Patent Application
20230110277
The present invention generally relates to a water circulation device and more particularly relates to a water circulation device for flushing seafood in an ice chest.
With the growing population of domesticated pets, cooks and crawfish boilers alike have the responsibility of flushing crawfish with water to purge them prior to a crawfish boil for reasons of sanitation and better texture and flavor. The manner in which a person flushes the crawfish needs to be sanitary and easy to accomplish in order to produce a better product in a more time efficient manner and for reasons of people's health and well-being. Currently, a common method for flushing crawfish is to insert the end of a hose into an ice chest or other container and let the water overflow over the edges; however, the garden hose often moves around within the ice chest, whips itself and dislodge from the ice chest thereby not accomplishing the desired purging of the crawfish.
Over the years, various devices have been made to assist people with the flushing of crawfish and other seafood. However, such commonly known devices are of complex construction, largely inefficient in operation, and often result in contamination of a person's hands. Handling seafood in such a way is not hygienic or sanitary and can lead to the spreading of unhealthy germs and health concerns. There is a need for a hand-held, sanitary, and portable device for cooks to easily and efficiently flush crawfish before a crawfish boil.
Conventional devices have been developed over the years for flushing crawfish, but those devices are often complex, difficult to properly position, and directly jet water at the crawfish which can prove harmful to the crawfish when in use.
While such units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
Accordingly, there is a need for a compact portable lightweight water circulation device for attending to the flushing of crawfish and other seafood in a more convenient, effective and sanitary manner.
As disclosed in this application, the inventor has discovered novel and unique devices and methods for efficient and sanitary flushing of seafood in an ice chest or in a cooking pot, which exhibit superlative properties without being dependent on heavy, immobile, expensive or complex components.
Embodiments of the present invention provide for devices and methods and disclosed herein and as defined in the annexed claims which provide for improved water circulation features in order to efficiently flush seafood in an ice chest and in a cooking pot, in a sanitary manner, for people's health and well-being.
It is one prospect of the present invention to provide one or more novel devices of simple but effective construction which can be applied to many environments to efficiently and effectively circulate water in an ice chest and flush seafood.
The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented herein.
Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a portable ice chest water circulation device for flushing seafood. In one embodiment, the device includes a cylindrical conduit having a connector end opposite an elbow end. The connector end comprises a water flow valve having a garden hose connection adapter configured to provide a fluid connection to a standard garden hose. Additionally, the elbow end includes an elbow fitting connected to an elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe in fluid communication with the cylindrical conduit. Further, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines a linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices.
In one embodiment, the portable ice chest water circulation device includes an outer clamp leg connected by a bend to an inner support leg. The outer clamp leg and the inner support leg each extends in parallel from the bend. Further, the bend is fixed to the elbow end and is adapted to securely engage a top of a wall of an ice chest in a removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the inner support leg comprises an elongated flat plate fixed to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe. Additionally, the outer clamp leg includes an elongated flat plate having a lower end which defines an internally threaded hole and comprises a threaded bolt disposed perpendicularly through the internally threaded hole. The threaded bolt is adapted to engage an outer surface of the wall of the ice chest when the bend of the device securely engages with the top of the wall of the ice chest in the removably mounted position.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner support leg engages an inner surface of the wall of the ice chest when the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe is disposed inside the ice chest in the removably mounted position such that when the water flow valve is opened a flow of water through the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe discharges the water out of the linearly aligned row of the round water discharging orifices toward the inner surface of the ice chest in a spaced relationship to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe for circulating water. This avoids the direct impact of the discharging water on the seafood when disposed therein.
Preferably, when the bend is in the removably mounted position, each round water discharging orifice of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices is oriented angularly at an approximately forty-five degrees (45°) angle relative to the inner surface of the ice chest.
In yet another embodiment, when the bend is in the removably mounted position, each round water discharging orifice of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices is oriented angularly at an approximately ninety degree (90°) angle relative to the inner surface of the ice chest.
In a preferred embodiment, the bend comprises an arcuate shape. An upper end portion of the outer clamp leg is characterized as higher than an upper end portion of the inner support leg relative to the top of the wall of the ice chest when the bend is in the removably mounted position.
Preferably, the bend is sized and configured to closely align with and fit against the top of the wall of the ice chest.
In one embodiment, when the ice chest is filled with water, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe is characterized as having a length sufficient to extend the linearly aligned row of the round water discharging orifices beneath a top surface of the water when the bend is in the removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the outer clamp leg comprises a length that is shorter than a length of the inner support leg.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner support leg is characterized as having a thickness sufficient to provide an air space between the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe and the inner surface of the ice chest.
In another embodiment, the portable ice chest water circulation device includes at least a first zip-tie. The bend is fixed to the elbow end with the at least a first zip-tie.
In another embodiment, the portable ice chest water circulation device includes at least a second zip-tie. The inner support leg is fixed to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe with the at least a second zip-tie.
In one embodiment, the cylindrical conduit includes a larger diameter than a diameter of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe, which helps produce a jet effect.
In one embodiment, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe includes an end cap connected to a bottom tip of the bottom portion of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a portable water circulation device for flushing seafood in a cooking pot. The device comprises a cylindrical conduit having a connector end opposite an elbow end. The connector end comprises a water flow valve having a garden hose connection adapter configured to provide a fluid connection to a standard garden hose. The elbow end includes an elbow fitting connected to an elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe in fluid communication with the cylindrical conduit. The elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines a linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices.
In one embodiment, the device includes an outer clamp leg connected by a bend to an inner support leg. The outer clamp leg and inner support leg each extends in parallel from the bend. The bend is fixed to the elbow end and is adapted to securely engage a top of a wall of the cooking pot in a removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the inner support leg comprises an elongated flat plate fixed to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe. The outer clamp leg includes an elongated flat plate having a lower end that defines an internally threaded hole and comprises a threaded bolt disposed perpendicularly through the internally threaded hole. The threaded bolt is adapted to engage an outer surface of the wall of the cooking pot when the bend of the device securely engages the top of the wall of the cooking pot in the removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the inner support leg engages an inner surface of the wall of the cooking pot and the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe is disposed inside the cooking pot in the removably mounted position such that when the water flow valve is opened a flow of water through the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe discharges the water out of the linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices toward the inner surface of the cooking pot, in a spaced relationship to the water discharging drop pipe, for circulating water. This avoids the direct impact of the discharging water on the seafood when disposed therein.
In one embodiment, when the bend is in the removably mounted position, each round water discharging orifice of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices is oriented angularly at an approximately forty-five degree (45°) angle relative to the inner surface of the cooking pot.
In another embodiment, when the bend is in the removably mounted position, each round water discharging orifice of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices is oriented angularly at an approximately ninety degrees (90°) angle relative to the inner surface of the cooking pot.
In one embodiment, the bend comprises an arcuate shape. An upper end portion of the outer clamp leg is characterized as higher than an upper end portion of the inner support leg relative to the top of the wall of the cooking pot when the bend is in the removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the bend is sized and configured to closely align with and fit against the top of the wall of the cooking pot.
In one embodiment, when the cooking pot is filled with water, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe is characterized as having a length sufficient to extend the linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices beneath a top surface of the water when the bend is in the removably mounted position.
In one embodiment, the outer clamp leg comprises a length that is shorter than a length of the inner support leg.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner support leg is characterized as having a thickness sufficient to provide an air space between the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe and the inner surface of the cooking pot.
In one embodiment, the portable water circulation device for flushing seafood includes at least a first zip-tie. The bend is fixed to the elbow end with the at least a first zip-tie.
In one embodiment, the portable water circulation device for flushing seafood includes at least a second zip-tie. The inner support leg is fixed to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe with the at least a second zip-tie.
In one embodiment, the cylindrical conduit comprises a larger diameter than a diameter of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe.
In one embodiment, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe includes an end cap connected to a bottom tip of the bottom portion of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe.
Therefore, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a portable ice chest water circulation device for flushing seafood. The device includes a cylindrical conduit having a connector end opposite an elbow end. The cylindrical conduit has an elongated flat plate clamp leg disposed perpendicular to the cylindrical conduit. The elongated flat plate clamp leg has a lower end which defines an internally threaded hole and which comprises a threaded bolt disposed perpendicularly through the internally threaded hole. The threaded bolt is adapted to engage an outer surface of a wall of an ice chest. In addition, the connector end includes a water flow valve having a garden hose connection adapter configured to provide a fluid connection to a standard garden hose.
In an embodiment, the elbow end comprises an elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe in fluid communication with the cylindrical conduit. The elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a flat sidewall adapted to securely engage an inner surface of the wall of the ice chest in a removably mounted position. The bottom portion defines a linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices.
In the preferred embodiment, the elongated flat plate clamp leg engages the inner surface of the wall of the ice chest when the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe is disposed inside the ice chest in the removably mounted position such that when the water flow valve is opened a flow of water through the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe discharges the water out through the linearly aligned row of round water discharging orifices toward the inner surface of the wall of the ice chest in a spaced relationship to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe for circulating water therein while avoiding direct impact of the discharging water on the seafood when disposed therein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components, in which:
For a further understanding of the nature and function of the embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description. Detailed descriptions of the embodiments are provided herein, as well as, the best mode of carrying out and employing the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that the embodiments are well adapted to carry out and obtain the ends and features mentioned as well as those inherent herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following disclosure is illustrative only and not in any way limiting, as the specific details disclosed herein provide a basis for the claims and a representative basis for teaching to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. It should be understood that the devices, materials, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of various embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.
Referring initially to
As illustrated in
Further, the device 100 includes an outer clamp leg 130 connected by a bend 132 to an inner support leg 134. The outer clamp leg 130 and the inner support leg 134 each extends in parallel from the bend 132. In an embodiment, the inner support leg 134 comprises a length that is shorter than a length of the outer clamp leg 130. In addition, the bend 132 is fixed or attached to the elbow end 106 and adapted to securely engage a top 200 of a wall 202 of an ice chest 204 in a removably mounted position, as exemplified in
Further, the inner support leg 134 includes an elongated flat plate 140, as exemplified in
Furthermore, as exemplified in
In an embodiment, each round water discharging orifice 126 of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices 128 is oriented angularly at an approximately forty-five degree (45°) angle relative to the inner surface 210 of the wall 202 the ice chest 204 when the bend 132 is removably mounted to the ice chest 204. In some embodiments, each round water discharging orifice 128 of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices 126 is oriented angularly at an approximately ninety-degree (90°) angle relative to the inner surface 210 of the ice chest 204 when the bend 132 is in the removable mounted position.
As exemplified in
As exemplified in
Referring to
The elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′ includes a top portion 120′ opposite a bottom portion 122′, and the bottom portion 122′ defines a linearly aligned row 124′ of the round water discharging orifices 128′. In one embodiment, as exemplified in
In an embodiment, the water discharging orifices 126′ are aligned in a perfect straight line. However, the water discharging orifices 126′ may be offset from the perfect straight line. In an embodiment, the cylindrical conduit 102′ includes a larger diameter than a diameter of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′. Further, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′ includes an end cap 128′ connected to a bottom tip 129′ of the bottom portion 122′ of the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′. Further, the device 100′ includes an outer clamp leg 130′ connected by a bend 132′ to an inner support leg 134′. The outer clamp leg 130′ and inner support leg 134′ each extends in parallel from the bend 132′. In an embodiment, the outer clamp leg 130″ comprises a length that is shorter than a length of the inner support leg 134′. In addition, the bend 132′ is fixed or attached to the elbow end 106′ and is adapted to securely engage a top 302 of a wall 304 of the cooking pot 300 in a removably mounted position, as exemplified in
Further, the inner support leg 134′ includes an elongated flat plate 140′ fixed to the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′. In addition, the outer clamp leg 130′ includes an elongated flat plate 144′ having a lower end 146′ which defines an internally threaded hole 148′, as exemplified in
Furthermore, as exemplified in
In an embodiment, each round water discharging orifice 126′ of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices 126′ is oriented angularly at an approximately forty-five-degree (45°) angle relative to the inner surface 310 of the wall 304 of the cooking pot 300 when the bend 132′ is removably mounted to the cooking pot 300.
In some embodiments, each round water discharging orifice 126′ of the linearly aligned round water discharging orifices 126′ is oriented angularly at an approximately ninety-degree (90°) angle relative to the inner surface 310 of the wall 304 of the cooking pot 300 when the bend 132′ is in removable mounted position.
In an embodiment, the bend 132′ comprises an arcuate shape and is sized such that the bend 132′ closely aligns and fits against the top 302 of the wall 304 of the cooking pot 300. As exemplified in
Additionally, the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′ is characterized as having a length sufficient to extend the linearly aligned row 124′ of the round water discharging orifices 128′ beneath a top surface of the water when the bend 132′ is in the removably mounted position and the cooking pot 300 is filled with water.
In addition, the device 100′ includes at least a first zip-tie 160′ to facilitate a secure attachment of the blend 132′ to the elbow end 106′. Further, the device 100′ includes a second zip-tie 164′ to facilitate a secure attachment of the inner support leg 134′ with the elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116′.
As illustrated in
The elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116″ includes a top portion 120″ and a bottom portion 122″. In one embodiment, the top portion 120″ has a flat sidewall 118″, as exemplified in
Further, the bottom portion 122″ of elongated cylindrical water discharging drop pipe 116″ defines a linearly aligned row 124″ of round water discharging orifices 126″, as exemplified in
Moreover, the cylindrical conduit 102″ includes an elongated flat plate clamp leg 144″ disposed perpendicular to the cylindrical conduit 102″. The elongated flat plate clamp leg 144″ includes a lower end 146″ which defines an internally threaded hole 148″, shown in
In the preferred embodiment, as exemplified in
As exemplified in
