Interlocking Cookware Vessel and Lids

Abstract

An article of cookware has a lid that locks by rotation with respect to the rim, wherein the lid and the cookware article each have opposing handle that engage to form the lock mechanism. The gripping portion of the handle can be a short U shaped handle or an elongation handle or both, as for example in the case of a frittata pan. Alternative, the lid can be perforated for draining water from pasta or vegetables after cooking or blanching.

1 . An article of cookware comprising,
 a) a first fluid retaining vessel having a bottom and substantially upright side walls attached thereto terminating in a upright circular rim,   b) a second closure for said first fluid containing vessel, having a second downward facing circular rim adapted to compliment the upright circular rim of said first fluid retaining vessel, at least a peripheral portion forming an exterior wall for the attachment of at least handles,   c) where each of the first fluid retaining vessel and second closure have a pair of handles disposed to face each other, each handle being attached to the exterior wall of the vessel by a flange portion,   d) wherein each of said handles further comprises a grip portion attached to said flange portion wherein at least a part of the grip or flange portion of one pair of handles attached to at least one of the first fluid retaining vessel and the second closure extends above the rim and another part of the grip or flange portion.   e) An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein each handle of the first fluid containing vessel and the second closure have a grip portion attached to said flange portion wherein at least a part of the grip or flange portion of each pair of handles attached to both the first fluid retaining vessel and the second closure extends above the rim thereof and another part of the grip or flange portion.   
   
   
       2 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein the handles of the first fluid retaining vessel and second closure can engage by rotation to resist separation from each other. 
   
   
       3 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein said second concave closure is a second cooking vessel. 
   
   
       4 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein the second cooking vessel is selected from the group consisting of a stock pot, a paella pan, a saucier pan, a crepe pan and a sauté pan. 
   
   
       5 . An article of cookware according to  claim 3  wherein the first cooking vessel is selected from the group consisting of a stock pot, a paella pan, a saucier pan, a crepe pan and a sauté pan. 
   
   
       6 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein said second closure is a lid having drain holes on at least a portion of the surface. 
   
   
       7 . An article of cookware according to  claim 6  wherein the drain holes on the surface of said second concave closure is distributed in two portions on opposite sides thereof, one portion containing larger drain holes than the other portion. 
   
   
       8 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein the grip portion of the handle of at least one of the first vessel and second closure is at least one of a closed loop and an open arc. 
   
   
       9 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein the grip portion of one handle of said first vessel is an elongated outward extending projection and other handle on the opposite side of the vessel is at east one of a closed loop and an open arc. 
   
   
       10 . An article of cookware according to  claim 1  wherein each handle has an axis of substantial symmetry that extends in the radial direction with respect to the geometric center of the cooking vessel, wherein a transition region connects the flange and grip portion thereof, the transition region being disposed on one side of the axis of symmetry on the first vessel and on the other each side of the axis of symmetry on the engaging handle of the second closure when engaged therewith. 
   
   
       11 . An article of cookware according to  claim 10  wherein the transition region is angularly disposed to elevate the grip region of the handles of at least one of the first vessel and second closure above the rim thereof. 
   
   
       12 . An article of cookware according to  claim 10  wherein the transition region is angularly disposed to elevate the grip region of the handles of the first vessels above the rim thereof and the handles of the second closure above the rim thereof. 
   
   
       13 . An article of cookware according to  claim 2  wherein the first vessel has an elongated handle and a short handle on the opposite side and the second closure also an elongated handle and a short handle on the opposite side, each being of comparable volume and shape so that at least one can be used as a fry pan. 
   
   
       14 . An article of cookware according to  claim 2  wherein said second closure is a second cooking vessel. 
   
   
       15 . An article of cookware according to  claim 14  wherein the second cooking vessel is selected from the group consisting of a stock pot, a paella pan, a saucier pan, a crepe pan and a sauté pan. 
   
   
       16 . An article of cookware according to  claim 15  wherein the first cooking vessel is selected from the group consisting of a stock pot, a paella pan, a saucier pan, a crepe pan and a sauté pan. 
   
   
       17 . An article of cookware according to  claim 2  wherein said second closure is a lid having drain holes on at least a portion of the surface. 
   
   
       18 . An article of cookware according to  claim 17  wherein the drain holes on the surface of said second concave closure is distributed in two portions on opposite sides thereof, one portion containing larger drain holes than the other portion. 
   
   
       19 . An article of cookware according to  claim 2  wherein the grip portion of the handle of at least one of the first vessel and second closure is at least one of a closed loop and an open arc. 
   
   
       20 . An article of cookware according to  claim 2  wherein each handle has an axis of substantial symmetry that extends in the radial direction with respect to the geometric center of the cooking vessel, wherein a transition region connects the flange and grip portion thereof, the transition region being disposed on one side of the axis of symmetry on the first vessel and on the other each side of the axis of symmetry on the engaging handle of the second closure when engaged therewith. 
   
   
       21 . An article of cookware according to  claim 20  wherein the transition region is angularly disposed to elevate the grip region of the handles of at least one of the first vessel and second closure above the rim thereof. 
   
   
       22 . An article of cookware according to  claim 21  wherein the transition region is angularly disposed to elevate the grip region of the handles of the first vessels above the rim thereof and the handles of the second closure above the rim thereof.