COOKWARE VESSEL WITH VACUUM SEALABLE LID

Cross Reference to Related Applications.

[0001 ] The present application claims the benefit of prior to the US provisional patent application having application no. 61/703,651, filed on Sept. 20, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application also claims the benefit of prior to the US provisional patent application having application no. 61/731,413 filed on Nov. 29, 2012.

[0003] The present application contains one or more claims with "post AIA matter"

Background of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a cookware article, and in particular to pots and pans that have a sealing function via an engaging lid. [0005] Prior methods of providing a pot with an automating sealing method are

disclosed in now expired US Patent 5,927,183 and published US patent application no. 2007/0215510 Al, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] While such pots and the disclosed sealing systems can be used for freezer and refrigerator storage after cooking, they have several limitations. The prior art vacuum release mechanisms are complicated and not readily compatible with a simple process for fabricating a cooking vessel, such as pots and pans, as well as sealable lids. [0007] It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum release valve for such a lid, which is compatible with and can be cost effectively implemented with any type of cookware vessel.

[0008] Is another object of the invention to provide such a configuration that is easy to seal with the vessel and a simple vacuum release valve.

[0009] It is another objective of the invention to provide such a simple vacuum

release valve that is integrated into a handle and is easy to operate for the user.

Summary of Invention

[001 0] In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing an article of cookware, comprising a cookware vessel having a substantially horizontal bottom, substantially upright sidewall extending upward there from to terminate at a rim, the sidewall encircling said bottom to form a fluid retaining interior region, a lid adapted with a gasket sealing means to engage said cookware vessel at the rim thereof, a handle having a vacuum sealing means attached to the lid.

[001 1 ] A second aspect of the invention is characterized by a glass lid that is sealed to a retaining rim by a second gasket means and the retaining rim or frame has a notch or depression on a descending flange or skirt for seating the first gasket that seals with the vessel rim.

[001 2] Another aspect of the invention is characterized by an article of cookware comprising a cookware vessel having a substantially horizontal bottom, substantially upright sidewall extending upward there from to terminate at a rim, the sidewall encircling said bottom to form a fluid retaining interior region, a lid adapted with a gasket sealing means to engage said cookware vessel at the rim thereof, a handle having a vacuum sealing means attached to the lid. [001 3] Another aspect of the invention is characterized by such an article of

cookware wherein the vacuum sealing means is operated by lifting a plug concentrically disposed within a bore that extends through the handle.

[001 4] The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of Drawings

[001 5] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of the

invention, whereas FIG. IB is an enlarged portion thereof.

[001 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded disassembled view of the valve members shown in FIG.

1.

[001 7] FIG. 3A-D are pairs of orthogonal cross-sectional elevations comparing the open (FIG. 3A and 3C) and closed (FIG. 3B and 3D) positions of the plug in the knob.

[001 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the gaskets sealing the rim of the vessel to the lid of FIG. 1A and IB.

[001 9] FIG. 5 A and 5B are respectively exterior and cross-sectional elevations of an embodiment of the lid.

[0020] FIG. 6A-G illustrate the plug of FIG. 1 -4, in which FIG. 6A is a top plan

view, FIG. 6B is a top perspective view, FIG. 6C is a front exterior elevation, FIG. 6E is a front cross-sectional elevation view corresponding to section line

E-E in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6F is side cross-sectional elevation view corresponding to section line F-F in FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6G is a bottom perspective view thereof.

[0021 ] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation of a portion of another embodiment of the lid that shows the gasket in sealed engagement with the rim.

[0022] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional elevation of a vessel and lid in another

embodiment of the invention, whereas FIG. 8B is an expanded view of the portion of the lid and rim thereof.

[0023] FIG. 9A is an expanded cross-sectional elevation of the lid vent portion of the vessel in FIG. 8A, whereas FIG. 9B is an expanded top plan view thereof corresponding to FIG. 9A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved cookware vessel with a vacuum sealable lid, generally denominated 100 herein.

[0025] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the cookware article

100 comprises a vessel 110 capable of containing a fluid that is sealed by a lid 120 having a handle 130. The handle 130 is preferably situated in the geometric center of the lid 120, and includes a vacuum sealable valve 160 that is opened or closed at the user's discretion. The lid 120 has various means to form an at least partial vacuum seal with the rim 111 of the vessel 110, for the storage of food after cooking. The vacuum sealable valve 160 also provides a vent means that releases the vacuum by admitting external air into the vessel, and is preferably disposed within the center of the generally knob shaped handle 130.

[0026] In the various embodiments, the vessel 110 has a bottom 114 cooking surface that is enclosed by and attached to surrounding sidewalls 112 that extend upward to a rim 111, which defines the open top of the vessel 110. The vessel 110 preferably has one or more handles 115 attached to the exterior of the sidewall 112.

[0027] The lid 120 in the most preferred embodiment has a primary portion 129 that is a dome or dome like shape, and is optionally fabricated from metal or metal and transparent glass. The dome 129 preferably has a penetration 127 for attachment of the handle 130 that includes at least one vacuum sealable valve 160 that provides a vent means therein. Handle 130 has a generally annular knob 220 in which the interior bore 221 is opened or closed by a plug member 210 that is raised or lower by an external handle 215.

[0028] The knob 220 is attached to the lid 120 by an externally threaded bushing 240.

The bushing 240 is inserted into the central bore 127 in the lid 120 and rotated ( using the pair of lower descending bracket 241 and 241') to engage the internal thread 223 that surround a lower portion 221a of the interior bore 221. An o-ring 230 disposed above the domed lid 129 and an outer shoulder 242 of the bushing 240 is pressed between the periphery 127a of the aperture 127 in the lid 129 and a lower annular flange 226 at the bottom of the knob 220 to seal any potential gap between the lid surface 129 and the knob 220. Hence, the bushing 240 connects the knob 220 to the dome portion 127 of the lid 120 and also compresses the o-ring 230 to form a vapor tight seal.

In order to remove the lid 120 from the vessel 110, the outer portion 224 of the knob 220 is held by the user. The upper portion of the plug 210 rests within a central depression 223 in the knob 220. The central depression 223 of the knob 220 is connected to the interior bore 221. A portion 221b of the interior surface of the interior bore 221 is selectively sealed by raising the plug 210 by pulling upward on the external handle 215.

A cylindrical column 216 descends from the internal handle portion 215 of plug 210 to provide the close interference fit with the portion 221b of the knob's bore 221 to provide the vacuum seal. Preferably, the plug 210 is made of resilient rubber and the surface of portion 221b is relatively smooth to provide a tight and durable sealing surface contact with the surface of bore 221. The cylindrical column 216 is in turn connected to a narrower descending portion 217 that provides a vapor passage 310 when the plug 220 is lifted. The narrower portion 217 terminates with one or more horizontally disposed feet 218 that extend beyond the width of the aperture 225 (see FIG. 3C) between the central depression 223 and bore 221 in knob 220 to prevent the plug 210 from being pulled out of the knob 220 during venting after installation.

Upon cooking food in the vessel 110 with lid 120 in place, some steam or hot air initially escapes via the edges of gasket 140 or the open plug 210.

However, provided the plug 210 is depressed downward to seal the interior cavity of the vessel 110, upon cooling after cooking, the water vapor in the surrounding steam condenses forming a slight vacuum within the sealed interior of the vessel 110. This vacuum tight seal is formed by the external air pressure forcing lid 120 downward, which flexes the gasket 140 making a tight seal to rim 111, such that the greater atmospheric pressure will then retain the lid 120 in place. [0032] FIG. 4 illustrates the portion the lid 120 that sealingly engages the rim 111 of the vessel 110 by an annular gasket 140. The annular gasket 140 has a U- shaped cross-section for seated engagement within a portion of the lid 120.

[0033] Preferably, in the case of a dome shaped lid 129 the outer periphery 129a is secured by an annular rim 410 having an S-shaped cross-section. [0034] Preferably, the connecting annular rim 410 has an annular descending skirt

414 portion that extends within the vessel 110. The S-shape of the annular rim 410 provides a lower horizontal outward facing recessed groove 415 above the skirt 414 for receiving the outer central portion 145 of the U-shaped gasket 140, which is the bottom fold between the upright or extending parallel arms 141 and 142 in the U-shape. The upper portion of the S-shaped annular rim 410 has an inward facing upper horizontal groove 416, which receives the outer periphery 129a of the dome 129, forming an at least vacuum tight seal with an either a second annular gasket 150 or sealant disposed to at least partially fill the groove 416. The gasket 150 allows a different material to form the central or dome portion 127 of the lid 120. However, as shown in

FIG. 7, when the lid's 120 dome shaped portion 127

[0035] The S-shaped cross section of the annular rim 410 of lid 120 provides several advantages, among them a secure seating location in groove 415 for the U- shaped gasket 140. In the case of a metal lid, the S-shape provides additional mechanical reinforcement from the greater bending moment when a larger vessel 110 has a larger dome portion 127, which then reduces the potential for deformation under the atmospheric pressure load when the vessel 110 is evacuated as described above.

[0036] The preclusion of the distortion of the lid 120 about rim region 410 ensures the complete sealing of gasket 140 to the vessel in region 113, as well as to adjacent portion of the lid 120. Further, the process of metal forming the S- shaped rim 140 also work hardens the metal so that its elastic modulus increases, that further contributing to the stiffness where the deformation would be greatest, as well as the need for mechanical stability to both retain and seal the gasket 140. These advantages of the S-shaped rim permit the use of thinner metal to from the lid, as well as reinforcing a glass lid.

The lower descending skirt 414 also contributes to the rim 410 stiffness, and provides a smooth surface for gradually stretching the U-shaped gasket 140 before it is seated as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, a different shape gasket can be disposed along the outer periphery of the skirt 414.

The portion 113 of the vessel sidewalls 112 below the rim 111 is preferably flared outward with a gradual curvilinear shape to readily seat and seal with the engaging portion of the U shaped gasket 140, or alternative shaped gaskets. As shown in FIG. 7, when steam condenses with the vessel 100 to form a vacuum, the lower portion of the gasketl40, that is the lower arm 142 of the U shape, flexes upward toward the opposing and adjacent arm 141 as the gasket simultaneously compresses with the lower arm 142 gradually assuming the same curvilinear shape as the flared sidewall portion 113.

The cooked food in the vessel 110 can be readily stored in a freezer or refrigerator with the lid 120 in place. This slight vacuum seal prevents freezer "burn" of the food, as well as oxidation and bacterial contamination in the refrigerator, improving food storage life and flavor, as well as preventing the undesired co-mingling of different food odors within a refrigerator or freezer. The vacuum is optionally released by pulling upward on plug 210, or reheating the food to provide a contour balance to the external air pressure from the steam vapor formed in the vessel.

FIG. 9-9 illustrate another embodiment of the vessel set 100 having a ventable lid 120 that includes a vacuum sealable member or valve 160, such as the plug 130 disposed in the bore in the outer annular gasket 140 to engage and seal the rim 111 of the vessel 110. [0041 ] The vacuum sealable valve 160 is surrounded at least partially by a handle 130 having an arc shaped portion 131 that remains flush with or below the valve but is tilted upward to the phantom position (131') in FIG. 9A to present an opening 901 for grasping and lifting the lid 120. This arc shaped tillable portion 131 is connected by rotary axles or pins 133 to a surrounding cylindrical base 132 of handle 130. The base 132 has an upper edge 134 that defines a central cavity 135 in which the valve plug 210 is seated in the sealed position below edge 134. Valve plug 210 is raised or lowered by handle 215 to open or close the vacuum sealable valve member 160.

[0042] The rotary handle 131 only extends above edge 134 when tilted upward for lifting the lid 120 away from the vessel 110 after venting by lifting the valve plug 210 by handle 215.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8B, the lid 120 has a dome like portion 129 with a

depressed periphery 121 that extends into the vessel, and an upper flange 124 portion that receives the gasket 140 within annular pocket 123 formed in annular lateral wall 122 that extends upward form the depresses periphery 121. Gasket 140 also has a lower descending skirt annular portion 146 that is in connect with annular later wall 122. The skirt 146 aid in center lid 120 during vacuum formation as the vessel 110 and contents cool. The skirt 146 may included periodic protrusions 147 that are optionally V-shaped ( in plan view) and extend farther outward to the rim 113 and improve centering of the lid. By centering the lid, contact of portion of wall 122 with the rim portion 113 are eliminated. This eliminates a harmless but annoying high pitching ring that occurs as the lid 120 settles as the vacuum is formed

[0044] Handle 130 also comprises another arc shaped portion 136 that extends

beyond the periphery of the base 132 and extends to the same lateral extend as the tiltable portion 131 of the handle 130. Thus, the tiltable portion 131 and the opposing arc shaped portion 136 laterally extend the flat upper surface 134 of the base 132. Accordingly, the handle or gripping portion 215 is preferably below or flush with upper surface 134 when the valve 160 is closed, which together with placing the tiltable portion 131 of handle 130 in the lowered position, enables the stacking of the sealed vessels 110 one on another. It is more preferable that diameter of base 132 combined with the width of the folding handle 131 or opposing arc shaped portion 136 is at least about ¼ to l/3 ^rd the diameter of the vessel 110 to provide greater stack stability, however this is relative to the height and aspect ratio of the vessel 110. However, as the greater portion of the lid 120, that is outside of or under base 132, is still dome shaped, the lid 120 is still able to withstand atmospheric pressure and resist deformation when the vessel 110 has at least a partial vacuum therein.

[0045] In other words, the base 132 and handle portion 131 and 136 effectively

flatten the otherwise curved dome lid portion 129 that is necessary for strength when the vessel 110 is evacuated to low pressures, but allow stacking of the multiple vessels without sacrificing the vacuum capacity. Setting the rim 121 of the lid 120 where the dome shape initiates below vessel rim 111, also enables a large flat area to base 132, with a significant dome height to provide mechanical reinforcement from atmospheric pressure.

[0046] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred

embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.