U.S. patent application number 10/365520 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-21 for tool for safely carrying hot container.
Invention is credited to Kitagawa, Chiyoko, Kitagawa, Hiroaki, Kitagawa, Kaori.
Application Number | 20030155785 10/365520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27738913 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030155785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kitagawa, Hiroaki ; et
al. |
August 21, 2003 |
Tool for safely carrying hot container
Abstract
A tool for carrying high temperature container is typically made
of silicone rubber and has the properties of heat-resistance,
anti-slip, and high elasticity. The tool can serve as a hot
container carrier when removing a hot container with heated food,
which is often nearly as high as 100 degrees centigrade, too hot to
touch with bare hands.
Inventors: |
Kitagawa, Hiroaki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kitagawa, Chiyoko; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Kitagawa, Kaori; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN & HATTORI, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW
SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
27738913 |
Appl. No.: |
10/365520 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 45/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/15 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2002 |
JP |
2002-038309 |
May 13, 2002 |
JP |
2002-136684 |
Dec 16, 2002 |
JP |
2002-363528 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A tool for carrying a high temperature container, comprising: a
contacting part to directly contact the high temperature container
surface; and a holding part to be held by fingers, the holding part
being connected to the contacting part.
2. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein at least a surface of the tool is made of a
material having heat-resistance, anti-slip property, and
flexibility.
3. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 2, said tool is made of elastomer.
4 A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 3, the elastomer is silicone rubber.
5. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein the tool has a rectangular shape.
6. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein the tool has a triangular shape.
7. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein the tool has a regular tetrahedral shape.
8. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein the tool comprises four balls connected to each
other in regular tetrahedral position.
9. A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in
claim 1, wherein the contacting part comprises a sucking disk. 10.
A tool for carrying high temperature container as defined in claim
1, the tool further comprises a magnetic piece attached to the
contacting part and/or the holding part.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to a tool for safely
carrying hot containers. The present invention is mainly used in
the kitchen area where most houses have their microwave oven. When
taking out the heated food from the microwave oven, the container
is often too hot to be held by hand. The small size of the present
invention makes it easier to promptly take out the hot food and its
container and to safely carry it.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Food is heated in the kitchen by baking, broiling, and
simmering in an oven, roaster, stove or microwave. There have been
devices to help carry hot plates, cookers, and containers, such as
a pair of mittens and specially designed steel handles. These
items, however, are suitable for higher temperature and heavier
cooking utensils rather than small containers like cups or
dishes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The microwave ovens are widely used for heating up
pre-cooked meals, leftover meals or even for cooking stew or soup.
There has been, however, no safe and convenient tool for carrying
hot containers with heated food. A pair of mittens can be used for
this purpose, but may be a little awkward and slow because the
person has to wear thick gloves on his hands.
[0006] The microwave-heated food is usually not a large portion and
the temperature is no more than 100 degrees centigrade, and people
want to handle it promptly. Most people have experienced saying
"ouch!" as they rush to take out the container with heated food
from the microwave oven without taking any protective measures. If
there were a simple device or tool available at the time to safely
carry the hot container with heated food, people would no longer
have the inconvenience, the potential hazard, and the pain. This
invention has been developed in this regard.
[0007] The tool is typically used in pairs, each element having a
part that contacts the hot container surface and a part that
supports the former part and is accessible by fingers. A specially
designed handy tool made of suitable material enables the safe,
easy, and immediate handling of the microwave-hot food and
containers.
[0008] It can be kept on the sidewall of the microwave oven with
magnets adhered to the tool so that one can use the tool promptly
whenever he needs it. Several different tool designs fulfilling the
above conditions are possible.
[0009] When one holds a hot food container using this invented
tool, he pushes each piece against the hot surface or the hot edge
of the container from opposing directions, thus sandwiching the hot
container with the two tool pieces applying secure holding force.
In this way he protects his fingers from heat while carrying the
hot food and container safely.
[0010] Any material can be used that is heat-resistant,
anti-slippery, and flexible enough to fit the shape of various food
containers, among which elastomer such as silicone rubber is an
example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the invention, the most
basic type.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows how the first embodiment put on the sidewall of
a microwave oven.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the invention, a
flat-tube type.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows the flat-tube type put on the sidewall of a
microwave oven.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows an example of how to hold a hot container with
the flat-tube type.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows another example of how to hold a hot container
with the flat-tube type.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows third embodiment of the invention, a
sucking-disc type.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an example of how to hold a hot container with
the sucking-disc type.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows another example of how to hold a hot container
with the sucking-disc type.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows the fourth embodiment of the invention, a
triangular-prism-tube type.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows an example of how to hold a hot container with
the triangular-prism-tube type.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows another example of how to hold a hot container
with the triangular-prism tube type.
[0023] FIG. 13 shows a third example of how to hold a hot container
with the triangular-prism-tube type.
[0024] FIG. 14 shows an example of the triangular-prism type, not
in tube form, although the same kind of FIG. 11.
[0025] FIG. 15 shows the fifth embodiment of the invention, a
tetrahedron type.
[0026] FIG. 16 shows the sixth embodiment of the invention, a
tetrahedron four-ball type.
[0027] FIG. 17 shows an example of how to hold a hot container with
the tetrahedron four-ball type.
[0028] FIG. 18 shows another example of how to hold a hot container
with the tetrahedron four-ball type.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of this invention, most
basic type. The hot surface contacting part 1 and the finger
accessing part 2 is connected to each other perpendicularly. The
whole part or at least the surface should be of a material which is
heat-resistant, anti-slippery, and flexible. Elastomer such as
silicone rubber is an example of the material. In FIG. 1, silicone
rubber 3 covers the tool's container contacting part surface.
[0030] People usually want to take out the food and its container
immediately after the microwave cooking. This means the tool has to
be close at hand any time they use the microwave oven. FIG. 2 shows
how the invented tool is kept on the corner of the microwave oven
10 with the help of magnetic rubber sheet 4.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the present invention.
The tool of a flat-tube type is more flexible than the first
embodiment. The whole body is made of an appropriate kind of
material, e.g. silicone rubber with a piece of magnetic rubber
sheet 4 adhered near the flat end. Either side of the flat-tube
type tool can be the hot container contacting part 1' or the finger
accessible part 2'. FIG. 4 shows a microwave oven 10 with the
flat-tube type tool 6 put on its steel sidewall. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6
show the two different basic ways this flat-tube type tool 6 is
applied to the container 5. As the tool is simple, symmetric, and
flexible, the user may hold the tool with his fingers to his best
likings. A comfortable way of holding a container with this simple
tool would differ from person to person. The same can be true with
the other type of the invented tools, as follows.
[0032] FIG. 7 shows the third embodiment of this invented tool, a
sucking-disc type, which is also made of an appropriate kind of
rubber, like silicone rubber. The nipple part 2", which protrudes
from the convex side of the disc, is for the fingers to nip and
hold. The concave side of the disc 1" is the part that contacts the
surface of the hot container 5. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 shows the two
basic ways of this tool being used. As is shown, both bare hands
press the container 5 with the pair of sucking-disc type rubber
tools 7, thus avoiding direct touching. The sucking disc can be
also used in order to put the tool itself onto the sidewall of a
microwave oven or a refrigerator for storage when the tool is not
used.
[0033] The invented tool can be more symmetric, like the one in
FIG. 10, a triangular-prism-tube type. Any one of the three curved
side surfaces can be the container contacting part, or likewise
either one of the three side wings formed by any two of the three
curved surfaces can be the finger accessible part. This type also
should be made of an appropriate kind of material like silicone
rubber so as to be flexible, heat-resistant, and anti-slippery. By
making it as a tube, material is saved obtaining higher
flexibility. With a piece of magnetic rubber sheet 4 adhered to the
either side of any of the three wings near the end, the tool can be
kept on the microwave oven's steel sidewall. FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and
FIG. 13 show the three basic ways of how to use this type of the
invented tool 8. The tool easily fits the shape of various kinds of
containers 5 and 11. Due to the simple and symmetric design, this
type of invented tool is very easy to use.
[0034] FIG. 14 is an example of the same group of the type shown in
FIG. 10. This type, although not in the form of rubber tube, can be
applied to containers in the same way as in FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and
FIG. 13.
[0035] FIG. 15 shows the fifth embodiment of the invention, which
is three-dimensionally symmetric as well. It is a regular
tetrahedron type. Any of the foul concave faces can be the
container contacting part, and any of the corresponding peaks with
the surrounding three remaining concave faces can be the finger
accessible part. By making the faces concave, material savings and
better finger accessibility are obtained at the same time.
[0036] FIG. 16 shows the sixth embodiment of the invention, which
is of the tetrahedron type. Four rubber balls of the same size are
connected each other thus forming a frame of regular tetrahedron.
Any one of the four balls can be the finger accessible part,
leaving the remaining three balls to be the container contacting
part. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the two basic ways of holding the
container 5 with this type of the invented tool 9.
* * * * *