GB2591777A

GB2591777A - Steamer pan divider

Info

Publication number: GB2591777A
Application number: GB2001587.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Kidd David
Original assignee: Taylors Eye Witness Ltd
Current assignee: Taylors Eye Witness Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-06
Filing date: 2020-02-06
Publication date: 2021-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-06
Also published as: GB202001587D0; GB2591777B

Abstract

A pan divider, for use in a set, comprises a container 200 with a circumferential side 230 and two radial sides 235A, 235B that define a sector shaped cross section, an open end 205 and a base 210 that comprises a baseplate. The container tapers outwards from the base towards the open end of the container and the circumferential side and/or radial sides are perforated. The divider may comprise a handle 300 movable between an upright position and a lateral position, the handle may have a plastic handle sleeve. The juncture between the base plate and both radial sides may be formed by a welded seam. At the open end of the container the circumferential edge circumferential side is folded to create a circumferential rim 245, and the radial sides may be folded to define two radial rims 250A, 250B. A method of producing the divider is envisaged wherein a net is welded and a tube lip is formed.

Description

Steamer Pan Divider Pan dividers are used in both home and commercial kitchens when there is a need to use a single pan to cook either a plurality of different foodstuffs. Pan dividers provide an energy saving benefit as when they are used, only one pan need be heated as opposed to a plurality of pans to cook a plurality of foodstuffs separately. In general, pan dividers have a sector shaped cross section, a base, and an open top. The base plate and sides of conventional pan dividers are perforated to facilitate flow of cooking fluid from the pan to the inside of the pan dividers. With conventional pan dividers there exists problems with efficiency of steaming. There is also a need to provide improvements the use and utility of the pan dividers and to improve their ergonomics.

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present invention provides a pan divider, for use as part of a set. the pan divider comprising a container comprising a circumferential side and two radial sides that define a sector shaped cross section, an open end, and a base; the container tapers outwards from the base along an extension of the container towards the open end; the open end comprises a circumferential edge and two radial edges; wherein one or more of the circumferential side and radial sides are perforated; and wherein the base comprises a base plate.

The invention provides a stronger pan divider, using less material for a given volume and more efficient steaming.

Whilst the term sector has a well-defined meaning in terms of geometry, it is appreciated that the actual shape of the sector shaped containers may merely approximate this. For example, the containers may have curved corners.

Furthermore, whilst the term perforated may be construed in a limiting sense, it should be understood in the context of the present invention to mean something having one or more apertures.

The present invention provides a pan divider. The pan divider is configured for use in a pan, such that the steam or water in the pan may be circulated amongst one or more pan dividers. Each of the one or more pan dividers may contain a different foodstuff which the user may wish to keep separate. Whilst the description will refer to the pan dividers in using a pan with steam or water, it should be understood that the present invention could be used in conjunction with any cooking fluid, for example, milk, oil or wine amongst many others.

The pan divider comprises a container which has a sector shaped cross section. The container comprises a circumferential side and two radial sides and the sector shaped cross section of the container is defined by the circumferential side and two radial sides.

This shape provides efficiency in the case where more than one pan divider is in use in the same circular pan. In this case, the pan dividers may be positioned next to one another such that their radial sides abut one another and plurality of pan dividers form either a complete circle, or a larger sector of a circle than one individual pan divider.

The container comprises an open end and a base, wherein the base comprises a baseplate. The baseplate serves to ensure that the container can be lifted without any contents of the container falling out through the base. Furthermore, constructing the divider with a baseplate simplifies construction as compared to forming the container out of a single sheet of metal.

One or more of the circumferential side and radial sides are perforated to enable circulation of steam or water.

The container tapers outwards from the base along an extension (i.e. height) of the container towards the open end. This provides an improvement over standard pan dividers in which there is no taper by providing a greater distance between the radial sides of the containers over the majority of their extension. This ensures improved circulation of steam or water in the case where more than one pan divider is in use in the same pan. Further, the taper alone provides improved steam circulation in the case of a single pan divider in use in a pan. The taper increases the surface area of the sides of the container that the steam will contact as it rises from the base of the pan, therefore in the present invention, an increased flux of steam through the perforations in the side of the container will be observed compared to the same container having non-tapered sides. This results in fewer perforations being necessary to achieve steaming as opposed to a container without a taper. Having fewer perforations increases the structural integrity of the circumferential and/or radial sides allowing them to better withstand impacts and to better support their contents. Furthermore, the tapering of a side or sides provides the additional benefit that a plurality of pan dividers may be stacked into one another for more efficient storage and transport.

The pan divider has a cross section of the open end. This is the plane that joins the rims of the sides. This provides a reference to which the taper of the sides is defined. The use of this reference is best understood in that the angle of the sides in the drawings, relative to cross section of the open end, is around 84 degrees.

One or more of the angles at which the circumferential side and two radial sides meet the cross section of the open end may be different. Alternatively, the angle at which the circumferential side and two radial sides meet the cross section of the open end may all meet the cross section at the open end at the same angle. It is preferable that the angle at which the circumferential side and two radial sides meet the cross section are all the same to encourage uniform circulation of steam or water.

It is preferable that any side of the container meets the cross section of the open end at an angle that is greater than 70 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

It may further be preferable that the any side of the container meets the cross section of the open end at an angle that is greater than 80 degrees and less than 88 degrees.

It may still further be preferable that the any side of the container meets the cross section of the open end at an angle that is greater than 82 degrees and less than 86 degrees to optimise the volume of the container whilst still ensuring stackability of the pan dividers and improved flow of cooking fluid.

The tapering of the cross section of the container along the extension of the container may be achieved in one of a number of ways: The tapering may be facilitated in such a way that two radial sides meet the cross section of the open end perpendicularly and the tapering of the cross section of the container is facilitated by the circumferential side extending towards the open end such that one or it meets the cross section of the open end at an acute angle. This enables improved steam or water circulation around the circumferential side of the pan divider. This is preferable as in a pan, heat is lost through the sides of the pan resulting in the areas closest to the sides of the pan being cooler than the in the centre of the pan. This configuration with the tapering of the circumferential side of the pan divider therefore enables improved fluid flow where it is most needed at the coolest regions of the pan.

Alternatively, the tapering may be facilitated by one or both of the radial sides extending towards the open end such that one or both of the radial sides meet the cross section of the open end at acute angles. In this case, the circumferential side of the container is perpendicular to the base of the pan. When a plurality of pan dividers are in use in the same pan, this configuration provides for improved circulation of steam or water between containers as opposed to a pan divider with non-tapered sides.

Another possibility is that the circumferential side and both of the radial sides of the container extend towards the open end such that the circumferential side and both of the radial sides meet the cross section of the open end at acute angles. In this case none of the sides of the container will be perpendicular to the base of the pan. This configuration optimises circulation of steam and water as there is a greater volume of space between the container and both the sides of the pan and any other containers in the same pan than if one of the sides of the container were perpendicular to the base of the pan.

It is conceivable that the tapering may not occur at a continuous rate along the extension of the container. For example, towards the base of the container the tapering rate may change as the circumferential and radial sides fold or roll inwards towards the centre of the sector shaped cross section of the base.

The open end of the container has an arc length. The arc length may be further defined as having a central arc length and two end arc lengths. Further, the two radial edges of the open end of the container may be defined as each having a radial length, each radial length having a central radial length an inner end radial length and an outer end radial length. The inner end radial lengths abut one another at the juncture between the two radial edges and the outer end radial lengths abut the junctures between the radial edges and the circumferential edge.

For structural stability of the open end, the circumferential side may extend a further distance from the base along the central arc length than at the end arc lengths. This further extension of the circumferential side is folded to create a circumferential rim which increases the structural integrity of the open end. It is preferable that the further extension of the circumferential side is folded or rolled towards the outside of the container for ease of manufacture. Rolling the circumferential side inwards could cause unwanted deformation of the further extension of the circumferential side. Conversely rolling the circumferential side outwards avoids this and provides additional strength and protection against impacts on the rim in use that might otherwise distort the side. It is further preferable that the circumferential rim is in the form of a scroll. Finally, it is preferable that the further extension of the circumferential side is folded or scrolled over less than 180 degrees over the outside of the container. This allows for the circumferential rim to be used to secure the divider over the top edge of the side of a pan of a similar radius. This in turn would prevent the pan divider from moving around the pan during use.

In a similar manner, along the central radial lengths, the radial sides extend a further distance from the base than at the inner and outer end radial lengths. The further extension of the radial sides may then be folded to create two radial rims. It is preferable that the radial rims are in the form of a scroll. it is preferable that the further extension of the circumferential side is folded or scrolled over less than 180 degrees over the container. The radial rims may both be folded over towards the outside of the container for ease of manufacture. Alternatively, one of the radial rims may folded over towards the inside of the container whilst the other is folded towards the outside of the container. This provides the benefit that two or more pan dividers may be secured together through the overlapping of their radial rims (outer scroll fitting over an inner scroll), this enables a plurality of dividers to be secured as a more easily handleable unit.

In order to make it easier for a user to remove the pan divider from a pan, the pan divider may comprise a handle. The handle may be attached to the container at the two junctures formed by the meeting of the circumferential side and the radial sides. In order to facilitate attachment of the handle to the container, the container may further comprise two apertures, one situated at each juncture formed by the meeting of the circumferential side and the radial sides. The handle may comprise two ends, each end may pass through one of the apertures such that the handle is rotatably attached to the container. The handle may further comprise a plastic handle sleeve for thermal insulation of the user's hands when lifting the pan divider out of a pan.

In the case that the open end has been formed with a circumferential rim and two radial rims, the container may be further configured to comprise two lateral cut-outs. Each lateral cut-out may be situated at one of the two end arc lengths such that the handle of the container can rotate past the circumferential rim. At the juncture between two radial edges, there may be a central cut out that extends into both of the radial sides. The central cut out serves to enable easier formation of the radial rims, in use it enables dividers to be more easily separated and removed from a pan manually.

The base plate of the container may be affixed to the circumferential side and the two radial sides of the container at its base by means of a welded seam. This prevents residue becoming trapped in the seem as a smooth join is formed thereby making the container easier to clean.

Alternatively, at the base of the container, the circumferential side and radial sides may fold inwards to create a lip, the lip having an upper side which faces the inside if the container and lower side which faces outside the container. The baseplate may be secured to this lip. It is preferable that the base plate is secured to the upper side of the lip to provide better support to the baseplate when the container is loaded. Furthermore, this strengthens the join between the baseplate and the circumferential and radial sides of the container as the join is provided through overlapping layers.

The baseplate may also be perforated. This improves drainage in the case that the pan divider is used in a pan filled with water. The containers will drain faster as they are lifted from the pan if the baseplate has perforations. Further, in the case of the pan divider being used for steaming, the perforations in the baseplate would improve steam flow into the container. The baseplate may be more densely perforated than the sides to further enhance these benefits.

The pan divider may additionally comprise one or more legs. The one or more legs provide stability to prevent tipping of the pan divider when in use. Further, the one or more legs serve to elevate the container form the base of a pan. This enables the pan divider to better be used for steaming as the water providing the steam will sit in the base of the pan, and the container of the pan divider may be elevated on the one or more legs above the level of the water. The elevation within the pan also improves water flow underneath the base of the container in the case of the pan divider being used when wholly or partially submerged in boiling water. The one or more legs may be formed of one continuous member. The member may be a continuous piece of wire. The one or more legs may preferably be between 1 and 4 cm in height to provide a corresponding elevation of the base of the container above the base of a pan. It is further preferable that the legs are between 1.5 and 2.5 cm in height.

In the case that the baseplate is secured to the lip of the container. The one or more legs may preferably be attached to the lower side of the lip to provide improved structural stability; however, the legs may be attached directly to the baseplate.

The one or more legs may comprise a plastic leg sleeve. The plastic leg sleeve may serve to sleeve the one or more legs wholly or partially in plastic. In the case of the legs being partially sleeved in plastic, the plastic leg sleeve is configured such that any part of the leg that would contact a pan whilst the pan divider is in use is sleeved in plastic. The plastic leg sleeve prevents the pan divider from sliding by increasing friction between the legs and any surfaces contacted by the legs. For example, the plastic leg sleeve will prevent the pan divider form rattling in a pan caused by the boiling of water within the pan. Further, the plastic leg sleeve serves to prevent the legs damaging surfaces that they come into contact with, such as a non-stick surface on inside of a pan.

The juncture between the two radial sides may be formed by a welded seam. Alternatively, juncture between the two radial sides may be formed by an overlap of the two radial sides, secured by spot welding at the overlap.

The pan divider may be manufactured using the following method: A planar shape (net) of the container sides is punched from a sheet of raw material. Preferably a sheet of stainless steel. The sheet is preferably a metal sheet, the sheet is preferably between 0.4 and 0.8mm thickness. The planar shape comprises the circumferential side and the two radial sides. Within the planar shape, the circumferential side sits between the two radial sides.

Next the planar shape undergoes a second punching to form the one or more perforations and/or the apertures for securing the handle to the planar shape. Following the second punching, two joining ends of the planar shape are joined together to form the juncture between the two radial sides. This may be achieved by welding the two joining ends together to form a single welded seam. Alternatively, the two radial sides may overlap on another at the joining ends. In this case spot welding may be used to join joining ends of the two radial sides. The welded shape is then finished in a press, for example a hydraulic press, to create the tapered shape of the circumferential and/or radial sides. Following the hydraulic press, at the open end of the container, the further extension of the circumferential side corresponding to its central arc length is rolled or folded to create a circumferential rim and the further extensions of the radial sides corresponding to their central radial lengths are rolled or folded to create two radial rims. The circumferential side and radial sides of the container at the base of the container may then be rolled or folded to create the lip of the container. The baseplate is stamped from a second sheet of raw material. The second sheet of raw material may be pre-perforated, or the perforations in the base plate may be punched in following the baseplate being stamped from the second sheet of material. The base plate may then be joined to the upper side of the lip using spot welding or, if no lip was formed, the base plate will be secures to the circumferential and radial sides of the container at its base by means of a welded seam Finally, the feet are welded or spot welded to the lower side of the lip.

A variation being a method of producing a pan divider of any preceding claim comprising; providing a net of sides of the pan divider in which perforations have been formed; join lateral edges to form a frustoconical tube the join being at what will be the junction of the radial sides; form the tube in a press to form radial and circumferential sides; roll the upper edge to form a scroll and jog the base edge to form a lip of the tube so formed; take a base sheet from pre-perforated raw material and place it abutting the jogged base lip and join the base to the tube. The method further comprising attaching a folded wire to the base or base lip to form feet of the pan divider and/or further comprising inserting a handle haying two ends, each end passing respectively through an aperture proximate the junctures of each of the circumferential and radial sides.

In the event of ambiguity in the written description the figures provide the intended interpretation.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention is illustrated using the following figures: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention comprising a plurality of pan dividers arranged in a circle.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a pan divider of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the open end of a pan divider of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the base of a pan divider of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows an Isometric view of a pan divider of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows an Isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows one embodiment of the present invention comprising a plurality of pan dividers stacked inside one another.

Figure 8 shows a net view of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present description and the associated figures, like features are provided with like numerals.

The present invention may comprise any combination of the following features: 10-Set of pan dividers 100-Pan Divider 200-Container 205-Open end 210-Base 211 -Baseplate 215-Extension (dimension) 220-Circumferential Edge 225A -Radial Edge 225B -Radial Edge 230-Circumferential Side 235A -Radial Side 235B -Radial Side 240-Perforation 245-Circumferential Rim 250A -Radial Rim 250B -Radial Rim 255A -Aperture 255B -Aperture 260A -Lateral Cut-Out 260B -Lateral Cut-Out 265-Lip 270A -Notch, juncture of a radial and a circumferential side 270B -Notch, juncture of a radial and a circumferential side 270C -Notch, juncture of radial sides 280-Overlap 290-Central Cut-Out 300-Handle 305A -End (Handle) 305B -End (Handle) 310 -Plastic Handle Sleeve 400 -Leg 405 -Plastic Leg Sleeve 2200-Arc Length 2210-Central Arc Length 2220A -End Arc Length 22205-End Arc Length 2250A -Radial Length 22505 -Radial Length 2255A -Central Radial Length 22555-Central Radial Length 2260A -Outer End Radial Length 22605 -Outer End Radial Length 2270A -Inner End Radial Length 22705 -Inner End Radial Length 500 -Planar shape 510A -Joining end 5105 -Joining end

Detailed Description

Figure 1 provides three pan dividers 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Together, the three pan dividers comprise a set 10.

Figure 2 provides an embodiment of the present invention prior to attachment of the legs 400 and the handle 300 to the container 200. The container has an open end 205 and a base 210. The container tapers outwards along and extension 215 of the container from the base 210 to the open end 205 by means of sides 230, 235A, 2358. At the open end, the sector shaped cross section of the container 200 has circumferential edge 220 and two radial edges 225A, 2255. The container 200 has a circumferential side 230 and two radial sides 235A, 2355. The circumferential side 230 and two radial sides 235A, 235B have a plurality of perforations 240. In this instance, the perforations are present over substantially the whole of the circumferential 230 and radial 235A, 235B sides less a gap (for strength) around the perimeter of each side. The perforations are in the form of apertures, preferably in a spaced apart array, i.e. a side has more face than aperture as the improved steam circulation with the tapered sides makes it less critical to have sides which are high permeable, the resulting benefit being better support of the contents and hence less physical damage, such as to food items present and hence less waste, such as food shredded away into the base of the pan. A subsection of the circumferential side 230 at the open end is rolled over to provide a circumferential rim 245. Similarly, subsections of the radial sides 235A, 2355 at the open end 205 are rolled over to form radial rims 250A and 2505 to provide additional strength and rigidity to the sides. Towards the open end 205 of the container 200, at both junctures between the circumferential side and the radial sides, there is an aperture 255A, 2555 configured to receive the ends 305A, 3055 of the handle 300. At the juncture between two radial edges 225A, 2255, there is a central cut-out 290. The pan divider further comprises legs 400.

Figure 3 provides a plan view of a pan divider 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Through the open end 205 of the container 200, the base plate 211 can be seen. The circumferential edge 220 of the open end 205 if the container 200 has an arc length 2200. The arc length 2200 may be split into a central arc length 2210 and two end arc lengths 2220A, 2220B. The central arc length 2210 is situated between the two end arc lengths 2220A, 22205 and the two end arc lengths 2220A, 2220B each abut the juncture between the circumferential edge 220 and the radial edge 225A, 225B. The radial edges 225A, 2255 have radial lengths 2250A and 22505 respectively. Radial length 2250A may be further split into central radial lengths 2255A, outer end radial length 2260A and inner end radial length 2270A. Radial length 22505 may be further split into central radial lengths 22555, outer end radial length 22605 and inner end radial length 22705. Inner end radial lengths 2270A and 2270B abut one another at the juncture between the two radial edges 225A, 2255. The outer end radial length 2260A abuts the juncture between the radial edge 225A and the circumferential edge 220. The outer end radial length 2260B abuts the juncture between the radial edge 225B and the circumferential edge 220.

Figure 3 further illustrates the lateral cut outs 260A and 26013, one in each of the two end arc lengths 2220A, 22205. The handle 300 can rest in the lateral cut outs 260A and 2605 such that the handle 300 can rotate past the circumferential rim 245 for easier storage. Further having the handle either inboard or above the top of the divider body means that the divider can be used with (fitted neatly into) pans of two radii, a smaller radius pan with the handle up and a larger radial pan with the handle down so that Central radial length 2255A is situated between inner end radial length 2270A and outer end radial length 2260A. Central radial length 22555 is situated between inner end radial length 22705 and outer end radial length 22605. The handle 300 preferably has a radius greater than that of the circumferential side to allow it to drop alongside that circumferential edge 220. The handle preferably has an insulating cover, this bulks up the handle to increase the with and without handle down radius to make a more substantial difference in effective radius when placed in a pan.

Figure 4 provides a plan view (from below) of the base of a pan divider 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here the legs 400 can be seen attached to the base plate 211. The legs 400 are formed of a single continuous member. The continuous member is shaped such that it follows the same shape as the cross section of the container 200, however the shape made by the continuous member is smaller than the cross section of the container 200 at its base 210 such that when it is attached, the continuous member will not extend outwards from the container in the plane of the base plate, thus ensuring that the pan divider 100 is stackable with another pan divider of the same design.

Figure 5 provides a container 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention prior to the attachment of the baseplate. The lip 265 formed by the rolling or folding inwards of the circumferential 230 and radial 235A, 235B sides at the base 210 of the container can be seen. In the embodiment disclosed in figure 5, notches 270A, 270B, 270C are present in the base of the container at the each of the junctures between the sides. These notches 270A, 270B, 270C facilitate folding or rolling of the circumferential 230 and radial 235A, 235B sides at the base 210 of the container to prevent the need for any parts of the lip 265 to overlap itself or puckering during manufacture.

Figure 6 provides a pan divider 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the juncture between the two radial sides 235A, 235B is formed by an overlap 280 of the two radial sides, 235A, 235B.

Figure 7 illustrates how a set 10 of pan dividers 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may stack together.

Figure 8 illustrates the planar shape 500 of the container following the second punching which introduces perforations 240 and apertures 255A, 255B to the planar shape. The planar shape comprises the circumferential side 230 and the two radial sides 235A, 255B. The planar shape further comprises two joining ends 510A, 510B.

Claims

Claims 1. A pan divider, for use as part of a set, the pan divider comprising a container comprising a circumferential side and two radial sides that define a sector shaped cross section, an open end, and a base; the container tapers outwards from the base along an extension of the sector shaped cross section of the container sides towards the open end; the open end comprises a circumferential edge and two radial edges; wherein one or more of the circumferential side and radial sides are perforated; and wherein the base comprises a base plate.
2. The pan divider of claim 1 wherein the tapering of the cross section of the container is achieved by the circumferential side and both of the radial sides of the container extending towards the open end such that the circumferential side and both of the radial sides meet the cross section of the open end at acute angles.
3. The pan divider of claim 1 wherein the circumferential side meets the cross section of the open end perpendicularly and the tapering of the cross section of the container is facilitated by one or both of the radial sides extending towards the open end such that one or both of the radial sides meet the cross section of the open end at acute angles.
4. The pan divider of claim 1 wherein the two radial sides meet the cross section of the open end perpendicularly and the tapering of the cross section of the container is facilitated by the circumferential side extending towards the open end such that one or it meets the cross section of the open end at an acute angle.
S. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein the pan divider comprises a handle, the handle being moveable between an upright position where the maximum radius of the pan divider is defined by the rim of the circumferential side and a lateral position increasing the maximum radius of the pan divider and.
6. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein at the open end of the container: the circumferential edge has an arc length, haying a central arc length and two end arc lengths; wherein along the central arc length, the circumferential side extends further from the base than at the end arc lengths; wherein the further extension of the circumferential side is folded to create a circumferential rim; and the two radial edges have two radial lengths, each having a central radial length an inner end radial length and an outer end radial length; wherein along the central radial lengths, the radial sides extend further from the base than at the inner and outer end radial lengths; wherein the further extension of the radial sides are folded to create two radial rims.
7. The pan divider of claim 5, wherein the handle is attached at its ends to the container at points proximate the junctures formed by the meeting of the circumferential side and the radial sides.
8. The pan divider of claim 7 wherein the handle comprises two ends; wherein the container further comprises two apertures, one situated at each juncture formed by the meeting of the circumferential side and the radial sides; wherein each end of the handle passes through one of the apertures such that the handle is rotatably attached to the container.
9. The pan divider of claim 8, wherein at the open end of the container: the circumferential edge has an arc length, haying a central arc length and two end arc lengths; wherein along the central arc length, the circumferential side extends further from the base than at the end arc lengths; wherein the further extension of the circumferential side is folded to create a circumferential rim; and the two radial edges have two radial lengths, each having a central radial length an inner end radial length and an outer end radial length; wherein along the central radial lengths, the radial sides extend further from the base than at the inner and outer end radial lengths; wherein the further extensions of the radial sides are folded to create two radial rims, wherein the container comprises two lateral cut-outs, and wherein each lateral cut-out is situated at one of the two end arc lengths such that the handle can rotate past the circumferential rim.
10. The pan divider of any of claims 5 to 9 wherein the handle comprises a plastic handle sleeve.
11. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein the juncture between the base plate and the circumferential side and the two radial sides is formed by a welded seam.
12. The pan divider of any of claims 1 to 10 wherein at the base of the container, the circumferential side and radial sides fold inwards to create a lip; wherein the lip has an upper side which faces the inside if the container and lower side which faces outside the container.
13. The pan divider of claim 12 wherein the base plate is secured to the upper side of the lip.
14. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein the base plate is perforated.
15. The pan divider of claim 14 wherein the base plate is more densely perforated than the circumferential and radial sides.
16. The pan divider of any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the pan divider further comprises one or more legs.
17. The pan divider of claim 16 wherein the one or more legs are formed from a continuous member.
18. The pan divider of claims 16 or 17 wherein the one or more legs are attached to the lower side of the lip.
19. The pan divider of any of claims 16 to 18 wherein the one or more legs are comprise plastic leg sleeves; wherein the plastic leg sleeves are configured such that any part of the one or more legs that would contact a pan whilst the pan divider is in use is sleeved in plastic.
20. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein the juncture between the two radial sides is formed by a welded seam.
21. The pan divider of any preceding claim wherein the juncture between the two radial sides is formed by an overlap of the two radial sides, secured by spot welding at the overlap.
22. A method of producing a pan divider of any preceding claim comprising; providing a net of sides of the pan divider in which perforations have been formed; join lateral edges to form a frustoconical tube the join being at what will be the junction of the radial sides; form the tube in a press to form radial and circumferential sides; roll the upper edge to form a scroll and jog the base edge to form a lip of the tube so formed; take a base sheet from pre-perforated raw material and place it abutting the jogged base lip and join the base to the tube.
23. A method of producing a pan divider of claim 22 further comprising attaching a folded wire to the base or base lip to form feet of the pan divider.
24. A method of producing a pan divider of claim 22 or 23 further comprising inserting a handle having two ends, each end passing respectively through an aperture proximate the junctures of each of the circumferential and radial sides.
25. A set of pan dividers as defined in any preceding claim sufficient to fill a pan of circular cross section without substantial gaps between such that when the plurality of pan dividers are arranged with the radial edges of the pan dividers abutting, the circumferential edges of the pan dividers form a circle.