United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,918,535
`
`Moreau
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Jul. 6, 1999
`
`US005918535A
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1068289
`
`6/1954
`
`France ................................... .. 99/413
`
`Primary Examiner—Reginald L. Alexander
`Attorney, Agent‘, or Firm—Jesse D. Lambert
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Apparatus and method for suspending the basket, of a
`cooking vessel comprising a pot and inner basket, inside of
`the pot, to permit drainage of the basket and food inside the
`basket into the pot after cooking the food in a liquid cooking
`medium (such as water or cooking oil) contained in the pot.
`The apparatus comprises a generally S-shaped member,
`having upper and lower oppositely—facing hooks joined by
`an intermediate section. A handle may be attached to the
`apparatus. To use the apparatus, the basket is lifted to a
`height above the liquid level in the pot. The lower hook is
`inserted into a perforation in the basket, and the basket and
`apparatus is then lowered until the upper hook hooks over
`the top rim of the pot. The basket then rests suspended in the
`pot above the liquid level therein, with the side of the basket
`opposite the side in which the lower hook of the apparatus
`is inserted bearing against the adjacent inner wall of the pot.
`
`11 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`[54] APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING AN INNER
`BASKET VVITHIN AN OUTER POT OFA
`COOKING VESSEL, AND METHOD FOR
`USING SAME
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Donnie R. Moreau, 801 Rebecca Dr.,
`Houma, La. 70360
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/992,401
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 17, 1997
`
`Int. Cl.“ ............................ .. A47] 37/12; A47] 45/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`............................... .. 99/413; 99/415; 99/419;
`294/26; 294/32
`[58] Field of Search ............................ .. 99/413, 410, 412,
`99/411, 414, 415, 416, 419; 294/12, 27.1,
`32, 26
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1920 Burlingame ............................. .. 294/26
`1,337,540
`9/1925 Pomeroy
`...... .. 294/26
`1,555,605
`11/1935 Ritscher
`99/414 X
`2,021,465
`4/1939 Woodman ..
`99/413 X
`2,156,214
`2,613,978 10/1952 Marulli ................................. .. 294/27.1
`
`
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1040
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1040
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f2
`
`5,918,535
`
`
`
`700
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 6, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of2
`
`5,918,535
`
`

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`5,918,535
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`1
`APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING AN INNER
`BASKET WITHIN AN OUTER POT OF A
`COOKING VESSEL, AND METHOD FOR
`USING SAME
`
`BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to apparatus employed in cooking
`foods. With greater particularity, this invention relates to
`apparatus used in conjunction with a cooking vessel com-
`prising a pot and a basket removably contained within the
`pot, to enable suspending the basket within the pot, above a
`liquid level within the pot, to permit the basket and foods in
`the basket to drain into the pot.
`
`BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF THE
`RELATED ART
`
`Cooking of many different foods, including vegetables,
`meats, and seafood such as fish, shrimp, crawfish, crabs, and
`the like, is done by placing the food in a perforated basket,
`which is in turn placed into a larger pot. Typically, the pot
`contains a volume of liquid, such as water or cooking oil, in
`which the food within the basket is boiled or fried. Such
`
`arrangements have the advantage of permitting cooking of
`large volumes of individually small pieces of food, and
`readily placing the large volume of food into the pot and
`removing same, without the tedious process of scooping out
`small pieces of food cooked in a large pot. Through use of
`the basket, the entire volume of food may be placed into and
`removed from the pot at essentially the same time. Another
`desirable attribute of a basket/pot combination is that the
`cooking liquid, be it water or cooking oil, that is entrained
`on, in, and around the food is desirably drained back into the
`pot after cooking is complete, by suspending the basket over
`the pot but above the liquid level in the pot.
`One application in which this basket/pot arrangement is
`used is in the boiling of shellfish, such as crawfish,
`in
`relatively large basket/pot combinations capable of boiling,
`by way of example only, 50 pounds or more. Such amounts
`of crawfish contained within the basket are too heavy for a
`person or persons to easily hold up over the pot, to permit
`the excess water in the basket contents to drain back into the
`
`pot. A significant volume of the typically highly seasoned
`water in which the crawfish are boiled is contained in the
`
`body cavities of the crawfish, and on and around the
`crawfish, and it is desirable to drain such liquid back into the
`pot. Although the invention will be described in connection
`with the boiling of crawfish in this manner,
`it is to be
`understood that the invention is not so limited but may be
`employed in the boiling or frying of many different types of
`foods.
`
`The related art shows several apparatus that generally
`permit suspension of an inner basket within an outer cooking
`pot, with the basket and/or pot specially configured to permit
`suspension. All of the known devices have various short-
`comings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 325,188 to Tate (Aug.
`25, 1885) discloses a cooking utensil comprising an inner
`perforated basket within an outer pot. The inner basket is
`specially constructed to include a pair of slots at opposite
`points on the circumference of the basket, part of the
`distance from the top of the basket. A support member
`generally in the shape of a flat bar may be inserted through
`the slots, spanning the diameter of the basket and protruding
`out on both sides of the basket sufliciently far to span the
`diameter of the outer pot. The support member then placed
`across the top of the outer pot suspends the inner basket
`within the outer pot. The invention of Tate has several
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`disadvantages, however. The inner basket must be specially
`constructed to include relatively large slots to accommodate
`the support. Only a limited volume of food may be placed
`in the basket, only to such a level as to not interfere with
`insertion of the support member through the basket. Only
`one level or height of suspension of the inner basket is
`possible, so that accommodating different
`liquid levels
`within the outer pot may not be done. Finally, although the
`invention of Tate provides a handle on the support member
`to aid in the manipulation of the basket after final removal
`of the basket from the pot, placement of the handle at a
`relatively large distance above the bottom of basket greatly
`limits its utility.
`US. Pat. No. 713,575 to Von Uffel (Nov. 11, 1902)
`discloses another type of basket suspension device perma-
`nently attached to both the basket and the pot. The Von Uffel
`patent discloses a pot having at least one support attached to
`the side of the pot and projecting upwardly therefrom. The
`support terminates in an eye having an elongated opening.
`The basket has a hook also attached to one side and
`
`projecting upwardly therefrom, the hook fitting into the eye
`of the support on the pot, and suspending the basket over the
`pot. This apparatus also provides only a single suspension
`height of the basket within the pot. Also, the permanently
`attached support and hook protrude above the rim of the pot
`and basket, rendering both pot and basket more bulky. The
`configuration of the support eye and hook tend to collect
`food particles, built up oil, etc. and are hard to clean.
`Furthermore, such arrangement is designed to be integral
`with the pot and basket, and is not adaptable to use on
`cooking vessels not so equipped.
`The related art apparatus share a number of disadvan-
`tages:
`they are specially constructed baskets or basket/pot
`combinations,
`incorporating certain modifications to
`the basket and pot, preferably at manufacture, to enable
`suspension of the basket within the pot;
`the apparatus comprise substantially permanent modifi-
`cation or attachment to the pot and/or basket, to provide
`structure usable in suspending the basket within the
`P01;
`certain related art apparatus limit the portion of the basket
`which may contain food;
`certain related art apparatus utilize upward projecting
`supports which protrude above the rim of the pot and/or
`basket, providing an obstruction to handling and pro-
`viding a receptacle for collecting food particles, etc.,
`and being diflicult to clean.
`None of the related art patents show apparatus not per-
`manently attached to either the basket or pot, which permit
`suspension of the basket within the pot at a selected variable
`level above a liquid level in the pot.
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`
`Accordingly, among the objects and advantages of the
`present invention are to:
`in a cooking vessel comprising a basket and a pot, provide
`an apparatus for securely suspending the basket within
`the pot, above a liquid level in the pot, to permit the
`basket and the food contents thereof to drain into the
`P01;
`to provide such apparatus which is not permanently
`attached to either the basket or the pot;
`to provide apparatus which is readily usable and adaptable
`to many sizes and configurations of basket/pot combi-
`nations;
`
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`5,918,535
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`3
`to provide apparatus which is usable with many commer-
`cially available “off the shelf” basket/pot combinations,
`Without requiring modification of either the basket or
`the pot;
`to provide apparatus which is simple and inexpensive to
`manufacture from a variety of materials;
`which is able to suspend the basket at variable heights
`within the pot, to ensure that the basket is above the
`liquid level in the pot but as low as possible for safety
`purposes;
`
`to provide an apparatus for suspending a basket within a
`pot which does not limit the volume of food which may
`be contained within the basket;
`to provide a cooking vessel combination comprising a
`basket, a pot, and apparatus not permanently attached
`to either the basket or pot, which permits suspension of
`the basket within the pot at a desired level; and
`to provide a method for suspending a basket Within the pot
`of a basket/pot cooking vessel combination, with appa-
`ratus not permanently attached to either the basket or
`the pot and adaptable to a large range of basket/pot
`combinations.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a rear, slightly quartering view of the apparatus.
`FIG. 3 is a side View in partial cross section of a typical
`basket and pot cooking vessel combination.
`FIG. 4 is another view of a basket and pot combination,
`the pot in full cross section, illustrating a liquid level in the
`pot.
`FIG. 5 is a side view in cross section showing a basket
`suspended within a pot, above a liquid level in the pot, by the
`apparatus of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of the apparatus of the present
`invention being used to aid in inverting a basket having food
`therein, in order to pour the food out.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`A typical embodiment of the present invention is shown
`in FIG. 1. Apparatus 10 is generally S-shaped and comprises
`upper hook 20 and lower hook 30, joined by intermediate
`section 40. Upper hook 20 and lower hook 30,
`in the
`preferred embodiment, are substantially oppositely-facing.
`A handle 50 is attached to apparatus 10, preferably attached
`to upper hook 20. Handle 50 may comprise a closed loop, as
`shown in FIG. 1, or may comprise a T—shaped piece or other
`appropriate shape providing secure gripping. The shape and
`dimensions of upper hook 20 are adapted to hook over a top
`rim of a conventional pot as may be used for boiling
`crawlish and other seafood, vegetables, and the like, or for
`deep frying of fish and other foods. However, the shape and
`dimensions of upper hook 20 may be adjusted as desired to
`conform to many ditferent sizes of pots. By way of example,
`the opening of the throat of upper hook 20, shown as
`dimension X, may be approximately 3/2". Section 20a of
`upper hook 20 may be generally parallel to intermediate
`section 40. By way of example only, the length of interme-
`diate section 40 may be approximately 3 inches.
`Handle 50 is attached to apparatus 10, preferably on
`section 20a of upper hook 20, to provide a means for readily
`placing apparatus 10 in proper position with respect to a
`
`4
`basket and pot and to assist in pouring food out of the basket,
`as will be later described. The particular embodiment shown
`in FIG. 1 is a loop or ring-type handle, having an opening
`sufficiently large so that at least one, and preferably several,
`fingers may be inserted therethrough for secure handling.
`Finger grooves may be provided as shown to enhance
`gripping. Other embodiments of handle 50 could comprise
`a T-shaped member or any design which permits secure
`grasping.
`Lower hook 30 faces substantially oppositely upper hook
`20 and has section 30a proximal to the terminal end of lower
`hook 30. Although various shapes and dimensions may be
`used, in the preferred embodiment section 30a is approxi-
`mately 1-1/2" long with an angle Y between section 30a and
`intermediate section 40 suitable to suspend a basket there-
`from as will be later described. Angle Y is preferably
`between about 90 degrees and about 10 degrees. The ter-
`minal end and at least a portion of section 30a are advan-
`tageously substantially round in cross section and the ter-
`minal end of section 30a is tapered to a blunt point, for ease
`of insertion into a basket perforation. However, it is under-
`stood that dificerent shapes, dimensions, and configurations
`may be used, and such details herein are given by way of
`example only.
`A variety of materials may be used to fabricate apparatus
`10. In one embodiment, a high strength tempered plastic
`material is used. Materials such as plastics have the advan-
`tage of low cost, high strength, and low heat conductivity,
`resulting in decreased need to wear protective clothing when
`manipulating apparatus 10 after exposure of apparatus 10 to
`high temperatures, such as from hot water or steam. Such
`plastics may be molded or cast forming apparatus 10 in one
`piece, with a desired cross-sectional shape of upper hook 20
`and lower hook 30, intermediate section 40, and handle 50
`(which may be rectangular, circular, or other desired shape).
`However, other materials may be used, such as round metal
`stock, of steel, aluminum, or the like, which may be formed
`in the desired shape and handle 50 attached by Welding or
`other like means.
`
`With regard to shape and dimensions, while the invention
`is not limited to any particular shape or dimension but rather
`may be altered as desired to suit particular basket/pot
`combinations, dimensions for one embodiment are given
`hereinabove in the description of the different sections of
`apparatus 10.
`FIG. 2 is a rear, slightly quartering View of an embodi-
`ment of apparatus 10.
`Use of apparatus 10 in boiling seafood will now be
`described. FIG. 3 illustrates a typical basket and pot cooking
`vessel combination, with pot 60 shown in partial cross
`section having basket 70 nested therein. As described above,
`such basket/pot combinations are commonly used to boil
`seafood such as crawfish, shrimp or crabs in seasoned water,
`but such arrangements may be also used to boil vegetables
`or deep fry foods such as fish. Typically, basket 70 has an
`outer diameter approximately 1" less than the inner diameter
`of pot 60, yielding an annular space of about 1/2" between
`basket 70 and the inner wall of pot 60. Basket 70 is provided
`with a number of perforations or other openings to permit
`drainage of entrained liquids from food cooked in basket 70.
`FIG. 4 is another view of a basket/pot combination, with
`pot 60 in cross section and a liquid level 80 in pot 60. Basket
`70 may be equipped with a folding bail 70a to facilitate
`insertion and removal of basket 70 from pot 60, as will be
`hereinafter described.
`
`Upon completion of the boiling process, basket 70 is
`raised from its cooking position within pot 60 to a desired
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`height, preferably above liquid level 80, although lower
`levels could be used if only partial drainage of the contents
`of basket 70 is acceptable. To suspend basket 70 within pot
`60, as shown in FIG. 5, apparatus 10 is placed so that section
`30a of lower hook 30 is inserted through a perforation or
`hole in basket 70, then basket 70 with apparatus 10 held in
`place are both lowered so that upper hook 20 is hooked over
`a top rim 60a of pot 60. Then, basket 70 may be released, at
`which time one side of basket 70 is suspended by apparatus
`10 from top rim 60a while the opposite side of basket 70
`rests against the opposite inner wall of pot 60. The place-
`ment of apparatus 10 in a perforation of basket 70 may be
`adjusted as necessary to yield a desired height of basket 70
`within pot 60. By way of example, basket 70 may be
`suspended slightly above liquid level 80, which permits
`drainage while keeping the center of gravity of the basket
`and pot as low as possible for safety purposes. However, it
`is understood that basket 70 may be suspended within pot 60
`at other heights relative to liquid level 80, for example below
`liquid level 80 if only partial drainage of the contents of
`basket 70 is desired, or at a height substantially above liquid
`level 80.
`
`By the above description, it can be seen that the apparatus
`of the present invention provides a simple, low cost, but
`highly useful and effective means of suspending a basket
`within a pot of a cooking vessel, without an individual or
`individuals having to “hold up” the basket by hand or by
`means of an overhead frame or the like.
`
`When drainage of the contents of basket 70 is complete,
`apparatus 10 may be advantageously used in at least par-
`tially inverting basket 70 to pour out and thus serve the food
`contained therein. Basket 70 is lifted completely out of pot
`60, preferably by bail 70a or other like means. Upon
`bringing basket 70 to a serving table, as shown in FIG. 6,
`apparatus 10 may be inserted into a perforation in or near the
`bottom of basket 70, then used to lift the lower end of basket
`70 up,
`thereby permitting easy pouring out of the food
`contained therein onto the table.
`
`Although the description above contains many
`specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the
`scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations
`of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the
`invention. For example, the shapes and dimensions of upper
`and lower hooks 20 and 30 and intermediate section 40 may
`be altered to suit particular basket/pot combinations; handle
`50 may be a closed loop, a T-shape, or other shape providing
`secure gripping;
`the cross section shape of the different
`sections of apparatus 10 may be rectangular, circular, oval,
`or other shape; and different materials may be used, such as
`plastic composites, metals, and the like. Furthermore, more
`than one of apparatus 10 could be used to suspend a basket
`within a pot, holding a basket completely level within the
`pot if desired.
`Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by
`the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than
`by the examples given.
`I claim:
`
`1. An apparatus for suspending an inner basket within an
`outer pot of a basket and pot cooking vessel, comprising:
`a generally S-shaped structure comprising an upper hook,
`a lower hook, and an intermediate section joining said
`upper hook and said lower hook, said upper hook and
`said lower hook substantially oppositely-facing one
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`another, said upper hook adapted for releasable engage-
`ment over a top rim of said pot, a terminal section of
`said lower hook forming an angle with said interme-
`diate section suitable for insertion of said terminal
`
`section of said lower hook into a perforation in the
`basket, said terminal section of said lower hook
`adapted for releasable engagement within said perfo-
`ration; and
`a handle attached to said upper hook.
`2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle com-
`prises a closed loop.
`3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle com-
`prises a generally T—shaped member.
`4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said angle between
`said terminal section of said lower hook and said interme-
`
`diate section is between about ninety degrees and about ten
`degrees.
`5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said handle com-
`prises a closed loop.
`6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said apparatus is
`comprised of a plastic material.
`7. A cooking vessel, comprising:
`(a) a pot having a top rim;
`(b) a perforated basket removably contained within said
`pot and movable to a desired height within said pot,
`said basket disposed at a desired height within said pot;
`(c) a generally S-shaped structure comprising an upper
`hook, a lower hook, and an intermediate section joining
`said upper hook and said lower hook, said upper hook
`and said lower hook substantially oppositely-facing
`one another, said upper hook adapted to be removably
`hooked over said top rim of said pot, a terminal section
`of said lower hook forming an angle with said inter-
`mediate section suitable for insertion of said terminal
`
`section of said lower hook into a perforation in said
`basket, said terminal section of said lower hook
`adapted for removable insertion into said perforation,
`said terminal section of said lower hook of said struc-
`
`ture removably inserted into a perforation in said
`basket, said upper hook of said structure removably
`hooked over said top rim of said pot, one side of said
`basket supported by said lower hook and the opposite
`side of said basket resting against an inner wall of said
`pot at a point substantially opposite a point where said
`structure is hooked over said top rim, thereby suspend-
`ing said basket at a desired height within said pot.
`8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said angle between
`said terminal section of said lower hook and said interme-
`
`diate section is between about ninety degrees and about ten
`degrees.
`9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said handle com-
`prises a closed loop.
`10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said apparatus is
`comprised of a plastic material.
`11. A method of suspending a basket within a pot of a
`cooking vessel, comprising the steps of:
`(a) providing a pot having a removable basket therein;
`(b) lifting said basket to a desired height within said pot;
`(c) providing an apparatus comprising a generally
`S-shaped structure comprising an upper hook, a lower
`hook, and an intermediate section joining said upper
`hook and said lower hook, said upper hook and said
`lower hook substantially oppositely-facing one another,
`said upper hook adapted for releasable engagement
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`over a top rim of said pot, a terminal section of said
`lower hook forming an angle with said intermediate
`section suitable for insertion of said terminal section of
`
`in thC b3.Sl{Ct, and a
`said lOWCI' l'l0Ok ll'I[O 3. pCI'fOI'€lll0l'I
`handle attached to said upper hook;
`
`(d) removably inserting said terminal section of said
`lower hook into a perforation in said basket; and
`
`(e) lowering said basket and said apparatus together until
`said upper hook removably hooks over said top rim of
`said pot and one side of said basket is suspended from
`said lower hook and an opposite side of said basket
`rests against an inner wall of Said pot Substantially
`opposite a point at which said structure engages said
`top rim.
`
`*
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