# US 11,432,681 B2 · Device and method for frying food item > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,681 B2 - Document ID: US11432681B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/139,240 - Filed: 2020-12-31 - Published: 2021-09-30 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-24 - Applicants: Nawwaf L. Said - Inventors: Nawwaf L. Said - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432681B2 ## CPC - A47J 37/1271: {Accessories} - A22C 7/003: {Meat-moulds} - A22C 7/0038: {Demoulding means} - A47J 37/108: {Accessories, e.g. inserts, plates to hold food down during frying} - A47J 43/20: Shapes for preparing foodstuffs, e.g. meat-patty moulding devices {, pudding moulds} - A47J 43/28: Other culinary hand implements, e.g. spatulas, pincers, forks or like food holders, ladles, skimming ladles, cooking spoons; Spoon-holders attached to cooking pots - B29C 31/006: {Handling moulds, e.g. between a mould store and a moulding machine (movable moulds B29C33/34; for injection moulding B29C45/1756)} - B29C 31/02: Dispensing from vessels, e.g. hoppers {(into a mould cavity B29C31/04; large containers characterised by discharge means B65D88/28, B65D88/54)} - B29C 33/442: {with mechanical ejector or drive means therefor} - B29C 37/0003: {Discharging moulded articles from the mould (constructions for removing the articles B29C33/44)} - B29C 37/0007: {using means operable from outside the mould for moving between mould parts, e.g. robots} - A22C 7/0076: {Devices for making meat patties} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - A22C: PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH (preserving A23B; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs A23J1/00; fish, meat or poultry preparations A23L; disintegrating, e.g. chopping meat, B02C18/00; preparation of proteins C07K1/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract Device for dispensing a food item into a hot fluid comprises a bowl having a permanent base and a movable plate positioned about the permanent base. A bottom of the bowl defines an opening for receiving a shaft extending therethrough. The shaft is coupled to the movable plate. A shank is selectively engaged with the bowl, the shank having a handle at a proximal end thereof. A lever is pivotably attached to the shank. The pivotal attachment is spaced apart from the bowl. The lever is detachably coupled to the shaft to impart translation of the movable plate. During operation, the lever is manipulated from a first position to a second position to push the shaft to move the movable plate to thereby eject the food item out of the bowl and into a hot fluid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for dispensing a food item into a hot fluid for cooking therein, the device comprising: a bowl having a base, wherein a bottom of the bowl defines an opening; a movable plate positioned about the base; a shaft coupled to the movable plate and extending through the opening defined by the bottom of the bowl; wherein the base defines an extending portion through which the opening is defined such that the shaft extends through the extending portion; a shank selectively engaged with the bowl such that a second bowl with a different shape may be replaceably engaged with the shank, the shank having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a distal end selectively engaged with the bowl by receiving the extending portion of the base; a lever pivotably attached to the shank at a medial portion thereof, wherein a pivotal attachment is spaced apart from the bowl, and wherein the lever is configured to impart translation of the movable plate by operation of a proximal end of the lever by a finger or thumb; and a securing mechanism detachably coupling the lever to the shaft, the securing mechanism comprising a bolt that screws into a free end of the shaft; wherein, during operation, the lever is translatable between a first position in which the food item is contained within the bowl and a second position in which the lever is manipulated to push the shaft to move the movable plate to thereby eject the food item out of the bowl and into the hot fluid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the shank further includes a channel opening for the lever to pass therethrough at the pivotal attachment of the lever and shank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the food item is a patty. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a biasing mechanism for transferring the lever from the second position to the first position when the lever is in a disengaged disposition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the biasing mechanism is one or more of: positioned on an underside of the shank, positioned on an underside of a knob provided on the lever, and coupled to a bottom side of the base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises one or more of: a bent spring, a compression spring, and a silicone spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a top side of the movable plate has a concave shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the hot fluid comprises a cooking oil, fat, or water. ### Claim 9 A method of shaping and dispensing a food item into a hot fluid for cooking therein, the method comprising: providing a device comprising: a bowl having a base, wherein a bottom of the bowl defines an opening; a movable plate positioned about the base; a shaft coupled to the movable plate and extending through the opening defined by the bottom of the bowl; wherein the base defines an extending portion through which the opening is defined such that the shaft extends through the extending portion; a shank selectively engaged with the bowl such that a second bowl with a different shape may be replaceably engaged with the shank, the shank having a handle at a proximal end thereof, and a distal end selectively engaged with the bowl by receiving the extending portion of the base; a lever pivotably attached to the shank at a medial portion thereof, wherein the pivotal attachment is spaced apart from the bowl, and wherein the lever is configured to impart translation of the movable plate by operation of a proximal end of the lever by a finger or thumb; and a securing mechanism detachably coupling the lever to the shaft, the securing mechanism comprising a bolt that screws into a free end of the shaft; wherein, during operation, the lever is transferable between a first position in which the food item is contained within the bowl and a second position in which the lever is manipulated to push the shaft to move the movable plate to thereby eject the food item out of the bowl and into a hot fluid; filling the bowl of the device with the food item; transferring the lever from the first position to the second position by manipulating the lever to push the shaft to move the movable plate; and ejecting the food item out of the bowl and into the hot fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising replacing the bowl of the device with a second bowl. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising detaching the shaft from the lever. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the shank further includes a channel opening for the lever to pass therethrough at the pivotal attachment of the lever and shank.