U.S. patent application number 11/570100 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for cooking bags.
Invention is credited to Robin W. Chudley.
Application Number | 20080056624 11/570100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39151629 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080056624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chudley; Robin W. |
March 6, 2008 |
Cooking Bags
Abstract
A packaging suitable for use in or on a heating appliance,
comprising a bag in which, in use, is sealed an article for
heating. The bag has an aperture formed therein over which is
sealed a film of material which forms a window in the bag, wherein
the seal between said film and the material of the bag is sensitive
to temperature and/or pressure such that the window at least
partially detaches automatically from the bag upon the temperature
and/or pressure within the bag reaching a predefined level so as to
vent the atmosphere within the bag.
Inventors: |
Chudley; Robin W.;
(Northampton, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GORDON & JACOBSON, P.C.
60 LONG RIDGE ROAD
SUITE 407
STAMFORD
CT
06902
US
|
Family ID: |
39151629 |
Appl. No.: |
11/570100 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 9, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB05/04321 |
371 Date: |
December 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2205/025 20130101;
B65D 33/18 20130101; B65D 81/34 20130101; B65D 33/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/103 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/34 20060101
B65D081/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2004 |
GB |
0428229.9 |
Nov 9, 2005 |
GB |
0522886.1 |
Claims
1. An article for preparing foodstuff comprising: a bag for holding
foodstuff, the bag realized from a material that maintains
structural integrity under high temperature direct heat, the bag
having an aperture formed therein, a film that covers the aperture,
a seal disposed between the film and the bag outside the aperture,
wherein the seal automatically breaks upon at least one of
temperature and pressure within the bag reaching a predefined
temperature and a predefined pressure so as to vent the interior of
the bag to atmosphere.
2. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the material of the
bag is stiff enough to support its own weight and to maintain an
inflated shape when the seal automatically breaks in use.
3. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the material of the
bag comprises aluminium foil.
4. An article according to claim 3, wherein: the aluminium foil is
of gauge between substantially 25 and 500 microns.
5. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the aperture is formed
in one side panel of the bag.
6. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the film comprises one
of polyester and polyester polythene.
7. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the film has a border
running proximate to the aperture.
8. An article according to claim 7, wherein: the film extends
across the whole side panel of the bag in which the aperture is
formed.
9. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the film is
transparent.
10. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the film has means
for gas transmission therethrough at a gas transmission rate that
corresponds to the respiration rate of foodstuff stored in the
bag.
11. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the bag has a
user-sealable opening for removably inserting foodstuff into the
bag.
12. An article according to claim 11, wherein: the opening is
provided with an adhesive strip of a strength which has greater
resistance to pressure than the seal.
13. An article according to claim 12, wherein: the adhesive strip
is provided on a lip which, in use, is folded over a number of
times before adhering to the bag.
14. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the bag holds
foodstuff pre-packaged therein.
15. (canceled)
16. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the high temperature
direct heat is provided by a barbecue grill.
17. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the material of the
bag comprises a metal film.
18. A method for preparing foodstuff comprising: providing a sealed
bag whose interior space holds foodstuff, the bag realized from a
material that maintains structural integrity under high temperature
direct heat, the bag having an aperture formed therein, a film that
covers the aperture, a seal disposed between the film and the bag
outside the aperture, wherein the seal automatically breaks upon at
least one of temperature and pressure within the interior space of
the bag reaching a predefined temperature and a predefined
pressure; and applying high temperature direct heat to the bag such
that the seal automatically breaks and vents the interior space of
the bag to atmosphere.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein: the step of applying
the high temperature direct heat is carried out on a barbecue
grill.
20. A method according to claim 18, wherein: the material of the
bag comprises a metal film.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a national stage filing of
International Patent App. No. PCT/GB2005/004321, filed on Nov. 9,
2005, which claims priority from GB Patent App. No. 0428229.9 filed
on Dec. 22, 2004, and claims priority from GB Patent App. No.
0522886.1 filed on Nov. 9, 2005, herein incorporated by reference
in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to sealed bags in which food
stuffs can be cooked.
[0004] 2. State of the Art
[0005] In recent times, there has been a general move towards
providing pre-packaged food stuffs in packaging which can be put
straight into a cooking appliance such as an oven, the food
contained within the packaging then being cooked whilst still
contained within the packaging. This has the advantage that the
packaging can contain and, if appropriate control the cooking
environment to a degree, for example by controlling the pressure
within the packaging, so improve the cooking operation. Different
food types may also be cooked in the same oven without being
exposed to each other, which the case of particularly aromatic
foods, can result in a detrimental effect on the taste of the food.
Furthermore, the cooking by-productions such as juices and the like
are retained within the packaging and can easily be disposed of
following removal of the packaging from the oven, thereby providing
a much cleaner cooking experience.
[0006] These systems have the drawback, however, that once cooking
is finished, the packaging must be removed from the cooking
appliance and then opened to enable the contents to be removed for
consumption. The packaging is normally very hot when it is so
removed from the appliance and there is hence a high risk of the
user burning themselves during this operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the present invention there is provided
packaging suitable for use in or on a heating appliance, comprising
a bag in which, in use, is sealed an article for heating, the bag
having an aperture formed therein over which is sealed a film of
material which forms a window in the bag, wherein the seal between
said film and the material of the bag is sensitive to temperature
and/or pressure such that the window at least partially detaches
automatically from the bag upon the temperature and/or pressure
within the bag reaching a predefined level so as to vent the
atmosphere within the bag.
[0008] A packaging in accordance with the invention has the
advantage that the food stuffs can be packed within the bag for
compact storage and, upon heating, the increase in pressure will
cause the packaging to expand to form a pillow before the window
vents the internal atmosphere. The aperture within the bag can then
be used to remove the food from the packaging once it is cooked
using suitable tongs or the like without the user having to handle
the packaging itself, the film then being easily removable by the
user fully to expose the aperture. In this way, the problems of the
prior art system are overcome whilst the advantages such as
containing the cooking by-products are maintained.
[0009] Preferably, the bag is formed of a material which is stiff
enough to maintain the pillowed shape of the bag once the internal
pressure is released upon detachment of the window. In this way,
the bag can advantageously be used as a container to serve the food
through the window.
[0010] Advantageously, the film window is sealed to the foil with a
seal that has a rupture strength lower than that of the bag such
that, in use, the bag allows any steam build up to vent without
rupturing the bag, thus removing any need for the customer to
pierce the bag.
[0011] Preferably, the strength of the seal is furthermore such
that, in use, the window is user detachable at any time. In this
way, the film can be removed early on in the cooking process for a
drier, more roasted result, whilst the film can be left in place
longer for a more steamed, succulent result.
[0012] Preferably, the bag is formed of an aluminium foil material,
in particular of gauge between substantially 25 and 500 microns,
but preferably of gauge between substantially 25 and 100 microns,
which has advantageously high temperature resistance suitable for
withstanding the high temperatures of grilling and oven cooking.
Desirably, the aperture is formed in one side panel of the bag
which, in use, may be positioned upward facing in a cooking
appliance. The film is preferably formed of a polyester or
polyester polythene material and may be formed as a panel which is
slightly larger than the aperture in the bag, the overlap with the
bag providing the seal between the film and the bag, or,
alternatively, may extend across the whole side panel of the bag in
which the aperture is formed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order that the invention may be well understood, an
embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging according to the
invention in an open configuration; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging of FIG. 1 in a
closed configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packaging
of the invention is realized by a bag 1 formed of a film 2. The
film 2 may be transparent so as to enable view of the food stuff
whilst the packaging is still sealed. Advantageously, the film 2 is
furthermore anti-fog coated to ensure that the food stuff can be
seen at all times, particularly when, in use, the bag 1 is taken
out of a chiller and on to a hot grill.
[0017] Some food products may require breathable properties for
which a suitable film solution can be produced. The gas
transmission rates can then be adjusted, preferably via
micro-perforations in the film 1, to match the respiration rate of
the food stuff to be stored therein so as to maximise the shelf
life of the product.
[0018] The packaging may have food stuffs pre-packaged therein,
but, in one embodiment is provided with a user sealable opening 5
by means of which user prepared products can be inserted into the
bag and the bag then sealed for cooking the produce in the manner
described above. The opening 5, for example, may be provided with
an adhesive strip 6 of a strength which has a greater resistance to
pressure than the seal 3 between the window 4 and the bag 1. In
particular, the adhesive 6 may be provided on a lip 7 which is
folded over a number of times before adhering to the bag 1 so as to
ensure a good seal. Advantageously, the sealable opening 5 is
created with adhesive 5 on the outside of the bag only such that no
adhesive can, in use, migrate into the food stuff within the bag 1
when very high temperatures are reached. Preferably, however, the
opening 5 is sealable, either mechanically or by hand, without
adhesive 5. In particular, the lip 7 of the opening is desirably
folded over a number of times before being crushed together so as
to ensure a good seal. Alternatively, though, where the bag 1 is
formed of a weldable material, the opening 5 is sealable with a
permanent weld seal once the bag 1 has been filled with a food
product. In particular, ultrasonic welding is desirably used to
create the weld seal.
[0019] The packaging is suitable for a wide range of cooking
appliances but is particularly advantageous for use on a barbeque
or the like, the bag 1 with a pre-prepared food product, in
possibly a raw, partially or fully cooked state, being placed
directly onto the barbeque with the window 4 facing upwards so as
to prevent escape of cooking by-products or the like from the bag
1. Upon the bag 1 expanding into a pillow shape, the material of
the bag 1 is preferably stiff enough to support itself in its
expanded position once the film 2 has released to vent the bag 1
and hence relieve the internal pressure.
* * * * *