Abstract:
A liquid extraction/discharge device includes an elongate, hollow tube having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal passage therethrough, a flexible and resilient squeeze bulb defining a chamber therein and engaged with the proximal end of the tube for providing communication between the passage and the chamber, and a relatively rigid base mounted on the tube adjacent to the proximal end for engagement with the squeeze bulb to provide a support against which the squeeze bulb may be compressed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application relates broadly to utensils used for extraction and/or discharge of liquids of the type utilizing a tube having a restricted passage opening at one end and a flexible and resilient suction bulb mounted on the other end. The application relates in particular to kitchen utensils of a type commonly known as basters. 
     A conventional baster commonly uses a rubber squeeze bulb which has an open end that removably attaches to an end of a rigid tube, which extends to an opposite, narrow open distal end. With the bulb squeezed or compressed, to reduce the volume of a hollow interior chamber of the bulb, the distal end of the tube is inserted into a liquid reservoir. Upon releasing the bulb, with the distal end of the tube below the surface, liquid in the reservoir is drawn into and maintained within the tube. To discharge the liquid from the distal end of the tube, the bulb is again squeezed to force air in the hollow interior chamber through the tube, causing the liquid to be expelled from the open distal end. 
     Typically, in squeezing the bulb it is grasped in the palm of user&#39;s hands and squeezed by compressing the fingers toward the heel of the thumb. This squeezing action may be difficult or uncomfortable for certain people, such as those suffering from arthritis or the like. Also, this squeezing action has a tendency to cause the tube to swing or pivot relative to the bulb, which may interfere with proper extraction or discharge of the liquid during a basting operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is disclosed in this application a liquid extraction and/or discharge apparatus and method which avoid disadvantages of prior apparatuses and methods while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
     An important aspect is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth which is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use. 
     A further aspect is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth which facilitates exertion of axial forces on the squeeze bulb to minimize swinging of the tube. 
     A still further aspect is the provision of a unique basting method. 
     Certain ones of these and other aspects may be attained by providing: a liquid extraction/discharge device comprising: an elongate hollow tube having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal passage therethrough, a flexible and resilient squeeze bulb defining a chamber therein and engaged with the proximal end of the tube for providing communication between the passage and the chamber, and a relatively rigid base mounted on the tube adjacent to the proximal end for engagement with the squeeze bulb to provide a support against which the squeeze bulb may be compressed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings an embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a baster; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view in partial section of the baster of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the baster of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the baster of FIG. 1 illustrating assembly of the base; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of the squeeze bulb of the baster of FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the squeeze bulb of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the squeeze bulb of FIG. 5, taken general along the line  7 — 7  therein; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of the base of the baster of FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken generally along line  10 — 10  in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating use of the baster of FIGS. 1-4; 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the baster of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the sectioned portion FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a liquid extraction and/or discharge device in the nature of a baster, generally designated by the numeral  10 . The baster  10  includes an elongated, hollow, rigid tube  11  which tapers to a reduced-diameter lower or distal end  12  and has a proximal or upper end  13 . The tube  11  defines a passage  14  extending longitudinally there-through between the ends thereof. The upper proximal of end  13  has a slightly increased diameter portion defining at its lower end an annular shoulder  15 . Formed in the outer surface of the tube  11  a slight distance above the shoulder  15  is a circumferential groove  16 . The tube  11  may be formed of a light-transmitting material, such as a suitable transparent plastic and has formed thereon a plurality of longitudinally-spaced volume-indicating indicia, including metric indicia  17  and English indicia  18  (see FIG.  12 ), respectively disposed on opposite sides of the tube. 
     Referring now also to FIGS. 5-7, the baster  10  includes a squeeze bulb  20  formed of a flexible and resilient material, such as a suitable rubber. In particular, the squeeze bulb  20  may be formed of an elastomeric material of a type sold under the trade name SANTOPRENE. The squeeze bulb  20  has a main body  21  which, as viewed from the top (see FIG. 3) is generally oval in shape, having a flattened upper end which defines a slightly concave top depression  22  having an oval rim or perimeter  23  which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis “X” of the tube  11 . The squeeze bulb  20  has a tapered lower end  24  which terminates in a cylindrical hollow neck  25 . The squeeze bulb  20  has an outer surface  26  which has a recessed or cutaway portion  27  along a lower portion thereof defining a generally saddle-shaped peripheral shoulder  28 . The neck  25  defines a circular opening which communicates with a chamber  29  defined within the squeeze bulb  20 . The neck  25  is dimensioned to receive therein the upper end  13  of the tube  11  (see FIG. 1) in substantially fluid-tight engagement therewith, the squeeze bulb  20  being easily removable from the tube  11  for purposes of cleaning or the like, all in a known manner. 
     Referring now also to FIGS. 8-10 and  13 , the baster  10  includes a base or yoke  30 , which is formed of a suitable, substantially rigid material. In particular, the base  30  is of unitary, one-piece construction and may be molded of a suitable plastic, such as an ABS, although it will be appreciated that other materials could be used. The base  30  has a substantially cylindrical hollow neck  31  having a generally saddle-shaped lower end  32 . The base  30  also has a generally saddle-shaped, hollow upper portion  33  which defines wings  34  extending laterally outwardly and upwardly from opposite sides of the neck  31 . The upper portion  33  defines a recess  35  which communicates with the neck  31  and has formed on its inner surface four sets of parallel stiffening ribs  36 . The upper portion  33  terminates in an upper edge  37 . The neck  31  is slightly thickened adjacent to its lower end to define an annular shoulder  38 , which projects radially inwardly from the inner surface of the neck, as can best be seen in FIG.  10 . Projecting radially inwardly from the neck  31  just above the shoulder  38  is a plurality of circumferentially-spaced beads  39 , which may be  8  in number. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 13, in assembly, after the squeeze bulb  20  has been mounted on the upper end  13  of the tube  11 , the base  30  is slid over the distal end  12  of the tube  11 , to an installed position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, wherein the beads  39  are snap-fitted in the circumferential groove  16  of the tube  11 , with the shoulder  38  of the base  30  bearing against the shoulder  15  of the tube  11  to serve as a stop. The base  30  is rotationally oriented so that, in this use position, the tapered lower end  24  and neck  25  of the squeeze bulb  20  nest within the base or yoke  30 , with the upper edge  37  of the base  30  closely adjacent to the shoulder  28  of the squeeze bulb  20 , so that the outer surface  26  of the squeeze bulb  20  is substantially flush with the outer surface of the base  30 . Thus, the base  30  gives the appearance of being a continuation or extension of the squeeze bulb  20 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, in operation the user grasps the baster  10  by hooking the index and middle fingers of one hand respectively under the wings  34  of the base  30 , with the thumb of that hand seated in the top depression  22  of the squeeze bulb  20 . The squeeze bulb  20  is then depressed downwardly with the thumb in a direction axially of the tube  11 , the tapered lower end  12  of the tube  11  is inserted in the liquid, and the squeeze bulb  20  is released to draw liquid into the tube  11 . The squeeze bulb  20  is again depressed to discharge the liquid from the tube  11 . It will be appreciated that this arrangement provides for an easy and comfortable gripping of the baster  10 . 
     Furthermore, the rigid connection between the tube  11  and the base  30  prevents any swinging or pivotal movement of the tube  11  relative to the base  30 , while the wide seating engagement of the base  30  against the lower portion of the squeeze bulb  20 , together with the axial exertion of force in squeezing the bulb  20 , inhibits any tilting or swinging movement of the base  30  relative to the squeeze bulb  20  in use. The base  30  provides a firm, rigid seat against which the squeeze bulb is compressed during the squeezing operation. In particular, the upper surfaces of the stiffening ribs  36  cooperate to define a seat for the tapered lower end  24  of the squeeze bulb  20 , while the upper edge  37  of the base  30  provides a seat for the shoulder  28  of the squeeze bulb  20 . It will be appreciated that, for cleaning purposes, the base  30  can easily be detached from the tube  11 . 
     While specific materials have been disclosed for the various parts of the baster  30 , it will be appreciated that other materials could be used. Also, while the baster  20  is specifically intended for basting operations, it would be appreciated that the principles employed are useful in other applications involving extraction and/or discharge of liquids. 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While a particular embodiment has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.