Abstract:
An apparatus for squeezing liquid from an opened can of tuna is provided. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical base container for receiving an opened can, a top plate for placing over the opened can, and a compression element for squeezing the top plate into the opened can. As the top plate is squeezed into the opened can, the packing liquid is squeezed out through a gap between an edge of the top plate and an inside circumference of the opened can.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/693,895 filed Aug. 28, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains generally to an apparatus for draining liquid from a can, and more particularly to an apparatus for squeezing liquid from a can of solid food packed in oil or water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Canned meats or fish, such as tuna or salmon, are typically packaged in a can with water or oil. After opening the can, the fluid is usually drained by pressing the opened lid of the can down into the tuna with the user&#39;s hands. The user must apply a significant amount of pressure with their thumbs to remove a majority of the fluid. This can be difficult for the elderly or for individuals with disabilities. 
         [0004]    During the draining process, the packing liquid can squirt out of the sides of the can and splatter on the kitchen counter, making a mess. Similarly, the packing fluid can get all over the user&#39;s hands and run down their arms. As the packing fluid generally absorbs the odors of the food, the sent of tuna or other packaged proteins is transferred to any contacted surfaces such as the user&#39;s hands, arms, and clothes. Additionally, using the lid to drain the packing fluid can easily contaminate the packed food with any dirt, germs, or microorganisms found on the exterior of the lid or on the user&#39;s hands. The user would have to wash both their hands and the can prior to draining to avoid this contamination. 
         [0005]    Consequently, there exists a need for a device designed to provide an easy to use kitchen utensil for removing packing liquid from a can of tuna, salmon, chicken, and the like. The proposed invention allows a user to drain this fluid without creating a mess, contaminating the packed food, and with minimal exertion. The apparatus allows a user to easily apply pressure to the top of the opened can of food using a mechanical advantage. Once the pressure has been applied and the fluid removed from the can, the apparatus is inverted and the packing fluid is easily discarded. Once the liquid has been discarded, the can is removed from the device, and the remaining drained food is consumed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0007]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises an apparatus for removing a packing liquid from a can of food such as tuna. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical base container, a top plate , and a compression element. After removing a lid from the can of food, the can is placed into the cylindrical base container. The top plate is positioned within the opened can in place of the removed lid. The compression element is used to apply pressure to both a bottom of the cylindrical base container, and the top plate, thereby pushing the top plate into the opened can. As the top plate is pushed in, the packing liquid is squeezed out of the can and into the cylindrical base container. The fluid is then discarded by inverting the apparatus over a sink. The pressure is then released, the can removed, and the drained food eaten. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the compression element comprises a ratchet component for providing a mechanical advantage, a handgrip, and a pair of opposing heads. The ratchet component allows the user to exert minimal pressure on the handgrip, while still maintaining a constant pressure between the top plate and the bottom of the cylindrical base container which are sandwiched between the pair of opposing heads. Once a sufficient amount of the packing liquid is drained, the ratchet component is released, and the compression element is removed. 
         [0009]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for squeezing liquid from an opened can in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an opened can of tuna in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus engaging the opened can of tuna in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The invention relates generally to an apparatus for pressing a packing fluid from an opened can of tuna. 
         [0014]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an apparatus  100  for squeezing liquid from an opened can  10 . The apparatus  100  comprises a cylindrical base container  102 , a top plate  124 , and a compression element  128 . The cylindrical base container  102  is preferably sized to receive a typical 4½ to six ounce can of food packed in a liquid. Typically, the apparatus  100  is used in conjunction with cans of tuna fish, however, any food packed in a liquid where draining is advantageous such as, but not limited to salmon, chicken, vegetables, and the like may be used with the apparatus  100  as well. Additionally, an embodiment where the cylindrical base container  102  may comprise larger sizes to accommodate larger volume cans of food may be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. 
         [0015]    The cylindrical base container  102  comprises a bottom  104 , a sidewall  110 , and an open top. The bottom  104  is circular with a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the opened can  10 . The sidewall  110  is generally cylindrical and extends out of the bottom  104  substantially perpendicular to a circumference of the bottom  104 . The sidewall  110  terminates in the open top. The sidewall  110  is approximately between ¾ and 1½ inches in height, however, the dimensions may be larger or smaller as desired without affecting the overall scope of the invention. The sidewall  110  is typically dimensioned to substantially encapsulate a circumference of the opened can  10 . 
         [0016]    The sidewall  110  further comprises a plurality of spacers  120  extending inward from an inner circumference  112  of the sidewall  110 . The inner circumference  112  of the sidewall  110  is generally approximately between ⅛ and ½ inches greater in diameter than the diameter of the opened can. The plurality of spacers  120  are typically hard plastic beads or knobs affixed to the inner circumference  112  of the sidewall  110  with glue, adhesive, epoxy, or the like. The plurality of spacers  120  serve to hold the opened can  10  in place within the cylindrical base container  102 . The user slides the opened can  10  between the sidewall  110  so that it rests on the bottom  104  of the cylindrical base container  102 . The plurality of plastic spacers  120  keep the opened can  10  from moving around within the cylindrical base container  102 . 
         [0017]    Once the opened can  10  is placed within the cylindrical base container  102 , the top plate  124  may be placed into the opened can  10  on top of the tuna saturated in liquid. The top plate  124  is essentially a round plastic disc having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the opened can  10 . The diameter of the top plate  124  must be small enough to permit the liquid to escape between a perimeter of the top plate  124 , and an internal sidewall of the opened can  10 . Typically, the diameter of the top plate will be approximately between 1/16 and ¼ inches smaller in diameter than a diameter of the internal sidewall of the opened can  10  , although it may vary depending on the diameter of the opened can  10 . 
         [0018]    The compression element  128  uses a ratcheting mechanism, similar to a vice grip to provide a mechanical advantage in pressing the top plate  124  into the opened can  10 . The compression element  128  comprises a handgrip  130 , a ratchet component  132 , a first head  134 , and a second head  136 . The hand grip  130  is typically an ergonomically shaped grip, such as but not limited to a bicycle grip, a tool grip, and the like. 
         [0019]    The first head  134  and the second head  136  are essentially mirror image gripping surfaces forming a pair of opposing heads. Both the first head  134  and the second head  136  are approximately between ¾ and 1½ square inches in surface area. This allows for even and uniform pressure to be exerted on the cylindrical base container  102  and the top plate  124 . The first head  134  and the second head  136  extend out of the hand grip  130  with the ratchet component  132  located in between. Typically, the second head  136  is adhesively attached to an outside surface of the bottom  104  of the cylindrical base container  102 . The second head  136  may be attached by adhesive, applied heat, radio frequency welding, mechanical fasteners, and the like, or by any other means of attachment known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively, the inventor contemplates an embodiment where the second head  136  is removably attachable to the bottom  104  of the cylindrical base container  102  as well. The first head  134  is unattached to the cylindrical base container  102  or the top plate  124  and is used to selectively engage the top plate  124  as described infra. 
         [0020]    The ratchet component  132  is typically a gear and spring loaded lever ratcheting system as is known in the art. The ratchet component  132  is engaged by squeezing the handgrip  130  to adjust a distance between the first head  134  and the second head  136 . As the first head  134  and the second head  136  are ratcheted closer together, pressure is exerted on the top plate  124 , and it is pushed into the opened can  10  thereby displacing the liquid. Once initially squeezed, the pressure applied to the top plate  124  remains uniform without the need to maintain the squeezing force on the handgrip  130  as the ratchet component  132  maintains the pressure. 
         [0021]    The compression element  128  further comprises a ratchet release mechanism  138  for releasing the tension in the ratchet component  132 . The ratchet release mechanism is typically a push button, or spring lever located on the handgrip  130  or the ratchet component  132  for disengaging or releasing the pressure on the ratchet component  132 . Once enough liquid is displaced and discarded, the ratchet release mechanism  138  is triggered, and the pressure between the first head  134  and the second head  136  is released. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , to use the apparatus  100 , the opened can  10  is placed into the cylindrical base container  102 . The plurality of spacers  120  hold the opened can  10  securely within the cylindrical base container  102 . The top plate  124  is placed in the opened can  10  atop the food. The first head  134  of the compression element  128  is placed adjacent to the top plate  124  opposite the first head  134 , and pushes the top plate  124  into the opened can  10  as the ratchet component  132  is engaged. Once a desired amount of liquid is forced out of the opened can  10 , the apparatus  100  is inverted and the liquid is allowed to drain out of the cylindrical base container  102 . Once drained, the ratchet component is disengaged, the opened can  10  is removed from the apparatus  100 , and the tuna may be removed from the opened can  10 . 
         [0023]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0024]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0025]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.