WO2012120551A1

WO2012120551A1 - Handle for pots

Info

Publication number: WO2012120551A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea BERNOTTI; Massimo Brunetti
Original assignee: Be To Be S.R.L.
Priority date: 2011-03-08
Filing date: 2011-12-12
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Also published as: ITFI20110014U1

Abstract

Handle for pot with pasta strainer lid (12) comprising a part (14) to be fixed to the pot and an element (15) for blocking the lid (12) hinged to the part (14) to be fixed to the pot, wherein this part (14) and this blocking element (15) act as pliers handle to block the lid on the pot upper edge.

Description

"HANDLE FOR POTS"

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the cooking product sector and, moreJn- particular, relates to a handle for pots and a pot using this handle.

State of the Art

As it is well known, many foods are cooked in hot or boiling water inside pots, generally using a lid allowing to accelerate water boiling times. Once cooked, the foods must be generally extracted from the water.

A method for separating foods from water, typical for preparing Italian pasta, is that of putting the pot content in a colander, i.e. a container with a lot of holes draining water from the solid content.

A problem of this method for separating foods from water is linked to the use of three different cooking tools: the pot, the lid and the colander, all tools that occupy space and must be washed and dried after the cooking phase.

To avoid the use of many tools, pots have been marketing for many years now, presenting a perforated lid and allowing straining off water by turning the pot while keeping the lid in position. The water exits from the holes on the lid and the food remains inside the pot.

In this type of pots the handles are fundamental, as they block the lid whilst water is strained off.

A first example of handle for pasta strainer pots is shown in the European patent document EP0761151. This document discloses a handle presenting a U- shaped first part cantilevered arranged on the outer of the pot wall defining a gripping area for the user when the pot is separated from the lid. A second part is hinged on the outer of the first part and defines a body in a single piece formed by two arms hinged to the first part and connected to each other at the respective ends through two wings, one front wing for closing the lid and one back wing for coupling with the gripping area. Practically, once the lid has been arranged on the pot, the user moves the back wing upwards to couple with the gripping area and the front wing consequently moves downwards and abuts against the lid. In this configuration the front wing prevent the lid from separating from the pot, whilst the back lid penetrates into, and abuts with, the gripping area of the first part, practically forming a single body.

This type of handle presents some ergonomic disadvantages, in particular the fact that there is. the real risk accidentally to insert fingers, and to press them, between the first part and the back wing, as well as the fact that using only the pot, without the lid, it is difficult to hold only the gripping area due to the oscillating second part that is outer and greater than the gripping area. Furthermore, if the front wing is deformed, following for instance accidental exposure to an excessive heat source, the grip thereof with the lid can be reduced when the back wing is penetrated into the gripping area, with the consequent risk that the lid is separated from the pot.

Other examples of less ergonomic handles for fixing the lid to a pot are described in the documents US3518731 and DE835341.

Object and summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a handle for pots suitable to block the lids thereof, which is particularly ergonomic, safe for the user and economical to be produced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pot with pasta strainer lid allowing to strain water contained inside it in a facilitated manner, maintaining the lid stably fixed on the pot.

These and other objects, that will be more apparent below, are achieved through a handle for pot with lid, comprising a) a part to be cantilevered fixed to the outer wall of the pot containing body, wherein this part presents an area for fixing to the pot, an outer gripping area for the user, and an intermediate area for connecting the fixing and gripping two areas, and b) an element for blocking the lid, presenting two opposite ends, respectively a first end for abutting on the lid upper face and a gripping second end for the user's fingers; the blocking element is hinged to this intermediate area between these ends; according to the invention, the distance between said ends is defined so that, when the handle is applied to the pot and the first end abuts onto the lid, the second end is at a lower height than the gripping area of the first part, and a free space, actually a vertical gap, remains between gripping area and gripping second end. The user practically grips in a pliers-like manner the gripping area and the gripping end by opposing thumb-index and/or middle finger and/or ring finger and/or little finger; there is consequently a force closing the lid on the pot which is directly proportional to the applied thumb-index opposition force. Practically, the blocking element is an interfixed lever with fulcrum on the pin, with effort force on the gripping end and resistance force on the end abutting on the lid.

This handle configuration allows a particularly effective ergonomics, giving the user a particularly feeling of safety while rotating the pot to drain water from the pasta strainer lid (obviously in the cases in which the handle is applied to a pot with pasta strainer lid; obviously, the same handle can be conveniently applied to traditional pots, where the lid must be kept into position, for instance to prevent it from falling whilst transporting the pot from the kitchen to the table).

According to a preferred embodiment, the part that must be cantilevered fixed to the pot wall comprises a vertical passage laterally delimited by at least two opposite wings extending from a common segment and directed towards the area of fixing to the pot, with the lid blocking element arranged between these opposite wings, i.e. arranged inside said passage. This part to be fixed to the pot is preferably a U-shaped portion with concavity facing the pot and blocking element arranged in the space delimited by the U-shaped portion.

The hinge axis passes adequately between the opposite wings of this part to be fixed to the pot. This handle configuration allows an optimal ease of handling of the pot when draining the water as well as when using the pot without lid, as the blocking element (used only when it is necessary to strain off water) is in a reduced space and does not interfere with the gripping area.

Obviously, the present invention also relates - even if less advantageously - to the case in which the part for fixing to the pot does not provide for a vertical passage for housing the blocking element. In this case the blocking element is external to the part for fixing to the pot wall, for instance it can be formed by two opposite arms joined to corresponding first ends by means of a wing for abutting onto the lid and to the opposite corresponding second ends by means of a gripping wing for the user's fingers; this latter gripping wing is at a lower height than the gripping area of the part for fixing to the pot when the wing abutting onto the lid closes onto this latter. The same result can be obviously obtained also if the blocking element presents a single arm with the two ends defining the abutment on the lid and the grip for the user.

The method for hinging the blocking element to the pot can be obviously most various. A pin can be for instance used, passing both through the part for fixing to the pot and through the blocking element; or two coaxial pins can be used, hinging opposite parts of the blocking element to respective portions of the part for fixing to the pot; or the pin (or the ends of the pin) can be produced in a single piece with the blocking element,, and the end of the pin (or the ends of the pin) can be housed in a respective rotation seat (or respective opposite seats) obtained on the part for fixing to the pot; analogously, the pin (or the ends of the pin) can be in a single piece with the part for fixing to the pot and the rotation seat (or seats) can be obtained on the blocking element. The pin-rotation seats coupling can be made in the manner deemed most convenient, simply through insertion, through insertion with elastic deformation, through joining etcetera.

According to another particularly advantageous preferred embodiment, the distance between the most external portion of the gripping end of the blocking element from the pot wall or, in the same way, from the area for fixing the handle to the pot, is lower than the distance of the most external portion of the gripping area from the same fixing area. Practically, the gripping end of the blocking element is nearer the pot than the handle gripping area, i.e. in addition the vertical gap there is also an horizontal gap between gripping area and gripping end. This configuration allows a handle better ergonomics, as the blocking element disturbs only extremely slightly the normal use of the pot when the lid is not used.

According to another embodiment, the abutment end of the blocking element presents two ends defining two opposite (in cross direction) areas or abutment points on the lid, spaced from each other, with the end part between these areas or points that does not touch the lid. These ends are practically two contact "horns" allowing an optimal contact with the lid even if the lid has been deformed over time.

According to another preferred embodiment, the blocking element presents an S- or flex-shaped side profile, i.e. a profile changing from concave to convex.

As mentioned, an object of the present invention is a pot with a lid provided with through holes for draining water, comprising a pair of handles according to one or more of the above described embodiments.

Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, this pot presents a shape with base presenting a plan dimension greater than the other, such as preferably a rectangular base, wherein the handles are fixed on the opposite "smaller" sides of the pot. This configuration allows to have a lower rotational inertia of the pot while draining water that, together with the particular way of gripping the handles according to the invention, allows a particularly safe and fast water draining phase. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall be more apparent from the description of a preferred, although not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non limiting example in the attached tables of drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is an axonometric view of a pot with pasta strainer lid, to which handles according to the invention are applied;

figure 2 is a side view of the detail of a handle of the pot of figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a variant of the handle of figure 2;

figure 4 is a side view of the pot of figure 1 ;

figure 5 is a side view of the pot of figure 1 with the raised lid;

figure 6 is a partially cut-away side view of the detail of a further variant of handle relative to the previous figures;

figure 7 is a partially cut-away front view of the handle of figure 6;

figure 8 is a perspective view of the exploded view of the handle of figure 6.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

With reference to the previously mentioned figures, a pot body and handles according to the invention are respectively indicated with 10 and 11.

The body of the pot 10 presents a substantially rectangular base, with rounded corners, and presents two side long walls 10A and two side short walls 10B.

A lid 12 is associated to the pot 10, which is also rectangular and which couples with the pot upper edge IOC. The lid 12 presents, on its upper face, a plurality of through holes 12A for draining water. It should be noted that the holes 12A are preferably distributed at the side of the centerline plane of the lid. On the lid upper face there is also a gripping knob 12B.

On the side short walls 10B of the body of the pot 10 the respective handles 11 are applied.

In particular, each handle 11 is formed by a part 14 to be cantilevered fixed to the outside of the short wall 10B of the pot and an element 15 for blocking the lid 12 hinged to this part 14.

The part 14 to be cantilevered fixed to the pot body presents an area 14A for fixing to the pot. Figure 2 shows a handle wherein the part 14 is U-shaped (with the concavity facing the pot) and it is all substantially made in a single material, such as Bakelite; this part 14 is fixed to the pot for instance through a threaded element F exiting from the wall 10B and gripping the fixing area 14A in correspondence of the ends of the opposite wings 14B of the U.

Figure 3 shows a variant of handle, wherein the part 14 is formed by a metal core 14', with a substantially U-shaped conformation (with concavity facing the pot) and with the ends of the opposite wings welded to the pot wall. This metal core 14' (except for the end portions to allow welding) is embodied in a body 14" of heat- resistant material, for instance Bakelite, with shape copying the U shape facing the pot.

Obviously, the methods for fixing the handle to the pot can be extremely various, according to the needs. The handle can be fixed to the pot for instance by means of a threaded element passing in a hole obtained in the body of the handle and gripping a corresponding hole obtained in a bracket fixed to the pot outer wall, or a hole passing through all the wall of the pot to couple with a respective counter- threaded blocking element, according known configurations for pot handles.

Also the material of which the handle is made can be obviously the most various, such as Bakelite, metal, thermally non-conductive metal, silicone, etcetera, or combination thereof.

According to the preferred embodiment, each handle practically provides for an area 14A for fixing to the pot, a gripping area 14C that, in the case of U- conformation, corresponds to the side joining segment of the wings of the U, and an intermediate area 14B for connecting the fixing area 14A and the gripping area 14C (the opposite wings of the U). With this conformation the handle presents a vertical passage that is delimited a) laterally by the opposite wings 14B extending from a common segment (the bottom of the U corresponding to the gripping area 14C, in this example) and directed towards the area 14A for fixing to the pot, b) by this common segment and c) in this example, by the pot wall 1 IB.

In this vertical passage the blocking element 15 of the lid 12 is arranged. This blocking element presents two opposite ends, respectively a first end 15A for abutting on the upper face of the lid 12 (in correspondence of a peripheral portion of the lid) and a gripping second end 15B for the user's fingers. The blocking element 15 is hinged between these own ends 15 A, 15B to the intermediate area 14B of the part 14 for fixing to the pot and in particular between the opposite wings of the U laterally delimiting the vertical passage in which it is housed.

The hinge axis X passes through the opposite wings 14B and presents a substantially horizontal arrangement, i.e. parallel to the bottom of the pot. Hinging is obtained through a pin 16, passing both through the opposite wings 14B and the blocking element 15. This pin can be obviously produced in various ways, as already mentioned. The pin can be a different piece than the blocking element and the part for fixing to the pot, and can be connected to them through insertion with interference or clearance, blocking with threaded elements, or also through snap couplings, couplings with elastic deformations of relative parts, etcetera. The pin (or hinging ends) can also made in a single piece with the blocking element or with the part for fixing to the pot.

It should be noted that, in this example, the blocking element presents an advantageous S- or flex-shaped side profile, i.e. a profile changing from concave to convex. Other shapes are obviously possible.

The distance between the ends 15A and 15B of the blocking element 15 is advantageously such that when the handle 11 is applied to the pot 10 and the first end 15A abuts on the lid 12, the second end 15B is at a lower height than the gripping area 14C of the first part 14 of the handle, and free space remains, actually a vertical gap indicated with the letter "gl" in figure 2, between gripping area 14C of the part fixed to the pot and the gripping second end 15B of the blocking element.

In this example, the distance between the most external portion of the gripping end 15B of the blocking element 15 from the short wall 1 IB of the pot is lower than the distance of the most external portion of the gripping area 14C with respect to the short wall 11B to which the handle is fixed. Practically, between gripping area 14C and gripping ends 15B there is, in addition to the vertical gap "gl ", also an horizontal gap "g2".

Adequately, the abutment end 15A of the blocking element 15 on the lid 12 presents two ends defining two opposite (in cross direction) areas or abutment points 15 A' on the lid, spaced from each other, with the end part 15A "between these areas or points 15 A' that does not touch the lid.

Furthermore, another variant of handle is illustrated in figures 6, 7, and 8, and provides that the part 14 to be cantilevered fixed to the pot body presents a single fixing area 14A from which an intermediate area extends, delimiting centrally a vertical through hole defining the passage for arranging and hinging the blocking element 15.

This intermediate area in particular presents a first beam 14D from which extends the fixing part 14 A' onto which the part 14A for fixing to the pot is defined. From this beam 14D opposite wings 14B extend, ending in a second beam defining the gripping area 14C for the user.

First beam 14D, wings 14B and second beam 14C delimit the hole/passage for arranging and hinging the blocking element 15.

The ends of the wings 14B form shoulders 17 which heightened from the first beam 14D and on which two opposite pockets 18 are defined, opened towards the pot body and with an abutment bottom 18 A. These pockets 18 are seats for housing the opposite heads 16' of a pin-like portion 16, exiting below the portion comprised between the ends 15A and 15B of the blocking element 15. These heads 16' exit from the opposite sides of the blocking element 15. This pin-like portion 16 allows hinging to the body 14 according to the axis X.

The pin-like portion 16 is in a single piece with the blocking element 15.

In this example, the fixing part 14 A' presents a flattening 14 A" at the level of the lower side of the pockets 18, thus facilitating the insertion of the pin-like heads 16' into the respective pockets 18 and allowing the rotational rest of the pin-like portion 16.

To prevent the pin-like appendixes 16' exiting from the pockets 18, a blocking body 19 is interposed between the pot and the entrance to the pockets, in particular abutting onto the shoulders 17. In this example this blocking body 19 is a collar surrounding the fixing part 14A', thus also masking the fixing to the pot. It should be noted that, in this example, the handle 11 is fixed to the pot by means of a threaded screw F passing through the part 14A'.

Operation of the pot and of the handles is as follows. Once the food contained in the pot has been cooked, the user takes the pot handles, taking care to hold tightly in a pliers-like manner the gripping area 14C and the gripping end 15B with a comfortable opposition thumb-index finger and/or middle finger and/or ring finger and/or little finger. In this way a thrust force is applied on the lid upper face by the ends 15A of the handle blocking elements 15. The lid is prevented from moving from the pot upper edge. The user then rotates the pot moving the holes 12A on the lid downwards, to drain water; the lid cannot fall downwards as it is blocked. Once the water has been strained off, it is sufficient to release the gripping ends of the blocking elements and to remove the lid, that is no more blocked by the blocking elements.

This handle configuration allows a particularly effective ergonomics, giving the user a particular feeling of safety while rotating the pot to drain water from the pasta strainer lid. Its structure is such that the blocking element does not disturb the user while using the pot without lid.

The combination of the above described handles with a pot with elongated shape of pasta strainer lid allows to facilitate water draining.

It is understood that what illustrated purely represents possible non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, which may vary in forms and arrangements without departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any reference numbers in the appended claims are provided for the sole purpose of facilitating the reading thereof in the light of the description hereinbefore and the accompanying drawings and do not in any way limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1) A handle for pot with lid (12) comprising

- a part (14) to be cantilevered fixed to the outer wall (10B) of the body of a pot, said part (14) presenting an area (14 A) for fixing to the wall (10B) of the pot body, a gripping outer area (14C) for the user, and an intermediate area (14B) for connecting the two fixing and gripping areas (14A, 14B), and

- a blocking element (15) for blocking the lid (12) defining two opposite ends, respectively a first end (15 A) abutting on the upper face of the lid (12) and a gripping second end (15B) for the user's fingers, said blocking element (15) being hinged between said first and second ends (15 A, 15B) to said intermediate area (14B), characterized in that said first and second ends (15 A, 15B) are spaced so that, when the handle (11) is applied to the wall of the pot body and said first end (15A) abuts on the lid (12), said second end (15B) is at a lower height than said gripping area (14C) of the fixing part (14), free space remaining between them.

2) Handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said part (14) that must be cantilevered fixed to the wall (10B) of the pot body comprises a vertical passage laterally delimited by at least two opposite wings (14B) extending from a common segment (14C) and directed towards the area (14A) for fixing to the pot, with said element (15) for blocking the lid (12) arranged between said opposite wings (14B), i.e. arranged inside said passage.

3) Handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said part to be cantilevered fixed to the pot is a U-shaped portion with concavity facing the body of the pot (10) and the blocking element (15) arranged in the space delimited by the U-shaped portion.

4) Handle as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the axis for hinging said blocking element (15) to said part (14) for fixing to the pot body passes through said opposite wings (14B).

5) Handle as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the distance of the most external portion of said gripping end (15B) of said blocking element (15) from the area (14A) for fixing the handle to the pot body is lower than the distance of the most external portion of said gripping area (15B) with respect to the same fixing area (14 A).

6) Handle as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said abutment end (15 A) of the blocking element (15) presents two ends (15 A') defining two opposite areas or point for abutting on the lid (12), spaced from each other, with the part of said abutment end (15) between said areas or points that does not touch the lid (12).

7) Handle as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said blocking element (15) presents an S- or flex-shaped side profile, i.e. a profile changing from concave to convex.

8) Handle as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said blocking element (15) comprises a pin-like portion (16) in a single piece, defining two opposite heads (16') suitable to be housed rotationally on respective pockets (18) obtained on the intermediate area (14B) of the part (14) of the handle to be fixed to the pot; a blocking body (19) being preferably present, interposed between said pockets (18) and the pot body, suitable to prevent said heads (16') from exiting from said pockets (18).

9) A pot (10) with lid (12) characterized by comprising a pair of opposite handles (11) according to one or more of the previous claims.

10) Pot as claimed in claim 9, wherein said lid (12) presents, on its own upper face, a plurality of through holes (12A).

11) Pot as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterized by having a shape with base presenting a plan dimension greater than the other, such as preferably a rectangular base; said handles (11) being fixed to the opposite short sides (10B) of the pot.