EP4304432A1 - A space-saving device for lids - Google Patents

A space-saving device for lids

Info

Publication number
EP4304432A1
EP4304432A1 EP22717017.2A EP22717017A EP4304432A1 EP 4304432 A1 EP4304432 A1 EP 4304432A1 EP 22717017 A EP22717017 A EP 22717017A EP 4304432 A1 EP4304432 A1 EP 4304432A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lid
lids
pin
knob
space
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22717017.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Desiderio RIZZI
Iuri CELLA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT102021000005543A external-priority patent/IT202100005543A1/en
Priority claimed from IT202022000000911U external-priority patent/IT202200000911U1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP4304432A1 publication Critical patent/EP4304432A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J47/00—Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass; Cutting-boards, e.g. for bread
    • A47J47/16—Stands, or holders for kitchen articles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a space-saving device for lids that is particularly suitable for permitting orderly and stable stacking of lids in a limited space.
  • a lid is an element of different shapes and materials that is used to cover and close the opening of saucepans, pans and frying pans used for cooking.
  • a lid consists of a structure that is generally circular in shape, rarely oval or square, made of a material such as metal or glass that has a flat shape but most lids are convex, domed.
  • silicone lids on the market. All the lids found on the market are provided with a grip that is placed in the centre to enable the lid to be taken by hand, lifted from the saucepan and moved.
  • the grips consist of knobs of various size and dimensions or of handles to enable the fingers to be inserted to take and lift the lid when it is hot also using potholders.
  • the lids currently in use although they perform superbly the closing function, have shown a series of drawbacks and limits due to the conformation and structure thereof.
  • a first drawback arises from the fact that it is practically impossible to manage to stack lids both because of the dimensions and the shapes of the lids in addition to the fact that the presence of the grip multiplies the occupied space and does not enable one lid to be placed on the other, with considerable take-up of space inside kitchen drawers or units.
  • metal or plastic shaped supports exist of various conformations provided to receive a lid in each lodging so that the lids are aligned and arranged parallel to one another with different methods.
  • One arrangement example provides for the lids being, as mentioned before, aligned parallel to one another with the lid-holding structure that supports each lid that is alongside the next lid, whilst a different structure, which in general is applied inside the doors of a piece of furniture, provides positioning scaled in height of the lids in which the lids subsequent to the first is placed below and the perimeter edge of the second is below the knob of the first and so on.
  • the structures currently in use are substantially grids inside which the lids are inserted to maintain the lids aligned and stationary with an almost vertical arrangement of the lids.
  • lids are rather bulky because there has to be a certain space between one lid and the next one precisely because of the presence of the grip, which is becoming more important and voluminous in more recent models of lid. Further, they also have height dimensions if lids have to be received of important diameters and it is not conceivable that in the kitchen there are lid holders for small and medium lids and lid holders for large lids. They are overall dimensions that are inacceptable today with houses and kitchens that are smaller and smaller and minimalist. Further, current lid-holding structures are made to receive lids of the same or very similar type and diameters in increasing sequence so that it is often not certain that lids can be inserted that are of different type but of the same diameter.
  • lids that can be used with any type of receptacle, saucepan, pan and/or frying pan and have decidedly limited overall dimensions when they are placed in a drawer or piece of furniture in addition to being able to be well organized and ordered even when they are not used.
  • the object of this invention is substantially that of solving the prior art problems by overcoming the difficulties disclosed above by a space-saving device for lids that enables the storage of the lids to be managed and organized rapidly, practically and simply, not being bulky and being extremely functional.
  • a second object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is able to have a customizable appearance with various combinations of colours with different materials so as to make the device particularly attractive and pleasant.
  • Another object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is able to be practical and functional, offering good capacity of lodging the lids.
  • Another object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that can be easily adaptable to and insertable into any type of environment, has dimensions that are suitable for being able to contain a good number of lids and is not bulky but is at the same time practical and functional.
  • a further object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that can enable the lids to be stacked simply and effectively.
  • Not the least object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is easy to make and has good functionality.
  • figure 1 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a space saving device for lids according to this invention
  • figure 2 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, the space saving device in figure 1
  • figure 3 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a version of the device in question
  • figure 4 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, the space saving device in figure 3
  • figure 5 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a component of the space-saving device according to this invention
  • figure 6 shows, schematically and in an exploded view, the component in figure 5
  • figure 7 shows, schematically and in a frontal view, the component in figure 5
  • figure 1 1 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view and in an exploded view, the component in figure 10;
  • figure 12 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view and in an exploded view, the assembly sequence of the component in figure 10.
  • 1 indicates overall a space-saving device for lids, according to this invention.
  • the space-saving device for lids 1 substantially consists of a support structure consisting of a base 2 having in the centre a threaded hole provided for being engaged by a pin arranged orthogonally to the base as shown in figure 2.
  • the device comprises a series of support elements 4 arranged along the pin evenly spaced apart.
  • each support element 4 is provided for receiving a lid 5 which has a hole arranged to be placed on the pin until it comes to rest on a support element.
  • the lid with the greater diameter is then placed on the pin 3, then a support element 4 is inserted on which the next lid will come to rest of a slightly smaller diameter and so on for a certain number of lids up to a maximum number of ten/fifteen.
  • a gripping element is inserted for gripping the lid that consists of a knob 6 that is able to engage any of the lids placed on the pin.
  • the knob 6 substantially consists of a grip 60, of a rod 61 fixed to the knob and of a fixing element 62 that constrains the lid on the knob, as shown in figure 6.
  • the grip 60 is made of wood or metal or any other material that is usable to enable the lid to be picked up by hand and has a spherical or double frustoconical or parallelpipedon conformation with a slightly concave central portion, as shown in figure 7, or any other conformation that lends itself to being grasped easily and is aesthetically pleasing.
  • the rod 61 is a neodymium magnet and has a flared hole 61a in the centre to permit easy insertion of the fixing element 62. Further, the rod is fixed to the lower end of the grip, as shown in figure 8.
  • the fixing element 62 consists of a sort of upturned T- shaped pin where the wings 62a of the T are arranged to come into contact with the lid by entering from the inner part and passing the shank 62b of the T through the hole 50 of the lid to be lodged in a seat
  • the fixing element 62 enables the grip to be joined to the lid and to any other lid of a different dimension placed on the pin 3.
  • the knob 6 substantially consists of a grip 60, of a rod 61 fixed to the knob and of a fixing element 62 that constrains the lid on the knob, as shown in figure 10.
  • a base 63 and a pair of pins 64 for fixing the base to the knob are present.
  • the rod 61 is inserted into a suitable seat 610 provided at the lower end of the grip, as shown in figure 1 1.
  • the grip 60 has a perimeter offset 60b at the base provided for lodging the base 63 which is fixed by the pair of pins 64.
  • the base is made of metal material like, for example, aluminium or steel and can be painted.
  • the gripping element is assembled with a lid 5 according to the following pattern: firstly, the rod 61 is inserted into the seat 610 present at the lower end of the grip 6, then the base 63 is inserted at the base of the grip, placing the grip in the offset 60b and constraining the grip with the pins 64.
  • the shank 62b of the T of the fixing element 62 is passed through the hole 50 of the lid, through a hole 63a placed in the centre of the base 63 and through the hole 61a of the rod 61 until it is inserted completely into the seat 60a of the grip.
  • the gripping element is able to engage any lid 5 as shown in figure 12.
  • the fixing element 62 enables the grip to be joined to the lid 5 and to any other lid of different dimensions found in a kitchen.
  • the gripping element is made to put the grip on or remove the grip from the lids to be able to put the lids back in an orderly manner, but above all with limited overall dimensions as the space between one lid and another is eliminated.
  • two sizes of grip are provided, a smaller grip and a larger grip to be appropriately dimensioned to the diameter of the lid.
  • the pin 3 that exits the last lid has the free end threaded to be able to be engaged by a stop/knob that prevents the lids from coming off and enables the device to be grasped to be moved easily and practically.
  • the pin 3 also traverses the knob 6 or, alternatively, the pin 3 tightens inside the knob, the seat 60a having a groove that is suitable for engaging the thread of the pin so that it is the knob that is used to lift and move the device.
  • FIG. 3 One version of the space-saving device according to this invention is shown in figures 3 and 4.
  • the device has a support structure consisting of a base 2 having at the free ends 20 a seat/slot for receiving a pin 3 arranged horizontally with respect to the base as shown in figure 3.
  • the support structure comprises a base plate 2 provided to come to rest on a plane and of a pair of side wings 2a, for example, triangular as in the present embodiment.
  • each wing 2a a hole is provided for engaging a knob 6 which is constrained by the fixing element 62 that comes to rest on the inner side of the wing 2a with the shank 62b that traverses the hole and is inserted into the seat 60a.
  • a knob 6 which is constrained by the fixing element 62 that comes to rest on the inner side of the wing 2a with the shank 62b that traverses the hole and is inserted into the seat 60a.
  • the lids 5 are inserted into the pin 3 in ascending or descending order and the pin is inserted into the seat/slot on the wings 2a of the support structure.
  • the pin 3 at each end, provides a stop/knob 7 for keeping the lids locked.
  • the user has to position the pin in the seat/slot whereas if the device is the one with the vertical pin, the user has to insert a support element 4 and lastly insert the grip at the free end of the pin 3 inserting the end into the seat 60a. Lastly, in order to prevent the lids from coming off, the user will engage the stop/knob on the pin or will tighten the knob 6.
  • the space-saving device in question enables storage of the lids to be managed and organized rapidly, practically and simply, the device not being bulky and being extremely functional.
  • the space-saving device for lids is provided with a customizable aesthetic appearance with many combinations of colours, with different materials so as to make the appearance particularly attractive and pleasant and adaptable to the kitchen environment in which it is inserted and used.
  • the space-saving device for lids is very practical and functional because it creates an orderly and organized lodging for the lids enabling the overall dimensions thereof to be contained that are available and exploitable simply and functionally and with good containing capacity.
  • the present space-saving device for lids is due to the fact that it is easily adaptable and insertable into any type of environment, is of suitable dimensions to be able to contain a good number of lids, takes up little space, but is at the same time practical and functional, permitting simple and effective stacking of the lids.
  • the device according to this invention is able to contain a good number of lids and optimize the overall dimensions of a certain number of lids, unlike the structures currently in use.
  • the space-saving device operates with a simple structure so as to permit the lids to be placed on and taken off the support structure easily, fast and practically.
  • the space-saving device for lids is simple to make and very functional.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A space-saving device for lids is disclosed comprising a support structure that engages a pin (3 ) provided for receiving a series of lids (5) and at least one knob (6) provided for engaging any of the lids placed on the pin (3). The space-saving device is set up to operate from a rest position in which the lids are placed on the pin (3 ) and are inactive at an operating position in which the lid is removed from the pin and engaged on the knob (6) to be grasped by an operator and used to cover a saucepan, a pan, etc.

Description

DESCRIPTION
A SPACE-SAVING DEVICE FOR LIDS.
Technical field This invention relates to a space-saving device for lids that is particularly suitable for permitting orderly and stable stacking of lids in a limited space.
Background Art
As is known, in kitchens there are very many saucepans, pans and frying pans of various sizes, diameters and heights to be able to be available for any type of preparation and for any quantity of food. In general, when a saucepan and/or pan is purchased, the relative lid is also acquired, although certainly one of the corresponding measurements is possessed, partly because it is coordinated with the new receptacle and partly because it is configured to close as appropriate the receptacle with a profile with an edge that is complementary to that of the receptacle. Over time, one has a plethora of saucepans and pans, but above all very many lids. Further, the habit has become established of using lids also with frying pans to limit splashes or the spread of smells and to prevent food drying too quickly during cooking. In this manner, the number of lids found in a kitchen has increased further.
In fact, a lid is an element of different shapes and materials that is used to cover and close the opening of saucepans, pans and frying pans used for cooking. Today, there are very numerous versions of lids of different materials, dimensions and shapes on the market.
A lid consists of a structure that is generally circular in shape, rarely oval or square, made of a material such as metal or glass that has a flat shape but most lids are convex, domed. Currently, there are also silicone lids on the market. All the lids found on the market are provided with a grip that is placed in the centre to enable the lid to be taken by hand, lifted from the saucepan and moved. The grips consist of knobs of various size and dimensions or of handles to enable the fingers to be inserted to take and lift the lid when it is hot also using potholders.
The lids currently in use, although they perform superbly the closing function, have shown a series of drawbacks and limits due to the conformation and structure thereof. A first drawback arises from the fact that it is practically impossible to manage to stack lids both because of the dimensions and the shapes of the lids in addition to the fact that the presence of the grip multiplies the occupied space and does not enable one lid to be placed on the other, with considerable take-up of space inside kitchen drawers or units. In order to overcome this problem, metal or plastic shaped supports exist of various conformations provided to receive a lid in each lodging so that the lids are aligned and arranged parallel to one another with different methods.
One arrangement example provides for the lids being, as mentioned before, aligned parallel to one another with the lid-holding structure that supports each lid that is alongside the next lid, whilst a different structure, which in general is applied inside the doors of a piece of furniture, provides positioning scaled in height of the lids in which the lids subsequent to the first is placed below and the perimeter edge of the second is below the knob of the first and so on. The structures currently in use are substantially grids inside which the lids are inserted to maintain the lids aligned and stationary with an almost vertical arrangement of the lids.
The structures that have just been illustrated are rather bulky because there has to be a certain space between one lid and the next one precisely because of the presence of the grip, which is becoming more important and voluminous in more recent models of lid. Further, they also have height dimensions if lids have to be received of important diameters and it is not conceivable that in the kitchen there are lid holders for small and medium lids and lid holders for large lids. They are overall dimensions that are inacceptable today with houses and kitchens that are smaller and smaller and minimalist. Further, current lid-holding structures are made to receive lids of the same or very similar type and diameters in increasing sequence so that it is often not certain that lids can be inserted that are of different type but of the same diameter.
Consumers keenly feel the need to have lids that can be used with any type of receptacle, saucepan, pan and/or frying pan and have decidedly limited overall dimensions when they are placed in a drawer or piece of furniture in addition to being able to be well organized and ordered even when they are not used.
Disclosure of Invention The object of this invention is substantially that of solving the prior art problems by overcoming the difficulties disclosed above by a space-saving device for lids that enables the storage of the lids to be managed and organized rapidly, practically and simply, not being bulky and being extremely functional.
A second object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is able to have a customizable appearance with various combinations of colours with different materials so as to make the device particularly attractive and pleasant. Another object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is able to be practical and functional, offering good capacity of lodging the lids.
Another object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that can be easily adaptable to and insertable into any type of environment, has dimensions that are suitable for being able to contain a good number of lids and is not bulky but is at the same time practical and functional.
A further object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that can enable the lids to be stacked simply and effectively. Not the least object of this invention is to devise a space-saving device for lids that is easy to make and has good functionality.
These objects and still others, which will emerge more clearly in the course of this description, are substantially achieved by a space-saving device for lids, as claimed below. Brief Description of Drawings Further features and advantages will be clearer from the detailed description of a space-saving device for lids, according to this invention, reference being made below to the attached drawings, provided merely by way of example that is thus non-limiting, in which: figure 1 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a space saving device for lids according to this invention; figure 2 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, the space saving device in figure 1 : figure 3 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a version of the device in question; figure 4 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, the space saving device in figure 3; figure 5 shows, schematically and in a perspective view, a component of the space-saving device according to this invention; figure 6 shows, schematically and in an exploded view, the component in figure 5; figure 7 shows, schematically and in a frontal view, the component in figure 5; figure 8 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, the component in figure 5; figure 8 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, a version of the component in figure 7; figure 9 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view, a detail of figure 6; - figure 10 shows schematically and in a sectioned view, a version of the component of the space-saving device according to this invention;
- figure 1 1 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view and in an exploded view, the component in figure 10; figure 12 shows, schematically and in a sectioned view and in an exploded view, the assembly sequence of the component in figure 10.
With reference to the cited figures, and in particular to figure 1 , 1 indicates overall a space-saving device for lids, according to this invention.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The space-saving device for lids 1 substantially consists of a support structure consisting of a base 2 having in the centre a threaded hole provided for being engaged by a pin arranged orthogonally to the base as shown in figure 2.
The device comprises a series of support elements 4 arranged along the pin evenly spaced apart.
More in detail, each support element 4 is provided for receiving a lid 5 which has a hole arranged to be placed on the pin until it comes to rest on a support element.
As shown in figure 2, the lid with the greater diameter is then placed on the pin 3, then a support element 4 is inserted on which the next lid will come to rest of a slightly smaller diameter and so on for a certain number of lids up to a maximum number of ten/fifteen. Lastly, at the free end of the pin 3, a gripping element is inserted for gripping the lid that consists of a knob 6 that is able to engage any of the lids placed on the pin.
More in detail, the knob 6 substantially consists of a grip 60, of a rod 61 fixed to the knob and of a fixing element 62 that constrains the lid on the knob, as shown in figure 6.
According to the present embodiment, the grip 60 is made of wood or metal or any other material that is usable to enable the lid to be picked up by hand and has a spherical or double frustoconical or parallelpipedon conformation with a slightly concave central portion, as shown in figure 7, or any other conformation that lends itself to being grasped easily and is aesthetically pleasing.
In particular, the rod 61 is a neodymium magnet and has a flared hole 61a in the centre to permit easy insertion of the fixing element 62. Further, the rod is fixed to the lower end of the grip, as shown in figure 8.
In addition, the fixing element 62 consists of a sort of upturned T- shaped pin where the wings 62a of the T are arranged to come into contact with the lid by entering from the inner part and passing the shank 62b of the T through the hole 50 of the lid to be lodged in a seat
60a located inside the centre of the grip, as shown in figure 8.
The fixing element 62 enables the grip to be joined to the lid and to any other lid of a different dimension placed on the pin 3.
According to this invention, a version of the gripping element is shown in figure 10. Also in this case, the knob 6 substantially consists of a grip 60, of a rod 61 fixed to the knob and of a fixing element 62 that constrains the lid on the knob, as shown in figure 10.
Further, a base 63 and a pair of pins 64 for fixing the base to the knob are present. In particular, the rod 61 is inserted into a suitable seat 610 provided at the lower end of the grip, as shown in figure 1 1.
In addition to what has been illustrated so far, in the version in figure 10, the grip 60 has a perimeter offset 60b at the base provided for lodging the base 63 which is fixed by the pair of pins 64. The base is made of metal material like, for example, aluminium or steel and can be painted.
As shown in figure 12, the gripping element is assembled with a lid 5 according to the following pattern: firstly, the rod 61 is inserted into the seat 610 present at the lower end of the grip 6, then the base 63 is inserted at the base of the grip, placing the grip in the offset 60b and constraining the grip with the pins 64.
At this point, the shank 62b of the T of the fixing element 62 is passed through the hole 50 of the lid, through a hole 63a placed in the centre of the base 63 and through the hole 61a of the rod 61 until it is inserted completely into the seat 60a of the grip.
As disclosed previously, the gripping element is able to engage any lid 5 as shown in figure 12.
The fixing element 62 enables the grip to be joined to the lid 5 and to any other lid of different dimensions found in a kitchen. According to the present embodiment, the gripping element is made to put the grip on or remove the grip from the lids to be able to put the lids back in an orderly manner, but above all with limited overall dimensions as the space between one lid and another is eliminated. According to the present embodiment, two sizes of grip are provided, a smaller grip and a larger grip to be appropriately dimensioned to the diameter of the lid.
In addition to what has been illustrated so far, the pin 3 that exits the last lid has the free end threaded to be able to be engaged by a stop/knob that prevents the lids from coming off and enables the device to be grasped to be moved easily and practically. In particular, the pin 3 also traverses the knob 6 or, alternatively, the pin 3 tightens inside the knob, the seat 60a having a groove that is suitable for engaging the thread of the pin so that it is the knob that is used to lift and move the device.
One version of the space-saving device according to this invention is shown in figures 3 and 4.
The device has a support structure consisting of a base 2 having at the free ends 20 a seat/slot for receiving a pin 3 arranged horizontally with respect to the base as shown in figure 3.
More in detail, the support structure comprises a base plate 2 provided to come to rest on a plane and of a pair of side wings 2a, for example, triangular as in the present embodiment.
Further, on each wing 2a a hole is provided for engaging a knob 6 which is constrained by the fixing element 62 that comes to rest on the inner side of the wing 2a with the shank 62b that traverses the hole and is inserted into the seat 60a. In addition, when a user has to move the device he just needs to grasp the two knobs 6, lift the device from the plane and move the device.
As shown in figure 3, the lids 5 are inserted into the pin 3 in ascending or descending order and the pin is inserted into the seat/slot on the wings 2a of the support structure. In particular, the pin 3, at each end, provides a stop/knob 7 for keeping the lids locked.
From what has been disclosed in a prevalently structural sense, the operation of the invention in question is as follows.
When a user has to cover a saucepan, he just has to pick up a lid and use the lid in the traditional and usual manner and, when user has to put the saucepan away, the user just has to dismantle the grip by removing the fixing element by disconnecting the fixing element from the rod and extracting the fixing element from the seat so as to separate the grip from the T-shaped pin. At this point, the user has to place the lid on the pin 3, arranging the lid in the correct position according to the diameter for a regular aesthetic appearance, but can also insert the lid alone regardless of the size. If the device is the one with the support structure with the base and the wings, the user has to position the pin in the seat/slot whereas if the device is the one with the vertical pin, the user has to insert a support element 4 and lastly insert the grip at the free end of the pin 3 inserting the end into the seat 60a. Lastly, in order to prevent the lids from coming off, the user will engage the stop/knob on the pin or will tighten the knob 6.
This invention thus achieves the set objects. The space-saving device in question enables storage of the lids to be managed and organized rapidly, practically and simply, the device not being bulky and being extremely functional.
Advantageously, the space-saving device for lids is provided with a customizable aesthetic appearance with many combinations of colours, with different materials so as to make the appearance particularly attractive and pleasant and adaptable to the kitchen environment in which it is inserted and used.
Further, the space-saving device for lids is very practical and functional because it creates an orderly and organized lodging for the lids enabling the overall dimensions thereof to be contained that are available and exploitable simply and functionally and with good containing capacity.
Another advantage of the present space-saving device for lids is due to the fact that it is easily adaptable and insertable into any type of environment, is of suitable dimensions to be able to contain a good number of lids, takes up little space, but is at the same time practical and functional, permitting simple and effective stacking of the lids. Advantageously, the device according to this invention is able to contain a good number of lids and optimize the overall dimensions of a certain number of lids, unlike the structures currently in use.
In addition to what has been illustrated so far, the space-saving device operates with a simple structure so as to permit the lids to be placed on and taken off the support structure easily, fast and practically. Not the least advantage of this invention is that the space-saving device for lids is simple to make and very functional. Naturally, numerous modifications to and variations on this invention can be made, all of which are part of the inventive concept that characterizes it.

Claims

1) Space-saving device for lids characterized in that it comprises:
- a support structure consisting of a base (2) having at the centre a threaded hole provided for being engaged by a pin (3) arranged orthogonally to the base,
- a series of support elements (4) arranged along the pin evenly spaced apart from one another where each support element (4) is provided for receiving a lid (5) which has a hole arranged to be placed on the pin (3) until it comes to rest on a support element,
- at least one knob (6) provided for being inserted at the free end of the pin (3) and for engaging any of the lids placed on the pin, said space-saving device being set up to operate from a rest position in which the lids are placed on the pin (3) and are inactive at an operating position in which the lid is removed from the pin and engaged on the knob (6) to be grasped by an operator and used to cover a saucepan.
2) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 1 , characterized in that said knob (6) substantially consists of a grip (60), of a rod (61) fixed to the lower end of the knob and of a fixing element (62) that secures the lid (5) to the knob.
3) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 2, characterized in that said knob (6) has:
- the grip (60) made of wood or metal or any other material that is useful for enabling the lid to be picked up and has a spherical conformation or a double frustoconical conformation or a parallelpipedon conformation with the central portion slightly concave or any other conformation that lends itself to being grasped easily,
- the rod (61 ), which is made of a neodymium magnet and has a flared hole in the centre to enable the fixing element (62) to be inserted easily.
- the fixing element (62), which is made of a sort of upturned T- shaped pin where the wings (62a) of the T are set up to come into contact with the lid by entering from the inner part and passing the shank (62b) of the T through the hole (50) of the lid to be lodged in a seat (60a) located inside the centre of the grip, enables the grip to be joined to the lid and to any other lid of a different dimension placed on the pin (3).
4) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 1 , characterized in that said pin (3) that exits the last lid has the free end threaded to be able to be engaged by a stop/knob that prevents the lids from coming off and enables the device to be grasped to be moved easily and practically, said pin (3) also traverses the knob (6) or, alternatively, the pin (3) tightens inside the knob, the seat (60a) being able to have a groove that is suitable for engaging the thread of the pin so that the knob is used to lift and move the device.
5) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 2, characterized in that the lid with the greatest diameter is placed on the pin (3), then a support element (4) is placed on the said lid, onto which the next lid with a slighter lesser diameter is placed and so on only for a certain number of lids up to a maximum number of ten-fifteen. 6) Space-saving device for lids characterized in that it comprises:
- a support structure consisting of a base plate (2) provided for coming to rest on a plane and of a pair of side wings (2a) having at the free ends (20) a seat/slot for receiving a pin (3) arranged horizontally and parallel to the base plate and provided for placing lids (5) in ascending or descending order,
- at least one knob (6) provided for engaging any lid (5) of those placed on the pin (3) and being inserted into a hole placed in each wing (2a) when in non-operational condition, said space-saving device being set up to operate from a rest position in which the lids are placed on the pin (3) and are inactive at an operating position in which the lid is removed from the pin and engaged on the knob (6) to be grasped by a user and used to cover a saucepan.
7) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 6, characterized in that said knob (6) substantially consists of a grip (60), of a rod (61) fixed to the lower end of the knob and of a fixing element (62) that secures the lid (5) to the knob.
8) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 7, characterized in that said knob (6) has:
- the grip (60) made of wood or metal or any other material that is useful for enabling the lid to be picked up and has a spherical conformation or a double frustoconical conformation or a parallelpipedon conformation with the central portion slightly concave or any other conformation that lends itself to being grasped easily, - the rod (61) which is made of a neodymium magnet and has a flared hole in the centre to enable the fixing element (62) to be inserted easily.
- the fixing element (62), which is made of a sort of upturned T- shaped pin where the wings (62a) of the T are set up to come into contact with the lid by entering from the inner part and passing the shank (62b) of the T through the hole of the lid to be lodged in a seat (60a) located inside the centre of the grip enables the grip to be joined to the lid and to any other lid of a different dimension placed on the pin (3).
9) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 7, characterized in that said grip (60) has at the base a perimeter offset (60b) provided with a base (63) that is constrained on said grip by a pair of pins (64) and said base (63) is made of metal material such as aluminium or steel and can be painted.
10) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 7, characterized in that said knob (6) is secured to each wing (2a) of the support structure by the fixing element (62) that comes to rest on the inner side of the wing (2a) with the shank (62b) that traverses a hole present on the wing and is inserted into the seat (60a) so that when a user has to move the device, the user just has to grasp the two knobs (6), lift the device from the plane and move the device.
1 1) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 7, characterized in that said pin (3), at each end, has a stop/knob (7) for keeping the lids immobilized. 2) Space-saving device for lids according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that there are two sizes of knob (6) to have a smaller grip and a larger grip to be suitably dimensioned for the diameter of the lid.
EP22717017.2A 2021-03-09 2022-03-08 A space-saving device for lids Pending EP4304432A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000005543A IT202100005543A1 (en) 2021-03-09 2021-03-09 SPACE-SAVING DEVICE FOR LIDS.
IT202022000000911U IT202200000911U1 (en) 2022-03-07 2022-03-07 GRIP ELEMENT FOR LID.
PCT/IT2022/000014 WO2022190144A1 (en) 2021-03-09 2022-03-08 A space-saving device for lids

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4304432A1 true EP4304432A1 (en) 2024-01-17

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ID=81325027

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22717017.2A Pending EP4304432A1 (en) 2021-03-09 2022-03-08 A space-saving device for lids

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4304432A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2022190144A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5660284A (en) * 1994-05-16 1997-08-26 Vaughn; Richard C. Storage rack for container lids
CN103826505B (en) * 2011-08-15 2015-11-25 霍雷纳贸易荷兰有限责任公司 Plate stack device
US20140319136A1 (en) * 2013-04-24 2014-10-30 Wieslaw J. Bochenek Stackable lids with removable or foldable handles
US20160367026A1 (en) * 2013-05-22 2016-12-22 Glideware, LLC Rotatable Storage Device

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