LID HANDLING DEVICE

Abstract

A lid handling device for assisting handling of a lid is provided. The lid handling device comprises an elongated body. A handle interacting structure is disposed at a first end portion of the elongated body. The handle interacting structure is adapted for interacting with a handle of the lid.

Claims

1. A lid handling device for assisting handling of a lid comprising: an elongated body; and, a handle interacting structure disposed at a first end portion of the elongated body, the handle interacting structure being adapted for interacting with a handle of the lid.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the handle interacting structure comprises a first handle interacting element and a second handle interacting element, the first handle interacting element and the second handle interacting element protruding from a same side of the first end portion of the elongated body, and the first handle interacting element and the second handle interacting element being spaced apart a predetermined distance along the body.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein each of the first handle interacting element and the second handle interacting element is shaped forming a hook such that the hooks are facing each other.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first handle interacting element and the second handle interacting element are adapted for accommodating a bottom portion of a knob-type handle of the lid therebetween and for interacting with a top portion of the handle.

5. The device according to claim 1 comprising a tool structure.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the tool structure extends from the first end portion of the elongated body.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the tool structure comprises one of a spatula and a brush.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] FIGS. 1a and 1b are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a top view and a side view, respectively, a lid handling device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIGS. 1c and 1d are simplified block diagrams illustrating in perspective side views employment of the lid handling device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention for opening and closing a barbeque lid, respectively;

[0024] FIG. 1e is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a perspective top view employment of the lid handling device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention for opening and closing a pot lid;

[0025] FIGS. 2a and 2b are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a top view and a side view, respectively, a lid handling device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2c is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a perspective side view employment of the lid handling device according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention for opening and closing a pot lid having a knob-type handle; and,

[0027] FIGS. 3a and 3b are simplified block diagrams illustrating in top views a lid handling device according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention with the lid handling device comprising an additional tool structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1a to 1e, a lid handling device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device 100 comprises an elongated body 102 and a handle interacting structure 104. The handle interacting structure 104 is disposed at a first end portion 102A of the elongated body 102 and is adapted for interacting with handle 14 of lid 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1c and 1d and described hereinbelow.

[0030] Preferably, the handle interacting structure 104 comprises a first handle interacting element 104A and a second handle interacting element 104B. The first handle interacting element 104A and the second handle interacting element 104B protrude a predetermined distance D1 from a same side 102C of the first end portion 102A of the elongated body 102 and are spaced apart a predetermined distance D2 along the body 102, i.e. along longitudinal axis 103.

[0031] Further preferably, each of the first handle interacting element 104A and the second handle interacting element 104B is shaped forming a hook such that the hooks are facing each other with hook tips 106A and 106B being spaced apart a predetermined distance D3. For example, the handle interacting structure 104 is adapted for interacting with the handle 14 of the lid 12 of a large variety of commercially available barbeque grills 10 with: distance D1 being approximately 40 mm; distance D2 being approximately 75 mm; and distance D3 being approximately 40 mm.

[0032] For opening the lid 12 the handle interacting structure 104 is moved over the handle 14 with the same passed between the hook tips 106A and 106B of the first handle interacting element 104A and the second handle interacting element 104B, respectively. After passing the handle 14 between the hook tips 106A and 106B, the lid handling device 100 is pushed upward and the second handle interacting element 104B interacting with the handle 14 moves the front end of the lid upward towards the open position, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1c.

[0033] Similarly, for closing the lid 12 the handle interacting structure 104 is moved over the handle 14 with the same passed between the hook tips 106A and 106B of the first handle interacting element 104A and the second handle interacting element 104B, respectively. After passing the handle 14 between the hook tips 106A and 106B, the lid handling device 100 is pulled downward and the first handle interacting element 104A interacting with the handle 14 moves the front end of the lid downward towards the closed position, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1d.

[0034] Use of the lid handling device 100 substantially increases the reach of the user's hand 16 when opening and closing the barbeque lid 12, thus obviating the user having to lean over the grill 10 to reach the handle and preventing exposure of the user's arm and upper body to heat and smoke rising from the grill during opening and closing of the barbeque lid 12.

[0035] The lid handling device 100 has, for example, an overall length along the longitudinal axis 103 of approximately 450 mm. The lid handling device 100 is made of conventional materials such as, for example, hardwood, stainless steel, or plastic composite material, using conventional manufacturing methods used in the production of kitchen accessories. Width and thickness of the elongated body are determined depending on the material used to provide sufficient rigidity, in particular, for pushing the lid into the open position.

[0036] Preferably, aperture 108 is disposed in the second end portion 102B of the elongated body 102 for enabling hanging of the lid handling device 100 by directly engaging the aperture 108 with a hook, or for accommodating a portion of, for example, a rope forming a loop, therein.

[0037] Optionally, the second end portion 102B of the elongated body 102 is ergonomically shaped to provide, for example, improved grip when holding the lid handling device 100.

[0038] Alternatively, the handle interacting structure 104 comprises a single handle interacting element forming two hooks with the hook tips facing in opposite directions. In use, the hook with the hook tip facing towards the second end portion 102B of the elongated body 102 is employed for closing the lid 12 while the hook with the hook tip facing in the opposite direction is used for opening the lid 12.

[0039] The lid handling device 100 may also be employed for opening and closing the lid 22 of a pot 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1e. Here the handle interacting structure 104 is designed for pushing the first handle interacting element 104A through an opening between the handle 24 and the pot lid 22. With the handle 24 being securely placed between the first handle interacting element 104A and the second handle interacting element 104B, the pot lid 22 is easily opened and closed without exposing the user's hand and arm to heat and steam rising from the pot 20.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2a to 2c, a lid handling device 200 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device 200 comprises the same elongated body 102 as the lid handling device 100 with same reference numerals used to refer to same components. Here, handle interacting structure 204 comprises first handle interacting element 204A and second handle interacting element 204B with the same being adapted for accommodating a bottom portion of a knob-type handle 34 of the pot lid 32 therebetween and for interacting with a top portion of the knob-type handle 34. Preferably, the handle engaging portions of the first handle interacting element 204A and the second handle interacting element 204B comprise chamfers 206A and 206B, respectively, for facilitating engagement of the lid handling device 100 with the bottom portion of the knob-type handle 34. With the knob-type handle 34 being securely placed between the first handle interacting element 204A and the second handle interacting element 204B, the pot lid 32 is easily opened and closed without exposing the user's hand and arm to heat and steam rising from the pot.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a lid handling device 300 according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device 300 comprises the same elongated body 102 as the lid handling device 100 with same reference numerals used to refer to same components. The lid handling device 300 further comprises a tool structure such as, for example, a spatula 310, or a brush 312 extending from the first end portion 102A of the elongated body 102, thus providing a multi-use device.

[0042] The lid handling device 300 is made, for example, as a single unit comprising both, the handle interacting elements 104A, 104B, as well as the tool structure 310, 312. Alternatively, the interacting elements 104A, 104B and the tool structure 310, 312 are made in separate units which are mounted together in a conventional manner using, for example, an adhesive.

[0043] The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.