APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING VISCOUS EDIBLE PASTES

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns apparatus and processes for preparing viscous food products, typically on-demand preparation of single servings of edible, e.g. vegetable-based, pastes having high viscosity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for on-demand preparation of a portioned edible paste, the apparatus comprising: a container receptacle configured to removably receive a removable container containing a first edible composition in the form of an aqueous-based viscous paste; a reservoir for holding a second edible composition, in the form of an oil-based flowable paste; a static mixing assembly configured to mix the first composition with the second composition in order to obtain said edible paste in the form of an emulsion, the static mixing assembly having an inlet arrangement with a first inlet for receiving said first composition and a second inlet for receiving said second composition, an outlet in flow communication with an edible paste dispensing outlet of the apparatus, and a static mixing arrangement disposed between said first and second inlets and said outlet for mixing the first composition with the second composition while advancing within said static mixing arrangement from the inlet arrangement towards the outlet; a ducting arrangement comprising a first duct configured to link between said removable container and said first inlet, and a second duct configured to link between said reservoir and said second inlet; one or more propelling modules for propelling (i) the first composition from said removable container through the first duct into the first inlet, and (ii) the second composition from said reservoir through the second duct into the second inlet; and a control module for activating the one or more propelling modules to propel portioned amounts of the first and second compositions through the static mixing assembly and dispense said portioned edible paste.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first composition and said second composition is plant-based.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a user interface module in communication with the control module to permit selection of one or more of: (i) portion size of the portioned edible paste, (ii) relative amounts of the first and second compositions.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more propelling modules are peristaltic pumps.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first edible composition is a legume paste.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the legume paste is a chickpea paste.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second edible composition is in the form of an oil-based suspension.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second edible composition is a sesame paste.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said removable container is a pliable container.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pliable container is a pre-filled disposable container.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the container receptacle comprises an auxiliary propelling arrangement, configured for externally exerting a squeezing force onto the pliable container to thereby push the first edible composition towards the first duct.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary propelling arrangement comprises one or more rollers.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said container receptacle comprises one or more sensors, configured to sense the position of said one or more rollers, such that the position of said one or more rollers provides indication on the remaining content of the first composition in the pliable container.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pliable container has a top end configured for coupling to the container receptacle, a bottom end defining a confined volume containing said first plant-based edible composition, and a fitting at said bottom end for coupling to said first duct.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the top end has a horizontal edge, and the bottom end has a slanted edge, downwardly extending from a first edge portion at one side of the container to a second edge portion at a second side of the container, said fitting being formed in a portion proximal to said second edge portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first duct comprises a fitment end, and the fitting of the pliable container is configured to be irreversible ruptured by the fitment end during coupling of the first duct to the pliable container.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the container receptacle comprises one or more rollers configured for movement along a side of the container from said top end towards the bottom end to thereby exert a squeezing force onto the pliable container for pushing the first composition towards the fitting.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the container receptacle comprises two or more pins and the pliable container has holes at its top end configured for fitting over said pins.

22. (canceled)

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first duct, the second duct and the static mixing arrangement are disposable.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first duct, the second duct and the static mixing arrangement are integral with one another, and form a single replaceable unit.

25. (canceled)

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a rigid or semi-rigid tank, and comprises one or more mixing elements for continuously mixing the second edible composition.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a refrigeration module for refrigerating at least one of the first edible composition, the edible second composition and the edible paste.

28-45. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0134] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0135] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure.

[0136] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the front door removed for ease of viewing of internal arrangements.

[0137] FIG. 3A is an isolated perspective view of a pliable container, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, associated with the container receptacle.

[0138] FIGS. 3B-3C are, respective, front and back perspective views of the pliable container, with the first duct attached and detached therefrom.

[0139] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the reservoir of the second composition in isolation, with the reservoir made transparent to view internal parts thereof according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0140] FIG. 5A shows a front view of the static mixing assembly in isolation, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0141] FIG. 5B shows the static mixing arrangement of the static mixing assembly of FIG. 5A.

[0142] FIGS. 6A-6B show the static mixer according to an embodiment of this disclosure in isolation, in perspective view (FIG. 6A) in cross sectional view (FIG. 6B) along line I-I in FIG. 6A.

[0143] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary process according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0144] An exemplary apparatus will now be described according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0145] Turning first to FIG. 1, seen in an apparatus 100, having a housing 102, with a front door 104 permitting access to the internal volume defined by the housing. While the specific example shows a front openable door, it is appreciated that the openable door can also be positioned at one of the sides of the housing or in the back of the housing, or even as an openable or removable top panel of the housing.

[0146] Associated with door 104 is user interface 106, which in this specific example is a touchscreen. A person of the art may appreciate that while in this specific example the user interface is located on the front door, the user interface can also be positioned at any other user-accessible area of the apparatus, e.g. the top panel of the housing.

[0147] User interface 106, which is in communication with a control module (not shown), can comprise one or more operation buttons, touch-buttons, keyboard, and/or auditory system (e.g. a microphone or pick-up) permitting the user to selectively enter a demand for preparation of a portion of the edible paste, as well as various indication means (e.g. visual or auditory indication means or visual display) providing various indications and information to the user or operator.

[0148] The housing also defines a base 108, which is configured to receive an edible paste receiving/holding container, e.g. a plate, a food container, a bowl, etc. (not shown). Apparatus dispensing outlet 110 is located above the base 108, thereby permitting dispensing of the edible paste into a receiving container that is placed onto base 108. While in the apparatus of this specific example one dispensing outlet 110 is shown, it is appreciated that more than one dispensing outlet can be provided.

[0149] FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the front door 104 removed. Seen is container receptacle assembly, generally designated 200, with removable container 202 received therein, reservoir assembly 300 and cooling arrangement 400 that, in this specific example, encases the static mixing assembly, and portions of the ducting arrangement and the propelling modules, as can be better seen in FIGS. 5A-5B and as will be further detailed below.

[0150] Container receptacle assembly 200 is seen in isolation in FIG. 3A. Container receptacle 204, which in this specific example is in the form of a constructional frame, is associated with removable container 202, which in this specific example is a pliable container. The pliable container is typically an aseptic container (e.g. an aseptic bag) and is typically made of a food-safe material. The pliable container is flexible or semi-flexible, permitting its collapsing during emptying. The pliable container holds a first, typically plant-based, edible composition that is typically aqueous-based and has a viscosity of at least 2,000 cps, e.g. chickpea paste (hummus) having a viscosity of between about 3,000 to 10,000 cps. The chickpea paste is based on water-soaked legumes (i.e. chickpea seeds), and typically contains between 10 and 30 wt % solids in an aqueous matrix.

[0151] The pliable container 202 is typically sized to hold an amount of the viscous first composition sufficient to produce several portioned amounts of the edible paste, e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or even more portioned amounts, for example, the pliable container can sized to hold between about 0.5 kg and about 10 kg of the first composition, enabling sequentially preparing several single servings size portions of the edible paste (e.g. of between 100 g and 500 g).

[0152] In order to assists the extraction of the viscous first composition from the pliable container, as well as maximize the utilization of the pliable container with minimum amount of first composition remaining in the pliable container at the end of use, the container can have a design that permits the viscous first composition to be drained towards the outlet of the pliable container. Such a design in shown in FIGS. 3B-3C. Pliable container 202 of this specific example has a top end 206 configured for coupling to the container receptacle 204 via holes 208 that are sized to removably fit over matching pins of the container receptacle (not shown). Bottom end 210 defining a confined volume for containing the first edible composition, fitting 212 defines the outlet of the pliable container, permitting drawing the first composition from the pliable container therethrough, as will be further explained. The top end 206 has a horizontal edge 214, and the bottom end 210 has a slanted edge 216, downwardly extending from a first edge portion 218 at one side of the container to a second edge portion 220 at a second side of the container, with fitting 212 formed proximal to second edge portion 220.

[0153] First duct 222 is shown to be linked (or coupled) to the fitting 212. First duct 222, as better seen in FIG. 3C, can comprise a fitment end 224, and the fitting 212 is configured to be irreversible ruptured by fitment end 224 during coupling of the first duct 222 to the pliable container 202.

[0154] The pliable container 202 can comprise one or more data-carrying means (not shown), for example RFID tag, QR code, barcode, etc., for providing one or more data parameters (e.g. type of composition, batch number and production date, expiration or usable date, size of container, authentication means, etc.). The control module of the apparatus accordingly comprises one or more suitable data-reading means (not shown).

[0155] In this specific example, in addition to the propulsion modules configured to draw portioned amounts of first composition from container 202, as will be described and exemplified further below, the container receptacle 204 of this example further includes an auxiliary propelling arrangement, i.e. roller 226. Roller 226 is configured for incremental movement along the side of the container from top end 206 towards the bottom edge 216, exerting a squeezing force onto the pliable container 202 to push the viscous first composition towards the fitting 212 and into first duct 222. One or more sensors (not shown) can be positioned along the container receptacle 204, and configured to sense the position of roller 226, such that the position of roller can provide indication on the remaining content of the first composition in the pliable container. According to the position of the roller, the apparatus can be locked from operation, e.g. when the roller has not displaced for a predetermined period of time, such can indicate that no demand for edible paste has been received during said period of time, meaning that the pliable container needs to be replaced with a fresh one in order to prevent fermentation or contamination of the food ingredients.

[0156] While a single roller 226 is shown in this example, it is also contemplated that the auxiliary propelling arrangement includes two or more such rollers, for example two parallel rollers positionable along the front and back faces of the pliable container. In such an arrangement, the pliable container is positioned between the two parallel rollers, and the two parallel rollers can be jointly and synchronically moved along the pliable container to apply squeezing force onto both faces of the pliable container.

[0157] While the specific example shows the use of a pliable container for holding the first composition, it is also contemplated that the removable container can be a rigid or semi-rigid container in cases where the viscosity of the first composition permits such use.

[0158] The reservoir assembly 300 is shown in FIG. 4. Reservoir 302 is configured to hold a second, typically plant-based, edible composition, which is in the form of an oil-based flowable paste having a viscosity of at most 5,000 cps, e.g. between 30 to 1,000 cps. For example, the second composition can be tahini. A plurality of mixing elements 304 are fitted within the reservoir, and are rotated by motor 306 to maintain the second composition under mixing conditions, e.g. to prevent phase separation or sedimentation of solid matter. For example, in the case the second composition is tahini, care should be taken to prevent separation of the oily phase from the ground sesame particles—hence, continuous mixing of the contents of the reservoir is carried out.

[0159] The reservoir 302 has one or more top openings 308, permitting re-filling the reservoir with the flowable second composition, or permitting introduction of cleaning fluid (e.g. water) in order to clean the reservoir. The reservoir can also be removably received with the apparatus, such that the reservoir can be taken out of the apparatus for cleaning and maintenance.

[0160] Formed at the bottom of reservoir 302 is a reservoir outlet 310, linked or linkable to second duct 312, permitting drawing portioned amounts of the second composition from the reservoir. Valve 314 is fitted at reservoir outlet 310, and is operable to permit or prevent flowing of the second composition from the reservoir to the second duct.

[0161] Turning to FIGS. 5A-5B, shown is the static mixing assembly that enables mixing of metered portions of the viscous first composition with metered portioned the flowable second composition in order to obtain a portion of the edible paste in the form of an emulsion.

[0162] The static mixing assembly, generally designated 500, includes first inlet 502 for receiving the first composition propelled through the first duct 222 from pliable container 202, and second inlet 504 for receiving the second composition propelled through the second duct 312 from the reservoir 302, and outlet 506, which is in flow communication with an edible paste dispensing outlet 110 of the apparatus. Static mixing arrangement 508 is disposed between the first and second inlets 502,504 and the outlet 506, configured to statically mix the first composition with the second composition while advancing within the static mixing arrangement from the inlets towards the outlet.

[0163] The first and second composition are propelled along the first and second ducts 222 and 312, respectively, and from the inlets 502,504 towards the outlet 506 by propelling modules 510, which in this example are peristaltic pumps, configured to apply peristaltic propulsion onto the first and second ducts, which are typically flexible tubing. Thus, the first and second compositions are propelled, i.e. fed under pressure and/or are being forced-fed, from the pliable container and the reservoir into the first and second inlets of the static mixing assembly, respectively, via the respective first and second ducts. The control module activates the propelling modules to propel portioned amounts of the first and second compositions through the static mixing assembly to thereby dispense said portioned edible paste. As can be appreciated, the propulsion modules enable propulsion of the first and second compositions through the ducts and within the static mixing arrangement without bringing the food ingredients into contact with the propulsion means.

[0164] As can be seen, the static mixing arrangement 508 is removably held by clamp 512, permitting removing static mixing arrangement 508 from the appliance for replacement. Preferably, the first duct 222, the second duct 312 and the static mixing arrangement 500 are integral with one another, and form a single replaceable unit.

[0165] Seen in isolation in FIGS. 6A-6B is the static mixing arrangement 508. Static mixing arrangement 508 comprises an external tube 514 that encases an array of flow diverters or baffles 516, such that the compositions are intermixed as they are concomitantly force-fed and flow along the static mixer, i.e. causing the compositions to mix within a mixing unit that has no moving parts.

[0166] Tube 514 of this specific example is U-shaped, thereby enabling a compact arrangement, however permitting sufficient flow path to enable proper mixing of the viscous first composition with the flowable second composition. In this arrangement, the first and second inlets 502,504 and the outlet 506 are positioned at respective terminal segments 518,520 of the arms of the U-shaped tube 514, while first and second compositions are made to flow in the direction of arrows 522A,522B to obtain thorough mixing and formation of the edible paste and dispensing of a portion of edible paste.

[0167] The portioned amount of edible paste is typically a consumable amount, namely a single serving of the edible paste, i.e. an amount for consuming in a single meal. Hence, the apparatus is configured for batch-wise operation (i.e. not continuous), to prepare and dispense single servings of the edible paste in a sequence. The portion amount can be, for example, up to 500 g of the edible paste, e.g. between about 100 g and 500 g.

[0168] The arrangement permits a user to control the composition of the eventual edible paste to be produced, by permitting selection of the relative amounts of first and second compositions, and addition of desired toppings (in case such are provided). For example, the apparatus can be configured to mix the first composition and the second composition, such that the edible paste will contain the second composition in an amount of between about 5 wt % and about 50 wt % out of the total weight of the edible paste.

[0169] An exemplary process, or cycle of operation, for preparing a portioned edible paste is shown in FIG. 7. Upon demand for preparation of a portion of edible paste, input is entered by the user through the user interface, for example the desired portion size 1000 and the desired ratio between the first and second compositions 2000. The data entered causes the control module to actuate the apparatus for operation at 3000. The control module actuates the propulsion modules for operating at 4000, thereby causing drawing a suitable portion of the viscous first composition from the pliable container and simultaneously drawing a corresponding portion of the flowable second composition from the reservoir of the apparatus at 5000. The drawn portions are then further propelled by the propulsion modules towards the static mixing arrangement, into which the first and second compositions are force-fed and mixed at 6000 as they are forced to move along the static mixing arrangement, thereby obtaining the edible paste in the form of an emulsion. The edible paste is then dispensed at 7000, ready for user consumption.

[0170] Although the apparatus and processes have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.