Tool for forming a three dimensional article or container

A cooking element formed from an annular cutout having an outer edge and an inner edge defining a center opening, the cooking element formed by a method comprising:

• providing a tool comprising a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly, the first and second tool assemblies having a cooperating clamping feature,
• obtaining the annular cutout comprising material to be formed into the cooking element and having the outer edge and the inner edge defining the center opening;
• clamping the annular cutout between the clamping feature of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly;
• positioning the first and second tool assemblies in a closed position to press the annular cutout between the tool assemblies to grip the annular cutout around the center opening and form the annular cutout into the cooking element while maintaining a portion of the annular cutout comprising the inner edge in a substantially fixed position.

A method of forming a cooking element, the method comprising:

• obtaining a tool comprising a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly;
• cutting an annular cutout from a blank, the annular cutout having an outer radial edge, an inner radial edge, and an opening adjacent the inner radial edge;
• positioning the tool in an open position wherein the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly are spaced apart to form a receiving space therebetween;
• conveying the annular cutout to the tool in the open position and placing the cutout between the first and second tool assembly;
• closing the tool such that the annular cutout is gripped by the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly around the inner radial edge and the opening so that the first and second tool assemblies form the annular cutout into a cooking ring.

A cooking element formed by a method comprising:

• obtaining a tool comprising a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly;
• cutting an annular cutout from a blank, the annular cutout having an outer radial edge, an inner radial edge, and an opening adjacent the inner radial edge;
• positioning the tool in an open position wherein the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly are spaced apart to form a receiving space therebetween;
• conveying the annular cutout to the tool in the open position and placing the cutout between the first and second tool assembly;
• closing the tool such that the annular cutout is gripped by the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly around the inner radial edge and the opening so that the first and second tool assemblies form the annular cutout into a cooking ring,
• wherein the cooking element has a flat upper edge portion, a flat lower edge portion, and at least one curved portion between the upper and lower edge portion.