Abstract:
A base is used to elevate a strainer or colander in a stable fashion from drain waters which build up into a sink or basin, while providing drainage for the strainer or colander. Use of the base minimizes the risk of food stuffs becoming contaminated by the backup of waters in a sink/basin. A strainer or colander may be modified to include detachable, removable, foldable or collapsible legs or base which elevates a body of the strainer or colander from drain waters which build up into a sink or basin.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/319,171 filed on Apr. 5, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The basic strainer/colander is a tool which was invented long ago and for which there is no longer patent protection other than design patents that are issued from time to time. The problem with the tool is that, over time, improvements have not been made to account for its modern day use in sinks/basins while still being of a size to fit in dishwashing machines. Typically, the tool comes with permanently attached legs or a base upon which it rests. The drawback is that the legs or base cannot be of a length which affords sufficient protection from coming into contact with fluids that may back up in a sink or basin due to inadequate drainage rates. Were sufficient legs or base added to afford protection, the tool would no longer conveniently fit into dishwashers (particularly the top rack as may be recommended for many plastics). In addition, larger permanent legs or base would necessarily consume additional storage space, a commodity in most kitchens. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is a non-permanent base for a strainer or colander. The non-permanent base for a portable and universal device separate and apart from existing food strainers/colanders which provides an adequate base to support food strainers/colanders and stably elevate such strainers/colanders, while providing adequate drainage for the strainer or colander and thereby prevent the contamination of the food products contained in the strainer or colander from fluids which may not otherwise be capable of adequately draining in a time or manner which would prevent such unsanitary contact. In addition, the present invention provides a new strainer or colander which incorporates either removable, detachable, foldable or collapsible legs or base which provides an adequate base to support the strainer or colander and elevate it while providing adequate drainage thereby preventing contamination of the food products contained in the strainer or colander from fluids which may not otherwise be capable of adequately draining in a time or manner which would prevent such unsanitary contact. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base which incorporates the features of a first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 1 shown with a prior art strainer or colander placed thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base which incorporates the features of a second embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 2 shown with a prior art strainer or colander placed thereon; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base which incorporates the features of a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 3 shown with a prior art strainer or colander placed thereon; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base which incorporates the features of a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 4 shown with a prior art strainer or colander placed thereon; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base which incorporates the features of a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of the base of FIG. 5 shown with a prior art strainer or colander placed thereon; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a strainer or colander which incorporates the features of a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a kitchen accessory device  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620  which elevates food strainers/colanders in sinks/basin. The kitchen accessory device  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620  avoids the risk of overflow waters backing up in the sink/basin drain and creating an unsanitary condition by contaminating the food products in the strainer or colander. The kitchen accessory device  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620  is provided either by a non-permanent base  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520  for a strainer or colander as is shown in FIGS. 1-5 or a strainer or colander  620  as is shown in FIG. 6. A first embodiment of the base  120  is shown in FIG. 1; a second embodiment of the base  220  is shown in FIG. 2; a third embodiment of the base  320  is shown in FIG. 3; a fourth embodiment of the base  420  is shown in FIG. 4; and a fifth embodiment of the base  520  is shown in FIG.  5 . In each of the embodiments of the base  120 , 220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520  shown in FIGS. 1-5, a strainer or colander  700  made in accordance with the prior art is placed on top thereof in use. 
     Attention is invited to the first embodiment of the base  120  shown in FIG.  1 . The base  120  is formed from either food grade or non-food grade material and can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. 
     The base  120  includes abody portion  122  having an upper end  124  and a lower end  126 . A passageway  128  is formed through the body portion  122  from the upper end  124  to the lower end  126  such that ends of the passageway  128  are open. As shown in FIG. 1, the body portion  122  has a generally circular cross-section, however, it is to be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the body portion  122  can take a variety of forms, such as a square, a hexagon, an octagon, oblong, an hourglass and the like. The height of the base  120  from the upper end  124  to the lower end  126  is at least 1.1 inches, such that when a strainer or colander is placed on the base  120 , the strainer or colander is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests. This elevation provides for stability and affords sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The upper end  124  of the base  120  has a diameter which is greater than 3.0 inches, and the lower end  126  of the base  120  has a diameter which is greater than 3.25 inches. Accordingly, the base  120  tapers outwardly from the upper end  124  to the lower end  126 . This provides for stability and affords a universal fit to both sink/basin drains and strainers/colanders. 
     Around the upper end  124  of the body portion  120 , a plurality of spaced-apart apertures  130  are provided. The portions  132  of the upper end  124  between the apertures  130  are generally rounded such that a plurality of alternating generally concave and convex surfaces are respectively formed by the apertures  130  and the rounded portions  132  in the upper end  124 . Around the lower end  126  of the body portion  120 , a plurality of spaced-apart apertures  134  are provided. The portions  136  of the lower end  126  between the apertures  134  are generally rounded such that a plurality of alternating generally concave and convex surfaces are respectively formed by the apertures  134  and the rounded portions  136  in the lower end  126 . The apertures  130  in the upper end  124  are not aligned with the apertures  134  in the lower end  126 . The apertures  130  in the upper end  124  and the apertures  134  in the lower end  126  are in fluid communication with the passageway  128 . 
     In use, the base  120  is placed in a sink or basin with the lower end  126  contacting the surface  700  of the sink or basin. The base  120  contacts the surface  700  of the sink or basin at the lowermost points of the rounded portions  136  of the lower end  126 . Thereafter, a strainer or colander  720 , made in accordance with the prior art, is placed on top of the base  120 , and the strainer or colander  720  contacts the base  120  at the highest points of the rounded surfaces  132  on the upper end  124 . The water from the food stuffs being drained passes through the strainer or colander  720 . The water that passes from the strainer or colander  720  flows freely into the passageway  128 , and then flows freely through the apertures  130 ,  134 . 
     Alternatively, the base  120  can be attached to a strainer or colander  720  by pressure fitting, tongue-in-grove with pressure release or release tab(s), threads, collapsible inserts, or removable or foldable legs that insert and are held in place. 
     When the water is finished being drained from the strainer or colander  720 , the strainer or colander  720  is lifted or removed from the base  120  and placed into the dishwasher or hand washed. The base  120  can also be placed in the dishwasher or handwashed. Accordingly, the base  120  is a separate member from the strainer or colander  720  and is portable. 
     Attention is invited to the second embodiment of the base  220  shown in FIG.  2 . The base  220  is formed from either food grade or non-food grade material and can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. 
     The base  220  includes a body portion  222  having an upper end  224  and a lower end  226 . A passageway  228  is formed through the body portion  222  from the upper end  224  to the lower end  226  such that ends of the passageway  228  are open. As shown in FIG. 2, the body portion  222  has a generally circular cross-section, however, it is to be understood that the crosssectional shape of the body portion  222  can take a variety of forms, such as a square, a hexagon, an octagon, oblong, an hourglass and the like. The height of the base  220  from the upper end  224  to the lower end  226  is at least 1.1 inches, such that when a strainer or colander is placed on the base  220 , the strainer or colander is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests for purposes of stability and affording sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The upper end  224  of the base  220  has a diameter which is greater than 3.0 inches, and the lower end  226  of the base  220  has a diameter which is greater than 3.25 inches. Accordingly, the base  220  tapers outwardly from the upper end  224  to the lower end  226 . This provides for stability and affords a universal fit to both sink/basin drains and strainers/colanders. 
     The upper end  224  of the body portion  222  has a plurality of spaced apart apertures  230  therein. As shown, three apertures  230  are provided; the apertures  230  are equidistantly spaced apart from each other, and the apertures  230  are generally arcuate. Between the in the apertures  230  in the upper end  224 , flat surfaces  232  are provided. The lower end  226  of the body portion  222  has a plurality of spaced apart apertures  234  therein. Three apertures  234  are provided; the apertures  234  are equi-distantly spaced apart from each other, and the apertures  234  are generally arcuate. The apertures  230  in the upper end  224  are not aligned with the apertures  234  in the lower end. Between the apertures  234  in the lower end  226 , flat surfaces  236  are provided. The apertures  230  in the upper end  224  and the apertures  234  in the lower end  226  are in fluid communication with the passageway  228 . 
     In use, the base  220  is placed in a sink or basin with the flat surfaces  236  of the lower end  226  contacting the surface  700  of the sink or basin. Thereafter, a strainer or colander  720  is placed on top of the base  220 , and the strainer or colander  720  contacts the base  220  at the flat surfaces  232  of the upper end  224 . The water from the food stuffs being drained passes through the strainer or colander  720 . The water that passes from the strainer or colander  720  flows freely into the passageway  228 , and then flows freely through the apertures  230 ,  234 . 
     Alternatively, the base  220  can be attached to a strainer or colander  720  by pressure fitting, tongue-in-grove with pressure release or release tab(s), threads, collapsible inserts, or removable or foldable legs that insert and are held in place. 
     When the water is finished being drained from the strainer or colander  720 , the strainer or colander  720  is lifted or removed from the base  220  and placed into the dishwasher or hand washed. The base  220  can also be placed in the dishwasher or handwashed. Accordingly, the base  200  is a separate member from the strainer or colander  720  and is portable. 
     Attention is invited to the third embodiment of the base  320  shown in FIG.  3 . The base  320  is formed from either food grade or non-food grade material and can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. 
     The base  320  includes a body portion  322  having an upper end  324  and a lower end  326 . The upper end  324  is parallel to the lower end  326 . A passageway  328  is formed through the body portion  322  from the upper end  324  to the lower end  326  such that ends of the passageway  328  are open. As shown in FIG. 3, the body portion  322  has a generally circular crosssection, however, it is to be understood that the cross-sectional shape of the body portion can take a variety of forms, such as a square, a hexagon, an octagon, oblong, an hourglass and the like. The height of the base  320  from the upper end  324  to the lower end  326  is at least 1.1 inches, such that when a strainer or colander is placed on the base  320 , the strainer or colander is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests for purposes of stability and affording sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The upper end  324  of the base  320  has a diameter which is greater than 3.0 inches, and the lower end  326  of the base  320  has a diameter which is greater than 3.25 inches. Accordingly, the base  320  tapers outwardly from the upper end  324  to the lower end  326 . This provides for stability and affords a universal fit to both sink/basin drains and strainers/colanders. 
     The upper end  324  is flat and the lower end  326  is flat. The body  322  is provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures  330  therethrough which are in fluid communication with the passageway  328 . As shown, the apertures  330  are formed from small circles. 
     In use, the base  320  is placed in a sink or basin with the lower end  326  contacting the surface  700  of the sink or basin. Thereafter, a strainer or colander  720  is placed on top of the base  320 , and the strainer or colander  720  contacts the upper end  324  of the base  320 . The water from the food stuffs being drained passes through the strainer or colander  720 . The water that passes from the strainer or colander  720  flows freely into the passageway  328 , and then flows freely through the apertures  330 . 
     Alternatively, the base  320  can be attached to a strainer or colander  720  by pressure fitting, tongue-in-grove with pressure release or release tab(s), threads, collapsible inserts, or removable or foldable legs that insert and are held in place. 
     When the water is finished being drained from the strainer or colander  720 , the strainer or colander  720  is lifted or removed from the base  320  and placed into the dishwasher or hand washed. The base  320  can also be placed in the dishwasher or handwashed. Accordingly, the base  320  is a separate member from the strainer or colander  720  and is portable. 
     Attention is invited to the fourth embodiment of the base  420  shown in FIG.  4 . The base  420  is formed from either food grade or non-food grade material and can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. 
     The base  420  includes a body portion  422  having an upper end  424  and a lower end  426 . The upper end  424  is parallel to the lower end  426 . A passageway  428  is formed through the body portion  422  from the upper end  424  to the lower end  426  such that ends of the passageway  428  are open. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower ends  424 ,  426  of the body portion  422  have a generally circular cross-section, however, it is to be understood that the crosssectional shape of the body portion  422  can take a variety of forms, such as a square, a hexagon, an octagon, oblong, an hourglass and the like. The height of the base  420  from the upperend  424  to the lower end  426  is at least 1.1 inches, such that when a strainer or colander is placed on the base  120 , the strainer or colander is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests for purposes of stability and affording sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The upper end  424  of the base  420  has a diameter which is greater than 3.0 inches, and the lower end  426  of the base  420  has a diameter which is greater than 3.25 inches. Accordingly, the base  420  tapers outwardly from the upper end  424  to the lower end  426 . This provides for stability and affords a universal fit to both sink/basin drains and strainers/colanders. 
     The upper end  424  is flat and the lower end  426  is flat. The body  422  is provided with a plurality of apertures  430  therethrough (shown as four apertures  430  in the drawings) which are spaced apart from each other by a rib  432  (four ribs  432  are provided to form the four apertures  430 ). Each rib  432  is parallel to one another and extends perpendicularly to the plane of the flat surfaces formed by the first and second ends  424 ,  426 . As shown, each aperture  430  is generally formed as a square. The apertures  430  are in fluid communication with the passageway  428 . 
     In use, the base  430  is placed in a sink or basin with the lower end  426  contacting the surface  700  of the sink or basin. Thereafter, a strainer or colander  720  is placed on top of the base  420 , and the strainer or colander  720  contacts the upper end  424  of the base  420 . The water from the food stuffs being drained passes through the strainer or colander  720 . The water that passes from the strainer or colander  720  flows freely into the passageway  428 , and then flows freely through the apertures  430 . 
     Alternatively, the base  430  can be attached to a strainer or colander  720  by pressure fitting, tongue-in-grove with pressure release or release tab(s), threads, collapsible inserts, or removable or foldable legs that insert and are held in place. 
     When the water is finished being drained from the strainer or colander  720 , the strainer or colander  720  is lifted or removed from the base  420  and placed into the dishwasher or hand washed. The base  420  can also be placed in the dishwasher or handwashed. Accordingly, the base  420  is a separate member from the strainer or colander  720  and is portable. 
     Attention is invited to the fifth embodiment of the base  520  shown in FIG.  5 . The base  520  is formed from either food grade or non-food grade material and can be formed from plastic, metal, wood, etc. 
     The base  520  includes a body portion  522  having an upper end  524  and a lower end  526 . The upper end  524  is parallel to the lower end  526 . A passageway  528  is formed through the body portion  522  from the upper end  524  to the lower end  526  such that ends of the passageway.  528  are open. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper and lower ends  524 ,  526  of the body portion  522  have a generally circular cross-section, however, it is to be understood that the crosssectional shape of the body portion  522  can take a variety of forms, such as a square, a hexagon, an octagon, oblong, an hourglass and the like. The height of the base  520  from the upper end  524  to the lower end  526  is at least 1.1 inches, such that when a strainer or colander is placed on the base  520 , the strainer or colander is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests for purposes of stability and affording sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The upper end  524  of the base  520  has a diameter which is greater than 3.0 inches, and the lower end  526  of the base  520  has a diameter which is greater than 3.25 inches. Accordingly, the base  520  tapers outwardly from the upper end  524  to the lower end  526 . This provides for stability and affords a universal fit to both sink/basin drains and strainers/colanders. 
     The upper end  524  is flat and the lower end  526  is flat. The body  522  is provided with a plurality of apertures  530  therethrough (shown as two apertures  530  in the drawings) which are spaced apart from each other by a rib  532   a ,  532   b  (two ribs  532   a ,  532   b  are provided to form the two apertures  530 ). Rib  532   a  joins with the upper end  524  at point A and joins with the lower end  526  at point B. Rib  532   b  joins with the upper end  524  at point C and joins with the lower end  526  at point D. Points A and C are spaced apart from each other on the upper end  524  approximately one hundred and eighty degrees. When looking at the base  520  from a top plan view, point A would be at approximately ninety degrees and point B would be at approximately one hundred and eighty degrees. Points B and D are spaced apart from each other on the lower end  526  approximately ninety degrees. When looking at the base  520  from a top plan view, point B would be at approximately zero degrees and point D would be at approximately ninety degrees. The ribs  532   a ,  532   b  curve from the upper end  524  to the lower end  526 . As shown, each aperture  530  is generally formed from a pair of triangles. The apertures  530  are in fluid communication with the passageway  528 . 
     In use, the base  520  is placed in a sink or basin with the lower end  526  contacting the surface  700  of the sink or basin. Thereafter, a strainer or colander  720  is placed on top of the base  520 , and the strainer or colander  720  contacts the upper end  524  of the base  520 . The water from the food stuffs being drained passes through the strainer or colander  720 . The water that passes from the strainer or colander  720  flows freely into the passageway  528 , and then flows freely through the apertures  530 . 
     Alternatively, the base  520  can be attached to a strainer or colander  720  by pressure fitting, tongue-in-grove with pressure release or release tab(s), threads, collapsible inserts, or removable or foldable legs that insert and are held in place. 
     When the water is finished being drained from the strainer or colander  720 , the strainer or colander  720  is lifted or removed from the base  520  and placed into the dishwasher or hand washed. The base  520  can also be placed in the dishwasher or handwashed. Accordingly, the base  520  is a separate member from the strainer or colander  720  and is portable. 
     In each of the embodiments of the base  120 ,  220 , 320 ,  420 ,  520  shown in FIGS. 1-5, the base  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520  is universal in that is fits a variety of strainers/colanders on the market. The base  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520  provides adequate support for the strainer or colander and elevates the strainer or colander, while providing adequate drainage for the strainer or colander and thereby prevent the contamination of the food products contained in the strainer or colander from fluids which may not otherwise be capable of adequately draining in a time or manner which would prevent such unsanitary contact. 
     Attention is now invited to FIG. 6 which shows a strainer or colander  620  which incorporates features of the present invention. 
     The strainer or colander  620  has a body portion  622  which is generally bowl-shaped. A plurality of detachable, removable, foldable or collapsible legs  624  or a base attachment are attached to the underside of the body portion  622 . The body portion  622  has means for allowing the water to drain therefrom, such as apertures  626 . 
     The body portion  622  of the strainer or colander  620  is made from food-grade materials. The removable, detachable, foldable or collapsible legs  624  or base attachment are made from either food grade or non food grade materials. The height of the legs  624  or base is at least 1.1 inches in their extended position, such that the body portion  622  is elevated more than 1.1 inches from the surface on which it rests for purposes of stability and affording sufficient elevation to allow for adequate drainage. The legs  624  or base provide an adequate base to support the body portion  622  and to elevate the body portion  622 . The legs  624  or base provides adequate space for drainage for the body portion  622  and thereby prevents the contamination of the food products contained in the body portion  622  from fluids which may not otherwise be capable of adequately draining in a time or manner which would prevent such unsanitary contact. 
     It is to be understood that the claims, descriptions, and drawings of this submission are merely exemplary and that a person or company analyzing the art may make many variations, stylistic changes, and modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. All such modifications, stylistic changes, variations, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.