topfi –
the pot lid holder

Shark Tank of Patents

In the 16th season of "Die Höhle der Löwen" (counterpart to shark tank in the USA), Annette and Tomasz Makowski presented their product topfi - an innovative pot lid holder that offers a simple but effective solution to an everyday problem in the kitchen.

The idea behind topfi

topfi is a practical pot lid holder that has been specially developed to reduce clutter in the kitchen and make it easier to handle cookware. The holder prevents the lid from lying on the work surface or the stove, making the kitchen unnecessarily dirty or taking up space. It provides a fixed shelf on which the lid can be placed while cooking.

The technical details

• Universal fit: The topfi is suitable for pot lids with a diameter of 16 to 30 cm. This means it fits most commercially available pots and pans and can be used in a variety of ways.
• Material and durability: The holder is made of stainless steel, which makes it durable and heat-resistant. This ensures that it can withstand the temperatures in a typical kitchen and can be used for years to come.
• Functionality: The topfi was developed with the aim of preventing liquids from boiling over. Thanks to a special opening in the holder, the liquid remains in the pot and does not drip onto the work surface. This contributes to cleanliness in the kitchen.
• Non-slip silicone feet: To prevent the holder from slipping, silicone feet are attached to the topfi, which also protect the cooking surface from scratches.

Prior Art

A similar type of lid holder 50 already exists in the prior art (see Fig. 1 of D1 - US20100193523A1), which has an upper support element 52 and lower support elements 54 and 56. The lid holder 50 also comprises an inverted U-shaped pan support 58 disposed between the lower support members 54 and 56. Further, the lid holder 50 has a pair of U-shaped lid supports 60 and 62 extending outwardly and slightly upwardly from opposite sides of the lower portion of the upper support member 52 (see [0023] of D1).

[Fig. 1 of D1.]

The patent application (WO2023202745A1)

One aspect we have identified with respect to D1 is that two support arms 3 of the lid holder 9 take over both a) the support of the lid holder 9 on a pan together with the internal retaining arm 2 of the lid holder 9 and b) the support of a lid by means of retaining lugs 7 on the support arms 3 (see Fig. 1 of the topfi patent application).

[Fig. 1 of the topfi patent application]

Success and investment

As part of the show "Die Höhle der Löwen", the founders of topfi convinced the investors, in particular Ralf Dümmel, who acquired a financial stake in the company. This enabled professional development and distribution of the product in various online stores and retail outlets.

Conclusion

The topfi is a functional kitchen accessory that addresses an everyday challenge in the kitchen with a simple but effective solution. The patent application ensures that the innovation is protected and represents not just a short-term market solution, but a long-term alternative for the kitchen.

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Disclaimer: The above contribution reflects the personal opinion of the author. The assessments and statements made in the article do not constitute legal advice and are provided under exclusion of any liability. If you need an assessment of an individual case, please contact the author and/or the law firm KUHNEN & WACKER.