GB2343365A

GB2343365A - Cover for food in pan

Info

Publication number: GB2343365A
Application number: GB9924581A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mark Hyland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-18
Filing date: 1999-10-18
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-18
Also published as: GB9924581D0; GB2343365B

Abstract

A cover for food in a frying pan or wok comprises a dome shaped structure, which includes a depression at the uppermost point with a small opening, in order for solutions to be added to the pan without removing the cover. Above the larger dome is another smaller dome, which will protect the users from the small amount of steam evaporation that may occur. The cover is easy to add and remove from the pan or wok, by simply lifting it on or off. A handle is provided on top of the cover for easy removal to and from the pan. The cover sits within the pan, resting on its base, and largely retains vapour generated during cooking. It may be made of stainless steel, glass or plastics.

Description

STEAM TOP The invention relates to a steam top, which will be suited to fit most frying pans and woks. It will be convenient for speedy and nutritious food preparation, and will also be easy to clean. These factors make it an ultimate kitchen gadget.

Electronic steamers are well known, but suffer from the disadvantage that, when used they require electricity, extra washing, and have a prolonged cooking time.

Steaming food conserves all the vitamins and minerals often lost with other cooking methods and is therefore beneficial to all humans. Preparing meals using the steam top, will not only be more nutritious than normal methods i. e. the traditional boiling method, but will also avoid the use of any oil or fat if preferred, reducing the amount of calories and cholesterol the human consumes.

An object of this invention is to provide a steam top which allows food to be cooked at a exceptional speed and also to retain the nutritional value of the food.

Preferably the steam top is made of stainless steel, but it may also be made from glass, or other materials, or a combination of all.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1: shows a side view of the whole steam top, in position in a frying pan.

FIGURE 2: illustrates the separation of the steam top and the frying pan.

FIGURE 3: illustrates the action of the steam top when preparing food.

With reference to the drawings, the steam top comprises of a dome shaped structure, which includes a depression at the uppermost point with a small opening, in order for solutions to be added to the pan without removing the steam top, this maybe water or oil, or any preferred liquid.

Above this is yet another smaller dome, which will protect the users from the small amount of steam evaporation that may occur.

On top of this is a small handle type fixture, to be used for inspection, or removal of the steam top, by hand, or by other removal type utensil.

FIGURE 4: illustrates the removal of the steam top using a kitchen utensil.

When cooking food using the steam top, firstly the ingredients are added to the pan, and then the steam top is placed over the top. Following this a liquid is added, which may be water in this case, and then the pan is placed over the heat. The steam top then acts by retaining the heat, as the dome shape prevents the loss of moisture, by allowing the steam to condense into water droplets at the uppermost point of the steam top, which then are replaced back into the pan. Due to the steam top being shaped like a dome, it also enables the food to be cooked from all directions, decreasing the cooking time.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A steam top with a domed shaped structure, used in the preparation of food.

2. A steam top as claimed in Claim 1 which comprises of a handle for easy removal of the steam top.

3. A steam top as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 which has a small dome situated on the top of the larger dome, but beneath the handle, in order to protect the handle from small amounts of steam that may be generated.

4. A steam top as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal, glass, or direct heat resistant plastic, or a combination of these materials.

5. A steam top substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A culinary steam suppressor comprising a dome-shaped cover suitable to lie within the circumference of a frying pan or like cooking vessel and cover part or all of the contents of the vessel, the cover including no valves and being unapertured except for a small hole on top of the dome acting as an outlet for steam so that the suppressor works by a natural flow of steam rather than operating under highly elevated pressure.
2. A culinary steam suppresser as claimed in claim 1, which comprises of a fixed handle for easy removal of the culinary steam suppresser, and a smaller dome situated at the uppermost point of the main dome above the hole so that the smaller dome acts as a steam deflector.
3. A culinary steam suppressor as claimed in claims 1, and 2 which works by convection currents, whereby the steam circulates around the pan, evaporating and condensing, loosing only a very small amount of steam through the hole of the culinary steam suppresser covered by a smaller dome.
4. A culinary steam suppresser as claimed in claims 1, 2, and 3 which is used in the cooking process for the containment of cooking vapours within the culinary steam suppresser and frying pan or like vessel.
5. A culinary steam suppresser as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal, glass, or direct heat resistant plastic, or a combination of these materials, and which may be made in a variety of sizes to suit all frying pans, or like vessel.
6. A culinary steam suppresser substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.