Systems, methods, and apparatus for transferring a substance between containers
Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for transferring a substance into an open top container. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus, and methods to reduce splashing, splattering, and/or spillage while transferring a fluid from one container to another. Even more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a kitchen utensil including a body member for positioning within the container, the body member having a surface for receiving the substance and guiding the substance into the container; and an attachment mechanism for removably securing the utensil to a wall of the container.
1. A kitchen utensil for transferring a substance into an open top container, the utensil comprising:
a body member for positioning within the container, the body member comprising a surface for receiving the substance and guiding the substance into the container; and
an attachment mechanism for removably securing the utensil to a wall of the container, such that a first portion of the surface is located within the container and a second portion of the surface is located above the wall of the container when the utensil is secured to the wall of the container, wherein a centerline defined by the surface is disposed at a non-parallel angle to a plane defined by a rim of the container when the utensil is secured to the wall of the container, wherein a first end of the centerline terminates within the container and a second end of the centerline terminates outside of the container, wherein the first portion of the surface at least partially conforms to a curvature of the container when the utensil is secured to the wall of the container to reduce at least one of splashing, splattering, and spilling of the substance during transfer into the container, and wherein a curvature of the first portion of the surface when the utensil is attached to the container is different than a curvature of the first portion of the surface when the utensil is not attached to the container.
2. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the body member comprises at least one of a plastic and a metal.
3. The utensil of claim 2 , wherein the plastic is silicone rubber.
4. The utensil of claim 2 , wherein the metal is at least one of aluminum and stainless steel.
5. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the surface is concave when the utensil is attached to the container.
6. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the surface is coated with a non-stick material.
7. The utensil of claim 6 , wherein the non-stick material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
8. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the surface flares out toward the bottom of the wall of the container.
9. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the utensil is resistant to temperatures from about −110° F. to about 450° F.
10. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is at least one of coupled to and integral with the body member.
11. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one of a flap, a port, a clip, and a clamp for receiving a rim of the wall of the container.
12. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the surface has dimensions comprising a width from about 2 cm to about 500 cm and a height from about 2 cm to about 500 cm.
13. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the surface has first dimensions comprising a first height from about 0.5 cm to about 200 cm, and the second portion of the surface has second dimensions comprising a second height from about 0.5 cm to about 300 cm.
14. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the substance is at least one of a liquid medium, a solution, a colloid, and a suspension.
15. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the container is at least one of a pot, a bowl, and a pan.
16. The utensil of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is external to the surface.
17. A method of transferring a substance between containers comprising positioning the body member of the apparatus of claim 1 within the receiving container and securing the utensil to the wall of the container such that the first portion of the surface is located within the container and the second portion of the surface is located above the wall of the container, wherein the centerline defined by the surface is disposed at a non-parallel angle to the plane defined by the rim of the container, wherein the first end of the centerline terminates within the container and the second end of the centerline terminates outside of the container.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a flap and securing the utensil to the wall of the container comprises placing the flap over the rim of the wall of the container.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the body member comprises silicone rubber.