may be made of any
material suitable for the basket's intended use. In accordance with
a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the basket 2 is
constructed of food-grade stainless steel.
[0049] Still referring to FIG. 2, along the diameter of the open
top 7 of the basket 2 and integrally connected to the vertical
sides 4 of the basket is a handle 8 that is preferably constructed
of food-grade stainless steel and that facilitates lifting the
basket 2 out of a cooking vessel. The sides 4 of the basket 2 are
curved and have a plurality of holes 9, with the sides 4 running in
a parallel-downwardly direction from the open top 7 of the basket
2, and then, beginning at a point 10 preferably approximately
two-thirds of the vertical height of the basket 2 below the
open-ended top 7 of the basket 2, the sides 4 taper inwardly and
downwardly at preferably an approximately forty-five degree angle
from the center vertical axis of the basket 2. Beginning at a
second point 11 preferably approximately nine-tenths of the
vertical height of the basket 2 below the open-ended top of the
basket 2, the sides 4 taper inwardly and downwardly at preferably
an approximately ten degree angle from the center vertical axis of
the basket 2 until forming a circular bottom opening 31 of the
basket 2, which bottom opening 31 has a diameter that is preferably
approximately one-half the diameter of the circular top opening 7
of the basket 2.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an isometric view of the
lower, support cone 3 of the two-piece steamer apparatus 1, shown
apart from the upper basket 2. The support cone 3 of a presently
preferred embodiment has an inverted generally conical shape and
orientation, having curved sides 12 that have a plurality of holes
13, that converge nearly to a point at the top 14 of the support
cone 3, and that taper generally downwardly and outwardly at an
angle of preferably approximately forty-five degrees from the
center vertical axis of the support cone 3. The support cone 3 has
a circular, open-ended bottom 32 having a diameter preferably
larger than the diameter of the open-ended bottom 31 of the basket
2 but preferably smaller than the diameter of the open-ended top 7
of the basket 2. Integrally connected to the support cone 3 at the
top 14 where the curved sides 12 converge is a pole 6 that
protrudes above and below the top 14, with the lower terminus 15 of
the pole 6 located underneath the sides 12 of the support cone 3
and an upper terminus 5 preferably having a shape that protrudes
above the top opening 7 of the basket 2.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an isometric view of an
uncovered cooking vessel 16 according to the invention and a
cross-sectional view of the two-piece steamer apparatus 1 of FIG. 1
within the cooking vessel 16. The vessel 16 may be constructed of
any material suitable for the vessel's intended use. In a presently
preferred embodiment, the vessel 16 comprises food-grade stainless
steel. The vessel 16 preferably has an integral heating element
that enables water within the vessel 16 to be heated into steam.
During the steam-cooking process within the vessel 16, the basket 2
rests on top of the support cone 3 at a point on the support cone 3
where the diameter of the bottom opening 31 of the basket 2 is
roughly equal to one-half the diameter of the bottom-opening 32 of
the support cone 3, thereby holding the food product in the basket
2 preferably above the top of the water level at the bottom of the
internal compartment 36 of the vessel 16. Alternatively, culinary
steam may be directly introduced into the vessel 16 rather than
being produced by heating of water within the vessel 16.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross-sectional
view of the cooking vessel 16 of FIG. 4 with a pressure dome 19
removably fastened onto the top of the vessel 16 and a
cross-sectional view of the two-piece steamer apparatus 1 of FIG. 1
placed within the cooking vessel 16. The pressure dome 19 may be
removably attached to the vessel 16 by any suitable means. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, a plurality of clamps that are
integrally attached to the top of the vessel 16, thereby
maintaining the pressure dome 19 securely but removably fastened to
the vessel 16 during the pressurized steam-cooking process. The
hook-shaped upper terminus 5 of the pole 6 of the support cone 3
preferably rises above the center of the top opening of the vessel
16, but the upper terminus 5 does not rise so high as to impede the
secure fastening of the pressure dome 19 onto the vessel 16.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view
of the cooking vessel 16 of FIG. 4 with an agitator dome 21 that
has integrally-connected mixing blades 22 removably fastened onto
the vessel 16 and that facilitates mechanical mixing of food
product within the vessel 16. The two-piece steamer apparatus 1 of
FIG. 1 has been removed from the vessel 16. The agitator dome 21
may be removably attached to the vessel 16 by any suitable means.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, a plurality of clamps 17 is
integrally attached to the top of the vessel 16, thereby
maintaining the agitator dome 21 securely but removably fastened to
the vessel 16 during the mechanical mixing process.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a side view of a
spice container 23 and spice container cover 24 removably fastened
to the pole 6 of the support cone 3 of FIG. 3 at a point on the
pole 6 below the sides 12 of the support cone 3 and preferably just
above the lower terminus 29 of the pole 6. A flip lever 28 is shown
in the horizontal position.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an isometric view of
a lower portion of the pole 6 of the support cone 3 of FIG. 3 and
the spice container 23 of FIG. 7 and spice container cover 24. The
spice container 23 preferably has a hollow donut shape with a
cylindrically-shaped shaft opening 33 through and along the entire
length of its central vertical axis, said opening 33 having a
uniform diameter preferably slightly larger than the diameter of
the pole 6 of the support cone 3. The pole 6 passes through the
opening 33 of the spice container 23 and the spice container cover
24. The spice container 23 has a plurality of small holes 25
throughout its bottom surface 26 and sides 27 to allow heated water
or steam to pass through, an inner compartment 28 in which spices
and flavorings may be placed, and a removable cover 24 also having
a plurality of small holes 25 and an opening through the central
vertical axis having a diameter preferably slightly larger than the
diameter of the pole 6 of the support cone 3. Also shown in FIG. 8
is a flip lever 28 that is preferably integrally connected to the
pole 6 just above the lower terminus 29 of the pole 6. The flip
lever 28 preferably comprises a hinged section of the pole 6 which
can be locked either into a horizontal position perpendicular to
the orientation of the pole 6 or into a vertical position parallel
to the orientation of the pole 6. In the horizontal position, the
flip lever 28 prevents the spice container 23 from moving any
further down the pole 6, while in the vertical position the flip
lever 28 enables the spice container 23 to be removed from the pole
6.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown another isometric
view of the spice container 23 and spice container cover 24 of FIG.
8. In FIG. 9, the cylindrically-shaped center shaft opening 30 of
the spice container 23 and the opening of the spice container cover
24 can be seen.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 10, the spice container 23 and support
cone of FIG. 9 are depicted together with a perforated spice ring
34 that is depicted both being lowered onto the top of the support
cone 3 and resting on the support cone 3. The spice ring 34 has a
circular, flattened donut shape with an inner compartment for
holding spices and flavorings. The spice ring 34 has a center
opening 35 having a diameter approximately one-half the diameter of
the bottom opening 32 of the support cone 3, and the spice ring 34
rests on the sides 12 of the support cone 3 at a point
approximately equidistant between the top 14 of the support cone 3
and the bottom opening 32 of the support cone 3, thereby
facilitating the positioning of the bottom opening 31 of the basket
2 above the top of the water level in the vessel 16. The spice ring
34 is not attached or fastened to the support cone 3 in any way,
but is instead frictionally held firmly in place on top of the
support cone 3 when food product is placed within the basket 2 and
both the basket 2 and the support cone 3 are placed within a
cooking vessel (best shown in FIG. 4).
[0058] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown an isometric view of
the spice container 23 of FIG. 7 removably fastened onto the pole 6
of the support cone 3 of FIG. 3 at a point on the pole 6 just above
the lower terminus 29 of the pole 6. The spice container 23 is held
in place on the pole 6 by virtue of a flip lever 28 oriented into
the horizontal position.
[0059] In operation, a measured quantity of potable water is
introduced into the bottom of the interior compartment 36 of the
uncovered cooking vessel 16 of FIG. 4. Spices are placed into the
spice container 23 of FIG. 7 and the spice container cover 24 is
removably fastened onto the spice container 24. The covered spice
container 23 is removably fastened onto the pole 6 of the support
cone 3 of the two-piece steamer apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 and the flip
lever 28 is placed into a horizontal position relative to the pole
6. The support cone 3 with removably attached spice container 23 is
placed into the vessel 16 so that the bottom of the sides 12 of the
support cone 3 are resting on the interior bottom surface of the
vessel 16. The basket 2 is placed within the vessel 16 so that the
basket 2 rests on top of the support cone 3 at the point where the
diameter of the bottom opening 31 of the basket 2 is approximately
equal to one-half the diameter of the bottom opening 32 of the
support cone 3. Food product, such as uncooked sweet potato or
pumpkin, is then placed into the basket 2 so that the food product
within the basket 2 is above the top of the water level within the
vessel 16. The pressure dome 19 of FIG. 5 is removably fastened
onto the top of the vessel 16, the pressure within the vessel 16 is
raised to the desired level, and the water in the vessel 16 is
heated into steam or, alternatively, culinary steam is introduced
into the vessel 16.
[0060] Upon completion of the steam-cooking process within the
vessel 16, the pressure dome 19 is unfastened from the vessel 16
and the basket 2 is lifted out of the vessel 16 by pulling upward
on the handle 8 of the basket 2. As the basket 2 is lifted up, the
food product within the basket 2 is released through the bottom
opening 31 of the basket 2 and directly into the interior
compartment 36 of the vessel 16. Once the basket 2 has been removed
from the vessel 16, the support cone 3 is then lifted up and out of
the vessel 16 by pulling upward on the hook-shaped upper terminus 5
of the pole 6 of the support cone 3. The inverted conical shape of
the support cone 3 facilitates the upward movement of the support
cone 3 through the cooked food product and out of the vessel 16.
Because the spice container 23 is removably fastened to the pole 6
of the support cone 3 near the lower terminus 29 of the pole 6, the
spice container 23 is removed from the cooking vessel 16
simultaneously with the removal of the support cone 3 from the
vessel 16. Once the support cone 3 has been removed from vessel 16,
the agitator dome 21 of FIG. 6 is removably fastened onto the top
of the vessel 16 with the plurality of clamps, and mechanical
mixing of the food product within the vessel 16 proceeds.
[0061] While the foregoing describes what are considered to be
preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understood
that various modifications may be made thereto and that the
invention may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and
that it may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which
have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims
to claim all such modifications and variations which fall within
the true scope of the invention.
* * * * *