Abstract:
A cookware vessel has a broad and generally rectangular rim that is hollow. The rim is preferably formed by multiply folding the upper portion of the vessels surrounding sidewall, with the last vertical fold being welded to the adjacent side wall of the vessel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a Continuation in Part of and claims priority to the U.S. Design patent application for a filed on Mar. 7, 2008, for a “Decorative Cooking Vessel”, now having application Ser. No. 29/304,850, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an article of cookware and method for fabricating the same, and in particular to cookware vessels having a reinforced rim. 
         [0003]    It is noted in the art of metal cookware vessels to form a rim by folding the sidewall outward on itself at the exterior of the vessel to provide reinforcement to the rim. 
         [0004]    Typically in such prior methods of folded rim has a round exterior shape, or is rectangular. In either case, a narrow gap is generally left between the sidewall and the edge of the rim. This gap can easily trap liquids or solid food particles during use or cleaning of the cookware vessel, and thus result in unhygienic conditions unless considerably more care or maintenance is used. 
         [0005]    Although the folded rim allows the thickness of the cookware vessel wall to be reduced, the rim is still susceptible to mechanical damage that would preclude a tight fit of the intended lid. 
         [0006]    Further, normal stainless steel cookware rims are rolled and the surface tension of the rolled rim induces dripping. 
         [0007]    It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a more hygienic rim for cookware vessels, and with the second objective to provide a rim that is more resistant to mechanical damage. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    In the present invention, the first object is achieved by forming a cookware vessel comprising a substantially circular bottom portion, a substantially upright and surrounding sidewall connected to said bottom to define a fluid retaining vessel, and outward extending rim at the top of said upright and surrounding sidewall, the rim having an outward extending portion, a downward extending portion from the end of the outward extending portion, and an inward extending portion from the end of the downward extending portion, wherein the downward extending portion is sealed a lower portion of the sidewall to define a substantially hollow annular cavity. 
         [0009]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional elevation of a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional elevation of a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevation of the hollow rim portion of the embodiment of FIG. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A-C  are cross-sectional elevations illustrating a first embodiment of a method of forming the cooking vessel rim. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A-C  are cross-sectional elevations illustrating a second embodiment of a method of forming the cooking vessel rim. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved cookware vessel with hollow rim, generally denominated  100  herein. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , the cookware vessel  100  comprise a substantially circular bottom portion  110 , substantially upright and surrounding sidewall  120  connected to the bottom  110  to define a fluid retaining cavity  105 . The sidewall  120  terminate the outward extending rim  130 . The rim  130  has a hollow interior portion  137  that is defined by an outward extending portion  131  of the sidewall, which at the portion most distal from the vertical sidewall  120  is in turn connected to a downward extending portion  132 . The lowest edge of this downward extending portion  132  is in turn connected to an inward extending portion  133 . The interior edge of the inward extending portion  133  is joint to the sidewall  120  at seam  134 . 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the cookware vessel  100  comprise a substantially circular bottom portion  110 , substantially upright and surrounding sidewall  120  connected to the bottom  110  to define a fluid retaining cavity  105 . The sidewall  120  terminate the outward and upward extending rim  130 . The rim  130  has a hollow interior portion  137  that is defined by an upward and outward extending portion  135  of the sidewall, which at the portion most distal from the vertical sidewall  120  is in turn connected to a downward extending portion  132 . The lowest edge of this downward extending portion  132  is in turn connected to a downward and inward extending portion  136 . The interior edge of the downward and inward extending portion  136  is joined to the sidewall  120  at seam  134 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows in more detail structure of rim  130  and the welded seam  134 . The welded seam  134  is generally rounded at the exterior of the junction with the sidewall  120  so as to completely seal cavity  137  and avoid any recesses or exposed cavity that could contaminants, hence the cooking vessel  100  is more hygienic being easier to maintain in a clean condition. 
         [0019]    Further, as rim  130  has an the inverted conical shape as illustrated by dot-dashed line  140 , in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  or  3 , fluid can be poured from any side thereof without dripping or flow down the outside of wall  120 . 
         [0020]    The hollow rim  130  is stronger tan a conventional single wall rim or folded rim, providing a more consistent shape and resistance to damage that would disturb the fit of a matching shaped lid. Further, the rim  130  having 3 sides, provides more surface area for cooling so that it is safer if touched by accident during cooking, or can be used handle the vessel  100  after cooking as it will cool quicker than an upright edge or rim. The hollow rim reinforces the cookware vessel and because of its shape is more rigid and hence less susceptible to damage from handling. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4A-C  illustrate a first embodiment for a method of forming rim  130  of vessel  100 . In  FIG. 4A , the upper end  120 ′ of upright wall  120  is flared upward and outward in the shape of an inverted cone. The upper extent of end  120 ′ is then bent downward at arrow  140 , forming downward portion  120 ″. In the next step, the end of downward portion  120 ″ is bent upward parallel to segment  135  at arrow  402 . In the final step the end of formerly downward segment  120 ′ is welded to sidewall  120  at seam  134  to form a hollow cavity  137  in rim  130 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5A-C  illustrate a second embodiment for a method of forming rim  130  of vessel  100 . In  FIG. 5A , the upper end  135  of upright wall  120  is initially flared upward and outward in the shape of an inverted cone, terminating at end  135   a.  A second toroidal segment  502  having a distorted L-shaped cross section shown in FIG,  5 A is joined to vessel  100  by first bringing upper end  502   a  in contact or sufficient proximity to end  135   a  for welding together, forming joint  532  in  FIG. 5B . Further, simultaneously or in a preceding step the lower end  502   b  of toroidal segment is brought into contact or close proximity with sidewall  120  for welding seam  134  at perimeter shown by arrow  534  in  FIG. 5B . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5C  when segment  502  is thus attached it forms portion  132  and  136  of rim  130 . 
         [0023]    The welding processes use to form joints  134  and  534  is of course selected on the characteristics of the metal used to form vessel  100 , and as such may constitute MIG or TIG welding for aluminum, however for stainless steel vessels, laser welding is preferred. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.