Insulating Implement for cooking use

Abstract

A kitchen or barbecue apparatus for cooking use is composed of a heat-resistant and insulating material having temperature control characteristics. Such a material forms the apparatus from at least one sheet having a soft and flexible surface providing a topside cover for any pot, pan or vessel used in cooking or heating of a substance. This material may be fabric that may be chemically treated or it may be naturally self-extinguishing such as wool felt, or may be a molded material such as plastic or silicone. The material is die cut, fabricated, or molded to the shape of a useful apparatus such as to fit over the top of any pot, pan or cooking vessel that heats up in the cooking process. The apparatus is adapted to allow for any handles pulls, or holders which exist on the topside portion of the heating apparatus which this apparatus will cover.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus comprising: a pair of sheets having identical configurations and residing next to each other in the folded position so as to provide common edge marginal regions about a common and coextensive periphery; the sheets having same or similar surfaces; said sheets being characterized as heat and cold temperature resistant and naturally fire retardant or chemically treated to be fire retardant; the sheets being measured as somewhere between 0.80 mm to 25.4 mm thick; stitching about the edge marginal region with a termination of the stitching defining an opening adjacent to a flange near the center to account for handles, hand grips, and knobs; each of the sheets opens out normally forming an open, slightly curved, spherical dome shape which follows the contour of most pots, pans and cooking vessel tops, covers and/or lids.

2. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the attachment method about the common edge marginal region consisting of hook and loop, rivets, grommets, snaps, buttons, adhesive or the like.

3. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including a hole punched through the sheets adjacent to the flaps for branding tags and/or for removably supporting the sheets from a support member.

4. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including a loop attached to the sheets adjacent to the flanges for removably supporting the sheets from a support member and/or to attach branding tags.

5. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including the sheets composed of crochet, knitting, macrame, lace, trim, or the like.

6. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including the flange that continues out to the coextensive periphery perimeter or instead be replaced with a butted stitch or connection;

7. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including the flange which continues out to the coextensive periphery perimeter in one direction and is replaced with a butt stitch (or any type of butted attachment) in the other direction.

8. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including the flange surface, the top surface, the underside surface or any other suitable surface covered with a gripping substance, which can be composed of materials such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone, synthetic rubber, vinyl, or the like.

9. A cooking apparatus comprising: a pair of sheets having identical configurations and residing parallel to each other so as to provide common edge marginal regions about a common and coextensive periphery; the sheets being characterized as heat and cold temperature resistant material and naturally fire retardant or chemically treated to be fire retardant; the sheets each being measured as somewhere between 0.0025 mm to 12.7 mm thick; the stitching about the center marginal region with a termination of the stitching and material defining opening to account for handles and knobs.

10. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein stitching about the center edge marginal region with stitching to attach a flange, pocket, pouch, sack, cone, spherical dome, or compartment shape to account for cooking vessel handles, handgrips, and knobs.

11. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein the attachment about any common edge marginal region consisting of hook and loop, rivets, snaps, buttons, grommets, or adhesive.

12. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein the space between the sheets includes one or more insulating padding elements.

13. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 9 including a loop attached to the sheets adjacent to said flaps for removably supporting the sheets from a support member.

14. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein the flange surface, the top surface, the underside surface or any other suitable surface covered with a gripping substance, which can be composed of materials such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone, synthetic rubber, vinyl, or the like.

15. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 1 including the sheets fabricated with crochet, knitting, macrame, lace, trim, or the like.

16. A cooking apparatus comprising: a single sheet forming an open, slightly curved, spherical dome or cone shape which follows the contour of most pots, pans and cooking vessels tops, covers and/or lids: the sheet being characterized as heat and cold temperature resistant and naturally fire retardant; the sheet being measured as somewhere between 0.80 mm to 40 mm thick; the sheet forming a pocket near the center to account for handles and knobs; the sheet normally forming an open, curved, spherical section shape which follows the contour of most pots, pans and cooking vessels tops, covers and/or lids; the sheet made from molded silicone, urethane, vinyl, synthetic rubber, or other flexible heat resistant moldable rubber or plastic.

17. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein molded in, on or attached onto, at the center edge marginal region a flange, pocket, pouch, sack, cone, spherical dome or other compartment shape to account for cooking vessel handles, handgrips, and knobs.

18. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein textures, ribs, bumps, dots or other shapes are molded in or onto the surfaces for structure, style and/or gripping purposes.

19. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 16 including a hole molded into or punched through the sheet for branding tags and/or for removably supporting the sheet from a support member.

20. The cooking apparatus defined in claim 16 including a loop molded onto or into the sheet for branding tags and/or for removably supporting the sheet from a support member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the typical use of the present invention being placed on top of a typical pot in a typical kitchen cooking situation;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of the present invention in its open, functional configuration;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the present invention in its opened configuration;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 as taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 thereof;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a plan of the present invention in its opened configuration with a lid handle slipped in place;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of the present invention in its folded configuration, hanging from a wall;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a plan (top) view of the present invention in its folded configuration, ready for storage;

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a side elevation view of the present invention in its folded configuration, hanging from a wall;

[0041] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of different embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the present invention as shown in FIG. 9, folded and used as a hot pad;

[0043] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of different embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 12 shows plan (top) view of a different embodiment of the invention in its folded configuration, ready for storage;

[0045] FIG. 13 shows a front elevation view of a different embodiment of the present invention in its open, functional configuration;

[0046] FIG. 14 shows a plan (top) view of a different embodiment of the present invention in its open, functional configuration.

[0047] FIG. 15 shows a plan (top) view of a pattern for fabrication of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 16 shows a plan (top) view of a different embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 17 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention shown in FIG. 15 as taken in the direction of arrows 17-17 thereof.

[0050] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of the present invention.

TABLE-US-00001 Listing of Reference Numerals in the Drawings 20 the present invention; 22 working pattern; 24 flange; 26 stitch seam; 28 stitch seam end A; 30 stitch seam end B; 32 top flange edge; 34 side edge; 36 hand; 38 typical pot or cooking vessel; 40 lid handle; 42 perimeter of the cooking vessel; 44 die cut hole; 46 loop; 48 baking dish; 50 heat rising; 52 wall mounted hook; 54 butted connection; 56 butted connection end; 60 additional working pattern; 62 insulation layer; 64 pouch, pocket, opening for handle; and 66 ribs, shapes, or design features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0051] Almost all heat used in cooking escapes via heat transfer to the immediate surroundings. In some cases the maximum temperature of the vessel and ingredients is limited when the heat lost equals the heat supplied from the heat source. The heat loss during cooking 50 also slows down the cooking process by taking more time to heat the cooking vessel, and the food. Hot air and gases rise because the molecules are farther apart, which makes the them lighter. This tells us that most heat is lost 50 through the top of the pan, as is also the case in buildings. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is to act as an insulating blanket or cover which is placed on top of the lid of a cooking vessel such as pot, pan, grill or the like as shown in perspective view of the present invention 20 in FIG. 1.

[0052] The invention acts like a jacket on top as insulator as it significantly reduces the amount of heat loss 50 out the top. As an insulator, the present invention saves energy and thus reduces greenhouse gases and costs to the owner. Higher temperatures can be reached and the maximum temperature be attained more quickly.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as being placed over the lid of the pot in a typical cooking use. The user will hold the invention 20 by the flange 24 while placing on the pot lid. The other hand will adjust and assist in proper placement. Once placed onto the lid of a cooking vessel 38 pushing down and a little wiggle, the lid handle 40 slips into the flange 24, between the ends of the stitch area 28 and 30. Thus the handle 40 helps hold the invention 20 in place. The side edge 34 will sit close to the perimeter of the typical cooking vessel 42.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view with the stitched area missing between stitch line end 28 and stitch line end 30, as in some embodiments. The unstitched (unconnected) area 28-30 will allow a lid handle to protrude through snuggly, and is wide enough to accommodate most sizes and shaped handles. FIG. 3 shows a plan (top) view. In some embodiments the top edge 32 of the flange 14 runs across at the middle where there is a seam joining two sheets 22. In other embodiments the two sheets can be attached with fasteners, adhesives, polyepoxides, heat welding, hook and loop, etc.

[0055] The section view as denoted in lines 4-4, in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4. Again, a hand 36 shows a typical operation of holding over the pot 38 followed by pressing down snuggly over the lid handle 40 thus helping place and keep the invention in place, while minimizing heat loss. In most embodiments the edge 34, generally follows as close to adjacent to the perimeter 42 of the pot 38 as possible and practical. In FIG. 5 a plan(top) view of the invention in use 20 shows how the flange 32 separates and fits snuggly around lid handles 40, knobs and grips.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows the invention as hung off a nail or hook, which would be commonly found in a kitchen or pantry, wall or the like. This is discussed further in FIG. 7, which shows the shape of the die cut piece used in construction. In many embodiments two identical die cut sheets, normally between 0.80 mm to 25.4 mm thick material, are stitched, glued or attached together in some similar way at the dotted stitch line 26. This created the flange 24 which contains the unstitched open area between stitch end 28 and stitch end 30, which accommodates most shapes and sizes of lid handles 40. If the material used, such as wool or any flame retardant fabric is identical on both surface sides, then a hole 44 can also be die cut or punched. The holes then would be lined up before stitching them together 26. In other embodiments a material can be used that is different on both sides and a loop 46 can be attached inside the flange 24 where two die cut sheets 22 come together as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows the present invention hanging from the said loop 46 in FIG. 8 off a nail or hook, which would be commonly found in a kitchen or pantry, kitchen wall or the like.

[0057] In many embodiments the present invention can be used as hot pads for hot cooking vessels such as pots, pans, baking dishes, teapots, coffee pots, and the like, as shown in perspective view FIG. 10. In this instance two of the devices 10 are shown laying flat on a surface such as a counter top, and a baking dish 48 lowered to rest on top of them.

[0058] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention as being placed over the lid of the pot in a typical cooking use. The user will hold the invention 20 by the flange 24 while placing on the pot lid. The other hand will adjust and assist in proper placement. FIG. 12 shows the shape of the die cut sheet used in construction. In many embodiments two identical die cut sheets, normally between 0.80 mm to 25.4 mm thick material, are stitched, glued or attached together in some similar way at the dotted stitch line 26. The second dotted line 54 again shows the butted joint. This created the flange 24 which contains the unstitched open area between stitch end 28 and stitch end 56, which accommodates most shapes and sizes of lid handles. FIG. 13 shows a front elevation view of the embodiments described in FIG. 11 with the stitched area missing between stitch line end 28 and stitch line end 56, as in some embodiments. The unstitched (unconnected) area 28-56 will allow a lid handle to protrude through snuggly, and is wide enough to accommodate most sizes and shaped handles. FIG. 14 shows a plan (top) view of the embodiments described in FIG. 11. In some embodiments the top edge 32 of the flange 24 runs across at the middle where there is a seam joining two sheets 60. In other embodiments the two sheets can be attached with fasteners, adhesives, polyepoxides, heat welding, hook and loop, etc.

[0059] FIG. 15 shows another shape of the die cut piece 60 used in construction of the present invention. In some embodiments two similar die cut sheets, an upper sheet and a lower sheet, normally between .80mm to 25.4mm thick naturally fire retardant or treated material, are stitched, glued or attached together in some way at the dotted stitch line 26 so they are parallel and adjacent to each other. In these embodiment's, either top, bottom sheet or both will have color, texture, or design elements dyed in, printed on, sewn in as embroidery, or decorated in some other way, as well as a gripping substance, which can be composed of materials such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone, synthetic rubber, vinyl, or the like. The section view arrows with 17-17 delineate a section view described in FIG. 17.

[0060] FIG. 16 is a plan (top) view which shows how two of the patterns shown in FIG. 15 after they have been stitched, glued, or attached together. The oval in the center 64 represents a pouch, pocket, or envelope shape to account for lid handles, knobs and grips.

[0061] The section view as denoted in lines 17-17, in FIG. 15 is shown in FIG. 17. The cutaway view shows the top sheet stitched to the bottom sheet using a standard stitch 26 such as a plain, welt, or French seam, but could be any suitable method of attachment which allows a space for an optional insulating sheet 62 to fit inside, made from naturally fire retardant or treated material normally between 0.80 mm to 50.8 mm thick. In another embodiment, one or both of the top or bottom sheets can provide insulation qualities itself, thereby eliminating the need for an insulating layer between the sheets.

[0062] In yet another embodiment, FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the present invention as fabricated out of a polymer material, normally between 0.80 mm to 50.8 mm thick.

[0063] The manufacturing process might be one of many typical types such as injection molded, rotational molded, vacuum formed, cast, or heat pressed. The heat resistant polymer used could be one of many available such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, vinyl, polyester, silicone, silicone rubber, neoprene, rigid or soft foams, and the like. It can even be made out of recycled rubber such as vehicle tires or even erasers. In this process of fabrication, the surface could be smooth or many shapes 66 and textures 66 would be designed in to the surface such as ridges, ribs, bumps, valleys, bowls, dips and the like. A pouch, pocket, envelope or some other similar shape 64 would be fabricated in to the present invention to account for lid handles, knobs, grips and the like.

[0064] It can be appreciated that the present invention may be made of any suitable fire retardant or fireproof material in any number of pleasing colors. Further, preferably during fabrication of the device, a decorative upper surface texture and/or design pattern may be provided to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the overall unit.

[0065] Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many modifications, variations and changes in detail, it is intended that the preceding description be interpreted as merely illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0066] Reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, many embodiments some embodiments, and other embodiment means that particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of an embodiment, one embodiment, many embodiments some embodiments, and other embodiments are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic may, might, or could be included that particular feature, component, structure, or characteristics not required to be included. If the specification or claims refer to an additional element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional elements.

[0067] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since various other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art.