Disposable Fluid Separator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a bag for separating fluids with differing densities. In particular the disclosure relates to a kitchen utensil that can use to separate, for example, gravy or pan juices from cooking fat. The bag includes upper and lower openings and an upper handle. Cooking juices can be placed into the bag via the upper opening. Once closed, the fat will rise while the gravy collects at the bottom of the bag adjacent the lower closure. The lower closure can then be opened to let out the gravy.

Claims

1. A device for separating a first fluid of a lower density from a second fluid of a higher density, the device comprising in combination: a flexible bag formed from two opposing sheets of a lightweight, transparent polymer, the opposing sheets being bonded along forward and rearward edges, the bag further including upper and lower edges, the lower edge extending at approximately a 45° angle relative to the upper edge, the sheets also being bonded along a curved portion that extends between the rearward and lower edges, a first opening formed along the upper edge and a second opening formed within the lower edge; a handle formed within the bag adjacent the upper edge, the handle extending through the opposing sheets and including a sealed internal periphery; a first zip locking closure positioned within the first opening, the first zip locking closure including male and female closure elements that can be selectively joined to close the first opening in a fluid tight manner; a second zip locking closure formed along the second opening, the second zip locking closure including male and female closure elements, a zipper for selectively joining the male and female closure elements and thereby close the second opening in a fluid tight manner; upper and lower internal areas formed within the flexible bag, the lower internal area bounded by the lower edge, the forward edge and the curved portion, the upper internal area bounded by the lower internal area and the upper edge, whereby the second fluid accumulates within the lower internal area and the first fluid accumulates within the upper internal area, the position of the second opening permitting the second fluid to be dispensed from the device.

2. A disposable device for separating fluids comprising: a flexible bag formed from two opposing sheets, the opposing sheets being bonded along forward and rearward edges, the bag further including upper and lower openings; a first locking closure positioned within the upper opening for selectively closing the upper opening in a fluid tight manner; a second locking closure formed along the lower opening for selectively closing the lower opening in a fluid tight manner.

3. The disposable device as described in claim 2 wherein the lower opening extends upwardly at a 45° angle relative to the upper edge.

4. The disposable device as described in claim 3 further comprising a curved edge extending between the rearward edge and the lower opening.

5. The disposable device as described in claim 4 wherein the angled lower opening and curved edge act as a funnel for fluid being dispensed from the lower opening.

6. The disposable device as described in claim 5 further comprising upper and lower internal areas formed within the flexible bag, the lower internal area bounded by the lower opening, the forward edge and the curved edge, the upper internal area bounded by the lower internal area and the upper opening.

7. The disposable device as described in claim 6 wherein a first fluid accumulates within the upper internal area and a second fluid accumulates within the lower internal area.

8. The disposable device as described in claim 2 wherein the opposing sheets are formed from a lightweight, transparent polymer.

9. The disposable device as described in claim 2 further comprising a handle formed within the bag adjacent the upper opening, the handle extending through the opposing sheets and including a sealed internal periphery.

10. A disposable device for separating fluids comprising: a flexible bag formed from two opposing sheets, the opposing sheets having forward and rearward edges, the bag further including upper and lower openings; a first zip locking closure with interlocking male and female components, the first locking closure positioned within the upper opening for selectively closing the upper opening in a fluid tight manner; a second zip locking closure formed along the lower opening for selectively closing the lower opening in a fluid tight manner, a zipper included with the second zip locking closure to assist with closing the lower opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of the fluid separating bag of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fluid separating bag of the present disclosure.

[0016] Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a bag for separating fluids with differing densities. In particular the disclosure relates to a kitchen utensil that can use to separate, for example, gravy or pan juices from cooking fat. The bag includes upper and lower openings and an upper handle. Cooking juices can be placed into the bag via the upper opening. Once closed, the fat will rise while the gravy, collects at the bottom of the bag adjacent the lower closure. The lower closure can then be opened to let out the gravy. In this manner, the device allows a first fluid of a lower density to be separated from a second fluid of a higher density.

[0018] The present invention is described in connection with FIG. 1. Bag 20 is preferably constructed as a lightweight, flexible bag. Bag 20 is preferably formed from two opposing sheets of a lightweight, transparent polymer. These opposing sheets are bonded along forward and rearward edges (23 and 27). Bag 20 further including upper and lower edges. In the preferred embodiment, the lower edge extends at approximately a 45° angle relative to the upper edge. In other words, the lower edge extends upwardly at approximately a 45° angle relative to the horizontal. The opposing sheets are also being bonded along a curved portion 24 that extends between the rearward and lower edges. A first opening 30 is formed along the upper edge and a second opening 26 is formed within the lower edge. Opening 30 preferably extends along the entire length of the upper edge.

[0019] A handle 22 is formed at the upper end of bag 20, preferably by forming a fluid tight opening through both of the opposing sheets. The handle preferably includes a sealed peripheral edge to prevent fluid leakage. Bag 22 can be formed in any of a variety of shapes and sizes. The depicted embodiment is a quart sized bag with a curved side edge 24 and angled lower opening 26. The angled opening 26 and the curved side edge 24 together constitute a spout that assists the higher density fluids being dispensing from the bottom of bag 20.

[0020] A first zip locking closure 44 is positioned within the first opening 30. Zip lock closure 44 includes male and female closure elements that can be selectively joined to close the first opening 44 in a fluid tight manner. Ideally, the male and female closures are such that they can be coupled or uncoupled by hand. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, closure 44 is positioned a short distance from the first opening 30. Zip lock closure 44 can also be formed in two parts. A first part 44(a) of closure 44 extends between the forward edge 23 of the bag and handle 22; a second part 44(b) of closure 44 extends between the handle 22 and the rearward edge 27.

[0021] A second zip locking closure 27 is formed along the second opening 26. Second zip locking closure 27 likewise includes male and female closure elements. However, unlike closure 44, closure 27 includes a zipper 28 for selectively joining the male and female closure elements. This permits the first and second closure elements to be easily joined together in a fluid tight manner. A suitable zip-lock closure is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,178 to Gzybowski, the contents of this patent are fully incorporated herein for all purposes.

[0022] Bag 20 includes upper and lower internal areas formed within its interior. Specifically, a lower internal area 46 is bounded by the lower edge, the forward edge 23 and the curved portion 24, and an upper internal area 48 is bounded by the lower internal 46 area and the upper edge. In use, opening 30 can be used to fill bag 20 with pan juices to be separated.

[0023] In use, opening 30 is opened and the fluid to be separated is poured in. Prior to the fluid being delivered into bag 20, the user should ensure that zipper 28 is first closed to form a fluid tight seal at lower closure 26. Handle 22 can be used to hold bag 20. Holding bag in the orientation depicted in FIG. 1 causes the contained fluids to separate. More specifically, the higher density fluid will accumulate within the lower internal area 46 and the lower density fluid will accumulate within the upper internal area 48. In the case of pan juices, the higher density fluid would be gravy and the less dense fluid would be fat. This permits the gravy to accumulate in the area of opening 26. The user can then open zipper 28 to let the gravy to be poured out. Bag 20 is preferably transparent (at least in areas 46 and 48) so that the user can see the divide between the fluids being separated. This allows the user to close zipper 28 to seal opening 26 after the gravy has been dispensed. The ensures that no fat leaves bag 20. Thereafter, bag 20 and the enclosed fat can be disposed of. A number of bags 20 can be stored in rolled form in a box or other dispenser to allow bags to be sequentially dispensed.

[0024] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.