Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-14
2001-08-21
Bennett, Henry (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C062S372000, C220S592010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276162
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for portable insulated food and beverage storage and in particular to insulated storage of a plurality of standard plates of food.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Insulated storage containers or “cooolers” are well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,607 discloses a portable container with thermally insulated exterior walls. However, the prior art does not address the problem of saving a meal that is on standard sized dishes without having to remove the food and place it in sealable containers. Therefore, a need exists for a cooler shaped and sized to accommodate a standard nine (9) inch to ten and one-half (10½) inch dinner plate. A further need exists for such a cooler that can also carry beverages and accessories. Finally, a need exists for such a cooler that can utilize refreezable gel units for providing low temperature storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs and solves the problems identified above by providing an apparatus comprising container having a plurality of plate shelves, an accessory tray and a screw on lid with carrying handle. The container is cylindrical in shape and sized to accept a standard nine (9) inch to ten and one-half (10½) inch diameter dinner plate in a level, upright position on one or more shelves. The first shelf is the floor of the cooler which has a raised rim along its perimeter for accepting a standard shaped plate with a circular border rim and concave center. The second shelf is comprised of a protruding rim inside the cooler upon which another plate may rest. Alternatively, the accessory tray may rest on the second shelf. The accessory tray is molded to fit upon the protruding rim inside the cooler. The accessory tray has compartments for securing cans or bottles containing beverages so that they will not roll about, compartments for eating utensils and space for additional food items such as condiments. The accessory tray has a handle that extends upward from the center of the tray for lifting of the tray. The underside of the accessory tray has compartments for attachment of a gelpack. The gelpack is secured to the underside of the accessory tray with a twist-on threaded attachment system. Finally, the cooler has a lid with a folding handle. The lid twists on securely to the container. In an alternative embodiment, the cooler has a detachable bottom section secured by threaded attachment to allow carrying of one part of the cooler at a time.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 535847 (1895-03-01), Mertz
patent: 2781937 (1957-02-01), Piker
patent: 3255607 (1966-06-01), Bair et al.
patent: 4741176 (1988-05-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4911295 (1990-03-01), Venegoni
patent: 5341657 (1994-08-01), Fuller
patent: 5433085 (1995-07-01), Rogers
patent: 5547098 (1996-08-01), Jordan
patent: 5934099 (1999-08-01), Cook et al.
patent: 0 373 127 A1 (1988-11-01), None
Bennett Henry
Jiang Chen-Wen
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