Patent Application
20250052429
The present invention relates to accessories used in kitchen appliances, specifically drip covers designed for stove-top drip pans. More particularly, the invention pertains to silicone sheath drip covers that enclose and protect stove drip pans during cooking or boiling processes. These covers are intended to capture overboils and spills, preventing them from dripping onto the stove surface and thereby enhancing kitchen cleanliness and safety. The invention addresses the need for a durable, easy-to-clean solution that accommodates various stove models and configurations, ensuring effective containment of liquids while maintaining user convenience and environmental sustainability. By conforming to the contours of drip pans and featuring elements such as heat-resistant silicone and ergonomic design, the invention provides a practical and efficient means to manage kitchen spills and maintain stove-top hygiene. Designed for electric stoves.
The present invention relates to protective covers for electric stove drip pans. More specifically, the invention pertains to “Drip Covers,” which are silicone sheaths designed to fit over and enhance the functionality of drip pans commonly found in electric Stoves.
In the realm of kitchen appliances, electric stoves equipped with drip pans serve a crucial role in catching spills and drips from cooking activities. These drip pans are essential for maintaining cleanliness and preventing damage to the stove's heating elements. However, traditional drip pans often require frequent cleaning and occasional replacement due to the accumulation of cooking residues and spills.
Existing solutions for protecting and maintaining drip pans typically involve removable metal or plastic covers that require manual cleaning and periodic replacement. These solutions can be cumbersome and time-consuming for users, often involving the use of harsh chemicals for effective cleaning.
With this being said, Modern stovetops are essential tools in culinary settings, providing a platform for cooking a variety of foods efficiently. Central to the functionality of stovetops are drip pans located beneath cooking elements, which serve to collect spills, drips, and overflow from pots and pans. These drip pans play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness and preventing damage to the stovetop components.
However, conventional drip pans are often challenged by spills and overflows, particularly during the cooking process when pots and pans boil over. These spills not only create a mess but can also lead to the accumulation of burnt residues, affecting both the aesthetic appeal and the performance of the stovetop.
Current solutions to mitigate these issues include disposable drip pan covers or inserts, which are frequently used but contribute to environmental waste and ongoing costs. Moreover, these disposable solutions often do not provide a secure fit or effective containment of spilled liquids, resulting in continued maintenance challenges for users.
The invention of the “Drip Cover” addresses these shortcomings by introducing a novel silicone sheath designed specifically to fit and grip onto stove drip pans. Unlike traditional solutions, Drip Cover offers a durable, reusable alternative that effectively captures and contains spills and overflows. Its one-piece design adheres seamlessly to the outer upper edge of the drip pan, ensuring maximum coverage and protection.
Key features of Drip Cover include a bottom closure mechanism that securely holds captured liquids until disposal, thereby minimizing the need for frequent cleaning and replacement of drip pans. The material used in Drip Cover is heat-resistant, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures without degradation or melting, ensuring safe and reliable performance during cooking.
By providing a customizable solution that accommodates various stove brands and models through different diameters, Drip Cover offers versatility and ease of use for a wide range of consumers. Its washable and reusable nature not only promotes sustainability but also reduces long-term costs associated with maintaining stovetop cleanliness.
In summary, Drip Cover represents a significant advancement in stove drip pan technology, addressing the inherent challenges of spills and overflows with an innovative, environmentally friendly solution. Its design combines practical functionality with durability, catering to the needs of modem kitchens while promoting efficiency and user Convenience.
Problem Statement: The need arises for a more efficient, user-friendly solution that not only protects drip pans from spills but also simplifies maintenance and enhances durability without the need for frequent replacement. The conventional drip pans used in stovetops often fail to effectively contain spills and overflows during cooking, leading to cleanliness issues and potential damage to stove components. Current disposable covers are frequently used but contribute to environmental waste and ongoing costs without providing a secure and durable solution. There is a clear need for an innovative, reusable alternative that securely fits and grips onto drip pans, effectively capturing and containing spilled liquids while maintaining heat resistance and ease of maintenance.
Summary of Prior Art: Prior art includes various designs of removable covers for drip pans, often made from metal or plastic materials. These covers may provide some protection but often lack the flexibility, ease of cleaning, and adaptability needed to accommodate different stove models and user preferences.
Advantages of the Invention: “Drip Covers” address these challenges by offering a novel, integrated silicone sheath designed to snugly fit and protect electric stove drip pans. This one-piece design includes a bottom enclosure that expands to capture and contain spills, preventing them from reaching the underlying drip pan. The silicone material is durable, heat-resistant, and easily washable, requiring only soap and water for cleaning.
Innovation and Uniqueness: Unlike existing solutions, “Drip Covers” are specifically designed to fit snugly over electric stove drip pans, offering a tailored solution that improves cleanliness and usability without compromising stove performance.
Innovation and Novelty: Unlike existing solutions, “Drip Covers” are tailored to fit various stove brands and models, providing a custom-fit protective barrier that ensures drip pans remain clean and functional. The inclusion of indented supports for heating coil elements further enhances stability and functionality, making “Drip Covers” a unique and innovative advancement in stove maintenance and cleanliness.
“Drip Covers” are innovative silicone sheaths designed specifically for electric stove drip pans. Unlike traditional covers that require frequent cleaning or replacement, “Drip Covers” offer a seamless, integrated solution that enhances cleanliness and simplifies Maintenance.
This design includes an opening for the stove's heating coil element, allowing it to function without obstruction.
Advantages: “Drip Covers” ensure that drip pans remain clean and functional, protecting against spills and cooking residues. By improving cleanliness and reducing maintenance efforts, “Drip Covers” offer a practical and user-friendly enhancement to kitchen stove appliances.
Structure and Composition: “Drip Covers” are composed of high-quality silicone, known for its flexibility, heat resistance, and durability. Each cover is custom-designed to fit precisely over the drip pans of electric stoves, ensuring a secure fit that prevents movement during use.
Integration with Drip Pans: The design of “Drip Covers” incorporates an outer edge that grips the top perimeter of the drip pan, providing stability and ensuring that the cover remains in place during cooking activities. The silicone sheath molds to the inside of the drip pan, forming a seamless barrier that prevents spills and cooking residues from reaching the underlying drip pan surface.
Opening for Heating Coil Element: To accommodate the stove's heating coil element, each “Drip Cover” includes a strategically positioned opening that aligns with the burner's connection point on the stove. This design feature allows the heating coil element to function without obstruction, ensuring efficient heat transfer and cooking performance.
Bottom Enclosure Mechanism: At the bottom of the “Drip Cover,” there is an innovative enclosure mechanism. This mechanism comprises additional silicone material that extends into the bottom hole of the drip pan. When spills occur, this bottom enclosure expands to capture and contain liquids, preventing them from seeping underneath the cover and into the drip pan.
Indented Supports for Heating Coil Elements: “Drip Covers” feature three indented supports within the silicone sheath. These supports are strategically positioned to provide stable resting points for the stove's heating coil elements, ensuring they are securely positioned and allowing for optimal heat distribution during cooking.
Variety and Customization: Available in various diameters, “Drip Covers” are designed to accommodate the specific dimensions and configurations of different stove brands and models. This customization ensures a perfect fit and effective protection for a wide range of electric stoves commonly used in residential and commercial kitchens.
Maintenance and Reusability: “Drip Covers” are designed for easy maintenance and reusability. After capturing spills, the cover can be easily peeled off from the drip pan, allowing users to dispose of captured liquids, wash the cover with soap and water, and reapply it for continued use. This process eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and reduces the time and effort typically associated with cleaning and maintaining traditional drip pans.
Heat Resistance and Durability: Constructed from heat-resistant silicone, “Drip Covers” withstand high temperatures encountered during cooking without melting or deforming. This durability ensures long-term performance and reliability under normal cooking Conditions.
Functionality and Operation Structure and Components: “Drip Covers” are silicone sheaths designed to fit over electric stove drip pans. Each cover is custom-made from flexible silicone material, chosen for its heat resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning. The cover includes:
Integration with Stove Components: “Drip Covers” are designed to integrate seamlessly with electric stove components:
Operation: Using “Drip Covers” is straightforward:
Installation: Place the silicone sheath over the drip pan, ensuring the outer gripping edge securely fits over the top perimeter of the drip pan.
Functionality: During cooking, spills and cooking residues are captured and contained within the silicone sheath. The bottom enclosure mechanism expands to accommodate liquids, preventing them from reaching the underlying drip pan.
Maintenance: After use, “Drip Covers” can be easily removed from the drip pan. Dispose of captured liquids, wash the cover with soap and water, and reapply it for continued use. This simple cleaning process eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and reduces maintenance efforts associated with traditional drip pans.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63528685 | Jul 2023 | US |
