Draining device for a strainer inside a container The present invention relates to the technical field of draining devices comprising an outer container accommodating a perforated inner receptacle, wherein the outer container is capable of 5 supporting the inner perforated receptacle in a low position and in a high position, the high position enabling straining of the content of the perforated inner receptacle into the outer container. The present invention relates particularly to the preparation offromage blanc [a fresh, soft, white 10 cow's-milk cheese], for which draining of the whey is desirable. Document FR 2 423 977 discloses a strainer of the aforementioned type, wherein the perforated inner receptacle has lateral protrusions capable of resting on support members of the outer container when the perforated inner receptacle occupies the high position. However, these outer 15 lateral protrusions consist of flexible tabs, and changing from the low position to the high position and vice versa requires that said tabs be elastically deformed. The necessary insertion or extraction force makes the use of this device difficult. The object of the present invention is to propose a draining device allowing particularly easy 20 operation. This object is attained with a draining device comprising an outer container accommodating a perforated inner receptacle, the outer container being able to support the perforated inner receptacle in a low position and in a high position, the perforated inner receptacle having at least 25 two lateral outer protrusions capable of resting on support members of the outer container when the perforated inner receptacle occupies the high position, due to the fact that the outer container has an upper opening providing on the inside of said outer container at least two lateral indentations between said support members, said lateral indentations being provided for accommodating said outer lateral protrusions when the perforated inner receptacle occupies the 30 low position. These arrangements allow the perforated inner receptacle to be moved from the high position to the low position and vice versa by simply lifting the perforated inner receptacle above the outer container, by turning the perforated inner receptacle relative to the outer container so as to place the outer lateral protrusions over the lateral indentations or over the support members, and by lowering the perforated inner receptacle back into the outer container. 35 The lateral indentations extending into the upper opening allow the withdrawal of the perforated inner receptacle and the placement of the perforated inner receptacle into the outer container by simple movement of the perforated inner receptacle. According to one embodiment, the perforated inner receptacle occupying the low position rests 40 on a bottom of the outer container. This arrangement allows the space surrounding the perforated inner receptacle to be limited, thus favoring retention of the whey in the strainer. According to one embodiment, the support members of the outer container consist of inner lateral protrusions. This arrangement makes it possible to optimize the lateral bulk of the outer 45 container. Advantageously then, the lateral inner protrusions extend from an upper rim of the outer container. This arrangement makes it possible to optimize the height of the outer container.
According to another embodiment, the support members of the outer container consist of an upper rim of the outer container. The lateral indentations can then be constituted by the sidewall of the outer container. 5 According to one embodiment, the outer container and the perforated inner receptacle have a non-circular geometry. Particularly, the outer container and the perforated inner receptacle can have a polygonal geometry. 10 According to one embodiment, the perforated inner receptacle comprises a perforated sidewall or walls. Alternatively or complementarily, the perforated inner receptacle can comprise a perforated bottom. 15 According to one embodiment particularly suited to draining devices having a square, but also circular or hexagonal geometry, the lateral outer protrusions include a first outer lateral protrusion and an opposite second outer lateral protrusion. According to another embodiment particularly suited to draining devices having a rectangular, 20 but also elliptical or hexagonal geometry, half of the upper opening of the outer container comprises a first support member and a second support member flanking a first lateral indentation, the other half of the upper opening of the outer container comprising a second lateral indentation and a third lateral indentation flanking a third support member. 25 Still advantageously, to facilitate the extraction of the perforated inner receptacle, the perforated inner receptacle comprises at least one grasping member. Advantageously then, said at least one grasping member extends from an upper edge of the perforated inner receptacle. This arrangement makes it possible to maximize the capacity of the 30 perforated inner receptacle by limiting the bulk of the outer container. According to an advantageous embodiment, the perforated inner receptacle comprises two opposite inner grasping members. The user can thus withdraw a perforated inner receptacle with individual serving capacity by lifting said opposite inner grasping members by crossing his 35 thumb and index finger. Advantageously then, the two opposite inner grasping members are positioned between two outer lateral protrusions. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid having deformation of the upper part of the perforated inner receptacle spread the outer lateral protrusions of the support members. 40 Still advantageously, the outer container fully accommodates the perforated inner receptacle occupying the low position. The container can then be easily closed with a lid. The invention will be better understood upon studying the four embodiments, taken without any 45 purpose of limitation, illustrated by the appended figures, wherein: - Figure I is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a draining device according to the invention, 50 - Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the low position, - Figure 3 is an assembled perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the high position, 5 - Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a draining device according to the invention, - Figure 5 is an assembled perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the high position, 10 - Figure 6 is an assembled perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the low position, - Figure 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a draining 15 device according to the invention, - Figure 8 is a schematic view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 7, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the low position, 20 - Figure 9 is a schematic view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 7, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the high position, - Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a draining device according to the invention, 25 - Figure I 1 is a view from below of the perforated inner receptacle of the draining device illustrated in Figure 10, - Figure 12 is a view from below of the outer container of the draining device illustrated in 30 Figure 10, - Figure 13 is an assembled partial section perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 10, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the high position, 35 - Figure 14 is an assembled partial section perspective view of the draining device illustrated in Figure 10, wherein the perforated inner receptacle is occupying the low position. 40 The draining device illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 comprises an outer container 1 accommodating a perforated inner receptacle 2, designed for example for preparing individual servings offromage blanc. The outer container I can support the perforated inner receptacle 2 in a low position illustrated in 45 Figure 2 and in a high position illustrated in Figure 3, provided for draining. The outer container I and the perforated inner receptacle 2 illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 have a non-circular geometry, however the present invention also applies to outer containers and/or perforated inner receptacles 2 having a circular geometry. The outer container 1 and the 50 perforated inner receptacle 2 have a polygonal geometry, particularly a square geometry.
The outer container I comprises a bottom 10 connected to sidewalls 11. The upper portion of the sidewalls I1 has two lateral indentations 12 positioned above upper lips 13. Two lateral inner protrusions 14 are positioned between the lateral indentations 12. The inner lateral protuberances 5 14 extend from an upper rim 15 of the outer container 1. The perforated inner receptacle 2 comprises an unperforated bottom 20 connected to perforated sidewalls 21. The perforated inner receptacle has two outer lateral protrusions 22. Particularly, the outer lateral protrusions 22 extend from an upper lip 23 of the perforated inner receptacle 2. 10 The outer lateral protrusions 22 include a first outer lateral protrusion 22a and a second outer lateral protrusion 22b opposite one another, each positioned on one surface of the perforated inner receptacle 2. The perforated inner receptacle 2 advantageously comprises at least one grasping member 24, 15 said grasping member 24 preferably extending from the upper edge 23 of the perforated inner receptacle 2. As shown in Figure 1, the perforated inner receptacle 2 comprises two opposite inner grasping members 24. The two opposite inner grasping members 24 are positioned between the two outer lateral protrusions 22. 20 As shown in Figure 2, the lateral indentations 12 are designed to accommodate the outer lateral protrusions 22 when the perforated inner receptacle 2 is occupying the low position in the outer container 1. Particularly, the perforated inner receptacle 2 occupying the low position rests on the bottom 10 of the outer container 1. To minimize the space between the outer container I and the perforated inner receptacle 2, the sidewalls 11, 21 of the outer container I and of the perforated 25 inner receptacle 2 have trapezoidal shapes. Figure 2 shows that the outer container I entirely accommodates the perforated inner receptacle 2 occupying the lower position. As can be seen in figure 3, the outer lateral protrusions 22 are able to rest on support members 16 of the outer container I when the perforated inner receptacle 2 is occupying the high position. As 30 can be better seen in Figure 1, the support members 16 of the outer container I are constituted by the inner lateral protrusions 14. Thus the outer container I has an upper opening 17 providing on the inside of said outer container 1 at least two lateral indentations 12 between the support members 16. 35 The draining device according to the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 is used in the following manner. To change from the low position of the perforated inner receptacle 2 illustrated in Figure 2 to the high position of the perforated inner receptacle 2 shown in Figure 3, or vice versa, the user grasps the perforated inner receptacle 2 by the grasping members 24, for example by crossing his thumb and index finger, lifts the perforated inner receptacle 2, turns the 40 perforated inner receptacle 2 one-quarter turn relative to the outer container 1 and lowers the perforated inner receptacle 2. Handling of the perforated inner receptacle 2 is thus particularly easy. 45 The draining device illustrated in Figure 4 through 6 comprises an outer container 1' accommodating a perforated inner receptacle 2', designed for instance for the preparation of family-sized servings offromage blanc. The support members 16' of the outer container ' consist of inner lateral protrusions 14' 50 extending from the upper rim 15' of the outer container 1'. The perforated inner receptacle 2' includes an unperforated bottom 20' and perforated sidewalls 21'. The perforated inner receptacle 2' occupying the low position rests on a bottom 10' of the outer container l'; the outer container 1' fully accommodates the perforated inner receptacle 2' occupying the lower position. The draining device illustrated in Figures 4 through 6 differs from the draining device illustrated 5 in Figures 1 through 3 in that the outer container 1' and the perforated inner receptacle 2' have a rectangular geometry, and in that half of the upper opening 17' of the outer container I' comprises a first support member 16'a and a second support member 16'b flanking a first lateral indentation 12'a, and in that the other half of the upper opening 17' of the outer container ' comprises a second lateral indentation 12'b and a third lateral indentation 12'c flanking a third 10 support member 16'c. The perforated inner receptacle 2' has three outer lateral protrusions 22' capable of resting on the support members 16' of the outer container ' when the perforated inner receptacle 2' is occupying the high position. The outer lateral protrusions 22' extend from an upper edge 23' of the perforated inner receptacle 2'. The outer lateral protrusions 22' include a first outer lateral protrusion 22'a and a second outer lateral protrusion 22'b positioned on one and 15 the same side of the perforated inner receptacle 2', designed to rest respectively on the first support member 16'a and the second support member 16'b, as well as a third outer lateral protrusion 22'c, positioned on the opposite side of the perforated inner receptacle 2' and designed to rest on the third support member 16'c, as can be seen in Figure 5. 20 To change from the high position of the perforated inner receptacle 2' illustrated in Figure 5 to the low position of the perforated inner receptacle 2' shown in Figure 6, the user lifts the perforated inner receptacle 2', turns it one-half turn relative to the outer container 1' and lowers the perforated inner receptacle 2'. Thus the third support member 16'c is inserted between the first outer lateral protrusion 22'a and the second outer lateral protrusion 22'b, the third outer 25 lateral protrusion 22'c being inserted between the first support member 16'a and the second support member 16'b, as can be seen in Figure 6. The outer lateral protrusions 22' consisting of the first outer lateral protrusions 22'a, the second outer lateral protrusion 22'b and the third outer lateral protrusion 22'c are thus inserted into lateral indentations 12' consisting of the first lateral indentation 12'a, the second lateral indentation 12'b and the third lateral indentation 12'c. 30 The draining device illustrated in Figures 7 through 9 comprises an outer container 51 accommodating a perforated inner receptacle 52, designed for example for preparing individual servings offromage blanc. 35 The outer container 51 and the perforated inner receptacle 52 exhibit an essentially circular geometry. The inner perforated receptacle 52 comprises an unperforated bottom 70 and a perforated sidewall 71, as well as a grasping member 74 extending from an upper edge 73. The perforated inner receptacle 52 occupying the low position rests on a bottom 60 of the outer container 51. The outer lateral protrusions 72 of the inner perforated receptacle 52 include a first 40 outer lateral protrusion 72a and a second outer lateral protrusion 72b opposite one another. The draining device illustrated in Figures 7 through 9 differs from the draining device illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 in that the lateral indentations 62 of the outer container 51 consist of outside steps in the sidewall 61 spreading outward from the geometry of the rest of the upper rim 45 65 of the outer container 51, and in that the outer lateral protrusions 72 consist of outside steps in the perforated sidewall 71 spreading outward from the geometry of the rest of the upper rim 73. The support members 66 of the outer container 51 consist of the upper rim 65 of the outer container 51. 50 As can be seen in Figure 8, the lateral indentations 62 partially accommodate the outer lateral protrusions 72 when the perforated inner receptacle 52 is occupying the low position.
The draining device illustrated in Figures 10 through 14 comprises an outer container 101 accommodating a perforated inner receptacle 102, designed for example for preparing family servings of yoghurt. The outer container 101 and the perforated inner receptacle 102 exhibit a 5 rectangular configuration geometry. The perforated inner receptacle 102 exhibits three outer lateral protrusions 122, more easily seen in Figure 11, capable of resting on the support members 116 of the outer container 101, more easily seen in Figure 12, when the perforated inner receptacle 102 is occupying the high position. 10 Half of the upper opening 117 of the outer container 101 comprises a first support member I 16a and a second support member 116b flanking a first lateral indentation 112a, and the other half of the upper opening 117 of the outer container 10 1 comprises a second lateral indentation I 12b and a third lateral indentation 1 12c flanking a third support member I I6c. 15 The perforated inner receptacle 102 comprises grasping members 124 extending from an upper edge 125 of the perforated inner receptacle 102. As can be seen in Figure 14, the perforated inner receptacle 102 occupying the low position rests 20 on a bottom 110 of the outer container 101; the outer container 101 accommodates entirely the perforated inner receptacle 102 occupying the low position. This draining device differs from the second embodiment in that the support members 116 of the outer container 101 consist of inner lateral protrusions 114 ending at a distance from the upper 25 rim 115 of the outer container 101. The perforated inner receptacle 102 comprises a perforated bottom 120, two perforated sidewalls 121, 121' and two unperforated sidewalls 123, 123'. 30 The perforated bottom 120 and the perforated sidewalls 121, 121' provide drainage windows 126. A filter sheet 128 extends across each of the drainage windows 126. The perforated inner receptacle is for example obtained by overmoulding of a plastic body onto the filter sheet 128. The filter sheet 128 advantageously provides pores smaller than 500 gm and preferably comprised between 50 pm and 200 pm for straining yoghurt; for straining fromage blanc larger 35 pores, for example up to 2 mm, can be contemplated. The filter sheet 128 is advantageously made of woven material, nylon for example. If desired, one and the same filter sheet 128 can extend across one or more drainage windows 126. The perforated inner receptacle 102 can exhibit one or more drainage windows 126. 40 The outer lateral protrusions 122 of the perforated inner receptacle 102 consist of portions of the lower edge 129 of the perforated inner receptacle 102. As is more clearly visible in Figure 11, the outer lateral protrusions 122 include two outer lateral protrusions 122a, 122b extending from the unperforated sidewall 123, another outer lateral 45 protrusion 122c extending from the other unperforated sidewall 123' opposite the unperforated sidewall 123. A lateral groove 127c arises from the unperforated sidewall 123 between the outer lateral protrusions 122a, 122b. The other outer lateral protrusion 122c is bracketed by two other lateral 50 grooves 127a, 127b. The grasping members 124 are positioned on the outside of the perforated inner receptacle 102 above the lateral grooves 127a, 127b, 127c.
To change from the high position of the perforated inner receptacle 102 illustrated in Figure 13 to the low position illustrated in Figure 14, the user lifts the perforated inner receptacle 102, turns it one-half turn relative to the outer container 101, and lowers the perforated inner receptacle 102 5 back into the outer container 101. In the low position of the perforated inner receptacle 102 illustrated in Figure 14, minimizing the space between the outer walls of the perforated inner receptacle 102 and the inner walls of the outer container 101 makes it possible to minimize the quantity of milk and ferments present 10 outside the perforated inner receptacle 102. Thus, according to the invention, the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 exhibits at least two outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122 capable of resting on support members 16; 16'; 66; 116 of the outer container 1; '; 51; 101 when the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 is 15 occupying the high position, and the outer container 1; 1'; 51; 101 exhibits an upper opening 17; 17'; 67; 117 providing inside said outer container 1; 1'; 51; 101 at least two lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112 between said support members 16; 16'; 66; 116, said lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112 being designed to at least partially accommodate said outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122 when the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 is occupying the low position. 20 The perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52 thus constitutes a strainer enabling the straining of fromage blanc by a simple operation consisting of lifting the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52, turning it by a fraction of a turn, and lowering it again into the outer container 1; 1'; 51. The perforated inner receptacle 102 and the outer container 101 enable a similar operation for 25 straining yoghurt and for strainingfromage blanc. The lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112 provided in the outer container 1; '; 51; 101 by the upper opening 17; 17'; 67; 117 make it possible to move the outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122 out of the lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112. 30 The perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 initially in the low position in the outer container I; 1'; 51; 101 can thus be withdrawn from the outer container 1; 1'; 5 1; 101 without requiring any deformation of the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 or of the outer container 1; l'; 51; 101. 35 The perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 can also be replaced in the low position in the outer container 1; 1'; 51; 101 without requiring deformation of the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 or of the outer container 1; 1'; 51; 101. 40 In other words, the lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112 provide a passage for the outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122 when the perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 is moved from the low position inside the outer container 1; '; 51; 101 toward the outside, and vice versa. The perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 can be placed in the low position inside the outer 45 container 1; l'; 51; 101 by inserting the lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62; 112 into the outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122. The perforated inner receptacle 2; 2'; 52; 102 can be put in the high position inside the outer container 1; 1'; 51; 101 by placing the outer lateral protrusions 22; 22'; 72; 122 onto the support 50 members 16; 16'; 66; 116.
In the first, the second and the third embodiments, the lateral indentations 12; 12'; 62 are provided on the inside of the outer container 1; '; 51 at the upper rim 15; 15'; 65 of the outer container 1; '; 51. 5 In the fourth embodiment, the lateral indentations 112 are provided on the inside of the outer container 101 below the upper rim 115 of the outer container 101. As a variant for the fourth embodiment, the filter sheet(s) 128 is/are not necessarily made of woven material, but can for example be made of a non-woven material, or even of perforated 10 metal obtained by electrical discharge machining. The geometry of the pores provided by the filter sheet(s) 128 is not necessarily circular or square. A filter sheet or sheets 128 exhibiting elongated pores can be used. The relevant dimensional parameter for filtration is the width of the pores; the length can be greater without affecting 15 filtering performance. As a variant, the outer lateral protrusions and the support members are not necessarily arranged symmetrically; the rotation of the perforated inner receptacle relative to the outer container to change from the low position to the high one, or vice versa, is not necessarily a quarter turn or a 20 half turn. The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and its variants, but encompasses numerous modifications within the scope of the claims. 25