Cooking lid and utensil holder

Abstract

A pot lid and/or cooking utensil holder for use on a counter or table surface to receive a hot, dripping pot or pan lid, as well as most common cooking utensils while cooking. The device contains a relatively planar base comprising a wall extending vertically at each end in parallel. One of the walls extends higher than the other and contains a large v shaped opening to permit the knob or handle of a lid or utensil to rest within. The two walls are spaced apart to allow a pot lid to be placed vertically within the space, resting on the anterior surface of the base and leaning at an angle against the higher lateral wall. The anterior surface of the base includes a depressed area or channel in which to capture drippings from the lid or utensil.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This invention relates to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/464,804 filed on Apr. 24, 2003. It describes a Cooking Lid and Utensil Holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention describes a device for temporarily storing a pot/pan lid or cooking utensil while cooking.

[0003] While cooking, it is often necessary to remove a hot, dripping pot or pan lid and place it on a countertop or other surface to stir, add ingredients, or serve the meal. This creates not only a mess, but introduces the possibility of contamination by bacteria and microorganisms that exist on these surfaces. Until the development of the present device, there has been no truly effective, practical, stable, and simple solution to this problem. There have been many attempts to address this common problem, yet necessary key factors in functionality and utility of these inventions have been absent.

PRIOR ART STATEMENT

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,616 issued to Jack Carney on Jul. 7, 1992 describes a device for holding pot lids and/or cooking utensils. The device includes a first generally planar component with separate notches, apertures, ledges or the like for supporting pot lids or cooking utensils. A second generally planar component is mounted to the first planar component to support this component and to selectively receive cooking utensils supported by the first planar component, as well as retain any drippings from the utensils.

[0005] It can be immediately observed in FIG. 1 of the aforementioned patent that this device is unstable and will not support most cooking lids unless they where perfectly balanced and small in size. Furthermore, the device is impractical, as it is extremely limited in the utensils it can support and would allow a pot lid without a curved ridge to drip onto countertop.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,673 issued to Patricia Dooley on Nov. 9, 1999 that describes a magnetic cooking utensil holder which allows a user to temporarily secure hot pan lids while cooking eliminating the undesirable practice of placing hot and sometimes soiled lids on a counter top. This device includes a horizontal tubular magnet having a plurality of support legs pivotally attached thereto, which expand to form a tripod type support structure. A drip tray for collecting condensate or food residue adhering to the lid is removably attached to a pair of opposing support legs. A pair of opposing side arms each extending from an end of the magnet have a plurality of vertically aligned magnetic strips thereon for receiving additional cooking utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons.

[0007] This device again proves to be impractical, as only ferromagnetic items will attach to it. Second the device is limited to a specific size of lids and will not support smaller lids. The third disadvantage is that it is requires extensive and continual cleaning of its components to remain sanitary.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,945 issued to Nikolai Melkonian on Aug. 13, 1991 describes a cooking pot lid holder accessory enabling cooking pot lids to be conveniently and readily stored with much less dripping and in the desired closeness of the cooking stove where the lids may be used and reused as cooking demands require. The device is described as a vertically disposed bore angularly mounting therein a plurality of bearing members in stacked relation. Each bearing member mounts, at right angles thereto, an independently movable arm. On the outer end of each arm is a pot lid knob-engaging double spring member, specifically including an arcuate first spring portion and an arcuate second spring portion facing the first spring portion. Pot lids are retained in the spring members in an upside down fashion so as to minimize dripping of condensation when so held.

[0009] A main disadvantage of the device noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,945 is that it requires a wall or stable-mounting surface before it can utilized in any way making it impractical. Furthermore, it can hold only lids and cannot accommodate cooking utensils.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of this invention is to provide a cooking lid and utensil holder which is universal in use, ensures stable support of virtually any pot or pan lid, regardless of size or shape, is simple to use, simple to clean, requires no moving parts to function, directs and contains condensation and/or drippings, and supports virtually any cooking utensil. These utensils include, but are not limited to large stirring spoons, spatulas, ladles, forks, knives, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Provided is an invention of a Cooking Lid and Utensil holder comprised of a relatively planar base with two lateral walls extending upward in parallel. A space is present between these walls. One of these lateral walls extends higher than the other and exhibits a V or U shaped opening which allows a knob or handle of a cooking lid or utensil to exist within. For use as a cooking lid or utensil holder, the device is placed on a counter top next to a stove or oven. A pot or pan lid is placed within the structure and rested on its rim, upon the anterior surface of the base, between the lateral walls, with its internal side at an angle slightly upward of vertical, leaning against the lateral wall with said opening. For cooking lids with a curved outer rim, this angle allows the retention of condensation within the lids ridge. The device also provides a formed channel within one or both of said lateral walls, leading downward into the anterior surface of the base to form a receptacle in which condensation and/or overflow of fluids can be directed and contained for easy removal at a later time. Utensils can also be placed in said structure and supported wherein the handle of the utensil rests and protrudes through the v shaped opening of said lateral wall while the utility portion of the utensil rests within the body of the device, between the lateral walls and upon the anterior surface of said base. The device presents as one structure likely produced by injection mold process or similar manufacture. The device is may be constructed of ceramic or porcelain material but can be produced in many materials including, but not limited to high heat plastic, cast aluminum, resin, or other materials that originate in pliable form for pouring or molding construction. The structure can also be produced using formed alloys such as stainless steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1—is a general three-dimensional view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder in its complete structure.

[0013] FIG. 2—is a side elevational view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder including a cross sectional view of the central receptacle shown in broken line form.

[0014] FIG. 3—is a rear elevational view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder including a cross sectional view of the central receptacle shown in broken line form.

[0015] FIG. 4—is Top photographic view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder presenting the internal reservoir. (This photograph is presented, as the channel/reservoir structure could not be effectively conveyed in line drawing.)

[0016] FIG. 5—is a three dimensional photographic image of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder more effectively showing the internal channel and reservoir of the device. (This photograph is presented, as the channel/reservoir structure could not be effectively conveyed in line drawing.)

[0017] FIG. 6—is an elevational side view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder with a cooking lid being supported by the holder.

[0018] FIG. 7—is a three dimensional view of a universal cooking lid and utensil holder with a cooking utensil (Ladle) being supported by the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in its complete structure. Illustrated is a cooking lid and utensil holder comprised of a relatively planar base, 1 with a wall extending upward at a right angle, at each end of said base. A space exists between the two vertical walls 13, in which to receive a cooking lid and/or utensil. The first of these vertical walls 2 extends above the other and exhibits a large U or V shaped opening 4 beginning at its top and continuing downward to end approximately midway within said vertical wall. This opening creates two prong like extensions 10 & 11, which allow the knob or handle of a cooking lid or utensil 17 to exist within while the lid or utensil rests in place. The second vertical wall 3 extends upward approximately half the height of the first and ends at a right angle inward, comprising a lip, the width of said wall, along the inner surface of that wall and protruding into the space between the two lateral components 5. A cooking lid 16 is placed vertically in between the parallel walls. There the lid comes to rest on its outer rim 18 within the space and leans at an angle less than 90 against the inner surface of the larger vertical wall 12. The lip 5 along the inner surface of the second vertical wall is present to prevent a cooking lid or utensil from toppling out of the said device. This is best illustrated in FIG. 6. A channel, somewhat shallow in nature, exists within the inner surface of the second vertical wall, wider at its top and tapering downward to end as a receptacle within anterior surface of the base 8. This channel, referred to as the drip channel, directs fluids running off a hot, dripping cooking lid downward along said channel and into the receptacle existing between the parallel walls 9. The fluid can be retained within this receptacle for disposal at a later time. This receptacle gives way to two lateral ridges bridging the space between the first and second vertical wall 6 & 6a. The ridges exist along the top portion and are one with the lateral sides of the entire structure 14 & 14a. These ridges are upon which the outer rim of the cooking lid rests. The ridges keep the cooking lid elevated from the captured condensate as can be appreciated in FIG. 6 to prevent cross contamination of the retained fluids. A clear view of these structures can be seen in FIG. 2. The receptacle, or reservoir, is viewed in broken line form. As shown in FIG. 2, two small V shaped notches exist where the inner surface of the first vertical wall meets the anterior surface of the base 7 & 7a. These notches provide an area in which a small utensil such as a knife can be placed across in secure nature. The notches 7 & 7a also allow a larger cooking lid to be positioned at an angle closer to 90 degrees. This shifts the point of gravity and secures the larger lid more effectively. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the entire invention in which the interior portion of the extending prongs can be observed 10 & 11. The outward curved appearance of these structures has no bearing on its functionality and may exhibit any decoration to improve aesthetics. A top view of the entire structure can be appreciated in FIG. 4. As shown in this view, the two lateral ridges 7 & 7a slope inward towards the interior receptacle in which to direct condensation and retain the fluids within the receptacle 15 & 15a. Also observed is said lip, which protrudes inward from the interior surface of the second vertical wall 5. FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of the structure in which the lateral ridges 6 & 6a and small v shaped notches within the ridges 7 & 7a can be more easily observed. The point at which the drip channel 8 meets the surface of the receptacle 9 can also be seen in this view. FIG. 6 clearly defines the relationship between the position of the cooking lid and the device as well as a lateral view of the drip channel 8 and receptacle 9. The drip channel 8 and reservoir 9 are shown in broken line form. The nature in which a cooking lids knob or handle 17 protrudes through the opening 4 in the first vertical wall can also be observed in this view. As shown in FIG. 7, a cooking utensil such as a ladle is placed within the device as to secure the base of the utensil 20 within the interior space between the two vertical walls and allow the handle of the utensil 19 to rest within the opening of the first vertical wall 4. This secures the utensil more effectively and positions the utensil facing downward to direct and contain the fluids remaining on the utensil within the receptacle. The utensil also remains elevated as it rests upon the lateral ridges of the receptacle, which aids to reduce cross contamination of old condensate and/fluid. The presented cooking lid and utensil holder can be painted in virtually any color or with painted design to improve its appearance. While this invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and forgoing description, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described and that any changes and/or modifications that come within the spirit of this invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A cooking lid and utensil holder for temporarily storing a cooking lid or cooking utensil while cooking. The lid holder being adapted to hold a cooking lid in a generally vertical orientation and comprising:

a generally planar base, wherein no defined thickness be relevant, of which to place on a counter top or table surface.

a wall existing at a right angle and extending vertically at one end of said base, commensurable in height to the length of said base.

a second wall existing at a right angle and extending vertically at the opposite end of said in parallel to first wall.

a space existing between said first and second wall where a cooking lid may be placed, standing on its outer rim, and with its body leaning against one of the said walls.

2. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1 comprising a channel or receptacle existing within the surface of said base, between said first and second wall, which extends at a right angle up one or both vertical walls in which to direct and retain condensation and fluids dripping from a cooking lid or utensil.

3. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein first vertical wall contains an opening, originating at its top and continuing downward to approximately midway of said wall, and at a width necessary to receive a cooking lid knob or handle.

4. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the second vertical wall extending half the height of the first presents at a right angle an inward a projection or lip, the width of that wall, in which to prevent a cooking lid or utensil from toppling out of said holder.

5. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 2 comprising two raised ridges along the sides of said channel on which a cooking lid and/or utensil rests, wherein it remains elevated from condensation and/or fluids retained in said receptacle.

6. The cooking lid and utensil holder according to claim 5 wherein a small v shaped notch exists along each raised ridge at the point said ridge meets the first vertical wall, wherein to permit placement of a knife or small utensil, or hold an oversized cooking lid in a more balanced and secure position.