RUGGED, ONE-PIECE, PORTABLE, COLLAPSIBLE, INSULATING CHAFING DISH FRAME WITH INTEGRAL WIND SCREEN APPLICABLE FOR ELEGANT FORMAL EVENTS

• US 20150040777A1
• Filed: 07/01/2014
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Get A Grip Chafing Pans LLC
• Original Assignee: Get A Grip Chafing Pans LLC
• Inventors: Leonard, Lois, Leonard, Joseph L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,943,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/449
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 29/02 for eggs or poached eggs; Time-controlled cookers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2405 for warming food contained in vessels immersed in a water bath, e.g. chafers or steam tables A47J36/2438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/26 Devices for warming vessels containing drinks or food, especially by means of burners Warming devices with a burner, e.g. using gasoline; Travelling cookers, e.g. using petroleum or gasoline with one burner

Abstract

A rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen and is configured for application in elegant formal events. The one-piece, portable and collapsible construction allows caterers and tailgaters to easily transport the frame to the desired location. The integrated wind screen allows the unit to be efficiently used in outdoor locations, such as by tailgaters and caterers. The insulating features can improve food service and decrease fuel consumption for the users. The hiding of conventional chafing dish frame components allows the unit to be associated with elegant formal events, increasing the usefulness to caterers.

Claims

1. A one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen comprising

a pair of opposed sides;

a pair of opposed ends;

hinges coupling the ends and the sides, wherein upper edges of the sides and ends are configured to support a water pan or associated chafing pan.

2. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 1 wherein the sides and ends are formed as a substantially solid anodized aluminum sheet.

3. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 2 wherein only openings in the sides or ends are in the area of the hinges whereby the structure is not air tight.

4. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 3 wherein the upper and lower edges of each of the sides and ends incorporate a rolled reinforced edge.

5. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 1 wherein the hinges are piano style hinges formed by overlapping meshed engaging leaves from adjacent members of the sides and ends, with the leaves extending around a center metal hinge pin.

6. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 5 wherein the formation of hinges along the coupling of sides to ends create airflow openings sufficient for unimpeded operation of the burners and without detrimentally effecting the wind screen functions of the frame.

7. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 1 further including an integral burner support.

8. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 7 wherein the integral burner support includes a top with burner openings for supporting burners there in.

9. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 8 wherein the top is hinged to one of the sides.

10. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 9 wherein the burner support includes with three legs on three sides of the top, each secured thereto through a respective hinge.

11. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 1 wherein the sides and ends are formed as substantially solid corrugated cardboard sheets.

12. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 11 wherein the hinges are living hinges.

13. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 12 further including a plurality of living hinges along each side.

14. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 13 further including a plurality of vents in the sides and ends so that the structure is not air tight as such would prevent the burners from operating.

15. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 14 further including at least one integral burner support with burner openings for supporting burners there in.

16. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 15 wherein each support is formed of material similar to the sides and ends.

17. The one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 15 wherein each burner support is hinged to one of the ends.

18. A rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen and is configured for application in elegant formal events.

19. The rugged, one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame according to claim 18 further including a pair of opposed metal sides, a pair of opposed metal ends and hinges coupling the ends and the sides, wherein upper edges of the sides and ends are configured to support a water pan or associated chafing pan.

20. A one-piece, portable, collapsible, insulating chafing dish frame includes an integral wind screen comprising

a pair of opposed corrugated cardboard sides having a plurality of living hinges along the sides;

a pair of opposed corrugated cardboard ends;

and living hinges coupling the ends and the sides, wherein upper edges of the sides and ends are configured to support a water pan or associated chafing pan.