Tools for shaping a food item

Systems and methods for shaping food items are provided. The systems and methods can shape the food items into taco shapes. A system can include a basket, a tool, and an insert. The basket includes troughs and a handle. The tool includes guides that receive patties made of, for example, potatoes, meat, and/or other food items. The insert includes wedges sized and shaped to fit through the guides and into the troughs of the basket. The tool is assembled with the basket in use, and frozen patties are placed in the guides. The insert is assembled with the tool such that the wedges contact the patties. The assembly is placed in hot oil to cook the patties. As the patties cook and soften, the insert moves downward relative to the tool and basket, and the wedges urge the patties into the troughs and into a taco shape.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses and methods for shaping a food item, and more particularly, to tools and methods for shaping a patty into a taco shape.

Description of the Related Art

Various technologies and methods exist for shaping food items. For example, various devices and methods exist for forming tortillas into U-shaped hard shell tacos.

SUMMARY

The systems and methods described herein provide for the shaping of food items or products, for example, patties made of potatoes, meat, and/or other food item(s), into taco shapes. The systems and methods described herein can advantageously include features to help align various components of the systems.

In some embodiments, a system for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape includes a tool and an insert. The tool includes a frame, two receptacles, and at least one post extending upwardly from the tool. Each receptacle is configured to receive a food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert is configured to slidingly engage with the tool. The insert includes a frame, a guide, two wedges extending downward from the frame, and a handle. The guide of the insert is configured to receive and slide along an outer surface of the at least one post of the tool in use. Each wedge is configured to contact the food item received in one of the receptacles and urge the food item into the second shape.

In some such embodiments, the tool includes two posts and a crossbar extending between and connecting upper ends of the posts. The insert can include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a crossbar and a catch at each end of the crossbar. The crossbar and catches are pivotally coupled to the handle of the insert. As the insert is assembled with the tool in use, the crossbar and catches of the insert pivot relative to the handle to allow the crossbar and catches to slide past the crossbar of the tool. Once the crossbar and catches of the insert have cleared the crossbar of the tool, the crossbar and caches pivot back toward their original orientation and portions of the catches are disposed below the crossbar of the tool. If a user attempts to lift the insert away from the tool, the catches contact the crossbar of the tool and cause the tool to be lifted along with the insert.

In some embodiments, the insert includes two side guides. Each side guide extends outward and the downward from the frame of the insert. The side guides are configured to be received in gaps formed between the frame of the tool and the receptacles of the tool.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a basket including at least two troughs. The tool is configured to be placed on the basket such that the receptacles align with the troughs. The wedges are configured to urge each food item received in the two receptacles into the at least two troughs during cooking to shape each food item into the second shape.

In some embodiments, an insert for slidingly engaging with a basket and moving between a first position and a second position to change a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer, wherein the basket includes at least one trough defining the second shape and a guide, includes a body having a channel and at least one wedge. The channel is sized and shaped to slidingly engage with the guide when the insert moves from the first position to the second position. The at least one wedge is sized and shaped to fit within the at least one trough and provide a gap between the at least one wedge and the at least one trough when the insert is in the second position. The gap has the second shape.

In some such embodiments, a system for changing the shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape includes the insert and a tool. The tool is configured to be disposed on the basket and includes two receptacles. Each receptacle is configured to receive the food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert is configured to slidingly engage the tool. In some embodiments, the tool includes at least one post and the insert includes a guide configured to slidingly engage the at least one post.

In some embodiments, a system for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer includes a basket, a tool, and an insert. The basket includes at least one trough defining the second shape and at least one peak. The basket is configured to be at least partially submerged in the fryer. The tool is configured to be disposed on the basket. The tool includes a receptacle that is configured to receive the food item when the food item is in the first shape. The insert includes a pair of channels and at least one wedge. The pair of channels are sized and shaped to slidingly engage with the at least one peak when the insert moves from a first position to a second position relative to the tool. The at least one wedge is sized and shaped to fit within the at least one trough and provide a gap between the at least one wedge and the at least one trough when the insert is in the second position such that the gap has the second shape.

In some such embodiments, the tool includes at least one upwardly extending post, and the insert includes a guide configured to slidingly receive the at least one post. In some embodiments, the tool includes a handle and the insert includes a handle. The handle of the insert is configured to engage the handle of the tool when the insert moves to the second position.

In some embodiments, a method for changing a shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape during cooking in a fryer includes: providing a basket having at least one trough defining the second shape and at least one peak, the basket being configured to be at least partially submerged in the fryer; locating a tool having a receptacle to a position on the basket, the receptacle having the first shape; placing the food item in the receptacle; locating an insert having a pair of channels and at least one wedge above the tool so that the pair of channels are aligned with the at least one peak; lowering the insert onto the tool so that the pair of channels slidingly engage with the at least one peak until the at least one wedge rests on the food item; and lowering at least portions of the basket, the tool, and the insert into the fryer so that the pair of channels continue to slidingly engage with the at least one peak while the at least one wedge presses the food item into the at least one trough to form the second shape while cooking.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure herein. These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular disclosed embodiment(s).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are described below, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed should not be limited by any particular embodiments described below.

The systems and methods described herein can be used to change the shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape. For example, the systems and methods described herein can be used to shape a food item into a desired shape, such as a taco shape. The food item can be a patty10made of or including, for example, potatoes, various meat, such as chicken or beef, which may be breaded or unbreaded, or another food item. The patty10can be round or circular, for example, as shown inFIG. 1. The patty10can be another shape, such as square, rectangular, or oval. In some embodiments, the patty10is frozen, or otherwise rigid or relatively rigid, before being placed in the systems described herein for cooking and shaping. In some embodiments, the food item is fresh or not frozen before being placed in the systems described herein for cooking and shaping.

In some embodiments, a system100for shaping a food item, such as a patty10, includes a basket110, a tool130, and an insert150. An exploded view of an example embodiment of a system100for shaping a food item is shown inFIG. 14. The basket110, tool130, and/or insert150can be made of metal. In some embodiments, the basket110, tool130, and/or insert150can be made of plastic. The basket110, tool130, and/or insert150can be made of a material that is food-safe and suitable for use in high temperatures, such as in a fryer, oven, or microwave.

An example embodiment of a basket110is shown inFIGS. 2-5. The basket110includes a base112having a frame120and at least one trough114. The frame120, can be rectangular as shown. The illustrated embodiment includes six troughs, but more or fewer troughs114are also possible. Each trough114is at least partially defined by two peaks116, one on each side of the trough114. In embodiments having a plurality of troughs114, one or more of the peaks116may each separate and/or at least partially define two adjacent troughs114. The peaks116can extend between and be connected to the frame120of the base112as shown. The outermost peaks116at the ends of the base112extend along or are defined by ends of the frame120. The basket110can include one or more support bars113extending lengthwise along a bottom of the basket110beneath the troughs114. In the illustrated embodiment, the basket110includes a handle118extending from one side or end of the base112. The basket110may include a hook119that contacts or engages a fryer during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the basket110includes a hook119that extends from an opposite end of the base112from the handle118.

In some embodiments, a length Lb (shown inFIG. 4) of the frame120of the basket110is about 12½ inches and a width Wb of the frame120is about 6¾ inches. Adjacent peaks116can be separated by a distance Dp of about 2 inches such that the troughs114have a width of about 2 inches. The two troughs114adjacent the ends of the frame120can have a width Dpe of about 2 3/16 inches. The handle118can extend upward from the body112by a distance Hh (shown inFIG. 3) of about 3¼ inches, then extend a length Lh of about 8½ inches at an angle Ah of about 25° upward from horizontal. In some embodiments, a body of the handle118has a width Wh of about 1¼ inches. An enlarged distal portion of the handle118(positioned away from the body112) may have a width Whm at its widest point of about 1⅞ inches. In embodiments including a hook119, the hook119may extend a distance Dh of about 5/16 inch from an end of the frame120. A full length Lbf of the basket110including the handle118and the hook119can be about 21 5/16 inches. A height Hb (shown inFIG. 5) of the base112including the support bars113can be about 3½ inches. A height Hbh of the base112including the support bars113and hook119can be about 5 inches. A full height Hbf of the basket110including the handle118and the support bars113can be about 9½ inches. In some embodiments, the basket110can have a weight of about 2-3 pounds. For example, the basket110can have a weight of about 2 pounds, 4.7 ounces.

FIGS. 6-9illustrate an example embodiment of a tool, which can act as a patty alignment and/or centering tool in certain embodiments,130. In other embodiments, the tool130aligns foods other than a patty. The tool130includes two receptacles134. The receptacles134are sized and shaped to receive the food item. For example, the receptacles134can be circular as shown to receive circular or generally circular patties10. Alternatively, the receptacles134can be another shape, such as square, rectangular, or oval, to receive other shaped patties10or foods. The illustrated circular receptacles134meet (e.g., are in contact or near contact with each other) in the center of the tool130. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool130includes a generally rectangular frame132surrounding, partially bordering, and/or supporting the two receptacles134. In the illustrated embodiment, mid portions of the ends of the frame132are formed by or curved to accommodate the receptacles134such that mid portions of the ends of the frame132are curved outwardly. The frame132is sized and shaped to at least partially nest or fit with the frame120of the base112of the basket110. The tool130also includes two upwardly extending posts136. The posts136are positioned centrally along the length of the tool130with one disposed on each side of a central longitudinal axis of the tool130(e.g., an axis extending parallel to the long sides of the rectangular frame132and extending through centers or midpoints of the short sides of the rectangular frame132). Each post136extends upward from and/or through a gap133formed between an inner surface of a central portion of a side of the frame132and outer surfaces of the two circular receptacles134. The posts136can be coupled or secured to the receptacles134. A cross-bar138extends between and connects upper or top ends of the two posts136. In some embodiments, the cross-bar138can be used as a handle. In the illustrated embodiment, each post136includes two parallel wires joined by a U-shaped portion at the top or upper end of the post136or a single wire formed in a U-shape such that the curved portion of the U-shape is positioned at the top or upper end of the post136and the parallel arms extend downward toward the receptacles134. The wire(s) forming the posts136may also connect to each other at bottom or lower ends of the posts136beneath the receptacles134as shown inFIG. 9.

The tool130is shaped and sized to be placed on and/or nest with the basket110. The frame132can have a width Wf (shown inFIG. 7) of about 6¼ inches. The sides of the frame132can have a length Lfs of about 12 inches. The frame132can have a total length Lf including curved mid portions of the ends of the frame132of about 12¼ inches. The frame can have a height or thickness Tf (shown inFIG. 8) of about 7/16 inch. The receptacles134can have inner diameters ID of about 6 inches. A total height Ht (shown inFIG. 9) of the tool130can be about 5⅜ inches. The posts136can span a distance Pw of about 3 5/16 inches across the width of the frame132. Each post136can have a thickness Pt (measured along the length of the frame132) of about 13/16 inch. In some embodiments, the tool130has a weight of about 0.5-1 pound. For example, the tool130can have a weight of about 11 ounces.

An example embodiment of an insert150is shown inFIGS. 10-13. The insert150includes a frame152, two wedges154, and a handle156. One of the wedges154extends downwardly from each end of the frame152. As shown, the frame152can include and/or form an upper perimeter of each wedge154. The handle156extends upwardly from or adjacent to sides of the frame152. As shown, the handle156can include a first bar156aand a second bar156b. The second bar156bis spaced from the first bar156aalong a length of the insert150. Each bar156a,156bextends across a width of the insert150. The insert150includes a guide158positioned between the sides of the frame152. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide158is circular, although other shapes are also possible.

In some embodiments, side guides159extend downward from each side of the frame152. In the illustrated embodiment, the side guides159extend outward from the sides of the frame152then downward. Each side guide159includes a slot or channel155extending upwardly from a bottom end of the side guide159. The cross-section shape of the channel155can change along the length of the channel155. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, an opening or distal end of the channel155is wider than a remainder of the channel155. The channel155can taper from the opening to the narrower remainder of the channel155. As shown inFIG. 11, the side guides159can extend further downward or away from the frame152than the wedges154.

The insert150is designed to slidingly engage the tool130and/or the basket110in use. The insert150can include one or more features designed to slidingly engage and/or align with one or more corresponding features of the tool130and/or the basket110. For example, the guide158can align with and slidingly engage the posts136of the tool130as described in greater detail herein. Alternatively or in addition, the side guides159can align with and slidingly engage a peak116of the basket110as described in greater detail herein.

The insert150can also include a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a cross bar162extending along the direction of the width of the insert150. Each end of the cross bar162is coupled to a catch160. In the illustrated embodiment, the catches160are triangular, with one corner pointing downward and coupled to the cross bar162, and one side forming a top surface of the catch160. A sidearm164extends between the top surface of each catch160and the handle156. In the illustrated embodiment, each side of the handle156includes a side bar157extending between and coupling the first bar156aand the second bar156bof the handle156. Each sidearm164is pivotally coupled to one of the side bars157at a pivot point166. The sidearms164extend to inner facing surfaces of the side bars157. In the illustrated embodiment, a pivot arm168extends from an outer facing surface of one side bar157across a width of the insert150(e.g., along a direction parallel to the handle156) to an outer facing surface of the other side bar157. In some embodiments, the pivot arm168is coupled to or integrally formed with the sidearms164such that the pivot arm168and sidearm164combination extends through the side bars157and is pivotal relative to the side bars157. Movement of the pivot arm168can therefore be coupled to movement of the sidearms164. Movement, e.g., pivoting, of the pivot arm168toward one end of the insert150causes the sidearms164, catches160, and cross bar162to move, e.g., pivot, toward the opposite end of the insert150. Similarly, movement, e.g., pivoting, of the cross bar162, catches160, and sidearms164toward one end of the insert150causes the pivot arm168to move, e.g., pivot, toward the opposite end of the insert150.

The insert150is sized and shaped to be assembled with the tool130and basket110. The frame152can have a total length Li (shown inFIG. 12) of about 7 5/16 inches. The portions of the frame152forming the tops of the wedges154can have lengths Lw of about 6 3/16 inches and widths Ww of about 1¼ inches. The guide158can have an outer diameter OD of about 3¾ inches. The wedges154can extend downward from the frame152by a distance Hw (shown inFIG. 11) of about 3⅛. The side guides155can extend downward from the frame152by a distance Hs of about 3¾ inches. The side guides159can have a width Ws of about 2¾ inches. The side guides159can span a distance Ds (shown inFIG. 13) across the width of the frame152of about 5⅝ inches. The handle156can have a thickness (measured along the length of the insert150) Th of about 1 5/16 inches. The handle156can have a height Hih of about 7½ inches. The handle156can span a distance Dih across the width of the insert150of about 4 inches. The crossbar162can have a length Lcb of about 1⅞ inches. A height Hil measured from the pivot arm168to the crossbar162can be about 3⅞ inches. A height Hip measured from the pivot arm168to the pivot point166can be about 1¾ inches. A width Wpa of the pivot arm168at its widest point, e.g., measured along a line extending through both pivot points,166can be about 4 5/16 inches. The insert150can have a total height Hi of about 11¼ inches. The wedges154and troughs114are sized and shaped such that when the insert150is fully assembled with the tool130and basket110as described herein, the wedges154are received in the troughs114, and a gap is formed between each wedge154and its respective trough114. The gap forms the second shape or final desired shape of the food item, e.g., a taco shape in the illustrated embodiment.

In use, the tool130is placed on or partially nested in the basket110such that a central portion of each receptacle134is aligned with one of the troughs114of the basket110, for example as shown inFIGS. 15-18and inFIG. 19, which shows an alternative embodiment of the tool130. The frame132and receptacles134rest on and are supported by the peaks116of the basket110. A patty10is placed within one or each receptacle134(as shown inFIG. 20, which shows the alternative embodiment of the tool130ofFIG. 19). As discussed above, the patties10can be provided frozen such that the patties10initially maintain their shape, e.g., round shape. The insert150is then guided onto the tool130. The guide158of the insert150aligns with and slides along outer surfaces of the posts136of the tool130to help properly align the insert150relative to the tool130and/or basket110as shown inFIG. 15. As the insert150is guided onto the tool130, the channels155align with and at least partially engage one of the peaks116(e.g., the central peak116) to help properly align the insert150relative to the basket110. Because the side guides159extend farther downward from the frame152than the wedges154, the channels155engage the peak116before the wedges154contact the patties10disposed in the receptacles134. As the insert150is advanced downward relative to the tool130, one of the wedges154contacts each of the patties10disposed in the receptacles134.

The assembled basket110, tool130, and insert150with patties10are placed in a cooking apparatus to cook the patties10. For example, the assembled basket110, tool130, and insert150with patties10can be placed in a fryer containing hot oil. Alternatively, the basket110, tool130, and insert150with patties10can be placed in an oven or microwave. As the patties10cook and soften, the weight of the insert150causes the wedges154to push the patties10into the troughs114with which the receptacles134are aligned and shape the patties10into a taco shape. When the insert150is fully seated in or advanced relative to the tool130and basket110(in other words, when the insert150has moved from a first position in which the insert150initially engages the tool130and a second position in which the insert150has been fully advanced downward relative to the tool130), the wedges154are received in the troughs114and each patty10is formed into the second shape defined by the gap between the wedge154and trough114. The insert150can be designed and manufactured to have a weight selected to promote a required or desired rate of the wedges154pushing the patties10into the troughs114. The required or desired rate of the wedges154pushing the patties10into the troughs114and weight of the insert150can be selected considering the effect of gravity. For example, if the insert150is too light and the wedges154do not apply enough weight or force to the patties10, the patties may cook without being forced into the troughs114and formed in the desired shape. On the other hand, if the insert150is too heavy and the wedges154force the patties10into the troughs114too quickly, the patties10may crack as they cook. In some embodiments, the insert150is designed and manufactured to have an overall weight of about 1 pound. For example, the insert150can have a weight of about 1 pound, 4.2 ounces. A weight of about 1 pound may be appropriate for patties10made of, for example, potatoes or chicken. In other embodiments, the insert150can have a different weight. The weight of the insert150can be selected based on various factors, including, for example, one or more of: the food composition of the patties10, whether the patties10are frozen, the weight of the patties10, the thickness of the patties10, and the rigidity of the patties10. In some embodiments, the weight of the insert150is adjustable. In some embodiments, multiple inserts150having varying weights can be provided, and a user can select the appropriate insert150. Such multiple inserts150can be identified or distinguished from one another via various markings or indicia, for example, differently colored handles. In some embodiments, the basket110, the tool130, and/or the insert150can include a mechanism, e.g., a removably attachable mechanism, to alter the rate of movement of the insert150relative to the basket110. For example, if a faster rate of movement was desired, a spring could be attached to the basket110. The spring could be stretched and attached to the insert150. As the spring returned to its unstretched state, the spring would pull the insert150down more quickly than it might otherwise travel.

During assembly of the system, each side guide159slides into one of the gaps133as shown inFIGS. 15 and 18. The slots155receive one of the peaks116(e.g., the central peak116in the illustrated embodiment) and allow the side guides159to slide along and/or into the two troughs114adjacent the peak116received in the channel155. Because the side guides159extend further downward or away from the frame152than the wedges154, the side guides159can align with and/or engage the basket110prior to cooking and shaping of the patties10. The side guides159can advantageously help properly align the insert150relative to the tool130and/or basket110and/or help secure the insert150to the tool130and/or basket110during use. As the patties10cook and the insert150slides downward relative to the tool130, the side guides159can help maintain balance of the insert150and alignment of the insert150relative to the tool130and/or basket110. For example, if two patties10are being cooked, if one patty10is larger and/or heavier than the other, one of the patties10may be shaped more quickly and easily than the other, and the wedges154may not advance into the troughs114evenly or simultaneously if not otherwise constrained. The insert150could therefore become askew and misaligned relative to the tool130and/or basket110. The side guides159help inhibit such imbalance or misalignment of the insert150as movement of the insert150relative to the tool130and/or basket110is constrained by mating of the peak116with the channel155.

As the insert150is advanced onto the tool130and basket110during cooking, the crossbar162of the locking mechanism of the insert150contacts the cross bar138of the tool130. The crossbar162, catches160, and sidearms164can then pivot (in either direction) about pivot points166so that the crossbar162, catches160, and/or sidearms164can slide past the crossbar138. The crossbar162, catches160, and sidearms164can also or alternatively be manually pivoted by the user via the pivot arm168. The crossbar162of the insert150is shorter than the crossbar138of the tool130such that the catches160also contact and slide past the crossbar138. The sloped sides of the triangular catches160can help the catches160slide past the crossbar138. Once the crossbar162and catches160have cleared the crossbar138, the crossbar162, catches160, and sidearms164pivot about the pivot points166back toward a central vertical position. Portions of the upper surfaces of the catches160are then disposed below the crossbar138of the tool130as shown inFIGS. 15-18. If a user pulls the insert150upward relative to and away from the tool130and basket110, the upper surfaces of the catches160contact the crossbar138of the tool130so that the tool130is also pulled upward and away from the basket110with the insert150. The locking mechanism therefore helps inhibit the insert150from being separated from or removed from the basket110separately from the tool130. The locking mechanism can serve as a safety mechanism and/or can help promote ease of use such that the insert150and tool130can be more easily removed together from the basket110when desired or required.

Once an appropriate cooking time has elapsed, the assembly is removed from the oil, the insert150and tool130are removed from the basket110(before or after removing the assembly from the oil), and the now cooked and shaped patties10are removed from the basket110. The cooked and taco shaped patties10can be filled with various fillings, as shown inFIGS. 23 and 24.

FIGS. 19-22illustrate alternative embodiments of the tool230and insert250. In this embodiment, rather than the centrally located posts136of tool130, tool230includes four posts236. Two posts236are located along each side of the tool230, with one positioned adjacent each receptacle134. Therefore, each receptacle134is positioned between two opposing posts236. Each post236includes a slot237extending downwardly from a top of the post236. As shown inFIGS. 21-22, the insert250of this embodiment includes a wedge254and a handle256extending upwardly from the wedge254. The insert250can also include an alignment projection255extending outwardly from each end of the wedge254. The wedge254is sized to slide between two opposing posts236to contact the patty10disposed in the receptacle134as shown inFIG. 21. The alignment projections255slide within the slots237of the opposing posts236to help properly align the wedge254with the patty10and basket110. As shown inFIG. 22, two inserts250can be assembled with the tool230, one aligned with each pair of opposing posts236. The inserts250can be separate from each other or may be temporarily or permanently coupled (e.g., via the handles256). Separate inserts250can advantageously allow two patties10to be cooked and shaped in the system at different times. In other words, one patty10and insert250could be assembled with the tool230and basket110to begin cooking and shaping, and then a second patty10and insert250could be assembled with the tool230and basket110to begin cooking and shaping at a later time, e.g., while the first patty10is still cooking.

Although the example embodiments shown and described herein includes a basket110having six troughs114, the basket110could include only two troughs114—one to align with each of two receptacles134. Although the example embodiments shown and described herein includes two receptacles134and two corresponding wedges154, the basket110, tool130, and insert150can be scaled to include more receptacles134and corresponding wedges154to allow for more patties10to be cooked and shaped at once if desired. Although in the example embodiments shown and described herein the basket110includes troughs114and the insert150,250includes wedges154,254, in some embodiments, those features could be reversed such that the basket110includes wedges154and the insert150,250includes troughs114. In other words, more generally, while in the illustrated embodiments the basket110acts as a female die and the insert150,250acts as a male die, in other embodiments, the basket110can include features such that the basket110acts as a male die and the insert150,250can include features such that the insert150acts as a female die. Furthermore, while the mating or engaging features of the male and female die are described as wedges and troughs in the example embodiments shown and described herein, other mating or engaging features that allow the insert150,250to act as one of the male and female die and the basket110to act as the other of the male and female die are also possible. Although the mating features shown and described herein (the wedges154and troughs114) are designed to form a patty10into a taco shape, the mating features can have other sizes, shapes, and/or configurations to form a patty10or other food item into another desired shape (e.g., a bowl shape).

Although this disclosure has been described in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. For example, features described above in connection with one embodiment can be used with a different embodiment described herein and the combination still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, or unless clearly incompatible, each embodiment of this invention may comprise, additional to its essential features described herein, one or more features as described herein from each other embodiment of the invention disclosed herein.