HK1108607B - Collapsible membrane - Google Patents

Description

Telescopic film

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based on U.S. provisional patent application serial No.60/620,296 filed on 21/10/2004.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to tools, and more particularly to a filter employing a flexible membrane that allows it to be axially collapsed to a minimum size when not in use.

Background

Perforated strainers (known as colanders in the food preparation industry) are conventional tools that are typically made of rigid, inflexible materials. A disadvantage of completely rigid colanders and colanders is that their shape requires a large storage space.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention solves the above problems by providing a filter that employs a flexible, perforated membrane that can be axially collapsed to a minimum size when not in use.

This space saving feature is useful, for example, in kitchens having little storage space, but more importantly, inside dishwashers with limited space. Prior art filters are difficult to clean by hand because they are very porous and bulky in size. Simply by size, they are not easily placed inside a dishwasher, making hand washing the most common option. The present invention provides a colander having full-size functionality, but which is axially collapsible to a minimum and more efficient size for storage and dishwasher cleaning.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a rigid support frame with an integral handle supports the flexible apertured membrane, which is shaped to facilitate the novel functionality of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention (not shown here), the membrane is supported by a rigid support frame having two sets of pivoting legs to provide a self-supporting colander. The two pivoting leg assemblies are connected at the periphery of the membrane adjacent the grab handle and can be manually rotated inwardly so that they become parallel to the support frame. This allows a full size colander to fit into an unusually small storage space. Other equivalent methods of supporting the membrane are possible and this application is not intended to limit the invention to a particular manner of membrane support.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strainer incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the colander of fig. 1 in a storage state.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the filter.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the strainer in use.

Fig. 6 is a partial bottom view of the strainer.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken enlarged side view of the reinforcing ring and hinge of the membrane.

FIG. 8 is a partially broken and enlarged side view of the periphery of the membrane and the support frame.

Detailed Description

Reference is made to fig. 1-8, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding elements. The filter 10 includes a flexible and resilient perforated membrane 12, the membrane 12 being supported around a perimeter 16 of the membrane 12 by a rigid support frame 14 (fig. 4 and 8). The term "flexible" is in its ordinary sense intended to mean readily bendable.

The membrane 12 has at least two selectable states as shown in fig. 2 and 5. These two selectable states are a near-planar storage state (fig. 2) and an extended use state (fig. 5). In the storage state, the membrane 12 is about the same width as the frame 14. In use, the membrane 12 extends from the frame 14 to form an open-topped container or bowl.

A key feature of the present invention is that the membrane 12 is formed to be stable in both storage and use conditions. This allows the user to select either state, wherein the membrane 12 can then be held statically, without limitation, until it is moved into the other state. One way to provide this feature is to form the membrane 12 with a circular cross-section about the central axis 18 (fig. 2, 3, 4). The membrane 12 includes at least one (two in this embodiment) reinforcing ring 20, 22 formed in an undulating middle portion 24 of the membrane 12. The reinforcement ring 20 has an inner side 25 and an outer side 26, and the reinforcement ring 22 has an inner side 28 and an outer side 30. At least four longer chains 32, 34, 36, 38 are provided, one on each of the inner and outer sides of each reinforcing ring, as shown in fig. 4 and 7. The hinges 32, 34, 36, 38 are of reduced thickness compared to the apertured portion of the membrane 12 so that they are more flexible and more easily deformed than the remainder of the membrane. The reinforcing rings 20, 22 are instead relatively thick so that they are less flexible and more resistant to deformation than the rest of the membrane. The reinforcement rings 20, 22 prevent the portions of the membrane 12 adjacent to them from being in any state other than storage and use.

One example of the membrane 12 is made of silicone rubber, having a shore a softness of about 25. The apertured portion of the membrane is about 2mm thick, while the hinge is about 0.85mm thick and the membrane is about 20cm in diameter.

In operation, in its storage state, the flexible apertured membrane is of a nearly flat shape, suspended at its periphery by a support frame which, in this embodiment, comprises a single radially extending handle. In use, the filter is removed from its storage space and placed in the sink, and the user grasps the handle and places the membrane over the sink. Food items requiring cleaning or draining are placed on the flexible perforated membrane. The flexible perforated membrane will extend downwardly in its in-use condition to accommodate food, or for lighter items the membrane may be manually depressed. It is also possible to lift the membrane out to its use position by swinging the frame in a table-tennis table and abruptly stopping. The user can then wash the food that leaks through the holes into the sink with water. Finally, the user lifts the filter and empties its contents in the same manner as in the prior art. The flexible apertured membrane is manually returned to its original near flat shape and the filter is again brought to its storage state for cleaning and storage.

The reinforced ring/hinge combination provides a membrane having a wavy corrugated cross-section. Such a wavy cross-section with rounded folds may be compared to accordion or sharp-edged folds. This profile has two advantages: the holes are easier to mold and better expose the surface of the collapsed strainer to the wash jet in the dishwasher, and the accordion-like folds cannot accommodate the added drain holes without sacrificing durability and quality. In addition, these accordion-like structures collapse tightly together when compacted, which is not sufficient to expose the surface of the strainer to the high temperature wash spray of the dishwasher.

The novel corrugated and ring structure provided by applicants' collapsible strainer basket can solve these problems. This design allows multiple drain holes to be placed from the top to the bottom of the extended basket. When flattened, the surface and the holes remain exposed in the dishwasher for optimal cleaning. A reinforcing ring attached to the bottom of each corrugation allows the basket to flexibly open and close and maintain a uniform shape.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a strainer, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated, and in its operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

The foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims (12)

1. A filter, comprising: a flexible and generally elastic perforated membrane comprising at least one reinforcing ring formed in a waved middle portion of the membrane having a plurality of rounded folds forming a corrugated cross-section; and, the reinforcing ring is a thick ring structure extending from the intermediate portion of the membrane to reinforce the membrane against partial extension or contraction, wherein the membrane has at least two selectable states; wherein the two selectable states are a near flat storage state and an extended use state; wherein the membrane has a circular cross-section about a central axis; and the membrane is supported around the membrane perimeter by a rigid support frame.

2. A colander according to claim 1 having a radially extending handle connected to the support frame.

3. The strainer of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing ring has an inner side and an outer side and the strainer has at least two hinges, one on each of the inner and outer sides of the reinforcing ring.

4. The filter of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises at least two reinforcing rings formed in a middle portion of the membrane.

5. A strainer according to claim 4 wherein at least one hinge is formed in the membrane adjacent each reinforcing ring.

6. The strainer of claim 4 wherein each reinforcing ring has an inner side and an outer side and the strainer has at least four hinges, one on each of the inner and outer sides of each reinforcing ring.

7. A filter, comprising: a flexible and generally elastic apertured film, wherein said film has at least two selectable states; wherein the two selectable states are a near flat storage state and an extended use state; wherein the membrane has a circular cross-section about a central axis; the membrane is supported around the perimeter of the membrane by a rigid support frame; the membrane comprises at least one reinforcing ring formed in a waved middle portion of the membrane, the waved middle portion having a plurality of rounded folds forming a corrugated profile; at least one hinge is formed in the membrane adjacent the reinforcement ring; and the reinforcing ring is a thick ring structure extending from the middle portion of the membrane, thereby reinforcing the membrane against partial extension or contraction.

8. A strainer according to claim 7 having radially extending handles connected to the support frame.

9. The strainer of claim 7 wherein the reinforcing ring has an inner side and an outer side and the strainer has at least two hinges, one on each of the inner and outer sides of the reinforcing ring.

10. The filter of claim 7, wherein the membrane comprises at least two reinforcing rings formed in a middle portion of the membrane.

11. A strainer according to claim 10 wherein at least one hinge is formed in the membrane adjacent each reinforcing ring.

12. A filter, comprising: a flexible and elastic apertured film, wherein said film has at least two selectable states; wherein the two selectable states are a near flat storage state and an extended use state; wherein the membrane has a circular cross-section about a central axis; the membrane is supported around the perimeter of the membrane by a rigid frame; the membrane comprises at least two reinforcing rings formed in a waved middle portion of the membrane, the waved middle portion having a plurality of rounded folds forming a corrugated profile; and each reinforcement ring has an inner side and an outer side with four hinges, one on each of the inner and outer sides of each reinforcement ring, and the reinforcement rings are of a thick ring structure extending from the intermediate portion of the membrane to reinforce the membrane against partial extension or contraction.