Abstract:
An assistance device for use with preparing eggs that enables a large number of eggs to be cooked simultaneously as well as reduces the risk of cracked or broken eggs. The assistance device includes one or more securing components that are flexible or adjustable to accommodate eggs of various configurations in terms of size and shape. The assistance device further enables simple and easy transferring of cooked eggs to and from a pan of boiling water.

Description:
CROSS- REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/078,200 filed Nov. 11, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of cooking utensils. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that assists in the preparation of boiled eggs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An egg is a versatile food that can be prepared in a variety of ways. For example, a popular preparation is boiling eggs for a certain period of time. A soft-boiled egg has firmly set whites, but a soft runny yolk. In contrast, a hard-boiled egg has both firmly set whites and yolk. 
         [0004]    At least two traditional methods may exist for boiling eggs. Eggs may be prepared by a method termed for the purposes of this invention as a “cold start”. A cold start is used to boil eggs by placing the eggs into a pot or pan, covering the eggs with cool water, and bringing the water to a boil. This method, however, may crack or break the eggs when the eggs are put into the pot. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, eggs may be prepared by a method termed for the purposes of this invention as a “hot start”. A hot start may be used to boil eggs by bringing water in a pot or pan to a boil before placing the eggs in the pot. This method, however, may crack or break the eggs as well as splash hot water when the eggs are put into the pot. 
         [0006]    Once the water reaches a boil (100° C.), the eggs remain in the water to cook for a specific period of time to achieve the eggs desired preparation, i.e., 3-6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs and 10-15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. The hot water is then drained from the pot and the eggs removed, or the pot is removed from heat and both the water and eggs are set aside to cool. Additionally, the eggs may be ran under or submerged in cool water to stop cooking. The boiled eggs may then be peeled by cracking and removing the shell. 
         [0007]    One issue with the typical methods for boiling eggs is that most pans are limited in the number of eggs the pan can accommodate for cooking. This is problematic when a large number of eggs are desired to be cooked simultaneously such as during Easter observances when eggs are prepared for decorating. 
         [0008]    Another issue with the typical method for boiling eggs is that sometimes the eggs crack or break as a result from eggs hitting one another or the interior of the pan. For example, cracking or breaking may occur when eggs are placed in the pan, during cooking, or as a result from draining the eggs, e.g., pouring eggs from the pan into a strainer. 
         [0009]    Although devices exist for boiling eggs, no device exists that solves all of the problems discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention introduces an assistance device for use with preparing eggs. The device may be used with any cooking apparatus capable of heating liquid, for example, a pot or a pan or even a bowl. According to the invention, the device is placed within a cooking apparatus filled with liquid or fluid such as water. In certain embodiments, a cover or lid may be used with the cooking apparatus such that a lid may be placed on top of both the egg preparation assistance device and the pot. 
         [0011]    It is contemplated that water may be brought to a boil by placing the cooking apparatus above a heating element such as a flame of a stove or using a microwave appliance. 
         [0012]    According to the invention, the egg preparation assistance device includes individual securing components for each egg. Being that eggs are generally ovoid-shaped (three-dimensional version of an oval), the securing components comprise surfaces that are formed as a portion of an ovoid shape. Each securing component is flexible or adjustable to accommodate eggs of various configurations in terms of size and shape. More specifically, an internal surface of the securing component conforms to the surface of an egg. 
         [0013]    The device is configured such that it is easy to hold and maneuver such as positioning into and out of a pot of water. According to one embodiment, the device may include one or more handles that may further be heat resistant so that pot holders are not required. 
         [0014]    The device may also include hole elements for draining water. This eliminates the need to pour the eggs from the pan into a strainer risking cracking or breaking of the eggs. A user may simply remove the device including cooked eggs from the pot (such as by its heat resistant handles). Once the device is removed from the pan, the water drains from the hole elements. 
         [0015]    The device, including cooked eggs, may then be simply transferred. For example, the device including eggs may be placed under cool running water or submerged in a pool of cold water. As another example, the device including eggs may be placed directly on a countertop or within a refrigerator. 
         [0016]    The device may be manufactured from any material that can withstand hot or boiling water without compromising the integrity of the device. Examples of heat resistant materials may include polymers such as silicone, metal, plastic, ceramic, or any synthetic or semi-synthetic material, to name a few. It is also contemplated that different components or elements of the device may be constructed of different materials. For example, the handle component may be constructed of one material that is different from the material from which the body is fabricated. 
         [0017]    The device provides many advantages such as enabling a large number of eggs to be cooked simultaneously. For example, the device may accommodate a dozen (12) eggs but any number of eggs is contemplated. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the device is that it secures eggs allowing them to be more easily introduced to and/or removed from hot or boiling water. 
         [0019]    A further advantage of the device is that it eliminates the need to drain the water from the pan. Thus, the water may be reused. 
         [0020]    The invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an egg preparation assistance device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the egg preparation assistance device according to the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the egg preparation assistance device according to the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the egg preparation assistance device according to the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a section view of the egg preparation assistance device according to the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a section view of the egg preparation assistance device as used with a cooking apparatus according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present invention is generally directed to a cooking utensil that assists in the preparation of boiled eggs. The figures illustrate different views of the device according to the invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , the egg preparation assistance device  50  includes a body  100 . As shown, the body  100  is configured as a semi-spherical shape, however, any shaped body is contemplated 
         [0029]    The body  100  includes at least a side wall element  110  connected to a base wall element  140 . The side wall element  110  includes an outer surface  112  and an inner surface  114  and the base wall element  140  includes an interior surface  142  and an exterior surface  144 . 
         [0030]    The body  100  may also include a border element  120  connected to the side wall element  110 . The border element  120  allows placement of the assistance device  50  within a cooking apparatus. As an example, the border element  120  may rest on the top rim of a cooking apparatus such that the device  50  does not become entirely submerged in hot water making it difficult to be removed by a user. The border element  120  further comprises a top surface  122  and a bottom surface  124 . 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, the device  50  may include a handle component  130 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the handle component  130  is positioned on the top surface  122  of the border element  120 . It is also contemplated that a handle component  130  may be attached to the body  100  such via a hinge-type mechanism so that the handle component  130  may be folded inward/outward toward the body  100 . 
         [0032]    The body  100  includes one or more securing components  150  and one or more hole elements  160 . More specifically, the securing component  150  is positioned on the base wall element  140 . The securing components  150  are configured to securely position eggs within the body  100  of the device  50 . Each securing component  150  is flexible or adjustable to accommodate eggs of various configurations in terms of size and shape. 
         [0033]    The securing components  150  each include an internal surface  152  and an external surface  154 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the surfaces  152 ,  154  of the securing component  150  comprise a portion of an ovoid or ovoid-shaped surface; however any shape or portion of a shape is contemplated for the securing component  150 . As can be seen in at least  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , the surfaces  152 ,  154  extend below the exterior surface  144  of the base wall element  140 . 
         [0034]    The securing component  150  includes an opening  159  opposing the base wall element  140 . Each securing component  150  also includes one or more slit elements  156 . Each slit element  156  passes through both the internal surface  152  and the external surface  154 . It is contemplated that each slit element  156  may extend up a portion of the surfaces  152 ,  154  toward the base wall element  140 . 
         [0035]    The slit elements  156  provide flexibility to the securing component  150  such that each securing component  150  is adjustable to accommodate eggs of various size and shape. More specifically, slit elements  156  form flexible tab elements  158  as shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . The flexible tab elements  158  allow the internal surface  152  of the securing component  150  to conform to eggs of various sizes and shapes. As can be further seen in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , tab elements  158  form an opening  159  within the securing component  150 . 
         [0036]    The base wall element  140  may further include one or more hole elements  160  for draining fluid from inside the body. As can be seen, hole element  160  extends through both the interior surface  142  and the exterior surface  144  of the base wall element  140 . Although the hole elements  160  are shown, for example, in  FIG. 5  as being generally circular in shape, any shape is contemplated such as square or triangular. 
         [0037]    Certain embodiments of the invention may also include a support element  170  connected to both the side wall element  110  and the base wall element  140 . Support elements strengthen the overall device  50  including, for example, to prevent side wall element  110  from collapsing such as from repeated exposure to heat. As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , support element  170  includes a first edge  172  and a second edge  174 . The first edge  172  is connected to the inner surface  114  of the side wall element  110  and the second edge  174  is connected to the interior surface  142  of the base wall element  140 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates a section view of the egg preparation assistance device  50  as used with a cooking apparatus in the form of a pot  20  according to the invention. According to one contemplated use of the invention, a user pre-loads eggs into the device  50  by positioning each egg  25  within a securing component  150 . The user holds and maneuvers the device  50  such as by handle component  130  into a pot  20  including water. Specifically, handle component  130  is used to is position the device  50  such that the bottom surface  124  of the border element  120  rests on the top rim of the pot  20 . This prevents the device  50  from being entirely submerged in hot water and ensures that the eggs  25  remain suspended within the pot  20  as shown in  FIG. 6 . According to the invention, the device  50  is positioned within a cooking apparatus such that steam is not prevented from escaping. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , steam  30  is allowed to escape between the top rim of the pot and the bottom surface  124  of the border element  120 . 
         [0039]    As the water is heated, such as to a boil at 100° C., the securing component  150  including tab element  158  and opening  159  allow the internal surface  152  of the securing component  150  to conform to the egg  25  and thereby prevent the egg  25  from floating to the top of the pot  20 . Opening  159  in addition to hole elements  160  allow improved circulation of the water within the pot  20  during cooking. 
         [0040]    Upon reaching the desired level of cooking, the device  50  may be removed from the pot of water such as by handle component  130 . As the device  50  is removed from the pot  20 , fluid drains from the one or more hole elements  160 . The device  50  including cooked eggs may also be transferred such as under cool running water or placed within a refrigerator. 
         [0041]    While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.