Baking Tray

The present invention relates to a baking tray.

A large variety of baking trays are used for domestic and commercial baking. Typically, such trays need to be removed individually, usually whilst hot, from an oven. Some baking trays have handles to assist initial placement within and subsequent removal from an oven; but most baking trays rely upon use of an integral rim. In particular, rectangular shaped trays with sidewalls generally have one or more handles located centrally along each side wall of the tray. While such handles assist placement and removal they are often rather difficult to reach owing to the close proximity of an oven wall. This introduces the possibility of the user suffering a burn to the wrist or arm, even if an oven glove is used.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved baking tray and in particular a tray that may be placed within and removed from an oven more easily with less chance of the user suffering burns when the oven is hot.

In one aspect the invention provides a baking tray with a generally rectangular shaped base; said tray comprising a handle with a grip portion and a stem portion; said stem portion being connected either directly of indirectly to said base and said grip portion being supported in an elevated position above a corner of the rest of the tray thereby allowing a user easy access during gripping said handle when removing said tray from an oven.

hi another aspect the invention comprises a baking tray with a generally rectangular shaped base; said tray comprising a handle with a grip portion and a stem portion; said stem portion being connected either directly of indirectly to said base and said grip portion being supported in an elevated position above and around a corner of the rest of the tray thereby allowing a user easy access during gripping said handle when removing said tray from an oven.

The baking tray may further comprises a side wall and wherein the stem portion is connected to said side wall. Preferably, the baking tray further comprises a rim above and around said side wall, wherein said stem portion is connected to said rim, or to said side wall, or to said side wall and said rim.

The baking tray preferably has just two handles each supported in an elevated position above opposite corners of the rest of the tray.

Preferably said grip portion includes an outer portion, insert or covering comprising a low thermal conductivity temperature resistant material. The low thermal conductivity temperature resistant material may comprise heat resistant silicone rubber, and/or have a textured or sculptured finish to provide a better grip when handling.

The baking tray handle may comprise a further stem portion such that said grip portion is supported at a first end and at a second end thereof. The stem portion may be connected either directly of indirectly to a first side of the base and the further stem portion may be connected to a second side of said base, wherein said first side and second side of the base are adjoining sides. The baking tray grip portion may be generally "L-shaped".

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by reference to the following diagramatic figures in which:

Figures Ia and Ib show a side view and a plan view respectively of a baking tray according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one corner of the tray of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a baking tray according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a partial sectioned front elevation of the handle portion along the line A-A' of the tray-of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a partial end elevation of the handle portion of the tray of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a tray according to a third embodiment of the invention and its likely position relative to oven walls, in use.

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the invention comprises a rectangular baking tray 10 having a base portion 12; wall portions 14; and a rim 16 located at the top of and all around wall portions 14. A pair of handles 22 located at opposite corners of the tray each have at least one, and normally two stem portions 20 fixed (at least in part) to either the rim 16, the wall 14 or the base 12. These stem portions 20 rigidly support elevated grip portions

18a and/or 18b (see Figure 2) located above rim 16 and positioned above and around a corner of the tray. For each grip portion 18 one stem portion 20 is attached a first side of the main tray body and preferably the other stem portion 20 is attached to an adjoining side; where the first side and adjoining side together form a corner of the tray. The grip portion 18 preferably further comprises an insert or cover 24 preferably made of a low thermal conductivity material such as heat resistant silicone rubber. Alternatively, grip portion 18 may be surrounded by an insulating material or may comprise a shaped rod or tube and may optionally be covered with an insulating material such as heat resistant silicone rubber. Stem portion 20 may optionally comprise an attachment portion 26 and be fixed to wall 14 by means of rivets.

Referring to Figures 3-5, a second embodiment of the invention comprises rectangular baking tray 30 having a base portion 32; wall portions 34; and a rim 36 located at the top of and all around wall portions 34. A handle 38 comprising a stem portion 40 fixed to either the rim 36, wall 34 or base 32. The stem portion 40 rigidly supports a grip portion 42 located above rim 36 and positioned above and optionally around a corner of the tray. The grip portion preferably further comprises an insert (not shown) preferably made of a low thermal conductivity material such as heat resistant silicone rubber. Alternatively, grip portion 42 may also be covered with an insulating material or may comprise a shaped rod or tube and may optionally be covered with an insulating material such as heat resistant silicone rubber. Stem portion 40 may optionally comprise an attachment portion 46 and be fixed to wall 14 by means of rivets 48.

Figure 6 shows a tray in use in an oven where the tray is similar to the tray illustrated in Figure 1, but with only one handle. Wl and W2 indicate the rear wall and the side wall of the oven when the tray is in use. It is evident that the corner elevated position of handle 22 facilitate removal of a hot tray which can easily be dragged forward over an oven shelf (not shown) in direction D by a single hand gripping the underneath portion of L-shaped handle

24; such grip being assisted by use of a moulded grip portion 24 made of low thermal conductivity material.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape of the tray and handle(s) may be altered. The handle(s) may be attached by various other means such as welding/brazing, or may be formed

integrally with the tray from the same piece of material. The base of the tray may have a planar, ridged or other non-planar profile. The base may have holes provided therein.