Abstract:
Various embodiments of a cooking splatter screen comprising an access hatch are provided. In one embodiment, a splatter screen is provided, the splatter screen comprising: a screen portion; a handle; and an access hatch, wherein the access hatch is operatively connected to the screen portion by a joint. The splatter screen may prevent splattered cooking ingredients from exiting a pan, skillet, or pot, while allowing a chef to selectively access the interior of the pan, skillet, or pot to manipulate food therein or insert additional ingredients.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/876,752, filed on Sep. 11, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When cooking foods, especially using a frying pan, skillet, or pot, splattering greases, oils, and sauces are often a concern. First, splattering of cooking ingredients may pose a burn risk to a chef or other individuals nearby. Second, cooking ingredients splattering from a pan, skillet, or pot may contaminate and even stain counters or walls near the cooking surface, or a chef&#39;s clothing. Third, splattering cooking ingredients may contaminate a floor near the cooking surface causing a potential slip hazard. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a screen to prevent splattered cooking ingredients from exiting a pan, skillet, or pot, while allowing a chef to selectively access the interior of the pan, skillet, or pot to manipulate food therein or insert additional ingredients. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a splatter screen is provided, the splatter screen comprising: a screen portion; a handle; and an access hatch, wherein the access hatch is operatively connected to the screen portion by a joint. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a splatter screen is provided, the splatter screen comprising: a screen portion; an access hatch; and an actuation input, wherein the access hatch is operatively connected to the screen portion by a joint. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a splatter screen is provided, the splatter screen comprising: a screen portion; and an access hatch, wherein the access hatch is pivotally connected to the screen portion by a joint. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example arrangement of a cooking splatter screen in a first orientation. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example arrangement of a cooking splatter screen in a second orientation. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an example arrangement of a cooking splatter screen. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example arrangement of a cooking splatter screen  100  in a first orientation. Splatter screen  100  may comprise a screen portion  102 , at least partially surrounded by an outer screen reinforcing rim  104 . In one embodiment, splatter screen  100  comprises a handle  106 . Splatter screen  100  may comprise an access hatch  108 , which may be at least partially surrounded by a first outer hatch reinforcing rim  110 . 
         [0012]    Screen portion  102  may comprise any material capable of preventing passage of at least some splattered cooking ingredients, such as oil, grease, and sauces. For example, screen portion  102  may be configured to prevent passage of at least some of grease and oil splattered from bacon, grease and oil splattered from fried fish, and sauce splattered from pasta sauces. 
         [0013]    Screen portion  102  may be comprised of any of a variety of structures, including for example a screen or a mesh. Screen portion  102  may be comprised of any of a variety of materials, including for example a metal, an alloy, a polymer, a ceramic, a glass, and a composite. In one embodiment, screen portion  102  comprises a fine mesh screen. Screen portion  102  may be configured to allow a user to at least partially see through screen portion  102  to view the cooking ingredients. In one embodiment, screen portion  102  is configured to allow heat to pass up and away from the cooking ingredients. In another embodiment, screen portion  102  is configured to allow gases such as steam or smoke to pass through screen portion  102 , while preventing at least some of the splattered ingredients from passing through screen portion  102 . 
         [0014]    Screen portion  102  may comprise a substantially annular shape, wherein outer screen reinforcing rim  104  is oriented on the radially outer portion of screen portion  102 . Outer screen reinforcing rim  104  may be attached to screen portion  102 . In one embodiment, outer screen reinforcing rim  104  is configured to provide rigidity to screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, outer screen reinforcing rim  104  is configured to engage at least a portion of a frying pan, skillet, or pot within which the cooking ingredients are being cooked. In one embodiment, outer screen reinforcing rim  104  is substantially circular. In another embodiment, outer screen reinforcing rim  104  is any of a variety of shapes. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, handle  106  is attached to outer screen reinforcing rim  104 . In another embodiment, handle  106  is operatively connected to screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, handle  106  is operatively connected to access hatch  108 . In one embodiment, handle  106  is rigidly attached to at least one of outer screen reinforcing rim  104  and screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, handle  106  is attached to at least one of outer screen reinforcing rim  104  and screen portion  102  such that it may be removed, folded, or rotated relative to screen portion  102 . 
         [0016]    Handle  106  may comprise a gripping portion. In one embodiment, handle  106  comprises an insulating layer insulating the exterior of handle  106  from at least one of outer screen reinforcing rim  104  and screen portion  102 , so as to allow a chef to grasp handle  106  without being burned. 
         [0017]    Access hatch  108  may be configured to prevent at least some of splattered food ingredients from passing through access hatch  108 . Access hatch  108  may be comprised of any of a variety of structures, including for example a solid sheet of material, a screen, or a mesh. Access hatch  108  may be comprised of any of a variety of materials, including for example a metal, an alloy, a polymer, a ceramic, a glass, and a composite. 
         [0018]    Access hatch  108  may be attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In one embodiment, access hatch  108  is pivotally attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In another embodiment, access hatch  108  is slidably attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In another embodiment, access hatch  108  is rotatably attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In another embodiment, access hatch  108  is removably attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In another embodiment, access hatch  108  is attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106  through any known means for mechanically attaching two objects. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, access hatch  108  comprises a first outer hatch reinforcing rim  110 . In one embodiment, first outer hatch reinforcing rim  110  is attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106  through any of the variety of orientations by which access hatch  108  may be attached to at least one of screen portion  102 , outer screen reinforcing rim  104 , and handle  106 . In one embodiment, first outer hatch reinforcing rim  110  may be configured to provide rigidity to access hatch  108 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , access hatch  108  may be oriented in a first position (i.e., a closed position) wherein access hatch  108  extends substantially parallel with screen portion  102 . In one embodiment, screen portion  102  comprises a substantially annular shape with a center opening, and access hatch  108  may substantially close the center opening when access hatch  108  is oriented in its first position. In one embodiment, access hatch  108  in its first position, and screen portion  102 , create a substantially continuous layer configured to prevent splatter of at least some ingredients during cooking. In one embodiment, access hatch  108  is configured such that it cannot extend completely through a center opening in screen portion  102 , and may only lay against screen portion  102 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, splatter screen  100  comprises a joint  112 . Joint  112  may be operatively connected to screen portion  102  and access hatch  108 , such that joint  112  allows access hatch  108  to actuate relative to screen portion  102 . In one embodiment, joint  112  is a pivot. In another embodiment, joint  112  is a slide. In another embodiment, joint  112  is a swivel. In one embodiment, joint  112  is attached to outer screen reinforcing rim  104 . In another embodiment, joint  112  is attached to handle  106 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, joint  112  is directly connected to access hatch  108 . In another embodiment, joint  112  is connected to access hatch  108  via at least one arm  114 . At least one arm may comprise an elongated member extending from joint  112  to access hatch  108  and configured to cause access hatch  108  to lift away from screen portion  102  to permit access to a center opening in screen portion  102 . At least one arm  114  may comprise a substantially rigid member comprising a rod, bar, linkage, or the like. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, splatter screen  100  comprises an actuation input  116 . Actuation input  116  may be operatively connected to at least one of joint  112 , handle  106 , access hatch  108  and at least one arm  114 . In one embodiment, actuation input  116  is connected to at least one arm  114  and joint  112 , such that actuation of actuation input  116  causes at least one arm  114  to actuate, and as such causes access hatch  108  to move away from an opening in screen portion  102 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, actuation input  116  is a lever, and comprises a latch portion wherein actuation input  116  can be selectively switched in a downward position, such that access hatch  108  is selectively locked in a second position raised off screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, actuation input  116  comprises a latch portion wherein actuation input  116  can be selectively switched in an upward position, such that access hatch  108  is selectively locked in a first position lowered onto screen portion  102 . In one embodiment, actuation input  116  is configured to be selectively locked in both an upward position and a downward position. In one embodiment, actuation input  116  comprises a latch portion that selectively slides and engages handle  106  to keep actuation input  116  in a desired position. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, at least one of actuation input  116  and joint  112  comprises a biasing spring (not shown) configured to bias access hatch  108  in at least one of a first position (i.e., a closed position) and a second position (i.e., an open position). 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, actuation input  116  is at least one or more of a lever, a button, a slide, or the like, any of which may be configured to cause actuation of access hatch  108 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example arrangement of cooking splatter screen  100  in a second orientation. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , access hatch  108  may be oriented in a second position (i.e., an open position) wherein access hatch  108  extends upwardly away from screen portion  102 . 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, access hatch  108  permits a chef to access and manipulate the cooking ingredients when in its second position. In another embodiment, access hatch  108  permits a chef to insert additional ingredients when in its second position. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, screen portion  102  comprises a center opening  117 . Center opening  117  may be a substantially round opening. In one embodiment, center opening  117  comprises any of a variety of shapes. In another embodiment, center opening  117  comprises the same general shape as outer screen reinforcing rim  104 . In one embodiment, center opening  117  is oriented at or near the center of screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, center opening  117  is oriented at or near an edge of screen portion  102 . In one embodiment, screen portion  102  comprises a plurality of openings (not shown), wherein the plurality of openings may be selectively opened all at once, or individually. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, joint  112  is a slide, and access hatch  108  is configured to slide away from a center opening  117  to a second position. In another embodiment, joint  112  is a swivel, and access hatch  108  is configured to rotate away from center opening  117  to a second position. 
         [0031]    Screen portion  102  may comprise an inner screen reinforcing rim  118 . In one embodiment, inner screen reinforcing rim  118  is configured to provide rigidity to screen portion  102 . In another embodiment, inner screen reinforcing rim  118  is configured to contact at least a portion of access hatch  108 . In another embodiment, inner screen reinforcing rim  118  is configured to contact outer hatch reinforcing rim  110 . In another embodiment, inner screen reinforcing rim  118  is configured to substantially seal against at least a portion of access hatch  108 , including for example outer hatch reinforcing rim  110 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an example arrangement of a cooking splatter screen  300 . Splatter screen  300  may comprise a screen portion  302 , an outer screen reinforcing rim  304 , a handle  306 , an access hatch  308 , an outer hatch reinforcing rim  310 , joint  312 , at least one arm  314 , an actuation input  316 , an upper inner screen reinforcing rim  318 , a lower inner screen reinforcing rim  320 , an inner screen gasket  322 , a handle reinforcement  324 , an upper handle grip portion  326 , a lower handle grip portion  328 , and a biasing spring  330 . 
         [0033]    To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to take into consideration the degree of precision available or prudent in manufacturing. To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term “operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11. 
         [0034]    As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.