GB2091988A

GB2091988A - Container with strainer

Info

Publication number: GB2091988A
Application number: GB8103004A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-01-30
Filing date: 1981-01-30
Publication date: 1982-08-11
Also published as: GB2091988B

Abstract

The container comprises a body (6) in the form of a saucepan, and a straining member (14) adapted to seat within an upper part of the body, in engagement with the interior surface of a rim (10) of the body, enabling liquid to be poured through the straining member to flow into the lower part of the body in a straining operation. The container also comprises a lid (26) adapted to engage against the interior of the rim of the straining member whereby, when the straining member is in position within the body, to close the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container This invention is concerned with containers, particularly for use in storing liquids used in cooking.

When for example chips have been fried, and the cooking fat has cooled somewhat, it is common practice to pour the fat through a strainer into a container, to remove particles of chips from the fat, and to provide storage of the fat until it is needed again.

Strainers used in such practice are commonly of the type which must be removed before the container can be closed with a cover member, frequently being of the type comprising a handle. Thus, straining must be concluded before the container is put away in a cupboard, and where straining takes some time, this is often inconvenient.

Inconvenience is also encountered when the fat being used is a solidifiable fat such as lard; in such circumstances before the fat is returned to the chip pan, it must either by hacked out from the container, and the pieces placed in the chip pan, or must be melted, and containers of the kind as are commonly used to store such fat do not readily lend themselves to the easy melting of the fat therein. Thus there is a tendancy, when lard is being used, for it to be left, unstrained, in the chip pan.

Some of the problems set out above also relate to the storing of other cooking liquids, such as stocks, for example prepared by boiling meat remnants, or vegetables.

According to this invention there is provided a container for use in storing liquids used in cooking, and comprising an opentopped hollow body, a strainer member which may be positioned within an upper part of the body, so as to enable, when so positioned, liquid to be poured therethrough to flow into the lower part of the body in a straining operation, and a closure member to close the open top with the straining member in such position.

Preferably the construction and arrangement is such that the straining member, when in such position, is located substantially wholly within the confines of the hollow body, and does not comprise any part protruding to any significant extent from the body.

Preferably the body is provided with means at an upper part thereof, conveniently afforded by a widened rim of the body at said upper part, against which a rim of the straining member may seat, to locate the straining member in such position within the body.

The cover member, which is conveniently afforded by a lid, may be adapted to engage against the rim of the body at a portion thereof above the straining member, or may be adapted to engage against an inner side of the rim of the straining member.

Preferably the straining member is upwardly-concave.

By the use of this invention, with the straining member so positioned within the upper part of the body, a cooking liquid comprising solid material which it is desired to remove from the liquid, may be poured into the straining member in the upper part of the container, and the container closed by the cover member, notwithstanding straining of the liquid not having been completed. In due course, (for example, before the next use of the cooking liquid) the straining member may be removed from the upper part of the body, and the solid material removed therefrom.

Additional to the body, straining member and preferably the lid, being of heat resistant material which will enable hot cooking liquids to be poured into the container without the need to await cooling of the liquid, preferably the body at least, and preferably also the straining member and the lid, are of flameresistant material of the kind which enables the container to be used as a saucepan. In this manner, in the event that it is necessary to heat up the contents of the container before further use, the container may be placed on an electric or gas stove without detriment.

Thus conveniently the body and lid are as a saucepan, the straining member being conveniently of spun aluminium being provided with straining apertures by a stamping operation.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing, of a container which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, parts thereof being shown in separated position.

The container which is the preferred embodiment of this invention has been designed specifically for use in storing cooking fat, and comprises an open-topped hollow body 6, generally in the form of a saucepan, being made of flame-resistant metal, and being provided with a handle 8. An upper peripheral edge portion of the body is widened, to provide a flared rim 10, a portion of which generally opposite to the handle 8 is deformed to provide a pouring spout 1 2.

The container also comprises a filter or strainer member 14, of concave, generally circular form, produced from aluminium by a spinning process. A circumferential, generally cylindrical part 1 6 of the member 1 4 is a sliding fit within the rim 10 of the body 6, in which position a generally radial, annular flange 1 8 of the member 1 4 sits on the upper edge of the rim 10. The base of the member 14 is provided with a number of straining apertures 20 of desired size.

The container also comprises an cover member or lid 26, which may be fitted within the strainer member 14 with a peripheral edge portion 28 of the lid seating against an interior part of the member 14, particularly at a part thereof between the interior of the cylindrical portion 16, and an interior frustoconical portion 22 of the strainer member 14.

When the strainer member 14 is positioned within the upper part of the body 6, with the rim 1 8 seating on the upper edge of the rim 10, cooking liquid may be poured into the concace interior of the strainer member and into the body 6, such liquid passing through the apertures 20, whih separate solid particles to be removed from the liquid. Whether or not straining has been completed, with the strainer member 1 4 in this position, the lid 26 may be placed in engagement with the strainer member, to close the container, allowing the container to be placed to one side.

With the strainer member 14 in the position above described, the flange 18, but no substantial part of the strainer member 14, is located outside the body 6.

However, the taper on the flared tim of the body is such that the lid 26 may be fitted therein without the presence of the strainer member 14.

The body 6 and the lid 26 are of metal, enabling the container to be placed on an electric or gas stove if desired.

Claims

1. A container for use in storing liquids used in cooking, and comprising an opentopped hollow body, a strainer member which may be positioned within an upper part of the body, so as to enable, when so positioned, liquid to be poured therethrough to flow into the lower part of the body in a straining operation, and a closure member to close the open top with the straining member in such position.

2. A container according to Claim 1 wherein the construction and arrangement is such that the straining member, when in such position, is located substantially wholly within the confines of the hollow body, and does not comprise any part protruding to any significant extent from the body.

3. A container according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the body is provided with means at an upper part thereof, against which a rim of the straining member may seat, to locate the straining member in such position within the body.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover member is afforded by a lid, and is adapted to engage against the rim of the body at a portion thereof above the straining member.

5. A container according to any one of J Zx 1, 2 and 3 -ko.-z-.- t- vçr i riber is adapted to engage against an inner side of the rim of the straining member.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the straining member is upwardly-concave.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body, straining member and the lid, are of heat resistant material.

8. A container according to Claim 7 wherein the body at least, is of flame-resistant material.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the straining member is of spun metal being provided with straining apertures by a stamping operation.

10. A container constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.