GB2230429A - Barbecue bucket - Google Patents

Abstract

A container consists of body 1 and lid 2 shaped as a bucket or pail or other manually transportable container, which by inversion of the body and lid, together with mechanical connection at the mating, inverted ends, becomes a barbecue type cooker. The components associated with any barbecue type cooker such as grille 4 and support/windshield 3 capable of assembly to the cooker for use, are carried within the body of the container. <IMAGE>

Description

BARBECUE BUCKET This invention relates to a bucket or pail type container with lid which, by inversion of the main components and assembly of the contents becomes a portable barbecue and stand.

The bucket in its' many forms is a portable container used for transportation of liquids and/or slurries, as well as any other items, wet or dry, which are desired to be transported in relatively small and convenient quantities.

The addition of a lid or purpose made cover is practised to prevent the contents from spillage, to prevent inadvertent contamination or as a means of maintaining modesty during, or whilst awaiting.

transportation.

Traditional buckets or pails as known and used since time immemorial are provided and used as a convenient means of manual transportation of small quantities of materials whether liquid or not and whether covered by a lid or not. Apart from this, in certain areas the inversion of an empty bucket traditionally serves as a temporary seat or stool.

The present invention provides a bucket shaped container and a purpose made lid, which for transportation is mechanically fastened to the body. With the lid removed, the body of the bucket is inverted so that the wider end forms a base at ground or other permanent, stable foundation. The lid is also inverted, mechanically connected to the bucket body narrow-end or base, thus forming a fire hearth for a barbecue type cooker. A cooking grille with handle and a folding grille support/windshield is provided, carried within the main body of the bucket. The grille support/windshield is attached to the exposed, wider end of the bucket lid by the same or any other method as for attachment of lid-to-body for transportation.

In one version a solid fuel pack for cooking is provided within the lid, with the components necessary for insulation, ignition and fuel being sealed into the container. The container consists of an aluminium foil-dish into which is introduced an adhesive applied layer of vermiculite or other insulating material, a specially designed lighting-tape and the solid fuel (charcoal) necessary for cooking.

This "refill" pack is not considered as a means of cooking in isolation but is provided as a convenient, dust-free fuel pack for the "Barbecue Bucket".

The "lighting tape" consists of a suitable length of loose-woven cotton string impregnated with paraffin wax with larger, oval or cylindrical lengths of paraffin wax blocks at desired intervals.

A further version (not shown) will include a gas-fired hearth with lava-block heat surface permanently secured into the lid, capable of connection to a commercial gas cylinder carried within the body.

Also provided, within one half of the bucket body is a "food-quality" plastic container, thus in intent, allowing all of the basic barbecue requirements to be carried in one container.

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example in reference to the accompanying drawings as follows: Fig 1 illustrates in perspective, the bucket and lid assembled in the normal transportation mode with the lid fastened to the body.

Fig 2 illustrates the separation of the body, lid and components.

Fig 3 shows the body and lid, inverted as described, assembled to form a barbecue type cooker with the grille and grille support/wind shield assembled for use.

Referring to the drawings the barbecue bucket consists of a shaped container 1 onto which is secured a lid or hearth 2. The drawing Fig 1 illustrates a typical example of mechanical connection by "overcentre" toggle catches made into or onto the outer portion of the lid, which either secures the lid to the body or grille support/windshield to the lid. With the lid removed, the contents of the bucket namely the grille 4 and grille support/windshield 3 together with the food container 5 are removed and the body 1 inverted.

The fuel-pack (not shown) is removed from the lid 2 and the lid inverted. The lid is then fitted to the base ring or bottom of the (inverted) body 1 by mechanical location.

The grille support/windshield is attached/located to the open end of the lid 2 and secured by the catches, clamps or connections used for securing the lid 2 to the body 1, in the transportation mode.

The fuel pack (not shown) is place in the lid 2 and the protective film cover removed. The grille may then be placed on supports fashioned into the grille support/windshield and the heating medium ignited.

On completion of cooking, the solid fuel container may be removed and disposed of and after cooling, the lid may be removed from the body, the accessories/components re-packed and the lid attached for convenient transportation.

Claims (7)

1. A barbecue bucket comprising a shaped body with matching lid, means for securing the lid to the body at the opposing, open ends and, by inversion of the two components, means for securing the relative closed ends together to form a cooking unit or barbecue.

2. A barbecue bucket as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a demountable combined windshield and grille support is carried and stored within the body.

3. A barbecue bucket as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the cooking grille is located within the body for transportation and storage.

4. A barbecue bucket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a specially shaped food container is carried within the body.

5. A barbecue bucket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a sealed solid fuel and lighter pack adapted to the shape of the lid is secured within the lid for storage and transportation.

6. A barbecue bucket as claimed in Claims 1 to 4 inclusive wherein a gas burner is secured into the lid, which burner is capable of connection to any portable gas cylinder.

7. A barbecue bucket substantially as described herein with references to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.