GB2531275A

GB2531275A - Straining vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2531275A
Application number: GB1418155.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jan Hon Wong; Carl Albert Stone; Alistair John Williamson; Andrew Albert Hodgin; Karen Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-14
Filing date: 2014-10-14
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Also published as: GB201418155D0

Abstract

A vessel has a body 1, a lid 2 receivable and rotatable thereon, and a strainer 3 on the lid through which the vessel is drainable. When the lid is in a closed position, the strainer is covered and the body and lid conform to engage one another in contact along a circumferential path of varying axial height 16, 17, so that axially rotating the lid on the body elevates the lid. The contact path may be sinusoidal. Further disclosed is a vessel comprising a body and a lid wherein one of the body and lid has a rim 14, 24 with which the other engages to secure the lid on the body. The rim has a circumferential edge whose radial position varies along the edge. The lid is rotatable between an unsecured position and a secured position where the rim is engaged.

Description

STRAINING VESSEL

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vessels arranged to hold and strain fluids, such as cookware and other kitchen utensils that comprise fluid-containing vessels with built-in strainers.

Background to the Invention

Liquids are often drained from solid foods after cooking, such as the water used to boil vegetables or pasta. This typically involves labour-intensively fishing food items from boiling water using a slotted spoon or strainer, pouring the food items out of a saucepan and into a colander, or caretblly raising the lid a small distance to trap the food items within the saucepan while pouring off excess fluid through the gap. These options may be time consuming, so that food cools excessively before it is served or is drained IS hastily and served with too much excess fluid, and may prove awkward and dangerous, such as when a heavy and extremely hot pan is supported by hand while attempting to balance the lid or colander and to pour away the boiling water all at once. It is not uncommon to slip and spill some or all of the food or to suffer burns or scalds during such a manoeuvre.

Previous attempts to address these problems have involved attaching strainers to saucepans or providing strainers in saucepan lids, but such arrangements typically require additional parts that may still fall off during pouring, or require attachment means to fasten the strainer or lid to the body of the pan that can make it difficult to remove the lid during cooking and can pose a hygiene risk by introducing complex surface geometry that proves difficult to clean and allows food and bacteria to accumulate.

Obj ects of embodiments of the present invention therefore include: addressing the problems discussed above; providing a safe, convenient, and intuitive draining process; and providing a straining vessel that is hygienic, safe, convenient, and intuitive to use.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect ofthe invention, there is provided a vessel comprising a body, a lid receivable on the body to close the vessel and rotatable on the body to define an axis of rotation, and a strainer on the lid through which the vessel is drainable, wherein: the body and the lid conform with and engage one another in contact, when the lid is in a closed position on the body, along a substantially circumferential path whose axial position varies along the path with angular position about the axis, so that axial rotation of the lid on the body is effective to axially displace the lid relative to the body; and the strainer is covered when the lid is in the closed position and at least partially exposed between the body and the lid when the lid is axially rotated away from the closed position.

The lid may thus be alternately advanced in the axial direction to expose the strainer and retracted in the opposite direction to close the vessel, simply by rotating the lid relative to the body. This helps to prevent escape of liquid and vapour content when the lid is in the closed position, while allowing the vessel to be conveniently drained through the strainer when the lid is rotated away from the closed position, so that the lid need not be removed or manually supported in a raised or tilted position on the body when draining the vessel.

The path along which the body and the lid engage one another may be defined by a rim of the lid and/or a rim of the body, may be defined by an edge of the lid and/or an edge of the body, and may be defined by contact between respective surfaces of the lid and the body. The path may comprise a portion that is helically pitched about the axis, may undulate relative to a plane normal to the axis, and may comprise an axial slope that varies gradually along the path with angular position about the axis. The axial position of one or each of the paths may vaty along the path substantially sinusoidally with angular position about the axis, may vary along the path substantially as cos nO, where ii is an integer and 0 represents angular position about the central axis, such as relative to a handle of the body, and may vary along the path substantially as cos 29.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel comprising a body, a lid receivable on the body to close the vessel and rotatable on the body to define an axis of rotation, and a strainer on the lid through which the vessel is drainable, wherein: one of the body and the lid has a rim with which the other of the body and the lid is engageable to constrain axial displacement of the lid relative to the body; an edge of the rim defines a substantially circumferential path, the radial position of which varies along the edge with angular position about the axis so that the lid is axially rotatable between an unsecured position, in which the lid is axially separable fit,m the body, and a secured position, in which the rim is engaged to prevent axial separation of the lid from the body; and the strainer is at least partially exposed between the body and the lid when the lid is in the secured position.

The varying radial position of the edge of the rim thus allows the rim to be alternately engaged, to secure the lid on the body when exposing the strainer, and disengaged to allow removal of the lid at other times, such as when the strainer is covered, simply by rotating the lid relative to the body. This helps to secure the lid safely on the body during pouring, while allowing convenient removal of the lid at other times, such as when the vessel is upright.

The radial position of the edge may undulate relative to a constant radius, may vary gradually along the edge with angular position about the axis, and may vary smoothly along the edge. The radial position of the edge may vary along the edge substantially sinusoidally with angular position about the axis; may vary along the edge substantially as I? + (sin nO, where ii is an integer, 0 represents angular position about the central axis, such as relative to an open/perforated region of the strainer, and (represents how farthe edge deviates radially from a circular path of constant radiusR; and may vary along the edge substantially as 1? + (sin 20, Preferably, (is much smaller than R, such as less thax 5%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of R. In a preferred embodiment, the radial position ofthe edge varies with angular position about the axis to define an ellipse, i.e. the edge defines a path that is substantially elliptical or that appears substantially elliptical when viewed in the axial direction.

The second aspect may incorporate features of the first, and vice versa. Each of the first and second aspects may incorporate any combination of the following features.

The body may be substantially cylindrical, may comprise a flat base, such as defining a plane normal to the axis of rotation, may be arranged to rest on a generally horizontal surface so that the axis of rotation is substantially vertical, and may comprise one or more handles, such as spaced about the body. The strainer may comprise a curved surface, may be substantially cylindrical, may project into the body when the lid is closed, may conform to a surface of the body, and may fit snugly within the body. The strainer may be substantially tubular, and may be integrally formed with the rim of the lid.

The body may have a rim that varies in height around the body to form an undulating contact edge or surface on which the lid is receivable. The lid may have a rim that varies in height around the lid to form an undulating contact edge or surface receivable on the body. the height of the or each contact edge/surface may vary smoothly and/or continuously about the rim. The contact surface/edge of the lid may oppose and closely conform to the contact surface/edge of the body to close the vessel when the lid is oriented in the closed position.

The vessel may be arranged such that axially rotating the lid in either direction about the central axis from its closed position is effective to raise the lid on the body, so that the strainer is at least partly exposed between the body and lid, such as between respective rims of the body and lid. The vessel may be arranged such that axially rotating the lid through 90 degrees from its closed position is effective to bring the lid into a maximally elevated position on the body, and/or to secure the lid to the body.

The strainer may comprise drainage apertures at diametrically opposite regions of the lid, may comprise a respective plurality of drainage apertures clustered at one ormore distinct regions of the lid, and may comprise one or more said drainage apertures or clusters of drainage apertures substantially radially aligned with a maximal axial height of the lid, of the rim of the lid, and/or of the contact surface/edge of the rim of the lid, The strainer may comprise drainage apertures of a first size in a first of said regions and drainage apertures of a second, smaller size in a second of said regions.

The vessel may be arranged such that, when the lid is in its elevated position, the drainage apertures are exposed above a lip or spout defined by the rim of the body, and may be arranged such that, when lid is in its closed position, the or each drainage aperture or cluster of drainage apertures is covered by a region ofthe body where the rim is at a maximal axial height.

The vessel may be arranged such that the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its closed position, is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its elevated position, and/or is continuously rotatable through successively alternating said closed and elevated positions. The vessel may be arranged such that the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its secured position, is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its unsecured position, and/or is continuously rotatable through successively alternating said secured and unsecured positions.

The lid may appear substantially circularwhen viewed in the axial direction, and may appear substantially elliptical when viewed in the axial direction. A major axis of the ellipse may be aligned with a maximal height of the lid, of the rim of the lid, and/or of the contact path. A minor axis ofthe ellipse may be aligned with a minimal height of the lid, of the rim of the lid, and/or of the contact path.

One of the body and lid may comprise one or more formations arranged to engage with a rim of the other of the body and lid. The or at least one said formation may comprise a contact surface arranged to axially abut the engaging rim, such as a contact surface that is non-parallel to the axis of rotation, may have the form of a projecting tab, and may project from a respective handle on the body. Two said formations may be spaced from one another by a distance larger than a minimal diameter of the engaging rim and smaller than a maximal diameter of the engaging rim. The formations may overlap the engaging rim when the lid is in its elevated position, and may not overlap the engaging rim when the lid is in its closed position. The or at least one said formation may comprise a contact surface arranged to radially abut the engaging rim, such as a contact surface that is non-perpendicular to the axis of rotation, may have the form of an indentation, and may be formed in a respective handle on the body. Two said contact surfaces may be spaced from one another by a distance substantially equal to a maximal or minimal diameter of the engaging rim, The engaging rim may be a rim of the lid, and may be substantially elliptical when viewed in an axial direction, The lid, in its closed position, may be freely removable from the body and, in its elevated position, may engage two or more said formations in the manner of a latch to secure the lid on the body and/or may engage one or more said formations in the manner ofajoumal bearing to centre the lid on the body. The or each said contact surface may be generallytangential to a respective direction substantially circumferential to the axis of rotation, and may be generally normal to a respective direction having a substantial component in one or each of the radial and axial directions defined by the axis of rotation, The or at least one said formation may engage resiliently with the lid to provide traction therebetween, The lid and body may engage resiliently to increase traction therebetween when lid is rotated into its elevated position, and may engage resiliently to provide tactile feedback when lid is rotated into its e'evated position.

The vessel may comprise a marking denoting that the lid is unsecured and/orin its closed position, and may comprise a marking denoting that the lid is secured and/or in its elevated position. The position of the lid may be indicated by alignment of said marking with a formation. The lid may comprise a marking indicating the position of a drainage opening or cluster of drainage openings, and may comprise markings denoting the relative sizes of different drainage openings.

The lid may have the general external appearance of a disc, may be substantially arcuate, and may have a substantially cylindrical out-of-plane curvature, The out-of-plane curvature may closely confonn, when the lid is in its closed position, with the varied axial height of the body, of the rim of the body, and/or of the contact path.

The or each said formation may form a hook from which the vessel is hangable, may form a hook on which another said vessel is hangable, and may be engageable with IS the handle or formation of another said vessel to hang one vessel from the other.

a set of two or more said vessels of different sizes, the bodies may be concentrically stackable with the handles of a smaller said body engaging the handles of a larger said body to support the weight of the smaller body and to suspend it within the larger body, and may be concentrically stackable with the handles of the smaller body supported on the tabs of the larger body, The or each said vessel may be a kitchen utensil, and may be a cookware utensil, such as a saucepan.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a saucepan comprising a body with a base and a substantially circumferential rim, wherein the height of the rim from the base varies substantially sinusoidally along the rim.

The rim may define an arc when viewed in a direction parallel to the base, such as a substantially circular arc, and may define a respective arc when ewed in each of two directions normal to one another and parallel to the base.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a saucepan lid comprising a strainer and a substantially circumferential rim defining a central axis, wherein the height ofthe rim in the axial direction varies substantially sinusoidally along therim.

The rim may define an arc when viewed in a direction normal to the central axis, such as a substantially circular arc, and may define a respective arc when viewed in each of two directions normal to one another and to the central axis.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a saucepan lid comprising a strainer and a substantially circumferential rim defining a central axis, wherein the lid has a substantially elliptical outline when viewed in the axial direction.

The rim may define an arc when viewed along a major diameter defined by the elliptical outline, and may define an arc when viewed along a minor diameter defined by the elliptical outline.

The third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the invention may incorporate any of one another's features, and may incorporate any combination of features of the first and/or second aspects of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

h order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a saucepan accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, showing a lid raised from the body of the saucepan; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the saucepan of Figure 1 arranged with the lid in a closed position for cooking; Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the saucepan of Figure] arranged with the lid secured in an elevated position for draining; FigureS is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cut-away perspective view of a set of stacked saucepans; and Figure 7 is a cut-away perspective view of a set of stacked saucepan lids.

The saucepan shown in Figures i-S has a substantially cylindrical body (1) with a flat base and two handles (10, H) mounted on the body, at diametrically opposite positions, and a lid (2) with a central depression (20) in which a further handle (21) is located. A strainer (3) is mounted on the inside of the lid (2) so that it projects inwardly into the body (1) when the lid is closed, The strainer (3) is substantially cylindrical and fits snugly within the body (1).

The body(]) has a rim (14) which varies in height around the body to form an undulating contact edge or surface (15) on which the lid (2) is received. The height ofthe rim (14) varies sinusoidally about the body (1) in proportion to the cosine of 20, where 0 is the angular position about the central axis of the cylindrical body relative to one of its handles. This provides a maximal rim height (16) at each handle (10, 11) and a minimal rim height (17) midway between the handles, i.e. at angle of 90 degrees from either handle, The rim (14) forms an external circumferential lip that defines a respective pouring spout around each of its height minima (17). The undulating rim or contact edge/surface need not be sinusoidal, as other forms may be suitable, such as discrete alternating sloped and level sectors of the rim. It is preferred that the rim defines a sweeping curve so that the height of the contact edge/surface (15) varies smoothly and continuously about the rim, as this allows the lid to be rotated smoothly on the rim and provides a simple, streamlined shape that is easy to clean.

the lid (2) has a rim (24) defining a contact edge or surface (25) that opposes and closely conforms with the sinusoidal contact surface (15) of the body (1) to close the saucepan when the lid (2) is oriented in the closed position shown in Figures 2 and 3. In the closed position, the contact edges/surfaces (15, 25) of the body and lid (1, 2) meet to define a substantially continuous contact path along the rims (t4, 24). When the lid (2) is oriented in this closed position, rotating it in either direction about the central axis of the body and lid has the effect of raising the lid on the body, so that the strainer (3) is partly exposed between the rims (14, 24)ofthe body(1) and lid (2). Rotating the lid (2) through 90 degrees from the closed position brings it into the elevated position shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the strainer (3) is exposed above the body (1) as fully as possible without removing the lid.

The strainer (3) is provided with perforations (30) clustered at diametrically opposite regions (31, 32) of the lid (2), aligned with the maximal height (26) of the contact surface (25) of the rim (24) of the lid (2). Thus, rotating the lid (2) into the elevated position exposes the perforations (30) above the pouring spouts (17), as illustrated by Figure 4, while rotating the lid into the lower, closed position conceals and covers the perforations (30) within the body (1) where the rim ofthe body is highest (16), as illustrated by Figure 2. The perforations (30) may take the form of circular holes (as illustrated), elongate slots, or any other suitable shape or combination of shapes; they may be machined from the material of the strainer or formed as openings in a moulded piece; alternatively, the strainer may comprise a grille, grid, or mesh with the openings defined between bars or wires.

In the embodiment illustrated, the two opposite regions (31,32) differ in terms of the respective size of the holes/perforations (30), so that large solids such as chunky vegetables may be drained rapidly via a coarser mesh of larger perforations on one side (31) of the strainer (3), whilst finer materials such as noodles or grains may be drained safely and without spillage through a fine mesh of smaller perforations on the other side (32) of the strainer (3). Since the lid may be freely rotated continuously and/or in either direction to select the more appropriate perforation size, this selection is not restricted to only one side of the saucepan or by the position of the lid before the selection is made.

The lid (2) appears substantially circular when viewed from directly above.

However, in addition to the undulating height of the rim (24) of the lid (2), its outer edge (28) has a radial distance from the central axis of the lid that is perturbed by a small amount to provide a substantially elliptical outline, when viewed from above. The major axis of the ellipse is aligned with the maximal height of the rim of the lid, and the minor axis with its minimal height.

The body (I) of the saucepan is provided with a pair of tabs (4) each projecting about the outer edge (28) of the lid (2) from a respective handle (10, 11). The tabs (4) are spaced from one another by a distance greater than the minimal diameter (B) and less than the maximal diameter (A) of the ellipse, so that the tabs (4) overlap the rim (24) of the lid (2) in its elevated position and do not overlap the lid (2) in its closed position (as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5). Thus, when the lid (2) is in its closed position, it can pass freely between the tabs (4), allowing the lid (2) to be easily removed from the body (1).

When the lid (2) is rotated into its elevated position to allow fluid to be drained from the saucepan, the rim (24) of the lid (2) functions as a latch to engage each tab (4) and thereby secure the lid (2) to the body (1).

The tabs (4) engage resiliently with the rim (24) of the lid in its elevated position to provide grip. As shown in Figure 6, each tab (4) comprises a rigid core (40) formed integrally with the handle and a compliant elastomeric outer layer (4 t) formed from a silicone rubber, The compliant layer (4]) deforms to grip the lid (2) tightly without scratching its surface, and engages frictionally with the lid to resist slipping and damp vibration between the body (1) and lid (2), so that the lid is not only securely gripped in its elevated position but also feels and sounds securely gripped, and so thatrotation of the lid into and out of its elevated position feels smooth and controlled, providing tactile reassurance to the user.

h certain embodiments, the compliant outer layer (41) of the tab is integrally formed with an outer layer of the handle formed from the same silicone rubber material to provide thermal insulation and comfort and to enhance grip. In other embodiments, the whole or core of each tab (4) is resiliently flexible to accommodate bending ofthe tab as it grips the lid.

The central handle (2) in the lid (2) is shaped to provide a handhold suitable both for holding and raising the lid (2) from the body (1) and for rotating it on the body. The handle (2 t) is preferably formed from a thermally insulating material and may comprise an elastomeric portion to enhance grip, such as coating of silicone rubber. The shape of the handle is elongated in a direction aligned with the maximal height (26) and minimal diameter (B) of the rim (24) of the lid (2), or vice versa, so that the position ofthe handle provides a convenient indication of the orientation of the lid for a user familiar with the saucepan. Markings (42, 43) on the rim of the lid are provided to more explicitly indicate, by their own alignment with a tab (4), whether the lid is in the lower, closed and unsecured position (as illustrated in Figures 1-5 by an open-padlock symbol) or the elevated, open and secured position (illustrated as a closed-padlock symbol).

Alternatively, or in addition, each marking (42,43) may indicate its own alignment with a respective perforated/open (illustrated as a dotted-line symbol) or unperforated/closed (illustrated as an unbroken-line symbol) region of the strainer (3), so that a user can readily identify the physical location of the perforations/openings (30) when the lid is closed. Furthermore, the markings (42) denoting perforations (30) on opposite sides of the strainer (3) are arranged to distinguish between the coarser and finer mesh regions (31, 32) as illustrated by dotted-line symbols featuring visibly larger or smaller dots, respectively. In other embodiments, one or more notches and/or clips may be provided-instead ol or in addition to, the markings (42, 43)-to stabilise lid's alignment in the lower, closed and unsecured position and/or the elevated, open and secured position, and/or to provide tactile feedback indicating correct alignment in either or each position.

In the embodiment illustrated, the outer edge of the lid comes into contact with upward-facing contact surfaces (45) at the root the handles as the lid is rotated into its secured open position, and the lowermost points (27) of the outer edge of the lid each descend into an open space (6) at the root of a respective handle (10, 11) so that each of the two lowermost points (27) of the edge of the rim (24) is supported between the two contact points (45). The contact increases traction as the lid approaches the secured position, enhancing tactile feedback. Passage of each of the lowermost points (27) of the rim's edge over a contact surface (45) of the handle lifts the lid slightly, while descent of the lowermost point (27) into the respective open space (6) lowers the lid again to reach a stable equilibrium position. Thus, rotation of the lid away from the secured position is resisted by the weight of the lid.

In certain embodiments, further formations 45) are provided at two or more positions about the saucepan to engage the lid (2) in its secured position, the purpose of which is to constrain the lid in a radial direction and/or centralise the lid on the body (1) of the saucepan. Alternatively, this effect may be achieved by the same formations that are used to secure the lid, i.e. the tabs (4) as described above, such as where the tabs have a sloping inner surface (41) that engages the lid to constrain it in both axial and radial directions, In the embodiment illustrated, two such further formations are provided as slight ridges or indentations (45) at the root of each handle (10, 11), adjacent to the rim (14) of the saucepan body (t). Each ridge or indentation (45) provides a respective contact surface (46) arranged to constrain the rim (24) of the lid (2) when the lid is in the secured position. The contact surface (46) preferably engages the lid in a substantially radial direction, such as where the indentations collectively define, in part, a substantially cylindrical or elliptical contact surface, or at least engages the lid in a direction having a radial component, such as where the contact surfaces slope so as to collectively define, in part, a substantially conical or elliptically conical surface, When the lid (2) is rotated into the secured position, its elliptical outer edge (28) contacts-or almost contacts, with a small dearance (47) such as around 1 mm or preferably less than 1 mm-the radially inward-facing surface (46) of the indentation (45) near to the maximal diameter (27) of the elliptical rim (28). This helps to ensure that the lid is centralised and stabilised on the body when it reaches the open/secured position for pouring, thereby reducing sliding or wobbling ofthe lid during pouring and providing tactile feedback to reassure the userthat the lid is stably held. Since the strainer (3) projects into the saucepan body (1), the lid (2) will already be radially constrained by engagement of the strainer within the body.

Therefore, the centralising and stabilising effect provided by the indentations (45) is best achieved where clearances (47) between the lid and the ridge/indentation contact surfaces (46), when the lid is in its secured position, are smaller than those between substantially cylindrical opposing surfaces ofthe strainer (3) and body (I), Preferably, the clearances (47) are sufficiently small that frictional engagement occurs between the lid (2) in its secured position and two or more of the ridged/indented contact surfaces (46), further enhancing stabilisation and tactile feedback, as well as providing resistance to further rotation of the lid on the body away from the secured position.

An advantage of the ridges/indentations (45), or other formations providing such contact surfaces, is that their centralising, stabilising, and/or tactile feedback effects may be achieved without requiring direct engagement between the tabs (4) and the lid (2). For example, the tabs (4) may axially constrain the secured lid on the body (1) of the saucepan, but without necessarily engaging the lid tightly, resiliently, or frictionally. In certain embodiments, while the tabs (4) still overlap the edge (24) of the lid (2) in its open/secured position, preventing the lid from being removed in an axial direction from the body (1) ofthe saucepan, a clearance (48) between the lid (2) and the tabs (4) ensures that the tabs do not directly contact the upward-facing surface ofthe lid unless it is raised or tipped by a small distance, such as a few millimetres. In this case, resilient tabs may be unnecessary, and the tabs (4) or their contact surfaces (41) may be formed from a more hardwearing material, instead of a soft elastomer, such as stainless steel or another metal alloy. The indentations (45) support, stabilise, and centralise the lid on the body during pouring, while the axial clearances (48) beneath the tabs (4) allow the lid to lift or tip slightly before its upper surface is constrained by abutment with a tab surface (41). This reduces wear and fatigue damage to the tabs whilst helping to minimise scratching or burnishing of the prominently visible upper surface of the lid (2) from repeated engagement and disengagement with the tabs (4).

h terms of its shape, the lid (2) has the general external appearance of a disc with a substantially cylindrical out-of-plane curvature that closely conforms, when the lid is in its closed position, with the undulating height of the curved rim (t4) of the saucepan body (1). Thus, since the rim (24) of the lid conforms to that of the body by virtue of the curvature of the arcuate lid as a whole, the rim (24) of the lid merely defines the edge of the lid's arcuate disc shape rather than forming a distinct lip or ridge projecting therefrom. This provides a simple shape that is easy to clean and visually appealing.

In terms of its construction, which is best illustrated in cross-section by Figure 7, the lid (2) is formed as a transparent glass dish (50) that is centrally recessed to receive the handle (21) with a metal fascia (51) that frames and lies flat against the periphery of the glass disc (50), both parts being curved to define the arcuate surface shape of the lid (2). The strainer (3) has a substantially tubular form from which an upper lip (35) projects radially outward at a height that varies with angular position in the same manner as the rim (14) of the saucepan body (I). The upper lip (35) projecting from the strainer (3) is joined to the outer frame (SI) of the lid, such as by welding, so that it forms the underside (25) of, and is integral to, the rim (24) of the lid. A tapered peripheral edge of the glass part (50) is securely encapsulated between the frame (5 t) and the strainer (3) to form a robust structure, In the encapsulated structure, a silicone rubber gasket (55) interposed between the glass (50) and the frame (51) provides impact resistance, alleviates thermal stress between glass and metal parts, and ensures a good seal.

As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the saucepan of the embodiment described above forms part of a set of similar saucepans according to the present invention. The smaller pans each have an elongate handle (10) and a shorter, looped handle (11), while the larger pot has two of the shorter, looped handles. The saucepans are arranged so that, when stacked inside one another in the arrangement of Figure 6, the handles of a smaller saucepan engage with the handles of a larger saucepan to support the weight of the smaller vessel and to suspend it within the body of the larger one, In the arrangement shown, the handles of the smaller saucepan are supported on the tabs (4) that project from the handles of the larger saucepan. This helps to prevent scratching and scuffing of the body of one saucepan against that of another.

The tabs (4) project upwardly from each handle to form a hook that can be used for hanging the saucepan body (I), such as from a supporting rail, hook, or loop.

Furthermore, openings (6) through each short handle (11) and through both ends of each long handle (10) are arranged to receive the tabs (4) of another saucepan body (1) in the set so that one saucepan may be hung from and supported by another, the whole set of saucepan bodies thereby hung from a single support. Orienting consecutive saucepans in opposite directions allows them to be hung from a single support so that the tab of one saucepan interlocks with the tab of another saucepan, The lids (2) are concentrically stackable as shown in Figure 7. The tubular strainer (3) of a larger lid provides a circular contact edge (57) that engages with the rim (24) of a smaller lid to support one lid on the other, Conveniently, the diameter of the strainer's circular edge (57) is less than the maximal diameter (A) and greater than the minimal diameter (B) of the elliptical outer edge (28) of the smaller lid, so that the smaller lid at its maximal diameter (A) abuts the strainer (3) of the larger lid to support one lid on the other, while the smaller lid at its minimal outer diameter (B) projects inside the strainer (3) of the larger lid to help keep the stack of lids substantially concentrically aligned.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only, and each embodiment may incorporate one another's features or equivalent features, as will be apparent to the skilled reader. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims,

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vess& comprising a body, a lid receivable on the body to close the vessel and rotatable on the body to define an axis of rotation, and a strainer on the lid through which the vessel is drainable, wherein: the body and the lid conform with and engage one another in contact, when the lid is in a closed position on the body, along a substantially circumferential path whose axial position varies along the path with angular position about the axis, so that axial rotation of the lid on the body is effective to axially displace the lid relative to the body; and the strainer is covered when the lid is in the closed position and at least partially exposed between the body and the lid when the lid is axially rotated away from the closed position.

2. A vessel according to claim 1 wherein the path is defined by contact with a rim of the lid or body, such as by contact between respective rims of the lid and body.

3. A vessel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the contact path undulates relative to a plane normal to the axis.

4. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the contact path has a slope that varies gradually along the path with angular position about the axis.

5, A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the axial position of the contact path varies klong the path substantially sinusoidally with angular position about the axis.

6. A vessel according to claimS wherein the axial position ofthe contact path varies along the path substantially as cos nfl, where ii is an integer and 6 represents angular position about the central axis, such as relative to a handle of the body.

7. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer comprises one or more drainage apertures or clusters of drainage apertures that are substantially radially aligned, when the lid is in the closed position, with a maximal axial height of the contact path.

8. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the contact path, in the vicinity of a minimal axial height of said path, is defined by a lip or spout of the body.

9. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its closed position.

O. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body into a substantially maximally elevated position on the body.

LI. A vessel according to claim 10 wherein the lid is axially rotatable through 90 degrees from said closed position to said elevated position.

12. A vessel according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from said elevated position.

13. A vessel according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said substantially maximally elevated position is an equilibrium position.

14. A vessel according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the lid is continuously rotatable through successively alternating said closed and elevated positions.

15. A vessel according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the strainer comprises one or more drainage apertures or clusters of drainage apertures substantially radially aligned with a minimal axial height of a rim of the body when the lid is in the elevated position.

16. A vessel according any preceding claim wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body into a secured position in which the body and lid engage to prevent axial separation of the lid from the body.

17. A vessel according to claim 16, where dependent on any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein said secured and elevated positions of the lid are substantially coincident.

18. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein, in its closed position, the lid is axially separable from the body.

19. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein an arcuate major surface of the lid substantially conforms to the contact path when the lid is closed.

20. A vessel comprising a body, a lid receivable on the body to close the vessel and rotatable on the body to define an axis of rotation, and a strainer on the lid through which the vessel is drainable, wherein: one of the body and the lid has a rim with which the other ofthe body and the lid is engageable to constrain axial displacement of the lid relative to the body; the rim has a substantially circumferential edge, the radial position of which varies along the edge with angular position about the axis so that the lid is axially rotatable between an unsecured position, in which the lid is axially separable from the body, and a secured position, in which the rim is engaged to prevent axial separation of the lid from the body; and the strainer is at least partially exposed between the body andthe lid when the lid is in the secured position.

21. A vessel according to claim 20 wherein the strainer is covered when the lid is in the unsecured position.

22. A vessel according to claim 20 or claim 2 t wherein the radial position ofthe edge undulates relative to a constant radius.

23, A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the radial position of the edge varies gradually along the rim with angular position about the axis.

24. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the radial position of the edge varies along the rim substantially sinusoidally with angular position about the axis.

25. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein the radial position of the edge varies with angular position about the axis to define an ellipse.

26. A vessel according to claim 25 wherein a major diameter of the ellipse is substantially aligned with a maximal axial height of the edge.

27. A vessel according to claim 24 or claim 26 wherein a minor diameter of the ellipse is substantially aligned with a minimal axial height of the edge.

28. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 27 arranged such that the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its secured position.

29. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 28 arranged such that the lid is axially rotatable on the body in either direction from its unsecured position.

30. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 29 wherein the lid is axially rotatable through 90 degrees from said secured position to said unsecured position.

3 L A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 30 wherein said secured position is an equilibrium position.

32. A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 31 wherein the lid is continuously rotatable through successively alternating said secured and unsecured positions.

33, A vessel according to any one of claims 20 to 32 arranged so that axial rotation of the lid on the body is effective to axially displace the lid relative to the body.

34. A vessel according to claim 33 wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body into a maximally elevated position substantially coincident with the secured position.

35. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein one of the body and lid comprises one or more formations aranged to engage with a rim of the other of the body and lid.

36. A vessel according to claim 35 wherein two said formations are spaced from one another by a distance larger than a minimal diameter of the engaging rim and smaller than a maximal diameter of the engaging rim.

37. A vessel according to claim 35 or claim 36 wherein the lid is axially rotatable on the body between an engaged position in which the or each formation overlaps the engaging rim and a disengaged position in which the or each formation does not overlap the engaging rim, 38. A vessel according to claim 37 wherein one or more of the engaged and/or disengaged positions of the lid are indicated by alignment of the or each formation with a respective marking on the engaging rim.39, A vessel according to any one of claims 35 to 38 wherein the or each formation engages with the engaging rim to provide traction therebetween.40. A vessel according to any one of claims 35 to 39 wherein the engaging rim is substantially elliptical when viewed in an axial direction.4L A vessel according to any one of claims 35 to 40 wherein the engaging rim is a rim of the lid.42. A vessel according to claim 41 wherein the or each formation projects from a respective handle on the body.43. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer projects into the body when the lid is closed.44. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer conforms to a surface of the body.45. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer forms a curved surface, such as a substantially cylindrical surface, 46. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer comprises drainage apertures at diametrically opposite regions of the lid.47. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer comprises one or more clusters of drainage apertures.48. A vess& according to any preceding claim wherein the strainer comprises drainage apertures of a first size in a first region of the lid and drainage apertures of a second, smaller size in a second region of the lid.49. A vessel according to any preceding claim wherein the lid and body engage resiliently with one another to provide traction therebetween.50, A vess& according to any preceding claim being a kitchen utensil, such as a cookware vessel.51. A vessel substantially as herein described with reference to the appended figures.