Device and Method for Melting Cheese

A method of assembling, producing and packaging a food product including a melted cheese component comprising:

• providing a device having a steaming chamber with an entrance opening;
• providing a counter having a work surface,
• positioning the device on the counter so that the work surface of the counter provides a floor for the steaming chamber;
• providing a food product container having a bottom and movable between an open and a closed position, wherein in the open position the container has a first open top compartment and a second open top compartment, and in the closed position the container forms a closed package;
• assembling a first food item in the first open top compartment, the first food item including an unmelted cheese component;
• thereafter
• supporting the bottom of the open container on the work surface adjacent to the steaming chamber entrance and outside of the steaming chamber;
• thereafter
• slideably inserting the portion of the container having the cheese component into the steaming chamber while maintaining the bottom of the container on the counter;
• thereafter
• injecting steam in sufficient quantity into the steaming chamber to impinge on and melt the cheese component located in the steaming chamber;
• thereafter
• withdrawing the container from the steaming chamber while continuing to support the bottom of the container on the counter;
• and thereafter
• closing the container to provide a closed package for delivery to a consumer, the closed package containing a food product comprising the melted cheese component

A device for melting a cheese component of a food product comprising;

• a counter having a work surface;
• a steaming chamber positioned adjacent the work surface and having sidewalls, a top wall, and an entrance opening;
• an interior support surface in the steaming chamber provided by the counter for supporting a clamshell container when inserted into the steaming chamber through the entrance opening;
• a steam generator for generating steam from liquid water injected into the steam generator;
• at least one steam passageway for injecting steam generated by the steam generator through the at least one steam passageway and into the steaming chamber for melting the cheese component of the food item while contained in one compartment of a clamshell container that has been inserted into the steaming chamber;
• a controller for causing steam to be injected through the at least one steam passageway and into the steaming chamber, wherein the clamshell container can be supported on the work surface to allow the assembling of the food item in the clamshell container, and the work surface supporting the bottom as the clamshell container is inserted and withdrawn into and out of the steaming chamber, the interior support surface and the work surface supporting the bottom when the clamshell container is positioned in the steaming chamber for steam injection heating to melt the cheese component of the food item, and the work surface supporting at least a portion of the bottom when closing the clamshell container to provide a closed clamshell container package for the delivery of the food product to a consumer.

A method of producing and packaging a food product including a melted cheese component comprising:

• providing a steam injection chamber;
• providing a transport and packaging member having a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section being relatively movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the first section has a first compartment with an open top to allow contents to be placed in the first compartment, and in the closed position the transport and packaging member forming a closed package;
• placing a first food component into the first compartment through the open top of the first compartment when the transport and packaging member is in the open position;
• placing an unmelted cheese component in the first compartment with the first food item component through the open top of the first compartment;
• thereafter
• inserting the first compartment into the steam injection chamber;
• thereafter
• injecting steam into the steam injection chamber to inject steam through the open top of the first compartment to melt the cheese component in the first compartment;
• thereafter
• withdrawing the first compartment from the steam injection chamber;
• thereafter
• moving the first section and the second section relative to each other to place the transport and packaging member in the closed position to form a closed package for containing the food product that includes the food component and the melted cheese component for delivery in the closed transport and packaging member to a consumer.