Abstract:
A system comprising a strainer and a cooking apparatus. The strainer comprises a first interlocking piece, a second interlocking piece, and a straining surface. The second interlocking piece contains a securing mechanism. The cooking apparatus comprises a first interlocking piece and a second interlocking piece. The second interlocking piece contains a receiving mechanism for the securing mechanism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to kitchenware and more specifically to straining liquid from food on a cooking surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In food preparation, it is common to use liquid or to have liquid accumulate on a cooking surface of a cooking apparatus. Frequently, it is desirable to remove the liquid from the cooking surface while keeping food on the cooking surface. One way this problem is currently addressed in the art is with a separate strainer. However, it may be cumbersome for a single food preparer to negotiate both the cooking apparatus and the strainer. Another solution currently available allows the food preparer to affix a strainer to the top of the cooking apparatus. This solution may be problematic because the strainer often does not fit on the cooking apparatus or the strainer does not effectively cover the opening on the cooking apparatus Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a device that allows a single user to easily and effectively strain liquid from a cooking apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disclosed herein is a system comprising a strainer and a cooking apparatus. The strainer comprises a first interlocking piece, a second interlocking piece, and a straining surface. The second interlocking piece contains a securing mechanism. The cooking apparatus comprises a first interlocking piece and a second interlocking piece. The second interlocking piece contains a receiving mechanism for the securing mechanism. 
         [0004]    Disclosed herein is a system comprising a strainer and a cooking apparatus. The strainer comprises a first interlocking piece, a second interlocking piece, and a straining surface. The second interlocking piece contains a receiving mechanism for a securing mechanism. The cooking apparatus comprises a first interlocking piece and a second interlocking piece. The second interlocking piece contains a securing mechanism. 
         [0005]    Disclosed herein is a strainer comprising a first interlocking piece, a second interlocking piece, and a straining surface. The second interlocking piece contains a securing mechanism. 
         [0006]    The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an overhead view of an exemplary embodiment of a straining portion of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side and rotated view of the straining portion in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of an alternate embodiment of a straining portion of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side and rotated view of the straining portion in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an overhead view of an exemplary embodiment of a cooking portion of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the cooking portion in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an overhead view of an alternate embodiment of a cooking portion of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the cooking portion in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
       [0016]    It is noted that the drawings of the embodiments of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. The invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a straining portion  100  of the present invention is provided. The straining portion  100  contains a first interlocking piece  102 , a second interlocking piece  104 , a straining surface  106 , and handles  108 . The second interlocking piece  104  contains a securing mechanism  114 . The straining surface  106 , used to strain liquid, may be, for example, a screen or a solid surface with holes. The securing mechanism  114  may be, for example, a clamp, a hook, a latch, or even a snap. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a straining portion  300  of the present invention. The straining portion  300  contains a first interlocking piece  302 , a second interlocking piece  304 , a straining surface  306 , and handles  308 . The second interlocking piece  304  contains a securing mechanism  314 . The straining surface  306 , used to strain liquid, may be, for example, a screen or a solid surface with holes. The securing mechanism  314  may be, for example, a clamp, a hook, a latch, or even a snap. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a cooking portion  500  of the present invention. The cooking portion  500  may be, for example, a pan or a pot. The cooking portion  500  contains a first interlocking piece  502  and a second interlocking piece  504 . The second interlocking piece  504  contains a receiving mechanism  514  for the securing mechanism  114 ,  314 . The first interlocking piece  502  of the cooking portion  500  interlocks with the first interlocking piece  102 ,  302  of the straining portion  100 ,  300 . The second interlocking piece  504  of the cooking portion  500  interlocks with the second interlocking piece  104 ,  304  of the straining portion  100 ,  300 . The receiving mechanism  514  receives the securing mechanism  114 ,  314  to substantially secure the straining portion  100 ,  300  to the cooking portion  500 . The receiving mechanism  514  may be, for example, a bar, a hole, a latch, or even a snap. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a cooking portion  700  of the present invention. The cooking portion  700  may be, for example, a pan or a pot. The cooking portion  700  contains a first interlocking piece  702  and a second interlocking piece  704 . The second interlocking piece  704  contains a receiving mechanism  714  for the securing mechanism  114 ,  314 . The first interlocking piece  702  of the cooking portion  700  interlocks with the first interlocking piece  102 ,  302  of the straining portion  100 ,  300 . The second interlocking piece  704  of the cooking portion  700  interlocks with the second interlocking piece  104 ,  304  of the straining portion  100 ,  300 . The receiving mechanism  714  receives the securing mechanism  114 ,  314  to substantially secure the straining portion  100 ,  300  to the cooking portion  700 . The receiving mechanism  514  may be, for example, a bar, a hole, a latch, or even a snap. 
         [0021]    When the straining portion  100 ,  300  is substantially secured to the cooking portion  500 ,  700 , a food preparer may easily remove liquid from the cooking portion  500 ,  700  by tilting the cooking portion  500 ,  700 , so that liquid may flow through the straining portion  100 ,  300 . The straining portion  100 ,  300  fits securely into the cooking portion  500 ,  700  so that the straining portion  100 ,  300  does not substantially alter its position while it is secured to the cooking portion  500 ,  700 . 
         [0022]    The straining portion  100 ,  300  substantially covers the cooking portion  500 ,  700  to limit the food that may fall out while a food preparer is straining liquid. 
         [0023]    In an alternate embodiment, the cooking portion  500 ,  700  could contain the securing mechanism  114 ,  314  and the straining portion  100 ,  300  could contain the receiving mechanism  514 ,  714 . 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.