COLLAPSIBLE PANS

Abstract

A collapsible baking pan is provided that may provide for a center base portion that may be hingedly connected to at least three side portions. In some embodiments, one or more side elements may be connected to one or other side elements via a latch having a clamp and a hook.

Claims

1. A pan comprising: a base element; at least two side elements hingedly connected to the base element, wherein each side element has an inside side and an outside side; and at least one latch configured to detachably connect at least one side element to at least one other side element.

2. The pan of claim 1, wherein the base is aluminum.

3. The pan of claim 1, wherein the latch is aluminum.

4. The pan of claim 1, wherein the base is raised.

5. The pan of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch is a two-part latch, having a clamp portion and a hook portion, and wherein the hook portion is fixedly connected to the outside side of a side element and the clamp portion is fixedly connected to the outside side of another side element, and wherein the latch is configured to detachably connect the clamp portion to the hook portion.

6. The pan of claim 1 having four side elements.

7. The pan of claim 1 wherein the pan is circular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a close up perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective collapsible baking pan.

[0029] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

[0030] It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment or an embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0031] Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

[0032] As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0033] In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific detail. Well known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

[0034] Turning attention to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive baking pan 101 (which may be aluminum), raised platform base 102, clamp side 103, hook side 104, latch 105 (which may be aluminum), and clamp hook 106.

[0035] With respect to FIG. 2, a close up perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive clamp 201, as well as baking pan 101 (which may be aluminum), raised platform base 102, clamp side 103, hook side 104, latch 105 (which may be aluminum), and clamp hook 106.

[0036] With respect to FIG. 3, a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive baking pan 101 (which may be aluminum), raised platform base 102, clamp side 103, hook side 104, latch 105 (which may be aluminum), clamp hook 106, and clamp 201.

[0037] With respect to FIG. 4, a top perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive baking pan 101 (which may be aluminum), raised platform base 102, clamp side 103, hook side 104, clamp hook 106, and clamp 201.

[0038] With respect to FIG. 5, a bottom perspective view of a collapsible baking pan in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive baking pan 101 (which may be aluminum), clamp side 103, hook side 104, latch 105 (which may be aluminum), clamp hook 106, and clamp 201.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0039] Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

[0040] All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0041] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function or step for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112.

[0042] While the collapsible baking pan generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.