There is known US patent 3,038,402 related to a cooking device comprising a cover dish having an opening therein to permit the placing of an edible object carried by a utensil within a dish through the opening provided with a plurality of utensils receiving slots.

There is also known US patent 3,543,674 cooking utensil comprising a pan and a metal sheet insert by which the pan may be adapted for fondue cooking, wherein said insert also serves as a fork holder.

There is also known US patent 5,154,116 related to a fork supporting device for fondue, comprising a rod supported over an opened top cooking pot by means of legs and disk-shape plate mounted on said rod having a plurality of bays around its peripheral edge for supporting forks in vertical direction.

There is also known US patent 2,864,163 related to forks and more particularly to a serving fork particularly designed for use as a table or kitchen tool and which is equipped with a stripper for ejecting and dislodging food from the tines of the forks.

The object of the present invention is to allow user of the fondue apparatus to cook food in a secure and convenient manner, giving free and easy access into the fondue pot without a central interfering structure, and at the same time to hold and immobilize utensils such as fondue forks in a stable vertical position.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a structure which prevents the splashing of hot oils or liquids, which, at the same time, hold and immobilize utensils such as fondue forks in a stable vertical position, while the food attached to those forks is being cooked.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lenght adjustable fondue fork, allowing said fork to be use for all kinds fondues, to fit and to be use for any pot size, in a stable vertical position and having tines structure, adapted to securely and efficiently hold food during the cooking process.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly the present invention comprises a cooking apparatus comprising a combination of a vessel having an upstanding wall defining an upper edge providing a supporting surface for a removable cover having a centrally located opening therein, said cover is adapted to fit over the upper border-edge of said vessel; a number of holding elements located on said cover, each of said holding elements is adapted to hold at least one utensil or fork for carrying food, wherein said holding element is supporting and immobilizing said utensil or fork in a stable vertical position. Each of said holding elements further comprises a utensil receiving slot adapted to facilitate positioning of said utensil within the holding element. Said number of holding elements can be mounted permanently on said cover or they can be mounted temporarly and removed or released after each use. Said utensil receiving slot is adapted to function simultaneously as stabilizing and holding element to hold and immobilize utensils or forks in a stable vertical position.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a holding element comprising; an insulation housing provided with a stabilizing means, a utensil receiving slot adapted to facilitate positioning of a utensil or fork for carrying food within the holding element, wherein said holding element is adapted to be mounted on a cover of a cooking vessel provided with a central opening and wherein said holding element is adapted to hold and immobilize said utensil or fork in a stable vertical position by stabilizing means. Said holding element comprises an upper utensil receiving slot extending from the top portion of said housing and a lower receiving slot extending from the bottom portion of said housing, wherein said upper and lower receiving slots are aligned to each other and provided to facilitate stable vertical suspension of said utensil.

A modification of the first embodiment of the present invention is an adaptable cover having a centrally located opening therein, said cover allows holding elements to be mounted permanently or temporarily by means of bolts and corresponding nuts and wherein said adaptable cover is adapted to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions and various upper wall border-edges shapes by means of L shape slidable adapters, and at the same time hold and immobilize utensils or fondue forks carrying food in a stable vertical position within a vessel or pot when in use, thus preventing utensils or forks entanglements or criss-crossings and wherein, said adaptable cover structure prevent splashing of hot oils or liquids. Said L shape slidable adapters are preferably installed underneath holdings elements and wherein said adapters have a stamped or perforated through opening to let pass an attachement such as a bolt, through first the adaptable cover, then through the holding element and then through L shape slidable adapter and wherein said bolt is secured a its extremity by a corresponding nut. Said L shape slidable adapters have a width of a least one centimeter, but preferably of four centimeters to securely and widely fit stable on vessels or pots upper rims or borders-edges preventing shifting or tilting off of said adaptable cover from vessels or pots during cooking process.

Another important advantage of said adaptable cover, is the high degree of stability of said cover while in use on a vessel or pot, and wherein by its flat, round and low structure, combined with its own weight, plus the weight of holding elements, L shaped slidable adapters and further added by the weight of utensils or forks carrying food, therein said combinations of weights and low cover structure allow equal distribution of weight all around the adaptable cover structure, allowing reliable and unparalleled stability to stay fit, well in place on vessels or pots of various dimensions and wherein said combined weights and low cover structure also contributes to prevent shifting or tilting off of said apparatus from a vessel or pot and wherein said adaptable cover also have the advantage to prevent splashing of hot oils or liquids, during cooking process, giving fondues participants the opportunity to cook all kinds of fondues in a much more secure manner.

Still another embodiment of the present invention comprises a utensil comprising a stem, a handle connected to said stem at one end, and tines connected to said stem at the opposite end, and adjustment means adapted to adjust the lenght of said utensil. Said adjustement means comprises a bore portion located within said handle, said bore portion having a thread adapted to receive the end of said stem provided with corresponding thread, wherein the adjustement is provided by means of advancing of the end of said stem within said bore portion.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the extreme end of each tine is bent in the opposite direction from each other with relation to the plane surface thus facilitating a secure hold of a piece of food impaled on said tines. Alternatively, each tine is bent outwardly with the relation to plane surface and then near the middle is bent parallel to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will more readily understood from a reading of the following specification, and by references to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein; Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional of the first embodiment of the present invention having magnetic holding elements.

Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of another modification of the first embodiment showing magnetic elements mounted on top surface of the cover according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of separate magnetic holding element with attached fondue forks view in the first embodiment of the present invention Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective dis-assembled view of the holding element of Fig 4.

Fig. 7 is a top dis-assembled view of the magnetic holding element of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a top view of mounting ring of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a dis-assembled perspective view of the fork having adjustable means to change lenght.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the fork having tines bent parallel.

Fig. l 1 is a perspective view of holder having a disk shape cavity as stabilizing means for positionning the fork handle.

Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of utensil or fork having the extremity of each tines bent in the opposite direction and holder holding said fork verticaly stable having the fork handle portion stabilized in a corresponding disk shape cavity.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the adaptable cover with a plurality of magnetic holding elements and a plurality of L-shaped slidable adapters.

Fig. 14 is a top view of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of L-shaped slidable adapters showing stamped groove or perforated opening through the surface of said adapter.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 15 showing a L-shaped slidable adapter mounted underneath the holding element.

Fig. 17 is a top view of the adaptable cover mounted with holding elements and L-shaped slidable adapters and which said adapters are slided outwardly for said adaptable cover to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions and upper wall borders-edges shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE INVENTION Refering now to drawings, Figures 1 to 8 show the first embodiment of the present invention comprising a fondue apparatus 10 including a cooking vessel 12 with a removable cover 14 adapted to fit over an upper edge of said cooking vessel. The cover 14 is adapted to carry; a number of holding elements 16. Each of holding elements 16 is adapted to hold and immobilize a utensil or fork for carrying food 46 in a stable vertical position and said holding elements 16 can be mounted on a cover 14 in a permanently or temporarily and releasable manner. In one modification such holding elements 16 (see fig 4) may be installed on a cover 14 (see Fig 2) provided with an opening 27 by means of bolt and corresponding nut 25 (see Fig. 5).

And wherein bolt 25 is passing through cover 14 (see Fig 2), then through opening 27, through holding elements 16, through mounting ring 34 (see Fig 8) then the extremity of bolt 25 receive a corresponding nut 25, which is screwed on, for a secure hold on the present invention.

In the modification shown on Fig. 3, the holding elements 16 are mounted on the upper surface of the cover specially designed for mounting and carrying holding elements and provided with the central opening having configuration facilitating stable vertical suspension of utensil or fork by means of notches around the inner edge of the central opening.

In the other embodiment shown on Fig. 1 and 2, holding elements 16 are mounted between the cover 14 and a mounting ring 34 (see Fig. 8). Preferably, but not necessarily, said mounting ring is located underneath of the cover 14.

Fig. 4 to 8 show holding element 16 comprising with insulation housing 17 accomodating magnetics elements 22 which are additionaly insulated by means of insulating plates 24 made of proper suitable metal. The housing 17 comprises top portion 18 and bottom portion 20 which their respective inner edges where especially designed to be connected to each other in a pressure snap tight manner. The pins Fig 28 are used as a stability guide for plates 24 and magnet 22. Both top and bottom portions 18 and 20 are provided with utensil receiving slots 32 aligned with each other and adapted to facilitate stable vertical positioning of the utensil or fork 46 within the holding elements 16. The cooperation of those aligned sets of slots 32 and magnets 22 allows to hold, suspend and immobilize the utensil or fork 46 in a stable vertical position and prevent any tilting, or front or side shifting, thus guarantying vertical stability of the utensil or fork 46 in use. The utensil or fork 46 use in this combination with this embodiment comprises a steam 50 made of any metal adapted to be attracted to the magnet 22. The holding element 16 are mounted on cover 14 by means of a set of bolt and nut 25 adapted to be inserted into corresponding bore portion 26 (see Fig 6) located underneath the top portion 18.

Preferably, but not necessary those bolts and nuts are made of stainless steel.

Yet the present invention is not restricted to an opening arrangement such as 27 (Fig. 2). For example another arrangement for the mounting of holding elements and or adapters consist of a linear opening (not shown) made in cover 14, said linear opening start from on or about the same location of opening 27 and said opening is linearly and continuously open through and connecting with the central opening of cover 14 such arrangment being a narrow linear passage or channel-groove, and by such arrangment, cover 14 is adapted to be mounted with temporarily installed holding element 16 easy to remove or release after use, wherein said holding elements receive an attachement such as bolt 25 passing through top part 18 and bottom part 20 of holding element 16 and wherein said bolt is secured by a corresponding nut 25, wherein the upper rod portion of said bolt 25 is engaged in said linear passage-channel opening in a slidable manner, but at the same time having the head of said bolt 25 over the top surface of coverl4 wherein said arrangment allow to temporarily mount holding elements 16 on cover 14 and which said arrangment permit a fast and easy release of said holding elements after use, by simply releasing slightly the screw and sliding out the holding elements from cover 14. It is to be noted that such opening arrangment is not restricted to cover 14 and may be also be applied to adaptable cover 19.

Another arrangment for mounting of holding elements on cover 19, consist of stamping or punching a plurality of holes or any type of perforations (not shown) through the surface of cover 19, such as opening 27, and wherein said plurality of holes or perforations are aligned one after the other for the purpose of adjustabilty and adaptability over vessels or pots of various dimensions.

Fig 9 show the utensil or fork 46 for holding food also known as fondue fork. Utensil or fork comprises a steam 50, a handle 48 connected to the stem 50 at one end, and tines 52 connected to said stem 50 at the opposite end. Utensil or fork 46 is provided with an adjustment means adapted to adjust the lenght of said utensil or fork and including a bore portion 54 provided with a thread and located within the handle 48 and corresponding thread 56 on a stem 50. The adjustment of the lenght of the utensil or fork 46 is provided by means of advancing stem 50 within the bore portion 54. This is very usefull and versatile feature of the present invention allowing to adjust the lenght of the utensil or fork 46 to be use with all type of fondues, depending the size or depth of the cooking or fondue vessel and, since for example, vessels for preparing cheese or chocolate fondue usually is much more shallow then vessels for cooking Bourguignon or Chinese fondue or any type of similar fondue.

Another important feature of the present invention is the configuration of the ends of the tines 52. In one embodiment shown on Fig. 12, each tine is bent in the opposite direction from each other with relation to the plane surface which allow to facilite much better holding of a piece of food impaled in said tines. In another embodiment shown on Fig. 10, each tines 82 is first bent outwardly and then near the middle bent parallel to each other.

Fig 12 show a modification of a holding and stabilizing means is a groove cavity 70 adapted to cooperate with the bottom portion of utensil handle 48. Preferably as shown in Fig.

12 but not restricted to such as other designs and different configuration of utensil handle and corresponding cavity may be used for same utensil holding and stabilizing purposes.

Fig. 13 is showing an adaptable cover 19 with a plurality of magnetic holding elements 16 mounted on said cover 19 and L shape slidable adapters 87 are mounted under holding elements 16 and each of said adapters 87 have a least one bented extremity downwardly going at an angle and wherein said angle is projecting away from cover 19 and from the upper wall edge of a vessel 15 and wherein said adaptable cover 19 is adapted to fit over various vessels or pots dimensions and upper wall border-edge shapes to hold and immobilize utensil or fork (such as 46 Fig. 1) for carrying food in a stable vertical position.

Fig. 14 is showing a top view of adaptable cover 19 mounted with a plurality of holding elements 16 and L shaped slidable adapters 87 and wherein said slidable adapters are mounted underneath the holding elements as shown as per Fig 16 and wherein said adapter 87 beside having a downwardly going extremity angle as shown in Fig 13 said adapter also have a radius configuration shape (see Fig. 14 adapters 87) adaptable to various vessels or pots dimensions as well as various configurations of vessels or pots upper walls or border-edge shapes. Said radius configuration extremity angle of adapter 87 was designed with a fairly large width span preferably of four centimeter wide allowing maximum stability and secure positionning of said adaptable cover 19 on vessels or pots of various dimensions and various upper wall border-edge shapes. It is to be noted that said adapter 87 extremity width, is not restricted to said four centimeters width and that lower or greater width span of adapters 87 can also be used.

Fig 15 is a view of a L shaped slidable adapter 87 to be mounted on a holding elements with a set of bolt and nut 25 (see Fig 16) and wherein said L shape slidable adapters have a linear opening 89 (see Fig. 15) through the surface for the purpose of sliding adjustability and adaptability of adaptable cover 19 on vessels or pots of various dimensions (see Fig. 17). Said adapter 87 have a downwardly going angle extremity and said extremity have a radius (see Fig.

14 adapters 87) adapted to fit on vessels or pots of various dimensions (see Fig 17 adapters 87) and upper wall border-edge shapes. Said L shape slidable adaptera are not restricted to only be mounted underneath an holding element, as they can also be mounted (not shown) on top of an holding element 16 or on top of adaptable cover 19 or underneath a mounting ring 34.

Fig 16 is showing an holding element with an L shape slidable adapter 87, and a set of bolt and nut passing trough their structure for a secure hold of said holding element and L shape slidable adapter. l. for a tiugh aare secured by a combination of a bolt and corresponding nut.

Fig 17 is showing the adaptable cover 19 mounted with holding elements 16 and wherein underneath of said holding elements are mounted a plurality of L shape slidable adapters 87 and wherein said adapter have a slidable linear opening 89 through its surface to allow adjustement and adaptability of said adaptable cover on vessels or pots of various dimensions and of various upper wall border-edge shapes.

All parts or embodiments of the present invention, Fig 1 to 17 can be manufactured either by moulding, and or hydraulic or air cushin forming, stamping, punching, embossing, and or machining, boring, taping and threading machines or injection or extrusion moulding and said parts or embodiments can be made of any proper metal, or pvc or resins and or any other suitable material, said parts or embodients can also be produced by die-cutting, metal spinning, deep draw forming, or any other mechanical means.

One of the most important advantages of the present invention, is according to a specially designed cover and holding elements. Said combination allows the user to cook in a much secure environment without any problems of splashing of hot oils or liquids and without the central opening access of the fondue vessel to be interfered by any structure and by the same occassion holding and immobilizing utensils or forks well in place, suspended in a stable vertical position around said cover and within the vessel, thus eliminating completely any utensils or forks criss-crossings or entanglements leaving the center of the vessel totally cleared of any interference, and allowing easy access, in the fondue vessel with utensils or fondue forks to cook a pleasent fondue meal.

Yet another important advantage of the present invention, is that each participants of the fondue meal can easily identify his or her personal utensil or fork standing immobilized stable and vertically straight, right in front on them and therein contribute to cook food or fondue in a more hygienic cooking manner, preventing commonly experienced mix-up of utensils or forks between participants. Preferably, but not necessary the holding embodiment is adapted to carry two forks; however this depends on the particular situation and number of fondue participants.

Still another important advantage of the present invention is the improved structure of the utensil or forks 46 and improved structure of the tines 52 eliminating possibility of food to slip off of the tines during the preparation of fondue, since split tines impale food in spiral manner. This structure allows to efficiently retain impaled food much more securely than the conventional straight-tined fork and said split tines keep food for twice as long. This advantage will reduce the possibility of losing of the piece of food at the bottom of the fondue vessel, thus preventing the highly undesirable common experience of food searching.

Another advantage of the present invention is the adjustablity of the lenght of the utensil or fork 46 and improved structure of handle 48 and stem 50 allowing a versatile two-in-one utensil or fondue fork in view of its adjustability, and thus may be used for both; chocolate and Cheese fondue, Bourguigon fondue, Chinese fondue or any other type of fondue.

Yet another advantage according the present invention is that cover with holding elements may not only be used for suspending a plurality of utensils or forks during a the preparation or cooking of fondue but also for storage purposes.

One of most important advantage of the present invention is the immobility and stability of utensils or forks and complete elimination of any possibility of mixing or criss-crossing for utensils or fondue forks in use, which will be greatly appreciated by all fondue users.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference is made to the appended claims, rather than to the forgoing specifications, as indicating the scope of the invention.