Abstract:
A liquid feeding device for roasting or stewing pots is described which permits a supply of liquid, to be continuously added to the interior of the pot to compensate for liquids and flavors lost by evaporation, and to add additional flavors to the cooking container. The liquid feeding device is in the form of a fluid reservoir mounted on the cover of the pot, the reservoir having at least one hole through which the liquid stored in the reservoir may slowly escape into the below pot. The rate of flow of liquid from the reservoir to the cooking container may also be regulated by providing structure which permits adjustment of the rate of flow of air into the interior of the reservoir.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from, and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/383,531, filed Sep. 16, 2010, entitled Funnel Handle for Pot Lid, which is pending. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a pot lid having a fluid reservoir and, more particularly, to a fluid reservoir connected to a pot lid in fluid communication with a cooking container and thereby allowing liquid and associated solid-state particles to flow from the fluid reservoir to the cooking container. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to cooking containers and the like, and more specifically to a liquid feeding device for a cooking container in the form of a roasting or stewing pot. 
         [0004]    Generally, in preparing a roast or cooking meat in roasting or stewing pots, a liquid, and specifically wine or other liquids containing solid-state particles, must be periodically added to compensate for the evaporation of natural liquids of the food being cooked and to add a desired flavor to the cooking process. Liquid must also be added to the food being cooked to assure that roasting sauce or gravy is formed since a sufficient amount of the sauce may be prevented from being formed due to the above described evaporation of liquids. 
         [0005]    As is well known in the culinary arts, the addition of liquid for the above purposes requires that the cover of the cooking container be lifted from time to time during the cooking process and the required volume of liquid be added. This step is inconvenient and time consuming, particularly when the cooking time is extended. The inconvenience is particularly acute where the cooking container is placed within a closed broiler since the addition of water in these cases includes opening the broiler, pulling the hot pot out of the broiler and removing the equally hot cover of the pot prior to adding the necessary liquid. These procedures can also be dangerous to the user if the frequent addition of liquid and added flavoring is desired. 
         [0006]    The addition of water and other liquids periodically as described above presents a further problem in that the opening of the broiler and pot results in a corresponding drop in temperature within the broiler and within the pot. This extends the cooking time, represents a loss of energy, and may disrupt a preset cooking time set that fails to take into account this loss of heat. Furthermore, each opening of the pot releases vapors and drippings which in time stain both the broiler and surroundings. These are a few of the potential pitfalls associated with taking the lid of a pot off that users of such pots have dealt with for centuries. 
         [0007]    An example of a pot lid that attempts to solve this problem is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,939, issued to Horn et al. (“the &#39;939 patent”). The &#39;939 patent discloses a pot lid having a water reservoir attached to an upper portion of the pot lid. The water reservoir has a porous, liquid permeable bottom wall through which the water stored in the reservoir may slowly be filtered and exit into the food container. A disadvantage of the &#39;939 patent is that the liquid is filtered as it passes through the porous, liquid permeable membrane of the bottom wall of the reservoir. The reservoir does not allow the food to reach a desired flavoring because the solid particles suspended in the liquid are not allowed to exit the reservoir. Therefore, the &#39;939 patent solves a problem with respect to water passing through the porous membrane, as the porous membrane filters out everything from the liquid and only allows the water liquid to pass through. However, the primary problem still remains because there are several other liquids with suspended solid-state particles that need to be released into the food container. This problem has not been dealt with by the &#39;939 patent or any other patent or publication. The present invention addresses this and other problems well known in the art. 
         [0008]    The present invention eliminates the above described disadvantages and simplifies and automates the liquid feeding process. As a consequence, there has been a long felt need for a pot lid that holds and allows liquids along with associated solid-state particles to gradually flow into a food container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a pot lid having a fluid reservoir and, more particularly, to a fluid reservoir connected to a pot lid being in fluid communication with a cooking container and thereby allowing liquid and associated solid-state particles to flow from the fluid reservoir to the cooking container. 
         [0010]    An embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid reservoir, a disbursement washer, and a disbursement member. In this embodiment, liquid and associated solid-state liquids flow from the fluid reservoir to the disbursement member and the disbursement. 
         [0011]    In an alternative embodiment includes a lid body, a fluid reservoir, a disbursement member, and a communication chamber. In this embodiment the fluid reservoir abuts with an upper surface of the lid body, wherein a hole of the fluid reservoir communicates with an opening in the lid body. On the bottom surface of the lid body includes the disbursement washer in connection with a disbursement member. The disbursement washer and the disbursement member also have openings that communicate with the opening through the lid body. This creates a communication channel extending from the fluid reservoir through to the disbursement member. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment the present invention includes a method for feeding a liquid with suspended solid-state particles into a container. The method includes the use of the lid pot system of the present invention. After placing the lid pot system on an open container, the user should pour liquid with suspended solid-state particles into the fluid reservoir. The liquid then gradually flows through the fluid reservoir into the communication chamber. The communication chamber releases the liquid with suspended solid-state particles through the disbursement member. In one embodiment, the liquid then proceeds to be released into the container directly beneath the communication chamber. In yet another embodiment, the fluid flows on a surface portion of the disbursement member and gets transferred to the disbursement washer. When the liquid is transferred to the disbursement washer it is released to a wider surface area of the container, thereby spreading the liquid with suspended solid-state particles to a larger portion of food in the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a pot lid having a fluid reservoir that fluidly communicates an external environment with contents enclosed by the pot lid of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a disbursement member of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a plan view of a disbursement member of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  is a plan view of a disbursement member of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2D  is a side view of a disbursement member of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a disbursement washer of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a plan view of a disbursement washer of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of a disbursement washer of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A-4F  are cross-sectional views of various exemplary connections between disbursement washer and disbursement member; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a lid body of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of a lid body of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an outer ring of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of an outer ring of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a fluid reservoir having a communication chamber extending therethrough of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of a fluid reservoir having a communication chamber extending therethrough of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7C  is a plan view of a fluid reservoir having a communication chamber extending therethrough of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7D  is a plan view of a communication chamber of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a coupling device of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of a coupling device of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8C  is a bottom view of a coupling device of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a pot lid having a reservoir that fluidly communicates an external environment with contents enclosed by the pot lid of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of a pot lid having a reservoir that fluidly communicates an external environment with contents enclosed by the pot lid of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. When only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is an exploded view of pot lid system  8  having fluid reservoir  18  that fluidly communicates an external environment with contents enclosed by pot lid system  8  of the present invention.  FIG. 1  includes a disbursement member  10 , a disbursement washer  12 , a lid  14 , an outer ring  16 , and a fluid reservoir  18  having attached thereto coupling device  20 . Pot lid system  8  has a communication channel  28  that extends from fluid reservoir  18  through each component of the system to disbursement member  18  and exits pot lid system  8  through disbursement member  18  and/or through disbursement washer  12 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2D , a disbursement member  10  is shown. Disbursement member  10  has body  21  and hollow member  23  that projects from a center portion of body  21 . Body  21  has an inner diameter  24  and outer diameter  27 . Inner diameter  24  preferably defines the sidewall portion  22  of communication channel  28 . Accordingly, disbursement member  10  has inner sidewall  22  and outer sidewall  31 , wherein inner sidewall  22  extends through the length of body portion  21  and hollow member  23 . Outer sidewall  31  is preferably a male threaded member with threads  32  so as to be able to secure to a correspondingly female threaded mechanism. Inner sidewall  22  may be a smooth cylindrical surface, preferably in the shape of a cylindrical body, but inner sidewall  22  may also be configured to have a groove extending therethrough, the groove may be straight downwardly extending or may be in the form of a threaded groove gradually extending in a circular manner through inner sidewall  22  (groove not shown in Figs.). Inner sidewall has a diameter at least as large as 1 millimeter, and is preferably about 5 millimeters. Body portion  21  of disbursement member  10  has an upper surface  26  and bottom surface  37 . Upper surface  26  is preferably rounded and bottom surface  37  is preferably flat. 
         [0039]    There are several embodiments of body portion  21  that may be implemented in order to provide for proper disbursement of the liquid travelling through communication channel  28 . For instance, upper surface  26  may be in many different forms. Upper surface  26  may be in the form of a semi circular structure, wherein communication channel  28  extends through a center portion of the semi circle of upper surface  26 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2A , upper portion  26  may be curved inward toward hollow member  23 , thereby creating a rounded edge on body portion  21  and another surface  39  extending downwardly. When body portion  21  has an upper surface  26  with a rounded portion extending inward toward hollow member  23 , this creates a surface area wherein liquid travelling through communication channel  28  will be more widely disbursed than if upper surface  26  is in the form of a semi circle wherein edge  24  does not extend toward hollow member  23 . Body portion  21  may also include an additional sidewall  35  that acts as an extension of body portion  21 . Upper surface  26  of disbursement member  10 , and even more particularly, inwardly facing surface  39  may be at any desired angle with respect to a crest point of upper surface  26 . In general, the larger the angle between inner diameter  24  and the crest of the peak of upper surface  26 , the higher the likelihood of a greater surface area liquid disbursement (i.e., the liquid will be disbursed to a larger area when it falls). Whereas, if inner diameter  24  is on the same plane as the crest of upper surface  24  and inwardly facing surface  39  is non-existent, the liquid disbursement likely will mimic the diameter of inner diameter  24  (i.e., the liquid likely will be disbursed to a smaller surface area when it falls). As shown in  FIG. 2D , inwardly facing surface  39  may optionally extend at approximately a 45 degree angle from inner diameter  24  to the crest of circular upper surface  26 . It should be appreciated that any angle of inwardly facing surface  39  can be implemented in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0040]    Hollow member  23  of disbursement member  10  projects away from a center portion of body portion  21 . Communication channel  28  also extends through hollow member  23 . Hollow member  23  has an outer surface  31 , wherein outer surface  31  preferably is threaded with male threads  31  to be sized and configured to be secured with a corresponding female threaded mechanism. Hollow member  23  can be as long or as short as necessary. Communication channel  28  can have a diameter that is as wide or as narrow as necessary. Of course, the larger the diameter of inner surface  22  of hollow member  23 , the larger the rate of liquid disbursement that may exit fluid reservoir  18  at any given time. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of disbursement washer  12  of the present invention. Disbursement washer  12  has a plurality of varying diameters. Disbursement washer  12  has communication channel  28  extending through a center portion thereof. Disbursement washer  12  is preferably in a round shape, having an outer diameter  38  and an inner diameter  30 . Inner diameter  30  defines the size of communication channel  28  travelling through disbursement washer  12 . First inner diameter  32  extends in a radial fashion away from inner diameter  30 . Second inner diameter  34  extends radially away from first inner diameter  32 , wherein second inner diameter  34  may project upwardly from the plane of first inner diameter  32 . Second inner diameter  34  may project in a convex manner so as to communicate with an abutting portion of body  21  of disbursement member  10 . Third inner diameter  36  extends radially from second inner diameter  34  and preferably defines a surface that extends back in a downward, concave, fashion toward the plane of first inner diameter  32 . The surface extending from third inner diameter  36  preferable extends to outer diameter  38 , outer diameter  38  preferably being the same plane as first inner diameter  32 . Upper surface  41  of the surface extending from inner diameter  30  to first inner diameter  32  is preferably sized and configured to be in direct contact with bottom surface  37  of disbursement member  10 . It should be appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art that there can be as many diameters within disbursement washer  12  as necessary. Each of the diameters may extend from the other in a convex or concave nature. It should also be appreciated that the angle of upper surface  41  extending from second diameter  34  to third diameter  36  may be any angle from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. Accordingly, third diameter  36  can be in fluid communication with sidewall  35  of disbursement member  35 , wherein liquid flowing along upper surface  26  of disbursement member  10  can further be transferred to the surface extending from third diameter  36 . The advantage of this particular embodiment allows the liquid to be transferred from fluid reservoir  18  into food container at a larger width of disbursement. Accordingly, this allows for adjustments to be made by the user of pot lid system  8 , wherein for instance the adjoining surfaces of surface  26  and convex surface extending from diameter  34  to diameter  36  provide for a desired distribution of disbursed liquid being released from lid pot system  8 .  FIGS. 4A-4F  depict illustrative examples of the connection points between disbursement washer  12  and disbursement member  10 .  FIG. 4A  shows an example where liquid flowing in a downward fashion through communication chamber  28  will likely flow straight downward from communication chamber  28 . Each of  FIGS. 4A-4F  depicts a varying degree of disbursement.  FIG. 4F  shows an embodiment wherein the liquid flowing downward from communication chamber  28  will likely travel along the tapered angle of disbursement member  10  and then along the surface of disbursement washer  12 , providing for a wide range of distribution of liquid when compared to the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B ,  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of lid body  14  of the present invention. Lid body  14  is configured to have communication channel  28  extending through a center portion thereof. Communication channel  28  is defined by an inner diameter  40  of lid body  14 . Lid body  14  has an outer diameter  44  with a connecting surface  42 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6B ,  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of outer ring  16  of the present invention. Outer ring  16  has an inner diameter  50  and an outer diameter  58 . Outer ring  16  is in the form of a circular ring sized and configured to abut its outer diameter  50  with surface  42  of lid body  14 . Outer ring  16  may also have an mid-range diameter that separates the inner surfaces of  52  and  54 . The walls  52  and  56  of outer ring  16  are thin and are in corresponding alignment with the outer surface, the width of outer ring  16  being as thin as possible to withstand varying pressures or being as thin as possible to allow for channel  28  to pass through outer ring  16 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7D ,  FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of fluid reservoir  18  having communication chamber  28  extending therethrough of the present invention. Fluid reservoir  18  is a reservoir that contains liquid, such as wine, water, juices, sauces, etc., and allows the liquid, along with suspended solid-state particles associated with the corresponding liquid, to flow through communication channel  28  of pot lid  14  to thereby enter the food container. This allows for the liquid and corresponding solid-state particles to reach the food enclosed by pot lid  14 , without having to remove pot lid  14  and thereby release the air particles of the inner container. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 7A , fluid reservoir  18  has an outer edge  60 . Outer edge  60  may be rounded extending downward or it may come to a point facing upwards. Outer edge  60  preferably defines the outer most extent of fluid reservoir  18 , outer edge  60  being circular, wherein the diameter of outer edge  60  may be as large or as small as desired by the user. There then exists a surface that extends toward first inner diameter  63 , the surface having an inner surface  62  residing on the inside of fluid reservoir  18  and an outer surface  61  residing on the exterior of fluid reservoir  18 . Surface  62  preferably extends inwardly at about a 45 degree angle from outer edge  60  to first inner diameter  63 . It should be appreciated that surface  62  may extend at any angle desired by the user and it may extend downwardly and outwardly where first inner diameter  63  is larger than the diameter of outer edge  60 . There then exists a second inner diameter  66 , wherein surface  64  extends between first inner diameter  63  and second inner diameter  66 . Surface  64  may be angled downward slightly at a 5 degree angle, at a substantially 0 degree angle, or perhaps at a larger angle. Surface  64  may act as the base of fluid reservoir  18 , wherein if solid-state particles are going to accumulate on a surface, surface  64  would likely be the bottom surface with the largest surface area for the accumulation. There then further exists diameter  68  inside of diameter  66  wherein surface  67  lies in between diameter  68  and diameter  66 . Surface  67  may be substantially angled, flat, or rounded downward in a radial fashion to thereby act similar to a funnel. Surface  67  allows fluid and associated solid-state particles to flow into communication channel  28 . An embodiment of diameter  68  is further shown  FIG. 7D . Diameter  68  may contain a plurality of inner diameters  68   a,    68   b,  . . .  68   n,  wherein each inner diameter of  68   a - n  further acts as a funnel to the inner most diameter  68   n.  Inner most diameter  68   n  acts as the primary entrance point to communication channel  28 . Inner most diameter  68   n  may be as large or as small as necessary. The larger the diameter of  68   n,  the liquid in fluid reservoir  18  will enter the food container at a higher rate and an increased amount of solid-state particles will enter communication channel  28 . In the preferred embodiment, inner most diameter  68   n  has a diameter of approximately one (1) millimeter, with 0.35 millimeters often being adequate depending upon the alcohol content of the liquid in fluid reservoir  18 . Inner most diameter  68   n  may be angled or provided with a straight cut through the surface of fluid reservoir  18 . There may also be a plurality of inner most diameter  68   n  holes. There may also be a cap (not shown) to place on outer diameter  60 . The cap may allow the user to leave pot lid system  8  unattended, without having to worry about an inadvertent spillover if someone bumps against the pot lid system  8  while fluid reservoir  18  is partially full and likely hot. It should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the above described embodiments, that a plurality of different surfaces at varying angles can have desired effects for certain users. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and can be expanded to encompass surfaces of varying angles, rounded surfaces, etc. 
         [0046]    In a different embodiment, fluid reservoir  18  may have a screen attached in a radial fashion along a plane of inner surface  62 . The screen will be attached at a height above surface  64 . The screen should not allow suspended solid-state particles of the liquid that has a large diameter than inner most diameter  68   n  to flow past the screen. This will allow the screen to stop solid-state particles that will not flow down communication channel  28  and prevent future clogging of inner most diameter  68   n.    
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C ,  FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of coupling device  20  of the present invention. Coupling device  20  has flange mechanism  70  and a hollow cylinder  72  projecting therefrom. Flange portion  70  may be in any shape or size. Flange mechanism  70  has an aperture  78  projecting through a center portion of it. Aperture  78  defines communication channel  28  that extends through coupling device  20 . Flange mechanism  70  has a plurality of connection points  74 , wherein connection points  74  connect flange mechanism  70  to a bottom surface of fluid reservoir  18 , wherein aperture  78  is in fluid communication with inner most diameter  68   n  of fluid reservoir  18 . Connection points  74  may connect coupling device  20  to the bottom surface of fluid reservoir through a variety of ways such as through welding or soldering. Hollow cylinder  72  projects from flange portion  70  wherein aperture  28  extends throughout the length of coupling device  20  such that communication channel  28  can extend through coupling device  20 . Hollow cylinder  72  has width  72  with inner threaded portion  76  extending along the inner surface of hollow cylinder  72 . The inner surface of hollow cylinder  72  is sized and configured to be secured with the threaded portion of disbursement member  20 , and particularly with threads  32  of disbursement member  20 . As disbursement member  20  interlocks with inner threaded portion  76  of coupling device  20 , the disbursement member comes into direct contact with the lower surface of fluid reservoir  18  and forms in inner surface of communication  28  extending from fluid reservoir  18 . 
         [0048]    In an alternative embodiment, inner most diameter  68   n  of fluid reservoir  18  may not be the defining diameter with respect to the entrance of communication channel  28 . In this alternative embodiment, inner most diameter  68   n  may be larger than aperture  78  of coupling device  20 . In this case, aperture  78  may have a diameter of approximately one (1) millimeter, or a desired diameter, and be the smallest entrance into communication channel  28 . In this embodiment, inner most diameter  68   n  of fluid reservoir  18  is larger than aperture  78  and acts as a funnel to direct the liquid with associated solid-state particles to communication channel  28 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A-9B ,  FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of pot lid system  8  having fluid reservoir  18  that fluidly communicates an external environment with contents enclosed by lid body  14  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9B , fluid reservoir  18  having attached to a bottom portion thereof coupling device  20 , fluid reservoir  18  projecting upwardly from lid body  14  and optionally abuts with open ring  16 , wherein open ring  16  lies atop lid body  14  and beneath fluid reservoir  18 . The attachment between fluid reservoir  18 , coupling device  20 , open ring  16 , and lid body  14  allows for the alignment of inner most diameter  68   n,  aperture  78 , the center of open ring  15 , and inner diameter  40  of lid body  14 . This alignment is critical in the formation of communication chamber  28 . On the interior portion, or bottom surface of lid body  14 , disbursement washer  12  abuts with a bottom surface of lid body  14 , wherein inner diameter  30  of disbursement washer  12  is in direct alignment with inner diameter  40  of lid body  14 . Furthermore, disbursement member  10  secures pot lid system  8  together. Hollow member  23  of disbursement member  10  extends into inner diameter  30  of disbursement washer  12  and then through inner diameter  40  of lid body  14 . Threads  32  of the outer surface of hollow member  23  of disbursement member  10  interlock with the inner threaded portion  76  of the inner surface of hollow cylinder  72  of coupling device  20 . As this male-female threaded attachment occurs, bottom surface  37  of disbursement member  10  abuts with the surface of disbursement washer  12  between diameter  30  and diameter  32 . At this point, communication channel  28  extends from the inner most diameter  68   n  of fluid reservoir  18  through open ring  16 , inner diameter  40  of lid body  14 , disbursement washer  12  and disbursement member  10 . Depending on the angle of surface  39 , or lack thereof, on disbursement member  10 , and the concavity and convexity match between disbursement member  10  and disbursement washer  12  (shown in  FIGS. 4A-4F ), the disbursement of the liquid and associated solid-state particles as it exits inner diameter  24  of disbursement member  10  will vary. 
         [0050]    The components of the present invention can be composed of any suitable material. Pot lid  14  is preferably composed of glass. Disbursement member  28 , disbursement washer  12 , open ring  16 , coupling device  20  and fluid reservoir  18  can all be composed of steel, metal, plastic, ceramic, or any like material capable of being constructed in a solid form and capable of withstanding heat for an extended period of time. An advantage of having fluid reservoir  18  composed of a material that conducts heat is that when cooking with wine, it is well known in the art that it is preferable to burn the alcohol out of the wine prior to cooking with it. During operation, if fluid reservoir  18  is a material that conducts heat, fluid reservoir  18  will heat up and thereafter burn the alcohol out of the wine, or alcohol in any liquid used, that is placed in fluid reservoir  18 . However, some may desire fluid reservoir  18  to be insulated with an insulator that does not conduct heat well so that fluid reservoir  18  can be used to pick up pot lid system  18  when the cooking process is complete. 
         [0051]    In using lid pot system  8 , there are several methods to employ the system. For instance, first a user provides an open container and lid pot system  8 . The user first engages outer edge  44  of lid  14  with the outer edges of the open container. At any time during the process heat may be applied or dissipated from the enclosed food container. The user begins to pour liquid with suspended solid-state particles into fluid reservoir  18 . As this occurs, the liquid with suspended solid-state particles may optionally be filtered through a screen. If a screen is utilized, the screen employs slots that are at least as small as the diameter of inner most diameter  68   n  of fluid reservoir  18 . The fluid then travels through communication channel  28  as it first flows through inner most diameter  68   n.  As the liquid flows through communication channel  28  it is released through disbursement member  10 . The user has a few options on how the method of feeding liquid into the food container may be implemented. If the user desires a wide surface area distribution of the liquid flowing from communication channel  28 , then the user will implement a disbursement washer  12  that has a surface in fluid communication with an upper surface  26  of the disbursement member  10 . When this occurs, the liquid has a higher likelihood of being transferred to a wider surface area, than if a disbursement washer  12  is implemented that does not have a surface in direct contact with upper surface  26  of disbursement member  10 . The method of feeding liquid into a food container therefore includes the changing of various disbursement washers  12 . Finally, after the liquid with suspended solid-state particles travels through communication channel  28  and optionally gets transferred to disbursement washer  12 , the liquid along with suspended solid-state particles is released into food container. The surface area of distribution can vary depending on the embodiment implemented by the user. 
         [0052]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal thereof. 
       ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]    Numerous advantages are obtained by employing the present invention. 
         [0054]    More specifically, the flow of liquid and associated solid-state particles from a fluid reservoir gradually into a covered food container is provided that avoids all of the aforementioned problems associated with prior art devices. 
         [0055]    In addition, a method of controlling the disbursement of liquid and associated solid-state particles from a fluid reservoir into a covered food container. 
         [0056]    Furthermore an advantage is a system adaptable to control the desired disbursement of liquid flowing through the fluid reservoir into the food container. 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within the scope of the claims.