AU2008201161B2 - Rolled food product - Google Patents

Description

Field This invention relates to a food preparation device. More particularly the invention relates to a manually operated device adapted for the preparation of sushi or the like. Background Sushi is a Japanese food with over a thousand years of history and tradition. It has become the most visible example of Japanese cuisine in New Zealand and other Western Countries. Sushi began as a way of preserving fish. The raw, cleaned fish was pressed between rice and salt by a heavy stone for a few weeks. After this period, the stone was removed and replaced with a light cover. A few months after that, the fermented fish and rice were considered ready to eat. It was not until the 18th Century that a chef by the name of Yohei decided to serve sushi in its present form. He eliminated the fermentation process altogether. It is said that the use of rice wine vinegar is reminiscent of the earlier fermentation tradition. Sushi comes in at least three forms. An Osaka variation, which is probably the more elaborate form, is prepared traditionally by pressing rice in wooden boxes. The more familiar form of sushi to Westerners comes from Edo, the old name for Tokyo, and consists of hand-rolled rice. This particular style is called nigiri sushi. Maki sushi is the form of sushi most familiar to us. Maki sushi is a "rolled sushi" with narrow strips of different ingredients (seafood, meat, chicken, crisp vegetables, or pickles) layered on a bed of vinegar rice and spread on a sheet of nori or seaweed. This form of sushi is very popular because it can be tailored to suit a variety of tastes where just about any ingredient can be rolled into the centre from crisp vegetables, strips of fish, meat, chicken, egg or even avocado. s092CS.230103 1 Although sushi is now very popular with Europeans, no easy way has been devised to make what is essentially a very simple product. Sushi is after all just strips of fish, or even meat rolled in rice and wrapped in crisp, thin sheets of dried seaweed or nori. The filling generally also contains wasabe (Japanese horseradish), usually as a paste, although this is not necessary. As intimated earlier although sushi is a simple dish it is extra-ordinarily difficult and messy to properly prepare. There has been a long felt need to be able to prepare sushi quickly, with a minimum of mess and with a consistent size and texture. The foregoing invention attempts to overcome the above disadvantages, and to provide an apparatus which is durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, easy to clean, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Object It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus and/or method for preparing rolled food products and more particularly to the preparation of sushi, or one, which at least will provide the public with a useful choice. Statement of Invention In one aspect, the invention provides for an apparatus for preparing a rolled food product, the apparatus comprising: a hollowed container, said container having two closed ends, optionally each of said closed ends having apertures about their centre, the container being such that a plurality of cavities is formed when in an opened position, said cavities being adapted to accommodate food material, and wherein the aperture form recesses, said recesses capable of housing a rod or piston; and optionally further comprises a rod or piston and/or optionally a removable barrier means. Preferably, the container when opened forms two cavities. s092CS.230103 2 Preferably, the container when opened divides into two halves which remain attached along the hinge line. Preferably, the container is provided with a support means such as feet or legs. Preferably, each of said halves has feet or legs. Preferably, the container has closed ends having apertures about their centre and wherein in one closed end the aperture forms a recess, said recesses capable of housing a rod or piston; and wherein the other closed end, the apertures are of sufficient diameter to expel air. Preferably the container has raised stops enabling the piston to move a predetermined distance. Preferably, the container has a hinge means about its longitudinal central axis. Preferably, the container, removable barrier, and rod or piston are constructed of a material which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to clean, such as a plastic material. Preferably, the hinge means may be bolted or screwed, adhered or welded, or integrally molded with the container about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, the hinge means are plastic, flexure hinges. Preferably, the removable barrier means is removably attached to the container via a flexible cord or chain. Preferably, the hinge means is/are aligned off-centre such that a bi-stable spring action is effected, enabling easy opening and closing of the container. s092CS.230103 3 Preferably, the rod or piston is an elongate rod with a disc or stopper located adjacent to one end, the length of the rod or piston sufficient to extend along the longitudinal axis of the container and beyond. Preferably, the food product is a sponge roll, or vegetable roll, a meat roll or the like. Preferably, the food product is sushi. Preferably, the food product is ajam, ice cream roll or cream roll. Preferably, the food product is a biscuit mix. Preferably, the food product is a meat roll, such as a mince meat or sausage meat roll. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a rolled food product comprising: opening the apparatus as described above, filling the cavities with food material such as rice, vegetables, meat, sponge or potato, to a level approximately equal to the high edge of the opened container sides, tamping down the food material with the rod or piston by slotting the rod or piston in the recess(es) to form a channel, withdrawing the rod or piston, filling the channel with a suitable filling such as fish, meat, vegetables, wasabe, or the like, optionally inserting a removable barrier means such as disc at one end of the filled cavity, said disc comprising an aperture at its centre of a diameter sufficient to expel trapped air, placing the piston inside one end of a cavity, combining the cavities together to reform the container into its closed position, pressing the piston through the aperture of the now filled and closed container to compress the contents into a firm roll, and if desired s092CS.230103 4 laying out a sheet of suitable wrapping or envelope material such as pastry or crisp seaweed (nori), transferring the packed contents of the filled container onto the wrapping material, folding the wrapping material about the food material and optionally slicing the wrapped food material into desired sized slices. Preferably, the food material is rice. Preferably, the wrapping material is nori. Preferably, the filling material is fish slices or similar filling material such as vegetables, dressings or meat, and/or wasabe or the like. A further aspect of the invention provides for a kit of parts, the kit comprising: a container capable of forming a series of two or more cavities, said container provided with recesses at either end of said series of cavities and a rod or piston adapted to fit into said recesses; and optionally a hinging means enabling easy opening and closing of the container, and/or a means capable of closing off all but a small aperture (to allow air to escape but retaining the contents). Preferably, a piston is used. Preferably, the removable barrier means is a disc with an aperture at its centre. Another aspect of the invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a rolled food product, the apparatus comprising: a base; three or more rollers located above the base; optionally a continuous belt operable around said rollers; the belt, if present, and rollers at a height sufficient to form a pocket to accommodate a desired amount of food material; and wherein the rollers are adapted to allow the s092CS.230103 belt to revolve around said rollers in a continuous fashion such that when in use the food material when placed in the pocket is formed into a ball or elongate roll. Yet a further aspect of the invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a rolled food product, the apparatus comprising: a base; located above the base is a set of rollers each set of rollers comprising a lower roller and an upper roller, said lower rollers being elevated above the base to form, optionally in association with a continuous belt, a pocket sufficient to accommodate a desired amount of food material, and wherein the sets of rollers are adjacent each other in a spaced relationship; arms connecting said upper and lower rollers; and if present, a continuous belt operable around said the rollers; a handle situated on one of the upper rollers, in a right handed or left handed orientation as desired, wherein said handle when turned engages said belt and said rollers; and wherein in use, the upper rollers are adapted to be prized apart to accommodate the food material and/or wrapping material if desired, and are manipulated such that when the rollers are reformed to their original closed position and the handle turned, the food material is compacted into a ball or a roll and the wrapping material folded around the roll and sealed if appropriate. Yet a further aspect of the invention comprises an apparatus for preparing a rolled food product, the apparatus comprising: a base; located above the base is a set of rollers each set of rollers comprising a lower roller and an upper roller, said lower rollers being elevated above the base; the rollers acting co-operatively to form, optionally in association with cogs and idler gears, four points of contact around a desired amount of food material, and wherein the sets of rollers are adjacent each other in a spaced relationship; arms connecting said upper and lower rollers; s092CS.230103

A

a handle situated on one of the upper rollers, in a right handed or left handed orientation as desired, wherein said handle when turned engages said roller, said cogs and said idler gears; and wherein in use, the upper rollers are adapted to be prized apart to accommodate the wrapping material and/or food material if desired, and are manipulated such that when the rollers are reformed to their original closed position and the handle turned, the food material is compacted into a ball or a roll and the wrapping material folded around the roll and sealed if appropriate. Preferably, the upper roller on which the handle is located serves as a 'driving' roller. Preferably, the movement of the rollers is controlled by an arrangement that is pivotally attached to one support arm and slidably connected to the other support arm. Preferably rollers have cogs on one side. Preferably rollers have cogs on both sides. Preferably, the movement of the rollers is controlled by an arrangement of one or more springs and arms. Preferably, the spring is aligned over centre to limit the amount of travel between an opened and closed position. Preferably, in an opened position the rollers may be moved up to 600 from the vertical such that in association with the continuous belt a pocket is formed. Preferably, in an opened position the rollers may be moved from 250 to 350 from the vertical to form with the continuous belt, a pocket. Preferably, there is provided a connecting means allowing the arms to be maintained approximately vertical when in a closed position. s092CS.230103 7 Preferably, the connecting means is a swing arm which is adapted to lock the arms connecting the upper and lower rollers in substantially vertical. Preferably, the continuous belt is made of a PVC material or similar. Preferably, the rollers are made of a rubber material or similar. Preferably, the rollers have a rubber coating or similar Preferably, the base is made of a durable, washable material such as plastic. The reader will of course realise that products of similar construction to sushi with similar difficulties in preparation will also fall under the umbrella of this invention. Such products contemplated include, but are not limited to, sponge rolls, meat rolls, ice cream rolls, vegetable rolls, pastry rolls and the like. In fact almost any food product containing an inner roll of material and an outer jacket, casing or envelope will fall within the scope of this invention. Preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures and Examples. The foregoing examples are illustrative only and, where specific integers are mentioned which have known equivalents, such equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Drawings Figures 1 to 4 are schematic views of one of the preferred embodiments of the invention and illustrate a container and rod rolled food preparation system. Figure 1 shows the container open for transverse interaction with the rod. Figure 2 shows the container open for longitudinal interaction with the rod. s092CS.230103 Figure 3 shows the container in a closed compacting position or storage condition when not in use. Figure 4 shows the container with hinge means and rod in a closed transverse compacting position. Figures 5 to 12 are schematic views of another preferred embodiment of the invention and illustrate food product rolling apparatus. Figure 5 shows a food rolling apparatus in an opened position. Figure 6 shows a food rolling apparatus in a closed position. Figure 7 shows the apparatus wrapping sushi in nori. Figure 8 is an end view of the apparatus in an open position. Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus in closed position wrapping sushi in nori. Figure 10 shows an alternative rolling apparatus arrangement. Figure 11 shows detail of a roll movement limiting support bracket. Figure 12 shows detail of an alternative support bracket. Figure 13 and 14 are schematic views of one of an alternative embodiment of the invention and illustrate a container and rod rolled food preparation system. Figure 13 shows the container open for transverse interaction with the rod. Figure 14 shows the container open for longitudinal interaction with the rod. s092CS.230103 Figures 15 to 20 are schematic views of another preferred embodiment of the invention and illustrate food product rolling apparatus. Figure 15 shows a food rolling apparatus in an opened position. Figure 16 shows a food rolling apparatus in a closed position. Figure 17 is an end view of the apparatus in an open position. Figure 18 is an end view of the apparatus in a closed position. Figure 19 shows the apparatus in an open position with the rice roll in the nori. Figure 20 is the apparatus in closed position wrapping the nori around the rice roll. Example 1 Referring to figure 1 the container I is open, providing two longitudinally extending cavities defined by walls 9, 10 and ends 4, 5 to be filled with rice (sushi) (not shown). The ends have recesses 7, 8 to accommodate a rod 14, the rod carrying a compacting disc or piston 13 at one end. When the cavities are filled with rice the rod 14 is moved in direction 15 into the recesses 7, 8 to compact the rice and form a channel. Once formed, the channel is filled with slices of fish (sashimi), wasabe, avocado, or any other preferred filling. The two, now filled, halves of the container are then brought together to the closed position to produce a compact cylinder of filled rice. Hinges I1 may be used to guide the closing of the container halves. Prior to closing the container the piston 13 may be slid in against end wall 5 and support disc 19 slid in against the opposite end wall, or alternatively they can be put in upon opening the container after the first compaction. With the container closed the rod 14 is then pushed in direction 24 against the disc 13 to further compress the sushi cylinder, expelling any trapped air through a hole 21 in disc 19. Figure 3 depicts this final stage of compression. The container has feet 18a 18d enabling it to be firmly supported and held during compaction. The compressed cohesive contents of the container are then inverted onto a sheet of seaweed and the s092CS.230103 10 seaweed wrapped or folded about the rice cylinder in a known manner. If desired the resulting wrapped roll of sushi is cut into slices. Figure 4 shows hinge leaves 16 which may be used to fasten the hinges to the container halves. Alternatively the hinges may be bonded or integrally moulded with the container halves. Plastic flexure hinges may also be used. Fastening some of the hinge leaves 16 slightly off-centre in relation to the others may provide a bistable spring action in opening and closing of the container halves. A tie 20 with end knots or formed T ends 21 may be used to retain the disc by attachment to one of the feet 18b. When the container is not in use the configurations of figure 3 or figure 4 provide compact storage. Example 2 Referring now to figure 5 of the drawings, the apparatus is shown with a base 31 and two sets of rollers comprising lower rollers 32, 32a and upper rollers 33, 33a, the rollers within each set being carried by support arms 35, 35a. An endless belt 36 passes around all the rollers which co-operate and rotate in a like direction. In this example the lower rollers are elevated from the base by mounting brackets 27, 27a. Each bracket (figure 11) has recesses 38 allowing the roller support arms 35, 35a to typically pivot 30* until positively stopped by contact with one of the limit faces 39 or 40. In the embodiment of figures 5 to 9 the top rollers 33, 33a may be held against the bracket inner stop faces 40 by hook 45 engaging with pin 46. Although the hook is shown with a simple pivot mounting, it may be torsion spring biased and guided so as to self latch onto pin 46 upon closing the rolls. The simple pivot mounting of the hook is preferred as it provides good open access to the hollow formed by belt 36 when loading material to be rolled (see figure 5). The rollers 32, 33, 32a rotate freely on a central shaft. On the shaft carrying the handle a screw collar is tightened by handle action against the end of roller 33a, locking the roller to move with the handle. In use, the operator manually moves the rollers apart to the open position shown in figure 5 to form a pocket with the belt. The nori is spread as a layer across the belt. s092CS.230103 11 Onto that is placed the rice preferably with assorted fillings such as avocado, wasabe and fish strips. The arms are then moved to the closed position (figures 6, 7), the hooks 45 engaged with their respective pins 46 and the handle 30 turned. As the handle is turned the rollers act co-operatively to form the rice and fillings 50 into a roll and allow the nori to wrap around the so formed rice roll. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the nori are moistened to seal the nori envelope about the rice roll. Once formed, the wrapped sushi 49 is extracted and if desired sliced into pieces. Example 3 Figure 10 shows an alternative arrangement of the roll forming apparatus. Instead of the hooks, springs 39 located to provide an over-centre bistable action may be used. Instead of the shaft ends being held to the arms by fasteners, a press formed joint 47 may be made. In this case the brackets 37 need to be removable from the base by fasteners to enable fitting of the belt and cleaning. The handle need not rely on a screw collar connection for locking of the drive roll. A square section shaft locking the drive roller in rotation, passing through bearings and connected to the handle allows the handle to be turned in either direction or moved to the other end of the roll. Although the hand drive is simple and easily controlled, the drive roller may be motor driven. In the embodiments of figures 5 to 9 the cut-outs 38 (or moulded recesses) in the brackets face inwardly, enabling the support arms to be close to the ends of the rollers without the need for packing washers. In figure 10 the brackets are shown with the recesses facing outwardly. Figure 12 shows an alternative type of bracket where the recesses 38 may be formed by punching or cut-out in a separate sheets, the two pieces then being joined by screw fasteners 44 and to the base by angle section 43. Example 4 Figure 13 shows an alternative arrangement of the container(described in example 1), providing two longitudinally extending cavities defined by walls 56, 57 and ends 53, 55. The ends 53, 55 have surfaces 51, 54 that abut against each other when the two container halves are brought together. Rod 52 comprises of a compacting disc or piston 60 at one end. When the cavities are filled with rice, rod 52 is moved in direction 61, sliding the piston 60 against the inside of the end walls 53 or 55 and placing rod 52 in the recess provided on the s092CS.230103 12 opposite end of the container to compact the rice and form a channel. Once formed, the channel is filled with slices of fish (sashimi), wasabe, avocado, or any other preferred filling. Prior to closing the container the piston 60 may be slid in against end wall opposite the end walls 55 or 53. The two, now filled, halves of the container are brought together to the closed position to produce a compressed cylinder of filled rice. With the container closed the rod 52 is pushed in direction 62 to compact the sushi cylinder, expelling any trapped air through holes 75 in ends 53 and 55 as depicted in figure 14. Raised stops 58 and 59 in each half of the container limits the horizontal travel of the piston 60 when compacting the roll. This ensures that the finished roll is of a uniform length to suit a standard nori sheet. Example 5 Figure 15 to 20 shows an alternative arrangement of the roll forming apparatus. Referring now to figure 15 and 16 of the drawings, the roll forming apparatus is shown with two sets of rollers comprising lower rollers 32, 32a and upper rollers 33, 33a, the rollers within each set being carried by support arms 35, 35a. Attached to the outer end of each roller are cogs 65, 66, 70, 71 which engage idler gears 68, 69, 67 on the support arms and the lower bracket. In this example the rollers 32, 32a, 33, 33a rotate freely on bearings or central shafts. When handle 30, which is attached to roller 33, is turned, motion will be transferred in the correct sense to the remaining three rollers 32, 32a, 33a by means of the cogs 65, 66, 70, 71 and idler gears 67, 68, 69. The upper rollers 33, 33a are pivotally connected to the upper portion of the support arms 35, 35a and can swing outwards to set limits as described in example 2. The gear drive remains in constant mesh as the pivot points for the support arm on the mounting brackets 27, 27a are the axle centres for the two lower rollers (figure 17 and 18). In other words irrespective of whether the rollers are in the open or closed position, positive drive through the gear train is maintained. In another embodiment the rollers will incorporate cogs and idler gears on both ends, however, cogs and idler gears on one end of the rollers are envisaged. s092CS.230103 1 In the embodiment of figures 15 to 20 the top rollers 33, 33a may be placed in the working or closed position by having the support arms 35, 35a held against the bracket inner stop faces 40 and locked into position by latch 63, 64 and pin 73. Latch 63, 64 is pivotally connected to support arm 35. Support arm 35a supports a pin 73 which slides in slots 72 on the opposite end of the latch 63, 64. Pin 73 slides along the slot 72 from the open position of the roll forming apparatus (figure 17) and engages the vertical end of the slot, hereby locking the rollers in the working position (figure 18). In use, the operator manually moves the rollers apart to the open position and places the open nori 74 and rice roll 49 preferably with assorted fillings such as avocado, wasabe and fish strips 50 in between the four rollers as indicated in Figure 19. The arms are then moved to the closed position as shown in figures 20 so that the pin 73 engages with vertical end of the slot 72 (figure 18) of latch 64. As the handle 30 is turned the rollers act co-operatively forming four points of contact around the nori 74 and rice roll and will allow the nori to wrap around the so formed rice roll. In a preferred embodiment the ends of the nori are moistened to seal the nori envelope about the rice roll. Once formed, the wrapped sushi is extracted by prizing the top rollers apart and if desired sliced into pieces. Example 6 A third element of the whole package is a device to enable the user to cut slices that will all be of the same width. The design consists of base, one closed off end and slide slats with uniformly spaced slots that will act as a cutting guide. This will ensure each slice is cut squarely and that each slice is of uniform length. Example 7 The foregoing example illustrates the use of the two apparatus previously described in example I to the cylinder and in Example 2 to the roller. The process uses the cylinder and roller in tandem in the preparation of wrapped sushi. The apparatus is colloquially referred to as the " sushi mate". Instructions for Use. s092CS.230103 14 " Open the sushi mold illustrated in example 1. Spray a light, even coating of canola cooking oil onto the inner surface of both halves of the mold. Spread the canola coating with a paper towel. * Fill both halves of the mold with cooked short grain rice that has been allowed to cool, ensuring that both halves are evenly filled with rice to the level of the mold edges. " Using the handle of the plunger, form a lengthways channel in the rice of both halves, by pressing the handle of the piston into the rice using the cut-away sections of the mold ends as a guide. Turning the handle while pressing down will assist in forming a uniformly shaped channel. (Hint - dampening the handle will reduce rice sticking to the surface of the handle). " Place fillings evenly into the channels, building up layers of filling as required. " When required fillings have been added, place the clear disc at one end of the mold, butting the disc up against the inside end of the mold and insert the disc of the piston at the other end of the mold. " Close both halves of the mold together and while holding the mold closed, press the plunger into the mold until resistance is felt. " Carefully open the mold and remove the piston and end cap. " The roll is now ready to have the nori added. If using the sushi mate roller as illustrated in example 2, the following procedure is used: o Open the rollers out and place a sheet of nori on the rollers s092CS.230103 I s " Transfer the sushi roll from the mold by carefully inverting the mold over the nori. The rice roll should release cleanly and easily from the mold. * Close the rollers onto the sushi and turn the handle through 2-3 revolutions. Using a small brush, apply water or milk to moisten the upper edge to seal the ends. " Once the roll has been turned in the roller, open the rollers out, remove the finished sushi roll, which is now ready to be sliced into smaller sections. If the roller method is not used, proceed as follows: " Place a sheet of nori onto a rolling mat or a firm, flat surface. " Invert the mold over the nori, and roll the nori onto the rice roll. (Hint: by laying the nori on a sheet of greaseproof paper, then adding the rice roll, an acceptable result can be attained). s092CS.230103

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for preparing a rolled food product, the apparatus comprising: i) a base; ii) two or more sets of rollers located above the base; each set of rollers comprising at least a lower roller and an upper roller, said lower rollers being elevated above the base to fonu, in association with an enabling means, a holding area sufficient to accommodate a desired amount of food material, and wherein the sets of rollers are adjacent each other in a spaced relationship and the enabling means enabling the rollers to co operate and rotate in a like direction; iii) arms connecting said upper and lower rollers; and iv) a handle situated on one of the upper rollers, in a right handed or left handed orientation as desired, wherein said handle when turned engages said enabling means and said rollers; wherein in use, the upper rollers are adapted to be prized apart to accommodate the food material and/or wrapping material if desired, and are manipulated such that when the rollers are reformed to their original closed position and the handle turned, the food material is compacted into a ball or roll and the wrapping material folded around the roll and sealed if appropriate.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enabling means is either a continuous belt operable around said rollers, or is a cog and gear mechanism able to provide a positive drive to the rollers sufficient to form food into a ball or roll.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding area is in the form of a pocket around a desired amount of food material when the enabling means is the continuous belt.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding area is in the form of four points of contact around a desired amount of food material when the enabling means is the cog and gear mechanism. 17

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the upper roller on which the handle is located serves as a driving roller.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein the movement of the rollers is controlled by an arrangement of one or more springs and arms.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6 further comprising a connecting means allowing the arms to be maintained approximately vertical when in a closed position.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the one or more springs is aligned over centre to limit the amount of travel between an opened and closed position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein in an opened position the rollers may be moved up to 60* from the vertical such that in association with the continuous belt a pocket is formed.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein in an opened position the rollers may be moved from 25* to 35* from the vertical to form with the continuous belt, a pocket.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the connecting means is a swing arm which is adapted to lock the arms connecting the upper and lower rollers in substantially vertical position.

12. A rolled food product when made by an apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4.

13. Sushi when made by an apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4

14. An apparatus according to claim to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 substantially as hereinbefore defined and with reference to any one of figures 5 to 12 and 15 to 20 of the accompanying drawings. 18

15. A method of producing a food product as substantially as hereinbefore defined and with reference to any one of figures 5 to 12 and 15 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of producing sushi as substantially as hereinbefore defined and with reference to any one of figures 5 to 12 and 15 to 20 of the accompanying drawings. PIPERS Attorneys for: WARREN TATHAM 19