U.S. patent application number 16/052322 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-24 for kitchen implements for separating lipids from food.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAPHAEL HON. Invention is credited to RAPHAEL HON.
Application Number | 20190021552 16/052322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63491246 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190021552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HON; RAPHAEL |
January 24, 2019 |
KITCHEN IMPLEMENTS FOR SEPARATING LIPIDS FROM FOOD
Abstract
A kitchen utensil for removing lipids from food includes a
handle having a first end, a second end, and a gripping region
between the first end and the second end, a head extending from the
second end of the handle, the head having first side, a second
side, and an outer perimeter, and wherein the first side includes
at least one groove extending inwardly from a first groove end
located at the outer perimeter, the at least one groove configured
to collect a lipid material therein.
Inventors: |
HON; RAPHAEL; (Irvine,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HON; RAPHAEL |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63491246 |
Appl. No.: |
16/052322 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15836751 |
Dec 8, 2017 |
10076213 |
|
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16052322 |
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62535811 |
Jul 21, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 43/285 20130101;
A47J 43/28 20130101; A47J 43/286 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 43/28 20060101
A47J043/28 |
Claims
1. A kitchen utensil for removing lipids from food comprising: a
handle having a first end, a second end, and a gripping region
between the first end and the second end; a head extending from the
second end of the handle, the head having first side, a second
side, and an outer perimeter; and wherein the first side includes
at least one groove extending inwardly from a first groove end
located at the outer perimeter, the at least one groove configured
to collect a lipid material therein.
2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the first side of the head
comprises a concave shape.
3. The utensil of claim 2, wherein the head is configured to
transfer an aqueous liquid from a first receptacle to a second
receptacle adjacent the first receptacle.
4. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the second side of the head
comprises a convex shape.
5. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
comprises two or more grooves, each groove extending from a
different groove end located at the outer perimeter.
6. The utensil of claim 5, wherein the two or more grooves extend
substantially parallel to each other.
7. The utensil of claim 5, wherein the two or more grooves comprise
a series of grooves substantially covering the first side of the
head.
8. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the first side of the head has
substantially planar shape.
9. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove has a
V-shaped cross-section.
10. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove has a
U-shaped cross-section.
11. The utensil of claim 1, further comprising at least one hole
passing between the first side and the second side of the head.
12. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the at least one hole is
configured to allow the passage of a liquid.
13. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the at least one hole
comprises a series of holes.
14. The utensil of claim 13, wherein the series of holes comprises
holes of two or more sizes.
15. The utensil of claim 13, wherein the series of holes comprises
holes having a diameter of between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm in
diameter.
16. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the at least one hole is
located within the at least one groove.
17. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the at least one hole
comprises an elongate slit.
18. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove has a
width of between about 0.1 mm and about 20 mm.
19. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove has a
depth of between about 0.1 mm and about 15 mm.
20. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove follows
a curvilinear path.
21. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove is
configured to allow the release of the at least some of the
collected lipid material when the first groove end is moved to an
elevation that is lower than the remainder of the at least one
groove.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/836,751, filed on Dec. 8, 2017, which
claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/535,811, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, both of which are incorporated
in their entirety by reference herein for all purposes. Priority is
claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 and 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention generally relates to implements
for use in cooking.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is often desirable to remove fat or lipids from food.
During the preparation of food having a large proportion of liquid,
it is often desirable to skim away the liquid grease and/or the
"suds" of foam material that forms on the surface of the liquid. A
common method is to scoop these materials away using a spoon, a
ladle, or a strainer. Oftentimes, using the spoon, ladle, or
strainer can be inefficient or wasteful, such that a small amount
of the grease is removed, while a large volume of the desired
liquid is removed as well. The removal of grease or lipids from
solid food may also be inefficient and time consuming. Grease or
lipids may not drain away or separate from solid foods easily. It
is desirable to have a utensil to easily and efficiently separate
excess or unwanted grease and lipids away from food having either
solid or liquid form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a hand-held
kitchen utensil for removing lipids from food includes a handle
having a first end, a second end, and a gripping region at or near
the first end, a head coupled to the second end of the handle, the
head having first side, a second side, and an outer perimeter, and
wherein the first side includes at least one groove extending
inwardly from a first groove end located at the outer perimeter,
the at least one groove configured to collect a lipid material
therein.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a kitchen
utensil for removing lipids from food includes a handle having a
first end, a second end, and a gripping region between the first
end and the second end, a head extending from the second end of the
handle, the head having first side, a second side, and an outer
perimeter, and wherein the first side includes at least one groove
extending inwardly from a first groove end located at the outer
perimeter, the at least one groove configured to collect a lipid
material therein.
[0006] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
kitchen utensil for removing lipids from food includes a gripping
surface configured to be held by the hand of a user, and a lipid
engagement surface extending from the gripping surface, and
including two or more elongate grooves configured to collect a
lipid material therein.
[0007] In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
method for removing lipids from food includes heating an edible
material such that oil, fat or grease forms on a top portion of the
edible material, providing a hand-held kitchen utensil including a
handle having a first end, a second end, and a gripping region
between the first end and the second end, a head extending from the
second end of the handle, the head having first side, a second
side, and an outer perimeter, and wherein the first side includes
at least one groove extending inwardly from a first groove end
located at the outer perimeter, the at least one groove configured
to collect a lipid material therein, gripping the handle of the
utensil, placing the head of the utensil in contact with at least
some of the oil, fat or grease so that the oil, fat or grease is
collected within the at least one groove, and removing the head
from the edible material to separate the at least some of the oil,
fat or grease from the edible material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the kitchen utensil of FIG. 1
taken within circle 2.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the head of the kitchen utensil
of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a back view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9A is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the head of the kitchen utensil
of FIG. 7
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil head
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 13.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the head of the kitchen
utensil of FIG. 13 taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 17A is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil
of FIG. 16.
[0027] FIG. 17B is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 16.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a top view of a head of a kitchen utensil
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 19.
[0031] FIG. 21A is a front view of the head of the kitchen utensil
of FIG. 19.
[0032] FIG. 21B is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil
of FIG. 19.
[0033] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative head of a
kitchen utensil according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the head of a kitchen
utensil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 24 is a top view of the head of FIG. 23.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a side view of the head of FIG. 23.
[0037] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 27 is a top view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 26.
[0039] FIG. 28 is a side view of the head of the kitchen utensil of
FIG. 26.
[0040] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the head of a kitchen
utensil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 30 is a side view of the head of FIG. 29.
[0042] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the head of a kitchen
utensil having a concave upper side having a sinusoidal surface,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 32 is a cross-section view of the head of a kitchen
utensil having a flat upper side having a repeating U-shaped
surface contour, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the head of a kitchen
utensil having a concave upper side having a repeating V-shaped
surface contour, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the head of kitchen
utensil having a flat upper side having a repeating V-shaped
surface contour, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the first step of a
method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0047] FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view of the second step of a
method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0048] FIG. 36B is a cross-section view of an alternative second
step of a method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0049] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the third step of a
method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0050] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth step of a
method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a fifth step of a method
for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0052] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a first alternative fifth
step of a method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0053] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a second alternative fifth
step of a method for removal of lipids from a soup.
[0054] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 43 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
42.
[0056] FIG. 44 is a side view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
42.
[0057] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0058] FIG. 46 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
45.
[0059] FIG. 47 is a front view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
45.
[0060] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0061] FIG. 49 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
48.
[0062] FIG. 50 is a side view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
48.
[0063] FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0064] FIG. 52 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
51.
[0065] FIG. 53 is a front view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
51.
[0066] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0067] FIG. 55 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
54.
[0068] FIG. 56 is a side view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
54.
[0069] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0070] FIG. 58 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
57.
[0071] FIG. 59 is a front view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
57.
[0072] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0073] FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0074] FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0075] FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0076] FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0077] FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0078] FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0079] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0080] FIG. 68 is a front view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
67.
[0081] FIG. 69 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil of FIG.
67.
[0082] FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0083] FIG. 71 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0084] FIGS. 72A-H are cross-sectional views of groove shapes
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0085] Cooking often produces or exposes lipids, which originate or
emanate from animal or plant matter, such as meats, fats, eggs,
daisy products or other animal materials, and produce, such as
vegetables or fruits. Embodiments of the invention include a number
of utensils used in cooking, particularly when cooking in the
presence or potential presence of lipids, such as oil, grease, or
fat, which may include shortening or lard. The lipids may be
present in liquid, semi-liquid, paste, gel, semi-solid, or even
solid form, or any combination thereof. The lipids may be present
on liquid-based foods such as soups or stews, or may be carried on,
in, or around solid foods such as meats. The utensils described in
the embodiments herein are intended to aid the removal of at least
some portion of the lipids from the foods. The term "kitchen
utensil" is intended to generally describe any utensil that may be
used during cooking, whether the cooking occurs within a personal
or commercial kitchen, or outside of a kitchen, for example, in an
outdoor cookout, a cooking show or presentation, a picnic, party,
or other event. The term "culinary utensil" may also be used
interchangeably with the term "kitchen utensil," maintaining the
same, broad meaning. In some embodiments, the utensil may be
intended only for the removal of lipids from food, while in other
embodiments, the utensil may be intended to perform one or more
other task, such as conveying liquids or solids, stirring,
scooping, mashing, dividing, cutting, coring, drilling, heating,
cooling, turning, flipping, scraping, funneling, grasping,
whisking, grating, pressing or compressing, brushing, rolling,
separating, dripping, drizzling, filtering, baking, frying,
heating, or sifting. The utensil may comprise one or more of a
skimmer, a ladle, a spoon, a scoop, a spatula, a stirrer, a
separator, a sieve, a strainer, a filter, tongs, a funnel, or a
scraper.
[0086] Some lipids may be considered healthful for certain groups
of people, such as polyunsaturated fats, such as Omega-3 fatty
acids found in fish oil, nuts, seeds, eggs, or other matter, or
monounsaturated fat found in avocados. However, many lipids,
including saturated fats or trans fats are a common source and
instigator of many critical health problems, by increasing blood
cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
levels. The effect of these "bad fats" may be to accelerate or
precipitate cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
It is therefore desirable to remove fats and lipids from food,
either from a mostly solid form like meats or from liquids such as
soups.
[0087] Food preparation techniques often require separation of
lipids such as grease, fat, or oils from food, in order to remove
the "bad fats" for health reasons. Many health foods are prepared
by removing as much of the lipids as possible. Additionally,
certain recipes may require the separation of lipids from a first
food product, so that the lipids may be partially or completely
used for making a second, different food product. For example, a
first soup or stew recipe may desire that fat and grease be removed
from the soup or stew. However, a second recipe may make use of
some or all of that same fat or grease. The fat or grease may be
used to coat a pan or other container, to make it non-stick, or the
fat or grease (e.g., suet) may be used as a base for a mixture,
such as British Christmas pudding. In some cases, it may be desired
to remove lipids from a soup in order to cook that soup, or to add
ingredients to it, but then to add some or all of the removed
lipids at a later time, for example, to add flavor without
overcooking the lipids. This may be the case with certain lipids
that change their flavor to an undesirable taste if overcooked.
[0088] Removal of grease or lipids from food that is in a solid
state is commonly done, with lipids in liquid form often easily
separable from the solid food. For example, to remove excess oil
from fried chicken, the usual practice is to place the fried
chicken over a wire rack to allow excess oil to drip off the meat.
However, in certain recipes, the draining process may be too slow,
and it is desirable for the oil separation from food to be more
efficient. For example, grease in cooked ground meat can be slow to
drain due to the small particles of meat that can cling to the
grease. Many people resort to wiping the cooked ground meat with a
piece of paper towel or an absorbent material. However, the wiping
also tends to absorb (and thus remove) tasty juices that are
desired to be maintained with the meat. It is often desirable to
have a utensil that primarily captures the grease.
[0089] Often, food preparation methods may require the separation
of lipids such as grease, fat, or oils from a water-based (aqueous)
liquid. The water-based liquid may constitute a soup, broth, stock,
bouillon, consomme. Within the water-based liquid, pieces of animal
or plant matter are often heated along with the liquid. During the
preparation of food with a large proportion of liquid, it is often
desirable to skim away the liquid grease and/or the "suds" of foam
material that forms on the surface of the liquid. The grease or
liquid fat often result from meat, bones, or oil heated during an
earlier stage in the cooking. The suds may comprise proteins that
react during cooking to form a bubbly substance that is less dense
than water or a water-based liquid. In many cases, the surface
grease and the suds are an undesirable part of the soup or stock,
and are typically removed. A common method is to scoop these
materials away using a spoon, a ladle, or a strainer. Oftentimes,
using the spoon, ladle, or strainer can be inefficient,
ineffectual, or wasteful, such that a small amount of the grease is
removed, while a large volume of the desired liquid is removed as
well. A spoon may be used to attempt to separate the grease and
suds, but the volume of grease and suds collected in most spoons is
small relative to the total volume floating on top of the soup or
stock. Commonly, the surface area of the top of the cooking
container or pot is many times larger than the surface of the
spoon, causing removal of the materials a labor-intensive and
tedious procedure. Larger, specialized spoons or ladles are capable
of scooping up larger amounts of grease or suds, but they also tend
to pick up a significant amount of the desired soup or broth,
oftentimes a larger volume of the desired soup or broth than the
undesirable material. Fat and grease are usually less dense than
water, and therefore float on the surface of a water-based soup or
broth or stock. The layer of grease on the surface is often a thin
film, thus the use of a spoon or ladle tends to lead to undesired
removal of the soup or broth, as described.
[0090] Further complications are often encountered because of
potential interactions and reactions between the utensil and the
soup. Because the layer of grease lies on top of the soup, the
active motion of a boiling soup also affects the layer of grease. A
cook may ease the edge of a spoon or ladle into the soup or stock,
in an attempt to only allow the layer of grease to flow into the
spoon or ladle. Though this method can minimize the amount of
desired soup or stock that is inadvertently scooped up, it often
requires multiple repetitions to remove substantially all of the
grease layer, and is thus quite tedious. The time delay in
performing this method is further increased, because each pass with
the spoon or ladle requires precision in order to assure that
little or none of the soup is scooped up.
[0091] One method for separating grease involves pouring the soup
into a separate container that has an opening at or near the
bottom. Thus, the desired soup is poured from a bottom spout or
valve, stopping when the top grease layer becomes lowered such that
it almost reaches the spout or valve. Though this method eliminates
the need to scoop, it does still require a separate container other
than the cooking pot, and the transfer to and from the separate
container. Additional containers also require additional cleanup
and storage. One drawback of this method is that it is difficult to
stop at the exact level, such that none of the desired soup is
wasted. Also, if the volume of the soup is greater than the volume
that the separate container can hold, then this method must be
performed multiple times.
[0092] A ladle having a very shallow scoop does not immediately
solve the problem of selectivity for the grease layer on top of a
soup, because water and water-based liquids have a relatively high
surface tension; when a drop of water is placed on many common
surfaces, the water tends to bead (form a bead). Most grease, fat,
or oil has a relatively lower surface tension, and tends to adhere
like a film on many common surfaces. Even in a shallow scoop ladle,
water-based liquids tend to for a large bulge, having a surface
film comprising the grease. The ratio of the volume of grease
collected to the volume of water-based liquid collected, would
still be rather small, rendering the shallow ladle ineffective.
[0093] Multiple embodiments are described herein of kitchen
utensils which more quickly and effectively provide removal of
lipids such as fat and grease from cooked food, such as soups.
Generally, the kitchen utensils as disclosed herein contain one or
more elongate grooves that preferentially collect lipids while
allowing water-based liquids to pass or be passed more freely out
of the utensil. In some embodiments, the kitchen utensil may be
configured to predominantly perform the separation of lips from
food. In other embodiments, the kitchen utensil may be configured
to additionally perform the other cooking-related tasks described
herein. In some of the embodiments, the kitchen utensil maintains
multiple functions, including at least the removal of lipids and a
second function related to food preparation or kitchen
maintenance.
[0094] A kitchen utensil 100 is shown in FIG. 1 comprising a handle
102 having a proximal end 104 and a distal end 106, and a head 108
having a concave upper side 110 and a convex lower side 112. The
head 108 also comprises a connection portion 114 having holes 116,
118 (FIGS. 4-6). The distal end 106 of the handle 102 includes
holes 120, 122 which may be aligned with the holes 116, 118,
respectively, of the connection portion 114 of the head 108, so
that rivets 124, 126 may be secured through the holes 116, 120 and
118, 122, respectively, to secure the head 108 to the handle 102.
Other securement means or methods may be used, instead of the
rivets 124, 126 such as welding, soldering, brazing, adhesives,
epoxy, binding, molding, overmolding, insert molding, or mechanical
engagement (snapping, pressing together, crimping, screwing
together, swaging). In some embodiments, the head 108 and handle
102 may be monolithic, and formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or
molded from the same piece of material.
[0095] The proximal end 104 of the handle 102 includes a hole 128
which may be configured to be placed over a hook in order to hang
and store in a kitchen or other location. The entire intermediate
section 130 of the handle 102, between the proximal end 104 and the
distal end 106, may be gripped by the hand of a user. A user may
determine whether to grip the handle 102 more toward the proximal
end 104 or more toward the distal end 106 depending on the hand
size of the user, the hand strength of the user, whether the user
is using one hand or both hands, the weight of the head 108 when
empty or full of liquids and/or solid material from the food, or
the length of time being held. In some embodiments, a protective
coating or covering, such as a rubber outer sheath or coating may
be applied over all or a portion of the handle 102, for example, a
proximal-most portion of the handle adjacent the proximal end 104.
Though the shape of the handle 102 is shown as straight in FIG. 1,
in other embodiments, the handle 102 may have a variety of shapes
including curved or angled portions. The handle 102 or the head 108
can each be constructed from a number of materials, including
metals or polymers, such as stainless steel, copper, steel, iron,
aluminum, anodized aluminum, titanium, ceramic, wood rubber,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (e.g. nylons), or
polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
[0096] The head 108 of the kitchen utensil 100 of FIG. 1 is
configured to be able to hold an aqueous (water-based) liquid in
the concave upper side 110 for at least a period of time, although
there are a series of holes 132 that pass through the head 108
between an upper surface 134 and a lower surface 136. In some
embodiments, the holes 132 may be sized and numbered such that
water-based liquids pass from the concave upper side 110, through
the holes 132 and out at the convex lower side 112, when the
kitchen utensil 100 is held in a position such that the head 108
has an orientation such that the concave upper side 110 is directed
substantially upward and the convex lower side 112 is directed
substantially downward. The at least temporary liquid carrying
ability of the head 108 qualifies the kitchen utensil 100 to be
termed a ladle or scoop. However, if used for predominantly for
removing lipids, the kitchen utensil 100 may also correctly be
called a skimmer. The diameter of the holes 132 may be increased
and/or the total number of holes 132 may be increased, so that the
residence time of the aqueous liquid in the concave upper side 110
is decreased. This may be desirable if the kitchen utensil 100 is
to be used only as a skimmer. Conversely, if the kitchen utensil
100 is to be used as a scoop or ladle, the diameter of the holes
132 may be decreased and/or the total number of the holes 132 may
be decreased in manner that controls the residence time of an
aqueous liquid in the concave upper side 110 of the head 108. Holes
may be eliminated completely in certain embodiments, wherein the
adhesion of the grease to the grooves is sufficient without
requiring the additional draining of aqueous liquid via the holes.
A broth at room temperature at room temperature may have a dynamic
viscosity close to 0.001 pascal-seconds, while the same broth
heated close to 100.degree. C. may have a dynamic viscosity close
to 0.00028 pascal-seconds. When the broth is heated during cooking,
it is commonly closer to the 100.degree. C. boiling point (of
water) than it is to room temperature, thus the sizing of the
diameters and/or numbers of holes 132 may be chosen based on the
residence time characteristics at or close to 100.degree. C. In
other embodiments, it may be desired to perform the removal of
lipids from the broth after the cooked broth or soup has cooled a
bit, and so an intermediate temperature may be chosen for the
design of the hole diameters and/or numbers. Another factor that
may be important in hole design is the total depth of the "scoop"
portion of the ladle, which is the hollow portion defined by the
concave upper side 110. The deeper this portion (the higher its
height), the larger the initial pressure gradient caused by the
hydrostatic pressure of the liquid, and thus, the larger the
initial impetus to force the liquid through the holes 132.
[0097] The head 108 comprises an outer perimeter 138 having a
circular or mostly circular shape, as shown in the top view of the
head 108 in FIG. 4A and the bottom view of the head 108 in FIG. 4B.
In other embodiments, the head 108 may have non-circular shapes,
such as ellipses, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, polygons,
or other shapes. A series of grooves 140 are formed in the concave
upper side 110, each groove beginning at the outer perimeter 138 at
a first point 142 and extending along the concave upper side 110 to
a second point 144 on the outer perimeter 138, opposite the first
point 142. Because grease and oils have lower surface tension than
the water-based broth or soup, the grease and oils tend to adhere
to the upper surface 134, and particularly within the grooves 140.
The grooves 140 create a larger surface area for the grease, fat,
oil to adhere to, and also serve to pool the grease, fat, oil
within the "valleys" formed by the grooves. Once the head 108 of
the kitchen utensil 100 pools a sufficient amount of lipids within
its grooves 140, and the aqueous broth or soup is allowed to drain
out through the holes 132, and back into the cooking pot, the head
108 of the kitchen utensil 100 may be moved to a location over a
trash receptacle or other container and the head 108 may be tilted
so that gravity causes the lipids to slide out from the grooves 140
and into the receptacle. The head 108 of the kitchen utensil 100
may then be placed back within the broth. Grease and oils tend to
have a significantly higher viscosity than water, even when both
are heated to elevated temperatures approaching or including
100.degree. C.
[0098] FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the grooves 140
(140a, 140b, 140c, etc.) are formed in the head 108. The grooves
140 are created by undulations 146 in the wall 148 of the head 108.
Thus, there additional underside grooves 150 formed in the convex
lower side 112 of the head 108, in between the grooves 140. The
grooves 150 are configured so that the kitchen utensil 100 may also
trap lipids on the lower side 112, within the grooves 150. The
holes 132 may be formed by drilling, laser machining, water jet
machining, molding, or directly in a forming, casting, forging,
molding, or 3D-printing process. The grooves 150 are shown in more
detail in FIG. 4. The holes 132 are located at the bottom of the
grooves 140, in the center of the valleys formed by the grooves
140, and thus, between the grooves 150. In other embodiments, the
holes 132 may be located between the grooves 140. In other
embodiments, some of the holes 132 may be located at the bottom of
the grooves 140, and other holes 132 may be located between the
grooves 140.
[0099] A kitchen utensil 152 is shown in FIG. 7 comprising a handle
154 having a proximal end 156 and a distal end 158, and a head 160
having a concave upper side 162 and a convex lower side 164. The
head 160 is integral to the handle 154 with an intermediate
transition section 166. The kitchen utensil may be formed, cast,
forged, molded, or 3D-printed in one piece, or the handle 154 may
be combined with the head 160 by a welding or other heat forming
process. The handle 154 comprises a first straight section 168
extending from the head 160 which terminates at a first curve 170.
The first curve 170 continues to a second curve 172 and then to a
second straight section 174. As shown, the second straight section
174 has a slight curve, but is substantially straight. The second
straight section 174 is oriented at an angle A from the first
straight section 168. The angle A may range from between about
5.degree. and about 120.degree., or between about 10.degree. and
about 90.degree., or between about 15.degree. and about 75.degree..
The concavity 176 formed by the first curve 170 is configured to
allow the kitchen utensil 152 to be hooked to the wall of a cooking
pot. The length of the first straight section 168 may be controlled
so that the head 108 of the kitchen utensil 152 hangs at a desired
height within the cooking pot. The kitchen utensil 152 may be hung
by the concavity 176 in order to keep the handle 154 from sliding
or falling into the cooking pot. A hooked end 178 of the handle 154
is configured to allow the kitchen utensil 152 to be hung on a
horizontal rod, a shelf end, a horizontal line or wire, a ring, or
a hook. A dipped plastic or rubber coating 180 is formed on the
handle 154 at least partially on the second straight section 174
and on the hooked end 178. A user may grip the second straight
section 174, for example, on the coating 180, when using the
kitchen utensil 152. The user may also grip the kitchen utensil 152
on the first straight section 168, or even at one or both of the
first and second curves 170, 172.
[0100] The head 160 comprises an outer perimeter 182 and a series
of holes 184 configured to allow the passage of aqueous liquid. A
series of grooves 186 extend from a first point 188 on the outer
perimeter 182 to a second point 190 on the outer perimeter 182 and
opposite the first point 188. Turning to FIG. 8, a wavy undulation
192 in the wall 194 of the head 160 forms the grooves 186, as well
as grooves 196 in the convex lower side 164 of the head 160. The
holes 184 are located at the bottom of the grooves 186, in the
center of the valleys formed by the grooves 186, and thus, between
the grooves 196. In other embodiments, the holes 184 may be located
between the grooves 186. In other embodiments, some of the holes
184 may be located at the bottom of the grooves 186, and other
holes 184 may be located between the grooves 186. The undulations
146, 192 of the heads 108, 160 may follow any repeating pattern and
thus the shapes or cross-sections of the grooves 140, 186 may be
sinusoidal, V-shaped, U-shaped, and may even involve an increase or
decrease in frequency from groove to groove (row to row). The
undulations 192 of the head 160 have approximately constant groove
amplitude or height, such that the undulations 192 of the head 160
are visible at the outer perimeter 182, as seen in FIGS. 7 and
8.
[0101] A kitchen utensil 200 is shown in FIG. 10 comprising a
handle 202 having a proximal end 204 and a distal end 206, and a
head 208 having a concave upper side 210 and a convex lower side
212. The head 208 also comprises a connection portion 214 having
holes 216, 218 (FIG. 12). The distal end 206 of the handle 202
includes holes (not shown) which may be aligned with the holes 216,
218 of the connection portion 214 of the head 208, so that rivets
224, 226 may be secured through the holes to secure the head 208 to
the handle 202. Other securement means or methods may be used,
instead of the rivets 224, 226 such as welding, soldering, brazing,
adhesives, epoxy, binding, molding, overmolding, insert molding, or
mechanical engagement (snapping, pressing together, crimping,
screwing together, swaging). In some embodiments, the head 208 and
handle 202 may be monolithic, and formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed,
or molded from the same piece of material. The materials of any of
the embodiments in this disclosure may be the same as those already
described herein. The handle 202 includes a hole 203 configured for
hanging the kitchen utensil 200.
[0102] Turning to FIG. 12, grooves 228 are formed in the concave
upper side 210, and extend from points on the outer perimeter 230
of the head 208. A series of holes 232 pass through the wall 234 of
the head 208, and are located in the bottom of the grooves 228.
Though the grooves 228 are shown extending in a transverse
direction in relation to a vertical plane 229 which bisects the
handle 202, in alternative embodiments, the grooves 228 may extend
in other directions, including a direction 90.degree. from that
depicted, and thus parallel to the vertical plane 229 which bisects
the handle 202. FIG. 11 illustrates grooves 236 in the convex lower
side 212. The grooves 228 have a primary width W.sub.1, and flare
or increase to an end width W.sub.2 at the outer perimeter 230. The
increased end width W.sub.2 is configured to pool a larger portion
of received lipids closer to the outer perimeter 230, making it
easier and quicker to dispose of these lipids when they are poured
off the outer perimeter 230. The width change may be used alone or
combined. The width increase may be linear, non-linear, or may have
a particular non-linear shape, as shown in FIG. 12. Note that the
different grooves 236 have particular flaring that follows at least
somewhat the contours of the concave upper side 210, though this is
not required. Flare 238a, for example, is substantially
non-symmetric, while Flare 238b is substantially symmetric. The
flares 238 in the grooves 236 are configured to aid the release of
the contained lipids from the upper surface 240, when the head 208
is inverted partially or completely, for example, 45.degree. or
more, 60.degree. or more, or 90.degree. or more from normal up-down
orientation. Normal up-down orientation is wherein the concave
upper side 210 is oriented substantially upward and the convex
lower side 212 is oriented substantially downward. The flaring can
serve to increase the ease of use of the kitchen utensil 200, in
conjunction with variations to the shape, size, or symmetry of the
head 208.
[0103] A head 950 shown in FIGS. 13-15 has a similar shape to the
head 208 of FIG. 10, but comprises one or more grooves 952 starting
at a small gap g from the outer perimeter 954. The upper side 956
includes the grooves 952 while the lower side 958 includes
underside grooves 960. The substantially planar or non-grooved
outer perimeter 954 of the head 950 of the utensil allows for a
multi-purpose use of the utensil. In contrast to the undulations
192 of the head 160 of the kitchen utensil 152 of FIGS. 7-8, which
are visible along the outer perimeter 182 of the head 160, the
grooves 952 of the head 950 have groove amplitudes or heights that
taper or decrease to a substantially flat or smooth edge 962 at the
outer perimeter 954, as shown in FIG. 13. The first point 964 of a
groove 952a may be located at the outer perimeter 954 or a distance
away from the outer perimeter 954 (e.g., gap g). The edge 962 of
the outer perimeter 954 allows the utensil to be more efficiently
utilized as a spoon or ladle for generic cooking purposes. These
features allow for a multi-purpose use of the same utensil.
[0104] A kitchen utensil 242 is shown in FIG. 16 comprising a
handle 244 having a proximal end 246 and a distal end 248, and a
head 250 having a concave upper side 252 and a convex lower side
254. The head 250 also comprises a connection portion 253 having
holes 254, 256 (FIG. 17B). The distal end 248 of the handle 244
includes holes (not shown) which may be aligned with the holes 254,
256 of the connection portion 253 of the head 250, so that rivets
258, 260 may be secured through the holes to secure the head 250 to
the handle 244. Other securement means or methods may be used,
instead of the rivets 258, 260 such as welding, soldering, brazing,
adhesives, epoxy, binding, molding, overmolding, insert molding, or
mechanical engagement (snapping, pressing together, crimping,
screwing together, swaging). In some embodiments, the head 250 and
handle 244 may be monolithic, and formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed,
or molded from the same piece of material. The materials of any of
the embodiments in this disclosure may be the same as those already
described herein. The handle 244 comprises a formed wire 262 having
a first extension 264, a second extension 266, and an intermediate
curve 268. A concavity 270 formed by the intermediate curve 268 may
be used for hanging the kitchen utensil 242.
[0105] The head 250 includes a series of non-linear grooves 272
formed in the concave upper side 252. The particular curvature of
each of the non-linear grooves 272 follows at least somewhat the
contours of the concave upper side 210, though this is not
required. This arrangement may allow a larger number of rows of the
grooves 272 within a particular head 250 having a specific size and
shape. The arrangement may also allow a more consistent groove
depth and width in embodiments wherein this is desired. Referring
to FIG. 17B, it can be seen that groove 272a has a smaller minimum
radius of curvature (in this particular projection) than groove
272b. Though symmetry is not required, symmetry is present in the
head 250. For example, groove 272b is symmetric to groove 272c.
Rectangular holes 274 project through the wall 276 of the head 250
and are configured for draining aqueous liquid. In this embodiment,
the holes 274 are located at the bottom and center of the grooves
272. It should be noted that, while the grooves in the prior
embodiments are also non-linear, the non-linear grooves 272 also
have non-linearity in the FIG. 17B projection, in contrast to the
head 160 in the FIG. 9A projection. Grooves 278 in the convex lower
side 254 are visible in FIG. 17A. The head 250 comprises an outer
perimeter 251 that includes a first point 255, a second point 257,
a distal end 259, a handle connection transition edge 261, and a
second handle connection transition edge 263.
[0106] A head 288 of a kitchen utensil, shown in FIG. 18, comprises
a concave upper side 290 and a convex lower side (not shown) having
a connection portion 294 with holes 296, 298 on the connection
portion 294 of the head 288 that connects to a handle (not shown)
similar to prior embodiments. The head 288 includes non-linear
grooves 310 that are similar to the non-linear grooves 272 of the
head 250 of the kitchen utensil 242 of FIGS. 16-17B, except that
the head 288 of the kitchen utensil 280 does not have holes. Holes
may be purposely avoided in some embodiments, for example, if the
head 250 is configured to be used with foods having desired
particles that are smaller in size than most holes, thus avoiding
the passage of such particles through the holes and the subsequent
loss of the particles. The grooves 310 have a primary width
W.sub.3, and narrow to an end width W.sub.4 at the outer perimeter
318. The outer perimeter 318 of the head 288 includes a first point
of the groove 320, a second point of the groove 322, the distal
edge 316, a first handle transition connection edge 324, and a
second handle transition connection edge 326.
[0107] Several embodiments of kitchen utensils having a primarily
lifting, turning, or flipping function are now described which also
feature the lipid separation function of the embodiments previously
disclosed. Lifting, turning, or flipping utensils may be called
spatulas, turners, flippers, or palettes.
[0108] A kitchen utensil 330 is shown in FIG. 19 comprising a
handle 332 having a proximal end 334 and a distal end 336, and a
head 338 having an upper side 340 and a lower side 342. The head
338 also comprises a connection portion 344 having holes 346, 348
(FIG. 20). The distal end 336 of the handle 332 includes holes (not
shown) which may be aligned with the holes 346, 348 of the
connection portion 344 of the head 338, so that rivets 350, 352 may
be inserted through the holes to secure the head 338 to the handle
332. Other securement means or methods may be used, instead of the
rivets 350, 352 such as welding, soldering, brazing, adhesives,
epoxy, binding, molding, overmolding, insert molding, or mechanical
engagement (snapping, pressing together, crimping, screwing
together, swaging). In some embodiments, the head 338 and handle
332 may be monolithic, and formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or
molded from the same piece of material. The materials of any of the
embodiments in this disclosure may be the same as those already
described herein. The handle 332 is angled and includes a first
extension 354 and a second extension 356. The first extension 354
is angled from the second extension 356 by an angle C of between
about 175.degree. and about 90.degree., or between about
150.degree. and about 120.degree.. A hole 358 in the proximal end
334 of the handle 332 is configured for hanging the kitchen utensil
330.
[0109] The head 338 includes several grooves 362 extending from the
outer perimeter 364 at the upper side 340. The head 338 includes a
series of holes 360 passing between the upper side 340 and the
lower side 342. The grooves 362 of the head 338 are arranged in a
proximal to distal manner, substantially parallel to a plane
containing the handle 332. Though the grooves 140, 150, 186, 196,
228, 236, 272, 278, 310 of the prior embodiments presented in FIGS.
1-18 are shown extending laterally (from one side to another),
alternative embodiments may instead comprise proximal to distal
extending grooves. Likewise, the grooves 362 of the head 338 may
alternatively extend laterally. In some embodiments, grooves may
extend neither laterally nor proximal to distal, but at an
intermediate angle.
[0110] The grooves 362 are formed by a repeating U-shaped pattern
366 in the wall 368 of the head 338, which also forms grooves 341
in the flat lower side 342 of the head 338. The upper side 340
forms a flat upper surface 343 which is defined by the maximal
projections 370 in the repeating U-shaped pattern 366 of the wall
368 of the head 338. The maximal projections 370 may be grinded
flat in a secondary operation. The flat upper surface 343 contains
a sufficient amount of surface area, and the distance d between
each successive maximal projection 370 is small enough such that
the flat upper surface 343 is configured to effectively lift, hold,
and flip solid or semi-solid food items (hamburgers, sausages,
steaks, etc.) from a grill, oven, or stove when the kitchen utensil
330 is manipulated by a user. The grooves 362 are configured to
collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves 140, 186,
228, 272, 310 of the previous embodiments. The holes 360 are
configured to allow water-based liquids to pass or be passed more
freely out of the utensil. Once oil or grease is collected in the
grooves 362, the head 338 of the kitchen utensil 330 (after the
food item has been removed) may be placed over a trash receptacle
or other receptacle and tilted to 45.degree. or greater or
90.degree. or greater, so that the collected lipids are able to
slide out of the grooves 362 and into the receptacle. The upper
side 340, including the maximal projections 370 and flat upper
surface 343 may comprise or be coated or treated with a non-stick
material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or silicone. The
grooves 362 may also comprise or be coated with said material. Any
portion of the lower side 342, may also comprise or be coated with
the said material.
[0111] FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative head 372 having an upper
side 374 and a lower side 376. The head 372 may be used in place of
the head 338 of the kitchen utensil 330 of FIGS. 19-21B. The head
372 comprises a connection portion 378 having holes 380, 382. The
head 372 includes several grooves 384 extending from the outer
perimeter 386 at the upper side 374. The head 372 includes a series
of holes 388 passing between the upper side 374 and the lower side
376. The grooves 384 of the head 372 are arranged in a proximal to
distal manner, substantially parallel to a plane containing the
handle 332 and extending from a distal portion 373 to a proximal
portion 375. In some embodiments, the grooves 384 of the head 372
may alternatively extend laterally. In some embodiments, grooves
may extend neither laterally nor proximal to distal, but at an
intermediate angle.
[0112] An intermediate discontinuity 390 comprises a laterally
extending, elevated flat that separates the grooves into a proximal
groove portion 384a and a distal groove portion 384b. The elongate
rectangular surface area of the flat upper face 392 of the
intermediate discontinuity 390 increases the amount of flat upper
surface area, to aid in lifting, holding, and turning solid or
semi-solid food items or pieces. The holes 388 are configured to
allow water-based liquids to pass or be passed more freely out of
the utensil. Once oil or grease is collected in the grooves 384,
the head 372 may be placed over a trash receptacle or other
receptacle and tilted down to 45.degree. or greater or 90.degree.
or greater, so that the collected lipids are able to slide out of
the grooves 384 and into the receptacle. The upper side 374,
including the maximal projections 394 and flat upper surface 396
(which may include the flat upper face 392 of the intermediate
discontinuity 390) may comprise or be coated or treated with a
non-stick material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or
silicone. The grooves 384 may also be coated with said material.
Any portion of the lower side 376, may also comprise or be coated
with the said material. A user may tilt the distal portion 373
below horizontal (e.g., 45.degree. or more, or 90.degree. or more),
so that lipids collected within one or more of the distal groove
portions 384b are able to slide out of the distal groove portions
384b, thus emptying out the distal groove portions 384b for further
use. A user may also tilt the proximal portion 375 below horizontal
(e.g., 45.degree. or more, or 90.degree. or more), so that lipids
collected within one or more of the proximal groove portions 384a
are able to slide out of the proximal groove portions 384a, thus
emptying out the proximal groove portions 384a for further use.
Openings 398 in the connection portion 378 allow the lipids
collected within the centrally-located proximal groove portions
384a to slide out and be discarded (or retained in another
location). In embodiments wherein the grooves extend laterally,
instead of proximal-to-distal, the openings 398 may not be
needed.
[0113] An alternative head 400 having an upper side 402 and a lower
side 404 is shown in FIGS. 23-25. The head 400 may be coupled to
any of the handles disclosed herein using any of the joining
methods described, or may be made integral with a handle. The head
400 comprises a connection portion 406 having holes 408, 410. The
head 400 includes several grooves 412 extending from the outer
perimeter 414 at the upper side 402. The head 400 includes a series
of circular holes 416 and elongated holes 418 passing between the
upper side 402 and the lower side 404. The grooves 412 of the head
404 are arranged in a laterally extending manner, substantially
perpendicular to a plane containing the handle, and extending from
a first lateral side 420 and a second lateral side 422. In some
embodiments, the grooves 412 of the head 400 may alternatively
extend proximal-to-distal. In some embodiments, grooves may extend
neither laterally nor proximal 424 to distal 426, but at an
intermediate angle. The wall 428 of the head 400 includes a
repeated V-shaped pattern 430 having upper peaks 432 and lower
peaks 434, with the grooves 412 extending between successive upper
peaks 432 and lower grooves 436 extending between successive lower
peaks 334. The upper peaks 432 comprise parallel lines with
substantially every point having the same elevation with respect to
the longitudinal axis 438. Thus, a flat platform 440 is formed, and
configured for lifting, holding, and flipping (turning) solid or
semi-solid food items. In some embodiments, the elongated holes 418
and the circular holes 416 are configured on a given head such that
should any hole be obstructed by food crumbs or particles that
mostly comprise of a particular shape and size, aqueous liquid is
able to pass through the other shaped holes.
[0114] A kitchen utensil 450 is shown in FIG. 26 comprising a
handle 452 having a proximal end 454 and a distal end 456, and a
head 458 having an upper side 460 and a lower side 462. The head
458 also comprises a connection portion 464 having holes 466, 468
(FIG. 27). The distal end 456 of the handle 452 includes holes (not
shown) which may be aligned with the holes 466, 468 of the
connection portion 464 of the head 458, so that rivets 470, 472 may
be inserted through the holes to secure the head 458 to the handle
452. Other securement means or methods may be used, instead of the
rivets 470, 472 such as welding, soldering, brazing, adhesives,
epoxy, binding, molding, overmolding, insert molding, or mechanical
engagement (snapping, pressing together, crimping, screwing
together, swaging). In some embodiments, the head 458 and handle
452 may be monolithic, and formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or
molded from the same piece of material. The materials of any of the
embodiments in this disclosure may be the same as those already
described herein. The handle 452 comprises a frame 474 that is
coupled to a gripping portion 476. The gripping portion 476 extends
between its proximal end 478 and distal end 480, and may comprise
wood, a polymer, a composite material, or any other material with a
low thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity may
be 2.0 W/(mK) or less, or 1.0 W/(mK) or less, or 0.5 W/(mK) or
less, or 0.2 W/(mK) or less.
[0115] The head 458 includes several grooves 482 extending from the
outer perimeter 484 at the upper side 460. The head 458 includes a
series of circular holes 486 passing between the upper side 460 and
the lower side 462. The grooves 482 of the head 458 are arranged in
a laterally extending manner, substantially perpendicular to a
plane containing the handle 452, and extending from a first lateral
side 488 and a second lateral side 490. In some embodiments, the
grooves 482 of the head 458 may alternatively extend
proximal-to-distal. In some embodiments, grooves may extend neither
laterally nor proximal 492 to distal 494, but at an intermediate
angle. The wall 496 of the head 458 includes a repeated V-shaped
pattern 498 having upper peaks 497 and lower peaks 499, with the
grooves 482 extending between successive upper peaks 497 and lower
grooves 495 extending between successive lower peaks 499. The upper
peaks 497 comprise parallel lines with substantially every point
having the same elevation with respect to the longitudinal axis
493. Thus, a flat platform 491 is formed, and configured for
lifting, holding, and flipping (turning) solid or semi-solid food
items. The flat platform 491, like the head 458, has a
substantially oval or rectangular shape aspect ratio, being longer
(proximally to distally) than it is wide (laterally). Thus, the
kitchen utensil 450 is usable as an elongated turner, though can
also perform as a skimmer, as described herein.
[0116] An alternative head 500, similar to head 458, and having an
upper side 502 and a lower side 504 is shown in FIGS. 29-30. The
head 500 may be coupled to any of the handles disclosed herein
using any of the joining methods described, or may be made integral
with a handle. The head 500 comprises a connection portion 506
having holes 508, 510. The head 500 includes several grooves 512
extending from the outer perimeter 514 at the upper side 502. The
head 500 includes a series of holes 516 passing between the upper
side 502 and the lower side 504. The grooves 512 of the head 500
are arranged in a laterally extending manner, substantially
perpendicular to a plane containing the handle, and extending from
a first lateral side 520 and a second lateral side 522. In some
embodiments, the grooves 512 of the head 500 may alternatively
extend proximal-to-distal. In some embodiments, grooves may extend
neither laterally nor proximal 524 to distal 526, but at an
intermediate, oblique angle. The wall 528 of the head 500 is formed
so that the upper side 502 of the head 500 includes a series of
upper peaks 532, with the grooves 512 extending between successive
upper peaks 532. The lower side 504 is substantially flat and
comprises a flat surface 534. The upper peaks 532 comprise parallel
lines with substantially every point having the same elevation with
respect to the longitudinal axis 536. Thus, a flat platform 538 is
formed, and configured for lifting, holding, and flipping (turning)
solid or semi-solid food items.
[0117] The head 542 of a kitchen utensil 540 is shown in FIG. 31,
and includes a concave upper side 544 including a series of
sinusoidal indentations 546 and projections 548 arrayed between
first edge 541 and second edge 543. The sinusoidal indentations 546
comprise grooves or channels for collecting lipids as described
herein. One or more holes 550 pass between the concave upper side
544 and a convex lower side 552. In embodiments where the
sinusoidal indentations 546 and projections 548 each extend in a
longitudinal (proximal to distal) direction, the first edge 541 and
second edge 543 represent lateral edges. In embodiments where the
sinusoidal indentations 546 and projections 548 each extend in a
lateral (side to side) direction, the first edge 541 and second
edge 543 represent front and back edges.
[0118] The head 556 of a kitchen utensil 554 is shown in FIG. 32,
and includes a flat upper side 558 including a series of U-shaped
indentations 560 which alternate between projections 562 and are
arrayed between first edge 555 and second edge 557. The U-shaped
indentations 560 comprise grooves or channels for collecting lipids
as described herein. One or more holes 561 may be configured to
pass between the flat upper side 558 and a flat lower side 564. In
embodiments where the U-shaped indentations 560 and projections 562
each extend in a longitudinal (proximal to distal) direction, the
first edge 555 and second edge 557 represent lateral edges. In
embodiments where the U-shaped indentations 560 and projections 562
each extend in a lateral (side to side) direction, the first edge
555 and second edge 557 represent front and back edges.
[0119] The head 568 of a kitchen utensil 566 is shown in FIG. 33,
and includes a concave upper side 570 including a series of
V-shaped indentations 572 and projections 574 which are arrayed
between first edge 567 and second edge 569. The V-shaped
indentations 572 comprise grooves or channels for collecting lipids
as described herein. One or more holes 576 pass between the concave
upper side 570 and a convex lower side 578. In embodiments where
the V-shaped indentations 572 and projections 574 each extend in a
longitudinal (proximal to distal) direction, the first edge 567 and
second edge 569 represent lateral edges. In embodiments where the
V-shaped indentations 572 and projections 574 each extend in a
lateral (side to side) direction, the first edge 567 and second
edge 569 represent front and back edges.
[0120] The head 582 of a kitchen utensil 580 is shown in FIG. 34,
and includes a flat upper side 584 including a series of V-shaped
indentations 586 which alternate between projections 588 and are
arrayed between first edge 583 and second edge 585. The V-shaped
indentations 586 comprise grooves or channels for collecting lipids
as described herein. One or more holes (not shown) may be
configured to pass between the flat upper side 584 and a flat lower
side 590. In embodiments where the V-shaped indentations 586 and
projections 588 each extend in a longitudinal (proximal to distal)
direction, the first edge 583 and second edge 585 represent lateral
edges. In embodiments where the V-shaped indentations 586 and
projections 588 each extend in a lateral (side to side) direction,
the first edge 583 and second edge 585 represent front and back
edges.
[0121] A container 600 is shown in FIGS. 35-38 filled with desired
soup 602, and a layer of grease 604 or other unwanted materials,
such as suds, floating on top of the soup 602. A kitchen utensil
606 in any of the mentioned embodiments is illustrated in use. In
FIG. 35, a user grasps the handle 608 of the kitchen utensil 606
having a head 610 comprising a series of grooves or channels 612.
In FIG. 36A, the user moves the head 610 below the layer of grease
604 in the general direction of the arrow. In FIG. 37, the user
moves the head 610 in the general direction of the arrow
(substantially upward) so that portions 614 of the grease 604 are
forced into the grooves 612. In FIG. 38, the user lifts the entire
head 610 above the soup 602 and whichever portion of the grease 604
remains floating on top of the soup 602. The grease 604 and
unwanted floating materials retained within the grooves 612 is
shown in FIG. 38.
[0122] The kitchen utensil 606 may also be utilized to pick up
grease predominantly or completely via the adhesion of the lipid to
the surface of the utensil. A user may contact the surface from the
top, as illustrated in FIG. 36B without submerging the utensil
below the surface of the liquid or food. The surface adhesion of
the lipid to utensil will collect substantial volume of lipid
without dripping away from the utensil despite the lower side of
the utensil is subject to the force of gravity. Holes passing from
the upper side to the lower side may or may not be incorporated to
the head of the utensil 606. The lipid in the food need not be
liquid or substantially liquid. For example, the utensil may be
used to collect grease from solid food such as roasts and
burgers.
[0123] The kitchen utensil 606 may be used by running or skimming
the utensil over the surface of a cooking liquid. The kitchen
utensil 606 is then placed in an orientation wherein the grooves
are vertical, aligned with the direction of gravity. The
gravitational force helps to the liquid grease, fat or oil together
in the grooves 612, and the grooves 612 begin to fill with a larger
and larger volume of the grease, fat or oil. As the grooves 612
become full, the combined mass overcomes the surface tension, and
the grease, fat, or oil starts to flow longitudinally along the
grooves 612.
[0124] In order to aid the release of the retained portions 614 of
the grease 604 (and/or fat, or other lipids, foam) from the grooves
612 and into a waste or other receptacle 616, a user may manipulate
the handle 608 to tip the head 610 of the kitchen utensil 606 as
depicted in either of FIGS. 39, 40, and 41. In FIG. 39, the head
610 is tipped or slanted to about 45.degree. from the horizontal.
In FIG. 40, the head 610 is tipped or slanted to about 90.degree.
from the horizontal. In FIG. 41, the head 610 is tipped or slanted
to about 120.degree. from the horizontal. In these orientations, in
combination with the groove feature, gravity aids in the release of
the retained portions 614 of the grease (fat, other lipids) from
the grooves 612 and downward into the bottom 618 of the receptacle
616. An impulsive motion of the kitchen utensil 606 along the
longitudinal axes of the grooves 612 may be added in order to
facilitate the release of the retained portions 614. Alternatively,
an absorbent paper towel or cloth or other type of towel may be
used to wipe the grease from the kitchen utensil 606.
[0125] A key feature of the embodiments described in the present
disclosure takes advantage of the characteristics of grease and
fat, particularly their relatively low surface tension. While
grease adhesion to a utensil can occur whether the utensil of flat,
grooved, or another shape, the grooves described in relation to the
embodiments described herein allow the utensil to efficiently
collect and dispose of fat and grease. The grooved portions of the
utensils serve to increase the relative surface area over a portion
of the head of the utensil, thus increasing the surface available
to collect the lipid materials, and allowing them to pool within
the grooves. However, the groove shape also allows for efficient
disposal of the pooled lipid material. Certain prior art implements
include extending bristles or other similar surface area increasing
elements. However, the lipids tend to adhere to the bristles in
these prior art devices, making them hard to remove and dispose of.
The grease cannot be poured out of the bristles as easily as it can
be poured out of the grooves in the embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0126] In the embodiments of the kitchen utensils presented in
FIGS. 29, 30 a ladle or spatula containing grooves on a single side
may be configured such that the ladle or spatula can be flipped
over (inverted) and the bottom side, now facing up (or the top
side, now facing down) may be used to separate and remove the
lipids from the food item in this modified orientation.
Furthermore, a feature may be added which is configured allow the
rotation of the head relative to the handle. For example, the
feature may include a swivel. The flat side or the convex that was
facing down could now face up to utilize to manipulate food in that
orientation. This may be helpful to pressing, forming or shaping
food. Additionally, a grooved side that was facing up may be used
in a manner described below in relation to FIG. 36B. A series of
embodiments of spoons are now presented that include grooves on a
bottom surface of the head of the spoon, such that the top concave
surface is configured for scooping, serving, or stirring, while the
bottom surface is configured for removing lipids or stirring.
[0127] A spoon 620 is shown in FIGS. 42-44 comprising a handle 622
having a proximal end 624 and a distal end 626 and a head 628
having a concave upper side 630 and a convex lower side 632. The
head 628 and the handle 622 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 628 and the handle 622 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 634 extend along the
convex lower side 632 from a first side 636 to a second side 638 of
the head 628. The grooves 634 each extend from points on the outer
perimeter 640 of the head 628. The grooves 634 are configured to
collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
634 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41.
[0128] A spoon 642 is shown in FIGS. 45-47 comprising a handle 644
having a proximal end 646 and a distal end 648 and a head 650
having a concave upper side 652 and a convex lower side 654. The
head 650 and the handle 644 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 650 and the handle 644 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 656 extend along the
convex lower side 654 from a proximal end 658 to a distal end 660
of the head 650. The grooves 656 each extend from points on the
outer perimeter 662 of the head 650. The grooves 656 are configured
to collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
656 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41.
[0129] A spoon 664 is shown in FIGS. 48-50 comprising a handle 666
having a proximal end 668 and a distal end 670 and a head 672
having a concave upper side 674 and a convex lower side 676. The
head 672 and the handle 666 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 672 and the handle 666 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 678 extend along the
convex lower side 676 from a first side 680 to a second side 682 of
the head 672. The grooves 678 each extend from points on the outer
perimeter 684 of the head 672. The grooves 678 are configured to
collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
678 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41. A series of holes 686 passing between the
concave upper side 674 and the convex lower side 676 of the head
672 are configured to allow the passage of aqueous liquids
therethrough.
[0130] A spoon 688 is shown in FIGS. 51-53 comprising a handle 690
having a proximal end 692 and a distal end 694 and a head 696
having a concave upper side 698 and a convex lower side 700. The
head 696 and the handle 690 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 696 and the handle 690 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 702 extend along the
convex lower side 700 from a proximal end 704 to a distal end 706
of the head 696. The grooves 702 each extend from points on the
outer perimeter 708 of the head 696. The grooves 702 are configured
to collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
702 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41. A series of holes 710 passing between the
concave upper side 698 and the convex lower side 700 of the head
696 are configured to allow the passage of aqueous liquids
therethrough.
[0131] A spoon 710 is shown in FIGS. 54-56 comprising a handle 712
having a proximal end 714 and a distal end 716 and a head 718
having a concave upper side 720 and a convex lower side 722. The
head 718 and the handle 712 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 718 and the handle 712 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 724 extend along the
convex lower side 722 from a first side 726 to a second side 728 of
the head 718. The grooves 724 each extend from points on the outer
perimeter 730 of the head 718. The grooves 724 are configured to
collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
724 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41. A series of holes 732 passing between the
concave upper side 720 and the convex lower side 722 of the head
718 are configured to allow the passage of aqueous liquids
therethrough. A majority of the holes 732 are located on a first
portion 734 of the head 718 not containing the grooves 724. The
first portion 734 is located towards the proximal end 736 of the
head 718, but in alternative embodiments, may be located towards
the distal end 738 of the head 718. A majority of the grooves 724
are located on a second portion 740 of the head 718 not containing
the holes 732. The second portion 740 is located towards the distal
end 738 of the head 718, but in alternative embodiments, may be
located towards the proximal end 736 of the head 718.
[0132] A spoon 742 is shown in FIGS. 57-59 comprising a handle 744
having a proximal end 746 and a distal end 748 and a head 750
having a concave upper side 752 and a convex lower side 754. The
head 750 and the handle 744 may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the head 750 and the handle 744 may be
separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of grooves 756 extend along the
convex lower side 754 from a proximal end 758 to a distal end 760
of the head 750. The grooves 756 each extend from points on the
outer perimeter 762 of the head 750. The grooves 756 are configured
to collect lipids as described in relation to the grooves of the
previous embodiments. The user removes the lipids from the food in
accordance with the technique described in relation to FIG. 36B.
The method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves
756 and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in
relation to FIGS. 39-41. A series of holes 764 passing between the
concave upper side 752 and the convex lower side 754 of the head
750 are configured to allow the passage of aqueous liquids
therethrough. A majority of the holes 764 are located on a first
portion 766 of the head 750. A majority of the grooves 756 are also
located on the first portion 766 of the head 750. The second
portion 768 of the head 750 is free of holes 764 and grooves 756.
Though the first portion 766 and the second portion 768 are shown
substantially side-by-side, on alternative embodiments, the first
portion 766 and second portion 768 may be arranged in other
relative spacings, such as proximal and distal, distal and
proximal, a central area and a surrounding peripheral area (ring),
or vice versa.
[0133] A kitchen utensil 770 is shown in FIG. 70 comprising a
handle 772 having a first end 774 and a second end 776, and a head
778 having a top side 780 and a bottom side 782. The handle is
configured for gripping by a user between the first end 774 and the
second end 776. The first end 774 and second end 776 are each
coupled to the head 778 and may be integral or monolithic and may
be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same piece
of material. Alternatively, the first end 774 and second end 776 of
the handle 772 and the head 778 may be separate components that are
connected by any of the joining methods described herein. A first
series of grooves 784 are carried on the top side 780, and a second
series of grooves 786 are carried on the bottom side 782. The
grooves 784 and the grooves 786 extend inwardly from an outer
perimeter 788. The kitchen utensil 770 is configured to be used as
a skimmer to remove grease, fat, or other lipids from food. For
example, a user may grasp the handle 772 and lower the head 778
into a soup, below a top layer of lipids, and then lift the head
778 out of the soup, capturing the lipids in the grooves 784. The
method of transferring the removed lipids out of the grooves 784
and into a receptacle 616 is similar to that described in relation
to FIGS. 39-41. The kitchen utensil 770 may alternately be used as
a lid, for example, or a smaller pot or pan than the soup pot. In
other uses, the kitchen utensil 770 may be used as a scraper to
trap grease or fat from a solid food item such as a steak or
hamburger, by placing the head 778 over the food item and forcing
the grooves 786 into grease or fat on top of the solid food item.
The grease or fat may then be scraped off of the solid food item by
grasping the handle 772 and sliding the head 778 in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal axes of the grooves 786 (arrow), or
by rotating the head 778 (curved arrow). Many lipids will adhere to
the wall of the grooves 786, allowing the lipids to be removed with
the head 778.
[0134] A kitchen utensil 790 is shown in FIG. 61 comprising a
handle 792 having a proximal end 794 and a distal end 796 and a
spherical head 798 coupled to the distal end 796 of the handle 792.
The handle 792 may be integral or monolithic with the head 798 and
may be formed, cast, forged, 3D-printed, or molded from the same
piece of material. Alternatively, the handle 792 and the head 798
may be separate components that are connected by any of the joining
methods described herein. A series of circumferentially extending
grooves 800 encircle the head 798. Each groove 800 begins at a
first point 802 on the outer circumference 804 of a portion of the
head 798, extends 360.degree. around the head 798 and returns to
the first point 802. An outer circumference 804a at a distal end
806 of the head 798 is smaller than an outer circumference 804b at
a central region 808 of the head 798. The kitchen utensil 790
includes a hollow central cavity 810. The grooves 800 are
configured to separate or remove lipids from liquid, semi-solid, or
solid food. A user grasps the handle 792 and moves the head 798
into or against the food containing the lipid, it order to allow
the lipid to adhere to the grooves 800. The head 798 is then
removed from the food item and the lipids are removed from the
grooves 800 my shaking or wiping. The kitchen utensil 790 may in
some embodiments also be used as a pestle, for breaking, grinding,
or otherwise modifying food items within a mortar or other
container. In other embodiments, the kitchen utensil 790 may also
serve as a honey dipper, for dispensing honey using the grooves 800
of the head 798. The kitchen utensil 790 may be configured to be
rammed into food (along a longitudinal axis) by a user, or to be
rotated (about a longitudinal axis) by the user.
[0135] A kitchen utensil 812 is shown in FIG. 62 comprising a
handle 814 having a proximal end 816 and a distal end 818 and a
spherical head 820 having a hollow central cavity 822. The kitchen
utensil 812 is similar in structure and use to the kitchen utensil
790 of FIG. 61, except that it includes a longitudinally-extending
channel 824 starting at an outer perimeter 826 of the head 820 and
extending inward, toward the longitudinal axis 828. As shown in
FIG. 62, the channel 824 extends all the way to the central cavity
822, but in other embodiments, the channel may extend only
partially. A series of grooves 830 extend from a first side 832 of
the channel 824 at the outer perimeter 826, around the spherical
head 820 and longitudinal axis, and ending at a second side 834 of
the channel 824 at the outer perimeter 826. In other embodiments,
two or more longitudinally-extending channels 824 may be formed on
the head 820. Thus, the grooves 830 may extend only partially
around the head 820, or may extend almost entirely around the head.
The extension of a single groove 830 may vary from between about
45.degree. to about 358.degree., or between about 90.degree. and
about 355.degree., or between about 150.degree. and about
355.degree..
[0136] A kitchen utensil 836 is shown in FIG. 63 comprising a
handle 838 having a proximal end 840 and a distal end 842 and a
conical head 844 having a series of circumferentially-extending
grooves 846. Though the handle 838 may be grasped by the hand of a
user, it has a hexagonal surface 848 configured to be coupled to
hand-driven or motorized rotating device (not shown). In some
embodiments, the hexagonal surface 848 is replaced by another
non-round shape, such as square. The grooves 846 extending
circumferentially around the head 844 are configured for separating
and removing lipids from food. The head 844 may, in some
embodiments, also be used as a mixing head to agitate, stir, mix,
whip, and otherwise modify liquid mixtures or liquid-solid
mixtures.
[0137] The kitchen utensil 850 of FIG. 64 comprises a handle 852
having a proximal end 854 and a distal end 856 and a conical head
858. The kitchen utensil 850 is similar to the kitchen utensil 836
of FIG. 63, except that the grooves 860 extend partially around the
head 858 between longitudinally-extending channels 862. For
example, groove 860a extends around the outer perimeter 855,
between a first point 857 and a second point 859. The handle 852
includes an inner hexagonal cavity 864, configured to be engaged
with a hex key or a hexagonal drive element of a manual or
automatic driver.
[0138] A kitchen utensil 866 is shown in FIG. 65 comprising a
hollow elongate body 868 having a first end 870 and a second end
872. One of the first end 870 or second end 872 may be grasped by a
user, thus serving as a handle. The non-grasped portion of the
kitchen utensil 866 may thus be used for removing lipids from food.
The kitchen utensil 866 may also be used to stir liquid or
semi-liquid broths or mixtures. A lumen 880 extends the entire
length of the elongate body 868 and may be used to siphon or inject
liquids or liquid-solid mixtures. A first series of grooves 874
extend around an exterior 876 of the elongate body 868 and a second
series of grooves 878 extend around an interior surface 882 of the
elongate body. To remove lipids from a food item, the user inserts
some or all of a non-gripped portion of the elongate body 868 into
the food item to capture lipids within the grooves 874, 878. The
kitchen utensil 866 may then be removed from the food item in order
to remove the lipids from the grooves 874, 878.
[0139] The kitchen utensil 884 of FIG. 66 is similar to the kitchen
utensil 866 of FIG. 65, except the external grooves 886 and the
internal grooves 888 do not extend all the way circumferentially
around the elongate body 890. The grooves 886, 888 extend from a
first side 892 of a longitudinal slit 894, around the outer
perimeter 898 elongate body 890, and terminating at a second side
896 of the longitudinal slit 894.
[0140] A kitchen utensil 900 is shown in FIGS. 67-69 comprising a
handle 902 having a proximal end 904 and a distal end 906 and a
head 908. The head 908 includes an upper smooth side 910 which is
depicted in a concave form, but which may alternatively be other
shapes. The upper smooth side 910 is adjacent an abutment 911, and
may be used to scoop or spread food materials. A bottom side 912
includes several rows of repeating projections 914 which together
form a series of broken (e.g., dotted line) walls which thus define
a series of grooves 916. The projections 914 may be used to scrape
lipids and unwanted materials from food, and the grooves 916 are
configured to maintain the lipid material, as described in
accordance with the other embodiments herein. In between each
successive projection 914 is a space 917. When the projections 914
are substantially the same with and are substantially aligned (as
shown), a channel 919 transverse to the grooves 916 is defined. In
other embodiments, the projections 914 may comprise rails, bumps,
or inverted dimples.
[0141] A scraper 918, shown in FIG. 70, is configured to scrape
material from food or from a cooking surface or other surface. A
handle 920 comprises a central arced projection and continues
laterally to two wings 922, 924. The scraper 918 may be simply made
from a single extrusion or a formed piece of metal having a
sinusoidal or repeating wave cross-section 926. Peaks 930 on the
underside of the wings 922, 924 are configured to scrape lipids or
other burnt or otherwise undesired material. Grooves 928 on the
underside of the wings 922, 924 are configured to receive and
maintain lipids or other burnt or otherwise undesired material. A
central space 925 is shown between the two wings 922, 924, but is
not required. In other embodiments, a first side 927 and a second
side 929 of the handle 920 may be flush or directly adjacent to
each other, within the space 925.
[0142] A funnel 932, shown in FIG. 71, includes a conical body 934
having a trough 936 or inlet, and an exit hole 938 within a
projection 939. The conical body 934 may include a series of holes
940 in its wall 942. The wall 942 further comprises a series of
grooves 944 configured to receive and maintain lipids, as described
in accordance with the other embodiments herein.
[0143] The grooves described in the embodiments herein that are
configured for receiving lipids may each have a width of between
about 0.5 mm and about 20 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 15
mm, or between about 2 mm and about 10 mm. The grooves described in
the embodiments herein that are configured for receiving lipids may
each have a depth of between about 0.5 mm and about 15 mm, or
between about 1 mm and about 12 mm, or between about 2 mm and about
10 mm. The grooves may have a square cross-section at the bottom of
their depth, or may have a radiused bottom. The groove patterns may
include symmetric or asymmetric patterns and may be straight,
curvilinear, sinusoidal, continuous, segmented, or tapering. Either
or both groove width and groove depth may taper or vary in
dimension along the groove.
[0144] FIGS. 72A-72H illustrate cross-section shapes of groove
extending within the wall 972 of a head 970 of a kitchen utensil.
Any combination of the shapes described may be incorporated in the
embodiments of kitchen utensils described herein. A groove 974 in
FIG. 72A includes two tapered side walls 976. A groove 978 in FIG.
72B includes a flared entrance 980. A groove 982 in FIG. 72C
includes a fileted entrance 984. A groove 986 in FIG. 72D includes
a chamfered entrance 988. A groove 990 in FIG. 72E includes a flat
bottom 992. A groove 994 in FIG. 72F includes a full radiused
bottom 996. A groove 997 in FIG. 72G includes a filleted bottom
998. A groove 995 in FIG. 72H includes a chamfered bottom 999.
[0145] In additional embodiments, a groove wiper may be provided,
either as a sliding element of the kitchen utensil, or as a
separate element. The groove wiper may have a shape that matches
the contours of the grooves. The groove wiper may comprise a rubber
and may have a thin projection, similar to that of a squeegee
blade. In other embodiments, the wiper may be rigid, and may sweep
in an arc, similar to the wiper in certain ice cream scoopers.
[0146] While embodiments have been shown and described, various
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
inventive concepts disclosed herein.
[0147] The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all
overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as "up
to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," "between," and the
like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such
as "approximately", "about", and "substantially" as used herein
include the recited numbers (e.g., about 10%=10%), and also
represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs
a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the
terms "approximately", "about", and "substantially" may refer to an
amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of,
within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less
than 0.01% of the stated amount.
* * * * *