Foods and beverages: apparatus – Cooking – Confining – conforming or molding support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-05-22
Alexander, Reginald L. (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Cooking
Confining, conforming or molding support
C099S403000, C126S27500R, C220S379000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234067
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to two-piece containers having a main body and a separate removable cover, and more particularly to a hinge clip attached to the removable cover of a roaster oven for supporting the cover in an open position on the main body of the roaster oven.
Roaster ovens used for preparing and cooking food are well known in the art. The conventional roaster oven includes a main body and a separate removable cover that fits on the main body of the oven. The main body typically includes a cookwell pan inserted within an outer shell of the roaster oven body. Handles are attached to the outer shell of the main body for ease in carrying the roaster oven. The cover is closed and rests on an upper edge of the cookwell pan during cooking, and to keep the food warm before serving. The cover is removed from the roaster oven during the serving of food.
A problem exists with having a separate removable cover. After the cover is removed from the roaster oven, it must be placed on a counter top, table, or other supporting surface. The cover is usually still hot and includes condensation and other food matter on its inner surface. Setting a hot, dirty cover on a counter top or table is not desirable. Hot liquid dripping from the inner surface of the cover onto the counter top or table could possibly damage or at the very least stain the supporting surface.
Therefore, it would be desirable if the cover of a roaster oven could be opened without having to remove the cover from the main body of the oven. In addition, it would be further desirable if the cover could be secured in an open position on the main body of the roaster oven such that any condensation or other food matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the cookwell pan of the roaster oven.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hinge clip attached to the cover of a roaster oven. The hinge clip is designed so that the cover may be easily removed from the roaster oven with a normal lifting motion. The hinge clip acts as a hinge when the cover is opened and rotated about a rear lip on the bottom edge of the cover. The hinge clip also supports the cover in an open position. With the cover in an open position, the hinge clip positions the cover over the roaster oven to ensure that condensation and other food matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the roaster oven.
The present invention includes a two-piece container, such as a roaster oven, having a main body and a removable cover. The main body includes a bottom portion with sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom to create an open cavity for a cookwell pan to be inserted therein. Handles are attached to the sidewalls to facilitate carrying the roaster oven. The cookwell pan includes sidewalls with an upper edge and a flange extending around the periphery of the sidewalls. The cover includes a top portion with a handle attached thereto and sidewalls extending downwardly from the top portion. The cover's sidewalls include a flared bottom lip that rests on the upper edge of the cookwell pan's sidewalls with the cover in a closed position.
A hinge clip in accordance with the present invention is attached to the cover on a rear sidewall. The hinge clip is preferably attached to the sidewall by rivets, but may also be attached to the sidewall with screws or bolts and the like. In addition, the hinge clip may be welded to the sidewall or integral with the cover. The hinge clip includes a first portion attached to the rear sidewall of the cover and a second portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the first portion. The second portion of the hinge clip is sized and shaped to fit into an elongated slotted opening extending through the flange of the cookwell pan of the roaster oven.
With the cover in a closed position on the roaster oven, the hinge clip is not in contact with the cookwell pan or any other part of the main body of the roaster oven. The cover is easily removed from the main body of the roaster oven with a normal vertical lifting motion. The cover may be opened by lifting or rotating the cover about its rear bottom lip. Rotating the cover about its rear lip causes the hinge clip to be inserted within the corresponding elongated slotted opening in the flange of the cookwell pan. The hinge clip acts as a hinge while the cover is being opened. The hinge clip also supports the cover in an open position. In this secured open position, condensation and other matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the cookwell pan of the roaster oven, and not onto a counter top or table.
In an alternative embodiment, the cover and cookwell pan include brackets for selectively mounting the removable cover in an open position on the main body of the container. The cookwell pan includes at least one bracket attached to the rear flange extending upwardly therefrom for mating with at least one bracket attached to the rear sidewall of the cover. The at least one bracket attached to the rear flange of the cookwell pan includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion narrower than the first portion for insertion into an elongated slotted opening in the at least one bracket attached to the rear sidewall of the cover. The at least one bracket attached to the rear sidewall of the cover extends outwardly and upwardly from the rear sidewall, and includes an elongated slotted opening extending therethrough for mating with the second portion of the bracket attached to the flange to maintain the cover in an open position.
In another alternative embodiment, the cookwell pan includes at least one bracket attached to the rear flange and extending upwardly therefrom for mating with at least one elongated slotted opening in the rear sidewall of the cover.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2571482 (1951-10-01), Pettit
patent: 3081394 (1963-03-01), Arel et al.
patent: 3081395 (1963-03-01), Wickenberg
patent: 3576271 (1971-04-01), Seeley
patent: 4005798 (1977-02-01), Minsky
patent: 5096084 (1992-03-01), Wells
patent: 5531350 (1996-07-01), Lu
patent: 5860528 (1999-01-01), Emery
patent: 1045617 (1956-02-01), None
patent: 77315 (1933-05-01), None
Alexander Reginald L.
Baxter William K.
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
The Metal Ware Corporation
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