Abstract:
A protective cover for cookware that has a continuous inner surface and a handle extending from an outer surface of the cookware. The protective cover includes a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay the continuous inner surface of the cookware to protect the inner surface of the cookware. The non-selfsupporting surface defines a handle opening sized to receive and surround the handle of the cookware to secure the protective cover to the cookware.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/693,241, filed on Oct. 20, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to cookware and, more particularly, to protective covers for protecting surfaces of cookware.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Invention Background  
           [0005]    Cookware has existed for centuries in many different forms. Over time, cookware has become more technologically sophisticated due to advances, for example, in material sciences. Cookware is now developed from complex and expensive materials that enhance, for example, the thermal characteristics, the mechanical strength and the overall cooking quality of the cookware. Cookware may also include features for added benefit including, for example, a non-stick coating applied to the cooking surface.  
           [0006]    In view of the nature of modern cookware, it is desirable to protect the cookware from damage or wear when not in use. Protection for cookware is particularly desirable in situations, as is known, where a plurality of pieces of cookware of decreasing size are stacked or “nested” for storing the cookware in a cabinet or the like. In the nested arrangement, an outer surface of a small piece of cookware typically is received in and contacts an inner or cooking surface of a large piece of cookware. This can result in damage or wear to the inner or cooking surface of the large cookware, and possibly damage or wear to the outer surface of the small cookware.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,688 discloses a scratch prevention pan liner having a lower surface configured for receipt in a first designated pan and a central recess on an upper surface for receipt of a second designated pan. The pan liner substantially fills the interior of the first designated pan and is generally configured for use with pans of a particular size. U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,768 discloses a protective liner for vessels, such as cooking pans, for protecting the interior surfaces thereof. The liner includes means for attaching an edge thereof to a rim of the vessel and means for holding the edge in place along the length of the rim.  
           [0008]    Despite the existence of known protective covers for pans and the like, there remains a need for an improved protective cover that is simpler to use and manufacture, and more economical, both from a manufacturing and consumer purchase perspective, than known protective covers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention meets the identified needs, as well as other needs, as will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings.  
           [0010]    In one embodiment, the invention includes a protective cover for cookware, the cookware having a base with an inner surface and a sidewall extending from the base, the sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining a cookware opening, the sidewall also having a handle extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. The protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of the sidewall to protect the inner surfaces of the cookware. The protective cover also comprises a handle portion attached to the non-selfsupporting surface and defining a handle opening, the handle of the cookware received in the handle opening to secure the protective cover to the cookware.  
           [0011]    The invention may also include cookware of the type having a base with an inner surface and a sidewall extending from the base, the sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining a cookware opening, the sidewall having a handle extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. The improvement comprises a protective cover for the cookware, wherein the protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay the inner surface of the base and the inner surface of the sidewall to protect the inner surfaces of the cookware. The protective cover also comprises a handle portion attached to the non-selfsupporting surface and defining a handle opening, the handle of the cookware received in the handle opening to secure the protective cover to the cookware.  
           [0012]    The invention may further include a protective cover for cookware having a continuous inner surface and a handle extending from an outer surface of the cookware. The protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay the continuous inner surface of the cookware to protect the inner surface of the cookware. The protective cover also comprises a handle portion attached to the non-selfsupporting surface and defining a handle opening, the handle of the cookware received in the handle opening to secure the protective cover to the cookware.  
           [0013]    In another embodiment, the invention includes a protective cover for cookware having a continuous inner surface and a handle extending from an outer surface of the cookware. The protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay the continuous inner surface of the cookware to protect the inner surface of the cookware. The non-selfsupporting surface defines a handle opening for receiving the handle of the cookware to secure the protective cover to the cookware.  
           [0014]    In yet another embodiment, the invention includes a protective cover for cookware, the cookware having a base with an inner surface and an outer surface. The cookware also has a sidewall extending from the base, the sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining a cookware opening. The sidewall also has a handle extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. The protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting enclosure defining an opening for receiving the cookware, the non-selfsupporting enclosure sized to substantially overlay the inner and outer surfaces of the base and the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall of the cookware to protect the cookware. The protective cover also comprises a closure for the opening of the non-selfsupporting enclosure.  
           [0015]    The invention may also include cookware of the type having a base with an inner surface and an outer surface. The cookware also has a sidewall extending from the base, the sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining a cookware opening. The sidewall also has a handle extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof. The improvement comprises a protective cover for the cookware, wherein the protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting enclosure defining an opening for receiving the cookware. The non-selfsupporting enclosure is sized to substantially overlay the inner and outer surfaces of the base and the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall to protect the cookware. The protective cover also comprises means for closing the opening of the non-selfsupporting bag.  
           [0016]    The invention may further include a protective cover for cookware having a continuous inner surface, a continuous outer surface and a handle extending from the continuous outer surface of the cookware. The protective cover comprises a non-selfsupporting enclosure defining an opening for receiving the cookware, the non-selfsupporting enclosure sized to substantially overlay the continuous inner surface and the continuous outer surface of the cookware to protect the cookware. The protective cover also comprises a closure assembly adjacent the opening of the non-selfsupporting bag to close the non-selfsupporting bag.  
           [0017]    The invention also includes a method of advertising comprising providing a protective cover for cookware, the protective cover comprising a non-selfsupporting surface sized to substantially overlay an inner surface of the cookware, and placing an identifying marking on the non-selfsupporting surface of the protective cover.  
           [0018]    The invention further includes a method of advertising comprising providing a protective cover for cookware, the protective cover comprising a non-selfsupporting enclosure sized to substantially overlay an inner surface and an outer surface of the cookware, and placing an identifying marking on the non-selfsupporting enclosure of the protective cover.  
           [0019]    Accordingly, the present invention provides solutions to the shortcomings of prior art protective apparatuses or covers for cookware. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and advantages will become further apparent as the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiments proceeds. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a protective cover of the invention as applied to cookware.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating multiple applications of the protective cover of the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment similar to the protective cover shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment similar to the protective cover shown in FIGS.  1 - 4  and FIG. 5.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 a  is a bottom plan view of the protective cover shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 b  is a top plan view of another embodiment similar to the protective cover shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of protective cover of the invention as applied to cookware.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the protective cover shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the protective cover shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the protective cover shown in FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    As used hereinabove and hereinafter, the term “cookware” generally refers to, for example, pots, pans, bowls, dishes, china, plates, service ware and the like of various sizes, shapes and configurations that may be constructed of various materials such as, for example, metal, metal alloys, glass, crystal, ceramic material, combinations thereof and like materials which are fragile or susceptible to damage by contact and/or wherein part or all of the surfaces thereof may be provided with a protective coating such as, for example, a non-stick coating material, as is generally known.  
         [0034]    Referring to the drawings for purposes of illustrating the invention but not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS.  1 - 4  illustrate a protective cover  10  for protecting one or more surfaces of an item of cookware  12 . Specifically, the cookware  12  includes a base  14  having an inner surface  16  and an outer surface  18 . The cookware  12  also includes a sidewall  20  extending from the base  14  and having an inner surface  22  and an outer surface  24 . The sidewall  20  of the cookware  12  defines a cookware opening  26 . The cookware  12  may also include a handle  28  extending generally outwardly from the outer surface  24  of the sidewall  20 . The cookware  12  may also include an additional handle  30  that also extends generally outwardly from the outer surface  24  of the sidewall  20 . It will be appreciated that additional handles disposed on or about the periphery of the cookware  12  may be provided, as desired. In addition, it will be appreciated that the inner surface  16  of the base  14  and the inner surface  22  of the sidewall  20  may be a continuous inner surface of the cookware  12  and forms a cooking surface. The inner surfaces  16  and  22 , i.e., the cooking surface, may include, for example, a non-stick coating applied thereto, as is generally known. It will be further appreciated that the inner surfaces  16  and  22  which make up the continuous inner surface or cooking surface may be of various shapes and configurations, as is known for cookware.  
         [0035]    Still referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the protective cover  10  will now be described in more detail. The protective cover  10  comprises a non-selfsupporting surface  32  that substantially overlies the inner surface  16  of the base  14  and the inner surface  22  of the sidewall  20  to protect the inner surfaces of the cookware  12 . By substantially overlying the inner surfaces  16  and  22 , the non-selfsupporting surface  32  may be contained within the cookware  12 , as illustrated at  34 , or a portion of the non-selfsupporting surface  32  may extend outside of the cookware  12 , as illustrated at  35 . Accordingly, the non-selfsupporting surface  32  may be configured and arranged in the cookware  12  as desired and in accordance with the size and shape of the non-selfsupporting surface  32  relative to the size and shape of the cookware  12  and, more particularly, the size and shape of the inner surfaces  16  and  22 .  
         [0036]    As described, the protective cover  12  comprises a non-selfsupporting surface  32  which substantially overlies the inner surface  16  of the base  14  and the inner surface  22  of the sidewall  20 , i.e., the cooking surface of the cookware  12 . The non-selfsupporting surface  32  is flexible and easily conformns to a configuration of the inner surface  16  and the inner surface  22  to protect these surfaces from damage or wear. The non-selfsupporting surface  32  may be fabricated from, for example, cloth, linen, other soft woven fabrics, plastic, rubber, cotton, terry cloth, velvet, tarnish resistant material and the like materials.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the protective cover  10  may also comprise a handle receiving portion  36 . The handle receiving portion  36  may be integrally formed with the non-selfsupporting surface  32  and may be constructed of the same or similar materials as the non-selfsupporting surface  32 . Specifically, the handle receiving portion  36  defines a handle opening  38  such that the handle  28  of the cookware  12  may be received in the handle opening  38 . As can be appreciated, receipt of the handle  28  in the handle opening  38  provides for securing the protective cover  10  to the cookware  12 . As can also be appreciated, the handle receiving portion  36  of the protective cover  10  provides for quick and simple installation and removal of the protective cover  10  with respect to the cookware  12 .  
         [0038]    The invention may also include providing or placing a logo, emblem, monogram, trademark, color coding (to identify for example a particular size) or other identifying symbol on the surface  32 , as schematically represented by identifying marking  33  (FIG. 1). Employing the marking  33  can serve as a method of advertising for the manufacturer of the cookware  12  and/or the cover  10 . It will be appreciated that the marking  33  can be strategically placed in various locations on the surface  32 , and preferably the marking  33  is placed on an exterior surface of the surface  32  for easy viewing. The marking  33  may be secured or attached to the surface  32  using, for example, an adhesive or other known fastening means or the marking  33  could be integrally formed with the surface  32 , for example, embroidered by lettering.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 4, application of the protective cover  10  and similar protective cover  10   a  to protect a plurality of pieces of cookware  12 ,  12   a  and  12   b  all arranged in a “nested arrangement” is illustrated. As can be appreciated, the protective covers  10  and  10   a  protect the inner and outer surfaces of the pieces of cookware  12 ,  12   a  and  12   b . The protective covers  10  and  10   a  may be essentially identical in size while still serve to protect the surfaces of the pieces of cookware  12 ,  12   a  and  12   b  of varying sizes, or the protective covers  10  and  10   a  may be different in size to protect the surfaces of pieces of cookware of decreasing size.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of the invention. Specifically, there is shown protective cover  40  for use in protecting the surfaces of cookware, such as cookware  12 . The protective cover  40  includes a non-selfsupporting surface  41  and a handle portion  42  that is similar to the handle portion  36 , illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, as described herein. In addition, the protective cover  40  includes an additional handle receiving portion  44  that defines an additional handle opening  46 . The additional handle opening  46  is capable of receiving an additional handle of the cookware  12 , such as additional handle  30 . As can be appreciated, the additional handle portion  44  further secures the protective cover  40  to the cookware to be protected, such as cookware  12 . The additional handle opening  44  may have an end  47  that is open to allow the additional handle  30  to extend therethrough or the end  47  may be closed to form a pocket for receipt of the additional handle  30 . It will also be appreciated that the protective cover  40  is otherwise constructed similar to the protective cover  10 , as described herein, and may include the marking  43  thereon.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6 a , there is shown a further embodiment of the invention. Specifically, protective cover  48  is provided for protecting the surfaces of cookware, such as cookware  12 . The protective cover  48  includes a non-selfsupporting surface  50  that substantially overlies the continuous inner surfaces of the cookware to be protected. The non-selfsupporting surface  50  defines a first handle opening  52  for receiving a handle, such as handle  28  of cookware  12 , to secure the protective cover  48  to the cookware being protected. The protective cover  48  may also include a second handle opening  54  for receiving an additional handle, such as handle  30  of cookware  12 , for further securing the protective cover  48  to the cookware being protected. A marking  55  may also be included on the protective cover  48 . The protective cover  48  may further include a non-slip surface  80  on a side thereof such that the non-slip surface  80  will engage the inner surface of the cookware to minimize slippage or movement of the protective cover  48  once in place in the cookware. The non-slip surface  80  may cover at least a portion of a side of the protective cover  48 . The non-slip surface  80  may be formed by attaching a rubberized or rubber-coated material to, or integrally forming with, the cover  48  (particularly when the cover is formed from other than a rubber or other non-slip material, using an adhesive or similar known means for attachment.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 6 b , there is shown a further embodiment of the invention. Specifically, protective cover  49  is provided for protecting the surfaces of cookware, such as cookware  12 . The protective cover  49  includes a non-selfsupporting surface  51  that overlies the continuous inner surfaces of the cookware to be protected. The protective cover  49  includes an elastic portion  53  adjacent an outer periphery  57  thereof such that when the protective cover is placed on or over the cookware  12 , the elastic portion  53  engages the outer surface  18  adjacent the cookware opening  26  to secure the protective cover  49  to the cookware  12 . The elastic portion  53  may extend partially or entirely about the outer periphery  57  of the protective cover  49 . The elastic portion  53  may be formed, for example, by attaching an elastic band or other suitable member having sufficient elasticity or resiliency, to the outer periphery  57  using, for example, an adhesive for attaching the elastic band or other member thereto or by enclosing the elastic band or other member within the outer periphery  57  and sewing the same closed.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIGS.  7 - 9 , there is illustrated another embodiment of a protective cover for cookware, such as the cookware  12  as described herein, in accordance with the invention. Specifically, a protective cover  56  comprises a non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  that defines an opening  60  for receiving the cookware  12 . The cookware  12  may be inserted into the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  when the opening  60  is in an open position, as shown in FIG. 9, and then the opening  60  may be closed using a closure for closing the opening  60  of the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58 , such as, for example, drawstring  62 . FIG. 7 illustrates the non-selfsupporting enclosure  50  in a closed position with the handle  28  extending outwardly from the closed opening  60 . Advantageously, closure of the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  about the cookware  12  serves to protect the cookware  12 .  
         [0044]    The invention may also include providing or placing a logo, emblem, monogram, trademark or other identifying symbol on the enclosure  58 , as schematically represented by identifying marking  63  (FIGS. 7 and 9). Employing the marking  63  can serve as a method of advertising for the manufacturer of the cookware  12  and/or the cover  56 . It will be appreciated that the marking  63  can be strategically placed in various locations on the enclosure  58 , and preferably the marking  63  is placed on an exterior surface of the enclosure  58  for easy viewing. The marking  63  may be secured or attached to the enclosure  58  using, for example, an adhesive or other known fastening means or the marking  63  could be integrally formed with the enclosure  58 , for example, by embroidered lettering.  
         [0045]    In order to protect the cookware  12 , the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  substantially overlies the inner surface  16  and the outer surface  18  of the base  14  and the inner surface  22  and the outer surface  24  of the sidewall  20 . In other words, the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  substantially overlies both the inner surfaces  16  and  22  and the outer surfaces  18  and  24  of the cookware  12 . Preferably, the inner surfaces  16  and  22  are continuous and constitute the cooking surface of the cookware  12 . In addition, the outer surfaces  18  and  24  are preferably continuous. As can be appreciated, the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  by substantially overlying the inner and outer surfaces of the cookware  12  serves to protect the entire cookware from damage or wear.  
         [0046]    As can be appreciated, by constructing the protective cover  56  of a non-selfsupporting enclosure  58 , the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  conforms to a configuration of the inner surface  16  and outer surface  18  of the base  14  and conforms to the inner surface  22  and the outer surface  24  of the sidewall  20 . The flexibility of the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  facilitates the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  conforming to the particular size, shape and configuration of the cookware being protected. The non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  may be fabricated from a material including, but not limited to, for example, those listed above for fabricating the non-selfsupporting surface  32 . It will also be appreciated that the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  easily accommodates the nesting or stacking of items of cookware, as previously discussed and illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 9, the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  may also define an additional opening  64  for receiving an additional handle, such as handle  30  which extends from the outer surface of the sidewall  20  of the cookware  12 . The additional opening  64 , in combination with the opening  60 , allows for the convenient handling of larger items of cookware while the cookware is retained in the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58 . As can be appreciated, the handle  28  and the additional handle  30  both remain substantially outside of the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58  for grasping of the handles.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the invention is shown. Specifically, protective cover  66  includes a non-selfsupporting enclosure  68  having an alternative means for closing the opening  70  defined by the non-selfsupporting enclosure  68 . Specifically, disposed adjacent the opening  70  are hook and loop fasteners  77 , such as, for example, Velcro® fasteners, for closing the non-selfsupporting enclosure  68 . Otherwise, the non-selfsupporting enclosure  68  is similar in construction and function to the non-selfsupporting enclosure  58 , as described herein.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown yet another embodiment of the invention. Specifically, protection cover  72  comprises a non-selfsupporting enclosure  74  which defines an opening  76  for receipt of cookware, such as cookware  12 . The non-selfsupporting enclosure  74  does not include a closure for closing the opening  76 . The non-selfsupporting enclosure  74  may be employed when it is not desirable to close the opening using the means for closing, as described herein.  
         [0050]    Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials and arrangement of parts may be made within the principle and scope of the invention without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.