GB2194841A

GB2194841A - Food handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2194841A
Application number: GB08720671A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julius Malkin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-05
Filing date: 1987-09-03
Publication date: 1988-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-03
Also published as: GB2194841B; GB8621492D0; GB8720671D0

Abstract

Food handling apparatus 1 such as a slow cooker for a pot 3 of food (or drink) comprises a flexible insulated body filled with discrete insulating particles which are manipulated manually to provide a hole 5 for the pot. A flexible insulated lid 4 is also utilised, which is secured to the body with releasable fastening means such as tapes and pile fasteners. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Food handling apparatus The invention relates to food handling apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided food handling apparatus comprising a flexible insulated body having an interior in which a container for food can be received in close fitting relation.

The apparatus may include a lid so that when the lid is in position the interior is substantially wholly insulated.

The body and lid may each comprise an envelope of flexible material which may contain a filling comprising a plurality of discrete insulating particles.

The particles may comprise polystyrene beads, cork particles, wood chips and the like.

The apparatus may comprise releasable fastening means whereby the lid and body are releasably fastened together.

The releasable fastening means may comprise toggle means or alternatively flexible elongate members secured to one of the body and lid, and hook-like pile fastening means on the other of this lid and body.

The flexible elongate members may comprise tapes secured to the lid and the hooklike pile fastening means being mounted on the base whereby to secure the tapes when the lid is in position on the body.

There may be two tapes which cross one another whereby to provide four free ends for fastening with four hook-like pile fastening means.

The tapes may cross one another substantially at right angles.

The body may be rectangular plan view.

Food handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus.

Figure 2 shows an "exploded" view of the container of Fig. 1, with a container for food such as a cooking pot in position and Figure 3 shows a view of a second apparatus with a food container in place, and a lid for the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 food handling apparatus 1 comprising a flexible insulated body 2 having an interior, in which a container 3 for food can be received. There is a lid 4 which fits onto the body 2 so that when the lid 4 is in position, the interior 5 is substantially wholly insulated.

The body 2 is substantially rectangular in plan and cubic in shape and is made from any suitable flexible material such as plastic sheet, canvas, or calico to form a cushion like shape or envelope of the configuration shown. The body 2 is filled with insulating means (not shown) in the form of discrete particles such as polystyrene beads, cork particles, wood chips or the like. The body 2 normally releases or collapses under its own weight when empty, but in use, the container 3 such as a cooking pot is placed inside by moving the insulating material aside manually to form a substantial central hole or recess big enough to receive the pot 3. (Fig. 2).

The pot 3 is then pressed in over its perimeter by the insulating material and moreover serves to rigidify the apparatus 1 so that the body 2 stands up or erect. The lid 4 is then placed over the top of the body and pot 3 (Fig. 1) and is secured to the body by releasable fastening means, not shown, such as toggle means.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the apparatus 1 shown therein is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 comprising a body 2 in the form of an envelope of metallised plastic containing insulating particles, and a lid of a similar construction, the apparatus having releasable fastening means in the form of cross flexible elongate members or tapes 7 which have free ends which are securable with pile-like fastening means in the form of VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) tabs 8. The tapes 7 which are woven cloth material and substantially inextensible, are arranged in a right angle configuration as shown so that all four sides of the (rectangular) body 2 are secured. In use, the body 2 is manipulated as shown in order to provide a central hole or recess 5, as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the pot 3 is placed in this hole or recess 5, and the lid 4 is placed on top.The tapes 7 are then fastened down onto the tabs 8 to ensure a tight closing. Once the pot (which may be a saucepan) is inside, so providing a snug fit and close fit and sound insulations so that slow cooking of the contents of the heated pot is ensured.

1. Food handling apparatus comprising a flexible insulated body having an interior in which a container for food can be received in close-fitting relation.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, including a flexible insulated lid so that when the lid is in position the interior is substantially wholly insulated.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, the body and lid each comprising an envelope of flexible material containing a filling comprising a plurality of discrete insulating particles.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, the particles comprising polystyrene beads, cork particles, wood chips and the like.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 5 comprising releasable fastening means whereby the lid and body are releasably fas

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Food handling apparatus The invention relates to food handling apparatus. According to the invention there is provided food handling apparatus comprising a flexible insulated body having an interior in which a container for food can be received in close fitting relation. The apparatus may include a lid so that when the lid is in position the interior is substantially wholly insulated. The body and lid may each comprise an envelope of flexible material which may contain a filling comprising a plurality of discrete insulating particles. The particles may comprise polystyrene beads, cork particles, wood chips and the like. The apparatus may comprise releasable fastening means whereby the lid and body are releasably fastened together. The releasable fastening means may comprise toggle means or alternatively flexible elongate members secured to one of the body and lid, and hook-like pile fastening means on the other of this lid and body. The flexible elongate members may comprise tapes secured to the lid and the hooklike pile fastening means being mounted on the base whereby to secure the tapes when the lid is in position on the body. There may be two tapes which cross one another whereby to provide four free ends for fastening with four hook-like pile fastening means. The tapes may cross one another substantially at right angles. The body may be rectangular plan view. Food handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus. Figure 2 shows an "exploded" view of the container of Fig. 1, with a container for food such as a cooking pot in position and Figure 3 shows a view of a second apparatus with a food container in place, and a lid for the apparatus. Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 food handling apparatus 1 comprising a flexible insulated body 2 having an interior, in which a container 3 for food can be received. There is a lid 4 which fits onto the body 2 so that when the lid 4 is in position, the interior 5 is substantially wholly insulated. The body 2 is substantially rectangular in plan and cubic in shape and is made from any suitable flexible material such as plastic sheet, canvas, or calico to form a cushion like shape or envelope of the configuration shown. The body 2 is filled with insulating means (not shown) in the form of discrete particles such as polystyrene beads, cork particles, wood chips or the like. The body 2 normally releases or collapses under its own weight when empty, but in use, the container 3 such as a cooking pot is placed inside by moving the insulating material aside manually to form a substantial central hole or recess big enough to receive the pot 3. (Fig. 2). The pot 3 is then pressed in over its perimeter by the insulating material and moreover serves to rigidify the apparatus 1 so that the body 2 stands up or erect. The lid 4 is then placed over the top of the body and pot 3 (Fig. 1) and is secured to the body by releasable fastening means, not shown, such as toggle means. Referring now to Fig. 3, the apparatus 1 shown therein is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 comprising a body 2 in the form of an envelope of metallised plastic containing insulating particles, and a lid of a similar construction, the apparatus having releasable fastening means in the form of cross flexible elongate members or tapes 7 which have free ends which are securable with pile-like fastening means in the form of VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) tabs 8. The tapes 7 which are woven cloth material and substantially inextensible, are arranged in a right angle configuration as shown so that all four sides of the (rectangular) body 2 are secured. In use, the body 2 is manipulated as shown in order to provide a central hole or recess 5, as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the pot 3 is placed in this hole or recess 5, and the lid 4 is placed on top.The tapes 7 are then fastened down onto the tabs 8 to ensure a tight closing. Once the pot (which may be a saucepan) is inside, so providing a snug fit and close fit and sound insulations so that slow cooking of the contents of the heated pot is ensured. CLAIMS

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 5 comprising releasable fastening means whereby the lid and body are releasably fas tened together.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the releasable fastening means comprising toggle means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5, the releasable fastening means comprising flexible elongate members secured to one of the body and lid, and hook-like pile fastening means on the other of the lid and body.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, the flexible elongate members comprising tapes secured to the lid and the hook-like pile fastening means being mounted on the base whereby to secure the tapes when the lid is in position on the body.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, there being two tapes which cross one another whereby to provide four free ends for fastening with four hook-like pile fastening means.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, the tapes crossing one another substantially at right angles.

11, Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the body being rectangular in plan view.

12. Food handling apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.