Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPLATTER PROTECTOR
FIELD
[0001] The present application generally relates to splatter protectors, and
more particularly,
to a splatter protector for cooking vessels.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Splatter protectors are often used to reduce or eliminate splatter in a
cooking area that
can occur when cooking food. A number of such splatter protectors work only
with a cooking
vessel of a particular size. In the case of a kitchen that has cooking vessels
of various sizes, a
different splatter protector may be required for each cooking vessel. This can
result in a
kitchen cluttered with splatter protectors.
[0003] In addition, some splatter protectors sit in cooking vessels. These
splatter protectors
touch the food that is being cooked, which may result in the food becoming
contaminated.
Moreover, splatter protectors that sit in cooking vessels may not be suitable
for use with
sauces.
[0004] It would be advantageous to provide for a space saving splatter
protector that reduces
the clutter in kitchens and has enhanced safety and suitability for use with
sauces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings
which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of an example splatter protector;
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the example splatter protector of
FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 2 taken
generally along line A-A of FIG. 2;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0009] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, cross-sectional view of an end portion of the
example
splatter protector of FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the example splatter protector of FIG.
1, wherein the
body of the splatter protector is in an expanded configuration;
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 5 taken
generally along line B-B of FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 1,
wherein the example splatter protector is inverted and in a semi-collapsed
configuration;
[0013] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 7 in a
semi-collapsed configuration;
[0014] FIG. 9 shows a side perspective view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 1 in a
compact configuration;
[0015] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 9 in a
compact configuration;
[0016] FIG. 11 shows a side perspective view of an example kit including an
example lid and
the example splatter protector of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 12 shows a side perspective view of the kit of FIG. 11 with the
example lid
seated on the example splatter protector;
[0018] FIG. 13 shows a side elevation view of the example lid of FIG. 11;
[0019] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the example lid of FIG. 13
taken generally
along line C-C of FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 15 shows a side perspective view of the kit of FIG. 12;
[0021] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the kit of FIG. 15 taken
generally along line
D-D of FIG. 15;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0022] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the kit of FIG. 11 with the lid
resting on an
inner surface of the splatter protector;
[0023] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of an example method of using a splatter
protector with
cooking vessels of two different sizes;
[0024] FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 6 with
the splatter protector mounted on a cooking vessel; and
[0025] FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the example splatter protector
of FIG. 19
with the splatter protector mounted in a flipped orientation on the cooking
vessel.
[0026] Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to
denote similar
components.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In a first aspect, the present application describes a splatter
protector including a
hollow body having oppositely-directed first and second end portions. Each of
the end
portions may define a respective substantially circular end opening having an
annular lip
along the circumference thereof for engaging with upper edges of cooking
vessels for
mounting the splatter protector thereon, wherein the diameter of the end
opening defined by
the first end portion is greater than the diameter of the end opening defined
by the second end
portion.
[0028] In some implementations, each respective annular lip cooperates with a
respective
outer edge to form a channel for receiving upper edges of the cooking vessels.
[0029] In some implementations, the annular lips are flush with an inner
surface of the body.
[0030] In some implementations, the first and second end portions have
substantially the
same shape.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0031] In some implementations, the diameter of the end opening defined by the
first end
portion is about 5 centimeters greater than the diameter of the end opening
defined by the
second end portion.
[0032] In some implementations, the diameter of one of the end openings is
about 25
centimeters.
[0033] In some implementations, the body is movable between an expanded
configuration, a
semi-collapsed configuration and a compact configuration.
[0034] In some implementations, the splatter protector may further include a
plurality of
annular grooves defined in the body, wherein the body is movable between the
expanded
configuration, the semi-collapsed configuration, and the compact configuration
by folding
and unfolding the body, the plurality of grooves facilitating the folding and
unfolding of the
body.
[0035] In some implementations, the exterior surface of the body defines a
substantially
frustoconical shape in the expanded configuration and the semi-collapsed
configuration.
[0036] In some implementations, the body includes a plurality of sections
pivotable relative
to each other about a plurality of grooves, the plurality of sections for
collapsing the body.
[0037] In some implementations, when the body is in an expanded configuration,
the
plurality of sections are oriented away from each other.
[0038] In some implementations, the splatter protector may further include a
handle disposed
proximate the first end portion.
[0039] In some implementations, the splatter protector may further include a
pair of opposed
handles disposed proximate the first end portion.
[0040] In some implementations, the splatter protector is of one-piece
construction.
[0041] In some implementations, the first and second end portions are capable
of collecting
condensation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0042] In another aspect, the present application describes a kit. The kit may
include the
splatter protector and a lid for covering at least one of the end opening
defined by the first
end portion and the end opening defined by the second end portion of the
splatter protector.
[0043] In some implementations, the lid includes a groove for receiving the
annular lip of
one of the first and second end portions of the splatter protector.
[0044] In some implementations, when the lid is seated on the annular lip of
one of the first
and second end portions, there is a gap between the lid and the outer edge of
the splatter
protector corresponding to the annular lip on which the lid is seated.
[0045] In some implementations, when the lid covers one of the end openings of
the splatter
protector, the splatter protector is capable of collecting condensation formed
at the lid.
[0046] In some implementations, when the lid is seated on one of the end
openings of the
splatter protector, the end portion on which the lid is seated is capable of
collecting
condensation formed at the lid.
[0047] Other aspects and features of the present application will be
understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following description of
examples in conjunction
with the accompanying figures.
[0048] In the present application, the terms "about", "approximately", and
"substantially" are
meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the
ranges of values,
such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions. In a non-
limiting example, the
terms "about", "approximately", and "substantially" may mean plus or minus 10
percent or
less.
[0049] In the present application, the term "and/or" is intended to cover all
possible
combinations and sub-combinations of the listed elements, including any one of
the listed
elements alone, any sub-combination, or all of the elements, and without
necessarily
excluding additional elements.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0050] In the present application, the phrase "at least one of ...or..." is
intended to cover any
one or more of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements
alone, any sub-
combination, or all of the elements, without necessarily excluding any
additional elements,
and without necessarily requiring all of the elements.
[0051] In one aspect, the present application provides for an invertible
splatter protector that
may be used with two differently sized cooking vessels. Examples of cooking
vessels include
pans, frying pans, saucepans, saute pans, sauciers, skillets, woks, pots,
saucepots, stockpots
and other cookware that are typically used to cook, fry or boil food on a
stovetop.
[0052] A cooking vessel may have a flat, circular bottom and a cylindrical
wall that extends
upwardly from the bottom. The bottom and the wall may define an interior space
for holding
food items. The wall of the cooking vessel may be flared or tapered such that
the wall widens
progressively away from the bottom. The wall may have an upper edge, sometimes
referred
to as an overcook edge, on which a lid may lie. The upper edge defines an
opening,
sometimes referred to as a mouth, for accessing the interior space of the
cooking vessel. In
some examples, the upper edge is a rolled lip.
[0053] In the cooking industry, cooking vessels are often sized according to
the diameter of
their mouth. Popular sizes include diameters of about 20, 25 and 30
centimeters (about 8, 10
and 12 inches, respectively). Cooks often use cooking vessels of different
types and sizes. For
example, a cook may use a 20 centimeter frying pan for searing tuna and a 25
centimeter pot
for cooking pasta sauce.
[0054] Reference is now made to Figure 1, which shows a side perspective view
of an
example splatter protector. The splatter protector 100 has a hollow body 102
for reducing or
blocking splatter generated by cooking vessels. The body 102 has oppositely-
directed first
and second end portions 104 and 106 that define respective end openings 108
and 110. The
end openings 108 and 110 are substantially circular. The respective end
portions 104 and 106
are for engaging with the upper edges of cooking vessels (not shown) for
mounting the
splatter protector 100 on the upper edges.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0055] In this example, the splatter protector 100 includes a pair of opposed
handles 112 and
114. The handles 112 and 114 are disposed proximate the first end portion 104.
More
particularly, in the example embodiment shown in Figure 1, the handles 112 and
114 are
attached to the first end portion 104. In some embodiments, the handles 112
and 114 may be
attached to the body 102. The handles 112 and 114 may be permanently attached
and may be
used for carrying, flipping or inverting the splatter protector 100. In some
embodiments, there
is only a single handle 112.
[0056] Reference is now made to Figure 2, which shows a side elevation view of
the example
splatter protector 100 of Figure 1. The body 102 of the splatter protector 100
may be tapered
such that the body 102 narrows progressively from away from the first end
portion 104 and
towards the second end portion 106.
[0057] Reference is now made to Figure 3, which shows a cross-sectional view
of the
example splatter protector of Figure 2 taken generally along line A-A of
Figure 2. The end
openings 108 and 110 of the splatter protector 100 have respective annular
lips 302 and 304
along the circumference thereof for engaging with upper edges of respective
cooking vessels
for mounting the splatter protector thereon. In the example shown, the
diameter of the end
opening 108 defined by the first end portion 104 is greater than the diameter
of the end
opening 110 defined by the second end portion 106. Conveniently, in this way,
the splatter
protector may be used with two cooking vessels having substantially different
respective
sizes.
[0058] The end openings 108 and 110 may be sized to correspond to popular
diameters of
cooking vessels. In some embodiments, the diameter of the end opening 108
defined by the
first end portion 104 is about 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) greater than the
diameter of the
end opening 110 defined by the second end portion 106. In some embodiments,
the diameter
of one of the end openings 108 and 110 is about 25 centimeters (about 10
inches).
[0059] Reference is now made to Figure 4, which shows an enlarged, cross-
sectional view of
the first end portion 104 of the example splatter protector 100 of Figure 3
configured to
engage with a cooking vessel. The first end portion 104 includes an annular
lip 302 that
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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cooperates with a respective annular outer edge 402 to form a channel 404 for
receiving
upper edges of the cooking vessels.
[0060] The channel 404 may have any suitable shape for mounting the splatter
protector 100
on a cooking vessel. The inner surface 406 of the channel 404 may be shaped to
conform to
the curvature of the upper edge of a cooking vessel. In some embodiments, the
cross-section
of the inner surface 406 may be U-shaped or shaped as an arch. When the first
end portion
104 is seated on the upper edge of a cooking vessel, the upper edge of the
cooking vessel may
abut the inner surface 406 in one or more locations. For instance, the upper
edge may abut the
lip 302 and/or the edge 402.
[0061] The first end portion 104 may be configured to removeably seat the
splatter protector
100 on a cooking vessel and, when seated on the cooking vessel, reduce or
prevent slippage
of the splatter protector off of the cooking vessel. In other words, the first
end portion 104
may be configured to reduce the lateral movement or shifting of the splatter
protector 100
when the first end portion 104 is mounted on a cooking vessel. In particular,
the end portion
104 may be shaped to provide enhanced stability and balance of the splatter
protector 100. In
some embodiments, the end portion 104 may be configured to nest at least a
portion of the
upper edge of the vessel therein. In the example shown, the channel 404 may
receive the
upper edge of the cooking vessel. The lip 302 and the edge 402 may be shaped
or oriented to
reduce or prevent shifting and may cooperate with each other to reduce or
prevent shifting of
the splatter protector when mounted on the cooking vessel.
[0062] As shown in the example in Figure 4, the lip 302 may be substantially
flush with an
inner surface 405 of the body 102. In other words, the lip 302 may be arranged
in-line with an
inner surface 405 of the body 102 or may form a continuous plane with the
inner surface 405
of the body 102.
[0063] The edge 402 may extend from an exterior surface of the body 102 and
may be
oriented away from the second end portion 106. In the example shown in Figure
4, the edge
402 protrudes from an exterior surface of the body 102 at about a 45 degree
angle. In some
embodiments, at least a portion of the edge 402 may be substantially parallel
to the lip 302.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0064] It will be appreciated that the second end portion 106 may have a shape
and
components that are substantially the same as that of the first end portion
104.
[0065] Reference is now made to Figure 5, which shows a top plan view of the
example
splatter protector 100 of Figure 1, wherein the body 102 is in an expanded
configuration.
Reference is also now made to Figure 6, which shows a cross-sectional view of
the example
splatter protector of Figure 5 taken generally along line B-B of Figure 5.
[0066] The body 102 is movable between the expanded configuration, a semi-
collapsed
configuration and a compact configuration by folding and unfolding the body
102. The body
102 includes a plurality of sections 602, 604, and 606 that are pivotable
relative to each other
for folding and unfolding the body 102. A first section 602 is connected to
the first end
portion 104 and to a second section 604. The second section 604 is connected
to a third
section 606. The third section 606 is connected to the second end portion 106.
[0067] The plurality of sections 602, 604, and 606 are sometimes referred to
as a wall. The
wall may be thinner at the connections between the sections 602, 604, and 606
and the first
and second end portions 104 and 106 to allow for the folds. In this way, a
plurality of annular
grooves 608, 610, 612 and 614 may be defined by the body 102. In some
embodiments, the
grooves may be located in the exterior and/or interior of the body 102. In the
example shown,
a first groove 608 is defined between the first end portion 104 and the first
section 602, a
second groove 610 is defined between the first section 602 and the second
section 604, a third
groove 612 is defined between the second section 604 and a third section 606,
and a fourth
groove 614 is defined between the second end portion 106 and the third section
606. The
sections and grooves facilitate the folding and unfolding of the body 102. The
plurality of
sections 602, 604, and 606 may be pivotable at or about the plurality of
grooves 608, 610,
612 and 614.
[0068] When the body 102 is in the expanded configuration, the plurality of
sections 602,
604 and 606 are in an unfolded arrangement. In other words, the sections 602,
604 and 606
are stacked directly on top of each other and/or one of the first and second
end portions 104
and 106. Put another way, the plurality of sections 602, 604 and 606 are
oriented away from
each other or are arranged in-line with each other.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0069] Reference is now made to Figure 7, which shows a side perspective view
of the
example splatter protector 100 of Figure 1, wherein the example splatter
protector is inverted.
In other words, the example splatter protector 100 of Figure 1 is flipped
upside down. In
Figure 7, the body 102 is in a semi-collapsed configuration. In both the
expanded
configuration and the semi-collapsed configuration, the exterior surface of
the body 102 may
define a substantially frustoconical shape. However, in the semi-collapsed
configuration, the
distance between the first and second end portions 104 and 106 may be less
than it is in the
expanded configuration, and in the compact configuration, the distance between
the first and
second end portions 104 and 106 may be less than it is in the semi-collapsed
configuration. In
other words, the height of the splatter protector 100 is less in the semi-
collapsed
configuration than it is in the extended configuration, and is less in the
compact configuration
than it is in the semi-collapsed configuration.
[0070] Reference is now made to Figure 8, which shows a cross-sectional view
of the
example splatter protector of Figure 7 in a semi-collapsed configuration. In
the semi-
collapsed configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections 602, 604
and 606 may be in a
folded orientation. In other words, at least one of the sections 602, 604 and
606 may be
folded or pivoted into the interior of the body 102 towards another one of the
plurality of
sections 602, 604 and 606 or one of the end portions 104 and 106. Similarly,
in the semi-
collapsed configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections 602, 604
and 606 may be in
an unfolded arrangement. In other words, at least one of the sections 602, 604
and 606 may
be oriented away from another one of the sections 602, 604 and 606 or may be
arranged in-
line with another one of the sections 602, 604 and 606.
[0071] In the example semi-collapsed configuration shown in Figure 8, the
section 606 is
folded into the interior of the body 102 towards the section 604. The folded
section 606 may
be oriented adjacent and substantially parallel to the extended or unfolded
section 604, and
may lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane in which the
sections 602 and 604
lie. The sections 602 and 604 may be oriented in substantially the same plane.
[0072] Reference is now made to Figure 9, which shows a side perspective view
of the
example splatter protector of Figure 1 in a compact configuration.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0073] The handles 112 and 114 may be disposed proximate the first end portion
104 rather
than proximate the second end portion 106, at least a portion of which may be
surrounded by
the first end portion 104 and/or one or more of the plurality of sections when
the splatter
protector 100 is in the semi-collapsed or compact configurations.
Conveniently, in this way,
the handles 112 and 114 may not be in the way when collapsing the splatter
protector 100.
[0074] Reference is now made to Figure 10, which shows a side perspective view
of the
example splatter protector of Figure 1 in a compact configuration. In the
compact
configuration, the sections 602, 604 and 606 may be folded or rotated into the
interior of the
body 102. In other words, each of the sections 602, 604 and 606 may be in a
folded or
unstacked orientation and may be oriented towards another one of the plurality
of sections
602, 604 and 606 and/or one of the end portions 104 and 106.
[0075] In the example compact configuration shown in Figure 10, the sections
602, 604 and
606 are in a folded arrangement and may be substantially parallel to each
other, and may lie
in substantially parallel respective planes. At least a portion of the second
end portion 106 is
surrounded by the first end portion 104 and the plurality of sections 602, 604
and 606. In this
example configuration, the height of the splatter protector 100 is
substantially the same as the
height of the second end portion 106.
[0076] In some embodiments, the splatter protector 100 includes an annular
condensate
trough (not shown) disposed exteriorly on the body 102 or wall. The condensate
trough may
be disposed proximate, on or adjacent to one of the end portions 104 and 106.
In some
embodiments, the condensate trough is disposed proximate to the end portion
defining the
larger diameter opening. The opening of the condensate trough may be oriented
towards and
substantially parallel to one of the end portions 104 and 106. In embodiments
where the
trough is disposed proximate to the larger of the end portions 104 and 106,
the opening of the
trough may be oriented towards the end portion defining the smaller diameter
opening.
[0077] Reference is now made to Figure 11, which shows a side perspective view
of a kit
1100 including an example lid and the example splatter protector 100 of Figure
1. In some
embodiments, the lid 1102 may be used to cover at least one of the first and
second end
openings of the splatter protector 100.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0078] Reference is now made to Figure 12, which shows a side perspective view
of the kit
of Figure 11 with the example lid 1102 seated on the example splatter
protector 100.
[0079] The lid 1102 may be seated on the splatter protector 100 when the
splatter protector
100 is in either the expanded or semi-collapsed configurations. When the
splatter protector
100 is in the expanded or semi-collapsed configuration, the splatter protector
100 should be
capable of supporting the weight of the lid 1102 without collapsing. In other
words, when the
lid 1102 is seated on one of the first or second end portions of the splatter
protector 100, the
weight of the lid 1102 should not cause the splatter protector 100 to move
from an expanded
configuration to a semi-collapsed or from a semi-collapsed configuration to a
compact
configuration. The force that is required to partially or fully collapse the
splatter protector
100 should be greater than the force exerted on the splatter protector 100 by
the lid 1102
seated on the splatter protector 100.
[0080] Reference is now made to Figure 13, which shows a side elevation view
of the
example lid 1102 of Figure 11. The example lid 1102 includes a body 1300
having an upper
surface 1302 and a lower surface 1400 as shown in Figure 14. The body 1300 may
have any
suitable shape. For example, the body 1300 may be generally curved or
substantially flat,
circular, planar, or disc-shaped.
[0081] The lid 1102 may include a handle 1304 for lifting or carrying the lid
1102. The
handle 1304 may be disposed on the upper surface 1302 of the body 1300.
[0082] Reference is now made to Figure 14, which shows a cross-sectional view
of the
example lid 1102 of Figure 13 taken generally along line C-C of Figure 13. As
shown in the
example in Figure 14, the lid 1102 includes an annular outer edge 1402 where
the upper
surface 1302 ends.
[0083] The lid 1102 may also include a flange 1406 that extends from the lower
surface. In
some embodiments, the flange 1406 extends in a direction that is substantially
perpendicular
the body 1300 or to a plane defined by the outer edge 1402. The flange 1406
may facilitate
centering the lid 1102 on the splatter protector 100.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0084] The outer edge 1402 and flange 1406 may cooperate to define an annular
groove 1408
for receiving the annular lip of a splatter protector.
[0085] As shown in the example in Figure 14, the body 1300 may be curved. In
some
embodiments, the center of the body 1300 may curve away from the flange 1406
and the
outer edge 1402 may curve towards the flange 4016.
[0086] The lid 1102 may also include a ventilation opening 1410, sometimes
referred to as a
vent hole, formed in the body 1300 for facilitating the passage of steam
through the lid 1102.
The ventilation opening 1410 may be disposed in the portion of the body 1300
that is
bounded by the flange 1406.
[0087] Reference is now made to Figure 15, which shows a side perspective view
of the kit
of Figure 12, and to Figure 16, which shows a cross-sectional view of the kit
of Figure 15
taken generally along line D-D of Figure 15. In this example, the lid 1102 is
seated on the
second end portion 106 of the splatter protector 100 when the splatter
protector 100 is in the
expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the lid 1102 may be seated on the
second end
portion 106 when the splatter protector 100 is in the expanded configuration
and/or in the
semi-collapsed configuration.
[0088] When the splatter protector 100 is mounted on a cooking vessel and the
lid 1102 is
seated on the second end portion 106 of the splatter protector 100, the lid
1102 may block at
least some splatter travelling through the second end opening 110 and may trap
at least some
steam and heat inside the splatter protector 100 that is generated by food
cooking in the
cooking vessel.
[0089] At least some steam and heat may escape via the ventilation opening
1410. The
escaped steam may form condensation at the upper surface 1302 of the lid 1102.
The
condensation may drip from the upper surface 1302 at the outer edge 1402 of
the lid 1102
and into the channel 1600 formed in the second end portion 106, which acts as
a trough for
capturing condensation. In this way, the splatter protector 100, the second
end portion 106 on
which the lid 1102 is seated, and the channel 1600, are capable of collecting
and holding at
least some condensation formed at the lid 1102.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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[0090] The example lid 1102 is sized to cover the second end opening 110 of
the splatter
protector 100 when resting on the second end portion 106. In particular, the
diameter of the
lid 1102 is greater than the diameter of the second end opening 110, and the
annular lip 1602
of the second end portion 106 may fit into and be received by the annular
groove 1408 of the
lid 1102.
[0091] The example lid 1102 may be configured to rest on the annular lip 1602
of the second
end portion 106. When the lid 1102 is seated on or rests on the annular lip
1602, the annular
lip 1602 may abut the body 1300 of the lid 1102 and may not contact the outer
edge 1604 of
the second end portion 106. In other words, when seated, the lid 1102 may
contact and extend
past or over the annular lip 1602 and may not contact, extend to, extend past,
or extend over
the outer edge 1604 of the second end portion 106. Put another way, when the
lid 1102 is
seated on the annular lip 1602 of the second end portion 106, there may be a
gap between the
outer edge 1402 of the lid 1102 and the outer edge 1604 of the second end
portion 106.
[0092] The flange 1406 may be sized to fit within the interior area defined by
the annular lip
1602. In particular, the diameter of the annular lip 1602 may be greater than
diameter of the
flange 1406 such that when the lid 1102 is seated on the annular lip 1602, the
annular lip
1602 surrounds the flange 1406. As shown in Figure 16, there may be a gap
between at least
a portion of the flange 1406 and the annular lip 1602.
[0093] Reference is now made to Figure 17, which shows a cross-sectional view
of the kit of
Figure 11 with the lid 1102 resting on an inner surface 405 of the splatter
protector 100. The
lid 1102 may rest on the inner surface 405 of the splatter protector 100 when
in the extended
or semi-collapsed configurations. The inner surface 405 may correspond to the
interior
surface of the section 606 or the wall of the body 102. In some embodiments,
the lid 1102
may rest on an interior surface of the sections 602 or 604, or in an interior
groove defined by
one or more of the sections 602, 604 and 606 and the second end portion 106.
[0094] As shown in Figure 17, when the second end portion of the splatter
protector 100 is
mounted on a cooking vessel 1700, the larger, first end opening 108 of the
splatter protector
100 may be positioned generally above the smaller, second end opening 110 of
the splatter
protector 100. The lid 1102 may be sized for covering the second end opening
110, as shown
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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for example in Figure 12, and may be insertable into the interior of the
splatter protector 100
through the first end opening 108. The splatter protector 100 may be
configured to receive the
lid 1102 via the first end opening 108 and support the lid 1102 on an interior
surface of the
splatter protector. In this example, the diameter of the lid 1102, and
particularly the outer
edge 1402 of the lid 1102, may be greater than the diameter of the smaller
second end
opening 110 and less than the diameter of the larger first end opening 108.
The outer edge
1402 of the lid 1102 may abut and rest on an inner surface 405 of the wall or
body 102 of the
splatter protector 100.
[0095] In this way, the same lid 1102 may be used to cover the second end
opening 110 when
the splatter protector 100 is oriented as shown in Figure 12 or is flipped as
shown in Figure
17.
[0096] In some embodiments, the splatter protector 100 may be implemented as
part of a kit
that includes a lid (not shown) that is sized for resting on the first end
portion 104 and
covering the first end opening 108 of the splatter protector 100. The lid may
have a shape and
components that are substantially the same as that of the lid 1102. The lid
may be seated on
the first end portion 104 in a similar fashion as described above in relation
to the lid 1102
being seated on the second end portion 106. In particular, the diameter of the
lid may be
greater than the diameter of the first end opening 108, and the annular lip
1602 of the first
end portion 104 may fit into and be received by an annular groove of the lid.
[0097] The described splatter protector may also be implemented as a part of a
kit that
includes a cooking utensil (not shown). The cooking utensil may be a utensil
for cooking
purposes, including stirring, agitating or flipping food located in the
cooking vessel when the
splatter protector is seated on the cooking vessel in at least one of the
extended or semi-
collapsed configurations. In some embodiments, the utensil includes a handle
and a head
extending from an end of the handle. The head may be, for example, spoon,
whisk, spatula or
claw shaped. In some embodiments, the utensil is a tong having two handles,
with each
handle having a claw or spoon shaped head.
[0098] The utensil handle may have a shaft and a grip portion. The shaft
connects the head to
the grip portion. A first end of the shaft may extend from the head and a
second end of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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shaft may extend from the grip portion, thereby connecting the head to the
grip portion. The
shaft and grip portion may be rigid, substantially straight, solid or hollow,
and have any
suitable shape, including that of a rod, tube or flat bar. The grip portion
may have a shape,
contour and length that is suitable for being gripped by a human hand.
[0099] The utensil may be configured to facilitate stirring food located in
the interior of the
cooking vessel even when the splatter protector is seated on the cooking
vessel. Accordingly,
the length of the utensil, and in particular the combined length of the shaft
and the head, may
be greater than the distance between the first and second openings of the
splatter protector in
order to allow the utensil to reach an interior cooking surface of the cooking
vessel while the
handle is disposed exterior to splatter protector.
[0100] In some implementations, the shaft and grip portion are configured to
define an angle
between. Where the handle is of one piece construction, the angle may be
formed by a bend
in the handle between the shaft and the grip portion. The angle may be in the
range of
between about 90 degrees to about 135 degrees, for example. In some
embodiments where
the angle is 90 degrees, the utensil may be referred to as a right-angled
spoon, whisk, spatula
or tong, as the case may be, or more generally as an angled or right-angled
utensil.
[0101] Reference is now made to Figure 18, which shows a flowchart of an
example method
1800 of using a splatter protector with cooking vessels of two different
sizes. In this example
method 1800, the described operations are carried out by the example kit 1100
of Figure 11.
The described operations may be carried out, for example, in the context of a
human using
the kit when cooking food. When the kit is not in use, it may be stored in a
kitchen cupboard
or drawer with the splatter protector in the compact confirmation.
[0102] In operation 1802, the splatter protector is expanded from the compact
configuration
to either the semi-collapsed or expanded configuration. This may be carried
out by a human
applying a tensile force to the first and second end portions of the splatter
protector.
[0103] In operation 1804, the first end portion of the splatter protector is
seated on an upper
edge of a first cooking vessel. Reference is now made to Figure 19, which
shows an example
of the first end portion 104 of the splatter protector 100 seated on the upper
edge 1902 of a
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
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first cooking vessel 1900. The first cooking vessel 1900 may contain food that
is heated and
splashes. At least some of the splashes may be blocked by the inner surface of
the splatter
protector. The heated food may also generate steam that passes through the
interior of the
splatter protector and exits through the second end opening of the splatter
protector.
[0104] In some embodiments, a lid, for example the lid 1102, may be placed on
the second
end portion 106 of the splatter protector 100 in order to cover the second end
opening and to
block at least some food that may splatter through the second end opening.
[0105] In operation 1806, the first end portion 104 of the splatter protector
100 is unseated
from the first cooking vessel 1900. The lid may be removed from the splatter
protector prior
to or after unseating the splatter protector.
[0106] In operation 1808, the splatter protector is inverted, or flipped
upside down, and the
second end portion of the splatter protector is seated on an upper edge of a
second cooking
vessel. Reference is now made to Figure 20, which shows an example of the
second end
portion 106 of the splatter protector 100 seated on the upper edge 2000 of a
cooking vessel
1700. In this example, the size of the mouth of the second cooking vessel 1700
is less than
the size of the mouth of the first cooking vessel 1900.
[0107] In some embodiments, the lid 1102 may be seated inside of the splatter
protector 100
as shown in Figure 17 to cover the first end opening and to block at least
some food that may
splatter through the second end opening.
[0108] In operation 1810, the splatter protector 100 may be unseated from the
second
cooking vessel 1700 and the lid 1102 may be removed from the interior of the
splatter
protector 100. The splatter protector may be collapsed to the compact
configuration by a
human applying a compressive force to the first and second end portions of the
splatter
protector. The splatter protector may then be stored for later use.
[0109] It will be appreciated that it may be that some or all of the above-
described operations
of the various above-described example methods may be performed in orders
other than those
illustrated without varying the overall operation of those methods.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
- 18 -
[0110] It will be understood that the components implementing the splatter
protector, lid and
cooking utensil may be made of any suitable material, including silicone and
plastic. The
material may be heat resistant, dishwasher safe, and/or food safe material. A
heat resistant
material may be capable of withstanding exposure to high temperatures or a hot
surface
without permanent and/or significant deformation or damage. For instance, an
end portion of
the splatter protector may be made of a heat resistant material that is
capable of abutting a hot
upper edge of a cooking vessel without deformation of the end portion. In some
embodiments, the heat resistant material is capable of withstanding
temperatures produced by
a conventional electric stove top, which may range from about 120 degrees
Celsius (248
degrees Fahrenheit) to about 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit), for
example. A
dishwasher safe material may be capable of being exposed to high temperatures
of a
dishwasher and detergents without damage to the material. A food safe material
may include
any suitable food-grade or other material that is non-toxic and may safely
come into direct
contact with food without contaminating the food with harmful materials.
[0111] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the described components
may be
implemented as separate components. It will be understood that the components
implementing the splatter protector may be attached or secured to each other
using standard
techniques. The present application is not limited to particular fasteners,
glues, or other such
implementation details.
[0112] Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the splatter
protector, lid and stirring
utensil, and components thereof, may be of one-piece construction. For
example, the splatter
protector may be extruded, formed, molded, or printed as a unitary structure.
[0113] Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can
be made.
Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative
and not
restrictive.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-17
