An improved straining tool

Abstract

A straining tool comprising a primary strainer and a secondary strainer, hingedly connected.

Description

[0001] An Improved Straining Tool

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a strainer for two-stage straining of fluid mixtures, particularly for food and drink preparation, especially useful in the preparation of cocktails.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] A range of specialist tools exist for use in straining of fluid mixtures, for example in food and drink preparation, particularly in relation to the preparation of cocktails. Such tools include a variety of strainers. Cocktail strainers may be classed in two varieties: small particulate strainers, such as fine mesh strainers, and what may be termed "large particulate" strainers, examples of which being Julep strainers and Hawthorne strainers, which typically comprise larger holes than small particulate strainers.

[0006] Typically, the process of preparing a cocktail using such a strainer would entail mixing ingredients together in a vessel such as a cocktail shaker, and then passing the resultant mixture through at least one strainer in order to capture particulate matter. Such particulate matter may include fragments of ice, pieces of fruit, or any other solid material found in the ingredients of the cocktail.

[0007] Large particulate strainers, such as Hawthorne strainers or Julep strainers, will capture larger particulate matter than small particulate strainers. Disadvantageously, they will allow smaller particulate matter through, but advantageously they are less delicate than small particulate strainers and easier to clean.

[0008] Small particulate strainers, such as fine mesh strainers, will advantageously capture smaller particulate matter than large particulate strainers. Disadvantageously, they are difficult to clean, are more delicate than large particulate strainers, and large particulate matter may clog them entirely, obstructing flow.

[0009] A typical method of pouring a mixture utilising such strainers may therefore entail holding a large particulate strainer (such as a Hawthorne or Julep strainer) over the opening of the vessel from which the mixture is being poured with one hand, and with the other hand holding a small particulate strainer, such that fluid pours through the large particulate strainer, through the small particulate strainer, and into the receiving vessel. The large particulate strainer thereby catches large particulate matter, reducing the risk of damage or obstruction being caused at the small particulate strainer, and the small particulate strainer captures small particulate matter.

[0010] This method requires the use of two hands, and is therefore cumbersome, less accessible for persons who may have issues using both hands, and requires simultaneous handling of the strainers and vessels.

[0011] Alternatively, a two-step process may be used, first pouring the mixture from one vessel to a second vessel through the large particulate strainer, and then second pouring the mixture from the second vessel to a final vessel via the fine strainer. This is more time-consuming.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] The invention relates to a straining tool, comprising a primary strainer and a secondary strainer, hingedly connected such that the secondary strainer may pivot with respect to the primary strainer about an axis of hinged connection, wherein the secondary strainer may pivot from a closed position in which an angle between the secondary strainer as measured at the axis of hinged connection is minimised, to an open position in which the angle between the secondary strainer and the primary strainer as measured at the axis of hinged connection is maximised, such that the primary strainer may be held over the aperture of a container from which a fluid mixture may be poured, wherein the secondary strainer is arranged to receive fluid passing through the primary strainer.

[0014] Optionally, the primary strainer may be a large particulate strainer, which may optionally be a Hawthorne strainer or Julep strainer.

[0015] Optionally, the secondary strainer may be a small particulate strainer, such as a fine mesh strainer.

[0016] Optionally, the primary strainer and the secondary strainer are hingedly connected via a hinge or a springed hinge.

[0017] Optionally, the angle between the secondary strainer and the primary strainer at the open position is a right angle. Optionally, the tool further comprises means of retaining the secondary strainer in at least one of the open position or the closed position. For example, the straining tool may comprise means of retaining the secondary strainer in the closed position, wherein the means of retaining the secondary strainer in the closed position comprise an elastic band, or a slidable retaining element adapted to retain a bar fixedly connected to or comprised on the secondary strainer, or a magnet. By way of further example, the straining tool may comprise means of retaining the secondary strainer in the open position, wherein the means of retaining the secondary strainer in the open position comprise a cavity adapted to receive a bar hingedly connected to the secondary strainer, or a magnet, or springs applying tension at the axis of hinged connection.

[0018] Optionally, the tool comprises a bar hingedly connected to the secondary strainer and a slider, wherein the secondary strainer may be moved between the open and closed position by moving the slider. Optionally, the slider may be retained in a particular position by a magnet. Optionally, the slider comprises or is mechanically connected to a clip residing in a rail.

[0019] Optionally, the secondary strainer is weighted such that it will pivot to the open position when the tool is in a first orientation and will pivot to the closed position when the tool is in a second orientation.

[0020] Optionally, the secondary strainer may comprise a retaining barrier.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method of straining a fluid mixture, comprising passing a fluid mixture through a straining tool as described above, such that the fluid passes through the primary strainer and then subsequently passes through the secondary strainer.

[0022] Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figs, la-lc depict an example straining tool according to the present invention, with means of retaining the secondary strainer in an open position and closed position based on an elastic band and a cavity adapted to receive a metal bar hingedly connected to the secondary strainer.

[0024] Figs. 2a-2b depict another example straining tool according to the present invention, with a slidable retaining feature. Figs. 3a-3b depict another example straining tool according to the present invention, in which a slider may be held in a position by a magnet.

[0025] Fig. 4 depicts another example straining tool according to the present invention, in which a slider moves a clip in a rail.

[0026] Figs. 5a-5b depict another example straining tool according to the present invention, in which the secondary strainer comprises a weight and a counterweight.

[0027] Figs. 6a-6c depict a preferable variant secondary strainer which may be used in conjunction with straining tools according to the present invention.

[0028] Figs. 7a-7b depict a variant means of retaining the secondary strainer in an open position.

[0029] Figs. 8a-8b depict a straining tool according to the present invention in the open position in place on a container.

[0030] Detailed Description

[0031] The present invention relates to improvements in straining tools. In general, it relates to a straining tool in which a primary strainer and a secondary strainer are hingedly connected, such that the secondary strainer may pivot with respect to the primary strainer about an axis of hinged connection. In many variants, the primary strainer is a large particulate strainer and the secondary strainer is a small particulate strainer. Straining tools according to the present invention are believed to be especially useful in the preparation of cocktails (including both alcoholic cocktails and "mocktails", which would be cocktail-like drinks not incorporating alcoholic ingredients), but it will be appreciated that they may be useful in other applications as well. Such other applications may include other applications within the field of food and drink preparation, but are not limited to this. In general, tools according to the present invention could be useful in any application where a two- stage filtering process is required or preferred.

[0032] The hinged connection between the primary and secondary strainer may comprise one or more hinges, with two hinges being a preferred number. In tools according to the present invention, the hinges may optionally be designed to comprise primary hinge components comprised on the primary strainer (or a frame or other feature comprised on the primary strainer) which reversibly couple to secondary hinge components comprised on the secondary strainer (or a frame or other feature comprised on the secondary strainer), such that the secondary strainer may be decoupled from the primary strainer in order to better enable thorough cleaning of the components of the tool by decoupling the primary hinge components from the secondary hinge components, and then the primary hinge components and secondary hinge components may be recoupled after cleaning so that the tool may be made ready for use.

[0033] Figs, la-lc depict an example of a straining tool according to the present invention. A large particulate strainer 10 and a small particulate strainer 20 are hingedly connected. In the depicted example, this is via two hinges 30, but other suitable arrangements to hingedly connect the two may also be used. In this example, there is also a bar 50 hingedly connected to the small particulate strainer by a fixed hinge 40. The handle 80 of the straining tool comprises a cavity 60 adapted to receive the metal bar, such that when the bar is received in the cavity the small particulate strainer 20 is held at an "open" position, wherein an angle between the large particulate strainer and the small particulate strainer as measured at the axis of hinged connection is maximised; optionally, that angle is a right angle. This "open" position is depicted in Figs, lb and lc. In an alternative "closed" position, the angle between the large particulate strainer 10 and small particulate strainer 20 as measured at the axis of hinged connection the spring hinges 30 are at a minimally small angle, such that the small particulate strainer 20 is held against the large particulate strainer 10 (or as close to the large particulate strainer 10 as is possible). Optionally, a retaining means 70 such as an elastic band may be provided to hold the bar 50 against the handle 80 of the straining tool.

[0034] This exhibits a range of advantages over the prior art. In use, the straining tool may be held such that its large particulate strainer 10 is held over a vessel from which a fluid (such as a cocktail mixture) is being poured. Typically, this would be done with the small particulate strainer in the open position, such that the small particulate strainer 20 is in position to receive the fluid which has passed through the large particulate strainer 10, and thereby further strain it.

[0035] Because the straining tool comprises both strainers hingedly connected, it may be used in a one- handed manner, whereas using two separate strainers simultaneously usually requires using both hands. Because the small particulate strainer 20 can be held in an open position or closed position (or moved into intermediate positions between the two), this allows for fine control of the pouring speed. The open position is also potentially useful for the purpose of cleaning the straining tool, whilst the closed position allows the straining tool to lie comparatively flat for storage.

[0036] To better accomplish the hinged connection between the large particulate strainer 10 and small particulate strainer 20, the small particulate strainer 20 may be provided with a thin frame around the circumference of its opening and the hinges 30 may connect to this thin frame. A similar arrangement may be provided for any of the other embodiments herein depicted and in other variants of the present invention, with a thin frame on the secondary strainer to which the hinges hingedly connecting it to the primary strainer are connected.

[0037] Figs. 2a and 2b depict another example of a straining tool according to the present invention. This variant also consists of a large particulate strainer 10 and a small particulate strainer 20 hingedly connected, this time via spring hinges 130. The small particulate strainer 20 comprises a bar 150 in a fixed position on the circumference of the small particulate strainer 20. The handle 80 of the straining tool comprises a slidable retaining element 170. The slidable retaining element 170 is adapted to slide over and retain in place the bar 150 when the small particulate strainer 20 is in the closed position, as depicted in Fig. 2a.

[0038] Although in Fig. 2a the small particulate strainer 20 is shown as being in contact with the large particulate strainer 10 when in the closed position, in other variants within the scope of the invention a small angle may exist between the two in the closed position; as described above, the "closed position" in reference to the present invention refers to a position in which the angle between the primary strainer and secondary strainer is minimal, said minimum angle will inherently depend on the design of the specific embodiment at hand.

[0039] When it is in the closed position, the spring hinges 130 are under tension. The slidable retaining element 170 may optionally comprise further features (such as springs, ridges, or other mechanical features) to hold it in place when in this configuration, whilst permitting a user to slide the retaining element back to release the bar 150. When the bar 150 is so released, the tension in the spring hinges 130 causes the small particulate strainer 20 to pivot, such that the small particulate strainer 20 is then held in the open position as depicted in Fig. 2b. This alternative provides similar advantages to the version depicted in Figs, la-lc. In addition, the use of spring hinges 130 permits the tool to be quickly deployed to the open position for use. (Spring hinges may also be used for the same purpose in the tool of Figs, la-lc if desired.)

[0040] Another alternative straining tool according to the invention is depicted in Figs. 3a-3b. In this, the small particulate tool 20 is hingedly connected via hinge 40 to a bar 250, which is in turn hingedly connected via hinge 240 to a slider 290 on the handle 80. Optionally, a magnet 270 may be fixed at a particular position on the handle 80 and the slider 290 may comprise a magnetically attractive material (or a corresponding magnet), such that when the slider 290 is at a position close to the magnet 270, it will be retained at that position by the magnetic force. Optionally, multiple magnets 270 may be provided on the handle 80 for this purpose (for instance, a magnet 270 to retain the slider at one extreme of its range, and another magnet 270 to retain it at the other extreme of its range).

[0041] When the slider 290 is at a first position as depicted in Fig. 3a, the small particulate strainer 20 is in its closed position. When the slider 290 is at a second position, as depicted in Fig. 3b, the small particulate strainer 20 is in its open position. The small particulate strainer 20 pivots with respect to the large particulate strainer 10 in response to motion of the slider 290 due to the arrangement of the bar 250 and hinges 30, 40, and 240.

[0042] In another alternative, depicted in Fig. 4, the arrangement is somewhat similar except that there is no magnet 270; instead, the slider 390 moves a clip 370 within a rail 300, the rail 300 comprising features to retain the clip 370 and therefore the slider 390 in place.

[0043] In another alternative, depicted in Figs. 5a-5b, movement between the closed and open position may be accomplished relying on gravity. In this alternative version of a straining tool according to the present invention, there is a weight 400 and a counterweight 410 attached to the small particulate strainer 20, and the small particulate strainer 20 is hingedly connected via hinge 30 to the large particulate strainer 10. The weight 400 and counterweight 410 are selected and arranged such that when the tool is held in one orientation, gravity acts on the weight 400 and counterweight 410 in such a way as to hold the small particulate strainer 20 in the open position, and then when the tool is held in another orientation gravity acts on the weight 400 and counterweight 410 in such a way as to hold the small particulate strainer in the open position. Advantageously, in use when the vessel from which a mixture is being poured is tilted, the large particulate strainer 10 may tilt correspondingly whilst the small particulate strainer 20 remains in the same orientation with respect to the horizontal, since the weight 400 and counterweight 410 are appropriately balanced to ensure this.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the two-weight approach comprising a weight 400 and counterweight 410 is only one simplified example of how the small particulate strainer 20 may be weighted to achieve this effect (for instance, rather than extending outward, the weighting may be provided through appropriate weighting of a circumferential rip of the small particulate strainer 20).

[0045] It will be appreciated that in all the alternate versions depicted, the same key advantages arise - namely, that the straining tool allows for two-stage straining of mixtures (first via a large particulate strainer, then by a small particulate strainer) performable in a single-step. Preferably, the tool may be sized such that it may be used in a hand-held fashion. Where it is so sized, it will be typically possible to utilise the tool one-handedly, whilst retaining fine control, whereas using two separate strainers either requires the use of both hands or the loss of fine control or both. The tool may comprise features intended to more easily permit it to be held in the human hand and utilised in this fashion, for example a handle.

[0046] In the depicted examples, the large particulate strainer is a Hawthorne strainer - typically a flat metal surface comprising holes, with a spring lining the circumference - and the small particulate strainer is a fine mesh strainer. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention and its advantages are not reliant on the type of large particulate strainer or small particulate strainer used, and alternatives (such as using a Julep strainer for the large particulate strainer) are possible.

[0047] It will also be appreciated that the invention is not only useful in situations where large particulate straining followed by small particulate straining is wanted; adapted versions of the invention can be produced for any two-stage process for straining a fluid mixture, merely by selecting an appropriate primary strainer and secondary strainer.

[0048] Figs. 6a-6b depict two views of a fine mesh strainer 1020 especially adapted for use in the present invention, comprising a further preferable improvement. The fine mesh strainer 1020 is a fine mesh strainer, adapted to be hingedly connected to a primary strainer in accordance with the present invention via hinges 30. The preferable improvement is a retaining barrier 1000 found at a rim of the fine mesh strainer 1020.

[0049] Fig. 6c shows the improved fine mesh strainer 1020 in conjunction with a large particulate strainer 10, to which it is hingedly connected via hinges 30. It is in the open position. It will be seen that the retaining barrier 1000 is positioned such that particulate matter 1020 caught by the fine mesh strainer 1020 in use will, when the fine mesh strainer is inclined towards the vertical, be retained in place by the retaining barrier.

[0050] It will be apparent that such a retaining barrier may be used with any secondary strainer in a straining tool according to the present invention, and that the geometry of the retaining barrier depicted in Figs. 6a-6c is not the only one which will provide this function. For example, an annular retaining barrier deployed around the circumference of the secondary strainer could provide a similar advantage. It will also be apparent that any of the example straining tools as depicted in the figures could be provided with a secondary strainer with a retaining barrier as described above.

[0051] Optionally, the retaining barrier may be designed to be removable, in order to assist thorough cleaning of the secondary strainer and barrier.

[0052] Fig. 7a depicts another means of retaining the secondary strainer in an open position which may be used in conjunction with features depicted in other embodiments described above. In this variant, a bar 750 is hingedly connected to the secondary strainer (not depicted in figure), much as in other embodiments described above comprising such bars. The handle 780 on the primary strainer 10 comprises a hole 710 through which the bar can pass, and an angled portion 720 which can receive the bar 750 through a hole 730. The bar 750 comprises a notch 760 proximal to an end, and the hole 730 is shaped in such a way as to interface with the notch to retain the bar 750 in place, thereby retaining the secondary strainer in an option position.

[0053] Fig. 7b depicts an additional variant in which the bar 750 further comprises a disc 790 attached to the end of bar 750 which has been received through hole 730. This prevents bar 750 from passing back through hole 730 and makes it easier to maintain the tool in the open position - the user need merely place a finger or thumb on the disc 790 and press it down against the angled portion 720 to keep the tool in the open position, and then move the disc 790 away from the angled portion 720 to return the tool to the closed position. Fig. 8a depicts a straining tool according to the present invention in conjunction with a container 5030 such as a cocktail strainer, as it may be positioned in use. In the figure, the primary strainer 5010, which is a large particulate strainer, and the secondary strainer 5020, which is a small particulate strainer, are hingedly connected. The strainers are in the open position with respect to each other. The means of retaining them in this position are as depicted in Fig. 7, but it will be appreciated that any variant of the invention disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with a container 5030 in essentially similar ways.

[0054] As depicted the container 5030 is in an upright position with its aperture vertically above its base, such that fluid mixtures contained within the container 5030 will sit at the base of the container 5030, but when the container 5030 is turned or rotated away from an upright position a fluid mixture comprised within the container 5030 will flow accordingly and, if the angle of rotation is sufficient, will pass through the primary strainer 5010. The intended use of the straining tool of the present invention is that the turning or rotation away from an upright position during a pour process will be carried out in a direction such that fluid passing through the primary strainer 5010 will be received and subsequently strained by the secondary strainer 5020, but the extent to which this occurs may be controlled by the user based on which direction they turn or rotate the container 5030 away from the upright position in. The user may control the rate at which a pour takes place through controlling the rate at which the container 5030 is turned or rotated away from the upright position.

[0055] In preferable use conditions, the primary strainer 5010 covers the aperture of the container 5030, such that fluid mixtures contained within the container may be poured through the primary strainer. With the secondary strainer 5020 in place in the open position, it is a simple matter to pour fluid from the container 5030, through the primary strainer 5010, in such a way that the fluid passing through the primary strainer 5010 is received and subsequently strained by the secondary strainer 5020. For example, if the container 5030 is a standard handheld cocktail shaker, a user could hold the primary strainer 5010 in place and pour one-handedly by maintaining an appropriate grip on the primary strainer 5010 such that their grip does not impede the flow of fluid and turning or rotating the assembly of straining tool and container 5030 away from an upright position. Alternatively, a user may hold the primary strainer 5010 in place using the handle with one hand whilst lifting and turning or rotating the container 5030 away from an upright position. In either instance, with the secondary strainer 5020 retained in the open position, the invention allows for a two-stage straining process to be accomplished with a single pour, and allows the user to retain fine control of the pouring process.

[0056] Fig. 8b depicts a cutaway view of the arrangement of Fig. 8a. This depicts an optional, preferable feature in which the primary strainer 5010 comprises an annular coil 5040 arranged such that when the primary strainer 5010 is put in place at the aperture of a container 5030 the coil 5040 abuts the inner circumference of the aperture. This can beneficially help to retain the primary strainer 5010 in place at the aperture of the container 5030, as well as providing part of the straining and filtering functionality of the primary strainer 5010. It can also be seen in this figure that the secondary strainer 5020 includes the previously discussed optional feature of a retaining barrier 5050. The retaining barrier 5050 ensures that following a pour material retained in the secondary strainer 5020 is prevented from falling out of the secondary strainer 5020 when the straining tool and the container 5030 are turned to an upright position.

[0057] The present invention is especially useful for straining cocktails or mocktails, since the production of cocktails or mocktails typically involves fluid mixtures comprising ice, fruit pulp, and other such large particulate materials which require filtration or straining prior to serving the finished cocktail.

[0058] Typically, cocktail strainers are made of metal, and it will be appreciated that all of the components of the present invention could be made of metal, but it will also be appreciated that other materials may be used for some or all of the components.

[0059] It will also be appreciated that some of the features of the depicted examples may be used in other examples where compatible.

Claims

Claims1. A straining tool, comprising a primary strainer and a secondary strainer, hingedly connected such that the secondary strainer may pivot with respect to the primary strainer about an axis of hinged connection, wherein the secondary strainer may pivot from a closed position in which an angle between the secondary strainer as measured at the axis of hinged connection is minimised, to an open position in which the angle between the secondary strainer and the primary strainer as measured at the axis of hinged connection is maximised, such that the primary strainer may be held over the aperture of a container from which a fluid mixture may be poured, wherein the secondary strainer is arranged to receive fluid passing through the primary strainer.

2. The straining tool of claim 1, wherein the primary strainer is a large particulate strainer.

3. The straining tool of claim 2, wherein the large particulate strainer is a Hawthorne strainer or Julep strainer.

4. The straining tool of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary strainer is a small particulate strainer.

5. The straining tool of claim 4, wherein the secondary strainer is a fine mesh strainer.

6. The straining tool of any preceding claim, wherein the primary strainer and the secondary strainer are hingedly connected via a hinge or a springed hinge.

7. The straining tool of any preceding claim, wherein the angle between the secondary strainer and the primary strainer at the open position is a right angle.

8. The straining tool of any preceding claim, further comprising means of retaining the secondary strainer in at least one of the open position or the closed position.

9. The straining tool of claim 8, comprising means of retaining the secondary strainer in the closed position, wherein the means of retaining the secondary strainer in the closed position comprise an elastic band, or a slidable retaining element adapted to retain a bar fixedly connected to or comprised on the secondary strainer, or a magnet.

10. The straining tool of claims 8 or 9, comprising means of retaining the secondary strainer in the open position, wherein the means of retaining the secondary strainer in the open position comprise a cavity adapted to receive a bar hingedly connected to the secondary strainer, or a magnet, or springs applying tension at the axis of hinged connection.

11. The straining tool of any of claims 8 to 10, comprising a bar, wherein the bar comprises a first end hingedly connected to the secondary strainer and a second end hingedly connected to a slider, wherein the secondary strainer may be moved between the open and closed position by moving the slider.

12. The straining tool of claim 11, wherein the slider comprises or is mechanically connected to a clip residing in a rail, or wherein the slider may be retained in a particular position by a magnet.

13. The straining tool of any of claims 1-7, wherein the secondary strainer is weighted such that it will pivot to the open position when the tool is in a first orientation and will pivot to the closed position when the tool is in a second orientation.

14. The straining tool of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary strainer comprises a retaining barrier.

15. A method of straining a fluid mixture, comprising passing the fluid mixture through the straining tool of any preceding claim, such that the fluid passes through the primary strainer and then subsequently passes through the secondary strainer.

Images