Patent Publication Number: US-2010115743-A1

Title: Device for securing a lid to a pot

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to cooking accessories, and in particular, to a removable securing device that facilitates the secure movement or transport of full or partially-full pots or food containers that are holding liquid or solid contents. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is often desirable to transport a cooking pot or food container (hereinafter collectively referred to as “pot”) that has a non-locked or non-secured lid from one location to another. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,179,039, 4,735,338 and 7,082,871 all disclose devices that are directed towards fulfilling this purpose. However, these devices all suffer from the drawback that they cannot accommodate pots and containers of different shapes and sizes with lids and handles of different shapes and sizes. Therefore, they can only be used with pots and lids having specific dimensions or features, and cannot be adapted to function as a “one-size-fits-all” type of securing device. In addition, these devices are complex in design and are more difficult to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It is one objective of the present invention to provide a device that can effectively secure the lid to pots to facilitate the secure movement or transport of full or partially-full pots that are holding liquid or solid contents. 
     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device for securing a lid to a pot that can be used with pots of different shapes (cylindrical, rectangular, oval, lipped or non-lipped, etc.) and sizes (small, medium, large in both diameter and depth). 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a device for securing a lid to a pot that can be used with pot handles of different shapes and sizes (short or long, plastic or metal, attached at various angles to the pot). 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a device for securing a lid to a pot that can be used with pot lids of different shapes and sizes (round, rectangular, oval, convex, recessed). 
     It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a device for securing a lid to a pot that can be used with lid handles of different shapes and sizes (round or square knob, C-ring, recessed, etc.). 
     It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a device for securing a lid to a pot which is easy to use. 
     To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present invention provides a lid securing device that secures a lid to the mouth of a pot. The lid securing device includes a first support piece and a second support piece. Each support piece is made of a fabric material. The lid securing device further includes a plurality of adjustable strap systems, with each strap system having opposite first and second ends, with the first end of each strap system attached to the peripheral edge of the first support piece and the second end of each strap system attached to the peripheral edge of the second support piece. Each strap system further includes a fastener that allows the length of the strap system to be adjusted. The strap systems are spaced apart from each other along the peripheral edges of the first and second support pieces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a securing device according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in use with a cooking pot. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a fastener that can be used with the securing device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a securing device  10  that can be used to secure a lid  12  to the opened mouth of a pot  14 . Handles  15  can be provided on the lid  12  and/or the pot  14 . The securing device  10  includes two support pieces  16  and  18  positioned one above the other that are connected by opposite ends of four adjustable strap assemblies  20 . The support pieces  16 ,  18  can be provided in a tough fabric material that can resist wear and tear, and non-limiting examples include nylon or Cordura™. The support pieces  16 ,  18  are preferably circular in shape, although they can be provided in other shapes (e.g., square) as well. The support pieces  16 ,  18  can have a diameter of about 3-4 inches, and a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , each strap assembly  20  can be identical, and has a first strap section  25  that defines one end  22 , and a second longer strap section  26  that defines an opposite end  24 , with the ends  22 ,  24  connected (e.g., by stitching) to the peripheral edge  28  and  30  of the support pieces  16  and  18 , respectively. The strap assemblies  20  are connected at spaced-apart locations along the peripheral edges  28 ,  30  in a manner such that they are spaced apart equi-distant from each other. For example, if the support pieces  16 ,  18  are circular, the strap sections  25 ,  26  are positioned at the zero degree, 90 degree, 180 degree and 270 degree positions along the peripheral edge  28 ,  30  of the circle. 
     Each strap assembly  20  further includes a whistle-like fastener  32  that can be any conventional whistle-like fastener used in conventional backpacks and bags. The fastener  32  can have a plug section  80  and a socket section  82 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 . The plug section  80  is connected to the strap section  26 , and the socket section  82  is connected to the strap section  25 . Each combined length of the strap sections  25 ,  26  and the fastener  32  can be about 24 inches long, one inch wide, and have a thickness of about ⅛ of an inch. Each strap section  26  extends through the plug section  80  in a manner such that the plug section  80  allows the length of the strap section  26  to be adjusted. 
     In use, food is placed in the pot  14 , and the lid  12  is placed over the mouth of the pot  14 . The sections  80 ,  82  of the fasteners  32  are then disengaged to separate the support pieces  16 ,  18 , and the pot  14  and the lid  12  are placed on top of the lower support piece  18 . The upper support piece  16  is placed over the top of the lid  12 , and the sections  80 ,  82  of the fasteners  32  engaged to connect the support pieces  16 ,  18 . The length of the strap sections  26  can then be adjusted via the plug section  80  so that the pot  14  and its lid  12  are snugly fitted between the support pieces  16 ,  18 . Therefore, pots and lids having different sizes and shapes, and having different characteristics, can all be accommodated for use with the securing device  10 . In other words, if the strap assemblies  20  are provided with a sufficient length, the securing device  10  can function as a “one-size-fits-all” device for securing a wide variety of pot and lid combinations. 
     In addition, the tough fabric material used for the support pieces  16 ,  18  allow the securing device  10  to withstand contact with the hot surfaces of the lid  12  and the pot  14 . The fabric material allows the securing device  10  to be machine washable. The adjustable nature of the securing device  10  will not place any undue stress on, and therefore not damage, the pot  14  and the lid  12 . 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.