ROTISSERIE STRAINER DEVICE

A rotisserie strainer device; the rotisserie strainer device includes a platform sized and configured to be positionable in a bottom-portion of a host rotisserie-goods-container and elevate a rotisserie-food-item from an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container. The platform includes a planar section having a plurality of apertures allowing liquid to pass therethrough, a center support, a first-foot, and a second-foot. The platform is provided for elevating the rotisserie-food-item from the interior base section of the host rotisserie-goods-container in order to prevent contact between the rotisserie-food-item and the liquid collected in the bottom-portion of the host rotisserie-goods-container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of strainers of existing art and more specifically relates to food strainer devices.

RELATED ART

Prepared rotisserie goods such as chickens that are sold in grocery stores nationwide are typically packaged in plastic containers. With these traditional plastic containers, the chickens sit in their own grease and liquids, and often do so for long periods of time until someone purchases it. As the food sits in the container, the accumulation of pooled liquid, whether grease, oil, sauces, or water moisture, causes the food to lose freshness and become less edible. In some cases, the food can become spoiled and unappetizing in a short period of time. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,327,390 to Barbara Hanshew relates to a food storage system. The described food storage system includes a food storage system for enhancing freshness of a perishable food item which includes a bowl that is positioned on a support surface. A plate is provided and the plate is selectively positioned in the bowl. The plate is perforated to pass air between the plate and the bowl. A food item is selectively positioned on the plate thereby facilitating the food item to be kept dry. In this way the plate inhibits the food item from rotting and the plate enhances freshness of the food item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known food strainer device art, the present disclosure provides a novel rotisserie strainer device. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a rotisserie strainer device for containers that host cooked rotisserie goods, such as chicken and turkey, which enhance flavor, texture and enjoyability of said rotisserie goods.

A rotisserie strainer device is disclosed herein. The rotisserie strainer device includes a platform sized and configured to be positionable (or positioned) in a bottom-portion of a host rotisserie-goods-container and thereby elevate a rotisserie-food-item from an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container. The platform comprises a planar section having a plurality of apertures allowing liquid to pass therethrough, a center support, a first-foot, and a second-foot. The platform is provided for elevating the rotisserie-food-item from the interior base section of the host rotisserie-goods-container in order to prevent contact between the rotisserie-food-item and the liquid collected in the bottom-portion of the host rotisserie-goods-container.

A method of using the rotisserie strainer device is also disclosed herein. The method includes the following steps: step one, providing a platform sized and configured to be positionable in a bottom-portion of a host rotisserie-goods-container and able to elevate a rotisserie-food-item from an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container; step two, inserting the platform in the host rotisserie-goods-container; step three, placing a rotisserie-food-item on the platform; and step four, optionally removing the platform from the host rotisserie-goods-container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a food strainer device and more particularly to a rotisserie strainer device as used to improve the storage of rotisserie-food-items.

Generally, the rotisserie strainer device includes a platform that may be inserted in a host rotisserie-goods-container for supporting a rotisserie-food-item, such as a chicken in an elevated position within the rotisserie-goods-container. The platform features a plurality of apertures allowing liquid to pass therethrough. Grease, fat liquid and/or particulate fall through the plurality of apertures to a bottom of the rotisserie-goods-container instead of remaining in contact with the rotisserie-food-item. The platform further includes strategically-placed creases that form support walls to ensure the platform is rigid and durable under pressure of hosting a cooked rotisserie-food-item such as a chicken or turkey. The rotisserie strainer device allows a popular prepared food item to be packaged and served in a cleaner, taste-preserving, and healthier way.

In one embodiment, using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) of a one-millimeter (1 mm) depth, the rotisserie strainer device is formed in a similar size and shape to a rotisserie-goods-container used for hosting single units of prepared rotisserie chickens and the like. A platform portion of the rotisserie strainer device includes circular apertures of an approximate two-millimeter (2 mm) diameter. A horizontal center of the rotisserie strainer device features a stabilizing crease and the outer edge projects perpendicularly to form a secure footing.

The rotisserie strainer device can be made in various sizes and shapes that correspond with a rotisserie-goods-container. A various number of apertures of various sizes can be featured on the platform of the rotisserie strainer device. The rotisserie strainer device can be made in variations in which the platform is a permanently-affixed feature of its hosting container. The rotisserie strainer device can be made of various materials of adequate durability and weight tolerance, such as but not limited high-density polyethylene (HDPE), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The rotisserie strainer device can be made in variations that use corrugated plastic.

A method of use may be as follows: the rotisserie strainer device may be applied directly into a rotisserie-goods-container before insertion of a rotisserie-food-item. A cooked, rotisserie-food-item may then be placed upon the rotisserie strainer device and any grease and fat may drain from the rotisserie-food-item through apertures of the platform. The grease and fat will remain on an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container and will not make any further contact with, or be reabsorbed by, the hosted rotisserie-food-item. Users may then enjoy all parts of the rotisserie-food-item such as a chicken without it being saturated with unwanted grease and fat.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS.1-6, various views of a rotisserie strainer device100.

FIG.1shows a rotisserie strainer device100during an ‘in-use’ condition150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the rotisserie strainer device100may be beneficial for use by a user to preserving a freshness of a rotisserie-food-item10. As illustrated, the rotisserie strainer device100may include a platform110sized and configured to be positionable in a bottom-portion of a host rotisserie-goods-container15and elevate a rotisserie-food-item from an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container15.

FIG.2shows the rotisserie strainer device100ofFIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the rotisserie strainer device100may include the platform110. The platform110includes a planar section112having a plurality of apertures114allowing liquid to pass therethrough, a center support116, a first-foot124, and a second-foot126. The platform110is provided for elevating the rotisserie-food-item from the interior base section of the host rotisserie-goods-container15in order to prevent contact between the rotisserie-food-item and the liquid collected in the bottom-portion of the host rotisserie-goods-container15. As shown in the illustrations, the plurality of apertures114may be circular in shape and may be equidistantly spaced along the planar section112. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of apertures114each comprise a diameter of approximately 2 millimeters and allow passage of liquids including fat, grease and water therethrough.

As shown in the figures, the platform110includes the planar section112having a crease at a horizontal center forming a first-support-wall118and a second-support-wall120together forming the center support116. The planar section112further comprises a first-creased-edge122and a second-creased-edge128opposing the first-creased-edge122. The first-foot124extends perpendicularly from the first-creased-edge122and the second-foot126extends perpendicularly from the second-creased-edge128. The first-foot124and the second-foot126each comprise an L-shaped profile. The platform110forms a cavity between a top surface108of the platform110and the interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container15for collection of the liquid. The rotisserie strainer device100may be made to rest at various heights above the interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container15.

FIG.4is a perspective view of the rotisserie strainer device100in an inserted, ‘ready for use’ condition ofFIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The rotisserie strainer device100includes the platform110comprising the center support116, the first-foot124, and the second-foot126. The center support116, the first-foot124, and the second-foot126are configured to support a mass of the rotisserie-food-item when placed on the top surface108of the planar section112of the platform110. The rotisserie-food-item may include a chicken, a turkey, prime rib, short-back ribs, and other rotisserie-food-items. The rotisserie strainer device100allows fat and grease to drain from rotisserie-food-items and through the plurality of apertures114. The rotisserie strainer device100maintains a rotisserie-food-item in a position above pooled fat and grease.

FIG.5is a perspective view of the rotisserie strainer device100ofFIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the platform110is removable from the host rotisserie-goods-container15. In alternative embodiments, the platform110is non-removable from the host rotisserie-goods-container15.

FIG.6is a perspective view of the rotisserie strainer device100ofFIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the platform110comprises a creased outer edge130along an outer perimeter of the platform110. The creased outer edge130along the outer perimeter of the platform110provides additional strength and durability. The outer perimeter of the platform110comprises a curved profile contouring interior sidewalls of the host rotisserie-goods-container15.

According to one embodiment, the rotisserie strainer device100may be arranged as a kit105, as shown inFIG.7. In particular, the rotisserie strainer device100may further include a set of instructions107, a host rotisserie-goods-container15, and a lid. The instructions107may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the rotisserie strainer device100such that the rotisserie strainer device100can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG.8is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a rotisserie strainer device100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using a rotisserie strainer device800may include one or more components or features of the rotisserie strainer device100as described above. As illustrated, the method for using the rotisserie strainer device800may include the steps of: step one801, providing a platform110sized and configured to be positionable in a bottom-portion of a host rotisserie-goods-container15and able to elevate a rotisserie-food-item from an interior base section of the rotisserie-goods-container15; step two802, inserting the platform110in the host rotisserie-goods-container15; and step three803, placing a rotisserie-food-item on the platform110; and step four804removing the platform110from the host rotisserie-goods-container15.

It should be noted that step four804is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use800are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG.8so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use800. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using the rotisserie strainer device, are taught herein.