US-20260123787-A1 - Splatter Control Apparatus with Tension Member

US20260123787A1US 20260123787 A1US20260123787 A1US 20260123787A1US-20260123787-A1

Abstract

A splatter control apparatus for use with a cooking vessel lid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible, elastically deformable tension member configured to be compressed for insertion along an inner side of a frame of the lid and to expand outwardly upon release. An absorbent sleeve member is disposed circumferentially about the tension member and is urged into continuous contacting relation with the inner side of the lid by the expansion force of the tension member. The absorbent sleeve intercepts and absorbs grease and condensed moisture migrating along an inner surface of the lid during cooking. In alternative embodiments, the absorbent sleeve is removable and replaceable, or the apparatus is formed as an integrated, fully disposable absorbent member combining tension and absorbent properties.

Inventors

Alex Kheder

Assignees

Alex Kheder

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20260103

Claims (14)

1 . A splatter control apparatus for use with a cooking vessel lid, comprising: (a) a flexible, elastically deformable tension ring member configured to be compressible for insertion and positioned along an inner side of a frame of a cooking vessel lid; and (b) an absorbent sleeve member disposed circumferentially about said tension ring member; wherein the absorbent sleeve member envelops the tension ring member along substantially its entire circumference thereof; wherein, upon release from compression, the tension ring member provides an outward expansion force by elastic recovery, thereby urging the absorbent sleeve member into continuous circumferential contacting relation with the inner side of the frame of the lid; and wherein the absorbent sleeve member is positioned along the inner side of the lid to intercept and absorb grease and condensed moisture migrating along an inner surface of the lid during cooking.
2 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent sleeve member is removable and replaceable relative to the tension ring member.
3 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent sleeve member comprises a natural or synthetic absorbent fibrous material selected from paper-based, fabric-based, bamboo-based, cellulose-based, or nonwoven materials.
4 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension ring member comprises a natural or synthetic resilient material selected from metal, polymer, silicone, plastic, wood, or composite materials.
5 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent sleeve member and the tension ring member are formed of different natural or synthetic materials, wherein the tension ring member is characterized by greater structural rigidity than the absorbent sleeve member.
6 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is retained against the inner side of the lid without clips, fasteners, rigid flanges, adhesives, or mechanical attachment structures, other than a coupling mechanism configured solely to permit inward and outward swinging movement of the tension ring member relative to the frame and configured to provide no retention or expansion force.
7 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension ring member includes manipulative features configured to facilitate compression, insertion, and removal.
8 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension ring member exerts an outward force through the absorbent sleeve member to maintain the absorbent sleeve member safely secured in continuous circumferential contacting relation with the inner side of the lid during cooking.
9 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tension ring member has a closed-loop configuration selected from substantially circular, polygonal, or non-circular geometries, the configuration being elastically conformable to the inner side of the frame of the lid.
10 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling mechanism pivotally connecting the tension ring member to the frame of the lid, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured solely to permit inward and outward swinging movement of the tension ring member relative to the frame, and is devoid of any elastic structures or spring like force for providing outward expanding tension force securing the apparatus against the inner side of the lid.
11 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent member is formed from a flat absorbent sheet member secured around the tension ring member such that at least a portion of the flat absorbent sheet member is positioned between the tension ring member and the inner side of the frame of the lid.
12 . A splatter control apparatus for use with a cooking vessel lid, comprising: an integrated, fully disposable, elastically deformable absorbent member having a closed-loop configuration sized to conform to an inner side of a frame of a cooking vessel lid; wherein the absorbent member is compressible for insertion and, upon release, self-expands to maintain continuous circumferential contacting relation with the inner side of the lid; and wherein the absorbent member provides both tension-based securing and absorption of grease and moisture splatter generated during cooking.
13 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the absorbent member comprises a composite structure combining a natural or synthetic absorbent material portion and a natural or synthetic resilient tension material portion.
14 . The splatter control apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the absorbent member is formed as a plurality of pre-measured segments sized to conform to predetermined cooking vessel lid diameters, or is formed as an elongated absorbent member adjustable for installation within a lid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/737,916 filed on Jan. 9, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/790,377, filed Jan. 9, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. SPECIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to splatter control in one common field is in the kitchen accessories and relates particularly to a splatter control covering device for cooking vessels. More specifically, this invention relates to a replaceable, removable and disposable member splatter control device to be used with utensils and cookware. (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed It is commonly known that frying, searing or simmering foods on a stovetop can be a messy process, even for an experienced cook. Food liquids, oil and grease often splatter outside the pot, or cooking utensils and onto the surrounding areas of the stove, counter tops and walls. Such splattering materials not only create unsanitary, unsightly mess on the stove, counter tops, walls and surrounding surfaces, but also produce an undue safety hazard to persons, further it creates fire hazard due to grease buildup. The splattering of grease from inside a cooking utensil can not only cause severe burns to people, but also increases the likelihood of kitchen grease fires. Statistics in 2017 reveal that nearly 5,000,000 cooking fires occur annually in the home, of these fires, grease fires are the most dangerous and are responsible for 1 in every 5 home fire deaths. In light of these challenges, many devices currently available to control splattering include: metal covers or mesh covers which are placed over the vessel or food item being prepared; plastic covers and absorbent papers, aluminum foil and parchment paper. None of these devices, however, combine all the attributes of being disposable, universally adaptable to all of the major cooking settings and capable of maintaining a cooking environment suitable for all cooking types, and yet simple to use during cooking. Although some prior art is capable of preventing splatter of cooking liquids still have several disadvantages, some of which are relatively expensive, and are difficult to clean. An example of such splatter guard devices can be found in: U.S. Pat. No. 2,999,559 teaches the use of a disposable disc made out of fibrous material in conjunction with a metal ring. Although the top disc is disposable, the metal ring is bulky and hinders access to food therefore may be a cause of burning, not easy to store and still requires cleaning. U.S. Pat. No. 2,686,608 teaches the use of a cylindrical guard made out of disposable paper that sits inside a frying vessel and includes vents to allow air circulation. However, it is open at the top and does not entirely prevent the splatter. U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,471 B2 is a disposable non-absorbent rigid covering, causes moisture condensation and prohibitively high cost. U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,029 B2 is a tongue like devise that clamps onto the reference is impractical specially as the paper gets damp it wilts down into the cooking vessel. DE 102010001163 is a circular frame that clamps onto a paper using struts with a pivot access and a fastening means, the many moving parts and fastening means render the design impractical. Clearly there is a need for a tried and tested splatter control method that combines the convenience of being disposable, affordable, simple and safe to use, eliminate splatter, reduce cooking odor, prevent grease fires, prevent injuries, being generally heat and flame-resistant, can be permeable to offer preferred cooking results and is versatile enough to be used with any common cooking methods and vessels. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal aim of the invention herein is to provide a safe splatter control apparatus that prevents splatter of grease and liquids during cooking operations that is versatile enough to be used with virtually many cooking vessels and methods. Another aim of the invention herein is to provide a splatter control apparatus with the advantages of being efficient, practical, economical, safe and easy to handle with a replaceable element that may have an activated carbon feature that absorbs odors, be absorbent or non-absorbent, porous or non-porous, paper related, fabric related, silicon, mesh screen material or a combination of multi materials thereof. These and other objects are addressed by the present invention, directed to a splatter control apparatus comprising a flexible tension member configured to opportunely secure into a frame member, a frame member suitable to rest on top edge of a cooking vessel with a splatter member that can be secured between the tension ring member and the frame member thereby controlling the