SPATTER SHIELD

Abstract

A spatter screen for a cookware item has a screen element with at least one planar surface formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber, a rim about said screen element; and a handle extending from the rim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/279,516 filed 2 May 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cookware items and, more particularly, to a spatter screen for use with cookware items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the cooking of food within a cookware item such as a pot or pan, spattering of high temperature grease, oil or food may occur. This occurrence presents a risk of burn to any person standing in the vicinity of the cookware item. This occurrence also causes surroundings to be soiled.

To prevent such spattering, it is known to employ the use of a spatter screen over the cookware item. U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,596 describes an exemplary prior art spatter screen. The spatter screen includes a circular metallic rim, a handle attached to the rim, and an aluminum screen retained within the rim. During use, the spatter screen is placed loosely on top of a frying pan to prevent spatter from the pan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A spatter screen for a cookware item has a screen element with at least one planar surface formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber, a rim about said screen element; and a handle extending from the rim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view;

FIG. 2 is a front view;

FIG. 3 is a back view;

FIG. 4 is a side view;

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 rotated 180 degrees;

FIG. 6 is a top view; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, spatter screen 10 is for a cookware item (not shown) such as a pot, pan or skillet, to be used in the well-known and conventional manner to block spattering, yet let steam and heat dissipate. Spatter screen 10 includes a screen element 12 with at least one planar surface 14 (FIG. 7) formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber. A rim 16 forms a perimeter about the screen element 12. A handle 18 extends from the rim 16.

The screen element 12 in one embodiment is integrally formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber. The term “integrally formed of silicone rubber” means, in the context of the present invention, that the screen element 12 is made out of silicone material alone without any other component material. A plurality of cylindrical walls 20 (FIG. 6) are formed in the screen element to create perforations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the screen element 12 includes a plurality of ribs 22. The ribs 22 have a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface 14 to space the screen element surface 14 away from a plane formed by edges 24 of the ribs 22. That the edges 24 all lie in one plane is best illustrated in FIGS. 2-5. While many configurations of ribs would be possible, in the preferred configuration illustrated the ribs 22 are longitudinal and extend in directions from a center 26 (FIG. 7) of the screen element surface 14 towards the rim 16. In addition, the screen element surface 14 is circular about center 26, and the ribs 22 are radial in orientation. The ribs 22 extend from a medial portion 28 (FIG. 7) of the screen element surface 14 to the rim 16.

A plurality of feet 30 have a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface 14 to space the plane formed by edges 24 of the ribs 22 away from a plane formed by edges 32 of the feet. The feet 30 extend from the rim 16, the rim 16 is circular, and the feet 30 are slightly arcuate as shown in FIG. 7.

In operation, the longitudinal and radial character of ribs 22 allows the spatter screen to be engaged with a wide range of open-topped cooking vessels. The spacing between the plane of the rib edges and the splatter screen surface allows steam and heat to escape from the gaps formed above the perimeter of the pot or pan. After use, grease and moisture can accumulate on the spatter screen surface and ribs, so the relatively-cleaner feet are provided to space the ribs from a work surface separate from the cookware, making clean up easy.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a particular spatter screen mounting system, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A spatter screen for a cookware item, comprising:

a screen element with at least one planar surface formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber;

a rim about said screen element; and

a handle extending from the rim.

2. The spatter screen of claim 1 with the screen element being integrally formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber.

3. The spatter screen of claim 2 with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations.

4. The spatter screen of claim 2 with the screen element including a plurality of ribs, the ribs having a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface to space the screen element surface away from a plane formed by edges of the ribs.

5. The spatter screen of claim 4 with the ribs being longitudinal and extending in directions from a center of the screen element surface towards the rim.

6. The spatter screen of claim 5 with the screen element surface being circular and the ribs being radial in orientation.

7. The spatter screen of claim 5 with the ribs extending from a medial portion of the screen element surface to the rim.

8. The spatter screen of claim 6 with the ribs extending from a medial portion of the screen element surface to the rim.

9. The spatter screen of claim 5 with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations.

10. The spatter screen of claim 8 with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations.

11. The spatter screen of claim 4 with a plurality of feet having a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface greater than the depth of the ribs, to space the plane formed by edges of the ribs away from a plane formed by edges of the feet.

12. The spatter screen of claim 11 with the ribs being longitudinal and extending in directions from a center of the screen element surface towards the rim.

13. The spatter screen of claim 12 with the screen element surface being circular and the ribs being radial in orientation.

14. The spatter screen of claim 12 with the ribs extending from a medial portion of the screen element surface to the rim.

15. The spatter screen of claim 13 with the ribs extending from a medial portion of the screen surface to the rim.

16. The spatter screen of claim 11 with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations.

17. The spatter screen of claim 15 with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations.

18. The spatter screen of claim 11 with the feet extending from the rim.

19. The spatter screen of claim 13 with the feet extending from the rim, the rim being circular, and with the feet being arcuate.

20. A spatter screen for a cookware item, comprising:

a screen element with at least one planar surface formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber;

a rim about said screen element;

a handle extending from the rim;

with the screen element being integrally formed of heat-resistant, silicone rubber;

with a plurality of cylindrical walls formed in the screen element to create perforations;

with the screen element including a plurality of ribs, the ribs having a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface to space the screen element surface away from a plane formed by edges of the ribs;

with the ribs being longitudinal and extending in directions from a center of the screen element surface towards the rim;

with the screen element surface being circular and the ribs being radial in orientation;

with the ribs extending from a medial portion of the screen element surface to the rim;

with a plurality of feet having a depth perpendicular to the screen element surface to space the plane formed by edges of the ribs away from a plane formed by edges of the feet; and

with the feet extending from the rim, the rim being circular, and with the feet being arcuate.