GB2396549A

GB2396549A - A cooking rack

Info

Publication number: GB2396549A
Application number: GB0230002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Delaney; Brendan Farrell
Original assignee: DRALITE SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: DRALITE SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-23
Filing date: 2002-12-23
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Also published as: GB0230002D0

Abstract

A rack 1 for cooking a plurality of chicken fillets comprises a pair of frame elements 3, 4 of wire mesh construction which are hingedly interconnected by hinges 5 along one edge for movement between an open configuration to a closed cooking configuration for insertion into an oven 6. The frame elements 3,4 have a plurality of prongs 10 which project inwardly for piercing the chicken fillets 2. The prongs 10 are offset such that the chicken fillets 2 are pierced at different locations on both sides. The rack 1 also has release elements 12, 13 of mesh construction which are interposed between the associated frame element 3, 4 and the chicken fillets 2 placed thereon. The release element is movable from a rest position to a release position to lift the chicken fillets 2 off the frame element 3, 4.

Description

"A cooking Stem" Introduction

5 The invention relates to a cooking rack and especially to a rack for cooking chicken fillets. Lee processing of chicken fillets in a restaurant kitchen environment is time consurnu and labour intensive. In addition, it is dimoult to ensure that the chicken 10 fillets are evenly cooked. Often, the thinner side edges of atypical chicken fillet arc overcooked resulting in inferior organoleptic properties, customer dissatisfaction and/or product Wastage.

This invention is directed towards overcoming at least some of these difficulties.

Statcmets of Invention According to the invention there is provided a rack for cooking a plurality of chicken 20 fillets comprising a ravish frame having a pair of frame elements which are connected for movement between an open configuration to receive chicken fillets and a closed cooking configuration, at least one of the fMme e]emcnts having a plurality of prongs for piercing the chicken fillets dunng cooking.

25 En one embodiment both frame elcrncnts have a plurality of inwardly projecting prongs. The prongs of the frame elements are preferably offset such that the chicken fillets are pierced at different locations on both sides, In one embodiment the projections are of varying length.

! The invention also provides a rack whcrcin the rack has a release means for releasing a cooked chicken fillet from the frame elements. The release means may comprise a release element between the frame clemcot and chicken fillets placed thereon, the 5 release clement being movable from a rest position to a rctcasc position to lift the chicken fillets off the frame element. There may be a replete element for each frArne elect. The release elements may be interconnected. In one case the release elements me hngedly interconnected.

10 In one arrangement the release element is collocated to the associated frame element.

The release element may be hingedly connected to the associated frame element.

In one embodiment the release elemcat is of mesh constnction.

15 The frame elements may be hingedly connected along one edge, In one embodiment the rack comprises a releasable locking means for locking the frame elements together in the closed configuration, 20 The rack may comprise side rails for engaging with tracks In a cooker. The side rails may be provided by Side edges of the France elements, In one embodiment the rack comprises a handle for the rack.

25 In another embodiment the reck comprises a hook for hanging the rack.

The invention provides a chicken fillet processing system connprising a rack of the invention. 30 The system, in one embodiment, comprises a marinading container for receiving the rack. l

ma- In one embodiment the System comprises a cooker having side Support rails, the rack being sized to engage the side support rails of the cooker.

5 In another embodiment the system comprises chiller or freezer having support means for supporting the rack. The support means comprises side support rails.

In a further aspect the invention provides a process for cooking a plurality of chicken fillets comprising the steps of: providing a rack of the invention; opening the rack: 15 placing a plurality of chicken fillets on the rack, closing the rack so that the prongs pierce the chicken fillets: placing the rack containing the chicken fillets in an oven; cooking the chicken fillets in the oven; removing the rack from the oven; 2S opening the rack: and removing the cooked chicken fillets from the rack.

In one embodiment the process comprises providing a movable release element 30 between a frame element and the chicken fillets and on opening of the rack, moving the release element to remove the cooked chicken fillets from the tack.

The process, in one embodiment, comprises the steps, after closing of the rack' of placing the rack in a marinading container and, after marinading, removing the rack containing the marinaded chicken fillets from the marinadlug container. The process 5 may comprise the steps of hanging the rack, after marinading, and collecting Access marinade dripping from the rack for re-u,re.

In one embodiment the process comprlscs, after closing of the rack, of placing the rack containing Me chicken fillets in a chiller.

Lee invention also provides chicken whenever processed using a rack of the invention and/or a system of the invention andlor a process of the invention, Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood front the following description thereof

given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially exploded viev of R rack according to the invention, in an open configuration Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rack in a closed configuration; 25 Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the rack in a closed configuration Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a detail of the rack; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rack, in use; and Fig. 6 is a per.speetive view of the rack in another use thereof.

_eta d Description

5 Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a rack 1 according to the invention for cooking a plurality of chicken fillets 2, The rack comprises a pair of frame elements 3, 4 of wire mesh construction which are heatedly interconnected by hinges 5 along one edge for movement between an open configuration [Fig. 1] to a closed cooking configuration [Fig. 2] for insertion into an oven as illustrated En Fig. 5.

At least one and in tE'is case both of the frame elements 3,4 has a plurality of prongs 10 which project inwardly for piercing the chicken $iT1etc 2. As will be apparent especially in Figs, 3 and 4 the prongs 10 of the frame elements 3, 4 are offset such that the chicken fillets 2 are pierced at different locations on bow sides. It wi11 also 15 be noted that the prongs are in this case iUnstrated in Pig. of varymg length so that the thickest parts of the fillet are pierced, leaving the thinner edge parts either unpierced or only pierced slightly.

The rack 1 in this case teas a release means for r.elcasir the cooked chicken fillets 20 from the frame elements 3, and prongs IO, for example after cooking, The release means comprises a release clement 12 of mesh construction ich is interposed between the associated frame clement 3, 4 and the chicken fillets 2 placed thereon.

The release element is movable from a rest position to a release position to lift the chicken fillets off the frame clement 3, 4. In this case there are two release clewonts 25 12, 13, one for each frame element 3. 4. The release elements 12, 13 in this case are connected to the associated frame clement 3, 4.

The rack 1 has a releasable integrated locking clip system 20 on both of the frame elements 3, to retain Tic rack 1 in a normally closed configuration. The rack also 30 has a handle 21 to facilitate handling, transport and storage.

Thus, the rack with four mesh elements which arc assembled around several integral hinges, which allow easy and trouble-free operting, The cages are made of wire mesh, which optimises the airflow around the chicken fillets, whilst safely retaining the chicken.

The outer frame clcmeats 3, 4 have a pattern of Inwardly protruding prongs 10, which pictce the chicken upon its closure. The prongs 10 are offset to even out temperature distribution within the chicken fillets and clamp them more tightly, The inner release mesh elements allow the safe and easy lifting of the chicken fillets off 10 the prongs in one swift action.

The entire rack is held shut by a secure;ntcgated clipping mechanism on the two outer frame elements. A handle, positioned next to the clip, facilitates handling (placing in and removal from oven or blast chiller), transport and storage.

The rack 1 is placed into the oven, ensuring that it rests on the existing guide rails.

Air is allowed to circulate freely through the wire enclosure and around the chicken fillets, speeding up the cooking process. In addition, the metallic prongs conduct the heat deep into the ccatre of the chicken fillet. again reducing the cooking time.

20 Several such enclosures can be stacked in the oven at any one time and if necessary tray can be placed in the bottom of the oven to catch any drips of chicken fat or marinade. When the chicken is cooked, the enclosure is removed from the oven for further 25 processing. For example, the rack may be dipped into a vat of sauce and then suspended on a specially designed hook mounted in a convenient place in the kitchen. A tray for catching drips of sauce can be placed underneath it. The rack is opened and the coated chicken fillets may be briefly seared on a grill.

! 30 Alternatively, the rack may be placed directly in a blast-chiller using a sat of specially designed hooks. Again, the wire construction will allow the free

circulation of air around the cooked chicken fillets, while the metallic prongs in the centre of the chicken carry the thermal energy out of the fillet. These features assist in speeding up the cooling process.

5 The rack dimensions will comply with gastronomic standards, allowing it to It into regular guide rails in ovens, shelves and refrigerators. Part of the system will also be a set of hooks, which allow the chicken enclosures to be suspended, full or empty' in a space-saving Tnanucr, wherever in the kitchen is deemed most suitable.

10 The rack allows chicken to be stored and handled in a more efficient manner, dealing with a large quantity rather than individual chicken pieces, and without necessitating human contact. It will also speed up the cooking and cooling processes.

Referring to Fig. 6 the rack is illustrated being inserted or withdrawn unto a container 15 30 which may contain a sauce in the case of cooked chicken or a marinade in the case of raw chicken, Referring to Fig. 7 the rack 1 is shown suspended on hooks 40 which are engaged by the handle 21. The hook, 40 may be provided at various locations in a kitchen as 20 described above.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

Bairns.. 1. A reck for cooking a plurality of chicken fillets comprising

a mesh frame 5 having a pair of frame elements which are connected for movement between an open configuration for receiving chicken fillets and a closed cooking configuration, at least one of the frame elements having a plurality of prongs for piercing the chicken fillets during cooking.

10 2. A rack as claimed in claun wherein both France elements have a plurality of inwardly projecting prongs.

3. A rack as clashed in claim 2 wherein the prongs of the France elements are offset such that the chicken {illcts arc pierced at different locations on both 15 sides, 4, A.rack as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the projections are of varying length.

20 5. A rack as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rack has a release means for releasing a cooked chicken fillet front Be frar;ne elements.

6. A rack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the release means comprises a release element between the frame element and chicken fillets placed thereon' the 25 release element being movable from a rest position to a release position to lift the chicken fillets off the frame elemcot.

7. A rack as claimed ire. claim 6 wherein there is a release clement for each frame eleruent.

8. A rack as claimed In claim 7 Wherein the release elements are interconnected.

9. A rack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the release elements are hingedly interconnccced. 5 10. A rack as claimed in any of claims to 9 wherein the release clement its wonccted to the associated frame element, 11. rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein the release element is hingedly connected to the associated frame clement.

12. rack as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11 wherein the release element is of mesh construction.

13. A rack as claimed in any preceding claun wherein the France elements are 15 hingcdly connected glory one edge.

14. A rack as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a relearnable locking means for locking the frame elements together in the closed configuradon.

20 15. rack as claimed in any preceding claim comprising side rails for engaging with tracks in a cooker, 16. A rack as claimed in claim 15 wherein the side rails are provided by side edges of the frame elements.

17. A rack es claimed in any preceding claim comprising a handle for the rack.

18. rack as claimed in any preceding claim wherein comprising a hook for hanging the rack.

19. A rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. chicken fillet processing system comprising a rack so claimed in any 5 preceding claim.

71. A system as claimed in claim ZO comprising a marinading container for receiving the rack.

10 32. A system as claimed in claim 20 or 21 comprising a cooker having side support rails, the rack being sized to engage c side support rails of the cooker. 23. A system as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22 comprising a chiller or freezer 15 having support means for supporting the racic 24. system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the support means conpriscs side support rails.

20 25. chicken fillet p=CCSEiGg system substantially as hereinbeforc described With reference to Me accompanying drawings.

26. A process for cooking a plurality of chicken fillets comprising the steps of: 25 providing a rack as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19: opening the rack; placing a plurality of chicken fillets on Tic rack; closing the rack so that the prongs pierce the chicken fillets;

placing He rack containing the chicken fillets in an oven; cooking the chicken fillets in the oven; s removing the rack from the oven; opening the racki end 10 removing the cooked chicken fillets from the rack.

27. A process as claimed in claim 26 comprising providing a movable release element between a France element and the chicken fillets and on opening of the rack, moving the release element to remove the cooked chicken fillets 15 from the rack.

28. process as claimed In claim 26 or 27 comprising the steps, after closing of the rack, of placing the rack in a marinadlug container and, after marinading, removing the rack containing the marinaded chicken fillets from the an marinading container.

29. A process as claimed in claim 28 comprising the steps of hanging the rack' after rnadnadmg' and collecting excess marinade dripping from the rack for refuse. 30. process as claimed in any of claimant 26 to 29 comprising, after closing of the rack, of placing the rack containing the chicken fillets in a chiller.

31. A process substantially as hercinbeforc described with referenec to the 30 accompanying drawings.

32. Chicken whenever processed using a rack as claimed in any of clarions 1 to 19, a system as claimed in any of closings 20 to 35 and/or a process as claimed in any of claims 26 to 31.