EP1613181A1

EP1613181A1 - An object with a roll and filling which prior to preparation is stored in separate packaging

Info

Publication number: EP1613181A1
Application number: EP04724991A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacob Gindin Dragsted
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-01
Filing date: 2004-04-01
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Also published as: WO2004086886A1

Abstract

An object (1) partly comprising an edible product (2,5) in form of a roll (2) with a filling (5) in a cavity (3) in the roll (2), partly a packaging (15) for the filling (5). The full packaging (15) has a shape mainly complementary to the10 cavity (3), and the packaging (15) in itself does not form part of the edible product (2,5). The packaging also has a potential exit opening (8) for the filling (5) at one end. The filling (5) can be of many different kinds, for example mince, salads, various slices of meat, and vegetable products. The edible product (2,5) is easy and quick to prepare and easy to eat without risk of the person eating or the surroundings becoming soiled by the filling (5) during this. The filling is easily forced out of the packaging (15) by means of a roller (19) having two cylinders (20).

Description

An object with a roll and filling which prior to preparation is stored in separate packaging

The invention relates to an object, which partly comprises an edible product in form of a roll with a filling in a cavity in the roll, partly a packaging for the filling, wherein the full packaging has a shape mainly complementary to the cavity, anc∑ the packing in itself does not form part of the edible product .

A roll with filling of different kinds is known in many different versions. An example is a sandwich made of a filling or slice of meat between two slices of bread.

Sandwich is a very widespread and popular dish, which however also has a great many disadvantages. Thus it is time-consuming to make a sandwich as the slices of bread must be cut off of a larger bread and the filling prepared in different ways before it can be placed between the two slices of bread.

A second problem is that the slices of bread do not close tightly around the filling, which therefore easily is squeezed out during eating at the risk of it soiling the person eating and/or the surroundings.

A third problem is that it is difficult to store a sandwich as the filling and the slices of bread typically make different demands on storing. Thus, the slices of bread quickly become soaked by the fluid of the filling content, after which the sandwich no longer is very delicious to eat.

The above problems are attempted to be solved by means of a product which is normally called a "French hot dog" and which consists of an elongated roll with an elongated cavity filled with a hot sausage. A "French hot dog" can be prepared quickly and easily and can conveniently be held in the hand while it is eaten and without risk of the filling being squeezed out.

But "French hot dog" lacks the abundance of possibilities of the sandwich which is found with many different kinds of filling. "French hot dog" is, in fact, only found in one version namely with a sausage with a sausage skin which many people moreover do not like to eat and especially not inserted in a roll.

The patent document EP 02/93552 discloses a roll with an elongated cavity intended for many different kinds of filling for example Chinese salad, which is stored by itself in a separate plastic sachet. On preparation the filling is taken out of the sachet and put into the cavity in the roll. Filling of the relatively narrow, elongated cavity is however a difficult and time-consuming operation and the operator furthermore risks getting soiled by the filling.

The patent document US 5,567,455 discloses a roll with an elongated cavity and a packaging filled with a salad. The full packaging is introduced in the roll, after which a tear line extending in a spiral along the length of the packaging is torn open. The disadvantage of this packaging is that it cannot be used for filling which is sticky such as e.g. tuna salad. As the tear line is extending in the longitudinal direction of the packaging, it is difficult to get the packaging out of the roll without the filling getting out as well as this filling will stick to the packaging.

The patent document US 6,228,406 discloses a roll having a through hole and a packaging filled with a filling introduced in the hole. When the roll is to be eaten, the packaging is opened at one end. After that, the filling is forced out of the packaging and the packaging is pulled out of the roll. The disadvantage of this invention is that it is difficult to eat the full roll without the filling running out of the roll at one or both ends. According to the patent document, the roll must necessarily be open at both ends to be able to open the full packaging introduced in the roll.

The patent document US 4,703,688 discloses an apparatus for introducing a filling in a piece of bread. This apparatus is composed of a pipe having a point and filled with an edible filling. The pipe is forced into the bread point first whereby a cavity is formed in this bread. During the removal of the pipe from the bread, the filling is pushed into the just formed cavity in the bread and is left here.

By means of this known apparatus, an edible product can be prepared quickly and easily, which easily can be held and eaten without risk of the filling being squeezed out during this, and many different kinds of filling can be used without difficulty.

However, it is a disadvantage that a relatively expensive apparatus is needed for this purpose and that such an apparatus is difficult and troublesome to service and clean. Furthermore, it is time-consuming and difficult to have to fill the pipe first with the current filling.

The above disadvantages are remedied by means of the object according to the invention.

In a first aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product that is easy and quick to prepare.

In a second aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product that can be prepared without use of specific tools or apparatuses.

In a third aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product that can be varied as desired with regard to the gustatory experience.

In a fourth aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product that can be eaten without risk of the person eating or the surroundings being dirtied by the filling.

In a fifth aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product having component parts that can be stored separately for a considerable period in e.g. a refrigerator or freezer.

In a sixth aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product that leaves a minimum of waste on preparation .

In a seventh aspect of the invention an object of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided, which comprises an edible product in form of a hollow standard roll with filling.

The novel and unique feature according to the invention, whereby this is achieved, is the fact that the packaging has a potential exit opening (8) for the filling (5) at one end.

By means of this arrangement the filling can easily be forced into the cavity in the roll after opening the potential exit opening via the opened exit opening by pressing the packaging. In this way the risk of some of the filling being wasted and of persons and/or surroundings being soiled by dropped filling is eliminated.

This arrangement also means that the full packaging advantageously can be stored for a considerable period in e.g. a refrigerator or freezer. The roll can also be stored for a considerable period in a refrigerator or freezer but it is normally preferred to use a fresh standard roll.

If the filling has been frozen, it is conveniently heated before preparation which quite simply consists in introducing the full packaging in the cavity of the roll after which the filling is forced out and the empty packaging is disposed of as waste which advantageously takes up very little room in a waste container.

The edible product is prepared in the same way if the filling has not been frozen but in this case, it is only heated if a hot dish is wanted. The heating can optionally take place before or after the introduction of the filling in the cavity of the roll .

As can be understood, an edible product is obtained in this simple manner, which is extremely easy to prepare at a refreshment room or at home without having to use separate tools or apparatuses and which can be eaten without risk of the filling soiling the person eating or the surroundings during this .

Another considerable advantage is that filling of any kind can be used without difficulty and thereby, the same abundant possibilities of differentiated gustatory experiences as when eating a sandwich can be obtained. in a preferred embodiment the potential exit opening can be a weakened area at one end arranged to break and leave an exit opening for the filling when pressing on the full packaging. This is a very easy way of getting the potential exit opening to open after introducing the f ll packaging in the roll .

In a second embodiment the packaging can have a projecting, preferably flat tab passing into the rest of the packaging at the potential exit opening for the filling. In this case said tab is removed before the full packaging is introduced in the cavity of the roll. Thereby, the exit opening is exposed so that the filling can be forced out of the packaging via this opening after introducing the packaging in the cavity of the roll.

By means of this design there is no risk of the packaging opening unintentionally by being affected by an accidental load. The tab can be cut off the packaging or this tab can alternatively have a tear line for merely tearing off the tab on use so that the operator need not spend time on having to get a pair of scissors.

At the opposite end of the potential exit opening, the packaging can have a second projecting, preferably flat tab for use at emptying of the full packaging.

In one embodiment this emptying can take place by means of a fork having two branches whereby said second tab is introduced between these branches and the fork rotated so that the packaging is wound round the branches and the filling thereby wrung out of the exit opening of the packaging.

In a second embodiment the second tab is introduced between two rotatable cylinders on a roller. When the cylinders rotate, the full packaging is rolled flat whereby the filling is forced out via the exit opening. By means of this method, the edible product can be prepared with lightening speed, and the empty packaging is automatically disposed of by merely placing a waste container on the other side of the roller for catching the waste. The method is especially suited for refreshment rooms having large sales .

On a small scale where the above means are not available, the packaging can be emptied by merely pressing manually on the full packaging but this process is facilitated if a ball or similar device is mounted movably on the end of the full packaging opposite the potential exit opening for being pressed through the packaging and thereby force the filling out of the its exit opening.

As packaging a flexible film can be used, e.g. plastic film, which is strong and durable and protects the filling well from becoming dry or contaminated during storing. A plastic film can also easily be deformed during the emptying process and it need not be edible as the packaging is not part of the edible product.

The invention will be explained in greater details below, describing only exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which

Figs, la-d are diagrammatic axial views of an object according to the invention at four successive process steps during preparation of the edible product,

fig. 2 is an axial section of one embodiment of the packaging according to the invention,

fig. 3 is an axial section of a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention, fig. 4 is an axial section of an opened packaging in a cavity of a roll during emptying by means of a roller, and

fig. 5 are side elevational and end views, respectively, of a packaging in engagement with a fork having two branches for forcing the filling out of the packaging by winding.

Figs, la-d show an object 1 according to the invention at four different process stages during preparation of an edible product 2,5.

The object 1 is composed of a roll 2 formed with an elongated cavity 3 with an opening 4 at one end, and of a filling 5 in a separate packaging 6 which, in the following, is assumed to be made of a plastic film.

In fig. la, the full packaging 6 is in unopened state opposite the opening 4 of the roll 2. The full packaging 6 has a shape essentially corresponding to the cavity 3 of the roll 2 and it is kept stably in this shape by the filling 5 in the packaging 6.

In fig. lb, the full packaging 6 has been inserted in the cavity 3 via its opening 4 and opened so that an exit opening 8 for the filling 5 is formed in the innermost end 7 of the full packaging 6. The outermost end 9 of the full packaging 6 is pressed on as indicated by the transverse arrows A.

In fig. lc, the filling 5 has now been partly forced out of the packaging 6 via the opened exit opening 8 by means of the pressure indicated by the transverse arrows A while simultaneously pushing the packaging 6 out of the cavity 3 of the roll 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow B to finally leave the filling 5 in the cavity 3. This is shown in fig. Id showing the finished, edible product 2,4 and the empty packaging 6, which is then disposed of as waste .

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the packaging 10 with a weakened area 11 at one end 7 of the packaging 10 and a ball 12 inserted in the other end 9 of the full packaging 10.

In the case shown, the ball 12 is hollow to economize on the material, which typically will be plastic, and the weakened area 11 can e.g. be an area of thinner film or a weak film weld.

In this embodiment the full packaging 10 is first inserted in the cavity 3 of the roll 2 in actually the same way as shown in figs. la,b. Then the back 13 of the ball 12 is pushed by means of the fingers via the packaging 10. The pressure is transmitted to the filling 5 in front 14 which, due to the thereby positive pressure built up in the filling 5, will make the weakened area 11 break whereby an exit opening 8 is left for the filling 5. By continuing to push on the back 13 of the ball 12 with the fingers, the filling 5 is now forced successively out of the packaging 10 via the opened exit opening 8 in actually the same way as shown in figs. lc,d.

Thus, the ball 12 serves as a piston to push the filling 5 out of the packaging 10. Many shapes other than a ball can be used for fulfilling this purpose such as elliptical or drop shapes .

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the packaging 15 with a first projecting tab 16 at one end 7 and a second projecting tab 17 at the other end 9. The first tab 16 has a tear line 18 at a potential exit opening 8. The second tab 17 is used in connection with the emptying of the packaging 15 as will be described in detail below. When the edible product 2,5 is to be prepared, the first tab 16 is torn off at the tear line 18. Thereby, the exit opening 8 is exposed, after which the filling 5 can be forced out of the packaging 15 via this opening and be introduced in the cavity 3 of the roll 2 as shown in figs. la,b, the operator can conveniently use the second tab 17 to pull on during this while the packaging 15 is successively pulled out of the cavity 3.

The tear line 18 can be formed along a transverse line with chadless perforation or with thinner film. It is noted that the first tab 16 alternatively can be cut off by means of a pair of scissors. In this case the tab 16 need not have a tear line 18.

Fig. 4 shows the full packaging 15 in fig. 3 during emptying into the cavity 3 of a roll 2. In this case the second tab 17 was first inserted between the two rotatable cylinders 20 of a roller 19, after which the cylinders 20 were made to rotate in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows. Thereby, the full packaging 15 is rolled flat whereby the filling 5 is forced out of the packaging 15 via the opened exit opening 8.

By means of this method, the edible product 2,5 can be prepared with very little effort and in an extremely short time. The method is therefore suited for use at refreshment rooms such as e.g. restaurants and cafeterias, just as it is to be expected that the edible product 2,5 will replace "French hot dog", which today is largely sold from hot-dog stands .

In fig. 5, a fork 21 having two branches 22, the spacing between which corresponds to or is slightly larger than the thickness of the flat packaging 15, is used instead. In use, the branches 22 of the fork 21 are pushed in over the projecting second tab 17, after which the packaging 15 is wound around the branches 22 of the fork 21 so that the filling 5 is wrung out of its exit opening 8. This method is suited for use on a small scale for example in private homes .

The roll used can be a frozen roll, which is thawed. But in most cases a fresh roll of the kind that is already available as standard product is preferred.

The filling 5 can be of any desired kind and can be just as varied as the filling, which is used for e.g. sandwiches and Danish "smørrebrød" . Examples are mince, if desired mixed with onions and ketchup, salads of any kind, slices of meat in small pieces, and vegetable products possibly coated with a suitable dressing.

Thereby a refreshment room can offer a wide range of different edible products on basis of e.g. standard rolls and a stock of different filling, which possibly is stored in a refrigerator or a freezer.

On ordering, the operator fetches a sealed packaging 6 full of the desired filling 5 from the refrigerator or freezer and fills the cavity 3 of the standard roll 2 with the filling 5 in the same way as described above. The edible product 2,5 is then ready for being serving in a minute .

If desired, the filling 5 is heated. This can be done separately or together with the roll 2. The finished product 2,5 can conveniently be held in the hand and eaten without risk of the person eating becoming soiled by the filling 5.

Claims

Patent claims

1. An object partly comprising an edible product (2,5) in form of a roll (2) with a filling (5) in a cavity (3) in the roll (2), partly of a packaging (6;10;15) for the filling

(5), wherein the full packaging (6;10;15) has a shape mainly complementary to the cavity (3), and the packaging

(6,-10,-15) in itself does not form part of the edible product, characterised in that the packaging has a potential exit opening (8) for the filling (5) at one end.

2. An object according to claim 1, characterized in that the potential exit opening has a weakened area (11) at one end arranged to break and leave an exit opening (8) for the filling (5) on pressing on the full packaging (6) .

3. An object according to claim 1, characterized in that the packaging (6; 15) at least at one end has a projecting, preferably flat tab (16) passing into the rest of the packaging (6; 15) at the potential exit opening (8) for the filling (5) .

4. An object according to any of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the packaging (6; 15) is formed with a tear line (18) at the potential exit opening (8) .

5. An object according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the packaging (6,10,15) at the opposite end (9) of the potential exit opening (8) has a second projecting, preferably flat tab (17) .

6. An object according to any of the claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the packaging (6; 10; 15) comprises a ball (12) or similar device located movably in the end (9) opposite of the potential exit opening (8) of the full packaging (6; 10; 15).

7. An object according to any of the claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the packaging (6; 10; 15) is made of a flexible film of a material which is not edible.

8. A method for use in preparing the edible product (2,5) according to claims 1 - 7, characterised in that it comprises the process stages of

- removing the projecting tab (16) at the potential exit opening (8) of the packaging,

- inserting the packaging (6; 10; 15) in the cavity (3) of the roll (2) with the thereby opened exit opening (8) in front, forcing the filling (5) out of the packaging (6; 10; 15) via the exit opening (8), pulling the packaging (6; 10; 15) out of the cavity (3) while it is being emptied, and removing the empty packaging (6; 10; 15) .

9. A method for use in preparing the edible product (2,5) according to claims 1 - 7, characterized in that it comprises the process stages of inserting the packaging (6; 10,-15) in the cavity (3) of the roll (2) with the weakened area (11) in front, - pressing on the packaging (6; 10; 15) so that the weakened .area (11) breaks, forcing the filling (5) out of the packaging (6; 10; 15) via the thereby formed exit opening (8) , pulling the packaging (6,-10; 15) out of the cavity (3) while it is being emptied, and removing the empty packaging (6,-10,-15).

10. An apparatus for successively forcing the filling (5) in the full packaging (6; 10; 15) according to claims 1 - 7 out applying the method according to claim 8 or claim 9 , characterized in that it comprises a fork (21) with two branches (22) or a roller (19) with two rotatable cylinders (20) , and that the spacing between the two branches (22) or the two cylinders (20) , respectively, mainly corresponds to the thickness of the packaging (6; 10; 15) in flat state.