Cover for cookware

Abstract

Cover (10) for a cookware (24), comprising a flat, dimensionally stable, water vapor permeable but grease impermeable material (20), which is dimensioned to fully cover a receiving recess for food of a cookware (22) with only this material (20).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cover for cookware, which is particularly designed to be used instead of a cookware lid. This cover finds particularly advantageous application in cookware of various sizes, in which food is fried, for example, with fat such as oil and / or butter (lard), particularly on a hob, i.e., for example, frying pans, and / or in which food is cooked, particularly in an oven, i.e., for example, casserole dishes.

[0002] Commercially available lids made of glass or metal are known to offer protection against grease splashes and tiny particles of food, especially fried food, that are thrown out of the cookware during cooking, simmering, and especially frying. Without such lids, the cooking area (e.g., hob, oven) and the surrounding area will become more or less contaminated depending on the intensity of the cooking, simmering, or frying. However, since glass or metal lids also act as a water vapor barrier, their use is disadvantageous during cooking processes where steam must escape to achieve optimal cooking results, particularly during frying.

[0003] WO 81 / 03118 A1 discloses a cover for frying pans in which a filter paper is laminated onto a cardboard ring with reinforcing struts, and which is used instead of commercially available lids. However, this cover sags over time toward the food being cooked because the cardboard ring absorbs steam, softens, and thus loses its stability. Furthermore, due to its stabilizing composite construction, the cover must be offered and stored in a bulky, flat form. Furthermore, the lamination step represents an additional cost in production.

[0004] In order to achieve good cooking results while minimizing contamination of the cooking area and surroundings, including the person cooking, as well as the accumulation of fat particles in the air, a new cover for a cookware is presented below as a further alternative to, or even for use with, commercially available lids.

[0005] This cover comprises a flat, surface-stable, water vapor permeable but grease-impermeable material that is dimensioned to completely cover a cooking utensil holder recess with this material alone, i.e., it has a suitable material extension or surface area. Grease-impermeability here refers to a permeability barrier against grease splashes and against grease particles rising with water vapor. If the material were saturated with grease, grease could penetrate the material in the direction of gravity. However, this does not occur if grease is absorbed against the direction of gravity - as is the case with the cover when used with cookware - because if saturated, grease would then drip back into the holder recess in the direction of gravity.The material for covering a piece of cookware, in the unfolded state, preferably extends essentially in one plane, which is also referred to below as the covering plane when applied to the cookware. Surface stability here means material (shape) stability, even in the unfolded state of the material, which - even when used during a cooking, roasting, or frying process, i.e., despite exposure to fat and / or steam on the material - is sufficient to cover the receiving recess essentially in this plane, i.e., in the covering plane, by resting only on an edge of the cookware surrounding the receiving recess for the cooked food, i.e., without intermediate support points in the covering area enclosed by the edge of the cookware.Depending on the size of the surface to be covered, i.e., the covering surface, a sagging deviation in the direction of gravity can be included within a predetermined tolerance of the surface stability, wherein the tolerance is preferably such that the material sags by a maximum of 30%, preferably a maximum of 20%, and most preferably a maximum of 10% of the height of the receiving recess for cooking items of the cookware in the direction of the receiving recess. The material can be provided with a plurality of, and in particular with at least three, fold lines arranged such that the material, in the folded state, has at least one material section protruding from the plane, in other words, at least one material section protruding from the plane.In the unfolded, i.e. flat, state, these fold lines, and thus in the folded state also the at least one folded protruding material section, preferably extend in the transverse direction across the entire material surface, i.e., transversely to a longitudinal extension, hereinafter also the longitudinal direction of the material surface. However, it is also conceivable for the fold lines to extend only partially from one side in the transverse direction through the outer surface, i.e., not completely between opposite sides of the outer surface in the transverse direction. Depending on the arrangement of the fold lines, a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes of the protruding material section are conceivable, such as triangles or squares.In relation to the transverse extent of the material surface and the complete traversal of this with the fold lines, these cross-sectional shapes occur on opposite sides of the material surface, whereby either a parallel or conical course of the fold lines is required. Conical here means a course of the fold lines such that they meet at a point outside the material surface. In relation to the transverse extent of the material surface and the partial traversal of this with the fold lines, this cross-sectional shape only occurs on one of the opposite sides of the material surface. The latter is also the case when the fold lines converge at a point on one side of the material and are only spaced from each other on the opposite side, i.e. when the fold lines overall radiate from a single point in the material surface.If a point where the fold lines converge lies outside the material surface, the cross-sectional shapes on opposite sides are identical but with different cross-sectional areas. Only if the fold lines run parallel will identical cross-sections of the protruding material section be created on opposite sides of the material surface.

[0006] Preferably, each cover comprises a group of fold lines, and each group of fold lines comprises a plurality of subgroups spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the material surface, wherein each subgroup comprises a plurality of, and in particular at least three, fold lines designed to be folded into a protruding material section. Thus, each subgroup always results in a protruding material section. The subgroups can be identical or different with regard to the relative fold line arrangement. In particular, a fold line arrangement can occur several times in a row in the longitudinal direction of the material surface, but each alternately rotated by 180°.The fold lines preferably run parallel to each other, but a conical course of at least the two outer fold lines of the plurality of fold lines or, in the case of subgroups, at least one subgroup of the fold lines is also conceivable, as already described at the end of the previous paragraph with reference to the cross-sections of the protruding material section.

[0007] The fold lines can be incorporated into the material, for example, through line perforation or embossing, to make it easier for the user to fold the cover. However, the fold lines can also simply be printed.

[0008] When unfolded, the cover can be handled flexibly in a longitudinal and transverse direction, i.e. it can be bent and, in particular, rolled. When folded, the at least one protruding material section gives the cover stability along its folded extension. The term transverse direction in the sense of this description is not restricted to a course perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Rather, the transverse direction can run at any angle greater than 0° and less than 180° relative to the longitudinal direction. The transverse directions of the respective folded extensions of several protruding material sections can also differ, so that, for example, the folding lines of a first subgroup have a different transverse direction than the folding lines of a second subgroup.

[0009] In the unfolded state, the material preferably has dimensions in the longitudinal and transverse directions, i.e., a material surface, such that, in the folded state, it is designed to extend with an underside at least until it rests on the edge of the cookware, which encloses the receiving recess for cooking items, with which the cover is to be used. Advantageously, the extension even extends beyond the edge. This edge of the cookware then defines the covering plane. When the cover is used on the cookware, the previously described plane is preferably congruent with the covering plane, so that the terms plane and covering plane can then be used interchangeably. In general, it should be stated that feature definitions relative to the plane of the cover in the unfolded state apply analogously to the covering plane, i.e., the plane defined by the edge of a cookware opening, and can be used interchangeably.

[0010] In the folded state, the at least one protruding material section extending in the transverse direction of the material surface protrudes from the covering plane in the direction of an upper side of the material opposite the underside such that the covering material is designed not to rest on the edge of the cookware in the region of the at least one protruding material section but to be spaced apart from it, forming at least one opening of the receiving recess to the cookware environment. This allows water vapor (in addition to escaping through the water vapor-permeable material per se) to also escape through the at least one formed opening, which, in the case of a protruding material section extending completely transversely through the entire material surface, comprises two openings on opposite sides of the cover in the transverse direction of the material surface.However, grease splashes from the cookware's recess remain on the underside of the cover, facing the cover surface. Another advantage is that at least one protruding section of material can serve as a handle for handling the cover.

[0011] The material of the cover is preferably multi-layered, e.g. at least two-layered. The multiple, e.g. at least two, layers can be fixed relative to one another. This fixing can take place at at least one point or along at least one line, whereby this line can be a solid line. However, a non-solid line is also conceivable, such as a dotted line, a dashed line or a dash-dotted line. Possible fixing methods are pressing, such as embossing, or gluing. Advantageously, the material comprises cellulose fibers or is formed from cellulose fibers, which can then run in particular in the longitudinal direction of the material surface. Commercially available filter paper can be used in particular as a material with or made from cellulose fibers. For a material with or made from cellulose fibers, layer fixing can take place by pressing in the form of micro-corrugation embossing.This micro-corrugation advantageously runs perpendicular or at least transverse to the grain. Since cellulose fibers are compostable, the cover made with or from them can be made into an environmentally friendly disposable item. Generally speaking, the cover is not intended to be reusable but rather disposable, which, depending on the degree of soiling, can be used several times before disposal – particularly during a continuous cooking phase, when temporary storage of the soiled cover is not necessary. Even though the cover is usually only used once in the case of grease soiling due to the unavoidable unpleasant grease odors during storage, the term "disposable item" was deliberately omitted here due to the risk of an overly narrow interpretation and the fact that it can be used multiple times.

[0012] It should be emphasized that the cover is made exclusively from a single material and not in combination with other components, especially those made from different materials.

[0013] When unfolded, the cover can have any flat shape, such as rectangular, octagonal, oval or round.

[0014] One or more holes can also be introduced into the covering material, in particular punched, to increase vapor permeability. The at least one hole then preferably has a diameter small enough to retain grease splashes. This diameter can be between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, and in particular between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. However, the covering material can also be used entirely without holes introduced after the material's manufacture, i.e., without holes provided in addition to the water vapor permeability openings present in the material during production.

[0015] Furthermore, the cover is preferably rollable and can therefore, similar to baking paper sections, be offered in roll form, i.e. as a (sales) roll unit, and thus stored in a space-saving manner. Rollability is particularly evident in the unfolded state, but can also be possible in the folded state, with folded sections then being able to lie at least partially on an adjacent material section not provided with fold lines. Each roll unit then comprises a plurality of, in particular, identical covers, either as individual, already separated sections or as a web of sections that are still connected to one another but can be separated from one another, which, in the case of separate sections, are rolled up in at least partial overlap or, in the case of still connected sections, in a row (similar to a kitchen roll) as a respective roll unit.Sections that are still connected to one another can preferably be separated from one another in a defined manner simply by hand, without the use of aids, wherein a perforation line between the sections, as is known for a kitchen roll, is particularly conceivable for a defined separation of two sections. In the case of a perforation line for separating two sections and the implementation of the fold lines as perforation lines, the separating perforation line is preferably more deeply perforated than the fold perforation lines. For the preceding and the following description, one section therefore corresponds to one cover. As an alternative to the roll unit described above, it is also conceivable for each roll unit to comprise a plurality of, in particular, identical covers as sections that are still connected to one another, which cannot be separated from one another in a defined manner without the use of aids.Such a roll unit is then preferably offered and / or stored as a set in combination with a packaging unit having a separating edge, wherein the packaging unit is dimensioned to accommodate the roll unit in such a way that the interconnected sections of the roll unit can be unrolled over the separating edge in such a way that a defined separation of individual roll unit sections is possible by means of the separating edge. The separating edge can be made of a more stable material than the roll unit and possibly also of a more stable material than the packaging unit, and in particular of metal or reinforced cardboard (e.g., multi-layer cardboard in the area of ​​the separating edge of the packaging unit).

[0016] A wide variety of cover dimensions are conceivable - depending on the dimensions of the cookware to be covered. It is also conceivable to provide the cover with several groups of fold lines, e.g. a first group with fold lines arranged at a first distance from one another or subgroups with fold lines each arranged at a first distance relative to one another and a second group with fold lines arranged at a second distance from one another or subgroups with fold lines each arranged at a second distance relative to one another, whereby the first distance is greater than the second distance. Furthermore, it is then useful to arrange the subgroups of the first group at a third distance relative to one another, while the subgroups of the second group are arranged at a fourth distance relative to one another, whereby the third distance is then greater than the fourth. A distance is preferably measured along a center line of the longitudinal extent of the material.For a large item of cookware, the first group of fold lines must be folded, leaving the second group of fold lines unfolded, and for a small item of cookware, the second group of fold lines must be folded, leaving the first group of fold lines unfolded. The large cookware differs from the small cookware in that the opening to be covered on the large cookware is larger in area than the opening to be covered on the small cookware. The different groups of fold lines can be identified, for example, by different patterns, particularly in the embossing or perforation of the fold lines, to simplify usability for the user. At least one fold line can also belong to several groups of fold lines, e.g. to both a first group of fold lines and a second group of fold lines.Furthermore, the material surface of the cover, and in particular of each cover section in the case of a roll unit, can have printed or embossed cutting lines that allow for guided cutting of the cover or the cover section to the appropriate size depending on the cookware size. For example, it may be useful to cut a cover to fit a small cookware item, so that the cover does not interfere with the simultaneous handling of several cookware items on a cooking surface.

[0017] The cover is preferably temperature-resistant up to 250°C and can therefore also be used in the oven as a splash guard for a casserole dish or other cookware, such as an oven-safe pan.

[0018] Furthermore, it is also conceivable to use the cover in combination with a piece of cookware and a lid suitable for covering the cookware. In this case, the cover is placed unfolded over the opening of the cookware and then fixed in position with the lid placed over the opening and held taut over the opening. The advantage of this use is that water vapor rising from the recess for cooking food in the cookware is allowed to pass through the covering material into an area between the top side of the covering material and the underside of the lid, but condensation forming on the underside of the lid is kept in this space because the covering material acts as a liquid barrier at least until the material is saturated with water.Overall, the heat is better retained in a closed cooking chamber of the cookware defined by covering the cookware's receiving recess with the lid, without moisture accumulating there and immediately returning to the food as condensation.

[0019] Finally, the cover can be used in its unfolded, i.e. flat, state as protection against drying out and / or insects to cover the opening of the cookware when the cookware with food still inside is removed from or out of the cooking area or remains on or in the switched-off cooking area to cool down.

[0020] Overall, the cover is characterized by the following features: - It has a low weight. In particular, it is lighter than the cover known from WO 81 / 03118 A1. - It is vapor-permeable. In particular, it is more vapor-permeable than the cover known from WO 81 / 03118 A1. - Their defined openings when folded create a chimney effect, helping to dissipate steam from the cookware. - In particular, its material is compostable - which is not the case with the cover known from WO 81 / 03118 A1, which comprises cardboard.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the cover described will now be explained in more detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings, of which: Fig. 1 shows a spatial representation of the cover in an unfolded state, Fig. 2 the cover Fig. 1 in the folded state, Fig. 3 the cover Fig. 2 in application on a cookware, Fig. 4A a plurality of unfolded covers made of Fig. 1 in a rolled-up state and Fig. 4B shows a plurality of unfolded but separably connected covers in a rolled-up state into a roll unit.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows the cover 10 in a plane E in the unfolded state. In particular, in this state, the cover 10 is flexibly rollable and bendable. A group 12 of fold lines 14, comprising three identical subgroups 16 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal extension of the cover 10, each with three parallel fold lines 14, is represented by knitted lines on a surface 18 of the material 20 of the cover 10. These lines may be embossed or fold perforation lines.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the cover 10 in the folded state, wherein each fold line subgroup 16 is folded into a material section 22 which projects from the plane E of the cover 10 in the direction of its surface 18 and is triangular in cross section.

[0024] In Fig. 3, the cover 10 is located in the Fig. 2 is now applied to a cooking utensil in the form of a frying pan 24. The cover 10 is placed on the frying pan 24 in such a way that it completely covers the cookware opening in a covering plane E' that is congruent with the plane E, and its protruding material sections 22 form openings 26 on opposite sides of the cover 10 between the receiving recess of the frying pan 24 and its surroundings, i.e. they do not rest on the edge of the frying pan 24 surrounding the cookware opening. This allows water vapor to escape from the frying pan 24 through the openings 26 formed, with fat splashes from the receiving recess of the frying pan 24 adhering to the underside of the cover 10 facing the covering plane E'.

[0025] In Fig. 4A shows a plurality of covers 10 in the form of individual, separate sections 11 rolled up into a roll unit 30. When rolled up as a roll unit 30, individual sections 11 overlap one another at least partially.

[0026] In Fig. 4B, in contrast, shows a plurality of covers as a web of still interconnected but detachable sections 11', which are joined together in a row (similar to a kitchen roll) and rolled up as a roll unit. Using the perforation line 32, drawn as a dashed line between two adjacent sections 11', two interconnected sections 11' can be separated from each other in a defined manner simply by hand, without the use of any tools. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 81 / 03118 A1 [0003, 0020]

Claims

[1] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24), comprising a flat, surface-stable, water vapor permeable but grease-impermeable material (20) which is dimensioned to completely cover a receiving recess for cooking material of a cooking utensil (22) with only this material (20). [2] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to claim 1, wherein the material (20) for covering the cooking utensil (24) in an unfolded state extends substantially in a plane (E, E') and is provided with a plurality of fold lines (14) arranged such that the material (20) in the folded state has at least one material section (22) projecting from the plane (E, E'). [3] Cover (10) for a cookware (24) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of fold lines (14) comprises at least one group (12) of fold lines (14), and wherein each group (12) of fold lines (14) comprises a plurality of subgroups (16) spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the material surface, each subgroup (16) comprising a plurality of fold lines (14) which is designed to be folded into a projecting material section (22). [4] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of fold lines (14) comprises at least two groups (12) of fold lines (14) and wherein the subgroups (16) of the first group (12) are arranged at a first distance relative to each other and the subgroups (16) of the second group (12) are arranged at a second distance relative to each other, and / or wherein the folding lines (14) of each subgroup (16) have a relative arrangement to one another which is different or identical from subgroup (16) to subgroup (16), and / or wherein the folding lines (14) of at least one subgroup (16) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they run parallel to one another or at least the two outermost folding lines of a subgroup (16) run conically relative to one another. [5] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material (20) has a dimension in the longitudinal and transverse directions such that it extends with its underside in the folded state at least until it rests on an edge of the cooking utensil (26) enclosing the receiving recess for cooking material and preferably beyond. [6] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one material section (22) projecting from the plane (E, E') in the folded state projects from the receiving recess in the direction of an upper side of the material (20) opposite the underside, whereby the material (20) in the region of the projecting material section (22) does not rest on the edge of the cooking utensil (24), but is spaced from it, forming at least one opening (26) of the receiving recess to the cooking utensil environment. [7] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fold lines (14) extend in the transverse direction, preferably over the entire extent of the material (20) in its transverse direction. [8] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the material (20) is multi-layered, in particular at least two-layered, and the plurality, in particular at least two layers are preferably fixed relative to one another. [9] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the material (20) is rollable, in particular in the unfolded state. [10] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material (20) comprises cellulose fibers. [11] A cover (10) for a cookware (24) according to claim 10, wherein the material (20) has a dimension in the longitudinal and transverse directions and the cellulose fibers are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the material (20). [12] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to claim 10 or 11, if dependent on claim 8, wherein the fixing of the plurality of material layers is effected by corrugated embossing, in particular micro-corrugated embossing. [13] Cover (10) for a cooking utensil (24) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the flat, water vapor permeable but grease impermeable material (20) forms the cover (10) in itself and without being bonded to further, in particular foreign material, components. [14] A roll unit (30, 30') comprising a plurality of covers (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which are rolled up to form the roll unit (30, 30'). [15] Roll unit (30, 30') according to claim 14, wherein the covers (10) are separate sections (11) which at least partially overlap to form the roll unit (30), or wherein a web of still interconnected but separable cover sections (10, 11') are rolled up to form the roll unit (30').

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