Container for Kitchen and Cooking Utensils

Abstract

A container is for storing kitchen and cooking utensils (in an upright orientation). The container is preferably heat-resistant to enable use on a stove. The container is further configured for establishing, in operational use, a releasable connection between the container and a pan, such as a casserole or pot. The container comprises a releasable coupling for establishing the releasable connection between the container and the pan. The releasable coupling comprises a corner or hook for being hung over an edge of the pan in operational. use.

Claims

1. A container for storing kitchen and cooking utensils 22) in an upright orientation, wherein the container is heat-resistant so as to enable use on a stove, wherein the container is further configured for establishing, in operational use, a releasable connection between the container and a pan, wherein the container comprises a releasable coupling for establishing the releasable connection between the container and the pan, wherein the releasable coupling comprises at least one of a corner and a hook for being hung over an edge of the pan in operational use.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling is height-adjustable to enable use with different heights of the pan.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is provided with an additional spacer at a lower end thereof in order to rest partially on the pan while hanging.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a plastic material, which is heat resistant up to 150 degrees.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a heat resistant metal.

6. A container for storing kitchen and cooking utensils in an up-right orientation, wherein the container is heat-resistant to enable use on a stove, wherein the container is further configured for establishing, in operational use, a releasable connection between the container and a pan, wherein the container comprises a releasable coupling for establishing the releasable connection between the container and the pan, wherein the releasable coupling is height-adjustable to enable use with different heights of the pan.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the releasable coupling comprises at least one of a corner and hook for being hung over an edge of the pan in operational use.

8. The container according to claim 6, wherein the container is provided with an additional spacer at a lower end thereof in order to rest partially on the pan while hanging.

9. The container according to claim 6, wherein the container is made of a plastic material, which is heat resistant up to 150 degrees.

10. The container according to claim 6, wherein the container is made of a heat resistant metal.

11. A cooking assembly comprising a pan and a container for storing kitchen and cooking utensils in an upright orientation, wherein the container is heat-resistant so as to enable use on a stove, wherein the container is further configured for establishing, in operational use, a releasable connection between the container and the pan, wherein the container comprises a releasable coupling for establishing the releasable connection between the container and the pan, wherein the releasable coupling comprises at least one of a corner and a hook for being hung over an edge of the pan in operational use,

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following is described an example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention, and

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The figure shows a cooking assembly 50 comprising a casserole 40 and a container 10 connected to it. The container 10 is provided with a corner or hook 30, which is hung over the edge of the casserole 40. The container 10 comprises a ladle 20. The casserole 40 is an example of a pan that may be used on a stove, and the ladle 20 is an example of a cooking tool or kitchen utensil. The hook 30 is an example of a releasable coupling in accordance with the invention. The invention is not limited to these examples. It is not necessary that the container 10 rests on a surface like the pan 40, but this is also feasible.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. This figure also shows a cooking assembly 50. This embodiment is particularly handy when the pan has a very limited height or when there is a variety of pans, each having different heights. The container is 10 in FIG. 2 has a releasable connection 30′ (here also a hook), which is also height adjustable (as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 2) in that the container may fit different heights of the pan 40. By way of illustration this embodiment has been illustrated with a spatula (or slice) 22, which is another example of a cooking tool or kitchen utensil.

[0019] It must be stressed that in accordance with the invention the container 10 may have many different shapes, including somewhat flattened, oval shapes, or shapes which follow the curves of the pan or casserole 40. All such shapes fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. The container 10 may also be provided with an additional spacer (not shown) at a lower end thereof in order to rest partially on the pan or casserole 40 while hanging. In one embodiment the container 10 is made of a plastic material, which is heat resistant up to 150 degrees for example. Such heat resistance is generally enough to facilitate use on a stove. Alternatively, the container 10 may be made of a metal having a much higher heat resistance. In yet other applications, for instance when used on the table, a lower heat resistance, for instance up to 100 degrees, may suffice.

[0020] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Throughout the Figures, similar or corresponding features are indicated by same reference numerals or labels.