Cover for a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover (1) for a container, in particular for kitchenware, said cover having a main body (2) on the underside (10) of which a collar (8) surrounding the opening (5) is formed, which main body has at least one centring ring (4) on an underside (10), and having a closable opening (5) in the main body (2). Safe handling can be achieved in that the collar (8) tapers conically inwards and consists of a flexible material, and in that a handle (3) is provided for gripping the cover (1).

Description

[0001]

[0002] Lid for a container

[0003] The present invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular for a kitchen utensil, comprising a main body, on the underside of which a collar surrounding the opening is formed and which has at least one centering ring on its underside, and with a closable opening in the main body.

[0004] For the purposes of this invention, kitchenware includes, in particular, pots, casseroles, and pans of various kinds, which are used for preparing food and / or are designed to be heated on stovetops. However, lids for other containers, such as mash tuns or paint buckets, are also included in the invention.

[0005] From CN 201 2349 01 Y, a kitchen utensil is known which has a lid with an opening for inserting a mixer. This makes it possible to stir and chop food before, during, or after cooking without having to use a separate container. The closed lid reduces the risk of splashing, which occurs when the lid is removed and the contents are handled.

[0006] However, a disadvantage of the well-known lid is that, despite the lid being in place, the contents of the kitchenware can easily leak or splash out through the opening, which is particularly dangerous when the contents are hot.

[0007] WO 2006 / 064306 Al shows a lid with an opening and an inwardly projecting, cylindrical collar. This collar must be relatively short to allow stirring with the lid closed. Therefore, while the risk of splashing is reduced, it is still present to a considerable extent.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to provide a solution that makes it possible to use a mixer without the risk of spilling the contents of the kitchenware. The solution should be simple, inexpensive, safe, and clean.

[0009] According to the invention, the above problems are solved by the collar being designed to taper conically inwards, being made of a flexible material, and by providing a handle for gripping the lid. A key aspect of the present invention is that the collar's shape is adapted to the typically angled position of an inserted cooking spoon and therefore, while maintaining the same freedom of movement for stirring, has a smaller opening cross-section, which significantly reduces the risk of splashing. The flexible design allows for a greater range of motion during stirring.

[0010] The flexible collar is formed on the underside of the main body and surrounds the opening. The underside refers to the side of the lid that faces downwards when in use, i.e., into the pot when the lid is closed. The collar therefore extends downwards into the cookware. A hand blender, for example, can be inserted through the opening and collar to purée the contents of the pot. The inner diameter of the opening and the collar are adapted to the outer diameter of a typical hand blender.

[0011] Instead of a hand blender, other suitable kitchen appliances, such as conventional mixers, can also be inserted through the opening.

[0012] The opening can be closed with a lid, so that the kitchenware can be completely sealed when stirring or mixing is not required.

[0013] The invention's effectiveness is also based on the understanding that splashes occurring when using a hand blender are almost never directed vertically upwards. Splashes approaching at an angle towards the opening are intercepted by the collar. This ensures clean and safe operation.

[0014] It is advantageous if the opening is positioned off-center in the main body. This makes it possible to reach all areas of the bottom of the round kitchenware with a single utensil without having to tilt it at a steep angle. A simple rotation of the lid relative to the kitchenware allows for cleaning a large area of ​​the bottom.

[0015] It is also possible to position the handle off-center on the main body. This allows the distance between the handle and the opening to be increased without having to place the opening too close to the edge of the lid. A centrally located opening can also be achieved in this way, if desired.

[0016] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is designed such that several concentric centering rings are provided. This means that the lid is suitable for use on pots or casseroles of different sizes without any loss of functionality. This is particularly advantageous because, in many cases, the lid according to the invention is kept and used in addition to a conventional lid without an opening. Each centering ring is designed for a specific size of cookware, so that, for example, one lid can be used for saucepans with diameters of 16 cm, 20 cm, and 24 cm.

[0017] The collar is designed to be made of a flexible material, such as a suitable silicone. This allows the collar to have a relatively small diameter while still permitting the passage of somewhat larger kitchen utensils.

[0018] Another option involves a collar that is detachably connected to the main body. This facilitates easier cleaning and also allows for a modular system, where several collars of different dimensions are offered for one lid, which can be used interchangeably depending on the requirements.

[0019] In an alternative version, it is also possible for the collar to be formed as one piece with the main body.

[0020] Observing the food being cooked during processing can be advantageously achieved by having the main body have a transparent area. This area can be designed like a window, but can also comprise significant parts of the main body.

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0022] They show:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in a top view;

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a section along line II - II in Fig. 1;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in a top view;

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a section along line IV-IV in Fig. 3; and

[0027] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment in a section corresponding to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 shows a lid 1 according to the invention. The lid 1 consists of a main body 2 with a handle 3 designed as a bail and a centering ring 4, which is designed to ensure a secure fit on a pot or other kitchen utensil. An opening 5 is provided to the side next to the handle 3, which can be optionally closed by a lid 6 with a further handle 7.

[0028] Below the opening 5, a cylindrical collar 8 is provided, which surrounds the extension of the opening 5 and is formed integrally with the main body 2. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the centering ring 4 projects further downwards in the axial direction than the collar 8, so that the cover 1 can be securely placed on a horizontal surface against the centering ring 4.

[0029] The embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 differs from the solution shown above in that two concentric centering rings 4a and 4b are provided to allow the lid to be used with pots of different diameters.

[0030] The collar 8 is conically shaped, tapering downwards, and is made, for example, of silicone. The collar 8 is detachably inserted into the main body 2 or screwed in place with a thread 9. On its underside 10, opposite the thread 9, the collar 8 can be slotted to achieve even greater flexibility.

[0031] Handle 3 is shaped like a button and is positioned off-center.

[0032] The lid 1 according to the invention allows splash-free access to the food being cooked.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a lid 1 comprising a main body 2 with a central opening 5 and a collar 8. A closure lid 6 with a conical projection forming a further handle 7 can be inserted into the opening 5. Since the inside of the opening 5 and the collar 8 are made of silicone, the closure lid 6 has sufficient adhesion to allow the entire lid 1 to be gripped.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Lid (1) for a container, in particular for kitchenware, with a main body (2) on the underside (10) of which a collar (8) surrounding the opening (5) is formed and which has at least one centering ring (4) on an underside (10), and with a closable opening (5) in the main body (2), characterized in that the collar (8) is conically tapered inwards and is made of a flexible material and that a handle (3) is provided for gripping the lid (1).

2. Lid (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (5) is arranged off-center in the main body (2).

3. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (3) is arranged off-center in the main body (2).

4. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that several preferably concentric centering rings (4a, 4b) are provided.

5. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the collar (8) is detachably connected to the main body (2).

6. Lid (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the collar (8) can be screwed into the main body (2).

7. Lid (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the collar (8) can be fixed to the main body (2) in different positions.

8. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the collar (8) is formed integrally with the main body (2).

9. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the main body (2) has a transparent area.

10. Lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collar (8) is slit on its underside (10). 2025 08 14 Ba / Ec

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