Kitchen utensil

Abstract

A kitchen utensil (10) is provided with a disk-shaped body (12) being configured as a tense elastic foil (14) in its central area (13) and reinforced at its rim (16). The kitchen utensil may be used as a keep-fresh lid for keep-fresh containers, as a microwave lid for microwave trays, as well as a mat for pots and the like (FIG. 2).

Description

CROSSREFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International patent application PCT/EP2005/007129 filed on Jul. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, generally, is related to the field of household appliances and utensils.

More specifically, the invention is related to small kitchen utensils.

Still more specifically, the present invention is related to a kitchen utensil that may be used as a keep-fresh lid, as a microwave oven lid or as a mat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of keep-fresh containers, keep-fresh boxes are known consisting of a container portion and a lid, wherein a vacuum may be generated within the container portion when the lid has been put thereon, the vacuum contributing in keeping somewhat longer fresh a foodstuff within the keep-fresh box.

German Utility Model specification DE 82 27 597 U1, for example, discloses a vacuum provisions container for easily perishable products. A manually operable air pump is integrated into the lid of that prior art container. When the lid is put on, the user can generate a vacuum within the container by pushing down the lid several times.

This prior art container has the disadvantage that on the one hand a lid of complicated design is required that may be manufactured only at correspondingly high costs. The lid, further, is difficult to clean which is of particular disadvantage for kitchen utensils that come into contact with perishable foodstuffs. Finally, both hands must be used for actuating the pump mechanism because one hand has to firmly grip the container and the other hand must push down the lid.

British patent specification GB 1.237.542 A discloses a keep-fresh box. This prior art box has a lid being convex in its rest position and being of an elastic material. The lid is put on a container portion with a snugly fitting rim. The lid is then pressed down by hand and is turned down until it assumes a convex shape entering into the container portion. When doing so, air escapes from the container portion because corresponding ribs are provided at the bottom side of the lid in the area where it rests on the container portion rim. The lid is now grasped by means of a ring provided at a top side thereof, and is pulled upwardly, i.e. turned up which results in the formation of a vacuum within the container portion.

This prior art keep-fresh box has the disadvantage that it is quite cumbersome to handle. Moreover, the lid may only be used together with a container portion being exactly matched thereto in shape. Further, the design of the lid is difficult because its deformation behavior must exactly be such that the convex shape remains stably unchanged after the turning up, although there is a vacuum inside. Finally the turning up and down imposes a considerable alternating load on the rim portion of the lid such that it may not be excluded that the rim will break already after a relatively short time period of use.

In the field of lids adapted to be used in microwave ovens, hereinafter referred to as “microwave lids”, lids are known that are put like a hood on a tray that contains a foodstuff which shall be heated up in the microwave oven. Considering that the heating up takes place very quickly and the foodstuff may spurt, the lid is required in order to protect the interior of the microwave oven against such spurts, for example grease spurts. On the other hand, the lid must not close the tray tightly because the lid might be blasted away due to the rapid heating up, causing the formation of an over-pressure within the tray. Prior art microwave lids, therefore, have openings in their upper portion allowing a pressure compensation. However, grease spurts may escape through such openings.

In the field of mats, configurations of the most different kind are known for protecting a sensitive surface, for example a wooden surface of a kitchen table or of a dining table against soiling or against a scorching damage, when a hot pot or a hot pan is put down on that surface. Prior art mats, therefore, consist of a thermally insulating material (wood, plastic material, tissue) and are plate-shaped.

These prior art devices have in common that they are adapted to be used solely for their own purpose. In the field of keep-fresh containers, for example, the particularly used lid may only be used for a particular container portion. However, in particular within a kitchen it is desirable, in view of the available space, to provide utensils that may be used for a variety of different uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object underlying the invention, to develop further a kitchen utensil of the type specified at the outset such that a multiple-use utensil is made available which, moreover, is superior in a particular field of use to conventional utensils from that field of use.

In a kitchen utensil of the type specified at the outset this object is achieved in that it comprises a disk-shaped body configured as a tense elastic foil in its central area and being reinforced at its rim.

The object underlying the invention is entirely solved in this surprisingly simple manner.

If, namely, the kitchen utensil is put on the rim of a container portion of a keep-fresh container, it is sufficient to slightly press down the central area of the kitchen utensil for effecting a long-term and effective closure of the container portion. The tensed foil, namely, acts as a membrane which displaces air from the container portion when pressed down and generates a vacuum within the container portion upon returning elastically. Experiments have shown that this vacuum remains for several days and, further, may be subjected to mechanical stress. The handling of the kitchen utensil is extremely simple because the user can lay the kitchen utensil down on the container portion and can press the foil down thereafter with the same hand. In contrast to the prior art discussed above, the container portion needs not to be firmly held by the other hand.

The kitchen utensil according to the present invention may be used for keep-fresh boxes, keep-fresh trays and the like in order to prevent that sensitive foodstuffs like salads, sauces, ice cream and the like perish prematurely.

The kitchen utensil, however, may likewise be used as a protective lid that prevents an unintentional spilling of, for example liquid contents of foodstuff containers. Experiments have shown that the kitchen utensil of the present invention may advantageously be used as a cover for a beer mug when the latter is brought from a bar to a table within a restaurant which, in the case of a beer garden or of a marquee may be located at a considerable distance from the bar. If a waiter carries several beer mugs simultaneously, it may happen under crowded circumstances that beer is spilled over on the clothing of guests. This may be reliably prevented when the kitchen utensil of the present invention is used. In that use, the kitchen utensil sticks to the filled beer mug so tightly that, as has been found out in the course of the experiments mentioned above, the mug may even be held upside down without the beer leaking out.

The kitchen utensil of the present invention, further, may be used as a microwave lid. In that case it is advantageous that the lid, lying loosely on a microwave tray, on the one hand enables a pressure compensation between the interior of the microwave tray and the exterior and, on the other the closed surface of the foil prevents spurting out. This holds true, in particular, when the kitchen utensil is provided with certain further preferred features. The same holds true for the use as a mat. This and other uses will be discussed further below.

The kitchen utensil of the present invention may be configured in different ways. It is preferred when it is configured circular disk shaped or oval or rectangular.

This measure has the advantage that the kitchen utensil may be configured optimally depending on how it is intended to be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the rim is integral with the foil.

This measure has the advantage that the kitchen utensil may be manufactured easily by molding process, in particular by injection molding process.

A particularly good effect is achieved when the foil is configured smooth on one surface.

This measure has the advantage that for the use as a keep-fresh lid the vacuum within the container portion may be held over a long period of time when the smooth surface snugly fits to the rim of the container portion.

This holds particularly true when the foil consists of silicone.

This measure has the additional advantage that silicone is a material which is uncritical under foodstuff safety standards. Moreover, utensils made from silicone may be manufactured with smooth, almost sticky surfaces. Finally, silicone is heat resistant up to about 250° C. and is thermally insulating which is of importance for a use as a mat.

It is, further, preferred when the foil has a thickness of between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably of between 1 and 1.5 mm.

These dimensions have turned out to be optimal during experiments, in particular when silicone is used.

In embodiments of the invention the foil is provided with a reinforcement in a center of the central area.

In case of a use as a keep-fresh lid this measure has the advantage that the point being mechanically stressed during pressing down is configured reinforced, so that foil fracture damages caused by continuing deformation must not be expected.

Practically, the reinforcement is configured as a thickening of the foil.

This, too, has the advantage that the kitchen utensil may be manufactured as a whole by one injection molding operation.

In further embodiments of the invention the rim is reinforced by an embedded metallic reinforcing element, in particular by a ring.

This measure has the advantage that the reinforcement may be effected by a relatively small element, which, in turn may be embedded in the course of an injection molding operation.

In a further development of the invention the rim has a height being essentially two to six times, preferably four to five times as big as the thickness of the foil.

This measure, on the one hand, has the advantage that there is sufficient space at the rim for providing there a reinforcing element. On the other hand, in the event of a use as a mat there is the advantage that the hot pot is held with its bottom at a distance from the sensitive surface e.g. of the dining table, wherein the air cushion between the bottom and the surface additionally acts as thermal insulation in addition to the foil.

In this context it is also preferred when the rim is as high as the reinforcement.

In case of a use as a mat this measure has the advantage that the pot bottom is also supported in its center, so that the weight load does not only rest on the rim.

Another group of embodiments of the invention is characterized in that the foil is provided with a plurality of ribs on a surface thereof, the ribs extending from a rim in a direction towards a center of the kitchen utensil.

In particular in case of a use as a microwave lid this measure has the advantage that a still more effective pressure compensation is made possible between the interior of the microwave tray and its exterior through the interstices between the ribs, without negatively affecting the covering action of the foil because the pressure compensation happens at the bottom side of the lid.

In further variations of this embodiment the ribs have a length being one half of the distance between the rim and the center. Further, the ribs have a height being smaller than a height of the rim.

Further advantages will become apparent from the description and the enclosed drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned before and those that will explained hereinafter may not only be used in the particularly given combination but also in other combinations or alone without leaving the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and will be explained in the subsequent description.

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a kitchen utensil according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevational, sectional view of the kitchen utensil of FIG. 1 on a somewhat enlarged scale;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a schematic side elevational view of a first use of a kitchen utensil of the present invention as a keep-fresh lid, in two operational conditions;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic side elevational view of a second use of a kitchen utensil of the present invention as a microwave lid;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic side elevational view of a third use of a kitchen utensil of the present invention as a mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 and 2 reference numeral 10 as a whole designates an embodiment of a kitchen utensil according to the present invention. Kitchen utensil 10 is provided with a disk-shaped body 12. In the embodiment shown, body 12 has a circular shape, however, it may likewise be shaped oval or rectangular or otherwise, to the extent as this is technically possible and makes sense in the present context.

In its inner area, body 12 consists of a plane foil 14, and in its outer area it consists of a reinforced rim. The reinforcement thereof is configured by a reinforcing element 18, for example by a metallic ring. The reinforcing element is, preferably, embedded in rim 16.

Foil 14, preferably, is made from silicone and is integral with rim 16. Through the thermal production process of molding or injection-molding, foil 14 is tensed within the reinforcement of rim 16 during the cooling down and acts as a membrane or a drum skin.

Ribs 20 are provided on a first surface being an upper surface in FIG. 2. Ribs 20 extend with a length l in a radial direction from rim 16 to a center 23 of body 12, however, only along a portion of the distance between rim 16 and center 23, namely preferably along one half of that distance.

Further, a reinforcement 22 is provided at center 23, and is, preferably, configured as a thickening of foil 14. Ribs 20 and reinforcement 22, preferably, are likewise manufactured integral and together with foil 14.

A second surface being the lower surface in FIG. 2 is, preferably, made smooth.

In practical embodiments, body 12 may have a diameter D being of the same order of magnitude as the diameter of conventional trays, pots or pans, i.e. between 10 and 40 cm. Diameters of 20, 24, 28, and 32 cm would be practical, for example as a set.

The thickness d of foil 14 may be in the range of between 0.5 and 2 mm, depending on the material used and on the size of body 12. A range of between 1 and 1.5 mm would be preferred when silicone is used and for the diameters D specified above.

The height H of rim 16 is two times to six times, preferably four times to five times as big as thickness d of foil 14. Rim 16, further is as high as reinforcement 23, whereas ribs 20 are configured somewhat flatter.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show three distinct uses of kitchen utensil 10.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B a first use of kitchen utensil 10 is shown, namely as a keep-fresh lid 10a of a keep-fresh container 34.

As one can see, keep-fresh lid 10a was put with a rim area 30 of smooth, lower surface 24 on a rim 32 of a box 34 or a tray, a beer mug or the like. Thereby, an interior 36 of box 34 is closed.

If now a force is exerted on reinforcement 22 at center 23 of foil 14, as illustrated by an arrow 38 in FIG. 3B, foil 14, acting as a membrane due to its elasticity and its inherent tension, will be deformed downwardly with its central area 13, as indicated in FIG. 3B with 13′ and 14′. Interior 36 is, thus, reduced to 36′. When the force is removed, deformed foil 14′ will automatically return into its initial position 14 of FIG. 3A due to its elasticity and inherent tension. A vacuum is now established within interior 36. As foil 14, consisting, preferably, of silicone, tightly adjoins rim 32 with its smooth surface 24, the vacuum remains over a long period of time.

FIG. 14 shows a second use of kitchen utensil 10 as a microwave lid.

In that case kitchen utensil 10 is turned upside down, as compared to the use according to FIGS. 3A and 3B, i.e. with its ribs facing downwardly, and is then put with ribs 20 on a rim 40 of a microwave tray 42. An interior 44 of microwave tray 42 is now, on the one hand, entirely covered upwardly because foil 14 covers the entire interior 44. On the other hand, a pressure compensation to the exterior is possible because air may flow outwardly through the interstice between the ribs or inwardly, as indicated by an arrow 46.

FIG. 5, finally, shows still a third use of kitchen utensil 10 as a mat 10c.

As one can see, kitchen utensil 10 was put on a support 50, for example a surface of a table, as a mat 10c with ribs 20 again facing upwardly. A pot 52 or a pan or the like rests with a bottom surface of its bottom 56 on mat 10c, namely in the area of rim 16, and, if the central reinforcement 22 is made with the same height, also on the latter. Thereby, between bottom 56 and support 50, there is not only foil 14 acting as a thermally insulating element, but also an air cushion existing within the interior of rim 16.

Claims

1. A kitchen utensil having a disk-shaped body with a rim, said disk-shaped body being configured as a tense elastic foil in a central area thereof and being reinforced at said rim.

2. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said body is configured circular disk shaped.

3. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said body is configured oval.

4. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said body is configured rectangular.

5. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said rim is integral with said foil.

6. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil is configured smooth on one surface thereof.

7. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil consists of silicone.

8. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil has a thickness of between 0.5 and 2 mm.

9. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil has a thickness of between 1 and 1.5 mm.

10. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil is provided with a reinforcement in a center of said central area.

11. The kitchen utensil of claim 10, wherein said reinforcement is configured as a thickening of said foil.

12. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said rim is reinforced by an embedded metallic reinforcing element.

13. The kitchen utensil of claim 12, wherein said reinforcing element is configured as a ring.

14. The kitchen utensil of claim 9, wherein said rim has a height being essentially two to six times as big as a thickness of said foil.

15. The kitchen utensil of claim 9, wherein said rim has a height being essentially four to five times as big as a thickness of said foil.

16. The kitchen utensil of claim 10, wherein said rim is as high as said reinforcement.

17. The kitchen utensil of claim 1, wherein said foil is provided with a plurality of ribs on a surface thereof, said ribs extending from said rim in a direction towards a center of said kitchen utensil.

18. The kitchen utensil of claim 17, wherein said ribs have a length being one half of said distance between said rim and said center.

19. The kitchen utensil of claim 17, wherein said ribs have a height being smaller than a height of said rim.

20. A keep-fresh lid for a keep-fresh container having a disk-shaped body with a rim, said disk-shaped body being configured as a tense elastic foil in a central area thereof and being reinforced at said rim.

21. A keep-fresh container comprising a keep-fresh lid having a disk-shaped body with a rim, said disk-shaped body being configured as a tense elastic foil in a central area thereof and being reinforced at said rim.

22. A lid for a microwave oven container having a disk-shaped body with a rim, said disk-shaped body being configured as a tense elastic foil in a central area thereof and being reinforced at said rim.

23. The lid of claim 19, wherein said foil is provided with a plurality of ribs on a surface thereof, said ribs extending from said rim in a direction towards a center of said lid and having a height being smaller than a height of said rim.

24. A mat for supporting a pot or the like, having a disk-shaped body with a rim, said disk-shaped body being configured as a tense elastic foil in a central area thereof and being reinforced at said rim.

25. The mat of claim 24, wherein said rim has a height being essentially two to six times as big as a thickness of said foil.

26. The mat of claim 25, wherein said foil is provided with a reinforcement in a center of said central area, said rim being as high as said reinforcement.