ITVR20110019A1 - PACKAGE TO STORE AND PREPARE FOR CONSUMPTION FOOD PRODUCTS AND METHOD TO PREPARE FOR CONSUMPTION FOOD PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

â € œPACK TO STORE AND PREPARE FOR CONSUMPTION

FOOD PRODUCTS AND METHOD OF PREPARING FOR THE

CONSUMPTION OF FOOD PRODUCTSâ €

The present invention relates to a package for storing and preparing food products for consumption, of the type described in the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a method for preparing food products for consumption, of the type described in the preamble of claim 18. As is known, in the food sector the need has always been felt to produce packages capable of guaranteeing the preservation of food products for a desired period of time (so-called â € œshelf-lifeâ €) and at the same time able to speed up their preparation for consumption.

In particular, in the sector of so-called â € œfreshâ € food products, such as tortelli, tortellini or other egg pasta, the preservation of the organoleptic characteristics is extremely important, both to guarantee a high quality product, and for prevent the establishment of microbial loads.

With specific reference to the fresh food sector, at the same time, the need is felt to combine several products in the same package, for example a main dish and its condiment, in order to speed up the preparation phase for consumption.

In accordance with the known art, there are multiple packs, in which separate containers are included, one for the main dish - for example tortellini or fresh pasta - and one for the sauce. In particular, packages consisting of a main bag are known, inside which a bag containing a single portion of main dish is housed, for example pasta with egg, typically tortellini, and a tray containing a single portion of condiment, for example a sauce to dress pasta.

The consumer opens the main bag to extract the bag and tray. After that, he empties the pasta contained in the bag into a cooking pot. Subsequently, add water to the sauce contained inside the pan, to dilute it, and pour the sauce diluted with water into the pot. Finally, he cooks the pasta, now seasoned, in the pot.

The main drawback of the packages made according to the known technique briefly described above is that of not allowing an easy and rapid preparation for the consumption of the main dish. The consumer, in fact, being forced to handle two separate containers, must pay particular attention to the stage of pouring the seasoning into the pot. Furthermore, since the condiment contained in the tray has to be diluted with water, the stage of preparation for consumption is disadvantageously prolonged and complicated.

Another drawback of the packages made in accordance with the known technique is that of exposing the consumer to the risk of soiling, especially during the pouring operation of the dressing, often semi-liquid and in any case further diluted with water, inside. of the pot.

A further drawback of the packages according to the known art is that of being bulky, as they consist of several separate containers, each with its own wrapping or packaging. In this regard, the packages according to the known art have the further disadvantage of being inconvenient to dispose of after consumption of the product, since the main envelope, bag and tray are generally made of different materials.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a package for storing and preparing food products for consumption which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package capable of allowing a simple and fast preparation for the consumption of food products.

In this regard, another object of the present invention is to provide a package capable of making the preparation and cooking of complex food products to be cooked easier, even for consumers who are not very skilled from a culinary point of view. A further object of the present invention is to propose a package capable of preventing the risk of soiling of the final consumer, during the preparation phase for the consumption of the products.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a package which is not bulky and easy to carry.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a package which is easy to dispose of after consumption of the food products.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a package capable of containing two different food products, preventing both the establishment of microbial loads and the interchange and absorption of substances, for example water , between the two products.

It is also a technical task of the present invention to provide a method for preparing food products for consumption.

The specified technical tasks and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a package for storing and preparing food products for consumption and by a method for preparing food products for consumption, which include the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a package for storing and preparing food products for consumption, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is an axonometric view from above of a package according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a sectional side view of the package illustrated in figure 1;

- Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively, an axonometric view from above and from below of the package shown in the previous figures, in an open configuration;

- figure 5 is a cut-away view of the package illustrated in the previous figures, in an operating configuration;

Figures 6 to 8 show three views of a first constructive detail of a package according to the invention;

Figures 9 to 11 show three views of a second construction detail of a package according to the invention.

With particular reference to figures 1, 2 and 5, a package for storing and preparing food products for consumption in accordance with the present invention is globally indicated with the number 1.

With reference to the figures, in particular to figure 2, the package 1 comprises a first container 2 containing a first food product 200 and a second container 3 containing a second food product 300.

The first and second containers are coupled together.

In the preferred embodiment, the containers are made of polypropylene combined with an ethylene vinyl alcohol (abbreviation: EVOH) to ensure the non-permeability of gases. In alternative embodiments, it is possible that the containers are made of polyethylene terephthalate (abbreviation: PET) or crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (abbreviation: CPET).

With particular reference to Figures 6 and 9, the first and second containers each have an access opening 2a, 3a. In particular, as can be seen in Figure 4, the containers are coupled together with the respective access openings 2a, 3a arranged in a facing position.

With particular reference to figures 2, 4, 9 and 10, the package 1 comprises a separator septum 4 interposed between the first and the second container and able to keep separate, in an operative storage configuration, the food products housed inside of the respective containers. In particular, the separator partition is interposed between the containers 2, 3 in such a way as to simultaneously close both access openings 2a, 3a (Figure 2).

With particular reference to figure 5, the separator septum 4 is shaped in such a way as to break under the action of the pressure exerted by steam that develops from at least one of the food products during a phase of heating of the same for their preparation for consumption; therefore, following the breaking of the separator septum, the first food product comes into contact with the second food product. For this purpose, the separator baffle 4 has at least one portion 4a having a reduced transversal thickness, in order to define a predefined tearing zone at break controlled by the vapor pressure. In particular, said tearing zone has a transversal thickness such as to cause the separator partition to break at a pressure value higher than 1 bar, preferably between 1 bar and about 1.5 bar. Preferably, said tearing zone is defined by a line 34a positioned in correspondence with a center line of the separator partition 4 and extending along a main development direction of the package 1.

In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the separator septum is constituted by a film of heat-shrinkable plastic material. Preferably, the film is made of polypropylene with anti-condensation EVOH. In this case, the tearing area is defined by one or more incisions obtained with the laser and such as to thin the transversal thickness of the film, without compromising its characteristics of non-permeability to gases. With particular reference to figures 3, 4, 6 and 9, the access openings 2a, 3a of the containers 2, 3 have respective peripheral shapes substantially coincident with each other. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first container 2 is arranged above the second container 3 and is overturned, so that - after breaking the separator partition 4 - the first food product flows by gravity into the second container, thus coming into contact with the second food product.

In accordance with a variant embodiment of the invention, the possibility is envisaged that the first food product has a degree of humidity higher than the degree of humidity of the second food product, so that, following the heating phase and the breaking of the separator partition - and hence the contact with the second food product - the first food product causes the cooking of said second food product. By way of example, the first food product 200 can be a condiment, for example a sauce, and the second food product 300 can be a fresh pasta, for example tortellini.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the first and second food products are expected to have cooking times of not less than 2 minutes, preferably between 2 minutes and about 8 minutes. In the embodiment where the first food product is a condiment, for example a sauce, and the second food product is a fresh pasta, for example tortellini, the cooking time between 2 minutes and 8 minutes is what guarantees the formation - in the first container - of a steam pressure sufficient to cause the breakage of the separator partition and which allows the first food product (for example the sauce), after coming into contact with the second food product (for example fresh pasta ), to cause cooking. In accordance with an embodiment variant not illustrated, it is possible that the second container, containing the pasta, is equipped with a safety valve to avoid overpressure during the cooking of the pasta. In particular, this safety valve opens when a pressure value greater than about 1.5 bar is reached, allowing steam to be vented.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second containers 2, 3 also contain an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases suitable for preserving food products. Preferably, the pressure of said gases inside each container is equal to about 0.5 bar and even more preferably said gases are nitrogen (N2) or a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2).

With reference to the figures, the first container 2 has an abutment portion 2b, which extends around the access opening 2a of the first container itself and is substantially counter-shaped to a corresponding housing seat 3b of the second container 3. The housing seat 3b develops, in turn, around the access opening 3a of the second container 3. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, for example in Figures 3, 6 and 7, the housing seat 3b is defined by a support base 3c connected to a vertical border 3d.

Advantageously, the abutment portion 2b and the housing seat 3b confer sealing characteristics and rigidity to the package 1, as well as allowing easy centering of the containers 2, 3 during the production phase of the package.

With reference to the figures, the first container 2 has a collar 7 arranged around its access opening 2a, preferably in such a way as to surround said abutment portion 2b (Figure 10). The second container 3 has a homologous collar 8 arranged around its access opening 3a, preferably in such a way as to surround said housing seat 3b (Figure 6). In particular, the homologous collar 8 extends starting from the vertical border 3d of said housing seat 3b.

The coupling between the containers takes place by heat welding the collars 7, 8. In particular, the collar 7 of the first container 2 is hot pressed on the homologous collar 8 of the second container 3 until the material is melted. with which the collars themselves are made. For this purpose, the collars are made of plastic material, preferably in a single piece with the respective containers 2, 3, and therefore of polypropylene combined with an alcohol of ethylene vinyl (in abbreviation: EVOH), of polyethylene terephthalate (in abbreviation: PET) or crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (abbreviation: CPET).

In accordance with the invention, at least one of said containers 2, 3 has an expansion that can be gripped to allow the containers to be uncoupled. With reference to the figures, each container has a gripable portion 6, typically a tab, capable of being grasped by a user. These gripable portions are suitable for being pulled with force in opposite directions of removal, to separate the containers. Preferably, each gripable portion 6 is defined on each container as an expansion of said collars 7, 8.

It is observed that the heat sealing of the collars 7, 8 made of plastic material is very advantageous, since, while ensuring the coupling between the containers during the production phase of the package, it does not require the application of excessive force by the user to separate the containers being prepared for consumption.

With reference to Figure 9, the separator partition 4 is connected to a contact surface 5 positioned around the access opening 2a of the first container 2 between a perimeter edge 22a of said opening and the abutment portion 2b. Preferably, the separator baffle 4 is heat-sealed, in correspondence with its perimeter portions, to said contact surface 5 of the first container 2 (the welding line is indicated with the letter â € œSâ € in figure 10).

With reference to Figure 9, the contact surface 5 has an area of such dimensions as to accommodate, after breaking, the film in a retracted configuration following heating. In fact, following the rupture caused by the vapor pressure, the film tears and subsequently, being made of heat-shrinkable plastic material and being welded to the contact surface 5, it contracts due to the heating effect, settling on said contact surface. Advantageously, the contraction of the film and its positioning on the contact surface maximizes the passage section available for the first food product to flow from the first to the second container.

According to the invention, a method for preparing food products for consumption includes the following steps:

- preparation of a first container 2 containing a first food product;

- preparation of a second container 3 containing a second food product;

- coupling of said containers 2, 3;

- heating of food products inside the respective containers, said heating phase causing the formation of steam inside at least one of said containers due to the evaporation of liquid present, in the form of humidity, in the food product contained therein;

- interposition of a separator partition 4 between said containers 2, 3 to keep separate, in an operative storage configuration, the food products housed inside the containers 2, 3;

The heating step is carried out at least until a steam pressure value is reached, in at least one of said containers, such as to cause the breakage of said separator septum, whereby said first food product comes into contact with said second food product without the intervention of an operator.

The interposition phase of the separator partition can indifferently take place before or after the coupling phase of the containers.

In accordance with the invention, the value of the vapor pressure such as to cause the breakage of the separator septum is higher than 1 bar, preferably between 1 bar and about 1.5 bar.

In accordance with the invention, the first food product has a degree of humidity higher than the degree of humidity of the second food product. The heating phase is prolonged after breaking the separator at least until the boiling temperature of the liquid present in the form of humidity in the first food product is reached, so that the contact between the first and the second food product causes the cooking of this. € ™ last.

In particular, the heating phase is carried out at a temperature value between about 80 ° C and about 130 ° C for a period of time not less than 2 minutes, preferably between 2 minutes and about 8 minutes. The operation of the invention is as follows.

The package is introduced into special food warmers, for example a traditional oven, a microwave oven, etc.

Subsequently, following heating, at least one of said food products, for example the first food product, begins to develop steam inside the respective container, until a steam pressure is established such as to cause breakage. of the separator film in correspondence with said predefined tearing area.

Following the breaking of the film, the first food product flows by gravity into the second container and comes into contact with the second food product (figure 5).

With reference to the preferred embodiment and without affecting the generality of the invention, the case is considered in which the first food product has a degree of humidity higher than the degree of humidity of the second food product. In this case, following the heating phase and the breaking of the film, and therefore the contact with the second food product, the first food product causes the cooking of the second food product. This situation corresponds, for example, to the case in which the first food product is a condiment, for example a sauce, and the second food product is a fresh pasta, for example tortellini.

After breaking, the torn film, being made of heat-shrink plastic material, contracts as a result of heating, settling on the contact surface 5 of the first container.

At the end of the heating phase, the user grasps the handle portions 6 and pulls them with force in opposite directions of separation, to uncouple the containers 2, 3 (figure 3).

After separating the containers, the user can throw away the first container, on the contact surface of which the torn film has settled, and can thus consume the food ready in the second container, for example already seasoned pasta.

The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, a package according to the invention is capable of allowing a simple and quick preparation for the consumption of food products. Advantageously, in fact, the automatic breaking of the separator partition as a result of the steam pressure and the consequent automatic contact between the first and the second food product, allows the food products to be prepared for consumption without any intervention by the end user.

Another advantage is represented by the fact that the package according to the invention is not bulky and easy to carry. Furthermore, being made up of only two containers made of the same plastic material, it is easy to dispose of after consumption.

Advantageously, in the embodiment in which the first food product is a condiment, for example a sauce, and the second food product is a fresh pasta, for example tortellini, the package according to the invention is surprisingly capable of allowing the preparation and dressing of fresh pasta even in the absence of boiling water which is normally necessary for cooking fresh pasta according to the methods of the known art. In this light, therefore, the package according to the invention is particularly advantageous for allowing take-away consumption (â € œtakeawayâ €), since the preparation of food products does not require the use of an equipped kitchen, being sufficient a normal food warmer, for example a traditional or microwave oven.

Advantageously, by appropriately choosing the degree of humidity of the first food product, for example a specific sauce, the package is able to cook either filled or non-filled pasta initially contained in the second container.

Advantageously, a package according to the invention prevents the risk of soiling of the consumer during the step of preparing food products. Advantageously, a package according to the invention is capable of storing and cooking â € œfreshâ € food products.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS 1. Packaging (1) for storing and preparing food products for consumption, comprising: a first container (2) containing a first food product; a second container (3) containing a second food product, said first and second containers being coupled together, characterized in that it comprises a separator partition (4) interposed between said containers (2,3) and able to keep separate, in an operative storage configuration, the food products housed inside the containers, called separator partition (4) being shaped in such a way as to break under the action of the pressure exerted by steam that develops from at least one of said food products during a phase of heating them for their preparation for consumption, therefore, following the breaking of the septum separator, said first food product comes into contact with said second food product. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein said separator septum (4) has at least one portion (4a) having a reduced transversal thickness to define a predetermined tearing zone at break controlled by the vapor pressure. 3. Packaging according to claim 2, in which the transversal thickness of the separator baffle (4) in correspondence with said tearing zone is such as to cause the rupture of the separator baffle itself at a vapor pressure value higher than 1 bar, preferably between 1 bar and about 1.5 bar. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said separator septum (4) is defined by a film of heat-shrinkable plastic material. 5. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second container (2,3) each have an access opening (2a, 3a), said containers being coupled together with the respective access openings arranged facing position. Package according to claim 5, wherein said separator partition (4) is interposed between said containers (2,3) in such a way as to simultaneously close both access openings (2a, 3a). 7. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first container (2) has an abutment portion (2b) which extends around its access opening (2a), said abutment portion (2b) being substantially counter-shaped to a corresponding housing seat (3b) of the second container (3), said housing seat (3b) developing around the access opening (3a) of the second container (3). 8. Packaging according to claim 7, wherein said separator partition (4) is connected to a contact surface (5) arranged around the access opening (2a) of the first container (2), between a perimeter edge of said opening (2a) and said abutment portion (2b). Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims 7 or 8, wherein each of said containers (2,3) has a collar (7,8) disposed around its own access opening (2a, 3a), said collars being between them connected by heat sealing to achieve the coupling between the containers (2,3) Packaging according to claim 8, wherein said separator partition (4) is heat sealed, in correspondence of its perimeter portions, to said contact surface (5) of the first container (2). Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims from 5 to 10, in which said access openings (2a, 3a) of the containers (2,3) have respective peripheral shapes substantially coincident with each other. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said containers (2,3) has a gripping expansion (6) to allow the containers to be uncoupled. 13. Packaging according to claim 6, wherein said first container (2) is arranged above said second container (3) and in an overturned position in such a way that, after the breaking of said separator partition (4), the first product food flows by gravity into the second container (3) to come into contact with the second food product. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first food product has a degree of humidity higher than the degree of humidity of said second food product, whereby, following heating and breaking of the separator baffle (4) and therefore contact with the second food product, said first food product causes the cooking of said second food product. 15. Packaging according to claim 8, in which said separator partition (4) is defined by a film in heat-shrinkable plastic material, said contact surface (5) having an area of such dimensions as to accommodate the film in a retracted configuration. following the warm-up and after its rupture. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first food product is a condiment and said second food product is fresh pasta. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said containers (2,3) further contain an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases to preserve the food products, the pressure of the gas or of the gas mixture inside each container being equal to at least 0.5 bar. 18. Method for preparing food products for consumption, comprising the following steps: - preparation of a first container (2) containing a first food product; - preparation of a second container (3) containing a second food product; - coupling of said containers (2,3); - heating of the food products inside the respective containers (2,3), said heating phase causing the formation of steam inside at least one of said containers due to the evaporation of liquid present, in the form of humidity, in the food product contained therein, characterized by the fact that it also includes the following phases: - interposition of a separator partition (4) between said containers (2,3) to keep separate, in an operative storage configuration, the food products housed inside the containers; - execution of said heating step at least until reaching, in at least one of said containers (2,3), a steam pressure value such as to cause the breakage of said separator septum (4), whereby said first food product comes into contact with said second food product without the intervention of an operator. 19. Method according to claim 18, wherein said heating phase is prolonged after the breaking of said separator septum (4) at least until a boiling temperature of the liquid present in the form of humidity in the first food product is reached, whereby the contact of said first food product with said second food product causes it to cook.