Compact apparatus for marinating and tenderizing meat

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a compact food processing apparatus for tumbling pieces of meat or other food in the presence of a marinade in an enclosed, sealed container ( 10 ) under a vacuum. The container ( 10 ) includes interiorly directed projections to tumble and turn the food during rotation of the container and a tenderizer which is separate from the container ( 10 ) and interfits into formations on the inside wall of the container to support the tenderizer along the length thereof. The container ( 10 ) has a closed end ( 6 ) and an open end ( 7 ) and a lid ( 20 ) to sealingly interfit into the open end to facilitate the creation of a vacuum within the container ( 10 ). The lid ( 20 ) has a one way valve which cooperates with a hand pump ( 50 ) to allow the pump ( 50 ) to create a vacuum within the container.

1 . Apparatus for treating food comprising
 a generally cylindrical container, said container being closed on one end and having an opening on the other end, said container having a circular rib extending circumferentially outwardly from said container at a fixed distance from one end thereof,   a lid for sealing said opening, said lid including a one-way valve,   means for drawing a vacuum in said container through said valve, and   drive means for rotating said container about its longitudinal axis by frictionally engaging said rib.   
   
   
       2 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said drive means includes a support surface shaped as part of a cylinder for supporting said container, said surface containing an opening running parallel to said rib through which said rib extends. 
   
   
       3 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein said means for drawing a vacuum includes a manually operated pump which couples to the said valve. 
   
   
       4 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein said drive means and said pump all fit within said container with the lid in place in said opening. 
   
   
       5 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein said container includes formations on the inside wall thereof, and further including a separate tenderizer, said tenderizer running the length of said container and having formations for tenderizing the food in said container, said tenderizer being held in position in said container by interfitting with said formations. 
   
   
       6 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein said lid includes a manually operated pressure release button. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus for treating food comprising
 a container for holding the food to be treated, said container having a single opening through which food is placed into said container, said opening being sealable to the atmosphere by a lid,   a hand pump for drawing a vacuum in said container, and   a drive-support unit for concurrently supporting and rotating said container, said hand pump and drive-support means being shaped and sized to fit completely within said lid covered container.   
   
   
       8 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein said container has a upstanding circular rib, circumferentially extending outwardly to engage said drive-support unit. 
   
   
       9 . The arrangement of  claim 8  wherein said unit has a drive which engages said rib to rotate the container. 
   
   
       10 . The arrangement of  claim 9  wherein said lid contains a one-way valve, said valve has a valve seat and said pump interfaces with said seat to draw a vacuum in said container.