U.S. patent application number 13/110571 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-08 for cookware article with internally flush rivets.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES LIMITED. Invention is credited to Mang Hung Chan, Stanley Kin Sui Cheng, Tanveer Khan.
Application Number | 20110217146 13/110571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39816772 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110217146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Stanley Kin Sui ; et
al. |
September 8, 2011 |
Cookware Article with Internally Flush Rivets
Abstract
An article of cookware is assembled by the riveted attachment of
a handle. Novel rivets are first attached from the interior of the
cookware article via a flush hole such that the deformation of the
cookware article around the rivet locks the rivet to the cookware
article yet leaves the rivet head flush with the interior surface
of the cookware article. The handle is subsequently attached by
deforming the opposite end of the rivet.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Stanley Kin Sui;
(Hillsborough, CA) ; Chan; Mang Hung; (Toronto,
CA) ; Khan; Tanveer; (Srirach, TH) |
Assignee: |
MEYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES
LIMITED
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
39816772 |
Appl. No.: |
13/110571 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11763230 |
Jun 14, 2007 |
7966709 |
|
|
13110571 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
411/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49947 20150115;
Y10T 29/49943 20150115; Y10T 29/49954 20150115; B21J 15/02
20130101; A47J 45/061 20130101; Y10T 29/49956 20150115; A47J 27/002
20130101; Y10T 29/49833 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/501 |
International
Class: |
F16B 19/04 20060101
F16B019/04 |
Claims
1. A rivet comprising: a) a substantially cylindrical shank
portion, the shank having a first end and second end opposite the
first end, b) an inverted cone portion extending outward from the
first end of said shank portion to form a substantially circular
rivet head having a first diameter (D1), c) A V-shaped inward
extending annular notch disposed within said cylindrical shank
portion by the inward continuation of the conical surface of the
inverted cone portion into the substantially cylindrical shank
portion, d) wherein the shank has a first portion at the first end
adjacent said notch having a second diameter (D2), the second
diameter (D2) being less than the first diameter (D1), and a second
portion disposed between the second end of said shank and the first
portion, the second portion having a third diameter (D3) less than
the second diameter (D2), wherein the second portion further
comprises external helical threads, the threads having an external
diameter (DT) not exceeding the second diameter (D2) of the first
portion of the shank.
2. A rivet according to claim 1 that is formed substantially of
aluminum.
3. A rivet according to claim 1 wherein the substantially
cylindrical shank portion has a rounded circular end.
4. A rivet according to claim 3 that is formed substantially of
aluminum.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Division of and claims the benefits of
priority to the US
[0002] Patent Application of the same title having application Ser.
No. 11/763,230, which was filed on Jun. 14, 2007, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to cookware vessels, in
particular to cookware vessels having rivet attached handles.
[0004] Cookware vessels, such as pots pans and the like require
handles so that they can be moved and manipulated by the cook.
While such cookware vessels can be fabricated out of glass, ceramic
material, and glass ceramics the preferred materials of
construction for the greatest versatility are metals. Likewise it
is desirable that the handle is also metallic, or at least has the
principle structural component or the flange portion that is
connected directly to the cooking vessel is formed of metal. While
it is possible to form a cookware vessel with an integral handle by
drawing and deforming a pliable metal sheet, the more common method
is to first form the fluid containing cooking vessel and to then
attach the handle. This allows for the handle to be constructed
from a wider variety of shapes, as well as the use of multiple and
different materials than the cookware vessel itself As the handle
must support the weight of the cookware vessel and the contents,
which can be considerable if it is full of liquid, the bond between
the handle and the cooking vessel must be strong and durable. While
it is possible to weld a handle onto the outside of the cookware
vessel, attachment with multiple rivets is the preferred assembly
method as this process can be highly automated and produces a
uniformly consistent and aesthetic appearance in each product
produced. While rivets can be avoided in some instances by spot
welding a handle to the side wall of a cooking vessel, it is
desirable to use a multiple component handle to cover the spot weld
location on the outside of the pan. Thus, frequently for light
weight thin aluminum cookware a separate handle is attached by one
or more screws to a flange that is spot welded to the outside of
the cooking vessel wall. The handle will frequently have a canopy
that extends over the sport welded flange, thus covering up the
welding marks. Such screwed on handles have a less durable
appearance, with the potential for the screws to loosen with abuse
and poor attention to maintenance.
[0005] Although rivet connected handles are ideally suited for
heavier duty cookware, in part because they convey the impression
of durability to the consumer, they do have a number of drawbacks.
The major drawback to rivets is that the rivet heads protrude into
the interior of the cooking vessel. Though many consumers have
grown accustomed to this appearance, the inward extending portion
of the rivet can be more difficult clean as for example when the
inside of the cookware has a fluorpolymer non-stick coating and the
rivets do not. In addition, debris can accumulate and char at the
margin between the rivet and the interior cooking vessel surface,
requiring extra care and more frequent attention by the consumer or
professional cook in cleaning
[0006] Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to provide a
durable means for attaching cookware handle to the sides and lids
of cookware, having the strength of rivets, yet that is
aesthetically improved with at least a minimized appearance of the
rivets.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide cookware
that is easier to clean as well as more sanitary.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] In the present invention, the first object is achieved by
providing a locking rivet that comprises a substantially
cylindrical shank portion and an inverted cone portion extending
outward from the shank portion having an inward extending annular
notch disposed within the cylindrical shank portion and the
junction with the inverted cone portion.
[0009] A second object of the invention is achieved by providing a
locking rivet according to the first object that also comprises
helical external threads about at least a part of the shank
portion.
[0010] Another object of the invention is achieved by the method of
first providing a fluid containing vessel, then forming holes in
the sidewall of a fluid containing vessel and providing rivets
having a tapered head and notched sides at the root of the taper
and shank portion of the rivet. The shank portion of the rivets are
then inserted into the holes formed in the sidewall of the fluid
containing vessel from the interior of the vessel so as to deform
the portion of the sidewall surrounding each hole such that it
flows into the notched sides of the rivet thereby mechanically
interlocking the rivet and the sidewall of the cooking vessel.
Thereafter a handle that comprises a flange portion and the
plurality of holes with a complementary pattern to the rivets, is
inserted over the outward extending or shank portion of the rivets.
Thereafter shank portion of the rivets that extend through the
holes of the flange are deformed such that they flatten and expand
past the margins of the holes thereby locking the handle to the
cookware vessel.
[0011] The above and other objects, effects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional elevation of a rivet prior to
being inserted into the hole in the sidewall of the cooking
vessel.
[0013] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional elevation of the rivet of FIG.
1A inserted into the flush hole formed in the sidewall of the
cooking vessel.
[0014] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional elevation of the rivet showing
the outward extending portion protected prior to an anodizing
treatment.
[0015] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional elevation of the rivet with the
handle flange inserted thereon prior to final attachment.
[0016] FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional elevation through the rivet and
handle flange after final attachment of the handle to the sidewall
of the cooking vessel,
[0017] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the rivet in FIG. 1E from
the inside of the cooking vessel
[0018] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the rivet of FIG. 1E from
the outside or handle flange portion of the cooking vessel.
[0019] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional elevation of the rivet in an
alternative embodiment of the invention with the handle flange
inserted thereon prior to final attachment.
[0020] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional elevation through the rivet and
handle flange of the embodiment in FIG. 3A after final attachment
of the handle to the sidewall of the cooking vessel.
[0021] FIG. 4A is a plan cross-section view through the flange,
rivets and sidewall of a partially assembled cookware vessel
according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 4B is an elevation of the flange section shown in FIG.
4A to illustrate a preferred configuration for the holes in the
flange.
[0023] FIG. 5A is a plan cross-section view through the flange,
rivets and sidewall of a partially assembled cookware vessel
according to another alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 5B is an elevation of the flange section shown in FIG.
5A to illustrate an alternative configuration for the holes in the
flange.
[0025] FIG. 6A is a plan cross-section view through the flange,
rivets and sidewall of a partially assembled cookware vessel
according to an additional embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6B is an elevation of the flange section shown in FIG.
6A to illustrate a preferred configuration for the holes in the
flange.
[0027] FIG. 7A, B and C are a series of plan cross-sections showing
an alternative embodiment for assembling the handle flange with the
rivets.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional elevation of another embodiment
of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 9A is shows sectional views of a prior art rivet,
whereas FIG. 9B is the rivet of FIG. 1A shown at a comparable size
to FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated
therein a new and improved cookware vessel with flush rivet system,
generally denominated 100 herein.
[0031] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention a cookware vessel 100, of which the relevant portions are
shown in FIG. 2, comprises a handle 120 with a flange portion 125
attached to sidewall 108. The cookware vessel 100 comprises a fluid
containing a portion 110 having a bottom 105 and substantially
upright surrounding sidewalls 108. The handle 120 is attached to
the cookware vessel with non-protruding rivets 10 via flange 125.
Rivets 10 penetrate through the co-aligned holes 112 and 126 that
are formed in the sidewall 108 and handle flange 125 respectively.
The rivets 10 do not protrude into the interior of the cookware
vessel, being substantially flush with the interior sidewall
108
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, the rivets 10 are
constructed so as to be non-protruding when attached to the
sidewall 108 of the cookware vessel 100. Each of such rivets 10 may
be described as generally comprising a cylindrical shank portion
11, an inverted conical portion 16 and an annular notch 13 at the
margin there between, as shown in FIG. 1A. The inverted conical
head 16 extends outward from the annular notch 13 to the proximal
end 10a of rivet 10. In a more preferred embodiment of the
invention, the portion of shank 11 between the annular notch 13 and
the distal end 10b rivet 10 is at least partially threaded with
helical screw threads 14. The purpose of the threads 14 is best
understood with reference to the embodiment described with respect
to FIG. 1C.
[0033] Another embodiment of the invention is the method of
inserting the rivets 10 to couple the handle flange 125 to the
cookware vessel sidewall 108. This method is best understood in
reference to the intermediate stages of construction shown in FIG.
1A-E.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1A initially cookware vessel 100 has a
sidewall 108 with preferably a plurality of flush or straight sided
through holes 112 for receiving a plurality of rivets 10. The rivet
10 is generally first inserted into hole 112 from the inside of the
inside of cookware vessel such that side 10a faces the inner fluid
containing portion.
[0035] In the step shown in FIG. 1B, rivet 10 has been inserted in
flush sided hole 112 and impact bonded such that surface 10a become
flush with the inner cooking surface on wall 108. When this occurs
a portion 112a of the sidewall adjacent the hole 112 flows into the
notch portion 13 of rivet 10, locking the rivet 10 to the sidewall
108. At this stage the handle can be attached in an additional step
of inserting the rounded end 10b of the rivet into a through hole
126 in the handle flange 125. The protruding end 10b of rivet 10 is
now impacted to cause it to deform around hole 126, thus locking
the handle to the vessel 110 to complete the article of cookware
100. After this step it is possible to attached handle 120 via
flange 125 by first using the additional step illustrated in FIG.
1D, i.e. aligning the holes 126 in flange 125 with the outward
extending portion 10b of rivets 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 1E, the
end of the rivet 10b is impacted with a tool to deform it to 10b',
thus compressing it into hole 126 so that the handle and fluid
containing portion of the cooking vessel 110 are firmly attached
and coupled together.
[0036] A more preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1C-1E in which
rivet 10 is aluminum, as is vessel 110. In FIG. 1C a protective
metal cap 140 is screwed onto the threads 14 of rivet 10 to cover
end 10b. The next step in this preferred process is an anodizing
treatment of the cooking vessel 110 and the inner unprotected face
10a of rivet 10. Anodizing the face 10a of rivet 10 and the cooking
vessel 110 has several advantages. First, the interior of the
vessel has a more flush uniform appearance making the inner rivet
essentially disappear so that the inside is readily cleaned after
cooking Unlike convention methods of riveting handles to cookware
after anodizing treatment, by first attaching the rivet 10 to the
cooking vessel 110 enable the anodizing of the rivet surface 10a.
More significantly, when a non-stick organic coating, such as a
fluoropolymer coating, is applied over the interior of the cooking
vessel 110, both the rivet and the cooking vessel 110 both have
same anodized finish such that the fluoropolymer coating will
durably adhere to the entire cooking surface. In contrast to rivets
that are not anodized aluminum or added after the fluropolymer
coating, the resulting cookware article 100 will be easier to clean
and maintain. It is more preferable that the cap 140 preferably has
a notch 141 for attaching a titanium or other oxidation resistant
metal electrode material to supply electrical current to the entire
vessel 110 during the anodizing process.
[0037] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1D, such anodizing step with
protective cap 140 in place results in an aluminum oxide or alumina
coating layer 160a on the front face 10a of rivet 10 as well as the
inside surface 108a and outside surface 108b of sidewalls 108.
However the threads 14 and protected rear portion 10b of rivet 10
are not anodized. Thus, upon joining the flange 126 as shown in
FIG. 1E, impacting the rear portion 10b of rivet 10 causes it to
compress into hole 112'' to secure the flange to the cooking vessel
wall. It should be noted that had portion 10b become anodized, it
is expected that it would be more difficult to properly compress.
It should be noted that the screw flights 14' collapse and
essentially disappear under flange hole 126 when the rivet end 10b
is compressed.
[0038] In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B,
the rivet 10 has been inserted into sidewall 108 and at least the
interior of the vessel 110 anodized as described with respect to
FIG. 1A-C above. However, the flange 125 portion of handle 120
rather than having flush holes in the previous embodiment now has
beveled or countersunk holes. Specifically, the exterior face of
the flange 125 is countersunk 113 about the hole 126.
[0039] Thus, upon joining the flange 125 by impacting the rear
portion 10b of rivet 10, as shown in FIG. 3B, causes it to flat or
mushroom into end 10b' such that portion 23 fills the fills bevel
113 securing the flange to the cooking vessel wall.
[0040] FIG. 4-7 illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention
wherein either the holes 126 in the flange 125 or the sidewall 108
are modified in various ways to facilitation mounting the flange
125 over the outward extending portion 10b of the rivets 10.
[0041] FIG. 4 is intended to illustrate a preferred configuration
for the flange portion 125 of the handle 120 to facilitate
attachment of the handle 120 after the rivets 10 and 10' have been
inserted and attached to the wall 108 of the cookware vessel 100.
As illustrated in the plan view in FIG. 4A for rivets 10 and 10',
it should be understood that it is conventional for each rivet to
be inserted through the sidewall 108 of the cooking vessel 100 and
then into the flange 125 to be disposed with its principal access
perpendicular to the tangent to the vessel surface 110 at the point
of attachment. However, since it is preferred to attach both rivets
10 and 10' to the interior of the vessel before attaching the
flange 125, it should be appreciated from FIG. 4A that one of holes
126 or 126' will be difficult to insert over the corresponding
rivet 10 and 10' respectively.
[0042] However, first it should be appreciated that this limitation
depends in large part on the curvature of the cookware vessel and
the separation of the right and left rivet holes on the flange from
the center of the flange. To the extent that at least one rivet can
be considerably narrower than the holes in the flange and/or the
flange has some flexibility these embodiments may not be necessary
in all cases.
[0043] Thus, with FIG. 4A illustrating the embodiment wherein
rivets 10 and 10' are not oriented parallel, but away from each
other by angle +/- .alpha. (with respect to the orthogonally
extending line taken at the intermediate tangent to the wall 108),
at least hole 126 that receives the left rivet 10 is disposed at
angle 2.alpha. from the rivets central axis so that the handle
flange 125 can be inserted over both the right 10' and left 10
rivets. Thus, the right most hole 126' in flange 125 is cut
parallel to line pairs 401' disposed at angle a. However, as it is
preferable to assemble the flange after the attachment of the right
10' and left 10 rivets, the left hole 126 in handle flange 125 is
cut so that the end 10b of rivet 10 will clear. Thus, the
projection of the cut for rivet 10 is also a pair of parallel line
401, which are mutually parallel to line pair 401'. Line pair 401
is disposed at an angle of 2.alpha. with respect to the principle
axis of the left rivet 10. It should be thus appreciated that
because hole 126 in FIG. 4B is cut at an angle, it has an
elliptical shape at the intersection with the exterior of the
sidewall. This is shown in FIG. 4B wherein the left hole 126 is
elliptically widened to provide sufficient clearance so that the
handle 120 and flange 126 can be laterally mounted to the sidewall
108 in a single step.
[0044] FIG. 5A and B illustrate an alternative orientation for
holes 126 and 126' intended to accommodate rivets 10 and 10'
respectively. Both holes, the edges of which are represented by
parallel line pairs 501 and 501', are cut parallel to the surface
normal to the cookware vessel wall at the position intermediate to
the right 10' and left 10 rivets. Thus, rivets 10' and 10 are not
disposed orthogonally with respect to the tangent at the point of
attachment with the vessel sidewall 108, but rather parallel to the
main or central portion of the handle 120 that extends orthogonally
from the tangent to the wall taken intermediate between each of
flanges holes 126 and 126'.
[0045] FIG. 6A and B illustrates yet another alternative embodiment
wherein the rivets 10 and 10' are oriented as in FIG. 4A, however
each of holes 126 and 126' has bevels 113 and 113' respectively
surrounding it. In this embodiment at least hole 126 that receives
the left rivet 10 is disposed at angle 2.alpha. from the rivets
central axis so that the handle flange 125 can be inserted over
both the right 10' and left 10 rivets. Thus, the right most hole
126' in flange 125 is cut parallel to line pairs 601' disposed at
angle .alpha.. However, as it is preferable to assemble the flange
after the attachment of the right 10' and left 10 rivets, the left
hole 126 in handle flange 125 is cut so that the end 10b of rivet
10 will clear. Thus, the projection of the cut for rivet 10 is also
a pair of parallel line 601, which are mutually parallel to line
pair 601'. Line pair 601 is disposed at an angle of 2a with respect
to the principle axis of the left rivet 10. It should be thus
appreciated that because hole 126 in FIG. 6B is cut at an angle,
the surrounding bevel 113 will have an elliptical shape at the
intersection with the exterior of the sidewall. This is shown in
FIG. 6B wherein the left hole 126 is elliptically widened to
provide sufficient clearance so that the handle 120 and flange 126
can be laterally mounted to the sidewall 108 in a single step.
Further, as the left most hole 126 has a greater bevel area to be
filled, it is preferable that the left most rivet is slightly
longer to provide a more uniform fill and appearance between the
left and right rivets.
[0046] Alternatively, the rivets 10 and 10' can be attached to the
inside of the cooking vessel wall 108 after flange 125 is placed up
to align holes 112 and 126. One non-limiting example of such an
embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7A-C. In the first stage, FIG.
7A, the right rivet 10' is inserted in the right hole in the vessel
sidewall 108 and secured to the sidewall 108 as described with
respect to the FIG. 1A-E. Next, the flange 125 of handle 120 is
brought up against the exterior sidewall such that the rivet 10' is
inserted in the right hole, with the left holes 112 and 126 being
empty (FIG. 7A). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the left rivet 10
is inserted through the left hole 112 in the sidewall 108 and the
left hole 126 in flange 125, and impacted from the inside of the
cookware vessel 110 so that the rivet 10 locks into the sidewall.
With both the right 10' and left 10 rivets thus installed in the
sidewall 108 and passing though the right 126' and left 126 holes
in flange 125, the opposite side 10b of both rivets 10' and 10 can
be impact such that they compress and fills the bevel 113' and 113
respectively, this result being shown in FIG. 7C.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates in cross-sectional elevation another
embodiment of the invention wherein the non-stick coating layer 170
is applied over at least the interior surface 108a includes at
least one rivet 10, both of which are coated with a continuous
aluminum oxide or alumina layer formed by anodizing the inner
cooking vessels walls at 108 and the head of the rivet 160a. Having
both the interior of the cookware article and the internal face of
the rivet covered with the continuous aluminum oxide coating
further conceals the rivet interface, as well as improves the
adhesion of the nonstick coating layer 170. Non-stick refers to a
cooking surface that resists food sticking to it without the aid of
oils or fats. Such coating typically include one or more layers of
fluoro-polymers or fluoro-silicone polymers or other coating
material with a low surface energy.
[0048] It should be further appreciated that in contrast to the
prior art rivet of FIG. 9A, the rivet of the present invention in
FIG. 9B, may be distinguished by a number of features that aid and
enhance the novel use thereof in attaching handles to cookware
article, and in particular cookware vessels that are capable of
retaining fluid and/or other contents.
[0049] In particular, the rivet shape allows insertion into the
vessel wall without damaging the threaded portion. In particular
rivet 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical shank portion 901,
the shank having a first end or face 10a and second and preferably
rounded end 10b opposite the first end 10a, an inverted cone
portion (902) extending outward from the first end of said shank
portion to form a substantially circular rivet head having a first
diameter (D1), a V-shaped inward extending annular notch (13)
disposed within said cylindrical shank portion by the inward
continuation of the conical surface (904) of the inverted cone
portion into the substantially cylindrical shank portion (901). The
shank 901 has a first portion (901a) at the first end 10a adjacent
said notch 13 having a second diameter (D2) , the second diameter
being less than the first diameter (D1), and a second portion
(902b) disposed between the second end of said shank 901 and the
first portion 901a, the second portion 902b having a third diameter
(D3) less than the second diameter (D2), wherein the second portion
(902B) further comprises external helical threads 14, the threads
14 having an external diameter (DT). The external diameter at the
threads (DT) does not exceed the second diameter (D2) of the first
portion 901 of the shank 901.
[0050] It should be appreciated that as the first portion of the
shank 901 has a larger diameter than the threaded portion 14, the
rivet 10 can be inserted into the prepared hole in the cooking
vessel sidewall and locked in this wall as shown in FIG. 1B,
without damage to the threads. AS the threads 14 are not damaged,
this enables the further steps of the anodizing process described
above. In contrast, the prior art rivet of FIG. 9A and 9B has a
non-circular shank (annotated as S) with a forward region 51 and a
rear region S2 of the same diameter, but for region S2 also having
knurls R. Inserting this prior art rivet in a hole to fully deform
the surrounding wall in circular notch H would either deform these
ridges R, or deform the wall prior it being contact by conical
surface 14, and likely decrease the extent to which it would flow
into notch H.
[0051] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *