GB2504453A

GB2504453A - Reducing fat content by spinning a food product in a perforated container

Info

Publication number: GB2504453A
Application number: GB1209630.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlo Chiarella
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Also published as: GB201209630D0

Abstract

A device 10 for reducing the fat content in a food product comprises a rotatable container 12 adapted to receive the food product and a catchment chamber 16 operably associated with the rotatable container for receiving fat removed from the food. Preferably the catchment chamber surrounds the rotatable container. Fat is forced from the food product through perforations in the rotatable container and into the catchment chamber. The device may have a housing 18 containing the rotatable container and the catchment chamber with a lid 22 hingedly mounted to an opening 24 at one end of the housing. The device may comprise a heater to keep food warm whilst the device is in use. A method for reducing the fat content from a food product, which may be meat, comprises the steps of placing the food product into a rotatable container and rotating the container.

Description

Food Spinner This invention relates to a device for reducing the fat content in a food product and particularly, but not exclusively, to a device for reducing the fat content in a meat product.

Methods for reducing the fat content in food products are used in the home and in professional kitchen environments. These methods are commonly used for people who want to reduce their intake of fat for health purposes. Reducing the fat content in a food product can also be used to improve the taste and quality of the food.

Some simple methods for reducing the fat content in food products include dabbing the surface of the cooked food with an absorbent towel, such as kitchen roll, or draining the fat from food with a sieve.

A problem with using these known methods is that they will reduce a small amount of fat only from the food product. Dabbing the food will remove only the fat that is on the surface of the food, and will absorb only as much as the absorbent towel will allow.

Draining the fat from the food may remove more fat, but this method is also limited to the amount of fat that will naturally separate and drain from the food product.

Another method for reducing the fat content in food is by skimming'. In this method the food is allowed to cool slightly, resulting in the fat rising to the surface of the food product which can then be removed. Skimming can also be achieved by placing the food into a refrigerator which will cause the fat to harden, thus making it easier to identify and remove. In each of these methods the fat is commonly removed, or skimmed, from the food product by using a spoon.

A problem with the known method of skimming is that it is time consuming. Skimming the fat from food involves letting the food cool, and so the food may be left for a long period of time, sometimes even overnight.

Further, the fat is removed in the skimming process typically by a spoon which has a limited surface area. This usually results in the user having to repeat this step until the desired amount of fat is removed. l

This time taken up by skimming could be more usefully spent preparing and serving the food product. In a professional kitchen, preparing and serving the food efficiently is very important, and so the time spent skimming the food is not desirable.

Skimming the fat is also not an accurate method of removing the fat from a food product.

Skimming the fat relies on the users judgement as to what is fat and what is not, and so mistakes can be made during the removing process. This can lead to food being wasted.

There is, therefore, a need for a device to reduce a high percentage of fat content from a food product which is efficient and accurate.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for reducing the fat content in a food product, the device comprising a rotatable container adapted to receive the food product and a catchment chamber operably associated with the rotatable is container for receiving fat removed from the food.

The rotatable container rotates, in use, thus forcing the fat out from the food product.

This forcing of the fat results in more fat being removed from the food product than what would typically be removed from using the known methods described above.

The fat that is forced from the food product is received by the catchment chamber which keeps the removed fat separate from the food product.

In an embodiment of the invention, the rotatable container is operably coupled to a motor to enable the rotatable container to rotate at a desired speed.

Optionally, the catchment chamber surrounds the rotatable container.

Arranging the catchment chamber to surround the rotatable container will enable most, if not all, of the fat forced from the food product to be caught by the catchment chamber.

In an embodiment of the invention, the catchment chamber and the rotatable container have substantially the same shape. This means that the catchment chamber and the rotatable container can be assembled easily and results in the device being more compact.

The catchment chamber and the rotatable container could be any shape. In some embodiments they are substantially cylindrical as this may result in more efficient rotating of the rotatable container.

Optionally, the rotatable container is perforated.

This feature allows for the fat that is forced from the food product to pass through the perforations and into the catchment chamber, whilst keeping the food product inside the rotatable container and separate from the removed fat.

The perforations may be located over a part, or all of the rotatable container.

Having the perforations distributed all over the rotatable container results in the fat being able to exit the rotatable container and enter the catchment chamber more efficiently, particularly in an embodiment wherein the catchment chamber surrounds the rotatable container.

The size and number of perforations may differ in different embodiments of the invention.

When a smaller food product is used, the device may have smaller perforations to prevent the food product from passing through the perforations.

Optionally, the catchment chamber and the rotatable container are coaxial.

This leads to an even distribution of the weight of the rotatable container and the catchment chamber, and also results in the assembly of these parts being more compact.

Optionally, the rotatable container and the catchment chamber are contained within a housing.

The housing conceals working parts of the device, thus making the device safer to use. It also protects the working parts from unwanted dust or debris.

Furthermore, the housing reduces any noise that may be produced by the motor and/or by the moving parts of the device.

The housing can make the device more aesthetically pleasing and can be used as a medium for branding or instructions.

Optionally, the housing is open at one end.

In some embodiments, the opening is at the top of the housing.

The opening allows for the food product to be easily placed into and removed out of the catchment chamber.

The opening further allows access to the parts inside the housing which makes maintenance of these parts easier.

In an embodiment of the invention the catchment chamber and/or the rotatable container can be removed through the opening in the housing. This allows for easier maintenance and cleaning of the catchment chamber and/or the rotatable container.

Optionally, the device comprises a lid hingedly mounted to the housing whereby in use the lid serves to close the open end of the housing.

The lid helps to contain the food product, fat and liquid inside the device. This reduces the chance of the food, fat or liquid coming out of the device while in use which could be dangerous, particularly when the food product is hot.

The lid also prevents unwanted matter entering the device and contaminating the food product while in use.

Optionally, the device comprises a drainage system.

Other liquids, such as water, may be forced from the food product as well as fat and these may be drained from the device via a drainage system.

In an embodiment of the invention the drainage system comprises a spout to drain the liquid from the device.

as In another embodiment of the invention there is a plurality of spouts to drain the liquid from the device more efficiently.

The drainage system may be connected to the rotatable container or the catchment chamber or both.

The drainage system may extend outside of the housing and allow for the drained liquid to be collected by a liquid container.

Optionally, the device comprises a heater element.

The heater element serves to keep the food warm whilst the device is in use. This means that the food product is ready to serve or to be further prepared immediately after the device has been used.

Further, the heater element may maintain the fat in a softer state. When the fat is in this softer state it may be more easily forced from the food product, and so result in more fat being removed from the food product.

In some embodiments of the invention, there is more than one heater element for more efficient heating.

Optionally, the device comprises a control system.

The control system serves to control the rotation of the rotatable container. The control system may also serve to control the heater element.

In an embodiment wherein a motor is used, the control system may comprise a control device, a control rod and a motor switch.

The control rod extends from the control device and activates the motor switch which, when pressed for the first time, releases a break allowing the motor to turn and thus causing the rotatable container to rotate.

When the control device is triggered again, the motor switch is activated for a second time and breaks the motor, thus stopping the rotation of the rotatable container.

The device may be configured to prevent the turning on of the motor whilst the lid is open. In this embodiment, the control device may be positioned so as to trap the lid in its closed position when the motor is on. This prevents any items or body parts, particular hands, entering the device whilst the rotatable container is rotating which could result in injury.

In other embodiments of the invention the device may be configured to turn the motor off if the lid is opened whilst the motor is on.

In further embodiments of the invention there may be a latch mechanism to prevent the lid from opening whilst the motor is turned on.

In another embodiment of the invention, there may be more than one control system. For example, a first control system with a first control device to turn the motor on, and a second control system with a second control device to turn the motor off.

The control device in any of the above-mentioned may take the form of a button, lever or

dial, for example.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removing the fat content from a food product comprising the steps of: placing the food product into a rotatable container; and rotating the rotatable container.

Optionally, the method for removing the fat content from a food product further comprises the step of collecting the fat removed from the food in a catchment chamber.

This means that the fat can be left to cool and harden in the catchment chamber. The fat can then be easily removed by scraping it off the catchment chamber, for example.

Optionally, the method for removing the fat content from a food product further comprises the step of draining liquid removed from the food product via a drainage system.

There now follows a description of an embodiment of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of the device as shown in Figure 1 with the lid in a closed position.

Figure 3 is a schematic view from above the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a device for reducing the fat content in a food product in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference number 10.

io The device 10 comprises a rotatable container 12 operably coupled to a motor 14 to enable the rotatable container to rotate at a desired speed. The rotatable container 12 includes perforations 13 located all around the rotatable container 12.

The device 10 further comprises a catchment chamber 16 that surrounds the rotatable is container 12.

The catchment chamber 16 and the rotatable container 12 are coaxial and are both substantially cylindrical in shape.

In other embodiments (not shown) the catchment chamber 16 and the rotatable container 12 may be a different shape.

The catchment chamber 16 and the rotatable container 12 are contained within a housing 18.

Furthemiore, the motor 14 is contained within the housing 18 and is supported by a motor mounting 20.

The housing 18 comprises a lid 22 hingedly mounted thereto. The lid 22 serves to open and close an open end 24 of the housing 18. The open end 24 of the housing 18 is located at a top end of the device 10.

The housing 18 further comprises two heater elements 26.

In other embodiments (not shown) the housing 18 may have one or more heater elements 26.

The device 10 further comprises a drainage system 28 in the form of a spout 30. The spout 30 extends from the catchment chamber 16 to an area outside of the housing 18.

The area outside of the housing 18 is located to allow for the drained liquid (not shown) to be collected by a liquid container 32.

In other embodiments (not shown) there may be a plurality of spouts 30 and corresponding liquid containers 32.

In further embodiments (not shown) the drainage system may be connected to a domestic plumbing system, so as the drained liquid is dealt with in the same manner as normal domestic liquids, e.g. water from a washing machine.

The device 10 further comprises a control device 34 in the form of a button 36. The button 36 is operably connected to the motor 14 via a control system 38.

The control system 38 includes the button 36, a control rod 40 and a motor switch 42.

The control rod 40 extends from the button 36 and is operably connected the motor switch 42.

The button 36 extends over the lid 22 when the motor 14 is in use, thus trapping the lid 22 and preventing access to the inside of the device 10 whilst the motor 14 is turned on.

Moreover, the button 36 must be moved so as to not extend over the lid 22 to tum the motor 14 off, and so the lid 22 can not be opened whilst the motor 14 is turned on.

In other embodiments (not shown) the control device 34 may take other forms, for example a lever or a dial.

In further embodiments (not shown) there may be more than one control system 38. For example, there may be a first control system with a corresponding first control device to turn on the motor 14, and second control system with a corresponding second control device to turn off the motor 14. There may also be a third control system with a corresponding third control device to turn the heater elements 26 on and off.

Operation of the device 10 is as follows.

The food product (not shown) is placed into the rotatable container 12.

The lid 22 is then positioned to close the open end 24 of the housing 18 located at the top end of the device 10.

The device 10 is turned on by switching the button 36 to extend over the lid 22, thus trapping the lid in the closed position. The button 36 moves the control rod 40 and activates the motor switch 42. The motor switch 42 releases a break and turns on the motor 14, thus rotating the rotatable container 12.

This rotation forces the fat from the food product. The removed fat passes through the perforations 13 of the rotatable container 12 and is collected in the catchment chamber 16.

Other liquids (not shown), such as water, may also be forced from the food product and be collected in the catchment chamber 16. These liquids are drained from the catchment chamber 16, via the spout 30, into the liquid container 32 located outside of the housing 18 of the device 10.

The rotatable container 12 is allowed to rotate for an optimum period of time. The optimum period of time may depend on the type of food product and the volume of food product entered into the device, for example. The food product and the amount of removed fat may be checked visually by stopping the motor 14 and opening the lid 22.

After the optimum period of time has passed, the button 36 is switched for a second time.

The button 36 moves the control rod 40 and activates the motor switch 42. The motor switch 42 breaks the motor 14, thus stopping the rotation of the rotatable container 12.

The button 36 is now no longer positioned over the lid 22 and so the lid 22 may be moved so as to expose the open end 24 of the housing 18.

The food product can be removed and can be prepared for serving.

To allow for easy cleaning the rotatable container 12 and the catchment chamber 16, both can be removed from the device 10 through the open end 24 of the housing 18 located at the top of the device 10.

The rotatable container 12 and the catchment chamber 16 can also be maintained and replaced, if necessary, by removing them from the device 10 through the open end 24 of the housing 18.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A device for reducing the fat content in a food product, the device comprising a rotatable container adapted to receive the food product and a catchment chamber s operably associated with the rotatable container for receiving fat removed from the food.
2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the catchment chamber surrounds therotatable chamber.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the rotatable container is perforated.
4. A device according to any on the preceding claims wherein the catchment chamber and the rotatable container are coaxial.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rotatable container and the catchment chamber are contained within a housing.
6. A device according to Claim 5 wherein the housing is open at one end
7. A device according to Claim 6 comprising a lid hingedly mounted to the housing whereby in use the lid serves to close the open end of the housing.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a drainage system.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a heater element.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a control system.
11. A method for reducing the fat content from a food product comprising the steps of: placing the food product into a rotatable container; and rotating the rotatable container.
12. A method for reducing the fat content from a food product according to Claim 11 further comprising the step of collecting the fat removed from the food product in a catchment chamber.
13. A method for reducing the fat content from a food product according to any one of Claims 11 to 13 further comprising the step of draining liquid removed from the food product via a drainage system.
14. A device generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
15. A method generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.