Detachable handle for cooking container

Abstract

A detachable handle for a cooking container includes a body having an upper contact portion, a lower contact portion, and a locking element. The upper contact portion couples an interior surface or a rim of the cooking container. The lower contact portion couples with an exterior surface of the cooking container. The upper contact portion and lower contact portion cooperate to support the cooking container. The locking element resiliently locks the handle on the cooking container when the upper contact portion and lower contact portion are coupled to the cooking container. The body and the locking element may be formed as a single molded part.

1 . A detachable handle for a cooking container comprising:
 a body comprising:
 an upper contact portion configured to couple with an interior surface or a rim of the cooking container; and 
 a lower contact portion configured to couple with an exterior surface of the cooking container, the upper contact portion and lower contact portion being configurable to support the cooking container; and 
   a locking element coupled with the body, the locking element configured to resiliently lock the handle on the cooking container when the upper contact portion and lower contact portion are coupled to the cooking container.   
   
   
       2 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the locking element is flexible. 
   
   
       3 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the locking element are formed as a single molded part, wherein the body and the locking element are coupled through a resilient portion in the locking element. 
   
   
       4 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the upper contact portion and the lower contact portion are in substantially fixed relationship to one another. 
   
   
       5 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the handle is formed of a thermoset polymer. 
   
   
       6 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the locking element is formed of a thermoset polymer having a flexural modulus of less than about 20,000 megapascals. 
   
   
       7 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element comprises a locking lever coupled to the body. 
   
   
       8 . The detachable handle of  claim 7 , wherein the locking lever comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is coupled to the body, wherein the distal portion comprises an engaging portion configured to engage the cooking container. 
   
   
       9 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element comprises a ridge, wherein the ridge is configured to couple with a rim of the cooking container to lock the handle on the cooking container. 
   
   
       10 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element comprises a locking lever coupled to the body, wherein the locking lever is configured to allow the handle to be released from the cooking container when a predetermined force is applied to the locking lever. 
   
   
       11 . The detachable handle of  claim 1 , wherein the locking element is configured to automatically lock when the handle is installed on the cooking container. 
   
   
       12 . A detachable handle for a cooking container, comprising:
 a body configured to couple with and support the cooking container;   an lever arm extending from the body, the lever arm configured to resiliently couple with an exterior portion of the cooking container when the body is coupled to the cooking container.   
   
   
       13 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein the lever arm is integrally formed with the body. 
   
   
       14 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein engagement of the lever arm with the cooking container inhibits separation of the handle from the cooking container. 
   
   
       15 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein the lever arm is resiliently biased to lock the handle on cooking container when the body is coupled to the cooking container. 
   
   
       16 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein the lever arm comprises a resilient portion, wherein the resilient portion allows the arm to deflect when a force is applied to the lever arm at a location distal to the resilient portion. 
   
   
       17 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein the lever arm comprises a release button, wherein the release is operable by a user to disengage the lever arm from the cooking container. 
   
   
       18 . The detachable handle of  claim 12 , wherein the body comprises an aperture, wherein at least a portion of the lever arm is in the aperture. 
   
   
       19 . A cooking system comprising:
 a plurality of cooking containers; and   at least one detachable handle, the at least one detachable handle being configured to couple with one or more of the cooking containers, the at least one detachable handle comprising a lever arm configured to resiliently engage one of the cooking containers when the handle is coupled to the cooking container, wherein engagement of the lever arm with the cooking container inhibits separation of the handle from the cooking container.   
   
   
       20 . The cooking system of  claim 19 , wherein at least two of the plurality of cooking containers are stackable.