US20110072848A1

US20110072848A1 - Always chilled

Info

Publication number: US20110072848A1
Application number: US11/948,084
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine Michelle Urban
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-26
Filing date: 2009-09-26
Publication date: 2011-03-31

Abstract

Always Chilled is an electric, portable, refrigerated container that provides a convenient way to display foods/beverages for extended periods of time without having to be placed in the refrigerator. The removable content holding bowl is made of quality porcelain that will help maintain proper temperatures for perishable items that are to be served on a table or counter area. The refrigeration unit is in the bottom section of the base container where the removable content porcelain bowl rests.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Always Chilled is a kitchen item that will keep its contents chilled at the proper temperature while being displayed in a convenient sized container. It is a great way to ensure foods/beverages will not spoil when being served and on display outside of the refrigerator. When serving foods/beverages, there isn't a container currently that can contain items that are meant to be cold so that they don't spoil. So the Always Chilled will keep perishables at the proper temperatures during the length of the occasion (dinner, party, wedding, anywhere that items need to be kept chilled while not in the refrigerator for a period of time where it could spoil). I have seen problems in the past when people used baby pools and fill them with ice and then set the bowls of salads inside the pool. This is not an easy display to maintain throughout the length of a party and it is messy and doesn't involve a lid to cover the contents that need to be chilled, therefore the temperature is not guaranteed to be cold enough to keep foods from spoiling. Always Chilled will have several color designs to the perimeter of the base container as well as several size ranges for the inserted removable content holding container. The invention will be made of ceramic, plastics, metals, and porcelain and will contain a refrigeration system that is proper size for portability and convenience during a long term occasion in which the food needs to be displayed outside of the refrigerator for easy access and viewing. There will be a ladle holder that is removable but can be placed over one of the handles on the side of the base container. It can be removed so it can be washed but can be placed on the base container handle for a sturdy holding place for the scoop or ladle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Always Chilled is electric and will help consumers serve foods that need refrigeration to maintain correct temperatures in order to remain safe to eat. It can be used for pastas, salads, salad dressings, dips, fruits, and liquids such as punch or even ice cream. The purpose is to be able to provide a convenient container that can be on display in any area of any size as long as it can be plugged into an electrical outlet. Always Chilled is a portable serving container that has an attached lid and a removable ladle holder for holding ladles or scoops that are used to scoop the food or beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of the base container with lid closed.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the interior refrigeration unit from a side view.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the refrigeration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the content bowl fitting into base container.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the lid and its seal and the base container seal.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the handles on the base container.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the ladle holder and its handle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable ladle holder.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the removable ladle holder.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 we will see that there is a cord 28 that contains a standard plug for 120 V electricity. There is an On and Off switch 2 on the front of the container that controls the power of the refrigeration unit. There is also a temperature gage 4 on the front of the container. The temperature range can be increased or decreased using buttons illustrated with 3 and 5. This will be a digital setting. The base container 18 is made of ceramic, plastic, metal, and aluminum. The content holding bowl is made of porcelain. There is a glass lid 19, with a handle 20 on the top, which is connected to the outer container. There are four pegs 1 made of rubber that will balance the base container an inch raised on any surface. There are two metal handles 25 attached to sides of the base container 18. These handles are used for carrying the portable base container.
Referring to FIG. 2 the base container has an inner lining 6 that separates the refrigeration unit 7 and the content holding bowl. The refrigeration unit 7 contains a compressor 9 that compresses refrigerant gas. The refrigerant raises the temperature and passes through the heat exchanging pipes 8 to dissolve the heat. The heat exchanging pipes 8 are coiled pipes that will be of proper size to fit in the small refrigeration unit 7 of the base container. When the refrigerant cools and becomes liquid 10, it passes through the expansion valve 11. After the liquid flows through the expansion valve 11, it becomes cold from the pressurization.
Referring to FIG. 3 the removal of the pressurized heat 12 and the movement of the cold air 13 from the refrigerant illustrates how the inner refrigerant unit 7 can produce enough cold air being contained to chill the inner lining 6.
Referring to FIG. 4 the removable content holding bowl 16 fits into the top opening 17 of the base container 18 and rests on the inner lining 6. There are several size variations of the interior of the removable content holding bowl 16. There can be more than 4 quadrants in one content holding bowl that are separated by porcelain to form these separate holding areas in order to contain different salad dressings for example.
Referring to FIG. 5 the glass lid 19 can be opened and closed using the metal handle on the top 20. There is a rubber seal 21 around the inner perimeter of the lid and the inner perimeter of the base container 18. A top view of inside 23 the base container 18 that is a cylinder shape. A top view 24 of the ladle holder when attached to metal handles 25 on the side of the base container 18. The glass lid 19 is hinged 22 on the base container 18 using a sturdy hinge unit that only extends 180 degrees from being closes to open.
Referring to FIG. 6 a side view of the metal handles 25 that can be used to carry or move the base container. Can also be used to secure the ladle holder 27 in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7 the ladle holder is made of plastic that can be washed. It has a handle 26 made of plastic. This handle 26 fits over the side metal handles 25 on base container. Referring to FIG. 8 a top view of the illustration of how the ladle holder 27 has it's plastic handle 26 that fits right onto the metal handles 25 on base container, in a secure fashion as to hold a plastic ladle or scoop.
Referring to FIG. 9 a side view of how the ladle holder 27 can be securely placed onto the metal handles 25 on base container for holding a ladle or scoop during use of said invention.
Referring to FIG. 10 a bottom view of the base container and the four rubber pegs 1 that balance the base container 18.

Claims

1. The small unit containing the refrigeration system.

2. The size of the content holding bowl varying from containing one item or multiple items divided by the shape of the porcelain making multiple quadrants where foods can be separated.

3. The attached lid using a hinge that connects it to the base container.

4. The removable, washable ladle holder that can be attached to the side metal handles of base container.

5. The porcelain content holding bowl.

6. The use of a base container that holds a refrigerant system beneath a removable content holding bowl used for human food or beverage.

7. The concept of a container and refrigerant system cooling perishable edible items.