TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The present invention relates to devices for controlling and/or stimulating vapour extraction, for removing cooking vapours.

STATE OF THE ART

When heating food products at a cooking unit, mostly, an upward vapour flow arises at the cooking unit. For extracting and removing such vapour flow, typically an extraction system with vapour passage is provided above the cooking unit. Disadvantages of such cooker hoods are their large size and their unattractive look. A classic cooker hood is moreover an integral part of the fixed kitchen infrastructure. Between two cooking sessions, a classic cooker hood can thus not easily be hidden.

Devices for further controlling and/or stimulating the vapour extraction, towards the cooker hood, are in principle well-known in the state of the art. Indeed, GB 2 473 457 B describes a specially designed pot lid with radial edge, for closing off the cooking pot. For vapour to be able to escape the cooking pot, the edge is provided with a recess.

Moreover, DE 20 2008 012 826 U1 describes a pot lid with vapour outlet, in which that vapour outlet is integrated in a central lid button, and can be controlled by means of this lid button; turning the lid button allows to open or close the vapour outlet.

Disadvantageously, these devices require a specially designed cooking pot and/or pot lid, as a result of which the existing cooking utensils are no longer useful. Moreover, their design is relatively complex, increasing the production cost.

Apart from that, downdraft extraction systems are increasingly popular, considering o.a. said disadvantages with respect to classic cooker hoods. The actual vapour extraction is thereby no longer provided above the cooking unit, but it is integrated in the cooking unit itself, or it is arranged along or behind the cooking unit.

Often, such systems however appear to be insufficiently powerful for extracting the inherent upward vapour flows sidewards/downwards. US 5 279 279 A tries to offer a solution for that, in the form of a deflector plate that is arranged above the cooking unit. The curved surface of the deflector plate deflects the vapour flow in the direction of the vapour exhaust.

However, just like a cooker hood, such a deflector plate is large and does not look attractive. Moreover, the deflector plate is an integral part of the fixed kitchen infrastructure, which is again not desirable. Also, it contributes only to a small extent to the downdraft/sided raft extraction of vapour.

The present invention aims to find a solution for at least some of the above- mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thereto, the invention provides in a first aspect a pot lid according to claim 1, that is appropriate for being arranged onto an open circumferential edge of a cooking pot. In particular, the pot lid is further provided with a vapour passage, that is appropriate for removing vapour from the cooking pot. Preferably, the pot lid further comprises a vapour brim, in which the vapour passage is at least partially formed along the vapour brim.

Such lids can be used combined with existing cooking pots and thereby allow for a control of the vapour extraction, in which the stimulation/restriction of vapour extraction is influenced by the design of the lid, and in particular by the design of the vapour passage. Such lids can be used in combination with any extraction system (e.g. updraft, downdraft or sidedraft). A lid with sufficiently large vapour passage moreover allows to freely cook in the environment, also in closed position. Heath is thus better kept inside the pot volume.

A specific embodiment relates to the lid of claim 3, in which the vapour brim protrudes with a positive inclination angle. Thanks to this specific design, condensation, that is formed when condensing vapour against the lid, is again led to the pot volume. As a result, the loss of liquid when cooking is reduced to a minimum and condensed liquid does not drip onto the cooking plate and/or worktop. This preferred embodiment is in particular appropriate for low pots and pans, although the domain of application of the invention is not at all limited thereto. A further or other preferred embodiment relates to the lid of claim 4, in which the vapour brim extends with a decreasing inclination angle. This design is in particular appropriate for higher pots and pans, as the vapour brim with decreasing inclination angle is better capable of deflecting the vapour flow in the direction of the extraction system.

A further or other preferred embodiment relates to the lid of claim 10, in which this pot lid comprises a lid edge part, which lid edge part describes a terrace form, and in which the conducting surface in said terrace form is countersunk. The terrace form provides the pot lid with several circumferential edges, as a result of which this pot lid easily fits on different formats of pots and pans.

In a second aspect, the invention describes a cooking assembly according to claim 16. The cooking assembly comprises a cooking pot and a corresponding pot lid, for closing off the cooking pot, in which the assembly is provided with a vapour passage for leading vapour out of the assembly. In particular, the pot lid is further also provided with a vapour brim, in which the vapour passage at least partially extends along this vapour brim. The same advantages can be repeated in this context.

A specific embodiment relates to the cooking assembly of claim 28, in which the cooking assembly comprises a plurality of cooking pots. In particular, the pot lid comprises a terrace-shaped lid edge part, that is appropriate for being placed onto an open circumferential edge of at least two of the cooking pots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a front view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is placed onto a baking pan.

Figure 2A is a front view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is placed onto a baking pan with a larger diameter.

Figure 2B is a front view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is placed onto a baking pan with a smaller diameter.

Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is placed onto a baking pan. Figure 3B shows a perspective view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention and a baking pan. The lid is slightly shown in bottom view for better showing the structure.

Figure 3C is a bottom view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4A-B show perspective views of a cooking assembly according to a possible embodiment, respectively with the pot lid removed and with the pot lid placed onto the cooking pot.

Figures 4C-D show two cross-sections of a cooking assembly according to the embodiment of figures 4A and 4B, respectively in a first and a second, closed configuration of the assembly.

Figures 5A-D show perspective views of a cooking assembly according to another, possible embodiment, with the pot lid removed (figures 5A and 5C) and with the pot lid according to a first/second configuration placed onto the cooking pot (figures 5B/5D).

Figures 5E-F show two other cross-sections of a cooking assembly according to the embodiment of figures 5A-D, respectively in a first and a second configuration of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a pot lid, that is appropriate for being placed onto an open circumferential edge of a cooking pot. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooking assembly comprising a cooking pot and a corresponding pot lid.

Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the meaning as they are generally understood by the worker in the technical field of the invention. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained specifically. "A", "an" and "the" refer in the document to both the singular and the plural form unless clearly understood differently in the context. "A segment" means for example one or more than one segment.

When "approximately" or "about" are used in the document together with a measurable quantity, a parameter, a period or moment, etc., variations of +/-20% or less, preferably +/-10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, still more preferably +/-1% or less, and even still more preferably +/-0.1% or less than and of the cited value are meant, as far as such variations apply to the invention that is described. It will however be clearly understood that the value of the quantity at which the term "approximately" or "about" is used, is itself specified.

The terms "include", "including", "consist", "consisting", "provide with", "contain", "containing", "comprise", "comprising" are synonyms and are inclusive of open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and that do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the state of the art.

The citation of numeric intervals by means of end points includes all integers, fractions and/or real numbers between the end points, including these end points.

The terms "vapour(s)" and "cooking effluent(s)", as used throughout this document, are mutually exchangeable terms and should be interpreted broadly. They can amongst other things refer to any cooking effluent, selected from the group comprising water vapour, fat vapour, oil vapour and other vapours and gasses, steam, fumes, hot air, fine water drops, fat drops and/or oil drops in the gas/vapour phase, other spraying substances, powdered substances in the gas/vapour phase and any other mixture thereof. In a further or alternative definition, "vapour(s)" and "cooking effluent(s)" relate to any substantially gaseous mixture that is released when preparing/processing food products (or more in general in an operative state of the assembly), and for which it is desirable that they are extracted by means of vapour extraction.

The terms "vapour extraction" and "extraction system" are mutually exchangeable terms, and refer to systems for extracting vapours when preparing/processing food products (e.g. by heating them), thus comprising both updraft (e.g. the classic cooker hood), downdraft and sidedraft extraction systems. When desired, it will be further specified if it relates to an updraft, downdraft, or sidedraft extraction system. If not further specified, the term "downdraft extraction system" will moreover relate to extraction systems in a downward and/or sideward direction, analogous with the English terms "downdraft/downdraught systems".

Furthermore, the invention is by no means limited to either cooking or baking. "Cooking", as used throughout the document, should be interpreted as further comprising : cooking, baking, deep-frying, grilling, roasting, poaching, stir-frying, braising, steaming, stewing and any other technique for preparing a food product, in which vapours/cooking effluents could be released.

When referring to a "cooking pot", the latter term can moreover also be replaced by a "frying pan", "deep frying pan", "casserole", "stir-frying pan", "steaming pot" and similar. Preferably, the cooking pot comprises a "pot bottom" and a "pot wall", which pot wall extends from the pot bottom in an upward direction up to an open circumferential edge of the cooking pot, also called the "pot edge". Said open circumferential edge thereby borders an upward -directed pot opening. Moreover, "edge" and "edge part" are used here as interchangeable terms. Preferably, the cooking pot is appropriate for being placed on a cooking unit comprising at least one hob (e.g. an electric hob, a gas hob or an induction hob), for heating the content of the cooking pot, from the pot bottom. In a possible embodiment, the pot bottom is essentially a circular disc, in which the pot wall essentially relates to a circular sheath, and in which the pot edge also essentially describes a circle. In another possible embodiment, the pot bottom is essentially an oval disc, in which the pot wall essentially relates to an oval sheath, and in which the pot edge also essentially describes an oval. Of course, the invention is not limited to circular/oval cooking pots; the skilled worker will be able to apply the invention on and/or combine it with a cooking pot of any design, known in the state of the art.

The terms "lid(s)" and "pot lid(s)", as used throughout this document, are mutually exchangeable terms. They refer to lids for closing off pot openings of cooking pots, as is known in the state of the art. Typically, the pot lid thereby defines a lid edge that can be placed at least partially in, on or over the pot edge, in which the cooking pot and the corresponding pot lid can be brought into a closed configuration. In this closed configuration, they define an (at least partially) closed "pot volume", extending inside the cooking pot and the pot lid. Outside, a "ambient volume" extends. The term "vapour passage", as used throughout this document, refers in its largest extent to a path that can be followed by vapour. The presence of a vapour passage thus does not necessarily mean the presence of something that is material/tangible, but rather at least the existence of the possibility of a passage of vapour. A (tangible) object/element/body and similar, that "comprises a vapour passage" and/or that "is provided with a vapour passage", is however in such form that the vapour has the possibility to pass for example along or through that object. The corresponding vapour passage then refers to the path that is thereby followed by the vapour. Optionally, this vapour passage can also be determined by o.a. the vapour pressure, vapour pressure gradient and vapour temperature.

Optionally, a cooking assembly has one or more "open configurations" and "closed configurations". They each correspond, for example, but not limited thereto, with a particular arrangement of a pot lid onto a cooking pot. In each case, it will be determined here that the object comprises a vapour passage, provided that the design has a path in at least one of these configurations that can be followed by vapour.

When "bending/deflecting the vapour passage", the vapour is forced into a bend; the followed path thereby comprises at least one bend.

"Radial" and "in a radial direction", as used here, refers to directions extending perpendicularly to a central, vertical axis of the cooking assembly, in the horizontal plane. Opening angles in the horizontal plane, from the central axis, are indicated as "azimuthal opening angles".

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a pot lid, that is appropriate for being placed onto an open circumferential edge of a cooking pot. Preferably, the pot lid is further provided with a vapour passage, that is appropriate for removing vapour from the cooking pot. In particular, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim, in which the vapour passage is at least partially formed along the vapour brim. The lid can be used in combination with existing cooking pots and allows for a control of the vapour extraction. Hereby, the stimulation/limitation of vapour extraction is influenced by the specific design of the lid, and in particular by the design of the vapour passage. This lid is appropriate for use in combination with any extraction system, including updraft, sidedraft or downdraft extraction systems. Use of this lid has as a result that the vapour is led out of the cooking volume in an efficient way and results in a good deflection of the vapour flow towards the extraction system. Moreover, a pot lid with sufficiently large vapour passage(s) allow to freely cook in the environment (at atmospheric pressure), also in closed position. The vapour is then extracted along said vapour passage(s) from the pot volume, while the pot lid protects the user from splashing water, oil and similar. Heat is also kept better in the cooking pot. In a traditional cooking assembly, one should thereto place the pot lid in an inclined (and often very unstable) way onto the pot edge. Moreover, the size of the vapour passage between lid edge and pot edge can thereby not be adjusted precisely, and the pot lid no longer offers a full protection against splashing water, oil and similar.

According to any one of the previous embodiments, the pot lid possibly comprises several vapour brims. However, preferably, the pot lid comprises only one vapour brim directed towards the vapour extraction.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim extending in a radial direction. Such a vapour brim provides a large surface and allows the formation of a zone with reduced pressure under this surface. In this way, the zone with reduced pressure, caused by the extraction system, is optimally kept intact. On the one hand, as a result, the vapour can be blown into this zone with reduced pressure with a low speed and flow rate. On the other hand, a sideward suction flow of ambient air is suck, as a result of which the vapour flow is optimally led downward.

Preferably, the vapour passage is essentially formed under and along the vapour brim, beyond a brim edge of the vapour brim.

Preferably, said radially extending vapour brim extends over an azimuthal angle sector, with an opening angle of maximum 120°, more preferably smaller than 100°, preferably between 0° and 90°, more preferably smaller than 90°, more preferably smaller than 75°, still more preferably smaller than 60°. Such a design allows for a more directed emission of the vapour flow. Preferably, the same considerations apply to the azimuthal opening angle of the vapour collar, as described here. More preferably, the vapour brim and vapour collar essentially have the same azimuthal opening angle.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim extending in a positive inclination angle Thanks to this specific design, condensation, that is formed when condensing vapour against the lid, is again led to the pot volume. As a result, the loss of liquid when cooking is reduced to a minimum and condensed liquid does not drip onto the cooking plate and/or worktop. This preferred embodiment is in particular appropriate for low pots and pots, standing closer to the vapour extraction as a result of their low pot wall, although the domain of application of this embodiment is not limited thereto. Preferably, the positive inclination angle is comprised between 0 and 45°. Optionally, this inclination angle can thus be 0 degrees, although the above-said effect of flow-back of condensation towards the pot volume is rather small in this case. Preferably, the inclination angle is maximum 45° as a larger angle reduces the effect of forming a zone with reduced pressure.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim extending in a decreasing inclination angle This design is in particular appropriate for higher pots and pans, as the vapour brim with decreasing inclination angle is better capable of deflecting the vapour flow downwards in the direction of the extraction system. The domain of application of this embodiment is however not limited to pots and pans with a high wall. Moreover, condensation is especially formed closer to the centre of the pot, and less condensation is formed at the end of the vapour brim. This allows to reduce the inclination angle towards the end without annulling the above-said effect of flow-back of condensation towards the pot volume.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim forming a conducting surface that at least partially encloses the vapour passage. This conducting surface can lead the vapour in the direction of the extraction system and limits the freedom of movement of the vapour flow without limiting this vapour flow or reducing its flow rate. The vapour flow is, as it were, concentrated by the enclosure in which the conducting surface provides. This has the advantage that there are almost no vapour losses and that the extraction system can optimally remove the vapour flow.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a conducting surface with an essentially U-shaped cross-section. This U-shaped cross-section is ideally appropriate for concentrating the vapour flow and leading the vapour flow in a directed way towards the extraction system. The U-shaped cross-section does however not comprise any sharp angles or edges as a result of which the vapour flow can stream out equally and possible condensation can be formed in a homogeneous way against the conducting surface. The subsequent flow-back of condensation towards the cooking volume also occurs equally and accumulation of condensation is hereby almost excluded. The absence of sharp angles or edges has the additional advantage that this pot lid can be cleaned easily.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a conducting surface comprising a converging cross-section. A converging cross-section can better concentrate the vapour flow and lead it towards the extraction system. A better converged vapour flow does indeed also better maintain its direction once it has left the vapour brim. Said cross-section preferably has an average convergence angle of minimum 5° and maximum 90°. A smaller angle will better converge the vapour flow, but will also increase the flow rate of the vapour flow.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a vapour brim extending up to an essentially circular lid edge. The shape of the lid edge preferably corresponds to the shape of the cooking pot onto which this lid is used. More preferably, the vapour brim radially does not extend beyond the essentially circular pot edge of the corresponding cooking pot, which is also advantageous because the lid can easily be stored together with the corresponding pot.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour brim extends beyond an essentially circular lid edge. Thereby, the brim edge extends beyond the further essentially circular lid edge. At the brim edge, the lid edge thus extends further, in a radial direction. Such a vapour brim allows to even better direct the vapour passage, for example in the direction of the vapour discharge.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid comprises a lid edge part, which describes a terrace form, and in which the conducting surface in said terrace form is countersunk. The several steps of the terrace shape hereby define different supporting walls and supporting platforms, each forming their own lid edge with its own diameter. Said lid edges can be placed onto pot edges with equivalent diameters, in which the cooking pot and the pot lid are brought into a closed configuration. In this closed configuration, they define an (at least partially) closed pot volume, extending inside the cooking pot and the pot lid. Said terrace shape clearly has the advantage that the pot lid can be used universally and can be used in combination with a diverse offer of cooking pots and pans of different formats. Moreover, the pot lid always has the same diameter, independent of the size of the cooking pot or pan onto which the lid is placed. The vapour brim of the pot lid thus always extends equally far up to the vapour discharge as a result of which vapour is discharged equally precisely for the different cooking pots, even for those with a smaller diameter, in which the vapour extraction is located further away from such a cooking pot.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid further comprises a handle, essentially extending transverse to the vapour passage. The configuration in which the handle is located transverse to the vapour passage, has the advantage that the pot lid can be handle in a safe way. In said configuration, the hands and arms are indeed never located directly above the vapour passage, along which hot vapour can possibly leave the cooking volume. Moreover, when handling the pot lid, this configuration allows to direct the vapour passage away from the user, which also increases the safety.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid further comprises a vapour valve, which vapour valve extends in an inclination angle that is smaller than the inclination angle of the vapour brim. Such a design can in particular be advantageous in combination with a cooking pot that forms a vapour collar, as has been described below. Hereby, the vapour passage extends, in a first, open configuration, essentially between the vapour collar and the vapour brim. On the other hand, the vapour passage is, in a second, closed configuration, largely cut off by the vapour valve, that is thereby arranged over the vapour collar. According to a further or alternative embodiment, said vapour brim and vapour valve extend diametrally. Thereby, one can switch between said configurations, by turning the lid over 180° with respect to the cooking pot, along the central axis.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid is provided at its brim base with a pouring screen with one or more vapour passage openings. Preferably, said vapour passage at least partially extends through one or more of these vapour passage openings. This is again advantageous when using the pot lid in combination with a cooking pot provided with a vapour collar, in which the vapour passage extends between the vapour collar and vapour brim. A pouring screen thereby at least partially protects the pot volume from the ambient volume. Vapour can indeed still leave the pot volume, through the pouring screen and between the vapour collar and vapour brim up to the ambient volume. On the other hand, the vapour collar can now be used as a pouring mouth, for example for pouring out the cooking fluid into which the cooked food is kept. The number and the size of the vapour passage openings is thereby designed depending on the intended use (i.e. the expected amount of vapour, and the size of the pieces).

Preferably, the pouring screen extends in line with the lid lip of the pot lid. preferably, the pouring screen has a permeability of minimum 10% and maximum 90%, more preferably 20% and maximum 80%. This "permeability" is hereby defined as the surface in terms of percentage that is occupied by the vapour passage openings.

In a further or alternative embodiment, said pouring screen can be configured between an essentially transverse state and an essentially longitudinal state in its transverse state, the pouring screen is essentially transverse to the vapour passage. In this state, e.g. the cooking fluid can be poured of, using the vapour collar as a pouring mouth. In its longitudinal state, on the other hand, the pouring screen is folded up/turned away. Optionally, it thereby essentially extends along the vapour passage, so that the vapour can freely pass. Preferably, the vapour passage is larger in this longitudinal state.

In a second aspect, the invention describes a cooking assembly comprising, that comprises a cooking lid for closing off the cooking pot, in which the assembly is provided with a vapour passage for leading vapour out of the assembly. In particular, the pot lid is further also provided with a vapour brim, in which the vapour passage at least partially extends along this vapour brim. Hereby, the stimulation/limitation of vapour extraction is influenced by the specific design of the pot lid, and in particular by the design of the vapour passage. This cooking assembly is appropriate for use in combination with any extraction system, including updraft, sidedraft or downdraft extraction systems. Use of this cooking assembly has the effect that the vapour is led out of the cooking volume in an efficient way and results in a good deflection of the vapour flow towards the extraction system.

Moreover, a cooking assembly with a pot lid with sufficiently large vapour passage(s) allows to freely cook in the environment (at atmospheric pressure), also in closed position. The vapour is then led out of the pot volume along said vapour passage(s), while the pot lid protects the user from splashing water, oil and similar. Heat is also kept better in the cooking pot. In a traditional cooking assembly, one should thereto place the pot lid in an inclined (and often very unstable) way onto the pot edge. Moreover, the size of the vapour passage between lid edge and pot edge can thereby not be adjusted precisely, and the pot lid no longer offers a full protection against splashing water, oil and similar. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the cooking assembly comprises a vapour brim, essentially extending away from the cooking pot. Such vapour brim provides a large surface and allows the formation of a zone with reduced pressure under this surface. In this way, the zone with reduced pressure, caused by the extraction system, is optimally kept intact. On the one hand, the vapour can be blown into this zone with reduced pressure with a low speed and flow rate. On the other hand, a sideward suction flow of ambient air is suck, as a result of which the vapour flow is optimally led downward.

The vapour brim of the cooking assembly according to any one of the embodiments possibly extends in a positive inclination angle. Thanks to this specific design, condensation, that is formed when condensing vapour against the lid, is again led to the pot volume. As a result, the loss of liquid when cooking is reduced to a minimum and condensed liquid does not drip onto the cooking plate and/or worktop. Preferably, the positive inclination angle is comprised between 0 and 45°. Preferably, the inclination angle is maximum 45° as a larger angle reduces the effect of forming a zone with reduced pressure.

The vapour brim of the cooking assembly according to any one of the embodiments possibly extends in a decreasing inclination angle. Condensation is especially formed closer to the centre of the pot, while less condensation is formed at the end of the vapour brim. This allows to reduce the inclination angle towards the end without annulling the above-said effect of flow-back of condensation towards the pot volume.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour passage is formed through a passage mouth, which passage mouth is enclosed by the vapour brim and the circumferential edge of the cooking pot. The passage mouth can lead the vapour in the direction of the extraction system and limits the freedom of movement of the vapour flow without limiting this vapour flow or reducing its flow rate. The vapour flow is, as it were, concentrated by the enclosure which the passage mouth provides. This has the advantage that there are almost no vapour losses and that the extraction system can optimally remove the vapour flow. Preferably, the passage mouth does not comprise any sharp angles or edges as a result of which the vapour flow can stream out equally and possible condensation is formed in a homogeneous way around the passage mouth. The subsequent flow-back of condensation towards the cooking volume also occurs equally and accumulation of condensation is hereby almost excluded. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the cooking pot comprises a vapour collar, in which said passage mouth is enclosed by the vapour brim and the vapour collar. Preferably, the pot lid can be placed onto the cooking pot in such way that the vapour brim essentially extends above the vapour collar, and they from a vapour passage mouth in-between. Preferably, the vapour passage is essentially formed above and along the vapour collar, beyond a collar edge of the vapour collar. More preferably, the vapour passage is essentially formed under and along the vapour brim, beyond a brim edge of the vapour brim.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour collar extends beyond an essentially circular circumferential edge of the cooking pot. Thereby, the vapour collar extends beyond the further essentially circular circumferential edge. At the vapour collar, this circumferential edge thus extends further, in a radial direction. Such a vapour collar allows to even better direction the vapour passage, for example in the direction of the vapour discharge.

Preferably, the cooking pot is essentially made of stainless steel and/or cast aluminium, and more preferably essentially cast aluminium, as this material offers more freedom than stainless steel as to its shape. As a result, vapour collars with very diverse, optimized designs can be formed.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour collar extends according to a radial direction. This allows to direct the vapour passage in a radial direction. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour collar extends in a positive inclination angle. This allows to collect condensation, and to lead it back to the cooking pot along the surface of the vapour collar.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour collar extends in an increasing inclination angle. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour brim extends according to an inclination angle that is smaller than the inclination angle of the vapour collar. According to a possible, further embodiment, the inclination angle of the vapour brim is on average smaller than the inclination angle of the vapour collar. According to a possible, further embodiment, the inclination angle is, at any position at the vapour brim, always smaller than the inclination angle at the vapour collar, at the corresponding position, situated vertically under said location at the vapour brim. Each of these designs allow to better concentrate the vapour flow, with the above-mentioned advantages. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the vapour collar forms a conducting surface, which conducting surface at least partially encloses the vapour passage. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the conducting surface comprises an essentially U-shaped cross-section. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the conducting surface comprises a converging cross-section. In this respect, the same advantages can be repeated as for the conducting surface of the vapour brim.

Preferably, both the vapour collar and the vapour brim form a conducting surface with an essentially U-shaped cross-section, respectively a "standing U-shape" and an "upside down U-shape"; together, these conducting surfaces form an essentially cylindrical or tubular conducting surface that fully encloses the vapour passage, the so-called conducting surface of the passage mouth.

The U-shaped cross-section of the conducting surface of the vapour collar has the advantage that the vapour collar can concentrate the collected condensation into a flow, and can lead it back to the pot volume.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the cooking pot has a pot diameter and a pot height, in which the pot diameter is at least twice the pot height. In the case of oval cooking pots, the pot diameter hereby relates to the maximum pot diameter. The small pot height places the vapour flow closer to the extraction system, as a result of which a better discharge of vapour becomes possible. According to this embodiment, such cooking pots mainly relate to baking pans and casseroles.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the cooking assembly comprises a plurality of cooking pots, in which the pot lid comprises a terrace-shaped lid edge part. In particular, the lid edge part is appropriate for being placed onto an open circumferential edge of at least two of the cooking pots. Such a cooking assembly has the advantage that it can easily be stored. Moreover, the pot lid always has the same diameter, independent of the size of the cooking pot or pan. The vapour brim of the pot lid thus always extends equally far up to the vapour discharge as a result of which vapour is discharged equally precisely for the different cooking pots, even for those with a smaller diameter.

According to a further or alternative embodiment, the cooking assembly comprises an embodiment of the pot lid that has been described above. According to a further or alternative embodiment, the pot lid further also comprises a vapour valve, in which the vapour passage extends, in a first configuration of the assembly, at least partially between the vapour collar and the vapour brim, and in which the vapour passage is, in a second configuration of the assembly, closed off by means of the vapour valve. This allows to block the vapour passage, as has been described above.

In the following, the invention will be described by means of non-limiting examples illustrating the invention, and not meant to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of a pot lid (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is placed onto a baking pan (2). The illustration of said baking pan in these and the following figures is not intended to limit the scope of the invention and can also be replaced with a cooking pot, deep frying pan or an equivalent cooking device. Further in the description, the general term "cooking pot" is used. The pot lid, that can be brought into a closed configuration with the cooking pot, together also called the cooking assembly (1), separates the ambient volume (11) from the pot volume (10). The pot lid hereby comprises a lid structure (19), provided with a handle (18), in which the pot lid further comprises a vapour brim (15). This vapour brim comprises a brim base (33), a brim deck (23) and a brim side wall (24), and provides for a conducting surface (31) that is appropriate for diverting or deflecting a vapour flow (13) to the suction flow (32), coming from a vapour extraction. Such vapour brim provides a large surface and allows the formation of a zone with reduced pressure under this surface. In this way, the zone with reduced pressure, caused by the extraction system, is optimally kept intact. On the one hand, the vapour can be blown into this zone with reduced pressure with a low speed and flow rate. On the other hand, a sideward suction flow of ambient air is suck, as a result of which the vapour flow is optimally led downward.

The vapour passage (13) along which the vapour flow (13) moves, is formed through the passage mouth (21), that is enclosed by the vapour brim (15) and the circumferential edge (6) of the cooking pot (2). The vapour brim further extends radially with respect to a central axis (22) and extends according to a positive inclination angle (17) ending in a brim edge (16). The positive inclination angle has the effect that condensation that is possibly formed against the brim base (33), flows back to the pot content (7), as a result of which less cooking fluid gets lost during cooking. The vapour brim also protects the user against possibly splashing liquids. The cooking pot further comprises a pot bottom (4), a pot wall (5) and a handle (18'). The extent in which the vapour brim (15) gets beyond the pot surface, defines the collared ambient volume (20) and is preferably minimum 5% of the pot surface. The pot lid comprises a lid edge (38) with lid edge part (9), that is provided with a supporting platform (28), supporting wall (27) and lid lip (12). Said provisions ensure a good fit of the pot lid (2) onto the cooking pot (3) in the closed configuration.

In the Figures 2A and 2B, a front view of a pot lid according to an embodiment of the present invention in shown, placed onto a baking pan (2), respectively with a large and small pot diameter. According to this embodiment, the pot lid (2) comprises a handle (18), that is placed at a right angle to the vapour brim (15). Furthermore, the pot lid comprises a lid edge part (9) with a plurality of supporting platforms (28) and supporting walls (27), together defining the lid structure (19), namely a terrace shape. Thanks to the presence of this terrace shape, the pot lid is appropriate for use with a plurality of cooking pots with different diameters (37). Hereby, each pair of supporting platform and supporting wall fits onto the circumferential edge (6) of a cooking pot with a specific diameter. From the figures, it is clear that the pot lid placed onto a larger cooking pot leads to a smaller collared ambient volume (20) than the pot lid placed onto a smaller cooking pot. Within this collared ambient volume, there is a zone with reduced pressure, as a result of which the vapour is on the one hand blown into this zone with reduced pressure. On the other hand, a sideward suction flow of ambient air is suck, as a result of which the vapour flow (13) is optimally led downward though the vapour passage (14). Note that the vapour brim (25) extends according to this embodiment in a positive inclination angle (17) that becomes smaller towards the brim edge (16). This design is especially advantageous for cooking pots with a higher pot height (36), as the decreasing inclination angle optimally leads the vapour flow (13) downward.

In these embodiments according to figures 1 and 2, the vapour brim 15 each time extends beyond an essentially circular lid edge 32.

The figures 3A, 3B and 3C shown an embodiment of the pot lid (2) in more detail, in which, in figures 3B and 3C, the pot lid (2) is shown in bottom view, giving a better view of the structure. The pot lid is appropriate for being placed onto a baking pan, or by extension a cooking pot or an equivalent cooking device, possibly provided with a handle (18'). Together, the pot lid and the cooking pot form a cooking assembly (1). The pot lid comprises a handle (18) that is positioned at right angles to the vapour brim (15) and further disposes of a cover plate (26), that can principally be flat, convex or concave. Preferably, said vapour brim extends radially over an azimuthal angle sector (25), with an opening angle of maximum 120°. The vapour brim further comprises a brim edge (16), that runs into the lid edge (38) of the pot lid (2). The vapour brim offers a vapour passage (14), that deflects the vapour flow in the direction of the vapour discharge (30) of a cooking unit (8). The vapour brim (15) hereby forms a conducting surface (31). At the vapour brim (15), a brim deck (23), brim base (33) and brim side walls (24) can be distinguished. The pot lid further comprises a lid edge part (9) comprising several supporting platforms (28) and supporting walls (27). As a result, the pot lid is appropriate for use with a plurality of cooking pots with different diameters. At each supporting wall and supporting platform, a size marking (29) is shown that corresponds to the pot diameter (37) for which they are appropriate. Next to the azimuthal opening angle (25), the vapour brim (15) is also characterized by a convergence angle (35). The vapour brim has a U-shaped cross-section (34) that narrows down towards this convergence angle. As a result, the vapour flow is concentrated through the vapour passage (14) and the vapour flow is deflected optimally in the direction of the vapour discharge (30).

Figures 4A-B show perspective views of a cooking assembly 1 according to a possible embodiment of the invention, respectively with the pot lid 3 removed and with the pot lid 3 placed onto the cooking pot 1, in a first configuration of the assembly 1. Optionally, the cooking pot 2 is essentially made of cast aluminium, with a steel plate finishing at the pot bottom 4; as a result, the cooking pot 2 can be used in combination with an induction hob.

The pot lid 3 now comprises a finger 44 that can be placed into an ear 45, that is formed thereto in a handle 18' of the cooking pot 2. This allows to place the lid 3 in a standing position onto the cooking pot 2, in which the pot volume 10 is no longer closed off from the ambient volume 11. In particular, the cooking pot 2 comprises a vapour collar 43 extending beyond the essentially circular circumferential edge 6 of the cooking pot 2. Furthermore, the pot lid 3 comprises a vapour brim 15 also extending beyond the essentially circular lid edge 38. At the brim base 33, the pot lid 3 is further also provided with a pouring screen 40 with a plurality of vapour passage openings 42. That pouring screen 40 extends downward at the pot lid 3, essentially in line with the lid lip 12. With the pot lid 3 placed onto the cooking pot 2, as is shown in figure 4B, the vapour brim 15 and the vapour collar 43 together from a passage mouth 21. The vapour passage 14 is thereby enclosed by the brim deck 23, the brim side walls 24, the collar bottom 47, and the collar walls 48.

Figures 4C-D show two cross-sections of a cooking assembly 1 according to the embodiment of figures 4A and 4B, respectively in a first and a second, closed configuration of the assembly 1. In the first closed configuration (Figure 4C), the vapour brim 15 of the pot lid 3 is placed above the vapour collar 43 of the cooking pot 2. The pot lid 3 further also provides for a vapour valve 39, extending diametrally with respect to the vapour brim 15. The vapour brim 15 extends in a radial direction, and thereby always has a positive, decreasing inclination angle 17. The vapour collar 43, on the other hand, extends in a positive, increasing inclination angle 17'. In particular, it can be determined that the vapour brim 15 extends in an inclination angle 17 that is smaller than the inclination angle 17' of the vapour collar 43. As a result, the vapour passage 14 converges. Condensed vapour is led back to the pot volume 10 along the conducting surfaces 31 and 31' of the vapour brim 15 and vapour collar 43. The pouring screen 40 allows to use the vapour collar 43 of the assembly 1 as a pouring mouth. The pouring screen 40 can be configured between a transverse state (as is shown in figures 4C and 4D) and a longitudinal state (not shown in the figures). More in particular, the pouring screen 40 in the present embodiment is provided with a curved folding edge 50, so that it can be folded up in the direction of the pot volume 10.

The vapour valve 39 has an inclination angle 17" of zero degrees, so smaller than the above-said inclination angles 17, 17'. The second closed configuration is shown in figure 4D. Thereby, the earlier vapour passage 14 is completely blocked by the vapour valve 39. Thereto, the vapour valve 39 is also provided with a closing lip 40, on top of the lid lip 12, that is lying against the collar edge 48 of the vapour collar 43.

Figures 5A-D show perspective views onto a cooking assembly 1 according to another, possible embodiment, with the pot lid 3 removed (figures 5A and 5C) and with the pot lid 3 placed onto the cooking pot 2 according to a first/second configuration (figures 5B/5D). Again, the pot lid 3 comprises a vapour brim 15, provided at the bottom with a perforated pouring screen 40, and diametrally opposite to a vapour valve 39. This vapour valve 39 is provided at the bottom with a vapour screen 41, for additionally blocking the vapour passage 14 in the second, closed configuration (figures 5C, 4D and 5F). Optionally, the cooking pot 2 is essentially made of stainless steel. Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the first closed configuration, in which there is still a vapour passage 14, through the vapour passage openings 42 (visible in the partially cut-away perspective view in figure 5B). Figures 5C and 5D illustrate the second closed configuration, in which the vapour collar 43 is closed off by means of a vapour screen 41 on the one hand, and a vapour valve 39 on the other hand.

Thereby, one can switch between said configurations, by turning the pot lid 3 over 180° with respect to the cooking pot 2, along the central axis 22.

Figures 5E-F show two other cross-sections of a cooking assembly 1 according to the embodiment of figures 5A-D, respectively in a first and a second configuration of the assembly 1. In the first configuration (figure 5A), there is a vapour passage 14, in the second one, there isn't. The vapour brim 15 extends in a radial direction, and thereby always has a positive inclination angle 17. The vapour collar 43, on the other hand, extends in a radial direction with a positive, increasing inclination angle 17'. In particular, it can be determined that the vapour brim 15 extends in an inclination angle 17 that is smaller than the inclination angle 17' of the vapour collar 43. As a result, the vapour passage 14 converges. The vapour valve 39 has a negative inclination angle 17", so smaller than the above-said inclination angles 17, 17'. In the second configuration (of figure 5F), the vapour screen 41 extends downward, in line with the lid lip 12. At least at the vapour collar 43, the vapour screen 41 has a size so that it completely closes off the vapour collar 43.

Preferably, both the final edge of the pouring screen 40 and the final edge of the vapour screen 41 fit with the inner wall of the cooking pot 2, no matter if the assembly 1 is in the first of the second configuration.

The enumerated elements on the figures are:

1. Cooking assembly

2. Cooking pot

3. Pot lid

4. Pot bottom

5. Pot wall

6. Circumferential edge

7. Pot content

8. Cooking unit 9. Lid edge part

10. Pot volume

11. Ambient volume

12. Lid lip

13. Vapour

14. Vapour passage

15. Vapour brim

16. Brim edge

17. Inclination angle

18. Handle

19. Lid structure

20. Collared ambient volume

21. Passage mouth

22. Central axis

23. Brim deck

24. Brim side wall

25. Azimuthal opening angle

26. Cover plate

27. Supporting wall

28. Supporting platform

29. Size markings

30. Vapour discharge

31. Conducting surface

32. Suction flow

33. Brim base

34. U-shaped cross-section

35. Convergence angle

36. Pot height

37. Pot diameter

38. Lid edge

39. Vapour valve

40. Pouring screen

41. Vapour screen

42. Vapour passage opening

43. Vapour collar

44. Finger

45. Ear 46. Collar bottom

47. Collar side wall

48. Collar edge

49. Closing lip

50. Folding edge

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that some adjustments or changes can be added to the described examples without changing the scope of the enclosed claims.