EP1919337A1

EP1919337A1 - Container for cooking foods

Info

Publication number: EP1919337A1
Application number: EP05794543A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alfonso Giannone
Original assignee: Bialetti Industrie SpA
Current assignee: Bialetti Industrie SpA
Priority date: 2005-08-30
Filing date: 2005-08-30
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Also published as: WO2007026384A1

Abstract

Container suitable for cooking foods, such as a saucepan or a frying pan, comprising containing means suitable for containing at least one portion of a cooking utensil, such as a lid, a spoon or a fork. Said containing means comprise at least one containing space (8, 10) suitable for holding said portion of the cooking utensil. In a configuration of coupling between said container and said lid, said containing space (8, 10) is outside the cooking space to insert said portion of the utensil easily.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Container for cooking foods"

[0001] . The present invention relates to a container suitable for cooking foods, such as a saucepan, a frying pan and the like.

[0002] . In the field of pots and pans, the tendency to realise containers with rests or supports for those utensils usually used for cooking has become commonplace, for example a spoon or a fork. [0003] . This feature allows a utensil used for cooking to be put back, when not in use, near the container, so that it can be used again when needed.

[0004] . There are numerous container solutions suitable for cooking foods comprising a support for a cooking utensil.

[0005] . For example, a saucepan, which exhibits an inner cooking space defined by a side wall with a raised edge, to be able to hang a spoon, is shown in document EP-A1-0776625. [0006] . This solution highlights the disadvantage of a very high temperature reached by the spoon whilst the food is being prepared, which is such that it can be hard to take and use the spoon.

[0007] . Furthermore, document DE-Al-4447443 shows a saucepan suitable for containing a spoon. However, in this case too, the spoon reaches a very high temperature making a firm grip impossible .

[0008] . It is the object of the present invention to realise a container suitable for cooking foods, which satisfies the above needs and, at the same time, overcomes the described disadvantages with reference to the prior art .

[0009] . This object is achieved by a container realised according to claim 1. The claims dependent on this describe advantageous embodiments.

[0010] . The features and advantages of the container according to the present invention will be appreciated from the description reported below, which is given by way of example and is not limiting, according with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] . - figure 1 shows a perspective view of the container according to the present invention, according to an embodiment;

[0012] . - figures 2 and 3 show perspective views of the container in figure 1, associated with cooking utensils;

[0013] . - figure 4 represents a top view from above of the container in figure 1;

[0014] . - figure 5 shows a side view of the container in figure 4; [0015] . - figure 6 represents a perspective view of the container according to the present invention, according with a further embodiment, wherein it is associated to a collecting box;

[0016] . - figure 7 shows the collecting box in figure 6;

[0017] . - figure 8 represents a top view from above of the collecting box in figure 7, and

[0018] . - figure 9 represents the collecting box in figure 8, sectioned according to the IX - IX line in figure 8.

[0019] . In accordance with the accompanying drawings, a container suitable for cooking foods, such as a saucepan, a frying pan and the like is globally indicated with reference numeral 1. [0020] . The container 1 is connectable to a lid 2a.

Moreover, said container is connected to a cooking utensil, for example a fork, a spoon, a ladle and the like.

[0021] . An active portion and a gripping portion are defined for said lid and said cooking utensils.

[0022] . The lid, for example, comprises a skirt, that can be coupled to the container, and a knob, suitable for allowing the lid to be gripped to be put on the container or taken off . [0023] . For the lid, said skirt defines said active portion, since it is suitable for serving a characterising function for said utensil, in other words the function of closing the container. Whereas said knob defines said gripping portion, since it is suitable for being grasped by a user to handle said utensil.

[0024] . In the same way, for a spoon, the concave portion defines the active portion and the stem defines the gripping portion.

[0025] . Moreover, for a fork, the prongs define the active portion and the stem defines the gripping portion.

[0026] . The container 1 comprises an annular, side wall 2, which develops around an X-X wall axis, between an upper end and a lower end.

[0027] . The container 1 also comprises a bottom wall 4 level with said lower end of the side wall 2 to close said side wall 2.

[0028] . The side wall 2 and the bottom wall 4 define a cooking space for said container. The cooking space can be accessed through an opening defined by an annular edge 6 that can be coupled to said lid.

[0029] . Moreover, said container comprises holding means suitable for containing at least one portion of said cooking utensil .

[0030] . Said containing means comprise at least one holding space suitable for holding said portion of the cooking utensil .

[0031] . In particular, said holding space 8 is made in said annular_, edge 6 of the side wall of the container 1. [0032] . In a configuration of coupling between said container 1 and said lid, said at least one holding space is outside the cooking space to insert said portion of the utensil easily.

[0033] . Said container preferably comprises a first holding space 8 and a second holding space 10. [0034] . Said first holding space 8 is open on the bottom, that is like a slot . Said holding space 8 is preferably suitable for holding a portion of said lid, in particular a portion of said skirt of the lid.

[0035] . According to a preferred embodiment, said holding space is defined by an internal circumferential defining wall 12, by an external circumferential defining wall 14, which is radially external in relation to said internal circumferential wall 12, and by radial defining walls 16, 18. [0036] . A protrusion 20 suitable for influencing said utensil to keep it in said holding space protrudes inside said holding space, preferably projecting from said internal circumferential defining wall . [0037] . According to a preferred embodiment, said protrusion 20 exhibits a curved circumferential profile that is protruding and joined in relation to the profile of said internal circumferential defining wall . [0038] . Said protrusion 20 preferably exhibits a hooking tooth on the lower surface, which is not in view, suitable for holding said lid in position.

[0039] . Whereas said second holding space 10 is closed on the bottom, realising a pocket by means of a closing wall 24, which is preferably tapered towards the bottom of the container . [0040] . In particular, said closing wall 24 is joined to said side wall 2 of the container 1, outside said cooking space .

[0041] . In other words, from the upper end towards the lower end of the container 1, geometric planes perpendicular to said X-X wall axis identify sections of said second holding space 10 progressively with a smaller extension.

[0042] . Said closing wall is joined to said side wall of the container, outside said cooking space. [0043] . As we can see, said holding spaces 8, 10 are suitable for holding, at least partially, said active portion of said utensil.

[0044] . In keeping with a further embodiment, said container comprises a collecting box 100 suitable for containing, at least partially, said cooking utensil, for example suitable for containing the active portion of said cooking utensil .

[0045] . At least one of said holding spaces 8, 10 is suitable for containing said box 100. [0046] . The box 100 is preferably realised in a soft and elastically deformable material, which is non toxic and suitable for resisting the normal temperatures reached by a pan during the cooking of food. For example, said box is realised in silicon. [0047] . Said cooking utensil can be inserted into the box 100 contained in the holding space 8, 10. The walls of the box deform under the influence of the active portion of said cooking utensil and hold said utensil in position thanks to the elastic return. [0048] . According to a preferred embodiment, said box 100 comprises constraining means suitable for increasing the restraining action that can be exerted by said collecting box deformed on said cooking utensil . [0049] . According to an embodiment, said constraining means comprise at least one rib 102. Said box 100 preferably comprises three parallel ribs, which preferably extend to the bottom of the box 100.

[0050] . Moreover, said container 1 comprises gripping means suitable for grasping said container. Said gripping means comprise at least one handle 30, which is suitable for being grasped to lift said container.

[0051] . Said handle 30 is preferably connected to the external wall that defines said containing space 8, 10. [0052] . In keeping with a preferred embodiment, said annular edge 6 of the opening exhibits at least one cavity 40, generally intended to be used as a spout for pouring or draining, for example for the cooking water of the pasta or for a soup. [0053] . According to a preferred embodiment, said first containing space 8 and said second containing space 10 are arranged in a diametrically opposite position along said annular edge 6.

[0054] . Said containing space 8, 10 and said cavity 40 are preferably spaced angularly along said annular edge 6 of the container 1.

[0055] . In a variation of embodiment, in said configuration of coupling between said container 1 and said lid, said cavity 40 realises an opening suitable for joining said cooking space with the area outside said space. In particular, in said variation of embodiment, said containing space 8, 10 and said cavity 40 are arranged circumferentially along said annular edge 6 so that when the container 1 is used coupled with the lid, the fumes or vapours that come from the channels realised between said cavities and the lid exhibit a prevalent direction of emission that is different from said gripping portion of said utensils.

[0056] . In other words, the fumes or vapours that come from the channels are not directed towards said gripping portion of said utensils.

[0057] . In the above described context, the term 'substantially' must be understood in the sense that the flow of the fumes or vapours coming from the channels, near the opening of said channel is not aimed at said active portion of the utensil. Whereas it is clear, as we well know that at a certain distance from the opening of the channels, the flow of the fumes or vapours is dispelled, so that a preferential direction of dispersion cannot be identified. [0058] . According to a preferred embodiment, said container comprises a plurality of containing spaces 8,

10 and a plurality of cavities 40, which follow on

^■ alternately along said annular edge 6, for example alternating at constant angular intervals. [0059] . Clearly an expert in the sector can make numerous variations and alterations to the above described container, all of which are included in the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Container suitable for cooking foods, such as a saucepan or a frying pan, wherein said container can be connected to a lid, said container comprising: - a side wall (2) that is annular with a (X-X) wall axis, wherein said wall along said axis extends between a lower end and an upper end;

- a bottom wall (4) level with said lower end of the side wall (2) , suitable for closing said side wall; - containing means suitable for containing at least one portion of a cooking utensil, such as a spoon or a fork, wherein said containing means comprise at least one containing space (8,10) suitable for holding said portion of the cooking utensil; wherein said side' wall (2) and said bottom wall (4) define a cooking space that can be accessed by an opening that is level with said upper end, said opening being defined by an annular edge (6) that can be coupled to said lid; and wherein said containing space (8, 10) is made in said annular edge (6) ; said container being characterised in that in a configuration of coupling between said container and said lid, said containing space (8, 10) of the containing means is outside said cooking space, to insert said portion of the utensil easily.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein said containing space is suitable for containing a portion of said lid.

3. Container according to claim 2 , wherein said containing space is open on the bottom.

4. Container according to claim 3 , wherein said containing space realises a slot .

5. Container according to any one of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein said containing space is closed on the bottom by a closing wall (24) .

6. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said containing space (8) is defined by defining walls, said defining walls comprising a protrusion (20) suitable for influencing said portion of utensil to keep said utensil in said space (8) .

7. Container according to claim 6, wherein said containing space (8) is defined by an internal circumferential defining wall (12) , an external circumferential defining wall (14) , which is radially external in relation to said internal circumferential wall, and radial defining walls (16) , said protrusion projecting from said internal circumferential wall.

8. Container according to any one of the claims from 5 to 7, wherein said closing wall is tapered towards the bottom of the container.

9. Container according to claim 8 , wherein from the upper end towards the lower end of the container, geometric planes perpendicular to said (X-X) wall axis identify progressively smaller sections of said holding space.

10. Container according to any one of the claims from 5 to 9, wherein said closing wall (24) is joined to said side wall (2) of the container (1) , outside said cooking space .

11. Container according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a collecting box (100) suitable for containing, at least partially, said cooking utensil, contained removably in said containing space (8, 10) .

12. Container according to claim 11, wherein said collecting box (100) is realised in a soft and elastic material that is non-toxic and resistant to the normal temperatures reached during the cooking of food.

13. Container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said box comprises constraining means suitable for increasing the hold that can be exerted by said collecting box deformed on said cooking utensil, when said cooking utensil is inserted into said box.

14. Container according to claim 13 , wherein said constraining means comprise at least one rib (102) .

15. Container according to claim 14, wherein said box (100) comprises three parallel ribs, which preferably extend to the bottom of the box (100) .

16. Container according to any one of the previous claims, also comprising gripping means suitable for grasping said container.

17. Container according to claim 16, wherein said gripping means comprise at least one handle (30) suitable for being grasped.

18. Container according to claim 12, wherein said handle is connected to the external wall that defines said containing (8, 10) .

19. Container according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said annular edge (6) of the opening exhibits at least one cavity (40) to realise a pouring spout .

20. Container according to claim 19, wherein, in said configuration of coupling between said container and said lid, said cavity realises a channel suitable for joining said cooking space with the area outside said space.

21. Container according to any one of the previous claims, comprising two different containing spaces, a first space (8) being suitable for containing at least one portion of said lid, and a second space (10) being suitable for containing at least one portion of a different utensil.

22. Container according to claim 21, wherein said containing spaces are arranged in a diametrically opposite position.

23. Container according to any one of the claims from 19 to 22, wherein said containing space and said cavity are spaced angularly along said annular edge of the container.

24. Container according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of containing spaces and a plurality of cavities follow on alternately along said annular edge.

25. Container according to claim 24, wherein said containing spaces and said cavities follow on alternately at constant angular intervals.