Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for making kebabs and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a kofta kebab maker.

Background to the Invention

Kofta or kofte is a meatball or dumpling which is popular in many Middle Eastern and South Asian countries. Apparently the word kofta is derived from the Persian kufta, which means "to beat" or "to grind" or a meatball. In their simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat, typically beef or lamb, mixed with spices and/or onions. Vegetarian koftas made from lentils or potatoes are also popular. The meat may be mixed with other ingredients such as rice, vegetables, and/or eggs to form a smooth paste. Koftas are sometimes - made with fish or chicken rather than red meat, especially in India. They can be grilled, fried, steamed/ poached, baked or marinated, and may be served with a rich spicy sauce. Koftas are normally ball-shaped, although in Arab countries, kufta is often formed into cigar- shaped cylinders.

Kofte kebab or sis kOfte is a kebab variant and typically consists of kofte, minced lamb with herbs, often including parsley and mint, served on a stick, grilled. Kofta kebab is popular in Turkey, Macedonia, Armenia and Romania and, is usually served with plain rice and a salad.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a device for making kofta kebabs, however it will be appreciated that it can also be used for making other varieties of kebab.

References to prior art documents in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for making kebabs, the device comprising: an elongate, hollow mould for forming a food substance into a kebab, the mould having a mouth at one end for receiving the food substance and. an aperture at the other end for receiving a stick on which the food substance can be supported.

Preferably the device further comprises a plunger adapted to be received in the mouth of the mould for pressing the food substance into the hollow interior of the mould. Preferably the plunger has a head having an outside dimension slightly smaller than the inside dimension of the mould whereby, in use, the food substance can be compressed inside the mould with the aid of the plunger. Typically the food substance includes minced or ground meat for making a kofta kebab. Preferably the hollow mould comprises two halves which can be opened to remove the formed kebab supported on a stick. Preferably the two halves of the mould are joined along respective first edges by a hinge connection so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. Typically the hinge connection comprises a web of flexible material. Typically the mould is manufactured from a plastics material and the web of flexible material is made from the same plastics material.

Preferably the two halves of the mould are held together in the closed position by an engaging means. Typically the engaging means comprises a longitudinal groove extending along a second edge of one half of the mould, and a matching longitudinal protrusion extending along a second edge of the other half of the mould, the groove being adapted to receive the protrusion therein in a snug fit. Preferably the respective second edges of the two halves overlap in the closed position so as to effectively seal the food substance in the mould. Advantageously first and second finger tabs are provided on the respective second edges of the two halves of the mould to facilitate, releasing of the engaging means.

Preferably the engaging means further comprises a locking flap, which is joined to the first half of the hollow mould by a hinge connection adjacent to the second edge. Preferably the hinge connection allows the locking flap to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and vice versa. Preferably the locking flap extends part way around the second half of the hollow mould and engages with a plurality of lugs provided on the exterior surface of the second half. Preferably a matching plurality of apertures is provided in the locking flap, which is adapted to receive the lugs therein with a snap fit. Advantageously the locking flap is formed with an arcuate release portion extending along its free edge, under which the fingers of the hand can be inserted to lift and release the apertures from the lugs.

Preferably the elongate, hollow mould is substantially cylindrical in shape. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the kebab maker, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device for making kebabs according to the present invention;

Figure 2 (a) is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1 and Figure 2 (b) is a section view of the device of Figure 2 (a) through the line A-A; Figure 3 (a) is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1 and Figure 3 (b) is a section view of the device of Figure 3 (a) through the line B-B;

Figure 4 shows the device of Figure 1 in the first stage of being opened;

Figure 5 shows the two halves of the device of Figure 1 in an open position;

Figures 6 (a), (b) and (c) illustrate how the device of Figure 1 can be filled with a food substance;

Figure 7 (a) and (b) illustrates the use of a plunger for pressing a food substance into the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 shows a kebab stick or skewer being inserted into the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 shows the device of Figure 1 with the kebab stick or skewer fully inserted;

Figure 10 shows the device of Figure 1 with the two halves opened and a moulded kebab ready to be removed; and,

Figure 1 1 shows the moulded kebab being removed from the device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of a device 10 for making kebabs in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, comprises an elongate, hollow mould 12 for forming a food substance into a kebab. In this embodiment the mould 12 is of substantially cylindrical shape. The mould 12 has a mouth 14 at one end for receiving the food substance and an aperture 16 at the other end for receiving a stick or skewer 18 (see Figures 8 to 1 1) on which the food substance can be supported.

Preferably the hollow mould 12 comprises two halves 12a and 12b which can be opened, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 1 1 , to remove the formed kebab supported on a stick 18. Preferably the two halves 12a and 12b of the mould are joined along respective first edges 20a and 20b by a hinge connection 22, so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. Typically the hinge connection 22 comprises a web 28 of flexible material (see Figure 3 (b)). Typically the mould 12 is manufactured from an injection moulded plastics material and the web 28 of flexible material is made from the same plastics material. However the web 28 is moulded much thinner, and is therefore relatively flexible, compared to the rest of the mould, which is substantially rigid. Preferably the two halves 12a and 12b of the mould are held together in the closed position by an engaging means 24. In this embodiment the engaging means 24 comprises a longitudinal groove 30 extending along a second edge 26b of one half of the mould 12b, and a matching longitudinal protrusion 32 extending along a second edge 26a of the other half of the mould 12a, as can best be seen in Figures 10 and 11. The groove 30 is shaped to receive the protrusion 32 therein in a snug fit. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 2 (b), the respective second edges 26a and 26b of the two halves 12a and 12b overlap in the closed position so as to effectively seal the food substance in the mould. Advantageously first and second finger tabs 34a and 34b are provided on the respective second edges 26a and 26b of the two halves 12a and 2b of the mould to facilitate releasing of the protrusion 32 from the groove 30. The finger tabs 34 are offset with respect to each other so that the engaging means 24 can be released with the thumb and fingers using one hand in a twisting action. Likewise, the protrusion 32 can be engaged with the groove 30, to seal the two halves of the mould 12 in the closed position, using the thumb and fingers to apply a squeezing action in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3.

Preferably the engaging means 24 further comprises a locking flap 35, which is joined to the first half 12a of the hollow mould 12 by a hinge connection 36 adjacent to the second edge 26a. As with the hinge connection 22, the hinge connection 36 comprises a web of flexible plastics material which is moulded much thinner, and is therefore relatively flexible, compared to the rest of the locking flap 35, which is substantially rigid. The hinge connection 36 allows the locking flap 35 to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and vice versa.

In the locked position, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the locking flap 35 extends part way around the second half 12b of the hollow mould and engages with a plurality of lugs 37 moulded on the exterior surface of the second half 12b, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 4. A matching plurality, (in this case three) of apertures 38 are provided in the locking flap 35, which are adapted to receive the lugs 37 therein with a snap fit. The locking flap 35 is formed with an arcuate release portion 39 extending along its free edge, under which the fingers of the hand can be inserted to lift and release the apertures 38 from the lugs 37. Once released, the locking flap 35 can be moved to the unlocked position as shown in Figures 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Preferably the device 10 further comprises a plunger 40 for pressing a food substance 50 into the hollow interior of the mould 12, as shown in Figure 6. Preferably the plunger 40 has a spindle 42 with head 44 at one end and a handle 46 at the other end. The head 44 has an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the mould 12. Hence, in use, the food substance 50 can be pushed down into the hollow interior of the mould 12 and compressed inside the mould 12 with the aid of the plunger 40. Typically the food substance 50 includes minced or ground meat for making a kofta kebab, but it may also include other food substances. The aperture 16 at the other end of the mould 12 is formed in a small cylindrical tube 50 through which the skewer 18 is received. The tube 50 is formed with an annular flange 52 at its outer extremity. The flange 52 provides a base for the device 10 when it is stood in an upright position as shown in Figure 6. The tube 50 helps to keep the skewer 18 substantially centrally aligned within the hollow interior of the mould 12 when it is inserted through the aperture 16. A preferred method of making a kofta kebab 60 using the device 10 will now be briefly described with reference to Figures 6 to 11. The food substance 54 may be scooped-up into the hollow interior of the mould 12 using the mouth 14 of the mould as a scoop, as shown in Figure 6 (c). Alternatively, the food substance 54 can be spooned into the mould 12 as shown in Figures 6 (a) and (b). The food substance 54 is then pushed down into the mould 12 using the plunger 40 as shown in Figure 7. Preferably the food substance 54 is slightly compressed with the plunger 40 to push out any trapped air and to ensure the body of the finished kebab 60 will be relatively compacted and firm. Trapped air can escape through the aperture 16 at the other end of the mould 12; however the aperture 16 is sufficiently small that very little if any of the food substance 54 leaks out.

A skewer 18 is inserted through the aperture 16 via the tube 50 into the interior of the mould, 12, with the plunger 40 still held therein, as shown in Figure 8. The skewer 18 pierces the food substance 54 inside the mould 12. A small amount of pressure is maintained on the plunger 40 to keep the food substance 54 compacted whilst the skewer is inserted and passes through the food substance. When the point of skewer 18 contacts the head 44 of the plunger 40 the plunger 40 can be withdrawn and the skewer pushed all the way into the mould 12 as shown in Figure 9. The pointy end of the skewer 18 is just visible in the mouth 14 of the mould 12. Preferably the skewer 18 has a stop 48 provided adjacent the held end to limit the extent to which it can be inserted into the mould. Stop 48 abuts against the flange 52 of the tube 50.

Once the skewer 18 has been fully inserted, the two halves of the mould 12a and 12b can be opened as shown in Figure 10, to allow the kebab 60 to be lifted out of the mould as shown in Figure 11. As can be seen in Figures 10 and 11, the food substance 54 has been perfectly moulded by the mould 12 to form the body of the kebab. The kebab 60 is now ready to be cooked on a hotplate or open grill. The kebab 60 on the skewer 18 may also be placed in a cooking device such as a food rack, for example the rack as shown in the applicant's international patent application PCT/AU2007/001055. Alternatively, the uncooked kebab can also be frozen or temporarily placed in cold storage until it is time to cook it. If necessary, the mould 12 can easily be washed in its open condition, and is then ready to make the next kebab.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the device for making kebabs has been described in detail, it will be apparent that it provides a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) It simplifies the process of making a kebab and is more hygienic as the food substance does not need to be handled at all.

(ii) It enables the food substance to be perfectly moulded to form the body of the kebab every time.

(iii) The two halves of the mould enable it to be easily opened for removing the finished kebab and also facilitate easy cleaning of the mould.

(iv) The device can be easily and inexpensively manufactured from injection- moulded plastics material. (v) The device is ideal for the home kitchen, but can also be used in commercial environments, such as cafes and restaurants.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, although the described embodiment is made from plastics material, the device can also be made from metal, such as aluminium. A metal version may permit the kebab to be cooked inside the mould. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the . invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.