GB2181634A - Cooking utensils - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooking utensil comprising a first dish and a second dish, each having a base 15 and a sidewall 16. The first dish 10 has a ledge 19 which extends from the sidewall 16 and carries a wall 22,26 alongside and spaced apart from a brim 20 to define a channel 18 therewith. Drainage recesses 24,27 extend from the channel into the first dish, so that either of the first and second dishes may be used as a lid for the other by arranging the brim of the second dish to engage in the channel to abut the ledge between the wall and the brim of the first dish. Also disclosed is a trivet and pan for use therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cooking utensils This invention concerns cooking utensils. Utensils are known which comprise a dish and a lid made from heat resistant glass materials. Some lids are of relatively shallow dish form, so that they can be used, for example as baking dishes.

Further utensils are known which are made of heat resistant non-metallic materials for use in microwave ovens.

However, various problems and disadvantages have been found when using known utensils for holding food during cooking, particularly in microwave ovens. For example, steam may be generated at a rate sufficient to displace the lid: the lid may be difficultto lift offthe dish, when hot; handles on the utensil may hinder rotation ofthe utensil in the microwave oven; and such utensils are often only efficiently useablefor a specific and restricted function.

An object ofthe invention isto enable the problems and disadvantages associated with known utensils to be avoided or reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a cooking utensil comprising a first dish and a second dish, each dish having a base and a sidewall which extendsfromthe base to terminate ata brim, and characterised inthatthefirstdish has at least one wall alongsidethe brim to defineachanneltherewith to receive the brim of the second dish when the latter is inverted to serve as a lid forthefirst dish; and in that the first dish is provided with drainage means to permit drainage of liquid from said channel down into the interiorofthefirstdish.

Thewall may be insideoroutsidethe brim. In the former case, the wall may be one of plurality ofshort walls along the brim, the ends of the channels being open to provide the drainage means. However, it is preferred to provide a single wall which is interrupted at intervals to leave apertures or recesses which serve as the drainage means.

More particularly, there is further provided, accord- ing to the present invention, a cooking utensil comprising a first dish and a second dish, each having a base and a sidewall which extends from the base to terminate at a brim, and characterised in that the first dish has a ledge which extends from said sidewall and carries a wall alongside and spaced apart from the brim to define a channel therewith,there being at least one drainage recess or opening extending from the channel intothefirst dish, so that either ofthe first and second dishes may be used as a lid for the other by arranging the brim ofthesecond dish to engage in the channel to abut the ledge between thewall and the brim ofthefirst dish.

The channel preferably has a width sufficient to provide a space around the brim ofthe second dish.

The brim ofthe second dish is preferable also apertured or interrupted to provide at least one recess or opening which can be aligned alongside the recess oropening in thefirst dish to allow gas orvapourto escape from the utensil via said recesses or openings and said space.

Each ofthe dishes if preferable provided with a continuous orsubstantially continuous outwardly directed handle which is offsetfromthe level ofthe brim, so that in use the handles are parallel but spaced apart.

The spacing between the handles is preferable at least one centimetre, and the handles preferable provide indications of the positions or relative positions ofthe recesses or openings.

The dishes are preferably of unequal depth,the deeper dish having a base portion which defines a volume substantially identical in size and shape to the volume ofthe shallower dish.

The utensil preferably has separable and removable fittings, which may be used in either dish, comprising a trivet, a pan and a separator. The trivet is preferable arranged to supportthe pan in a predetermined position, and the separator is preferable arranged to engage the pan to divide the interiorofthe pan and the space around the pan into open compartments.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying di agrammatic drawings, wherein:- FIGURE 1 shows a diametrical cross-section through partofa utensil ofthe invention; FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged detail of part of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a detail showing a modified form ofthe partshown in FIGURE 2.

The utensil generally comprises a shallow first dish 10, a deep second dish 11,atrivet 12, a pan 13 and a separator 14.

The dishes each have a circular base 15 and sidewall 16, the shape and dimensions of the second dish upto the level 17 (indicated by a broken line) being identical with those of the first dish 10.

In a II em all embodimentsthefirstdish is formed to provide a channel 18, a base su rface of which is provided buy a ledge 19 projecting radiallyfrom the sidewall 16, and to provide drainage means as hereinafter described.

In the first embodiment, the first dish 10 has a brim 20, an outwardly directed flange 21, a wall 22 and an annular handle 23 offset from the brim 20, as shown in detail in FIGURE 2. The flange 21 provides the ledge 19, and serves,togetherwith the wall 22 and brim 20, to define the channel 18.

The second dish 11 has brim 30 ofgreaterdiameter than the brim 20 but of lesser diameterthan the wall 22 so as to fittherebetween into the groove to abut the ledge 19, when the first dish 10 is employed as a lid on the second dish, as shown, or vice versa in inverted condition ofthe utensil in which the second dish is employed as a lid onthefirst dish. The dish 11 also has an annular handle 33 offsetfrom the brim 30.

Recesses 24 and 34 are provided at 90 intervals around the brims 20 and 30, and small protuberant visual indicators 25 and 35 are provided at 90" intervals on the handles 23 and 33. The recesses 24 serveasthedrainagemeanswhentheutensil isinthe inverted condition.

The modified embodiment shown partially in Fi GURE 3 is similarto thefirstembodiment except primarily in that the ledge 19 extends radially inwards from the brim 20 to an internal wall 26 inwardly offset from the brim 20; in thatthe brim 20 is not apertured; and in that the ledge and wall are interrupted at intervals to provide drainage recesses 27 to interrupt the channel base to leave a plurality of open ended channels 18.

In both embodiments, the recesses 24 or27 may be relatively long so that the brim 20 orwall 26 therebetween is reduced to a plurality of short projections at the inside side ofthe or each channel 18.

The width ofthe or each channel 18 is about twice the thickness ofthe brim 30, so that when the dishes are co-axial there is a space 28 between the outside face ofthe brim 30 and the inwardly directed face of the channel, which inwardly directed face confronts said outside face across said space. Said space is preferable about 1 mm or more in width. This inwardly directed face is not apertured or recessed and serves as a baffle.

The extremity ofthe brim 30 is rounded and, in use, rests against the base ofthe channel, but in FIGURES 2 and 3 these parts are shown slightly separated, for clarity.

The trivet 12 has ribs 40 on one side, and legs 41 around a shallow circular indentation 42 on the other; and fits closely in the dish at the bottom. The pan 13 has a base 44 which fits in the indentation 42, and has diametrically opposed slots 43 in its sidewalls to receive the separator 14which overhangs the base 44 and extends beyond the pan to, or adjacent to, the sidewall ofthe dish.

The utensil has many advantages, such as:a) the dishes may be used separately to cook items, e.g. cakes, of identical dimensions; b) the dishes may be used together as a usual lidded roasting or baking pan, and optionally with the trivet in a position with its ribs uppermost and supported upon its legs; c) in the inverted condition wherein the second dish is used as a lid for the first, removal ofthe lid well exposes the article cooked or being cooked, e.g. for carving or browning, d) in the inverted condition liquid draining down the sidewall 16tothe brim 30 entersthe channel and drains from the channel into the first dish via drainage means e.g. the recesses 24; e) steam expelled via the recesses 24,34 or 27,34 (when mutually aligned) is deflected bythe baffle provided by the inwardly directed face ofthe wall 22 or brim 20 to form athin curtain which is directed to flow alongside the sidewall 16 towards the handle 33, thereby avoiding risks which couldotherwisearise from powerful and intense jets of steam issuing directlyoutwardsfrom the utensil; f) the dishes may be rotated easilyto takethe indicators 25to positions arcuately offset from the indicators 35 whereby to move the recesses 24 out of alignment with the recesses 34, so asto obstruct issue of steam; g) the handles, being separated, are individually accessible to a user wearing oven gloves, so that the dishes may be easily separated, especially when hot; h) the trivet, pan and separator may be used in either dish; i) at all times the engagement between the dishes is non-sealing so asto prevent any substantial pressure being generated in the utensil during cooking.

Thus, it will be readilyappreciatedthatthe prob lems and disadvantages mentioned hereinbefore are substantially overcome by the utensil of the invention Furthermore, the utensil may be formed easily, e.g.

moulded, from preferable rigid materials which are suitable for use in microwave ovens. For example, the material may be a thermosetting material, such as one ofthe "Beetle 7000" (TM) range of polyester materials sold be B.I.P. Ltd. The first dish may be inverted to stack within the second dish to reduce the storage height of the utensil.

The invention is not confined to the precise details oftheforegoing example and manyvariations are possible. Forexample,the handle 23 may be located directly on the sidewall 16 instead of on theflange 21.

Other materials, such as high melting point thermo- plastics or glass based materials, may be used for making the parts ofthe utensil.

The utensil disclosed herein incorporates several features which are individually inventive and advantageous; and the invention further provides a utensil having any one or more of such features. Forexample, the invention provides a utensil comprising two dishes ora lid and a dish,each having a recessed or apertured brim, and a handle or handles to facilitate relative rotation thereofto bring at least one aperture or recess in the or one dish into or out of alignment with the or one ofthe recesses or apertures in the lid or other dish; and having a wall or like baffleto diffuse or deflect steam emitted from the utensil. Further, for example, the invention provides a reversible trivet, having on one side fins or ribs and on the other side support means, for supporting the trivet on a surface and, when the trivet is inverted to rest on the fins or ribs, for supporting or locating a pan in the utensil.The support means may comprise legs at the periphery of a notional circle, and such legs, e.g. the legs 41, may serve to locate or support a pan, thereby obviating the indentation 40 or additonally serving to locate a larger diameter pan. The invention includes a utensil providing any ofthe features directly described or in general disclosed herein which individually orin combination contribute to any ofthe advantages mentioned hereinbefore.

Claims (15)

1. Acooking utensil comprising a first dish and a second dish, each dish having a base and a sidewall which extends from the base to terminate at a brim, and characterised in thatthefirst dish has at least one wall alongside the brim to define a channel therewith to receive the brim of the second dish when the latter is inverted to serve as a lid forthe first dish; and in that the first dish is provided with drainage means to permit drainage of liquid from said channel down into the interiorofthefirstdish.

2. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said wall orwalls are encompassed by the brim.

3. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 1 or2 comprising a plurality of said wallsto provide channels at intervals along the brim, the ends ofthe channels being open to provide said drainage means.

4. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 1 or2 wherein recesses or apertures extend from the channel into the first dish to provide said drainage means,

5 Acooking comprising a first dish and a second dish, each having a base and asidewall which extends from the basetò terminate ata brim,andcharacte- risedinthatthefirstdish has a ledge which extends from said sidewall andcarriesawall alongsideand spaced apartfrom the brim to define a channel therewith, there being at least one drainage recess for opening extending from the channel into the first dish, so that either of the first and second dishes may be usedasa lidforthe other by arranging the brim ofthe second dish to engage in the channel to abut the ledge between the wall and the brim ofthe first dish.

6. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the ledge extends outwards from said brim, and the or each drainage recess or opening is provided in said brim.

7. Acooking utensil as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the channel has a width sufficientto provide a space around the brim of the second dish.

8. A cooking utensil as claimed in Claim 7 as appended to Claim 4,5 or6, wherein the brim ofthe second dish is also apertured or interrupted to provide at least one recess or opening which can be aligned alongside the recess or opening in thefirst dish to allow gas orvapourto escape from the utensil via said recesses or openings and said space.

9. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 8 as appended to Claim 7, wherein an inwardly directed surface of said first dish confronts the brim of the second dish across said space to serve as a baffle for deflecting such gas or vapour.

10. Acooking utensil as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the dishes is provided with a continuous orsubstantiallycontinuous outwardly directed handle which is offset from the level ofthe brim, so that in use the handles are parallel but spaced apart.

11. Acooking utensil as claimed in Claim 10 as appended to Claim 8 or 9 wherein the spacing between the handles is at least one centimetre, and the handles provide indications ofthe positions or relative positions ofthe recesses or openings.

12. A cooking utensil as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the dishes are of unequal depth,the deeper dish having a base portion which defines a volume substantially identical in size and shape to the volumeoftheshallowerdish.

13. A cooking utensil as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the dishes are rigid non-metallic moulding.

14. A cooking utensil as claimed in any preceding claim and comprising a reversible trivet, having on one side fins or ribs and on the othersidesupport means, for supporting the trivet on a surface and, when the trivet is inverted to rest on the fins or ribs, for supporting or locating a pan in the utensil.

15. Acooking utensilsubstantiallyashereinbefore described with referenceto FIGURES 1 and 2, or FIGURE 1 as modified by FIGURE 3, ofthe accompanying drawings.