Handle for lifting, moving and securing the lid of a cooking utensil

Abstract

A method of using a handle assembly to remove liquid from a utensil so that any liquid contents of the utensil may be easily, safely, and expeditiously poured from the utensil. A utensil with a lid, a spout, and a handle assembly is provided. The handle assembly comprises a handle body having an outer portion defining an opening and an outer end and a lever having a grip end and a clamp end is rotatably secured to the handle body within the opening. The grip end of the lever is moved, tipped, or squeezed toward the outer end of the handle body, and the utensil is tipped in the direction of said spout so said liquid pours out of said spout while said clamp end of the lever presses on said lid. When the lever of the handle assembly is not in use, the grip end of the lever is spaced apart from the outer end of the handle body, and the outer ends of the handle body may be used to lift or move the utensil.

What is claimed is as follows:  
     
         1 . A method of using a handle assembly to remove liquid from a utensil, said utensil being covered by a lid and having a spout in an upper edge thereof, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing said utensil with a handle assembly comprising 
 (i) a handle body attached to said utensil, said handle body having an outer portion defining an opening and an outer end; and  
 (ii) a lever rotatably secured to said handle body within said opening in said outer portion of said handle body, said lever having a grip end and a clamp end;  
   (b) rotating said grip end of said lever toward said outer end of said handle body until said clamp end of said lever presses on said lid;    (c) tipping said utensil in the direction of said spout so said liquid pours out of said spout while said clamp end of said lever presses on said lid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said lever defines a longitudinal axis for said grip end to said clamp end and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle moveably secured through an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said axle having opposite ends attached to said handle body.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said outer portion of said handle body includes opposed side arms positioned on opposite sides of said opening and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle attached to at least one side arm of said handle body, said axle further having at least one extension moveably secured within an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever  
     
     
         4 . A method of removing a liquid from a utensil, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing the utensil containing the liquid with 
 (i) a lid thereon,  
 (ii) a spout in an upper edge thereof, and  
 (iii) a handle assembly comprising 
 (1) a handle body attached to said utensil, said handle body having an outer portion defining a opening and an outer end; and  
 (2) a lever rotatably secured to said handle body within said opening in said outer portion of said handle body, said lever having a grip end and a clamp end;  
 
   (b) moving said grip end of said lever toward said outer end of said handle body until said clamp end of said lever makes contact with said lid; and, while maintaining said contact,    (c) tipping said utensil in the direction of said spout so said liquid pours out of said spout.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said lever defines a longitudinal axis from said grip end to said clamp end and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle moveably secured through an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said axle having opposite ends attached to said handle body.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said outer portion of said handle body includes opposed side arms positioned on opposite sides of said opening and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle attached to at least one side arm of said handle body, said axle further having at least one extension moveably secured within an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever  
     
     
         7 . A method of using a handle assembly to remove liquid from a utensil, said utensil being covered by a lid and having a spout in an upper edge thereof, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing said utensil with a handle assembly comprising 
 (i) a handle body attached to said utensil, said handle body having an outer portion defining a opening and an outer end; and  
 (ii) a lever rotatably secured to said handle body within said opening in said outer portion of said handle body, said lever having a grip end and a clamp end; and  
   (b) squeezing said grip end of said lever and said outer end of said handle body toward one another to cause said clamp end of said lever rotate onto and press against said lid, and    (c) tipping said utensil in the direction of said spout so said liquid pours out of said spout.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said lever defines a longitudinal axis from said grip end to said clamp end and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle moveably secured through an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said axle having opposite ends attached to said handle body.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said outer portion of said handle body includes opposed side arms positioned on opposite sides of said opening and said lever is rotatably secured to said handle body by an axle attached to at least one side arm of said handle body, said axle further having at least one extension moveably secured within an axle receiver in a central portion of said lever.