Carrying case for food products

Abstract

A container for carrying and keeping foods warm is described. The container has a case having at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The side wall encloses a cavity formed by the sidewall and a base connected to the bottom edge of the side wall. The base has an inner surface and an outer surface. The case has a first removable tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, positioned within the cavity such that there is a space between said inner surface of said base and said bottom surface of said first tray so that a sufficient amount of a fluid may be added to the cavity to control the temperature of a food product in the case. The first removable tray has at least one recessed portion in said top surface for receiving said food product. The case also has a second removable tray positioned above said first removable tray and having one or more recessed portions for receiving a condiment to be applied to said food product.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved carrying case for transporting food products and in particular hot dogs and similar items as well as related condiments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the warmer weather and at other times during the year many people at picnics, sporting events, the beach and other activities desire to bring along a meal. One of the more popular foods eaten at outdoor and other activities is the hot dog or frankfurter. Related products such as sausages, corn dogs and bratwurst are also popular with many people. Although these types of foods are frequently offered by vendors at these events, many times there are concerns about the safety of the food products sold by the vendors or issues of cost that cause many people to bring their own foods to these activities.

[0003] A Thermos case and other insulated products are very useful in carrying and keeping warm many types of food. However, the typical product that is currently available is used to carry many different types of products. One of the problems with this type of arrangement is that each item is stored together and there is a risk that flavors of the different food products can mingle together. Also, many insulated containers, because they are designed to carry a number of products they tend to be large and bulky thus making it difficult to carry to the event. In addition, when a number of different products are stored together it is difficult to keep each product at its optimum temperature. For example, cooked food products will cool in the container while cold products will warm usually until each reaches some lukewarm equilibrium temperature that is unsatisfactory to both products. In the situation where frankfurters or related products are desired, if they are precooked for convenience and placed in an insulated container along with beverages or foods at a different temperature the hot dogs will not retain the warmth and may be too cold to eat at the proper time. As a result, there is a need for an improved carrying case for hot dogs and related products that will permit these products to remain warm, as well as have ready access to the preferred condiments that these products are usually served with.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying case for food products

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying case for such food products as hot dogs, frankfurters and related products such as sausages, corn dogs and bratwurst as well as corn on the cod and other products that must be kept warm.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved food warmer for these products.

[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a carrying case for the condiments that usually accompany these products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of the container of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1 with the cover in place.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along section E-E of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the outer wall of the container of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the insulating wall of the container of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the container of the present invention with the cover removed.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the container of the present invention taken along section A-A of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a side end view of the condiment tray of the container of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a side front view of the condiment tray of FIG. 9.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a top view of the condiment tray of FIG. 9.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the condiment tray of FIG. 9 taken along section B-B of FIG. 11.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a side front view of the cover of the container of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a side end view of the cover of FIG. 13.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 13.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 13 taken along section C-C.

[0024] FIG. 17 is a side view of the handle of the container of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 18 is an end view of the handle of FIG. 17

[0026] FIG. 19 is a top view of the handle of FIG. 17

[0027] FIG. 20 is a representative cross section of the handle of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1-4 there is a case 10 that has a bottom 11 and preferably three, four or more sides. FIG. 1 shows the case with four sides 12, 13, 14 and 15. The container is also provided with an open portion on its top. Although the case is depicted as a rectangle, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the case can be virtually any shape, including square, rectangular, other polygons, circular and combinations of straight lines and curves. In addition, although the case has been shown with a flat bottom, the bottom need not always be such. The case is preferably provided with a handle 16 for ease of carrying.

[0029] The case is preferably made of a plastic material, a metal or even wood or combinations thereof. If the case is made of plastic or metal, it is preferred that the case be insulated. This may be accomplished by providing the case with a double wall whereby the inner wall 17 and the outer wall 18 are separated by a volume of air that provides insulation to keep the enclosed products warm. The bottom and each of the sides may be insulated in this manner if so desired. In place of air there may be a vacuum between the two walls or there may be an insulating material such as a Styrofoam material or similar products. In addition, the case may be made of Styrofoam or other similar product. If desired, the container may be made of an inexpensive material so that it can be disposed of after each use. In another embodiment, the outer wall of the case may be made of a metal or plastic and the inner wall may be a Styrofoam coating or layer that is in contact with the outer wall or separated therefrom by a slight distance to provide additional insulation.

[0030] The inside of the case has a first removable inner housing 19 that may be supported by the upper edge 20 of the case 10. The inner housing 19 is preferably positioned above the inner surface of the bottom of the case. The volume between the inner surface of the bottom of the case and the underside of the removable inner housing may be filled with a heated fluid such as water. If desired, the volume between the inner surface of the bottom of the case and the underside of the inner housing may be sealed to provide insulation and the heated water may be placed in with the food products to keep them moist and warm. Alternatively, the case 10 may have on at least two of its opposing interior side walls a ledge or extension extending outwardly from the sidewall to support the removable inner housing 19. This ledge would also provide a support for the removable inner housing. In another embodiment, the removable inner housing may be supported by one or more supports either extending from the underside 21 of the removable inner housing 19 or alternatively, extending upwardly from the inner base surface 22 of the case 10. The removable inner housing is preferably provided with two recessed area 23 and 24. Both of these recessed areas have a depth D1 that is a significant proportion of the overall depth of the case D2. Preferably, the depth D1 is at least one-half the length of D2. The greater the depth of the recessed areas the greater the surface area of the receptacles that is in contact with the heated water or other fluid so that the stored product is kept warm. However, it will be appreciated that the depth of both the recesses can vary. However, it is preferred that there be some amount of the heated fluid below the recessed portions 23 and 24 to make sure that these items are kept evenly warm.

[0031] In another embodiment the first tray and the case are a unitary member such that the tray and case are integral and not separable. In this embodiment, the heated fluid may be provided to the interior of the case through a removable plug in the case.

[0032] The first recessed portion 23 is intended to be a receptacle for sauerkraut. This recess can have a cross section of virtually any configuration desired. Preferably the recess is rectangular with a length and a width. However, the recess can have a round, oblong, elliptical or other cross section depending on one's desires. The second recess portion 24 has a length of about the length of the hot dog, frankfurter sausage, etc., that is to be placed in the case. The width can vary depending on the size of the case and the number of hot dogs, frankfurters, sausages, etc. to be stored therein.

[0033] Above the first removable housing 19 is a second removable housing 30 or tray that is positioned above the first removable housing. The second tray is removably retained in the case and may rest on the first removable housing or on a ledge or other extension that may extend outwardly from at least two opposing walls of the interior side wall of the case. Alternatively, the second removable housing may rest on the upper edge 20 of the case 10. In another alternative embodiment both the second tray does not rest on a ledge or extension but rather has legs that extend from the underside of the tray 35 to the first removable housing to support the second removable housing. The legs provide at least two functions. First, the legs keep the second tray slightly raised above the hot dogs etc., and the sauerkraut, thus keeping the materials stored thereon away from the heat of the first removable housing. The second function that a tray with legs serves is when the foods are being served. A tray with legs can provide a convenient serving tray to pass around and place on the table.

[0034] The second tray is preferably provided with a plurality of recesses 31, 32, 33, 34 for carrying a number of items. In one embodiment the second tray has at least four recesses for the storage of condiments. These recesses can be of any dimension desired. One recessed portion is preferably for ketchup, a second is preferably for mustard, a third is preferably for relish and the fourth is preferably for onions. It will be appreciated that there may be additional recesses for carrying additional condiments such as salt and/or pepper as desired. For example, in lieu of one or more condiments or in addition thereto there may be recesses for napkins or other wipes to keep clean after use. Other items may include utensils such as tongs, forks, spoons or knives to facilitate removal of the food products contained in the container of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, there may be straps or other holding means present on one or more surfaces of the outside of the container for carrying these other items.

[0035] As seen in FIG. 9, the second removable tray may be provided with a lip 37 to permit the tray to rest on the upper edge of the container or the first removable tray. If desired, the second removable housing may be provided with an opening to permit heated or cooled water to enter into the open area 36 of the tray to keep the food products container thereon in a warm or cold condition.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows the cover for the container of the present invention. The cover has a top surface 40 and a bottom surface 41. The cover also has a pair of opposing side walls 42 and 43 and a pair of end walls 44 and 45. The end walls 44 and 45 may be provided with a pair of pins 38 and 39. These pins are preferably adapted to be received by a slot 47 or opening in the handle 18 that would lock the cover in place over the container as the container is being carried by the user. The handle 16 is provided with a pair of pins 49 and 50 that are in a face to face relationship. The pins are adapted to be inserted into orifices that are present in the end walls 51 and 52 of the container. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the pins could also be present on the end walls 51 and 52 of the container and the orifices present on the handle legs 53 and 54. The handle can have any cross section that is comfortable for the user to carry. As shown in the figures the underside of the handle 48 is generally flat to make it easier to carry the case.

Claims

1. A container for carrying and keeping foods warm comprising a case having at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge, said side wall enclosing a cavity, a base connected to the bottom edge of said side wall, said base having an inner surface and an outer surface, and said case having an open end at said top edge of the side wall, said case having a first removable tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, positioned within said cavity such that there is a space between said inner surface of said base and said bottom surface of said first tray so that a sufficient amount of a fluid may be added to the cavity to control the temperature of a food product in the case, said first removable tray having at least one recessed portion in said top surface for receiving said food product, said case further comprising a second removable tray positioned above said first removable tray and having one or more recessed portions for receiving a condiment to be applied to said food product.

2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the case has a cover over the opened end of said cavity.

3. The container according to claim 1 wherein said case has a handle for carrying said case.

4. The container according to claim 3 wherein the case has a cover over the opened end of said cavity and said cover interacts with said handle to lock said cover in position on said case.

5. The container according to claim 1 wherein sad food product is selected from the group consisting of hot dogs, sausages, bratwurst and corn dogs.

6. The container according to claim 1 having a second recessed portion in said first tray for receiving sauerkraut.

7. The container according to claim 1 wherein said second tray has at least three recessed portions for receiving mustard, ketchup and relish.

8. The container according to claim 1 wherein the case is insulated.

9. The container according to claim 1 wherein said first removable tray is positioned on the top edge of the side wall.

10. A container for carrying and keeping foods warm comprising a case having at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge, said side wall enclosing a cavity, a base connected to the bottom edge of said side wall, said base having an inner surface and an outer surface, and said case having at said top edge of the side wall and integral therewith a first tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, positioned within said cavity such that there is a space between said inner surface of said base and said bottom surface of said first tray so that a sufficient amount of a fluid may be added to the cavity to control the temperature of a food product in the case, said first removable tray having at least one recessed portion in said top surface of said tray for receiving said food product, said case further comprising a second removable tray positioned above said first removable tray and having one or more recessed portions therein for receiving a condiment to be applied to said food product.

11. The container according to claim 10 wherein the case has a cover over the tray.

12. The container according to claim 1 wherein said case has a handle for carrying said case.

13. The container according to claim 12 wherein the case has a cover over the opened end of said cavity and said cover interacts with said handle to lock said cover in position on said case.

14. The container according to claim 10 wherein sad food product is selected from the group consisting of hot dogs, sausages, bratwurst and corn dogs.

15. The container according to claim 10 having a second recessed portion in said first tray for receiving sauerkraut.

16. The container according to claim 10 wherein said second tray has at least three recessed portions for receiving mustard, ketchup and relish.

17. The container according to claim 10 wherein the case is insulated.

18. The container according to claim 10 wherein said second removable tray is positioned on the top edge of said side wall.