US4095832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotating cooking spatula
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-03-10
•
Granted: 1978-06-20
•
Expires: 1997-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A rotating cooking spatula for use in the cooking and turning of items of food such as eggs, hamburgers, and the like. When cooking and/or frying foods, the rotating spatula device of this invention would be used to pick up the food item. The user then by operating appropriate control mechanism rotates in turn the especially configured spatula receptacle with cover top approximately 180° in order to turn the food item over. The item of food then can be slid out of the spatula tray back on to the frying surface. However, the spatula tray itself may be used to retain the food item and also to effect the cooking thereof. One embodiment uses a rotatable knob together with a 180° limit stop structure. Another embodiment employs a slide and helical thread structure to effect the 180° turning of the spatula tray structure. The third embodiment employs a slide knob together with rack and pinion structure connected to the slide knob by a flexible cable in order to effect the turning function. A resilient flexible connection connects all embodiments to the two-part spatula tray having a normally lower portion of slightly larger size than the top cover portion. In all embodiments the far end of both the bottom and top receptacle tray structure is open for easy ready reception of the food item therewithin.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Harold Slinker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J43/00; A47J43/28; A47J43/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A cooking utensil device comprising: means for turning food items while being cooked including: a combination supporting and cooking structure for reception of food items therewith consisting of a two-part receptacle unit, a first part having a substantially flat food supporting surface with three side walls around the perimeter thereof, a second part of similar configuration with a flat supporting surface having three side walls around the perimeter thereof, said second part is telescopically engageable with said first part, means for adjustably interlocking the said first and second telescopic parts together in a secure manner and yet permitting quick and easy separation thereof for the purpose of cleaning said parts, and when still engaged the overall unit may receive food through the one end opening thereof; handle structure; further means rotatably supporting said combination support and cooking structure from said handle structure, additional means associated with the handle structure for turning said rotatable further means in order to effect a corresponding turning of said combination support and cooking structure with food therewithin when desired by a user of the device comprising a support rod mounted for rotation in said handle, a flexible connection fastened to the outer end of said rod and a stub connected to said flexible connection which in turn is attached to said combination supporting and cooking structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A cooking utensil device comprising: means for turning food items while being cooked including: a combination supporting and cooking structure for reception of food items therewith consisting of a two-part receptacle unit, a first part having a substantially flat food supporting surface with three side walls around the perimeter thereof, a second part of similar configuration with a flat supporting surface having three side walls around the perimeter thereof, said second part is telescopically engageable with said first part, means for adjustably interlocking the said first and second telescopic parts together in a secure manner and yet permitting quick and easy separation thereof for the purpose of cleaning said parts, and when still engaged the overall unit may receive food through the one end opening thereof; handle structure; further means rotatably supporting said combination support and cooking structure from said handle structure, additional means associated with the handle structure for turning said rotatable further means in order to effect a corresponding turning of said combination support and cooking structure with food therewithin when desired by a user of the device comprising a support rod mounted for rotation in said handle, a flexible connection fastened to the outer end of said rod and a stub connected to said flexible connection which in turn is attached to said combination supporting and cooking structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, together with means for adjustably interlocking the two telescopic parts together in a secure manner and yet permitting quick and easy separation thereof for the purpose of cleaning said parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, together with structural means associated with the rotatable rod for limiting the rotational turning movement thereof to approximately 180° limits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein the said additional means associated with the handle structure for turning the combination supporting and cooking structure includes a rotatable knob means for limiting the rotation of said rod to 180° limits and a cylindrical ring structure provided therewithin with limit abutments, and the rotatable rod has a complementary projecting member for association and engagement with said limit abutments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein the additional means for effecting rotatable movement of the rod includes a slidable knob mounted in a longitudinally extending recess of the handle, and connected by suitable connection means to effect rotation of said support rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein the suitable connection means is by a slidable nut associated with the slidable knob, said slidable nut provided with helical grooves therewithin, said rotatable rod being provided with complementary helical threads thereon, and mating and engaging with the helical grooves within said slidable nut in order to effect rotation of the rod when the nut is moved longitudinally by actuation of the slidable knob.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein the means for limiting 180° rotation of said rotatable rod consist of end abutments associated with the slidable nut to limit the amount of slidibility thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the additional means associated with the handle structure for turning the combination supporting and cooking structure consists of a slidable knob mounted in a longitudinal recess with the handle, a flexible cable connection between said slidable knob and a rack member having teeth thereon also mounted within the handle structure, and a pinion mounted on the end of the rotatable rod and engaged with the teeth of the rack member for effecting rotation of the support rod and in turn the combination supporting and cooking structure when the slidable knob on the handle is moved longitudinally thereof by a user of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
A cooking utensil device comprising: means for manually turning food items while being cooked including; a combination support and cooking structure for reception of food items therewithin comprising a two-part receptacle unit, a first part having a substantially flat food supporting surface with three side walls around the perimeter thereof, a second part of similar configuration with a flat supporting surface having three side walls around the perimeter thereof, said second part telescopically engageable with said first part and when engaged the overall unit may receive food through the one end opening thereof; handle structure; rotatable support means connecting said handle structure with said combination support and cooking structure; said handle structure comprising turning means for turning said rotatable support means and to thereby effect a corresponding turning of said combination support and cooking structure with food therein; said turning means comprising structure adapted to be operated by one's thumb when holding said handle in one's hand.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
157 words
A cooking utensil device comprising: means for manually turning food items while being cooked including; a combination support and cooking structure for reception of food items therewithin comprising a two-part receptacle unit, a first part having a substantially flat food supporting surface with three side walls around the perimeter thereof, a second part of similar configuration with a flat supporting surface having three side walls around the perimeter thereof, said second part telescopically engageable with said first part and when engaged the overall unit may receive food through the one end opening thereof; handle structure; rotatable support means connecting said handle structure with said combination support and cooking structure; said handle structure comprising turning means for turning said rotatable support means and to thereby effect a corresponding turning of said combination support and cooking structure with food therein; said turning means comprising structure adapted to be operated by one's thumb when holding said handle in one's hand.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |