Lid and knob configured for stacking

Abstract

A pot or pan lid is configured for stacking with identical or differently sized lids that have an identical handle or knob with a dimple on the upper surface. The side of the lid opposite the handle has a complimentary protrusion configured to stably engage the dimple. The edge of the knob may extend laterally to correspond with the lid curvature to also support a similar lid on the knob perimeter that is distal from the dimple. The engaged central dimple and more distal perimeter of the knob provide for stable stacking of a plurality of lids in a level arrangement that avoids one or more lids tipping over.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lid stacking system, the system comprising:
 two or more stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover comprising an expanse of covering material adapted to cover an interior volume defined by a cooking vessel, wherein the covering material extends from a central portion of the cover to an outer rim; 
 an upper stacking platform comprising:
 a knob extending from an upper surface of the cover at the central portion, and a dimple centrally disposed in the knob between an upper knob surface that extends around a periphery of the knob; and 
 
 a lower stacking platform comprising:
 a protrusion extending from a lower surface of the cover at the central portion, 
 
   wherein the upper stacking platform of each of the lids is complementary to the lower stacking platforms of the other lids such that lower stacking platforms may be stacked with upper stacking platforms to stably stack the lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of a first lower stacking platform of a first lid partially fills the dimple of a second upper stacking platform of a second lid, and   wherein an adjacent surface to the protrusion along the lower surface of the cover of the first lid supportingly engages the upper knob surface along a periphery of the knob of the second lid when the first and second lid are stably stacked, and   wherein, when received within the dimple, sidewalls of the protrusion define an outer width that is less than an interior width defined between adjacent sidewalls of the dimple such that the protrusion may position within the dimple when the first and second lid are stably stacked without contact between corresponding sidewalls.   
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement between the adjacent surface and upper knob surface provide vertical support for the stable stacking of the first lid and second lid, and where the corresponding sidewalls of the protrusion of the first lid and the dimple of the second lid engage when the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple when positioned within the dimple to prevent the stacked lids from laterally offsetting. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein a sidewall surface of the protrusion of first lid supportingly engages a sidewall surface of the dimple of the second lid when the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple when positioned within the dimple to prevent lateral offsetting of the stacked lids. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the knob of the second lid supportingly engages the adjacent surface of the first lid along an annular engagement path. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the upper surface of the cover of each lid is convex and the lower surface of the cover of each lid is concave. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the expanse of covering material is semi-spherical. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the covers of the first and second lids have comparable radius of curvatures. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion of the first lid fills at least 80% of the dimple of the second lid when the first and second lids are stably stacked. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more stackable lids comprise at least three lids, and wherein the upper stacking platforms and lower stacking platforms are substantially the same such that the lids may be stacked in any order. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the knob and protrusion of each lid are connected to each respective cover through a hole in a central apex of the cover. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the knob of each of the stackable lids further comprise a semi-annular handle that pivotable upward from a storage position in which it lies against a flat expanse of the covering material. 
     
     
       12. A stacking platform for a lid stacking system, the stacking platform comprising:
 a first upper stacking platform comprising a knob extending from an upper surface of a cover of a first lid and having an upper knob surface and a centrally disposed dimple, the cover adapted for covering a container or vessel;   a first lower stacking platform comprising a protrusion extending from a lower surface of the cover;   wherein the first upper stacking platform is configured to stably stack with a lower stacking platform of a second stacking platform of a second lid when the dimple receives a protrusion of the lower stacking platform of the second stacking platform having substantially same dimensions as the protrusion of the first lower stacking platform,   wherein the first lower stacking platform is configured to stably stack an upper stacking platform of a third stacking platform of a third lid when the protrusion is received within a dimple disposed in a knob of the upper stacking platform of the third stacking platform having substantially same dimensions as the dimple and knob of the first upper stacking platform,   wherein an adjacent surface to the protrusion along the lower surface of the cover supportingly engages an upper knob surface along a periphery of the knob of the upper stacking platform of the third stacking platform when the protrusion is received therein, and   wherein, when received within the respective dimples, sidewalls of the respective protrusions define an outer width that is less than an interior width defined between adjacent sidewalls of the respective dimples when the lids are stably stacked such that the protrusions may position within the dimples when stably stacked without contact between corresponding sidewalls.   
     
     
       13. The stacking platform of  claim 12 , wherein the adjacent surface supportingly engages the upper knob surface along the periphery of the knob of the upper stacking platform of the third stacking platform along an annular engagement path. 
     
     
       14. The stacking platform of  claim 13 , wherein the expanse of covering material is semi-spherical and the adjacent surface is concave. 
     
     
       15. The stacking platform of  claim 12 , wherein covers of the first, second, and third lids have comparable radius of curvatures. 
     
     
       16. A lid for covering a container or vessel that comprises:
 (a) a cover comprising a semi-spherical expanse of a covering material having a circular outer rim and a central apex,   (b) a knob extending from the central apex to protrude from an upper convex surface of the cover, the knob having an upper surface with a centrally disposed dimple a defined between sidewalls and a base, and wherein the sidewalls define an interior width of the dimple, and the base, together with the upper surface, define a length of the dimple;   (c) a protrusion having sidewalls defining an outer width and extending from the central apex to protrude a length from a lower concave surface of the cover, the lower concave surface having an annular portion that extends along the lower concave surface, around the protrusion,   wherein the length of the protrusion is less than the length of the dimple and the outer width of the protrusion is less than the interior width of the dimple along corresponding lengths such that, if the lid is stacked on a same second lid, with the circular periphery along the upper surface of the knob of the second lid engaged with the annular portion along the lower concave surface to provide vertical support, the protrusion may partially fill the dimple of the second lid without contacting the base or sidewalls of the dimple of the second lid but the sidewalls of the protrusion engage with the sidewalls of the dimple of the second lid when the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple of the second lid to prevent the stacked lids from laterally offsetting.   
     
     
       17. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; 
 a protrusion comprising one or more sidewalls that extend downward from the lower side of the cover to a base of the protrusion; and 
 a knob extending upward from the upper side of the cover to a knob end and defining a dimple, the dimple comprising one or more sidewalls extending from the knob end to a base of the dimple, 
   wherein the dimple of each of the plurality of lids is complementary to the protrusion of each other lid of the plurality of lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids,   wherein the knob ends have a top surface that extends above the dimple, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the top surface of the knob end of the first lid and a surface of the second lid adjacent to the protrusion are supportively engaged to provide support to the second lid and the protrusion of the second lid may be received within the dimple of the first lid without contact between the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple and protrusion.   
     
     
       18. The set of stackable lids of  claim 17 , wherein the surface adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid is located along the lower side of the cover. 
     
     
       19. The set of stackable lids of  claim 17 , wherein the top surface of the knob end of the first lid and the surface adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid supportively engage along an annular engagement path. 
     
     
       20. The set of stackable lids of  claim 17 , wherein the upper surface of the cover of each lid is convex and the lower surface of the cover of each lid is concave. 
     
     
       21. The set of stackable lids of  claim 17 , wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are spaced apart. 
     
     
       22. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; 
 a protrusion extending downward from the lower side of the cover and having a base and a sidewall; and 
 a knob extending upward from the upper side of the cover to a knob end and defining a dimple, the dimple vertically aligned with the protrusion with respect to the cover and having a base and a sidewall, 
   wherein the dimple of each of the lids is complementary to the protrusion of each of the lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of the second lid may position within the dimple of the first lid without contact between the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple and protrusion, and the corresponding sidewalls of the protrusion of the first lid and dimple of the second lid are configured to supportively engage when the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple to prevent the stacked lids from laterally offsetting further,   wherein the knob ends have a top surface that extends above the dimple, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the top surface of the knob end of the first lid is spaced apart from the second lid.   
     
     
       23. The set of stackable lids of  claim 22 , wherein the corresponding sidewalls of the protrusion of the second lid and the dimple of the first lid supportively engage only along a corresponding portion of the sidewalls when the protrusion is offset from the center of the dimple. 
     
     
       24. The set of stackable lids of  claim 22 , wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are supportively engaged to provide support to the second lid. 
     
     
       25. The set of stackable lids of  claim 22 , wherein the top surface of the knob is positioned to supportively engage the second lid to prevent instability in the stacked first and second lids if the cover of the second lid tilts relative to the cover of the first lid. 
     
     
       26. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; 
 a protrusion extending downward from the lower side of the cover and having a base and a sidewall; and 
 a knob extending upward from the upper side of the cover to a knob end and defining a dimple, the dimple having a base and a sidewall, 
   wherein the dimple of each of the lids is complementary to the protrusion of each of the lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of the second lid may position within the dimple of the first lid without contact between the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple and protrusion, and the corresponding sidewalls of the protrusion of the first lid and dimple of the second lid are configured to supportively engage when the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple to prevent the stacked lids from laterally offsetting further,   wherein the knob ends have a top surface that extends above the dimple, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the top surface of the knob end of the first lid and a surface of the second lid adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid are supportively engaged to provide support to the second lid.   
     
     
       27. The set of stackable lids of  claim 26 , wherein the surface of the second lid adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid is located along the lower side of the cover. 
     
     
       28. The set of stackable lids of  claim 26 , wherein the top surface of the knob end of the first lid and the surface of the second lid adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid supportively engage along an annular engagement path. 
     
     
       29. The set of stackable lids of  claim 26 , wherein the upper surface of the cover of each lid is convex and the lower surface of the cover of each lid is concave. 
     
     
       30. The set of stackable lids of  claim 26 , wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are spaced apart. 
     
     
       31. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side, a lower side, and a central apex; 
 a protrusion that extends from the lower side of the cover at the central apex; and 
 a knob extending upward from the upper side of the cover to a knob end and defining a dimple, the knob end located at an upper most portion of the knob and defining an annular shaped upper rim of the knob; 
   wherein the dimple of each of the lids is complementary to the protrusion of each of the lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives and supportively engages the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the annular shaped upper rim of the knob end of the first lid is spaced apart from the second lid and is configured to supportively engage a surface adjacent to the protrusion of second lid if the cover of the second lid tilts relative to the cover of the first lid to prevent instability in the stack of lids.   
     
     
       32. The set of stackable lids of  claim 31 , wherein each of the dimples and the protrusions include a base, and wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are supportively engaged. 
     
     
       33. The set of stackable lids of  claim 31 , wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of the second lid partially fills the dimple of the first lid. 
     
     
       34. The set of stackable lids of  claim 33 , wherein each of the dimples and the protrusions include a base, and wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are supportively engaged. 
     
     
       35. The set of stackable lids of  claim 34 , wherein each of the dimples and protrusions include a sidewall, and wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of the second lid may be positioned within the dimple of the first lid without contact between the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple and the protrusion. 
     
     
       36. The set of stackable lids of  claim 35 , wherein, when stably stacked, the corresponding sidewalls of the protrusion of the second lid and the dimple of the first lid are configured to supportively engage if the protrusion is offset from a center of the dimple to prevent the stacked first and second lids from laterally offsetting further. 
     
     
       37. The set of stackable lids of  claim 31 , wherein the surface adjacent to the protrusion of the second lid is located along the lower side of the cover. 
     
     
       38. The set of stackable lids of  claim 31 , wherein the upper surface of the cover of each lid is convex and the lower surface of the cover of each lid is concave. 
     
     
       39. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; 
 a protrusion that extends from the lower side of the cover; and 
 a knob extending from the upper side of the cover to a knob end having a top surface, wherein a dimple is formed in the knob end and is surrounded by the top surface; 
   wherein the dimple of each of the lids is complementary to the protrusion of each of the lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives and supportively engages the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the top surface of the knob end of the first lid is spaced apart from the second lid and is configured to supportively engage a surface adjacent to the protrusion of second lid if the cover of the second lid tilts relative to the cover of the first lid to prevent instability in the stack of lids, and   wherein each of the dimples and the protrusions include a sidewall, and wherein, when stably stacked, the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple of the first lid and the protrusion of the second lid are supportively engaged.   
     
     
       40. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; 
 a protrusion that extends from the lower side of the cover; and 
 a knob extending from the upper side of the cover to a knob end having a top surface, wherein a dimple is formed in the knob end and is surrounded by the top surface; 
   wherein the dimple of each of the lids is complementary to the protrusion of each of the lids such that the lids may be interchangeably stacked when the dimple of a first lid receives and supportively engages the protrusion of a second lid to stably stack the lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the top surface of the knob end of the first lid is spaced apart from the second lid and is configured to supportively engage a surface adjacent to the protrusion of second lid if the cover of the second lid tilts relative to the cover of the first lid to prevent instability in the stack of lids,   wherein, when stably stacked, the protrusion of the second lid partially fills the dimple of the first lid, and   wherein each of the dimples and the protrusions include a base and a sidewall, and wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the dimple of the first lid and the base of the protrusion of the second lid are spaced apart and the corresponding sidewalls of the dimple and the protrusion of the respective first and second lids are supportively engaged.   
     
     
       41. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends to a top surface above the upper side of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower side of the cover, wherein the lower portion of the knob comprises a conical portion and the upper portion of the knob comprises a complementary portion that is complementary to the conical portion, and 
   wherein the complementary portion of each lid is configured to receive and supportively engage the conical portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of a first lid contacting the lower portion of the knob or the lower side of the cover of a second lid that is stacked on top of it.   
     
     
       42. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends to a top surface above the upper side of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower side of the cover, wherein the lower portion of the knob comprises a conical portion and the upper portion of the knob comprises a complementary portion that is complementary to the conical portion, 
   wherein the complementary portion of each lid is configured to receive and supportively engage the conical portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of a first lid contacting the lower portion of the knob or the lower side of the cover of a second lid that is stacked on top of it, and   wherein the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of the first lid is configured to supportively engage the second lid stacked on top of it if the cover of the second lid tilts relative to the cover of the first lid to prevent instability in the stack of lids.   
     
     
       43. The set of stackable lids of  claim 42 , wherein each of the complementary portions and the conical portions include a base and a sidewall, and wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the complementary portion of the first lid and the base of the conical portion of the second lid are spaced apart and the sidewall of the complementary portion of the first lid and the sidewall of the conical portion of the second lid are supportively engaged. 
     
     
       44. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends to a top surface above the upper side of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower side of the cover, wherein the lower portion of the knob comprises a conical portion and the upper portion of the knob comprises a complementary portion that is complementary to the conical portion, the conical portion defined by one or more sidewalls and extending to a base, 
   wherein the complementary portion of each lid is configured to receive and supportively engage the conical portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of a first lid contacting the lower portion of the knob or the lower side of the cover of a second lid that is stacked on top of it, and   wherein, when stably stacked, a base of the complementary portion of the first lid and the base of the conical portion of the second lid are supportively engaged.   
     
     
       45. The set of stackable lids of  claim 44 , wherein each of the complementary portions and the conical portions include a sidewall, and wherein, when stably stacked, at least a portion of the sidewall of the complementary portion of the first lid and the sidewall of the conical portion of the second lid are supportively engaged. 
     
     
       46. The set of stackable lids of  claim 44 , wherein, when stably stacked, the conical portion of the second lid partially fills the complementary portion of the first lid. 
     
     
       47. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends to a top surface above the upper side of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower side of the cover, wherein the lower portion of the knob comprises a conical portion and the upper portion of the knob comprises a complementary portion that is complementary to the conical portion, 
   wherein the complementary portion of each lid is configured to receive and supportively engage the conical portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of a first lid contacting the lower portion of the knob or the lower side of the cover of a second lid that is stacked on top of it,   wherein, when stably stacked, the conical portion of the second lid partially fills the complementary portion of the first lid,   wherein each of the complementary portions and the conical portions include a base, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the base of the complementary portion of the first lid and the base of the conical portion of the second lid are supportively engaged.   
     
     
       48. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises
 a cover having an upper side and a lower side; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends to a top surface above the upper side of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower side of the cover, wherein the lower portion of the knob comprises a conical portion and the upper portion of the knob comprises a complementary portion that is complementary to the conical portion, 
   wherein the complementary portion of each lid is configured to receive and supportively engage the conical portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the top surface of the upper portion of the knob of a first lid contacting the lower portion of the knob or the lower side of the cover of a second lid that is stacked on top of it,   wherein, when stably stacked, the conical portion of the second lid partially fills the complementary portion of the first lid,   wherein each of the complementary portions and the conical portions include a sidewall, and   wherein, when stably stacked, the conical portion of the second lid may be positioned within the complementary portion of the first lid without contact between the corresponding sidewalls of the complementary portion and the conical portion.   
     
     
       49. The set of stackable lids of  claim 48 , wherein, when stably stacked, the corresponding sidewalls of the of the complementary portion of the first lid and the conical portion of the second lid are configured to supportively engage if the conical portion is offset from a center of the complementary portion to prevent the stacked lids from laterally offsetting further. 
     
     
       50. The set of stackable lids of  claim 48 , wherein the upper surface of the cover of each lid is convex and the lower surface of the cover of each lid is concave. 
     
     
       51. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper surface and a lower surface; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends above the upper surface of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower surface of the cover, wherein an outer surface of the upper portion of the knob defines a complementary portion that is complementary to a conical portion of the lower portion, the conical portion defined by one or more sidewalls and extending to a base, 
   wherein the conical portion of each lid is configured to be supportively engaged by the complementary portion of the upper knob portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the upper portions of the knobs contacting the cover of the respective lid stacked upon it, and   wherein, when a first lid of the plurality of lids is stacked with a second lid of the plurality of lids, the base of the conical portion of the first lid supportively engages a base of the complementary portion of the second lid.   
     
     
       52. A set of stackable lids comprising:
 a plurality of stackable lids, wherein each lid comprises:
 a cover having an upper surface and a lower surface; and 
 a knob comprising an upper portion that extends above the upper surface of the cover and a lower portion that extends below the lower surface of the cover, wherein an outer surface of the upper portion of the knob defines a complementary portion that is complementary to a conical portion of the lower portion, the conical portion defined by one or more sidewalls and extending to a base, 
   wherein the conical portion of each lid is configured to be supportively engaged by the complementary portion of the upper knob portion of any other lid of the plurality of lids to stably stack the lids without the upper portions of the knobs contacting the cover of the respective lid stacked upon it, and   wherein, when a first lid of the plurality of lids is stacked with a second lid of the plurality of lids, the conical portion of the first lid may be positioned within the complementary portion of the second lid without the one or more sidewalls of the conical portion contacting the corresponding complementary portion of the second lid.