DESCRIPTION

FOOD PRODUCT.

Technical field

This invention relates to food product. Background art

More specifically, this invention falls within the technical field of food pasta in general, such as, for example, egg-based pasta, soft or hard wheat flour pasta, semolina pasta, cereal-based pasta.

Preferably, the food product according to this invention falls within the so- called "finger-food" sector, that is to say, edible food which can be eaten by hand.

During recent years, it is increasingly common to organise social events such as lunches, dinners, cocktail parties or buffets during which the participants can choose only the dishes which they enjoy.

In this context, the need arises of making dishes of food, in particular pasta-based food, which can be chosen and eaten just by hand.

Disclosure of the invention

One of the aspects of this invention is to provide a food product comprising at least a main body which is edible material-based, in particular pasta-based, which is able to contain at least one filling and a base for supporting the main body made of edible material, in particular pasta-based material.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to some preferred, non-limiting, embodiments of a food product as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a food product according to this invention;

- Figure 1 a is a schematic perspective view of the product of Figure 1 in a variant of the first embodiment;

- Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the food product of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 2a is a schematic plan view of a variant of the food product of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the food product of Figure 1 with filling;

- Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the food product according to this invention;

- Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the food product of Figure 4;

- Figure 5a is a scaled-up schematic side view of a detail A of Figure 5;

- Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the food product of Figure 4 with filling;

- Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the food product according to this invention, with filling;

- Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the food product according to this invention;

- Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the fourth preferred embodiment of the food product illustrated In Figure 8;

- Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a group of food products according to this invention;

- Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a group of food products according to this invention;

- Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a food product according to this invention;

- Figure 13 is a schematic plan view from above of the product of Figure Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The numeral 1 denotes a food product according to this invention.

More specifically, Figures 1 to 3 and 10 illustrate a first embodiment of the food product 1 and Figures 4 to 6 and 1 1 illustrate a second embodiment of the food product 1 according to this invention.

Figure 7 and Figures 8 and 9 illustrate, respectively, a third and a fourth embodiment of the food product 1 .

The food product 1 comprises at least a main body 2 which is able to contain at least a food filling 3, such as for example a condiment, to which reference is made hereinafter without limiting the scope of the invention, a stuffing, a garnish of substantially known type.

The main body 2 is made of edible material, in particular pasta-based material.

The term pasta-based food means, for example, egg-based pasta, soft or hard wheat flour pasta, semolina pasta, cereal-based pasta, whole wheat flour pasta, made of maize, kamut, buckwheat, rye, spelt, oat, chick pea, wheat, barley, cornmeal, millet, soya, chestnuts, potato, without limiting the scope of the invention.

In preferred embodiments, the pasta-based food comprises rice, polenta, meringue, gelatine, puff pastry, pan di spagna, sugar, almond and hazelnut paste, short pastry, potatoes, chocolate, flatbread, crepes, egg. In a preferred embodiment, the main body 2 is made of bread waffle and the filling 3 comprises a coffee-based chocolate.

Preferably, the main body 2 has a cylindrical shape, but without limiting the scope of the invention.

The main body 2 has side walls 2a which delimit at least partly a relative perimeter surface.

The main body 2 has at least one compartment 5 which is able to contain the filling 3.

The compartment 5 is delimited at least partly by the side walls 2a of the main body 2. More specifically, the compartment 5 is delimited at least partly by the inner surface of the side walls 2a.

As illustrated in Figures 3, 6, 7, 10 and 1 1 , the compartment 5 of the main body 2 of a respective food product 1 contains the filling 3.

The main body 2 has at least one end 6 open to allow introduction of the filling 3.

The open end 6 is an upper or top end of the main body 2.

To prevent the escape of the filling 3, the main body 2 has at least one end 1 1 closed.

Preferably, the closed end 1 1 is positioned on the opposite side to the open end 6.

The compartment 5 of the main body 2 extends from a closed end 1 1 to an open end 6 of the main body 2 and is laterally delimited at least by the side walls 2a of the main body 2.

The food product 1 comprises a base 4 for supporting the main body 2. The supporting base 4 extends further than at least the dimensions of the main body 2 in such a way as to stably support it.

The supporting base 4 is made of edible material, in particular pasta- based material.

Preferably, the supporting base 4 has a polygonal shape having a plurality of sides 4a successive to each other.

Preferably, the supporting base 4 has a quadrangular shape, but without thereby restricting the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 1 a, the supporting base 4 is circular.

Advantageously, the main body 2 is connected to the supporting base 4. More specifically, the main body 2 is directly connected to the supporting base 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting base 4 comprises a peripheral portion 4b extending beyond the plan area of the main body. In this way, at least part of the supporting base 4 forms a bottom element or a closed end 1 1 of the main body 2.

More specifically, the closed end 1 1 of the main body 2 is defined by the portion of the supporting base 4 communicating with the compartment 5 of the main body 2.

The open end 6 is positioned on the opposite side to the supporting base 4.

According to the variant of the food product 1 illustrated in Figure 2a, the food product 1 comprises at least one dividing element 14 of the compartment 5 of the main body 2.

The dividing element 14 forms at least two separate compartments 5 of a same main body 2 each of which is designed to contain a respective food filling 3.

The dividing element 14 delimits at least partly the extension of the compartments 5 defined by it.

Preferably, according to the first embodiment, the dividing element 14 is positioned in the main body 2 according to a plane lying orthogonal to the supporting base 4.

Alternatively, according to a variant not illustrated, the dividing element 14 is positioned in the main body 2 according to a plane lying parallel to the supporting base 4. In this case, the main body 2 comprises a closed or blind compartment 5 which extends from the closed end 1 1 of the main body 2 to the dividing element 14 and is delimited by the side walls 2a of the main body 2. The further compartment 5 extends from the dividing element 14 to the open end 6 of the main body 2.

Alternatively, according to a variant not illustrated, the dividing element 14 is positioned in the main body 2 according to a plane lying transversal to the supporting base 4. Also in this case, the main body 2 comprises a closed or blind compartment 5 which extends from the closed end 1 1 of the main body 2 to the dividing element 14 and is delimited by the side walls 2a of the main body 2. The further compartment 5 extends from the dividing element 14 to the open end 6 of the main body 2.

It should be noted that in these variants not illustrated, the dividing element 14 forms a further closed end 1 1 of the main body 2.

Finally, it should be noted that the dividing element 14 may be present in all the embodiments of the food product 1 according to this invention.

Advantageously, the product 1 , and in particular the main body 2 comprise at least one gripping element 7 which allows the consumer to grip the food product 1 by hand, without the aid of cutlery, in order to eat it.

According to an embodiment not illustrated, the gripping element 7 is defined by the side walls 2a of the main body 2.

Preferably, the gripping element 7 is connected to at least part of the side walls 2a of the main body 2.

According to the first embodiment illustrated for example in Figures 1 , 1 a, the gripping element 7 is made of edible material, in particular pasta-based material, for example of the type indicated with reference to the main body.

Preferably, the gripping element 7 and the main body 2 are a single body.

In order to allow an optimum gripping of the food product 1 , the gripping element 7 is in the form of a polygonal element, and more specifically, rectangular.

The gripping element 7 may alternatively be in the form of a cup or espresso coffee cup handle.

Preferably, the gripping element 7 extends along least part of the side wall 2a of the main body 2. More specifically, from the open end 6 of the main body 2 to the supporting base 4.

According to the first embodiment, the gripping element 7 is connected to the main body 2 and to the supporting base 4.

Advantageously, the food product 1 comprises at least two separate elements connected to each other, that is, the supporting base 4 and the main body 2 equipped with the gripping element 7. Advantageously, as illustrated for example in Figures 1 , 1 a, 3, 7, the gripping element 7 is connected to the above-mentioned peripheral portion 4b of the supporting base 4. In that way, the element 7, being connected both to the body 2 and to the base 4, in particular to the peripheral portion 4b, is particularly solid and stable for lifting the product 1 .

According to the second embodiment illustrated for example in Figure 4 or 12, the gripping element 7 is inserted at least partly in the main body 2, in particular at the side walls 2a.

The gripping element 7 passes through the compartment 5 of the main body 2 at the side walls 2a.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the gripping element 7 in the main body 2, the main body 2 has one or more through holes 12 intended for the passage of the gripping element 7.

The main body 2 of a respective food product 1 has, in particular on the side walls 2a, at least two through holes 12 for passage of a respective gripping element 7.

With reference in particular to Figures 12 and 13, it should be noted that the side wall 2a of the main body 2 has a first and a second hole 12a, 12b aligned with each other and positioned in opposite parts of the main body 2.

The side wall 2a of the main body has a third and a fourth hole 12c, 12d aligned with each other and positioned in opposite sides of the main body 2.

The holes 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are provided for insertion of a gripping element 7 and are preferably coplanar with each other.

The gripping element 7 comprises a first prong 7a and a second prong 7b other preferably connected to each other by a joining portion 7c.

The first prong 7a is insertable, for example, in the holes 12a, 12b and the second prong 7b is insertable in the holes 12c, 12d.

In the solution illustrated for example, the first prong 7a is inserted in the holes 12a, 12b and the second prong 7b is inserted in the holes 12c, 12d. As illustrated in Figure 5a, the holes 12a, 12c are connected to each other, for example by a notch or slit, to form an elongate slot 12.

The holes 12b, 12d are connected to each other, for example by a notch or slit, to form a second elongate slot 12.

In other words, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5a, the above- mentioned holes 12 have the shape of an elongate slot.

In a preferred embodiment the slots 12 have a polygonal shape or cross section, preferably rectangular in shape, and are aligned with each other. In that way, using a gripping element 7, not illustrated, having a cross section shape substantially corresponding to that of the slots 12 and inserted in the slots 12, it possible to avoid, in use, a relative rotation of the main body 2, that is, of the product 1 , relative to the gripping element 7. The passage holes 12 are positioned on the side walls 2a, on opposite sides, preferably at the same height relative to the supporting base 4.

In a variant embodiment, the gripping element 7 of the main body 2 is made of inedible material, such as, for example, plastic, wood or metallic material designed for the food industry; for example the gripping element 7 is a stick.

In a second embodiment, illustrated for example in Figure 7, the main body 2 comprises an edge 13 for containing the filling 3 which extends on the open end 6 of the main body 2 forming a section for introducing the filling 3.

Advantageously, the containing edge 13 limits or prevents the escape of liquid and semi-liquid fillings 3 from the compartment 5 of the main body 2. According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the gripping element 7 of the main body 2 is in the form of handle 70 or band, in particular semi-circular, which projects from the opposite side of the supporting base 4 relative to the main body 2. With reference to Figure 8, the food product 1 comprises a single edible gripping handle 70, which alternately may be made of plastic material, wood or metallic material designed for the food industry. With reference to Figure 9, the food product 1 comprises a pair of gripping handles 70 which are superposed at least partly in an intersection zone. The two gripping elements 7 are connected at least to the side walls 2a of the main body 2. Further, they may also be connected to the supporting base 4.

Lastly, it should be noted that the food products 1 according to this invention comprise, in a embodiment not illustrated, respective elements for closing the open end 6 of the main body 2.

These closing elements are preferably made of edible material, in particular pasta-based material.

Figures 10 and 1 1 illustrate groups 8 of food products 1 .

Each group 8 of food products 1 comprises at least two food products 1 which are associated with one another.

Preferably, each group 8 of food products 1 comprises a plurality of food products 1 which are associated with one another.

With particular reference to Figure 10, the group 8 of food products 1 has at least part of the supporting base 4 of a food product 1 alongside at least part of the supporting base 4 of a respective food product 1 .

In this way it is possible to place the food products 1 alongside one another, in the absence of interconnecting constraints, for occupying the minimum available space and make attractive arrangements having different shapes and dimensions.

In other words, depending on the shape of the supporting base 4 a food product 1 is positioned alongside a respective food product 1 .

Since, preferably, the supporting base 4 has a polygonal shape, at least part of a side 4a of the supporting base 4 of a food product 1 is alongside at least part of a side 4a of the supporting base 4 of the other food product 1 .

As illustrated, the sides 4a of the supporting bases 4 of several food products 1 side by side are parallel to each other.

In other words, each side 4a of the supporting base 4 of at least one food product 1 is parallel to a respective side 4a of the supporting base 4 of a respective food product 1 alongside.

In a variant not illustrated, at least part of the supporting base 4 of a food product 1 is in contact with at least part of the supporting base 4 of a respective food product 1 .

In general terms, the supporting bases 4 of the food products 1 have respective perimetric edges 4a designed to fit together.

In this sense, the perimetric edges 4a of a supporting base 4 lie alongside at least partly the perimetric edges 4a of the supporting base alongside it. Advantageously, it is possible to make groups 8 of food products 1 which occupy the minimum available space and at the same time are visually attractive for the consumer.

For example, the mutual placing alongside each other of several food products 1 may define a predetermined general shape as desired.

With reference in particular to Figure 1 1 , the group 8 of food products 1 comprises three food products 1 which are associated with one another. Preferably, the food products 1 of a respective group 8 are connected together by a same gripping element 7.

In this variant, a single gripping element 7 holds together a plurality of food products 1 .

More specifically, the gripping element 7 passes through the compartments 5 of the main bodies 2 of the food products 1 forming part of the same group 8, at the respective side walls 2a.

It should be noted that, for example, each group 8 of food products 1 comprises one or more food products 1 which in the respective compartment 5 contain a first filling 9 and at least one or more food products 1 which in the respective compartment 5 contain a second filling 10 which is different to the first filling 9.

In the embodiments illustrated, each group 8 has at least three food products 1 each provided with a respective filling 3 different from each other. By way of an example, a group 8 of food products 1 comprises a food product 1 containing a meat-based ragout filling 3, a food product 1 containing a basil pesto-based filling 3 and a food product 1 containing a tomato sauce-based filling 3.

In this way, in the same group 8 of food products 1 it is possible to provide a variety of dressings, fillings and garnishes to satisfy the preferences of various consumers.

The range of fillings 3 in a same group 8 of food products 1 renders the set of products 1 attractive also to the eyes of the consumer.

The choice of the type of fillings 3 may be defined according to the colour shades of the general shape which is to be attributed to the group 8 of food products 1 .

In an embodiment not illustrated, the group 8 of food products 1 comprises at least two food products 1 stacked on top of each other.

According to this configuration, the supporting base 4 the food product 1 positioned above the other food product 1 defines a closing element of the open end 6 of the main body 2 of the food product 1 below it.

Advantageously, the food product 1 , according to this invention, allows the consumer to fill the food product 1 according to his/her preferences, inserting in the compartment 5 of the food product 1 the selected filling 3, in particular once the food product 1 has been baked.

On the other hand, the food product 1 may be prebaked and may already contain in its compartment 5 the filling 3, in such a way that the consumer must solely finish the baking or just heat it.

A method for preparing the food product 1 comprises a first step of simultaneously cooking at least the main body 2 and the supporting base 4 of a food product 1 .

In one embodiment, the first cooking step comprises simultaneous cooking of the main body 2, the gripping element 7 and the supporting base 4. In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of inserting the gripping element 7 in the main body 2 before the first cooking step or, alternatively, after the first cooking step.

The method comprises a step of inserting the filling 3 in the compartment 5 of the main body 2, preferably after the first cooking step.

The method comprises a second step of cooking the food product 1 after the first cooking step.

The second cooking step means completing the degree of cooking of the food product 1 reached with the first cooking step or heating the food product 1 for consumption, so as to make the food product 1 ready for consumption.

The step of inserting the filling 3 in the compartment 5 of the main body 2 may be performed after the second cooking step.

According to a variant embodiment, the method comprises a step of freezing the food product 1 .