Patent Publication Number: US-2013233184-A1

Title: Grease straining device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD &amp; BACKGROUND 
     Traditional methods of removing excess oil or grease from cooking equipment include utilizing a pan lid as a strainer for a frying pan. This conventional approach may be difficult and cumbersome and may cause the excess oil or grease to splatter, or the food being prepared to slip or fall out of the frying pan itself. 
     The present invention generally relates to a straining device. More specifically, the invention is a grease straining device. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a grease straining device that serves as an attachment to allow a user to safely strain grease or oil from a frying pan. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a grease straining device that utilizes a plurality of different sized attachments to accommodate a plurality of different sized frying pans to safely strain grease or oil from a frying pan. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a grease straining device that allows a user to relatively quickly strain grease from a frying pan to allow the user to relatively quickly continue cooking if needed. 
     What is really needed is a grease straining device that serves as an attachment to allow a user to safely strain grease or oil from a frying pan that utilizes a plurality of different sized attachments to accommodate a plurality of different sized frying pans to safely strain grease or oil from a frying pan that allows a user to relatively quickly strain grease from a frying pan to allow the user to relatively quickly continue cooking if needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a grease straining device utilized in combination with a frying pan, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a grease straining device  100  utilized in combination with a frying pan FP, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The grease straining device  100  includes a pan connector  110 , a divider and strainer  120 , a strainer handle  130  and a splatter screen attachment  140 . The pan connector  110  curves around any location along a frying pan edge FPE and partially extend over the frying pan FP at a distal end  112 . The divider and strainer  120  has a top edge  122  and is rectangular planar shaped  124  and is attached to the distal end  112  of the pan connector  110 , although the divider and strainer  120  can be any suitable shape such as a square shape or a semi-circular shape. The divider and strainer  120  extends downward into the frying pan FP and allows grease and oils from foods cooked in the frying pan FP to be safely poured off of and out of the frying pan FP while keeping the cooked food within the frying pan FP. The strainer handle  130  extends perpendicularly upward from the distal end  112  of the pan connector  110  to allow a user to grasp the grease straining device  100  while being utilized in combination with a frying pan. The strainer handle  130  is U-shaped  132  to be ergonomically designed but can be any suitable shape. The splatter screen attachment  140  is an optional rectangular planar attachment  142  that can be attached to the top edge  122  of the divider and strainer  120  that typically extends horizontally across the frying pan FP to provide additional protection from grease and oil splatters. The splatter screen attachment  140  is typically a screen  144  but can be any suitable protective attachment. The grease straining device  100  is made of a high temperature resistant plastic and silicone material but can be made of other suitable materials as well. 
     The grease straining device is an attachment that is a relatively superior alternative to similar traditional grease straining devices and methods. The grease straining device is fastened to the outside edge of the frying pan, allowing a divider and strainer to lay flush against the frying pan. The grease straining device is designed to be adaptable and capable of accepting separate attachments to accommodate a plurality of various existing frying pan diameters. The grease straining device is able to effectively eliminate spilled food and grease and oil splatters and may be readily available at retail department stores and wherever cookware is sold. The grease straining device features a divider and strainer packaged with a splatter screen attachment, offering improved protection while removing excess cooking grease and oil. The grease straining device is durable, easy to use and attach, effective, safe and is capable of accepting several included attachments. 
     While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.