MXPA98008125A - Kitchen utensil handle separates - Google Patents

Abstract

A detachable handle for a cooking vessel having at least one fixing opening formed therein includes an elongated member and a container coupling portion. The coupling portion of the recipe is fixed to a first end of the elongated member and is adapted to couple at least one of the fixing openings of the cooking vessel. The detachable handle also includes a clamping mechanism to secure the detachable handle to the cooking vessel.

Description

SEPARABLE KITCHEN UTENSIL HANDLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cooking or baking vessel, such as a pot or saucepan. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooking or baking container having a handle detachably attached to the container and a holding mechanism for holding the handle in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, separable handles for cooking or baking containers, such as pots and pans, are well known. The pots and pans with separable handles require less space, since the handles can be separated and placed inside the pots or pans, allowing in this way that the pots and pans are stored together more closely. Many detachable handles of the prior art include a pair of opposite tongue-like members that hold the top edge of a pot or pan. Because the top edge is generally not very wide, the detachable handle has only a small surface area to hold on, making it difficult for the handle to securely attach to the pan. As a result, the connection between the magno and the pan is unstable. Efforts to improve these separable handles include extending the portion of the tabs that engage the edge of the cooking vessel to hold a portion of the side wall of the cooking vessel. For example, in one of these devices, a flat surface extends downwardly from each member of the tabs towards the bottom of the cooking vessel when the handle is fixed to the container. While this approach improves the connection between the magno and the cooking vessel, the flat surface extension of the handle placed inside the container may interfere with the food in the pot or pan. Other versions of detachable handles are designed to attach a protrusion fixed permanently to the cooking vessel. These handles typically include a projection coupling portion of dimensions slightly larger than the thickness of the projection. When the handle is fixed to the container, the handle covers the projection and holds down from the upper and lower surfaces of the projection. A problem with these separable handles is that, because the handle covers the projection, the handle tends to be rather bulky.

Still another type of detachable handle couples permanent handles mounted on the sides of a pot, or pan. One end of the detachable handle is configured as a hook and is designed to be inserted into an open space in the permanent handles. A disadvantage with this detachable handle is that, since the handle does not have a hold, the handle can be accidentally disconnected or separated from the pan or pot. As a result, the handle does not provide a secure connection to the pot or pan. In the light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a smooth and attractive handle that can be easily fixed and separated from a cooking or baking vessel and that does not interfere with the contents of the container. In addition, it is desirable to provide a clamping mechanism for securing the handle to the container.

COMPENDIUM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a detachable handle for a container having at least one formed fixing opening, therein includes an elongate member having first and second opposite ends and a coupling portion. of container fixed to the first end. The container coupling portion is adapted to engage at least one of the container fixing openings. The detachable handle further includes a clamping mechanism for securing the detachable handle to the container. In accordance with another aspect d? In the invention, a cooking or baking container is provided with a receptacle that includes a side wall which extends upwards and a lateral handle permanently fixed to the side wall. The side handle has an opening formed therein. The container further includes a handle detachably coupled to the side handle. The detachable handle includes an elongate member having first and second opposite ends and a container coupling portion attached to the first end. The container coupling portion engages the side handle. The detachable handle further includes a clamping mechanism for securing the magnet to the receptacle. In accordance with yet another aspect of the inventionci. , a cooking or baking dish includes a receptacle and a handle. The receptacle has an upwardly extending side wall that has at least two openings formed therein. The handle detachably engages the side wall and includes an elongated member having first and second opposite ends. The handle further includes a container coupling portion attached to the first end of the elongated member. The container coupling portion has a plurality of projections projecting from a front end, each projection coupling the respective opening of the receptacle. Further features and main advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a review of the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals denote the same elements, in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a cooking vessel showing a modality of a detachable handle according to the invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of Figure 1, illustrating a clamping mechanism that secures the detachable handle to the cooking vessel, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view , generally taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, in which a latch of the clamping mechanism is depressed to prepare for removal of the detachable handle from the cooking vessel; Figure 4 TS shows a partial sectional view of the cooking vessel shown in figure 2; Figure 5 is a view of the cooking container shown in FIG. Figure 2, with the handle separated from the container; Figure 6 is a plan view of the cooking vessel with a second embodiment of a detachable handle according to the invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 8-8 of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a view of the cooking vessel shown in Figure 8, with the handle detached from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY MODE With reference generally to Figure 1, an exemplary container 10 for cooking or baking ST provides with a handle 12 detachable in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The container 10, such as a pot or saucepan, includes a receptacle 14 having a side handle 16 to which the removable handle 12 engages. The receptacle 14 of the cooking or baking container 10 has a bottom 18 and an upwardly extending side wall 20 defining an interior cooking region 22. The side wall 20 has an external face 24, an internal face 26 and a flange 28. Fixed to the external face 24 is the side handle 16. The receptacle 14 may also include a second side handle 30, shown in shadow lines, disposed opposite the side handle 16. The second side handle 30 may be identical to the side handle 16, although different configurations and locations of the handle 30 are possible. As best illustrated in Figure 5, the side handle 16 has upper and lower faces 32 and 34, respectively, and a first end 36 that can be fixed to the side wall 20 of the receptacle 14 by a screw (not shown) or other mechanical fastener. Alternatively, the side handle 16 can be formed integrally with the side wall 20 of the receptacle 14. The side handle 16 also has a second free end 38 positioned opposite the first end 36. Arranged between the first and second ends 36, and 38, respectively, an opening 40 is formed in the side handle 16 to receive the detachable handle 12. The opening 40 is limited by a flange 42 positioned on the upper face 32 near the first end 36 and a bar 44 positioned along the second end 38. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bar 44 is generally cylindrical and acts as a pivot when the detachable handle 12 engages the receptacle 14. However, the bar 44 may have other appropriate configurations. The detachable handle 12, as illustrated in Figures 1-5, includes an elongated member 46 and a container coupling portion 48. The elongated member 46 has a first end 50 and a second end 52 disposed opposite the first end 50. The elongated member 46 provides the user with a fastener for operating the handle 12. Fixed to the first end 50 of the elongate member 46 is the portion 48 of container coupling. In the preferred embodiment container coupling portion 48 and elongated member 46 are formed integrally of a durable plastic material. In the alternative, the container coupling portion 48 can be fixed to the elongate member 46 by a mechanical fastener or an adhesive. The container coupling portion 48 engages the side handle 16 when the handle 12 is fixed to the receptacle 14. The container coupling portion 48 includes a notch 56 formed therein which is configured to receive the rod 44 of the side handle 16, when the detachable handle 12 engages the receptacle 10. Furthermore, the container coupling portion 48 has an upper surface 54 which is received in the opening 40 of the side handle 16. The upper surface 54 preferably has a convex curvature that provides the handle 12 with a smooth appearance. The detachable handle 12 further includes a clamping mechanism 58 for securing the handle 12 to the lateral handle 16 while in use. The clamping mechanism 58 is preferably designed to secure the handle 12 detachable to the side handle 16 automatically when the upper surface 54 of the container engaging portion 48 is inserted towards the opening 40. The clamping mechanism 58 includes a latch 60 engaged pivotally to the container coupling portion 48 by a pivot pin 62. The latch 60 has a front face 64 and a rear face 66. The front face 64 of the latch 60 includes a slot 68 - LO formed therein which coincides with the flange 42 of the lateral handle 16. The latch 60 pivots about the pin and deviates away from a front face 70 of the container coupling portion 48 by a torsion spring 72. The front face 64 of the latch 60 has a convex upper portion 65 which combines with the upper surface 54 of the container coupling portion 48 to fill the opening 40, thereby providing a secure connection between the separable handle 12 and the handle 16. side. As a result, when the detachable handle 12 is used to lift the receptacle 14, the receptacle 14 will not wobble. In this way, the detachable handle 12 is fixed to the receptacle 14 as follows. As shown in Figure 5, the detachable handle 12 slopes downward and is brought to the side handle 16 of the receptacle 14, so that the notch 56 engages the bar 44 of the side handle 16. The handle 12 is then rotated about the bar 44 to raise the upper surface 54 of the container coupling portion 48 and the latch 58 to the opening 40. As the upper surface 54 and the latch 58 are inserted toward the opening 40, the side handle 16 contacts the. upper concave portion 65 of the latch 60 and compresses the spring 72, allowing the latch 60 to move towards the front face 64 of the container coupling portion 48. Once the upper portion 65 of the latch 60 leaves the opening 40 free, the spring 72 returns to its relaxed state in which the latch 60 deviates away from the front face 64 of the container coupling portion 48, as shown in FIG. shown in Figure 2. The slot 68 of the latch 60 automatically contacts the flange 42 of the side handle 16 and prevents the handle 1.2 from being accidentally released from the receptacle 14. Removal of the handle 12 from the receptacle 14 is not automatic, and in this way, it requires an additional step. As illustrated in Figure 4, the user must press the latch 60 in the direction indicated by the arrow A to overcome the force of the spring 72. While the latch 60 contacts the latch. front face 70 of the container coupling portion 48, the handle-12 is rotated about the bar 44, allowing the convex upper portion 65 of the bolt 60 and the upper surface 54 to pass through the opening 40. The handle 12 can then be separated from the side handle 16 by decoupling the notch 56 from the bar 44. As illustrated in Figures 6-9, the container 10 is provided with the receptacle 14 and a handle 74 removable in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The detachable handle 74 can be fixed directly to the side wall 20 of the receptacle 14 by engaging a pair of openings 76 (Figure 9) which are positioned near the edge 28 of the side wall 20. The detachable handle 72 includes an elongated member 78 and a container coupling portion 80. The elongated member 78 has first and second ends 82 and 84, respectively. The container coupling portion 80 is fixed to the first end 82 of the elongate member 78. The handle 74 is preferably made of a durable plastic material, with the container coupling portion 80 and the elongate member 78 integrally formed. However, the container coupling portion 80 can also be secured to the elongated member 78 by a mechanical fastener. The container coupling portion 80 of the detachable handle 74 has upper and lower faces 86 and 88, respectively, and a physical end 90. Mounted to the lower face 88 of the container coupling portion 80 is a pair of arms 92. Each arm 92 has a first end 94 which is fixed to the container coupling portion 92 and a second end 96 projecting a projection 98. The first end 94 of the arm 92 can be fixed to the container coupling portion 92 by a mechanical fastener (not shown). The arms 92 and the projections 98 extend beyond the front end 90 of the container coupling portion 92. The projections 98 are spaced apart from each other by a distance approximately equal to that of the openings 76 in the side wall 20. In addition, the projections 98 have dimensions slightly smaller than those d? the openings 76, allowing the projections 98 to fit snugly in the respective openings 76. The detachable handle 74 further includes a lever 100 mounted to the upper face 86 of the container coupling portion 80 near the front end 90. As best shown in Figure 8, the lever 100 is mounted on a pin 102 that extends through the container coupling portion 80. The lever 100 and the pin 102 are rotatable with respect to the container coupling portion 80, as will be described in greater detail below. The pin 102 is also connected to a cam 106 which is disposed between the arms 92 on the lower face 88 of the portion. 80 of container coupling. The cam 106 has an elliptical configuration, with long and short axis of symmetry, and rotates with the lever 100 relative to the container coupling portion 80. As illustrated in Figure 8, the cam 106 is aligned with the lever 100 so that when the lever 100 is parallel to the elongate member 78, the long axis of symmetry of the cam 106 is perpendicular to the elongate member 78. In this position, the cam 106 engages the arms 92 to deflect the arms 92 away from each other. when the lever 100 is transverse to the elongate member 78, the short axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the elongated member (Figure 9). Since the cam 106 does not engage the arms 92 when the lever 100 is transverse to the elongated member 78, the arms 92 are in their relaxed, normal position. The container coupling portion 80 further includes a pair of protuberances 104 mounted on the upper face 86. The protuberances 104 are disposed on opposite sides of the lever 100 and maintain the lever 100 parallel to the elongate member 78. In this way, the detachable handle 74 is operated as follows. To secure the handle 74 to the receptacle 14, the lever 100 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Figure 9 until the lever 100 extends transverse to the elongated member 78. With the arms 92 in their relaxed, normal position, the projections 98 of the handle 74 are. insert into the respective openings 76 in the side wall 20 of the receptacle 14 until the second end 96 of the arms 92 makes contact with the external face 24 of the side wall 20. The lever 100 is then rotated on the protrusion 104 and in alignment with the elongated member 78. As the lever 100 is rotated in alignment with the elongate member 78, the cam 106 engages the arms 92 to disperse the arms 92 and the projections 98 fixed on. separation. The tension between the projections 98 and the respective openings 76 is sufficient to secure the handle 74 to the receptacle 1. Since the protuberances 104 retain the lever 100 in alignment with the elongate member 78, the handle 74 can not be accidentally separated from the receptacle 14. To separate the handle 74 from the receptacle 14, the user must apply a force to rotate the lever 100 over the protrusion 104. Once the lever 100 is transverse to the elongate member 78, the cam 106 no longer makes contact with the arms 92, and the tension between the projections 98 and the openings 76 is eliminated. The handle 74 can then be separated from the openings 76 of the receptacle 14. It will be understood that the foregoing description is of a preferred embodiment of this invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown and described. For example, while the preferred embodiments of the handles 12 and 74 have an integrally formed elongated member and the container coupling portion, the elongated member and the container coupling portion can be made of two or more pieces, including a portion of separate grip. Also, while the mechanism d? clamping of the first embodiment includes a latch biased by a torsion spring, other mechanisms can be used. Additionally, the handle of the second embodiment may include more than two projections and an appropriately configured cam. These and other modifications can be made in the design and arrangement of other elements without abandoning the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. - A cooking or baking container, comprising: a receptacle including an upwardly extending side wall and a lateral handle fixed to the side wall, the side handle having an upper face and a lower face and a fixing opening which it extends through them between the upper and lower faces; and a detachable handle detachably coupled to the side handle, the detachable handle including: a hand grip member; a clamping mechanism, and a container coupling portion coupled to the hand grip member and having a mating surface adapted to engage a portion of the side handle, wherein the clamping mechanism and the container coupling portion automatically secure the handle detachable from the receptacle when the coupling surface engages the side handle portion and the clamping mechanism coincides with the upper face of the side handle.

2.- The container as described in the - claim 1, wherein the coupling surface is curvilinear.

3. The container as described in claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism includes a latch portion pivotally fixed to the container coupling portion for pivotal movement about a pivot shaft, the latch portion engaging the face Top of the side handle when the detachable handle is secured to the receptacle.

4. The container as described in claim 3, wherein the pivot axis is below the lower face of the lateral handle when the detachable handle is secured to the receptacle.

5. The container as described in claim 3, further including a spring disposed between the latch portion and the container coupling portion.

6. The container as described in claim 3, wherein an upper surface of the container coupling portion and an upper surface of the latch portion substantially fill the fixing opening in the upper face of the lateral handle.

7. - A cooking or baking vessel, comprising: a receptacle including an upwardly extending side wall and a lateral handle permanently affixed to the side wall and extending generally radially outward therefrom, side handle having an upper face, a lower face, and an opening extending therethrough from the upper face to the lower face; and a detachable handle detachably coupled to the side handle, the detachable handle comprising: a container engaging portion, and a releasable holding mechanism, capable of moving with respect to the container engaging portion, the releasable holding mechanism including a portion of latch, wherein the releasable clamping mechanism and the container coupling portion are arranged for upward insertion through the opening so that during sufficient insertion the latch portion engages the upper face to prevent inadvertent release.

8. The container as described in claim 7, wherein the container coupling portion includes a mating surface for coupling a first end of the side handle.

9. The container as described in claim 8, wherein the coupling surface is curvilinear to mate with the first end of the side handle, thereby allowing the detachable handle to pivot around the first end of the tailpiece as customized that the container coupling portion is inserted upwardly through the opening of the side handle,

10. The container as described in claim 7, wherein the latch portion is pivotally coupled to the. container coupling portion for pivotal movement about a pivot axis e.

11. The container as described in claim 10, wherein the pivot axis is below the lower face of the lateral handle when the detachable handle is secured to the receptacle.

12. The container as described in claim 7, wherein the releasable clamping mechanism includes a spring disposed between the latch portion and the container coupling portion.

13. The container as described in claim 7, wherein the side handle is fixed to the side wall of the receptacle at a second end of the side handle.

14. The container as described in claim 7, wherein the container coupling portion includes a convex upper surface adapted to be inserted through the opening.

15. A detachable handle for a container having a lateral handle fixed thereto, the side handle having an upper face and a lower face and an opening extending therebetween, the separable handle comprising: a manual grip member; a container coupling portion coupled to the hand grip member; and a movable releasable clamping mechanism with respect to the container-coupling portion, wherein the container coupling portion and the releasable clamping mechanism are arranged for upward insertion a. through the opening so that during sufficient insertion the releasable clamping mechanism engages the upper face of the lateral handle to prevent inadvertent release.

16. The detachable handle as described in claim 15, wherein the container coupling portion includes a coupling surface, whereby the coupling surface is adapted to engage a first end of the lateral handle.

17. - The detachable handle as described in claim 16, wherein the coupling surface is curvilinear.

18. The detachable handle as described in claim 15, wherein the releasable clamping mechanism includes a latch portion for coupling the clamp. upper face of the lateral handle.

19. The detachable handle as described in claim 18, wherein the latch portion is pivotally coupled to the container coupling portion for pivotal movement about an axis d? pivot.

20. The detachable handle as described in. claim 15, wherein the container coupling portion includes a convex surface surface adapted to be inserted * through the opening.