Drip Pan

Abstract

An improved drip pan comprises a drip pan and a non-stick coating on the top surface of the drip pan.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A drip pan on an electric (or gas) range is conventionally used for catching “drips” and debris on a cook range (also known as a “stovetop”) under a burner. In a conventional setup, each electric burner has a drip pan underneath it to catch drips and debris. Drip pans on can be difficult and frustrating to clean and to keep clean. Conventional drip pans are made from chrome (e.g., chrome plating), stainless steel, a similar metal-based material, or porcelain. Although such materials are durable, they are difficult to clean-especially because the very nature of use of a cooking range results in spilled liquids and solids being baked and hardened onto the surface of the drip pan. What is needed is an improved drip pan that is easier to clean and to keep clean.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved drip pan comprises a drip pan and a non-stick coating on the top surface of the drip pan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 3 illustrates an upper angle view showing the top of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 4 illustrates an upper angle view showing the top of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-section view of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 6 illustrates an upper angle view of an exemplary improved drip pan.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom-up view of exemplary improved drip pan having no coating on the bottom of the drip pan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system and method are disclosed for an improved drip pan.

Table of Reference Numbers from Drawings:

The following table is for convenience only and should not be construed to supersede any potentially inconsistent disclosure herein.

Reference
Number Description
100    improved drip pan
105    rim
110    top surface of drip pan
115    top surface of rim
120    bottom surface of drip pan
125    bottom surface of rim
130    coating

An improved drip pan 100 may comprise a conventional drip pan with a coating, especially a non-stick coating. A drip pan is conventionally used for catching “drips” and debris on a cook range (also known as a “stovetop”) under electric burners. In a conventional setup, each burner may have a drip pan underneath it to catch drips and debris.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, an improved drip pan 100 may comprise a conventional drip pan with a coating/layer/film 130 on the top surface of the drip pan.

FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of drip pan 100 having rim 105, rim top surface 115, and coating 130 covering top surface 110 (not visible because it is obscured by coating).

FIG. 2 shows a top-down view that is similar to FIG. 1, except that drip pan 100 has been rotated relative to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an upper angle view of drip pan 100.

FIG. 4 shows an upper angle view of drip pan 100 that is similar to FIG. 3, except that drip pan 100 has been rotated relative to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of drip pan 100 as if drip pan 100 had been cut in half. Only the cross section of top surface 100 is visible.

FIG. 6 shows an elevated angle view of drip pan 100. Bottom surface 120 and bottom surface 125 of rim 105 are visible in this figure. As shown in FIG. 6, bottom surface 120 does not have a coating.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom-up view of drip pan 100 having rim 105 and rim bottom surface 125. As shown in FIG. 7, bottom surface 120 does not have a coating.

In one embodiment, coating 130 may be a non-stick coating such that the exposed surface of coating 130 has non-stick properties.

Non-stick coating 130 may be ceramic, PTFE (e.g., Teflon®), silicone, other known non-stick materials, and/or combinations of such. In general, it is better if the non-stick coating contains no PFOA, PFAS, lead, or cadmium. The coating may also be a combination of materials.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the coating on the top of the drip pan may be 5-50 μm, and may optimally be 20-50 μm. The thickness of the coating may depend on the coating material, the drip pan material, cost of the coating material, cost of applying the coating material, and/or desired non-stick or durability features of the coating material.

The non-stick coating may be applied, added to, and/or installed on the drip pan by forming or applying a coating layer on/to the surface of the pan, or using silicone formed in a mold. In one embodiment, a spray process may be used to apply the non-stick coating.

Coloring, e.g., through pigmentation or other materials, may be added to the non-stick coating.

In one embodiment, a non-stick coating may be applied to only the top surface of the drip pan.

In another embodiment, a non-stick coating may be applied to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the drip pan.

In one embodiment, instead of using a coating, the drip pan may be made out of silicone (or another material) (using conventional silicone molding processes)—without a conventional metal (e.g., aluminum) drip pan.

In one embodiment, the non-stick coating is permanent. This is generally preferable.

Claims

1. A drip pan, comprising: a drip pan; anda coating on at least some of the top surface of the drip pan.

2. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the drip pan is chrome.

3. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the drip pan is stainless steel.

4. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating has non-stick characteristics.

5. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is on all of the top surface of the drip pan except a rim of the drip pan.

6. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is on all of the top surface of the drip.

7. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is at least one of ceramic, PTFE, and silicone.

8. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is ceramic.

9. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is PTFE.

10. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the coating is silicone.

11. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the coating is 10-50 μm.

12. The drip pan of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the coating is 20-50 μm.

13. The drip pan of claim 1, further comprising a coating on at least some of the bottom surface of the drip pan.

14. A drip pan, comprising: a metal drip pan; anda ceramic coating on some or all of the top surface of the drip pan;wherein the thickness of the ceramic coating is 10-50 μm.