CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[001] This application claims priority from Indian application 201641019615 titled "An apparatus for preparing eatables" filed on 6 ^th June, 2017. TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The embodiments herein generally relate to cooking apparatus and more particularly, to an apparatus for preparing eatables such as vada, doughnuts and the like.

BACKGROUND

[003] Generally, a vada is a type of fried food made from batter, which is typically made from at least one or more of pulse, legume and lentils. The vada is usually made by, arranging the batter in a circular shape of appropriate thickness with or without a central hole and then frying the circularly shaped batter in oil. Generally, the batter used for making vada is viscous and it becomes cumbersome and difficult to obtain appropriately shaped batter for making vada, especially for a novice. Further, it becomes undesirable to manually shape the vada batter as the batter sticks to the palm of the person.

[004] Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus to prepare eatables such as vada and the like, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus for preparing eatables, which can be used at least for making vadas and the like easily.

[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a user friendly apparatus that can be used for preparing eatables such as vadas and the like.

[007] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus, which enables ready to cook eatables such as vada and the like. [008] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus, which reduces the time in preparation of eatables such as vada and the like.

[009] The objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The embodiments of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: [0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an apparatus for preparing eatables such as vada and the like, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a plunger of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a movable member of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a dispenser of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0017] The embodiments herein achieve an apparatus for preparing eatables, which can be used at least for making vadas and the like easily. Further, embodiments herein achieve an apparatus, which enables ready to cook eatables such as vada and the like. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an apparatus 100 for preparing eatables such as vada and the like, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a flexible pouch (not shown), a dispenser 102, a plunger 104, a movable member 106 and a locking element 108. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the apparatus 100 is explained herein below with reference to making vadas. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the apparatus 100 for making doughnuts and the like or any other disc shaped eatables having a central hole, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the apparatus 100 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0019] In an embodiment, the flexible pouch (not shown) is used to store batter (vada batter). The flexible pouch (not shown) is connected to corresponding portion of a base 102a (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) of the dispenser 102. The batter stored in the flexible pouch (not shown) is typically a mixture of black grams and other ingredients used for making vada. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the batter with any other type of ingredients that is used for making vadas. The batter from the flexible pouch (not shown) flows to a body 102b (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) of the dispenser 102 through an inlet I (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) of the base 102a of the dispenser 102 when a force/pressure is applied to the flexible pouch (not shown). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other means for storing the batter. [0020] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a dispenser 102 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the dispenser 102 is used to dispense/discharge the batter received from the flexible pouch (not shown) to a base 104a (as shown in fig. 2) of the plunger 104. In an embodiment, the dispenser 102 includes a base 102a (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4), a body 102b (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) and a plurality of holding elements 102c (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4). In an embodiment, the base 102a of the dispenser 102 is used for holding the flexible pouch (not shown). The base 102a of the dispenser 102 defines an inlet I (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) adapted to allow the batter from the flexible pouch (not shown) to flow to the body 102b of the dispenser 102. In an embodiment, the body 102b extends from the base 102a of the dispenser 102 in a direction towards the base 104a of the plunger 104. The body 102b of the dispenser 102 defines an outlet O (as shown in fig. 5) adapted to allow the batter from the body 102b of the dispenser 102 to flow to the base 104a of the plunger 104. Further, in an embodiment, the body 102b of the dispenser 102 has a circular cross-section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the body 102b of the dispenser 102 in rectangular cross-section or any other cross-section without otherwise deterring the intended function of the body 102b of the dispenser 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, each holding element 102c extends from an inner portion (inner side) of at least one of the body 102b and the base 102a of the dispenser 102. Each holding element 102c of the dispenser 102 defines a plunger receiving portion R (as shown in fig. 4) adapted to receive corresponding portion of a stem 104b (as shown in fig. 2) of plunger 104. The plunger receiving portion R defined by each holding element 102c of the dispenser 102 can be considered to be an opening. Further, in an embodiment, the plunger receiving portion R defined by each holding element 102c of the dispenser 102 defines a plurality of internal threads T (female threads, as shown in fig. 4) corresponding to external threads E (male threads, as shown in fig. 2) of the stem 104b of plunger 104, where the internal threads T defined by the plunger receiving portion R of each holding element 102c of the dispenser 104 is adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the stem 104b of the plunger 104 to a predetermined height thereby adjusting the base 104a of the plunger 104 to corresponding predefined position thereby adjusting the distance between the base 104a of the plunger 104 and the outlet O of the body 102b of the dispenser therein to facilitate formation of the eatable batter in different size and weight.

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a plunger 104 of the apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the plunger 104 is used to facilitate formation of batter (vada batter) in a predefined shape. In an embodiment, the plunger 104 includes a base 104a and a stem 104b. The base 104a of the plunger 104 collects the batter flowing from the body 102b of the dispenser 102 thereby facilitating the formation of batter (vada batter) in the predefined shape, where the predefined shape of the batter formed on the base 104a of the plunger 104 can be considered to be a circular shape. Further, in an embodiment, the base 104a of the plunger 104 is substantially concave therein to facilitate the formation of batter (vada batter) in the predefined shape. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the base 104a of the plunger 104 in any other shape and size to facilitate formation of the batter in the predefined shape. In an embodiment, the stem 104b transversely extends from the base 104a of the plunger 104 in an upward direction towards the base 102a of the dispenser 102. The stem 104b of the plunger 104 is configured to be adjusted to a predetermined height thereby adjusting the base 104a of the plunger 104 to corresponding predefined position. Further, in an embodiment, a portion of the stem 104b defines a plurality of external threads E (male threads) adapted to secure the plunger 104 to each holding element 102c of the dispenser 102, where external threads E of the stem 104b of the plunger 104 is adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the stem 104b of the plunger 104 to the predetermined height thereby adjusting the base 104a of the plunger 104 to corresponding predefined position therein to adjust the distance between the base 104a of the plunger 104 and the outlet O of the body 102b of the dispenser thereby facilitating formation of the batter (vada batter) in corresponding size and weight. Further, the stem 104b of the plunger 104 defines a locking member receiving portion (not shown) adapted to receive the locking element 108 therein to restrict the releasing of the plunger 104 from each holding element 102c of the dispenser 102. In an embodiment, the plunger 104 substantially defines an umbrella shape configuration. [0022] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a movable member 106 of the apparatus

100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the movable member 106 is used to detach or remove the formed batter (vada batter) from the base 104a of the plunger 104 to oil that is heated in a cooking means (not shown), where the cooking means (not shown) can be considered to be a kadai. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of cooking means to facilitate heating of oil to prepare vada. The movable member 106 is movably connected to the body 102b of the dispenser 102. In an embodiment, the movable member 106 includes a body 106a, a first portion 106b and a second portion 106c. The body 106a of the movable member 106 is movably connected to the body 102b of the dispenser 102. The body 106a of the movable member 106 is hollow. In an embodiment, the body 106a of the movable member 106 has a circular cross-section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the body 106a of the movable member 106 in a rectangular cross-section or any other cross-section without otherwise deterring the intended function of the body 106a of the movable member 106 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the first portion 106b can be considered to be a flange radially extending along the circumference of corresponding end of the body 106a of the movable member 106. The first portion 106b of the movable member 106 serves as a provision for applying external force therein to detach or remove the formed batter (vada batter) from the base 104a of the plunger 104 to the heated oil in the cooking means. In an embodiment, the second portion 106c can be considered to be a flange radially extending along the circumference of another end of the body 106a of the movable member 106. The second portion 106c engages the formed batter (vada batter) on the base 104a of the plunger 104 so as to detach or remove the formed batter (vada batter) from the base 104a of the plunger 104 to the heated oil in the cooking means (not shown) as and when external force is applied to the first portion 106b of the movable member 106.

[0023] In an embodiment, the locking element 108 is used to restrict/prevent the releasing of plunger 104 from the dispenser 102. The locking element 108 is received by the locking member receiving portion (not shown) of the stem 104b of the plunger 104. The locking member receiving portion (not shown) of the stem 104b of the plunger 104 can be considered to be an opening. The locking element 108 can be considered to be a locking pin. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of locking means to restrict the releasing of plunger 104 from the dispenser 102. In an embodiment, locking element 108 has a circular cross-section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the locking element 108 in rectangular cross-section or any other cross-section without otherwise deterring the intended function of the locking element 108 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0024] The assembly of the apparatus 100 is as follows. The body 106a of the movable member 106 is provided to the body 102b of the dispenser 102. Thereafter, the stem 104b of the plunger 104 is fastened to each holding element 102c of the dispenser. Thereafter, the locking element 108 is provided to the locking member receiving portion (not shown) of the stem 104b of the plunger 104. Thereafter, the flexible pouch (not shown) is connected to corresponding portion of the base 102a of the dispenser 102, where the flexible pouch (not shown) stores the batter. [0025] The working of the apparatus 100 is as follows. As and when a force/pressure is applied to the flexible pouch (not shown) of the apparatus 100 (when the flexible pouch is squeezed), the batter from the flexible pouch (not shown) flows to the body 102b of the dispenser 102 through the inlet I of the base 102a of the dispenser 102. Thereafter, the batter from the body 102b of the dispenser 102 flows to the base 104a of the plunger 104 through the outlet O of the body 102b of the dispenser 102. The batter is collected by the base 104a of the plunger 104 to facilitate formation of batter (vada batter) in a predefined shape. As and when required formation of batter (vada batter) is obtained on the base 104a of the plunger 104, external force is applied to the first portion 106b of the movable member 106 therein to move the second portion 106c of the movable member 106 towards the base 104a of the plunger thereby enabling the second portion 106c of the movable member 106 to engage the formed batter (vada batter) thereby detaching the formed batter (vada batter) from the base 104a of the plunger 104 to the heated oil in the cooking means (not shown). Therefore, a user friendly and efficient apparatus 100 is provided for preparing eatables such as vada and the like. [0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.