Abstract:
A chef basket is disclosed. The basket includes a ring, a plurality of overhangs, the overhangs coupled to the ring and juxtaposed over each neighboring overhang, a plurality of interlocking wires forming a straining surface, the straining surface coupled to the ring; and at least two handles, the at least two handles rotatably coupled to the ring, wherein at least five different reversible configurations or orientations, including a collapsed configuration, a first standing configuration, a second standing configuration, a first configuration, and a second configuration, are formed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/381,797, filed Sep. 10, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a food preparation technology and, more particularly, to a multipurpose chef basket comprising a collapsible and reversible wire mesh straining surface. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    It is well known that all animals depend on food for sustenance. People have been preparing edible food since the dawn of mankind. By applying a heat source, the food is cooked until consumable by a human digestive system. For example, people apply fire or steam in order to cook meat and/or vegetables thoroughly. As another example, people heat water to a boil in order to cook certain foods, such as eggs or pasta, which are immersed therein. In yet another example, people remove bacteria, particulate soil, and other undesirable or inedible components from raw or cooked vegetables before serving. A common denominator amongst the various methods of preparing food is the desire to handle the food while in contact with water. This often involves straining or separating the water (e.g., hot/boiling water) from the food. 
         [0006]    Typically, a chef needs multiple utensils to perform washing, straining, boiling and steaming of food, e.g., vegetables. Specifically, a colander for washing, a strainer for straining and boiling, and a steamer basket for steaming. Having three utensils requires excessive storage space in a modern kitchen. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a multipurpose chef basket comprising a collapsible and reversible wire mesh straining surface to facilitate washing, straining, boiling, frying, deep-frying, and steaming. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally include a method and apparatus for preparing food using a reversible and collapsible wire mesh straining surface. A basket is disclosed, which includes a ring, a plurality of overhangs, the overhangs coupled to the ring and juxtaposed over each neighboring overhang, a plurality of interlocking wires forming a straining surface, the straining surface coupled to the ring; and at least two handles, the at least two handles rotatably coupled to the ring, wherein at least five different reversible configurations or orientations, including a collapsed configuration, a first standing configuration, a second standing configuration, a first configuration, and a second configuration, are formed. In the first configuration, food placed in the chef basket may be immersed in a liquid, while in the second configuration the basket supports food above a liquid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a wire mesh straining surface in a collapsed position according to various embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a wire mesh straining surface in a standing position according to various embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a wire mesh straining surface in a first configuration that may be used to boil, steam, fry, deep-fry, or wash food according to various embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a wire mesh straining surface in second configuration that may be used to steam food according to various embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the chef basket in a collapsed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the chef basket in a standing position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the chef basket in a first orientation; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the chef basket in a second orientation. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate comparable elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and may be simplified for clarity. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates chef basket  50  comprising a wire mesh straining surface  100  in a collapsed position  108  according to various embodiments. Specifically,  FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of the wire mesh straining surface  100 , which is coupled to a ring  102 . The wire mesh straining surface  100 , generally, includes several interlocking wires  110  that form a framework for enabling food to be immersed in and then, separated from a liquid, such as boiling water or hot cooking oil. One or more outer most wires wrap around the ring  102  in order to maintain a desired shape for the wire mesh straining surface  100  (hereinafter referred to as the straining surface  100 ). 
         [0020]    Furthermore, two or more handles  104  are attached to the ring  102  and positioned above the straining surface  100 . A user lifts the basket  50  using these handles  104 . The user may also rotate the handles  104  about the ring  102 . By flipping or reversing the straining surface  100 , the user can use two different configurations or orientations for the purpose of preparing food. 
         [0021]    In addition to the handles  104 , a plurality of overhangs  106  are attached to the ring  102 . In some embodiments, the plurality of overhangs  106  maintain a position for the straining surface  100  within cookware. For example, when in an uncollapsed configuration (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) the plurality of overhangs  106  may protrude over an edge of a cooking pot/pan and provide support for the straining structure  100  while immersed in a liquid therein. Each overhang  106  couples with the ring  102  via a pair of complimentary curved ends  112 . Each curved end  112  of a particular overhang  106  is juxtaposed with a curved end of another overhang  106 . In other words, the each curved end is positioned on the ring  102  next to the curved end of the other overhang  106  such that these curved ends push up against each other when the plurality of overhangs  106  are protruding off the ring  102 . Accordingly, the plurality of overhangs  106  are held together and form a rigid, continuous support structure. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates the chef basket  50  in a standing position  200  according to various embodiments. Because the handles  104  are rotatable about the ring  102 , the user may move and position the handles  104  below the straining surface  100 . As a result, the plurality of overhangs  106  open up to expose the straining surface  100  to food and/or liquid. When positioned upright with respect to a surface, such as a sink, the handles  104  permit the straining surface  100  to fully extend and stand independently. The woven wires  110  form a basket  202  that is sized to fit food (e.g., vegetables, fruit, cooked pasta, and the like). 
         [0023]    For example, the straining surface  100  may form a portion of a colander (i.e., a strainer). A user may desire to wash vegetables or strain cooked food (i.e., pasta) before serving. The user may perform such food preparation activities in a sink. While in the standing position  200 , the straining surface  100  is not in contact with the surface of the sink (i.e., the handles  104  are longer than the depth of the basket  202 ). Therefore, the user may rinse the vegetables with water without actually holding the colander his/herself or having the straining surface contact the surface of the sink. The water separates from the vegetables via the straining surface  100 . 
         [0024]    The user, alternatively, may use the colander to strain cooked pasta from boiling water. Similar to rinsing vegetables, the user does not need to hold the colander while pouring the boiling water and cooked pasta onto the straining surface  100 . While the boiling water separates from the cooked pasta via the straining surface  100 , the cooked pasta does not contact the surface of the sink preventing contamination from bacteria and/or other pathogens. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the wire mesh straining surface  100  in a first configuration  300  that may be used to, for example, boil, fry and strain food in combination with cookware  302  according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the reversible position  300  is formed by orientating each and every wire of the straining surface  100  inwards towards a center. Such an orientation enables a maximum amount of aperture space to be formed by interlocking wires as well as a maximum elongation of the straining surface  100 . The first configuration  300  facilitates the basket  202  being immersed in any liquid in the pot  302 . In order to form the first configuration  300 , the handles  104  are moved from a position above the straining surface  100  and placed alongside the ring  102  and exterior to the straining surface  100  (e.g., the handles  104  are horizontal). As the plurality of overhangs  106  also move to a position alongside the ring  102  and horizontal, the woven wires of the straining surface  100  become interlocked because of gravitational forces. 
         [0026]    For example, the cookware  302  (shown in a cut away view to expose the basket  202 ) may include a cooking pot for boiling food, such as pasta, soup and/or the like. When the straining surface  100  is in the first configuration  300 , a user may use the handles  104  to lift and place the basket  202  into the cooking pot immersing any food in the boiling water. The plurality of overhangs  106  interlock one another and rest on an outer edge  304  of the cooking pot  302 . By providing support for the basket  202 , the plurality of overhangs  106  prevent the handles  104  from falling in the boiling water. If the straining surface  100  and the handles  104  are completely immersed in the boiling water, the user cannot remove the prepared food without first removing the boiling water. Subsequently, the user may use the handles  104  to lift the straining surface  100  out of the cooking pot without touching the prepared food, the boiling water or the surface of the cooking pot. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates the chef basket  50  having the wire mesh straining surface  100  in a second configuration  400  that is being used with cookware  402  according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the second configuration  400  is formed by orientating each and every wire of the straining surface  100  outwards towards an exterior. Such an orientation closes apertures formed by interlocking wires and the straining surface  100  only partially extends such that the basket  202  does not become immersed in liquid within the cookware  402 . When compared with a configuration where the wires are oriented inwards (e.g., the first configuration  300  of  FIG. 3 ), the second configuration  400  shortens an amount of aperture space as well as a length of elongation of the straining surface  100 . In other words, the interlocking wires do not extend as far and create the straining surface  100  with less surface area. 
         [0028]    In order to form the second configuration  400 , the handles  104  rotate about the ring  102  from a position above the straining surface  100  and placed exterior to the straining surface  100  and are horizontally oriented. If the wires are oriented inwards, the straining surface  100  is reversed. Otherwise, the wires of the straining surface  100  have a correct orientation. As the plurality of overhangs  106  also move to a position alongside the ring  102  and are horizontally oriented, the wires of the straining surface  100  become interlocked because of gravitational forces. 
         [0029]    For example, the cookware  402  may include a cooking pot for steaming food, such as vegetables and/or the like. When the straining surface  100  is in the second configuration  400 , a user may use the handles  104  to lift and place the basket  202  in the cooking pot such that the food comes into close contact with the heated liquid, such as hot or boiling water. The plurality of overhangs  106  rest on an outer edge  404  of the cooking pot. By providing support for the basket  202  in the second orientation  400 , the plurality of overhangs  106  prevent the handles  104  and/or the straining surface  100  from falling into the heated liquid. If the basket  202  and/or the handles  104  are immersed in the heated liquid, the user cannot remove the prepared food without removing the heated liquid. Subsequently, the user may use the handles  104  to lift the basket  202  out of the cooking pot without touching the prepared food, the heated liquid and/or the cooking pot. 
         [0030]    Although some embodiments have been discussed above, other implementations and applications are also within the scope of the following claims. Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications and variations may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.