VENTILATION POT COVER

Abstract

A ventilation system is provided. The ventilation system includes a ventilation cover configured to be coupled to a kitchen range hood, the ventilation cover including a retractable tube, and a securing mechanism for coupling the retractable tube to the kitchen range hood, wherein the retractable tube includes a lower opening configured to be mounted to an upper surface of a piece of cookware when in an extended position, and wherein the retractable tube includes an upper opening.

Claims

1. A ventilation system, comprising: a ventilation cover configured to be coupled to a kitchen range hood, the ventilation cover including: a retractable tube; and a securing mechanism for coupling the retractable tube to the kitchen range hood, wherein the retractable tube includes a lower opening configured to be mounted to an upper surface of a piece of cookware when in an extended position, and wherein the retractable tube includes an upper opening.

2. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ventilation cover is permanently affixed to the kitchen range hood.

3. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism includes one or more magnets.

4. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism includes one or more suction cups.

5. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractable tube includes an accordion-style extension mechanism.

6. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper opening is coupled to at least one fan.

7. The ventilation system as recited in claim 6, further comprising the at least one fan, wherein the at least one fan is positioned within the upper opening of the retractable tube.

8. The ventilation system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a control mechanism configured to control the at least one fan.

9. The ventilation system as recited in claim 8, wherein the control mechanism is further configured to enable a user to alter a rotational speed of the at least one fan.

10. The ventilation system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a power source configured to power the control mechanism.

11. The ventilation system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a power source configured to power the at least one fan.

12. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary securing mechanism configured to secure the retractable tube in a retracted position.

13. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractable tube further includes a hole configured to enable a user to access the cookware while retractable tube is in the extended position.

14. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the retractable tube and configured to enable a user to pull the retractable tube in the extended position.

15. The ventilation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more cables configured to be pulled to extend or retract the retractable tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ventilation pot cover in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a ventilation pot cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a ventilation pot cover in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a ventilation pot cover in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a ventilation pot cover in an extended position having an opening in the retractable tubing, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a perspective view (FIG. 1) and a top view (FIG. 2) of a ventilation pot cover 100 are illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 includes a tube 105 that is configured to be coupled to a kitchen range hood. According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is permanently affixed to the kitchen range hood. According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is removably attached to the kitchen range hood via one or more securing mechanisms 110. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 110 may be a magnet, a suction cup, and/or any other suitable securing mechanism.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is configured to be pulled down over a cooking apparatus 115 (e.g., a pot, pan, etc.), redirecting, sucking, and carrying smoke and cooking fumes directly to one or more vents in the kitchen range hood. According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is secured to a fan 120 configured to stick the smoke and cooking fumes through the tube 105. According to an embodiment, the fan 120 is separate and apart from the tube 105. According to an embodiment, the fan 120 is integrated into the tube 105.

[0041] According to an embodiment, there is an opening 125 at a lower end of the tube 105. The opening 125 is configured to be placed over a top portion of the cooking apparatus 115.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is configured to be secured to the kitchen range hood via a magnet or suction cup 110. It is noted, however, that other securing mechanisms 110 may also be used, while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 110 is positioned on the tube 105. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 110 is positioned on the kitchen range hood. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 110 is positioned on the tube 105 and the kitchen range hood.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 includes the fan 120 at the top of the tube 105 to increase efficacy. According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 includes a control mechanism 130 for controlling the fan 120. According to an embodiment, the control mechanism 130 includes a means for altering the rotational speed of the fan 120 and/or for powering the fan on and/or off. According to an embodiment, a power source 135 is coupled to the ventilation pot cover 100 for powering the fan 120. This fan 120 may be connected to a power source 135 by a cord and have an on off switch coordinated through a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0044] According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is configured to be pulled down over a pot or pan 115 while cooking to carry smoke/cooking fumes directly to the vent. According to an embodiment, the tube 105 is pulled down over a pot or pan in an accordion fashion (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) to provide a direct path for the smoke and fumes to travel to the kitchen range hood. According to an embodiment, the accordion mechanism 140 is assisted by cables 145 that are pulled up and down by a lifting mechanism similar to how window blinds function. It is noted, however, that other extension means may also be used for extending the tube over the pot or pan (such as a pull handle 150, as shown in FIGS. 1-3), while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 includes a hole 155e ventilation pot cover 100 is pulled down over the pot/pan 120 (as shown in FIG. 5). According to an embodiment, a removable door is positioned over the hole 155. The hole 155 may also enable access to an inner portion of the pot/pan 120. This aids in the food preparation process and helps prevent users from overcooking food. This ability to visually inspect the contents of the cookware 120 further aids in the prevention of dangerous kitchen fires from occurring during the cooking process.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 3, a front view of the ventilation pot cover 100 in an extended position is illustratively depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 is configured such that it maintains its position when in a retracted position. According to an embodiment, the ventilation pot cover 100 includes one or more securing mechanisms 160 (as shown in FIG. 4) configured to hold the ventilation pot cover 100 in the retracted position.

[0048] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective another, when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms including and having are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0049] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.