MXPA04002453A - Cookware lid. - Google Patents

Abstract

A cookware lid has upper and lower holes provided on a recessed, sloping surface. The lower end of the recessed surface provides a reservoir to receive and drain liquid The upper holes allow steam and foam to escape a vessel, condense and run down the sloping surface into the reservoir and back into a vessel, avoiding boil over during cooking. The lid may also include a locking mechanism to attach to a vessel so as to further avoid boil over and also permit straining.

Description

COVER FOR UTENSI LI OR KITCHEN This solitude is a non-provisional provisional application No. 60/461, 1 38, filed on April 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE I NVENCI ON The present invention relates to a lid for kitchen utensil, and more particularly, a lid for kitchen utensil that avoids the overflow during the cooking and that can also be used to squish the contents of a kitchen container. It also refers to kitchen utensils comprising a container and a lid which prevent overflow and which can be used for casting.

ANTECEDENTS OF THE I NVENCION "Overflow" is a problem that is frequently encountered during cooking. The overflow occurs when the contents of a saucepan or other cooking utensil lie on the edge of the container. It commonly occurs, for example, during the boiling of grains, such as oatmeal or rice, which form foam that tends to rise and overflow from the cooking vessel.

The overflow is a nuisance. It typically fouls the stove cover and can also extinguish the pilot's flames. More seriously, the overflow can contribute to injury by increasing the likelihood that a cook will come in contact with the hot substance as it spills over the edge of the container or as the cook attempts to clean up the spill. Previous attempts have been made to avoid overflow. For example, the Patent of E. U. No. 504,243 discloses a cover having an opening formed at its center. This central opening provides an outlet for boiling liquids. The cover also includes an annular depression just inside the rim having a series of openings arranged symmetrically around the surface of the cover, so that the liquid exiting the container through the central opening will drip into the depression and fall again. to the container through the lower openings provided near the wall of the container. The lower openings have a combined area that is considerably larger than that of the central opening. The Patent of E. U. No. 1, 039, 140 recognizes that the boiling liquid generally rises up the sides of a container, and describes a cover in which upper holes are provided near the edge of the cover, along the perimeter of an annular depression. Lower holes are provided at the bottom of the depression to drain the liquid leaving the vessel through the upper holes. The upper and lower holes are arranged symmetrically along the annular depression. This patent indicates that the described configuration maintains the circulation of the boiling liquid without removing or without generating sufficient force to lift the cover of the container. It also describes that the lower gutters should not be appreciably smaller in area than the upper gutters, providing upper holes for the boiling liquid to come out of a container. Other attempts to treat the overflow using vents or apertures provided symmetrically along the periphery of a cover include the U. Nos. 1, 461, 366 and 3,598, 1 05. More recently, lids have been introduced to facilitate the casting of solids cooked in liquid in a cooking vessel. Such a lid has a dome-shaped surface provided with groups of openings. The lid is configured to securely attach to a container, such as a pot, so that the contents of the pot can be cast more quickly by tilting the pot and draining the liquid through the openings in the pan. cover after cooking. However, during cooking, it has been recommended to keep the lid set loosely or completely removed to avoid overflow. Apart from being susceptible to overflowing, a disadvantage of this configuration is that the content of the container tends to fall against the openings in the lid and block or prevent the passage of the liquid of the container during the casting. Additionally, although the openings in the lid provide ventilation for the vapor to escape during cooking, the holes are disposed above the container rim, and no separate regress path is provided through which the liquid can return. condensed to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE I NVENCION The present invention treats overflow using a unique configuration in which a plurality of upper holes are provided in the upper portion of a depressed surface, inclined and close to the periphery of the lid. The inclined surface forms a channel or path for the liquid to drain down to a reservoir formed at its lower end. The depressed portion includes a set of lower gutters in the reservoir that allows the condensed liquid to drain back into the container. This continues as a cycle during cooking, and effectively prevents overflow. According to one aspect of the invention, the lower holes may have diameters that are smaller than those of the upper holes. According to another aspect, one or more additional sets of holes may be provided in or along the depressed portion, above the level of the lower holes. According to another aspect, the lid may include a closure that engages with a cooking vessel, whereby a sealed connection is provided which prevents the lid from being lifted by the steam and allows the contents of the vessel to boil over the edge of the container and prevents the contents of the container from escaping during runoff. According to another embodiment, the kitchen utensil comprises a lid as described above, in combination with a kitchen utensil container configured to receive such a lid. A closing mechanism, unites and seals the lid to the container. Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DI BUSS In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen utensil according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a top view of a lid for kitchen utensil according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a bottom view of the lid for a kitchen utensil of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side view of the lid for a kitchen utensil shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a top view of a lid for kitchen utensil according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the kitchen utensil lid of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side view of the kitchen utensil lid of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a top view of a kitchen utensil container. kitchen utensil according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the kitchen utensil container of Figure 8. Figure 1 0 is an exploded view showing the closing mechanism for a lid and the container of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Shown in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 10, exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that this description is only illustrative of the invention and various fications and alternatives will be possible. Figure 1 shows kitchen utensils comprising a cover 1 for kitchen utensil and a container 25 for kitchen utensils. The lid 1 has an outer edge 2 which is configured to fit perfectly within the upper edge 26 of the container 25 and to rest on a projection 28 that is formed within the edge 26. As will be described in more detail below, in this particular embodiment, the lid 1 has cuts or marks 4 formed along the outer periphery of the lid edge 26, which equalize with corresponding tabs 30 formed along the edge of the container 25. This allows the lid 1 to be received in the container. container 25 and be glued in place and establish a seal between lid 1 and container 25. Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the lid in greater detail. In this example, the edge 2 forms a flat, annular, upper surface. The inner surface of the lid 1 (formed inside the edge 2) is depressed, and forms a sloping surface 5, as best seen in Figure 4, which extends below the plane of the edge 2. The inclined surface 1 5 it extends from one side of the depressed surface to the other. A set of upper holes 6 is provided at the upper end of the inclined surface. The inclined surface 1 5 lowers to an area forming a reservoir 1 8. A set of lower holes 1 8 is provided in the reservoir which is formed at the lower end of the inclined surface 15. In this example, an additional set of side bottom guides 1 0 are also formed in a side wall below the edge 2 near the tank 1 8. In this example, the top holes 6 are larger than the bottom holes 8. Shown in this example are respective sets of optional side holes 1 2, 14 formed on the side surfaces of the lid 1, said surfaces being disposed between the inclined surface 1 and the edge 2. As indicated below, these side holes 12 , 1 4 are useful to achieve the proper "recycling" of the condensed liquid that leaves the container and drains down the surface 1 5 inclined to collect in the tank 18 and drain back to the container. This also facilitates the squaring. The side holes 12, 14 may not be necessary in all cases, particularly if the collection area of the top brokers 6 is sufficient. As shown, all the holes are provided within the depressed area, below the edge 2 of the lid. It will also be appreciated that each of the upper holes 6 and the lower holes 1 8 are each positioned asymmetrically relative to the center of the lid 1; that is, the upper holes 6 are arranged on one side of the surface of the lid, at the upper end of the inclined surface 1, while the lower holes 1 8 are arranged on the other side of the lid surface. at the lower end of the inclined surface 1. In this example, the upper holes 6 have a total cross-sectional area which is greater than that of the lower girders 1 8. Also shown in this example are openings 20 formed in a wider portion of the edge 2, for connection of a handle 22 to the lid 1. These openings are configured to receive appropriate fasteners for attaching the handle 22 in accordance with techniques conventional in the art. Figures 5 to 7 show a modality of a lid 1 A according to an alternative embodiment. This embodiment is the same in all respects as the lid 1, except that the sets of side holes 1 2, 14 are replaced with sets of side holes 1 2 A, 14 A formed in respective side portions of the inclined surface 1 5. The lower side holes 1 0 are then omitted. This construction avoids the need for an additional manufacturing step that would otherwise be required to form the holes 12, 1 4 and 10, and thus lower costs. Figs. 8 and 9 show a container 25 having handles 34. The edge of the container 26 is depressed to form a projection 28, which is configured to receive the edge of the lid 1 described above. Also shown are tabs 30 which are configured to equalize with cut portions 4 of the lid 1 so that the lid can be attached to the container 1 0. Fig. 10 is an exploded view, which more clearly illustrates a closing mechanism to join the lid 1 to the container 25. As shown the projection 7 of the lid 1 is received in a depression formed by an annular lip 32 extending around the inner edge of the container 25. This serves to seal the lid on the container along the edge. In use, the liquid and food to be cooked are added to the container 25. The lid 1 is attached to the container 25 by adjusting the depressions in the lid with the tabs in the container 25. The lid is then rotated within the formed depression by the annular lip 30, establishing a sealed connection between the lid 1 and the container 25. The cooking vessel is then heated to cook the contents of the container. As the liquid boils, steam and foam begin to rise in the container, particularly along the internal sides of the container. Steam and foam exit the interior of the container through the upper holes 20, and on a smaller side, through the optional side holes 14 and 16. The steam and the foam cool and condense quickly. The condensed liquid then flows down the inclined surface 1 of the lid 1 to the reservoir 1 8, where it drains through the lower bellows 8 and optional lower side holes 10 back to the drain. The liquid is then reheated until it boils inside the container and the cycle repeats. After the food is cooked, the lid can be removed by turning the lid in the opposite direction and lifting it up with the handle of the lid. Alternatively, the lid can remain attached and can be used to strain the cooking liquid from the contents of the food. The lid is advantageously configured to avoid blocking the holes with food, as it is cast. In this respect, the sloping depressed bottom surface of the lid serves to block the food so as not to obstruct the holes.

Through experimentation, it has been found that the configuration described above provides superior results. It effectively prevents overflow while maintaining a continuous recycling. In contrast to certain prior overflow covers, the preferred embodiment uses top holes that are provided in opposing potions of the top surface of the lid with respect to the bottom holes. In addition, it has been found that the use of larger upper holes provides unexpectedly good results. It is also believed that overflow is facilitated by providing the holes (both upper and lower) in a portion of depression extending below the upper plane defined by the edge of the lid.

It has also been found that the use of a mechanism for locking and sealing the lid significantly increases performance and prevents overflow. As indicated above, the locked lid also facilitates the use of the lid as a strainer. It will be appreciated that the kitchen utensil and lid can be made from a variety of materials using various techniques known in the art. Preferably, a lid for a kitchen utensil according to the invention is constructed from sheet metal. One advantage of using sheet metal is that it is easy to stamp on the shape. However, other materials may be used. Alternative materials include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, titanium, carbon steel, BSA, nylon, rubber, polyurethane, other plastics, or silicone. Again, the ideal properties of the material is a high heat tolerance and low thermal conductivity. The cover must keep the heat in the pan, but still let out only an adequate amount of energy to avoid overflow. Preferably, the material used has a high heat tolerance and low thermal conductivity. Such characteristics allow a group of substances that have overflowed to cool and relatively quickly condense and drain back into the container. As indicated above, the upper holes are preferably larger than the lower holes to drive the cycle of boiling substances that exit the highest point in the lid and drain again through the lowest point. It has been found that larger larger holes lower the pressure and reduce the velocity of the substances leaving the top. The size of the upper holes can be varied, particularly in relation to the overall size of the lid and the container to which it is attached and the overall surface of the lower holes. Preferably, the tank is inclined so that the water will flow back to the pan and out of the tank sufficiently quickly to prevent overflow, but sufficiently slow to allow cooling. Again, however, the specific inclination can be modified depending on the size of the holes and the size of the lid and container. Also preferably, the deposit is as large as possible without compromising the capacity of the pan. As discussed above, the lid is secured to the cooking vessel to prevent the lid from rising out of the container and allowing the contents to pass the edge. On the other hand, it may be preferable not to seal the lid so tightly as to prevent vapor or other substances from escaping from the container, which could cause the pressure to build up and the velocity of the substances exiting the container to increase. Deposit. Such speed is undesirable when it causes the contents of the overflowing container to spit or splash, instead of flowing smoothly through the opening. Although a particular locking mechanism that has been found to be advantageous is described above, it will be apparent that other means for locking and sealing the lid to the required gage for the desired use can be provided. Other modifications, advantages and aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. RE IVI ND ICAC ION ES 1 . A lid for a kitchen utensil comprising an upper edge surrounding a depressed portion, the depressed portion including an inclined surface wherein at least one set of upper holes is provided at an upper end of the inclined surface and is provided by at least one set of lower holes in a lower end of the inclined surface, the inclined surface and the edge defining a reservoir configured to receive liquid that runs off the inclined surface and drains said liquid through said lower holes. 2. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the depressed portion is disposed below a plane defined by said top edge. 3. The lid for cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein each of said upper holes and said lower holes is positioned asymmetrically with respect to the center of the lid. 4. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the upper holes and the lower holes are placed in opposite side portions, respectively, of the surface of the lid, whereby the condensed liquid can flow from one side portion to another. 5. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the upper holes are disposed near the edge. 6. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the upper holes have larger diameters than the lower holes. 7. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the set of upper holes has a total cross-sectional area greater than the set of lower ones. The cover for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, further comprising at least a set of side holes disposed in side portions of the inclined surface. 9. The lid for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, further comprising a closing mechanism for securing the lid to a kitchen utensil container. 1. The cover for kitchen utensil according to claim 9, wherein the closing mechanism comprises marks formed on the periphery of the edge, said marks configured to equalize with tabs for equalization provided in a kitchen utensil container. eleven . The cover for kitchen utensil according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge is configured to rest on an internal projection of a kitchen utensil container, whereby the upper and lower holes are disposed below said projection. 12. Kitchen utensil comprising: a container; a cap having an upper edge surrounding a depressed portion, the depressed portion including an inclined surface wherein at least one set of upper holes is provided at an upper end of the inclined surface and at least one set of lower holes in a lower end of the inclined surface, the inclined surface and the edge defining a reservoir configured to receive liquid that drains from the inclined surface and drains said liquid through said lower holes; and a closing mechanism for attaching the lid to the container. The cooking utensil according to claim 12, wherein the depressions are formed at the edge of the lid, said depressions having sizes corresponding to a corresponding set of tabs provided at the container edge, and the edge of the container includes an annular lip which forms a depression for receiving the edge of the lid.