Abstract: A cooking assistive device comprises a portable housing configured to be disposed on or proximate a food item. The device includes a plurality of sensors situated within the housing, a dispenser, and a utensil holder. The device has a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to: (a) obtain a wireless input from a mobile device; (b) access data stored in a remote database; (c) obtain a reading from at least one of the plurality of sensors; and (d) cause the dispenser to dispense a substance in response to the reading.

Abstract: A fermentation system having a vessel defining a chamber for holding liquids and including a lower aperture. An insulating jacket is disposed around the vessel. A cooling fluid is disposed between the insulating jacket and the vessel. The cooling fluid is in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A refrigerant line is wrapped around the vessel and is configured to cool the fluid and the vessel, resulting in cooling of liquids disposed in the chamber. A beverage line operably couples the lower aperture with a dispensing spigot. The beverage line is wrapped around the vessel and is at least partially submerged in the fluid. A sediment drain line is disposed below the lower aperture and configured to drain sediment that accumulates on a bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A capsule includes a deformable and/or compressible casing, provided with a base wall and a side wall defining a cavity that is open and suitable for containing an initial product to obtain a final food product. A supporting element is fixed to a first edge of the casing and facing the cavity and a nozzle is fixed to the supporting element and arranged for delivering a fluid into the cavity which interacts with the initial product to make the final product. The nozzle also opens the base wall and enables the final product to exit when the casing is compressed and crushed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking apparatus including a heating unit configured to heat an ingredient contained in a cooking chamber, a gas sensor configured to detect a gas inside the cooking chamber, a communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus, and a control unit configured to determine a cooking progress state of the ingredient based on the type and concentration of the gas detected by the gas sensor and to transmit information on the cooking progress state to the external apparatus through the communication unit to inform a user of the cooking progress state.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage production machine having an apparatus for recognizing a package. The apparatus comprises two resonant tank circuits, each comprising a coil and a capacitor; two electronic circuits for detecting changes in coil impedance; a means for generating a signal which is indicative of the changes; and means for controlling the beverage production machine according to the signal. The machine also comprises a holder for supporting the package. The package for use in the machine comprises a base unit having a compartment which contains tea material, and a rim with a projecting lip; conductive material associated with the package having two edge sections situated on opposite sides of the compartment; and a lid attached to the base unit around the rim, the central portion of the lid comprising at least one perforated line. The invention also provides a method of recognizing the package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to food preparation. In order to provide an apparatus for preparing food with hot air with an improved flow characteristic, an apparatus (10) for preparing food is provided, comprising a food preparation chamber (12), an air movement device (14), a heating device (16), and air guiding means (18). The food preparation chamber is provided by a container structure (22) at least partly enclosing a receiving volume (24) for receiving food to be prepared by a through-streaming of hot air; wherein the container structure comprises sidewalls (26) and a bottom wall (28), wherein the bottom wall and/or one of the side walls is air-permeable providing an air entry opening (30) for entering of hot air into the receiving volume, and wherein the container structure comprises an air discharge opening (32). The heating device is configured to heat air of an air flow provided by the air movement device.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port.

Abstract: A device (1) for orienting capsules (C) is described. The device comprises a container (9) for receiving randomly oriented capsules (C), which has bottom wall (11), provided with at least two apertures (17A, 17B). A rotor (13) is rotatingly arranged in the container and above the bottom wall (11). The rotor is provided with capsule receiving pockets (15). Under the apertures of the bottom wall (11), a capsule collector (19) is arranged, for receiving capsules discharged from the capsule receiving pockets (15) through either one or the other of the two apertures (17A, 17B). The capsule receiving pocket (15), the two apertures (17A, 17B) and the capsule collector (19) are shaped and arranged such that the capsules (C) randomly contained in the container (9) exit the capsule collector (19) with a pre-determined orientation.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus including a tank having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, the tank having an inner wall defining a compartment and including a solid, imperforate wall portion, fluid being contained in the compartment, and a rotatable auger mounted in the compartment, the auger for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the auger including flights having a flight wall with a radial edge, a clearance space being defined between the radial edge of the flights and the solid, imperforate wall portion of the inner wall. Flow of fluid through the clearance space may be inhibited. One of the inner wall and the flight wall may include a perforated wall portion. Flow of fluid between the first auger section and the second auger section may be provided through the perforated wall portion.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of beverages including capsules (C) with a cup-shaped body (1) having an annular lateral wall (6) which tapers from a mouth opening (2) towards a bottom wall (5). These capsules (C) are of at least a first type and a second type, and have identical bottom walls (5) and different axial lengths (h1, h2, h3). An infusion assembly (10) has a variable-volume infusion chamber (20), having an introduction opening (20a), an end delimitation part (16a) having a shape corresponding to that of the bottom wall (5) of the capsules (C), and with a lateral delimitation structure (13a, 13b; 14) which includes a static portion (13a, 13b) and which extends between said introduction opening (20a) and the end delimitation part (16a). The latter is movable away from the introduction opening (20a).

Abstract: An apparatus is described that permits a user to quickly and effortlessly separate an egg shell from the body of a hard-boiled egg. The apparatus has a hollow body into which an egg is inserted, a convex shaped bottom section and a convex shaped top portion. Additionally, the interior surface of the hollow body has a number of protrusions that contribute to peeling action. Eggs are inserted into the apparatus, water is added, the apparatus is sealed, the user agitates the apparatus for a short time, and then pours out the separated egg and egg shell along with the water.

Abstract: A press cover for a cheese mold, in particular for a cheese mold of metal, having a round or polygonal cross section. The shape and dimensions of the press cover correspond to the inner cross section of the cheese mold. The press cover is to be designed in a simple manner, to withstand a press power, and also to satisfy high hygiene demands. This is achieved in that the press cover includes a perforated plate, the shape and dimensions of which corresponds to the inner cross section of the cheese mold, on which a reinforcing rib structure is arranged.

Abstract: A beverage preparation apparatus includes a milling unit which obtains powders by grating an object to be grated, a liquid storage tank which stores a liquid, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and having the other end provided with a supply port, a powder reception portion which is provided to be movable and receives powders obtained by the milling unit, and an agitation tank which has an opening portion opening upward and mixes the powders introduced through the opening portion from the moved powder reception portion and the liquid supplied through the opening portion from the supply port. The milling unit includes an outlet port which discharges the obtained powders into the powder reception portion and the outlet port is located below the opening portion.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine for producing a beverage from a capsule containing a product, includes an injecting arrangement arranged for piercing a covering element of the capsule and injecting into the latter a liquid interacting with the product to make a beverage, a housing element provided with a seat into which the capsule is insertable, a dispensing unit for dispensing said liquid into the capsule, said housing element rests on elastic elements and is slidable inside a chamber obtained in a box element that is insertable into a space of the dispensing unit, the chamber being provided with a fixed support intended for constituting a rest for a bottom of the capsule when the latter is inserted into the seat.

Abstract: A method of operating an automated beverage generating system. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of an order for a specified beverage. The method further comprises translating the order into one or more steps required to generate the specified beverage. The method still further comprises entering at least one of the required steps into a dynamic sequence corresponding to a module of the system configured to perform that particular step, the dynamic sequence representing an order in which one or more steps in the dynamic sequence will be performed by the module for one or more beverages to be generated by the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for pasteurizing and cooling food products comprises a pasteurizing tunnel, a first air processing unit associated with the pasteurizing tunnel, and a transfer unit for transferring the food products from the pasteurizing tunnel to a cooling tunnel comprising a second air processing unit, the pasteurizing tunnel comprising two thermally independent in-line sections consisting of a steam pasteurizing section and a pre-packaging section.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a beverage preparation module (2) comprising a module interface (21?, 25, 26) and an auxiliary device (10) comprising a device interface (15, 16). The module and device interfaces being arranged for assembling the module (2) and the device (10) together. At least one of the module and device interfaces (15, 16, 21?, 25, 26) comprises one or more dampening members (21?) so arranged that the module (2) and the device (10) are in direct contact only via the dampening member(s) (21?) when the module (2) and device (10) are assembled together via the interfaces (15, 16, 21?, 25, 26).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising: a reservoir (2) for a fluid, a brewing head (3) adapted to receive at least one ingredient capsule (100) comprising at least one beverage preparation ingredient (104), a pump (6) for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir (2) to said brewing head (3), such that said fluid can be injected into said capsule (100), when said capsule (100) is received by said brewing head (3), to mix with said ingredient (104) under pressure and produce a predetermined volume of beverage, wherein the reservoir (2), the pump (6), and an inserted ingredient capsule (100) in use are in fluidic communication and form a fluid system (800), and wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) further comprises a pressure sensor (301; 302; 303; 304) adapted to measure internal pressure (P) within an ingredient capsule (100) inserted inside said brewing head (3), and a locking mechanism (401) adapted to prevent disconnection of the inserte

Abstract: A physical method for maintaining the freshness of vegetables and fruits via the technology of the optical signal and optical signal generator are disclosed. By adopting the computer programmable pulsed scanning signal generator, it controls the light-emitting device mounted with red, green and blue light sources group to generate optical signal with pulsed or pulsed periodical scanning combined spectrum. The optical signal irradiates the fresh-cut fruits and vegetables preserved in the storage assembly at room temperature or at controlled temperature and humidity. By regulating the optical signal with periodical pulsed spectrum or pulsed scanning spectrum or periodical pulsed scanning combined spectrum, the irradiated vegetables and fruits obtain photon energy needed in light reactions of photosynthesis from the lighting environment of artificial optical signal which is in bright and dark periodic variation.

Abstract: A solid fuel smoker oven having a cooking chamber and a heat source chamber separated by a vertical divider. The heat source chamber includes a gas fired firebox to burn solid fuel. The cooking chamber comprises air channels defined by perforated wall panels comprising calibrated orifices that vary in size from the top of the channel to the bottom to allow air flow and temperatures inside the cooking chamber to be balanced. A fan in the cooking chamber draws heat and smoke emissions from the firebox and directs them into the air channels and recycles the heated air and smoke through the heat source chamber, which limits heat and smoke escape and maximizes temperature stability inside the oven. The fan also functions as a spark arrestor.