Abstract:
A straining apparatus is provided for a supporting and balancing a container to strain liquid from solid food. Specifically, the straining apparatus comprises a base plate, a plurality of holes formed in the base plate, and a plurality of support members. The support members are formed to act as a brace in supporting the straining apparatus over an opening in a container. A handle and a protective steam fin may also be connected to the base plate. The fin reduces exposure to harmful steam during straining of food. The straining apparatus may also include magnets which facilitate removal of metal coverings of the container. The straining apparatus provides a balanced handling of heavy containers during straining. In addition, a method of engaging and straining a container such as a can is also provided.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/123,738, filed on Apr. 16, 2002 and entitled “Food Liquid Strainer for Cooking,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1 The Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to devices that aid in separating liquids from solids and more particularly containers that strain liquids from solid foods by engaging a lip or edge of the container.  
           [0004]    2. The Relevant Art  
           [0005]    Ever since containers have been used to cook food, food preparation has required the removal of liquid from solid food before emptying the food contents from the container. This simple act of straining a liquid from a solid, involves a number of hazards capable of causing injury. For example, when food is boiled, hot steam rises from the pot. When the water is poured out of the pot, the user&#39;s arms and hands may be exposed to the dangerous steam. Even if a conventional strainer is used, the user is still exposed to the hot steam. In addition, if a typical strainer with no support members is used, the strainer must be held over the pot while the user holds the pot handle. This is typically awkward and can cause the user to drop the pot or its contents, especially as the weight of the pot shifts. Many conventional strainers provide no support for the pot during straining making it difficult for a user to strain the contents of a pot without dropping the pot. Other strainers include two handles or tabs which protrude on either side of the pot. Holding the pot while gripping both sides of theses strainers is also awkward and may cause a user to burn him/her self from contact with the heated pot.  
           [0006]    Additionally, there is the problem of balancing the pan when a user tips it over to pour the liquid contents out to separate it from solid food contents. For example, a typical pan includes a single long handle; filling the pan full of hot grease and heavy meat and tipping the pan over with only the thin handle requires a great deal of strength in the hands and arms. If a user lacks the required strength, there is a risk of dropping the pan and spilling hot grease and food onto the user. Add to this process the difficulty of holding a strainer, and it is understandable why every year, literally tens of thousands of cooks are injured due to dropped pots and pans.  
           [0007]    Another problem with using liquid strainers is that one strainer often does not fit effectively over many sizes of pots and pans. Where there is not a good fit between the two devices or the strainer does not support or engage the pot, the strainer can slide off the pot or pan, causing the food to pour down the drain, the pot to be dropped, or the user to be injured.  
           [0008]    One conventional food strainer is a cooking utensil in the form of a pan having upstanding walls and a lid or cover supportable by the upper edges of the walls and which is dimensioned to fit into the interior of the pan for use as a food scoop or spatula. The cover is generally planar and perforated, enabling its use as a sieve for the draining of cooking fluids from food supported thereon and as a porous cover which promotes condensation of cooking vapors for basting the food being cooked in the pan.  
           [0009]    Another straining device is a detachable food straining screen having lower and upper peripheral grooves for pressure fitting engagement with the top of a cooking pot and the bottom of a corresponding cover for the pot.  
           [0010]    Yet another straining device is adapted to fit over an opening of a variety of food storage and preparation containers. These strainers involve a flexible matrix, a flexible cord which is slidably disposed within a conduit, that is located along the perimeter of the matrix and has an opening through which the ends of said cord protrude, and a means for releasably engaging the ends of the cord. After the strainer is placed over the opening of the container, the ends of the cord are pulled through the engaging means to adapt the circumference of the conduit to that of the container.  
           [0011]    Another conventional straining device is slidably inserted into a steam table pan as found in commercial restaurant, catering, and hotel applications. The steam pan manipulation device features apertures of an appropriate size, so that the device may also be used as a strainer for separating liquid from the content of the tray while retaining solid content in the tray. The device separates solids and liquids and allows a worker to safely carry a tray full of liquid without sloshing, because the center of gravity of the liquid is lower than the point of carrying.  
           [0012]    Despite the advances made by conventional straining devices in the area of food straining, a need still exists for a straining device that can be used to grip and engage containers of different sizes and shapes securely to safely strain the contents of the strainers.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The apparatus and method of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available devices or methods.  
           [0014]    In one aspect of the invention, a device is provided that securely engages a lip or edge of a container. Specifically, a plurality of double curved support members of the device securely engages a plurality of container sizes. A base connected to the double curved support members provides engagement and a balanced handling of a container during straining.  
           [0015]    A handle is connected to the base proximal to the back edge of the base and extending above the plane of the base. A fin or shield may be positioned proximal to the handle and connected to the base proximal to the back edge. The fin may extend below the bottom surface of the base and the handle. Preferably the fin is positioned such that a center line of the fin aligns with a center line of the base. At least one double curved support member is positioned along the curved edge of the base.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment, the base includes a curved front edge with generally straight side edges and a straight back edge. Alternatively, the base may comprise two straight edges that intersect at a ninety-degree angle to form the front edge and a straight back edge such that the base has a generally triangular shape. The triangular embodiment is adapted to engage a container having a corner.  
           [0017]    In certain embodiments, the handle and fin extend at an angle that ranges from about 10 degrees to about 155 degrees. Of course, the handle and fin may extend at other angles.  
           [0018]    The double curved support member is connected to the base to receive a lip or edge of a container. The support member includes a first curve and a second curve. In one embodiment, the first curve rises slightly above the plane of the base such that the base is positioned below a container lip or edge when engaging the container. The first curve continues downward, and the second curve extends from the first curve in an opposite direction to ultimately extend the support member downward and away from the base. The base preferably includes a plurality of holes formed to allow liquid to escape from the container. In one embodiment, the front edge of the base forms an arc and the side edges form parallel edges.  
           [0019]    In one aspect, a planar resizing sheet may be positioned along side the base plate. The planar sheet may include a plurality of holes which are smaller than holes formed in the base plate. The holes may serve to retain solid particles which are small enough to pass through the holes of the base plate.  
           [0020]    In another aspect, a tooth may be connected to the base plate. The tooth may extend substantially downward from a plane defined by the base plate. The tooth may be configured to bias a lip of a container between the tooth and one or more support members connected to the base plate. Preferably, the tooth is positioned at about the center of the front edge of the base plate. In certain embodiments, a pair of support members may be positioned such that the tooth is evenly positioned between the two support members.  
           [0021]    The container engaging may be made of a heat resistant material or a heat transmitting material, or a combination of both.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which, should not be construed to limit the invention, but are for illustration only.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 a  illustrates an upside down rear side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a support member.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 a  illustrates another embodiment of the support member.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 a  illustrates a top view of a planar resizing sheet of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a support member which includes a cushioning covering.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method of straining a container under the present invention. 
     
    
       [0033]    It is noted that the drawings 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 OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 depicts a straining apparatus  101  of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the straining apparatus  101  comprises a base plate  100  from which a plurality of support members  102 . In one embodiment, the support members extend from the plane of the base plate  100  and curve downward to engage the base plate  100  with a container. The base plate preferably includes a plurality of holes  104  to allow fluid to be strained from any solids inside the container. A handle  108  and a protective steam fin  106  are shown extending from the back edge  114  of the base plate  100  in the depicted embodiment. Of course, the handle  108  and the protective steam fin  106  are optional, and if present may be configured in any suitable manner.  
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the handle  108  may be partially covered with an insulating coating  110  to protect a user&#39;s hand from heat conducted by the straining apparatus  101  and to provide comfort in using the handle  108 . The steam fin  106  is in one embodiment positioned and sized to divert steam within the container away from the user&#39;s hand. The straining apparatus of the present invention may be configured in various manners suitable for straining fluid from a container such as a pot, pan or can.  
         [0036]    The handle  108  may be positioned along a back edge  114  of the base plate  100 . Preferably, the handle  108  is U-shaped. The handle  108  may be positioned such that the middle of the handle  108  substantially aligns with the center of the front edge  112 . Such a positioning of the handle enables a user to balance the center of gravity of the container as the liquid is expelled.  
         [0037]    Preferably, the handle  108  extends from the back edge  114  at an angle. The size of the angle is not critical to the present invention. In one embodiment, the angle is about forty-five degrees. Consequently, the angle of the handle  108  is such that when the container is tipped into almost a horizontal position, the handle  108  extends almost vertically. Thus, the angle of the handle  108  may further assist a user in manipulating the container during straining.  
         [0038]    In the straining apparatus  101 , a front edge  112  of the base plate  100  may be curved to allow the support members  102  to engage a pan or other container with a rounded shape. It is anticipated that the straining apparatus  101  is configured to hold a container with a diameter ranging from about 4 inches to about 14 inches. Of course the straining apparatus  101  may be sized to accommodate a variety of container sizes.  
         [0039]    The straining apparatus  101 , as depicted in FIG. 1, is an example of a base plate  100  with a curved front edge  112  and a plurality of support members  102  connected to the base plate  100 . Preferably, the support members  102  are evenly disposed on each side of the center of the front edge  112 . In this manner, the support members  102  provide balanced support for the container during straining. In addition, evenly distributing the support members  102  limits the tendency for the container to roll to one side during straining.  
         [0040]    The support members  102  are in one embodiment configured to support the weight of a container as the container is tipped for straining liquid from the container. Therefore, the support members  102  are preferably made from strong materials such as metal, hard plastics and the like. While our support members  102  are shown, more or less than four may be used.  
         [0041]    In selected embodiments, the support members  102  are configured to engage a wide variety of containers including, but not limited to, pots, pans, mixing bowls, buckets and the like. Referring to FIG. 1, the radius R around the curvature of the front edge  112  and the position of the support members  102  allow the present invention to engage containers of a variety of sizes. For example, a straining apparatus  101  with a radius R of about 12 inches is capable of engaging containers which range in size between about 12 inches in diameter to about 8 inches in diameter.  
         [0042]    The number, size, position, and pattern of the holes  104  may vary. For example, a straining apparatus  101  used exclusively for small pasta or rice, may include holes closer together and closer to the front edge  112 . Alternatively, for large solids, the holes  104  may be larger and further spaced apart.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the straining apparatus  201  configured to engage a container having a corner. The straining apparatus  201  includes many of the features of the straining apparatus  101  of FIG. 1. In particular, the straining apparatus  201  in the depicted embodiment includes a base plate  100 , a plurality of support members  102 , a plurality of holes  104  formed in the base plate  100 , a steam fin  106 , a handle  108 , and an insulating coating  110  covering part of the handle  106 . Unlike the straining apparatus  101 , the straining apparatus  201  is substantially triangular shaped to allow the straining apparatus  201  to engage almost any size container having a corner.  
         [0044]    The shape of the base plate  100  is not critical to the shape of the straining apparatus  101 ,  201 . Thus, while a semi-circular and triangular straining apparatus  101 ,  201  are described in detail, those of skill in the art will readily understand that the base plate  100  may be of almost any shape, including any geometric or oval shape. In addition, the base plate  100  may be of any operable size for engaging a variety of containers.  
         [0045]    The straining apparatus  201  includes a base plate  100  that has two edges  202  that intersect to substantially form a right angle. Consequently, the straining apparatus  201  is able to engage with a container that has two straight edges that meet to form a corner. In certain embodiments, the straining apparatus  201  includes four support members  102 , two support members on each edge  202 . Alternatively, the straining apparatus  201  may include more or less than four support members  102 . Preferably, an equal number of support members  102  are positioned along each edge  202 .  
         [0046]    The various embodiments of the straining apparatus  101  are capable of engaging almost any kind of container commonly used in culinary activities. Examples of such containers include, but are not limited to, containers with or without a lip on the edge, glass, plastic, metal or metal coated containers, pots, pans, Dutch ovens, and the like, as well as cans or other containers commonly used in cooking.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a straining apparatus  301  that includes a plurality of support members  102  and a tooth  302 . Preferably, the plurality of support members  102  are connected to the front edge  112  of the base plate  100 . The tooth  302  is positioned approximately in the center of the base plate&#39;s front edge  112 . In the depicted embodiment the tooth  302  extends downward and slightly away from the plane of the base plate  100 . Preferably, a support member  102  is positioned on both sides of the tooth  302  such that the tooth  302  is disposed about in the middle of the two support members  102 . The tooth  302  preferably cooperates with one or more of the support members  102  to bias a wall of the container between the tooth  302  and the one or more support members  102 . That is, when disposed between the tooth  302  and the support member  102 , the container wall is substantially braced or pinched between the tooth  302  and the support members  102 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 a  illustrates an upside down rear side view of the straining apparatus  302 . As depicted, the straining apparatus  301  includes optional magnets  316  connected to the bottom side of the handle  310 . Alternatively, the magnets  316  may be connected to other parts of the straining apparatus  301 . The magnets  316  aide in removing a lid of an opened can, and minimize injury to user from contact with the sharp edges of the lid. In addition, the magnets  316  minimize the risk of contamination posed by contaminants that may have aggregated on the external surface of a can lid. Preferably, the tooth  302  is substantially longer than the support members  102 . Alternatively, the support members  102  may be longer than the tooth  302 . In another alternative, the support members  102  and tooth  302  may be substantially the same length. Preferably, the tooth  302  extends below a plane defined by the base plate  100  such that the tooth  302  may be inserted into the container.  
         [0049]    Preferably, the straining apparatus  301  is sized and shaped for use with cans of a particular size, which may include by way of example, a standard number 10 can. In one embodiment, the straining apparatus  301  is employed by engaging the support members  102  against the outside of a can by biasing the side between the support members  102  and the tooth  302  which is braced against the inside of the can. Alternatively, the tooth  302  may extend outside the can while the support members  102  are engaged within the can.  
         [0050]    Generally, the tooth  302  is configured to engage the container wall and the support members  102  are configured to support the weight of the container during straining. Alternatively, the tooth  302  may be strong enough to also support the container weight. For example, in certain embodiments the tooth  302  may extend outside the container wall and the support members  102  may be configured to extend within the container wall.  
         [0051]    The base plate  100 , support members  102 , tooth  302 , handle  108 , and steam fin  106  may be made from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, ceramic, and the like. Preferably, the material is rigid, durable, and resists rust. Furthermore, the base plate  100 , support members  102 , handle  108 , and steam fin  106  may be separate components which are joined together to form the straining apparatus  101 . Preferably, the base plate  100 , support members  102 , handle  108 , and steam fin  106  are formed from a single piece of material such as metal. For example, the base plate  100 , support members  102 , tooth  302 , handle  108 , and steam fin  106  may be stamped from a single sheet of metal. Alternatively, the straining apparatus may be formed from molded plastic, ceramic or the like.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the shape of a support member. In one embodiment, the support member  102  comprises a first curve  402  and a second curve  404 . The first curve  402  may extend from the base plate  100  and initially extend from a position above a plane defined by the base plate  100 . In one embodiment, the first curve  402  forms about a sixty-degree angle between the bottom surface  406  of the base plate  100  and the interior surface  408  of the first curve  402 . The second curve  404  preferably extends from the first curve  402  and curves in a direction opposite the first curve  402 . A third curvature  412  may also be present and may initially extend and orient the support member  102  upward from the plane of the base plate  100 .  
         [0053]    Preferably, the second curve  404  forms about a thirty-degree angle between the interior surface  408  of the first curve  402  and the interior surface  410  of the second curve  404 . Together the first curve  402  and second curve  404  may substantially form a backwards “S” shape. In certain embodiments, the second curve  404  may then extend straight out to form a tab  406 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 4 a  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a support member  102 . In FIG. 4 a  the second curve  404  forms about a one hundred degree angle between the interior surface  408  of the first curve  402  and the interior surface  410  of the second curve  404 . Of course, the first curve  402  and second curve  404  may include a variety of arcuate sections within the scope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the first curve  402  may not rise above a plane defined by the base plate  100  and may instead initially extend outward in parallel with the plane of the base plate  100 .  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the straining apparatus  101  which includes a planar resizing sheet  502 . The planar resizing sheet  502  provides an additional level of straining for the solids within the container. Preferably, the planer resizing sheet  502  includes holes  504  (See FIG. 5 a ) which are smaller than the holes  104  in the base plate  100 . The sheet  502  is configured to be retained next to the base plate  100 . In one embodiment, the planer resizing sheet  502  is sized and shaped to rest against and be held in place by the support members  102 . Alternatively, clips, channels or other temporary connectors may be used to retain the sheet  502  against the base plate  100 . Thus, the planar resizing sheet  502  provides flexibility in selecting variously sized solids for which the straining apparatus  101  is capable of straining.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 5 a  illustrates on example of a shape of the planar resizing sheet  502 . In this embodiment, the sheet  502  is shaped and sized to substantially match the shape and size of the base plate  100 . As mentioned above, the holes  504  may be substantially smaller than the holes  104  in the base plate  100 . Of course, the sheet  502  may be embodied in a variety of shapes. For example, the sheet  502  may comprise a rectangular member sized to fit over the area of holes  104  in the base plate  100 . Alternatively, the sheet  502  may only cover a few rows of holes  104  in the base sheet  502 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the support member  102  which is covered with cushioning material  602 . The cushioning material  602  may be made from rubber, plastic, or other pliable materials. Preferably, the cushioning material  602  increases the coefficient of friction between the support members  102  and the wall of the container. Thus, the ability of the support members  102  to engage the container may be enhanced by the cushioning material  602 . The cushioning material  602  also provides a protective layer between the support member  102  and the container. This protective layer may protect against damage to containers such as more expensive pots and pans. In certain embodiments, the cushioning material  602  may be deposited over the fin  106 . The cushioning material  602  may be heat resistant as well.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7 is a flowchart  700  illustrating one embodiment of a method of the present invention for handling a container. First, a base plate  100  is provided  704 . Next, one or more support members  102  is provided  706 . The base plate  100  and support members  102  are preferably configured in a manner discussed above. In addition, a tooth such as the tooth  302  may be used to engage the container. A magnet  316  is also optionally provided  708 . A metal covering of the container is in one embodiment lifted  710  using the magnet  316 . The base plate  100  and support member  102  one also used to engage  712  the container. Finally, the container is manipulated  714  using a handle  108  connected to the base plate  100 . The manipulation  714  may be straining, pouring, or other operations involving a container.  
         [0059]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.