# US 12,108,903 B2 · Apparatus for preparing foodstuffs with steam > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,108,903 B2 - Document ID: US12108903B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/768,833 - Filed: 2018-11-26 - Published: 2021-05-20 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Assignees: Carogusto AG - Applicants: Carogusto AG - Inventors: Thomas Grendelmeier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108903B2 ## CPC - A47J 27/04: for cooking food in steam; Devices for extracting fruit juice by means of steam {; Vacuum cooking vessels (steam-heated vessels for hotels, restaurants or canteens A47J27/16)} - A47J 27/16: heated by steam - B08B 3/02: Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays - F16L 21/005: {made of elastic material, e.g. partly or completely surrounded by clamping devices (comprising packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure F16L17/04)} - F24C 15/003: {moisturising of air} - A47J 2027/043: {for cooking food in steam} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - F24C: DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES (exclusively for solid fuels F24B); DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION ## Abstract An apparatus (1) for preparing foodstuffs accommodated in a vessel, the apparatus includes a steam-generating unit for generating steam, a steam-feeding unit connected to the steam-generating unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam-supply line and having a steam probe containing at least one steam-discharging opening, and further includes a drive unit for adjusting the steam-feeding unit in translatory fashion, relative to a rinsing device (2) arranged beneath the steam-feeding unit and having a rinsing tray (3) and a rinse-water-application unit or spray nozzle (18), for rinsing the steam probe following foodstuff-preparation, wherein the rinsing tray (3) is connected to an outflow-line portion (13) for discharging dirty rinse water, wherein, on the rinsing tray (3), a drain funnel (10), which can be released from the rinsing tray (3) without any tools, for cleaning and/or changeover purposes and is sealed in relation to the rinsing tray (3), is secured to the outflow-line portion (13). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device (1) for preparing foods received in a vessel, comprising a steam generator unit for generating steam, a steam delivery unit having a steam probe containing at least one steam discharge opening, the steam delivery unit being connected to the steam generator unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam feed line, and drive means for the displacement of the steam delivery unit relative to a rinsing device (2), wherein the rinsing device comprises: a rinsing tank (3) and rinsing water application means for rinsing the steam probe after a food preparation process, the rinsing tank (3) comprising a body formed of a first material and defining a tank drain opening, and further comprising a sealing means (11) formed from a second material and extending radially inwardly from the tank drain opening and defining a drain funnel opening, wherein the sealing means is formed of a second material, wherein the body and the sealing means are a singular multicomponent injection molded component, wherein the second material is an elastomer and the first material is rigid relative to the second material; and a drain funnel (10) fixed to a drain line section (13), wherein the drain funnel (10) can be detached from and engaged with the sealing means (11) of the rinsing tank (3) for cleaning and/or exchange purposes and is sealed in relation to the rinsing tank (3) by the sealing means (11). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means (11) comprise fixing means for form-fitting and/or clamping and/or locking support of the drain funnel (10). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drain funnel (10) is inserted into the drain funnel opening and is fixed to and detachable from the rinsing tank (3) in such a manner that the drain funnel (10) can be removed from the rinsing tank (3) by applying a detachment force along a vertical direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drain line section (13) comprises a flexible drain hose, fixed so as to be detachable to the drain funnel (10). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drain line section (13) is fixed to a siphon, or loosely inserted into said siphon, or leads to a collecting vessel of the device (1) in a loose manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing tank (3) has an upper outer periphery and the upper outer periphery is surrounded by a plate-shaped mounting plate section (8). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, further comprising a work surface (5) resting on the mounting plate section (8), the work surface (5) having a work surface opening (4) such that the rinsing tank (3) can be accessed through the work surface opening (4), the mounting plate section (8) and/or the rinsing tank (3) being sealed in relation to a bottom side of the work surface and/or in relation to an edge of the work surface opening in a radial direction by an elastomer seal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting plate section (8) comprises a support section (7) for the steam delivery unit, the steam delivery unit resting on said support section (7) in a lower rinsing position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate section (8) comprises an opening, a residual steam drain line being received in said opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing tank (3) further comprises a rinsing nozzle mounting opening and a rinsing nozzle (18) in the rinsing nozzle mounting opening for applying a rinsing water spray jet to the steam probe being disposed in the rinsing nozzle mounting opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the prepared foods are ready meals. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises drive means for translational displacement of the steam delivery unit relative to the rinsing device (2), disposed below the steam delivery unit along the vertical. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing water application means comprises a rinsing nozzle (18). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drain funnel (10) can be detached from the rinsing tank (3) without any tools being required. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein the plate-shaped mounting plate section (8) is one piece with the rinsing tank (3). ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the elastomer seal is defined in one piece at the mounting plate section (8) and/or the rinsing tank (3). ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The device according to claim 8, wherein the support section (7) is made of plastic and is radially spaced apart from an upper rinsing tank opening (15) in the rinsing tank (3). ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The device according to claim 9, wherein the opening is radially spaced apart from an upper rinsing tank opening (15) in the rinsing tank (3). ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The device according to claim 9, further comprising an integral, elastomer material in the opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the seal means extends radially inwardly from a radially inner edge of the drain opening. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, the sealing means defines an annular groove, and a circumferential bead on the drain funnel (10) enters the annular groove to hold the drain funnel (10) in place.