COOKING SYSTEM WITH PIVOTING COLANDER

MEMBER

COOKING SYSTEM WITH PIVOTING COLANDER

MEMBER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application references, and claims priority to US Prov. App. Ser. No. 60/845,599 filed September 19, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also references, and claims priority to US Design App. Ser. No. 29/280,348 filed May 24, 2007 and Taiwanese Design App. Ser. No. 200730147525.9 filed May 28, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cooking pot having an integrated and removable strainer or colander member. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cooking system involving pot member retaining a lockably pivoting and removable colander member.

2. Description of the Related Art

The related art involves a number of cooking system arrangements for integrating a strainer or colander (used throughout interchangeably) with a pot for boiling or steaming food products.

As will be seen in US Prov. 2005/0279,698 to Klienman an integrated cooker-strainer is provided in almost a form of double-boiler arrangement, wherein an outer pot contains water for boiling, and an inner pot having colander holes is retained within the outer pot. In this reference, the inner diameter of the outer pot and the outer diameter of the inner pot are substantially matched so that extending engagement lips projecting from the inner pot rest on the top lip of the outer pot and allow space for the water to boil and cook the food.

The engagement between inner and outer side walls is positioned to turned-down lip of the outer pot to operate as a pour spout. The handles mesh together and are gripped by a user who uses the handles to manipulate the integrated assembly. Unfortunately, this concept limits substantial user- convenience and prevents the user from removing the boiling water from the outer pot without also tilting the inner colander or removing the colander allowing the water to drip back into the outer pot. A related arrangement is seen in US Pat. 6,546,849 to Shimazaki wherein an inner colander or steamer is shaped to allow an interference fit between the outer diameter side wall of the colander and the inner side wall of an outer pot. Particular interfering profiles on the outer edge perimeter of the colander allow the colander to be used in a receiving position (for holding food) or in an inverted position (as a lid or cap) to the outer pot.

Similar interfering strainer-outer pot relations are also known in the sporting arts as live-bait bucket liners allowing a user to maintain live bait fish within what is a larger strainer suspended in a bucket or pail filled with water. During use, the fisherman lifts the inner strainer from the bucket or pail, straining the water allowing easy capture of the bait fish for use.

A range of vessel-strainer or lid-strainer arrangements are also recognized.

In US Pat. No. 4,626,352 to Massey, a pot lid has an unusually shaped depending straining skirt portion having a terminal edge wall profile engageable with the outer pot shape itself. A protruding lip of the pot lid engages a receiving ridge profile projecting from the top edge of the outer pot shape itself and allows the pot lid to sit at an angle to the top plane of the outer pot shape. During co- rotation, there is an interference engagement with the outer pot side wall so that the lid and pot side wall are jammed together and held in place during rotation only - in a partially open position - so that the assembly together (outer pot and lid) are tilted for straining. This design operates without a removable colander or strainer.

Also recognized in US 2,674,180 to Ekman is an arrangement for tilting boiling pans from a steam environment. In Ekman, an industrial steaming arrangement is made for steaming food in a plurality of slidably inserteable trays. An inner pivoting tray support is positioned within the outer pivotable steaming vessel supported by a pivoting support stand. The pivoting stand is intended to be fixed to a work surface and a bottom portion of the outer pivotable steaming vessel receives steam in a steam chamber.

During operation of the Ekman boiling pan arrangement, the steaming vessel is pivoting about the support stand hinge and lifted away from the work surface. The inner pivoting tray is supported on opposing journal hinge members to allow rotation relative to the outer vessel during the lifting motion. When the outer vessel is tilted side portions of the tray support are exposed allowing sliding access to the slidably insertable food trays so that they may loaded and unloaded. Unfortunately, due to the differing weights common between the insertable food trays (for example one tray may hold peas another carrots or may be differently shaped) the tray support is often unbalanced and risks the spilling of the food

treys and the food itself. As a consequence, during the loading and unloading process for these food trays, is it is possible to secure the pivoting tray support to steaming vessel itself until the trey support is balanced.

Unfortunately, what is not appreciated by the prior art is the need for a convenient arrangement having a tilting and removable inner colander for use with a hand held boiling vessel so that the entire assembly may be conveniently removed from a stove top position, transferred to a drain sink, and rotated to completely strain the food and water at the same time in a controllable manner.

What is also not appreciated is the need for a strainer or colander that is fixable to an outer pot member and so firmly engages the outer pot that a user may lift the strainer or colander and also lift the pot as the same time.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cooking system having an inner colander member and an adaptive use.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cooking pot system responding to at least one of the needs noted above.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an integrated cooking pot and removable strainer or colander member having a removable handle.

Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of a cooking system, wherein a cooking colander may be used following cooking to suspend cooked food within the original cooking pot off the cooking surface thereby preventing continued cooking of the food and burning. The present invention relates to a cooking system having an outer cooking pot member having outer side walls. An inner pivoting member pivotally and

removably engages hinge members on the inner surface of the cooking pot side walls and is suspended therebetween. A lid allows for retention of temperature and steam, hi one aspect of the present embodiment a set of journals project from the suspended inner pivoting member and engage slidable axel members projecting from the inner side walls of the outer pot member. A locking pin enables a user to fix the pivoting inner colander member relative to the outer pot member via the shaped journal support. An alternative embodiment provides a sliding channel arrayed about the curved outer surface of the inner colander shaped to engage opposing pivoting axel members on the inner walls of the outer pot.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, comprising: an outer cooking pot member having an upper pot rim topping extending pot side walls and defining an inner region within for bounding an inner colander member during an assembly therewith, the inner colander member comprising curved colander side walls and a top colander rim member opposite a bottom portion, first and second opposing pivot means for pivotally engaging and suspending the inner colander member within the extending pot side walls of the cooking pot member during a use, the first and second opposing pivot means, further comprising: axel members projecting coaxially from opposing inner portions of the pot side walls proximate the upper pot rim, and means for releasably and rotatably engaging respective the axel members, and the means for releasably and rotatably engaging projecting from outer portions of the colander side walls proximate respective the coaxial axel members, wherein the means for releasably and rotatably engaging enabling a pivoting about the respective axel members during the use following the assembly, whereby when outer cooking pot member is tilted relative to an

external reference plane the inner colander member retains a respective position relative to the external reference plane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: the means for releasably and rotatably engaging includes projecting pivot flange members projecting from the outer portions of the colander side walls, each the projecting pivot flange member including a receiving slot having opposing slot side walls shaped to receive the respective axel member, each the receiving slot being longer than a support dimension of each the axel member, whereby the axel member slides within the receiving slot during the assembly and rotates during the use thereby pivoting reliability.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: the projecting pivot flange members further comprise tapered guiding walls on the receiving slot side walls, a distance between the slot side walls being less than a distance between the tapered guiding walls, whereby the tapered guiding walls guiding the axel members from the tapered guiding walls to the receiving slot side walls during the assembly into a secure rotation engagement with the means for releasably and rotatably engaging.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: suspending leg portions projecting from opposing sides of the projecting pivot flange members for spacing engaging surfaces of the projecting pivot flange members from the outer portions of the colander side walls, and the engaging surfaces oriented substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the respective axel members, whereby the releasing and pivoting engagement between the outer cooking pot member and the inner colander member enables a smooth rotation therebetween.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: a carry handle pivotably extending from portions of one of the colander rim member and the colander side walls enabling a ready manipulation of the colander member during the assembly and use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: at least two pot carry handles extending outwardly from the outer cooking pot member, and the two pot carry handles proximate the upper pot rim on outer portions of the extending pot side walls, whereby the at least two pot carry handles enable a ready manipulation of the pivoting cooking pot system during the use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: locking means for releasably restraining the rotation of the inner colander member relative to the outer cooking pot member during the use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: at least one locking pin member, a first opening in the outer cooking pot member, a second opening in the inner colander member, and means for extending the at least one locking pin member through each the first and second opening, whereby the at least one locking pin member restrains the rotation of the inner colander member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: a locking end of the at least one locking pin member includes means for elastically engaging the second opening and restraining an unintended removal therefrom.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, further comprising: a controlling end of the at least one locking pin member opposite the locking end, whereby the controlling end enables a comfort grip of the locking pin member during an extension of the pin member between the first and the second opening.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, comprising:: an outer cooking pot member having an upper pot rim topping extending pot side walls and defining an inner region within for bounding an inner colander member during an assembly therewith, the inner colander member comprising curved colander side walls and a top colander rim member opposite a bottom portion, first and second opposing pivot means for pivotally engaging and suspending the inner colander member within the extending pot side walls of the cooking pot member during a use, the first and second opposing pivot means, further comprising: axel members projecting coaxially from opposing inner portions of the pot side walls proximate the upper pot rim, and means for releasably and rotatably engaging respective the axel members, and the means for releasably and rotatably engaging projecting from outer portions of the colander side walls, wherein the means for releasably and rotatably engaging enabling a pivoting about the respective axel members during the use following the assembly, whereby when outer cooking pot member is tilted relative to an external reference plane the inner colander member retains a respective position relative to the external reference plane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: the means for releasably and rotatably engaging includes projecting channel slot members projecting from the outer

portions of the colander side walls, and each the channel slot member including opposing channel side walls.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: each the projecting channel slot member arrayed on opposing quadrants of the outer portion of the colander side walls, and each the projecting channel slot member including a first slot leg portion and a second leg slot portion joined at a leg connection region.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: each the first slot leg portion being arrayed about a portion of the curved colander side walls proximate the top colander rim members for engaging in an interference sliding fit with respective the projecting axel members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: each the second leg portion depending from a leg connection region of the first leg slot portion away from the top colander rim toward the bottom portion in the opposing quadrants, whereby a distances between respective portions of the opposing second leg portions are not the same as distances between respective portions of the opposing first leg portions in the opposing quadrants so that respective the axel members engage between the channel slots of the second leg portions between the leg connection region and an opposing second leg end portion proximate the bottom portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pivoting cooking pot system, wherein: a holding pivot region in each the first slot leg portion opposite the leg connection regions, the opposing channel side walls in the holding pivot region being spaced further from respective channel side walls along non-holding pivot regions of each the first slot leg portions, and the

axel members being pivotally engageable with the holding pivot region of the first slot leg portion during the use, whereby during the use the first and second opposing pivot means enable a secure rotation of the inner colander member relative to the outer cooking pot member.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first cooking system having an outer pot and an inner strainer or colander. Fig. 2 is a close up exploded view of the hinge construction of the embodiment in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the hinge construction of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a partially removed side elevational view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 in a pour-to-strain arrangement. Fig. 5 is a partially removed side elevational view wherein the strainer or colander is removed from the outer pot and the water enters the outer pot.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second cooking system having an outer pot and an inner strainer or colander.

Fig. 7 is a close up side view of the colander guide channel member in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a close-up side perspective view of region 8 in fig. 7. Fig. 9. is a partial sectional view along line 9-9 in Fig. 7 noting the profile of the guide channel.

Fig. 10 is a partially removed side elevational view of the second embodiment of Fig. 6 in a pour-to-strain arrangement.

Fig. 11 is a partially removed side perspective of a colander and an outer pot in a first removal step position.

Fig. 12 is a partially removed side perspective of a colander and an outer pot in a second removal position wherein the colander is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position noted in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a partially removed side perspective of a colander and an outer pot in a third removal step position, wherein the engaging pins have escaped the guiding channel allowing a user to remove the colander for cleaning, use as a serving vessel, or for further food processing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words "connect," "couple," and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

Referring now to Figs. 1 through Fig. 5 a pivoting cooking pot system 100 is provided with an outer pot member 1, suspending an inner colander member 2 having a supporting handle 10 formed from wire preferably also with a heat resistant silicon coating for user safety. Supporting handle 10 is pivotably engaged through a pivot hole proximate the upper side lip of colander member 2 and ends 1OA thereof project through proximate a pair of opposing pivot members 5, 5, as will be discussed.

A lid 3 having a lid handle 3' is formed with a depending lip (shown but not numbered) to engage the top lip region of outer pot member 1 for a close fit.

Pivot members 5, 5 are fixed to opposing sides of colander member 2, as shown at positions below the respective location of the depending lip of lid 3 during an assembly of system 100 so as to not interfere with lid operations.

As shown colander 2 includes a food product 6 contains water 11 for cooking, for example by boiling or steaming. A plurality of hole passages on colander 2 allow water or steam access to food 6. Handles 4, 4 project outwardly from outer portions of the upper side walls of outer pot member 1 as shown and are positioned proximate the locations of pivot members 5, 5, as will be discussed.

Pivot members 5, 5, are preferably formed from bent metal pieces having bent leg portions 5A and flanges 5B for contacting the curved side walls of colander member 2 while maintaining the outer face 5C of pivot members 5, 5, in a vertical condition when assembled and in use. A hinge slot 7 is positioned in each pivot member 5, 5, and has an upper profile that matches the profile of respective projecting axel stud members 12, 12, allowing smooth rotation following an assembly.

To ease assembly during repeated use, hinge slots 7, 7, include tapered side walls 8, 8, functioning as guide walls to guide respective axel studs 12 into hinge slots 7 for ease of use. Thus, during a re-assembly, a user suspending colander member 2 via colander handle member 10 positions colander 2 within pot member 1 proximate axel stud members 12 and lowers colander 2 so that axel stud members 12 first encounter tapered walls 8 and are guided into hinge slots 7.

Outer pot member 1 includes a set of locking openings 9A proximate handles 4, as shown, shaped to receive respective locking pin members 13.

Locking pin members 13, when inserted into locking openings 9 A, project inwardly parallel to axel studs 12 to engage respective locking holes 9 formed in pivot members 5, as shown. Consequently, because axel studs 12 and locking pins 9A are not-coaxial, during insertion colander member 2 is prevented from rotating.

As will be additionally noted in Fig. 1, each locking pin member 13 includes an extending cylindraceous member formed of two split and opposing elastic leg members 14, 14 each having respective engagement flanges 15, 15, as well as an opposing gripping knob (shown but not numbered). The outer diameter of respective engagement flanges 15, 15, is slightly greater than the inner diameter of locking opening 9 in each pivot member 5, and preferably also than the inner diameter of locking opening 9 A in outer pot member 1. Therefore, those of skill in the mechanical arts will recognize that during an insertion of locking pin members 13, flanges 15, 15 encounter slight resistance upon entering locking openings 9 A, and respective elastic leg members 14, 14 flex toward each other allowing passage therethrough. Thereafter, the process is repeated allowing entry to locking openings 9. As a consequence, upon insertion of locking pin members 13 there is a snap-fit engagement with respective locking openings preventing accidental removal but ready intended removal by gripping and pulling outwardly the gripping knob (shown but not numbered). This snap-fit engagement also restricts the rotation of inner colander member 2 relative to outer pot 1 for safe storage and transport.

It will be recognized from Fig. 4, specifically, that during use a user may grip respective handle members 4, 4, and tilt outer pot member 1 for pouring off water 11, over a sink. Simultaneously, as outer pot member 1 rotates relative to the horizontal position (pre-tilt), inner colander member 2 also rotates about axel

studs 12 retained in hinge slots 7 of pivot members 5 and maintains the original pre-tilt horizontal position preventing food from falling out of colander member 2. Simultaneously, water drains from colander member 2 into pot 1 throughout the pouring-emptying process until all water 11 is removed. Thereafter, a user may simply lift handle 10 and remove colander member 2 containing the now-dried and cooked food 6 for convenient serving.

The present invention also realizes a substantial benefit in that, should a user not be immediately ready to employ cooked food 6, lid 3 may be repositioned to cover pot member 1 to preserve temperature, but food 6 will not touch the bottom surface of pot member 1 - which retains substantial heat from the original cooking-cycle and is typically hot enough to damage or burn food 6 preventing later use. Thus, the present invention provides a substantially enhanced cooking experience and improves user convenience.

Referring now to Figs. 6 through Fig. 13, an alternative embodiment of a pivoting cooking pot system 200 is provided with an outer pot member IA pivotably retaining an inner colander member 2A and a covering lid member 3A containing a lid handle construction 3A'.

Protruding carrying handles 4A, 4A project outwardly from outer pot member IA proximate opposing top lip sides as is shown in Fig. 6. Inwardly projecting cylindraceous axel stud members 12 A, 12A are opposingly positioned for engaging respective channel slot members 16, 16, as will be discussed.

A carry handle 1 OA' is fixed to inner colander member 2A via projecting end members 1OA" extending through side walls of the colander member. Consequently, carry handle 1OA' is received within the inner side walls of colander member 2A and remains in place for cooking. A silicon or other heat

resistant material coats a portion of carry handle 1OA' allowing a user to employ the handle without damage immediately after cooking.

As shown, food 6A is within colander member 2A and is cooked during use via water HA as shown. A plurality of holes arrayed on side walls of colander member 2A allow water and/or steam to intermingle with food 6A for cooking and heating.

As will be noted handles 4A, 4A contain paddle-like shapes allowing a user to readily grip the same and pivot outer pot IA as shown in Fig. 10 for pouring-off the cooking water 1 IA in a manner discussed above. Arrayed on or integrated with the outer surface of the concave inner colander member 2 A are opposing sets of channel slots 16, 16 respectively shaped as "L" members, having longer leg slot members 18, 18 and shorter leg slot members 10, 19. As seen, channel slots 16 are formed with channel side walls or flanges 16 A, 16A projecting away from the outer side walls of inner colander member 2 A (see Figs, 8 and 9).

It will be appreciated that longer leg slot members 18, 18 are arrayed in opposing quadrants parallel to the upper lip of inner colander member 2A, as shown in Fig. 7. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that as the upper lip of inner colander member 2 A completes a full 360 degree circumference, and may be divided into four 90 degree quadrants, the length of longer leg slot members 18 occupy opposing quadrants, spaced by the intervening two quadrants. Consequently, opposing and matched portions of each respective channel slot 16 are on opposing sides of colander member 2A.

At the far ends of longer leg slot members 18, 18, a holding pivot protuberance 17, 17 is formed employing channel side walls or flanges 16A (See Fig. 8). As will be noted, pivot protuberances 17 are regions wherein one side

wall 16A bulges upwardly to receive and retain in a pivot position or swing position 20 respective axel studs 12 A. As appreciated, pivot protuberances 17 are regions where side walls 16A allow more movement of axel studs 12A. As a consequence, when inner colander member 2A is in the pivot position (Fig. 10) it will be noted that axel stud 12A is in the top of protuberance 17 in a pivot or swing position, while in Fig. 11, under the lifting force L colander 2A lifts slightly from outer pot member IA and axel stud 12A enters a slide or slip position 21 suitable for sliding along longer and shorter leg slots 18, 19, as will be discussed. The procedure for inserting and for removing inner colander member 2 A from outer pot member IA will be appreciated from the following discussion. As will be appreciated, the ends of shorter leg slot members 19 proximate the bottom region of inner colander member 12A are distant from the ends of axel locking studs 12 and do not engage studs 12. However, as shorter leg slot members 19 of channel slots 16 progress from proximate the bottom region of inner colander member 2A to the top perimeter level at the opening of colander member 2A and become longer leg members 18, channel side walls 16A will project sufficiently outwardly to encounter ends of and then the main body of axel studs 12 A, 12 A. Consequently, those of skill in the art will appreciate that as colander member 2A is inserted (Fig. 13 showing a withdrawal with lifting force L') into outer pot member IA with shorter leg slots 19, 19 aligned with axel studs 12 A, 12 A, portions of axel studs 12 A, 12A will ultimately engage and slip between channel side walls or flanges 16A and so will be positively and slidably retained within respective channel slits 16, 16. Upon full insertion, axel studs 12A, 12A are at the intersection between shorter and longer slot leg members 18, 19 (as shown in Fig. 12). Thereafter a

rotational force R is applied to colander member 2 A via handle member 1OA', and colander member 2A rotates allowing axel studs 12 A, 12A to slide within respective longer leg slots 18, 18 until reaching the ends thereof and entering holding pivot regions 17, 17 for pivoting suspension (Fig. 10, and 11). When removing colander 2 A from pot member IA, the above process is repeated as is shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13 with respective initial lifting force L, rotational force R, and final lifting force L' for removing colander 2A.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the arts of consumer product design having reviewed the present disclosure, the above discussion involving the sliding interaction of respective axel stud members 12 A, 12A and channel slots 16, 16, second cooking system 200 may be understood to employ a sliding hinge engagement system or means for pivotably retaining a pivoting colander member 2A.

As will be additionally understood, the locking mechanism discussed in the initial cooking system 100 may be readily employed in embodiment 200 without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that a sliding locking pin (not shown) similar to that noted above in Fig. 1 may extend from outer pot member IA and engage a hole (not shown) in the side wall of colander member 2A and prevent relative rotation there between without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. hi the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and

nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.