Heat-conducting support for curved bottom vessels

Abstract

A heat-conducting support for a round or curved bottom vessel is provided. The support comprises a metallic unit having an inner portion, an outer portion, and a base that is adapted to be placed on a heating element. The inner portion is concavely curved to complement the shape of and support a vessel having a round or curved bottom. The outer portion adjoins the inner portion at an upper location remote from the curved bottom of the inner portion. The outer portion extends away from the upper location of the inner portion and toward the base, with which it merges.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . A heat-conducting support for a round or curved bottom vessel, comprising: 
 a metallic unit having an inner portion, an outer portion, and a base for placement on a heating element;    wherein said inner portion is concavely curved to support a vessel having a round or curved bottom;    wherein said outer portion adjoins said inner portion at an upper location remote from a bottom of said inner portion; and    wherein said outer portion extends away from said upper location of said inner portion toward said base and merges with said base.    
     
     
         2 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said metallic unit is made of heat conductive and essentially non-magnetic metal.  
     
     
         3 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 2 , wherein said metal is aluminum or copper.  
     
     
         4 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner portion, said outer portion, and said base are respectively made of a single sheet of metal.  
     
     
         5 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said inner portion, said outer portion, and said base comprises a multi-layer sheet of metal.  
     
     
         6 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer portion tapers outwardly from said upper location toward said base.  
     
     
         7 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer portion extends essentially cylindrically from said upper location toward said base.  
     
     
         8 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said base is a continuous sheet with or without apertures.  
     
     
         9 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said base is substantially flat.  
     
     
         10 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner portion and said outer portion are a monolithic component, and wherein said base is a separate component to which said outer portion is connected.  
     
     
         11 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said base extends radially outwardly from where said outer portion merges with said base.  
     
     
         12 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 11 , wherein said inner portion, said outer portion, and said base are a monolithic component.  
     
     
         13 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said base is formed by a lower part of said outer portion remote from said upper location of said inner portion.  
     
     
         14 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer portion has a circular cross-sectional configuration, and said base is square.  
     
     
         15 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom of said inner portion is curved or has a small flat section.  
     
     
         16 . A heat-conducting support according to  claim 15 , wherein said bottom of said inner portion is disposed in a plane of said base or is spaced from such a plane.