COLLAPSIBLE SPLATTER GUARD

Abstract

A collapsible splatter guard having a rigid base member having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and a collapsible guard member, the collapsible guard member being convertible from a fully collapsed configuration to a fully expanded configuration and having an opening. The collapsible guard member is preferably attached about the inner perimeter of the rigid base member, and comprises a flexible wall having one or more folds defining living hinges that fold to bring the collapsible wall into the fully collapsed configuration. A handle may be included on the rigid base member

Claims

1. A collapsible splatter guard comprising a rigid base member having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and a collapsible guard member, the collapsible guard member being convertible from a fully collapsed configuration to a fully expanded configuration and having an opening.

2. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the collapsible guard member extends upwardly and inwardly from the inner perimeter of the rigid base member to a terminal edge.

3. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the collapsible guard member further comprises a rigid rim about a terminal edge of the flexible wall.

4. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the flexible wall comprises one or more folds for collapsing the guard member.

5. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the flexible wall is coupled to the inner perimeter of the rigid base member.

6. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 6 wherein the flexible wall comprises a high temperature elastomeric material.

7. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the inner perimeter of the rigid base member has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the opening of the collapsible guard member.

8. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the inner perimeter of the rigid base member is circular, having a diameter of from about 7 inches to about 10 inches.

9. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 wherein the outer perimeter of the rigid base member is circular, having a diameter of from about 10 inches to about 15 inches.

10. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 1 further comprising a handle.

11. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 10 wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the rigid base member of the collapsible splatter guard.

12. The collapsible splatter guard of claim 10 wherein the handle comprises a high temperature elastomeric material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The attached drawings are intended to better illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention wherein the collapsible shield member is in its fully expanded configuration and the handle is in its open configuration.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention wherein the collapsible shield member is in its fully expanded configuration.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention wherein the collapsible shield member is in its fully collapsed configuration and the handle is in its closed configuration.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention wherein the collapsible shield member is in its fully collapsed configuration and the handle is in its closed configuration.

[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the collapsible splatter guard of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The following description of the preferred embodiment is presented to describe the present invention and is not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner whatsoever.

[0025] As best shown in the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1-6, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a collapsible splatter guard 2 comprising a rigid base member 4 and a collapsible guard member 6 that is convertible from a fully collapsed configuration to a fully expanded configuration. The collapsible guard member 6 comprises a flexible wall 8, including one or more folds for collapsing the guard member 6, and a substantially rigid rim 10 defining a central opening 12 about the terminal edge of the flexible wall 8.

[0026] The collapsible guard member 6 preferably extends continuously about an inner diameter of the rigid base member 4, with the flexible wall 8 extending upwardly and inwardly to a maximum height sufficient to provide an enclosed area around the cooking utensil to collect splattering materials. The upward and inward angle of the flexible wall 8 allows collected splattering materials to flow back down the flexible wall 8 and into the cooking utensil.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the collapsible guard member 6 is molded along an inner diameter of the rigid base member 4 so that it collapses within the rigid base member 4 for easy storage. The rigid base member 4 is preferably a circular shape and has a diameter adapted to rest on and fit various-sized cooking utensils having top edges of about 8 inches to about 14 inches in diameter. The inner diameter of the rigid base member 4 also preferably greater than the diameter of the substantially rigid rim 10, so that the collapsible guard member 6 in its fully expanded configuration extends upwardly and inwardly from the inner diameter of the rigid base member 4 on an angle from the rigid base member rigid base member 4 to the substantially rigid rim 10, forming a collapsible guard member 6 having truncated conical shape.

[0028] The central opening 12 defined by the substantially rigid rim 10 of the collapsible splatter guard 2 is preferably large enough to permit the user to observe the food items being prepared within the cooking utensil as well as stir and/or turn the food items without removing the splatter guard 2 from the edge of the cooking utensil.

[0029] The collapsible guard member 6 in its fully expanded configuration acts as a retention wall, catching any splattering materials and preventing them from splattering onto the adjacent surfaces, as well as the user. The conical shape of the flexible wall 8 of the collapsible guard member 6 further facilitates the downward drain of the splattering materials back into the cooking utensil.

[0030] Although collapsing the collapsible guard member 6 can be facilitated by any number of folds or living hinges within the flexible wall 8, a first fold 16 adjacent the base flange 4 and two intermediate folds 18, 20 within the flexible wall 8 of the collapsible guard member 6 provides a preferred embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the preferred collapsible guard member 6 in its collapsed configuration has a height only slightly higher than the height of the rigid base member 4.

[0031] The flexible wall 8 of the collapsible guard member 6 is preferably made of an elastomeric material, such as a temperature resistant thermoplastic material, for ease of collapsing the guard member 4 along the fold lines 12, 14, 16. In a preferred embodiment, the substantially rigid rim 10 is composed of any suitable substantially rigid and durable material such as aluminum, rubber, or plastic, but preferably stainless steel. Of course, other suitable materials may also be used to arrive at the present invention. For example, the collapsible guard member 6 may alternatively be formed from one or more silicone materials and the substantially rigid rim 10 may be formed from one or more metal, or other rigid or semi-rigid materials.

[0032] Each of the one or more folds of the collapsible guard member 6 is most preferably formed as a living hinge in which the elastomeric material forming the flexible wall 8 is somewhat thinner along the fold lines 16, 18, 20 than the surrounding material, thereby making the material at the living hinge more susceptible to folding than the surrounding material. While the living hinge is formed by use of a thinner section of material in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the folding sections can be produced in other means in order to manufacture a location that is more likely to bend or fold than other areas.

[0033] In the preferred collapsible splatter guard 2 shown, the rigid base member 4 is constructed to rest on the top edge of a cooking utensil. The rigid base member 4 may be composed of any substantially rigid and durable material suitable to securely support For example, stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic, preferably aluminum.

[0034] The collapsible splatter guard 2 further preferably comprises a handle 14, allowing the user to easily place and remove the splatter guard 2 from the top edge of the cooking utensil. It is further preferred that the handle 14 is pivotally attached to the base flange 4, allowing the user to fold the handle over the top of the collapsible guard member 6 when the collapsible guard member 6 is in its fully collapsed configuration. The handle 14 most preferably comprises a coating of an elastomeric material, such as a high temperature elastomeric coating, to provide a non-slip, heat resistant characteristic for better handling by the user. Although any non-slip, heat resistant material can be used, use of the thermoplastic elastomeric material that is used for the flexible middle section of the collapsible guard member 6 is preferred.

[0035] Variations, modifications and alterations to the above detailed description will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations, modifications and/or alternatives are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, limited only by any allowed claims. All cited patents and publications are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0036] Any and all patents and/or patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.