Raised Venting Lid Structure for Spill-Controlled Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lids with vent holes for pots and pans either allow uncontrolled dispersion of liquids or interfere with cooking due to concave or convex profiles, leading to uneven cooking and potential food contamination.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a flat profile and a central raised circular area, surrounded by a perimeter border and truncated-conical borders around holes, featuring a shield with a sloping profile to intercept and contain liquids, preventing them from falling back into the pot or spilling externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a convex lid profile is used with vent holes and shield, then liquid squirts are intercepted by the shield, but liquid drops slide towards the perimeter channel causing uncontrolled spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional convex lid profile to a concave profile. This inversion changes the flow direction of liquid drops from sliding outward to sliding inward toward the central depression, where they are contained rather than spilling over the perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameter of the lid profile from convex to concave, creating a central depression that acts as a liquid collection zone. This parameter change fundamentally alters liquid flow behavior and containment characteristics.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a concave lid profile is used to contain liquids in the central area, then liquid spilling is prevented, but liquid drops slide back into the pot through the vent holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lid surface into distinct functional zones: a central depression for liquid collection, raised rims surrounding the vent holes to act as barriers, and a peripheral area. This segmentation prevents liquid from sliding back into the pot by creating physical barriers at the vent hole locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local qualities to different areas of the lid: the central area has a concave depression for liquid collection, while the areas around vent holes have raised rims to prevent liquid re-entry. This local differentiation solves the contradiction between liquid containment and preventing re-entry.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a concave lid profile is used, then liquid containment is improved, but the cooking space height becomes irregular affecting uniform cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lid structure into a central depression zone and a peripheral flat zone. The peripheral flat zone maintains uniform cooking space height for consistent cooking, while the central depression zone provides liquid containment. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without compromising cooking uniformity.
4Productivity
If vent holes are positioned in the central area of the lid, then aqueous vapour evacuation is efficient, but liquid squirts are not screened effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shield as an intermediary element positioned between the vent holes and the external environment. The shield intercepts liquid squirts while allowing vapour to pass through the vent holes, thus mediating between the need for efficient vapour evacuation and liquid squirt prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different local qualities to different parts of the vent hole assembly: the shield provides liquid interception capability at the central vent hole location, while the raised rims around individual holes provide additional liquid barriers. This allows central positioning for vapour efficiency while maintaining liquid protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures uniform cooking by maintaining liquids within the central area, preventing uncontrolled spilling and interference with food, while maintaining efficient vapor evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
the drops of aqueous vapour and the squirts of liquids coming out of the holes tend to deposit on the lower wall of the protection shield, and inevitably fall on the upper surface of the lid
Implementation Method 2
Being it a convex surface, evidently the drops of aqueous vapour and liquids tend to slide towards the periphery of the lid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention refers to a lid (1) for pots, pans and similar items, of the type centrally provided with a shield (5) used to screen a series of through holes (8) drilled around the stem (5a) of the shield (5), characterised in that the shield (5) and the series of through holes (8) are situated in a central raised area (4), with upper flat surface and perimeter border (7).