Cookware lid

Abstract

The invention relates to a cookware lid, comprising a cover (1) and a gripping member (2) attached to the cover (1) by means of a screw (23) that abuts a washer (3) including a peripheral surface (30A) that abuts the lower surface of the cover (1), characterised in that the cavity (4) includes a bottom wall (40) and a peripheral wall (41) surrounding the bottom wall (40), the peripheral wall (41) having in succession, radially, starting from the outside towards the inside of the cavity (4), a first portion (41A) inclined towards the bottom wall (40) at a first degree of inclination and a second portion (41B) inclined towards the bottom wall (40) at a second, steeper degree of inclination, and in that the second portion (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) is vertically aligned with the peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the washer (3) when the lid is arranged horizontally.

Description

Cookware cover

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of culinary article covers, and more particularly to a cover comprising a hood adapted to cover the culinary article and a gripping member adapted to allow the cover to be gripped, in which the gripping member has a shape allowing the cover to be stacked with another cover equipped with a similar gripping member. State of the art

[0002] It is known, from document EP1871206 filed by the applicant, a lid for a culinary article comprising a gripping member adapted to allow the lid to be gripped and to allow the lid to be stacked with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member.

[0003] In this document, the gripping member is fixed to the cover by means of a screw which bears on a washer whose body projects under the cover, the gripping member comprising an upper surface provided with a cavity whose shape is adapted to receive the fixing washer and allow stacking with another cover.

[0004] However, such cookware lids have the disadvantage of not being correctly guided radially when stacked on top of each other. Thus, the lids are not perfectly centered relative to each other, which can lead to an imbalance in the stack of lids. Such radial movement of the lids can, in particular, lead to wear of the lids by friction.

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

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a lid for a culinary article comprising a cover adapted to cover the culinary article and a gripping member having a shape allowing the lid to be stacked with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member, the gripping member resting on the cover and being fixed to the cover by means of a screw which bears on a washer arranged under the cover, said washer comprising a projecting body comprising a peripheral surface which defines the contour of the washer and which bears on the lower surface of the cover, the gripping member comprising an upper surface comprising a cavity, characterized in that the cavity comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the bottom wall, the peripheral wall successively having, starting radially from the outside towards the inside of the cavity,a first portion inclined towards the bottom wall at a first degree of inclination and a second portion inclined towards the bottom wall at a second, more pronounced degree of inclination and in that the second portion of the peripheral wall is located directly above the peripheral surface of the body of the washer when the cover 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 the latter is, according to a projection orthogonal to the closing plane of the cover, superimposed with the peripheral surface of the body of the washer.

[0008] Thus the cavity shape is adapted to receive the washer of another cover when the latter is stacked horizontally on the cover and to cooperate with the latter in order to ensure automatic centering of the covers.

[0009] The device may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0010] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the cavity has a depth which is greater than or equal to the height of the washer.

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

[0012] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first portion is inclined towards the bottom wall of the cavity at an angle α1 between 10° and 45° and preferably of the order of 25°.

[0013] Such a feature makes it possible to obtain a first portion ensuring a progressive sliding of the cover attached to the gripping member towards the center of the cavity.

[0014] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second portion is inclined towards the bottom wall of the cavity at an angle α2 between 45° and 90° and preferably of the order of 65°.

[0015] Such a feature makes it possible to form a receiving housing in which the radial immobilization of the cover, which is attached to the gripping member, is optimized.

[0016] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first portion has a circular contour extending rectilinearly from a first radius R1 to a second radius R2, the difference between the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 being advantageously between 2 and 6 mm and preferably of the order of 4 mm.

[0017] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second portion has a circular contour extending rectilinearly from the second radius R2 to a third radius R3, the difference between the third radius R3 and the second radius R2 preferably being less than 2 mm.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the peripheral surface of the body of the washer has an inclination which corresponds, to within plus or minus 10 degrees, to the degree of inclination of the second inclined portion.

[0019] Such a feature further optimizes the radial immobilization of the cover attached to the gripping member.

[0020] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the body of the washer has a circular outline.

[0021] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the body of the washer comprises a peripheral protuberance having the shape of an annular bead.

[0022] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the body of the washer has a central part, receiving the screw, which is located set back from the top of the protuberance.

[0023] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the gripping member comprises a button which is fixedly mounted on the cover and at least one gripping element movable relative to the button, said gripping element being movable between a stacking position in which said gripping element is set back relative to the top of the button and a gripping position in which the gripping element projects above the button.

[0024] The invention also relates to a set of at least two covers as previously described in which, when the two covers are stacked on top of each other, the first inclined portion of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover cooperates with the peripheral surface of the washer of the upper cover to guide the washer of the upper cover towards the center of the cavity of the lower cover.

[0025] Such a feature allows for automatic centering of the two lids when stacked on top of each other.

[0026] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the peripheral surface of the washer of the upper cover rests against the second portion of the peripheral wall of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover when the two covers are stacked on top of each other, being centered relative to each other.

[0027] Such a feature allows for optimized radial immobilization of the two covers when stacked on top of each other. Brief description of the figures

[0028] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of two particular embodiments of the invention presented as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] This is a perspective view of the upper face of a culinary article cover according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0030] This is a perspective view of the underside of the cover of the ;

[0031] This is a radial sectional view of the cover of the;

[0032] This is a detailed view, in section, of the gripping member equipping the cover of the;

[0033] This is a radial sectional view of two covers made according to the first embodiment of the invention and stacked on top of each other;

[0034] This is a perspective view of the upper face of a culinary article cover according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0035] This is a radial sectional view of the cover of the stacked on the cover of the.

[0036] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0037] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the cover refer to this device in use, when it rests flat on a culinary article.

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a lid for a cooking item, for example for a frying pan or a saucepan, the lid conventionally comprising a hood 1 adapted to cover the cooking item and a gripping member 2 allowing the lid to be gripped.

[0039] The cover 1 of the lid comprises a circular plate 10, advantageously flat, the diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the culinary article to be covered, and has an opening 11 for the escape of the steam provided in the plate 10.

[0040] Preferably, the plate 10 is made of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, providing visual access to the contents of the culinary article when the latter is covered by the lid. In an alternative embodiment, the plate 10 may also be made of a metallic material.

[0041] The cover 1 of the lid advantageously comprises a metal ring 12 fixed to the periphery of the plate 10, the ring 12 comprising a skirt 12A projecting from the lower face of the lid, intended to be inserted into the culinary article, and a shoulder 12B intended to rest on the edge of the open upper end of the culinary article.

[0042] The gripping member 2 is arranged in a central position on the upper face of the cover and advantageously comprises a button 20 comprising a flat lower surface attached against the upper surface of the cover 1.

[0043] Preferably, the button 20 has a generally cylindrical shape and is made of a plastic material by molding.

[0044] The button 20 advantageously comprises two gripping elements 21 movable in rotation between a folded position A1, illustrated in dotted lines on the, in which the two gripping elements 21 extend substantially parallel to the cover 1 and a deployed position A2, also illustrated in dotted lines on the, in which the two gripping elements 21 extend substantially perpendicular to the cover 1.

[0045] For this purpose, the two gripping elements 21 are mounted to be movable in rotation about an axis extending through the button 20, the latter advantageously containing a return spring 22 bringing the two gripping elements 21 into an intermediate position, illustrated in solid lines on the, in which the two gripping elements 21 extend substantially at 45° relative to the plate 10 of the cover 1.

[0046] According to the, the button 20 is fixed to the cover 1 by a screw 23 comprising a head bearing on a washer 3 arranged against the lower surface of the cover 1. The screw 23 passes through the cover 1 and comprises a threaded rod which is screwed into a tapped bore 24 opening onto the lower face of the button 20.

[0047] According to figures 2 and 4, the washer 3 comprises a body comprising an annular, peripheral bead 30, which projects over a height H relative to the lower surface of the cover 1 and a central part arranged set back relative to the bead 30, the central part comprising a housing for receiving the screw head 23. The bead 30 comprises a peripheral surface 30A which defines the contour of the washer 3 and which has one end bearing on the lower face of the cover 1.

[0048] As can be seen more particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the button 20 of the gripping member 2 has a cavity 4 on its upper face, the shape of which is adapted to receive the bead 30 of another cover equipped with a gripping member 2, in particular when stacking different covers for storage.

[0049] Preferably, the cavity 4 comprises a bottom wall 40 and a peripheral wall 41 surrounding the bottom wall 40, the peripheral wall 41 successively having, starting radially from the outside towards the inside of the cavity 4, a first portion 41A inclined towards the bottom wall 40 at a first angle of inclination α1 and a second portion 41B inclined towards the inside of the bottom wall 40 at a second, higher angle of inclination α2. The first portion 41A advantageously forms a wall of circular contour extending rectilinearly between a first radius R1 of the button 20 and a second radius R2 of the button 20. The second portion 41B advantageously forms a wall of circular contour extending rectilinearly between the second radius R2 and a third radius R3 of the button 20.

[0050] For example, relative to the plane of the hood 1, the first angle of inclination α1 is of the order of 25° and the second angle of inclination α2 is an angle of the order of 65°. Preferably, the difference between the first radius R1 and the second radius R2 is of the order of 4 mm and the difference between the third radius R3 and the second radius R2 is less than 2 mm.

[0051] The depth P of the cavity 4 at the level of the bottom wall 40 is preferably greater than the height H of the washer 3.

[0052] According to the, the second portion 41B of the cavity 4 has a substantially frustoconical surface which is located directly above the peripheral surface of the annular bead 30 of the washer 3 when the cover is arranged horizontally. In particular, the shape of the second portion 41B is adapted so that the surface covered by the latter is, according to a projection orthogonal to the cover 1, superimposed with the peripheral surface 30A of the body of the washer 3.

[0053] The peripheral surface 30A of the washer 3 has an inclination relative to the plane of the cover 1 preferably close to that of the second portion 41B of the cavity 4 so that the peripheral surface 30A of the washer 3 and the second portion 41B of the cavity 4 extend substantially parallel.

[0054] The advantages of such a construction will now be described in relation to the figure which illustrates a set of two identical covers stacked on top of each other.

[0055] According to this figure, when stacking two covers equipped with a gripping member 2 as previously described, the washer 3 for fixing the gripping member 2 of the upper cover engages in the cavity 4 formed on the upper surface of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover.

[0056] In particular, when the user places the upper cover on the lower cover, for example for storage, the gripping elements 21 of the lower cover are moved towards the folded position under the effect of the weight of the upper cover, and the bead 30 of the gripping member 2 of the upper cover comes, initially, when the upper cover is not perfectly centered relative to the lower cover, to rest on the first portion 41A of the peripheral wall 41 of the cavity 4 of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover.

[0057] Under the effect of gravity and the weight of the upper cover, the bead 30 of the washer 3 of the upper cover then slides gently along the first inclined portion 41A of the peripheral wall 41 and moves towards the center of the cavity 4 of the gripping member 2 of the lower cover.

[0058] When the entire peripheral surface 30A of the body of the washer 3 reaches the second portion 41B of the peripheral wall 41, the bead 30 then engages abruptly in the central zone of the cavity 4, due to the greater inclination of the peripheral wall 41 in this zone.

[0059] The peripheral surface 30A of the body of the washer 3 is then advantageously supported, over its entire periphery, against the surface of the second portion 41B of the peripheral wall 41 of the cavity 4, which ensures lateral immobilization of the cover in a position where the upper cover is perfectly centered relative to the lower cover.

[0060] Illustrates an alternative embodiment of the cover in which the gripping member 2 is devoid of a movable gripping element but has a button 200 of greater height. In this alternative embodiment, the means for fixing the button 200 remain similar to those described previously for the first embodiment, as does the shape of the cavity 4 formed at the top of the button 200.

[0061] Illustrates a stacking of a cover according to the first embodiment on a cover according to the second embodiment. The advantages provided by the cooperation of the shapes of the washer 3 for fixing the upper gripping member 2 with those of the cavity 4 formed on the upper surface of the button 200 of the lower cover remain similar to those previously described in the.

[0062] Of course, two lids according to the second embodiment may also be stacked while retaining the same advantages as those described above. The lids that will be stacked on top of each other may also have different diameters without this impacting the advantages provided by the present invention.

[0063] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0064] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the gripping member may have a non-circular shape, for example an octagonal, hexagonal or square shape.

Claims

Lid for a culinary article comprising a cover (1) adapted to cover the culinary article and a gripping member (2) having a shape allowing the lid to be stacked with another lid equipped with a similar gripping member (2), said gripping member (2) resting on the cover (1) and being fixed to the cover (1) by means of a screw (23) which bears on a washer (3) arranged under the cover (1), said washer (3) comprising a projecting body comprising a peripheral surface (30A) which defines the contour of the washer (3) and which bears on the lower surface of the cover (1), said gripping member comprising an upper surface comprising a cavity (4), 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) successively presenting, starting radially from the outside towards the inside of the cavity (4),a first portion (41A) inclined towards the bottom wall (40) according to a first degree of inclination and a second portion (41B) inclined towards the bottom wall (40) according to a second, more pronounced degree of inclination and in that the second portion (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) is located vertically above the peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the washer (3) when the cover is arranged horizontally., Culinary article cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (4) has a depth which is greater than or equal to the height of the washer (3). Culinary article cover according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first portion (41A) is inclined towards the bottom wall (40) of the cavity at an angle α1 between 10° and 45° and preferably of the order of 25°. Culinary article cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second portion (41B) is inclined towards the bottom wall (40) of the cavity at an angle α2 between 45° and 90° and preferably of the order of 65°. A cookware lid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the peripheral surface (30A) of the body of the washer (3) has an inclination which corresponds, to within 10 degrees, to the degree of inclination of the second inclined portion (41B). Culinary article cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body of the washer (3) has a circular contour. Cover for a cooking article according to claim 6, characterized in that the body of the washer (3) comprises a peripheral protuberance having the shape of an annular bead (30). Culinary article cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the gripping member (2) comprises a button (20) which is fixedly mounted on the cover (1) and at least one gripping element movable relative to the button (20), said gripping element being movable between a stacking position in which said gripping element is set back relative to the top of the button (20) and a gripping position in which the gripping element projects above the button (20). A set of at least two cookware lids according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the two lids are stacked on top of each other, the first inclined portion (41A) of the cavity (4) of the gripping member (2) of the lower lid cooperates with the peripheral surface (30A) of the washer (3) of the upper lid to guide the washer (3) of the upper lid towards the centre of the cavity (4) of the lower lid. Set of at least two culinary article covers according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the two covers are stacked on top of each other, being centered relative to each other, the peripheral surface (30A) of the washer (3) of the upper cover rests against the second portion (41B) of the peripheral wall (41) of the cavity of the gripping member of the lower cover.

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