Abstract:
Apparatus for cooking foods such as pasta or seafood including a container which receives a liquid to be heated and a cooking strainer basket positioned in the liquid for cooking within the container, the container and cooking basket having cooperating selectively positioned engaging support members for alternatively positioning of the cooking basket in the liquid for cooking of the food and repositioning of the cooking basket above the food to provide for straining of the food.

Description:
CLAIM FOR BENEFIT OF EARLIER FILING DATE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/465,581 filed on 22 Mar. 2011. This utility application has the same title, inventor and subject matter as the said Provisional Application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts. 
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates in general to apparatus for cooking foods such as pasta and seafood and more particularly in relationship to a cooking container in combination with a strainer basket, the strainer basket having a support bracket cooperating with a clip on the container for alternative positioning of the basket within the container to provide for cooking or straining of the food. 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    Apparatus for cooking and/or straining of pasta and the like are known in the market. Although a variety of such apparatus is known, prior art apparatus is either too complex, is inefficient in use, or is uneconomical. Such a device of interest is disclosed in U.S. Design Patent Des. 353,303 which issued to Davis on 13 Dec. 1994, and relates to a combined cooking container having lid and a food strainer basket. It is thus a feature of the present invention to provide a new and improved cooking apparatus for cooking and straining food such as pasta and seafood that is more efficient and economical than prior art devices. It is another feature of the invention to provide cooking and food straining apparatus that does not require removal of the cooking basket from the container for straining of the food. Other objects of the invention will become apparent with a reading of the specification taken with the drawings wherein there is shown and described the apparatus of the invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention provides apparatus for cooking foods such as pasta and the like and includes a container which receives a liquid to be heated and a cooking strainer-basket within the container which is submerged in the liquid for cooking. The container and strainer basket have a cooperating flange and clip system for positioning of the strainer basket in the cooking liquid for cooking of the food, and for repositioning of the basket above the liquid to provide for straining of the liquid in the food. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the cooking apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the strainer basket of  FIG. 1  rotated 180 degrees from the position as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the cooking apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating the strainer basket support flange and bracket engaged with the container and clip positioned above the cooking liquid for straining of the food within the strainer-basket; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the disengagement of the clip mechanism with the strainer basket fully positioned within the container for cooking; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the clip mechanism such that the strainer basket is raised and supported above the cooking liquid wherein the food is in the straining position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates the apparatus of the invention with two strainer baskets within a larger container, each having the clip/support mechanism of the invention, one strainer basket in the cooking position and the other in the straining position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates initial placement of the strainer basket support bracket within the clip of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates two strainer baskets within a larger container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate design having a hook on the strainer basket; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  shows an alternate design of the strainer basket side panel supports; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an alternate design showing a flange instead of a clip for supporting the strainer basket; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an alternate design showing an “L” shaped flange instead of a clip for supporting the strainer basket. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings in general, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown in an exploded view, the cooking apparatus of the invention, generally designated  10 . As shown, cooking apparatus  10  includes cooking container  11  and cooking strainer basket, generally designated  12 ; strainer basket  12  configured for fitting within cooking container  11 . Container  11  includes clip  14  and may include handles  13 ,  13   a  placed along respective sides  15 ,  15   a . Although container  10  and strainer basket  12  are indicated as rectangular in configuration having sides  15 ,  15   a  of one dimension and ends  16 ,  16   a  of another dimension, it is understood that different configurations, such as square, are within the scope of the invention. Further, although clip  14  is shown mounted to end  16   a  interior of container  11 , it could as well be configured for replaceable fitting over, and/or for sliding along, end  16   a.    
         [0021]    Strainer basket  12  is shown to include a plurality of perforations, or draining holes,  17 , a handle  18  mounted to a support member  20 , a flange  21 , and may include strainer basket risers, or feet,  19  (two shown). As indicated in dotted lines the bottom  22  of strainer basket  12  may be recessed upwardly within the sides of the container  11  to provide for improved circulation of the cooking liquid within the container  11 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the strainer basket  12  of  FIG. 1  rotated 180 degrees from the position as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this view the mounting of support member  20  and handle  18  to strainer basket  12  is more clearly shown. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cooking apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the strainer basket support member  20  engaged with the clip  14  of the container  11 . In this manner strainer basket  12  is positioned above the cooking liquid for straining of the food within the strainer basket  12 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  showing the disengagement of the support member  20  from the clip  14  with the strainer basket  12  fully positioned within the container  11  for cooking. As indicated by dimension “α” (in two places) the dimension from the outside of the rim of the container  11  to the engagement point of the clip  14  is essentially the same as the dimension from the end of flange  21  to a point between the engagement point of clip  14  and the inner wall of container  11 . This allows the strainer basket  12  to be repositioned from the draining position to the cooking position. That is, the dimensions indicated by the opposing arrows (two places) are to be essentially equal. 
         [0025]    Although the ends of strainer basket  12  are shown sloped downwardly and inwardly in  FIG. 4 , which may facilitate insertion of strainer basket  12  into container  11 , it is not necessary in configuration and use of the invention. It is understood that the respective dimensions and configurations of the container  11  and the strainer basket  12  can be otherwise as described without deviating from the scope of the invention. Feet  19  may be included to provide for more complete circulation of the cooking liquid within the container  11 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the strainer basket  12  with the clip  14  such that the strainer basket  12  is raised and supported above the cooking liquid with the food then in the straining position. When strainer basket  12  is engaged with the clip  14  the strainer basket  12  is forced to the rear of the cooking container  11  so that the flange  21  protrudes over the top of, and rests on the top rim of, the cooking container  11 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates the apparatus of the invention with two strainer baskets  12  within a larger container  11   a,  one of the strainer baskets  12  in the cooking position with the other raised above the cooking liquid and thus in the food straining position. The strainer basket raised above the cooking liquid is supported by flange  21  resting on the top of container  11   a  as explained. That is, to engage support bracket  21  with clip  14  the strainer basket  12  is forced rearward to extend flange  21  over the top rim of container  11   a.    
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates placement of the strainer basket support member  20  within the clip  14 . This is effected by initially placing the support member  20  within the vertical opening and then sliding it into the hooked potion of the clip  14 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates two strainer baskets  12  within a larger container  11   a,  each disengaged from clips  14 . It is understood that the strainer baskets  12  and respective clips  14  can be positioned differently than as shown in this view. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate design wherein a strainer basket  12   a  has a hook-like member  80  for placement over the rim of container  11 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  shows as an alternate design support member  20   a  and handle  18   a  as may be used with strainer basket  12 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate design for clip  14  showing a flat flange member  14   a  for receiving support member  20 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 12  shows an alternate design for clip  14  showing an “L” shaped flange member  14   b  for receiving support member  20 . 
         [0034]    While the principles of the invention have been described and illustrated in a single embodiment, it will immediately be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention can be particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from these principles.