Liquid reduction timing device

Disclosed herein is a liquid reduction timing device useful for cooking. More specifically, the disclosed liquid reduction timing device indicates to a user that a liquid has been reduced to a predetermined level when the level of the liquid is equal to the station of a movable indicator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to liquid reduction timing devices useful for cooking. More specifically, the disclosed liquid reduction timing device of this invention indicates to a user that a liquid has been reduced to a predetermined level when the level of the liquid is equal to the longitudinal station of an indicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

“Reduction” is a cooking technique wherein a liquid is reduced in volume by boiling. Reduction is often used to thicken or intensify the flavor of a liquid mixture, such as a soup, sauce, syrup, wine, or juice. Reduction is often performed by boiling a liquid in a container without a lid or cover, thereby allowing vapor to escape and the volume of liquid to decrease to a desired level.

A cook may reduce a liquid using guesswork, simply by observing a boiling liquid in a container and reducing the applied heat when he or she estimates that the liquid has been reduced by the proper amount. A need exists for a device capable of indicating to a cook in a more precise and quantifiable manner that a liquid has indeed been reduced to the preferred predetermined level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed liquid reduction timing device provided by this invention comprises an elongated body, a clip attached to the body, and an indicator slidably attached to the body. The indicator is slidably positioned by the user to a desired station on the body, namely, a station equal to the desired liquid level at the end of the reduction process. The liquid reduction timing device is adapted to be removably attachable to a cooking container used for boiling liquid, such as, for example, a pot, kettle, or cauldron, by attaching the device to the side wall of the container using the clip, such that at least a portion of the body is disposed within the container. The user then reduces the liquid within the container by applying heat and boiling the liquid. Reduction of the liquid level within the container to the station of the indicator indicates to the user that the desired level of reduction has occurred and the reduction process can then be terminated.

It will be appreciated that the various apparatus and methods described in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in this application, can be expressed as a large number of different combinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it being recognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations is unnecessary.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. At least one embodiment of the present invention will be described and shown, and this application may show and/or describe other embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that any reference to “the invention” is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including an apparatus, process, or composition that should be included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Further, although there may be discussion with regards to “advantages” provided by some embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that yet other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include yet different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

The use of an N-series prefix for an element number (NXX) refers to an element that is the same as the non-prefixed element (XX), except as shown and described thereafter. The usage of words indicating preference, such as “preferably,” refers to features and aspects that are present in at least one embodiment, but which are optional for some embodiments. As an example, an element426would be the same as element26, except for those different features of element426shown and described. Further, common elements and common features of related elements are drawn in the same manner in different figures, and/or use the same symbology in different figures. As such, it is not necessary to describe the features of426and26that are the same, since these common features are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the related field of technology.

Although various specific quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures, times, force, resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths, frequencies, heat transfer coefficients, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be stated herein, such specific quantities are presented as examples only, and further, unless otherwise noted, are approximate values, and should be considered as if the word “about” prefaced each quantity. Further, with discussion pertaining to a specific composition of matter, that description is by example only, and does not limit the applicability of other species of that composition, nor does it limit the applicability of other compositions unrelated to the cited composition.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-C, one preferred disclosed liquid reduction timing device10of this invention comprises an elongated body12having a top14, a bottom16opposite the top14, and at least one side. A securing member18for removably attaching the device10to a cooking container50is attached to the body12and extends from a first side22of the body12. In some embodiments, the securing member18is a clip slidably attached to the body12, such that it can be positioned at different stations along the height of the body12. In other embodiments, the clip18is fixed to a specific station on the body12. An indicator20is slidably attached to the body12such that it can be positioned at different stations along the height of the body12. The indicator20extends from a second side of body24. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A-C, the first and second sides22,24are preferably defined by opposite sides of the body12. In the depicted embodiment, the body12is preferably a rod about 12 inches in height and about ⅜ths of an inch in diameter. In some embodiments, the device10includes a handle32extending from the top14of the body. In some embodiments, the bottom16of the body is formed of or covered by a material adapted to not scratch, abrade, or otherwise damage the interior of container50.

The device10includes a control rod26used to control the positioning of the indicator20. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A-C, the control rod26is affixed to the indicator20and extends generally upwardly therefrom. In some embodiments, the indicator20includes an indicator bore28through which the body12extends. The indicator bore28snugly fits the body12and maintains the position of the indicator20on the body12by a friction fit. The user may slidably re-position the indicator20along the body12by pulling or pushing the control rod26or indicator20upward or downward to overcome the friction fit.

FIGS. 1Band C show the liquid reduction timing device10attached to a container50, namely, a cooking pot, containing a liquid54both before (FIG. 1B) and after (FIG. 1C) reduction. The clip18removably attaches the device to the side wall52of the container50, such that the body12is generally disposed in an upright, vertical orientation substantially parallel to the side wall52of the container50and with at least a portion of the body12arranged within the container50. A portion of the side wall52is secured between the clip18and the body12by a friction fit, maintaining the device10in position. The indicator20is set by the user at a station along the body12equal to the desired post-reduction liquid level. The user then reduces the liquid54within the container by applying heat and boiling the liquid54. Reduction of the level of the liquid54level within the container50to the station of the indicator20as shown inFIG. 1Cindicates to the user that the desired level of reduction has occurred and the reduction process can then be terminated.

In some embodiments, the device10further comprises at least one spacer30extending from the first side of the body. In this first embodiment, the device10includes two spacers30. In this embodiment, the spacers30are heat-resistant beads or the like affixed to the first side22of the body12. The heat-resistant beads are configured to withstand the temperature of boiling water, boiling oil, or other liquids used in cooking at their respective boiling points without degradation. As shown inFIGS. 1Band C, the spacers30are configured to interpose between the body12and the side wall52, preventing the body from directly contacting the container50and maintaining the body12in an orientation substantially parallel to the side wall52.

FIGS. 2-5depict second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments, respectively, of a liquid reduction timing device110,210,310,410, comprising an elongated body112,212,312,412, a clip118,218,318,418, and an indicator120,220,320,420. The second (FIG. 2) and third (FIG. 3) embodiments are identical, apart from the third embodiment including a flange-shaped handle232arranged atop body212. The fourth (FIG. 4) and fifth (FIG. 5) embodiments are likewise identical, apart from the fifth embodiment including a flange-shaped handle432arranged atop body412. Similar to the first embodiment, each of the second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments includes an indicator120,220,320,420, having an indicator bore128,228,328,428, through which the body112,212,312,412, extends. The bore128,228,328,428snugly fits the body112,212,312,412and maintains the position of the indicator120,220,320,420on the body112,212,312,412by a friction fit. The user may slidably re-position the indicator120,220,320,420along the body112,212,312,412by simply pulling or pushing the control rod126,226,326,426or indicator120,220,320,420upward or downward to overcome the friction fit. While these embodiments as shown lack spacers, the invention contemplates such embodiments alternatively including spacers.

In certain embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 2-5for example, the body includes markings134,234,334,434, such as numbers or letters to indicate different vertical positions on the body. For example, in embodiments where the clip is fixed to the body, the body may include markings designating of distance from the clip (for example, ¼″, ½, ¾″, or 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm) to aid the user in positioning the indicator. In the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 2-5, the markings134,234,334,434are a sequential series of roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, . . . ) extending vertically along the body112,212,312,412.

FIGS. 6A-Bdepict a sixth embodiment of a liquid reduction timing device510of this invention. This sixth embodiment includes a substantially spherical handle532arranged atop body512. In this embodiment, the indicator520includes at least one indicator bore. The body512extends through a first indicator bore528and slidably engages the indicator520. The control rod526is attached at or in proximity to the bottom516of the body512and extends upwardly through a second indicator bore529. The control rod526is biased in a position that is not parallel to the direction of the second indicator bore529, such that a friction fit between the control rod526and the indicator520maintains the position of the indicator520. The user may adjust the orientation of the control rod526to place the control rod526substantially parallel to the direction of the second bore529to relieve the friction fit between the control rod526and indicator520, thereby allowing the indicator520to be slid upwardly and downwardly along the body512and control rod526to a desired station. The user may squeeze the control rod526and body together512, as indicated by arrows A-A inFIG. 6B, to place the control rod526substantially parallel to the direction of the second bore529.

FIG. 7depicts a seventh embodiment of a liquid reduction timing device610provided by this invention. In this embodiment, the clip618, body612, and control rod626are formed from a single piece. Both the body612and control rod626extend through a single indicator bore628. The body612and control rod626are biased in a spaced-apart orientation, such that friction between the body612and indicator620and between the control rod626and the indicator620maintains the position of the indicator620. The user may adjust the orientation of at least one of the control rod626and the body612to relieve the friction fit and allow the indicator620to be freely slid upwardly and downwardly. For example, the user may squeeze the control rod626and body612together, as indicated by arrows B-B inFIG. 7, thereby relieving the friction against the indicator620and allowing the indicator620to be re-positioned. In this embodiment, the handle632is formed by an upward curve between the body612and clip618portions of the device. In this embodiment, the spacers630are preferably substantially spherical beads through which the body612extends.

In this seventh embodiment, the spacers630are configured to serve at least two (2) separate functions. First, the spacers630are configured to interpose between the body612and the side wall of a container (not shown), preventing the body612from contacting the container. Second, the spacers630also have a diameter of sufficient size to prevent the indicator bore628from passing the body612, a spacer630, and the control rod626, thereby preventing the indicator620from sliding off the liquid reduction timing device610.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A-B, the depicted eighth embodiment of a liquid reduction timing device710illustrates an additional means for maintaining the indicator at a specific station on the body712. In this embodiment, the control rod726is affixed to the indicator720and extends upwards from the indicator720substantial parallel to the body612. The indicator720includes a single indicator bore728through which the body712extends.

In this embodiment, a retaining member736is fixed to and extends from the body712, and the control rod726extends through apertures737in the retaining member736. The retaining member736is configured such that the control rod726contacts the sides of the apertures737. Friction between the retaining member736and the control rod726maintains the position of the control rod726and indicator720with respect to the body712. By squeezing the retaining member736, the apertures737are repositioned in alignment with the control rod726, such that the control rod726, and the indicator720affixed thereto, may be freely moved upwardly or downwardly along the body712, as indicated by arrows C-C inFIG. 8B, to a desired station. When the user releases the retaining member736, it returns to its original configuration and friction between the retaining member736and the control rod726maintains the control rod726and indicator720at the desired station.

FIG. 9depicts a ninth embodiment of a liquid reduction timing device810. This ninth embodiment is generally similar in structure to the first embodiment, but lacks spacers30. The bottom816of the body812is covered by a cap to prevent the body812from scratching or abrading the bottom of a container when the device810is in use. The cap is preferably formed a resilient material capable of withstanding exposure to boiling water or boiling cooking oil without impairment.