Special receptacle or package – For a household appliance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-06-26
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a household appliance
C229S090000, C229S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250463
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to carrying apparatus for carrying devices having handles, and more particularly to carrying apparatus for carrying portable barbecue units having a handle.
Portable barbecue units are extremely popular today and are used in many different settings. Often used for barbecuing at home, perhaps the most popular use of portable barbecue units is for barbecuing on a camping trip or a picnic. In such cases, the user must store the barbecue unit for transportation, most often in an automobile. Generally such portable barbecue units include handles for ease of carrying the unit. The handle is typically located on the lid, which is secured to the body of the barbecue unit, thereby allowing a user to pick up the entire unit by the handle. One problem, however, is that often the barbecue unit leaks byproducts of the barbecue process, e.g., grease, such that the bottom and/or sides of the unit may be covered with such byproducts. In such case it is undesirable to place a dirty barbecue in an automobile or other storage location. One solution is to carry and store the unit in a cardboard box, such as the box the unit came in when purchased. This can be cumbersome, however, as the user typically must use two hands to carry the box. Additionally, grease or other byproducts leaking from the barbecue can contaminate the box, oftentimes eroding the box. The user must then obtain a different box or other container. It is therefore desirable to provide a durable carrying apparatus for carrying a portable barbecue unit that allows the user to carry the unit by the handle of the barbecue unit, and which allows the user to store the unit without concern for leaking byproducts of the barbecue process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for carrying devices having handles. In particular, the present invention is useful for carrying and storing portable barbecue units. The apparatus includes a hollow body portion for holding the barbecue unit, or other device, and a lid having an opening through which the handle of the barbecue unit protrudes. When the barbecue unit is placed in the carrying apparatus, the user secures the lid to the carrying apparatus whereby the handle extends through the opening. The user is then able to pick up the barbecue unit using the handle, thereby also picking up the carrying apparatus. Use of the carrying apparatus in this manner allows the user to carry the barbecue unit by the handle and to store the barbecue unit while at the same time preventing the barbecue unit from leaking or depositing grease and other undesirable byproducts of the barbecue process. The opening in the lid may be centrally located or may be offset from the center by an amount sufficient to compensate for the additional space required for attached gas valves, or the like, on one or more sides of the barbecue unit. An offset opening also allows one or more gas containers, barbecue utensils, or the like to be stored with the barbecue unit in the carrying apparatus.
According to an aspect of the invention, a carrying apparatus is provided for carrying an object having a handle coupled to a first surface of the object. The apparatus typically comprises a body structure having a first opening for receiving the object and a lid having a second opening defined therein for receiving the handle. The apparatus also typically includes a latch mechanism for securing the lid to the body structure. When the object is placed in the body structure and the lid is secured to the body structure, the handle protrudes through the second opening. Thereafter, when a user picks up the object using the handle, the first surface of the object comes into contact with the lid, causing the lid and body structure connected thereto to be picked up with the object.
According to another aspect of the invention, a carrying apparatus is provided for carrying a barbecue unit, wherein the barbecue unit includes a handle coupled to a top surface of the barbecue unit. The apparatus typically comprises a body structure having a first opening for receiving and holding the barbecue unit, and a lid for covering the first opening of the body structure, wherein the lid has a second opening defined therein for receiving the handle of the barbecue unit. When the barbecue unit is placed in the body structure and the lid is secured to the body structure, the handle protrudes through the second opening. Thereafter, when a user picks up the barbecue unit using the handle, the top surface of the barbecue unit comes into contact with the lid, causing the lid and body structure connected thereto to be picked up with the barbecue unit.
Reference to the remaining portions of the specification, including the drawings and claims, will realize other features and advantages of the present invention. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
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Clyde Drew
Luong Shian
Sewell Paul T.
Townsend & Townsend & Crew LLP
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