Patent Application
20130084366
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
The present invention generally relates to cooking devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices used to cook eggs with or without additional ingredients. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing hardboiled eggs. In particular, it takes considerable time and effort to de-shell hardboiled eggs
A need exists for improvement in this field. This, and other needs, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.
The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of an artificial shell for cooking, the present invention is not limited to use only in food preparation, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Accordingly, broadly defined, one aspect of the present invention relates to an artificial shell for cooking, as substantially shown and described.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, relates to an artificial shell. An exemplary such artificial shell includes a top portion and a bottom portion. Furthermore, the top portion and bottom portion are removably secured together to define an inner chamber for storing solid and liquid ingredients.
In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the artificial shell further includes a fill opening. In a variation of this feature, the artificial shell further includes a fill opening cover. In still another variation, the fill opening cover includes a grip portion.
Another feature of the present invention includes a threaded screw adapted to removably secure the top portion to the bottom portion.
In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the artificial shell includes a base.
In yet another feature, the artificial shell is generally egg-shaped.
In still another feature, the artificial shell is comprised of food grade polypropylene plastic.
In a further feature of this aspect of the invention, the artificial shell is comprised of microwave safe material.
In yet another feature, the artificial shell is comprised of stainless steel.
In still another feature, the inner chamber has a volume of approximately seventy milliliters.
In a further feature, the inner chamber has a volume of approximately ninety milliliters.
In yet another feature, the inner chamber has a volume of approximately one hundred twenty milliliters.
In still another feature, the inner chamber has a volume of approximately one hundred eighty milliliters.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, relates to a cooking system as substantially shown and described.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, relates to a cooking system. An exemplary such cooking system includes an artificial shell and food ingredients. Furthermore, the artificial shell is adapted to house the food ingredients.
In a feature of this aspect of the present invention, the food ingredients include one or more eggs.
In another feature, the food ingredients include fruit.
In yet another feature, the food ingredients include spices.
In still another feature, the food ingredients include artificial flavoring.
In a further feature still, the food ingredients include meat.
In yet a further feature, the food ingredients include poultry.
In another feature, the food ingredients include fish.
In yet another feature, the food ingredients are placed within the artificial through a fill opening.
In still another feature, after cooking, the food ingredients have the same shape as the artificial shell.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, is a method of preparing food, as substantially shown and described.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, is a method of preparing an egg, as substantially shown and described.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, is a method of hard boiling an egg, as substantially shown and described.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, is a method of cooking an egg. An exemplary such method includes the steps of: cracking an egg; placing at least a portion of the egg in an artificial shell; cooking the portion of the egg within the artificial shell; and removing the egg from the artificial shell.
Another aspect of the present invention, broadly defined, is a method of cooking an egg in an artificial shell. An exemplary such method includes the step of providing an artificial shell having a top portion with a fill opening therethrough, a bottom portion, and a fill opening cover. Further, the top portion is removably attachable to the bottom portion, the top portion and bottom portion together define an inner storage chamber, and the fill opening cover completely covers the fill opening. An exemplary such method further includes the steps of removing the fill opening cover to expose the fill opening; cracking an egg; depositing at least a portion of the egg's contents into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening; attaching the fill opening cover to completely seal the fill opening; placing the artificial shell into a boiling water; allowing the portion of the egg's contents within the artificial shell to cook; removing the artificial shell from boiling water; detaching the top portion from the bottom portion; and removing the cooked portion of the egg's contents from the artificial shell.
In a feature of this aspect of the invention, a threaded screw is used to removably attach the top portion to the bottom portion.
In another feature, the method includes the step of depositing one or more spices into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In yet another feature, the method includes depositing vegetables into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In yet another feature, the method includes depositing fruit into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In still another feature, the method includes depositing meat into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In another feature still, the method includes depositing poultry into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In yet a further feature, the method includes depositing fish into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In still another feature, the method includes depositing artificial flavoring into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In still a further feature, the method includes depositing one or more liquid substances into the inner storage chamber via the fill opening.
In still another feature, the method includes shaking the artificial shell.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combined with an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present invention without requiring any other aspect or feature.
One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein:
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.
As best shown in
The artificial shell 10 further comprises a fill opening 30 in the top portion 14 and a fill opening cover 32. It will be appreciated that the fill opening 30 can located at alternative positions on the artificial shell 10. In at least one preferred embodiment, best shown in the cross-sectional view of
The artificial shell 10 further includes a base 40. The base 40 may be either permanently or removably affixed to the artificial shell 10 near the bottom of the bottom portion 12. The base 40 permits the artificial shell 10 to remain free-standing and stationary on any flat surface. In one or more preferred embodiments, as seen in
Operation of the artificial shell for cooking 10 can now be understood. Initially, the artificial shell 10 is in a fully assembly configuration, as seen in
The artificial shell 10 is capable of preparing a wide variety of meals, including, but not limited to, hard boiled eggs, deviled eggs, egg salad, chopped egg with smoked salmon, soft boiled eggs, eggs Benedict, chef's salad, and omelets.
Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/286,696, filed Nov. 1, 2011 and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0103199 A1, which '696 application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/408,815, filed Nov. 1, 2010. Each of the foregoing U.S. patent applications and U.S. patent application publications is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The present application also incorporates herein by reference U.S. Design Patent No. D654,759, which was filed Sep. 9, 2010 as U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/369,535.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61408815 | Nov 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13286696 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 13686782 | US |
