Support for cooking utensils for induction cooktops and use thereof

Abstract

The invention refers to a support (1) for a cooking utensil (U) for induction cooktops (CI), for raising said cooking utensil (U) above a cooking surface (S), said cooking utensil (U) having a base (B), said support (1) comprising a magnet (2), said magnet (2) having an upper surface oriented in a usage position towards said base (B), and a lower surface opposite said upper surface, and wherein said magnet has a first coating (4) which coats said upper surface, said first coating being made of a first material having a first friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said base is made, and wherein said magnet has a second coating (6) which coats said lower surface, said second coating being made of a second material having a second friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made, and wherein said first friction coefficient is greater than said second friction coefficient.

Description

[0001] SUPPORT FOR COOKING UTENSILS FOR INDUCTION COOKTOPS AND USE THEREOF

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention belongs to the technical field of cooking utensils for induction cooktops.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to a support for cooking utensils for induction cooktops and to the use of a support for cooking utensils for induction cooktops.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] Induction cooking apparatus, also commonly referred to as induction cooktops, have a number of advantages with respect to other cooking apparatus. For example, they allow quickly reaching the desired temperature in the cooking vessel or utensil, with reduced energy consumption with respect to other cooking apparatus, and in turn allow keeping the cooking surface at a relatively low temperature, which furthermore reduces the risk of accidents in the kitchen.

[0008] However, in order to fully utilize the above-mentioned advantages of induction cooking apparatus, cooking utensils, for example, frying pans or pots, that meet a series of requirements are needed. For example, it is necessary that the cooking utensils are raised, i.e., the base of these cooking utensils must be located a distance from the cooking surface during use, thereby reducing heat transfer from the base to the cooking surface, which allows considerable energy savings and the maintenance of a relatively low temperature on the cooking surface.

[0009] Technical solutions for raising cooking utensils are known in the art, for example solutions in which said cooking utensils are adapted by means of using fixed legs on their base, formed as a single part with the base or in the form of screw-on legs that can be screwed, for example, into threaded holes machined on the base. However, solutions of this type present several problems. On one hand, they make it difficult for manufacturers to produce the cooking utensils. On the other hand, it is not easy to adapt these solutions to pre-existing cooking utensils that could be used more efficiently if they could be placed raised above the cooking surface. For example, to adapt pre-existing cooking utensils to the known solutions, specialized machining tools are required, and it is not possible to perform machining at home without having a high risk of breakage or of causing increased wear on the adapted cooking utensils.

[0010] Also, in the context of the industrial manufacturing of cooking utensils for induction cooktops, a step involving the machining of a part of the cooking utensil makes the production thereof more difficult and expensive. Furthermore, the implementation of these known solutions presents problems in the case of cooking utensils that are manufactured by stamping, in which the ferromagnetic base is pressure-welded to a frame that may be made of another non-ferromagnetic material. Machining the ferromagnetic base for placing the legs, before welding the same to the frame, may compromise the structural stability of this base or the assembly, if machining is performed before the stamping process, where high pressures and temperatures are applied. If performed on the assembled utensil without suitable precautions, machining may also cause the detachment of the base once welded.

[0011] Screw-on legs also have the drawback of being able to sustain deformations due to continuous use and due to the high temperatures to which the materials of which they are made, particularly the screws, are exposed, ultimately compromising the fixing of said legs to the base. Therefore, generally, these known solutions reduce the service life of the cooking utensils that include them and force the user to replace them more often.

[0012] Other known solutions such as, for example, supports in the form of fixed legs formed directly with the base, also have drawbacks. In addition to requiring a coating so as not to scratch the cooking surface during use, they increase the complexity of manufacturing the bases, which increases their cost. Fixed legs formed directly with the base also increase the difficulty of cleaning the cooking utensil, as well as increase its wear over time, thus reducing the service life of the cooking utensils that include them. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that said fixed legs are often hard or impossible to replace. Furthermore, in this type of cooking utensils, the adaptation by adding the fixed legs is permanent, so that the adapted cooking utensils can no longer be used again with cooking apparatus in which the “legs” are not suitable, so the user ultimately needs more cookware.

[0013] There is therefore the need to provide a universal solution that allows cooking utensils to be adapted for an improved use thereof with induction cooking apparatus in an easy and versatile manner, and that provide all the advantages of a raised position above the cooking surface, without the aforementioned problems, i.e., without impairing the performance of the cooking utensil on which the solutions are used, without having any negative impact on the use thereof.

[0014] Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of the invention is to provide a support of the type indicated at the beginning, which allows providing a cooking utensil for induction cooktops, i.e., preferably a cooking utensil with a ferromagnetic base, advantageously raised above the cooking surface. The support according to the invention provides a simple adaptable solution to raise the cooking utensil above the cooking surface that is safe and comfortable for the user, solving the above-mentioned problems of the known solutions.

[0016] This purpose is achieved by means of a support of the type indicated at the beginning, suitable for raising a cooking utensil for induction cooktops above a cooking surface, said cooking utensil having a base, characterized in that said support comprises a magnet, said magnet having an upper surface of the magnet oriented in a usage position towards said base of said cooking utensil, and a lower surface of the magnet opposite said upper surface of the magnet, and oriented in a usage position towards said cooking surface, and wherein said magnet has a first coating which coats said upper surface of the magnet, said first coating being made of a first material, said first material having a first friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said base of said cooking utensil is made, and wherein said magnet has a second coating which coats said lower surface of the magnet, said second coating being made of a second material, said second material having a second friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made, and wherein said first friction coefficient is greater than said second friction coefficient.

[0017] As a result of its features, the support according to the invention provides a solution which combines the aforementioned advantages of the cooking utensil being raised, with the possibility of smoothly sliding the cooking utensil on said cooking surface during use without risking scratches thereon, and without the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. First, the support according to the invention is removably fixed to the base of the cooking utensil for induction cooktops thanks to the magnet, which produces a magnetic force of the magnet which attracts the support to said base. Further, due to its friction coefficient with respect to the material of said base, the first coating made of said first material produces a friction force that holds the support according to the invention at its place on said base. This combination of forces confers to the support according to the invention resistance to shear forces that may be produced during use, allowing the support to remain in place on said base and to not move upon sliding the cooking utensil on the cooking surface or due to an accidental impact during use, but still allowing the support to be comfortably removed by the user if necessary. Thus, as a result of its combined features, the support according to the invention adheres sufficiently to the base so as to remain in place during use, but can be removed, for example, in order to allow washing both, the base of the cooking utensil and the support itself, thereby preventing, for example, the accumulation of food waste and considerably reducing their cleaning time.

[0018] As a whole, the support according to the invention provides a versatile and comfortable way for raising any cooking utensil above the induction cooktops on which the utensil is placed, to a suitable distance with respect to the cooking surface, thus providing an optimal user experience during cooking as well as reducing the power consumption of said induction cooktop apparatus and reducing the risk of accidents. Likewise, the support according to the invention allows prolonging the service life both of the cooking utensils on which it is used and of the induction cooktop apparatus on which the support is used, preventing the utensils from wearing off due to, for example, said utensil moving on and rubbing against said cooking surface, and preventing the cooking surface from being scratched. Furthermore, the support according to the invention allows obtaining an improved user experience when cooking as it provides significant noise reduction. The support according to the invention also provides a safe solution that is easy to use and maintain so that the user can use any cooking utensil for induction cooktops. For example, it reduces the risk of overheating the cooking utensil and can be left mounted on the base after use, even while washing the cooking utensil, both manually and in a dishwasher.

[0019] In the context of the invention, with respect to the features “a first material having a first friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said base of said cooking utensil for an induction cooktop is made”, “a second material having a second friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made”, and “wherein said first friction coefficient is greater than said second friction coefficient”, it must be understood that “said material of which said base of said cooking utensil for an induction cooktop is made” and “said material of which said cooking surface is made” may vary, but the person skilled in the art knows the materials of which a base of a cooking utensil for induction cooktops can be made, and knows the materials of which a cooking surface can be made. Based on the foregoing, the person skilled in the art can select said first and second materials according to the invention, respectively, and obtain the advantages of the support according to the invention based on the ratio of their respective friction coefficients.

[0020] Preferably, said material of which said base of said cooking utensil for induction cooktops is made is a third material, and said third material is a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, anodized aluminum, forged aluminum, a ceramic material, titanium, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0021] Preferably, said material of which said cooking surface is made is a fourth material, and said fourth material is a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic material, glass, a porcelain material, and a glass-ceramic material, and very preferably a porcelain material.

[0022] Preferably, said first friction coefficient and said second friction coefficient are static friction coefficients. More preferably, said first friction coefficient and said second friction coefficient are determined on non-lubricated polished steel by means of the method according to the ASTM D-1894-14 standard, “Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting", approved on March 1 , 2014 (DOI: 10.1520 / D1894-14).

[0023] Another advantage of the support according to the invention is observed in the case of cooking at high temperatures for a long time, as may be the case with griddles in which cooking temperatures of, for example, 250-300°C, are to be achieved. If non-raised kitchen utensils are used, in these conditions the center of the base and the perimeter area of the base are located at different distances from the cooking surface due to the deformation of said base, and therefore the base is heated heterogeneously. The safety systems controlling the temperature in the induction cooking apparatus are often based on a sensor located below the cooking surface, usually centered on the area intended for placing the cooking utensil, and therefore the deformation of the base may cause this system not to work correctly. In addition to the risk of accidents from the cooking utensil being heated excessively, such as the oil catching fire, there is also a need to consider that the materials of which the cooking surfaces are made also have temperature resistance limits and that these surfaces may even break due to heat shock of reaching too high temperatures due to the base of the cooking utensil being heated excessively. The support according to the invention allows preventing these situations of risk by keeping the cooking utensil raised, minimizing heat transfer between the base of the cooking utensil and the cooking surface. This is particularly advantageous in the case of kitchen utensils with bases made of materials that may sustain these deformations, and in combination with cooking surfaces made of materials with a higher risk of breakage due to heat shock in these extreme situations such as, for example, porcelain materials. Furthermore, since the support can be placed in different positions of the base and since several supports can be combined to adapt the raising to the type of cooking utensil used, the support according to the invention is particularly advantageous to prevent these problems.

[0024] In relation to the materials of the cooking surface, particularly to cooking surfaces made of very hard materials such as, for example, porcelain materials having a hardness greater than almost any material for cooking utensils, another notable advantage of the support according to the invention is that it allows preventing the base of said cooking utensils from wearing off due to continuous friction with said cooking surfaces.

[0025] In the context of the invention, a “ceramic material” is a solid, inorganic material formed by heat. Ceramic materials are generally molded into specific shapes, for example, into sheets or plates, by means of processes such as, for example, pressing or extrusion at room temperature, and subsequently dried and fired at sufficiently high temperatures so that they develop the required properties. In terms of its composition, a “ceramic material” is composed mainly of a mixture an aluminum silicate base, although there are ceramic materials for specialized applications that may be composed mainly of other oxides such as, for example, aluminum oxide or alumina. Furthermore, ceramic materials may comprise other inorganic components such as feldspar, carbonates, quartz, other silicates, kaolin zirconium oxides, zinc oxide, among others, depending on the origin of the raw materials used for manufacturing same and on the properties to be achieved for the final material.

[0026] Based on their molecular structure, materials with a crystalline structure and materials with a non-crystalline or amorphous structure, also referred to as glass, can be differentiated among ceramic materials.

[0027] In the context of the invention, “glass” refers to non-crystalline or amorphous ceramic materials in which the atoms are arranged in irregular and random assemblies. Most common glass is composed mainly of silicates, although other compositions are possible. Its final composition may vary depending on the desired properties of the final material. Amorphous properties are achieved by means of specific manufacturing processes according to the application thereof and they often involve heating at very high temperatures.

[0028] In the context of the invention, a “porcelain material” is a ceramic material which, due to its manufacturing process, has improved mechanical strength and thermal resistance properties with respect to other ceramic materials. Examples of “porcelain materials” are those completely vitrified ceramic materials, for example, materials belonging to groups Ala or Bia according to the ISO 13006:2018 standard (and its equivalent EN 14411 :2016), formed by extrusion (Ala) or pressing (Bia). Porcelain materials are characterized, among other properties, in that they have a water absorption coefficient (Ev) considered to be very low, preferably equal to or less than 0.5% by mass.

[0029] In the context of the invention, a “glass-ceramic material” is a polycrystalline material obtained by means of a process for the controlled devitrification of glass having a suitable composition according to the desired application thereof. These glass-ceramic materials combine the special properties of conventional ceramics with the distinctive characteristics of glass in a single material, and ceramic materials are considered sophisticated due to the particularly attractive characteristics of the end product, such as a high hardness, minimum porosity, and a high elastic modulus. Among others, examples of glass-ceramic materials are those defined in the EN 1748-2-1 :2006 and EN 1748-2-2:2005 standards, and used, for example, for manufacturing glass-ceramic cooktops.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention covers a series of preferred features which are object of the dependent claims and the usefulness of which will be highlighted below in the detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

[0031] Preferably, the magnet is a heat-resistant magnet.

[0032] In the context of the invention, a “heat-resistant” material must be understood to mean resisting a temperature of up to 650°C, i.e., maintaining the properties thereof. Preferably, “heat-resistant” must be understood to mean resisting a temperature comprised up to between 90°C and 650°C, and more preferably to mean resisting a temperature comprised up to between 90°C and 350°C”. In a particularly preferred manner, “heat-resistant” refers to resisting temperatures comprised between 200°C and 350°C. For example, a “heat-resistant magnet” is a magnet that conserves its magnetic properties at the above-mentioned temperatures.

[0033] These temperature ranges comprise the temperatures commonly reached in the base of the cooking utensil when cooking. For example, in a pot with boiling water, the base of the pot may reach a temperature of up to about 120°C, and in a frying pan with oil for frying, the base of the frying pan may reach a temperature of up to about 200°C. To cook in optimal conditions, the base must reach temperatures of between about 200°C and about 350°C. There is a need to take into account that the temperature of the base in the cooking utensils varies according to the food or cooking medium (water or oil, for example) that is being used. In extreme conditions, the base of the cooking utensil may reach temperatures of up to 500°C.

[0034] Preferably, the magnet is a magnet adapted to generate an attraction force sufficient to keep said support according to the invention removably attached to said base of said cooking utensil for induction cooktops. This adaptation can be performed, for example, by adapting the size of said magnet depending on the material of which said magnet is made, on the material of the base, or on the thickness of said first and second coatings.

[0035] Preferably, the magnet is a magnet selected from the group consisting of neodymium- based magnets, ferrite-based magnets, samarium-cobalt-based magnets, and iron- cobalt-aluminum-nickel-based magnets. In a particularly preferred manner, the magnet is a samarium-cobalt-based magnet.

[0036] Iron-cobalt-aluminum-nickel-based magnets, also known as Alnico or Al-Ni-Co magnets, offer the highest temperature resistance among permanent magnets, maintaining a good performance, i.e. , maintaining the structure and magnetism thereof, up to a temperature of 650°C. In contrast, Alnico magnets have a lower magnetic force with respect to other permanent magnets.

[0037] Samarium-cobalt-based magnets or SmCo magnets offer a good balance between heat resistance and attraction force. In terms of magnetism, these magnets are weaker than common neodymium magnets, but they maintain a good performance, with excellent corrosion resistance and a maximum working temperature of 350°C.

[0038] Ferrite-based magnets also have good corrosion, moisture, and rust resistance, and can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C while maintaining a good performance. Neodymium-based magnets have the lowest heat resistance, but they are permanent magnets with the highest magnetism. Heat-resistant neodymium-based magnets obtained by means of specific treatments such as, for example, neodymium-based magnets “H” having a working temperature of up to 120°C, or neodymium-based magnets “SH” having a working temperature of up to 150°C, or neodymium-based magnets “UH” having a working temperature of up to 180°C, or neodymium-based magnets “EH” having a working temperature of up to 200°C, are known.

[0039] One limitation of magnets, particularly of heat-resistant magnets, is their fragility. In other words, magnets in general, and more particularly heat-resistant magnets, may break due to impact with hard surfaces such as, for example, the surface of the base of a cooking utensil.

[0040] Another advantage of the support according to the invention is that it has, as a result of its features, an improved impact resistance due to both the first coating and the second coating acting as a protection for the surfaces of the magnet that are more exposed to possible impacts, and therefore more prone to cracking or breaking.

[0041] Preferably, said first material is a heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably said first material is a polysiloxane-based material, and in a particularly preferred manner said first material is vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first material is vulcanized, improving its resistance to high temperatures. For example, in a particularly preferred manner said first material is vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane.

[0043] Preferably, said second material is a heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably said second material is a polyethylene-based material or a polyamide-based material or a polyacrylic-based material, and even more preferably said second material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0044] Preferably, said second friction coefficient of said second material with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made is such that it allows said support to slide, during use, on said cooking surface without said support moving from its position in the base of said cooking utensil.

[0045] Preferably, said first friction coefficient of said first material with respect to the material of which said base of said cooking utensil is made is such that it prevents said support from sliding on the base during use.

[0046] Preferably, said second friction coefficient of said second material is equal to or less than 0.1 , preferably said second friction coefficient of said second material is comprised between 0.02 and 0.1 , when determined on non-lubricated polished steel by means of the method of ASTM D-1894-14, “Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting", approved on March 1 , 2014 (DOI: 10.1520 / D1894-14).

[0047] Preferably, said first material has a Shore A hardness of between 50 and 90 when determined by means of the method according to the ISO 7619-1 :2010 standard, “Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of indentation hardness — Part 1: Durometer method (Shore hardness)’’, second edition dated October 1 , 2010.

[0048] In the context of the invention, the term “use” refers to the uses of the support according to the invention of the cooking utensils with which it is used, including the typical tasks performed in a kitchen. Although they may be more or less demanding depending on whether the use is in a home kitchen or in an industrial kitchen, these uses include cooking, moving, or sliding the cooking utensil on the cooking surface, for example, in order to stir its contents, placing the cooking utensil on the cooking surface and removing it from same repeatedly. These uses include ancillary tasks such as washing the cooking utensils and any friction or impact that may occur between the base of the cooking utensils and countertops, other utensils when washing or storing them.

[0049] Said first and second coatings can be applied on upper and lower surfaces of the magnet, respectively, in different ways. For example, said first coating may be in the form of a layer of said first material deposited on said upper surface of said magnet, and said second coating may be in the form of a layer of said second material deposited on said upper surface of said magnet. Said layers can be applied by means of different techniques such as, for example, painting, spraying, deposition, or dipping using fluid formulations of said first and second materials and the subsequent drying and / or curing thereof.

[0050] In the context of the invention, it is to be understood that “a coating or covering” which coats a surface” may be in contact with said surface, i.e., when said coating or covering has been applied or placed directly on said surface, as well as that said coating or covering may not directly be in contact with said coated surface, for example, because said surface is already coated with another coating.

[0051] In the context of the invention, it is also to be understood that “a coating or covering” can be made of a material in liquid form that has been applied to the surface to be coated or covered, for example, a surface of the magnet, and has formed a film that adheres or does not adhere to said surface to be covered, and that after curing / drying material in liquid form, it results in a coating or covering having a shape complementary to said surface to be covered. Alternatively, “a coating or covering” can also have the form of a “cover or sheath” or has a complementary shape to said surface to be covered, that is, that at least partially matches the shape of said surface to be covered and that can be placed on / fit around said surface to cover it. Said “a coating or covering” can also be manufactured to partially match said shape to the surface to be covered by the techniques known in the art such as injection molding or the like. Said cover can be adhered to said surface or not be adhered thereto.

[0052] Advantageously, said coating of covering is not adhered to said surface but remains in place due to a form-fit connection between said coating or cover and said surface to be covered and / or due to the friction coefficient the material forming said coating of covering with regards to the magnet or the other coating, in case said surface to be covered is already coated with another coating.

[0053] Preferably, said support has an upper surface of the support, a lower surface of the support and a perimeter surface of the support, and said upper surface is defined by said first coating, and said lower surface of the support has a perimetral recess such that the thickness of said support at the edge portion of the support is lower than the thickness of said support at the inner portion of support, and the inner portion of the lower surface of the support protrudes with regards to the edge portion of the lower surface of the support, and said protruding inner portion of the lower surface of the support is defined by said second coating. This preferred configuration allows the first coating to be in contact with the base of the cooking utensil during use, holding the support in position, and the second coating to be in contact with the cooking surface during use over a reduce area (only the inner area of the lower surface of the support), thus improving the structural stability thereof, while allowing the second coating to protrude from said lower face of the support such that said support can be in contact with the cooking surface during use, thus ensuring the cooking utensils can smoothly be used over the cooking surface.

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, said upper surface of the support is coated with said first coating, and said protruding inner portion of the lower surface of the support is coated with said second coating.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, said first coating at least partially coats or covers said perimeter recess at the edge portion of the lower surface of the support, and said first and second coatings are such that said second coating at the inner portion of said lower surface of the support protrudes from said lower face of the support with regards to the inner portion of the lower surface of the support.This further preferred configuration allows the first coating to hold the second coating around the magnet, thus improving the structural stability of the support, while still allowing the second coating to protrude from said lower face of the support such that said support can be in contact with the cooking surface during use, thus ensuring the cooking utensils can smoothly be used over the cooking surface.

[0056] In the context of the invention, the terms “surface” and “face” are used interchangeably. Also, in the context of the invention “a face or a surface being defined by a coating or covering” or “a coating or covering defining a surface or a face”, refers to said coating or covering being exposed at said surface or face, that is, in other words, that said coating or covering is the last layer covering said surface or face. Preferably, said first coating of said magnet coats or covers said upper surface of the magnet, and said first coating is exposed on said upper face of said support, such that, in use, said first coating is in contact with said base of said cooking utensil.

[0057] Preferably, said second coating of said magnet coats said lower surface of the magnet, and said second coating is exposed on said lower face of said support, such that in use said second coating is in contact with said cooking surface.

[0058] Preferably, said magnet has a perimeter surface of the magnet, and said first coating and / or said second coating at least partially coat said perimeter surface of the magnet.

[0059] When said first coating, said second coating, or both are also coating the perimeter surface of the magnet, they act as an improved structural reinforcement of the support while performing, at the same time, their respective function in relation to gripping / sliding of the support during use. This allows obtaining a support according to the invention with a higher impact resistance, thereby prolonging its service life.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, said first coating overlaps said second coating, such that at least part of the perimeter surface of the magnet is covered by both said first coating and said second coating. In other words, said second coating at least partially coats or covers said perimeter surface of the magnet, and said first coating at least partially coats or covers the portion of said second coating that coats or covers said perimeter surface of the magnet. In a further preferred embodiment, said first coating overlaps said second coating over the whole perimeter surface of the magnet. These preferred configurations of said first and second coatings around the magnet provide a further improved structural stability to the support according to the invention and an improved protection of the magnet which has all its surfaces covered. In these preferred configurations, the first coating holds the second coating around the magnet, but does so over a longer portion thereof, that is, around the perimeter surface of the magnet resulting in a support which can better sustain the strain forces that may occur during use. In a preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, said first coating at least partially coats or covers said perimeter surface of the magnet, and said first coating at least partially coats or covers the edge portion of the lower surface of the support, and said first and second coatings are such that said second coating at the inner portion of said lower surface of the magnet protrudes from said lower face of the support. This preferred configuration allows the first coating to hold the second coating around the magnet, thus improving the structural stability thereof, while allowing the second coating to protrude from said lower face of the support such that said support can be in contact with the cooking surface during use, thus ensuring the cooking utensils can smoothly be used over the cooking surface.

[0061] In another preferred embodiment, said first material is preferably a heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably said first material is a polysiloxane-based material, and particularly preferred said first material is vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane or vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane, and said second material is preferably a heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably said second material is a polyethylene-based material or a polyamide-based material or a polyacrylic-based material, and even more preferably said second material is polytetrafluoroethylene. This material combination is particularly advantageous, as it combines the advantages of the two materials separately, but, furthermore, the first material forming the first coating by at least partially coating the second coating allows to compensate for possible expansions of the second material forming the second coating, and thus further improves the structural integrity of the support during cooking. A particular example where this advantage is obtained is when said first material is polytetrafluoroethylene and said second material is vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane.

[0062] Further advantageously, these preferred embodiments of the invention explained above can be combined to provide a support according to the invention with improved structural stability and suitable for use at high temperatures, thus for cooking with an induction cooking apparatus in a convenient and safe manner.

[0063] Preferably, one of said first coating and said second coating consists of a first cover at least partially surrounding said magnet. More preferably, the other one of said first coating and said second coating consists of a second cover at least partially surrounding the assembly of said magnet and said first cover, said first and second covers being formed and adapted so that said first coating is exposed on said upper face of said support and in contact with said base of said cooking utensil in the usage position, and said second coating is exposed on said lower face of said support and in contact with said cooking surface in the usage position.

[0064] In preferred embodiments of the support according to the invention, said first coating, said second coating, or both can be formed in the form of a cover or case adapted to at least partially surround, more preferably to surround said magnet. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, one coating or both coatings are independent parts from the magnet which, once assembled with the magnet, result in a support according to the invention. These embodiments have the advantage of enabling said support to be mass manufactured and assembled with reduced complexity and cost, in addition to allowing said supports to be recycled, utilizing those more resilient parts such as, for example, the magnet, and replacing one coating or both coatings in a simple manner in the case of damage.

[0065] Preferably, said first cover defines said second coating and at least coats or covers said lower surface of the magnet. More preferably, said first cover also coats said perimeter surface of the magnet.

[0066] Preferably, said second cover defines said first coating and at least coats said upper surface of the magnet and / or an upper surface of the assembly of said magnet with said first cover. More preferably, said second cover also coats said perimeter surface of the magnet and / or an upper surface of the assembly of said magnet with said first cover.

[0067] Preferably, said magnet is fitted into said first cover, and the assembly of said magnet with said first cover is fitted into said second cover, such that said first cover defines said second coating, and said second cover defines said first coating.

[0068] Preferably, said first cover is made of a second heat-resistant polymeric material, preferably a polyethylene-based material or a polyamide-based material or a polyacrylic- based material. In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, said second heat-resistant material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE provides a temperature- and impact-resistant magnet coating and allows said support to slide, during use, on the cooking surface without friction.

[0069] Preferably, said second cover is made of a first heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably a polysiloxane-based material, and in a particularly preferred manner said first material is vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane. In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, said first heat-resistant material is vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane. The use of these materials for said second cover combines improved mechanical properties for adherence to the base of the cooking utensils and optimal elasticity and hardness to facilitate the assembly and the structural stability of the assembly forming the support according to the invention.

[0070] In a more preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention, said first cover is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and said second cover is made of vulcanized vinyl- methyl-polysiloxane. This material combination is particularly advantageous as it combines the advantages of the two materials separately, but, furthermore, in the assembly forming the support, the vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane forming the second cover which at least partially coats the PTFE forming the first cover allows compensating for possible expansions of the first cover and improving the structural integrity of the assembly forming the support.

[0071] In preferred embodiments of the invention in which both coatings are covers or cases, a double structural reinforcement of the support and an improved protection of the magnet are achieved while fully simplifying at the same time both the mass manufacture and the recycling of the supports according to the invention. Furthermore, the fact that the first material forming said second cover and said first coating has a greater friction and adherence than the material forming said first cover and said second coating is utilized, so that said second cover acts as an element for securing the magnet-cover assembly forming the support according to the invention. A support which maintains its structure and is not readily detached in use, but which can still be assembled during manufacture and detached during recycling, is thus obtained. Preferably, said support comprises two covers, a first cover with a substantially plate-like shape, said first cover having an upper face and a lower face of the first cover, wherein said upper face of the first cover has a substantially flat upper surface of the first cover and said upper face of the first cover has an inner recess located on said upper surface of the first cover in which said magnet can be housed, such that said magnet does not protrude beyond said upper surface of the first cover, and wherein said lower face of the first cover has a lower surface of the first cover, and said lower face of the first cover has a lower perimeter recess on said lower surface of said first cover such that a projection is formed on said lower face of the first cover, and wherein said first cover defines said second coating; and a second cover, wherein said second cover has a shape substantially complementary to said first cover such that said first cover can be fitted into said second cover in a direction from said lower face to said upper face of said first cover, and such that said second cover at least coats said upper surface of said first cover and said upper surface of said magnet, and wherein said second cover defines said first coating.

[0072] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, both covers are formed such that the assembly of the support is simplified and the use of materials is minimized, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost without compromising structural stability and performance during use.

[0073] In the context of the invention, the terms “upper” and “lower” must be understood in reference to the orientation of the support according to the invention in the usage position and the position and orientation of said covers in said support and with respect to the magnet. For example, the upper face of the magnet. For example, the lower face of said first cover is the face which, in use, is intended to be in contact with said cooking surface, said upper face of the first cover being oriented towards the magnet. For example, said upper face of said second cover is the face which, in use, is intended to be in contact with said base of said cooking utensil, said lower face of said second cover being oriented towards the magnet.

[0074] Preferably, said second cover has a perimeter section with a C-shaped cross-section.

[0075] Preferably, said second cover has an inverted U-shaped cross-section and ends having a C-shaped cross-section. This allows said second cover to coat said upper surface, said perimeter surface, and at least partially said lower surface of said first cover, when said first cover is fitted into said second cover. More preferably, said second cover coats said upper surface and said perimeter surface of said first cover and fits into said perimeter recess of said lower surface of said first cover, such that said lower surface of said first cover protrudes beyond said second cover through the lower face of said support and such that said second cover is not in contact with said cooking surface during use.

[0076] Preferably, said second cover has an upper wall of the second cover, said upper wall of the second cover being intended to be in contact with said base of said cooking utensil in the usage position, and said second cover has a perimeter side wall of the second cover which extends such that its oriented transversely with respect to said upper wall of the second cover, said perimeter side wall being intended to be in contact with said perimeter surface of said first cover, and said second cover has a lower perimeter wall of the second cover, extending from said perimeter side wall of the second cover and substantially parallel to said upper wall of the second cover, forming a lower edge of said second cover, such that when said second cover coats said first cover, said lower edge of said second cover fits into said lower perimeter recess of said lower face of said first cover, such that said second cover is secured to said first cover.

[0077] Preferably, said upper wall of the second cover defines a substantially flat upper surface of the second cover intended to be in contact with said base of said cooking utensil in the usage position.

[0078] Preferably, said lower perimeter wall of the second cover defines a lower surface of the second cover and is adapted such that said lower surface of said first cover protrudes beyond said lower perimeter wall of the second cover through the lower face of said support and such that said lower perimeter wall of the second cover is not in contact with said cooking surface during use.

[0079] Preferably, said support has a substantially flattened circular cylinder shape (coin shape). This preferred embodiment of the support according to the invention is advantageous because it has a smaller number of borders and corners that tend to become more easily damaged. Furthermore, the coin shape facilitates the handling and storage of the supports according to the invention and allows greater versatility in terms of their placement in the base of the cooking utensils in which it is used.

[0080] Preferably, said magnet comprises a third additional polytetrafluoroethylene coating, and said third coating is located between the surfaces of said magnet and said first and second coatings respectively.

[0081] The third polytetrafluoroethylene coating on the surfaces of the magnet allows providing additional protection against moisture and rusting of the magnet. This is preferably advantageous in the preferred embodiments in which both the first coating and the second coating are formed as complementary covers. This third coating allows preventing the magnet from rusting with continuous use of the supports, and even if the supports remain on the base of the cooking utensil when they are repeatedly washed in a dishwasher, thereby prolonging the service life of the support.

[0082] Preferably, said support has a diameter comprised between 1 and 10 cm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 cm, and in a particularly preferred manner between 2 and 3 cm.

[0083] These preferred dimensions for the diameter of the support according to the invention allow the support to be placed in different combinations of, for example, one, three, or four supports in order to obtain a good stability of the cooking utensil on the cooking surface and to readily adapt same to cooking utensils having bases of different sizes.

[0084] Preferably, said support according to the invention has a thickness comprised between 1 and 5 mm, more preferably between 2 and 4 mm. This preferred thickness allows the cooking utensil to be raised an optimal distance in order to obtain the aforementioned advantages, with optimal energy savings and safety.

[0085] The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising a cooking utensil for an induction cooktop and at least one support according to the invention.

[0086] Preferably, said kit of parts comprises at least three supports according to the invention and more preferably said kit of parts comprises at least four supports according to the invention.

[0087] The invention also relates to the use of a support according to the invention, preferably to the use of at least three supports according to the invention, and more preferably to the use of at least four supports according to the invention, for raising a cooking utensil for induction cooking apparatus above a cooking surface of an induction cooking apparatus.

[0088] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0089] Other advantages and features of the invention will be seen from the following description in which several preferred embodiments of the invention are described in a non-limiting manner in reference to the attached drawings.

[0090] Figure 1 A schematically shows in a side view a first embodiment of a support according to the invention in the usage position on the base of a cooking utensil located on a cooking surface of an induction cooking apparatus. Figure 1 B schematically shows in a bottom view the arrangement of three or four supports according to the invention in the usage position on the base of a cooking utensil.

[0091] Figure 2 schematically shows the placement of three and four supports according to a first embodiment of the invention on the base of a cooking utensil in the usage position.

[0092] Figures 3A to 3C show a second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figures 3A and 3B show, respectively, a top view and a bottom view of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figure 3C shows a view in section A-A of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention.

[0093] Figures 4A to 4C show a first embodiment of the second coating in the form of a cover corresponding, for example, to the second coating of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figures 4A and 4B show, respectively, a top view and a bottom view of said second coating in the form of a cover, for example, of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figure 4C shows a view in section B-B of said second coating in the form of a cover of, for example, said second embodiment of a support according to the invention.

[0094] Figures 5A to 5C show a first embodiment of the first coating in the form of a cover corresponding, for example, to the first coating of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figures 5A and 5B show, respectively, a top view and a bottom view of said first coating in the form of a cover, for example, of said second embodiment of a support according to the invention. Figure 5C shows a view in section C-C of said first coating in the form of a cover of, for example, said second embodiment of a support according to the invention.

[0095] Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0096] In a preferred first embodiment of the invention, the support according to the invention includes the features shown in Figure 2.

[0097] In this preferred embodiment, the support (1) according to the invention has a magnet (2), a first coating (4) which coats the upper face of said magnet (2), and a second coating (6) which coats the lower face of said magnet (2). Said magnet (2) is a SAMICO (Sm2Co17) magnet having a heat resistance of up to more than 300°C. Said magnet (2) has a flattened circular shape with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. Said first coating is made of a first polysiloxane-based material, particularly vulcanized vinyl- methyl-polysiloxane silicone having a Shore A hardness of 60 (+ / - 5) and a heat resistance of up to 280°C. Said first coating (4) is a layer of vulcanized vinyl-methyl- polysiloxane silicone with a thickness of 0.3 mm applied and adhered on the upper surface of the magnet. Said second coating (6) is made of a second material, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Said PTFE has a static friction coefficient of 0.06 to 0.09 determined on non-lubricated polished steel by means of the method of ASTM D-1894- 14, approved on March 1 , 2014 (DOI: 10.1520 / D1894-14). Said second coating (6) is a layer with a thickness of 0.3 mm applied and adhered on the lower surface of the magnet.

[0098] In a usage position such as the one shown in Figure 1A, said support is placed in the base of a kitchen utensil (II) for induction cooktops and is located between the base (B) of said cooking utensil (II) and the cooking surface (S) of the induction cooking apparatus (Cl). Based on the size of the base (B) of the cooking utensil (II), more than one support such as, for example, three supports (1a-1c) or four supports (1 d-1g), may be necessary to obtain suitable stability, and these supports may be placed on the base (B) of the cooking utensil, as shown in Figure 1 B.

[0099] In a second preferred embodiment, the support according to the invention is in the form of a magnetic coin, as shown in Figures 3A to 3C. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the support is formed by three parts. The first part is a magnet (2), particularly a SAMICO (Sm2Co17) magnet having a coin-like flattened circular cylinder shape with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. In this preferred embodiment, said support comprises two covers, a first cover which defines said second coating (36) and a second cover which defines said first coating (36). The characteristics of said first and second covers are described below as part of said second embodiment of the support according to the invention and as independent embodiments of said second and first coatings, respectively. In other words, the preferred embodiments of said first and second coatings described below can be combined with one another or combined respectively with other embodiments of said coatings to obtain a support according to the invention.

[0100] Figures 4A to 4C show a first embodiment of a second coating of a support according to the invention in the form of a first cover. The first cover (61) has a substantially plate shape, as shown in the cross-section view B-B of Figure 4C, with an upper face (611) and a lower face (613) of the first cover. The upper face (611) of the first cover has a substantially flat upper surface (612) of the first cover and a recess (614) in which said magnet can be housed, such that said magnet does not protrude beyond said upper surface (612) of the first cover (Figure 4A and Figure 4C). The lower face (613) of the first cover has a lower surface (615) of the first cover and a perimeter recess on said lower surface (616) of said first cover such that a projection is formed on said lower face of the first cover (613) (Figure 4B and Figure 4C). The first cover defines said second coating and is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with the same friction coefficient described above. The first cover has a total thickness of 3 mm and the lower perimeter recess (616) has a depth of 1 mm, leaving a thickness of 2 mm in the perimeter portion of the first cover. The recess (614) on the upper face of the first cover has the dimensions of the magnet, in this case a diameter of 10 mm and a depth of 2 mm, such that the upper surface (612) of the first cover has a ring shape with an inner diameter of 10 mm and an outer diameter of 20 mm. In any case, the recess (614) of the upper face of the first cover is adapted to the measurements of the magnet, such that the magnet fits into said recess and does not protrude beyond the upper surface (612) of said first cover. For example, in the case where the magnet has a third polytetrafluoroethylene coating, the recess (614) on the upper face of the first cover can adapt to the measurements of the magnet. This first cover provides a first coating of the lower surface of the magnet and allows the cooking utensil to slide on the cooking surface, in use, without causing scratches, while at the same time withstanding the high temperatures (over 300°C) that the cooking surface may reach without deforming or losing performance.

[0101] Figures 5A to 5C show a first embodiment of a first coating of a support according to the invention in the form of a second cover. The second cover (41) has a shape substantially complementary to the first cover (61) such that said first cover (41) can be fitted into said second cover (61) in a direction from said lower face to said upper face of said first cover, and such that said second cover (61) at least coats said upper surface of said first cover (41). In this first preferred embodiment of the first coating according to the invention, the second cover (41) has an inverted U-shaped cross-section with ends having a C-shaped cross-section (Figure 5C) such that when the first cover (61) is fitted into the second cover (41), the second cover (41) coats the upper surface (612), the perimeter surface, and at least partially said lower surface (615) of the first cover (61). The second cover (41) has an upper wall (411) defining an upper surface (43) of the second cover that is substantially flat and intended to be in contact with the base of said cooking utensil in the usage position, and a perimeter side wall (413) extending such that its oriented transversely with respect to the upper wall (411) and intended to be in contact with the perimeter surface of the first cover. Furthermore, the second cover (41) has a lower perimeter wall (415) extending from said perimeter side wall (413) and substantially parallel to said upper wall (411), forming a lower edge of said second cover, and defining a lower surface (45) of the second cover. This lower edge fits into the perimeter recess (616) of the lower face of the first cover, such that it secures the second cover (41) to the first cover (61). The upper wall (411) of the second cover has a circular shape and a diameter of 20 mm and the perimeter side wall (413) of the second cover has a length of 2.6 mm. The walls of the second cover have a wall thickness of 0.3 mm. The thickness of the walls of the second cover is adapted so that the lower edge of the second cover has a thickness smaller than the depth of the lower perimeter recess of the first cover, such that the second cover is not in contact with the cooking surface when the support is in the usage position, allowing only said first coating, in this case said first cover, to be in contact with the cooking surface and the support to slide thereon. In this embodiment of the invention, the lower edge (415) of the second cover has a length of 4.3 mm in a direction substantially parallel to the plane defining the upper wall (411) of the second cover, leaving an opening of 11.4 mm through which the assembly of the magnet fitted into the first cover can be inserted. The second cover defines the first coating of the support which coats the upper surface of the magnet and is made of a vulcanized vinyl- methyl-polysiloxane-based ATOX THT silicone. Vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane- based ATOX THT silicone is advantageous because it has a heat resistance of up to 280°C and a Shore A hardness of 60 (+ / - 5), providing it with mechanical properties which allow said support to remain in place on the base of the cooking utensil, on one hand, and prevent the movement thereof during use. This is due mainly to the friction forces achieved by the combination of the attraction force of magnet to the base, and the friction coefficient of the material of which the second cover (vulcanized vinyl-methyl- polysiloxane-based silicone) is made, preventing sliding on the base. Furthermore, vulcanized vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane-based silicone has mechanical properties that allow fitting the first cover without difficulty. The second cover also maintains its shape during use of the support at common cooking temperatures and up to, for example, 280°C in extreme cases. This allows the support according to this second embodiment of the invention to maintain its structural stability as a whole during use for a prolonged time, and despite the material of the first cover being able to experience small variations in size due to heat, as occurs for example in the case of a first PTFE cover, the support does not become disassembled.

[0102] The preferred embodiments of the invention described in Figures 3 to 5 provide, each and / or in combination, detachable solutions for the support according to the invention or a part thereof, in which any of the parts can be replaced if necessary. For example, the second cover can be replaced if it is damaged after a very prolonged use, without having to replace the entire support. The invention also contemplates preferred embodiments in which one of the coatings of the magnet is in the form of any of the two covers described above and the other coating is in a different form such as, for example, a layer applied on the surface of the magnetcover assembly to be coated, either in the form of paint (for example, silicone in the form of paint) and by means of any application method such as, for example, painting, spraying, or dipping.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support (1) for a cooking utensil (U) for induction cooktops (Cl), suitable for raising said cooking utensil (U) above a cooking surface (S), said cooking utensil (U) having a base (B), characterized in that it comprises a magnet (2), said magnet (2) having an upper surface of the magnet oriented in a usage position towards said base (B) of said cooking utensil (U), and a lower surface of the magnet opposite said upper surface of the magnet, and wherein said magnet has a first coating (4) which coats said upper surface of the magnet, said first coating being made of a first material having a first friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said base of said cooking utensil is made, and wherein said magnet has a second coating (6) which coats said lower surface of the magnet, said second coating being made of a second material having a second friction coefficient with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made, and wherein said first friction coefficient is greater than said second friction coefficient.

2. The support (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said first material is a heat-resistant polymeric material, more preferably said first material is a polysiloxane-based material, and in a particularly preferred manner said first material is vinyl-methyl-polysiloxane.

3. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said second material is a heat-resistant polymeric material, preferably said second material is a polyethylenebased material or a polyamide-based material or a polyacrylic-based material, and more preferably said second material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said second friction coefficient of said second material with respect to the material of which said cooking surface is made is such that it allows said support (1 ) to slide, during use, on said cookingsurface (S) without said support moving from its position in said base (B) of said cooking utensil (II).

5. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said second friction coefficient of said second material is equal to or less than 0.1 , preferably said second friction coefficient of said second material is comprised between 0.02 and 0.1 , when determined on non-lubricated polished steel by means of the method according to the ASTM D-1894-14 standard.

6. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said first friction coefficient of said first material with respect to the material of which said base (B) of said cooking utensil (II) is made is such that it prevents said support (1) from sliding on said base (B) of said cooking utensil (II) during use.

7. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first material has a Shore A hardness of between 50 and 90 when determined by means of the method according to the ISO 7619-1 :2010 standard.

8. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said magnet has a perimeter surface of the magnet, and in that said first coating and / or said second coating at partially coat said perimeter surface of the magnet.

9. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said support (1) has an upper surface of the support, a lower surface of the support and a perimeter surface or the support, and said upper surface is coated with said first coating (4), and said lower surface of the support has a perimetral recess such that the thickness of said support at the edge portion of the support is lower than the thickness of said support at the inner portion of support, and the inner portion of the lower surface of the support protrudes with regards to the edge portion of the lower surface of the support, and said protruding inner portion of the lower surface of the support is coated with said second coating (6).

10. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first coating (4) at least partially coats said perimeter surface of said support (1), and said first coating(4) at least partially coats said perimeter recess at the edge portion of the lower surface of the support (1), and said first and second coatings (4, 6) are configured such that said second coating (6) at the inner portion of said lower surface of the support (1) protrudes from said lower face of the support (1) with regards to the edge portion of the lower surface of the support.

11. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said second coating (6) at least partially coats said perimeter surface of the magnet, and wherein said first coating (4) at least partially coats the portion of said second coating (6) which coats said perimeter surface of the magnet, and said first coating (4) at least partially coats the portion of said second coating (6) which coats the edge of said lower surface of the magnet.

12. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein one of said first coating and said second coating consists of a first cover (36, 61) at least partially surrounding said magnet (2).

13. The support (1) according to claim 12, wherein the other one of said first coating and said second coating consists of a second cover (34, 41) at least partially surrounding the assembly of said magnet (2) and said first cover (36, 61), said first and second covers being formed and adapted so that said first coating is exposed on said upper face of said support (1) and in contact with said base (B) of said cooking utensil (II) in the usage position, and said second coating is exposed on said lower face of said support (1) and in contact with said cooking surface (S) in the usage position.

14. The support (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein said first cover (36, 61) defines said second coating and at least coats said lower surface of the magnet.

15. The support (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14 when they depend on claim 8, wherein said first cover (36, 61) furthermore coats said perimeter surface of the magnet.

16. The support (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said second cover (34, 41) defines said first coating and at least coats said upper surface of the magnet and / or an upper surface of the assembly of said magnet (2) with said first cover (36, 61).

17. The support (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said magnet (2) is fitted into said first cover (36), and the assembly of said magnet (2) with said first cover (36) is fitted into said second cover (34), such that said first cover (36) defines said second coating, and said second cover (34) defines said first coating.

18. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said support comprises two covers, a first cover (36, 61) with a substantially plate-like shape, said first cover (61) having an upper face (611) and a lower face (613) of the first cover, wherein said upper face (611) of the first cover has a substantially flat upper surface (612) of the first cover and a recess (614) in which said magnet can be housed, such that said magnet does not protrude beyond said upper surface (612) of the first cover, and wherein said lower face (613) of the first cover has a lower surface (615) of the first cover, and said lower face (613) of the first cover having a lower perimeter recess (616) on said lower surface (615) of said first cover such that a projection is formed on said lower face (613) of the first cover, and wherein said first cover (36, 61) defines said second coating; and a second cover (34, 41), wherein said second cover (41) has a shape substantially complementary to said first cover (61) such that said first cover can be fitted into said second cover in a direction from said lower face (613) to said upper face (611 ) of said first cover, and such that said second cover at least coats said upper surface (612) of said first cover (61) and said upper surface of said magnet (2), and wherein said second cover (34, 41) defines said first coating.

19. The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said support (1) has a substantially flattened circular cylinder shape.

20. The support (1) according to claim 19, wherein said support (1) has a diameter comprised between 1 and 10 cm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 cm, and in a particularly preferred manner between 2 and 3 cm.21 . The support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said support (1) has a thickness comprised between 1 and 5 mm, more preferably between 2 and 4 mm.

22. Kit of parts, characterized in that said kit of parts comprises a cooking utensil (II) for induction cooktops and at least one support (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably said kit of parts comprises at least three supports (1a-1c) according to any one of the preceding claims, and more preferably said kit of parts comprises at least four supports (1 d-1 g) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images