Patent ID: 6125842
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A47J,Y10S

Abstract:
An overflow pan assembly, comprising:(a) a pan including(i) a bottom wall having a periphery,(ii) a lower side wall having a substantially annular shape, an upper end of a first diameter, and a lower end connected to and extending upwardly from said periphery of said bottom wall such that said bottom wall and lower side wall of said pan form a lower cooking chamber of said pan,(iii) an upper side wall having a substantially annular shape, an upper end and a lower end of a second diameter greater than said first diameter of said upper end of said lower side wall, and(iv) a ledge having a substantially annular shape extending between and interconnecting said upper end of said lower side wall and said lower end of said upper side wall, said upper side wall and ledge of said pan forming an upper reservoir chamber of said pan above said lower cooking chamber thereof;(b) a cap including(i) a top wall having a periphery, and(ii) a side wall having a substantially annular shape, an upper end connected to and extending downwardly from said periphery of said top wall such that said side wall and top wall of said cap form an inner splash chamber within said cap and above said lower cooking chamber of said pan and intersecting with said upper reservoir chamber of said pan, said side wall of said cap also having a lower end of a third diameter greater than said first diameter of said upper end of said lower side wall of said pan and less than said second diameter of said lower end of said upper side wall of said pan, said side wall of said cap and said upper side wall and ledge of said pan forming an outer catch chamber outside said cap and within said upper reservoir chamber of said pan; and(c) cap positioning means defined on at least one of said ledge of said pan and said lower end of said side wall of said cap for disposing at least a portion of said cap spaced above said ledge of said pan so as to thereby form a passage between said ledge of said pan and lower end of said side wall of said cap whereby fluid is allowed to pass through said passage between said lower cooking chamber and outer catch chamber.