GB2148103A

GB2148103A - Improvements relating to kitchen implements

Info

Publication number: GB2148103A
Application number: GB08327807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Sarver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-18
Filing date: 1983-10-18
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB8327807D0

Abstract

A pan securing device has an electric motor which drives a spindle 5 carrying a disc 6 to which is releasably secured a scouring pad 7. Batteries within the handle portion 2 drive the motor. The device can be used for cleaning the interior of pots and pans and the scouring pad 7 can be replaced by one of elongate form for cleaning the walls of saucepans. A modified unit has the motor housing incorporated into a lid of a saucepan and the spindle driven by the motor carries beaters or paddles which can be used to stir food being cooked in a saucepan. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relatingdo kitchen implements This invention relates to labour saving devices for use in the kitchen.

In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a pan scouring device comprising a motor within a motor housing incorporating a hand grip with a control switch for the motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a disc carried by the shaft, and a scouring pad attached to the disc and projecting beyond the sides thereof.

Such a device can be used to remove obstinate food particles from bowls, saucepans, etc. without requiring a substantial amount of effort on behalf of the person doing the cleaning.

In a preferred arrangement the scouring pad is removably attached to the disc, so that it may be replaced after wear or by a pad having different characteristics. Indeed the scouring device may include a set of scouring pads wherein each scouring pad is formed from a material suitable for treating articles made respectively from china, steel, aluminium or other conventional materials for cookery and kitchen equipment. The disc itself may be formed from a rigid or flexible resilient metal or plastics material.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a stirring device comprising a lid for a saucepan having mounted thereon a motor from which projects a spindle down from the undersurface of the lid, to be driven by the motor, the spindle carrying stirring beaters or paddles, and a control switch for the motor positioned outside the motor housing.

This can be used with a conventional saucepan by placing the lid on the saucepan in the usual way and them switching on the motor so that the contents within the saucepan are stirred during cooking.

It is preferred that the control switch should incorporate a speed control. An advantageous construction has the control switch mounted on a handle projecting from the motor housing beyond the edge of the lid. Ideally the spindle and /or the beaters or paddles are adjustable to suit saucepans of varying heights.

With either of the devices of this invention as hereinbefore defined it is preferred that the motor should be powered by batteries within the motor housing or from a mains supply by a supply lead from the housing. Furthermore it is useful to provide that the spindle is releasably secured within the motor housing. This enables the spindle, with its attachments, to be removed for washing if needed.

The motor housing of these devices should ideally be covered by rubber or other waterproofing material to protect the motor and electrical supply means from becoming damp.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a pan scouring device of this invention; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a stirring device of this invention; and Figure 3 is a side view of part of the device shown in Figure 2 on a smaller scale.

The pan scouring device shown in Figure 1 comprises a body 1 housing an electric motor which is powered by batteries inserted within the handle portion 2. The handle is provided with finger grips 3 and a trigger 4 which can be operated to switch on the motor. Projecting from the body 1 is a spindle 5 which is engaged with the motor and thus rotates therewith when the motor is switched on. At the end of the spindle 5 is an aluminium disc 6 on which is held a scouring pad 7 by mounting screws 8. A suitable release mechanism (not shown) is incorporated to enable the spindle to be detached from the body 1.

In use the scouring device will be held in the hand and switched on and the pad 7 can be applied to food particles from kitchen utensils. A set of pads 7 can be provided and each one suited to a particular purpose or material to be cleaned.

The stirring device shown in Figure 3 has a body 9 housing an electric motor attached to the top of a lid 10 for a saucepan. Projecting from the body 1 is a handle 11 which at one end incorporates a rotatable switch 12 which can be set to a number of positions to determine the speed at which the motor will rotate. An extension 13 of the body 9 projects from the undersurface of the lid 10 and provides a mounting for a spindle 14 which interconnects the spindle with the motor. The spindle may be situated at a variety of positions within the portion 13 so as to vary the position of the free end of the spindle 14 from the lid 10 so that the device is adaptable to saucepans of varying depths. At its free end the spindle 14 carries a number of paddles 15.

In use the lid 10 will be placed over the opening of a saucepan containing a liquid to be stirred and the motorwill be set into operation by turning the switch 12. The paddles 15 will then rotate to stir the contents of the saucepan. If desired the paddles could be replaced by beaters which would create a whisking effect. The spindle 14 may readily be removed from the portion 13 to enable a spindle with its attached paddles or beaters to be washed independently.

In both of the devices shown in Figures 1 and 2 the body 1 or 9 housing the electric motor will be formed from a waterproof material which encloses a motor in a watertight manner.

As shown in Figure 1A the pan scouring device illustrated in Figure 1 may be modified to incorporate a scouring pad 7A of elongated form which is particularly suitable for cleaning saucepans or bowls as it will operate over the height of the article as well as on the base of the interior of the article. Again the pad 7A will be held in place onto the disc 6 by screws 8. However it will be appreciated that any other releasable connecting mechanism for the pad may be used. Whilst the scouring pad 7 or 7A needs to have a certain degree of rigidity so that it can be pressed against the surface to be cleaned, a certain amount of flexing may be of advantage to enable the pad to conform to the shape of an article being cleaned. The scouring pad 7 or 7A wiil project, if only to a small extent, beyond the edge of the disc 6 so that it is the scouring pad itself which contacts the article to be cleaned and not the edge of the disc which could cause scratches. Indeed the scouring pad could be so formed that it surrounds the edge of the disc, for further protection.

Claims

1. A pan scouring device comprising a motor within a motor housing incorporating a hand grip with a control switch for the motor, and a shaft driven by the motor, a disc carried by the shaft and a scouring pad attached to the disc and projecting beyond the sides thereof.

2. A pan scouring device according to claim 1, wherein the scouring pad is removably attached to the disc.

3. A pan scouring device according to claim 2, including a set of scouring pads, wherein each scouring pad is formed from a material suitable for treating articles made respectively from china, steel, aluminium or other conventional materials for cookery and kitchen equipment.

4. A pan scouring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the scouring pad surrounds the edge of the disc.

5. A pan scouring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the scouring pad is of elongated form projecting for a substantial distance below the disc.

6. A pan scouring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the disc is formed from a rigid or flexibly resilient metal or plastics material.

7. A stirring device comprising a lid for a saucepan having mounted thereon a motor from which projects a shaft down from the undersurface of the lid, to be driven by the motor, the shaft carrying stirring beaters or paddles, and a control switch for the motor positioned outside the motor housing.

8. A stirring device according to claim 7, wherein the control switch incorporates a speed control.

9. A stirring device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the control switch is mounted on a handle projecting from the motor housing beyond the edge of the lid.

10. A stirring device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the spindle and/or the beaters or paddles are adjustable to suit saucepans of varying heights.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the motor is powered by batteries within the motor housing or from a mains supply by a supply lead from the housing.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the spindle is releasably secured within the motor housing.

13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the motor housing is covered by rubber or other waterproofing material.

14. A pan scouring or stirring device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.