WO1998055010A1

WO1998055010A1 - Fondue cooking apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1998055010A1
Application number: PCT/CA1997/000384
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Payette
Original assignee: Michel Payette
Priority date: 1997-06-05
Filing date: 1997-06-05
Publication date: 1998-12-10
Also published as: EP0996352A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus (10) comprising a combination of a vessel (12) having an upstanding wall defining an upper edge providing a supporting surface for a removable cover (14) having a centrally located opening. The cover is adapted to fit over the upper edge of the vessel. The apparatus also has a number of holding elements (16) located on the cover. Each holding element can be mounted permanently on said cover or they can be mounted temporally and removed after each use. Each holding element is being adapted to hold at least one utensil or fork for carrying food. The holding element supports and immobilizes the utensil of fork well in place in a stable vertical position. Each of the holding elements further comprises a utensil receiving slot adapted to facilitate positioning of the utensil within the holding elements. The holding element comprises a stabilizing means, said stabilizing means being adapted to cooperate with a corresponding element of the utensil, and to keep the utensil in a stable vertical position. Said utensil is adapted to cooperate with said receiving slot to facilitate support of said utensil in a stable vertical position. In another variant, is an adaptable cover having a centrally located opening, this adaptable cover is adapted to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions, and a number of holding element are located on said adaptable cover, each holding element can also be permanently or temporarily mounted and removed after each use.

Description

FONDUE COOKING APPARATUS

The present invention is related to a cooking device, and more particularly, to a fondue

cooking apparatus.

There is known US patent 3,038,402 related to a cooking device comprising a cover dish

having an opening therein to permit the placing of an edible object carried by a utensil within a dish through the opening provided with a plurality of utensils receiving slots.

There is also known US patent 3,543,674 cooking utensil comprising a pan and a metal

sheet insert by which the pan may be adapted for fondue cooking, wherein said insert also serves

as a fork holder.

There is also known US patent 5,154,116 related to a fork supporting device for fondue,

comprising a rod supported over an opened top cooking pot by means of legs and disk-shape

plate mounted on said rod having a plurality of bays around its peripheral edge for supporting

forks in vertical direction.

There is also known US patent 2,864,163 related to forks and more particularly

to a serving fork particularly designed for use as a table or kitchen tool and which is equipped

with a stripper for ejecting and dislodging food from the tines of the forks. The object of the present invention is to allow user of the fondue apparatus to cook

food in a secure and convenient manner, giving free and easy access into the fondue pot without

a central interfering structure, and at the same time to hold and immobilize utensils such as fondue forks in a stable vertical position.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a structure which prevents the

splashing of hot oils or liquids, which, at the same time, hold and immobilize utensils such as fondue forks in a stable vertical position, while the food attached to those forks is being cooked.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lenght adjustable fondue fork,

allowing said fork to be use for all kinds fondues, to fit and to be use for any pot size, in a

stable vertical position and having tines structure, adapted to securely and efficiently hold food during the cooking process.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described,

together with other features thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly the present invention comprises a cooking apparatus comprising

a combination of a vessel having an upstanding wall defining an upper edge providing

a supporting surface for a removable cover having a centrally located opening therein, said

cover is adapted to fit over the upper border-edge of said vessel;

a number of holding elements located on said cover, each of said holding elements is adapted to

hold at least one utensil or fork for carrying food, wherein said holding element is supporting and immobilizing said utensil or fork in a stable vertical position. Each of said holding elements

further comprises a utensil receiving slot adapted to facilitate positioning of said utensil within

the holding element. Said number of holding elements can be mounted permanently on said cover or they can be mounted temporarly and removed or released after each use. Said utensil

receiving slot is adapted to function simultaneously as stabilizing and holding element to hold and immobilize utensils or forks in a stable vertical position.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a holding element

comprising; an insulation housing provided with a stabilizing means, a utensil receiving slot adapted to

facilitate positioning of a utensil or fork for carrying food within the holding element, wherein

said holding element is adapted to be mounted on a cover of a cooking vessel provided with a

central opening and wherein said holding element is adapted to hold and immobilize said utensil

or fork in a stable vertical position by stabilizing means. Said holding element comprises an

upper utensil receiving slot extending from the top portion of said housing and a lower receiving

slot extending from the bottom portion of said housing, wherein said upper and lower receiving

slots are aligned to each other and provided to facilitate stable vertical suspension of said utensil.

A modification of the first embodiment of the present invention is an adaptable cover

having a centrally located opening therein, said cover allows holding elements to be mounted

permanently or temporarily by means of bolts and corresponding nuts and wherein

said adaptable cover is adapted to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions and various upper

wall border-edges shapes by means of L shape slidable adapters, and at the same time hold and immobilize utensils or fondue forks carrying food in a stable vertical position within a vessel or

pot when in use, thus preventing utensils or forks entanglements or criss-crossings and wherein,

said adaptable cover structure prevent splashing of hot oils or liquids. Said L shape slidable adapters are preferably installed underneath holdings elements and wherein said adapters have a

stamped or perforated through opening to let pass an attachement such as a bolt, through first the

adaptable cover, then through the holding element and then through L shape slidable adapter and

wherein said bolt is secured a its extremity by a corresponding nut. Said L shape slidable adapters have a width of a least one centimeter, but preferably of four centimeters to securely

and widely fit stable on vessels or pots upper rims or borders-edges preventing shifting or tilting

off of said adaptable cover from vessels or pots during cooking process.

Another important advantage of said adaptable cover, is the high degree of stability of

said cover while in use on a vessel or pot, and wherein by its flat, round and low structure,

combined with its own weight, plus the weight of holding elements , L shaped slidable adapters

and further added by the weight of utensils or forks carrying food, therein said combinations of

weights and low cover structure allow equal distribution of weight all around the adaptable

cover structure, allowing reliable and unparalleled stability to stay fit, well in place on vessels or

pots of various dimensions and wherein said combined weights and low cover structure also

contributes to prevent shifting or tilting off of said apparatus from a vessel or pot and wherein

said adaptable cover also have the advantage to prevent splashing of hot oils or liquids, during

cooking process, giving fondues participants the opportunity to cook all kinds of fondues in a

much more secure manner. Still another embodiment of the present invention comprises a utensil comprising a stem,

a handle connected to said stem at one end, and tines connected to said stem at the

opposite end, and adjustment means adapted to adjust the lenght of said utensil. Said adjustement means comprises a bore portion located within said handle , said bore portion

having a thread adapted to receive the end of said stem provided with corresponding thread,

wherein the adjustement is provided by means of advancing of the end of said stem within said

bore portion.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the extreme end of each tine is bent

in the opposite direction from each other with relation to the plane surface thus facilitating a

secure hold of a piece of food impaled on said tines. Alternatively, each tine is bent outwardly with the relation to plane surface and then near the middle is bent parallel to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will more readily understood from a reading of the following

specification, and by references to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein

an example of the invention is shown and wherein;

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional of the first embodiment of the present invention having magnetic

holding elements.

Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of another modification of the first embodiment showing magnetic elements

mounted on top surface of the cover according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of separate magnetic holding element with attached fondue forks view in the first embodiment of the present invention Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective dis-assembled view of the holding element of Fig 4.

Fig. 7 is a top dis-assembled view of the magnetic holding element of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a top view of mounting ring of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a dis-assembled perspective view of the fork having adjustable means to change lenght.

Fig.10 is a side view of the fork having tines bent parallel.

Fig.l 1 is a perspective view of holder having a disk shape cavity as stabilizing means for

positionning the fork handle.

Fig.12 is a side cross-sectional view of utensil or fork having the extremity of each tines bent in

the opposite direction and holder holding said fork verticaly stable having the fork handle portion

stabilized in a corresponding disk shape cavity.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptable cover with a plurality of magnetic holding

elements and a plurality of L-shaped slidable adapters.

Fig. 14 is a top view of Fig.13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of L-shaped slidable adapters showing stamped groove or

perforated opening through the surface of said adapter.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 15 showing a L-shaped slidable adapter mounted

underneath the holding element. Fig. 17 is a top view of the adaptable cover mounted with holding elements and L-shaped slidable adapters and which said adapters are slided outwardly for said adaptable cover to fit on

vessels or pots of various dimensions and upper wall borders-edges shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE INVENTION

Refering now to drawings, Figures 1 to 8 show the first embodiment of the present

invention comprising a fondue apparatus 10 including a cooking vessel 12 with a removable

cover 14 adapted to fit over an upper edge of said cooking vessel. The cover 14 is adapted to

carry; a number of holding elements 16. Each of holding elements 16 is adapted to hold and

immobilize a utensil or fork for carrying food 46 in a stable vertical position and said holding

elements 16 can be mounted on a cover 14 in a permanently or temporarily and releasable

manner. In one modification such holding elements 16 (see fig 4) may be installed on a cover 14

(see Fig 2) provided with an opening 27 by means of bolt and corresponding nut 25 (see Fig. 5).

And wherein bolt 25 is passing through cover 14 (see Fig 2), then through opening 27, through

holding elements 16, through mounting ring 34 (see Fig 8 ) then the extremity of bolt 25 receive

a corresponding nut 25, which is screwed on, for a secure hold on the present invention.

In the modification shown on Fig. 3, the holding elements 16 are mounted on the upper

surface of the cover specially designed for mounting and carrying holding elements and provided

with the central opening having configuration facilitating stable vertical suspension of utensil or

fork by means of notches around the inner edge of the central opening. In the other embodiment shown on Fig. 1 and 2, holding elements 16 are mounted

between the cover 14 and a mounting ring 34 (see Fig. 8). Preferably, but not necessarily, said mounting ring is located underneath of the cover 14.

Fig. 4 to 8 show holding element 16 comprising with insulation housing 17

accomodating magnetics elements 22 which are additionaly insulated by means of insulating plates 24 made of proper suitable metal. The housing 17 comprises top portion 18 and bottom

portion 20 which their respective inner edges where especially designed to be connected to each

other in a pressure snap tight manner. The pins Fig 28 are used as a stability guide for plates 24

and magnet 22. Both top and bottom portions 18 and 20 are provided with utensil receiving slots 32 aligned with each other and adapted to facilitate stable vertical positioning of the utensil

or fork 46 within the holding elements 16. The cooperation of those aligned sets of slots 32 and

magnets 22 allows to hold, suspend and immobilize the utensil or fork 46 in a stable vertical

position and prevent any tilting, or front or side shifting , thus guarantying vertical stability of the utensil or fork 46 in use. The utensil or fork 46 use in this combination with this embodiment

comprises a steam 50 made of any metal adapted to be attracted to the magnet 22. The holding

element 16 are mounted on cover 14 by means of a set of bolt and nut 25 adapted to be inserted

into corresponding bore portion 26 (see Fig 6) located underneath the top portion 18 .

Preferably, but not necessary those bolts and nuts are made of stainless steel.

Yet the present invention is not restricted to an opening arrangement such as 27

( Fig. 2). For example another arrangement for the mounting of holding elements and or

adapters consist of a linear opening (not shown) made in cover 14, said linear opening start from on or about the same location of opening 27 and said opening is linearly and continuously open

through and connecting with the central opening of cover 14 such arrangment being a narrow

linear passage or channel-groove, and by such arrangment, cover 14 is adapted to be mounted

with temporarily installed holding element 16 easy to remove or release after use, wherein said

holding elements receive an attachement such as bolt 25 passing through top part 18 and bottom part 20 of holding element 16 and wherein said bolt is secured by a corresponding nut 25,

wherein the upper rod portion of said bolt 25 is engaged in said linear passage-channel opening

in a slidable manner, but at the same time having the head of said bolt 25 over the top surface of cover 14 wherein said arrangment allow to temporarily mount holding elements 16 on cover 14

and which said arrangment permit a fast and easy release of said holding elements after use, by

simply releasing slightly the screw and sliding out the holding elements from cover 14. It is to be

noted that such opening arrangment is not restricted to cover 14 and may be also be applied to

adaptable cover 19.

Another arrangment for mounting of holding elements on cover 19, consist of stamping

or punching a plurality of holes or any type of perforations (not shown) through the surface of

cover 19, such as opening 27, and wherein said plurality of holes or perforations are aligned one

after the other for the purpose of adjustabilty and adaptability over vessels or pots of various dimensions.

Fig 9 show the utensil or fork 46 for holding food also known as fondue fork. Utensil or

fork comprises a steam 50, a handle 48 connected to the stem 50 at one end, and tines 52 connected to said stem 50 at the opposite end. Utensil or fork 46 is provided with an adjustment

means adapted to adjust the lenght of said utensil or fork and including a bore portion 54 provided with a thread and located within the handle 48 and corresponding thread 56 on a stem

50. The adjustment of the lenght of the utensil or fork 46 is provided by means of advancing

stem 50 within the bore portion 54 . This is very usefull and versatile feature of the present

invention allowing to adjust the lenght of the utensil or fork 46 to be use with all type of fondues,

depending the size or depth of the cooking or fondue vessel and, since for example, vessels for preparing cheese or chocolate fondue usually is much more shallow then vessels for

cooking Bourguignon or Chinese fondue or any type of similar fondue.

Another important feature of the present invention is the configuration of the ends of the

tines 52. In one embodiment shown on Fig. 12, each tine is bent in the opposite direction from

each other with relation to the plane surface which allow to facilite much better holding of a

piece of food impaled in said tines. In another embodiment shown on Fig. 10, each tines 82 is

first bent outwardly and then near the middle bent parallel to each other.

Fig 12 show a modification of a holding and stabilizing means is a groove cavity 70

adapted to cooperate with the bottom portion of utensil handle 48. Preferably as shown in Fig.

12 but not restricted to such as other designs and different configuration of utensil handle and

corresponding cavity may be used for same utensil holding and stabilizing purposes.

Fig. 13 is showing an adaptable cover 19 with a plurality of magnetic holding elements

16 mounted on said cover 19 and L shape slidable adapters 87 are mounted under holding elements 16 and each of said adapters 87 have a least one bented extremity downwardly going at

an angle and wherein said angle is projecting away from cover 19 and from the upper wall edge

of a vessel 15 and wherein said adaptable cover 19 is adapted to fit over various vessels or pots

dimensions and upper wall border-edge shapes to hold and immobilize utensil or fork (such as 46 Fig. 1) for carrying food in a stable vertical position.

Fig. 14 is showing a top view of adaptable cover 19 mounted with a plurality of holding

elements 16 and L shaped slidable adapters 87 and wherein said slidable adapters are mounted

underneath the holding elements as shown as per Fig 16 and wherein said adapter 87 beside having a downwardly going extremity angle as shown in Fig 13 said adapter also have a radius

configuration shape (see Fig. 14 adapters 87) adaptable to various vessels or pots dimensions as

well as various configurations of vessels or pots upper walls or border-edge shapes. Said radius

configuration extremity angle of adapter 87 was designed with a fairly large width span

preferably of four centimeter wide allowing maximum stability and secure positionning of said

adaptable cover 19 on vessels or pots of various dimensions and various upper wall border-edge

shapes. It is to be noted that said adapter 87 extremity width, is not restricted to said four

centimeters width and that lower or greater width span of adapters 87 can also be used.

Fig 15 is a view of a L shaped slidable adapter 87 to be mounted on a holding elements

with a set of bolt and nut 25 ( see Fig 16 ) and wherein said L shape slidable adapters have a

linear opening 89 (see Fig.15) through the surface for the purpose of sliding adjustability and

adaptability of adaptable cover 19 on vessels or pots of various dimensions (see Fig.17). Said adapter 87 have a downwardly going angle extremity and said extremity have a radius (see Fig.

14 adapters 87) adapted to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions (see Fig 17 adapters 87) and upper wall border-edge shapes. Said L shape slidable adaptera are not restricted to only be

mounted underneath an holding element, as they can also be mounted (not shown) on top of an holdmg element 16 or on top of adaptable cover 19 or underneath a mounting ring 34.

Fig 16 is showing an holding element with an L shape slidable adapter 87, and a set of bolt and nut passing trough their structure for a secure hold of said holding element and L shape

slidable adapter.l. for a tiugh aare secured by a combination of a bolt and corresponding nut.

Fig 17 is showing the adaptable cover 19 mounted with holding elements 16 and wherein

underneath of said holding elements are mounted a plurality of L shape slidable adapters 87 and wherein said adapter have a slidable linear opening 89 through its surface to allow adjustement

and adaptability of said adaptable cover on vessels or pots of various dimensions and of

various upper wall border-edge shapes.

All parts or embodiments of the present invention, Fig 1 to 17 can be manufactured

either by moulding, and or hydraulic or air cushin forming, stamping, punching, embossing,

and or machining, boring, taping and threading machines or injection or extrusion moulding and

said parts or embodiments can be made of any proper metal, or pvc or resins and or any other

suitable material, said parts or embodients can also be produced by die-cutting, metal spinning, deep draw forming, or any other mechanical means.

One of the most important advantages of the present invention, is according to a

specially designed cover and holding elements. Said combination allows the user to cook in a much secure environment without any problems of splashing of hot oils or liquids and without

the central opening access of the fondue vessel to be interfered by any structure and by the same

occassion holding and immobilizing utensils or forks well in place, suspended in a stable vertical

position around said cover and within the vessel, thus eliminating completely any utensils or forks criss-crossings or entanglements leaving the center of the vessel totally cleared of any

interference, and allowing easy access, in the fondue vessel with utensils or fondue forks to

cook a pleasent fondue meal.

Yet another important advantage of the present invention, is that each participants of the

fondue meal can easily identify his or her personal utensil or fork standing immobilized stable

and vertically straight, right in front on them and therein contribute to cook food or fondue in a

more hygienic cooking manner, preventing commonly experienced mix-up of utensils or forks

between participants. Preferably, but not necessary the holding embodiment

is adapted to carry two forks; however this depends on the particular situation and number of

fondue participants.

Still another important advantage of the present invention is the improved structure of

the utensil or forks 46 and improved structure of the tines 52 eliminating possibility of food to

slip off of the tines during the preparation of fondue, since split tines impale food in spiral

manner. This structure allows to efficiently retain impaled food much more securely than the

conventional straight-tined fork and said split tines keep food for twice as long. This advantage

will reduce the possibility of losing of the piece of food at the bottom of the fondue vessel, thus

preventing the highly undesirable common experience of food searching. Another advantage of the present invention is the adjustablity of the lenght of the utensil or

fork 46 and improved structure of handle 48 and stem 50 allowing a versatile two-in-one utensil or fondue fork in view of its adjustability, and thus may be used for both; chocolate and Cheese

fondue, Bourguigon fondue , Chinese fondue or any other type of fondue.

Yet another advantage according the present invention is that cover with holding

elements may not only be used for suspending a plurality of utensils or forks during a the preparation or cooking of fondue but also for storage purposes.

One of most important advantage of the present invention is the immobility and stability of utensils or forks and complete elimination of any possibility of mixing or criss-crossing for

utensils or fondue forks in use, which will be greatly appreciated by all fondue users.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from

the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference is made to the appended

claims, rather than to the forgoing specifications, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cooking apparatus comprising a combination of a vessel having an upstanding wall

defining an upper edge providing a supporting surface for a removable cover having a centrally

located opening therein, said cover is adapted to fit over the upper edge of a vessel ;

a number of holding elements located on said cover, each of said holding elements

is adapted to hold a utensil for carrying food ; wherein each of said holding elements comprises

an insulation housing and

suspension means adapted to immovably suspend said utensil for carrying food within said vessel

in stable vertical position , thus preventing entanglements or criss-crossings of said utensil with other suspended utensils for carrying food when in use;

wherein said suspension means comprises a combination of a magnetic element accommodated

within said insulation housing and a utensil-receiving slot formed in said insulation housing,

said utensil receiving slot is adjacent to said magnetic element and facilitate stable vertical

positioning of said utensil for carrying food

suspended by said magnetic element.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said holding elements is permanently

mounted on said cover.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said holding elements are mounted on said cover by

means of bolts and corresponding nuts.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holding elements are temporarily mounted on

said cover and therein said holding elements are easily removable and releasable from said cover.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus further comprising a mounting ring provided with a central opening, and wherein said holding element are accomodated between

said ring and cover.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein inner edges in the central opening of said cover and

said mounting ring having a configuration allowing unrestricted positioning of said utensils

within the slots of said holding elements.

7. A removable cover for cooking vessel, said removable cover comprises a centrally located

opening therein , said cover is adapted to fit over an upper edge of said cooking vessel ;

a number of holding elements located on said cover, each said holding elements is adapted to

hold a utensil for carrying food;

wherein each of said holding elements comprises an insulation housing and suspensions means,

said suspension means are adapted to immovably suspend said utensil for carrying food within

said vessel in stable vertical position, thus preventing entanglement or criss-crossing of said

utensil with other suspended utensils for carrying food when in use; wherein said suspension means comprising a combination of a magnetic element accomodated

within said insulation housing and a utensil receiving slot formed in said insulation housing, said

utensil receiving slot being adjacent to said magnetic element and is provided to facilitate stable vertical positioning of said utensil for carrying food suspended by said magnetic element.

8. Cover according to claim 7, wherein said holding elements are permanently mounted on said

cover.

9. Cover according to claim 7, wherein said holding elements are mounted on said cover by

means of bolts and corresponding nuts.

10. Cover according to claim 7, wherein said holding element are temporarily mounted on said

cover and wherein said holding elements are removable and releasable from said cover.

11. An adaptable cover for cooking vessel, said adaptable cover comprises a centrally located

opening, said cover is adaptable to fit over various vessels or pots of various rim sizes, heights, volume capacities, diameters and borders-edges shapes by means of L shape slidable adapters;

a number of holding elements located on said adaptable cover, each of said holding elements is

adapted to hold and immobilize utensils or forks carrying food in a stable vertical position within a vessel when in use, preventing utensils or forks entaglements or criss-crossings with other

participants and said holding elements can be permanently or temporarily mounted on said

adaptable cover.

12. A L shape slidable adapter according to claim 11, having a least one extremity with a

downwardly going angle. Said angle is projecting away from the cover and the vessel, and said

adapter extremity have a radius to fit securely stable on various vessels or pots of various

dimensions and of various borders-edges shapes. Said L shape slidable adapter has an opening

perforated through its surface for adjusment and adaptability means.

13. A holding element for holding utensil or fork for carrying food, said holding element is

adapted to be mounted on a cover of a cooking vessel provided with a central opening;

said holding element comprises an insulation housing and suspension means, said suspension

means are adapted to immovably suspend said utensil or fork for carrying food within said vessel

in a stable vertical position, thus preventing entanglements or criss-crossings of said utensil or

fork with other suspended utensils or forks for carrying food when in use ; wherein said

suspension means comprising a combination of magnetic element and a vessel receiving slot being adjacent to said magnetic element and is provided to facilitate stable vertical positioning

of said utensil for carrying food suspended by said magnetic element.

14. Holding element according to claim 13, wherein said utensil receiving slot comprises;

an upper utensil receiving slot; extending from the top portion of said housing and

a lower receiving slot extending from a bottom portion of said housing

wherein said upper and lower receiving slow are aligned to each other and provided to additionally facilitate vertical positioning of said utensil .

15. Holding element according to claim 13, wherein said holding means, suspending,

immobilizing and stabilizing means, to hold utensils or forks for carrying food within a vessel or pot in a stable vertical position, is provided by a magnetic element .

16. Holding element according to claim 13, wherein the support and stabilizing means is a disk-

shaped groove formed on said holding element, wherein said groove is adapted to cooperate with

the handle portion of said utensil or fork to hold and stabilize utensils or forks carrying food

within a vessel or pot in a stable vertical position .

17. A utensil for carrying food comprising; a stem, a handle connected to said stem at one end, tines connected to said stem at the opposite end, and wherein extreme end of each tines is bent in the opposite direction from each other with relation of the plane surface thus facilitating a secure hold of the piece of food impaled on said tines.

18. Utensil according to claim 17, wherein an adjustment means is adapted to: adjust the lenght of said utensil wherein said adjustment comprises a bore portion formed within said handle, said bore portion having a thread adapted to receive the end of said stem provided with corresponding thread, wherein the adjustment of the lenght of said utensil is provided by means of advancing of the end of said stem within said bore portion of the handle.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 13 March 1998 (13.03.98); original claims 1-18 replaced by new claims 1-7 (2 pages)]

CLAIMS:

1. A cooking apparatus comprising of a combination of a fondue vessel, having one or more straight stem fondue fork, and a removable fondue cover having a centrally located opening, and wherein underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover are located a number of holding element, allowing to hold said fondue fork in a secure and convenient way, and providing the users to conveniently recuperate their forks without any potential hazards, or interferences between said fork , and said cover, and said vessel; wherein said holding element is adapted to hold said fondue fork precisely by its stem, without any maintaining lug or shaped material, affixted to said fork stem ; wherein said holding element allow to simultaneously hold said fondue fork, while at the same time allowing the users to slide down the said fork to touch the bottom of said vessel; thus eliminating the inconveniences of the food to slip off the said fork to the bottom of the said vessel; wherein said holding element comprises a combination of an insulated housing accommodating a magnetic element and wherein said combination is located precisely underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover.

2. Holding element according to claim 1, wherein said holding element is located underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover .

3. Holding element according to claims 1, 2, wherein said holding element is adapted to hold a fondue fork precisely by its stem, without any maintaining lug or shaped material affixed to said fork stem.

4. Holding element according to claims 1, 2, 3, wherein said holding element is adapted to simultaneously hold a fondue fork, while at the same time being able to slide said fork down to the bottom of said vessel, by having the extremity of said fork touching to the bottom of said vessel, which eliminates the inconveniences of the food to slip off the said fork down to the bottom of the vessel.

5. Holding element, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, wherein said holding element is located underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover, and which eliminates potential hazards and interferences between said fork, said cover and said vessel, and which also eliminates the needs for clamping the cover to the vessel.

6. Holding element according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, wherein said holding element is a combination of an insulated housing accommodating a magnetic element; wherein said holding element is located underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover.

7. A removable cover for a cooking vessel, having a centrally located opening, wherein underneath the surface of said cover or inside said cover are located a number of magnetic holding element; adapted to hold, one or more fondue fork, and precisely holding said fondue fork by its stem, without any maintaining lug or shaped material, affixed to said fondue fork stem. " Statement under Article 19 (1) "

Reason for cancelling the claims and replacing with new, is that the new claims provide better and adequate claims protection as tq the imiovative aspects of the invention application PCT / CA 97 / 00384.

The following statement is a support document as to the innovative aspects of application PCT / CA 97 / 00384, which is by all means irrelevant of Klusendick DE 91 07 086 U and DE 91 13 314 U.

Wereby in application PCT / CA 97 / 00384, is a combination of a fondue pot, a cover, and one or more straight stem fondue forks and which holding elements are located specifically underneath the surface of the cover or inside the cover, to hold said fondue fork by its stem (without any maintaining lug affxted to said fork stem) and which said holding element by being placed underneath the surface of the cover or inside the cover, allows the users to securely and conveniently recuperate their forks without any possibility of interference's or lifting the cover from the vessel, and which said holding elements located underneath the surface of the cover or inside the cover; also allows the users while its forks is being held; to slide it down to the very bottom of the vessel; which by said fork touching the bottom of the vessel; eliminates the food to detach and slip off to the bottom of the vessel; which at the same time eliminates the possibility of forks entanglements, and which all the above mentionned innovative aspects of said invention are providing the users to cook in a much secure and useful cooking apparatus, free of inconveniences.

And whereby PCT / CA 97 / 00384. Holding element specifically is " holding " a fork by its stem body, and which said fork is particularly " held within a holding element" which said holding element is located underneath the surface of the cover.

As to Klusendick according to DE 91 07 086 U and DE 91 13 314 U. Klusendick confirms that he his not using traditionnal straight stem fondue forks, but rather customs built forks, which a maintaining lug shape is "affixted " to the fork stem, which said fork is being "supported " by the "surface" of the cover, rather then being " held " from underneath the cover, as it is the case with PCT / CA 97 / 00384.

And whereby respectfully to Klusendick according to DE 91 07 086U andDE 91 13 314U What at first look^% s on paper, appears to be useful and innovative inventions, are in fact ¹¹ when in use" technically useless and inconvenient, and which can be confirmed by any users, anywhere and whereby the users will experienced many undesirable inconveniences, which by having the fork staying suspended in mid air, result the peace of food to detach, and slip off the fork and drop down to the bottom of the vessel, which result the users to additiom al inconveniences, to stand up and search the bottom of the vessel for the lost peace of food. Also said inventions are unsecure for the users, by having a maintainning support lug, disk shaped, spheric shaped, or shaped otherwise, affixed to the fork shaft and which said fork and lug will stay attracted or stay hooked to the annulus, and resisting to release itself from the annulus. which may result in serious hazard to the users; such as vessel tilting and hot liquid spilling.To furthermore support the said unsecure precedings; Klusendick have especially installed clamps for retainning the annulus to the vessel, for the purpose of preventing the user' s forks to lift or hook the annulus from the vessel. Still such arrangements is unsecure and does not prevent the users from serious hazards from happening. Whereby application PCT / CA 97 / 00384 and its innovations, eliminates completely all inconveniences and upgrades users security.