U.S. patent application number 11/983182 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for extended lid member for cooking utensils.
Invention is credited to George R. Royer.
Application Number | 20090120425 11/983182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40622546 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090120425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Royer; George R. |
May 14, 2009 |
Extended lid member for cooking utensils
Abstract
The subject device is an energy savings lid for cooking utensils
to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device being
essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a surrounding
downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the outer
circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being structured
to extend downwardly around the outer circumferential perimeter of
the utensil beyond the outer surface of the utensil, ideally all
the way to the stove surface, so that the inner semi-enclosed space
under extended flange of the lid collects heat from the portion of
the burner that is not covered by the bottom of the utensil and
thence transfer such heat upwardly and inwardly into the inner
circumferential surface of the utensil to be transferred in turn to
the inner part of the utensil to help add heat in the cooking
process.
Inventors: |
Royer; George R.; (Toledo,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GEORGE R. ROYER
2137 RAGAN WOODS DRIVE
TOLEDO
OH
43614
US
|
Family ID: |
40622546 |
Appl. No.: |
11/983182 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 27/004 20130101;
A47J 36/06 20130101; A47J 36/36 20130101; A47J 36/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/220 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/10 20060101
F24C015/10 |
Claims
1: A cooking utensil with an upper rimmed opening lid member
comprising of (a) A base lid member having an upper surface and a
lower surface such lid member having an outer circumferential rim
portion disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface,
said outer rim portion of said base lid member being adapted to fit
conformingly on said upper rimmed opening goof said cooking
utensil; (b) an external flange member affixed circumtentially to
said outer rim portions of said base lid, said flange extending
radially outwardly and downwardly from said lid member beyond the
outer circumferential rim portion of said base member
2: A supplemental heat absorbing apparatus in the form of a
covering member for a cooking utensil with an open chamber for
holding food to be heated on a stove burner comprising: (a) a
cooking utensil having a bottom surface with an upwardly extending
sidewall surrounding said open chamber in said cooking utensil,
said sidewall extending from said bottom surface, and wherein the
upper portion of said open chamber is formed by an upper perimeter
edge on said cooking utensil; (b) a circumferentially extending
covering member for said cooking utensil, said covering member
having an upper surface and a lower surface with said covering
member having an outer perimeter rim, with said outer
circumferential rim of said covering member being adapted to be
placed upon said upper edge of said rim; (c) a circumferentially
radially extending flange extension affixed to and extending beyond
said outer perimeter rim of said covering member; (d) lower
perimeter means on a part of the bottom portion of said flange
extension, said means adapted to be placed adjacent to said stove
burner to receive heat from said structural stove burner.
3: A supplemental heat absorbing apparatus for a cooking utensil to
be heated on a stove burner comprising: (a) a cooking member having
a bottom surface with upwardly extending sidewall extending from
said bottom surface; (b) a circumferentially extending flange
extension affixed around a portion of said sidewall of said utensil
said extension flange having an inner chamber portion that is
adjacent in part to a portion of the sidewall of such utensil, said
flange extension having means to place liquids into said chamber,
and wherein said flange extension has a bottom portion; (c) lower
surface mans on a part of said bottom portion of said flange
extension to receive heat from said burner, said bottom portion
being aligned with said bottom portion of said utensil.
Description
KNOWN PRIOR ART
[0001] U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,134 U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,806
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART AND RELEVANT BACKGROUND
[0002] The process of heating cooking utensils on ceramic of flat
burner units, or other types of stove burners involves efficiency
problems in most instances. More specifically, the efficiency
problem stems from wasted heat rising from the burner surface.
[0003] More particularly, in conventional stove structures,
particularly ceramic covered burners, the burner units are usually
flush with the upper surface of the stove, or in other burner types
may be raised slightly above the upper surface of the stove. In the
usage of burners that are relatively level or flush with the upper
surfaces of the stove, there are several heating efficiently
concerns involved, and other problems, as alluded to above. A
problem encountered in utilizing burners of the type specified
above is that a substantial amount of heat is wasted in process of
heating a cooking utensil on a stove top burner. In particular,
when a utensil or other type of cooking utensil is heated on top of
such a burner generally only the very bottom of the utensil
receives the heat generated and in the process, the heating takes a
greater period of time since only the bottom is heated and
significant amount of heat rises up and around the sides of the
cooking utensil and into the air. This wasted heat represents a
loss of energy that could be other wise used to help heat the
cooking utensil in the process and thus save energy. One of the
causes of this heat loss in this regard is that the bottom of the
cooking utensil, such as a pan, covers only a partial portion of
the upper surface area of the burner. As a result, that portion of
the burner not covered by the bottom of the utensil rises rapidly
in the air around the pan, and up into the air above the utensil, a
substantial amount of which thus is wasted heat. Therefore, some
means is needed to capture that heat generated from the burner so
as to focus same onto the utensil to help in the intended cooking
process.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the subject invention to provide an
improved device for conserving heat from a stove during cooking
processes;
[0005] Still another object of the subject invention is to provide
an improved lid for a cooking utensil that improves safety in the
usage of a stove when cooking food;
[0006] Another object of the subject invention is to provide an
improved heat savings device to be used when cooking on a
stove;
[0007] Still another object of the subject invention is to provide
supplemental heat transfer means for energy conservation purposes
for use in cooking on a stove;
[0008] Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an
improved lid apparatus for a cooking utensil for conserving heat in
the process of cooking on a stove;
[0009] A further object of the subject, invention is to provide an
improved device that provides optimal energy conservation and
safety features for a cooking utensil on a stove surface;
[0010] Another object of the subject invention is to provide a
cooking utensil lid device that will improve the efficiency of the
cooking process on stoves;
[0011] Other and further objects of the subject invention will
become apparent from a reading of the description taken in
conjunction with the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top elevational view, in of a stove burner
without a cooking utensil in place;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject lid member shown
in a position over a cooking utensil;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the subject lid member,
in a cross-sectional configuration, showing the subject invention
with a cooking utensil in place;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing a flat stove
burner with a conventional cooking utensil, demonstrating
schematically the heat losses up around the vertical surfaces of a
cooking utensil without means to capture the heat emanating from
the uncovered portion of the stove burner unit.
DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL EMBODIMENT AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0016] The subject device is an energy savings lid for cooking
utensils to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device
being essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a
surrounding downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the
outer circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being
structured to extend downwardly around the outer circumferential
perimeter of the utensil beyond the outer surface of the utensil,
ideally all the way to the stove surface, so that the inner
semi-enclosed space under extended flange of the lid collects heat
from the portion of the burner that is not covered by the bottom of
the utensil and thence transfer such heat upwardly and inwardly
into the inner circumferential surface of the utensil to be
transferred in turn to the inner part of the utensil to help add
heat in the cooking process.
[0017] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the space
formed between sides of the utensil and the flange and will be able
to capture heat from the stove burner to impinge such heat
propagation towards the sides of the utensil. This lid flange is
generally circular or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter
that may be circular, but not essentially so. More specifically, as
discussed the flange member if preferably round member somewhat
bell shaped with a lower perimeter lip that is structured, as the
utensil height dictates to extend or close to the upper surface of
the stove burner, as well as outwardly distance from the outer
surface of the utensil. As stated, the flange need not be
rounded.
[0018] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0019] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0020] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0021] The subject device is an energy savings lid for cooking
utensils to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device
being essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a
surrounding downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the
outer circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being
structured to extend downwardly around the outer circumferential
perimeter of the utensil beyond the outer surface of the utensil,
ideally all the way to the stove surface, so that the inner space
under the extended flange of the lid collects heat from the portion
of the burner that is not covered by the bottom of the utensil and
thence transfer such heat upwardly and inwardly into the inner
circumferential surface of the utensil to be transferred in turn to
the inner part of the utensil to help add heat in the cooking
process.
[0022] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the spatial
area that formed will exist between sides of the utensil and the
inner surfaces of the lid flange and it will be able to capture
heat from the outer fringe portions of the stove burner to cause
heat propagation of such air towards the sides of the utensil. This
lid flange is generally circular or rounded with a corresponding
outer perimeter that may be circular, but not essentially so. More
specifically, as discussed the flange member if preferably round
member would be somewhat of a bell shaped with a lower perimeter
lip that is structured, as the utensil height dictates to extend or
close to the upper surface of the stove burner, as well as
outwardly distance from the outer surface of the utensil.
[0023] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0024] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0025] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
[0026] The following description of the subject invention covers
one specific embodiment, and description of such a particular and
preferred embodiment shall not restrict the scope of the invention,
as set forth in the claims herein. The general embodiment of the
lid member with the outer flange is best embodied in several forms,
and the description of a limited embodiment will not restrict the
scope of the inventions and claims thereto.
[0027] The subject device is an energy savings lid for cooking
utensils to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device
being essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a
surrounding downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the
outer circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being
structured to extend downwardly around the outer circumferential
perimeter of the utensil beyond the outer surface of the utensil,
ideally all the way to the stove surface, so that the inner
semi-enclosed space under extended flange of the lid collects heat
from the portion of the burner that is not covered by the bottom of
the utensil and thence transfer such heat upwardly and inwardly
into the inner circumferential surface of the utensil to be
transferred in turn to the inner part of the utensil to help add
heat in the cooking process.
[0028] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the space
formed between sides of the utensil and the flange and will be able
to capture heat from the stove burner to impinge such heat
propagation towards the sides of the utensil. This lid flange is
generally circular or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter
that may be circular, but not essentially so. More specifically, as
discussed the flange member if preferably round member somewhat
bell shaped with a lower perimeter hp that is structured, as the
utensil height dictates to extend or close to the upper surface of
the stove burner, as well as outwardly distance from the outer
surface of the utensil. As stated, the flange need not be
rounded.
[0029] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0030] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0031] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0032] The subject device is an energy savings lid for cooking
utensils to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device
being essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a
surrounding downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the
outer circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being
structured to extend downwardly around the outer circumferential
perimeter of the utensil beyond the outer surface of the utensil,
ideally all the way to the stove surface, so that the inner space
under the extended flange of the lid collects heat from the portion
of the burner that is not covered by the bottom of the utensil and
thence transfer such heat upwardly and inwardly into the inner
circumferential surface of the utensil to be transferred in turn to
the inner part of the utensil to help add heat in the cooking
process.
[0033] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the spatial
area that formed will exist between sides of the utensil and the
inner surfaces of the lid flange and it will be able to capture
heat from the outer fringe portions of the stove burner to cause
heat propagation of such air towards the sides of the utensil. This
lid flange is generally circular or rounded with a corresponding
outer perimeter that may be circular, but not essentially so. More
specifically, as discussed the flange member if preferably round
member would be somewhat of a bell shaped with a lower perimeter
lip that is structured, as the utensil height dictates to extend or
close to the upper surface of the stove burner, as well as
outwardly distance from the outer surface of the utensil.
[0034] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0035] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0036] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0037] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the space
formed between sides of the utensil and the flange and will be able
to capture heat from the stove burner to impinge such heat
propagation towards the sides of the utensil. This lid flange is
generally circular or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter
that may be circular, but not essentially so. More specifically, as
discussed the flange member if preferably round member somewhat
bell shaped with a lower perimeter lip that is structured, as the
utensil height dictates to extend or close to the upper surface of
the stove burner, as well as outwardly distance from the outer
surface of the utensil. As stated, the flange need not be
rounded.
[0038] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0039] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0040] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0041] The subject device is an energy savings ring for cooking
utensils to be placed on a stove burner, with the subject device
being essentially a covering lid for such a utensil having a
surrounding downwardly turned flange extension all or part of the
outer circumference of the lid such surrounding flange being
structured to extend downwardly around the outer perimeter of the
lid beyond the outer surface of the utensil, ideally all the way to
the stove surface, so that the inner space under the extended
flange collects heat from the portion of the burner that is not
covered by the bottom of the utensil and thence transfer such heat
upwardly into the inner circumferential surface of the utensil to
be transferred in turn to the inner part of the utensil to help add
heat in the cooking process.
[0042] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the upper portion of the lid and extend outwardly and
downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer surface of
the utensil and downwardly towards or upon the upper surface of the
burner. Although not essential, this flange is generally circular
or rounded with a corresponding outer perimeter that may be
circular or of other configuration. In this regard, the spatial
area that formed will exist between sides of the utensil and the
inner surfaces of the lid flange and will be able to capture heat
from the outer fringe portions stove burner to cause propagation of
such air towards the utensil. More specifically, as discussed, the
flange member if preferably round member would be somewhat bell
shaped with a lower perimeter lip that is structured, as the
utensil height dictates to extend or close to the upper surface of
the stove burner, as well as outwardly distance from the outer
surface of the utensil.
[0043] Stated alternately, in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with a perimeter flange
member adapted with an outer perimeter lip, with such lip being
structured to be flush or close to touching the upper surface of a
stove burner.
[0044] As stated, a round flange member is desirable, although the
outer flange of the lid may be formed other than as a rounded
member to accomplish the purposes of the subject invention. By this
latter arrangement, the bottom outer rim of the flange member is
structurally adapted to rest flush against the upper surface of the
stove burner. As the outer lower lip of the flange of the lid rests
flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it will
generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom surface of the utensil as
the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against the
stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. As a result
of the latter structural aspects, a substantial close spatial area
will exist under the flange extending upwardly towards the lid and
towards the sides of the utensil.
[0045] The heat radiation arising up under the flange from the
stove burner will be directed in part towards the side of the pan
and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system for the
utensil. In the process with the bottom of the flange member being
of sufficient diameter to cover most of the area of the burner
rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner will cause heat
from the burner to be transferred through this the inner spatial
area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of the
cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very bottom
surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the beat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0046] In the general embodiment of the invention herein, as
discussed below, the invention focuses on a cooking utensil
covering lid member, generally structured in part as a conventional
lid member that has the additional feature of having a surrounding
downwardly turned circumferential flange that is structured to
extend from the outer perimeter edge of the lid and extend
outwardly and downwardly from the lid out a distance from the outer
surface of the utensil and downwardly towards the upper surface of
the burner. In this regard, the space formed between sides of the
utensil and the flange will be able to capture heat from the stove
burner to impinge such heat propagation towards the utensil. This
flange is generally circular or rounded with a corresponding outer
perimeter that may be circular, but not essentially so. More
specifically, as discussed the flange member if preferably round
member somewhat bell shaped with a lower perimeter lip that is
structured, as the utensil height dictates to extend or close to
the upper surface of the stove burner, as well as outwardly
distance from the outer surface of the utensil.
[0047] In this latter respect, the subject invention has
application to any type of stove, including electric, gas, ceramic
type stoves and similar types of cooking stoves. In a general
perspective however, the subject invention is also applicable to
other types of stove on which variant types of cooking utensils are
attempted to be heated in the cooking process.
[0048] As stated in the general embodiment of the subject
invention, the subject device is a lid with an extended perimeter
flange member adapted with a perimeter lip being structured to be
flush with or close to touching the upper surface of a stove
burner. Such outwardly extending perimeter lip would ideally touch
the upper surface of the stove surface so that any heat generated
by the stove burner would be collected upwardly under such extended
flange of the lid and collect and substantially trap the heat
rising up from the burner surface and retain such heat to help heat
the sides of the cooking pan. As stated, a round flange member is
the preferable shape of the outer flange of the lid may be formed
other than as a rounded member to accomplish the purposes of the
subject invention. As the outer lower rim of the outer lid flange
rests flush or near so against the upper surface of the stove, it
will generally surround to a large extent that portion of the stove
burner that is not covered by the bottom of the cooking utensil
since the bottom perimeter of the outer flange rests close against
the stove surface, when the lid is placed over the utensil. A
substantial close spatial area will exist under the flange
extending upwardly towards the lid and towards the sides of the
utensil.
[0049] The heat radiating up under the outer lid flange from the
stove burner will rise up into this spatial area towards the side
of the pan and will be utilized as a supplemental heating system
for the utensil. In the process with the bottom of the outer lid
flange member being of sufficient diameter most of the area of the
burner rising heat from the uncovered part of the burner inner
spatial area to the part of the circumferential outer surface of
the cooking utensil to supplement the heat transfer to the very
bottom surface of the utensil from the burner unit. In the overall
process, a substantial amount of the heat emanating from the burner
will be saved to render the cooking process more efficient.
[0050] More specifically, as can be seen in the drawings, stove 10
is shown, can utilize any type of heating system for heating the
burner elements, such as electrical, gas or any other type of
energy source. Moreover, the subject invention can be adapted to
stoves in which the burner members are ceramic, glass, metallic
electric elements or gas fed, resistance coils, or any other types
of burner elements. In this respect, the invention is also made
applicable to recessed burner units that have upwardly extending
surrounding walls and a bottom surface, either fully or partially
surrounded the upwardly extending walls, and description of the
subject invention and concept as to a particular type of stove
burner will not limit the scope thereof. However, the most
practical application of the subject device is to stoves having
flat upper surface burner units that are flush with the upper
surface of the stove.
[0051] As previously stated, the inventive concept herein
incorporates the concept of including additional heat transfer
means to the cooking utensil to provide additional heat input in
conjunction with and in addition to the heat provided directly to
the bottom of the cooking utensil from the burner, thereby adding
heat input to the cooking utensil from the burner, and thereby
maximize the heat input to the utensil. The result of such a
heating system helps additionally to minimize the heat loss in the
cooking process, and improve the efficiency of the cooking
process.
[0052] For purposes of schematically showing the inefficiency of
using stove top burner for cooking, FIG. 4 demonstrates graphically
the heat loss that occurs on a flat stove burner under
circumstances where the bottom of a cooking utensil 15 does not
cover the entire area of the burner 30 on stove surface 20. As can
be seen in FIG. 4, shown is a conventional cooking utensil with a
vertical side 95, interior spatial area 90, inner bottom surface 80
and upper rim 95. Heat rises up the sides of the cooking utensil 15
from areas of the burner 30 that are not covered by the utensil 15.
This heat that arises from the upper part of the burner is mostly
wasted as it rises in the air around and upperwardly beyond the
utensil, unused, as demonstrated graphically in FIG. 4. More
specifically, for purposes of placing the subject invention in the
perspective of the objectives herein, FIG. 4 shows a stove 10 with
a stove top 20 having a conventional flat burner 32 that is
essentially flush with the upper surface 20 of the stove 10. As
seen essentially only the very bottom surface 70 of the cooking
utensil 15 is heated on such burner, with attendant loss of heat up
and around the sides of the utensil from the portions of the burner
not covered by the bottom of surface 70 of the utensil 15, as shown
schematically in FIG. 4. For purposes of describing a specific
embodiment, cooking stove 10 utilizes a flat surfaced burner unit,
however, such reference to a specific stove burner will not limit
the concept to a flat ceramic burner. Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows an
upper cooking surface 20 that incorporates and utilizes one or more
heating elements such as heating element burner 30 variantly
referred to as a burner unit having coils 35, 40, 45 and 50 and an
outer periphy 60. Again, while the drawings and description are
mostly directed to a flat or electric electric burner type stove,
as stated above, the subject invention is equally applicable to
stove types using gas or other forms of heating source or, other
heat transfer means.
[0053] Referring again to the drawings in which a specific
embodiment of the subject invention is shown, and particularly
FIGS. 2 and 3 cooking utensil 150 is shown as being a rounded pan
with a rounded upper rim 165 and open cooking space 172 below the
upper rim of the cooking utensil 150. Cooking utensil 150 as
described and shown is a conventionally structural cooking pan and
thus no novelty is claimed in the utensil structure itself.
Moreover cooking utensil 150 has a bottom surface 174.
[0054] In many instances in the cooking process a covering lid 180
is used on the upper part of the cooking utensil 150. The lid 180
is conventionally structured only on the upper portion 185 thereof
as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is a circular like member, or of
other structural configuration, which has an inner circumferential
edged surface 190 and an outer circumferential edge surface or rim,
195. The lid 180 additionally has an upper surface 200 and an
opposing lower surface 205. Affixed on the upper surface 200 of
such lid 150 may be a handle 210. Moreover, the lid member 180 has
an outer circumferential portion 220 which conforms with outer rim
195 of such lid. Thus far the lid 180 described is of general
conventional structure, however, and the improved lid structure
herein has an additional feature which is a bell shaped flange
member 240, the upper circumferential edge 250 of which flange
member is affixed in a circumferential manner to a portion of the
base lid structure 180, generally to the outer circumference edge
of 195 of lid 180. The addition of the skirt-like flange 240 to lid
180 is the only basic change to the otherwise conventionally formed
upper portion of the lid. More particularly the ultimate structural
form of lid member 180 incorporating features of the subject
invention is the skirt-like flange 240 appended circumferentially
to the outer portion of the base lid structure. The skirt-like
flange 240 is essentially a circumferentially shaped bell shaped
member, which flange member has a lower circumferential edge 260
when appended to the base lid structure 180. The upper part of the
flange member 240 has an upper circumferential edge 250 affixed, to
the outer circumferential edge 195 of the base lid 180, as seen in
the drawings. Alternately stated, such upper edge 250 of flange 240
is joined in a circumferential manner to the outer circumferential
edge 195 of the base lid structure 180.
[0055] More particularly, shown in the drawings, is a lid member
180 incorporating features of the subject invention. This
specialized lid member 180 has the modification of the external
round flange 240, which can function as a heat savings member, as
discussed above.
[0056] Variously stated, in the specific embodiment shown in FIGS.
2 and 3, the outer flange member 240 is a somewhat of a bell
shaped-skirt like member, the upper portion of which is integrated
into the upper portion of the lid 180. Phrasing it differently, the
upper part of the flange 240 may form the upper part of the bell
configuration, with the remaining part of the skirt-like
configuration extending radially outwardly and downwardly from the
base lid 180, extending downwardly surrounding the outside lateral
surface 285 of the cooking utensil 150, and the flange 240 extends
downwardly to the upper surface 174 of the stove burner 30 or
somewhere just above the upper surface of the stove 20.
[0057] When the lid 180 with its circumferential flange 240 is
placed on top of the cooking utensil as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
with the bottom surface 184 of utensil 150 resting flush on burner
30, the bottom circumferential edge 260 of the flange 240 is
situated either at the level of stovetop 20 or somewhere above such
upper surface. In this position the circumferential flange 240
forms on the inside surface 305 of such flange a substantially
enclosed spatial area 310 that will be able to collect heat
emanating up from the upper surface 35 on stove burner 30. This
collected heat flow shown schematically in FIG. 3 will yield
additional heat to help warm the vertical or lateral side or side
285 of the cooking utensil 150, thus enhancing the heating process
as to the cooking utensil. This process thereby conserves any
energy output from the stove.
[0058] Stated alternately, in the specific embodiment shown in the
drawings, lid 180 has an added feature integrated onto the outer
peripheral perimeter of the lid as described below. As described
above, specifically, namely lid 180 had an added circumferential
flange 240, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, which flange extends from the
outer circumferential edge of the lid 180, as seen in a flaring
bell shaped configuration, with the radically outer portion of the
flange projecting downwardly in a skirt like manner so that the
outer extremity of the flange extends downwardly a sufficient to
the upper surface of burner 30 or fairly close to such surface.
Other embodiments of the subject invention.
[0059] In the subject invention, the lid 180 with integral flange
240 has a continuous outer upper surface 340 which upper surface if
formed partially by the upper surface 200 of the lid 180 and
partially by the upper outer surface 365 of the flange 240, so as
to form a continuous upper outer surface 340, formed of both such
described upper surface portions of the lid 180 and flange 240,
with the upper surface portion of the flange 365 forming the
radially outer portion of the extended lid. Other embodiments are
contemplated in such invention.
[0060] As can be determined, the outer flange is not necessarily
bell shaped but could have some appropriate shape so as to surround
the outer vertical sides of the cooking utensil in a skirt like
manner when the modified lid 180 is placed over the top of the
utensil as shown. More specifically, the flange 240 on the lid 180
should extend radially outwardly from the side of the cooking
utensil 150 a distance sufficient so that the entire flange 240
extends over and above the entire outer areas or most of such areas
of the burner 30 on which the utensil 150 does not cover. Moreover,
as stated, it is preferable that the flange 240 extend downwardly
at its greatest radial distance from the utensil so that the bottom
of the outer rim or circumferential edge 260 of the flange 240
comes close to the upper surface of the stove or in actual contact
with the stove surface. The described structural attributes are not
considered as limiting the scope of the subject invention.
[0061] Moreover, the flange member 240 need not be a closed member,
but can be opened at some point along the flange with appropriate
gap or gaps in the flange 240 to accommodate specific features of a
given utensil, such as a handle 390 shown on the utensil in FIG. 2.
Other embodiments may include a means to accommodate features
unique to a given utensil. Other embodiments of the subject
invention are contemplated.
[0062] In summary, the subject invention is a cooking utensil lid
member comprising of:
[0063] (a) a base lid member having an upper surface and a lower
surface such lid member having an outer circumferential rim portion
disposed between such upper surface and such lower surface;
[0064] (b) an external flange member affixed to such outer rim
portions of said base lid, such flange extending radially outwardly
from such lid member.
[0065] In further summary, the subject invention is a supplemental
heat absorbing apparatus in the form of a covering member for a
cooking utensil with an open chamber for holding food to be heated
on a stove burner comprising:
[0066] (a) a cooking utensil having a bottom surface with an
upwardly extending sidewall surrounding such open chamber in such
cooking utensil, such sidewall extending from such bottom surface,
and wherein the upper portion of such open chamber is formed by an
upper perimeter edge on such cooking utensil;
[0067] (b) a circumferentially extending covering member for such
cooking utensil, such covering member having an upper surface and a
lower surface with such covering member having an outer perimeter
rim, with such outer circumferential rim of such covering member
being adapted to be placed upon such upper edge of such rim;
[0068] (c) a circumferentially radially extending flange extension
affixed to and extending beyond such outer perimeter rim of such
covering member;
[0069] (d) lower perimeter means on a part of the bottom portion of
such flange extension, such perimeter means adapted to be placed
adjacent to such stove burner to receive heat from such structural
stove burner.
[0070] In still further summary the subject invention is a cooking
utensil lid member comprising of:
[0071] (a) A base lid member having an upper surface and a lower
surface such lid member having an outer circumferential rim portion
disposed between said upper surface and said lower surface;
[0072] (b) an external flange member affixed to said outer rim
portions of said base lid, said flange extending radially outwardly
and downwardly towards said stove burner.
[0073] In yet further summary, a supplemental heat absorbing
apparatus in the form of a covering member for a cooking utensil
with an open chamber for holding food to be heated on a stove
burner comprising:
[0074] (a) a cooking utensil having a bottom surface with an
upwardly extending sidewall surrounding said open chamber in said
cooking utensil, said sidewall extending from said bottom surface,
and wherein the upper portion of said open chamber is formed by an
upper perimeter edge on said cooking utensil;
[0075] (b) a circumferentially extending covering member for said
cooking utensil, said covering member having an upper surface and a
lower surface with said covering member having an outer perimeter
rim, with said outer circumferential rim of said covering member
being adapted to be placed upon said upper edge of said rim;
[0076] (c) a circumferentially radially extending flange extension
affixed to and extending beyond said outer perimeter rim of said
covering member;
[0077] (d) lower perimeter means on a part of the bottom portion of
said flange extension, said means adapted to be placed adjacent to
said stove burner to receive heat from said structural stove
burner.
[0078] In still further summary, a lid member for a cooking utensil
having an outer surface wherein said lid member has an outer
circumferentially extending skirt, said skirt extending radially
outwardly and downwardly from said lid member, with said skirt
having a lower perimeter edge when extends radially outwardly from
outer surface.
* * * * *