IE44121B1 - A lid for a culinary vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

1506364 Cooking vessel lids SEB SA 18 June 1976 [19 Feb 1976] 25399/76 Heading A4A A lid 1 for a cooking vessel 2 is formed with a central opening 4 around which are two rings 5, 6 one ring being on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the lid. The two rings 5, 6 are secured to each other in direct contact and are provided with means for removably supporting an accessory such as a filter 7 in the opening. As shown, the lid is metal with a circular array of slots (16) around the opening 4, the rings 5, 6 being of a thermoplastic and being welded to each other through the slots. The accessory comprises a charcoal filter cartridge (9) in a casing 8, the casing having lugs (36) which can be locked into the gap between the two rings 5, 6 against tongues 27 projecting inwards from the the lower ring 6. The upper ring 5 includes a perforated covering disc 25 and the casing 8 has a perforated base 33, gases from cooking only reaching the outside atmosphere after passing through the perforated base and disc and the charcoal filter. In an embodiment Figures 8, 9, (not shown) the accessory comprises a perforated plate (50) able to be rotated so that its perforations are in alignment or otherwise with the perforations of the disc 25 to control the venting of cooking gases, or in an alternative embodiment Figure 10 (not shown) the accessory is a baffle plate (63) which defines an exhaust passage (67) for the cooking gases (H) such that any fat is deposited in the passage. A further embodiment Figure 11, (not shown) provides a stirrer (71) driven by a motor (72) on the lid. In each embodiment the lid has a handle 19 pivoted to the lid about pins 20 so that the handle may be folded across the lid when not in use.

Description

This invention relates to a lid for a culinary and to the combination of vessel,/said lid with a detachable accessory such as a deodorizing filter.

The cooking of food products often produces objectionable vapor or smoke which has an unpleasant smell and the removal of which can improve the environment of kitchens and other cooking locations.

In one type of lid for culinary vessels which is already well known, a compartment formed in the lid communicates on the one hand vzith the interior of the vessel and on the other hand with the exterior, said compartment being intended to contain a small bag of an odor-absorbing substance such as active charcoal. In a first version of a device of this type, the compartment is delimited by a cap of elastic plastic material and by a detachable casing, these two elements being forcibly engaged by elastic deformation in a metallic lid. The attachment thus obtained is consequently unreliable since the plastic material is liable to lose its elasticity after exposure to heat. Furthermore, the presence of three separate components increases both the risk of loss and the space requirements in cleaning machines.

In a second version of devices of the type aforementioned, the number of parts is limited to tvzo detachable elements of plastic material assembled together either by elasticity or by means of a screvz-thread. The lid proper which constitutes one of the two elements accordingly forms a thin panel of plastic material which is fairly delicate and has a limited lifetime.

The invention is directed to a lid which is not subject to the disadvantages mentioned above, has the minimum -244122 number of detachable parts, can readily be disassembled and is both rugged and durable.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a lid which is intended to be placed on a culinary vessel and comprises a body through which is an opening, to receive a removable and interchangeable accessory such as a filter or other culinary equipment element, characterized in that the lid comprises two rings rigidly secured to each other in direct contact which rings are placed one on each side of the body and surround the opening, the said two rings being provided with means for supporting the said removable accessory.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a lid as set out in the preceding paragraph in combination with a removable and interchangeable accessory such as a filter or other culinary equipment element, said culinary equipment element being supported by means provided on the rings of the 1 id.

By separating the functions of the different elements, this structure makes it possible to obtain a strong lid of simple design and attractive shape: the body can be formed of thin material such as sheet metal and can have high mechanical strength whilst the rings can be of molded materials having complex shapes which permit both easy and reliable fixing of the accessory, especially by locking.

Accordingly, the removable accessory is preferably provided with peripheral lugs engaged in the assembled position between a peripheral bearing surface of the ring which is located above the body in the service position and with tongues disposed in spaced relation around the other ring.

In addition, each peripheral lug can advantageously be provided with a lateral engagement chamfer and a recess for a projection formed on a flexible portion of the tongue.

The accessory which is thus obtained can be locked on the lid by means of a simple rotational movement in which the peripheral lugs are engaged between the tongues and the peripheral bearing surface, thus permitting of rapid assembly and disassembly. - 3 Xn accordance with a preferred embodiment, the removable accessory comprises a casing having a perforated base in which is placed a filter cartridge having a flange which is clamped in the service position between the peripheral bearing of surface/the upper ring and.a corresponding annular fjange of the casing. Accordingly, said upper ring can advantageously be provided with a perforated disc which masks the body opening and is placed in the service position opposite to an open section of the casing.

The filter cartridge is thus firmly maintained in service between the rim of the casing and the bearing surface of the ring whereas said cartridge is completely free after disassembly of the casing and can thus be easily replaced.

Further particular features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which now follows, a number of embodiments of the lid in accordance with the invention being illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example without any limitation being implied, and in which : - Fig. 1 is a cutaway view in exploded perspective showing a first embodiment of the lid in accordance with the invention, the lid body, the filter cartridge and the casing being separate ; - Fig. 2 is a cutaway view in cross-section along line II-II of Fig. 3 showing the lid of Fig. 1 fitted with the assembled casing which is placed on the rim of a cooking vessel ; - Fig. 3 is a cutaway view showing the same lid looking from above ; - Fig. 4 is a cutaway view in exploded perspective -44412 showing the lid body and the two rings ; - Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 3 and showing the assembly of the casing on the body ; - Fig. 6 is a partial transverse view of the ring which is placed beneath the body in the service position, this view being taken along the line VI of Fig. 2 ; - Fig. 7 is a partial representation of the ring of Fig. 6, this view being taken in the radial direction along the line VII of Fig. 2 ; - Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the lid shown in Figs. 1 to 7 and are respectively 1 an axial sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 9 & and a top view ; - Figs. 10 and 11 are axial sectional views of two further embodiments of the invention.

The lid 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 7 is intended to be placed on the top rim 2 of a cooking vessel. ί The lid comprises a body 3 of revolution about an axis X-X having a periphery 3a which is adapted to the top rim 2 of the cooking vessel (as shown in Fig. 2), said body being pierced with a central circular opening 4 (as shown in Fig. 4) for the flow of the cooking gases.

Two rings 5 and 6 in interassembled relation are placed on each side of the body 3 on the top and bottom faces of this latter respectively when the lid 1 is in service or in other words placed on the rim 2, the cooking vessel being in turn in the normal position.

The rings 5 and 6 surround the opening 4 and are provided with means for locking a removable accessory 7 which is intended to be mounted opposite to said opening 4.

Xn the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 7, the accessory 7 is a filter provided with a casing 8 and a filter cartridge 9 but may be constituted by any other culinary equipment element which is exposed to the cooking gases.

Eight lugs 15 (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) are arranged cylindrically and are disposed in spaced relation at the lower periphery of the ring 5.' Said lugs 15 pass through elongated slots 16 of the body 3 and are welded to the bottom of a groove 17 of the ring 6 as shown in Fig. 5. The shape of the slots 16 corresponds substantially to the cross-section of the lugs ! which pass through these latter with a small clearance.

Preferably, the body 3 and the rings 5 and 6 are constituted respectively by a die-stamped metal component I and two molded components of thermoplastic material. Accordingly, the rings 5 and 6 are advantageously bonded by friction, that is to say as a result of heating produced by subjecting one of the rings 5 and 6 to an alternating rotational movement about the axis X-X with respect to the other ring.

Two substantially radial reinforcements 18 of the upper ring 5 are located on each side of a folding handle 19 which is pivotally mounted on said reinforcements by means of pivot-pins 20 which define a transverse axis Y-Y. A recess 5a adapted to receive the free end 19a of the handle 19 I (which is assumed to have been reversed by rotational move- ] ment through an angle of 180°) is formed in the ring 5 at a point located diametrically opposite to the reinforcements 18.

In the unfolded position, the handle 19 extends radially outwards from the body 3 and is applied against this -64 4121 latter by means of a bearing surface 22 as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 Conversely, when the handle 19 is folded back (chain-dotted lines), it is placed along a diameter of the ring 5 between the recess 5a and the reinforcements 19.

An annular flange 23 of the upper ring 5 and two concentric annular surfaces 24 of the lower ring 6 are applied against the two faces of the body 3, the annular flange 23 located opposite to the groove 17 being provided with the lugs 15.

A perforated disc 25 which forms part of the ring 5 masks the opening 4 and occupies substantially the entire area of this latter. The peripheral portion of said disc has a flat bearing surface 25 which projects slightly beyond the surface of the body 3 in the direction of the ring 5.

Eight tongues 27 (shown in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7) are arranged at uniform intervals on the internal periphery of the ring 6 opposite to the ring 5 at the exterior and in oppositely-facing relation to the bearing surface 26. Each tongue 27 is constituted by a flexible pallet 29 and two support brackets 28 located on each side of the flexible pallet 29, a radial rib 30 being formed on the top face of said pallet. Passages 31 are provided between the tongues 27.

One of the tongues 27 carries a stop 28a. in the form of a radial rib disposed substantially at one-quarter of the length of one bracket 28 which is located downstream in a direction of rotation F about the axis X - X.

A retaining stop 28b having a shape which is similar to that of the stop 28a. is also placed on a tongue 27 and located at the edge of a passage 31 at the downstream end of the tongue 27 considered (in the direction F), - 7 44123In order to simplify the drawings, Figs. 6 and 7 show the stops 28a and 28b on two tongues 27 which are different from those which carry the stops in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 1.

The casing 8 (Fig. 1) has a substantially cylindrical outer wall 32 having an axis X-X and provided with splined engagement sectors 32a,a perforated base 33 and an open section 34 located opposite to the base 33.

The section 34 is surrounded by a flat annular bearing flange 35 having dimensions corresponding to those of the bearing surface 26.

Eight peripheral lugs 36 in uniformly spaced · relation form outward extensions of the bearing flange 35.

Each peripheral lug is provided with a lateral chamfer 37 placed in front in the direction of rotation F and with a ι radially-disposed central groove 38.

The filter cartridge 9 has a substantially cylindrical shape With a flat bottom corresponding to the internal space of the casing 8. Said filter cartridge is provided with a substantially flat annular flange 45 having dimensions j similar to those of the bearing flange 35 aforementioned. j Preferably, the cartridge filter 9 is constituted by a gas-permeable envelope, especially of non-woven material bonded by the ultrasonic technique, said envelope being filled with a deodorizing substance such as active charcoal. | The non-woven material employed may in particular be of the type which is designated “Teklan (Registered Trade Mark) } I and marketed by Courtaulds Limited of Great Britain. This material offers every guarantee of flame resistance, strength and imputrescibility.

In order to mount the lid 1, the cartridge filter 9 -84 412' is placed within the casing 8, the peripheral lugs 36 are fully engaged within the passages 31, in position 36a. shown in dashed lines in Fig. 6, the casing is rotated in the direction F until a clicking sound informs the user that the ribs 30 have engaged within the grooves 38 as a result of the elasticity of the pallets 29.

At the time of the movement of rotation, the chamfered edges 37 facilitate the engagement of the peripheral lugs 36 on the support brackets 28 and the retaining stop 28a_ prevents any overstepping of the normal locking position.

After assembly, the configuration obtained is as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The peripheral lugs 36 are applied against the tongues 27, each lug being placed astride the two corresponding support brackets 28 in the position of the guiding elements 36b shown in dashed lines in Figs. 6 and 7. The bearing flange 35 of the casing 8 is thus applied against the flange 45 of the cartridge filter 9 which is clamped against the bearing surface 26 of the upper ring 5.

The casing 8 is thus perfectly maintained whilst the flange 45 which acts as a seal ensures leak-tightness between the casing 8 and the ring 5.

When assembling the lid and accessory the handle 19 is advantageously disposed in the folded position shown in chain dot lines in Fig. 3 thus facilitating handling the lid, the splined portions 32a_ co-operating with the inner periphery of the ring 6 to centralise the accessory.

When the lid 1 which has thus been mounted is placed on a vessel during cooking, for example a deep-fryer filled with boiling oil, the cooking gases cannot escape either at the periphery 3a - which is a fit on the rim 2 of the vessel - or between the casing 8 and the ring 5 since the flange 45 performs the function of a seal. - 9 These gases -therefore have to pass through the cartridge filter 9 (arrows G) and are freed from their odors by the deodorizing substance contained therein. The atmo5 sphere of the premises therefore remains pure and without any unpleasant smell.

The casing 8 can readily be disassembled after use by carrying out the assembly operations in the reverse order to those already described. The cartridge 9 can thus be changed and the body 3 fitted with the rings 5 and 6 and the casing 8 can be cleaned separately.

At the time of this disassembly, the retaining stop 28b prevents any movement of rotation in the direction opposite to F before the peripheral lugs 36 pass beyond the passages 31.

The cleaning operation described above can readily be performed in a washing-up machine, the bulk of the body 3 fitted with the rings 5 and 6 being reduced in particular when the handle 19 is in the folded-back position.

Moreover, the two rings 5 and 6 are very securely attached to the body 3 by welding the eight lugs 15 at the bottom of the groove 17. This assembly does not have any play since the shrinkage of the weld results in the application of tension of the lugs 15, thus powerfully applying the faces 23 and 24 against both sides of the body 3.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and many other versions are possible.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a rotatable perforatet/disc 50 fitted with a handoperated push-plate 51 is rotatably mounted in a removable -1044121 accessory 52 provided with fixing lugs 36.

The drilled holes of the disc 50 are located opposite to the drilled holes of the disc 25 when the pushI plate 51 is in a position/of abutment in the direction P of Figs. 8 and 9 (this position being shown in full lines). The outlet cross-section provided for the cooking gases is then at maximum value.

Conversely, the drilled holes of the two discs 25 and 50 are relatively displaced and no longer correspond to each other when the push-plate 51 is placed in the position IX of abutment in the direction Q (dashed lines) and the gasflow cross-section has the minimum value.

By choosing an intermediate position of the pushplate 51, the user can therefore continuously adjust the passage provided for the gases and control the internal atmosphere of the vessel.

The upper ring 5 of Fig. 10 has a central mask 60 provided with an orifice 61 and a rib 62, these latter being in concentric relation and centered on the axis X-X. A removable accessory 63 provided with fixing lugs 36 is placed opposite to the mask 60 in the service position. Said accessory is provided with a .central boss 64 and an annular groove 65 which are adapted respectively to the orifice 61 and to the rib 62 as well as peripheral lugs 66.

Xn the assembled position, the mask 60 and the accessory 63 define a baffle-type passage 67 in which the fat-laden vapor of the cooking gases circulates in the direction H, is deposited in said passage and thus prevented from contaminating the atmosphere of the cooking premises.

In Fig. 11, there is shown a lid fitted with an -11441 <3 1· accessory 70 which is removable by means of the lugs 36 and comprising a stirrer 71 connected to a drive motor 72 in order to carry out culinary operations which call for continuous stirring of food products to be cooked.

Claims (17)

1. A lid which is intended to be placed on a culinary vessel and comprises a body through which is an opening, to receive a removable and interchangeable accessory such as a filter or other culinary equipment element, characterized in that the lid comprises two rings rigidly secured to each other in direct contact which rings are placed one on each side of the body and surround the opening, the said two rings being provided with means for supporting the said removable accessory.

2. A lid in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the two rings are rigidly secured to each other by means of lugs which pass through elongated slots formed in the body, each lug being an integral part of one of the rings and being welded to the other.

3. A lid in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that the rings are formed of thermoplastic material and welded together by friction.

4. A lid in accordance with Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that the lugs are arranged cylindrically and are welded to the bottom of an annular groove formed in the opposite ring.

5. A lid in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ring placed above the body in the service position carries a folding handle pivotally mounted on the ring and engaged in the folded-back position within a recess formed in the ring at a point located diametrically opposite to the point of pivotal attachment.

6. A lid in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ring which is located above the body in the service position is provided with a peripheral bearing surface the other ring having tongues disposed in spaced relation therearound so that in use the bearing surface and tongues receive between them peripheral lugs provided on a removable accessory. - 12 44124

7. A lid in accordance with Claim 6, characterized in that each tongue i of said other ring has a flexible portion provided with a projection so that in use each projection is engageable in a recess provided in each peripheral lug of a removable accessory.

8. A lid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein tne I upper ring is provided with a perforated disc which extends across the opening , in the body.

9. A lid in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one of the rings has a central portion placed within the body opening and capable of co-operating with the removable and interchangeable accessory when the said accessory is mounted in order to define at least one baffle- ' type passage which provides a connection between the two faces of the lid.

10. A lid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a removable and interchangeable accessory such as a filter or other culinary equipment element, said culinary equipment element being supported by means provided on the rings of the lid.

11. The combination according to Claim 10 as appendant to Claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the removable accessory comprises a casing having a perforated : base in which is placed a filter cartridge having a flange which is clamped in the service position between the peripheral bearing surface of the upper ring and a corresponding annular flange of the casing.

12. The combination according to Claim 10 as appendant to Claim 9, , wherein the removable and interchangeable accessory is provided with a central boss and an annular groove which co-operate with the central portion in the lid body opening to provide the baffle-type passage. ι

13. The combination according to Claim 10 as appendant to Claim 8, wherein the removable and interchangeable accessory is provided with a manually rotatable perforated disc, said disc and the perforated disc of the lid lying one on the other.

14. The combination according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the I removable and interchangeable accessory comprises a | 'filter cartridge having a gas-permeable envelope which is bonded by ultrasonic techniques and filled with active charcoal.

15. The combination according to Claim 10, wherein the removable and ι interchangeable accessory comprises a stirrer coupled to a drive motor. ΐ - 13 4413

16. A lid for a culinary vessel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17. The combination as claimed in Claim 10 as herein described with Figures 8 and 9, Figure 10, reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 7/or Figure 11 of the accompanying 5 drawi ngs.