Domed splatter screen with a fitted rim

Abstract

A domed splatter screen with a fitted rim. The domed splatter screen is placed over a pan used for frying a food item. The splatter screen includes a handle, a body, and a rim. The body is constructed of metal mesh and is dome shaped. The mesh catches and prevents oil droplets from splattering onto the stovetop. The dome shape allows the splatter screen to cover a pan with a food item that extends above the pan wall. The rim encircles the edge of the body and is fitted to securely attach to the pan wall. The handle is attached to the body to enable the splatter to screen to be placed over and removed from the pan.

1 . A cover adapted to securely attach to a cooking implement, the cover comprising, a non-planar portion permeable to water vapor and substantially impermeable to droplets of cooking oil;
 a perimeter portion adapted to securely engage a side wall of the cooking implement; and   a handle for holding and moving the cover.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , the non-planar portion extending above the perimeter portion when the cover is secured to the side wall of a cooking implement. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 1 , at least part of the non-planar portion constructed from a mesh material. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , the entire non-planar portion constructed from a mesh material. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , the non-planar portion and the perimeter portion constructed from a mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the non-planar portion has a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the side wall of cooking implement. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1 , the handle adapted to be at least partially thermally isolated from the perimeter portion. 
     
     
         8 . A screen implement for covering an article of cookware, the screen implement comprising:
 a non-planar mesh surface for containing oil droplets within the cookware;   a rim extending around the perimeter of the mesh surface, the rim cooperatively engaging the top of the cookware to secure the screen implement to the cookware and prevent lateral movement of the screen implement relative to the cookware; and   a handle for placing the screen implement onto the cookware and removing the screen implement from the cookware.   
     
     
         9 . The screen implement of  claim 8 , the rim comprising a substantially horizontal surface and a substantially vertical surface, the horizontal surface engaging a top of the wall of the cookware and the vertical surface engaging a side of the wall of the cookware. 
     
     
         10 . The screen implement of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical surface is adapted to be disposed outside the perimeter of the wall of the cookware. 
     
     
         11 . The screen implement of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical surface is adapted to be disposed inside the perimeter of the wall of the cookware. 
     
     
         12 . The screen implement of  claim 8 , the mesh surface allowing water vapor to rise from the cookware and preventing an oil droplet from passing from the cook surface of the cookware into the area surrounding the cookware. 
     
     
         13 . The screen implement of  claim 8 , the mesh surface having a plurality of apertures, wherein the average width of the apertures is less than the average effective diameter of oil droplets produced from frying a food item. 
     
     
         14 . The screen implement of  claim 8 , portions of the mesh surface rising above the rim and wall of the cookware when the screen implement is placed atop the cookware to enable frying food items that extend above the wall of the cookware while maintaining the screen implement securely engaged with the cookware. 
     
     
         15 . A splatter screen for covering a frying pan, the splatter screen comprising:
 a non-planar mesh body adapted to enable steam to pass through the splatter screen and prevent droplets of oil formed during cooking from passing through the splatter screen;   a rim adapted to engage the side wall of the frying pan and laterally stabilize the splatter screen relative to the frying pan; and   a handle for maneuvering the splatter screen.   
     
     
         16 . The splatter screen of  claim 15 , the handle attached to the non-planar mesh body. 
     
     
         17 . The splatter screen of  claim 15 , the handle attached to the rim. 
     
     
         18 . The platter screen of  claim 15 , at least a portion of the non-planar mesh body extending substantially above the height of the side wall of the frying pan when the splatter screen is secured to the frying pan to accommodate a food item having a height greater than the height of the side wall of the frying pan. 
     
     
         19 . The splatter screen of  claim 15 , wherein the non-planar mesh body is arcuate. 
     
     
         20 . The splatter screen of  claim 15 , wherein the non-planar mesh body is dome shaped.