Food warmer cabinet having an improved drawer slide assembly
First Claim
1. A slide assembly for supporting a drawer, comprising:
- a tubular transportal member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a rod receiving passageway there through, the tubular transportal member having a first slot and a second slot openly communicating with the rod receiving passageway, the first slot extending from the first end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the first end, the second slot extending from the second end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the second end, the first and second slots being aligned and terminating a distance apart such that a portion of the side wall is disposed there between;
a rod having a first end, a second end, a first flange and a second flange, the first flange connected to the rod near the first end of the rod and the second flange connected to the rod near the second end of the rod, the rod telescopingly disposed within the rod receiving passageway of the tubular transportal member, the first flange and the second flange being connectable to the drawer;
a tubular support member having a first end, a second end, a side wall defining a tubular receiving passageway there through capable of telescopingly receiving the tubular transportal member, and a slot extending through the side wall from the first end of the tubular support member to the second end of the tubular support member with the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being aligned with the first and second slots formed in the tubular transportal member and the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being sized to receive the first and second flanges of the rod for sliding movement therein; and
a support bracket attached to the side wall of the tubular support member, the support bracket having a flange extending therefrom for connection to a stable object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A food warmer cabinet and improved drawer slide assembly for keeping prepared food warm is provided. The food warmer cabinet comprises a housing assembly, a plurality of slide assemblies, at least one drawer, and a convection heater. The a plurality of slide assemblies are supported within the heating chamber. At least one drawer is slidably supported by the slide assemblies such that the drawer can be slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber. The drawer has an interior cavity for receiving a food storage container. The convection heater is supported within the heating chamber such that the drawer can be slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A slide assembly for supporting a drawer, comprising:
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a tubular transportal member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a rod receiving passageway there through, the tubular transportal member having a first slot and a second slot openly communicating with the rod receiving passageway, the first slot extending from the first end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the first end, the second slot extending from the second end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the second end, the first and second slots being aligned and terminating a distance apart such that a portion of the side wall is disposed there between; a rod having a first end, a second end, a first flange and a second flange, the first flange connected to the rod near the first end of the rod and the second flange connected to the rod near the second end of the rod, the rod telescopingly disposed within the rod receiving passageway of the tubular transportal member, the first flange and the second flange being connectable to the drawer; a tubular support member having a first end, a second end, a side wall defining a tubular receiving passageway there through capable of telescopingly receiving the tubular transportal member, and a slot extending through the side wall from the first end of the tubular support member to the second end of the tubular support member with the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being aligned with the first and second slots formed in the tubular transportal member and the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being sized to receive the first and second flanges of the rod for sliding movement therein; and a support bracket attached to the side wall of the tubular support member, the support bracket having a flange extending therefrom for connection to a stable object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A food warmer cabinet, comprising:
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a housing assembly defining a heating chamber, the housing assembly having at least one drawer-receiving opening in one side thereof openly communicating with the heating chamber; a plurality of slide assemblies each supported within the heating chamber, each of the slide assemblies comprising; a tubular transportal member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a rod receiving passageway there through, the tubular transportal member having a first slot and a second slot openly communicating with the rod receiving passageway, the first slot extending from the first end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the first end, the second slot extending from the second end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the second end, the first and second slots being aligned and terminating a distance apart such that a portion of the side wall is disposed there between, a rod having a first end, a second end, a first flange and a second flange, the first flange connected to the rod near the first end of the rod and the second flange connected to the rod near the second end of the rod, the rod telescopingly disposed within the rod receiving passageway of the tubular transportal member, the first and second flanges being connectable to a drawer, a tubular support member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a tubular receiving passageway there through capable of telescopingly receiving the tubular transportal member, and a slot extending through the side wall from the first end of the tubular support member to the second end of the tubular support member with the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being aligned with the first and second slots formed in the tubular transportal member and the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being sized to receive the first and second flanges of the rod for sliding movement therein, and a support bracket attached to the side wall of the tubular support member, the support bracket having a flange extending therefrom for connection to a stable object; at least one drawer slidably supported by the slide assemblies such that the drawer can be slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber, the drawer having an interior cavity for receiving and supporting a food storage container; and a convection heater supported by the housing assembly and positioned to inject heated air into the heating chamber without substantially interfering with the drawer being slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A food warmer cabinet, comprising:
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a housing assembly having an inner shell, an outer shell, a back, and a base, the inner shell having a top, a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back defining a heating chamber, the inner shell having at least one drawer-receiving opening therein openly communicating with the heating chamber; a convection heater supported within the heating chamber substantially adjacent at least a portion of the back of the housing assembly; a plurality of slide assemblies spatially disposed within the heating chamber such that at least a first slide assembly is supported on the first side wall and at least a second slide assembly is supported on the second side wall such that the first and second slide assemblies are oppositely disposed in a parallel relationship, the plurality of slide assemblies each comprising; a tubular transportal member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a rod receiving passageway there through, the tubular transportal member having a first slot and a second slot openly communicating with the rod receiving passageway, the first slot extending from the first end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the first end, the second slot extending from the second end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the second end, the first and second slots being aligned and terminating a distance apart such that a portion of the side wall is disposed there between, a rod having a first end, a second end, a first flange and a second flange, the first flange connected to the rod near the first end of the rod and the second flange connected to the rod near the second end of the rod, the rod telescopingly disposed within the rod receiving passageway of the tubular transportal member, the first and second flanges being connectable to a drawer, a tubular support member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a tubular receiving passageway there through capable of telescopingly receiving the tubular transportal member, and a slot extending through the side wall from the first end of the tubular support member to the second end of the tubular support member with the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being aligned with the first and second slots formed in the tubular transportal member and the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being sized to receive the first and second flanges of the rod for sliding movement therein, and a support bracket attached to the side wall of the tubular support member, the support bracket having a flange extending therefrom for connection to a stable object; and at least one drawer connected to and supported by at least two of the plurality of slide assemblies for sliding engagement therewith for permitting the drawer to be inserted within the heating chamber and to be withdrawn from the heating chamber, the drawer provided with an interior cavity for receiving a food storage container. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for efficiently heating food, comprising the steps of:
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providing a food warmer cabinet, comprising; a housing assembly having a top, a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front, and a back all cooperating to define a heating chamber, the front having at least one drawer-receiving opening therein openly communicating with the heating chamber, a convection heater supported within the heating chamber substantially adjacent at least a portion of the back of the housing assembly, a plurality of slide assemblies spatially disposed within the heating chamber such that at least a first slide assembly is supported on the first side wall and at least a second slide assembly is supported on the second side wall such that the first and second slide assemblies are oppositely disposed in a parallel relationship, the plurality of slide assemblies each comprising; a tubular transportal member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a rod receiving passageway there through, the tubular transportal member having a first slot and a second slot openly communicating with the rod receiving passageway, the first slot extending from the first end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the first end, the second slot extending from the second end of the tubular transportal member and terminating a distance from the second end, the first and second slots being aligned and terminating a distance apart such that a portion of the side wall is disposed there between, a rod having a first end, a second end, a first flange and a second flange, the first flange connected to the rod near the first end of the rod and the second flange connected to the rod near the second end of the rod, the rod telescopingly disposed within the rod receiving passageway of the tubular transportal member, a tubular support member having a first end, a second end and a side wall defining a tubular receiving passageway there through capable of telescopingly receiving the tubular transportal member, and a slot extending through the side wall from the first end of the tubular support member to the second end of the tubular support member with the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being aligned with the first and second slots formed in the tubular transportal member and the slot formed in the side wall of the tubular support member being sized to receive the first and second flanges of the rod for sliding movement therein, a support bracket attached to the side wall of the tubular support member, the support bracket having a flange extending therefrom for connection to a stable object, at least one drawer connected to the first and second flanges of the slide assemblies and supported by the plurality of slide assemblies for sliding engagement therewith for permitting the drawer to be inserted within the heating chamber and to be withdrawn from the heating chamber, the drawer provided with an interior cavity for receiving a food storage container; withdrawing, by an individual, the drawer of the food warmer cabinet such that the drawer is slidably drawn from the heating chamber supported by the slide assemblies connected thereto; placing, by an individual, a food storage container containing food to be warmed into the drawer of the food warmer cabinet such that the food storage container is engagingly disposed within the drawer; closing, by an individual, the extended drawer such that the drawer is inserted into the heating chamber; and heating, by the convection heater of the food warmer cabinet, the food placed in the food storage container disposed within the drawer.
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17. A food warmer cabinet, comprising:
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a housing assembly defining a heating chamber, the housing assembly having at least one drawer-receiving opening in one side thereof openly communicating with the heating chamber; a plurality of slide assemblies supported within the heating chamber; at least one drawer slidably supported by the slide assemblies such that the drawer can be slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber, the drawer having an interior cavity for receiving and supporting a food storage container, the drawer provided with a bottom having a ledge disposed about the bottom, the ledge defining an opening wherein the opening is in open communication with the heating chamber; and a convection heater supported by the housing assembly and positioned to inject heated air into the heating chamber without substantially interfering with the drawer being slidably positioned within the heating chamber and slidably removed from the heating chamber.
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18. A food warmer cabinet, comprising:
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a housing assembly having an inner shell, an outer shell, a back, and a base, the inner shell having a top, a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back defining a heating chamber, the inner shell having at least one drawer-receiving opening therein openly communicating with the heating chamber; a convection heater supported within the heating chamber substantially adjacent at least a portion of the back of the housing assembly; a plurality of slide assemblies spatially disposed within the heating chamber such that at least a first slide assembly is supported on the first side wall and at least a second slide assembly is supported on the second side wall such that the first and second slide assemblies are oppositely disposed in a parallel relationship; and at least one drawer connected to and supported by at least two of the plurality of slide assemblies for sliding engagement therewith for permitting the drawer to be inserted within the heating chamber and to be withdrawn from the heating chamber, the drawer provided with an interior cavity for receiving a food storage container, the drawer provided with a bottom having a ledge disposed about the bottom, the ledge defining an opening wherein the opening is in open communication with the heating chamber.
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19. A food warmer cabinet, comprising:
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a housing assembly having an inner shell, an outer shell, a back, and a base, the inner shell having a top, a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back defining a heating chamber, the inner shell having at least one drawer-receiving opening therein openly communicating with the heating chamber; a convection heater supported within the heating chamber substantially adjacent at least a portion of the back of the housing assembly; a plurality of slide assemblies spatially disposed within the heating chamber such that at least a first slide assembly is supported on the first side wall and at least a second slide assembly is supported on the second side wall such that the first and second slide assemblies are oppositely disposed in a parallel relationship; at least one drawer connected to and supported by at least two of the plurality of slide assemblies for sliding engagement therewith for permitting the drawer to be inserted within the heating chamber and to be withdrawn from the heating chamber, the drawer provided with an interior cavity for receiving a food storage container; and a plurality of air inlets formed in the a portion of the bottom of the inner shell and wherein the food warmer cabinet is provided with a plurality of air outlets centrally disposed in the back of the housing assembly, the plurality of air inlets formed in the portion of the front in circulating communication with the plurality of air outlets centrally disposed in the back.
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Specification