WO2024110942A1 - Portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus includes a cover and a temperature-controlled cup. The cover includes an annular enclosure, a dome body, and a handle. The temperature-controlled cup includes a cover-receiving rim, a flexible ring, a drip tray, a lateral insulation, a bottom insulation, and a housing. The dome body is perimetrically connected around the annular enclosure. The handle is externally connected to the annular enclosure. The cover-receiving rim is concentrically engaged to the flexible ring and internally connected to the drip tray. The lateral insulation is radially positioned around the drip tray as the bottom insulation is adjacently positioned at the bottom of the drip tray. The housing is perimetrically connected around the drip tray and encloses the drip tray, the lateral insulation, and the bottom insulation. The attachment of the temperature-controlled cup and the cover provides an enclosed and temperature- controlled area for transported food items.

Description

Portable and Temperature-controlled Holding Apparatus for Food

Items

The current application claims a priority to the Australian patent application serial number AMCZ-2211742288 filed on November 26, 2022. The current application is filed on November 27, 2023, while November 26, 2023 was on a weekend.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is a transportation carrier that can maintain the temperature of frozen, chilled, warm, or hot food products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food can be consumed in a restaurant or food service establishment or can be consumed away from the restaurant or food service establishment. "Carryout" and "delivery" are two different methods of obtaining food from the restaurant or food service establishment. Carryout and delivery food is normally placed within disposable containers and transported from the restaurant or food service establishment to a preferred location of the consumer. Due to the cost-effective production of the disposable containers, the carryout and delivery food changes temperature over time thus compromising the taste and texture of the food. Even though some of the existing food carriers are able to maintain the optimal serving temperature of the carryout and delivery food, aforementioned food carriers are cumbersome and configured to accommodate commercial delivery entities.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus to carry out food or deliver food. More specifically, the present invention functions as a mini freezer/fridge unit or food warmer, yet it is specially designed and unique in that it caters for the easy transport of usually melting food products or hot food products. Furthermore, the present invention is configured to accommodate individual consumers and users. Furthermore, the present invention allows the users to easily switch between the warming features and the cooling features so that a variety of food items can be delivered or carried out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover and the at least one utensil of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cover-receiving rim and the flexible ring of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the drip tray, the lateral insulation, and the bottom insulation of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the thermoelectric module of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the thermoelectric module of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the electrical connections of the temperature- controlled cup of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the carrying tray of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side view of the carrying tray of the present invention, wherein the temperature-controlled cups are placed within the carrying tray.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the electrical connections of the carrying tray of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items. More specifically, the present invention allows the consumers to transport cold food items and hot food items while maintaining the optimal serving temperature of the corresponding food items. For example, the present invention can transport soft serve ice-cream in cones, cone/trumpet frozen ice-creams, slushy/frozen soda containers, or any other frozen/chilled food containers with the aid of an integrated cooling system. The present invention can also transport hot coffee cups, hot teacups, soup cups or any other hot/warm food containers with an integrated heating system. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a cover 1 and a temperature-controlled cup 10. The temperature-controlled cup 10 functions as the storage container for the food item thus stabilizing the stored food item. The cover 1 functions as the lid of the temperature- controlled cup 10 so that the stored food item can be insulated and protected from outside elements.

In reference to general configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cover 1 that generally covers the top half of the stored food item comprises an annular enclosure 2, a dome body 6, and a handle 7. The dome body 6 is perimetrically connected around the annular enclosure 2 thus delineating the general shape of the cover 1. The handle 7 is externally connected to the annular enclosure 2 so that the user is able to easily grasp and carry the present invention. The temperature- controlled cup 10 that generally covers the middle and the lower half of the stored food item comprises a cover receiving rim 11, a flexible ring 14, a drip tray 17, a lateral insulation 20, a bottom insulation 21, and a housing 22. The cover receiving rim 11 is concentrically engaged to the flexible ring 14 as the flexible ring 14 stabilizes the stored food item. The cover receiving rim 11 is internally connected to the drip tray 17 so that the drip tray 17 is able catch any access liquid or dripping liquid from the stored food item. The lateral insulation 20 is radially positioned around the drip tray 17. The bottom insulation 21 is adjacently positioned to drip tray 17 as the bottom insulation 21 and the cover receiving rim 11 are oppositely positioned of each other about the lateral insulation 20. The housing 22 is perimetrically connected around the drip tray 17 and encloses the drip tray 17, the lateral insulation 20, and the bottom insulation 21. The cover receiving rim 11 is designed to attach with the cover 1 so that the stored food item can be fully insulated within and protected from outside elements. In other words, an opening of the annular enclosure 2 that positioned opposite of the dome body 6, is attached to the cover receiving rim 11.

The cover 1 functions as the lid of the temperature-controlled cup 10 as the user can easily attach or detach the cover 1 from the temperature-controlled cup 10. In reference to FIGS. 3-5, the annular enclosure 2 functions as the main structural body and may comprise a first rim 3, an outer rim 4, and a second rim 5. More specifically, the first rim 3 is perimetrically connected to the second rim 5 as the first rim 3 is concentrically positioned to the second rim 5. The outer rim 4 is externally positioned to the first rim 3 and radially connected around the first rim 3 so that an empty space can be delineated in between the outer 4 and the first rim 3. As a result, the dome body 6 is able to radially connect around the first rim 3 and radially connect within the outer rim 4. In other words, the dome body 6 is able to orient away from the annular enclosure 2 as an opened-edge of the dome body 6 is sandwiched in between the first rim 3 and the outer rim 4. Preferably, the dome body 6 is a transparent body so that the user can easily view the stored food item without having to remove the cover 1. The second rim 5 is attached within the cover receiving rim 11 thus completing the attachment between the cover 1 and the temperature-controlled cup 10. The handle 7 is laterally connected to the outer rim 4 so that the user can easily grasp and carry the present invention. Preferably, the handle 7 is extended over the dome body 6 and laterally connected to the outer rim 4 with two mounting connections. When the cover 1 needs to be opened or closed with respect to the temperature-controlled cup 10, the user can grasp the outer rim 4 and/or the handle 7 to attach the cover 1 into the temperature-controlled cup 10 or remove the cover 1 from the temperature-controlled cup 10.

In reference to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention may further comprise at least one utensil 9 and at least one storage channel 8. The at least one utensil 9 can be a drinking straw, a spoon, a fork, a knife, or any other type of existing utensil that can be used to consume the stored food item. For example, when a soft serve ice-cream is stored within the present invention, the at least one utensil 9 is a spoon so that the user is able to consume the soft serve ice-cream. The storage channel 8 is laterally integrated into the handle 7 so that the at least one utensil 9 can be attached to the storage channel 8. In other words, the storage channel 8 provides a friction-fit attachment between the at least one utensil 9 and the handle 7 so that the user can easily access or store the at least one utensil 9

In reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cover receiving rim 11 may comprise a first annular support 12 and a second annular support 13 so that the cover receiving rim 11 can be connected to the housing 22 and attached with the second rim 5. The flexible ring 14 may comprise a stabilizer section 15 and a grip section 16 so that the positioning of the flexible ring 14 can provide two different functionalities with respect to the stabilizer section 15 and the grip section 16. More specifically, the first annular support 12 is connected to the second annular support 13, wherein the first annular support 12 is externally positioned to the second annular support 13 and offset of the second annular support 13. The second annular support 13 is concentrically traverses through the flexible ring 14 in such a way that the stabilizer section 15 is radially positioned within the second annular support 13, and the grip section 16 is radially positioned around the first annular support 12. The second annular support 13 is internally connected to the drip tray 17 thus connecting the cover receiving rim 11 to the housing 22. Due to the orientation of the flexible ring 14, the stabilizer section 15 is radially positioned within the drip tray 17 in order to firmly secure the stored food item that is inserted through the cover receiving rim 11. The grip section 16 is laterally positioned around the first annular support 12 thus enhancing the friction between the temperature-controlled cup 10 and the user’s hand. The second rim 5 of the annular enclosure 2 is internally attached to the first annular support 12 thus positioning the outer rim 4, the first rim 3, the dome body 6, and the handle 7 on top of the cover receiving rim 11. The present invention preferably utilizes a friction-fit attachment between the second rim 5 and the first annular support 12. However, it is understood that the present invention can utilize a twist-locking fastener, a threaded-locking fastener, a magnetic-locking fastener, or any other types of quick release fastening mechanism to attach the second rim 5 to the first annular support 12 without deviating from the scope of the functionality.

In reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the drip tray 17 may comprise a lateral wall 18 and a base 19 so that the drip tray 17 is able to catch any spillage from the stored food item. More specifically, the lateral wall 18 is perimetrically connected around the base 19 wherein the depth of the drip tray 17 is defined by the lateral wall 18. The lateral insulation 20 is radially positioned around the lateral wall 18 to reduce the flow of thermal energy through the lateral wall 18. The bottom insulation 21 is adjacently and externally positioned to the base 19 to reduce the flow of thermal energy through the base 19. The housing 22 is perimetrically connected around the lateral wall 18 so that the drip tray 17 can be internally connected to the housing 22 as the lateral insulation 20 is radially interposed between the lateral wall 18 and the housing 22.

In reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the housing 22 is shaped similar to a traditional cup so that the present invention can be firmly grasped, placed within a carrying-tray, or placed within a cup holder. Furthermore, the housing 22 fully encloses the drip tray 17, the lateral insulation 20, and the bottom insulation 21 to further reduce the flow of thermal energy.

In reference to FIGS. 10-14, the temperature-controlled cup 10 may further comprise a thermoelectric module 24, a control panel 30, and a power input 31 so that the integrated cooling system and the integrated heating system can be operated. For example, when the present invention transports a soft serve ice-cream in cones within the temperature-controlled cup 10 and the cover 1, the integrated cooling system is able to generate and maintain a cold environment within the present invention thus preserving the taste and texture of the soft serve ice-cream. When the present invention transports a hot coffee cup within the temperature-controlled cup 10 and the cover 1, the integrated heating system is able to generate and maintain a warm environment within the present invention thus preserving the taste and the serving temperature of the coffee. The thermoelectric module 24 is externally mounted to the base 19 of the drip tray 17 and enclosed within the housing 22 so that the thermoelectric module 24 is able to generate the heating and cooling effects. The control panel 30 is integrated onto the housing 22 so that the user can select the activation of the heating effects or the cooling effects depending upon the stored food item. The power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 is integrated onto the housing 22 and electrically connected to the thermoelectric module 24 through the control panel 30. Preferably, the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 is a Universal Serial Bus type-c (USB-C) to accommodate industry standard power cables. When an external power source (a rechargeable battery, a portable pack, a vehicular power outlet, or any other direct current power source) is electrically connected to the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10, the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 is able to electrically power the control panel 30 and the thermoelectric module 24.

In reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the thermoelectric module 24 may comprise a first ceramic substrate 25, a second ceramic substrate 26, a semiconductive mechanism 27, a heat sink 28, and a fan 29. More specifically, the first ceramic substrate 25 is concentrically positioned to the second ceramic substrate 26 and positioned offset from the second ceramic substrate 26. The semiconductive mechanism 27 is operatively coupled in between the first ceramic substrate 25 and the second ceramic substrate 26 so that the semiconductive mechanism 27 is able convert an electrical energy flow from the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 into heating or cooling effects. Furthermore, the first ceramic substrate 25 is positioned adjacent to the base 19 of the drip tray 17 so that the heating effects or the cooling effects can be transferred onto the drip tray 17 and the surrounding area. The heat sink 28 is concentrically mounted to the second ceramic substrate 26 and perimetrically mounted to the base 19 of the drip tray 17. The fan 29 is concentrically mounted to the heat sink 28 and positioned opposite of the second ceramic substrate 26. In order to activate the thermoelectric module 24, the semiconductive mechanism 27 and the fan 29 are electrically connected to the control panel 30. For example, when the semiconductive mechanism 27 generates the cooling effects with respect to the first ceramic substrate 25, heat energy is generated within the second ceramic substrate 26. The heat sink 28 is then able to withdraw generated heat energy away the second ceramic substrate 26 thus allowing the fan 29 to withdraw the generated heat energy away from the heat sink 28 and exhaust out of the housing 22. When the semiconductive mechanism 27 generates the heating effects with respect to the first ceramic substrate 25, the second ceramic substrate 26 becomes cold as the heat sink 28 and the fan 29 become non-operational within the housing 22.

In reference to FIG. 11, the present invention may further comprise a plurality of openings 23 to maximize the airflow of the fan 29. The plurality of openings 23 laterally traverses through the housing 22 and radially positioned around the housing 22. As a result, the airflow of the fan 29 is able to efficiently discharge the generated heat energy of the heat sink 28 through the plurality of openings 23.

In reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the present invention may further comprise a carrying tray 32 so that a plurality of temperature-controlled cups can be transported, wherein more than one temperature-controlled cup 10 is considered as the plurality of temperature-controlled cups. The carrying tray 32 may comprise a top platform 33, a plurality of tray openings 34, a bottom platform 35, a plurality of recessed openings 36, a handle 7, and a central connector 38. The top platform 33 is concentrically connected to the bottom platform 35 by the central connector 38 as the top platform 33 is positioned offset to the bottom platform 35. Preferably, the central connector 38 is concentrically positioned to the top platform 33 and the bottom platform 35 so that the positioning of the plurality of temperature-controlled cups does not interfere with the central connector 38. The plurality of tray openings 34 traverses through the top platform 33, and the plurality of recessed openings 36 traverses into the bottom platform 35. Furthermore, an arbitrary opening of the plurality of tray openings 34 is concentrically positioned to a corresponding opening of the plurality of recessed openings 36 thus allowing the temperature-controlled cup 10 to be concentrically engaged within the arbitrary opening and the corresponding opening. In other words, the user can slide the housing 22 through the corresponding opening of the plurality of recessed openings 36 as a bottom end of the housing 22 is inserted into the corresponding opening of the plurality of recessed openings 36. As a result, the bottom end of the housing 22 can be secured to the bottom platform 35 while a top end of the housing 22 is secured to the top platform 33. The handle 7 is connected to the top platform 33 so that the user can transport the carrying tray 32 with one hand. Preferably, the carrying tray 32 can accommodate six temperature- controlled cups 10 within the top platform 33 and the bottom platform 35 as corresponding six covers 1 are positioned above the top platform 33.

In reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 17, the present invention may further comprise a power input 31 so that the carrying tray 32 can be electrically powered. Each of the plurality of recessed openings 36 may comprise a power output 37 so that the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 is able to electrically power the power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36. More specifically, the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 is laterally integrated onto the bottom platform 35 and configured as USB-C port as the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 is electrically connected to the power output 37. In other words, when an external power source (a rechargeable battery, a portable pack, a vehicular power outlet, or any other direct current power source) is electrically connected to the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32, the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 is able to electrically power the power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36. The power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36 is configured to be compatible with the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 thus resulting the carrying tray 32 to individually power each of plurality of temperature-controlled cups.

It is understood that the thermoelectric module 24 can also be powered with a first rechargeable battery that is mounted within the housing 22. In such configuration, the first rechargeable battery is recharged via the power input 31 of the temperature- controlled cup 10 as the first rechargeable battery is electrically connected in between the power input 31 of the temperature-controlled cup 10 and the control panel 30. The first rechargeable battery allows the thermoelectric module 24 to be operational for a limited period of time without needing to be directly plugged into the external power source.

It is understood that the power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36 can also be powered with a second rechargeable battery that is mounted within the bottom platform 35. In such configuration, the second rechargeable battery is recharged via the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 as the power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36 is electrically connected to the power input 31 of the carrying tray 32 via the second rechargeable battery. The second rechargeable battery allows the power output 37 of each of the plurality of recessed openings 36 to be powered for a limited period of time without needing to be directly plugged into the external power source.

The temperature-controlled cup 10 is preferably manufactured with three varied sizes, wherein the three varied sizes are identified a small cup, a medium cup, and a large cup as shown in FIG. 16. More specifically, the small cup has an approximate volume of 600 milliliters (mL) / 0.158 liquid gallon, the medium cup has an approximate volume of 1100 mL / 0.291 liquid gallon, and the large cup has an approximate volume of 1700 mL

/ 0.449 liquid gallon.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items comprising: a cover; a temperature-controlled cup; the cover comprising an annular enclosure, a dome body, and a handle; the temperature-controlled cup comprising a cover-receiving rim, a flexible ring, a drip tray, a lateral insulation, a bottom insulation, and a housing; the dome body being perimetrically connected around the annular enclosure; the handle being externally connected to the annular enclosure; the cover-receiving rim being concentrically engaged to the flexible ring; the cover-receiving rim being internally connected to the drip tray; the lateral insulation being radially positioned around the drip tray; the bottom insulation being adjacently positioned to drip tray; the bottom insulation and the cover-receiving rim being oppositely positioned of each other about the lateral insulation; the housing being perimetrically connected around the drip tray; the drip tray, the lateral insulation, and the bottom insulation being enclosed by the housing; and the annular enclosure being attached to the cover-receiving rim, opposite of the dome body.

2. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the annular enclosure comprising a first rim, an outer rim, and a second rim; the first rim being perimetrically connected to the second rim; the first rim being concentrically positioned to the second rim; the outer rim being externally positioned to the first rim; the outer rim being radially connected around the first rim; the dome body being radially connected around the first rim; the dome body being radially connected within the outer rim; the handle being laterally connected to the outer rim; and the second rim being attached within the cover receiving rim. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dome body is a transparent body. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one utensil; at least one storage channel; the storage channel being laterally integrated into the handle; and the utensil being attached to the storage channel. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the cover-receiving rim comprising a first annular support and a second annular support; the flexible ring comprising a stabilizer section and a grip section; the first annular support being connected to the second annular support; the first annular support being externally positioned to the second annular support; the first annular support being offset to the second annular support; the second annular support being concentrically traversing through the flexible ring; the stabilizer section being radially positioned within the second annular support; the grip section being radially positioned around the first annular support; the second annular support being internally connected to the drip tray; and a second rim of the annular enclosure being internally attached to the first annular support. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the drip tray comprising a lateral wall and a base; the lateral wall being perimetrically connected around the base; the lateral insulation being radially positioned around the lateral wall; the bottom insulation being adjacently positioned to the base; the bottom insulation being externally positioned to the base; the housing being perimetrically connected around the lateral wall; and the lateral insulation being radially interposed between the lateral wall and the housing. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the temperature-controlled cup further comprising a thermoelectric module, a control panel, and a power input; the thermoelectric module being externally mounted to a base of the drip tray; the thermoelectric module being enclosed the housing; the control panel being integrated onto the housing; the power input being integrated onto the housing; and the power input being electrically connected to the thermoelectric module through the control panel. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 7 comprising: the thermoelectric module comprising a first ceramic substrate, a second ceramic substrate, a semiconductive mechanism, a heat sink, and a fan; the first ceramic substrate being concentrically positioned to the second ceramic substrate; the semiconductive mechanism being operatively coupled in between the first ceramic substrate and the second ceramic substrate, wherein the semiconductive mechanism selectively converts an electrical energy flow into heating effects or cooling effects; the first ceramic substrate being positioned adjacent to the base of the drip tray; the heat sink being concentrically mounted to the second ceramic substrate; the heat sink being perimetrically mounted to the base of the drip tray; the fan being concentrically mounted to the heat sink, opposite of the second ceramic substrate; the semiconductive mechanism being electrically connected to the control panel; and the fan being electrically connected to the control panel. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a plurality of openings; the plurality of openings laterally traversing through the housing; and the plurality of openings being radially positioned around the housing. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a carrying tray; the carrying tray comprising a top platform, a plurality of tray openings, a bottom platform, a plurality of recessed openings, a handle, and a central connector; the top platform being concentrically connected to the bottom platform by the central connector; the top platform being positioned offset to the bottom platform; the plurality of tray openings traversing through the top platform; the plurality of recessed openings traversing into the bottom platform; an arbitrary opening of the plurality of tray openings being concentrically positioned to a corresponding opening of the plurality of recessed openings; the handle being connected to the top platform; and the temperature-controlled cup being concentrically engaged within the arbitrary opening and the corresponding opening, 11. The portable and temperature-controlled holding apparatus for food items as claimed in claim 10 comprising: a power input; each of the plurality of recessed openings comprising a power output; the power output being integrated onto the bottom platform; the power input being laterally integrated onto the bottom platform; and the power input being electrically connected to the power output.