Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"HANDLE HOLDERS FOR DISHES"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful im-
provements in handle holders for dishes, particularly
dishes that are relatively hot or extremely cold.
It is normal when transferring such dishes,
particularly from the kitchen to the table, to utilize
oven mitts or pads in order to insulate the hands from
the hot dish. The problem then is to dispose of the
mitts or pot holders which usually means a return to the
kitchen for this purpose. Furthermore, such mitts or
holders are not particularly attractive and often detract
from the presentation of a dish to the guests at the
table particularly when the dish contains food over which
considerable care has been taken not only in the prepara-
tion but also the initial display and perhaps decorative
presentation thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disad-
vantages by providing an assembly which includes a pair
of handle or lifting portion engaging pockets held onto
the handles of the dish by means of elastic or resilient
bands extending between adjacent sides of corresponding
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pockets and underneath the rim of the dish.
These can be of a decorative fabric and there-
fore may remain on the dish after being placed on the
table or, alternatively, are easily removed and used for
a further hot or cold dish.
In accordance with the invention there is pro-
vided a holding assembly to facilitate the carrying of
extremely hot or cold dishes, said dishes including an
extending handle or lifting portion on diametrically
opposite sides adjacent to the outer rim thereof; said
assembly comprising in combination a pair of handle or
lifting portion engaging pockets, one for each handle or
lifting portion, and a flexible connecting band extending
from each side of one pocket to each corresponding side
of the other pocket, said bands engaging around the out-
side of the dish just underneath the rim thereof when the
pockets are engaged over the handles or lifting por-
tions.
Another advantage of the invention is that
decorative features of the holders may be matched to
individual dishes if desired.
A further advantage of the invention is that as
they are only used to transport the dish from the kitchen
to the table, they remain in a relatively clean condition
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compared to oven mitts or pads and, furthermore, are
easily cleaned if necessary.
Yet another advantage of the invention, apart
from the utilitarian advantage of the device, is that
it can add to the attractiveness of the presentation of
the dish at the table.
A further advantage is the provision of a de-
vice of a character hereinbefore described which is sim-
ple in construction, economically in manufacture and
otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is
designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advan-
tages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art
to which this invention relates as this specification
proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference
to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which
includes a description of the best mode known to the
applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the
principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention
per _ .
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a dish with the
device secured to the handles or lifting portions there-
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of.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of oneof the pockets.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of one of the
connecting bands showing an alternative construction
thereof.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross section view of
one of the bands.
- In the drawings like characters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention
in detail, reference should first be made to Figure 2
which shows a dish collectively designated 10 which is
circular in configuration and is provided with diametri-
cally opposed extending ears or lifting portions in the
form of handles identified by reference character 11.
However it should be appreciated that dishes
come with many forms of handles or lifting portions but
usually they do include extending diametrically opposite
handles or the like and the device is readily engagable
over the majority of constructions of such handles or
lifting devices.
The invention collectively designated 12 con-
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sists of a pair of pocket assemblies collectively desig-
nated 13 connected together by means of resilient or
elastic bands collectively designated 14.
Each pocket is preferably made from a flexible
fabric 15 as shown in Figure 5, two layers being provided
with a insulating flexible padding 16 sltuated there-
between and sewn in position to form a quilting type
cover or the like with the outer surface of the fabric
preferably being of a decorative nature (not illustra-
ted).
In the present embodiment, the pockets 13 are
substantially triangular in configuration when viewed in
plan and consist of an upper section 17 and a correspon-
ding lower section 18 each formed as shown in Figure 5
and folded over to provide the triangular configuration
thus providing two closed edges 19 and an open pocket
entrance 20 which enables the pockets to be detachably
engaged over the handles or lifting portions as clearing
shown in Figure 2.
The resilient bands are preferably formed from
a length of elastic (not illustrated) covered by fabric
21 similar or matching the fabric 15 used in the prepara-
tion or construction of the pockets.
Each band is sewn to the adjacent sides 22 of
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the opposing pockets are clearly illustrated and the
length of the fabric sleeve 21 is greater than the length
of the elastic so that when relaxed, the bands present a
pleated configuration. When stretched to their fullest
extent, the fabric sleeve 21 straightens out with the
elastic supplying tension between the two opposing poc-
kets.
Engagement of the device upon the dish 10 is
easy and merely requires the pockets to be held one in
each hand and engaged over the lifting portions 11 where-
upon the bands 21 are slipped under the rim 23 of the
dish 10. If no rim is provided then the bands are adjus-
ted just below the upper edge of the dish. The bands,
being under tension, pull the pockets inwardly towards
one another thus maintaining the snug engagement of the
pockets over the lifting portions or handles 11.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the bands
21 may be formed from fabric with a relatively short
length of resilient material 23 which may terminate in a
hook 24 engagable with a ring 25 on the opposite portion
of the band as illustrated. However the embodiment shown
on Figures 1 and 2 is the preferred embodiment.
Since various modifications can be made in my
invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently
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widely different embodiments of same made within the
spirit and scope of the claims without departing from
such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter
contained in the accompanying specification shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting
sense.
