US20100264286A1

US20100264286A1 - Container lid supporter

Info

Publication number: US20100264286A1
Application number: US12/386,534
Authority: US
Inventors: Udi Menashe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-21
Filing date: 2009-04-21
Publication date: 2010-10-21

Abstract

The present invention provides a container lid supporter that is independently mounted on and removed from containers or pots and absolves the cook or user from manually holding the lid. The supporter comprises an arm segment, a concave support segment located between the ends of the upper edges of the arm segment and a leg segment located at the lower ends of the lower edges of the arm segment. The container lid supporter may further comprise connection means, or fastening means or both that connect and fasten the leg segment of the supporter, and bumpers located on the arm or leg segments and above the connection or fastening means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to supporters for container lids, and in particular to supporters for pot lids that are opened during cooking, service or any other process or use.

BACKGROUND

The current experience in cooking practice, in particular in home cooking requires frequent removal of pot lids from their fixed place over the pot top opening in order to check on the dish cooked, mix it, taste its flavor or add further ingredients to it. One major problem encountered in this practice, that current cookware has not yet fully overcome, is that such pot or container lids are not user-friendly designed. This is expressed in the inconvenience in either occupying one hand in holding the lid that is removed during cooking, or partially uncovering the pot by removing the lid and placing it over only part of the pot opening in an unsafe, unstable position. The current different cookware that is offered in order to absolve the user from such inconvenience and allow her freer and more controllable handling of the cooking, concentrates on fixed or single-unit solutions. Such solutions may be either a fixed connection of the lid to the pot using hinges that enable the lid a full opening. The lid may then further be supported by a rod if a partial opening is required. Another solution is a single-unit vessel wherein the supporter forms a single piece with the handle of the lid and has a tail that slides inside the pot handle, thereby fixing the lid in an opened position.
Such cookware provides only partial solutions to the problems that are encountered daily during cooking. Further to that, their employment is limited only to a single container or pot or to same such containers. This in turn puts heavier burden on household expenses, should the purchase of more than one pot is required.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide container lid supporter that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide container lid supporter that is independently mounted on and removed from containers or pots.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide container lid supporter that absolves the cook or user from manually holding the lid.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container lid supporter that enables safe and stable opening of the lid.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container lid supporter that is not permanently fixed or attached either to the container or lid.
This and other objects of the present invention shall become apparent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an inclined arms container lid supporter.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the inclined arms container lid supporter further having two knobs attached to its legs.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of the opened and closed positions of an inclined arms container lid supporter provided with a spring that connects its legs one to the other.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of the opened and closed positions of an inclined arms container lid supporter provided with a fastener that fastens its legs one to the other.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of the opened and closed positions of a straight arms container lid supporter with a spring that connects the arms edges one to the other.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a straight arms container lid supporter that has legs bent one relative to the other in an asymmetric position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a straight arms container lid supporter that has horizontal barriers extended from the edges of the arm.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic illustrations of the opened and closed positions of a straight arms container lid supporter provided with a spring that connects the edges of the arms of the supporter one to the other and a fastener that fastens these edges one to the other.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic illustrations of the loose and tense positions of an inclined arms container lid supporter having elastic legs.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic illustrations of the closed and pulled states of a straight arms telescopic container lid supporter.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic illustrations of the closed and pulled states of an inclined arms telescopic container lid supporter.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an inclined arms container lid supporter having horizontal supplementary legs fixed to its primary legs.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an outward extended arms container lid supporter having a single unit bent leg segment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a container lid supporter comprising: (a) an arm segment; (b) a concave support segment located between the ends of the upper edges of the arm segment; and (c) a leg segment located at the lower ends of the lower edges of the arm segment.
In one aspect of the present invention is provided a container lid supporter, further comprising (d) connection means, or fastening means or both, that connect and fasten the leg segment of the supporter; and (e) bumpers located on the arm or leg segments and above the connection or fastening means.
In one particular embodiment the present invention provides a container lid supporter where the leg segment comprises elastic legs, and the connection means is a spring that connects the legs one to the other.
In another particular embodiment of the present invention is provided a container lid supporter, where the leg segment comprises two elastic legs, the fastening means is a fastener attached to the legs, the fastener comprises a clip attached to one leg and a knob attached to the other leg, and fastens the legs one to the other by locking the clip around the knob.
In still another embodiment the present invention provides a container lid supporter where the leg segment comprises two elastic legs, the connection means is a spring that connects the legs one to the other and a fastener, the fastener comprises a clip attached to one leg and a knob attached to the other leg of the supporter, and fastens the legs one to the other by locking the clip around said knob.
In one aspect the present invention the container lid supporter of the present invention comprises arm segment that comprises inclined or straight arms or arms extended outward of the center of the container lid supporter.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the container lid supporter comprises leg segment that comprises legs that are bent one towards the other and are located one relative to the other at different latitudes, where the free edges of the legs are parallel one to the other forming a gap between them. The gap is equal to or smaller than the thickness of a rod-like shape container handle. Preferably the legs are formed of elastic material and the gap is adjusted to the thickness of the rod-like shape container handle.
In one aspect of the present invention, at least the arm segment of the container lid supported comprises at least arms that are telescopic comprising at least one hollow cylinder, where the first cylinder has diameter smaller than the other cylinder, and the first cylinder is allowed to slide inside the other cylinder along the length of the other cylinder. The other cylinder is hollow and has diameter greater than the diameter of the first cylinder.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic arms of the container lid supporter further comprise one or more wings that are located along the length of the outer surface of the first cylinder, and are in compressed state between the outer surface of the first cylinder and the inner surface of the other cylinder. The wings are released when the other cylinder is pulled, and support the other cylinder.
In still another embodiment of tile present invention, the wings are connected with springs to the outer surface of the first cylinder.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the inner first cylinder of the telescopic arm is pulled out of the other outer cylinder.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the legs of the container lid supporter are telescopic and comprise at least two cylinders, where at least the outer cylinder is hollow and the inner cylinder is pulled out of the outer cylinder or the outer cylinder is pulled exposing the inner cylinder.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the first cylinder of the telescopic arms or legs of a container lid supporter rubs against the inner surface of the other cylinder, where the first cylinder is allowed to slide along the length of the other cylinder and remain in extended state by the friction between its outer surface and the inner surface of the other cylinder.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the container lid supporter comprises telescopic arms or legs or both, where the inner cylinder is pulled and the outer cylinder remains in its original position.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the arms of the arm segment of the container lid supporter are two inclined arms, and the legs of the leg segment are two elastic legs and cross each other when slid through a closed area formed by an ear-shaped handle and the outer surface of a container.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the arms of the arms segment of the container lid supporter are two straight arms, and the legs of the legs segment are two straight legs, and where the container lid supporter further comprises extensions perpendicular to the arms and legs and located between the arms and legs.
In still another embodiment, the container lid supporter of the present invention, further comprises extensions that are extended out of to the legs of the leg segment, and each extension is U-shaped with a width equal to or larger than the thickness of an ear-shape handle attached to the outer surface of a container. Preferably the extensions are clips that lock on the container handle or are made of elastic material that is stretched over the container handle.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the container lid supporter comprises a leg segment that is a single unit U-shaped, and comprises an upper part and a lower part, where the upper part is bent 90 degrees relative to the lower part. The arm segment contains two arms that are curved and extended outward of the center of the container lid supporter.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the container lid supporter further comprises a knob or knobs located at the lower end of the edges of the leg segment.
In one aspect of the present invention, tie each segment of the container lid supporter is independently made of elastic or inelastic material.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the material of which each segment of the container lid supporter is independently selected from single metal, an alloy of metals, a synthetic material, or a combination of metal and synthetic material.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the container lid supporter is made of a material selected from iron, copper, aluminum, brass, ceramic materials, silicon, silicon polymers, thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers or combination thereof. Preferably the thermoplastic polymers are selected from, fluoroethylene polymers, nylon polymers preferably nylon 6,6 polymer, rubber polymers, methyl vinyl acetate polymer, olefin polymers, preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, polyurethane and any combination or mixture thereof.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the ceramic materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, toughened zirconia, zirconia-toughened alumina, aluminum nitride, silicon-carbide-whisker-reinforced alumina, carbon-fiber-reinforced glass ceramic, silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced and silicon carbide.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, each segment of the container lid supporter may be independently made of a material that possesses magnetic properties.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, each segment may be independently made of a combination of ceramic and polymeric materials.
In one preferred embodiment the container lid supporter is made of ceramic material enclosed within a polymeric material.
In one aspect of the present invention, the container lid supporter is formed as a single mold or piece of material.
In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the container lid supporter is obtained by injection molding.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the container lid supporter may be hollow or solid.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the container lid supporter is employed in providing support to pot lids, in particular during cooking or serving.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a container lid supporter that comprises an arm segment having inclined arms (12) and a leg segment with two vertical legs positioned perpendicular one to the other (11). The gap between the legs (15) is smaller than the width of a closed area that is formed by a container earlike shaped handle that is attached to the outer surface of a container. The gap (15) is also smaller than the gap between the arms at their lower edges (14). Such supporter is employed by sliding the two legs (11) through the closed area formed by the container handle and the container up to their upper edges. The supporter is then prevented from sliding through that closed area due to the broadening of the gap (14) between the two arms, and as a result is stably fixed in place. The lid of a container may then be safely and stably lean on the supporter by letting its handle or knob reside on the concave support segment (13) that is located between the two arms (12).
Such supporter may be formed as a single mould or as a fusion or attachment of its different segments one to the other.
In FIG. 1B is presented the same supporter as described above further comprising two knobs (16) attached each to the lower edge of a leg (11). Such knobs form a barrier between the legs (11) edges and the container outer surface, and prevent the legs (11) edges from scratching that surface. The knobs (16) may be formed as a single mould together with all other segments of the supporter, or adhered or fused to the legs edges (11). In particular the shape of such knobs (16) may be round, and further may be made of silicon. The knobs (16) may be adhered to legs (I1) made of metallic material using appropriate adhesives known in the art, fused or attached in any way that may fix them to the legs (11). In particular the knobs (16) are made of silicon and the legs (11) are hollow metallic cylinders to which the knobs (16) are introduced by injection molding.
The supporter may be partly or completely elastic, namely each of its segments may possess a certain degree of elasticity depending on the material of which they are made and other physical and geometrical characteristics as thickness and curvature. FIGS. 2A and 2B demonstrate inclined arms (22), elastic legs (21) container lid supporter, where the legs (21) are connected one to the other with a spring (24), and possess some degree of elasticity that allows them freer movement around their horizontal axis. The legs (21) movement is limited by the characteristics of the material of which they are made, which may be an elastic metal or alloy of metals or a synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset material or any combination thereof. The degree of freedom of the legs (21) movement one relative to the other is also limited by the spring's (24) elasticity and capacity to expand and contract. The benefit from the elasticity of the legs (21) and spring (24) comes into effect in both the ability to adapt the distance between the two legs to the width of a closed area, formed between a container earlike shaped handle and the outer surface of the container, and the pressure exerted by the legs (21) and spring (24) on the handle when released, locking the supporter to the container handle.
A different means for locking the supporter legs in a fixed position is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B using an inclined arms, elastic legs type of supporter. A fastener is used to lock the elastic legs in a fixed position one relative to the other, by locking a clip (31) attached to one leg (33) around a knob (32) which is attached to the other leg (33). When locked, the fastener forces the two legs (33) into parallel position one relative to the other and perpendicular to the supporter arms (34) and concave support (35) for a container lid.
As illustrated above in the particular case of the leg segment, the relative angle between the parts of each segment of the supporter may vary. FIGS. 4A and 4B demonstrate a straight arms supporter, where the leg and arms on each side of the supporter are aligned on the same axis (42) and are capable of movement around their horizontal axis in a predetermined distance. In one particular case, each leg may be united with the arm to which it is attached to form a single unit. The legs and arms (42) are connected one to the other with a spring (41) that has certain maximum and minimum lengths depending on its elasticity and the outer pressure exerted on it. When slid through the closed area between a container earlike shaped handle and the container outer surface, the legs and arms are compressed one toward the other and are held in this state inside the handle area by the pressure exerted by them on. The concave support (43) between the two arms may expand (FIG. 4A) and compress (FIG. 4B) in accordance with the expansion and compression of the legs and arms, and adapt itself to the width of the closed area of the container handle. A further means that secures the supporter from sliding completely through the closed area is illustrated in bumpers (44). Such means physically lean on the top surface of the container handle, thus preventing it from sliding beyond their position on the leg or arm. In particular, the bumpers may further have clips for attaching them to the legs or arms and be relocated accordingly. Alternatively, the bumpers may be adhered to the legs or arms, or molded as a single unit with the legs or arms or both.
Current cookware offers various types of containers or pots, differing one from the other, inter alia, in the shape of the handle of the container. In general a container handle may be ear- or ring-shaped, or alternatively rod-shaped, and FIG. 5 illustrates a straight arm container lid supporter, adapted to a rod-shape handle of a container or pot. The leg segment of the supporter comprises two legs (51, 52) bent one towards the other at vertical positions relative to the straight arms. The legs are parallel one to the other, and are located at different latitudes, so that the last parts of their open edges overlap in space, thus forming a gap between the two legs. One of the legs (51) may be fork-shaped, having at least one further extension (55), in order to impart a better holding of the supporter to the handle. The gap between the two legs (56) is identical to or only a little smaller than the thickness of the handle, allowing the supporter to fasten to the rod-like shaped handle, thereby providing stable support to the container lid. The lid may then be lifted from the container top opening and its knob or handle may conveniently reside over the concave support (54) segment of the supporter. In order to better fasten the supporter to the handle, the two legs (51, 52) and the extension (55) or only the second leg (51) and its extension (55) may be made of elastic material, having spring qualities that may be stretched and then bounce back to their original relaxed state. As shown schematically in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the gap (56) between the legs (51, 52, 55) may be stretched to any width between the maximum width enabled by their elasticity qualities to the minimum width in the legs' relaxed state. When adapted to a rod-shape handle the supporter's leg (51, 55) or legs (51, 55, 52) are stretched to a width larger than the handle thickness, and then allowed to relax and lock on both upper and lower sides of the handle.
It should be noted in this regard, that materials having some degree of elasticity are in particular suited for a support as illustrated in FIG. 5, since such materials provide the supporter a better fixation to the container handle during use.
FIG. 6 illustrates a straight arms (62) straight legs (61) container lid supporter having extensions (64) perpendicular to the arms and legs and located between the latter two. When mounted on a container, the legs of the supporter (61) are slid through the closed area formed by an earlike-shape handle, which is fixed to the outer surface of the container. The extensions (64) provide on the one hand a barrier that prevents the supporter arms (62) from sliding through the closed area as well. On the other hand, the extensions (64) provide a stable base to the arms (62), imparting the supporter a stable and safe position, once a knob or handle of a container resides in its concave support (63).
FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic illustrations of a straight arms elastic legs (75) supporter, wherein the legs form an extension of the arms and are connected one to the other with a spring (73) of predetermined elasticity. The relative flexibility of the distance between the legs (75) allows adapting the supporter to different width of closed areas that are formed between an earlike shaped handle and the outer surface of a container. The supporter in FIGS. 7A and 7B is also provided with a fastener that comprises a clip (72) and a knob (74), where the clip (72) is attached to one leg (75) of the supporter and the knob (74) to the other. Once slid to through the closed area, the legs (75) are compressed against the earlike handle, and may then be fastened one to the other by locking the clip (72) around the knob (74). This fastening imparts further safety to the supporter, allowing its stable fixation during use, and the safe positioning of a container lid which knob or handle resides in the concave support (71).
A further means that secures the supporter from sliding completely through the closed area is illustrated in bumpers (76). Such means physically lean on the top surface of the container handle, thus preventing it from sliding beyond their position on the arm (75). In particular, the bumpers (76) may further have clips for attaching them to the arms (75) and be relocated accordingly. Alternatively, the bumpers (76) may be adhered to the arms (76), or molded as a single unit with the arms (75).
FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another possibility of supporter's legs elasticity. An inclined arms (82) straight legs (81) supporter having concave shape support (83) for container lid, is provided with elastic legs (81) that cross each other as depicted in FIG. 8B, when slid through a closed area formed by an ear-shaped handle and the outer wall of a container. The crossing of the elastic legs fixes the supporter in a secure position that allows it to support the container lid by placing the lid handle or knob on the concave support (83).
Another technical problem that the present invention overcomes is the adjustment of the container lid supporter to the dimensions of the container and lid. FIGS. 9A and 9B and 10A and 10B illustrate, respectively, a straight arms and an inclined arms supporter, having telescopic arms that can be elongated and shortened to minimal length. The telescopic arms are essentially a set of cylinders packed one inside the other. In FIG. 9A The arms outer cylinders (91) contain inner cylinders (92). The outer cylinders (91) are connected to the concave support (93) on both ends of the support. When the container lid supporter needs to be adjusted to the dimensions of a certain container or lid, then the arms are elongated by pulling the outer cylinders (91) together with the concave support (93) to a desired or fixed position. During pulling of the outer cylinders and support the inner cylinders (92) are exposed and support the upper elevated parts of the supporter. The container lid supporter may be accordingly adjusted in this elongated position to every lid that fits its span of elongated states.
As indicated above, FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an inclined arms telescopic supporter, where its upper parts that are pulled during elongation are the arms outer cylinders (102) and concave support (104). The arms inner cylinder is then exposed and provides support for the parts pulled. In this case the legs (101) of the supporter form a separate component from the arms and are not aligned with them oil the same axis.
Various variations may be carried out with the telescopic supporter. One variation is that the legs and not arms are telescopic, or that both are telescopic. Another variation is that the telescopic arms or legs contain more than two cylinders. Still another variation is that the outer and inner cylinders are held one against each other by the force of friction allowing the elongation of the supporter to be determined only by the distance of pulling. Alternatively, the telescopic arms may be provided with intermediate wings along the outer surface of the inner cylinders. The wings are pressed between the outer and inner cylinders and are liberated during elongation of the arms. Securing the elongated states of the arms or legs is then enabled while the outer cylinders are fixed in place by leaning on the wings. The number of wings may also vary. In still another variation, the concave support is attached to the inner cylinders on both ends and is pulled with them with the elongation of the arms or legs of the supporter.
FIG. 11 is an illustration of inclined arms container lid supporter provided with fasteners (112) that secure it to the container handle. The fasteners (112) are either reversibly attached to the legs (111) or form an integral part of the legs, and secure the supporter position by wrapping them around the handle and pressing. Such fasteners may be clips with locking mechanism or elastic U-shaped extensions that wrap around the handle in their expanded state.
Any of the connection or fastening means illustrated in the figures and described above or any additional component that is added to the basic inclined or straight arms supporter may be employed in each of the different kinds of supporters. Accordingly, the knobs attached to the legs of inclined arms supporter, may also be employed to a supporter having straight arms. Also, any of the connection or fastening means for connecting the supporter legs to each other or the supporter legs to the container handle may be applied in any of the types of the container lid supporter described above.
In addition, the arm segments in any of the types of supporters illustrated in the figures and described above may be telescopic, namely comprised of hollow cylinders in which one cylinder having certain diameter is allowed to slide inside another cylinder along its length, where the other cylinder has a larger diameter. Such telescopic system may contain two or more cylinders, and further may contain intermediate wings along the length of the cylinder system, thereby allowing the length of the arms to vary by locking the cylinder at fixed points. Accordingly, the supporter may be adjusted to different dimensions of containers and lids.
The shapes of the different segments of the supporter of the present invention also encompass arm segments that extend outward from the supporter center, and a single unit leg segment. FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an outward extended arms container lid supporter, where the arms (124) are bent outward of the supporter center, and are combined in their upper ends with a U-shaped concave support segment (125) over which the lid handle or knob may be leaned. The leg segment is a single piece of material, bent at its upper part (123) to form a 90 degrees angle with its lower part (122). The lower part (122) may have a round shape lower edge (121) and is slid through a closed area formed between an ear-shaped handle attached to the outer surface of a container. Once the upper edge of the lower part (122) reaches the handle, the upper bent part (123) of the leg segment is rested on the handle, thus securing the supporter in a convenient position and allowing a container lid to lean on the supporter upper concave support (125).
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Container lid supporter comprising: (a) an arm segment; (b) a concave support segment located between the ends of the upper edges of said arm segment; and (c) a leg segment located at the lower ends of the lower edges of said arm segment.

2. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, further comprising (d) connection means, or fastening means or both, that connect and fasten the leg segment of the supporter; and (e) bumpers located on said arm or leg segments and above said connection or fastening means.

3. Container lid supporter according to claim 2, wherein said leg segment comprises elastic legs, said connection means is a spring that connects said legs one to the other.

4. Container lid supporter according to claim 2, wherein said leg segment comprises two elastic legs, said fastening means is a fastener attached to said legs, said fastener comprises a clip attached to one leg and a knob attached to the other leg, and fastens said legs one to the other by locking said clip around said knob.

5. Container lid supporter according to claim 2, wherein said leg segment comprises two elastic legs, said connection means is a spring that connects said legs one to the other and a fastener, said fastener comprises a clip attached to one leg and a knob attached to the other leg of the supporter, and fastens said legs one to the other by locking said clip around said knob.

6. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein said arm segment comprises inclined or straight arms or arms extended outward of the center of the container lid supporter.

7. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein said leg segment comprises legs that are bent one towards the other and are located one relative to the other at different latitudes, wherein the free edges of said legs are parallel one to the other forming a gap between them, said gap is equal to or smaller than the thickness of a rod-like shaped container handle, preferably said legs are formed of elastic material and said gap is adjusted to the thickness of said rod-like shaped container handle.

8. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein at least the arm segment comprises arms that are telescopic, said arms comprising at least one hollow cylinder, wherein the first cylinder has diameter smaller than the other cylinder, and the first cylinder is allowed to slide inside the other cylinder along the length of the other cylinder, said other cylinder is hollow and has diameter greater than the diameter of said first cylinder.

9. Container lid supporter according to claim 8, wherein the telescopic arms further comprise one or more wings, said wings are located along the length of the outer surface of the first cylinder, and are in compressed state between the outer surface of said first cylinder and the inner surface of the second cylinder, said wings are released when said second cylinder is pulled, and support said second cylinder.

10. Container lid supporter according to claim 9, wherein said wings are connected with springs to the outer surface of the first cylinder.

11. Container lid supporter according to claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the first cylinder rubs against the inner surface of the other cylinder, wherein the first cylinder allows sliding along the length of the other cylinder and remain in extended state by the friction between its outer surface and the inner surface of the other cylinder.

12. Container lid supporter according to claim 8, wherein the first cylinder is pulled and the other cylinder remains in its original position.

13. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein the arms of said arm segment are two inclined arms, and the legs of said leg segment are two elastic legs and cross each other when slid through a closed area formed by an ear-shaped handle and the outer surface of a container.

14. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein the arms of said arms segment are two straight arms, and the legs of said legs segment are two straight legs, and wherein said container lid supporter further comprising extensions perpendicular to said arms and legs and located between said arms and legs.

15. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, further comprising extensions extended out of the legs of the leg segment, each extension is U-shaped with a width equal to or larger than the thickness of an ear-shaped handle attached to the outer surface of a container, preferably said extensions are clips that lock on the container handle or are made of elastic material that is stretched over the container handle.

16. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein the leg segment is a single unit U-shaped comprising an upper part and a lower part, said upper part is bent 90 degrees relative to the lower part, and wherein the arm segment contains two arms that are curved and extended outward of the center of the container lid supporter.

17. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, further comprising a knob or knobs located at the lower end of the edges of the leg segment.

18. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein each segment of said supporter is independently made of elastic or inelastic material.

19. Container lid supporter according to claim 18, wherein said material is selected from single metal, an alloy of metals, a synthetic material, or a combination of metal and synthetic material.

20. Container lid supporter according to claim 19, wherein said supporter is made of a material selected from iron, copper, aluminum, brass, ceramic materials, silicon, silicon polymers, thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers or combination thereof, preferably said thermoplastic polymers are selected from, fluoroethylene polymers, nylon polymers preferably nylon 6,6 polymer, rubber polymers, methyl vinyl acetate polymer, olefin polymers, preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, polyurethane and any combination or mixture thereof.

21. Container lid supporter according to claim 20, wherein said ceramic materials are selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, toughened zirconia, zirconia-toughened alumina, aluminum nitride, silicon-carbide-whisker-reinforced alumina, carbon-fiber-reinforced glass ceramic, silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced and silicon carbide.

22. Container lid supporter according to claim 20, wherein each segment of the supporter is independently made of a combination of ceramic and polymeric materials.

23. Container lid supporter according to claim 21 wherein the container lid supporter is made of ceramic material enclosed within a polymeric material.

24. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein each segment of the container lid supporter is independently made of a material that possesses magnetic properties.

25. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein said supporter is formed as a single mold or piece of material.

26. Container lid supporter according to claim 25, wherein said supporter is obtained by injection molding.

27. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein said supporter may be hollow or solid.

28. Container lid supporter according to claim 1, wherein said supporter is employed in providing support to pot lids, in particular during cooking or serving.