Abstract:
A device, skimmer or utensil for removing unwanted fat, impurities or foam from excess starch accumulated on the surface of soups, stocks, sauces, stews, or boiling pasta; wherein the skimmer is slowly inserted into the cooked liquid and by gently rotating its handle back and forth and gradually dipping the plate into the liquid, the fat, grease, or unwanted foam is spilled onto its holding plate; thus, removing from the cooked food unhealthy fat and/or other unwanted impurities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    N/A 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a fat removal device, which quickly and simply, removes fat or grease accumulated on the surface of soups, stocks, sauces or stews without having to cool the mixture or remove it from its pot. 
         [0005]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0006]    It is well known that fats are part of our daily food. However, even when fats are used for several things, including but not limited to soap, this component is avoided for several reasons. For example, diets high in fat are linked to serious health problems and weight gain. Humanity is now indulged in a constant battle to limit fat consumption. Low calorie, low fat, or fat free foods are being marketed all around the planet for people who are fighting the battle with obesity. People are becoming more and more aware of the foods they consume. However, when meat, seafood, or poultry are one of the components of the foods that are being prepared, fat-free cooking is almost impossible. On the other hand, fat-free dishes can be tasteless and insipid. 
         [0007]    As mentioned before fat is a natural component of the food such as meat, poultry, and other components that we use to cook soups, stews, sauces, etc. While cooking your food, these natural fats are released into your mixture. People use several methods to avoid consumption of this fat, which include using spoons to remove the layer of grease a bit at a time, or using an absorbent material such as bread, lettuce or even paper to slowly absorb the grease and remove it from the soup. Another method used to remove grease accumulated on the surface of a broth or soup is to cool the soup in the refrigerator overnight, which hardens the fat and then to scoop it up as a solid. 
         [0008]    Therefore there is a need of a grease and/or fat remover capable of easily removing or controlling the amount of unwanted grease and/or fats from food such as meat, poultry, and other components that we use to cook soups, stews, sauces, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In light of the above shortcomings of the methods available to remove grease from soup, the present invention discloses a grease remover which removes layers of grease and/or fat in one quick and simple step by providing an easy to assemble device comprising a metal rod serving as a handle and a base plate, wherein said base plate is fixed to said rod by fixing means, such as a screw, wherein said fixing means are located between said base plate and said rod. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and storage purposes. 
         [0011]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a simple device and method for removing grease, fat or any other substance or fluid from a fluid inside a container. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that removes the grease and/or fats, wherein said device is placed inside a pot for skimming a layer of grease, fat or any fluid or substance on top of another liquid. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device comprising of a rod attached to a plate which is tilted upwards at an angle. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device comprising a structure that makes it easy to dispose of the removed grease or fat located at the base plate. 
         [0015]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that controls the amount of fat or grease removed from a container. 
         [0016]    To enable a better understanding of the objectives and features of the present invention, a brief description of the drawing below will be followed with a detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the structure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the structure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded drawing of the structure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a detail of the screw welded to the end of the plate and how it joins with the pipe or rod of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the first preferred embodiment completely assembled. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the structure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the structure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention from a different angle. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the structure of the pot size of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the structure of the pot size of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exploded drawing of the structure of the pot size second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a view of the small cone detail. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a view of the aluminum cross bar detail. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the structure of the pot size second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the another preferred embodiment 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the first embodiment of the grease remover with dispenser. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a front view of the handle of the first embodiment of the grease remover with dispenser. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the collecting plate. 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the collecting plate. 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the sealing plate. 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the push rod. 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is a side view of the spring. 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a front view of the second embodiment of the grease remover with dispenser. 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a front view of the handle of the second embodiment of the grease remover with dispenser. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 24   a - b  are detailed views of the twist rod and knob for the second embodiment of the grease remover with dispenser. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Universal Grease Remover 
       [0041]    The present invention discloses several preferred embodiments wherein each embodiment can be made of different materials, wherein the material selection depends on where the grease remover is operated, employed or used. For example, the material used includes but is not limit to heat resistant plastic, aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The devices are outfitted with a material that assists the handling of the device, such as rubber, located at handle H for an easy grip. 
         [0042]    The first preferred embodiment I of the grease removal tool, as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , is described and constructed as follows: 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  the grease skimmer comprises a round sheet or plate  3 , a rod  2  and a handle H made from any of the materials mentioned before. The plate  3  can vary in diameter, however the selected diameter have to assist the device to keep a straight up position when the plate is located over flat surface. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a fixing mean, such as a screw  7  is welded  3   c  to the center of the plate  3   a  in order to fix said plate  3  to said rod  2 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a radius from screw  7  is left as a flat surface  3   a . From the edge  3   b  of that circumference, the plate will be tilted upwards at an angle, with the edges  3   b  of the plate ending up 1″ higher than the center  3   a . It is important to understand that the 1 inch height is preferred to remain constant independently of the diameter of the plate  3 . 
         [0046]    The pipe or rod  2 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is fitted with a female internal thread R at center of tapping at bottom  2   a  of the pipe  2 . This will then be screwed onto the screw  7  on the plate  3 . Finally, a rubber heat insulator H with slip proof cup will be fitted onto the top of the pipe or rod  2  to act as a grip and to protect the user from the heat. 
         [0047]    The device I will then serve as a simple, but useful tool for the quick and easy removal of grease, fat or oil sitting on top of another liquid, be it soup, sauce, stews, ground meat, etc. It will achieve this by following an easy two step process described below: 
         [0048]    While firmly gripping the handle H, you place the base of the holding plate  3  on the surface of the liquid. Then the user begins to turn the handle H back and forth and slowly dips the strainer into the liquid until the fat accumulated on the surface begins to spill onto the plate. As the user continues to gradually submerge the strainer into the liquid, all the excess fat or grease collected on the surface will finish spilling onto the plate. At this point, the base liquid, be it soup, broth, sauce, etc. will begin to spill onto the plate. When this happens, slowly lift up the device and dispose of the fat and grease collected in the plate. The process can be repeated as necessary. 
         [0049]    Pot Size Specific Grease Remover 
         [0050]    The second preferred embodiment II of the grease removal tool, as shown in  FIGS. 8-14 , is described and constructed as follows: 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the grease skimmer H comprises a round sheet or plate  4 , a rod  2 , a cone  5  and a handle H made from any of the materials mentioned. The plate  4  can vary in diameter; however the diameter is limited by the pot diameter wherein said second embodiment is fitted inside said pot. A hole  4   b  is cut into the center of the plate  4 . 
         [0052]    As opposed to the first preferred embodiment removal tool, in second embodiment of the present invention, the plate  4  angles downwards with the edges ending up lower than the center of the plate. A thin sheet is welded around the circumference of the plate  4 , creating a container for the impurities to be removed. The two ends of the sheet are joined together by rivets. 
         [0053]    An aluminum cross bar  6 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , is placed inside the holding plate  4  and riveted  6   a  to the topmost edge of the sheet welded to the bottom plate. A hole is drilled into the center of the cross bar  6 . A small cone  5 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , with a screw  7  welded to it is threaded through the hole in the crossbar  6  and screwed into a pipe  2  fitted with a female internal thread R at center of tapping  5 . 
         [0054]    This version of the grease remover uses pressure and fluid displacement principles to accomplish its purpose. It is designed to be used with specific size pots, so the edge of the tool or device and the edge of the pot are designed to be as close to each other as possible. As you lower the tool into the pot, the unwanted grease will accumulate in the center of the plate and will begin to spill into the holding container by the hole cut into the center of the plate. 
         [0055]    Grease Remover with Dispenser 
         [0056]    The third preferred embodiment 11 of the grease removal tool, as shown in  FIGS. 15-24   b , is described and constructed as follows: 
         [0057]    The third preferred embodiment 11 of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 15 , disclose a grease skimmer  11  comprising a handle  12 , a collecting plate  13 , a sealing plate  14 , a push rod  15  and an insulator  10 . 
         [0058]    The handle  12  comprises a long cylinder attached to the center of the collecting plate  13 . The collecting plate  13  comprises a dish-like structure with holes perforated at the bottom. The push rod  15  comprises a second long cylinder which will be inserted into the first long cylinder comprised by the handle  12 . The push rod  15  is attached to the sealing plate  14 , which comprises a flat circular surface that covers the holes at the bottom of the collecting plate  13 . The entire assembly is held together by a spring. 
         [0059]      FIG. 16  shows the handle  12  separated from the assembly. The handle  12  comprises a hollow cylinder with two distinct ends. One end comprises a threaded outer surface  16 , while the other opposite end comprises a reduced inner diameter  17 . 
         [0060]    The collecting plate  13  is shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , wherein said collecting plate  13  comprises a flat, circular surface  18  with circular holes  19 , an angled circular surface  110 , and a cylinder  111  with a threaded inner surface  112 . The flat circular surface  18  is attached concentrically to the angled circular surface  110  forming a bowl. The threaded cylinder  111  is attached concentrically to the flat circular surface  18  on the same side as the direction of the angled circular surface  110 . That is, the threaded cylinder  111  is attached to the inner surface of the collecting plate  13 . There is a hole  101  in the center of the flat surface  18 , with a diameter greater than the diameter of the push rod  15  but less than the diameter of the inner thread  112 . 
         [0061]    The diameter and pitch of the threaded outer surface  16  of the handle  12  must be the same as the diameter and pitch of the threaded inner surface  112  of the cylinder  111  on the collecting plate  13 , applying the appropriate tolerances for outer and inner threads. The handle  12  outer surface threads  16  and said collecting plate  13  inner surface threads  112  must fit together as male and female parts, respectively. 
         [0062]    The holes  19  in the flat circular surface  18  are evenly distributed along the surface. The diameter of the holes  19  allow easy disposal of viscous fluids such as oil and grease. 
         [0063]    The parts of the collecting plate  13  can be manufactured independently and fastened by welding, gluing or other methods. The holes  19  can be drilled or punched. The entire part can also be cast or molded as a single piece. 
         [0064]      FIG. 19  shows the sealing plate  14 , wherein said sealing plate comprises a flat circular surface  113  a threaded bolt  114 , and a sealing pad  115 . The threaded bolt  114  will be attached to the center of the sealing plate  14 . The remaining surface of the sealing plate  14  not occupied by the threaded bolt  114  is covered with the sealing pad  115 . The sealing pad  115  comprises a rubber or similar surface. The diameter of the sealing plate  14  must be equal to the diameter of the flat circular surface  18  of the collecting plate  13 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 20  shows the push rod  15 , wherein said push rod  15  comprises a long cylinder  116  with a hollow end  117  with an inner thread  118  and a stopper  119 . The stopper  119  comprises a thin cylindrical disk with a radius greater than the radius of the push rod  15  but less than the inner diameter of the handle  12 . The length of the push rod  15  must be longer than the length of the handle  12 . The diameter of the push rod  15  must be smaller than the diameter of the reduced inner diameter  17  of the end of the handle  12 . 
         [0066]    The diameter and pitch of the threaded outer surface of the bolt  114  of the sealing plate  14  must be the same as the diameter and pitch of the inner thread  118  of the push rod  15 , applying the appropriate tolerances for outer and inner threads. The threaded outer surface of the bolt  114  and of the inner thread  118  of the push rod  15  must fit together as male and female parts, respectively. 
         [0067]      FIG. 21  shows the spring  120 . The spring  120  comprises a compression spring with a resistant force great enough to hold the parts into position and yet allow movement when a manual force is applied. The free length of the spring must be equal to or greater than the distance from the stopper  119  to the threaded end of the push rod  15 . The compressed length of the spring  120  must be at least one inch less than the distance from the stopper  119  to the threaded end of the push rod  15 . The inner diameter of the spring  120  must be greater than the outer diameter of the push rod  15 . The outer diameter of the spring  120  must be less than the inner diameter of the handle  12 . 
         [0068]    The insulator  10  will comprise a hollow cylinder made from a material with low heat conductivity, such as plastic or rubber that will cover the exterior of the handle  12 . 
         [0069]    The parts will be assembled in the following order: 
         [0070]    1. The push rod  15  is inserted into the inner diameter of the handle  12 . The threaded end  118  of the push rod  15  is aligned with the threaded end  16  of the handle  12  by means of a hole  101  of the collecting plate  13 . The other end of the push rod  15  is slide within the reduced inner diameter  17  of the handle  12 . 
         [0071]    2. The spring  120  is inserted into the space between the inner diameter of the handle  12  and the outer diameter of the push rod  15 , coming into contact with the stopper  119 . 
         [0072]    3. The handle  12  is screwed onto the collecting plate  13  by means of the threaded inner surface  112  and threaded end  16 . The spring  120  applies a force between the inner surface of the flat circular surface  18  within the cylinder  111  of the collecting plate and the stopper  119  of the push rod  15 . The compressive force will push the stopper  119  towards the back end of the device  11 , away from the collecting plate  13 . 
         [0073]    4. The threaded hollow end  118  of the push rod  15  is screwed onto the threaded bolt  114  of the sealing plate  14 . To achieve this, the push rod  15  must be pushed forward by applying a force at the other end. The push rod  15  will slide through the hole  101  of the flat surface  18  of the collecting plate  13 . When the push rod  15  is released, the spring  120  maintains the sealing plate  14  firmly in place adjacent to the collecting plate  13  by exerting a force on the stopper  119 . The holes  19  of the collecting plate  13  are covered by the sealing plate  14 . The sealing pad  115  ensures that the bowl created by the collecting plate  13  and the sealing plate  14  is watertight. 
         [0074]    When assembled, the device serves as a simple, but useful tool for the quick and easy removal of grease, fat or oil sitting on top of another liquid, be it soup, sauce, stews, pastas, etc. 
         [0075]    To use the device, the base of the collecting plate is placed above the surface of the liquid, with the sealing plate  14  parallel to said surface. Then the device  11  is pushed into the surface of the liquid slowly and with a slight back and forth rotation about the longitudinal axis of the device  11 . Due to the device structure and mentioned motion the fat accumulated on the surface of the liquid begins to spill into the collecting plate  13 . As the user continues to gradually submerge the device  11  into the pot&#39;s liquid, all the excesses of fat and/or grease located at the surface spills into the collecting plate  13 . The fat, due to its density, is usually found on the uppermost layer of the pot. Therefore, the spilling of liquids that are not wanted to be removed into the collecting plate  13  is an indication that a small amount or non-unwanted liquids remain in the pot. At this point, the device  11  can be removed from the liquid by lifting vertically. 
         [0076]    To dispose of the unwanted liquid, such as fat or grease, the sealing plate  14  must be separated from the collecting plate  13  because the holes  19  for draining the unwanted liquid are covered by said sealing plate  14 . To separate the sealing plate  14  from the collecting plate  13 , the end of the push rod  15  must be pushed into the handle  12 . The sealing plate  14 , rigidly fastened to the push rod  15 , will separate from the collecting plate  13 . 
         [0077]    The process is repeated, if necessary. Further when necessary the device is disassembled for easy cleaning. 
         [0078]    The fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 22 . The grease skimmer  21  comprises a handle  22 , a collecting plate  13 , a sealing plate  14 , a twist rod  25  and an insulator  20 . 
         [0079]    The handle  22  comprises a long cylinder which is attached to the center of the collecting plate  13 . The collecting plate  13  comprises a dish-like structure with holes perforated at the bottom. The twist rod  25  comprises a second long cylinder which will be inserted into the first long cylinder comprised by the handle  22 . The twist rod  25  is attached to the sealing plate  14 , which comprises a flat circular surface that will cover the holes at the bottom of the collecting plate  13 . The entire assembly is held together by threads located on the inner surface of the handle  22  and the outer surface of the twist rod  25 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 23  shows the handle  22  separated from the assembly. The handle  22  comprises a hollow cylinder with two distinct ends. One end comprises a threaded outer surface  26  and a threaded inner surface  221 . The opposite end comprises a reduced inner diameter  27 . 
         [0081]    The embodiment of the invention here described comprises the collecting plate  13  and sealing plate  14  as used in the previous embodiments, assembled in the same manner. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 24   a - 24   b  show the twist rod  25 . The twist rod  25  comprises a long cylinder  222  with a threaded outer surface  223 , two hollow ends  224 ,  225  with inner threads  226 ,  227  and a knob  229  with a threaded bolt  230 . The length of the push rod  25  must be longer than the length of the handle  22 . The diameter of the push rod  25  must be smaller than the diameter of the reduced inner diameter  27  of the end of the handle  22 . 
         [0083]    The diameter and pitch of the threaded outer surface  223  of the twist rod  25  must be the same as the diameter and pitch of the inner thread  221  of the handle  22 , applying the appropriate tolerances for outer and inner threads. The inner thread  221  of the handle  22  and the threaded outer surface  223  of the twist rod  25  must fit together as male and female parts, respectively. The pitch of the inner thread  221  of the handle  22  and the threaded outer surface  223  of the twist rod  25  must be designed such that a few turns of the twist rod  25  within the handle  22  are needed to obtain a significant linear motion of the twist rod  25 . 
         [0084]    The diameter and pitch of the threaded bolt  230  of the knob  229  must be the same as the diameter and pitch of the threaded inner surface  226  of the cylinder  222  on the twist rod  25 , applying the appropriate tolerances for outer and inner threads. The threaded bolt  230  of the knob  229  and the threaded inner surface  226  of the cylinder  222  must fit together as male and female parts, respectively. 
         [0085]    The diameter and pitch of the threaded outer surface of the bolt  114  of the sealing plate  14  must be the same as the diameter and pitch of the inner thread  227  of the push rod  25 , applying the appropriate tolerances for outer and inner threads. The two threads  114 ,  227  must fit together as male and female parts, respectively. 
         [0086]    The insulator  10  will comprise a hollow cylinder made from a material with low heat conductivity, such as plastic or rubber that will cover the exterior of the handle  22  and the knob  229 . 
         [0087]    The parts will be assembled in the following order: 
         [0088]    1. The cylinder  222  of the twist rod  25  will be screwed into the inner diameter of the handle  22 . The threaded end  225  of the push rod  25  will be aligned with the threaded end  26  of the handle  22 . 
         [0089]    2. The bolt  230  of the knob  229  will be screwed into the hollow end  224  of the cylinder  222 . 
         [0090]    3. The handle  22  will be screwed onto the collecting plate  13 . 
         [0091]    4. The threaded hollow end  225  of the push rod  25  will be screwed onto the threaded bolt  114  of the sealing plate  14 . To achieve this, the twist rod  25  must be twisted clockwise with respect to the handle  22 . The twist rod  25  will slide through the hole  101  of the flat surface  18  of the collecting plate  13 . When the twist rod  25  is twisted counter-clockwise, the holes  19  of the collecting plate  13  will be covered by the sealing plate  14 . The sealing pad  115  will ensure that the bowl created by the collecting plate  13  and the sealing plate  14  is watertight. 
         [0092]    When assembled, the device will then serve as a simple, but useful tool for the quick and easy removal of grease, fat or oil sitting on top of another liquid, be it soup, sauce, stews, pastas, etc. 
         [0093]    The device is used in the same manner as the previous embodiments. To dispose of the unwanted liquids, the sealing plate  14  must be separated from the collecting plate  13 . The liquid will drain through the holes  19 . To separate the sealing plate  14  from the collecting plate  13 , the end of the twist rod  25  must be rotated in a clockwise direction. The threads  221 ,  223  will incite a linear motion of the twist rod  25  into the handle  22 . The sealing plate  14 , rigidly fastened to the push rod  25 , will separate from the collecting plate  13 . 
         [0094]    The process can be repeated, if necessary. The device can be disassembled for easy cleaning. 
         [0095]    In summary of the previous sections, the invention presented here is structurally innovative, presents advantages not available at the moment with existing culinary utensils, complies with all new patent application requirements and is hereby lawfully submitted to the patent bureau for review and the granting of the commensurate patent rights. 
         [0096]    While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
         [0097]    All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.