US20100084307A1 - Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat - Google Patents

Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100084307A1
US20100084307A1 US11/914,798 US91479806A US2010084307A1 US 20100084307 A1 US20100084307 A1 US 20100084307A1 US 91479806 A US91479806 A US 91479806A US 2010084307 A1 US2010084307 A1 US 2010084307A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
lid
arrangement
drive
vacuum
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/914,798
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English (en)
Inventor
Arra Yeghiayan
Steven Takayama
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thane International Inc
Original Assignee
Thane International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thane International Inc filed Critical Thane International Inc
Priority to US11/914,798 priority Critical patent/US20100084307A1/en
Publication of US20100084307A1 publication Critical patent/US20100084307A1/en
Assigned to THANE INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment THANE INTERNATIONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NEXBANK, SSB, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
    • A22C9/00—Apparatus for tenderising meat, e.g. ham
    • A22C9/004—Apparatus for tenderising meat, e.g. ham by massaging
    • A22C9/005—Tumblers and rotating drums for massaging meat in their interior

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to food processing methods and apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for tumbling pieces of meat or other food in the presence of a marinade in an enclosed, sealed container under a vacuum.
  • Vacuum marination is an existing principle which allows quicker marination than soaking food items in marinade at atmospheric pressure. It is easy to understand that subjecting meat to a vacuum results in expansion of the fibers of the meat which assists in breaking down and opening the fibers to the penetration of the marinate into the interior of the meat while concurrently causing tenderization of the meat. Penetration of the marinade enhances the flavor of the meat. Tumbling while under vacuum, also a known technique for treating food, reduces the amount of marinade required since all surfaces are exposed to the marinade without requiring full submersion. Existing vacuum-tumbling, marinating appliances tend to be unwieldy to handle and difficult to clean and store in the ordinary kitchen environment.
  • the principle object of the invention is therefore to provide a compact kitchen appliance for quickly marinating and tenderizing meat that is easily stored, quickly assembled for operation, and easily cleaned after use.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the various major components of the apparatus of the invention in an unassembled, non operational position;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention with the major components in the operational position;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the assembled apparatus of the invention in the operational position showing details of the interior of the container with the lid removed and a sectional view of combination drive-support unit;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective of the drive-support unit in the closed or ready for storage position and showing the open space in the bottom of the unit for storage of the electrical cord;
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container with the lid removed and showing the interior with turning ribs and tenderizer in place on the interior wall of the container;
  • FIG. 6 is a exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the invention showing how all of the working components of the apparatus are nested into the container for easy storage;
  • FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the container with the components nested within the container.
  • the apparatus of the invention may be best understood by reference to FIGS. 1-7 .
  • the apparatus has three major functional components: the container or drum 10 ; the drive unit 30 comprising a motor drive subunit 31 and a support subunit 34 pivotally attached thereto; and a hand pump unit 50 .
  • the container 10 is in the general form of a rotatable drum 20 having a closed end 6 and an open end 7 , selectively closed by a lid 20 .
  • the lid 20 has an inner cylinder 21 with an outer diameter which fits snugly into the open end of the container 10 and a slightly larger outer facing cylinder 22 which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the open end 7 of the container.
  • the lid has a suitable gasket, not shown, located at the intersection of the inner and outer cylinders of the lid to insure a air tight fit when the lid 20 is in place over the open end 7 .
  • the top surface of the lid 20 has a one-way valve structure 16 of standard construction which permits air to be drawn from the container to thereby generate a vacuum inside the container when the lid is in place, as will be explained in more detail hereafter.
  • the one-way valve structure 16 includes a vacuum release button 15 for opening the interior of the container to the atmosphere, to thereby equalize the pressure, when manually operated by the user of the apparatus.
  • the container has a circular rib or protrusion 12 spaced from the open end of the container and extending outwardly away from the container.
  • the container is preferably made of a durable transparent plastic material
  • the interior of the container 10 includes an inner wall 11 having tumbling paddles 42 that extend from the inner wall toward the interior of the container.
  • the paddles 42 need only extend a small distance in the direction of the interior of the container generally, as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the closed end 6 of the container has a small diameter opening 47 that is sealed by a bumper-like resilient material 48 .
  • the inner wall 12 of the container is formed with angled protrusions 44 along its inner length to hold in place on the inner wall of the container a meat tenderizer insert 46 .
  • the separate tenderizer 46 has sharp pyramidal formations that extend toward the meat or other food in the container and operate to tenderize the meat during operation of the apparatus. By virtue of its being removable from the unit, the tenderizer may be easily cleaned after operation of the unit.
  • the apparatus also includes a combination drive-support unit 30 .
  • the unit 30 is designed to provide a stable support and drive for the container during operation of the apparatus.
  • the drive-support unit 30 has a drive subunit 31 which houses an electric motor, not shown, which drives a resilient impeller wheel 41 about an axis 43 , the wheel 41 operating in turn to rotate the container 10 by frictional contact with the aforementioned rib 12 on the exterior thereof.
  • the motor is selected to be capable of driving a loaded container at the desired speed of rotation that is approximately 2-3 rpm.
  • the motor is turned on and off by standard momentary recessed contact switches 43 to run for a preselected time of approximately 7 to 10 minutes and turn off.
  • a simple timer control may be incorporated into a printed circuit control 45 supported within the housing of the subunit 31 .
  • Suitable on-off indicators are located on a standard display 35 on the subunit housing 31 .
  • Rubber feet 39 are provided on the drive-support unit to stabilize the apparatus on a kitchen counter or other flat surface.
  • the drive-support unit 30 also includes a support subunit 34 which is pivotally attached to the subunit 31 by means of standard pivot pin mating connections 37 on the housings of both subunits.
  • the subunits have generally partial cylindrical shaped surfaces 36 and 38 to provide support to the container during operation, as will be explained hereinafter in detail.
  • An aligned opening 32 running along surfaces 36 and 38 of the subunits 31 and 34 serves to permit the rib 12 of the container to extend through these surfaces into contact with the drive wheel 41 to thereby drive the container during operation.
  • Rollers 33 are provided on appropriate places on the surfaces 36 and 38 to support the rotation of the container and reduce friction during operation.
  • the housing of the unit 30 is shaped as shown in the drawings and may be made from any of a variety of suitable durable plastic materials.
  • the unit 30 is designed to be in a first position or closed position when the subunits 31 and 34 are folded inwardly toward each other, as shown in FIG. 4 , typically during the storage or non-use periods of the apparatus.
  • the unit is in a second or opened position, as seen in FIG. 1 , typically during operation of the apparatus when the subunits 31 and 34 are folded away from or spread apart from each other.
  • the housing for the subunit 34 includes a storage space 53 for storing the electrical cord for the apparatus when the unit is not being operated and when it is stored in the container as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • a manually operated pump is provided to create a minimum of about 25 of Hg vacuum in an empty container with approximately 12 to 15 pumps.
  • the pump 50 is an off-the-shelf, commercially available component supplied under the name VacuVinTM.
  • a motor driven pump may be provided instead. The pump is used by bringing the end thereof farthest from the grip 51 into contact with the valve seat assembly 14 at the top wall of the container lid to make a sealing contact with it. Then the pump is operated by operating the grip 51 in an up and down fashion to produce the required vacuum in the container.
  • the lid and other parts are first removed from the container.
  • the drive-support unit 30 is then opened by pivoting the support subunit 34 away from the drive unit 31 after removing and unwinding the electrical cord from its storage area in the container.
  • the unit is plugged into a suitable electrical outlet and placed on a kitchen table or counter or other suitable stable flat surface.
  • the food and/or meat is inserted into the opening 7 in the container 10 along with the marinade.
  • the opening 7 is closed by tightly registering the lid in the opening with the gasket on the lid properly seated to the top of the container.
  • the hand pump is then inserted into its place at the valve seat 16 at the top of the container and operated to create a suitable vacuum in the container.
  • the container is then placed on the opened drive-support unit 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the rib 12 properly inserted against the motor drive wheel 41 .
  • the motor control switch is turned on to start the motor for its fixed time run. After completion of the timed food treatment, the container is removed from the drive 30 and the food contents in the container are removed for subsequent cooking.
  • An important feature of the apparatus of the invention is that all of the components may be stored inside the container 10 when not in use, the parts being shaped and sized to accomplish this function, as can be seen in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 6 wherein the component parts are shown slightly displaced from the open end of the container. After insertion into the container 10 , a top plan view of the parts can be seen in FIG. 7 . It is noted that the parts fit into the container because they hake been shaped with that objective in mind.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
US11/914,798 2005-05-19 2006-05-19 Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat Abandoned US20100084307A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/914,798 US20100084307A1 (en) 2005-05-19 2006-05-19 Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68264905P 2005-05-19 2005-05-19
US60682649 2005-05-19
US11/914,798 US20100084307A1 (en) 2005-05-19 2006-05-19 Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat
PCT/US2006/019495 WO2006125169A1 (fr) 2005-05-19 2006-05-19 Dispositif compact pour faire mariner de la viande et l'attendrir

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100084307A1 true US20100084307A1 (en) 2010-04-08

Family

ID=37431599

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/914,798 Abandoned US20100084307A1 (en) 2005-05-19 2006-05-19 Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20100084307A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2006247093A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2608777A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006125169A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014011528A1 (fr) * 2012-07-09 2014-01-16 Erik Bauer Dispositif de malaxage sous vide renfermé
US20140311361A1 (en) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-23 Eric J. Wangler Device for storing, marinating, transporting and serving food including warming cover and cutting board and method therefor
US9296543B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2016-03-29 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler

Citations (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2036007A (en) * 1934-08-27 1936-03-31 Wheatley Samuel Vacuum producing device
US2654521A (en) * 1951-02-16 1953-10-06 Raymond T Zaccard Canning apparatus with can top gripping jaws
US4218967A (en) * 1979-06-25 1980-08-26 Batchelor John H Vacuum pump closure for canisters and vacuum pack containers
US4362095A (en) * 1981-03-02 1982-12-07 Phyllis A. Wheatley Storage container for ground coffee
US4439459A (en) * 1982-03-08 1984-03-27 Swartley John S Convection food heating
US4818550A (en) * 1988-01-11 1989-04-04 Robert H. Clark, Iii Apparatus and process for marinating foodstuffs
WO1989011224A1 (fr) * 1988-05-20 1989-11-30 Inject Star Pökelmaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H. Dispositif pour intensifier la penetration de liquide de traitement dans de la viande ou des produits carnes
US5057332A (en) * 1988-01-11 1991-10-15 Minute Marinator, Inc. Apparatus and process for marinating foodstuffs
US5195427A (en) * 1991-04-03 1993-03-23 Maina Germano Suction device to create a vacuum in containers
US5230221A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-07-27 David Delich Chilling door for vacuum tumblers and massagers
US5514030A (en) * 1993-08-13 1996-05-07 Dorit Maschinen-Handels-Ag Method and continuous-flow vacuum tumbler for the treatment of foods
US5535900A (en) * 1995-08-11 1996-07-16 P. Yeh Engineering Plastic Corp. Bottle cap with an air removing device
US5947015A (en) * 1995-05-19 1999-09-07 Scanio A/S Massage plant for meat
US5972398A (en) * 1998-06-30 1999-10-26 Wti, Inc. Method of and apparatus for the treatment of meat
US6007418A (en) * 1993-08-13 1999-12-28 Dorit Maschinen-Handels-Ag Method and continuous-flow vacuum tumbler for the treatment of foods
US6105490A (en) * 1998-08-03 2000-08-22 Horn; Darrell Apparatus for marinating meat products
US6145432A (en) * 1999-11-29 2000-11-14 Bellue, Jr.; Wirt E. Cooking pot
US6242025B1 (en) * 1999-08-04 2001-06-05 James Lesky Method and apparatus for food marinating
US20020012726A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-01-31 Anders Gary H. Liquid infusion and tenderization process, apparatus, and product
US20020023549A1 (en) * 2000-08-23 2002-02-28 Creative Culinary Solutions, Inc. Tumbler for marinating food product
US6497106B2 (en) * 2001-01-17 2002-12-24 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for chilling a food product
US6536937B1 (en) * 2000-02-14 2003-03-25 Telios Orthopedic Systems, Inc. Self-contained base for a surgical cement mixing system, binding material mixing base, and surgical bone cement mixing system
US20030085234A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-05-08 Paumen Lawrence J. Food tumbler
US20040144263A1 (en) * 2001-07-13 2004-07-29 Van Esbroeck Maurice Eduardus Theodorus Device for massaging products
EP1514483A1 (fr) * 2003-09-11 2005-03-16 GEWÜRZWERK, HERMANN LAUE (GMBH & CO.) Procédé et dispositif d'enrobage automatique des pièces de viandes avec une solution visqueuse
US6892628B2 (en) * 1999-07-09 2005-05-17 Robert Theodore Northern Self-basting cooking apparatus and method
US7096893B2 (en) * 2000-12-08 2006-08-29 Braun Gmbh Food storage containers
US7108023B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2006-09-19 Armando Luis Wine preservation system using a central vacuum

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4498378A (en) * 1983-09-06 1985-02-12 Knud Simonsen Industries Limited Vacuum container for meat products
US5129316A (en) * 1991-01-28 1992-07-14 Alexander Calderon Combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for meat products

Patent Citations (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2036007A (en) * 1934-08-27 1936-03-31 Wheatley Samuel Vacuum producing device
US2654521A (en) * 1951-02-16 1953-10-06 Raymond T Zaccard Canning apparatus with can top gripping jaws
US4218967A (en) * 1979-06-25 1980-08-26 Batchelor John H Vacuum pump closure for canisters and vacuum pack containers
US4362095A (en) * 1981-03-02 1982-12-07 Phyllis A. Wheatley Storage container for ground coffee
US4439459A (en) * 1982-03-08 1984-03-27 Swartley John S Convection food heating
US4818550A (en) * 1988-01-11 1989-04-04 Robert H. Clark, Iii Apparatus and process for marinating foodstuffs
US5057332A (en) * 1988-01-11 1991-10-15 Minute Marinator, Inc. Apparatus and process for marinating foodstuffs
WO1989011224A1 (fr) * 1988-05-20 1989-11-30 Inject Star Pökelmaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H. Dispositif pour intensifier la penetration de liquide de traitement dans de la viande ou des produits carnes
US5230221A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-07-27 David Delich Chilling door for vacuum tumblers and massagers
US5195427A (en) * 1991-04-03 1993-03-23 Maina Germano Suction device to create a vacuum in containers
US6007418A (en) * 1993-08-13 1999-12-28 Dorit Maschinen-Handels-Ag Method and continuous-flow vacuum tumbler for the treatment of foods
US5514030A (en) * 1993-08-13 1996-05-07 Dorit Maschinen-Handels-Ag Method and continuous-flow vacuum tumbler for the treatment of foods
US5947015A (en) * 1995-05-19 1999-09-07 Scanio A/S Massage plant for meat
US5535900A (en) * 1995-08-11 1996-07-16 P. Yeh Engineering Plastic Corp. Bottle cap with an air removing device
US5972398A (en) * 1998-06-30 1999-10-26 Wti, Inc. Method of and apparatus for the treatment of meat
US6105490A (en) * 1998-08-03 2000-08-22 Horn; Darrell Apparatus for marinating meat products
US6892628B2 (en) * 1999-07-09 2005-05-17 Robert Theodore Northern Self-basting cooking apparatus and method
US6242025B1 (en) * 1999-08-04 2001-06-05 James Lesky Method and apparatus for food marinating
US6145432A (en) * 1999-11-29 2000-11-14 Bellue, Jr.; Wirt E. Cooking pot
US6536937B1 (en) * 2000-02-14 2003-03-25 Telios Orthopedic Systems, Inc. Self-contained base for a surgical cement mixing system, binding material mixing base, and surgical bone cement mixing system
US20020012726A1 (en) * 2000-07-21 2002-01-31 Anders Gary H. Liquid infusion and tenderization process, apparatus, and product
US20020023549A1 (en) * 2000-08-23 2002-02-28 Creative Culinary Solutions, Inc. Tumbler for marinating food product
US7096893B2 (en) * 2000-12-08 2006-08-29 Braun Gmbh Food storage containers
US6497106B2 (en) * 2001-01-17 2002-12-24 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for chilling a food product
US20040144263A1 (en) * 2001-07-13 2004-07-29 Van Esbroeck Maurice Eduardus Theodorus Device for massaging products
US20030085234A1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-05-08 Paumen Lawrence J. Food tumbler
US7108023B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2006-09-19 Armando Luis Wine preservation system using a central vacuum
EP1514483A1 (fr) * 2003-09-11 2005-03-16 GEWÜRZWERK, HERMANN LAUE (GMBH & CO.) Procédé et dispositif d'enrobage automatique des pièces de viandes avec une solution visqueuse

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014011528A1 (fr) * 2012-07-09 2014-01-16 Erik Bauer Dispositif de malaxage sous vide renfermé
JP2015524657A (ja) * 2012-07-09 2015-08-27 ホーリーマティック コーポレーション 密閉形真空タンブリング装置
US9288999B2 (en) 2012-07-09 2016-03-22 Hollymatic Corporation Enclosed vacuum tumbling device
US9433226B2 (en) 2012-07-09 2016-09-06 Hollymatic Corporation Enclosed vacuum tumbling device
US9296543B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2016-03-29 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler
US9932165B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2018-04-03 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler
US10464734B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2019-11-05 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler
US10486888B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2019-11-26 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler
US10486887B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2019-11-26 Heb Grocery Company, Lp Vacuum cooler
US11319137B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2022-05-03 H-E-B, Lp Vacuum cooler
US11554907B2 (en) 2012-07-31 2023-01-17 H-E-B, Lp Vacuum cooler
US20140311361A1 (en) * 2013-04-22 2014-10-23 Eric J. Wangler Device for storing, marinating, transporting and serving food including warming cover and cutting board and method therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2006247093A1 (en) 2006-11-23
WO2006125169A1 (fr) 2006-11-23
CA2608777A1 (fr) 2006-11-23

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

AS Assignment

Owner name: THANE INTERNATIONAL, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NEXBANK, SSB, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:029740/0510

Effective date: 20101004