Heat emitting pan lid with protective inner shield

A lid, with a downward-facing heating element, for use on top of a pan, the pan including a rim and an interior, the lid comprising:

• an outer layer of a first material, the outer layer forming:
• a top surface connected to a side surface;
• an interior lower rim;
• a bottom rim that bridges the side surface and interior lower rim;
• an inner layer of insulation adjacent to the outer layer of a first material;
• a downward-facing heating element adjacent to the inner layer of insulation;
• a transparent plate that permits the passage of heat from the downward-facing heating element to the interior of the pan while creating a physical separation, thus keeping the downward-facing heating element clean;
• and
• a handle affixed to the outer layer of a first material;
• a fixed latch adjacent to the interior lower rim;
• and
• a sliding moveable latch adjacent to the interior lower rim;
• the sliding movable latch located across the device from the fixed latch;
• the sliding movable latch sliding with respect to the interior lower rim;
• wherein the fixed latch supports an end of the transparent plate;
• and
• wherein the sliding movable latch has a first position that supports an end of the transparent plate, and a second position that allows the transparent plate to fully disengage from the interior lower rim, thus allowing the transparent plate to be removed for cleaning.

A device to fit on top of a pan, the device emitting infrared radiation to cook food within the pan, the device comprising:

• a layer of insulation;
• a heating element adjacent to the layer of insulation;
• a transparent plate adjacent to the heating element;
• the transparent plate formed from a heat-tempered glass-ceramic material;
• a first layer of material surrounding the insulation, heating element, and transparent plate without blocking the path of heat from the heating element through the transparent plate;
• the first layer of material extending downward to surround the top of the pan, thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement of the lid from the pan;
• a fixed latch adjacent to a lower rim;
• and
• a moveable latch adjacent to transparent plate;
• the movable latch located across the heat-emitting lid from the fixed latch;
• the movable latch sliding with respect to the transparent plate;
• wherein the fixed latch supports an end of the transparent plate;
• and
• wherein the movable latch has a first position that supports an end of the transparent plate, and a second position that allows the transparent plate to disengage from the lower rim.