1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a portable kitchen for preparing and storing food products of the like, contemplated primarily for use in the field. The kitchen is contained within a portable suitcase-type carry bag and includes power adapters which render the kitchen operable away from the home as well as in the home.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the past attempts have been made to provide kitchen devices in portable units for purposes of availability and convenience, primarily away from home, but also for use within the home, when needed. Certain attempts included actual certain kitchen utilities such as burners for cooking and preparing hot foods and utensils used for preparing and serving the foods. Many of such attempts have included portable containers for supporting the storage of the functional items used for preparing and serving the food.
One example of a portable kitchen is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,400 wherein a portable camp kitchen comprises a cooker unit with a burner and a container member adapted to contain the cooking unit integrally with the latter. The cooker unit is mounted on a frame which is in turn supported on rotatable support members. Another example of a camper style kitchen caddy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,914 which relates to a camper kitchen caddy having a carrying case which includes various food preparation items mounted thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,509 relates to a convertible briefcase, food and beverage carriage, and mini-cooler in which a container is convertible between a briefcase, a food and beverage carriage, and a mini-cooler. U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,817 relates to a portable food holding device comprising a table section with foldable legs and a cover attached thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,267 relates to a cooking unit for campers and the like intended to enable the use of various utensils in combination with other utensils and compact packing of the whole. The combination of elements disclosed include at least one first utensil, a second utensil, and a third utensil, whereby the third utensil can serve as a cover for the first utensil and so can a second utensil, and a second utensil can also serve as a cover for a third utensil, and the three can be put together with the second utensil sandwiched between the first utensil and the third utensil. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,700 relates to a bar cabinet of the type having hinge means pivotally connecting two sections which form an enclosure for bar implements, bottles and the like.
While the prior art includes various attempts to provide kitchen-type devices with portability, none relate to a device which provides the scope of function and utility to prepare and store foods with efficiency, away from the home, as well as within the home, and with various power adapter capabilities to provide the requisite heating and cooling functions for preparation and storage of foods. I have invented a portable mini-kitchen which includes kitchen-type appliances generally needed for the preparation and storage of foods, with multiple energy adapters for use with various power sources within and away from the home.
The present invention relates to a portable kitchen, which comprises a case having at least one cover movable between closed and open positions, the closed position being for compact containment of contents therein, and the open position exposing the contents for use. A plurality of functional food preparation and storage devices are supported within the case, including a refrigerator unit capable of containing and storing foods at conventional refrigerator storage temperatures, a microwave power unit for microwave heating of foods, and a cooking unit having cooking burners for heating cookware or the like for preparing heated foods. The invention further comprises a power connecting device for connecting an outside source of power to the food preparation and storage devices to provide functioning power to the devices.
The power connecting device is preferably at least one of a direct current (i.e., D.C.) connecting device and an alternating current (i.e., A.C.) connecting device. The refrigerator unit is capable of maintaining food items at conventional refrigeration temperatures, i.e., between about 34° F. and about 46° F., and more particularly, between about 36° F. and about 40° F., when supplied with power.
The microwave power unit includes at least one pivotable access door for gaining access to a central food heating section, the access door having a glass viewing panel which permits viewing of an internal microwavable heating section. The microwave power unit may also include at least two pivotable access doors for gaining access to a central food heating section, each said access door having a glass viewing panel.
The portable kitchen further comprises a toaster device supported by the case for toasting food items. Further the refrigerator unit is preferably positioned adjacent the microwave unit, each being insulated from the other by a heat insulating wall. The microwave unit may be positioned adjacent the cooking unit, each separated from the other by a heat insulating wall.
The portable kitchen further comprises a storage space and a plurality of support shelves for supporting utensils, equipment, food or the like. Further, the power connecting device is preferably a power inverter having a power cord for connection to a direct current (i.e., D.C.) source. The power cord preferably includes a device for connection to a cigarette/cigar lighter of a motorized unit.
The motorized unit may be an automobile, SUV, RV, mini-van, boat or the like. Further, the power connecting device may also be a power connection device having a power cord adapted for connection to a conventional alternating current (i.e., A.C.) power source. Further, the power cord may also include a connection device at one end for insertion into an alternating current (i.e., A.C.) power source, such as a standard wall duplex outlet.
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Referring once again to
A cooking unit 48 is provided adjacent and immediately to the right of the microwave unit 32, and separated by a wall 50 which is preferably provided with an insulating medium (not shown) to separate the cooking element from the microwave unit. In addition, an insulating wall is provided between the microwave unit 32 and the refrigerator unit 34, but is not shown.
Referring once again to the cooking unit 48, there are provided several burners 52, 54 for heating cookware to prepare foods. In addition, toaster 56 for preparing toast or the like, is provided behind burner 54.
As can be seen in the drawings, each of the powered units, including the microwave 32, the refrigerator 34, the cookware unit 48, and the toaster unit 56 are powered by a connecting device in the form of an inverter 58 which in turn is provided with a power source from a cigarette lighter of a motor vehicle by a power connection cord 60 as shown. Power connection cord 60 includes an appropriate jack 62 which may be inserted into the cigarette/cigar lighter of a motor vehicle (not shown). The power inverter unit 58 is shown schematically in dash lines and may be one of various types available on the market which are usable with SUV's, RV's, mini-vans, automobiles, boats or the like. Power inverters available on the market are provided under the trademark Prosine Wave Inverters. Power inverters such as Prosine Power and X Power Inverters 1750 plus marketed by Xantrex are also contemplated. Alternative power jacks and power sources are also contemplated, depending upon local availability and designs.
As can be seen in
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Referring now to
Referring now once again to the portable kitchen shown in
As can be seen from the drawings, the suitcase type cover 16 can be pivotably rotated downwardly, while the shelf 20 can be pivotably rotated upwardly so that they meet and join and are connected by appropriate locking mechanisms 86, 88, 90 and 92 as shown, to connect and return the suitcase to the closed compact condition shown in
In operation the portable kitchen can be utilized to prepare and store foods in locations away from home as well as within the home, if required, through the usage of a power supply from an SUV, RV, mini-van, automobile, boat or the like, or thorough a conventional source of power is shown in
It can be seen that the portable kitchen of the present invention is a self-contained unit which can be made to store utensils, kitchen equipment or the like, and can be readily powered for use as a whole or for use as a substitute of a full-size kitchen away from the home or within the home.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US05/03874 | 2/3/2005 | WO | 1/19/2007 |