GB2424388A

GB2424388A - Pan-handle covers

Info

Publication number: GB2424388A
Application number: GB0605821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Thomas Pike
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-23
Filing date: 2006-03-23
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-23
Also published as: GB0505995D0; GB0605821D0; GB2424388B

Abstract

A pan-handle cover-element 1 of heat-resistant material, preferably silicone rubber, is generally of a longitudinally-split tubular configuration with its two longitudinal flanks 2 and 3 bending in resiliently preferably with one inside the other in overlap. The resilience of the element 1 enables the flanks 2 and 3 to be opened out and when released while straddling the handle of a pan, to close up on one another again, wrapping round the handle. The flexibility of the cover to adapt to the handle with conformity to the handle-configuration and tight nesting round the handle may be enhanced by longitudinally-extending grooves 4 in the inside surface 5 of the element 1. The outside surface 6 may also be ridged for enhanced grip. A segmental web(7, fig 3) may be provided at one end of the element 1 for partially capping the free end (10, fig 3) of the handle (8 fig 3) saucepan (9,fig 3) so as to restrain the cover from movement down the handle.

Description

Pan-Handle Covers This invention relates to pan-handle covers.

The handles of pans, even those incorporating provision for heat insulation, can often become too hot to be held directly and safely by hand during cooking. The problem can be dealt with using oven gloves but these tend to be cumbersome, and if a tea towel or other kitchen cloth is held between the hand and the handle it can easily be allowed unintentionally to hang down onto the hob to create a risk of fire.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of cover for a pan handle that can be used for safety and convenience.

According to the present invention there is provided a pan- handle cover comprising an elongate element of heat- resistant material that is generally of a longitudinally- split tubular configuration with its longitudinal flanks bending in resiliently to one another, the element having flexibility to enable the flanks to be opened out from one another against the resilience and upon release when straddling the handle of a pan to wrap round the handle in a tight conforming fit.

The element of the pan-handle cover of the invention may have longitudinally-extending grooves in its inner surface for enhancing its flexibility, and its outside surface may be ridged for enhancing handgrip of the covered handle.

The flanks of the element may bend in resiliently one inside the other for overlap with one another.

A pan-handle cover in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one end of the pan- handle cover according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from one end of a modified form according to the invention of the pan- handle cover of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is illustrative of a pan having a handle fitted with the pan-handle cover of Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, the pan-handle cover is an element 1 of heatresistant silicone rubber, that is generally of a longitudinally_split tubular configuration with its two longitudinal flanks 2 and 3 bending in resiliently one inside the other in overlap. The resilience of the element 1 enables the flanks 2 and 3 to be opened out from their overlap with one another, and when released while straddling the handle of a pan, to close up on one another again, wrapping round the handle. The flexibility of the cover to adapt to the handle with good conformity to the handleconfiguration and with tight nesting round the circumference of the handle, is enhanced by longitudinally- extending grooves 4 in the inside surface 5 of the element 1.

The outside surface 6 of the element 1 is ridged longitudinally so as to enhance grip by hand of the covered handle and nonetheless limit the area of contact by the hand. In this regard, the cover when fitted to the handle of a pan such as, for example, a saucepan or fryingpan, provides a safe and secure means by which the pan can be manoeuvred and lifted by hand during cooking. More particularly, the silicone-rubber material of the element 1 provides a high degree of heat insulation that even when the handle is very hot enables the covered handle to be gripped by an otherwise-unprotected hand. The cover takes up a tight conforming fit to the handle of the pan, with or without a degree of overlap of the flanks 2 and 3 according to the handle-girth, and in this respect is suitable for universal use throughout a large range of variation of handle shape and size. Also, the cover can be readily fitted to the pan-handle at any time whether during cooking or otherwise.

The cover of Figure 1 can be restrained from the possibility of moving down the handle during use, by incorporating in it a web or other part for abutting the free end of the handle. A modification of this nature is shown in Figure 2 and will now be described.

Referring to Figure 2, the modified cover has the addition of a web 7 that bridges a limited segment of the element 1 at one end. The web 7 does not impose any material limitation on the flexibility of the flanks 2 and 3 to be opened out in fitting the cover to a pan-handle.

The modified cover of Figure 2 fitted to the handle 8 of a saucepan 9 is illustrated in Figure 3. As illustrated, the element 1 is fitted to the handle 8 with the web 7 at the free end 10 of the handle 8 and capping that end partially.

The partial capping of the end 10 in this way restrains any tendency for the cover to slip, or to be pushed, down the handle 8.

Although the cover described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3 is of heat-resistant silicone rubber it may be of other heat-resistant plastics material. In either case, it may be manufactured by extrusion or moulding.

Where the web 7 is adopted, this may be formed as an integral part of the element 1, or may be bonded to it.

Claims

Claims: 1. A pan-handle cover comprising an elongate element of

heat-resistant material that is generally of a longitudinally_split tubular configuration with its longitudinal flanks bending in resiliently to one another, the element having flexibility to enable the flanks to be opened out from one another against the resilience and upon release when straddling the handle of a pan to wrap round the handle in a tight conforming fit.
2. A pan-handle cover according to Claim 1 wherein the element has longitudinally_extending grooves in its inner surface for enhancing the flexibility of the element.
3. A pan-handle cover according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the outside surface of the element is ridged.
4. A pan-handle cover according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the flanks of the element bend in resiliently one inside the other in overlap.
5. A pan-handle cover according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the element is of silicone rubber.
6. A pan-handle cover according to any one of Claims 1 to including a web or other part bridging a limited segment of one end of the element for partially capping the free end of a pan-handle.
7. A pan-handle cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A pan-handle cover according to Claim 7 modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
9. A pan having a handle fitted with a pan-handle cover according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.
10. A pan having a handle fitted with a pan-handle cover, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing.