Utensil for retaining an object in a liquid bath

• US 9,497,989 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2015
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Myron Williams
• Original Assignee: Myron Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Myron
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Nkeisha
• Application Number:
  US14/657,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 248/683, 248/688, 248/127, 248/158, 248/431, 248/188.7, 248/205.6, 248/205.5, 248/205.1, 248/205.2, 248/205.3, 248/205.8, 248/206.2, 248/206.3, 211/41.8, 211/71.01
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/365 Thawing subsequent to freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

A utensil that retains a food item or other object in a liquid bath includes a core portion and at least one aim extending from the core portion at the upper end thereof to hover over the object to keep it fully submerged. An anchor, such as a suction cup, secures the core portion in the bath container.

Claims

1. A utensil for retaining an object in a liquid bath, comprising:

a core portion having opposite first and second ends and a lengthwise axis;

at least two arms extending from the core portion at the first end thereof to define a restraint for retaining an object in a submerged condition in a liquid bath, wherein each arm has a tip, arms adjacent to each other form an acute angle, and each arm is bent at the tip towards the second end of the core portion, to form a finger;

an anchor at the second end of the core portion for securing the core portion to a container containing the liquid bath; and

at least one stabilizing member having a base extending from the second end of the core portion, the at least one stabilizing member being positioned relative to the at least two arms and configured to counteract an upward force exerted under the arms.

2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the core portion is hollow, and the first and second ends both have at least one opening therein to allow liquid to flow through the core portion.

3. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the arms are formed with a bend therein towards the core portion.

4. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a suction cup.

5. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the arms are selectively attachable to and detachable from the core portion.

6. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the anchor is selectively attachable to and detachable from the core portion.

7. The utensil of claim 1, wherein there are at least two stabilizing members and each stabilizing member is a substantially triangular wing having an apex at the first end of the core portion.

8. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the core portion and the arms comprise a unitary and integral structure.

9. The utensil of claim 8, wherein the anchor comprises a unitary and integral structure with the core portion and the arms.

10. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the at least two arms comprise first and second arms and a third arm intermediate the first and second arms, the first and second arms forming an acute angle.