Abstract: A pressure cooker has a cover which is removably secured in pressure-tight relation to the cooker body. The cover has a centrally disposed valve, which regulates pressure development in the cooker, and an over-pressure release plug in the cover margin adjacent a cover handle, which separates from the cover in response to excessive pressure development in the cooker is captivated by an overhang portion of the cover handle which directs the escaping fluids away from the hand grip portion of the handle. The cooker also has a pressure-actuated interlock in the margin of its cover opposite the cover handle which inhibits removal of the cover when the cooker is in a pressurized condition, and prevents pressure build up in the cooker when the cover is incompletely locked to the cooker body.

Abstract: A plug fixed within a provided opening in the wall of a pressure cooker releases therefrom when excessive pressure builds up in the cooker. The plug contains an air vent in which a pressure-actuated closure member operates. The closure member has an outer head which rests on the plug about the air vent when the cooker is in an unpressurized state, a stem which loosely extends through the air vent and an inner head having a shoulder which sealingly engages the underside of the plug about the air vent to close the cooker interior to atmosphere, the inner head also having a larger diametered flange which catches the cooker wall when the plug is ejected from the provided opening in response to excessive pressure build up in the cooker.