GB2443478A - Spaghetti cooking aid - Google Patents
Spaghetti cooking aid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2443478A GB2443478A GB0621646A GB0621646A GB2443478A GB 2443478 A GB2443478 A GB 2443478A GB 0621646 A GB0621646 A GB 0621646A GB 0621646 A GB0621646 A GB 0621646A GB 2443478 A GB2443478 A GB 2443478A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- spaghetti
- ring
- pan
- cooking aid
- aid according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000000218 acetic acid group Chemical group C(C)(=O)* 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002783 friction material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
- A47J36/06—Lids or covers for cooking-vessels
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J27/00—Cooking-vessels
- A47J27/10—Cooking-vessels with water-bath arrangements for domestic use
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J27/00—Cooking-vessels
- A47J27/14—Cooking-vessels for use in hotels, restaurants, or canteens
- A47J27/18—Cooking-vessels for use in hotels, restaurants, or canteens heated by water-bath, e.g. pasta-cookers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/28—Other culinary hand implements, e.g. spatulas, pincers, forks or like food holders, ladles, skimming ladles, cooking spoons; Spoon-holders attached to cooking pots
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J27/00—Cooking-vessels
- A47J2027/006—Cooking-vessels especially adapted for preparing pasta
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Noodles (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
Abstract
A spaghetti cooking aid enabling the process of immersing the spaghetti in boiling to water to be achieved relatively safely and without damaging the spaghetti or affecting its cooking. An arm 1, or the lid of a pan 5, includes a ring 2 and means for engaging a rim 4 of the pan 5. In use, a number of strands 6 of spaghetti are dropped through the ring 2 into some boiling water 7 in the pan 5. The means for engaging the rim 4 of the pan 5 may consist of a series of guides 3. The ring 2 is preferably supported at least 70 mm above the base of the pan 5.
Description
1 2443478 Spaghetti Cooking Aid The invention relates to a spaghetti
cooking aid.
ft is well known that spaghetti is awkward to submerge in boiling water, due to its length and brittle nature.
Generally, to cook spaghetti, the stiff strands are manually feed into a pan of boiling water until the length of all the strands arc immersed. If the full length of thc spaghetti strands is to be maintained, it is necessary to soften the strands so that they may be coiled into a pan whose dimensions are less than the length of the spaghetti.
is This operation can be difficult and even dangerous for some people, especially those whose hands are sensitive to heat or steam. Using oven gloves to protect the hands is not a satisfactory form of protection, as gloves make it difficult to hold the spaghetti gently.
The present invention seek to safely assist the process of feeding strands of spaghetti into a pan of boiling water.
According to the present invention there is provided a spaghetti cooking aid comprising a ring through which a number of strands of spaghetti may be fed, and means for supporting the ring over a pan of boiling water.
The ring is preferably positioned substantially centrally above the pan so that the strands of spaghetti slowly slide into the pan under the force of gravity as the immersed sections of the strands soften. Therefore, preferably, the ring is positioned 70 mm or more above the base of the pan or at a height so that the angle between the strands of the spag-hetti and the base of the pan is no less than 300 and preferably greater than 450W The ring may be formed as a tube, the ratio of the length of which relative to the width is preferably 1:1. The ring is preferably circular, but may be square or of any other shape that enables the strands of spaghetti to be fed into the pan.
It is useful to include the ring in a pan lid, as a single opening, preferably centraUy positioned in the lid. The ring in the pan lid may be used also to contain a removable knob.
The knob may be replaced in the ring when the strands of spaghetti have been completely fed into the water, to retain the steam and to reduce heat loss.
The device may be constructed from metal such as aluminium alloy or stainless steel, or it may be moulded from a plastics material such as Nylon, acetyl or polypropylene.
The means for supporting the ring may be a tripod, the feet of which lie inside or outside the pan. Alternatively, the ring may be supported from the rim of the pan or from Is the handle of the pan by an arm that rests on, or is clipped onto, the rim or handle. The arm may include a number of guides arranged to accommodate different sizes of pan. The arm, lid, or other means for supporting the ring may include a number of different sized rings to accommodate different amounts of spaghetti.
The invention thus provides a device for feeding spaghetti strands into a pan of water automatically, under the force of gravity. It enables the process of immersing the spaghetti in boiling water to be achieved relatively safely and without damaging the spaghetti or affecting its cooking.
Various spaghetti cooking aids embodying the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. I shows a plan view of a spaghetti feeding device; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in its operating position on a pan; Fig. 3 shows a tripod form of the spaghetti feeding device; Fig. 4 shows a pan and lid with a removable knob; and Figs. 5 to 7 are sections through three modified forms of lid.
Figs. 1 and 2 show an ann 1 containing an aperture or ring 2 and a series of guides 3 for engaging the rim 4 of a pan 5, arranged so that in use a number of strands 6 of spaghetti can be dropped through the ring 2 into some boiling water 7 in the pan 5. The immersed ends of the spaghetti strands soften in the boiling water and the weight of the spaghetti above the water causes it to slowly slide into the pan under the force of gravity. The spaghetti should be fanned out evenly for the best operational results. The softened io spaghetti swirls at the side wall of the pan 5 and draws the remaining spaghetti into the pan.
The feeding of the spaghetti into the pan 5 is assisted by minimizing the frictional forces between the strands 6 and the ring 2. This may be achieved by providing a chamfer 8 on the ring 2 and/or by coating it with a non-stick coating.
II has been found that by using a centraily positioned ring 2 and a well-fanned bunch of strands, the softened spaghetti forms an even circular scroll in the base of the pan 5 which helps to prevent sticking.
The series of guides 3 in the form of curved ridges are dimensioned to engage with the rim of different standard sizes of saucepans. Some of the guides 3 may be formed on one side of the arm whilst others at different radial spacing may be on the other side.
The size of the ring should be suflicient to permit the spaghetti to fall freely into the pan 5. The ring 2 may be a right circular cylinder or tube the diameter of which is equal to its height. By using a cylindrical ring 2 the angle of feed of the strands of spaghetti into the pan Smay be controlled irrespective of the sze of pan. However, it is simpler to form the ring 2 as a preferably circular hole in the ann 1 so that the strands 6 of spaghetti are angled into the boiling water at an angle sufficient to permit gravitational forces to feed the strands into the water. From experiments it has been found that the angle should preferably be at least 300 and preferably greater than 450 The ann I is mouldeci from Nylon or other plastics material such as polypropylene or acetyl which is approved for contact with foodstuffs.
Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment consisting of a ring 8 supported by three legs 9 at a height of approximately 70 mm or more. In use, this device is placed in or over a pan (not shown). Water is boiled in the pan and strands of spaghetti are dropped into the pan through the ring 8. The ends of the strands immersed in the boiling water soften as previously described and the force of gravity feeds the strands into the pan.
The tripod may be dimensioned so that it is in the pan or straddles it, or so that the legs 9 engage with the rim of the pan (in which case the legs will be shortened).
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment consisting of a lid 10 for the pan 5. The lid 10 has a removable knob 11 which, when removed, reveals a hole 12 acting as the ring 2 or ring 8 in the former embodünents. When the strands of spaghetti have been fully fed into the pan 5 through the hole 12, the knob may be replaced to reduce the heat and steam losses.
The hole 12 may be provided with a tube (not shown) of circular cross section with a length substantially equal to the diameter of the tube. The tube limits the angle at which the strands are fed into the pan, to case the gravity feed.
The hole may be provided with one or more auxiliary annular rings which can be removably fitted into it to allow its effective diameter to be adjusted. Alternatively, in the Fig. 4 design, the lid of the pan may be provided with one or more off-centre rings which may be of different sizes to suit different amounts of spaghetti. Each of the rings in the lid may be closed by a knob in the form of a removable plug.
The lid 10 may be provided with a handle 13, as shown. A counter-handle 14 may be provided opposite the handle 13, preferably of the type attached to the lid at both ends as shown. The handle 13 has a hole 15 to allow it to.be hung on a hook is desired.
If the lid is made of metal, the ring 12 may have its edge coated with a low-friction material such as Teflon or fitted with a low-friction gasket.
Fig. 5 is a section through a modified form of lid 12. The outer region of this lid is formed as a series of concentric annuluses 16, so that the lid will fit a variety of pans of different diameters. This lid has a cone 17 similar to the cone 11 integral with the rest of the lid, and a counter-cone 18 joining the top of the cone 17 with the innermost of the annuluses 16. I0
Fig. 6 shows a modification of the Fig. 5 design, in which the annuluses 19 have a sawtooth section rather than a step section. This allows the ring 10 to be lower when used with a small pan, so that the spaghetti lies at a similar angle for different sized pans. The Fig. 5 design also has a smooth integral shield or cover 20, to prevent stray bits of food or other material becoming trapped on the upper side of the annuluses 19.
If the Figs. 5 and 6 designs incorporate a handle, the use of a counter-handle as well is preferred, to help balance the lids when used on small pans.
With the Figs. 5 and 6 designs, a plug (not shown) may be provided for closing the hole 12 once the spaghetti has all fed through the hole or if the lid is used for cooking some other foodstuff.
Fig. 7 shows a further modification of the Figs. 5 and 6 designs, in which thcrc is a simple ring rather than a cone. This has the advantage of minimizing contract between the spaghetti and the lid, so minimizing the chance of the spaghetti sticking rather than sliding down through the ring as it cooks. Obviously the annuluses may have either a stepped or a sawtooth configurat jon, and the lid can have a shield or cover or at, as desired.
The principle of this invention may be adapted for incorporation in other kitchen utensils which can suppoii the strands of spaghetti as they are fed into the boiling water.
It will be appreciated that the ring may be supported over the boiling water by a cantilever arm which is adapted to engage the rim of the pan or the handle of the pan.
Claims (1)
- Claims 1 A spaghetti cooking aid comprising a ring through which anumber of strands of spaghetti may be fed, and means for supporting the ring over boiling water.2 A spaghetti cooking aid according to claim 1 wherein the ring is positioned substan-tially centrally above the pan so that the strands of spaghetti slowly slide into the pan under io the force of gravity as the immersed sections of the strands soften.3 A spaghetti cooking aid according to claim 2 wherein the ring is positioned 70 mm or more above the base of the pan or at a height so that the angle between the strands of the spaghetti and the base of the pan is no less than 30 and preferably greater than 45 .4 A spaghetti cooking aid according to either previous claim wherein the ring is formed as a tube, the ratio of the length of which relative to the width is preferably 1:1.A spaghetti cooking aid according to any previous claim wherein the ring is circular.6 A spaghetti cooking aid according toy previous claim wherein the ring is in a pan Lid, as a single opening.7 A spaghetti cooking aid according to claim 6 wherein the ring in the pan lid is used also to contain a removable knob.8 A spaghetti cooking aid according to any previous claim wherein the means for supporting the ring is a tripod.9 A spaghetti cooking aid according to any previous claim wherein the ring is a supported by an arm that rests on, or is clipped onto, the rim or handle.SA spaghetti cooking aid according to claim 9 which includes a number of guides arranged to accommodate different sizes of pan.s II A spaghetti cooking aid according to any of claims 8 to tO wherein the arm, lid, or other means for supporting the ring includes a number of different sized rings to accom-modate different amounts of spaghetti.12 A spaghetti cooking aid substantially as herein described and illustrated. I013 Any feature of novelty herein described and illustrated.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0621646A GB2443478B (en) | 2006-10-31 | 2006-10-31 | Spaghetti cooking aid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0621646A GB2443478B (en) | 2006-10-31 | 2006-10-31 | Spaghetti cooking aid |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0621646D0 GB0621646D0 (en) | 2006-12-06 |
GB2443478A true GB2443478A (en) | 2008-05-07 |
GB2443478B GB2443478B (en) | 2009-03-18 |
Family
ID=37546280
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0621646A Expired - Fee Related GB2443478B (en) | 2006-10-31 | 2006-10-31 | Spaghetti cooking aid |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2443478B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2016209494A (en) * | 2015-05-01 | 2016-12-15 | 眞嗣 大野 | Pasta cooking aid |
DE102022109645A1 (en) | 2022-04-21 | 2023-10-26 | Peter Sonntag | Device for filling elongated foodstuffs into a cooking vessel; Device for filling elongated foodstuffs into a cooking vessel; cooking utensil; Method for filling elongated foodstuffs into a vessel for cooking |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004002280A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-08 | De' Longhi S.P.A. | Cooking device and procedure |
WO2005048789A2 (en) * | 2003-10-29 | 2005-06-02 | Intermark S.R.L. | Pot for cooking pasta and related lid and accessory |
EP1736084A1 (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2006-12-27 | Seb Sa | Cooker with food stirring device |
-
2006
- 2006-10-31 GB GB0621646A patent/GB2443478B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004002280A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-08 | De' Longhi S.P.A. | Cooking device and procedure |
WO2005048789A2 (en) * | 2003-10-29 | 2005-06-02 | Intermark S.R.L. | Pot for cooking pasta and related lid and accessory |
EP1736084A1 (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2006-12-27 | Seb Sa | Cooker with food stirring device |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2016209494A (en) * | 2015-05-01 | 2016-12-15 | 眞嗣 大野 | Pasta cooking aid |
DE102022109645A1 (en) | 2022-04-21 | 2023-10-26 | Peter Sonntag | Device for filling elongated foodstuffs into a cooking vessel; Device for filling elongated foodstuffs into a cooking vessel; cooking utensil; Method for filling elongated foodstuffs into a vessel for cooking |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0621646D0 (en) | 2006-12-06 |
GB2443478B (en) | 2009-03-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11666178B2 (en) | Grease strainer for cooking apparatus | |
US20200029736A1 (en) | Method of Cooking Utilizing a Splatter Shield | |
FI90008C (en) | Grill Pot | |
US6269737B1 (en) | Food cooking apparatus | |
US4052934A (en) | Device for attachment to a frying pan, cooking pot or like cooking utensil | |
US7617948B2 (en) | Cookware with multiple component lid | |
US20090321459A1 (en) | Splatter shield for range top burner | |
US9211034B2 (en) | Utensil with simplified handling | |
US20160066743A1 (en) | Cooking Pot with Straining Lid and Spoon Support | |
US20180042426A1 (en) | Collapsible splatter guard | |
US20140224810A1 (en) | Multi-Functional Flat Lid | |
JP2018525183A (en) | Cooking splash prevention device and method | |
US20140193560A1 (en) | Overboil ring apparatus and cooking and heating system | |
US20170273503A1 (en) | Cooking Apparatus | |
GB2531275A (en) | Straining vessel | |
GB2443478A (en) | Spaghetti cooking aid | |
US2429282A (en) | Cooking utensil | |
US10368678B2 (en) | Cooking vessel with or without retainable cover and method of making the same | |
WO2007026384A1 (en) | Container for cooking foods | |
WO2008036785A2 (en) | Cooking system with pivoting colander member | |
US9408499B2 (en) | Cooking utensil holding device | |
US2879915A (en) | Cover holder | |
US20170303743A1 (en) | Cooking apparatus with strainer | |
US11503949B2 (en) | Splatter protector | |
JP6547156B1 (en) | Cooking pot |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20111031 |