Title of Invention: !A device for preventing foodstuff from spoiling and separating the juice of it.

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to food products and the process for preparing the same and, more particularly, to a device used for preventing foodstuff from spoiling and separating and collecting the juice from foodstuff.

Background Art

[0002] The following are some of devices or inventions that are related to separating water of foodstuff :

[0003] Application number JP2013215540A and invention number US5373779A, whose idea is to use a filter with tiny holes (such as fine-mesh sieve) to separate the yogurt water. The strainer is placed inside a container with a lid in which yogurt water is collected.

[0004] Invention number US2016030309962A, this invention is a container for separating water from food when preparing food or when storing it. For this purpose, a filter or mesh is used in the bottom of the container. Food or vegetables and fruits are poured on a strainer and their water is collected under the strainer.

[0005] The invention number KR20100093351A, this invention uses two containers with a fine-mesh sieve between them for preparing and separating the water of yogurt. By turning upside down the containers the yogurt is poured on the sieve and water is separated and collected at the lower container.

[0006] But none of the above records have the following capabilities altogether :

[0007] Preventing spoilage and mold formation on the surface of yogurt during the time that yogurt is consumed until it finishes, which may take weeks. With easy access to yogurt at any time.

[0008] Ability to control the amount of water to be separated from yogurt. So that the user can get yogurt with the desired thickness.

[0009] Ability to start and stop the process of water separation from yogurt just by adjusting the utensil. [0010] The present invention not only has the above capabilities, but also it is designed to be user friendly and easy to wash and reuse.

Summary of Invention

[0011] In this section some aspects of the present invention are summarized and some preferred embodiments are briefly introduced. Simplifications or omissions may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the section. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] The preferred embodiment of this invention comprises of two main components: the outer body and inner body, which inner body contain foodstuffs and the said inner body is placed inside the outer body. A cover is placed inside the inner body on top of foodstuff, to prevent air contact with foodstuffs and a cap is placed on the outlet of the cover for easy access of user. The outer body and inner body are designed so that when the inner body is inserted into the outer body, the distance between the walls of bodies is very small.

Technical Problem

[0013] One of the problems with keeping food such as yogurt in house or in fridge is the mold growth on the surface of the yogurt. In a few days mold will form on the surface of yogurt, and so far there have been no utensil or container for both storing (keeping) the yogurt and preventing it from spoilage (mold growth on the surface of it) and even being able to separate and collect the juice of yogurt during the time the yogurt is consumed which may be as long as several weeks.

[0014] The second issue is separating yogurt water and making yogurt with desired thickness from ordinary yogurt at home. The common way to get water out of yogurt is, to pour the yogurt into a fine-fiber cotton bag or sheet and then the bag is closed and the said bag is hanged to separate the water of yogurt, or the bag is put into a big colander and a heavy objet is put on it.

[0015] In this way, washing the yogurt bag is not easy task and some dishes get dirty and need to be washed and the concentrated yogurt has to be poured into another container which is not convenient, furthermore some of the yogurt is rubbed into the cotton bag surface which cleaning it is not easy task. And it is common to left the bag of yogurt, outside refrigerator during draining the water, which can lead to contamination and spoilage of yogurt. Solution to Problem

[0016] The term “edged- flooring” which is used at the seventh embodiment, is a part with flat surface which has an edge in underside, and has two recessed sections on the top surface for gripping the part. This part by sitting on the floor of the body part creates a space under itself for separated water of yogurt.

[0017] First embodiment:

[0018] According to figures (1-7), the main embodiment of this invention comprises of two main components: the outer body (2) and inner body (1), the foodstuffs is poured into the inner body (1), and the inner body (1) is placed inside the outer body (2). The cover (30) is placed inside inner body on top of foodstuff, to prevent air contact with foodstuff. The cap (34) is placed on the outlet (32) of cover (30) for easy access of user.

[0019] In this document, food refer to any kinds of semi-solid material like yogurt, hereinafter in the text of this invention, if is referred to the yogurt, it does not limit to the yogurt.

[0020] The outer body and inner body are designed so that when the inner body is inserted into the outer body, the distance between the walls of inner and outer body is very small (the tolerance between the two parts is within the sliding fit). In this way, the volume of the space between two bodies is negligible. The walls of outer and inner bodies are perpendicular to the bottom of the bodies. According to the Fig.l, there is a prominent two- step surface (4) inside the outer body. And outside the inner body, there are two recessed surfaces (7, 8) on two adjacent walls. One of them is single-step recessed (8) surface and the other one is two-step recessed surface (7).

[0021] The surface 4 is prominent to create edges 5 and 6. While edges 5 and 6 can be created as three prominent lines with a width of about three or five millimeters. In this way, surface 4 is removed and we will have only three prominent lines. And whether we have a prominent surface or three prominent lines depends on how the piece is produced.

[0022] For adjusting distance between the bottom (14) of inner body and the floor (15) of the outer body, the inner body can be put inside outer body in three different positions that it would be explained in detail below. By adjusting the distance, the volume of space that the yogurt water can gather can be adjusted. Three positions are zero-height, first- height and max-height distance. The first-height distance is about one-tenth of the total height of inner body. And the max-height distance is about one-third of the total height of inner body.

[0023] Zero-distance: when the surface (7) is next to surface (4) the inner body will descend completely and so there would be no distance between bodies. At this position no water will be separated from yogurt. Because there is no space for yogurt water to gather.

[0024] First-height distance: when the surface (8) is next to surface (4) the inner body will descend until the edge (12) of the inner body sits on the edge (6) of the outer body (and the bottom of inner body on edge (5)). At this position a little water (equal to the volume between to bodies.) will be separated from yogurt and each time by draining the water, process will be repeated, in this way the user can control the amount of water to be extracted form yogurt so the desired yogurt thickness can be achieved.

[0025] Max-height distance: when none of the surfaces (7 and 8) are next to surface (4) the bottom (14) of inner body will sit on the edge (6). At this position almost all of the water of yogurt will be drained out and the thickest yogurt can be achieved.

[0026] By considering the position of two notches (3, 9) on the upper edge of the inner body, respect to notch (10) on the upper edge of the outer body, the user can determine the position/height of the inner body. Instead of notches other signs can be used.

[0027] There are thin slots in the bottom of the inner body, which water of yogurt separates by passing through them and is stored in the available space.

[0028] The back edges of the slots (22) are chamfered to be cleaned easily. When there is space/room between the bottom of two bodies, the food (yogurt) juice passes through these slots and is stored in the said space. And if there is no space between two bodies, there would be no room for juice of food e.g. water of yogurt to be stored, in this way no water would be extracted from foodstuff. Instead of narrow slots, tiny holes can be used in the bottom of the inner body, or even fine mesh stainless steel or plastic sieve can be embedded on the bottom of the inner body.

[0029] In order to prevent any air from trapping underneath the inner body, the bottom edge of the outer body (24) is sloping. This makes the bottom of the inner body to be inclined relative to the horizontal line, preventing air from trapping.

[0030] One corner of the inner body is chamfered to make a distance between the walls of two bodies, like a channel (28) that the yogurt water can be drained through it. Any time the inner body is loaded with yogurt, the yogurt water begins to drain (if any space available between bodies) and gradually the yogurt becomes thicker.

[0031] To drain the yogurt water, place one hand under the outer body and the other hand on the cap (34), preventing the cap (34) and cover (30) from moving outward, and by tilting the container, the stored yogurt water can be drained through the said channel.

[0032] The yogurt is poured into the inner body and cover (30) is placed on the yogurt surface as shown in figure (3). The cover is sliding fit inside the inner body so by consumption of yogurt, the cover is pushed down by user until it reaches to the surface of yogurt. In this way the cover is always on the top of yogurt. In the middle of the cover, there is an outlet (32) which is closed by the cap (34).The yogurt can be removed with a device like a spoon through this outlet.

[0033] At the top edge of the outer body wall, there is a U-shaped notch (12) that allows the user to grab and pull out the inner body. At the figures of this description the utensil is shown in rectangle shape, but the shape of this utensil can be round, oval or multi-face.

[0034] Following are some other embodiments; each one differs from the previous one. In second, third and fourth embodiments the inner body has slots on the-floor and their drainage channel is the same as the first embodiment.

[0035] Second embodiment:

[0036] According to Figs (8-10) this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, with the difference that to position the inner body (39) up and down inside the outer body (41), two slits/cuts (38) on the upper edge of the outer body and two short edges (40) on top of inner body were used according to Fig. 8. If the inner body edges are facing the outer body slits, the inner body goes down completely and sits on the outer body floor, as shown in figure (9) if the inner body edges rotate 90 degrees respect to the outer body slits, it does not go down completely, creating a space between two bodies. Two long edges (42) are used to grip the inner body.

[0037] Third embodiment:

[0038] According to Figs (11-13) in this embodiment, the inner body can be put at up and down position without pulling out the inner body from the outer body. At the first and second embodiments, for changing the position of bodies, the inner body is pulled out completely, turned 90 degree and again put inside the outer body. [0039] In this design, to lower the inner body (44) inside the outer body (46) as shown in figure (13), simply it is done by taking two long edges (48) of the inner body and slightly pushing them towards each other until the short edges (50) go inward and slip off the edges (52) of the outer body (46), then lowering the handles. This way the inner body goes down and the bottom of inner body sits on the outer body floor. In order to put the inner body in the upper position, it’s enough to place two thumbs on the edges (53) of the outer body and pull up the long edges (48) of the inner body with two forefingers.

[0040] Fourth embodiment:

[0041] According to Figs (14-16) in this design, the position of the inner and outer bodies (when put together) is fixed and always there is a distance between the two bodies. In the previous three embodiments, by lowering the inner body inside the outer body, the distance between the two bodies can be eliminated so the separation of yogurt water is stopped, but in the fourth design, some yogurt water is always separated and stored in the space between the two bodies. Here are three different designs to create a space between the bodies.

[0042] First design: According to fig. (14) There is a step (54) inside outer body that the bottom of inner body sits on it.

[0043] Second design: According to fig. (15) There is an edge (56) under inner body that this edge sits on the floor of outer body.

[0044] Third design: According to fig. (16) At the top of the inner body there are protruded edges (58) that sits on the edges (60) of the outer body, and in this way the bottom of inner body will not reach to the floor of outer body and there would be a space between them.

[0045] Fifth embodiment:

[0046] According Figs (17-19) the idea behind this design is to use a side wall (62) to separate the yogurt water. In this design, the yogurt water is stored in the side compartment (space) (64) next to the yogurt after separation rather than being stored in the space below the yogurt.

[0047] In this embodiment, the side wall portion (62) slides into place (63) within the body (66) and descends to the floor (68) of the body. In this way it divides the inside of body into two spaces. The large space (70) for yogurt and the smaller space (64) for yogurt water. In this design, the yogurt water passes through the seam between the side wall (62) and the body or through the slots (72) at the lower part of side wall, and is stored in smaller space (64). At the top of the side wall there is an edge (74) that covers the top of the smaller space (64) as a cap. A cut (76) is provided on the edge (74) which allows for the discharge of yogurt water.

[0048] Sixth embodiment:

[0049] According to Figs (20-22) this embodiment is somehow similar to the Fifth embodiment. As shown in figure (20), the side wall (78) has a surface (80) at the lower edge, on which the yogurt is poured. The surface (80) has an edge (82) underneath which creates a distance between this surface and the floor (84) of the body and creates a space (85) for storage of yogurt water.

[0050] seventh embodiment:

[0051] With reference to Figs (23-25) seventh embodiment is described.

[0052] In this embodiment, according to Fig. 23, a piece named "edged-flooring" (90) is put on the floor of the body (92). The edge (91) of this part sits on the floor (93) of the body in this way the inside volume of the body is divided in two volumes. Small space (96) and big space (94). The yogurt is poured in to the large volume (94) and the water of yogurt is collected in the smaller volume under the edged-flooring. There are two recessed spaces (98) with edges (100) for griping the part “edged-flooring” (90).

[0053] At two opposite corners of the body there are two prominent guides (102) for installing two strip-shape (104) pieces. As shown in Fig. 22, the strip-shape pieces (104) are installed in a sliding manner, creating two spaces (108) between the strip-shape pieces (104) and the body wall, the said spaces extend like channels from near bottom to the top edge of the body. These channels let the air to escape while the yogurt water is gathering in the space under edged-flooring and also the drainage is down throw one of these channels by tilting the body.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0054] 1. This invention keeps the yogurt fresh and prevents the mold growth on the yogurt surface in refrigerator and prevents rubbing and drying yogurt on the inside walls of the yogurt container. [0055] 2. Enables the user to separate water of yogurt by desired amount to achieve the yogurt with the desired thickness.

[0056] 3. The possibility of separating yogurt water and making concentrated yogurt from ordinary yogurt at home.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0057] [Fig.1] is an exploded perspective view of first embodiment.

[0058] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the first embodiment at the assembly state.

[0059] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment in which the inner bobby is at lowest position.

[0060] [Fig.4] illustrates a cross-sectional of the first embodiment in which the inner bobby is at the middle position.

[0061] [Fig.5] illustrates a cross-sectional of the first embodiment in which the inner bobby is at the highest position.

[0062] [Fig.6] is a top view of inner body with section C-C.

[0063] [Fig.7] is a top view of the first embodiment assembly with section A-A.

[0064] [Fig.8] is an exploded perspective view of second embodiment.

[0065] [Fig.9] illustrates the second embodiment assembly in which the inner body is at lower position.

[0066] [Fig.10] the second embodiment assembly in which the inner body is at upper position. [0067] [Fig.11] exploded perspective view of third embodiment.

[0068] [Fig.12] the third embodiment assembly in which the inner body is at upper position. [0069] [Fig.13] the third embodiment assembly in which the inner body is at lower position. [0070] [Fig.14] cross-sectional view of the forth embodiment assembly, the first design.

[0071] [Fig.15] cross-sectional view of the forth embodiment assembly, the second design. [0072] [Fig.16] cross-sectional view of the forth embodiment assembly, the third design. [0073] [Fig.17] exploded perspective view of fifth embodiment.

[0074] [Fig.18] perspective view of the fifth embodiment assembly.

[0075] [Fig.19] cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment assembly. [0076] [Fig.20] exploded perspective view of sixth embodiment.

[0077] [Fig.21] perspective view of the sixth embodiment assembly.

[0078] [Fig.22] cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment assembly.

[0079] [Fig.23] exploded perspective view of seventh embodiment.

[0080] [Fig.24] perspective view of the seventh embodiment assembly in which for showing the channel space, there is a cut section on the corner of the body.

[0081] [Fig.25] cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment assembly.