Abstract:
A device and a method for removing a liquid, foam, fat or other solid or liquid material or anything else that a user wants to remove or separate from a remaining liquid or solid that is left in a container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/377,111 filed Mar. 16, 2006 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/042,711 filed Jan. 25, 2005 which claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/563,507, filed Apr. 18, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a device and a method for removing a liquid, foam, fat or other solid or liquid material or anything else that a user wants to remove or separate from a remaining liquid or solid that is left in a container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,900 relates to a fat skimmer in the form of a ladle having a deep vessel bowl with a rim at which there are ports for the transfer of surrounding fatty liquid into the vessel, determined by manipulation controlled by a locator associated with the rim.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. D252,068, D493,070 and D357,389 relate to fat skimmer devices. to a fat skimmer for separating an unwanted fat liquid from a wanted liquid. The device consists of a transparent cone shaped jug for storing the unwanted fat liquid and the wanted fat liquid that is to be separated. The jug has a tapered exhaust conduit formeriphery partially submerged in the liquid body, a fat removal opening is provided in the plate portion co-axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the plate, a spiral shaped fat capture flange extends forwardly from the surface of the plate and has an inner end at the fat removal opening entered in the plate and an outer leading end edge positioned radially outward from the fat removal opening to engage and remove fat from the surface of the liquid body and deliver it to the fat removal opening.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,043 and publication application 2003/0188439 relate to a fat skimming ladle to use for removal of fat and other floating debris off of cooked soup stock. The ladle has a conduit structure with inlet located at the interior bottom of the ladle bowl and the outlet is located behind the proximal end of the handle.  
         [0006]     The removal of fats, oils and grease floating in pans and pots where meats and pastas are cooked is troublesome. In the past, the process is to pour it off or scoop it off. Spoons, cups and ladles have been used. Hot fats, grease and oil rise and form a uniform layer on underlying liquids during roasting and cooking.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention relates to a device and a method for removing a liquid, foam, fat or other solid or liquid material or anything else that a user wants to remove or separate from a remaining liquid or solid that is left in the container.  
         [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for skimming a layer of fat, oil, or other similar layer that is floating on top of another liquid. It is an object of the present invention for the other liquid to be water or soup or other similar substance. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be placed in a pot or other container. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be used to skim a layer of foam, such as that formed at the top of a pot of cooked pasta, from the surface of a liquid. It is an object of the present invention for the invention to comprise a flange around the outside to prevent the device from dropping to the bottom of the pot. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be made of different sizes so that it can fit into different size pots. It is an object of the present invention for the device to expand and contract to be able to fit into different size pots. It is an object of the present invention for the device to have additional parts which could be added to it to expand the diameter of the device so that it can fit into different size pots.  
         [0009]     The present invention relates to a utensil which comprises a strainer, a reservoir, which may be constructed as an integral piece with the strainer, a stopper, a handle, and a stopper control rod. The size of the skimmer closely matches the size of the pot that it will be use with. It is an object of the present invention for the strainer to be available in different sizes or adjustable to accommodate different size pots.  
         [0010]     The strainer is the portion of the skimmer with holes in it to permit entry of fat, liquid or foam or other similar substance but keeps out solids such as vegetables. The surface of the strainer is held parallel to the surface of the liquid to be skimmed. It is an object of the present invention for the strainer to be of a circular shape. It is an object of the present invention for the diameter of the strainer to closely approximate, but be slightly less than, the diameter of the pot that is being skimmed.  
         [0011]     The reservoir is the portion of the skimmer that holds the fatty liquid, foam, or other similar substance that is removed from the pot. It is made from the side wall of the utensil, working in conjunction with the bottom of the utensil, formed by the combination of the strainer and stopper. In the prior art, the reservoir is in a location that is separated from the strainer holes, the fat enters the strainer holes and runs off into a separate reservoir. It is an object of the present invention for the reservoir to be collocated with the strainer holes, located in the same place where the fat enters from the strainer.  
         [0012]     The stopper is the rotatable, slidable, or otherwise positionable piece of material that opens the holes in the strainer to permit the ingress of the liquid, fat, foam or other similar material to be removed, or alternatively close the holes in the strainer, allowing the skimmed liquid to be retained in the reservoir without draining out through the holes in the strainer. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper to be positioned above or below the strainer. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper to sit above the strainer within the reservoir. The holes in the stopper are the same size and in the same relative position as the holes in the strainer, when the stopper is aligned in the open position. When the stopper is moved or rotated into the closed position, the solid portions of the stopper completely block the holes in the strainer. The surface of the stopper forms a tight seal against the surface of the strainer in the closed position, to prevent leakage of liquid from the reservoir when the skimmer is withdrawn from the pot. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper to be rotated or slid into position via the action of the stopper control rod. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper to comprise a thin, round, plate made of either a hard material, such as metal or plastic, or of a gasket-like material, with an array of holes matching the holes in the strainer.  
         [0013]     It is an object of the present invention for the center of the stopper to be aligned with the center of the strainer, via a common pivot point. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper to be made from a plurality of solid hole plugs that may be lifted above or lowered into the holes in the strainer in tandem in order to open or close the strainer.  
         [0014]     The handle is used for lowering the skimmer into the pot and for holding it in position first with the stopper open and then when the stopper is closed. The handle is also used for removing the skimmer from the pot in order to remove the liquid, fat, foam or other similar substance. It is an object of the present invention for the handle to be long enough so that the skimmer may be placed onto the surface of the liquid in the pot, whether the pot is full or only partially full.  
         [0015]     The stopper control rod is the mechanism used to position the stopper in the open or closed position. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper control rod to rotate, lift or drop the stopper into the proper position. It is an object of the present invention for the stopper control rod to be an integral part of the handle. It is an object of the present invention for the rod to have a knob at its top to assist the user in rotating or changing the position of the rod. It is an object of the present invention for the rod to slide, click, snap, rotate or drop the stopper into alignment.  
         [0016]     It is an object of the present invention for the component pieces of the skimmer to be disassembled to permit easy cleaning.  
         [0017]     The present invention relates to a method for skimming a liquid, foam or other similar substance which floats on top of another liquid comprising: opening the stopper by aligning the stopper holes with the strainer holes. The device is then partially lowered via a handle into a container of liquid, using the handle to hold the bottom of the skimmer just below the top surface of the liquid. This forces the top layer of liquid up through the holes in the strainer at the bottom of the device. The side wall of the reservoir is aligned with the inside wall of the container with only a small clearance between the reservoir wall and the container wall, which keeps the bottom face of the strainer parallel to the top surface of the container&#39;s liquid. The top of the liquid enters the reservoir area, which is above and to the sides of the holes in the strainer. When sufficient liquid, foam, fat or similar substance has entered the reservoir, the user rotates, or otherwise positions the stopper via the stopper control rod so that it blocks the holes in the strainer, trapping the liquid, foam, fat or other similar substance within the reservoir. The user then withdraws the skimmer from the container, and disposes of the skimmed liquid, fat, foam or similar substance. The user can repeat the operation to remove any liquid, foam, fat or similar substance that should have been removed.  
         [0018]     The present invention can be used at the time of cooking, before adding solid materials such as bones or vegetables to a liquid material that one may want to remove after cooking. In this instance, the user would first place the skimmer into a pot, either with or without the liquid in the open position. The user could then add the solid materials such as bones or vegetables or meats (as in preparing a gravy) and commence with the cooking of the liquid. Once cooked, the skimmer can be removed in the open position allowing for the removal of the solids from the liquid.  
         [0019]     It is an object of the present invention that the device while being used in the open manner where liquid can pass through the device be placed in a pot before or after water is added to the pot. A food item such as pasta, or any vegetables which need to be removed from the water are then placed in the pot. The food item is then cooked and the device is removed with the food item in it. It is an object of the invention for the water to be drained from the food, and then if the user wishes to add butter or another topping to the food item to be added which can be drained from the item through the holes in the bottom of the device. It is an object of the invention for the device to be closed after draining any unwanted toppings from the food. When the device is closed, it can then be used to serve the food item. In this way the device serves as a serving piece. It is an object of the present invention for pieces to be added to the device to allow it to serve as a bowl or other type of serving piece.  
         [0020]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to spin to assist in coating any food items in the device and also to remove any excess product from the food item.  
         [0021]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be made of stainless steel. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be made of a microwaveable polymer.  
         [0022]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be used to be placed in a pot having boiling liquid and a food item, remove the food item from the liquid and drain the food item of any liquid, and then place the device and food item together into a device for frying the food item in the device. Examples of items to be boiled and then fried, are chicken, ravioli. The device can also be used to just fry a food item from scratch.  
         [0023]     The present invention relates to a separator which can be used in existing pots or can be used with the device of the present invention. When used with existing pots, the separator divides a pot into compartments, so that different food items can be cooked within one pot and the contents of each compartment are not mixed.  
         [0024]     It is an object of the present invention to use the separator with the device of the present invention so that water can be added to the pot. Different food items are added to each compartment, and then the water is brought to a boil. For example, different types of pasta can be placed in each compartment, or different types of vegetables can be placed in each compartment, and cooked separately within one pot.  
         [0025]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to have a section which can be removed from the device so that certain solid items stay in the pot and other items are removed from the pot by the device once the cooking is over. For example when making chicken soup, a user may wish to keep carrots in the soup, but want the chicken and any other items removed from the pot. In this instance the carrots would be placed in the section of the device wherein the carrots can be left in the pot while the other items are removed after cooking. This can be very useful in removing items which are used for cooking and cannot be eaten such as bay leaves.  
         [0026]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be able to be used in a conventional oven. It is an object of the present invention for the device to be made of a material which can be used in a microwave oven.  
         [0027]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to act as a steamer.  
         [0028]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be hung over the edges of the pot, and be able to be hung at different depths in the pot.  
         [0029]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be placed in a pot which has internal ridges which can support the device at different depths within the pot.  
         [0030]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to expand once it is in the pot and be wedged against the sides of the pot to be kept at a certain depth within the pot.  
         [0031]     It is an object of the present invention for the device to be able to be applied in two tiers. In one embodiment, the food would be placed in the top tier, while in the bottom tier would be wood chips for smoking/grilling. In a second embodiment, the two tiers can be placed in the pot wherein in the bottom tier can be placed items that are to be removed from the bottom of the pot, and in the top tier is placed just below the fat line to remove the fat from what is cooked. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the stopper control rod of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  shows an example of how the device works.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6   a  shows the device in a pot which is constructed to be used with the device of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c  shows the knobs on the pot of  FIG. 6   a  in the holding or non-holding position.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the device of the present invention having an adjustable handle.  
         [0040]      FIG. 8   a  shows the device of the present invention having food inside it and being placed in a pot.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8   b  shows the device of the present invention removed from the pot, and placed in the spinner attachment.  
         [0042]      FIG. 8   c  shows a cross section of the device.  
         [0043]      FIG. 8   d  shows a cross section of the device showing the different levels of the device.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   c  show the device being surrounded by a bowl.  
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows the device being placed in a conventional or microwave oven.  
         [0046]      FIG. 11   a  shows the device of the present invention being placed in a pot.  
         [0047]      FIG. 11   b  shows the device the device removed from the pot with the food and being taken to be placed in a fryer.  
         [0048]      FIG. 12   a  shows the device to be placed in a pot and used as a steamer.  
         [0049]      FIG. 12   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 12   a.    
         [0050]      FIG. 13   a  shows the device of the present invention used for melting.  
         [0051]      FIG. 13   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 13   a.    
         [0052]      FIG. 14   a  shows the device of the present invention divided into sections.  
         [0053]      FIG. 14   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 14   a.    
         [0054]      FIGS. 15   a  and  15   c  show the device of the present invention divided into sections.  
         [0055]      FIG. 15   b  shows a cross section of the device of  FIG. 15   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 16   a  shows the device of the present invention having sections used to expand the diameter of the device.  
         [0057]      FIG. 16   b  shows a cross section of the device of  FIG. 16   a.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0058]      FIG. 1  shows a skimming device  10  being of a round or circular shape having a center pivot pin  12 , strainer holes  14  and solid area  16 . The device further comprises a mechanical rotation stop  18 . The device  10  can be divided into a different number of segments which have various hole sizes or shapes.  
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows a skimming device  100  having a center pivot hole  102 , strainer holes  104  and solid area  106 .  FIG. 2  further comprises a reservoir wall  108 . The mechanical stops  110  and  112  limit the rotation of the device  100 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 3   a  shows a stopper control rod  200  comprising a handle  202 , rod  204  and a key  206  which is inserted into the flange seat  208 . The flange seat  208  is for a fixed or removable stopper control rod. Skimming device  210  has a pivot  212  which is located under the center of the flange. Skimming device  210  also has a stopper  214  and a mechanical rotational stop pin  216 . The device is opened by turning the device following arrow  220  and closed following arrow  218 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 3   b  shows device  300  having a wire handle shaped stopper control rod  310 . The stopper control rod  310  can be welded or otherwise affixed, or removable from the skimmer  300 . The pivot  314  is under the center of the stopper  310 . The skimmer has stopper  316  and a mechanical rotational stop pin  318 . By turning the device in the direction of arrow  320 , the holes in the device remain open. By turning the device in the direction of arrow  322  the holes in the device close.  
         [0062]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the device  400 . The device comprises a stopper control rod  410  which comprises a rotation knob  412  and a rod  414 . The top of the device has a flange with socket  416  located at the pivot  418 . The top of the device further has a stopper  420 , solid area  422  and holes  424 . The rotation knob opens in arrow direction  426  and closes in arrow direction  428 . The reservoir part  500  of the device comprises a strainer with integral reservoir wall. The reservoir has a reservoir wall  510  and a pivot  512 . The lower portion of the device further comprises a solid area  514  and strainer holes  516 . The device has mechanical stops  518  and  520  extending from reservoir wall  510 . A handle  522  is attached to the wall of the reservoir.  
         [0063]      FIGS. 5   a - b  show the skimmer strainer device  600  having a stopper control  610  in the open position, a handle  612  and a mechanical stop  614  also in the open position. The skimmer strainer device  600  is lowered into pot  620 . A layer of fat or other similar solid or liquid is located at the top of the liquid in the pot  620 . The liquid enters through the holes  622 . The stopper control  610  is then rotated to close the holes forming a solid area wherein the fat or other similar solid or liquid is trapped within the reservoir. The skimmer strainer device  600  is then removed from the pot  620  removing the fat or other similar solid or liquid from the pot. The process can then be repeated if necessary.  
         [0064]      FIG. 6   a - 6   c  shows the device  700  of the present invention used with a pot  702  designed to support the device  700 . The pot can have a cover  704 . The device has the stopper control rod  706 , and reservoir wall  708 . The device has mechanical stops  710  and  712  extending from reservoir wall  708 . The pot  702  has internal slots  718  with protrusions  714  that can be pushed out by knobs  716  to extend inside the pot to form a level to hold the device within the pot. The slots  718  are placed at different levels within the pot  702 , and placed at least at 2 locations on the same level.  FIG. 6   b  shows the protrusion  714  pushed out to hold the bottom of the device  700 .  FIG. 6   c  shows the protrusion  714  within the slot  718 .  
         [0065]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the device of the present invention having an adjustable handle.  FIG. 7   a  shows a handle  802  attached to the device  800  by a screw  804  which allows the handle  802  to move up and down to lower and raise the device  800 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 7   b  shows the device  850  having a handle  852  attached to it which can hold the device in the pot and keep the device at different levels in the pot. The device can have at least one handle and preferably two handles attached to it.  
         [0067]      FIG. 8   a  shows the device of the present invention having food inside it and being placed in a pot. The device  900  has handles  902  at opposite sides of the device. Pasta is placed inside the device  900 . The device  900  is placed inside a pot  904  which has grooves  906  on either side of the pot for receiving the handles  902 . A cover  908  can be placed on top of the pot  904 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 8   b  shows the device of the present invention removed from the pot. Once the device  900  is removed from the pot, the holes can be put in the open position, and the device can be placed in the spinning accessory/bowl so it can be spun as shown by arrow to remove any excess water or any butters or sauces that need to be removed from the food, i.e. pasta.  
         [0069]      FIG. 8   c  shows a cross section of the device, wherein the top section is lowered onto the bottom section of the device.  FIG. 8   d  shows a cross section of the device showing the top section lowered onto the bottom section of the device.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   c  show the device being surrounded by a bowl.  FIG. 9   a  shows the device  950  surrounded by a bowl  952 .  FIG. 9   b  shows the bowl separated into a top piece  954  and a bottom piece  956  which surrounds the device  950 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 9   c  shows a cross-section of the device  950  being within the bowl  952 . When the device  950  is in the open position, any excess butter, or sauce  958  that is added to the food can leave the device an food and runoff into the bowl.  
         [0072]      FIG. 10  shows the device  970  being placed in a conventional or microwave oven  972  having an optional cover  974 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 11   a  shows the device  980  being inside a pot  982  and cooking a chicken  984 . The top of the device  986  with the chicken  984  can then be removed and placed in a fryer not shown for then frying the food, i.e. chicken.  
         [0074]      FIG. 12   a  shows the device to be placed in a pot and used as a steamer.  FIG. 12   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 12   a.    
         [0075]      FIG. 12   a  shows the top of the device  1000  where the food  1002  is placed. The top of the device  1000  is then placed on the bottom of the device  1004 . The device is then placed in a pot  1006 , and then the pot  1006  can be covered by cover  1008 .  FIG. 12   b  shows the pot of  FIG. 12   a  partly filled with water so that the device can act as a steamer.  
         [0076]      FIG. 13   a  shows the device of the present invention used for melting. The device has a first portion  1100  having a solid portion  1102  and openings  1104 . The item to be melted  1106 , such as chocolate or bananas, is placed over the opening  1104 . A second portion  1108 , is placed underneath the openings  1104  to catch the melted food  1106 . Both the first portion  1100 , and the second portion  1108  are placed on the bottom portion  1112 . The bottom portion  1112  allows steam to come through the device to cause the food  1106  to melt. The device is placed in pot  1114 , with a cover  1116 .  FIG. 13   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 13   a , showing the steaming action and the food melting.  
         [0077]      FIG. 14   a  shows the device of the present invention divided into sections.  FIG. 14   a  comprises a separator  1200  which has some number of dividers, which allows different types of food to be placed in different sections. The separator  1200  can be placed in the bottom section  1202  as shown or can be used with other straining devices or just placed within a pot. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the separator  1200  is placed in the bottom section  1202 , which is then placed in a pot  1204 . The different food is placed in different sections. A cover  1206  can be used to cover the pot  1204 .  FIG. 14   b  shows a cross section of the device shown in  FIG. 14   a.    
         [0078]      FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of the device wherein the device has a top sectional component  1300 , where different foods can be separated. The middle section  1302  and bottom section  1304  have straining sections  1306  and open sections  1308 . In the open sections  1308 , a user can place food which is then left in the pot  1310  once the device is removed. In the straining sections  1306 , the food that is left in the straining section  1306 , is removed from the pot  1310 . In this regard a user can make chicken soup by placing the chicken in the straining section  1306  which is removed from the pot  1310 , but place carrots in the open section  1308 , which is left with the soup when the device is removed.  
         [0079]      FIG. 15   b  shows an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 15   a .  FIG. 15   c  shows the device in use cooking.  
         [0080]      FIG. 16   a  shows the device  1400  of the present invention having sections  1402  used to expand the diameter of the device to fit a pot  1404 .  
         [0081]      FIG. 16   b  shows a cross section of the device of  FIG. 16   a.