Cooking vessel with condensation collector

Abstract

A cooking vessel with a selectively configurable condensation collector. In one configuration, the condensation collector collects condensation impeding it from reaching the content of the cooking vessel. In another configuration, condensation is allowed to reach the content of the cooking vessel. A movable reservoir can be configured to either be flush with the lid preventing condensation from reaching the reservoir or configured to form a gap between the reservoir wall and the lid so that condensation can collect in the reservoir. Alternatively, a condensation collector can be detachably connected to a cooking vessel lid so that when it is attached condensation collects and when it is detached condensation reaches the content of the vessel. Alternatively, a condensation collector can be permanently attached to a replacement cooking vessel lid that is swappable with a conventional cooking vessel lid.

1 . A cooking vessel lid comprising:
 a surface for covering a cooking vessel, wherein condensation is capable of forming on the surface;   a reservoir for collecting at least a portion of the condensation, said reservoir having a wall;   a connector for connecting the reservoir to the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is movable between a retracted position with the wall of the reservoir flush against the surface and an extended position with a gap between the wall of the reservoir and the surface. 
     
     
         3 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 2  wherein the cooking vessel lid is concave and the reservoir is located near the center of the of the cooking vessel lid such that, in the retracted position, condensation that forms on the cooking vessel lid has a tendency to travel toward the center of the lid around the external wall of the reservoir, and such that, in the extended position, condensation that forms on the cooking vessel lid has a tendency to travel toward the center of the lid without being hindered by the reservoir wall. 
     
     
         4 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is selectively configurable between a condensation collector mode and a condensation return mode. 
     
     
         5 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 4  including an interface for selecting condensation collector mode or condensation return mode. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 5  wherein the interface is capable of being actuated while the cooking vessel lid is in place on a cooking vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 1  further comprising a handle, wherein the connector is a shaft and the handle includes a receptacle for receiving the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 1  wherein the connector permanently joins the reservoir to the surface and the cooking vessel lid is a replacement cooking vessel lid capable of selectively replacing a cooking vessel lid incapable of collecting condensation. 
     
     
         9 . The cooking vessel lid of  claim 1  wherein the connector detachably connects the reservoir to the surface, and the cooking vessel lid is selectively configurable between a condensation return lid by detaching the reservoir from the surface and a condensation collector lid by attaching the reservoir to the surface such that there is a gap between the wall of the reservoir and the surface for condensation to travel. 
     
     
         10 . A cooking vessel assembly comprising:
 a cooking vessel; and   a cooking vessel lid having:
 a surface for covering the cooking vessel, wherein condensation is capable of forming on the surface; 
 a reservoir for collecting at least a portion of the condensation, said reservoir having a wall; and 
 a connector for connecting the reservoir to the surface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the reservoir is movable between a retracted position with the wall of the reservoir flush against the surface and an extended position with a gap between the wall of the reservoir and the surface. 
     
     
         12 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 11  wherein the reservoir includes one or more relief holes. 
     
     
         13 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cooking vessel lid is concave and the reservoir is located near the center of the cooking vessel lid such that, in the retracted position, condensation that forms on the cooking vessel lid has a tendency to travel toward the center of the lid around the wall of the reservoir, and such that, in the extended position, condensation that forms on the cooking vessel lid has a tendency to travel toward the center of the lid without being hindered by the reservoir wall. 
     
     
         14 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the reservoir is selectively configurable between a condensation collector mode and a condensation return mode. 
     
     
         15 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 14  including an interface for selecting condensation collector mode or condensation return mode. 
     
     
         16 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 15  wherein the interface is capable of being actuated while the cooking vessel lid is in place on the cooking vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 10  including a cooking vessel lid handle, wherein the connector is a shaft and the handle includes a receptacle for receiving the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the connector permanently joins the reservoir to the surface and the cooking vessel lid is a replacement cooking vessel lid capable of selectively replacing a cooking vessel lid incapable of collecting condensation. 
     
     
         19 . The cooking vessel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the connector detachably connects the reservoir to the surface, and the cooking vessel lid is selectively configurable between a condensation return lid by detaching the reservoir from the surface and a condensation collector lid by attaching the reservoir to the surface such that there is a gap between the wall of the reservoir and the surface for condensation to travel. 
     
     
         20 . A cooking vessel assembly comprising:
 a cooking vessel;   a cooking vessel lid; and   a selectively configurable condensation collector, wherein said condensation collector is selectively configurable between a first configuration where the condensation collector impedes condensation from reaching content of the cooking vessel and a second configuration where the condensation collector allows condensation to reach content of the cooking vessel.