Cover of cooking article

Abstract

A cover of a cooking article comprising a cap (1) and a gripping member (2) fixed to the cap (1) by a screw (23) bearing on a gasket (3) comprising a peripheral surface (30A) bearing on a lower surface of the cap (1), characterized in that the cavity (4) comprises a bottom wall (40) and a peripheral wall (41) surrounding the bottom wall (40), the peripheral wall (41) has a first portion (41A) inclined toward the bottom wall (40) at a first inclination and a second portion (41B) inclined toward the bottom wall (40) at a more distinct second inclination in succession from the outside of the cavity (4) radially inward, and the second portion (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) is located directly above the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the gasket (3) when the cover is placed horizontally.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lids for cooking utensils, more particularly to a lid comprising a cap adapted to cover a cooking utensil and a gripping member adapted to allow the gripping of the lid, wherein the gripping member has a shape allowing the stacking of the lid with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member. BACKGROUND

[0002] From the document EP1871206 filed by the Applicant, a lid for cooking utensils is known, comprising a gripping member adapted to allow the gripping of the lid and to allow the stacking of the lid with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member.

[0003] In this document, the gripping member is fixed to the cap by means of a screw bearing on a washer, the body of which projects below the cap, the gripping member comprising an upper face provided with a cavity, the shape of which is adapted to receive the fixing washer and to allow the stacking with another lid.

[0004] However, this lid for cooking utensils has the drawback of not being correctly radially guided when they are stacked one on the other. Thus, the lids cannot be perfectly centered with respect to each other, which can lead to an imbalance of the stack of lids. This radial play of the lids can in particular lead to the wear of the lids due to friction. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a lid for cooking utensils comprising a cap adapted to cover a cooking utensil and a gripping member having a shape allowing the stacking of the lid with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member, the gripping member resting on the cap and being fixed to the cap by means of a screw, the screw bearing on a washer provided below the cap, the washer comprising a projecting body comprising an outer peripheral surface defining the profile of the washer and bearing on a lower surface of the cap, the gripping member comprising an upper face comprising a cavity, characterized in that the cavity comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the bottom wall, the peripheral wall having successively, radially from the outside to the inside of the cavity, a first portion sloping towards the bottom wall with a first inclination and a second portion sloping towards the bottom wall with a second, more pronounced, inclination, and in that the second portion of the peripheral wall is located directly above the outer peripheral surface of the body of the washer when the lid is arranged horizontally.

[0007] In other words, the shape of the surface of the second portion of the peripheral wall is such that the surface covered by said second portion overlaps the outer peripheral surface of the body of the washer in projection orthogonal to the plane of closure of the lid.

[0008] The shape of the cavity is thus adapted to receive the gasket of another lid when this other lid is horizontally stacked on it and to cooperate with this gasket to ensure the automatic centering of the lid.

[0009] Furthermore, the appliance can have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the depth of the cavity is greater than or equal to the height of the gasket.

[0011] Such a feature allows the gasket to engage in the cavity without contacting the bottom wall.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the first portion is inclined towards the bottom wall of the cavity at an angle a1 comprised between 10° and 45°, preferably about 25°.

[0013] Such a feature allows to obtain a first portion able to ensure the gradual sliding of the lid attached to the gripping member towards the center of the cavity.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the second portion is inclined towards the bottom wall of the cavity at an angle a2 comprised between 45° and 90°, preferably about 65°.

[0015] Such a feature allows to form a receiving pocket in which the radial fixing of the lid attached to the gripping member is optimized.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the first portion has a circular profile extending in a straight line from a first radius R1 to a second radius R2, the difference between the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 being advantageously comprised between 2 and 6 mm, preferably about 4 mm.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the second portion has a circular profile extending in a straight line from the second radius R2 to a third radius R3, the difference between the third radius R3 and the second radius R2 being preferably less than 2 mm.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the outer peripheral surface of the body of the gasket has a slope corresponding to that of the second inclined portion within plus or minus 10 degrees.

[0019] Such a feature allows to further optimize the radial fixing of the lid attached to the gripping member.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the body of the gasket has a circular profile.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the body of the gasket comprises an outer peripheral protrusion having the shape of an annular flange.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the application, the body of the gasket has a central portion receiving a screw, this central portion being recessed with respect to the top of the protrusion.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the gripping member includes a button fixedly mounted on the cap and at least one gripping element movable relative to the button, the gripping element being movable between a stacked position and a gripping position, in which the gripping element is retracted relative to the top of the button, and in the gripping position, the gripping element protrudes above the button.

[0024] The invention also relates to a set of at least two covers as described above, wherein when the two covers are stacked one on top of the other, a first inclined portion of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover cooperates with the outer peripheral surface of the gasket of the upper cover to guide the gasket of the upper cover toward the center of the cavity of the lower cover.

[0025] This feature allows for automatic centering of the two lids when they are stacked on top of each other.

[0026] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, when the two covers are stacked on top of each other and centered relative to each other, the outer peripheral surface of the gasket of the upper cover abuts against a second portion of the peripheral wall of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover.

[0027] This feature allows for optimized radial fixation when two caps are stacked on top of each other. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of two specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the upper surface of the lid of a cooking utensil according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the lower surface of the cover; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Radial cross-sectional view of the cover; Figure 4 It is equipped with Figure 1 Detailed sectional view of the gripping components of the lid; Figure 5 This is a radial cross-sectional view of two caps manufactured and stacked on top of each other according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the upper surface of the lid of a cooking utensil according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is stacked on Figure 2 The lid Figure 1 A radial sectional view of the cover. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading, the same elements are labeled with the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0030] It should be noted that in this article, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “longitudinal,” and “lateral” used to describe lids refer to the use of lids when they are laid flat on cooking utensils.

[0031] Figures 1 to 3 A lid for cooking utensils (such as for a long-handled pan or a saucepan with a handle) is shown. The lid typically includes a cap 1 adapted to cover the cooking utensils and a gripping member 2 that allows the lid to be gripped.

[0032] The cap 1 of the lid includes a circular plate 10, which is advantageously flat, with a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the cooking utensil to be covered, and has an opening 11 provided in the plate 10 for venting steam.

[0033] Preferably, the plate 10 is made of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, which allows the contents of the cooking utensils to be seen when the lid is on. In a variation, the plate 10 may also be made of a metallic material.

[0034] The cap 1 of the lid advantageously includes a metal band 12 fixed to the periphery of the plate 10, the band 12 including a skirt 12A protruding from the lower surface of the lid for insertion into a cooking utensil, and a shoulder 12B for resting on the edge of the open upper end of the cooking utensil.

[0035] The gripping member 2 is arranged at the center of the upper surface of the cap and advantageously includes a button 20, which includes a flat lower surface attached to the upper surface of the cap 1.

[0036] Preferably, button 20 has a generally cylindrical shape and is made of plastic material by molding.

[0037] Button 20 advantageously includes two gripping elements 21, which can be in the folded position A1 ( Figure 3 (as shown by the dashed line) and expanded position A2 (also) Figure 3 The two gripping elements 21 rotate and move between the two positions (shown by the dashed line). In the folded position A1, the two gripping elements 21 extend substantially parallel to the cap 1, and in the unfolded position A2, the two gripping elements 21 extend substantially perpendicular to the cap 1.

[0038] For this purpose, the two gripping elements 21 are mounted to be rotatable about an axis extending through the button 20, which advantageously surrounds a return spring 22 that brings the two gripping elements 21 back to their original position. Figure 3The middle position is shown by the solid line, in which the two gripping elements 21 extend at approximately 45° relative to the plate 10 of the cap 1.

[0039] according to Figure 4 The button 20 is secured to the cap 1 by a screw 23, the screw including a head that abuts against a washer 3, the washer being disposed against the lower surface of the cap 1. The screw 23 passes through the cap 1 and includes a threaded rod that is screwed into a threaded hole 24 that opens on the lower surface of the button 20.

[0040] according to Figure 2 and Figure 4 The washer 3 includes a body comprising a peripheral annular flange 30 protruding at a height H relative to the lower surface of the cap 1 and a central portion retracted relative to the flange 30, the central portion including a receiving chamber for the screw head 23. The flange 30 includes an outer peripheral surface 30A defining the contour of the washer 3, the outer peripheral surface having an end supported on the lower surface of the cap 1.

[0041] As in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen more specifically, the button 20 of the gripping member 2 includes a cavity 4 on its upper surface, the shape of which is adapted to receive a flange 30 of another cover equipped with the gripping member, particularly when different covers are stacked to store them.

[0042] Preferably, the cavity 4 includes a bottom wall 40 and a peripheral wall 41 surrounding the bottom wall 40. The peripheral wall 41 has, radially inward from the outside of the cavity 4, a first portion 41A inclined at a first angle α1 toward the bottom wall 40 and a second portion 41B inclined at a higher second angle α2 toward the inside of the bottom wall 40. The first portion 41A is advantageously formed as a circular profile wall extending linearly between a first radius R1 and a second radius R2 of the button 20, and the second portion 41B is advantageously formed as a circular profile wall extending linearly between a second radius R2 and a third radius R3 of the button 20.

[0043] For example, relative to the plane of cap 1, the first tilt angle α1 is approximately 25°, and the second tilt angle α2 is approximately 65°. Preferably, the difference between the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 is approximately 4 mm, and the difference between the third radius R3 and the second radius R2 is less than 2 mm.

[0044] The depth P of the cavity 4 at the bottom wall 40 is preferably greater than the height H of the washer 3.

[0045] like Figure 4As shown, the second portion 41B of the cavity 4 has a substantially truncated conical surface that lies directly above the outer peripheral surface of the annular flange 30 of the washer 3 when the cap is horizontally arranged. In particular, the shape of the second portion 41B is adapted such that the surface covered by the second portion overlaps with the outer peripheral surface 30A of the body of the washer 3 in a projection orthogonal to the cap 1.

[0046] The outer peripheral surface 30A of the washer 3 has an inclination relative to the plane of the cap 1, preferably close to the inclination of the second part 41B of the cavity 4, such that the outer peripheral surface 30A of the washer 3 and the second part 41B of the cavity 4 extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0047] Now we will combine Figure 5 Describe the advantages provided by this construction. Figure 5 The image shows components of two identical lids stacked on top of each other.

[0048] According to the figure, when two covers equipped with the gripping member 2 as described above are stacked, the washer 3 for fixing the gripping member 2 of the upper cover engages in the cavity 4 provided on the upper surface of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover.

[0049] Specifically, when the user places the upper cover on the lower cover, for example, to store the upper cover, the gripping element 21 of the lower cover moves toward the folded position under the weight of the upper cover, and the flange 30 of the gripping member 2 of the upper cover rests on the first part 41A of the peripheral wall 41 of the cavity 4 of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover when the upper cover is not completely centered relative to the lower cover.

[0050] Under the influence of the weight of the upper cover, the flange 30 of the upper cover gasket 3 then slides gently along the first inclined portion 41A of the peripheral wall 41 and moves toward the center of the cavity 4 of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover.

[0051] When the entire outer peripheral surface 30A of the body of the washer 3 reaches the second part 41B of the peripheral wall 41, the flange 30 suddenly engages in the central region of the cavity 4 due to the large inclination of the peripheral wall 41 in this region.

[0052] Then, the outer peripheral surface 30A of the body of the gasket 3 advantageously abuts against the surface of the second part 41B of the peripheral wall 41 of the cavity 4 on any outer periphery, which ensures that the cover is laterally fixed in a position where the upper cover is completely centered relative to the lower cover.

[0053] Figure 6 A variant embodiment of the cover is shown, in which the gripping member 2 has no movable gripping element but has a higher button 200. In this variant embodiment, the retaining device of the button 200 is still similar to the retaining device previously described for the first embodiment, and so is the shape of the cavity 4 disposed on the top of the button 200.

[0054] Figure 7 The illustration shows a lid according to the first embodiment stacked on a lid according to the second embodiment. The advantages gained through the fit between the shape of the retaining washer 3 of the upper gripping member 2 and the shape of the cavity 4 disposed on the upper surface of the button 200 of the lower lid remain similar to those previously shown. Figure 5 Those described in the text.

[0055] Of course, the two lids according to the second embodiment can also be stacked while maintaining the same advantages as described above. The lids to be stacked can also have different diameters without affecting the advantages provided by the invention.

[0056] This invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and shown, which are given by way of example only. Modifications are still possible without departing from the scope of protection of this invention, particularly from the perspective of the construction of various elements or by substitution with technical equivalents.

[0057] Therefore, in a variant embodiment not shown, the gripping member may have a non-circular shape, such as an octagon, hexagon, or square.

Claims

1. A lid for a cooking utensil, comprising a cap (1) adapted to cover the cooking utensil and a gripping member (2), the shape of the gripping member allowing the lid to be stacked with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member, the gripping member (2) resting on the cap (1) and secured to the cap by a screw (23) supported on a washer (3) disposed below the cap (1), the washer (3) comprising a protruding body including an outer peripheral surface (30A) defining the outline of the washer (3) and supported on a lower surface of the cap (1), the gripping member comprising an upper surface including a cavity (4), characterized in that, The cavity (4) includes a bottom wall (40) and a peripheral wall (41) surrounding the bottom wall (40). The peripheral wall (41) includes, radially inward from the outside of the cavity (4), a first portion (41A) inclined toward the bottom wall (40) at a first inclination and a second portion (41B) inclined toward the bottom wall (40) at a more pronounced second inclination. When the cover is placed horizontally, the second portion (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) is located directly above the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the gasket (3).

2. The lid of the cooking utensil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the cavity (4) is greater than or equal to the height of the washer (3).

3. The lid of the cooking utensil according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first portion (41A) is inclined at an angle α1 between 10° and 45° toward the bottom wall (40) of the cavity, preferably about 25°.

4. The lid of the cooking utensil according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second part (41B) is inclined at an angle α2 between 45° and 90° toward the bottom wall (40) of the cavity, preferably about 65°.

5. The lid of the cooking utensil according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The inclination of the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the washer (3) differs from the inclination of the inclined second part (41B) by within ±10 degrees.

6. The lid of the cooking utensil according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The body of the washer (3) has a circular outline.

7. The lid of the cooking utensil according to claim 6, characterized in that, The body of the washer (3) includes a peripheral protrusion in the form of an annular flange (30).

8. The lid of the cooking utensil according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The gripping member (2) includes a button (20) fixedly mounted on the cap (1) and at least one gripping element movable relative to the button (20), the gripping element being movable between a stacked position and a gripping position, in which the gripping element is retracted relative to the top of the button (20), and in the gripping position, the gripping element protrudes above the button (20).

9. At least two components of a lid for a cooking utensil according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, When the two covers are stacked on top of each other, the first inclined portion (41A) of the cavity (4) of the gripping member (2) of the lower cover cooperates with the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the gasket (3) of the upper cover to guide the gasket (3) of the upper cover toward the center of the cavity (4) of the lower cover.

10. The assembly of lids for at least two cooking utensils according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the two covers are stacked on top of each other and centered relative to each other, the outer peripheral surface (30A) of the gasket (3) of the upper cover abuts against the second part (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover.

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