CA2176876A1

CA2176876A1 - Pot, especially pressure cooker, as well as matching lid, steamer insert, simmering insert, and cutting insert

Info

Publication number: CA2176876A1
Application number: CA 2176876
Authority: CA
Inventors: Karl Niese
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-18
Filing date: 1996-05-17
Publication date: 1996-11-19
Also published as: EP0743036A1; DE19518305C2; DE19518305A1

Abstract

A pot has a bottom and a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom.
Pot handles are connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall. Inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism are provided wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge. The pot is provided with a matching pressure cooker lid, a steamer insert, a double boiler insert, and a cutting insert.

Description

POT, ESPECIALLY PRESSURE COOKER, AS WELL AS
MATCHING LID, STEAMER INSERT, S'~ lr~G INSERT, AND CUTTING INSERT
Background of the Invention The present invention relaks to a pot, especially a pressure cooker pot, with a bottom and a circ~""'~ ial wall to which pot handles as well as projecting pot segments extending in the circu",' ~IIIidl directions, provided as cu"".c",t:"k, of a closure means, are arranged. The invention also relates to a lid, a steamer insert, a double boiler insert, as well as a cutting insert for such a pot.
Known pressure cookers have, in general, outwardly projecting securing and closing elements so that a rather large lid is required in order to engage from the radial outer direction the securing and closing elements. Fullllt:llllul~, these pots and the co,lt~ .ul,di.,g lids are both provided with a long handle which in order to ensure correct closure must be brought into alignment.
In the known pressure cookers the devices for a reliable closure of the pressure cooker are integrated into the elongate pot handles or lid handles. The construction of these pressure cookers thus allows only for a limited number of designs variations ~ VS 18 305 a- 15 - Kal1 Ni~s~ - Al 2~8 2 ~ 76~76 so that pressure cookers, in general, are almost identical. The design of regular cooking pots can therefore not be applied to pressure cookers so that pressure cookers cannot be integrated into design lines of cooking pots.
In addition to the disadvantage of allowing only a limited number of design variations, the known pressure cookers have also di~d.lvdllldges with respect to their manipulation.
In order to close the pot, the lid must be placed onto the pot such that a certain segment of the bayonet closure of the lid is introduced into a certain segment gap of the bayonet closure of the pot. Since the lid covers the pouring rim of the pot like a cap, the desired position is, in general, hard to find. F~,ll,er",o,e, a centering means for the lid is not available which makes the pldc~lllell~ of the lid on the pot even more difficult.
In order for the segments of the lid to engage below the segments of the pot upon rotation of the lid, the lid must be pushed '~..., ul~ sulJ:~Ia~ centrally counter to the spring force of the rubber-elastic sealing so that the frictional force between pot, seal, and lid is increased. During pressing down on the lid and rotation of the lid, the pot must be securely held by teh operator.

195 18 305.3-16 - K~r1 Nies~ - N 2~B

-2 ~ 768 76 The segments of the bayonet closure which are arranged on the pouring rim of the pot fu~ ll"o,~ make it i",~-~ssiule to pour contents out of the pot in a directed manner.
Vvhen the pressure cooker is closed, the segment gaps of the bayonet closure of the lid are in alignment with the segment gaps of the pot. In order to prevent that due to the inner pressure within the pressure cooker the seal is forced through the resulting openings, the back of the seal must be very massive and wider than this opening. This results in that the contact surface required for a suitable length of the lower sealing lip is hardly sufficient.
The segments of pot and lid must also withstand the force which is produced by the inner pressure within the pressure cooker and acts to lift the lid off the pot. The cantilever girder are co"t:~pu~,di.,y:y loaded by bending forces. Their stiffness can only be adapted to the resulting load forces by varying their thickness. Since pressure cookers are produced of material of sul,~ldl 1" 'Iy identical thickness, this results in that a great portion of the pressure cooker, which is subjected only to minimal loads, are oversized. This results in high material costs and a high weight.
From European Patent 0 247 406 a pressure cooker is 1~518 305.3-16 - Karl Nies~ - N 2~e known which below the edge of the container at the exterior of its circu",'~ t~lllidl wall is provided with segments in the fomn of locks and abutments which cooperate with PI~J~UI;UI1S at the lid wall of the lid. The lid projects with all sides past the pot. Due tû the resulting mushroom-shaped design the pot is very large. This pot also has the di~advdl,ld~a that upon placing the lid onto the pot the segments of the securing and closing l,,e~l,dl,i:,,,, are without centering means. Since the locks and abutments are cu,, ,~,u, ,~, It~.
of the pouring rim, a directed pouring of the contents is not possible. This pressure cooker c~",~u,i:,a~ a specially designed sealing which due to its pivoting Illaulld~ialll requires an especially wide pouring rim. Due to the wide pouring rim, the segments are loaded by the inner pressure of the pot to a much greater extent so that in this design it is also necessary to use ~ ,ueuth/cly thick material. This again results in a high weight so that the pot is not suitable as a regular cookin~ pot.
From Austrian Patent 116021 a pressure cooker is known having an upper edge that is inwardly bent and provides a neck strip against which the inner side of the lid abuts. In order to be able to introduce the lid into the container, two cutouts are provided which are p~ailiul ~ed didl I It:l(iU~ l~ opposed one another 195 18 305 3-16 - K~ll Nios~ - N 2.t8 2 ~ 76876 and are r--h i n~cl into the necking ring. The disadvantage of thi& pot is that no pouring rim for a directed pouring of the contents is provided.
Since the cutouts do not completely cut through the neck ring, because the Ll ;ninq width of the neck ring serves as a sealing surface for the sealing ring, there is always liquid retained within the pot during pouring of liquid from the pot.
From German Patent 37 03 448 a ~LesDuL_ cooker pot is known which the risk of deformation of the locking elements upon ~JL~ UL2 loading is to be prevented by providing them in the f orm out outwardly extending wall projections. The lid projects past the rim of the pot and has a wall section with inwardly eYtending recesses for receiving the outwardly extending wall projections for locking the lid on the pot. The inwardly extending recesses are subjected to ~_ ession forces upon loading with pressure. For securing the sealing ring in the desired position, further inwardly extending securing elements are provided at the lid above the inwardly extending reces~es.
These securing elements are sub; ected to a stretching load. The combination of ~ _~ssion forces and stretching load acting on the lid can result in a stretching of the lid and thus leakage.
Fur~h~ -, the pot has the disadvantage that is appears very large because of the lid engaging over the rim of the pot. Also, due to its design it cannot be integrated into existing design lines of cooking pots. The outwardly extending projections of the pot have the disadvantage that when pouring out the contents, liquid will be caught at the projections and the pot can be completely emptied only when turned upside down.

2 ~ 76876 It i8 theref ore an ob~ ect of the present invention to provide a pot for the aforementioned kind which is easy to r-nirll~Ate, allows for various design pos~;hilities~ can serve as a basic element for ~l]~riliAry devices, and can be lntegrated into already existing design series of cooking pots. The invention is also co~ with providing ~L.. ~,....lin~ additional devices such as a lid, a steamer insert, a double boiler insert, and a cutting insert.
Summary of the Invention The pot according to the present invention i5 primarily characterized by:
A bottom;
A circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom;
Pot handles to the exterior of the oirc=~eren'ci~l - 5a -wall;
Inwardly projecting pot segments as C~ JOllel l;~ of a closurellle~l~allialll whereintheinwardlyprojectingpotsegments extend in the circu", .ell direction and are F~ ~ed below the upper edge.
Preferably the inwardly projecting pot segments are integral stamped pl~Jjel;tiolls of the circ~lllFelel,lidl wall.
Advdl Itdyeously at least two of the inwardly projecting pot segments are evenly distributed in the circ~"~f~re"l;dl direction of the circu" -ell wall.
Preferably the wall thickness of the inwardly projecting pot segments is sub~ldll 'Iy identical to the wall thickness of the circu" elllidl wall.
r~,edie"lly the pot further Col~ ,eS a circulllfelelllidl band coll"e~led to the exterior of the circ~",re,el,lidl wall for covering recesses in the exterior of the circu" ,r e"t;al wall caused by stamping the inwardly projecting pot segments.
A~vd"tayeously the band is welded to the exterior of the circ~l,,, el,lidl wall.
In another e",Lodi",e"l of the present invention the circu" e"tial wall cv""),i~es at least one outwardly extending, ~95 18 305 3 ~6 - K~ri Nisss - N 2~/J
(',~

2l 76876 vertical projection.
Preferably, between n~ u, i"~ ones of the inwardly projecting segments gaps are provided and the at least one vertical projection is located in the area of one of the pot handles above the inwardly prûjecting pot segments within one of the segment gaps.
The present invention also relates to a pressure cooker lid for the inventive pot. The pressure cooker lid according to the present invention is primarily u lldld~ d by:
A hood with at least one pressure relief and venting valve and a combined pressure i" 'i .,'vcnting device, wherein the hood has a circu",f~ ~" ' edge;
A cylindrical lid wall c~nll~td to the circu",.'~ t:"lidl edge of the hood;
The cylindrical lid wall having outwardly projecting lid segments as ~,c""p~llel,;~. of the closure ")e~ l,d"i:,"" wherein the outwardly projecting lid segments extend in the circ~", ~ idl direction and cooperate with the inwardly projecting pot segments to close the pot;
A sealing element for sealing the pot when closed.
Preferably, the outwardly projecting lid segments are 195 ~8 305.3-1~, K~rl Hi~s~ - N 248 .

2176~376 ~ ~
integral stamped ~uje:~,l;vlls 112 of the cylindrical lid wall.
Preferably, the number of the outwardly projecting lid segments is identical to the number of the inwardly projecting pot segments, wherein the outwardly projecting lid segments are shorter than the segment gaps between the inwardly projecting pot segments.
Advantageously, the outwardly projecting lid segments have upwardly curved ends pointing toward the hood.
Preferably, the length of the outwardly projecting lid segments between the upwardly curved ends is identical to the length of the inwardly projecting pot segments.
Preferably, the pressure cooker lid further c~",~ at least one spring con"e..L~d to the exterior of the cylindrical lid wall between the hood and the outwardly projecting lid segments, wherein the at least one spring is plu~ ,ly tensioned when the pressure cooker lid is placed on the circ~""rc"t,ri" ' wall and the pot is closed.
EA~ e~ ly, the at least one spring is wave-shaped in the circ~",.' ~IIIidl direction of the cylindrical lid wall, wherein valleys of the at least one wave-shaped spring are posi~iol~d in the area of the outwardly projecting lid segments.

1~5~83053-~5~ Ni~s~-N2~8 C~

2~ 76876 The at least one spring preferably c~"",,i~s bent, meander-shaped sections.
` The sealing element is preferably a sealing ring l)n~ " ~"ed between the hood and the at least one spring and rests on the cylindrical lid wall. The sealing ring has an outwardly facing side with a sealing edge.
Preferably, the at least one pressure-limiting relief valve has a valve body in the form of a sleeve with a hrst and a second end.
The hood has an opening into which the sleeve is inserted so as to extend with the first end into the interior of the hood. The hood Ciolll~ 5 a pressure spring positioned in the opening and acting on the sleeve. The sleeve is supported by the pressure spring so as to be fl;.,.l,..,~,.l.l~ to a limited extent. The at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a p~, tu, ' ' disc Golll~,lic,i, ,9 a valve opening and co""e~,tt:d to the second end of the sleeve.
The at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a valve ball movably po~ iol~ed in the sleeve for closing the valve opening.
Advc.l ,le-~eously, the at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a rubber-elastic insert with an outwardly facing end face forming a valve seat, the sleeve having a sealing edge and being ,J- " .led in the rubber-elastic insert. Between the sleeve and g 19510 305.~-16 - Kad t.lbs~ - N 2~8 (!!~, rubber-elastic insert an annular gap is provided as a steam venting channel. The valve seat and the sealing edge cooperate to provide a sealing action for the pressure telief and venting valve.
Advdlltd~uusly, the combined pressure indicatorlventing device has a sleeve with a first and a second end. The hood has an opening into which the sleeve is inserted so as to extend with the first end into the interior of the hood and be ~ le to a limited extent. The combined pressure indicator/venting device further has a piston and a pressure spring. The piston is supported in the sleeve so as to be movable against the force of the pressure spring. The combined pressure i"~; ' -'vcnting device further has a rolled did,lJI'II d~l l l pOai~iul ,ed at the first end of the sleeve. The piston has a first end extending into the interior of the hood and resting with the first end on the rolled .lid,JIlldy.".
The piston has a second end remote from the first end wherein the second end cc"",ri~es colored rings.
Advdll~d~eously, the sleeve, in the area of the opening of the hood, cc" "~u, iaeS a radially inwardly orienkd annular projection with an upper and a lower side and engaged radially outwardly by the roll ~JidlJ~lld~ . The combined pressure indicatorlventing 1~5 1a 305 3~ K~rl NjRS~ - N 2~a l3 ~ 2176876 device further co" "~ a spring plate resting at the lower side of the radially inwardly oriented annular projection and a bushing cu,,,,e- t~ d to the piston and resting at the upper side of the radially inwardly oriented annular projec~ion.
In another e~uud;,l~elll of the present invention the hood has a stamped dep,e~siu,) in which the opening is located. The stamped dep,e~:,ioll has an upper outer edge with at least one radially extending groove.
The combined pressure i" 'vcnting device co"",,i:.es preferably a rubber-elastic pe, ru, dlc:d disc with an outer rim colllleuled to the second end of the sleeve. The pelrU,dlecl disc covers the stamped de~JI easion and rests with the outer rim on the upper outer edge of the stamped de~Jre~siùll~
The perforated disc preferably culll~ulises spacer elements at a side thereof facing the stamped deure~siùll.
The present invention also relates to a steamer insert for the inventive pot. The steamer insert according to the present invention is primarily u llaldclt~ ed by:
A bottom with openings;
A circu" '~, llidl wall with a lower edge and an upper edge the lower edge col~"e~;ted to the boHom;

1~518 3053.1~ - Karl Ni~sa - N 2~8 ~.

2~ 76876 The upper edge being bent outwardly for resting on the upper edge of the circ~" ~ idl wall of the pot;
The circu", ~"tial wall cu",u,i~ed of a lower cylindrical portion adjacent to the bottom and an upper cylindrical portion adjacent to the upper edge, wherein the upper cylindrical portion has a greater diameter than the lower cylindrical portion;
The circu".r ~" wall further cu",~ ed of a transition portion for cu",~ the upper and lower cylindrical portions wherein the transition portion matches the contour of the inwardly projecting pot segments.
Preferably the diameters of the upper and lower cylindrical portions and the transition portion are smaller than the inner diameter of the pot so that the steamer insert is spaced from the circ~" "r~ idl wall of the pot and does not come into contact with the inwardly projecting segments of the pot.
The present invention further relates to a lid for the inventive pot. The lid according to the present invention is primarily .;l ,ard~ d by:
A hood;
A cylindrical circu"~ idl wall c~",u,i~i"y an upper wall section co""e~ d to the hood, a lower wall section and a 1f~5 18 305.3.16 ~ 1 Nl05~ - N 2~8 ~i~
-21 7687~
transition portion col,l.o: ,g the upper wall section to the lower wall section;
The lower wall section having a smaller diameter than the upper wall section.
Preferably, the outer diameters of the upper wall section and the lower wail section are smaller than the inner diameter of the circ~ , wall of the pot so that the lower wall section rests on the inwardly projecting pot segments.
The present invention further relates to a lid for a steamer insert according to the present invention. The inventive lid is primarily ullcll~ute~ d by:
A hood;
A cylindrical circ~"" ~llti~l wall cu,"~ ,g an upper wall section coll"e.lt:d to the hood, a lower wall section, and a transition portion cu""e.:ti"g the upper wall section to the lower wall section;
The lower wall section having a smaller diameter than the upper wall section.
Preferably, the outer diameter of the upper wall section is greater and the outer diameter of the lower wall section is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion of the 195 1~ 305 3~ K~ri Niess - N 2Ç~
(3 2~ 76876 steamer insert such that the lid rests only with the transition portion on the steamer insert.
The present invention further relates to a double boiler insert for the inventive pot. The double boiler insert according to the present invention is primarily ulldldut~ ed by:
A bottom;
A cylindrical ciraJ",~ t:" ' wall cull"~ule:d to the bottom and having an upper edge;
Securing and closing elements cur" ~ d to the exterior of the cylindrical circ~", ~, ~tidl wall for coope, , with the inwardly projecting segments of the pot.
Preferably, the securing and closing elements comprise at least one outwardly extending tab with an elastic tongue, extending in the circu",f~.~" direction, for engaging under the inwardly projecting segments of the pot.
Ex~u~.llly, the tongue has a free end with an upwardly extending projection.
The securing and closing elements further comprise for each one of the tongues a securing flap col)l ,e~.t~d to the cylindrical circu", '~ l llidl wall spaced from the ~ ue. ti ~c tongue.
Advdllldy~ously, the securing and closing elements further 195 10 305.3-16 - Ka~i Ni~s~ - N 2~
i,~

comprise at least one outwardly projecting flap displaced upwardly and spaced from the tab such that in a closed position the outwardly projecting flap ContaGtS a cu~ ,.li"~ inwardly projecting pot segment.
Preferably, the insert further ~"",,i~es a ring member arranged at the cylindrical circu~ IIIidl wall, wherein the oub,vardly projecting flaps, the tabs, and the securing flaps are parts of the ring member.
The insert may further comprise a sealing ring arranged above the ring member, wherein the sealing ring has an outer side with a sealing edge.
Preferably, the sealing ring is arranged such that the sealing edge rests within at least one outwardly extending, vertical projection of the circu",~ t:"" ' wall of the pot when the insert is placed into the pot.
The present invention further relates to a cutting insert for the inventive pot. The cuUing insert according to the present invention is primarily ~JIdldute~ d by:
A cutting disc insertable into the pot, the cutting disc having areal disc surfaces wlth cutting elements for cutting, shredding, and slicing;

1~5 18 305.3-16 - K~d Nieso - N 2~8 The cutting disc having an outer circumference with ly upwardly and ~ Iy extending flaps;
The upwardly extending flaps resting on the inwardly projection pot se~",~,lts The c'c...~ Iy extending flaps F: ~ ,ed between the inwardly projecting pot seu",t:"ts;
A turntable;
The cutting disc . o" ".riai"~ a bearing for rotatably supporting the turntable.
Preferably the turntable ~,OIll~ulia~S an ecce"l,i 'Iy arranged turn grip as a feed channel for material to be cut.
The turn grip CC)III~JI;D~S a sleeve surrounding the feed channel and being rotatably supported thereat. The cutting insert further c u" ,u, iaes a push member slidably supported at the sleeve.
The inventive pot is clldldu~ d in that the inwardly projecting pot segments which are Co"",ol,.="tS of the closure "~cl,d"ia", and therefore cooperate with cc,r"3:"uu"di"9 elements provided at the lid are arranged below the upper edge of the circ~". ~"Lial wall in the interior of the pot. The pouring rim of the pot thus remains unaffected by the design of the inwardly projecting pot segments so that the pouring of liquid from the pot 19518 3053-t6 - l~lt N~s~ - N Z~8 2 ~ 76876 is, Fullllt:llllul~ the outer shape of the pot is not affected so that the pot does not differ in its outer apped,d"~
from any cu,,,~., Idl pot. This allows the ill~ldt;UIl of the inventive pût into already existing design lines of cooking pots.
On the other hand, the inwardly projecting pot segments can be used as securing and abutting elements for any suitable pot insert so that the , range of the pot with respect to conventional pots especially with respect to known pressure cookers is suu;~ldll - 'Iy widened. Which inserts can be used in c~,,,,euliu~ with the inventive pot will be explained in more detail in the following with the aid of the steamer insert a double boiler insert, and a cutting insert.
The novel ~ .,;"9 of the inwardly projecting pot segments into the interior of the pot has fu,ll,e,,,,ù,~: the advantage that it is no longer needed to provide an elongate handle. It is thus possible to use any desired pot handle so that more design variations are possible.
At least two inwardly projecting pot segments are provided which are evenly distributed over the circumference of the pot.
Advantageously, an odd number of inwardly projecting pot segments is provided so that for one gap on one side of the pot 195 18 305.3-15 - K Il Hiess - N 2~B
~3 21 7687~
didlll~.t~i ~Iy opposed an inwardly projecting pot segment is provided. This increases the stability of the pot especially when used as a pressure cooker.
Preferably, the inwardly projeGting pot segments are integral stamped ~l uj~-.liul la of the circ~" "'~ ~:" wall. The t " ,uo~i" ,e"l of such integral stamped plOje- liùl)s has the advantage that the required stability upon use as a pressure cooker is ensured without requiring the use of thicker material within the area of the stamped p, u;~ S as has been the Gase in conventional pressure cookers with the conventional securing and closing segments. By providing such integral stamped p~ujt~ iu~ the weight of the pressure cooker can be suL,ald" 'l~ reduced in CUlll~JdribUIl to conventional pressure cookers.
The recesses which result from the stamping of the integral stamped pruJ~ ~iùnS and which are visible from the exterior of the pot cdn be a~vd"ldgeously covered by a band whereby the band is a~v.~.,tdgeûusly welded to the exterior of the circu~,'t ~"
wall. This results ess~" 'Iy in a three-point u c""le~iu" which ., 'l~ increases the stability of the integral stamped pl ujeuliul)~. Actually this results in a more stable dl I dl~ 111 as would result from an increase of the wall thickness.

195 18 30A3-16 . K~ Nios~ - N 2~8 l'7~

2~ 76876 According to a further t:" ~L.~.li" ,t:"l, the circu, . ,' ~. Itial wall of the pot is provided with at least one outwardly extending, vertical projection. This outwardly extending, vertical projection is located ad~ dgeously in the area of one of the pot handles at one of the segment gaps between and above the integral stamped ~J~uje~.l;ol~s. This at least one outwardly extending, vertical projection will be explained in more detail in uulll,euliul~ with the pressure cooker lid and the double boiler insert.
The pressure cooker lid is ullaldu~ d in thât outwardly projecting lid segments are provided. The outwârdly projecting lid segments can be embodied within the circu",' ~IIIidl wall of the lid in the same manner as the inwardly projecting pot segments.
The number and circu",' ~ lidl distribution of the outwardly projecting lid segments cu" ~a,uOI~ to the number and distribution of the inwardly projecting pot segments, whereby the outwardly projecting segments are shorter than the segment gaps arrsnged between the inwardly projecting pot segments. The inventive pressure cooker lid can be pusitiol,ed on the pot in any desired way, whereby in most cases the lid segments will come to rest on the pot segments. Accordingly, the pressure cooker lid in this position is already centered. By rotating the lid, a position will be 1~5 18 305.~15 - tCal! Ni~s~ - N 2~8 C LG~

2~ 76876 .
assumed in which the lid segments are in the area of the segment gaps between the pot segments so that the lid will fall down due to its own weight. Upon further rotation of the lid, the pot segments and the lid segments will glide along one another so that the pot is closed.
In this context it is d~Vdl lldgeous to provide the lid segments with curved ends that point upwardly to the hood of the lid. The length of the lid segment between the curved ends COI l~ oll~b advantageously to the length of the pot segments.
In order to ensure a tight closure of the lid the exterior of the circu" ~ " wall of the lid is provided with at least one spring between the hood and the lid segments. This spring will be tensioned ~luul~ ly during plc,~",e"l and closure of the pot.
As a special e ~ ~ IL ~ "el ,l the spring can extend in the circu",r~,c:l,tidl direction along the circ~""'~ ~" wall in a wave-shaped fashion whereby the valleys of the waves are arranged in the area of a lid segment. In order to secure the spring at the circu",r t",tic.l wall of the pressure cooker lid the spring is preferably provided with bent, meander-shaped sections in the plane of the lid whereby the spring engages with at least one meander-shaped section a Cull~S~Joll ,9 opening or slot of the ~5 18 305 3~ K~lt Nles~ - N 2~18 2 176~376 -~
circu,n~ ~IIIidl wall.
Upon sliding the pot segments and the lid segments across one another, the pot segments are pushed progressively into the area of the wave valleys of the spring so that the spring is ac.,u,di"y!~ tensioned. The maximum tension is reached when the pot segments rest on the center portion of the lid segments.
The valleys of the waves of the spring force the pot segments securely against the lid segments so that a secure closure is ensured.
For achieving a sealing action, a sealing element in the form of a sealing ring is provided which is seated between the hood and the spring at the cylindrical lid wall and has at its outer side a circu"~ "tial sealing edge. During closing, the sealing edge of the sealing ring intercepts the area of the integral stamped p, uj~,ti~ i ,s SO that the pressure cooker is not sealed. Only when the upwardly curved ends of the lid segments engage the pot segments, the lid is lifted by the spring and forced in the upward direction. Accordingly, the sealing edge moves upwardly and leaves the area of the integral stamped p~ ;tiO~ so that the pot is tightly sealed. Accordingly, the integral stamped projection serves in coopei- " , with the sealing edge of the sealing ring as 1~5 18 305 3~1r - Korl Nl~so - N Z,18 ~ j;,`~

2~ 76~76 a safety device because a tight sealing of the interior of the pot is only ensured when the required end position of the lid and the pot is reached. Only in this position it is ensured that the lid cannot be lifted off the pot by the interior pressure thus preventing el,.Jd"~e,i,~ the operator.
Due to the inventive closure ~, ~acl~dl l;~ l l and the e';. "i, Id~iU~ I
of the elongate grip, the pressure relief and Yenting valve can be pl " ,ed at any desired location within the hood of the pressure cooker lid. According to another ~:",bodi",~"l, the pressure relief and venting valve UUIll~Jlia~S as a valve body a sleeve extending into the interior of the lid and po:,itiùned in an opening of the hood in a manner so as to be slidable to a limited extent against the force of a pressure spring. The sleeve is provided at the exterior of the lid with a p~, ru, ' ' disc having a valve opening which is closable by a valve ball movably arranged within the sleeve. The pressure relief and venting valve is thus poa;t;ol~ed suLaldllt;.ll~
within the interior of the lid so that the d,upedldl~ce of the pressure cooker is not negatively affected.
The sleeve is preferably arranged within an insert c~ nia~d of rubber-elastic material so as to provide an annular gap as a steam venting channel, whereby the rubber-elastic insert 1~5 ~8 305.3.16 - Korl Nlos- - N 2~11 ~3 provides at its outwardly facing end face a vaive seat which Coupt~ with a sealing edge provided at the sleeve. The advantage ûf the inventive pressure relief and venting valve is that the individual parts can be manufactured in a simple manner and are therefore inexpensive. The assembly of the pressure relief and venting valve is possible with few manipulative steps.
In addition, the pressure cooker lid Cu~ Jlia~:5 a pressure indicator/venting device whose essential uc~ uullel~ts~ with the exception of the externally visible colored rings, are also displaced into the interior of the lid. According to a preferred e",i,o.li",el,L, the pressure indicator/venting device co",,u,i~es a sleeve inserted into an ûpening of the hood, extending into the interior of the lid, and being d;-l>l~ce~ lP to a limited extent. In the sleeve a piston is movably supported counter to the force of a pressure spring whereby the piston at the end facing the interior of the lid rests at a rolled didpl lldylll p~:,iliolled at the sleeve. At the other end the piston is provided with colored rings. The rolled did,ullldylll engages a radially inwardly extending annular projection of the sleeve. A spring plate is supported at the lower side of the radially inwardly extending annular projection and a bushing, c~""eul~d to the piston, is supported at the upper side of the ~5 ~830OE3-~6-K~11Ni~s~-HZÇ3 projection. The opening of the hood is aJvd"ldyeously provided within a stamped de",e~iol1 of the hood having an upper outer edge with at least onê radially extending groove. This groovê may also be stamped. Adva"tdgeously, the sleeve supports at the outer slde of the hood a rubber elastic pe,ru,. ' disc which covers the stamped dtlplt,asi. 1~ and rêsts with its rim at the upper outer edgê of thê stamped d~,ult~ ioll. The pe,~ ' J disc is provided with spacer elements at a side facing the stamped dep,t:~;ol~ which may be, for example, in the form of knobs.
For opening the pot, the lid must be forced d.... ~ d!y and then rotated. In order to be able to do so, the pressure built up within thê pot must be released. This is possible with thê
pressure indicator/venting device. First, the piston is pressed du ... I ... .lly until the spacer element of the rubber-elastic pe,ru,i ' ' disc comes into contact with the outer surrace of the stamped d,:, ,r~asio~, of the hood. By doing so, the rolled did~Jllldylll is forced away from the underside of the stamped d~ ,si.,n and the annular gap provided between the sleeve and the opening of the hood is opened for venting.
The inventive pot has the advantage that it can also be used together with a steamer insert and a co,,~,uondi,,y lid.

195 t8 aosa-16- K~rlNlrJs~-N2~0 ':~

.
Conventional pots have usually one lid that is designed such that sufficient steam can be released in order to avoid rattling of the lid during cooking. However, during steaming as little steam as possible should vént from the pot. In order to be able to reconcile these two opposed requirements, known lids have a closable opening at the lid handle. A disadvantage of such ~ o.li~el~t~
is the increased technical ~ r " ~re, increased soi1ing tendency, and limitations with respect to the design of the lid handle. A
further disadvantage is that the opening and closing of these openings may be o~.looht:d so that with these lids it is not possible to avoid rattling and the food to be cooked may overflow.
In order to avoid this, a steamer insert is s~ estr~d which is ~,lldl d~,t~ d in thatthe circu",~ idl wall co"",,i~s a lower cylindrical portion adjacent to the bottom and an upper cylindrical portion adjacent to the upper edge whereby the upper cylindrical portion has a greater diameter than the lower cylindrical portion and both cylindrical portions are co,)~ d by a flange-like transition portion adapted to the contour of the pot segments. In order for the steamer insert not to come into contact with the circu,~ idl wall of the pot and its pot segments, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions and of the flange-like transition 195 183053-15-K~dNlos~-N218 .

~' ~

2 ~ 76876 portion is smaller than the inner di"~ ll of the pot. The steamer insert thus rests only with its upper edge on the pouring rim of the pot.
The lid which fits this dlldilg~lllell~ is ~lldld~tl ri~ed in that the cylindrical circulllf~ llidl wall ~ulll~ an upperwall section Colll~. t~d to the hood and a lower wall section con"e~;led with a transition portion to the upper wall section. The diameter oF the lower wall section is smaller than the diameter of the upper wall section. This lid can be used with and without the steamer insert.
The outer diameters of the two wall sections are smaller than the inner diamekr of the circu",F~ llidl wall of the pot so that the lower wall section of the lid can be placed onto the pot segments.
The centering of the lid in this case is achieved with the transition portion in coo~ldli~ll with the circu", I:"lial wall of the pot.
Since this transition portion does not rest in a sealing manner at the circ~",' ~ idl wall and since between the pot segments segment gaps are provided no additional opening within the lid is necessary. During cooking the foam formed within the interior of the pot can thus rise into the free space between the circu" I t~ ial wall of the pot and the wall section of the lid where due to the lower temperature, it will collapse and flow down as a 1~5 18 30a3-16 - Kod Nhs~ - N 248 ~.~

2~ 76876 liquid into the pot.
Vvhen using the lid together with the steamer insert, the outer diameter of the upper wall section of the lid is preferably greater and the outer diameter of the lower wall section of the lid is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion of the steamer insert so that the lid contacts the steamer insert only with the transition portion. The ~ul~ld~ l9 action thus is achieved with the transition portion and the centering is achieved with the circ~""f ~IIIidl wall of the lid. The function of the transition portion and the circ~"~fe,t:"lidl wall, when used in c~ ,eutiu~) with a steamer insert, is just the opposite as in the use without steamer insert. The design of lid and steamer insert has the advantage that the steam produced within the pot can condense at the inner side of the cool lid so that s~l,c,ld"t;.~ no steam will exit from the pot. The pot can thus not be cooked dry.
Delicate foods that should not be overheated are cooked in a double boiler. For this purpose, a so-called double boiler is used which is s~l,ald, I~y co,,,,u~ e~ of a double wall pot having a hollow space into which water can be filled through an opening provided at the pouring rim. Known double boilers have the disadvantage that it is not possible to see how much water has 11151830a3-15~ Nbsll-N2~8 .
been filled into the hollow spaGe. When too much water is present within this hollow space, it will flow over; when too little water is present the double boiler can cook dry. The hollow space is difficult to access and thus difficult to Glean.
In order to avoid these disadvantages, the double boiler insert for the inventive pot is ol ld~ d~,t~ d in that at the exterior oF the circu" ,c~ ~" ' wall of the double boiler insert securing and closing elements are arranged which cooperate with the pot segments. These securing and closing elements comprise at least one outwardly extending tab with an elastic tongue extending in the circu".' .~"~;~1 direction for engaging below the inwardly projecting pot segments. Advantageously, the tongue at its free end is provided with an upwardly extending projection. With this tab and elastic tongue the double boiler insert is fKed in the desired position by a rotational ",oi~,."t:"l within the pot.
In order to prevent bending or breaking of the tongues during removal of the double boiler insert from the pot, for each one of the tongues a securing flap is c."lle~;tt:d to the cylindrical circu",F~ idl wall and spaced from the respective tongue, This securing flap, during mounting of double boiler in the pot and, slides under the pot segment and upon removal of the double 19518 30h3-16 - K~ri Nioss - N 2~8 2 7 76~7~
boiler insert from the pot, must be cu,,l~,lut~,ly removed from the pot segment before the double boiler insert can be removed from the pot.
F~llllellllolt:, outwardlyprojectingflapsareadvantageously provided which are displaced upwardly and spaced relative to the tab with tongue such that in the closed position they abut the C~l I e:.~,on~i. 19 pot segment.
In order to facilitate the manufacture ûf the tabs, securing flaps and projecting flaps, the colll,uullellt~ are preferably part of a ring member cul~,eu~ed to the exterior of the circulllre,e"lidl wall, for example, by welding.
Above the ring member a sealing ring is arranged which at its outer side has a circu" ,' el llidl sealing edge. This sealing ring can be designed identical to the sealing ring of the pressure cooker lid.
Known cutting device such as shredders, slicers, etc. have in general a rectangular shape and must be held by hand at their narrow sides so that the cutting surface is pu~itiuned at a more or less steep angle. The other hand is used to guide the material to be sliced or cut along the cutting surface whereby the hand fatigues easily due to the repetitive movement. Ful ~1 ,e" "û, e, there 1~5 18 305.3-16 - Ksr1 Nhs~ 12~8 (~

is a risk of injury. In order to avoid this risk, devices are known in which the material to be cut is guided into a feed channel provided with a push member which is guided along a carriage that is advanced across the cutting surface. A disadvantage of these devices is that the cut material is not directly received in a pot because the ~ d~s~ ed manipulation is not possible within a container. In order to make this possible, devices are known having cutting surfaces in the form of a flat bowl with edge. This must be placed onto a respective matching ,~ . The material to be cut is moved back and forth across the bowl. Due to the minimal diameter of the c~ ol~dill~ læ, only a very short travel stroke is possible so that the operator must be move the hand back and forth with great frequency. Due to the short travel stroke there is no space for providing a feed channel for feeding the material to the cutting surfaces. Also, the risk of injury is still present.
Such di_3JJd,lLd~s are no longer present with the inventive cutting insert designed for the inventive pot. The cutting insert .,v,,,~,,i,~s a round disc insertable into the pot which at its round surfaces is provided with cuKing elements, for example, for cutting, slicing, or shredding. This cutting insert is .ill~ldut~ d - 3û -1~6 1A 305.3-16 - K~rl Nios~ - N 2~8 2~ 76876 --in that at the circumference of the cutting disc _" , Id~
upwardly and '~ y extending flaps are provided and arranged such that the upwardly extending flaps rest on the pot segments and the ~ u!~ extending flaps are p- " ~ed between the pot segments. The cutting disc ~u,,,,u,isas a bearing for rotatably supporting a turntable. With this dlldllgt:lllelll of the flaps the cutting insert is arrested in a simple manner within the pot so that the cutting disc must not be held by hand. For stabilizing its position, upwardly and '~.. i'y extending stays are arranged between the flaps in an ~ ldlillg fashion.
The turntable is preferably supported at the center and can rest at the edge. According to one e",u~di",t:"l the rotatable support of the turntable is in the fonm of a hole provided at the center of the cutting disc into which a cup of the turntable can be inserted. This cup is puDi~iu,,ed centrally on its outer diameter is such that it rests with minimal play in the hole. The turntable can be provided with a beaded outer edge so that it rests with its bead on the cutting disc. This reduces s~bDIdll~ l'; friction between the turntable and the cutting disc.
AdVdlltd5~Usly, the turntable cu"",,iDas an ec;e, ' i lly arranged tum grip which serves simultaneously as a feed channel 19s ~8 30A3, 18 - K~l Nl~sll - H 2~8 2 i 76376 .
for the material to be cut. The turn grip may comprise a sleeve which surrounds the feed channel and which is rotatably supported thereat. At the feed channel a push member is arranged with which the material to be cut is forced onto the cutting disc. Since the turn grip is not only rotatably about the sleeve, but also o~ in the axial direction, one hand can perform the rotational movement and simultaneously push the push member into the feed channel. This su~:,ldl.- 'Iy facilitates the manipulation of the cutting insert.
Brief Description of the Drawings The object and adv_.,tdges of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following a~J~ " ' .1 in conjunction with the ac..~.",l,d"ying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a side view of a pressure cooker in the closed state;
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the pot of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3 and 4 show details of the pot, partly in section, along the lines A-A, It:a~J~..ti./cly, B-B of Fig.
2;
Fig. 5 shows the stamped projection of Fig. 4 in 1~5 18 305.3-16, Ked Nies~ - N 2~8 ( ~-`?

2~ 76876 .
horizontal section;
Fig. 6 shows a side view of the lid;
Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the pressure cooker lid of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 and 9 show deeails of the pressure cooker lid partly in section;
Fig. 10 shows a spring in a plan view;
Figs. 11 to 14 show the lvupe~ of the pot segments and lid segments in various stages of closing of the pot;
Figs. 15 and 16 show part-sectional views of the closed pressure cooker pot;
Figs. 17 to 19 show a pressure relief and venting valve in longitudinal section in various positions;
Figs. 20 to 22 show a pressure indicator/venting device in longitudinal section in various positions;

195 18 30A3-16 - Kerl Nlese N 2~e 21 708~o ", ig. 23 shows in section the pot with the steamer insert and matching lid;
igs. 24 and 25 show details of the pot of Fig. 23, partly in section;
ig. 26 shows a section of the pot with double boiler insert;
ig. 27 shows a bottom view of the double boiler insert shown in Fig. 26;
igs. 28 to 32 show details of pot and double boiler insert, pe.,tiJ~ly, only of the double boiler insert partly in section;
igs. 33 to 36 show the coope, ", of the flaps of the double boiler insert with the pot segments in different stages of the arresting process;
ig. 37 shows the pot with cutting insert in a plan view;
ig. 38 shows the pot with cutting insert shown in Fig.
37 partly in section, partly in a side view;

~DS 18 305 3-15 KDr~ DSO - 1II 2~II

Fig. 39 shows the cutting disc in a plan view; and Fig. 40 shows the cutting disc of Fig. 39 in section without cutting blade elements.
Description of Preferred Cr"uo~i",t:"ts The present invention will now be described in detail with the aid of several specific ~ uudi~ utilizing Figures 1 through 40.
Fig. 1 shows the pot 2 with pressure cooker lid 3 in the position for use as a pressure cooker pot 1 in a side view. Due to the pot segments and lid segments displaced into the interior of the pot the inventive pressure cooker pot 1 does not differ with the exception of the pressure cooker lid 3 having arranged thereat the pressure relief and venting valve 10 and the pressure i".l;..dlu,/vcnting device 11, from coll~/~.,tivlldl pots in its d,l~pedldllc~. A further contribution to this is that no elongate handle is present as is conventional for known pressure cooker pots. Two bracket shaped pot handles 105 are arranged at the circ~"" ~nlidl wall 100 of the pot which in their design Cullt:Duul~d to the lid handle 111.
Fig. 2 shows a top view of the pot 2 I~::Ult:Dell' ~ in Fig. 1.
The pot 2 has at the upper area of the circ~ lidl wall 100 in 19518 30h3-16 - I<srl Nios~ - N 2~8 .
the shown t:",L: " "~:"l a total of five pot segments 4 distribukd along the circumference which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are in the form of inwardly extending integral stamped ,u,ujt:-,liu"~ 1û4.
The recesses 102 which are visible from the exterior are covered by a welded band 5. Also, at the upper portion of the circ~""' tllll;dl wall 100 of the pot 2 at least one outwardly extending, vertical projection 6 is provided in the area between the potsegments4, respectively, thesegmentgaps 14 II,e,c:~h, ~, preferably in the area of the pot handle 105, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the sealing element 8 of the pressure cooker lid 3. The vertical projection 6 is po~iliolled sull._..hdl above the stamped projection 104 and, as shown in Fig. 5, is in the fomm of an integral stamped projection that extends over a limited length of the circu",' ~IIIidl wall 1ûO in the axial direction of the pot 2.
The pressure cooker lid 3 It:,Ult:~ll' ' in a side view in Fig.
6 (without spring, sealing element, grip, and valves) is in the form of a plug-in lid and is cu""~ .ed of a hood 7 to which is co~"~ d a '~..., u~ extending cylindrical circu",r~ "Lidl lid wall 110.
The pressure cooker lid 3 has at its circu".~ "lidl lid wall 110 lid segments 12 the number of which Coll~uolldb to the number of 19518 305.3-16 - K~ll Nios~ - N 2~
~;~

.
the pot segments 4. The lid segments 12 are also in the form of integral stamped pluje~.tivilS 112 which extend outwardly. The integral stamped ,u~uieutiu~ 112 comprise a center portion 113 which is horizontal and extends in the circ~" '~ rt:, direction and has a transition into upwardly curved ends 13. Slots 16 for receiving a spring 9 are provided between and 50111_. 'Id~ above the stamped ulujè~liull;~ 112 within the circ~""'~ elllidl wall 11û.
The spring 9 can be seen in Fig. 7 showing the bottom view of the pressure cooker lid 3 of Fig. 6. For safety reasons, two pressure relief and venting valves 1û are provided within the hood 7. In the left half of the hood 7 a pressure indicator/venting device 11 is shown.
The pot segments 4 and the lid segments 12 of pot and lid are si~ed such that the lid segments 12 fit in the segment gaps 14 of the pot 2 and the pot segments 4 of the pot fit in the gaps 15 between the curved ends 13 of the lid segments 12.
In Figs. 8 and 9 sections of the pressure cooker 3 along the line D-D, respectively, E-E of Fig. 7 are leul~s,~nled. The hood 7 projects radially outwardly relative to the circ~",re,e" ' wall 11û
so that between the hood 7 and the circu",r elllidl wall 1û a horizontal transition section 114 is provided at the underside of ~95 18 305 3-16 - K~l Nbs~ - N 248 (''~

~1 76876 which the sealing element 8 in the form of a sealing ring rests. As is shown in Fig. 9, the sealing element 8 is secured with the spring 9 and forced against the horizontal transition section 114.
The sealing ring 8 is SUu~ldll" 'Iy V-shaped and has at the outer side a sealing edge 21 which projects slightly relative to the hood 7, respectively, relative to the outwardly extending stamped projection 112. Due to the V-shaped t:"~uodi",e"l of the sealing ring 8, the sealing edge 21 can yield radially inwardly upon insertion of the pressure cooker lid 3 into the pot 2 so that always a tight contact at the inner side of the pot 2 is ensured.
Fig. 10 shows a plan view of the spring 9. The spring 9 cull,~u,ia~s bent, meander-shaped sections 117 with curved portions 17 which engage the slots 16 of the pressure cooker lid 3. The spring 9 can be a wire ring having ends in the form of hooks 19. These hooks 19 also engage a slot 16 of the pressure cooker lid 3. In addition, the spring 9 is wave-shaped as can be seen in Figs. 11 to 14.
After introduction of food to be cooked into the pot 2, the pressure cooker lid 3 can be placed thereon in any desired position. In most cases, the lid segments 12 will come to rest on the pot segments 4 as shown in Fig. 11. The valleys 118 of the 19518 305.3-16 - K~11 llios~ 1248 .

2~ 76876 .
wave structure of the wave-shaped spring 9 are p~ai~iol,ed in the area of the lid segments 112. The sealing line 46 c,u, l~a,uOlldil 19 to the circ~",Ft~ "lidl sealing edge 21 is ~osiIk,"dd above the line 47 which COIl~:apOllda to the circu",r~ "lidl pouring rim 48 of the pot (see Fig. 15). In this lid position, the pressure cooker pot 1 is not yet sealed in the circ~ t" ," ' direction. When the pressure cooker lid 3 is rotated in any desired direction, the pressure cooker lid 3 glides with the lower surfaces of its lid segments 12 on the upper surfaces of the pot segments 4. As soon as the pressure cooker lid 3 has reached the position of Fig. 12, in which the lid se3ments 12 are congruent with the segment gaps 14 of the pot segments 4, the pressure cooker lid 3 falls due to its own weight into the pot 2 until the spring 9 rests on the pot segments 4. The sealing line 46 now intercepts the plane 49 which COIl~ JOllda to the surface of the vertical projection 6. In this position the pressure cooker pot 1 is still not sealed.
When the pressure cooker lid 3 is rotated further in any desired direction, as is l~ d in Fig. 13, the curved ends 13 of the lid segments 12 in the direction of rotation glide with their upper side onto the lower surface of the pot segments 4. The spring 9 glides on the upper surFace of the pot segment 4 and is 195 1C 305.3-1C - Kad Ni~s~ - N 2~
~? .

21 76~76 7' p~uylcs~h/~ ly tensioned. The pressure cooker lid 3 can be forced by exterior force a ~ , in the .~ ...,.: d direction only to such an extent until the meander-shaped part 50 (see Fig. 10) comes to rest at the lower surface 51 of the sealing element 8 (see Fig.
15). In this position the sealing line 46 still intercepts the plane 49 so that the pressure cooker pot 1 is still not sealed.
As soon as the pressure cooker lid 3 reaches the position according to Fig. 14, in which the pot segments 4 rest on the middle sections 113 of the lid segments 12, the pressure cooker lid 3 is forced by the force of the spring 9 in the upward direction so that the upwardly curved ends 13 of the lid segments 12 engage the pot segments 4. In this position the valleys 118 of the wave-shaped spring 9 act on the upper side of the pot segments 4. The sealing line 46 intercepts the plane 49 no longer so that the pressure cooker pot is now tightly sealed and is in the desired closed state.
In Figs. 15 and 16 the closed position is lc,~lcscl.~d in detail. Fig. 15 shows the contact of the stamped projection 104 and the stamped projection 112 whereby the two stamped ~,.je~iol,s are forced against one another by the action of the spring 9. The sealing element 8 rests with its sealing edge 21 155 18 305.3-16 - K~rl Nios~ - H 2~8 2 1 76~76 provided at the elastic sealing lip 20 in a sealing fashion at the cylindrical surface 22 of the circu", rt~ wall 100 of the pot 2.
As can be seen in Fig. 16, the sealing edge 21 is posiliu"ed above the vertical projection 6 so that the pot is Gul I Ip~ t~ ly closed in the circ~"" t~ idl direction.
In Figs. 17 to 19 the pressure relief and venting valve 10 is ae, ll~d which is mounted within an opening 120 of a stamped d~ a~ivll 24 in the hood 7. In this opening 120 a rubber-elastic insert 128 is inserted which is sUbaldll-- ~1~' c~""., i:,ed of an upper cylindrical section 129 and a lower cylindrical selection 130. The upper cylindrical section 129 engages the opening 120 and has a greater inner diameter than the lower cylindrical section 130 which extends into the interior of the lid. In the transition area between the upper and the lower cylindrical sections 129, 130 an inserted disc 25 is provided which serves as an abutment for a pressure spring 26 which rests with its underside at a spring plate 30. A
sleeve 28 which is the valve body 27 extends through the rubber-elastic insert 128 and supports at the exterior side of the lid a perfu, disc 29 which is welded in the sleeve 28. A rotational spring 31 is inserted into the sleeve 28. The end sections of the spring 31 extends to the exterior so that the spring plate 30 is 195 18 305 3-16 - K rl Nltst . N 2',0 supported thereat. The rotational spring 31 serves to secure the rubber elastic valve ball 32 against falling out of the sleeve. At the side facing the pt:, rul.~t~d disc 29, the sleeve 27 is bent outwardly by forming a sealing edge 127 so that it comes to rest at the end face or exterior surface 123 of the upper cylindrical section 129 of the insert 128 which thus provides the valve seat 23. By p,~t~ ,iul,;"~ the pressure spring 26, the sealing edge 127 of the sleeve 27 is forced against the valve seat 23.
When heat energy is applied to the pot, steam is generated within the pressure cooker pot 1 which first displaces the air present within the pressure cooker pot 1 through the valve opening 52 within the pe, rul~ ,d disc 29 of the pressure relief and venting valve 10. When the steam d~ lu,u~c:~l increases, the increased steam flow entrains the rubber-elastic valve ball 32 so that it comes to rest at the valve opening 52 in a sealing manner.
This is ,~:~,r~ , ' in Fig. 18. From now on, pressure can be built up within the pressure cooker pot 1.
Upon reaching the maximum allowable cooking pressure this pressure acts against the valve body 27 of the pressure relief and venting valve 10. As soon as this force is greater than the p,~ siu"i"y force of the pressure spring 26, the valve body 27 1~5 18305.3-~6-K011ies~ 2~B

is lifted off the valve seat 23. The steam can thus be vented via the resulting annular gap 125 bet~veen the upper cylindrical section 129 of the insert 128 and the sleeve 27. A higher pressure can thus not be produced.
In Figs. 20 to 22 the pressure i" 'vcnting device 11 is ,~ e, ~ in section. It is inserted into an opening 121 of a stamped de,~leaaiOI~ 45 of the hood 7. A sleeve 33 extends through the opening 121 and is provided at the exterior end with a rubber-elastic pe, ru, disc 34. This pe, ru, ~led disc 34 covers the stamped dep,e:,aiull 45 and rests with its rim on the upper outer edge 145 of the stamped de~ulessiol~ 45. The upper outer edge 145 of the stamped d~u,essiù,, 45 is provided with at least one radially extending groove 53. Fulll,er",o,e the pélFul disc 34 cu",uriaes a dG~LII. u'y extending cylindrical part 134 which at its end face is provided with spacing elements 135 in the form of knobs. In the position r~pleael in Fig. 2û, these knobs 135 do not contact the hood 7. The external circumference of the sleeve 33 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 121 so that between sleeve 33 and depll:aaiull 45 an annular gap 136 remains.
Below the opening 121 the sleeve 33 has an inwardly 195 183063-16-K~rlNioso-N2~11 2 1 76~376 - :
projecting annular projection 35 which is engaged from the exterior by a rolled .I;d,UIlldS~ 43 with its bead 44 which, in the position St:ll' ' in Fig. 20, closes the annular gap 136. The rolled did~ullldylll 43 extends at the exterior side of the sleeve 33 in the ., d direction and encloses the lower end 137 of a piston 37 movably supported within the sleeve 33. The piston 37 is forced by a pressure spring 38 arranged in the sleeve 33 into the interior of the pot. The pressure spring 38 is supported on the one hand at the piston 37 and on the other hand at a spring plate 36 which is, in turn, supported at the underside of the annular projection 35.
The outwardly projecting end 138 of the piston 37 supports a cap 42 with a bushing 39 having arranged at its outer side colored rings 40, 41. The bushing 39 is supported in the position ,~p,t:se~ ;l in Fig. 20 at the upper side of the annular projection 35. The colored rings 40, 41 are not visible in the position of the bushing 39 which it assumes when no pressure is present in the pot; they are F " led within the perfu,~l~d disc 34. Since the lower edge of the bushing 39 rests on the upper side of the annular projection 35, the spring plate 36, piston 37, and pressure spring 38 are prevented from falling out of the sleeve 33.
Since the rubber-elastic p~, rul~.t~,d disc 34 with its outer rim ~9C la30A3.~0-K~Niusll-NZ~O

~ 2 1 768 76 rests with p~ lsiul~ at the upper outer edge 145 of the stamped projection 45, the sleeve 33 and wlth it the rolled dia,ullldylll 43 are pulled upwardly so that the upper surface of the circull,' t~ idl rubber-elastic bead 44 rests sealingly at the underside of the stamped de~ asiv~l 45 of the hood 7.
When the pressure within the cooking pot increases, the steam pressure will act on the rolled did,UI 11 a~l 1 l 43 of the pressure indicator/venting device 11 and force the piston 37 and with it the bushing 39, the colored rings 40, 41, and the cap 42 against the force of the pressure spring 38 in the upward direction. With dsi~g pressure first the colored ring 40, for example, being green, than the second colored ring 41, for example, being yellow, and, s~ Ihse~u~ntly, upon reaching the maximum allowable cooking pressure, the lower part of the bushing 39 which can be, for example red, will appear above the rubber elastic disc 34. The piston 37 in this position abuts the spring plate 36. This end position is It:pl~a~ll ' in Fig. 21.
After culll,ul~l;ull of the cooking process, the pressure cooker pot 1 can only be opened in a pressure-less state. For this purpose, the cap 42 as shown in Fig. 22, is pushed :'c... dly until the knobs 134 of the rubber-elastic p~, ~u, i -' disc 34 come ~95 18 305.3- ~6 - Kari Ni~s~ - H 2~
~1~
-- 2~ 76876 to rest at the outer surface of the stamped d~ siol~ 45 of the hood 7. C~"~:,uu".li"~ly the upper surface of the circ~"~ rt~
rubber-elastic bead 44 of the rolled .lidUIl~d~UIll 43 is lifted off the underside of the stamped dep,~siu,, 45. This frees the annular gap 136 and steam is vented to the exterior.
In Fig. 23 the pot 2 is l~ S~ll with a steamer insert 57 and a matching lid 55 in section. The details are ,~u,~:,e" - in Figs. 24 and 25 whereby in Fi3. 24 the steamer insert has been omitted. The steamer insert comprises a bottom 151 which has a transition into a lower cylindrical portion 153 of the circu",~ " wall 150. In the upward direction, the cylindrical portion 153 has a transition portion 62 into an upper cylindrical portion 152 which relative to the lower cylindrical portion 153, has a greater diameter. The upper cylindrical portion 152 has an upper edge 61 with which the steamer insert 52 rests on the rim 48 of the pot 2.
As can be seen in Fig. 25 the outer diameter of the lower cylindrical wall section 159 of the lid 55 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical surface 56 of the upper cylindrical portion 152 of the steamer insert. The outer diameter of the cylinder surface of the upper cylindrical portion 152 of the steamer 19518 305.3-~6 - K~d N~s4 - N 2~8 2 ~ 76~76 insert 57 is again s~" "_ . ' IdL smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical surface 58 of the pot 2. The exterior diameter of the widened portion 59 of the lid 55 is s~",~ ,dl smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylinder surface 58 of the pot 2 but greater than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 152 of the steamer insert 57. The height of the wall section 159 of the lid 55 is sized such that when its lower edge 60 rests on the pot segments 4, as It~ Il ' in Fig. 24, the upper wall section 157 of its widened portion 59 is immersed partly in the pot 2.
However, when the steamer insert 57 is present and the transition portion 158 of the widened portion 59 rests on the pouring rim 61 of the steamer insert 57, its lower edge 60 does not contact the flange-like transition portion 62 of the steamer insert 57. The steamer insert 57 rests with the lower surface of its pouring rim 61 on the pouring rim 48 of the pot 2 whereby the flange-like transition portion 62 does not contact the pot segments 4 (see Fig.
25).
In Fig. 26 the pot 2 is ,~ , ' with a double boiler insert 64 which is also embodied such that it .,oope, ' - with the pot segments 4 and is secured thereat. With this double boiler insert 64 the pot 2 is turned into a double boiler 63. A ring 19510 305.~-16 - Ko~l Nbso - N 248 member 66 is welded to the upper portion of the cylindrical circu", t:lltidl wall 160 of the double boiler insert 64 and above the ring element 66 a sealing element 8 is arranged which COI I _a~Jul Ids to the sealing element 8 disclosed in cv", It~ iUI~ with Figs. 8 and 9. The sealing element 8 is secured between the angled portion 68 of the ring 66 and the horizontal wall portion 161 of the widened portion 67 of the circ~", .~" wall 160 of the si"""e,i"g insert 64. At the upper edge of the ring member 66 angled flaps 69 70 71 are arranged whereby their number co"~,ondb to the number of pot segments 4 (see Figs. 27-32).
One of the angled flaps is the tab 70 co",u, i~i"g an elastic tongue 72 extending in the direction of closure as l~ aell~ ' in Fig. 27.
The elastic tongue 72 has at its free end an upwardly extending projection 73. The pouring rim 74 of the insert 64 has at least three pruj~:uliulls 75 uniformly distributed about the circumference so that for the inserted double boiler insert 64 between the pouring rim 74 and the pouring rim 48 of the pot an annular gap 76 remains. As can be seen in Fig. 29 the sealing element 8 is arranged such that for the inserted double boiler insert 64 the sealing line 46, uoll~::al~u~ l9 to the circu", ~:rltidl sealing edge 21, intercepts the plane 49 which corresponds to the surface of 195 18 3051-15 - K~rl Nies~ - N2~d ~.~

21 76876 -~
.
the vertical projection 6.
First the pot 2 is filled with a cert~in amount of water. Then the double boiler insert 64 is inserted into the pot 2 such that the flaps 69, 70, 71 come to rest within the segment gaps 14 of the pot 2 (see Fig. 33). The double boiler insert 64 thus falls u~r until the ~ .lly extending prujeutiol~s 75 of its pouring rim 74 come to rest at the pouring rim 48 of the pot 2.
Now the double boiler insert 64 is turned to the right. Thus, the securing flap 69 glides under the cur.t:,~.o, " ,g pot segment 4 in order to prevent that upon removing the double boiler insert 64 from the pot 2 the tongue 72 would be bent. When the double boiler insert 64 is further turned in the same direction, the projection 73 glides under the G~ ,uolldil lg pot segment 4 whereby the elastic tongue 72 is tensioned in the du.:,l.. .1 direction as shown in Fig. 35. Finally, the flap 71 comes into contact with the col.t:,pol,~i"g pot segment 4 so that the projection 73 driven by the elastic tongue 72 engages behind the cu,,t:~,uùlldi.~ pot segment 4 tsee Fig. 36). The double boiler insert 64 is thus arrested within the pot 2 and the sealing line 46 intercepts the plane 49, as shown in Fig. 29.
When heat energy is supplied to the double boiler pot, the 195 18 305 3~ K rl Nlts - N 2~

21 76~76 water within the hollow space 77 between the pot 2 and the double boiler insert 64 is brought to a boil. The resulting steam can exit through the gap 78 (see Fig. 29) between the sealing edge 21 and the vertical projection 6 and finally through the annular gap 76 Since the gap 78 is present within the area of the pot handles of the pot, it is ensured that upon emptying the double boiler no water can be poured out of the hollow space 77 between pot 2 and double boiler insert 64. The removal of the double boiler insert 64 is carried out in the reverse order.
In Fig. 37 a pot with inserted cutting insert is shown in a plan view. The cutting insert .,o~ ib~s a cutting disc 80 which is provided at its inner area with cutting elements or blades 88. In addition, further cutting blades 89 for coarse slicing can be provided. On the cutting disc 80 a turntable 81 with a turn grip 82 and a push member 83 are provided. The cutting disc 80 is provided with flaps extending upwardly (84) and ~'~. .,. dly (85) numbering twice the number of the pot segments and distributed over the circumference in a uniform pattern. They have a size so that they ft into the segment gaps 14 of the pot 2. Between the flaps 84, 85 angled stays 86 are arranged which also alternate upwardly and ~ Iy. At the center of the cutting disc 80 a 1~5 18 305.3-16 - K~d Ni~ N 2~0 (.3 2~ 7~87~
hole 94 is proYided and at the center of the turntable 81 a cup 95 is provided which extends :..., u!~. Its outer diameter is of a size such that it is received with minimal play within the hole 94.
The edge of the tumtable 81 is provided in the circu", t:lllial direction with a beaded edge 96. The outer diameter of the beaded edge 96 is of such a size that it rests with minimal play at the inner side of the respective stay 86. Applo,.i,ll 'y centrally in the radial direction between the cup 95 and the beaded edge ~6 a channel 97 is provided. The turn grip 82 is rotatably supported with minimal play at the feed channel ~77. The push member 83 glides with minimal play within the feed channel 97 and in the upper part of the turn grip 82 and is closed at the top by a snap-on lid 98.
The respective cutting disc 80 selected for a specific 'i 7 is placed into the pot 2 such that the area of the upwardly projecting flaps 84 rest on the pot segments 4 while the ..... d'y extending flaps 85 are F: ~d in the segment gaps 14 of the pot 2. .SIlhsegllently the turntable 81 is placed onto the cutting disc 80 such that the cup 95 comes to rest in the hole 94 whereby the lower side of the beaded edge 96 rests on the cutting disc 80. Then the turn knob 82 is ~G~i~ioi1ed on the feed chânnel 195 t83053-15-1~81tN~s~-N2~8 .~

2~ 76876 97. The makrial to be cut is then introduced, if necessary cut into smaller pieces, in the longitudinal direction into the channel 97.
Then the push member 83 is inserted into the channel 97 and pushed in the downward direction. One hand grips the push member 83 and the turn grip 82 and rotates in the shown JOd;~ to the right while simultaneously pressing downward the tumtable 81. Thus, the material to be cut is guided in a circular path across the cutting surface 87. The material to be cut, d~pe,~ on the used cutting disc, is thus shredded, sliced, or cut and falls directly into the pot 2.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the sl,e~ , and drawings, but also el~c~"~,asses any " " 'i~ r,~ within the scope of the appended claims.

195 1e 105.3-16 - Kerl Niose - N 2~18 R~F~.~n~t: Numerals Pressure cooker pot 2 Pot 3 Pressure cooker lid 4 Pot segment Band 6 Vertical Projection 7 Hood 8 Sealing element 9 Spring Pressure relief and venting valve 11 Pressure indicator/venting device 12 Lid segment 13 End of lid segment 14 Gap between segments 1 5 Gap 16 Slot 17 Curved portion 1 9 Hook Sealing lip 21 Sealing edge 195 18 305 3-18 - K~r/ Nb5~ - H 2~8 ~.~S

22 Cylindrical surface 23 Valve seat 24 Stamped dep, tac~;~)l I
Disc 26 Pressure spring 27 Valve body 28 Sleeve 29 r~. ~ul -~ disc 3û Spring plate 31 Rotational spring 32 Valve ball 33 Sleeve 34 r~. ~, disc Annular projection 36 Spring plate 37 Piston 38 Pressure spring 39 Bushing 40, 41 Colored rings 42 Cap 43 Rolled ,lialJl"a~", ,5~
1D5 18 305 3-16 ' K~rl Nl ~St . N 2~0 .
44 Bead Stamped dt~ c.;o 46 Sealing line 47 Line 48 Pouring rim 49 SurFace Meander-shaped part 51 Lower surface 52 Valve opening 53 Radially extending groove Lid 56 Cylindrical surface 57 Steamer insert 58 Cylindrical surface 59 Widened portion Edge 61 Rim 62 Transition portion 63 Double boiler 64 Double boiler insert 66 Ring member ~5~C
195 18 30a3- 16 - K~11 Nios~ N 218 .
67 Widened portion 68 Angled portion ô9 Securing flap 70, 71 Outwardly extending tab 72 Tongue 73 Projection 74 Pouring rim Projections 76 Annular gap 77 Hollow space 78 Gap Cutting disc 81 Tumtable 82 Turn grip 83 Push member 84, 85 Flap 86 Stay 88, 89 Cutting blade 94 Hole Cup 96 Beaded edge 1~5 18 305 3-15 - Kd Nlese - N 2~â

21 7687~
97 Feed channel 98 Lid 100 Circ~ idl wall 1 02 Recess 104 Integral stamped projection 105 Pot handle 110 Cylindrical lid wall 111 Lid handle 112 Stamped projection 113 Center portion of stamped projection 114 Horizontal transition section 11 7 Meander-shaped sections 118 Valley of wave 120 Opening of hood 121 Opening of hood 123 Outwardly facing end face 125 Annular gap 127 Sealing edge 128 Rubber-elastic insert 129 Upper cylindrical section 130 Lower cylindrical section "~
19518 30~.3-1~ . K~rl Nbs~ 2~8

Claims

1. A pot comprising:
a bottom;
a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, said lower edge connected to said bottom;
pot handles connected to the exterior of said circumferential wall;
inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein said inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below said upper edge.

2. A pot according to claim 1, wherein said inwardly projecting pot segments are integral stamped projections of said circumferential wall.

3. A pot according to claim 2, wherein at least two of said inwardly projecting pot segments are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of said circumferential wall.

4. A pot according to claim 2, wherein a wall thickness of said inwardly projecting pot segments is substantially identical to the wall thickness of said circumferential wall.

5. A pot according to claim 2, further comprising a circumferential band connected to the exterior of said circumferential wall for covering recesses in the exterior of said circumferential wall caused by stamping said inwardly projecting pot segments.

6. A pot according to claim 5, wherein said band is welded to the exterior of said circumferential wall.

7. A pot according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential wall comprises at least one outwardly extending vertical projection.

8. A pot according to claim 7, wherein between neighbouring ones of said inwardly projecting pot segments gaps are provided and wherein said at least one vertical projection is located in the area of one of said handles above said inwardly projecting pot segments within one of said gaps.

9. A pressure cooker lid for a pot comprising a bottom, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom pot handles connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall, inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge; said pressure cooker lid comprising:
a hood with at least one pressure relief and venting valve and a combined pressure indicator/venting device wherein said hood has a circumferential edge;
a cylindrical lid wall connected to said circumferential edge of said hood;
said cylindrical lid wall having outwardly projecting lid segments as components of said closure mechanism, wherein said outwardly projecting lid segments extend in the circumferential direction and cooperate with the inwardly projecting pot segments to close the pot;
a sealing element for sealing the pot when closed.

10. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 9, wherein said outwardly projecting lid segments are integral stamped projections of said cylindrical lid wall.

11. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 10 wherein the number of said outwardly projecting lid segments is identical to the number of said inwardly projecting pot segments wherein said outwardly projecting lid segments are shorter than gaps between said inwardly projecting pot segments.

12. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 10 wherein said outwardly projecting lid segments have upwardly curved ends pointing toward said hood.

13. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 12, wherein a length of said outwardly projecting lid segments between said upwardly curved ends is identical to the length of said inwardly projecting pot segments.

14. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 10, wherein said pressure cooker lid further comprising at least one spring connected to the exterior of said cylindrical lid wall between said hood and said outwardly projecting lid segments, wherein said at least one spring is progressively tensioned when said pressure cooker lid is placed on said circumferential wall and the pot is closed.

15. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 14, wherein said at least one spring is wave-shaped in the circumferential direction of said cylindrical lid wall, wherein valleys of said at least one wave-shaped spring are positioned in the area of said outwardly projecting lid segments.

16. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 15, wherein said at least one spring comprises bent, meander-shaped sections.

17. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 14, wherein said sealing element is a sealing ring positioned between said hood and said at least one spring and resting on said cylindrical lid wall, wherein said sealing ring has an outwardly facing side with a sealing edge.

18. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 9, wherein:
said at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a valve body in the form of a sleeve with a first and a second end;
said hood has an opening into which said sleeve is inserted so as to extend with a first end into the interior of said hood;
said hood comprises a pressure spring positioned in said opening and acting on said sleeve;
said sleeve is supported by said pressure spring so as to be displaceable to a limited extent;
said at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a perforated disc comprising a valve opening and connected to said second end of said sleeve;
said at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a valve ball movably positioned in said sleeve for closing said valve opening.

19. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 18, wherein said at least one pressure relief and venting valve has a rubber-elastic insert with an outwardly facing end face forming a valve seat, said sleeve having a sealing edge and being positioned in said rubber-elastic insert, wherein between said sleeve and said rubber-elastic insert an annular gap as a steam venting channel is provided, and wherein said valve seat and said sealing edge cooperate to provide a sealing action for said pressure relief and venting valve.

20. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 9, wherein:
said combined pressure indicator/venting device has a sleeve with a first and a second end;
said hood has an opening into which said sleeve is inserted so as to extend with a first end into the interior of said hood and be displaceable to a limited extent;
said combined pressure indicator/venting device further has a piston and a pressure spring, said piston supported in said sleeve so as to be moveable against a force of said pressure spring;
said combined pressure indicator/venting device further having a rolled diaphragm positioned at said first end of said sleeve;
said piston having a first end extending into the interior of said hood and resting with said first end on said rolled diaphragm; and said piston having a second end remote from said first end, wherein said second end comprises colored rings.

21. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 20, wherein said sleeve, in the area of said opening of said hood, comprises a radially inwardly oriented annular projection with an upper and a lower side and engaged radially outwardly by said rolled diaphragm, said combined pressure indicator/venting device further comprising a spring plate, resting at said lower side of said radially inwardly oriented annular projection, and a bushing, connected to said piston and resting at said upper side of said radially inwardly oriented annular projection.

22. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 20, wherein said hood has a stamped depression in which said opening is located, said stamped depression having an upper outer edge with at least one radially extending groove.

23. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 22, wherein said combined pressure indicator/venting device comprises a rubber-elastic perforated disc with an outer rim connected to said second end of said sleeve, said perforated disc covering said stamped depression and resting with said outer rim on said upper outer edge of said stamped depression.

24. A pressure cooker lid according to claim 23, wherein said perforated disc has spacer elements at a side thereof facing said stamped depression.

25. An steamer insert for a pot comprising a bottom, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom, pot handles connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall, inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge; said steamer insert comprising:
a bottom with openings;
a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, said lower edge connected to said bottom;
said upper edge being bent outwardly for resting on the upper edge of the circumferential wall of the pot;

said circumferential wall comprised of a lower cylindrical portion adjacent to said bottom and an upper cylindrical portion adjacent to said upper edge, wherein said upper cylindrical portion has a greater diameter than said lower cylindrical portion;
said circumferential wall further comprising a transition portion for connecting said upper and said lower cylindrical portions, wherein said transition portion matches a contour of the inwardly projecting pot segments.

26. A steamer insert according to claim 25, wherein the diameters of said upper and said lower cylindrical portions and said transition portion are smaller than an inner diameter of the pot so that said steamer insert is spaced from the circumferential wall of the pot and does not come into contact with the inwardly projecting pot segments.

27. A lid for a pot comprising a bottom, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom, pot handles connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall, inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge; said lid comprising:

a hood;
a cylindrical circumferential wall comprising an upper wall section connected to said hood, a lower wall section, and a transition portion connecting said upper wall section to said lower wall section;
said lower wall section having a smaller diameter than said upper wall section.

28. A lid according to claim 27 wherein the outer diameters of said upper wall section and said lower wall section are smaller than the inner diameter of the circumferential wall of the pot so that said lower wall section rests on the inwardly projecting pot segments.

29. A lid for a steamer insert comprising a bottom with openings, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, said lower edge connected to said bottom, said upper edge being bent outwardly for resting on an upper edge of a circumferential wall of a pot, the circumferential wall comprised of a lower cylindrical portion adjacent to the bottom and an upper cylindrical portion adjacent to the upper edge, wherein the upper cylindrical portion has a greater diameter than the lower cylindrical portion, the circumferential wall further comprising a transition portion for connecting the upper and lower cylindrical portions, wherein the transition portion matches a contour of inwardly projecting pot segments; said lid comprising:
a hood;
a cylindrical circumferential wall comprising an upper wall section connected to said hood, a lower wall section, and a transition portion connecting said upper wall section to said lower wall section;
said lower wall section having a smaller diameter than said upper wall section.

30. A lid according to claim 29, wherein the outer diameter of said upper wall section is greater and the outer diameter of said lower wall section is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion of the steamer insert such that said lid rests only with said transition portion on the steamer insert.

31. A double boiler insert for a pot comprising a bottom, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom, pot handles connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall, inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge; said insert comprising:
a bottom;
a cylindrical circumferential wall connected to said bottom and having an upper edge;
securing and closing elements connected to the exterior of said cylindrical circumferential wall for cooperation with the inwardly projecting pot segments.

32. An insert according to claim 31, wherein said securing and closing elements comprise at least one outwardly extending tab with an elastic tongue, extending in the circumferential direction, for engaging under the inwardly projecting pot segments.

33. An insert according to claim 31, wherein said tongue has a free end with an upwardly extending projection.

34. An insert according to claim 31, wherein said securing and closing elements further comprise for each one of said tongues a securing flap connected to said cylindrical circumferential wall spaced from said respective tongue.

35. An insert according to claim 31, wherein said securing and closing elements further comprise at least one outwardly projecting flap displaced upwardly and spaced from said tab such that in a closed position said outwardly projecting flap contacts a corresponding inwardly projecting pot segment.

36. An insert according to claim 35, further comprising a ring member arranged at said cylindrical circumferential wall, wherein said outwardly projecting flaps, said tabs, and said securing flaps are parts of said ring member.

37. An insert according to claim 36, further comprising a sealing ring arranged above said ring member, said sealing ring having an outer side with a sealing edge.

38. An insert according to claim 37, wherein said sealing ring is arranged such that said sealing edge rests within at least one outwardly extending vertical projection of the circumferential wall of the pot when said insert is placed into the pot.

39. A cutting insert for a pot comprising a bottom, a circumferential wall with a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge connected to the bottom, pot handles connected to the exterior of the circumferential wall, inwardly projecting pot segments as components of a closure mechanism, wherein the inwardly projecting pot segments extend in the circumferential direction and are positioned below the upper edge; said cutting insert comprising:
a cutting disc insertable into the pot, said cutting disc having areal disc surfaces with cutting elements for cutting, shredding, and slicing;
said cutting disc having an outer circumference with alternatingly upwardly and downwardly extending flaps;
said upwardly extending flaps resting on the inwardly projecting pot segments;
said downwardly extending flaps positioned between the inwardly projecting pot segments;
a turntable;
said cutting disc comprising a bearing for rotatably supporting said turntable.

40. A cutting insert according to claim 39, wherein said turntable comprises an eccentrically arranged turn grip as a feed channel for material to be cut.

41. A cutting insert according to claim 40, wherein said turn grip comprises a sleeve surrounding said feed channel and being rotatably supported thereat, further comprising a push member slidably supported at said sleeve.