Cooking cart

Abstract

Disclosed, among other things, is a cooking cart comprising a plurality of compartments which include or receive a sous vide cooker, a vacuum bag sealer, or another cooking or food preparation device. The cooking cart may include one or more hinged or fully removable lids that open and close over the compartments. The lids may also provide a work table operable to receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces. Incorporated devices, or the cooking cart itself, may include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a cooking cart.

BACKGROUND

Professional and home cooks are constrained by time, space, and access to resources when preparing food. Sous vide is a popular culinary method in which food is vacuum-sealed and cooked in a water bath at a low temperature for an extended time. Unfortunately, culinary methods such as sous vide are often not conducive to a busy kitchen or an outdoor venue, for example. Cooks and food preparers need quick and easy access to ingredients, supplies, and technology to meet high-pressure culinary demands.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, nor does it identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter or define its scope. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed in a simplified form as a precursor to the more detailed description that is later presented.

The instant application discloses, among other things, a cooking cart. In one implementation, the cooking cart may include compartments operable to receive a sous vide cooker, a slow cooker, a vacuum bag sealer, or another cooking or food preparation device. The cooking cart may have hinged or removable lids that open and close over the compartments. The lids may also provide a work table, which may receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces. The lids may be removed and stored in a rear storage compartment of the cart.

The cooking cart may include storage compartments for vacuum bags or other implements and optional doors covering these compartments. The cart may be flexible to accommodate other appliances when not used as a sous vide cart. For example, it may serve as an ice cream serving station, a coffee serving station, or any other such where an electrical connection is important for the function. The cooking cart or incorporated cooking or food preparation devices may include wired or wireless electronics, for example, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capabilities, and may be compatible with software applications for various devices. The cooking cart may be configured to be easily disassembled for packing or transportation, for example, for catering or outdoor use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description may be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a right-side view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a left-side view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A more particular description of certain implementations of Receipt Tracking may be had by references to the implementations shown in the drawings that form a part of this specification, in which like numerals represent like objects.

The illustrated operations in the description show certain events occurring in a certain order. One skilled in the art will recognize that certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the described logic and still conform to the described implementations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 100 may comprise a Device Compartment 110, which may include or receive a sous vide cooker, a slow cooker, or another food preparation device. For example, Device Compartment 110 may include a sous vide water bath. Cooking Cart 100 may include Control Panel 120 with a protective cover to allow a user to control operations for one or more cooking devices, or Cooking Cart 100 itself. Cooking Cart 100 may also include Device Compartment 130, which may include or receive a vacuum bag sealer of either chamber or suction type, for example. In another implementation, Device Compartment 130 may hold bracket-channel tray holders, or other culinary implements. The cooking cart may have one or more Lid 115s, which may be hinged or removable, to cover the food preparation device, vacuum sealer or stored implements. The Lid 115s may also provide a work table, which may be operable to receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces. Cooking Cart 100 may have Compartments 140, for example, shelves or drawers, for storing vacuum bags or other implements, and optional doors to cover these compartments. Cooking Cart 100 may include a fold-down Table Extension 150 to provide more optional working space.

Cooking Cart 100 or incorporated cooking devices may include wired or wireless Electronics 160, for example, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capabilities and may be compatible with software applications for various devices. In another implementation, such technologies may be omitted for cost savings.

Cooking Cart 100 may include Wheels 170, for example, swivel caster wheels with brakes or locks. Cooking Cart 100 may have an extended, retractable electrical Cord 180, for example, a 25-foot-long cord to facilitate movement and access to technology and power sources. In another implementation, Cooking Cart 100 may utilize other power sources, for example, battery or solar power. Cooking Cart 100 may include one or more Pass-through 190s. A Pass-through 190 may define an opening through which utilities may pass, or which otherwise provides access to a cooking or food preparation device on Cooking Cart 100.

Cooking Cart 100 may be configured to be easily disassembled for packing or transportation, for example, for catering or outdoor use. Cooking Cart 100 may comprise stainless steel for ease of cleaning and disinfecting as required for commercial kitchens, but may be made of any other material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 200 may comprise Device Compartment 110, which may include or receive a sous vide cooker, a slow cooker, or another cooking or food preparation device. In this example, Device Compartment 110 may include a sous vide water bath. Cooking Cart 200 may have one or more hinged or removable Lid 215s. Lid 215 may cover the sous vide water bath in Device Compartment 110 or another compartment. Lid 215 may be flush and operable to fittingly secure over the compartment. Lid 215 may also provide a work table operable to receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces.

Cooking Cart 200 may include Control Panel 220 with a protective cover to allow a user to control operations for one or more devices on Cooking Cart 200, or Cooking Cart 200 itself. Cooking Cart 200 may also comprise Device Compartment 130, which may include or receive a cooking or food preparation device, for example, a vacuum bag sealer of chamber or suction type. In another implementation, Device Compartment 230 may hold bracket-channel tray holders, or other culinary implements.

Cooking Cart 200 may also comprise Compartments 240 for storing vacuum bags or other implements, and doors may cover these compartments. Cooking Cart 200 may include Handle 250 to facilitate transportation of the cart around a kitchen, outdoors, or another venue. Cooking Cart 200 or incorporated cooking devices may include wired or wireless Electronics 260, for example, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capabilities and may be compatible with software applications for various devices. In another implementation, such technologies may be omitted for cost savings.

Cooking Cart 200 may include Wheels 170, for example, swivel caster wheels with brakes or locks. Cooking Cart 200 may have an extended, retractable electrical Cord 280, for example, a 25-foot-long cord to facilitate movement and access to technology and power sources. Cooking Cart 200 may also include Pass-throughs 290 comprising one or more apertures or removable panels. Pass-throughs 290 may provide access for a water hose, a drainage hose, an electrical cord, or otherwise provide access to a device on Cooking Cart 200, or to the cart itself. For example, Pass-throughs 290 may allow a user to fill oil into a back of a vacuum sealer in Compartment 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 300 may comprise a Cart Frame 310 and a plurality of panels attached to Cart Frame 310. In one implementation, the panels may comprise Left Panel 315 A, Center Panel 315 B, Right Panel 315 C, Platform Panel 315 D, Front Panel 315 E, Bottom Panel 315 F, and Back Panel 315 G. One or more shelves, for example, Shelf 320 A or Shelf 320 B may be disposed horizontally on the frame. The panels and shelves may define compartments, for example, Device Compartment 325, Device Compartment 330, Compartment 335 A, Compartment 335 B, or Compartment 335 C. The panels and shelves may be adjustable to receive various cooking or food preparation devices or other culinary implements. Cart Frame 310 may be made of aluminum, and the panels may be made of stainless steel; however, a person skilled in the art will understand that various materials may be used for Cooking Cart 300, its components, or accessories.

Cooking Cart 300 may include one or more Lid 340s. In one implementation, Lid 340s may utilize removable hinges that allow the lids to open and close over Device Compartment 325 and Device Compartment 330 while also being fully removable. Removed Lid 340s may conveniently be stored in Rear Storage 345 at a back of Cart 300. Lid 340s may be made from stainless steel or cutting board material, for example, wood, plastic, marble, or another material. Lid 340s may also provide a work table operable to receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces. Height and structure of Cooking Cart 300 or Lid 340s may be designed to match a height of commercial kitchen counters. One or more handles, for example, Handle 350 or Push Bar 360, may be disposed at an end of Cooking Cart 300 so that the cart may be easily lifted or pushed to be transported for catering applications, for example. Wheels 370 may include locks to stabilize the cart once placed at a desired location.

The cooking cart or incorporated cooking or food preparation devices may include wired or wireless Electronics 380, for example, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capabilities, and may be compatible with software applications for various devices. Cooking Cart 300 may include a long-spooled electrical Cord 385 or electrical plug inlets for multiple devices, for example, to allow the cart to conveniently operate in a commercial kitchen or other venue. The cart may be configured for both 110-120 volts or 220-240 volts, for example. Cooking Cart 300 may also utilize other power sources, for example, battery or solar power. Cooking Cart 100 may include one or more Pass-through 390s. Pass-through 390s may define an opening through which utilities may pass, or which otherwise provide access to a cooking or food preparation device on Cooking Cart 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 300 may comprise Device Compartment 325 and Device Compartment 330, which may be operable to receive or include a cooking or food preparation device. One or more Lid 340s may be disposed over one of the compartments. Compartment 335 A, Compartment 335 B, or Compartment 335 C may also hold various devices or implements. For example, Power Reel 420 may be installed in Compartment 335 C. Handle 350, Wheels 370, and Cord 385 may facilitate stability and transportability of Cooking Cart 300.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 300 may include one or more Lid 340s which may utilize Lid Hinges 510 to allow Lid 340s to open and close over compartments, while allowing Lid 340s to be fully removable from the cart. Removed Lid 340s may be conveniently stored in Rear Storage 345. Cooking Cart 300 may include Handle 350 and Wheels 370 to facilitate stability and transportability of Cooking Cart 300.

FIG. 6 illustrates a right-side view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. In one implementation, Cooking Cart 300 may include Lid 340s, Handle 350, Electronics 380, Wheels 370, Rear Storage 345, Pass-throughs 390, and Lid Hinges 510. Rear Storage 345 may be operable to receive items including a removed Lid 340, among other items.

FIG. 7 illustrates a left-side view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 300 may include one or more Lid 340s. Lid 340s may utilize Lid Hinges 510, which may allow the lid to open and close over a compartment of Cart 300 while remaining fully removable. In one implementation, Lid Hinges 510 may be spring-assisted and may include Hinge Tabs 710. Lid Hinges 510 may be installed onto Cooking Cart 300 by dropping Hinge Tabs 710 into Hinge Receptacles 720 disposed on a backstrap of the cart. In one implementation, once Lid 340 reaches about 60 degrees, or another angle, from horizontal, Lid 340 may continue to open under its own power. In this example, Lid Hinges 510 may physically stop Lid 340 at about 85 degrees, or another angle. A person skilled in the art will understand that various fastening means, for example, magnets or other means, may be used to couple Lid 340s to Cart 300. Lid 340s may be removed and conveniently stored in a Rear Storage 345 compartment. A user may alternate a Lid 340 with a cutting board or another surface. Cooking Cart 300 may also include handles such as Push-bar 360, Electronics 380, Wheels 370, and Pass-throughs 390.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cooking cart, according to one implementation. Cooking Cart 300 may provide a complete, mobile, and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled sous vide station. In this example, Device Compartment 325 may include or receive Device 810, for example, a sous vide cooker providing a temperature-controlled water bath. Device Compartment may include or receive Device 820, for example, a vacuum bag sealer of chamber or suction type, which may rest on Shelf 320 B. Other compartments of Cooking Cart 300 may hold other devices or implements. For example, Compartment 335 C may receive a Power Reel 410, which may hold a power cord of Cooking Cart 300. Cooking Cart 300 may include a long-spooled electrical Cord 385 or electrical plug inlets for multiple devices, for example, to allow the cart to conveniently operate in a commercial kitchen or other venue. In one implementation, a sheet metal bucket may be riveted to a side of Cooking Cart 300 to provide a protected storage space for a retractable power cord plug. Plastic panel grommets may prevent wear on the cord.

Cooking Cart 300 may include one or more Lid 340s. In one implementation, Lid 340s may utilize removable hinges that allow the lids to open and close over Device Compartment 325 and Device Compartment 330 while also being fully removable. Removed Lid 340s may conveniently be stored in Rear Storage 345 at a back of Cart 300. Lid 340s may be made from stainless steel or cutting board material, for example, wood, plastic, marble, or another material. Lids 340 may also provide a work table operable to receive interchangeable cutting boards or other surfaces. Height and structure of Cooking Cart 300 or Lids 340 may be designed to match a height of commercial kitchen counters.

One or more handles, for example, Handle 350 or Push Bar 360, may be disposed at an end of Cooking Cart 300 so that the cart may be easily lifted, pushed, pulled or transported. Wheels 370 may include locks to stabilize the cart once placed at a desired location.

The cooking cart or incorporated cooking or food preparation devices may include wired or wireless Electronics 380, for example, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capabilities, and may be compatible with software applications for various devices. Cooking Cart 100 may include one or more Pass-through 390s. Pass-through 390s may define an opening through which utilities may pass, or which otherwise provide access to a cooking or food preparation device on Cooking Cart 300.

Claims

1. A cart, comprising:

a frame,

a plurality of panels attached to the frame,

at least one shelf, wherein the shelf is disposed horizontally on the frame, wherein the panels and shelf define one or more compartments;

at least one lid, wherein the lid is operable to open and close at least one of the compartments;

a handle; and

a plurality of wheels.

2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the compartments are operable to receive a cooking or food preparation device.

3. The cart of claim 1, wherein the shelf is adjustable.

4. The cart of claim 1, wherein the shelf is removable.

5. The cart of claim 1, wherein at least one panel includes a pass-through, wherein the pass-through defines an opening through which utilities may pass or otherwise provides access to a cooking or food preparation device on the cart.

6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a left panel, a center panel, a right panel, a platform panel, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a back panel.

7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the lid removably couples to the cart by way of one or more hinges.

8. The cart of claim 7, wherein the hinges are spring-loaded.

9. The cart of claim 7, wherein the cart further comprises hinge receptacles operable to receive the hinges.

10. The cart of claim 7, wherein the lid is operable to continue opening once the lid reaches about 60 degrees, or another angle, from horizontal.

11. The cart of claim 7, wherein the lid is operable to stop at about 85 degrees, or another angle.

12. The cart of claim 1, wherein one or more of the wheels include a lock.

13. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a power cord.

14. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a rear storage compartment, wherein the rear storage compartment is operable to receive items including the lid, when the lid is removed from the cart.

15. The cart of claim 1, wherein a height of the cart matches a height of a work counter in a commercial kitchen.

16. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart, its components, or accessories, is made from items selected from the list including aluminum, stainless steel, wood, marble, or plastic.

17. The cart of claim 2, wherein the compartments are operable to receive devices selected from the list including sous vide cooker, slow cooker, and vacuum bag sealer.