Stoves and furnaces – Heaters – Lunch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-07-31
Clarke, Sara (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Heaters
Lunch
C108S025000, C108S065000, C108S156000, C108S167000, C296S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267111
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a food warming device, and more specifically, for commercial use by food service businesses such as caterers and outdoor food vendors.
2. Description of the Related Art
The operator of a food business faces many challenges, one of which is the serving of food to customers at the proper temperature as required by each and every state's Health Department. The equipment choices for accomplishing this task are extremely limited. The outdoor food vendor has the choice of a “hot cart” type apparatus or a vending truck. There is no affordable and mid-sized equipment available that allows the food operator or caterer to expand from a simple small vending “hot cart” before purchasing a vending truck. Additionally, this equipment is more certainly not designed for versatile year round use, as weather and climate are most likely outdoor factors.
The alternative food warming apparatus contains one or more food units and yet is self-contained (versus a single pan warmer unit). The alternative invention is also easily portable, much more affordable than a vending truck, versatile for indoor and outdoor use, and allows the food operator to serve more customers with more variety in a buffet style set-up than does a vending “hot cart” (if so desired, as it is also an extension which can be easily detached or attached).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an easily attachable “portable-mobile vending stainless table unit” which is also designed to meet both state and county health codes anywhere in the United States. Additionally, the invention is adaptable to most any small vending “hot cart” for transporting purposes if so desired.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the unit is easily detachable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The portable stainless table unit can be transported in and of itself on a trailer or in a van or box truck. The dimensions and lightweight design of the invention give the owner/operator versatility in transporting as well as functional use.
According to another aspect of the invention, the durability of the portable mobile vending stainless table unit as it relates to transportable mileage is very sound and durable. Over a 6 month period, the modified Gate and T-Hinge attachment to my mobile vending unit exceeded 3,500 miles and showed no signs of wear, tear or damage. Reference to Drawing 2 of 18, which includes exploded view of modified Gate and T-Hinge. Furthermore, the invention has a high rating of durability as it relates to the set-up and tear-down of the unit. I found that over a 6 month period, 5 days per week, with an average operation of 4 hours per day, the invention shows no signs of wear, tear or damage.
According to another aspect of the invention, the unit is enhanced by its design which is easy to clean and maintain. Additionally, the individual holding compartments for the water, to be used as part of the heating element, are more favorable to the operator than one large compartment to hold and dispense the water.
This invention enabled me to serve food in an efficient and desirable manner to my customers at public and private events both indoor and outdoor.
These above mentioned and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be further identified in the drawings and description of the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1464889 (1923-08-01), Stirn
patent: 3261307 (1966-07-01), Salkoff
patent: 3683791 (1972-08-01), Rast, Jr.
patent: 4665888 (1987-05-01), Christen, Jr. et al.
patent: 4739580 (1988-04-01), Simmons et al.
patent: 4919109 (1990-04-01), Riley
patent: JP-10117849-A (1998-05-01), None
Clarke Sara
Hoffman Michael F.
Hoffman, Warnick & D'Alessandro LLC
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