GB2308054A - A partition for subdividing cooking vessels - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR SUBDIVIDING COOKING VESSELS This invention relates to apparatus for subdividing cooking vessels, for example for cooking two or more different vegetables or meats in a single saucepan, steamer, cooking pot, pans or microwave vessel. where the foods are to be prepared by the same method, but not to be mixed.

In the prior art it is well known for cooking vessels such as pressure cookers, to be subdivided for simultaneous cooking of tss-o or more foodstuffs, and for temporary inserts to be provided for this purpose an example being GB 640786 and GB 648039.

DE 3,314,460, shows a subdivider for a frying pan. FR 2,440,721 a frying pan with a compartment permanently separated from a main area of the pan. GB 176605 a subdivided catering pail for transporting different foods simultaneously from a kitchen to dispensed feeding stations. and GB 261 268 a permanently subdivided cooking vessel divided into a lower compartment and four segmented upper compartments.

It has not so far been proposed to provide a removable temporary insert for subdividing cooking vessels, such as saucepans of different sizes which is adaptable to enable easv insertion and removal of the insert on the one hand. and firm retention of the insert within the vessel while in place and during cooking operations on the other hand and does not require speciallv adapted cooking vessels.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus for subdividing cooking vessels wherein the apparatus comprises an insert which can be both easilv inserted into and removed from a cooking vessel, yet retained firmly whilst in place within the vessel and during cooking operations. and pouring and draining.

The provision of such apparatus will enhance flexibility in the use of vessels such as for example saucepans or cooking pots which can be used on one occasion to cook a single foodstuff, or mixed foods, and on another using the insert to cook two or more foodstuffs or different mixed foods. The same vessel may at one time be used to cook a single family meal sized portion of say a vegetable, and on another occasions using the insert, to cook two or more different vegetables for a one or two portion meal.

Cooking small portions for one or twO persons can if done using a separate vessel for each foodstuff be uneconomical in the use of several vessels and hot plates or gas burners. Cooking several foodstuffs in a single vessel reduces the number of vessels and hot plates or burners required. and thus uses less fuel or energy. and more effectively utilises the vertical capacity of the vessel as most cooking only uses the bottom 20-40mm of the pan.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for subdividing a cooking vessel comprising an adjustable sprung insert which can be placed into a vessel to provide a vertical partition dividing the vessel into at least two compartments.

Preferably. the insert is comprised of two parts in overlapping face to face abutment which can be moved one relative to the other or fixed relative to each other depending upon the adjustment of a securing or tensioning device. By this means the insert mav be adjusted to fit into pans of various sizes. and internal shapes or profiles. and/or be initially freely adjustable to be easily inserted. then expanded to abut the side walls of the vessel, and then the securing or tensioning device tightening to retain the insert firmly in place. and in contact with the utensil side walls.

In a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises two symmetrical sheet members of metal or plastics which are arranged to overlap and can be slid in face to face abutment without relative rotation. Each member may have a respective shaped edge, configured to conform to the internal configuration of the side wall of a range of vessels, eg. a variety of saucepans conforming to a plurality of different shapes and sizes. The shaped edges may be provided by interchangeable members which can be placed on or removed from the edge.

Preferably. each member has a respective foot lug disposed on the bottom edge of the member, and orthogonal to the member so as to rest on the interior of the base of the vessel. This arrangement provides a lug on each side of the assembled insert. which helps to maintain stability.

In addition. each member may have, provided on said shaped edge, a spring lug or lugs which is disposed to bear resiliently upon the inner side wall of the vessel, for example by having a radius of curvature greater than the inner side wall, to thereby provide a positive abutment caused by extension of the insert, held by a nut to hold the insert in place.

Each member may also have a slot therein. and a tensioning means in the form of for example a screw and nut device extending through said slot, which can be slackened to allow the members to be slid relative to each other, and thightened to lock them in position. When no slot is provided a friction or clip type fastener may be used.

The end of each member opposite the end providing the respective shaped edge may be provided, at the upper side thereof, with a tag substantially at right-angles to the member, which provides a finger-hold for use in adjusting the relative positions of the members and exercising expansive pressure on the spring lugs.

In some preferred embodiments the insert is made of sheet metal such as steel, but could within the scope of the invention, be made from other materials. such as synthetic plastics, or plastics coated steel.

Embodiments of apparatus for subdividing cooking utensils according to the invention will now be described by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein: Fig I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention.

Fig 2 is a sectional view of a saucepan into which the apparatus of Fig I has been inserted, Fig 3 is a plan view of Fig 2, Fig 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, Fig 5 is a plan view of a saucepan in which is located the apparatus of Fig 4.

Fig 6 is a perspective view of one member of a further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention; Fig 7 is a perspective view of a complementary member which can be used with that of Fig 6 and illustrating a further possible modified form; Fig 8 shows members similar to those of Figs 6 and 7, and showing another possible modification; and Fig 9 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing a different sliding arrangement for the members.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, Figs 1. 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention for subdividing cooking utensils.

This comprises an insert 10, for placing into a cooking utensil such as a saucepan I i (figs 2 and 3) to form a vertically disposed partition which divides the volume of the pan into two compartments. The insert 10 comprises two members 12, 13 each formed of sheet material. eg metal, preferably steel. The members 12. 13 are disposed in face to face abutment. with a substantial but variable overlap. as they can be slid relative to each other. The two members are of substantially identical shape. but are reversed with respect to each other. member 12 is provided with a longitudinal slot 14. and has a projecting edge 15 and a non-projecting edge 16. Projecting edge 15 is intended to abut the interior surface of the side wall of the saucepan 11 and has a shaped profile. Edge 15 is provided, adjacent the upper edge thereof with a sprung centering bearing lug 17 which is intended to bear resiliently on the side wall of the pan, and is preferably angled to be compressed by the side wall when the insert is fully extended, so as to provide a tension grip. The member 12 also has a foot lug 18, to act as a support on the base of the pan 11. and a tag 19 at the top edge of the nonprojecting edge 16 which provides a finger grip for use in manipulating the members when extending or retracting the insert to exert or release cross pressure.

The second member 13 is of the same general configuration as member 12, and has a corresponding bearing lug 21. foot lug 22 and finger tag 23, symmetrical with those of member 12. It differs from member 12 in that instead of a slot, a row of holes 24, is provided in alignment with the slot 14, and the upper edge 25 of member 13 is turned over to define a channel which forms a slideway for an upper edge 20 of member 12.

A tensioning or tightening device is provided which comprises a screw shat 26, which is passed through the slot 14 and a selected one of the holes 24. and an eccentric elongated nut 27 is screwed onto the shaft 26 to bear on the exposed face of member 13.

The insert may be expanded or retracted by loosening the nut 27. and then displacing the members relative to each other, and then held in its new configuration by retightening the nut 27, and wedging the end of strip 28 into the turned over edge 25.

The lugs 17. 18, 2 1 and 22 ensure stability of the insert within the pan. even during the turbulence created by viuorous boiling or the load arising when tilting the pan for pouring or draining.

Figs 4, 5 illustrate a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention which comprises an insert 30 which can be used to provide a vertical partition which divides the volume of a pan 3 1 into two compartments. as in Fig 5. The insert comprises two symmetrical members 32, 33 each having an exposed edge 34. with profiled lower corner 34a, with a respective seating and tensioning lug 35 at the top thereof. Each member also has a further lug, which interchangeably with lug 35, acts as a finger tag or resilient lug 36 at the top of the respective unexposed edge 43. One of the members 32 has a longitudinal slot 37 and other 33 a row of holes 38. A tightening device 39 is passed through a selected hole 38 and the slot 37, with a reinforcing strip 40.The unexposed edge 43 of each member 32, 33 has a different profile to exposed edge 34 so that the members 32, 33 can be reversed to expose edges 43 for vessels of a different profile. The upper edge of member 33 is turned over to provide a guide channel 41 for the upper edge 42 of member 32.

Fig 6 shows one member of a further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention the second member of which is shown in Fig 7 and the complete assembly in Fig 8. Figs 7 and 8 however also illustrate optional modifications not essential to this embodiment. Insert 50 of Fig 8 comprises two members, 52 (Fig 6) and 53 (Fig 7).

Member 52 has a turned over top edge member 54, which forms a lip which defines a downwardly open channel extending along the length of the top edge of the member 52. A foot piece 55 extends along a substantial portion of the bottom edge of member 52, and has a channel 56 therein along and adjacent the bottom edge of member 52.

As shown in Fig 8, the top edge of member 53 runs in the channel of top edge member 54, and in the channel 56 of foot piece 55 These versions eliminate the slot such as 14, 37 in the previous embodiments, so that greater vertical capacity of the vessel can be used. without transfer of fluid through the slot.

Member 52 also has a shaped edge 57, for contacting a saucepan side wall. as described in connection with the previous embodiments, and at the top of edge 57 a resilient bearing lug 58, to bear in the pan wall. At the opposite end, the upper edge of the member 52 has a finger tag 59, for use in manipulation of the insert.

Member 53 has plain upper and lower edges, for sliding in the channels provided by member 52. a finger tag 60, and a shaped edge 61 corresponding to edge 57, but directed towards the opposite side wall of the pan when the insert is assembled. As illustrated. in Fig 7, member 53 has a modified form of resilient bearing lugs 62, although both members of an insert would usually have bearing lugs 58. 62 of the same design as shown in Fig 8. The bearing lugs 62 shown are provided to both sides of the insert 53. and are curved against the curve of the pan wall, so as to provide greater resiliencv and spring effect than lugs such as 58, which are curved in the same sense as the pan wall, although usually with a greater radius.

The assembled insert shown in Fig 8 illustrates a further optional modification. in that the shaped edge 57 of Fig 6 is replaced by a straight edge 63, cut on a slope. and a plastics edge piece 64 is engaged over the edge 63, to match the interior profile of the pan side. Edge piece 64 has a shaped edge 65. and a slot 66 to receive the edge 63 of member 52. A plurality of differently shaped edge pieces 63 may be provided as accessories for a single standard design of insert. to adapt the insert to eg saucepans or other vessels of different designs.

Finally, Fig 9 is a vertical cross section through a pan insert 70, showing an alternative method of sliding interconnection of the members. Insert 70 comprises two members 71, 72, each provided with a foot-flange 73. 74, and an resilient bearing lug 75,76.

Sliding interengagement is accomplished bx the provision of a dove-tailed section rib 77 extending longitudinally along one face of member 71, at about mid height. The slides in a corresponding dove-tailed section groove 78 extending longitudinally along one face of member 72, at about mid height. and cut into a part of increased thickness provided in member 72.

It is evident that the inserts described above can be fitted into pots or pans having a range of diametrical dimensions, the insert being expanded or retracted as need be.

within the range dictated by the dimensions of the members, and particularly the slots.

The exposed edges of the members are shaped to conform roughly to the profile a variety of sizes and profiles of vessels.

Details of the construction of the apparatus may var within the scope of the invention.

and it may be possible to provide inserts for dividing a pan into more than two compartments. In such a case, a multi-vebbed 'star' may be provided. each web having an associated extendible member or part with a profiled exposed edge for abutting the side of the wall of the pan.

The inserts described however are relatively simple and thus can be made and bought at a reasonable price, so that it may be more economical to provide separate inserts for two or more pans than a single complex arrangement for a single large pan.

Although primarily described in relation to saucepans, cooking pots. etc. it is envisaged that embodiments of the apparatus may be developed for many different types of cooking vessel, including pressure cookers. steamers, frying pans. woks, baking utensils and deep fat fryers or microwave vessels. A plastic insert could be used with ceramic or glass and plastic dishes or containers, and in other methods of cooking such as by microwave. The insert could be designed for use in other types of vessel for other purposes eg. to keep solids or granules of various separate. such as animal feeds, granular fertilisers, high viscosity paints, seeds, plastics granules. etc. The insert can also be used as a temporary container partition in other uses. A further advantage of the invention is the small amount of storage space used by the insert when out of use.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for subdividing a cooking vessel, comprising an adjustable sprung insert which can be placed into a vessel to provide a vertical partition dividing the vessel into at least two compartments.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1. wherein the insert is comprised of two parts in overlapping face-to-face abutment. which can be moved one relative to the other and/or fixed relative to each other depending upon the adjustment of a securing or tensioning device.

Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the insert comprises two sheet material members, which are arranged to overlap. and can also be slid in face-to-face abutment without relative rotation.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3. wherein each member has a respective shaped edge. configured to conform to the internal profile of the side wall of a range of vessels.

t. Apparatus according to Claim 2, 3 or 3. wherein each member has a respective foot lug disposed on the bottom edge of the member, and orthogonal to the member to as to rest on the interior of the base of the vessel.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein each member has provided in said shaped edge. a spring lug which is disposed to bear resiliently upon the inner side wall, of the vessel, and a nut to hold the lug in place relative to the member.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6. wherein each member has a slot therein. and a tensioning means which can be released to allow the members to be slid relative to each other, and tightened to lock them in position.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said tensioning means comprises fastener device extending through said slots.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 6. wherein a plurality of apertures are provided in one member, which are aligned or alignable with a slot in the other member.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 6 7 8 or 9 wherein the end of each member opposite the end providing the respective shaped edge is provided, at the upper side thereof. with a tag substantially at right angles to the member, which provides a finger hold for use in adjusting the relative positions of the members and in exercising expansive pressure on the spring lugs.

I I Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein said tags and sprung lugs are symmetrical and interchangeable. and each member has two respective interchangeable shaped edges.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said shaped edge is provided on an interchangeable part which can be mounted on an edge of the respective member.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said spring lug is provided extending to both sides of one member, and is cursed contrary to the curvature of the vessel wall.

14. Apparatus for subdividing a cooking vessel. substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in, anv of the accompanying drawings.