Hot item handling article

Abstract

An article for use with a hot item is disclosed. The article is formed of a substantially flat member having a coaster region and two side regions. In various preferred embodiments, the coaster region is attached to the member at a back region. The side regions are adapted to be used to grasp a hot item such as a bowl, cup, plate, or pot. For example, the article can be used to remove a hot dish from a microwave oven. The coaster region hangs from its point of attachment when in use. The hot item can then be placed on a flat surface with the coaster region below it. Ideally, the side regions conform to a planar configuration once the article is placed on a flat surface. The article can be used as a placemat in this condition. Ideally, the article is formed of a heat-resistant material.

1 . An article for use with a hot item comprising:
 a flat heat-resistant member having a coaster region for placement underneath a hot item, and two side regions for gripping such a hot item,   wherein said coaster region and said side regions are connected to one another.   
   
   
       2 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said coaster region is curved to conform to the outline of a rounded or curved bottom surface of a hot item. 
   
   
       3 . The article according to  claim 2 , wherein said coaster region lies substantially in plane with said two side regions under the condition that said member is placed on a flat surface. 
   
   
       4 . The article according to  claim 3 , wherein said two side regions and said coaster region are formed to have conforming contours, and wherein said member is substantially continuous and gap-free under the condition that said member is placed on a flat surface such that said member is suitable for use as a placemat. 
   
   
       5 . The article according to  claim 4 , wherein said coaster region is attached to the remainder of said member at a back region of said member, and where said two side regions are separated from said coaster region along contoured edges extending from the back region to a front edge of said member. 
   
   
       6 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein said member is substantially rectangular, said coaster region being attached to the remainder of said member at a back region, said coaster being separated from said two side regions via two opposing substantially circular contours extending from the back region toward a front edge of said member. 
   
   
       7 . The article according to  claim 6 , wherein said contours curve inward toward the front edge and reverse direction to extend outward toward side edges of said member in a front region of said member out to the front edge of said member. 
   
   
       8 . The article according to  claim 7 , wherein said member has a bottom surface which is formed of a nonstick material. 
   
   
       9 . The article according to  claim 8 , wherein said two side regions have a top surface having at least one groove or protrusion. 
   
   
       10 . The article according to  claim 9 , wherein said member is formed of a heat resistant material. 
   
   
       11 . The article according to  claim 10 , wherein said heat resistant material is a rubber or silicon material. 
   
   
       12 . The article according to  claim 11 , wherein a portion of said coaster region approximates a circular shape, the attached portion at the back region corresponding to less than 180 degrees of the circular shape, the contours extending from the attached portion outward toward the side edges of said member along a substantially circular shape and inward away from the side edges toward a front region of said member over a portion of said circular shape. 
   
   
       13 . The article according to  claim 6 , wherein said two side regions are adapted to be used to hold the sides of a hot item when manipulated out of plane while said coaster region hangs downward from its point of attachment, and wherein said coaster region can be placed underneath such a hot item on top of a flat surface and said two side surfaces conform to a substantially planar configuration once placed on such a flat surface.