NZ800320B2 - Cookware for use in a microwave oven - Google Patents

Abstract

Traditional cookware for use in a microwave oven may be deficient by becoming very hot when used due the heat transfer from the food items to the walls of the cookware. As such, the cookware may need to be removed from the microwave with care so as to prevent burns. In an attempt to prevent this, traditional cookware may include utilize handles or lids with thick thermal insulation. This may only work, however, if the lid is secured in place. Furthermore, use of handles in the cookware tends to increase the width of the cookware, which can decrease the ability to store the cookware (e.g., they may no longer properly stack, and they may take up too much room in the refrigerator or freezer). The present invention includes an article of cookware, comprises substantially horizontal bottom having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom to terminate at a rim. The bottom, the sidewall, and the rim define an interior volume for one or more food items. The sidewall has an inverted frustoconical shape with a first portion and a second portion positioned below the first portion. The first portion has a tilt of less than about 10 degrees outward from a vertical line. The second portion has a tilt outward from the vertical line that is greater than the tilt of the first portion by about 15 degrees or more.

Claims (20)

1. An article of cookware, comprising: 5 a) substantially horizontal bottom having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; and b) a sidewall extending upward from the bottom to terminate at a rim, wherein the bottom, the sidewall, and the rim define an interior volume for one or more food items; 10 c) wherein the sidewall has an inverted frustoconical shape with a first portion and a second portion positioned below the first portion, the first portion having a tilt of less than about 10 degrees outward from a vertical line, the second portion having a tilt outward from the vertical line that is greater than the tilt of the first portion by about 15 degrees or more.

2. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein the article of cookware does not have any structure that extends horizontally outward past an exterior surface of the first portion of the sidewall, and wherein the first portion of the sidewall extends upward from the second portion of the sidewall to terminate at the rim.

3. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is textured.

4. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has a height of 25 at least about 1 inch or more.

5. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein the second portion has a height of at least about 2 inches or more. 30

6. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein the frist portion has a height that is larger than a height of the second portion by about 20% or more.

7. The article of cookware according to claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the bottom has an upward extending recess spaced away from a lower rim that forms a perimeter of the exterior surface. 5

8. The article of cookware according to claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to extend across the rim, wherein the lid includes a gasket configured to seal the interior volume to prevent fluid leakage.

9. The article of cookware according to claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to 10 extend across the rim, wherein the lid is substantially flat and has a central recess that extends below the rim when the lid is positioned on the rim.

10. The article of cookware according to claim 9, wherein the central recess includes a lid handle, the lid handle having an upper surface that extends above an upper surface of the lid 15 by no more than a depth of a recess between a lower rim and a central portion of an exterior surface of the bottom.

11. The article of cookware according to claim 10, wherein the lid handle is generally rectangular and narrower in width than half of a radius of an oval or circular recess in the lid.

12. The article of cookware according to claim 9, wherein the lid has at least one sealable aperture for one of creating and releasing a vacuum within the cookware article when a gasket of the lid seals the interior volume. 25

13. The article of cookware according to claim 1, further comprising a thermally insulating pad that is positioned about a circumference of the sidewall.

14. The article of cookware according to claim 13, wherein the thermally insulating pad covers an area of the sidewall that extends above and below a transition in-between the first 30 portion and the second portion of the sidewall.

15. The article of cookware according to claim 14, wherein the thermally insulating pad conforms to the tilt of the first portion of the sidewall, and further conforms to the tilt of the second portion of the sidewall. 5

16. The article of cookware according to claim 14, wherein the thermally insulating pad is configured to deform under pressure of a user's hands to the tilt of the first portion of the sidewall, and is further configured to deform under the pressure of the user's hands to the tilt of the second portion of the sidewall. 10

17. The article of cookware according to claim 1, further comprising one or more handles or a laterally extending flange.

18. The article of cookware according to claim 17, further comprising a pad that is positioned about a circumference of the first portion of the sidewall, and that is further 15 positioned below the one or more handles or the laterally extending flange.

19. The article of cookware according to claim 18, wherein the pad is more thermally insulating than the sidewall of the cookware article. 20

20. The article of cookware according to claim 18, wherein the pad extends downward to at least beyond a transition between the first portion and the second portion of the sidewall.