Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-04-03
McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C062S457100, C206S545000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209346
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tailgate picnic device. More particularly the invention relates to such a device which accommodates the storage and presentation of both hot and cold foods.
Tailgate picnic gatherings have increased in popularity at the sporting events such as football games. Additionally, hot and cold foods are often provided at family picnics, beach activities, parties and festivals. Typically it has been necessary to utilize a plurality of containers for hot and cold foods so that food can be stored and presented safely at the desired temperature. Due to the need for such multiple containers a need has still existed for a simple unitary device for use at such gatherings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has a primary object of providing a picnic tailgate device in which food both hot and cold can be stored, transported and presented in the same device at gatherings such as athletic tailgate events where the food is consumed. The present invention provides such a device which is particularly convenient for such gatherings where time is somewhat at a premium so that both hot and cold foods can be presented and consumed utilizing the same tailgate picnic device without the need for cooking the food on the premises. Alternatively the device can be used in conjunction with a portable barbecue means and the barbecued food contained for a time therein in a warm condition for subsequent consumption.
In accordance with one important aspect of the invention the picnic tailgate device of the invention is provided with hot and cold sides each of which conveniently nestingly receives food containers which are maintained in a warm or cold condition as desired. In accordance with a further related aspect the warm side of the picnic tailgate device is insulated and the food containers are nestingly received in a cover depressed in said insulation to maintain the food contained therein in a warm condition until consumed. In accordance with a further related aspect of the invention the cold side of the device also contains recesses for nestingly receiving food containers for containing chilled foods and a compartment for containing ice beneath said containers is provided. In accordance with another important aspect, an internal divider between said hot and cold sides of the device is provided.
Briefly, the invention provides A picnic tailgate device includes a housing with a lid hingedly connected thereto. The housing is internally divided into a plurality of zones including an insulated zone for supporting food-containing containers therein and maintaining the containers in a warm condition. The housing, further, has a cool compartment for supporting a plurality of food-containing containers in a chilled condition, the cool housing including an enclosed ice-containing chamber for nestingly supporting the food containers thereby maintaining the cool temperature of the chilled foods. Preferably a handle attached to a side of the device for carrying purposes and, optionally included, are legs for supporting the device during use.
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Jiang Chen-Wen
McDermott Corrine
Ryan Kromholz & Manion S.C.
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