Abstract:
A method of cooking utilizes a splatter shield to control grease splatter from food being cooked within a cooking vessel. The splatter shield includes a generally annular sidewall that slopes upwardly and radially inwardly from a lower rim to an upper rim. The upper rim of the splatter shield defines an upper opening in the splatter shield that is sufficiently large to permit the introduction of a cooking utensil therethrough, and the lower rim defines a lower opening in the splash shield. The upper opening in the splatter shield is smaller than the lower opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Frying foods on the stove-top invariably results in the splattering of grease on the surrounding cooking surface and countertop as the food cooks. This results from the interaction of hot grease with water and water-based components of the food being fried. Splattering grease can be a significant health hazard as well as a nuisance; the hot grease can cause serious burns to skin, can stain clothing, and can necessitate lengthy clean-up procedures. 
         [0002]    Splatter shields (also known and referenced as splatter screens, spatter screens, and spatter guards) have been developed and used for years to address this problem. In their most common form, splatter shields are round or rectangular screens held in a wire frame of a size large enough to span the diameter of a frying pan. The screens are usually fine, stainless steel mesh that traps most of the oil droplets as they fly from the pan during cooking. The mesh screens also importantly allow steam to escape during the cooking process; this prevents the food from steaming instead of frying, which would result in an unpalatable result. During use, the splatter shield is rested atop the frying pan so that the screen is in contact with the rim of the pan. A handle is usually incorporated into the splatter shield, as it is necessary to lift or remove the splatter shield during the cooking process in order to stir or turn the food being cooked. It is important to note that a significant amount of grease splatter (with its attendant hazards) is released during the time that the splatter shield is lifted or removed. 
         [0003]    Other forms of splatter shields exist. One form comprises the metal mesh screen as described above but formed into a dome-like form. A domed splatter screen allows bulkier foods to be cooked, but otherwise functions similar to flat mesh screens as described above. Again, a handle allows the domed splatter screen to be lifted or removed during the cooking process to stir or turn the food. 
         [0004]    Another version of a splatter shield uses a flat, solid metal round with holes or slits formed into it to allow steam to escape. Yet another version uses a heat resistant silicone sheet with holes or slits to allow steam to escape. Except for the material used in their construction, these versions of splatter shields are used and function similar to the flat metal mesh splatter shield as described above. Experience has shown that these versions of splatter shields in general retain more steam than do splatter shields made from metal mesh, and thus do not result in as palatable a result as the metal mesh shields. 
         [0005]    A problem common to all the splatter shields described above is the need to lift or remove the splatter shield to stir or turn the food being cooked. Some domed splatter shields have incorporated a small opening at the base of the side of the shield to allow for a spoon to be inserted for stirring the food. The limited access provided by this small opening is too small and at too low an angle to allow the cook to adequately turn or manipulate larger pieces of foods such as chicken or bacon; merely enlarging the opening would allow significant grease splatter to escape out the side of the splatter shield. 
         [0006]    A different style of splatter shield has been described by Joseph (U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,347). Joseph shows a splatter shield constructed of multiple segments having vertical walls. When linked together, these multiple segments form an effective cylinder resting inside the frying pan. Grease splatters thus impact the walls of the device. Joseph&#39;s device has several drawbacks making it an impractical device for cooking. First, there is the need to construct the grease trapping cylinder by linking multiple individual segments together while they are resting in a frying pan or cook pot that is presumed filled with hot oil over a flame. Second, the device shown by Joseph has high, vertical walls as these are necessary to contain the grease splatters. Although it is possible to reach the food during the cooking process, these high vertical walls necessitate reaching almost vertically into the frying pan with an entire arm (for smaller folks), risking being burned by splattering grease. Lastly, to remove the food after cooking, it is necessary to disconnect the individual segments at a point when they can be presumed to be greasy and extremely hot, making this a very hazardous endeavor. 
         [0007]    Another different style of splatter shield was described by Boyer (U.S. Pat. No. 2,999,559). Boyer describes a splatter shield that is similar to a cook pot lid with a large opening in its center. Boyer does show that there is a short up-raised portion from this center opening. However, its purpose is to hold a grease absorbing cover—e.g. a material such as cloth or gauze—and NOT to deter grease splatter. It is evident from Boyer&#39;s design that if the grease absorbing cover were omitted during use, the close proximity of the opening and its overall low height would easily allow hot grease splatters to escape. 
         [0008]    Yet another style of splatter shield has been constructed and manufactured by the Hutzler Manufacturing Company, Canaan, Conn. The Hutzler splatter shield is a conical shaped aluminum mesh device with a small hole in its top. Company literature states that the hole is there to allow cooking food to be stirred. No mention is made of any other manipulation of the cooking food, and the hole is far too small to allow insertion of other utensils such as tongs or spatulas. Also, the hole is located at the apex of the cone at a significant distance from cooking food, making it virtually impossible to perform such actions as turning or flipping frying foods due to the angle and distance involved. The question of why the Hutzler Company has not sought to manufacture a splatter shield similar to that proposed by this disclosure is relevant. Given their understanding of the art and long standing presence in the industry, it must be concluded that the current invention represents a novel and inventive solution to a problem that has not previously been addressed. The Hutzler Company splatter screen also has a handle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention seeks to remedy the deficiencies found in earlier splatter shield designs by providing a splatter shield with a half-domed or truncated cone configuration and having an substantially sized, central opening in its top. The walls of this splatter shield are configured to contain substantially all the grease splatter except that which goes vertically from the pan. The opening is wide enough to allow the cook easy access to the cooking food in order to turn, stir, or otherwise manipulate the food. Also, the opening allows substantially all the steam to escape, preventing steaming of the food instead of frying. 
         [0010]    The splatter shield of the invention may be constructed of any heat-resistant material suitable for food contact, the most likely examples of which are stainless steel mesh and silicone. If stainless steel mesh is used, it is anticipated that it will be a fine mesh that will trap grease splatters but allow the passage of air and steam. 
         [0011]    The splatter shield of the current invention is sized such that it rests securely on the rim of a standard frying pan or similar cookware. It is anticipated that multiple sizes may need to be offered to accommodate the range of available cookware sizes. Alternatively, a bracket may be attached to the bottom edge of the metal splatter shield to allow it to rest on the rims of frying pans of multiple sizes. Alternatively, a silicone version of the splatter shield may have a wide, flat bottom rim to allow it to rest securely on the rim of frying pans of multiple sizes. 
         [0012]    The sidewall of the splatter shield utilized in the method of the invention is generally annular, having an inwardly sloping configuration and surrounding the interior circumference of the frying pan without interruption or opening. In this fashion the sidewall may form either a truncated cone or truncated half-dome depending on the slope or curvature of the sidewall, without detracting from the functionality of the device. The sidewall may be made of stainless steel mesh, silicone, or other heat resistant material as described above. 
         [0013]    The inward sloping configuration of the splatter shield sidewall is important for two reasons:
   (1) It allows for efficient trapping of grease splatters. Grease splatters can be expected to eject from frying food in all directions. However, gravity will alter the trajectory of those splatters into an arc, and the inwardly sloping shape of the splatter shield sidewall is the most efficient configuration for impacting those splatters. It is expected that only splatters that are nearly vertical in direction (i.e., those near the central opening) will have much of a chance for escape from the interior of the splatter shield, and it is likely that those grease droplets will either drop back inside the frying pan or land on the exterior of the splatter shield; in any case the spray of grease splatters to the stove top or counter top will be greatly reduced.   (2) It is important to be able to manipulate the food during the frying/cooking process to ensure even and thorough cooking. For example, chicken pieces being fried must be turned to prevent burning. The inwardly sloping shape of the splatter shield sidewall allows for efficient trapping of grease splatters while at the same time maintaining a low overall height for the device, allowing the cook easy access to the frying pan contents. In contrast, splatter shields such as those described by Joseph (U.S. Pat No. 5,542,347) and having vertical sides need very high vertical sidewall to trap grease splatters to the same degree. Those high vertical sidewalls make reaching and manipulating food over very hot grease a dangerous and difficult prospect.   
 
         [0016]    The splatter shield of the invention has a substantially large central opening formed by the upper end of the sidewall that do not close upon themselves, unlike other commercially available splatter shields that exist either as closed, flat screens or domes, or where they almost close to the point of leaving only a small hole for steam to escape. 
         [0017]    In accordance with the invention, the central opening is sized large enough to allow the chef to easily manipulate the food being cooked. This is important because food must often be stirred or flipped during the frying/cooking process to ensure even and thorough cooking. For example, chicken pieces being fried must be turned to prevent burning. The central opening also allows steam to escape, ensuring that the food will fry and not steam, which would lead to an unpalatable product. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the splatter shield of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the splatter shield of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the splatter shield of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the splatter shield of  FIG. 1  being positioned over a skillet in which food is being cooked; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a skillet in which food is being cooked the splatter shield of  FIG. 1  shown in dotted lines; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a view as in  FIG. 5  with a cooking utensil extending down through the central opening in the splatter shield; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the splatter shield of the invention being positioned over a skillet in which food is being cooked; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the splatter shield of the invention being positioned over a skillet in which food is being cooked. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0028]    The splatter shield of the invention is formed with a half-domed or truncated cone configuration and includes a substantially sized, central opening in its top. The walls of this splatter shield are configured to contain substantially all the grease splatter except that which goes vertically from the pan. The opening is sufficiently large to allow the cook easy access to the cooking food in order to turn, stir, or otherwise manipulate the food within the cooking vessel without removing the splatter shield. The opening in the splatter shield also allows substantially all the steam to escape, preventing steaming of the food instead of frying. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the splatter shield  10  of the invention. Clearly visible in  FIG. 1  is the inwardly sloping configuration of the sidewall  12  of the splatter shield  10 . In this embodiment of the splatter shield  10 , the sidewall  12  is shown as having a substantially planar shape. It is understood that the sidewall configuration could also describe an inwardly sloping curved arc or other more convoluted shape without affecting the intent or performance of the splatter shield of the invention. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall  12  of the splatter shield  10  is comprised of heat resistant silicone rubber. It is well known to those skilled in the art that the silicone material may be either solid or perforated without affecting the performance of the material. Also, stiffening ribs  13  or other features may be added to give mechanical rigidity to the silicone portion without affecting the intended use or performance of the device. The illustrated stiffening ribs  13  are spaced apart about the circumference of the sidewall  12  and extend in a radial direction. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the inwardly sloping sidewall  12  extend circumferentially around the periphery of the splatter shield  10 , defining a truncated cone (in the case of a planar sidewall as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) or truncated dome (in the case of a curved arc sidewall). The sidewall  12  of the splatter shield  10  defines an upper edge or rim  14 , a bottom edge or rim  16 , and an interior portion having a substantially truncated conical (or dome-like) shape, respectively. It is an element of the invention that the central opening  18  defined by the upper edge  14  of the sidewall  12  of the splatter shield  10  has a diameter sufficiently large enough to admit the use of spatulas, tongs, spoons and other cooking utensils as needed to manipulate the food within a cooking vessel positioned beneath the splatter shield  10  during the cooking process. 
         [0032]    The bottom edge  16  of the sidewall  12  defines an opening  20  having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the opening. 18  and that is generally similar to the diameter of the frying pan, pot or other cooking vessel upon which the splatter shield  10  rests. It is understood that frying pan and pot sizes are not standardized; any difference in diameters between the splatter shield  10  and the cooking vessel will be accommodated by the width of a support ring  22  that extends radially outward from the bottom edge  16  of the sidewall  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the truncated cone formed by the inwardly sloping sidewall  12  is bonded to the support ring  22 . The support ring  22  is a substantially broad, horizontal ring whose function is to enable the splatter shield device to rest atop frying pans, pots or cooking vessels of various sizes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this support ring  22  is comprised of metal, most preferably stainless steel. Stainless steel is most preferred because it is non-rusting and non-reactive to food, and is able to tolerate the high heat of frying foods; it is understood that other materials such as aluminum or heat resistant silicone may also be used. 
         [0034]    In order that the splatter shield  10  rests securely atop the cooking vessel, one or more “step” features  24  may be provided in the support ring  22 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 . These “step” features  24  may be formed with downwardly projecting corners that are adapted to catch or seat against the inside rim of the cooking vessel in use. By including multiple “step” features  24  defining rings of different diameters, it is possible to enable the splatter shield  10  to rest securely atop cooking vessels of different diameter openings. The relatively broad width of the support ring  22  also allows the splatter shield to completely cover frying pans or cooking vessels of different interior diameters so that grease splatters are less likely to escape from the outside of splatter shield  10 . 
         [0035]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the splatter shield  10  also preferably includes a handle  26  to facilitate handling of the splatter shield  10  by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the handle  26  may be formed as a space-saving, folding handle as shown in  FIG. 1 . The handle  26  is able to pivot about its proximal end  28  in a sleeve  30  on the support ring  22 , and is retained in its extended position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) by flexible clips  32  provided on the support ring  22 . It is understood, of course, that a fixed handle will also suffice. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  provides an illustration of the embodiment of the splatter shield of  FIG. 1  as it is being positioned over food  38  being cooked in a cooking vessel  40  (the heat source is note shown). In  FIG. 4 , the cooking food  38  is depicted as giving off splatters of grease, illustrated by the arrows of solid lines, that will largely be contained by the splatter shield  10  once it has been positioned atop the cooking vessel  40 . Steam is depicted by the arrows of dashed lines as exiting from the large central opening  18  of the splatter shield  10 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  provides an illustration, in dotted lines to aid in showing the use of the invention, of the splatter shield  10  resting atop a cooking vessel  40  (in this case a frying pan). Again, the heat source is not shown. The splatter shield  10  includes the circumferential sidewall  12  that slopes downwardly and radially outwardly from the upper edge or rim  14  to the bottom edge or rim  16 , defining a truncated cone shape having the relatively large, central opening  18 . The support rim  22  extends radially outwardly from the bottom edge  16  and supports the splatter shield  10  on the cooking vessel  40 . A handle  26  is also provided. 
         [0038]    Arrows formed by solid lines depict the ejection of grease splatters from the cooking food  38 . It can be seen from  FIG. 5  that only grease splatters with a substantially vertical orientation will be able to escape from the interior of the splatter shield, and those can mostly be expected to fall back into the cooking vessel  40  so as not reach the cook top or counter top (not shown). Those grease splatters that are ejected from the cooking food  38  at most angles other than vertical can be seen to impact the interior of the sloped sidewall  12 , preventing the grease splatters from exiting the splatter shield  10 . Further, steam is shown arrows of dashed lines as exiting from the large central opening  18  of the splatter shield  10 ; because of the generous size of the central opening  18 , this steam will easily escape, allowing frying rather steaming of the food  38  to occur and resulting in a more palatable result. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  provides another somewhat schematic illustration of the splatter shield  10  of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  resting atop a cooking vessel  40  holding food  38  that is in the process of being cooked. In  FIG. 6 , a spatula  42  is shown being inserted through the large central opening  18  at the top of the splatter shield  10 , manipulating the food  38  as it is being cooked.  FIG. 6  illustrates that it is not necessary to remove the splatter shield  10  or uncover the cooking vessel  40  in order to stir or turn the food  38  during the cooking process. Again, grease splatters are shown by the arrows of solid lines impacting the inside of the inwardly sloping sidewall  12  and being prevented from exiting the splatter shield  10 . Steam is shown again by the arrows in dashed lines freely exiting from the large central opening  18  of the splatter shield  10 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  provides a somewhat schematic illustration of a splatter shield  70  of a further embodiment of the invention as it is being positioned over a cooking vessel  40 . In this embodiment, the splatter shield  70  includes a sidewall  72  constructed of fine metal mesh (detail shown in the insert  72   a ) having a mesh size small enough to prevent grease splatters from exiting through the mesh. Preferably, the sidewall  72  is formed of a stainless steel mesh construction. Stainless steel is preferred because it is non-rusting and non-reactive to food, and is able to tolerate the high heat of frying foods; it is understood that other metals such as aluminum may also be used without detracting from the intent or utility of the device. It is further preferred that the mesh of the sidewall  72  is supported by a wire framework  74 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 7 , the splatter shield  70  is shown as having a truncated dome-like configuration. The truncated dome has inwardly sloping sidewall  72  and a large upper central opening  76 . A handle  78  may also be provided on the splatter shield  70 . Those skilled in the art will understand that both a truncated cone and a truncated dome will function similarly and that either sidewall configuration may be used without detracting from the intent and function of the invention. 
         [0042]    A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure, the splatter shield  80  being formed as a solid piece of metal or heat resistant plastic or silicone. In  FIG. 8 , the inwardly sloping sidewall  82  is shown as being solid; that is, without holes or openings other than the large central opening  84  at the top and the bottom opening  86  that rests over the cooking food  38 . It is understood that in this embodiment, the splatter shield  80  may be fabricated as a single unitary piece, or may be comprised of several pieces mechanically held together. It is also understood that perforations (not shown) may be placed in the device sidewall to enhance steam escape.  FIG. 8  shows the device with a truncated dome-like configuration; it is understood that a truncated conical configuration will function in similar fashion without detracting from the utility of function of the device. Again, splatters of grease from the cooking food  38  are illustrated by the arrows of solid lines and escaping steam is depicted by the arrows of dashed lines as exiting through the large central opening  84  of the splatter shield  80 . 
         [0043]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.