GB2261811A

GB2261811A - Pan lid storage assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2261811A
Application number: GB9202098A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James David Mortimer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-22
Filing date: 1992-01-31
Publication date: 1993-06-02
Also published as: GB9202098D0

Abstract

A pan lid storage assembly 2 comprises a rectangular backing plate 4 which is fixed by means of screws 6 to the rear side 3 of a kitchen cupboard door 10. Two rectangular strips 12 are also fixed, by means of screws 14, to the rear side 8 of the kitchen door 10. Three cords 16 are releasably fixed to both strips 12 so as to extend therebetween substantially horizontally and in parallel to one another. A pan lid 24 to be stored is secured between the backing plate 4 and a respective cord 16, with a knob 26 of the pan lid engaging the cord on an upper surface thereof. The assembly provides a convenient way of storing a plurality of pan lids. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE This invention relates to storage and particularly, although not exclusively, to the storage of pan lids.

Trays or baskets for storage or stacking of domestic pans are well known. For example, the pans may be stored with their lids in position in which case, the pans take up a relatively large amount of valuable space or, alternatively, several pans of reducing diameter may be stacked in a larger pan, the lids, in this case, may then simply be stored in a loose pile which tends to be both untidy and unstable.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate problems associated with the storage of pan lids.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pan lid storage assembly comprising a backing member and a pan lid retainer member, the retainer member being fixable relative to the backing member so as to define a space between itself and the backing member in which space a pan lid is retainable.

Preferably, the retainer member is fixable relative to the backing member at at least two spaced-apart positions.

Preferably, said retainer member is fixed relative to the backing member, suitably at said at least two spaced apart positions. Preferably, the assembly includes a pan lid within said space.

The backing member preferably comprises a substantially flat surface which is preferably a vertical surface. The backing member may be arranged to be secured to a second member which second member is preferably a fixed structure. For example, said second member may comprise a wall or, preferably, a rear surface of a kitchen cupboard door.

The pan lid retainer member is preferably flexible at least in part. The retainer member is preferably fixable or fixed at only two spaced apart positions. Preferably, the retainer member is releasably fixable at one of said two spaced apart positions. The retainer member is preferably fixed to the backing member, for example, by means of pins.

The pan lid retainer member preferably comprises an elongate flexible member which preferably extends in a substantially horizontal direction. The elongate flexible member may be resiliently deformable. The elongate flexible member may comprise cord or cord-like material.

The backing member is preferably substantially scratch resistant.

The backing member may include a ledge which preferably extends substantially horizontally relative thereto, the ledge being arranged to support a pan lid when disposed in the space. The ledge may be arranged to retain liquid. In this respect, the ledge may define a trough, preferably having a curved cross-section.

Preferably, a plurality of retainer members each being independently as described in any statement herein are fixable to or fixed to said backing member. Said plurality of retainer members are preferably disposed one above the other. Said plurality of retainer members are preferably spaced from one another in a regular fashion.

A ledge as described in any statement herein may be provided adjacent each retainer member for supporting a pan lid when disposed in the space defined between the particular retainer member and the backing member.

The backing member may comprise a central backing part (which is preferably rectangular in shape) and two backing strips, one being provided adjacent respective opposite edge of the backing part.

The invention extends to a kit for construction of a pan lid storage assembly as described in any statement herein, the kit comprising one or a plurality of retainer members each being independently as described in any statement herein, the or each retainer member being fixable, preferably at at least two spaced apart positions, relative to a backing member.

The kit may include any component of the pan lid storage assembly described in any statement herein.

The invention further extends to a method of storing pan lids using a pan lid storage assembly which comprises a backing member and a pan lid retainer member, the retainer member being fixed relative to the backing member, preferably at at least two spaced apart positions, so as to define a space between itself and the backing member, the method including the step of placing a pan lid to be stored in said space.

The pan lid storage assembly used in said method may be as described in any statement herein.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage assembly for pan lids; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another storage assembly for pan lids; Figure 3a shows in front elevation components of the storage assembly of Figure 2 prior to assembly; Figure 3b is a cross-section about line A-A of Figure 3a; and Figure 3c is a cross-section about line B-B of Figure 3a.

The storage assembly 2, shown in Figure 1, comprises a rectangular backing plate 4 which is fixed by means of screws 6 to the rear side 8 of a kitchen cupboard door 10.

Two rectangular strips 12 are fixed, by means of screws 14, to the rear side 8 of the kitchen door 10, each respective strip 12 being fixed adjacent and parallel to a longitudinal extending edge of the backing plate 4.

Three cords 16 are fixed to both of the strips 12 so as to extend therebetween substantially horizontally and in parallel to one another. Each cord 16 includes an eyelet 18 at one end and a hook 20 at an opposite end, as shown in Figure 3a. Each cord 16 is fixed in position by means of engagement of a peg 22 in the eyelet 18, the peg then being secured to one of the strips 12. The cords may then be releasably secured via the hook 20 to a second peg 22 fixed to the opposite strip.

A pan lid 24 to be stored is secured between the backing plate 4 and a cord 16, with a knob 26 of the pan lid engaging the cord 16 on an upper surface thereof.

It will be appreciated that the assembly 2 shown in Figure 1 may accommodate up to three pan lids.

The storage assembly 30, shown in Figures 2 and 3, comprises a kitchen cupboard door 32 which includes a central rectangular recess in which a rectangular backing plate 34 is fixed by means of screws. The backing plate 34 is substantially planar except for three vertically spaced apart J-cross-section ledges 40. Two strips 36, having an L-shaped cross-section, are fixed adjacent respective longitudinally extending edges of the rectangular backing plate 34, with a short limb of the strips 36 being disposed within the central rectangular recess and extending perpendicularly to a main plane 38 of the door 32, and the longer limb of the strip being fixed to the main plane 38 of the door, outside the central rectangular recess thereof. Pegs 22 and cords 16 are provided as described in relation to the Figure 1 embodiment. Three further pegs 42 are provided at vertically spaced apart positions opposite a central part of each cord 16.

The assembly 30 shown in Figure 2 may accommodate up to six pan lids with each cord securing two lids in position, one being disposed on each respective side of the pegs 42. The pegs 42 serve to restrict horizontal movement of pan lids and thereby stop adjacent pan lids banging against one another.

The pan lids may suitably rest on the J-cross-section ledges 40 so that the force acting on the cords 16 due to the weight of the pan lids may be substantially reduced.

The ledges 40 may also serve to collect moisture.

The backing plates 4, 34 of the assemblies described are suitably manufactured from a scratch resistant material which may, additionally, be adapted to dampen any noise which may result from lids moving relative to the backing plates and/or the cords. Suitably, the backing plates are made from a plastics material, for example, PVC. The strips 12, 36 may suitably be made from the same material as that of the backing plates. Furthermore, the pegs 22 may be made of the same material as that of the backing plates 4, 34 and/or strips 12, 36. The pegs may include one or more slots for receiving the eyelet 18 or hook 20 of the cords. The backing plates and strips may be manufactured in any lengths or widths and subsequently be trimmed to fit a particular kitchen door. The backing plates and strips may comprise a unitary member.

The cords may be made from nylon or elastic or other flexible and/or resiliently deformable material. They may be supplied in varying lengths which may be cut as required. The cords may be adjustable in length.

It will be appreciated from the above, that the embodiments described provide a simple yet effective and tidy means of storing pan lids.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAINS

1. A pan lid storage assembly comprising a backing member and a pan lid retainer member, the retainer member being fixable or fixed relative to the backing member so as to define a space between itself and the backing member in which space a pan lid is retainable.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the backing member comprises a substantially flat surface.

3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the backing member is arranged to be secured to a second member.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3, wherein said second member is a fixed structure.

5. An assembly according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said second member comprises a rear surface of a cupboard door.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said retainer member is fixable or fixed at two spaced apart positions.

7. An assembly according to Claim 6, wherein said retainer member is releasably fixable at at least one of said two spaced apart positions.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the retainer member is flexible at least in part.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the retainer member extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the backing member is substantially scratch resistant.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the backing member includes a ledge which is arranged to support a pan lid when disposed in the space.

12. An assembly according to Claim 11, wherein the ledge is arranged to retain liquid.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of retainer members are fixable or fixed relative to said backing member.

14. An assembly according to Claim 13, wherein said plurality of retainer members are disposed one above the other.

15. A kit for construction of a pan lid storage assembly, the kit comprising one or a plurality of retainer member(s), the or each of which is fixable relative to a backing member.

16. A kit according to Claim 15, wherein the retainer member(s) and backing member are as described in any of Claims 1 to 14.

17. A method of storing pan lids using a pan lid storage assembly which comprises a backing member and a pan lid retainer member, the retainer member being fixed relative to the backing member so as to define a space between itself and the backing member, the method including the step of placing a pan lid to be stored in said space.

18. A method according to Claim 17, wherein said pan lid storage assembly is as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14.

19. A pan lid storage assembly, a kit and a method of storing pan lids each being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.