Pot lid holder

Abstract

A pot lid holder, including: a flexible member; and a restraining mechanism that secures opposite ends of the flexible member together when the flexible member has been wrapped around a pot lid handle. The flexible member is configured to wrap under a pot lid handle, and preferably has a length of between 4 and 7 inches, an end width of between 2 and 4 inches, and a center width of between 1 and 3 inches.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention prevents a user from burning their hands when lifting a pot lid on a stove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pot lids become hot during cooking. Currently, many cooks have to resort to putting on oven mitts when peeking into pots on the stove. This is problematic since the cook is forced to put on and then take off their oven mitts many times when cooking. This makes cooking “clumsy”. A need exists to provide a system where a person cooking can open and close pot lids without burning their hands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pot lid holder, comprising: a flexible member; and a restraining mechanism that secures opposite ends of the flexible member together when the flexible member has been wrapped around a pot lid handle. The flexible member is preferably made from silicone, plastic, or fabric, but is not so limited. Other materials may be used. In one embodiment, the restraining mechanism may comprise an elastic that wraps around the flexible member. In another embodiment, the restraining mechanism may comprise snap connectors disposed at the opposite ends of the flexible membrane.

In one preferred embodiment, the flexible member has a length of between 4 and 7 inches, an end width of between 2 and 4 inches, and a center width of between 1 and 3 inches. Preferably, the flexible member has an end width at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width. It is to be understood, however, that such dimensions are merely exemplary, and are not limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the pot lid holder, having an elastic band-type restraining mechanism.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a first steep in using the device of FIG. 1, showing the pot lid holder being slipped under the handle of a pot lid.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a second steep in using the device of FIG. 1, showing the ends of the device being held together above the pot lid.

FIG. 2C is an illustration of a third steep in using the device of FIG. 1, showing the elastic band restraining mechanism wrapped around the flexible member.

FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention, similar to FIG. 2C, but with snap connectors instead holding the ends of the device together.

FIG. 4 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention which does not have a separate restraining mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, with the use of the device shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, as follows.

FIG. 1 shows pot lid holder 10, comprising: a flexible member 12; and a restraining mechanism 14. As illustrated, restraining mechanism 14 may simply be an elastic 15 that wraps around flexible member 12. Elastic 15 is preferably attached to flexible member 12, but need not be attached.

Flexible member 12 may optionally be made from silicone, but is not so limited. For example, flexible member 12 may also be made from plastic, fabric or any other suitable material. Preferably, the material which forms flexible member 12 is selected such that it has a sufficiently high coefficient of friction such that it holds onto pot lid handle 20 (FIGS. 2A to 4) without slipping. In addition, the material which forms flexible member 12 is preferably selected such it insulates a user from the heat of pot lid handle 20.

Referring next to FIG. 2A, a user slips one end of flexible member 12 underneath of a pot lid handle 20. Next, as seen in FIG. 2B, the user pulls both of the ends of flexible member 12 together above pot lid handle 20. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 2C, flexible elastic member 14 is stretched around flexible member 12, locking flexible member 12 around pot lid handle 20 pointing upwards, when flexible member 12 has been wrapped around pot lid handle 20, as shown. Due to the flexible nature of member 12 and the elastic nature of restraint 15, the present pot lid holder 10 will easily remain at a fixed location, with its ends pointing upwards, as shown.

In preferred embodiments, flexible member 12 has a length L of between 4 and 7 inches. This is advantageous in that it keeps the cooks hands some safe distance above heated pot lid handle 20.

Also in preferred embodiments, flexible member 12 has an end width EW of between 2 and 4 inches; and a center width CW of between 1 and 3 inches. Most preferably, flexible member 12 has an end width EW that is at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width CW. These dimensions are advantageous as follows. First, having a width of at least 2 inches, it is easy for a cook to grasp onto the pot lit holder. However, having a width of less than 4 inches, it is easy to slip flexible membrane 12 under standard sized pot lid handles 20. Second, having an end width EW that is at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width CW helps to fix elastic member 15 around pot lid handle 20. Specifically, having the narrowest portion of the device at its center urges elastic 14 downwards towards pot lid handle 20.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which restraining mechanism 14 instead comprises a series of snap connectors 16 disposed near the ends of flexible membrane 12. Snap connectors 16 may be cut, formed, molded or attached onto flexible membrane 12.

Lastly, FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in which flexible membrane 12 has sufficient rigidity to wrap around pot lid handle 20 such that an additional restraint 14 (such as elastic band 15 or snaps 16) is not required.

Claims

1. A pot lid holder, comprising:

a flexible member; and

a restraining mechanism that secures opposite ends of the flexible member together when the flexible member has been wrapped around a pot lid handle.

2. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is made from at least one of the group consisting of silicone, plastic or fabric.

3. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises:

an elastic that wraps around the flexible member.

4. The pot lid holder of claim 3, wherein the elastic is affixed to the flexible member.

5. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises:

snap connectors disposed at the opposite ends of the flexible membrane.

6. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a length of between 4 and 7 inches.

7. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has an end width of between 2 and 4 inches.

8. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a center width of between 1 and 3 inches.

9. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has an end width at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width.

10. A pot lid holder, comprising:

a flexible member configured to wrap under a pot lid handle, the flexible member having a length of between 4 and 7 inches, an end width of between 2 and 4 inches, and a center width of between 1 and 3 inches.

11. The pot lid holder of claim 10, wherein the flexible member is made from at least one of the group consisting of silicone, plastic or fabric.

12. The pot lid holder of claim 10, wherein the flexible member has an end width at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width.