KITCHEN DEVICE

Abstract

A device for holding high-temperature cookware and utensils is provided. The device allows for dissipation of heat, and prevents heat transfer to limbs and surface. The device may include a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and a middle layer. The first outer layer and second outer layer may be formed of an identical material. The material may be formed from cotton, terrycloth, dobby, linen, hemp or any other suitable material. The first and second outer layers may be formed from an absorbent towel-like material. The first and second outer layers may be stitched together.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a first outer layer; a second outer layer; and a middle layer, the middle layer forming a heat absorbent layer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the heat absorbent layer is a first heat absorbent layer, the middle layer further comprising a second heat absorbent layer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second heat absorbent layers comprise one side cotton and one side metallic material.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first heat absorbent layer is folded over the second heat absorbent layer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer are formed from identical material.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer are formed from different materials.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer is formed of an absorbent towel material, and the second outer layer is formed of a terrycloth material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer form a pocket around the middle layer.

9. A device comprising: a first outer layer; a second outer layer; and a heat absorbent layer adapted to insulate between the first outer layer and the second outer layer.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer are formed from identical material.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer are formed from different materials.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the first outer layer is formed of an absorbent towel material, and the second outer layer is formed of a terrycloth material.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the middle layer is formed of a double layer.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the first outer layer and the second outer layer form a pocket around the middle layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the various components of the device in accordance with an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the various components of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the device as shown in FIG.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 3,

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Disclosed herein is a device for use in gripping and holding hot items.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the device 101 is formed of a first outer layer 103 and a second outer layer 105. Outer layer 103 is formed of a first material, such as towel-like material, which is an absorbent fabric usually formed of cotton. Any suitable towel-like material may be used, including, but not limited to, cotton or microfiber, linen, hemp, dish toweling, terrycloth, dobby, linen, hemp, cotton linen, cotton-blend, or any other suitable material. Outer layer 105 may be formed from a second material. The second material may be different from the first, and for example, may be a terrycloth type material, or any other suitable towel-like material. One or both of outer layers 103 and 105 may be water/liquid absorbent. In an exemplary embodiment, outer layers may be formed of material with 225 grams per square meter (denoted as g/sm) weight. In another embodiment, the weight may be between 200-300 g/sm, though any other suitable weight is contemplated.

[0023] Between outer layers 103 and 105, not shown in FIG. 1, is a heat resistant, heat absorbent, heat reflecting, or heat deflecting sheet, referred to as a heat layer 207. Heat layer 207 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0024] Heat layer 207 may be formed of any suitable material for insulating heat, deflecting heat, reflecting heat and/or retaining heat, such that heat contacting a first side of the device (for example, outer layer 103) is absorbed by, and not transferred to, the second side of the device (for example, outer layer 105). Thus, heat layer 207 functions as a lining/barrier, for insulating a hand or hands that may be using the device to hold or handle a hot kitchen item.

[0025] In an embodiment, heat layer 207 may be formed of a batting material blend. In an embodiment, an exemplary composition of the heat layer is a cotton-backed fabric, with a metallized coating bonded to the fabric. In another embodiment, an exemplary blend includes greater than 90% polyester, and between 5-10% metalized polyester. In a further example, mylar coating may be woven into the outer layer. The heat layer 207 may be formed of a double sided hollow polyester fiber, with a metallicized polyester center. In another embodiment, a suitable layer may be formed using ThemaFlee, or any other suitable variation of ThermaFlec, Insul-Bright or any other type.

[0026] In one embodiment, the heat layer 207 is formed by folding a double layer of the heat layer, such that it is folded over itself. This feature is illustrated in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, one layer of heat layer 207 is formed of the metallic coating on one side and a cotton or cotton-type coating on the second side. When a double heat layer 207 is formed, each heat layer's cotton layer face inwards toward one another, with each heat layer's metallic layer facing away from the other.

[0027] With further reference to FIG. 7, heat layer 207 may be formed of two layers. The two layers may be layered one on top of the other. As illustrated in FIG. 7, heat layer 207 may be formed of heat layers 207a and 207b. Heat layer 207a includes metallic side 207a and cotton side 207a, with heat layer 207b formed in a mirror image, with metallic side 207b and cotton side 207a. in an embodiment, the two layers 207a and 207b may be coupled to or bonded with one another.

[0028] Referring back to FIG. 1, the first and second outer layers may be stitched or bonded together with stitching 109. The first and second outer layers may therefore fully enclose heat layer 207.

[0029] Thus, in accordance with the invention, the device allows a user, such as an individual holding, for example, a heated pot with the device, to safely hold high-temperature cookware.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment, the inventive device may be utilized with one hand or two hands. Thus, the device only requires one device to utilize two hands with high-temperature cookware or utensils. In one embodiment, the device may be machine washable. The device may also be machine dryable.

[0031] The inventive device therefore provides for increased agility and dexterity. The device is flexible, and provides a receiving space for a hand, or a plurality of hands, of any size. Thus, the device provides for increased mobility of a user's hand or hands.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an embodiment of the device 101 in a cross-sectional view. Shown are the two outer layers 103 and 105, which fully enclose the heat layer 207. In an alternative embodiment, both outer layers may form a pocket around the heat layer.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, quilting may be formed on one or more of outer layers 103 and 105. In an embodiment, the quilting may be formed in a chevron or curved pattern, and may be formed the width of the outer layer. In an embodiment, the quilting may be formed of any pattern, or no pattern at all.

[0034] In accordance with an embodiment, the device does not require a hand or hands to be inserted for use. The device allows for a user to place a hand or hands in any location within the device, and to grip cookware, utensils or any other high-temperature device at any location on the cookware or utensil. The device may be easily stored.

[0035] In accordance with the invention, the device provides flexibility for using either one or two hands. Thus, when one hand is removed from the device, the high-temperature cookware or utensil can still be held by the other hand. The device may be further utilized as a protective device for a table, countertop, or any other surface. The device is adaptable, for example to be used as a trivet, and can be spread beneath cookware, such as a pot, pan, or dish. In an exemplary embodiment, the device provided for the ability to hold a casserole dish and oven rack that had been baked at 350-550 degrees for at least thirty seconds.

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the device as illustrated in FIG. 1, with both outer layers 103 and 105 formed of identical material.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the device as illustrated in FIG. 2, with identical outer layers. Additionally, FIG. 5 illustrates heat layer 207, folded over. In another embodiment, heat layer 207 may be formed of two layers of insulating material. Identical layers may be used, but the two heat layers 207 may also be of different properties.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device as illustrated in FIG. 3, with identical outer layers.

[0039] FIG. 7, as discussed above, illustrates an embodiment wherein the heat layer 207 is formed of two layers.

[0040] Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.

[0041] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by e appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.