Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a steam ventilation system for providing an easy way to release steam from a container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a steam ventilation system for allowing controlled release of steam from a container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a steam ventilation system for controlled release of steam a container that has been heated in a microwave. Another object of this invention is to allow a user to keep the contents housed within the container warm after the steam has been released. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A to 1C  are perspective views of an embodiment of the steam ventilation system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of an embodiment of the steam ventilation system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A to 3C  are perspective views of an embodiment of the steam ventilation system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the steam ventilation system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional in-use view of an embodiment of the steam ventilation system of the present invention as referenced by  FIG. 3B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following is a listing of numbers corresponding to a particular element refer to herein:
           100  steam ventilation system     110  top member     112  handle     114  top end of top member     116  bottom end of top member     118  set of protrusions     122  plate     124  puncture holes     310  cover     312  strap     314  attachment device     512  lid     514  storage container     516  snap     612  liquid heating container     614  spout     616  handle     618  container attachment means     712  cup       

     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the present invention features a steam ventilation system  100  comprising a plastic lid  512 , a top member  110 , wherein the top member  110  comprises a top end  114  and a bottom end  116 , and a storage container  514 . A handle  112  is disposed at the top end  114  of the top member  110  and a set of protrusions  118  is disposed on the bottom end  116 , wherein the set of protrusions  118  can be used to puncture the lid  512  of the container  514 . The present invention also features a steam ventilation system  100  comprising a cover  310  for attaching to the lid  512  of the container  514 . In some embodiments, the cover  310  comprises one or more straps extending from the side of the cover  310 . In some embodiments, the protrusions  118  have sharp tips  119  which are effective for puncturing through the plastic lid  512  of the storage container  514 . In use, after the holes  124  are created on the lid  512 , the top member  110  can be placed onto the lid  512  to temporarily seal the holes  124 . 
     In some embodiments, a user may insert the steam ventilation system  100  into the lid  512  of the storage container  514 . The user may place the top member  110  into the lid  512  of the container  514  by forcibly inserting the set of protrusions  118 , thereby puncturing the lid  512  before placing the storage container  514  in a microwave (see  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, steam generated by heating the container  514  may be contained within the container  514 . A user may then remove the container  514  from the microwave and remove the top member  110  from the lid  512  to release the steam. In some embodiments, after steam has been released, a user may re-insert the top member  110  into the holes  124  on the lid  512  to help keep the items contained in the container  514  warm. 
     In some embodiments, after steam has been released from the container  514 , a user may attach the cover  310  onto the lid  512  of the container  514 . In some embodiments, the cover  310  comprises one or more straps  312  extending from the sides of the cover  310 . In some embodiments, one or more attachment devices  314  are disposed on the strap  312 , wherein the attachment devices  314  are for securing the cover  310  to the lid  512  of the container  514 . In some embodiments, the attachment device  314  includes a snap, a hook, a hook-and-loop fastener, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the attachment device  314  is a snap which is then inserted into a snap  516  disposed on the lid  512  of the container  514  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ). 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the top member is about 5 inches in diameter includes a top member that is between 4.5 and 5.5 inches in diameter. 
     The top member  110  and/or the cover  310  may be constructed in a variety of shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments, the top member  110  is cylindrical. In some embodiments, the top member  110  has a diameter between about 1 to 2 inches. In some embodiments, the top member  110  has a diameter between about 2 to 5 inches. In some embodiments, the top member  110  has a diameter between about 5 to 10 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the cover  310  is circular. In some embodiments, the cover  310  has a diameter between about 1 to 2 inches. In some embodiments, the cover  310  has a diameter between about 2 to 5 inches. In some embodiments, the cover  310  has a diameter between about 5 to 10 inches. 
     In certain embodiments, the Get of protrusions  118  are cylindrical. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the steam ventilation system  100  of the present invention is used on a liquid heating container (e.g., teapot)  612 . In some embodiments, the top member  110  is forcibly inserted into the lid  512 , creating puncture holes  124 . After the liquid heating container  612  has been heated, a user may remove the top member  110  to release the steam. In some embodiments, the cover  310  is attached to the lid  512  to keep the liquid warm. In some embodiments, a user may secure the cover  310  to the liquid heating container  612  by attaching the attachment means  314  to the liquid heating container  612 . In some embodiments, a container attachment  618  is disposed on the liquid heating container onto which the attachment means device  314  on the strap  312  of the cover  310  may be attached. In some embodiments, a user may pour liquid from within the liquid heating container  612  by grasping the handle  616  and tilting the liquid heating container  612  so liquid pours out of the spout  614 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the top member  110  may be inserted onto a cup  712 . A user may heat the contents of the cup. After heating, a user may remove the top member  110  from the cup  712  to release the steam. In some embodiments, a user may then attach the cover  310  to the cup  712  to keep the contents of the cup  712  warm. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.