GB2132880A

GB2132880A - Heat operated device for lifting covers of cooking pots

Info

Publication number: GB2132880A
Application number: GB08334512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amorino Morandini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-29
Filing date: 1983-12-29
Publication date: 1984-07-18
Also published as: PT7564U; BR6301988U; ES276627U; GB8334512D0; GR79105B; SE8307186L; SE8307186D0; ES276627Y; IT8223820V0; BE898580A; DE8336930U1; FR2538691A1

Abstract

A device for automatically lifting a cover on a saucepan comprises a frame (2,3) which can be mounted on the inner edge of a pot by means of hook 9, a thermostatic valve (4) being provided within said frame. This valve includes a cylindrical central body (5), which a helical spring (6) keeps pressed down. When a predetermined temperature is reached, the cylindrical body (5) moves vertically upwards lifting an arm (7) and lifting the cover, in order to prevent the contents of the pot boiling over. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for automatically lifting pot covers The present patent illustrates a device that automatically lifts the cover of a pot when the contents of the pot reach boiling point.

This device, very inexpensive, can be mounted on any type of pot by just snapping it onto the edge. The device, according to the innovation, belongs to the range of kitchen accessories, solving one of the many small problems that housewives encounter every day.

In fact every time a housewife puts a pot on the stove she must pay attention until it boils, and then lift the cover a bit when boiling starts, to prevent the contents of the pot from bubbling over. The present innovation, to solve this problem, proposes a very simple device that automatically lifts the cover for a short length on one edge as soon as the temperature inside the pot comes to the boiling point. A thermostatic element is used to perform this function. This element, mounted on the cover or on the edge of the pot, causes an arm to rotate when the temperature reaches a pre-determined value. This arm applies force on the cover causing the cover to lift slightly.

The present innovation shall now be described further, by way of example, in detail, making specific reference to the enclosed illustrations, where: Figure 1 illustrates, in cross-section, a pot with the device mounted on it according to the innovation, and with the cover closed; Figure 2 illustrates the same components as in Figure 1, with the pot cover lifted.

The device according to the innovation comprises a frame, indicated as a whole by the number land basically consisting of a "C" shaped element, 2, preferably made of sheared and folded sheet metal, closed by plate 3, also made of this material, and fastened in a known fashion to component 2.

Components 2 and 3 create a seat housing a known type of thermostatic valve, 4, such as those used on automobile radiators.

Thermostatic valve 4 includes a generally cylindrical central body, 5, which a helical spring or other device, 6, keeps pressed down as shown in Figure 1, but which can exit out from component 2 through a hole in its upper section, not visible in the illustration.

The thermostatic valve, 4, is so made that when it reaches a specific temperature cylindrical body 5 moves up.

A stem, 7, or similar device is hinged above "C" shaped component 2, and preferably fastened to a pair of tabs, 8, made, for example, by bending 2 edges of element 2 up.

A hook, 9, or similar device, is fastened to this in a known fashion.

The device functions as follows: Hook 9 is used to mount the device described onto the edge of a pot, with the device totally inside the pot itself.

The state of the thermostatic valve at room temperature is such that the cylindrical body is totally contained inside the seat made by components 2 and 3. As a consequence arm 7 is in a lowered position, as shown in Figure 1, and rests, with its end free, on the edge of the pot.

When the temperature inside the pot reaches the predetermined temperature that the thermostatic valve has previously been set on, this causes body 5 to move to the outside, pushing against spring 6.

The end of body 5 then acts on arm 7, rotating it slightly around its hinge and causing, in this manner, the cover to lift (Figure 2). Obviously the type of thermostatic valve shall not be limited to the type described, but can include various types of valve, such as double foil types or others. Obviously both the dimensions and the materials employed can vary according to operating requirements.

1. A device for automatically lifting pot covers, characterized by the fact that it has a frame equipped with components permitting it to mount on the edge of a pot, inside the pot, and with, inside this frame, a thermostatic element designed to command, when a predetermined temperature is reached, lifting motion of a cover supporting arm 2. A device according to claim 1 where said thermostatic component includes apparatus that cause, when the predetermined temperature is reached, movement of an element, against a contrasting elastic force, designed to act directly or through a lever mechanism on the pot cover, causing it to lift.

3. A device for automatically lifting pot covers constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for automatically lifting pot covers The present patent illustrates a device that automatically lifts the cover of a pot when the contents of the pot reach boiling point. This device, very inexpensive, can be mounted on any type of pot by just snapping it onto the edge. The device, according to the innovation, belongs to the range of kitchen accessories, solving one of the many small problems that housewives encounter every day. In fact every time a housewife puts a pot on the stove she must pay attention until it boils, and then lift the cover a bit when boiling starts, to prevent the contents of the pot from bubbling over. The present innovation, to solve this problem, proposes a very simple device that automatically lifts the cover for a short length on one edge as soon as the temperature inside the pot comes to the boiling point. A thermostatic element is used to perform this function. This element, mounted on the cover or on the edge of the pot, causes an arm to rotate when the temperature reaches a pre-determined value. This arm applies force on the cover causing the cover to lift slightly. The present innovation shall now be described further, by way of example, in detail, making specific reference to the enclosed illustrations, where: Figure 1 illustrates, in cross-section, a pot with the device mounted on it according to the innovation, and with the cover closed; Figure 2 illustrates the same components as in Figure 1, with the pot cover lifted. The device according to the innovation comprises a frame, indicated as a whole by the number land basically consisting of a "C" shaped element, 2, preferably made of sheared and folded sheet metal, closed by plate 3, also made of this material, and fastened in a known fashion to component 2. Components 2 and 3 create a seat housing a known type of thermostatic valve, 4, such as those used on automobile radiators. Thermostatic valve 4 includes a generally cylindrical central body, 5, which a helical spring or other device, 6, keeps pressed down as shown in Figure 1, but which can exit out from component 2 through a hole in its upper section, not visible in the illustration. The thermostatic valve, 4, is so made that when it reaches a specific temperature cylindrical body 5 moves up. A stem, 7, or similar device is hinged above "C" shaped component 2, and preferably fastened to a pair of tabs, 8, made, for example, by bending 2 edges of element 2 up. A hook, 9, or similar device, is fastened to this in a known fashion. The device functions as follows: Hook 9 is used to mount the device described onto the edge of a pot, with the device totally inside the pot itself. The state of the thermostatic valve at room temperature is such that the cylindrical body is totally contained inside the seat made by components 2 and 3. As a consequence arm 7 is in a lowered position, as shown in Figure 1, and rests, with its end free, on the edge of the pot. When the temperature inside the pot reaches the predetermined temperature that the thermostatic valve has previously been set on, this causes body 5 to move to the outside, pushing against spring 6. The end of body 5 then acts on arm 7, rotating it slightly around its hinge and causing, in this manner, the cover to lift (Figure 2). Obviously the type of thermostatic valve shall not be limited to the type described, but can include various types of valve, such as double foil types or others. Obviously both the dimensions and the materials employed can vary according to operating requirements. CLAIMS

1. A device for automatically lifting pot covers, characterized by the fact that it has a frame equipped with components permitting it to mount on the edge of a pot, inside the pot, and with, inside this frame, a thermostatic element designed to command, when a predetermined temperature is reached, lifting motion of a cover supporting arm

2. A device according to claim 1 where said thermostatic component includes apparatus that cause, when the predetermined temperature is reached, movement of an element, against a contrasting elastic force, designed to act directly or through a lever mechanism on the pot cover, causing it to lift.