# US 7,744,941 B2 · Apparatus and process for marinating foodstuff

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- Number: US 7,744,941 B2
- Document ID: US7744941B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/099,782
- Filed: 2005-04-04
- Published: 2006-10-05
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-04-04
- Inventors: Adam Flood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744941B2

## CPC

- A23B 4/28: by injection of liquids
- A23L 13/72: using additives, e.g. by injection of solutions
- A23L 13/75: using macerating or marinating solutions, e.g. marinades containing spices, acids, condiments or flavouring agents
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
- A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B)

## Abstract

The invention is directed to an apparatus and process for marinating foodstuffs in a short period of time. The apparatus includes a food holding container, a base and a shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations from a source of ultrasonic vibrations in communication with a base, thereby tenderizing and imparting flavor to the foodstuffs. In addition to the ultrasonic vibrations, the apparatus can include a marinade injection system that injects marinade into the meat prior to being subjected to the ultrasonic vibrations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A marinator for marinating food comprising:
a food holding container having a bottom wall with an outer and inner surface, side walls extending upwardly from each side of the bottom wall in adjoining relation and a plurality of bottom corners, said outer surface of said bottom wall having extensions protruding downward away from said bottom wall;
a base comprising a plurality of cavities complementary to said extensions protruding downward away from said bottom wall;
a shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations from a source of ultrasonic vibrations in communication with said base; at least one injection well comprising a plunger for forcing a marinade within said at least one injection well into a food, an injection well plate comprising a plurality of holes configured to hold said at least one injection well;
and a means for agitating said marinade within said at least one injection well comprising a magnet positioned directly below said at least one injection well and a magnetic stirring rod positioned within said at least one injection well for agitating said marinade.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The marinator for marinating food according to claim 1 further comprising a lid for enclosing said food holding container having a rear edge and a front edge, the shape of said lid conforming to said opening such of said food container so that said lid generally seals said food container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The marinator for marinating food according to claim 2 wherein said shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations is variable speed and said shaft is in communication with a variable speed control knob.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The marinator for marinating food according to claim 3 wherein the inner surface of the bottom wall comprises a plurality of raised surfaces.

### Claim 5

A vibrating injection marinator for marinating food comprising:
a food holding container having a bottom wall with an outer and inner surface, side walls extending upwardly from each side of said bottom wall in adjoining relation and a plurality of bottom corners, said side walls defining a cavity having an inner edge and a front edge continuous around said circumference of said food holding container;
a lid having a inner surface and an outer surface for enclosing said food holding container said lid having an extended side wall configured to fit within said cavity of said food holding container;
at least one injection well comprising a plunger for forcing a marinade forward positioned within said at least one injection well for injecting the marinade into a food;
an injection well plate comprising a plurality of holes configured to hold said injection wells;
a base comprising a plurality of cavities complementary to extensions protruding downward away from said bottom wall;
a shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations from a source of ultrasonic vibrations in communication with said base;
and a means for agitating said marinade within said at least one injection well comprising a magnet positioned directly below said at least one injection well and a magnetic stirring rod positioned within said at least one injection well for agitating said marinade.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 5 wherein said plunger of said injection well fits within a cover and a portion of said plunger extends through said cover whereby pushing on said plunger advances the plunger in the downward direction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 6 wherein said cover and injection wells comprise threads wherein said threads on said cover are configured to interlock with said threads on said injection wells.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 7 wherein said injection devices are configured so as to be removable.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 7 wherein the injection well plate is configured to lock into the inner edge of said food-holding container.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 9 wherein said injection well plate is constructed from a rigid material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 9 wherein said injection well plate is constructed from a material selected from composite plastic, plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, coated metal, and dishwasher safe material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 7 wherein the outer edge of said food holding container has at least one air relief port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The vibrating injection marinator for marinating food according to claim 5 wherein the lid further comprises a push down handle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A method for marinating food comprising:
placing food to be marinated in a marinator for marinating food of claim 1; adding marinade to said marinator; and
activating said shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to produce marinated food.

### Claim 15 (depends on 5)

A method for marinating food comprising:
placing food to be marinated in a marinator for marinating food of claim 5;
adding marinade to said marinator;
forcing liquid into said food to be marinated with at least one injection device for injecting fluid into said food; and
activating said shaft for transmitting ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to produce marinated food.