Patent Publication Number: US-2005133522-A1

Title: Handle for cookware

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a handle for cookware, and more particularly to a handle for cookware, which includes a connector part detachably coupled to a connecting end of the handle and having a temperature indicator to display temperature variations by change of color.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Korean Utility Model Application No. 2003-10128, which is previously filed by the present inventor, discloses a cookware having a thermochromic film coated on an outer surface thereof, which changes in color at a predetermined temperature or higher.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the cookware disclosed in the above Application No. 2003-10128. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cookware  10  is provided with a thermochromic film  11  attached to its outer surface, which changes in color according to temperature variations. An outer surface of the film  11  is provided with a coating layer  12  of transparent heat-resisting paint.  
      However, in the cookware disclosed in the Application, since the thermochromic film  11  is attached to the outer surface of the cookware and the heat-resisting is painted thereon, it is inconvenient to monitor the thermochromic film  20 , the need for the products is reduced, and the thermochromic film is polluted over time.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a handle for cookware which includes a temperature indicator easily installed thereto to improve appearance and competitiveness of the products.  
      In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a handle for cookware, which includes a mount part joined to an outer surface of a cookware and having a threaded hole, a grip part coupled to a rear end of the mount part by a rod bolt that passes through the grip part and is engaged with the threaded hole of the mount part, and a connector part detachably coupled between the mount part ( 20 ) and the grip part.  
      The connector part may include a plane region at its upper surface, at which a fitting recess is formed.  
      The connector part may include a thermal conductor fitted in the fitting recess of the connector part and connected to the mount part.  
      The thermal conductor may be provided with a thermochromic film or layer that changes in color at a predetermined temperature or higher. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional cookware to which a temperature indicator is attached;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a substantial part of the cookware in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a handle for cookware according to the present invention, which is joined to a cookware;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the handle for cookware according to the present invention, which is separated from the cookware;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the handle shown in  FIG. 4 ; and  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in  FIG. 4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       FIGS. 3 through 6  show a handle for cookware according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the handle for cookware according to the present invention is comprised of a mount part  20  joined to cookware  10  which opens upward, a connector part  30  disposed behind the mount part  20 , and a grip part  40  coupled to the mount part  20  with the connector part  30  interposed therebetween. The mount part  20  is made of aluminum, and has a flange at its front end to enable the handle to be joined to a cookware  10  by rivets. The mount member  20  is provided at its front portion with an inner threaded hole and is provided at its rear portion with a larger insert hole. The connector part  30  is inserted at its front end into the rear insert hole of the mount part  20  and includes an insert hole at its rear end. The connector part  30  is provided at its upper surface with a plane region, on which a fitting recess “a” is formed. The grip part  40  is inserted at its front end into the rear insert hole of the connector part  30  and includes an axial through-hole therein. A rod bolt  41 , which has an outer threaded portion at its front end, passes through the through-hole of the grip part  40 , and then the front threaded end of the rod bolt  41  is screwed into the inner threaded hole of the mount part  20 .  
      The front end of the connector part  30  is formed to have the same shape as that of the front end of the grip part  40 , and the rear end of the connector part  30  is formed to have the same shape as that of the rear end of the mount member  20 . Accordingly, the mount part  20  and the grip part  40  can be manufactured by existing molds without a need to use additional molds.  
      The components of the handle for cookware according to the present invention is firmly assembled in such a way that the rod bolt  41  passes through the through-hole of the grip part  40  from the rear end of the grip part  40  and the threaded front end of the rod bolt  41  is screwed into the threaded hole of the mount part  20  joined to the cookware  10 .  
      The connector part  30  is provided at its plane region with the fitting recess “a”, which communicates with the center hole of the connector part  30 . An extension hole is formed at the fitting recess “a” and is extended into the connector part  30 . A thermal conductor  31 , such as a copper plate, is fitted into the fitting recess “a”, and an end of the thermal conductor  31  is extended into the mount part  20  through the extension hole of the connector part  30 . The end of the thermal conductor  31 , which is extended into the mount part  20 , is coupled to the mount part  20 . The thermal conductor  31  is provided at its top plane with a thermochromic layer  32 , which is made of a thermochromic film or thermochromic paint that changes color at a predetermined temperature or higher.  
      With the aid of the thermochromic layer  32  provided on the connector part  30 , a user can easily monitor the changes in temperature of the cookware. More specifically, since the thermal conductor  31 , such as a copper plate having a high thermal conductivity, is connected to the cookware  10  through the mount part  20  as the cookware  10  is heated, the thermal conductor  31 , which is thermally connected to the cookware  10 , is also heated. As a result of the rise in temperature of the thermal conductor  31 , a color of the thermochromic layer  32  attached to the thermal conductor  31  changes at a predetermined temperature or higher.  
      According to the present invention, a connector part is interposed between an existing mount part and an existing grip part in the same coupling manner. Accordingly, the present invention can be easily applied to an existing handle for cookware without modification of the handle. Since the connector part is provided with a thermochromic layer or a certain label that is exposed at its upper surface, contamination of the thermochromic layer is prevented and attractiveness in appearance is enhanced.  
      As described above, the present invention provides a handle for cookware with a connector part, which is easily applied to an existing handle for cookware and allows components of the handle to be easily assembled. In addition, the connector part includes a thermochromic layer connected to the cookware, thereby allowing a user to monitor temperature change of the cookware. Accordingly, the handle for cookware according to the present invention contributes to an improvement in practicability and competitiveness of the products.  
      Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.