They Invented What? (No. 120)

U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,420: Gravy separating device.

JW Note:  Wishing you a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving holiday.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A device for separating liquids having different specific gravities, comprising:
          a funnel-like separating member having a funnel section, an opening in an upper end of said funnel section and conduit means coupled to and extending down from a lower end of said funnel section for supplying liquid from said funnel section;
          said separating member being at least partially transparent to permit viewing of liquids therein;
stop cock means positioned in said conduit means for selectively permitting passage of liquid through said conduit means;
          a container having an open upper end;
cover means removably mounted on said container in covering relation to the open upper end of said container, said cover means having an opening therein for receiving said conduit means so as to support said separating member thereon, said conduit means being separable from said cover means; and
          wherein said conduit means includes an upper tube portion having a first dimension and a contiguous lower tube portion in fluid communication with said upper tube portion, said lower tube portion having a second, lesser dimension, such that a shoulder is provided between said upper and lower tube portions, said shoulder, said upper tube portion and said lower tube portion having dimensions such that said lower tube portion fits within said opening in said cover means and said shoulder sits on an upper surface of said cover means to support said conduit means and said separating member thereon.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said container further includes pouring spout means for pouring liquid from said container.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said container further includes a handle secured to an outer surface thereof.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said stop cock means includes variable opening means for varying the flow of liquids through said conduit means.

5. A device according to claim 1, further including filter means for permitting only liquids through the open upper end of said separating member.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said filter means is arranged adjacent said opening in said upper end of said separating member.

7. A device according to claim 1, comprising locking means for removably locking said cover means on said container.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said locking means includes an inwardly directed flange on said container and a locking flange on said cover means for mating with said inwardly directed flange on said container to removably lock said cover means on said container.

9. A device for separating liquids having different specific gravities, comprising:
          a funnel-like separating member having a funnel section, an opening in an upper end of said funnel section and conduit means coupled to and extending down from a lower end of said funnel section for supplying liquid from said funnel section;
          said separating member being at least partially transparent to permit viewing of liquids therein;
means positioned in said conduit means for selectively permitting passage of liquid through said conduit means;
          a container having an open upper end;
cover means removably mounted on said container in covering relation to the open upper end of said container, said cover means having an opening therein for receiving therein at least a portion of said conduit means so as to support said separating member thereon, said conduit means being separable from said cover means; and
          wherein said conduit means includes a tube-like portion defining a liquid passage between said funnel section and said container, and a shoulder provided at an intermediate position on said tube-like portion between upper and lower ends thereof, said shoulder and said tube-like portion having dimensions such that a lower portion of said tube-like portion fits within said opening in said cover means and said shoulder sits on an upper surface of said cover means to support said conduit means and said separating member thereon.

10. A device according to claim 9, comprising locking means for removably locking said cover means on said container.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said locking means includes an inwardly directed flange on said container and a locking flange on said cover means for mating with said inwardly directed flange on said container to removably lock said cover means on said container.

12. A device according to claim 9, wherein said container further includes pouring spout means for pouring liquid from said container.

13. A device according to claim 9, wherein said container further includes a handle secured to an outer surface thereof.

14. A device according to claim 9, wherein said means for selectively permitting passage of liquid includes variable opening means for varying the flow of liquids through said conduit means.

15. A device according to claim 9, further including filter means for permitting only liquids through the open upper end of said separating member.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said filter means is arranged adjacent said opening in said upper end of said separating member.