Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a kettle and particularly to a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items.
Description of Related Art
[002] In high-volume processed food production systems, the utilization of steam-jacketed kettles for blanching or cooking large quantities of edibles is a common practice. This process holds particular significance in the manufacture of ready-to-eat packed foods, especially for entities like the armed forces where efficiency and food safety are paramount concerns.
[003] Moreover, during food processing operations, such as blanching, steaming, or cooking, edibles are subjected to high temperatures, typically around 100 degrees Celsius, within kettles to ensure proper cooking and preservation. However, once blanched, it is crucial to swiftly reduce the temperature of the edibles before further processing to maintain their quality, texture, and nutritional value.
[004] Traditionally, blanched vegetables are transferred to mesh baskets and subjected to ambient air through fans to facilitate cooling, a process that often consumes significant time to reach the desired temperature range. This delay can hinder the overall efficiency of the food processing line and potentially compromise the quality of the final product.
[005] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced kettle for cooking food items that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items. The kettle comprising: an inner chamber adapted for accommodating the food items for cooking. The kettle further comprising: an external jacket adapted to cover the inner chamber by creating a channel between the external jacket and the inner chamber. The kettle further comprising: a boiler adapted to pass a stream of boiled water to the channel through a first inlet valve to steam the food items. The kettle further comprising: a chiller adapted to pass chilled water to the channel through a second inlet valve to cool the food items. The kettle further comprising: a control unit connected to an input interface. The control unit is configured to: receive user inputs from the input interface; activate the boiler or the chiller based on the received user inputs; and actuate the first inlet valve or the second inlet valve for supplying the boiled water or the cold water respectively, to the channel of the kettle.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for cooking food items using a double-jacketed kettle. The method comprising steps of: accommodating the food items in an inner chamber of the kettle; receiving user inputs from an input interface for cooking the food items; activating a boiler based on the received user inputs; actuating a first inlet valve for supplying the boiled water to a channel of the kettle; receiving the user inputs from the input interface for cooling of the food items; activating a chiller based on the received user inputs; and actuating a second inlet valve for supplying the cold water to the channel of the kettle.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items that quickly cools the cooked food after heat processing.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items that saves a lot of time compared to cooling under fans/room air.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items that eliminates a displacement of cooked food from a cooking panel to a cooling panel.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items that benefit from less handling and fewer contaminations during room /fan cooling operation.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a double-jacketed kettle that preserves a nutritional value of the food and maintains taste of the food.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a double-jacketed kettle for cooking food items, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit of the double-jacketed kettle, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for cooking food items using a double-jacketed kettle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a double-jacketed kettle 100 (hereinafter referred to as the kettle 100) for cooking food items, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The kettle 100 may be adapted for balancing the food items. The branching may be a process of cooking food items to obtain a crunchy texture on the food items. Further, the kettle 100 may be adapted to cool the cooked food items. According to embodiments of the present invention, the food items may be, but not limited to, fruits, meals ready to eat, snacks, beverages, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the food items may be vegetables. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any food items, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies, that may be cooked and cooled using the kettle 100.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the kettle 100 may comprise an inner chamber 102, an external jacket 104, a channel 106, a boiler 108, a first inlet valve 110, a chiller 112, a second inlet valve 114, a control unit 116, an input interface 118, and an outlet 120.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner chamber 102 may be adapted for accommodating the food items for cooking. According to embodiments of the present invention, the volume of the inner chamber 102 of the kettle 100 may be in a range from 90 liters (l) to 110 liters (l). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the inner chamber 102 of the kettle 100 may be 100 liters (l). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any volume of the inner chamber 102 of the kettle 100.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the external jacket 104 may be adapted to cover the inner chamber 102 by creating a channel 106 between the external jacket 104 and the inner chamber 102.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the boiler 108 may be adapted to pass a stream of boiled water to the channel 106 through the first inlet valve 110 to steam the food items. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first inlet valve 110 may be a steam valve. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first inlet valve 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the chiller 112 may be adapted to pass chilled water to the channel 106 through the second inlet valve 114 to cool the food items. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second inlet valve 114 is a by-pass valve connected in parallel with the first inlet valve 110. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second inlet valve 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be connected to the input interface 118. The control unit 116 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the kettle 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 116 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the input interface 118 may be adapted to receive user inputs from a user. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user inputs may be, but not limited to, a time for steaming of the food items, a temperature for steaming of the food items, a time for cooling of the food items, a temperature for cooling of the food items, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user input that may be provided by the user using the input interface 118, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet 120 may be adapted for releasing the boiled water or the cold water collected in the channel 106 of the kettle 100.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the control unit 116 of the kettle 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data receiving module 200, an activation module 202, and an actuation module 204.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the user inputs from the input interface 118. If the user inputs may be regarding the cooking of the food items, then the data receiving module 200 may transmit a cooking signal along with the user inputs from the input interface 118 to the activation module 202. Otherwise, the data receiving module 200 may transmit a cooling signal along with the user inputs from the input interface 118 to the activation module 202.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the cooking signal or the cooling along with the user inputs from the data receiving module 200. The activation module 202 may be configured to activate the boiler 108 or the chiller 112 based on the received user inputs. If the activation module 202 may be activated using the cooking signal, then the boiler 108 may be activated. Else, the chiller 112 may be activated.
[0036] Further, after activation of the boiler 108 or the chiller 112, the activation module 202 may transmit an actuation signal to the actuation module 204.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signal from the activation module 202. The activation module 202 may be configured to actuate the first inlet valve 110 or the second inlet valve 114 for supplying the boiled water or the cold water respectively, to the channel 106 of the kettle 100.
[0038] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for cooking the food items using kettle 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] At step 302, the food items may be accommodated in the inner chamber 102 of the kettle 100.
[0040] At step 304, the kettle 100 may receive user inputs from the input interface 118 for cooking the food items.
[0041] At step 306, the kettle 100 may activate the boiler 108 based on the user inputs.
[0042] At step 308, the kettle 100 may actuate the first inlet valve 110 for supplying the boiled water to the channel 106 of the kettle 100.
[0043] At step 310, the kettle 100 may receive user inputs from the input interface 118 for cooling the food items.
[0044] At step 312, the kettle 100 may activate the chiller 112 based on the user inputs.
[0045] At step 314, the kettle 100 may actuate the second inlet valve 114 for supplying the cold water to the channel 106 of the kettle 100.
[0046] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0047] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
, Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A double-jacketed kettle (100) for cooking food items, comprising:
an inner chamber (102) adapted for accommodating the food items for cooking;
an external jacket (104), characterized in that the external jacket (104) is adapted to cover the inner chamber (102) by creating a channel (106) between the external jacket (104) and the inner chamber (102);
a boiler (108) adapted to pass a stream of boiled water to the channel (106) through a first inlet valve (110) to steam the food items;
a chiller (112) adapted to pass chilled water to the channel (106) through a second inlet valve (114) to cool the food items; and
a control unit (116) communicatively connected to an input interface (118), the control unit (116) is configured to:
receive user inputs from the input interface (118);
activate the boiler (108) or the chiller (112) based on the received user inputs; and
actuate the first inlet valve (110) or the second inlet valve (114) for supplying the boiled water or the cold water respectively, to the channel (106) of the kettle (100).
2. The kettle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user inputs are selected from a time for steaming the food items, a temperature for steaming the food items, a time for cooling the food items, a temperature for cooling the food items, or a combination thereof.
3. The kettle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a volume of the inner chamber (102) of the kettle (100) is in a range from 90 liters (l) to 110 liters (l).
4. The kettle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kettle (100) comprises an outlet (120) for releasing the boiled water or the cold water collected in the channel (106) of the kettle (100).
5. The kettle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first inlet valve (110) is a steam valve.
6. The kettle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second inlet valve (114) is a by-pass valve connected in parallel with the first inlet valve (110).
7. The method (300) for cooking food items using a double-jacketed kettle (100), the method (300) characterized by steps of:
accommodating the food items in an inner chamber (102) of the kettle (100);
receiving user inputs from an input interface (118) for cooking the food items;
activating a boiler (108) based on the received user inputs;
actuating a first inlet valve (110) for supplying the boiled water to a channel (106) of the kettle (100);
receiving the user inputs from the input interface (118) for cooling the food items;
activating a chiller (112) based on the received user inputs;
actuating a second inlet valve (114) for supplying the cold water to the channel (106) of the kettle (100).
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user inputs are selected from a time for steaming the food items, a temperature for steaming the food items, a time for cooling the food items, a temperature for cooling the food items, or a combination thereof.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a volume of the inner chamber (102) of the kettle (100) is in a range from 90 liters (l) to 110 liters (l).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the kettle (100) comprises an outlet (120) for releasing the boiled water or the cold water collected in the channel (106) of the kettle (100).
Date: May 14, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)