Abstract:
Cookware includes removable divider inserts. A first embodiment of the invention utilizes a grill pattern on the cooking surface of the pan. Once installed, the insert creates separate chambers within the pan. Further, the insert provides an aperture at the base of the pan to allow liquids such as grease to move between chambers. The cookware is also provided with specially adapted lids that are separable into halves.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed toward cookware. More particularly, the present invention is directed to cookware having removable dividers for provide separate compartments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     All cooks know that to cook you need a cooking vessel: a pot, a pan, a skillet, a wok, a boiler, something to cook the food in. As almost any American culinary person will attest, whether a professional chef or the casual, once-a-year at-home cook, pots, pans, and skillets are basic utensils. While pots, pans and skillets may have different shapes, sizes, handles, lids and materials they are required for almost all food preparation. 
     For all of the different pots, pans and skillets that are available and their wide range of prices, pots, pans and skillets generally share a common trait; namely, each is capable of cooking or heating only one type of food at a time. This limitation is not true of ovens. Ovens can cook multiple types of food at once. Similarly, plates can serve more than one type of food at a time. The inefficiency of pots, pans and skillets causes cooks to use multiple cooking vessels to bake a cake, to prepare a meal, or to reheat leftovers. This inefficiency results in greater energy use, more effort, increased clean up time, and higher costs when purchasing cooking vessels. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which multiple foods can be cooked, fried, or heated, in a single cooking vessel without unwanted cross-contamination of the various foods. Beneficially such a cooking vessel would have multiple cooking compartments that allow multiple foods to be cooked at the same time. Preferably such a cooking vessel would save time, reduce cooking mess, enable easier clean-up and reduce costs. In practice such cooking vessels would avoid unwanted cross contamination of foods while enabling easy separation of oil, grease and fat, thus enabling healthier eating. Ideally such cooking vessels would either reduce the chance of spill over or would be configured to allow drippings from one food to drain into another section. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for cooking vessels having multiple cooking compartments that allow multiple foods to be cooked at the same time. The inventive cooking vessels save time, reduce cooking mess, enable easier clean-up and reduce costs. Such cooking vessels can avoid unwanted cross contamination of foods while enabling easy separation of oil, grease and fat. 
     A lid assembly that is in accord with the present invention includes a first partial lid having a first lid top and a first lid side extending down from the first lid top to form a first open-bottomed enclosure. The lid assembly further includes a second partial lid having a second lid top and a second lid side extending down from the second lid top to form a second open-bottomed enclosure. The first lid top can include a top steam release aperture while the first lid side can include at least one (1) vent aperture. Beneficially the lid assembly also includes a first handle half on the first lid top and a second handle half on the second lid top. The first handle half and the second handle half are halves of a vertically bisected “T”-shaped knob. When the first partial lid and the second partial lid are located adjacent each other the first handle half and the second handle half emulate the “T” shaped knob. Preferably, the first handle half is attached to the first lid top by a fastener while the first handle half includes a horizontal sliding locking pin with an external integral knob and the second handle half includes a locking pin aperture. When the locking pin slides into the pin aperture the first handle half and the second handle half are joined together. 
     A cookware assembly that is in accord with the present invention includes a vertical side having lock receiving features, a bottom, and a removable vertical divider assembly having a body and a locking attachment for attaching the body to the vertical side using the lock receiving feature. 
     Preferably the divider assembly includes at least one (1) drain aperture for allowing fluids to migrate under the divider assembly. Additionally, the locking attachment includes a first locking rod, a second locking rod, and a spring biasing the first locking rod away from the second locking rod. In practice the lock receiving features are rod apertures for receiving the first locking rod and the second locking rod. Beneficially, a first actuating pin is attached to the first locking rod and a second actuating pin is attached to the second locking rod. When the first actuating pin and the second actuating pin are pinched together the first locking rod and the second locking rod move toward one (1) another. The bottom may include a plurality of ribs. If so, the bottom can include an inclined upper ribbed bottom and a lower inclined flat bottom. 
     A cookware vessel that is in accord with the present invention includes a vertical side having a top and lock aperture, a bottom, a removable vertical divider assembly having a body and a locking attachment for attaching to the vertical side using the lock apertures. The cooking vessel further includes a lid assembly having a first partial lid with a first lid top and a first lid side that extends down from the first lid top to form a first open-bottomed enclosure and a second partial lid having a second lid top and a second lid side that extends down from the second lid top to form a second open-bottomed enclosure. The lid assembly fits on the top. 
     The divider assembly may include at least one (1) drain aperture for allowing fluids to migrate under the divider assembly. The locking attachment can include a first locking rod, a second locking rod, and a spring biasing the first locking rod away from the second locking rod such that the first locking rod and the second locking rod fit into the lock apertures. Beneficially, the bottom may include an inclined upper ribbed bottom and a lower inclined flat bottom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pan embodiment  20  cookware that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a skillet embodiment  80  cookware that is in accord with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a section view of the skillet embodiment  80  cookware taken along section line D-D of  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pot embodiment  100  cookware that is in accord with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the pan embodiment  20  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the pan embodiment  20  taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the lids  60   a ,  60   b  taken along section line C-C of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               20  pan embodiment 
               22  pan side structure 
               24  pan bottom structure 
               26  first handle 
               27  insulated covering 
               30  rod aperture 
               40  first divider assembly 
               42  body 
               44  actuating pins 
               45  drain aperture 
               46  pin slot 
               48  locking rod 
               50  spring 
               60   a  first half lid 
               60   b  second half lid 
               61  clearance gap 
               62   a  first lid top 
               62   b  second lid top 
               64   a  first lid side 
               64   b  second lid side 
               66   a  first handle half 
               66   b  second handle half 
               68  first vent aperture 
               70  second vent aperture 
               72  knob 
               74  locking pin 
               76  locking pin aperture 
               80  skillet embodiment 
               82  skillet side 
               84   a  flat bottom 
               84   b  ribbed bottom 
               88  rib 
               92  fluid 
               94  foodstuff 
               100  pot embodiment 
               102  pot side structure 
               104  second divider assembly 
               106  second handle 
               108  fastener 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     The present invention describes a wide variety of cookware having multiple compartments that are formed by vertical first divider assemblies  40 . Preferably a first divider assembly  40  bisects an inner volume of a cookware. The first divider assembly  40  enables a user to cook different foods at the same time, such as meat and a vegetable, or a sauce and a main entrée. Cookware with first divider assemblies  40  are envisioned as being introduced with different diameters, depths, attractive external designs, and being made using various conventional materials as used in the manufacture of cookware. Inclusion of a first divider assembly  40  in a cookware reduces the number of cookware needed, reduces carrying, transportation, and cleaning efforts, and simplifies preparing meals. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a pan embodiment  20 , the pan embodiment  20  includes a two-part lid assembly having a first half lid  60   a  and a second half lid  60   b . The pan embodiment  20  is depicted and illustrated as being shallow; however, that is not a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention are fully applicable to other types of cookware (such as the described pots  100  and skillets  80 , and other cookware such as sauce pans, strainers, and the like). 
     The pan embodiment  20  has a unitary construction with a vertical side  22 , a bottom  24 , and a first handle  26 . Additionally, the pan embodiment  20  includes a removable vertical first divider assembly  40  which bisects the inner volume of the pan embodiment  20 . The first divider assembly  40  has drain apertures  45  which allowing fluids  92  to migrate between the two (2) halves of the pan embodiment  20  (also see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The first divider assembly  40  includes a removable locking attachment to attach to the pan side  22 . That locking attachment includes a pair of spring-loaded locking rods  48 , which are best shown in  FIG. 4 . The first divider assembly  40  may be removed by squeezing a pair of actuating pins  44  together. This pulls the spring-loaded locking rods  48  in, releasing the first divider assembly  40  from the pan side  22 , thereby enabling removal of the first divider assembly  40 . Thus the pan embodiment  20  can selectively function as a normal pan. Again, also reference  FIG. 4 . 
     The first handle  26  is a securely fastened, elongated, ergonomic structure suitable for grasping and lifting the pan embodiment  20 . The first handle  26  beneficially includes an insulated covering  27 , preferably rubberized. The insulated covering  27  is envisioned as covering part or all of the first handle  26  to improve gripping and providing thermal insulation protection. 
     The pan embodiment  20 , as well as the subsequently described alternate embodiments  80 ,  100 , utilizes a split or two-piece lid assembly having the first half lid  60   a  and a second half lid  60   b . Each half lid  60   a ,  60   b  is a semi-circular structure which fits across about half of the top of the pan embodiment  20 . The half lids  60   a ,  60   b  are configured to have a clearance gap  61  for the first divider assembly  40 . The half lids  60   a ,  60   b  respectively include a semi-circular first lid top  62   a  and a semi-circular second lid top  62   b . The half lids  60   a ,  60   b  also have, respectively a first lid side  64   a  and second lid side  64   b , both of which extend down to form semi-circular open-bottomed enclosures. 
     The half lids  60   a ,  60   b  are used as individual lids for the separate compartments so as to cover food on one (1) side of the pan embodiment  20 , but not the other. Each half lid  60   a ,  60   b  has a top steam release aperture  70 . In addition, each half lid  60   a ,  60   b  includes a number of equally-spaced circular first vent apertures  68  that are located along the lid sides  64   a ,  64   b.    
     The lid halves  60   a ,  60   b  also have, respectively, a first handle half  66   a  and second handle half  66   b . The first handle half  66   a  and the second handle half  66   b  support joining, grasping, and removing the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  from the pan embodiment  20 . Each handle half  66   a ,  66   b  represents a vertically bisected half of a split “T”-shaped knob which is affixed to the lid halves  60   a ,  60   b  using fasteners  108  such as a rivet, screw, or the like, see  FIG. 6 . When both half lids  60   a ,  60   b  are on the pan embodiment  20  the flat sides of each handle half  66   a ,  66   b  are adjacent and emulate a normal knob. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the first handle half  66   a  has a horizontally-sliding locking pin  74  having an external integral knob  72 . When pressed in with both half lids  60   a ,  60   b  adjacent one (1) another, the locking pin  74  slides into a locking pin aperture  76  in the second handle half  66   b . This mechanically joins the handle halves  66   a ,  66   b  into a single knob. This allows a user to jointly grasp the handle halves  66   a ,  66   b  and safely remove both lid halves  60   a ,  60   b  simultaneously. 
     It is understood that the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  may be utilized upon other cookware such as the embodiments  20 ,  80 ,  100  subsequently described in like manner with equal benefit. Thus the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  are not limited to use with the pot embodiment  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively section views A-A and B-B of the pan embodiment  20  (see  FIG. 1 ); the first divider assembly  40  is positioned within the pan embodiment  20  to create two (2) compartments. The first divider assembly  40  has a vertically rectangular body  42  that is dimension to fit across the pan side  22  while residing on the pan bottom  24 . The first divider assembly  40  forms a removable attachment to the pan side  22  via the locking rods  48  which protrude from upper opposing ends of the divider body  42 . The locking rods  48  slide into respective rod apertures  30  formed or drilled at corresponding locations into the pan side  22 . 
     The first divider assembly  40  has internal components, including a pair of actuating pins  44 , the locking rods  48 , and a compression spring  50 . The compression spring  50  acts to horizontally bias the locking rods  48 . The locking rods  48  are mirror-image linear devices located within an upper part of the divider body  42 . The locking rods are biased outward by the spring  50  which is positioned between the locking rods  48 . Each locking rod  48  has an integral actuating pin  44  located to extend perpendicularly upward through a pin slot  46  that is formed or machined into the top of the divider body  42 . The actuating pin enables manipulating the locking rods  46 . In use, a user squeezes the actuating pins  44  together, which causes the locking rods  48  to withdraw from or move into the rod apertures  30 . This allows removing or installing the first divider assembly  40 . 
     The pan embodiment  20  is illustrated as bisected into equal semi-cylindrical compartments by one first divider assembly  40 ; however, it is understood that different cookware embodiments may be introduced having one (1) or more differently positioned first divider assemblies  40 . Such will provide cooking compartments having various divided volumes. As such, a bisected pan embodiment should not necessarily be interpreted as a limiting factor. It is understood that the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  would be then be correspondingly shaped, and the respective rod aperture  30  appropriately located. 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , respectively perspective and section views of a skillet embodiment  80 . The skillet embodiment  80  isolates foodstuffs  94  such as hamburgers and steaks on one (1) side of the first divider assembly  40  while enabling juices  92  to migrate through drain apertures  45  and away from the foodstuffs  94 . The skillet embodiment  80  includes a skillet side  82 , a first handle  26 , and the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  as in the previously described pan embodiment  20 . However, the skillet embodiment  80  has an embellished bottom with ribs  88  defined in an inclined upper ribbed bottom  84   b  and an inclined lower flat bottom  84   a . The ribbed bottom  84   b  and the flat bottom  84   a  allow cooking such that fluids  92  such as grease, fat, and oil drain from food in the ribbed bottom  84   b  bottom through the drain aperture  45  and into the flat bottom  84   a.    
     As in the previously described pan embodiment  20 , the skillet embodiment  80  has the first divider assembly  40 . 
     Refer now to  FIG. 3  for a perspective view of a pot embodiment  100  that is in accord with the present invention. The pot embodiment  100  includes an elongated pot side  102  having respective suitably shaped and secured second handles  106 . The second handles  106  preferably are rubberized surfaces  27  that provide good gripping and thermal protection. The pot embodiment  100  provides a large volume for foodstuffs  94  (see  FIG. 2   b ) while being bisected by a correspondingly elongated second divider assembly  104 . The second divider assembly  104  is envisioned as being removably attached and secured in the same manner as the first divider assembly  40 . Thus the second divider  104  includes actuating pins  44 , locking rods  48 , a compression spring  50 , and a pin slot  46 . Furthermore, the pot side  102  includes rod apertures  30 . This allows removing or installing the second divider assembly  104  as required. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention. While only three particular configurations have been shown and described, that is only for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition, it would be assembled as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing each embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100  may be achieved by: installing the divider assembly  40  into either an embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100  by manually squeezing the actuating pins  44  together to retract the locking rods  48 ; inserting the bottom of the divider assembly  40 ; aligning the locking rods  48  with respective rod apertures  30 ; releasing the actuating pins  44  to allow the locking rods  48  to extend into the rod apertures  30  to secure the divider assembly  40  to the embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100 ; loading foodstuffs  94  such as, a meat item and a vegetable, or a sauce and a main entrée, or the like, into the compartments on each side of the divider assembly  40 ; grasping the first handle half  66   a  of the first half lid  60   a  and placing it onto half of the embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100 ; grasping the second handle half  66   b  of the second half lid  60   b  and placing it onto the remaining half; placing the embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100  into or onto a heat source such as an oven or a range; removing a half lid  60   a ,  60   b  by lifting a respective handle half  66   a ,  66   b  to check, stir, or add ingredients to the embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100 ; removing both of the half lids  60   a ,  60   b  coincidentally to check, stir, or add ingredients by locking the half handles  66   a ,  66   b  together by pressing inwardly on the knob  72  to engage the integral locking pin  74  into the locking pin aperture  76  of the second handle half  66   b ; replacing the lid halves  60   a ,  60   b ; allowing the foodstuffs  94  to cook in a normal manner until finished; removing the embodiment  20 ,  80 ,  100  from the heat source and serving the foodstuffs  94  in a conventional manner; and, benefiting from a reduced number of cookware vessels required to prepare meals afforded a user. 
     It is further understood that any of the embodiments  20 ,  80 ,  100  may be utilized without using the divider assembly  40  to cook foodstuffs  94  in a similar manner as conventional cookware pieces. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.