GB2139077A

GB2139077A - Cover member for a cooking vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2139077A
Application number: GB08312287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-05-05
Filing date: 1983-05-05
Publication date: 1984-11-07
Also published as: GB8312287D0

Abstract

A cover member for a cooking vessel, such as a deep-fat frying pan, comprises a main cover (11) and an auxiliary cover (12) mounted on the inner side thereof, the auxiliary cover defining an enclosure (14) into which water vapour may flow from the pan (22) through inlet apertures (15). An adjustable outlet means (17,18,19,20) is provided to enable water vapour to flow from the enclosure (14) and water which has collected within the enclosure may be poured therefrom through an outlet (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cover member for a cooking vessel This invention relates to a cover member which is intended for use on a cooking vessel. It is particularly intended that the cover member be used on deep-fat frying pans but the cover member is suitable for use on other forms of cooking vessel such as shallow-fat frying pans and saucepans.

Deepfat frying pans are commonly used with a cover member in order to retain heat within the pan and to prevent hot fat from splashing out of the pan.

It has been found that, upon deep-frying foodstuffs such as chips or vegetables, water from the foodstuffs forms water vapour which tends to condense on the underside of the cover member. The condensed water can drain into the hot fat causing the cooking process to be less effective. Furthermore, when the cover member is removed from the pan, condensed water can drain into the hot fat causing the fat to splash out of the pan and endanger the cook.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure, wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure and allows the water vapour to condense and collect in the enclosure.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure, the cover member comprising an outlet means for allowing water vapour to escape out of the enclosure from the cooking vessel.

By means of the invention, some at least of the water introduced into the cooking vessel with the foodstuff is removed during cooking from the parts of a cooking vessel where the water could render cooking less effective or endanger the cook.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover member comprises a main cover and a auxiliary cover which is spaced generally from the main cover on the inner side thereof to define the enclosure between the covers. The auxiliary cover preferably comprises one or more inlets for admitting water vapour into the enclosure.

Preferably, the enclosure comprises a zone in which condensed water may collect. The inlet or inlets may be spaced upwardly from the collection zone, and the inlet or inlets may be spaced radially inwardly from the collection zone.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main cover comprises an outlet, separate from the outlet means, which enables water which has collected in the enclosure to be poured out of the enclosure.

Preferably, the degree of opening of the outlet means is adjustable.

An example of a cover member in accordance with the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure lisa plan view of the underside of the cover member with part thereof cut away; and Figure 2 is a cross-section of the cover member and of a cooking vessel on which the cover member has been placed.

A cover member is in the form of a lid 10 is intended for use on a cooking vessel, Figure 2 showing the lid in position on a deepfat frying pan 22. The lid comprises a main cover 11 and an auxiliary cover 12 which is spaced generally from the main cover to define an enclosure 13 between the layers. The enclosure is located between a downwardly facing surface of the main cover and an upwardly facing surface of the auxiliary cover.

The auxiliary cover 12 extends over the greater part of the downwardly facing surface of the main cover, comprising a generally circular rim which abuts or is closly adjacent to a generally circular rim portion of the main cover. The main cover, auxiliary cover and a handle 21 of the lid are secured together by means of a screw which extends upwardly through a central part of the auxiliary cover and main cover into the handle.

It can be seen from Figure 2, which is across- section through the diametrical centre of the lid, that the auxiliary cover 12 is generally smooth and is curved. The auxiliary cover is generally symmetrical about any diameter through the centre thereof. The curvature of the auxiliary cover defines a generally concave surface of a zone 14 of the enclosure for collecting water which has condensed. The coliection zone is generally annular and is adjacent to the rim of the auxiliary cover. The auxiliary cover comprises inlets in the form of a pattern of apertures 15 for admitting water vapour into the enclosure.

The apertures are positioned in the auxiliary cover such that they are spaced upwardly and are spaced radially inwardly of the collection zone.

The auxiliary cover 12 further comprises an outlet in the form of a slot 16 of the rim thereof. The slot enables water which has condensed and collected in the zone 14to be poured outofthe lid.

The lid further comprises an outlet means 17 for allowing water vapour to escape from the enclosure and from an associated vessel. The outlet means comprises an aperture 20 in the main cover 11, which aperture is spaced vertically upwardly from the collection zone 14. The rate of flow of steam through the aperture 20 can be controlled by means of a rotatable plate 18 which is secured to a handle 19. The plate defines apertures of different sizes, any one of which can be aligned with the aperture in the main cover.

When the lid is on a cooking vessel in use, water vapour from foodstuffs in the pan passes through the apertures 15 into the enclosure 13. Water in the enclosure which condenses collects in the zone 14 for removal at the convenience of the user. Water vapour which does not condense escapes from the pan via the outlet means 17.

1. A cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure, wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure and allows the water vapour to condense

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cover member for a cooking vessel This invention relates to a cover member which is intended for use on a cooking vessel. It is particularly intended that the cover member be used on deep-fat frying pans but the cover member is suitable for use on other forms of cooking vessel such as shallow-fat frying pans and saucepans. Deepfat frying pans are commonly used with a cover member in order to retain heat within the pan and to prevent hot fat from splashing out of the pan. It has been found that, upon deep-frying foodstuffs such as chips or vegetables, water from the foodstuffs forms water vapour which tends to condense on the underside of the cover member. The condensed water can drain into the hot fat causing the cooking process to be less effective. Furthermore, when the cover member is removed from the pan, condensed water can drain into the hot fat causing the fat to splash out of the pan and endanger the cook. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure, wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure and allows the water vapour to condense and collect in the enclosure. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure, the cover member comprising an outlet means for allowing water vapour to escape out of the enclosure from the cooking vessel. By means of the invention, some at least of the water introduced into the cooking vessel with the foodstuff is removed during cooking from the parts of a cooking vessel where the water could render cooking less effective or endanger the cook. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover member comprises a main cover and a auxiliary cover which is spaced generally from the main cover on the inner side thereof to define the enclosure between the covers. The auxiliary cover preferably comprises one or more inlets for admitting water vapour into the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure comprises a zone in which condensed water may collect. The inlet or inlets may be spaced upwardly from the collection zone, and the inlet or inlets may be spaced radially inwardly from the collection zone. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main cover comprises an outlet, separate from the outlet means, which enables water which has collected in the enclosure to be poured out of the enclosure. Preferably, the degree of opening of the outlet means is adjustable. An example of a cover member in accordance with the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure lisa plan view of the underside of the cover member with part thereof cut away; and Figure 2 is a cross-section of the cover member and of a cooking vessel on which the cover member has been placed. A cover member is in the form of a lid 10 is intended for use on a cooking vessel, Figure 2 showing the lid in position on a deepfat frying pan 22. The lid comprises a main cover 11 and an auxiliary cover 12 which is spaced generally from the main cover to define an enclosure 13 between the layers. The enclosure is located between a downwardly facing surface of the main cover and an upwardly facing surface of the auxiliary cover. The auxiliary cover 12 extends over the greater part of the downwardly facing surface of the main cover, comprising a generally circular rim which abuts or is closly adjacent to a generally circular rim portion of the main cover. The main cover, auxiliary cover and a handle 21 of the lid are secured together by means of a screw which extends upwardly through a central part of the auxiliary cover and main cover into the handle. It can be seen from Figure 2, which is across- section through the diametrical centre of the lid, that the auxiliary cover 12 is generally smooth and is curved. The auxiliary cover is generally symmetrical about any diameter through the centre thereof. The curvature of the auxiliary cover defines a generally concave surface of a zone 14 of the enclosure for collecting water which has condensed. The coliection zone is generally annular and is adjacent to the rim of the auxiliary cover. The auxiliary cover comprises inlets in the form of a pattern of apertures 15 for admitting water vapour into the enclosure. The apertures are positioned in the auxiliary cover such that they are spaced upwardly and are spaced radially inwardly of the collection zone. The auxiliary cover 12 further comprises an outlet in the form of a slot 16 of the rim thereof. The slot enables water which has condensed and collected in the zone 14to be poured outofthe lid. The lid further comprises an outlet means 17 for allowing water vapour to escape from the enclosure and from an associated vessel. The outlet means comprises an aperture 20 in the main cover 11, which aperture is spaced vertically upwardly from the collection zone 14. The rate of flow of steam through the aperture 20 can be controlled by means of a rotatable plate 18 which is secured to a handle 19. The plate defines apertures of different sizes, any one of which can be aligned with the aperture in the main cover. When the lid is on a cooking vessel in use, water vapour from foodstuffs in the pan passes through the apertures 15 into the enclosure 13. Water in the enclosure which condenses collects in the zone 14 for removal at the convenience of the user. Water vapour which does not condense escapes from the pan via the outlet means 17. CLAIMS

1. A cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure, wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure and allows the water vapour to condense and collect in the enclosure.

2. A cover member for a cooking vessel, which cover member defines an enclosure wherein the cover member, in use, admits water vapour into the enclosure, the cover member comprising an outlet means for allowing water vapour to escape out of the enclosure from the cooking vessel.

3. A cover member according to Claim 2 wherein the outlet means is adjustable.

4. A cover member according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a main cover and an auxiliary cover which is spaced generally from the main cover on the inner side thereof to define the enclosure between the covers.

5. A cover member according to Claim 4 wherein the auxiliary cover comprises one or more inlets for admitting water vapour into the enclosure.

6. A cover member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosure comprises a zone in which condensed water may collect.

7. A cover member according to Claim 6, as appendant to Claim 5 wherein the inlet or inlets are spaced upwardly from the collection zone.

8. A cover member according to Claim 6, as appendant to Claim 5 wherein the inlet or inlets are spaced radially inwardly from the collection zone.

9. A cover member according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an outlet which enables water which has collected in the enclosure to be poured out of the enclosure.

10. A cover member for a cooking vessel, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.