Patent Application
20230337863
The present invention relates generally to kitchen utensils, and more specifically, to a salad spinner.
Salad spinners are appliances useful in food preparation, particularly in cleaning certain fruits and vegetables. Typically, an individual washes such foods by immersion in a water bath or by directing a stream of water onto the food from a faucet. In many situations, it is desirable to dry these washed foods. Salad spinners provide such a drying function by centrifuge action. That is, salad spinners spin the food in a basket about an axis with the result that water on the food displaces to a surrounding bowl. A typical construction of a salad spinner includes a housing having a lid, a basket supported in the housing for rotation, and a drive mechanism for rotating the basket to spin off water from salad in the basket.
However, conventional salad spinners have certain drawbacks. Some are difficult to operate. Others are difficult to clean. Still others require extended times for completing a spinning operation.
In accordance with an embodiment, The salad spinner include a strainer bowl and a lid. The lid has an integrated a drive mechanism including a drive shaft extending centrally from a bottom portion of the drive mechanism. A strainer basket is rotatably supported within the strainer bowl and includes a pivotable strainer handle mounted on an edge of thereof. The drive shaft of the drive mechanism engages the strainer handle to impart rotation to the strainer basket.
In accordance with another embodiment, the salad spinner include a strainer bowl and a lid having a drive mechanism with a drive shaft. A strainer basket is placed within the strainer bowl and includes a pivotable strainer handle extending a diameter of the strainer basket.
It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are described with reference to different subject-matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments have been described with reference to apparatus type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject-matter, also any combination between features relating to different subject-matters, in particular, between features of the method type claims, and features of the apparatus type claims, is considered as to be described within this document.
These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The invention will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:
Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for a salad spinner where the strainer basket includes a handle, and which handle is part of the drive system for spinning the strainer basket. The drive mechanism, according to one implementation can be a pull ring that cooperates with the lid of the salad spinner. The pull ring is pulled with an angular displacement to trigger rotation of the contents within the strainer basket contained within the strainer bowl by rotating the strainer basket. The rotating action can also be used to trigger a chopper positioned under the handle to chop the contents within the strainer basket independently of drying the contents within the strainer basket.
Conventional salad spinners usually include an outer bowl with solid walls and an inner perforated bowl adapted to nest within the outer bowl. Salad ingredients are located in the inner bowl and a cover is provided for covering the salad. A drive means can be provided for spinning the inner bowl relative to the outer bowl whereby water on the lettuce and/or other vegetables can be passed through the perforated wall and collected in the outer bowl. A handle for operating the drive means is often associated with a lid placed over the bowls. Other drive means include a centrally positioned button that is spring loaded and which operates to spin the inner bowl. The present drive mechanisms drive the inner bowl from the edges or upper circumferential edge thereof.
Salad spinners are commonly used to dry salad leaves, herbs, or other similar food items. A typical salad spinner generally includes an external bowl supporting an internal strainer basket. The strainer basket is supported in a manner which it can spin within the bowl, thereby propelling items within the basket toward the perimeter of the basket in a centrifuge like manner. Water attached to lettuce leaves is likewise forced to the perimeter under the centripetal forces where it is expelled through holes in the basket while being retained within the bowl. Consequently, the leaves or other items within the bowl are substantially dried.
One issue with salad spinners is that it is awkward and sometimes difficult to drain the water from the device. Salad spinners are often large, and the entire device must be partially disassembled in order to remove the lid and tip the spinner for draining. If the lid is removed, the user must then use his/her hands or some other tool to keep the salad within the basket when tipping it for draining, or must also remove the basket in order to allow it to drain. The configuration of existing salad spinners also makes it difficult to use the salad spinner as a vehicle to further rinse the salad, and instead it must be rinsed with the salad outside the bowl and then placed in the bowl to dry.
To alleviate the aforementioned issues, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention introduce a hand-operated salad spinner that can dry the food product/salad contained therein, that can also chop the food product/salad independently of each other. The drive mechanism can include a pull ring mounted on the lid that is angularly displaced with respect to the lid to initiate the spinning motion of the strainer basket in the strainer bowl. The spinning motion is initiated from a center drive hex nut or hex drive shaft associated with the lid.
The salad spinner 5 includes a lid 10 positioned on a strainer bowl 12. The strainer bowl 12 can have a round or circular shape to accommodate the lid 10 thereon. The strainer bowl 12 can be a translucent or transparent or opaque bowl. The lid 10 supports a ring 14 mounted thereon. The ring 14 extends around a central region 16 of the lid 10. In particular, the ring 14 is positioned or arranged or disposed within a circumferential recess 19 (
The salad spinner 5 is a hand-operated salad spinner. In other words, there is no motor to actuate the spinning motion. Instead, the ring 14 imparts the spinning motion, where the ring 14 is actuated by hand operation (i.e., pulling of the ring 14 or angular displacement of the ring 14 with respect to the lid 10). Stated differently, rotational motion can be accomplished by angular displacement or pulling of the pull ring 14.
The strainer bowl 12 includes a strainer basket 30 supported therein. The strainer basket 30 circumferentially includes a plurality of slits 34. Each of the plurality of slits 34 can have an elongated or longitudinal shape. The strainer basket 30 can also be referred to as a perforated basket. In one implementation, a chopper 28 can be centrally placed within the strainer basket 30 under the handle 20. The chopper 28 has a chopper rod 22 with a set of blades 24 extending therefrom. The chopper 28 can also be referred to as a chopper element or chopper component or chopper system. The proximal end 27 (
The strainer handle 20, in a closed configuration, remains parallel, in its entirety, to the lid 10 and the bottom surface of the strainer bowl 12. The strainer handle 20 is positioned or placed within the strainer bowl 12. In fact, the strainer handle 20, in a closed configuration, extends horizontally to the outer periphery 35 of the strainer basket 30. The strainer handle 20 extends an entire length (or diameter) of the strainer basket 30.
In accordance with one implementation, the strainer handle 20 is fixedly attached or fixedly coupled to the strainer basket 30 at recess 32 via an extending clip portion 33 (or tab or flap 33). The strainer handle 20 pivots about point “P.” The pivoting motion “C” at point “P” is further illustrated with reference to
In accordance with another implementation, the salad spinner 5 can operated either as just a salad spinner or as a dual-action or dual-function, hand-operated salad spinner that includes a chopping function. As mentioned previously, the salad spinner 5 can be used as a chopper to chop or slice or cut contents within the strainer basket 30 while the salad spinner 5 is simultaneously used to spin or rotate the strainer basket 30 to dry the chopped contents within the strainer basket 30. These two actions or functions are independent of each other. In other words, the user can either actuate rotation of the strainer basket 30 without the chopper installed, or the user can chop the contents within the strainer basket 30. Thus, the two distinct functions are independent.
The ring 14 is flipped open in direction “A.” The flipping of the ring 14 exposes the circumferential recess 19 formed on the lid 10. The flipping of the ring 14 also further defines the central region 16 of the lid 10. Salad content 18 is shown in the strainer bowl 12. In a flipped configuration, the ring 14 remains at an angle with respect to the lid 10. Thus, the ring 14 can rest in an angular or oblique or inclined position with respect to the lid 10 before the ring 14 is actuated.
A brake button 100 is also exposed by the flipping of the ring 14 in direction “A.” The brake button 100 will be further described below with reference to
The ring 14 is pulled in a direction “B.” The pulling of the ring 14 in direction “B” triggers rotation “R” of the salad content 18 such that the salad content is in a spinning state 18′. The pulling of the ring 14 exposes the lever arm 40 attached to the ring 14. The lever arm 40 is concealed within the interior of the central region 16 of the lid 10. The ring 14 in cooperation with the lever arm 40 is configured to impart a spinning motion to the strainer basket 30. The spinning motion is initiated from the center drive hex nut or hex drive shaft 92 (
One pull of the ring 14 can result in multiple rotations of the strainer basket 30 within the strainer bowl 12. The ring 14 can be pulled once or several times depending on the desired dryness of the salad content 18 to be achieved. The ring 14 can be pulled at an angle α with respect to axis x-x′. Axis x-x′ extends vertically or perpendicular to the lid 10 and the strainer bowl 12. Thus, an angular outward extension of the ring 14 can trigger rotation “R” of the strainer basket 30 within the strainer bowl 12. Stated differently, angular displacement of the ring 14 causes or triggers a spinning motion or rotating motion of either the chopper 28 or the strainer basket 30.
Although the drive mechanism of the present implementations have been described showing the use of a pull ring, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other known drive mechanisms can be employed in the lid 10 without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. By way of example, a linear reciprocating drive system can be used as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,948, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In other implementations, a centrally disposed reciprocating hand sized button can be axially aligned with the drive shaft and used to impart the drive to the strainer basket through engagement of the aperture 54 in the strainer handle 20,
The exploded view of the strainer bowl 12 illustrates the components within the strainer bowl 12. The strainer basket 30 includes the recess 32 and the plurality of draining slits 34. The strainer basket 30 is positioned or supported within the strainer bowl 12 so that it can rotate freely therein. The strainer bowl 12 can also include a bowl foot 56. The bowl foot 56 can be an O-ring positioned or placed at the base of the strainer bowl 12.
The strainer handle 20 is attached or pivotably coupled to the strainer basket 30 via a strainer pin 52 at the recess 32. The strainer handle 20 includes the strainer aperture 54 centrally disposed therein, which is configured to be a geometric shape, and in this example of a hexagon shape. The length of the strainer handle 20 can be designated as “Li.” The length Li of the strainer handle 20 is preferably equal to the diameter of the strainer basket 30. Thus, the distal end 21 of the strainer handle 20 can rest on the outer periphery 35 of the strainer basket 30.
The strainer handle 20 can further include an extending clip portion 33 (or flap or tab 33) that is configured to be received within the recess 32 of the strainer basket 30. The extending clip portion 33 couples the strainer handle 20 to the strainer basket 30. Thus, the strainer handle 20 is integrated with the strainer basket 30.
Additionally, the chopper 28 can be centrally positioned or centrally disposed within the strainer basket 30 underneath the handle 20. The chopper includes a chopper rod 22 with chopper blades 24 extending therefrom. The chopper blades 24 can be horizontally offset from each other by a distance xi. One skilled in the art can contemplate any number of chopper blades extending from the chopper rod 22. The proximal end 27 of the chopper rod 22 includes an opening 26 that is preferably of the same geometric shape as the aperture 54 in the handle. In the example shown, the hexagon shaped opening 26 of the chopper 28 is vertically aligned with the strainer aperture 54 of the strainer handle 20.
The lid 10 of the salad spinner 5 includes a top lid portion 10A and a bottom lid portion 10B. The top lid portion 10A illustrates the circumferential recess 19 for receiving the ring 14 and further defines the central region 16.
The lid 10 can also include a brake button 100 that actuates the brake system “BR.” The brake button 100 can be disposed on a periphery of the central region 16. The brake button 100 is concealed by the ring 14 when the ring 14 rests within the circumferential recess or groove 19. The brake button 100 is thus exposed when the ring 14 is in a flipped state (
Directly underneath the central region 16 are several components configured to allow the ring 14 to be manipulated by the lever arm 40.
The drive mechanism “DR” can include a coil spring shield 60, a pull cord grommet 62, a coil spring 64 (or lever arm 40), a rope spool 66, as well as a pull cord 68. The coil spring 64 is wrapped around the rope spool 66 to enable angular displacement of the lever arm 40 when the ring 14 is pulled. The coil spring shield 60 is positioned over the coil spring 64 to protect the coil spring 64 (or lever arm 40). The drive mechanism “DR” further includes a first drive component 70, a capture ring 72, a drive screw 74, and a second drive component 76. The first drive component 70 cooperates with the second drive component 76 via the drive screw 74 and capture ring 72. The distal end 78 of the second drive component 76 is configured to be received through the opening 79 of the bottom lid portion 10B and into the aperture of the hex drive 90 includes a hex drive shaft 92.
The hex drive shaft 92 is configured to couple to the strainer handle 20 via strainer aperture 54. Thus, the hex drive shaft 92 is configured to be vertically aligned with the strainer aperture 54 of the strainer handle 20 once the lid 10 is placed over the strainer bowl 12.
A brake system “BR” cooperates with the drive system “DR” to facilitate stopping of the spinning of the strainer basket 30. Thus, the brake system “BR” is configured to stop the strainer basket 30 from spinning by imparting a frictional force to the drive mechanism “DR.” The brake system “BR” includes a brake 80, a brake pad 82, a brake spring 84, and a brake pin 86. The brake system “BR” can be concealed within the lid 10. In particular, the brake system “BR” can be concealed within the central region 16 of the lid 10.
The ring 14 is also shown in an exploded view illustrating the top ring portion 14A and the bottom ring portion 14B. As noted above, the ring 14 is supported within the circumferential recess or grove or depression 19 of the top lid portion 10A.
In a first configuration, the strainer handle 20 is shown in a closed state. That is, the strainer handle 20 extends over the strainer basket 30 such that the distal end 21 rests on the outer periphery 35 of the strainer basket 30. The strainer aperture 54 is centrally disposed on the strainer handle 20. The strainer aperture 54 is configured to be vertically aligned with the drive shaft 92 of the lid 10. Thus, when the lid 10 is placed over the strainer basket 30, the drive shaft 92 is received within the strainer aperture 54. The strainer handle 20 pivots about point “P” where a recess 32 receives the extending clip portion 33. The strainer handle 20 can pivot in a direction “C.” As noted above, the shape of the drive shaft 92 and the handle aperture 54 are the same such that when a distal end of the drive shaft 92 is positioned in the aperture 54, it can rotate the same. Geometric shapes like a hexagon have proven to be ideal for this application. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that any geometric shape can be implemented in this configuration, such as, for example, a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, etc.
In a second configuration, the strainer handle 20 is shown in an open state. That is, the strainer handle 20 has been flipped or pivoted to extend outside the peripheral rim 35 of the strainer basket 30. In the open state, the salad contents 18 are exposed. In this manner, the handle 20 allows the strainer basket 30 to be used like an ordinary strainer used to wash and drain water or other liquids from the food products contained therein.
In operation, the user attaches the lid 10 to the strainer bowl 12. The strainer bowl 12 includes therein the strainer basket 30 with the foldable or pivotable strainer handle 20. At this phase, the chopper 28 is not inserted into the strainer basket 30. Instead, the chopper 28 is removed from the strainer basket 30. The hex drive shaft 92 of the lid 10 is vertically aligned with the hex aperture 54 of the strainer handle 20. The spinning motion of the strainer basket 30 is initiated or triggered or originated from a center drive hex nut associated with the lid 10. The user flips the ring 14 from the circumferential recess or groove 19 and pulls of the ring 14 at an angle with respect to the lid 10. The pulling of the ring 14 away from the lid 10 imparts a rotational motion to the strainer basket 30 which includes some type of food content. One pull can result in multiple rotations of the strainer basket 30, or the user can make multiple pulls to impart multiple rotations. The spinning of the strainer basket 30 facilitates in the water droplet removal from the food content via the slits 34 of the strainer basket 30. Thus, in this phase, the user dries the food content in the strainer basket 30. Thus, only one action takes place.
In operation, subsequent to drying the contents of the strainer basket 30, the user may wish to cut/chop a food product. To cut/chop a food product, the user first inserts the food product in the strainer bowl 12 (not the strainer basket 30). The user then positions the chopper 28 within the strainer bowl 12. The lid 10 is then placed over the strainer bowl 12. The hex drive shaft 92 of the lid 10 is vertically aligned with the hex opening 26 of the chopper rod 22 of the chopper 28. The spinning motion of the chopper 28 is initiated or triggered or originated from a center drive hex nut associated with the lid 10. Once again, the user flips the ring 14 from the circumferential recess or groove 19 and pulls of the ring 14 at an angle with respect to the lid 10. The pulling of the ring 14 away from the lid 10 imparts a cutting motion to cut the food content. In particular, the pulling of the ring 14 results in the rotation of the chopper 28 to activate the chopper blades 24. The chopper blades 24 rotate to cut the food content. In this instance, the ring 14 can be pulled multiple times to enable several rotations of the chopper 28 until desired chop consistency is obtained. The lid 10 can then be opened to access the cut or dissected food content.
In an alternative implementation shown in
In summary, the washing of foods is becoming increasingly important for a number of reasons. Increased food trade with countries with relaxed food production standards increasingly utilize improper techniques. Contamination can result from materials which remain on the food such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, as well as common dirt and dust. Even so called “organically grown” foods may contain undesired particles or materials.
To attempt to wash food, techniques employed range from running water over the food, to soaking the food to dipping the food in water containing a mild oxidizing or reducing agent, or a mild soap, in the hope that the agent can come into contact with the organic contaminant and either render it harmless, or facilitate the removal of unwanted organics. However, where chemicals oxidizing or reducing agents are left in contact with the food, they can cause flavor diminution. Leaving the food in contact with the purifying agent, or simply leaving the food in contact with water for a long time can cause water (and agent) absorption and change the firmness and other aspects of the food.
Thus, what is needed is a washing device which is safe, convenient, and efficient. The needed safety, convenience, and efficiency characteristics will encourage food to be washed more often, and will encourage consumers to consume healthier foods.
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention alleviate such issues by introducing a hand-operated salad spinner with dual-action capability. The salad spinner can independently dry food contents and chop food contents. As a result, the hand-operated salad spinner is a combination food spinner and food chopper. The spinning motion of the chopper and the strainer basket are both initiated or triggered or originated from a center drive hex nut (hex drive shaft) associated with the lid. The spinning motion is activated or triggered or actuated from a ring supported within a recess or groove or depression on a top surface of the lid. The ring is flipped up and then pulled in an angular or diagonal direction. The pulling of the ring in an angular or diagonal direction actuates rotational motion of either the chopper or the strainer basket.
While the embodiment described herein is intended as an exemplary salad spinner for drying food articles, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited for drying food articles, and may be employed for drying other household items.
While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
It should also be understood that the example embodiments disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Thus, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a” and the like, is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Furthermore, the naming conventions for the various components, functions, parameters, thresholds, and other elements used herein are provided as examples, and can be given a different name or label. The use of the term “or” is not limited to exclusive “or” but can also mean “and/or”.
Having described preferred embodiments, which serve to illustrate various concepts, structures and techniques that are the subject of this patent, it will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structures and techniques may be used. Additionally, elements of different embodiments described herein may be combined to form other embodiments not specifically set forth above.
Accordingly, it is submitted that that scope of the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/400,737 filed on Aug. 12, 2021.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17400737 | Aug 2021 | US |
| Child | 18343098 | US |
