U.S. patent application number 10/826930 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for cooking lid and utensil holder.
Invention is credited to Qualiano, Daniel Joseph.
Application Number | 20040262459 10/826930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33544160 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040262459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Qualiano, Daniel Joseph |
December 30, 2004 |
Cooking lid and utensil holder
Abstract
A pot lid and/or cooking utensil holder for use on a counter or
table surface to receive a hot, dripping pot or pan lid, as well as
most common cooking utensils while cooking. The device contains a
relatively planar base comprising a wall extending vertically at
each end in parallel. One of the walls extends higher than the
other and contains a large v shaped opening to permit the knob or
handle of a lid or utensil to rest within. The two walls are spaced
apart to allow a pot lid to be placed vertically within the space,
resting on the anterior surface of the base and leaning at an angle
against the higher lateral wall. The anterior surface of the base
includes a depressed area or channel in which to capture drippings
from the lid or utensil.
Inventors: |
Qualiano, Daniel Joseph;
(Monroe, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL JOSEPH QUALIANO
193 OLD DUTCH HOLLOW ROAD
MONROE
NY
10950
US
|
Family ID: |
33544160 |
Appl. No.: |
10/826930 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60464804 |
Apr 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/37.6 ;
248/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/037.6 ;
248/126 |
International
Class: |
A47G 021/14 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A cooking lid and utensil holder for temporarily storing a
cooking lid or cooking utensil while cooking. The lid holder being
adapted to hold a cooking lid in a generally vertical orientation
and comprising: a generally planar base, wherein no defined
thickness be relevant, of which to place on a counter top or table
surface. a wall existing at a right angle and extending vertically
at one end of said base, commensurable in height to the length of
said base. a second wall existing at a right angle and extending
vertically at the opposite end of said in parallel to first wall. a
space existing between said first and second wall where a cooking
lid may be placed, standing on its outer rim, and with its body
leaning against one of the said walls.
2. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1
comprising a channel or receptacle existing within the surface of
said base, between said first and second wall, which extends at a
right angle up one or both vertical walls in which to direct and
retain condensation and fluids dripping from a cooking lid or
utensil.
3. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein
first vertical wall contains an opening, originating at its top and
continuing downward to approximately midway of said wall, and at a
width necessary to receive a cooking lid knob or handle.
4. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein
the second vertical wall extending half the height of the first
presents at a right angle an inward a projection or lip, the width
of that wall, in which to prevent a cooking lid or utensil from
toppling out of said holder.
5. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 2
comprising two raised ridges along the sides of said channel on
which a cooking lid and/or utensil rests, wherein it remains
elevated from condensation and/or fluids retained in said
receptacle.
6. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 5 wherein
a small v shaped notch exists along each raised ridge at the point
said ridge meets the first vertical wall, wherein to permit
placement of a knife or small utensil, or hold an oversized cooking
lid in a more balanced and secure position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention relates to Provisional Patent Application No.
60/464,804 filed on Apr. 24, 2003. It describes a Cooking Lid and
Utensil Holder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention describes a device for temporarily storing a
pot/pan lid or cooking utensil while cooking.
[0003] While cooking, it is often necessary to remove a hot,
dripping pot or pan lid and place it on a countertop or other
surface to stir, add ingredients, or serve the meal. This creates
not only a mess, but introduces the possibility of contamination by
bacteria and microorganisms that exist on these surfaces. Until the
development of the present device, there has been no truly
effective, practical, stable, and simple solution to this problem.
There have been many attempts to address this common problem, yet
necessary key factors in functionality and utility of these
inventions have been absent.
PRIOR ART STATEMENT
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,616 issued to Jack Carney on Jul. 7,
1992 describes a device for holding pot lids and/or cooking
utensils. The device includes a first generally planar component
with separate notches, apertures, ledges or the like for supporting
pot lids or cooking utensils. A second generally planar component
is mounted to the first planar component to support this component
and to selectively receive cooking utensils supported by the first
planar component, as well as retain any drippings from the
utensils.
[0005] It can be immediately observed in FIG. 1 of the
aforementioned patent that this device is unstable and will not
support most cooking lids unless they where perfectly balanced and
small in size. Furthermore, the device is impractical, as it is
extremely limited in the utensils it can support and would allow a
pot lid without a curved ridge to drip onto countertop.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,673 issued to Patricia Dooley on Nov. 9,
1999 that describes a magnetic cooking utensil holder which allows
a user to temporarily secure hot pan lids while cooking eliminating
the undesirable practice of placing hot and sometimes soiled lids
on a counter top. This device includes a horizontal tubular magnet
having a plurality of support legs pivotally attached thereto,
which expand to form a tripod type support structure. A drip tray
for collecting condensate or food residue adhering to the lid is
removably attached to a pair of opposing support legs. A pair of
opposing side arms each extending from an end of the magnet have a
plurality of vertically aligned magnetic strips thereon for
receiving additional cooking utensils such as knives, forks, and
spoons.
[0007] This device again proves to be impractical, as only
ferromagnetic items will attach to it. Second the device is limited
to a specific size of lids and will not support smaller lids. The
third disadvantage is that it is requires extensive and continual
cleaning of its components to remain sanitary.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,945 issued to Nikolai Melkonian on Aug.
13, 1991 describes a cooking pot lid holder accessory enabling
cooking pot lids to be conveniently and readily stored with much
less dripping and in the desired closeness of the cooking stove
where the lids may be used and reused as cooking demands require.
The device is described as a vertically disposed bore angularly
mounting therein a plurality of bearing members in stacked
relation. Each bearing member mounts, at right angles thereto, an
independently movable arm. On the outer end of each arm is a pot
lid knob-engaging double spring member, specifically including an
arcuate first spring portion and an arcuate second spring portion
facing the first spring portion. Pot lids are retained in the
spring members in an upside down fashion so as to minimize dripping
of condensation when so held.
[0009] A main disadvantage of the device noted in U.S. Pat. No.
5,038,945 is that it requires a wall or stable-mounting surface
before it can utilized in any way making it impractical.
Furthermore, it can hold only lids and cannot accommodate cooking
utensils.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of this invention is to provide a cooking lid and
utensil holder which is universal in use, ensures stable support of
virtually any pot or pan lid, regardless of size or shape, is
simple to use, simple to clean, requires no moving parts to
function, directs and contains condensation and/or drippings, and
supports virtually any cooking utensil. These utensils include, but
are not limited to large stirring spoons, spatulas, ladles, forks,
knives, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Provided is an invention of a Cooking Lid and Utensil holder
comprised of a relatively planar base with two lateral walls
extending upward in parallel. A space is present between these
walls. One of these lateral walls extends higher than the other and
exhibits a V or U shaped opening which allows a knob or handle of a
cooking lid or utensil to exist within. For use as a cooking lid or
utensil holder, the device is placed on a counter top next to a
stove or oven. A pot or pan lid is placed within the structure and
rested on its rim, upon the anterior surface of the base, between
the lateral walls, with its internal side at an angle slightly
upward of vertical, leaning against the lateral wall with said
opening. For cooking lids with a curved outer rim, this angle
allows the retention of condensation within the lids ridge. The
device also provides a formed channel within one or both of said
lateral walls, leading downward into the anterior surface of the
base to form a receptacle in which condensation and/or overflow of
fluids can be directed and contained for easy removal at a later
time. Utensils can also be placed in said structure and supported
wherein the handle of the utensil rests and protrudes through the v
shaped opening of said lateral wall while the utility portion of
the utensil rests within the body of the device, between the
lateral walls and upon the anterior surface of said base. The
device presents as one structure likely produced by injection mold
process or similar manufacture. The device is may be constructed of
ceramic or porcelain material but can be produced in many materials
including, but not limited to high heat plastic, cast aluminum,
resin, or other materials that originate in pliable form for
pouring or molding construction. The structure can also be produced
using formed alloys such as stainless steel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1--is a general three-dimensional view of a universal
cooking lid and utensil holder in its complete structure.
[0013] FIG. 2--is a side elevational view of a universal cooking
lid and utensil holder including a cross sectional view of the
central receptacle shown in broken line form.
[0014] FIG. 3--is a rear elevational view of a universal cooking
lid and utensil holder including a cross sectional view of the
central receptacle shown in broken line form.
[0015] FIG. 4--is Top photographic view of a universal cooking lid
and utensil holder presenting the internal reservoir. (This
photograph is presented, as the channel/reservoir structure could
not be effectively conveyed in line drawing.)
[0016] FIG. 5--is a three dimensional photographic image of a
universal cooking lid and utensil holder more effectively showing
the internal channel and reservoir of the device. (This photograph
is presented, as the channel/reservoir structure could not be
effectively conveyed in line drawing.)
[0017] FIG. 6--is an elevational side view of a universal cooking
lid and utensil holder with a cooking lid being supported by the
holder.
[0018] FIG. 7--is a three dimensional view of a universal cooking
lid and utensil holder with a cooking utensil (Ladle) being
supported by the holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in
its complete structure. Illustrated is a cooking lid and utensil
holder comprised of a relatively planar base, 1 with a wall
extending upward at a right angle, at each end of said base. A
space exists between the two vertical walls 13, in which to receive
a cooking lid and/or utensil. The first of these vertical walls 2
extends above the other and exhibits a large U or V shaped opening
4 beginning at its top and continuing downward to end approximately
midway within said vertical wall. This opening creates two prong
like extensions 10 & 11, which allow the knob or handle of a
cooking lid or utensil 17 to exist within while the lid or utensil
rests in place. The second vertical wall 3 extends upward
approximately half the height of the first and ends at a right
angle inward, comprising a lip, the width of said wall, along the
inner surface of that wall and protruding into the space between
the two lateral components 5. A cooking lid 16 is placed vertically
in between the parallel walls. There the lid comes to rest on its
outer rim 18 within the space and leans at an angle less than 90
against the inner surface of the larger vertical wall 12. The lip 5
along the inner surface of the second vertical wall is present to
prevent a cooking lid or utensil from toppling out of the said
device. This is best illustrated in FIG. 6. A channel, somewhat
shallow in nature, exists within the inner surface of the second
vertical wall, wider at its top and tapering downward to end as a
receptacle within anterior surface of the base 8. This channel,
referred to as the drip channel, directs fluids running off a hot,
dripping cooking lid downward along said channel and into the
receptacle existing between the parallel walls 9. The fluid can be
retained within this receptacle for disposal at a later time. This
receptacle gives way to two lateral ridges bridging the space
between the first and second vertical wall 6 & 6a. The ridges
exist along the top portion and are one with the lateral sides of
the entire structure 14 & 14a. These ridges are upon which the
outer rim of the cooking lid rests. The ridges keep the cooking lid
elevated from the captured condensate as can be appreciated in FIG.
6 to prevent cross contamination of the retained fluids. A clear
view of these structures can be seen in FIG. 2. The receptacle, or
reservoir, is viewed in broken line form. As shown in FIG. 2, two
small V shaped notches exist where the inner surface of the first
vertical wall meets the anterior surface of the base 7 & 7a.
These notches provide an area in which a small utensil such as a
knife can be placed across in secure nature. The notches 7 & 7a
also allow a larger cooking lid to be positioned at an angle closer
to 90 degrees. This shifts the point of gravity and secures the
larger lid more effectively. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the entire
invention in which the interior portion of the extending prongs can
be observed 10 & 11. The outward curved appearance of these
structures has no bearing on its functionality and may exhibit any
decoration to improve aesthetics. A top view of the entire
structure can be appreciated in FIG. 4. As shown in this view, the
two lateral ridges 7 & 7a slope inward towards the interior
receptacle in which to direct condensation and retain the fluids
within the receptacle 15 & 15a. Also observed is said lip,
which protrudes inward from the interior surface of the second
vertical wall 5. FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of the
structure in which the lateral ridges 6 & 6a and small v shaped
notches within the ridges 7 & 7a can be more easily observed.
The point at which the drip channel 8 meets the surface of the
receptacle 9 can also be seen in this view. FIG. 6 clearly defines
the relationship between the position of the cooking lid and the
device as well as a lateral view of the drip channel 8 and
receptacle 9. The drip channel 8 and reservoir 9 are shown in
broken line form. The nature in which a cooking lids knob or handle
17 protrudes through the opening 4 in the first vertical wall can
also be observed in this view. As shown in FIG. 7, a cooking
utensil such as a ladle is placed within the device as to secure
the base of the utensil 20 within the interior space between the
two vertical walls and allow the handle of the utensil 19 to rest
within the opening of the first vertical wall 4. This secures the
utensil more effectively and positions the utensil facing downward
to direct and contain the fluids remaining on the utensil within
the receptacle. The utensil also remains elevated as it rests upon
the lateral ridges of the receptacle, which aids to reduce cross
contamination of old condensate and/fluid. The presented cooking
lid and utensil holder can be painted in virtually any color or
with painted design to improve its appearance. While this invention
has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and
forgoing description, it being understood that only the preferred
embodiments have been illustrated and described and that any
changes and/or modifications that come within the spirit of this
invention are desired to be protected.
* * * * *