Dispensing – Resilient wall – Fluid pressure generating pump or pulsator and/or removable...
Utility Patent
2000-02-24
2001-01-02
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Resilient wall
Fluid pressure generating pump or pulsator and/or removable...
C222S069000
Utility Patent
active
06168051
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the field of safe, portable, liquid transfer systems, such as may be used in a kitchen to extract hot grease or basting fluids for cooking purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable and convenient mechanism to be used in one's kitchen to safely transfer hot viscous fluids, such as for extracting basting juices, then dispensing the juices onto the meat or fowl. One common device that may be found in a kitchen is a syringe type device that can be used to extract basting juices for subsequent dispensing onto the food product. With such a device, the hot basting juices necessarily come into contact with the syringe bladder, which over time, can cause deterioration and eventual failure of the bladder material. Additionally, the interior of the bladder is difficult to clean and sanitize for later uses.
When one desires to cook a quantity of bacon, it is well known that considerable grease will be generated in the process. If the grease can be periodically extracted, there is better control on the cooking process. Typically, one has to try and drain the grease from the skillet, preferably by spooning excess grease into a receptable. This can be dangerous, or at the least a messy procedure.
The prior art, as reflected in the following U.S. patents, recognize the need for a safe transfer system, but fall short in providing the convenience and portability of the present invention. The prior art is as follows:
a.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,196, to Burton, teaches a device to provide an upgraded container for reuseable cooking grease. The product comprises components constructed of heat resistance material to effectively store, refrigerate and reheat cooking oil without deforming shape or dimension. There is a flip latch used to scoop grease drippings back into the container and to cover the pouring holes. Beneath the holes is a drip catcher used to catch dripping grease after pouring. An indicator shows the level of contents at all times. At the top rim of the container is a strainer secured in place to prevent anything other than grease from flowing back in the container.
b.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,906, to Hemphill, is directed to a cooking grease disposal bag formed with a multiply construction and has an internal layer of a heavy gage deformable aluminum foil, an intermediate layer formed by a puncture resistant polyethylene sheet, and an outer layer formed by an insulating paper material. First and second fold lines are designated by indicia on an external front wall of the bag. A permanent adhesive strip covered by a peel off layer is disposed across a top edge of the front wall and a pair of tacky adhesive strips each having exposed tacky adhesive surfaces have a first end secured adjacent a first fold line and a second free end. The tacky adhesive strips may be utilized to temporarily seal the bag, while the permanent adhesive strip may be utilized to permanently seal the bag for disposal.
c.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,339, to Graves, et al., relates to a cooking grease collection pot which includes inner and outer cylindrical containers. The inner container is made of a heat resistant plastic material and it includes an overlapping portion on which the lid is screwed so that the outer periphery of the lid can be grasped by hand in order to lift and remove the inner container. The inner container includes a screw-on lid and it is provided with a notch in its base for receiving a wedge that projects upwardly from the base of the outer container. The engagement between the notch and wedge prevents relative rotation of the containers to permit the lid for the inner container to be screwed on and off. The inner container may be removed for disposal and includes a strainer.
d.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,912, to Nichols, teaches a container consisting of a rigid outer tank having a collapsible bag liner for retaining viscous substances, such as grease. A vane shape spacer assembly is disposed inside the bar and secured to the open upper end of the bag to provide a skeletal structure about which the bag can collapse as the grease is being removed to thereby insure more complete evacuation of a filled tank than has heretofore been possible .
While the above prior art offer some solutions for the handling of hot viscous liquid, such as grease, none appear to provide a convenient and portable kitchen appliance to handle hot grease and other hot fluids that are a part of modern day cooking. The manner by which the present invention provides the convenience and portability that is so necessary to cooking will become more apparent from the following specification, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a kitchen appliance for conveniently and safely transferring hot fluids, such as basting juices or viscous grease, from one location to another. The appliance, or fluid transfer mechanism, comprises a base having a central recess for removably receiving a collapsible foil bag for the easy and safe removal of unwanted fluid substances, such as grease. The base mounts a pivotal cover housing having a depressible handle mechanism and an extendible transfer spout which, when the housing is closed or pivoted position, is in fluid communication with the properly positioned foil bag. Mounted internally within the cover housing are a first member sized to overlie in fluid sealing engagement with the foil bag, and an encircling compression spring member about a depressible bladder or bellows member. The depressible handle mechanism includes a pivotal hand gripping member, a biasing spring to return the gripping member to an extended position, and a vertically slidable L-shaped member to effect compression of the bellows member. The first member, overriding the foil bag, includes a central opening in communication with the bellows member. However, to avoid excess fluid entering the bellows member through the central opening, a pivotal, floating valve is provided on the underside of the first member with a pivoting arm extending downward into the foil bag. As the fluid rises to a maximum level, the valve includes a movable pivot arm having a stop that closes the central opening. In operation, to transfer fluid from the foil bag, the hand gripping member is squeezed or depressed causing the compression spring and bellows member to depress forcing air within the bellows member to exit through the central opening. The evacuated air forces the fluid through the spout or nozzle to the location desired. To extract grease from a skillet, for example, the opposite procedure is followed. That is, the hand gripping member is fully depressed and, with the nozzle or spout fully extended, the spout opening is placed into the grease. As the hand gripping member is slowly released, the bellows member expands towards it normal or resiled condition to thereby draw the grease into the spout or nozzle and thence into the foil bag. If one desires to dispose of the grease, the cover is opened and the collapsible bag removed and folded upon itself for a safe disposal.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a convenient kitchen appliance for safely transferring hot fluids, such as grease and basting juices, from one location to another.
Another object hereof is the provision of a removable and collapsible foil bag for conveniently disposing of unwanted fluid substances.
A further object of the invention is the provision of the use of an evacuatable bladder member that provides the operating pressure to effect transfer of the fluid.
These and other objects will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4044912 (1977-08-01), Nichols
patent: 4555339 (1985-11-01), Graves et al.
patent: 4930906 (1990-06-01), Hemphill
patent: 5322196 (1994-06-01), Burton
Bui Thach H.
Derakshani Philippe
Noll William B.
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