(12) United States Patent
`Swinford et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,823,773 B2
`Nov. 30, 2004
`
`US006823773B2
`
`4/'l950 Weissbach ................. .. 99/426
`2,504,237 A *
`4/195;
`P<])t1ts
`.............
`99/449
`2,549,709 A *
`3/195. A1 quist
`2,703,046 A *
`...... ..
`99/449
`2 1;; IY°”n$ 6‘ 31‘
`.
`[X
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`99/426
`4’2D0’040 A _,,
`4'/1980 MaCRae
`99/446
`4:291:616 A *
`9/1981 Taylor ...... ..
`4,717,038 A *
`1/1988 Anders ..................... .. 220/769
`4,880,951 A
`11/1989 L '
`.
`590695117 A
`12/1991
`D333,235 S
`2/1993 Bertelsen
`5,511,467 A
`4/1996 Motley et al.
`5,562,023 A
`10/1996 Harrison
`133875949 S
`12/1997 BGIHSOII
`5326»:494 A
`10/1998 Wang
`5,967,022 A
`10/1999 Moschella
`D416,169 S
`11/1999 S ‘
`ii
`t
`5,983,786 A
`11/1999 Biiisn 6 a
`6,065,629 A
`5/2000 Sarnoff et al.
`6,131,506 A
`10/2000 Kemper
`ghelnkan t°t1a1~
`/
`-
`,
`,
`arno 'e a.
`6,668,708 B1 * 12/2003 Swinford et al.
`
`l.
`
`........... .. 99/426
`
`
`
`(75)
`
`(54) ROASTER WITH HANGING AND
`INTERLQCKING RACK
`Inventors: Karen J. Swinford, Schaumburg, IL
`Jefirey Bu", Naperville’
`Denise Marie Simon, Harbor Springs,
`M11115); Shaw“ Y°““g>A“‘°ra> IL
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc., Woodridge, IL
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. i54(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) APPL N04 10/749s173
`.
`‘
`_
`Ffled"
`De“ 30’ 2003
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0149143 A1 Aug. 5, 2004
`
`(22)
`(65)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/231,763, filed on Aug.
`28, 2002, now pm. No. 6,668,703,
`
`.
`Primary Exami"'er—Tim0thy F’ Simone
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FLrm—P1per Rudnick LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`.
`A raCk.0f a Cookmg Implement Includes a Surface for
`supporting food, opposed sides and opposed ends separated
`by th? food Suppomng SurfaCe' The re.1Ck.a1SO Includes
`opposing looped handles. Apan of a cooking implement has
`_
`_
`_
`,
`_
`_
`,
`opposed end walls that are spaced apart at length further than
`.
`the length of the rack and opposed side Walls that are spaced
`a art at a Width wider than the width of the rack The
`an
`P
`P
`.
`.
`_
`.
`,
`’
`also includes opposing upstanding handles. The handles
`.
`.
`.
`.
`_
`include at least one horizontal resting surface for supporting
`the looped handle of the rack and at
`least one Vertical
`retaining surface for abutting the looped handle of the rack.
`As a result, the looped handles of the rack are received and
`supported by the handles of the pan thereby permitting the
`rack to han Within the interior of the
`an
`g
`
`P
`
`‘
`
`20 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`(51)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`Int. Cl.7 .......................... .. A23L 1/00; A47J 37/00;
`A47] 37/04; A47] 43/00; A47] 43/18
`........................... .. 99/426' 99/444' 99/449'
`’
`’ 99/456
`(58) Field of Search ........................ .. 99/339, 340, 426,
`,
`99/427, 444-450, 394; 211/1811, 175,
`,
`_
`49 1 601' 248/166 172 175* 294/1 1
`'
`’
`'
`’
`’
`’
`’
`'”’
`15’ 152’ 164’ 169; D7/409; 126/9 R’ 25 R’
`41 R; 426/523, 506; 220/912, 5731, 743,
`756, 315
`
`.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`_
`,
`,
`A
`,
`I
`_
`327,252 A * 10/1894 Stroud ...................... .. 126/369
`629,127 A *
`7/1899 Geer
`. . . . . . . .
`. . . . .. 99/402
`823,071 A *
`6/1906 Nelson
`.. 220/212.5
`1,271,326 A *
`7/1918 Kivian . . . . .
`. . . . .. 99/449
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1038
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1038
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 6,823,773 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 6,823,773 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 6,823,773 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 30, 2004
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 6,823,773 B2
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`

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`US 6,823,773 B2
`
`1
`ROASTER WITH HANGING AND
`INTERLOCKING RACK
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/231,763, filed Aug. 28, 2002, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,668,708.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to roasting pans, and
`more particularly to, a roasting pan with a hanging and
`interlocking rack.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Roasting pans with wire racks are commonly used for
`roasting or baking a large food item, such as a roast or
`turkey, in the oven. Typically, the wire racks are removable
`from the roasting pan. The wire racks are designed to
`support the food item in the pan. Often,
`the wire racks
`include spacers or feet positioned at the bottom of the rack
`to balance the rack and allow it to stand on a flat surface. The
`
`spacers raise the rack to position the roast so that it is off of
`the bottom surface of the pan. Thus, the wire rack prevents
`the roasts from being submerged in the cooking juices.
`However, it can be undesirable for the rack or spacers to rest
`on the interior of the pan when the pan has a non—stick
`coating because the wire rack can damage the non—stick
`surface of the pan.
`Typically, wire racks are positioned in roasting pans such
`that the wire rack extends the length of the roasting pan and
`the width of the roasting pan. Also,
`the wire rack may
`include handles. The handles are positioned such that one
`handle is at each end of the rack. Thus, depending on the size
`and placement of the wire rack in the roasting pan, the wire
`rack handles that extend from the wire rack are positioned
`opposite each other at the ends of the roasting pan or at the
`middle of the roasting pan. If the roasting pan also has
`handles,
`the wire rack handles can be aligned with and
`adjacent to the roasting pan handles.
`Often when the roasting pan with the wire rack is removed
`from the oven, the rack and the food item thereon shift.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
`roasting pan with a wire rack that does not shift when moved
`or removed from the oven.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide a wire rack
`having handles that interlock with the handles of the roasting
`pan.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide a wire rack
`that hangs in the roasting pan and prevents the food item
`from sitting in the cooking juice.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a suspended
`wire rack that raises the food item thereon from the bottom
`
`of the pan thereby providing improved heat distribution.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a wire rack
`that does not damage the interior surface of the roasting pan.
`These and other objects of the present invention, as well
`as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms,
`which will become apparent from the description to follow,
`are accomplished by the improvements herein after
`described and claimed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a cooking implement
`such as a roaster that includes a rack and a pan. The rack has
`opposed sides that are separated by a surface used to support
`
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`food. The rack also includes a looped handle that may be
`formed at each end or side of the rack. The pan has opposed
`side walls and opposed end walls connecting the side walls.
`Each end wall or side wall of the pan includes an upstanding
`handle. The handles include at least one horizontal resting
`surface for supporting the looped handle of the rack. The
`handle also includes at least one outwardly facing vertical
`retaining surface for abutting the looped handle of the rack.
`The looped handles of the rack are received and supported
`by the handles of the pan. As a result, the rack is interlocked
`with the pan such that the rack does not shift when the pan
`is moved.
`
`The following detailed description of embodiments of the
`invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims
`and accompanying drawings, provide a more complete
`understanding of the nature and scope of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a roasting pan with a
`hanging and interlocking rack of the present invention.
`FIG. 1A illustrates a frame of reference used in describing
`the invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the roasting pan of
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the rack of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational View of the rack of FIG. 3
`
`taken substantially along line 4—4 of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5A is an isometric view of one of the handles of the
`
`roasting pan of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5B is an isometric view of one of the handles of the
`
`rack interlocked with one of the handles of the roasting pan
`of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5C is a side view of one of the handles of the rack
`
`interlocked with one of the handles of the roasting pan taken
`substantially along line 5C—5C of FIG. 5B.
`FIG. 6 is an exploded View of the rack and the roasting
`pan of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the roasting pan with
`the hanging and interlocking rack of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 8 is an alternative isometric view of the roasting pan
`with the hanging and interlocking rack of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative roasting pan
`with a hanging and interlocking rack of the present invention
`FIG. 10 is a top perspective View of the alternative
`roasting pan with the hanging and interlocking rack of FIG.
`9.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The roasting pan with the removable interlocking rack of
`the present invention is indicated in general at 10 in FIG. 1.
`The roasting pan, indicated in general at 20, is preferably
`rectangular but could be formed from other shapes, such as
`a square or an ellipse. The roasting pan 20 is designed to
`accommodate a rack, indicated in general at 40, inside the
`roasting pan 20. The rack 40 can be sized so that it does not
`extend beyond the edges of the roasting pan 20.
`As defined in conjunction with the frame of reference
`shown in FIG. 1A, the pan 20 has a length in a first direction
`12, a width in a second direction 14 that is orthogonal to first
`direction 12, and a height in a third direction 16 that is
`orthogonal to both first and second directions 12 and 14.
`While in the illustrated embodiment the length of pan 20 is
`
`

`
`US 6,823,773 B2
`
`3
`greater than its width and both are greater than the height,
`these proportions may be varied without departing from the
`invention.
`
`As illustrated in FIG. 2, the roasting pan 20 includes a
`bottom 22, opposing side walls 24 and opposing end walls
`26. The roasting pan is formed from a metal, such as
`aluminum, steel or stainless steel. The interior surface of the
`roasting pan, including the bottom 22, the opposing side
`walls 24 and the opposing end walls 26,
`is preferably
`covered with a non-stick coating. The non-stick coating
`facilitates the clean up of the pan. However, a roasting pan
`without a non-stick coating may be used without departing
`from the invention. Additionally, a roasting pan having the
`interior surface covered with a porcelain coating may also be
`used.
`
`Each of the opposing ends 26 of the roasting pan 20
`includes a handle 30 attached thereto. In the illustrated
`
`embodiment each handle 30 includes a plate 38 that is
`disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the end wall 26
`to which it is affixed. The plate 38 of each handle 30 is
`fastened to the outer surface of the end walls 26 by a
`fastener, such as a rivet 27. The handle 30 may also be
`welded to the outer surface of the end walls 26. The plate 38
`forms the bottom of the handle 30. A vertically disposed
`upwardly extending leg 32 is positioned at each end of the
`plate 38. The vertically disposed upwardly extending legs 32
`are joined at the top by horizontal member 34. The design of
`the handle 30 is illustrated and will be explained in detail
`with reference to FIG. 5A. Alternatively, each handle may be
`integrally formed with the pan such that the handles extend
`from the opposite ends of the pan. Also, the handle may be
`fastened, welded or integrally formed to the opposite side
`walls of the pan.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the rack 40.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the rack 40. As with the
`
`inside surface of the roasting pan 20, the rack 40 can be
`covered with a non-stick coating. Alternatively, the rack may
`be chrome plated or stainless steel.
`In the illustrated
`embodiment,
`the rack 40 features an arc-shaped convex
`surface 42 with lateral sides 43 situated higher than the
`center 45 for supporting a food item and for preventing the
`food item from falling off the rack when the pan and rack are
`moved. Other shapes for surface 42 could be used, such as
`U-shaped, V-shaped or a flat surface. A generally rectangular
`wire base 44 is attached to the bottom of the arc-support
`surface 42. The arc-support surface 42 and base 44 of the
`rack 40 are sized to fit inside of the roasting pan 20 as shown
`in FIG. 1. Thus, as discussed with reference to FIG. 1A, the
`rack also has a length in a first direction 12, a width in a
`second direction 14 that is orthogonal to the first direction
`and a height in a third direction 16 that is orthogonal to the
`first and second directions. In addition, as with the shape of
`the roasting pan, the support surface 42 and the base 44 may
`also be formed from other shapes, such as a square or an
`ellipse, as long as the shape of the rack 40 corresponds to the
`shape of the roasting pan 20 to enable the rack 40 to fit inside
`of the roasting pan 20.
`The wire base 44 includes opposing sides 43 and oppos-
`ing end portions 46 which are bent downwards to form feet
`48 upon which the rack 40 rests when placed on a flat surface
`independent of the roasting pan 20. The rack 40 also
`includes a looped handle 50 positioned at each end portion
`46 of the base 44. Alternatively, the handle may be posi-
`tioned on the sides 43 of the rack 40. Each looped handle 50
`extends from the base 44 to above the support surface 42.
`Each handle includes two upwardly extending vertical legs
`52 and a terminal loop portion 51 that is disposed above the
`
`4
`support surface 42. The terminal loop portion 51 is defined
`by the two upwardly extending vertical legs 52 that are bent
`to form a pair of outwardly extending arms 53 which are
`joined by a slightly curved horizontal member 54.
`FIG. 5A illustrates one of the handles 30 of the roasting
`pan 20. The handle 30 is preferably cast metal but can also
`be formed from a forged or stamped metal. The handle 30
`consists of a pair of spaced apart vertical legs 32 and a
`horizontal member 34 joining the legs 32. The horizontal
`member 34 includes two resting or support surfaces 356: and
`35b that lead to respective substantially vertical retaining
`surfaces 360', and 36b formed at each end of the horizontal
`member 34. As illustrated, the resting surfaces 35a and 35b
`can be a relatively small horizontal surface or the resting
`surfaces can be the tangency of a radiused surface. Resting
`surfaces 356: and 351) are respectively formed at the top of
`each leg 32. Retaining surfaces 36a and 361) face in opposite
`directions parallel to the width direction 14 of the pan 20 and
`rack 40. In an illustrated embodiment, laterally outward
`facing retaining surfaces 36a and 36b are completely
`vertical, but in the preferred embodiment they slope down-
`wardly and away from the longitudinal axis of the pan 20
`and rack 40. The vertical retaining surfaces 36a and 36b are
`joined by cross member 37. The cross member 37 forms a
`longitudinally outward facing retaining surface 39, as best
`seen in FIG. 5C. The configuration of the resting surfaces
`356: and 35b and the retaining surfaces 36a, 36b and 39
`provide a locking arrangement that secures the rack handle
`50 to the roasting pan handle 30 as shown in FIGS. 5B and
`5C.
`FIG. 5B illustrates the handle 50 of the rack handle 50
`
`interlocked with the handle 30 of the roasting pan 20. FIG.
`5C is a side view of the rack handle 50 interlocked with the
`
`handle 30 of the roasting pan 20. The rack handle 50 is
`oriented such that the horizontal member 54 is positioned
`behind (that
`is outward from an outward direction) the
`horizontal member 34 of the roasting pan handle 30. Thus,
`the terminal loop portion 51 protrudes laterally and exteri-
`orly of the resting surface 356: and 35b and the retaining
`surfaces 36a, 36b and 39 of the pan handles 30. The arms 53
`of the rack handle 50 rest on the resting surfaces 35a and 35b
`and abut the retaining surfaces 36a, 36b and 39 of the
`roasting pan handle 30 thereby interlocking the rack handle
`50 to the roasting pan handle 30.
`Laterally outwardly facing retaining surfaces 365: and 36b
`lock the rack handle 50 in the width direction relative to the
`
`pan handle 30. Similarly, the longitudinally outward facing
`retaining surface 39, in conjunction with its opposed retain-
`ing surface 39 on the other pan handle 30, locks the entire
`rack 40 in the length direction relative to the pan 20 in which
`it sits. Therefore, once the rack 40 is dropped into place on
`handles 30, there will be minimal movement of the rack 40
`relative to the pan 20.
`The interlocked handles allow the user to simultaneously
`move the pan and rack by gripping the interlocked handles.
`Alternatively, the resting surfaces 35a and 35b may project
`inwardly in a horizontal plane such that the cross member 37
`is positioned over the inside surface of the pan. This
`configuration would accommodate a rack that has a sub-
`stantially shorter length than the length of the pan.
`FIG. 6 illustrates the rack 40 before it is inserted into the
`
`roasting pan 20. The rack 40 is aligned with the roasting pan
`20 and then placed into the pan 20. The rack handles 50 are
`positioned such that the arms 53 rest on the resting surfaces
`350', and 35b and abut the retaining surfaces 36a, 36b and 39
`and the horizontal member 54 is behind (longitudinally
`exterior of) the cross member 37 of the roasting pan handle
`30.
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`US 6,823,773 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 7 illustrates the handles 50 of the rack 40 interlocked
`
`to the handles 30 of the roasting pan 20. The interlocked pan
`handle 30 and rack handle 50 secure the rack 40 to the
`
`roasting pan 20 so that the rack 40 does not slide or adjust
`when food is placed on the rack 40 or when the pan 20 and
`rack 40 are moved. The roasting pan handles 30 support the
`rack 40 such that the rack 40 hangs from the roasting pan
`handles 30 and does not touch the bottom surface of the
`
`roasting pan 20. This prevents unwanted damage to the
`non-stick coating of the bottom surface, such as scratching
`the non-stick surface oil“ of the bottom surface. Additionally,
`the suspended rack 40 allows air to circulate underneath the
`rack 40 and the food item thereon providing an improved
`cooking environment.
`the handles of the rack and the
`As shown in FIG. 8,
`handles of the pan may be positioned on opposite sides of
`the rack and pan, respectively,
`to form the hanging and
`interlocking rack of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate an alternative and improved
`embodiment for the roaster with the hanging and interlock-
`ing rack of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
`pan handle 130 includes a plate 138 that is affixed to the pan
`120. A vertically disposed upwardly extending leg 132 of
`handle 130, is positioned at each end of the plate 138. The
`vertical legs 132 are joined by a horizontal member 134. The
`horizontal member 134 includes a concavely curved resting
`surface 135 formed at the top of each vertical leg 132. The
`curved resting surfaces 135 lead to vertical outwardly facing
`retaining surfaces 136. The horizontal member 134 is rela-
`tively flat with a varying width that
`increases from its
`minimum at the vertical retaining surfaces to a maximum at
`the center of the horizontal member 134, as is best seen in
`FIG. 10.
`
`The rack handle 150 includes two legs 152 that extend
`upwardly from the base of the rack 140. The legs 152 are
`joined by a terminal
`loop 151. The terminal
`loop 151
`includes two outwardly extending arms 153 that are joined
`by a slightly curved horizontal cross member 154.
`When the rack 140 is positioned in the pan 120, the arms
`153 of the rack handle rest on the curved resting surfaces
`135 and are adjacent to the vertical retaining surfaces 136.
`The tangency of the radiused surface supports the rack. The
`terminal loop extends outwardly from the pan leaving an
`opening 180 between the cross member 134 of the pan
`handle and the cross member 154 of the rack handle so that
`
`the rack handle 150 may be more easily grasped.
`While preferred embodiments of this invention have been
`shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
`the art that changes and modifications may be made therein
`without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope
`of which is defined by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A cooking implement, comprising:
`a rack having at least one food support surface, opposing
`ends separated by a first
`length and opposing sides
`separated by a first width and opposing terminal loop
`portions; and
`a pan having opposing end walls spaced apart by a second
`length longer than the first length and opposing side
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`walls spaced apart by a second width wider than the
`Iirst width, wherein the pan has opposing upstanding
`handles, each having at least one resting surface for
`supporting a respective terminal loop portion of the
`rack, each handle further having at least one substan-
`tially vertical surface for abutting a respective terminal
`loop portion of the rack such that the terminal loop
`portions of the rack may be received by the handles of
`the pan.
`2. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the termi-
`nal loop portions of the rack are formed at each end of the
`rack and the upstanding handles of the pan are formed at the
`end walls of the pan.
`3. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the termi-
`nal loop portions of the rack are formed at each side of the
`rack and the upstanding handles of the pan are formed at the
`side walls of the pan.
`4. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the at least
`one substantially Vertical surface is outwardly facing.
`5. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the termi-
`nal loop portions of the rack are disposed above the food
`support surface of the rack.
`6. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein said rack
`also has opposing looped handles including the opposing
`terminal loop portions.
`7. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein each pan
`handle has two substantially Vertical surfaces.
`8. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein each pan
`handle has two resting surfaces.
`9. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the termi-
`nal loop portions of the rack are formed to lay on top of and
`protrude exteriorly of the resting and substantially vertical
`surfaces, respectively, of the pan handles.
`10. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the pan
`handle is cast, forged or stamped metal.
`11. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the rack
`is metal.
`
`12. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the food
`support surface of the rack is arc-shaped.
`13. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the rack
`is covered with a non—stick coating.
`14. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the rack
`is chrome plated.
`15. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the inside
`surface of the pan is covered with a non—stick coating.
`16. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the rack
`is suspended in the pan such that the food support surface
`does not contact the pan.
`17. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the rack
`has a convex shape for supporting a food item.
`18. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the
`resting and substantially vertical surfaces are located near
`the top of the upstanding handle.
`19. The cooking implement of claim 1, wherein the
`substantially vertical surface of the upstanding handle is a
`retaining surface.
`20. The cooking implement of claim 1, where the sub-
`stantially vertical surface is positioned adjacent to the rest-
`ing surface on the upstanding handle.