Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OVERFLOW PAN ASSEMBLY WITH SPLASHGUARD CAP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to cookware and,
more particularly, is concerned with an overflow pan assembly
with a splashguard cap.
Pans with lids or covers are typically employed on
stoves to cook food and boil water for any number of uses.
Liquid contained in pans frequently overflows due to
inattention as the temperature of the liquid rises and as
vapor pressure increases under the lids on the pans. Various
pans with lids have been developed over the years toward
resolving this and other problems. Representative examples
of prior art pans with lids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
504,243 to Philippot, U.S. Pat. No. 1,461,366 to Mulford et
al., U.S. Pat. No. 1,676,146 to Krafft, U.S. Pat. No.
1,810,860 to Tremblay, U.S. Pat. No. 2,127,988 to Tarrant,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,385,594 to Witte, Jr., U.S. Pat. No.
5,033,453 to Loyd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,524 to Loyd et
al., Danish Pat. No. 26,919 to Holm and German Pat. No.
696,673 to Boecker. While these prior art pans with lids
appear to be satisfactory in use for the specific purposes
for which they were designed, none of them seem to provide a
comprehensive and effective solution to prevent liquid
overflow.
Consequently, a need still exists for an assembly which
provides an optimum solution to the aforementioned problem in
the prior art without introducing any new problems in place
thereof .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an overflow pan assembly
designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The overflow
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pan assembly of the present invention provides a pan with a
cap forming an upper catch chamber outside the cap which
receives and directs overflow liquid from the exterior of the
cap back into the lower cooking chamber of the pan through an
equalizing gap formed between the cap and pan when the cap is
placed in an elevated opened position relative to the pan.
The overflow pan assembly thus solves the aforementioned
problem of the prior art by preventing liquid from
overflowing the pan when unattended by the user.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
overflow pan assembly which comprises: (a) a pan including
(i) a bottom wall having a periphery, (ii) a lower side wall
having an annular shape, an upper end of a first diameter,
and a lower end connected to and extending upwardly from the
periphery of the bottom wall such that the lower side wall
and bottom wall of the pan form a lower cooking chamber,
(iii) an upper side wall having an annular shape, an upper
end and a lower end of a second diameter greater than the
first diameter of the upper end of the lower side wall, and
(iv) a ledge having an annular shape extending between and
interconnecting the upper end of the lower side wall and the
lower end of the upper side wall, the upper side wall and
ledge of the pan forming an upper reservoir chamber of the
pan above the lower cooking chamber thereof; (b) a cap
including (i) a top wall having a periphery, and (ii) a side
wall having an annular shape, an upper end connected to and
extending downwardly from the periphery of the top wall such
that the side wall and top wall of the cap form an inner
splash chamber within the cap and above the lower cooking
chamber and intersecting with the upper reservoir chamber of
the pan, the side wall of the cap also having a lower end of
a third diameter greater than the first diameter of the upper
end of the lower side wall of the pan and less than the
second diameter of the lower end of the upper side wall of
the pan, the side wall of the cap and the upper side wall and
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ledge of the pan forming an outer catch chamber outside the
cap and within the upper reservoir chamber of the pan; and
(c) positioning means for disposing the cap at either one of
an opened position and a closed position relative to the pan
such that in the opened position of the cap the lower end of
the side wall of the cap is spaced above the ledge of the pan
so as to thereby form a gap therebetween whereby fluid is
allowed to pass through the gap between the lower cooking
chamber and outer catch chamber whereas in the closed
position the lower end of the side wall of the cap is
disposed on the ledge of the pan to thereby close the gap
therebetween whereby fluid is prevented from passing through
the gap between the lower cooking chamber and outer catch
chamber.
More particularly, the positioning means includes a pair
of first handles mounted to the pan and a pair of second
handles mounted to the cap. The first handles are mounted to
and extend outwardly from the upper side wall of the pan
opposite from one another and adjacent to the upper end of
the upper side wall. The second handles are mounted to and
extend outwardly from the side wall of the cap opposite from
one another and between and spaced from the upper and lower
ends of the side wall. Each of the second handles of the cap
is pairable with and restable upon one of the first handles
of the pan such that by resting the second handles upon the
first handles the cap is retained in the opened position
relative to the pan whereas by separating the second handles
of the cap from the first handles of the pan the cap is
disposed in the closed position relative to the pan.
The first and second handles have complementary first
and second detent means formed thereon which are mateable
with one another when the second handles are resting on the
first handles for enabling centering of the cap over the pan
and relative to the annular ledge of the pan. The first and
second detent means are complementary recesses and
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protrusions formed on the first and second handles so as to
face toward each other when the second handles are resting on
the first handles. The second handles have top surfaces with
inner portions adjacent to where the second handles are
mounted to the side wall of the cap. The inner portions have
depressions formed therein adjacent to the side wall of the
cap so as to direct liquid traveling down an exterior surface
of the cap into the outer catch chamber.
The cap also has at least one and preferably a plurality
of vent holes defined in the top wall of the cap. The cap
further has a vent closure member rotatably mounted to and
disposed below the top wall of the cap to undergo rotation
between first and second positions angularly displaced from
one another such that the vent closure member covers and thus
closes the vent holes of the cap in the first position and
uncovers and thus opens the vent holes in the second
position. The vent closure member has a lever mounted thereon
and projecting through the top wall of the cap for allowing
a user to grasp the lever to rotate the vent closure member.
These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon a reading of the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown
and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an overflow pan assembly
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the overflow pan
assembly.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the overflow pan assembly.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a pasitioning means of the
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assembly as seen along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1,
there is illustrated an overflow pan assembly, generally
designated 10, of the present invention. The overflow pan
assembly 10 basically includes a pan 12, a cap 14 and a
positioning means 16. The cap 14 may be placed on and
removed from the pan 12. The positioning means 16 is adapted
to dispose the cap 14 at either one of an opened position,
seen in solid line form at A in FIG. 2, and a closed
position, seen in dashed line form at B in FIG. 2, relative
to the pan 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, the pan 12 of the
assembly 10 has a bottom wall 18, a lower side wall 20, an
upper side wall 22, and a ledge 24. The bottom wall 18 of
the pan 12 has a substantially flat circular configuration.
The lower side wall 20 of the pan 12 has a substantially
annular shape and a continuous upper end 20A and a continuous
lower end 20B. The lower side wall 20 diverges slightly from
the lower end 20B, adjacent to the bottom wall 18, to the
upper end 20A, adjacent to the ledge 24. The diameter at the
upper end 20A of the lower side wall 20 is slightly greater
than the diameter at the lower end 20H thereof. Preferably,
the upper and lower ends 20A, 20B are rounded with the
curvature of the upper end 20A being in a direction opposite
to the direction of the curvature of the lower end 20B. The
lower side wall 20 at its lower end 20B is connected to the
periphery of the bottom wall 18 and extends upwardly
therefrom such that the bottom wall 18 and lower side wall 20
together form a lower cooking chamber 26 of the pan 12.
The upper side wall 22 of the pan 12 has a substantially
annular shape and a continuous upper end 22A and a continuous
lower end 22B. The upper side wall 22 diverges slightly from
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the lower end 22B, adjacent to the ledge 24, to the upper end
22A. The upper side wall 22 also has a diameter at the upper
end 22A which is slightly greater than the diameter at the
lower end 22H of the upper side wall 22. The lower end 22B
of the upper side wall 22 is rounded and merges into the
outer diameter of the ledge 24 while the upper end 22A
provides a top rim of the pan 12. The lower end 22B of the
upper side wall 22 has a curvature opposite to that of the
upper end 20A of the lower side wall 20. The lower and upper
side walls 20, 22 of the pan 12 are disposed in vertically
offset but approximately parallel relation to one another.
The lower side wall 20 has a height greater than that of the
upper side wall 22.
The ledge 24 of the pan 12 extends between and merges
into and thus interconnects the upper end 20A of the lower
side wall 20 and the lower end 22B of the upper side wall 22.
The ledge 24 has a generally continuous annular shape and is
inclined outwardly rising slightly from the upper end 20A of
the lower side wall 20 to the lower end 22B of the upper side
wall 22. The upper side wall 22 and ledge 24 of the pan 12
together form an upper reservoir chamber 28 of the pan 12
above the lower cooking chamber 26 thereof. The upper
reservoir chamber 28 has a capacity approximately equal to
the capacity of the lower cooking chamber 26 which serves to
control any overflow when the cap 14 is removed from the pan
12 and the cooking contents are being stirred.
The cap 14 of the assembly 10 has a top wall 30 and a
side wall 32. The top wall 30 has a substantially circular
configuration and can be relatively flat or dome-shaped as
desired. The side wall 32 has a substantially annular shape
and a continuous upper end 32A and a continuous lower end
32B. The side wall 32 at its upper end 32A is connected to
the periphery of the top wall 30 and extends downwardly
therefrom such that the top wall 30 and side wall 32 together
form an inner splash chamber 34 within the cap 14 and above
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the lower cooking chamber 26 of the pan 12 and also
intersecting with the upper reservoir chamber 28 of the pan
12. The side wall 32 diverges slightly from the upper end
32A, adjacent to the top wall 30, to the lower end 32B. The
diameter at the lower end 32B of the side wall 32 is slightly
greater than the diameter at the upper end 32A thereof. The
diameter at the upper end 32A of the side wall 32 of the cap
14 is approximately the same as the diameter of the upper end
20A of the lower side wall 20 of the pan 12. The upper end
32A of the side wall 32 is rounded where it merges from the
top wall 30 of the cap 14. The lower end 32B of the side
wall 32 provides a bottom rim on the cap 14. The diameter of
the lower end 32B of the side wall 32 of the cap 14 is
greater than the diameter of the top end 20A of the lower
side wall 20 of the pan 12 but is less than the diameter of
the lower end 22B of the upper side wall 22 of the pan 12
whereby the bottom rim of the cap 14 can be disposed
generally centrally about and above the ledge 24 of the pan
12. The height of the side wall 32 of the cap 14 preferably
is similar to the height of the pan 12.
When placed on the pan 12 as seen in FIG. 2, the cap 14
is disposed partially within the upper reservoir chamber 28
of the pan 12. As mentioned above, the top wall 30 and side
wall 32 of the cap 14 form the inner splash chamber 34 inside
the cap 14 above the lower cooking chamber 26 of the pan l2.
The side wall 32 of the cap 14 and the upper side wall 22 and
ledge 24 of the pan 12 together form an outer catch chamber
36 outside the cap 14 and within the upper reservoir chamber
28 of the pan 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the positioning means 16
facilitates placement of the cap 14 at either one of the
opened position and closed position as represented by the
lower end 32B of the cap 14 being disposed either at position
A or position B shown in FIG. 2. When the cap 14 is in the
opened position, the lower end 32B of the side wall 32 of the
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cap 14 is elevated above and prevented from contacting the
ledge 24 of the pan 12 and thereby provides an equalizing gap
38 between the lower end 32B of the side wall 32 of the cap
14 and the ledge 24 of the pan 12 such that liquid may pass
through the gap 38 into and from the inner splash chamber 34
of the cap 14 and into and from the outer catch chamber 36 of
the cap 14 and the pan 12. In view that the lower end 32B of
the side wall 32 of the cap 14 is elevated above the ledge 24
but still submerged in liquid on both sides, a liquid seal is
provided through the gap 38 which prevents froth and boiling
activity in the inner splash chamber 34 from affecting liquid
in the outer catch chamber 36. Thus, the lower cooking
chamber 26 is covered and all activity due to boiling
surfaces remains within the inner splash chamber 34. When
the cap 14 is in the closed position, the lower end 32B of
the side wall 32 of the cap 14 rests on the ledge 24 of the
pan 12 and thereby closes the gap 38 between the lower end
32B of the side wall 32 of the cap 14 and the ledge 24 of the
pan 12 such that liquid is prevented from passing through the
gap 38.
More particularly, the positioning means 16 preferably
is in the form of a pair of first handles 40 mounted to the
pan 12 and a pair of second handles 42 mounted to the cap 14.
The first handles 40 are mounted to the upper side wall 22 of
the pan 12 substantially opposite from one another and
adjacent to and extending outwardly from the upper end 22A of
the upper side wall 22. Each first handle 40 extends farther
outwardly from the upper side wall 22 than above the upper
side wall 22 and, as an example, has a substantially J-shaped
configuration in cross-section and an outer portion 40A and
an inner portion 40B. The outer portion 40A of each first
handle 40 extends outwardly from the upper side wall 22 while
the inner portion 40B thereof extends along the upper side
wall 22. Each first handle 40 has a substantially uniform
width along the outer and inner portions 40A, 40B thereof and
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a substantially rectangular configuration when viewed from
above. Each first handle 40 is mounted to the upper side
wall 22 of the pan 12 by any suitable means, such as by screw
fasteners (not shown).
The second handles 42 are mounted to the side wall 32 of
the cap 14 substantially opposite from one another and
between and spaced from the upper and lower ends 32A, 32B of
the side wall 32 and extend outwardly from the side wall 32.
Each second handle 42, as an example, has a substantially J-
shaped configuration in cross-section and an outer portion
42A and an inner portion 42B. The outer portion 42A of each
second handle 42 extends outwardly from the side wall 32
while the inner portion 42B of each second handle 42 extends
along the side wall 32. The outer portion 42A of each second
handle 42 has a length substantially greater than the length
of the inner portion 42B thereof and of the length of the
outer portion 40B of each first handle 40 such that the
second handles 42 are easy to grasp by the user. Each second
handle 42 has a substantially uniform width along the outer
and inner portions 42A, 42B thereof. The width of each
second handle 42 of the cap 14 also is greater than the width
of each first handle 40 of the pan 12, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4. Each second handle 42 has a substantially rectangular
configuration when viewed from above. Each second handle 42
is mounted to the side wall 32 of the cap 14 by any suitable
means, such as by screw fasteners (not shown).
Each second handle 42 of the cap 14 is pairable with and
restable upon one of the first handles 40 of the pan 12 such
that the resting of the second handles 42 upon the first
handles 40 retains the cap 14 in the open position hanging by
its pair of second handles 42 over the pan 12 with its splash
chamber 34 rising above all possible liquid levels. The
second handles 42 of the cap 14 are separable from the first
handles 40 of the pan 12 to place the cap 14 in the closed
position. In the closed position, the cap 14 sits with its
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lower end 32B resting on the ledge 24 of the pan 12. In this
position, the cap 14 acts as a lid that can either be closed
or vented as described below. The substantially J-shaped
cross-sectional configuration of each second handle 42 allows
for centering of the cap 14 relative to the ledge 24 of the
pan 12. This centering of the cap 14 relative to the ledge
24 of the pan 12 is accomplished when the outer portions 42A
of the second handles 42 are resting flush on the outer
portions 40A of the first handles 40. The J-shaped
configuration of each second handle 42 causes both sides of
the cap 14 to rise when the outer portions 42A of the second
handles 42 are not resting flush on the outer portions 40A of
the first handles 40.
The first and second handles 40, 42 also can have
complementary first and second detent means 44, 46 formed
thereon which are interfittable or mateable with one another
when the second handles 42 are resting on the first handles
40 for easier achievement and retention of the centering of
the cap 14 over the pan 12 relative to the annular ledge 24
of the pan 12. The first and second detent means 44, 46
preferably take the form of complementary paired recesses 44
and protrusions 46 formed on the first and second handles 40,
42 so as to face toward and align and interfit with each
other when the second handles 42 are resting on the first
handles 40. Each protrusion 46 has a center portion 46A
which fits into one of the recesses 44 and a pair of opposite
end portions 46B which extend in transverse relationship to
the center portion 46A and fit along opposite sides of the
respective second handle 42 adjacent to the opposite ends of
the respective recess 44. The center and opposite end
portions 46A, 46B, which along their respective lengths lie
in orthogonal relationship to one another, prevent horizontal
movement of the cap 14 in any direction relative to the pan
12 and hold the cap 14 in an exactly dead centered alignment
over the pan 12.
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The second handles 42 have top surfaces 42C with
portions thereof adjacent to where the second handles 42 are
mounted to the exterior of the side wall 32 of the cap 14
having depressions 48 so as to direct liquid traveling down
an exterior surface 14A of the cap 14 into the outer catch
chamber 36 instead of allowing the liquid to travel outwardly
along the exterior surfaces 42C of the second handles 42.
Also, optionally, each second handle 42 can have a bead 50
formed on the top surface 42C along an edge of the depression
48 opposite from the side wall 32 of the cap 14 which serves
as a further barrier to liquid traveling outwardly from the
cap 14 on the top surface 42C of the second handle 42.
The cap 14 of the assembly 10 also has one or more and,
preferably, four vent holes 52 defined in the top wall 30 of
the cap 14. The vent holes 52 are spaced apart an equal
distance from one another. By way of example, each vent hole
52 can have a substantially triangular configuration, as
shown, or may have any other suitable configuration. The
assembly 10 further comprises a vent closure member 54. The
vent closure member 54 has a generally circular configuration
and is rotatably mounted at the center thereof to the center
of the top wall 30 of the cap 14 and is disposed below the
top wall 30 of the cap 14 within the inner splash chamber 34
of the cap 14. The vent closure member 54 defines one or
more and, preferably, four vent apertures 56. The vent
apertures 56 are spaced apart an equal distance from one
another and can have any desired shape. By way of example,
each vent aperture 56 has a substantially triangular
configuration. The vent apertures 56 of the vent closure
member 54 have sizes and spacing substantially the same as
the vent holes 52 of the cap 14. The cap 14 also has a
central hole 58 defined in the top wall 30 of the cap 14 and
a fastener assembly 60 releasably mounting the vent closure
member 54 to the top wall 30 of the cap 14. Further still,
the vent closure member 54 has a lever 62 mounted thereon and
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extending through the top wall 30 of the cap 14 for allowing
a user to grasp the lever 62 to rotate the vent closure
member 54. The lever 62 is a finger-tip type.
The vent closure member 54 is rotatable such that the
vent holes 52 of the cap 14 may be closed and open to varying
degrees by the vent apertures 56 of the vent closure member
54 being moved away from and toward alignment with the vent
holes 52 of the cap 14. The overlapping of the vent holes 52
and vent apertures 56 allows for passage of steam
therethrough from the inner splash chamber 34 of the cap 14
to the exterior surface 14A of the cap 14 and the external
environment. The outer catch chamber 36 is always open to
the external environment. The combination of open vent holes
52 of the cap 14 and the open outer catch chamber 36 enables
the assembly 10 to relieve steam pressure and reduce the
amount of fluid overflow. The inner splash chamber 34 of the
cap 14 extends to a height above the lower cooking chamber 26
of the pan 12 sufficient to provide adequate room for foam or
froth control. Froth from liquid boiling in the lower
cooking chamber 26 of the pan 12 that elevates sufficiently
within the inner splash chamber 34 may pass through the
aligned vent holes and apertures 52, 56 of the cap 14 and
vent closure member 54 and condense on an exterior surface
14A of the cap 14 and run as liquid back down and into the
outer catch chamber 36 and reenter the lower cooking chamber
26 via the equalizing gap 38 therebetween. This condensation
enables the assembly 10 to held maintain liquid in the lower
cooking chamber 26 of the pan 12 and to reduce the instances
of overflow of the pan 12 and of boiling the pan dry.
Furthermore, when cooking foods that require it, the extra
capacity of the outer catch chamber 36 provides the
opportunity for a user to add extra water without removing
the cap 14 by simply pouring the water into the outer catch
chamber 36. The outer catch chamber 36 will funnel the water
into the lower cooking chamber 26 via the equalizing gap 38.
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The pan 12 also has a spout 64 defined on the top edge 22A of
the upper side wall 22 of the pan 12. The spout 64 is a
pitcher-type. The spout 64 is located halfway between the
first handles 40 of the pan 12.
To recapitulate, when the cap 14 is in the opened
hanging position, it divides the upper reservoir chamber 28
of the pan 12 into the inner splash chamber 34 and outer
catch chamber 36 united by a liquid seal at the gap 38
through which liquid is free to flow and seek its own level.
Also, steam can be vented as it is generated, eliminating
steam pressure problems within the splash chamber 34. The
outer catch chamber 36 remains unaffected by the activity
taking place within the splash chamber 34. All expelled
froth and liquid are caught in the catch chamber 36 and
returned to the cooking chamber 26 as the liquid seeks its
own level by passing through the equalizing gap 38. Another
advantage is that liquid can be added to the cooking chamber
26 without removing the cap 14 simply by pouring it into the
outer catch chamber 36. This eliminates the need to remove
a dripping cap 14 in order to replenish liquid to the cooking
chamber 26. The second handles 42 of the cap 14 are slightly
longer than the first handles 40 of the pan 12 to make
lifting or adjustment easier. As the cap 14 is removed from
the pan 12, the upper reservoir chamber 28 is formed. This
chamber 28 has approximately the same volume capacity as the
lower cooking chamber 26, but has approximately two and one-
quarter times greater surface area. When cooking volatile
foods that need to be stirred constantly, these capabilities
become invaluable. As frothy contents of the cooking chamber
26 expand, the space to contain and control them, plus the
greater exposure to atmospheric cooling to quiet them, is
provided in the upper reservoir chamber 28. Further, to
drain excess liquid after cooking, the user's hands are
placed to either side of the rising steam and the weight of
the assembly 10 is evenly distributed by the handles 40, 42.
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Liquid drains freely through the gap 38 while the cap 14 is
held firmly in place with both hands as all food is retained
in the cooking chamber 26. Liquid is consolidated into a
stream by the pitcher spout 64 eliminating drips during the
draining process.
It is thought that the present invention and its
advantages will be understood from the foregoing description
and it will be apparent that various changes may be made
thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the
form hereinbefore described being merely preferred or
exemplary embodiment thereof.
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