U.S. patent application number 10/339209 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for kit to store a plurality of food items at a food preparation station and plastic insulating panel for use therein.
This patent application is currently assigned to Domino's Pizza PMC, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dicello, Leonard G., Rose, Allan J..
Application Number | 20030136782 10/339209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26878335 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030136782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dicello, Leonard G. ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Kit to store a plurality of food items at a food preparation
station and plastic insulating panel for use therein
Abstract
A kit from which a plurality of parts are selected and arranged
to store a plurality of food items in a refrigerated space at a
food preparation station is provided. The kit includes a plurality
of food containers. Each container is to contain a food item in a
lower portion thereof. The kit also includes a plurality of plastic
insulating panels. Each of the panels has upper and lower surfaces.
When selected panels are arranged side-by-side at the food
preparation station, the panels form an upper insulating wall of
the refrigerated space. A first set of the panels has an array of
holes for receiving and retaining the containers therein so that
the lower portions of the containers are suspended in the
refrigerated space below the lower surfaces of the arranged
panels.
Inventors: |
Dicello, Leonard G.;
(Tavlor, MI) ; Rose, Allan J.; (Brighton,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS & KUSHMAN
1000 TOWN CENTER 22ND FL
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
|
Assignee: |
Domino's Pizza PMC, Inc.
Ann Arbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
26878335 |
Appl. No.: |
10/339209 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10339209 |
Jan 9, 2003 |
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09780267 |
Feb 9, 2001 |
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6513671 |
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60182703 |
Feb 15, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.83 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/00; B65D
021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A kit from which a plurality of parts are selected and arranged
to store a plurality of food items in a refrigerated space at a
food preparation station, the kit comprising: a plurality of food
containers, each container to contain a food item in a lower
portion thereof; and a plurality of panels, each of the panels
having upper and lower surfaces, wherein when selected panels are
arranged side-by-side at the food preparation station, the panels
form an upper wall of the refrigerated space and wherein a first
set of the panels has an array of holes for receiving and retaining
the containers therein so that the lower portions of the containers
are suspended in the refrigerated space below the lower surfaces of
the arranged panels.
2. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first set of the
containers have generally square lower portions and wherein the
array of holes include generally square holes for receiving and
retaining the generally square lower portions of the first set of
containers therein.
3. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second set of the
containers have generally round lower portions and wherein the
array of holes include generally round holes for receiving and
retaining the generally round lower portions of the second set of
containers therein.
4. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second set of the panels
includes at least one spacer panel.
5. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper surfaces of the
arranged panels provide a substantially flat, continuous surface to
prevent food items from falling into the refrigerated space.
6. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower surfaces of the
arranged panels provide a substantially flat, continuous surface to
maintain refrigerated air within the refrigerated space.
7. The kit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the square holes of the
first set of panels are arranged in rows and columns.
8. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein containers are plastic
food containers.
9. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a lid-receiving upper
portion of each of the containers is spaced above the upper surface
of the arranged panels when the containers are received and
retained in the array of holes to permit easy removal of the
containers from the first set of panels.
10. The kit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one
member having a hole for receiving and retaining a generally round
lower portion of one of the containers, the at least one member
engaging the upper surface of one of the first set of panels about
one of the array of holes for supporting the lower portion of the
one of the containers in the refrigerated space.
11. The kit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one member
is a ring and wherein the one of the array of holes is a generally
round hole.
12. The kit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one member
is a substantially square panel and wherein the one of the array of
holes is a generally square hole.
13. The kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the panels
includes an overhang portion formed at opposite ends thereof for
support of the panel at the food preparation station.
14. A plastic insulating panel having upper and lower surfaces, and
sized to be arranged side-by-side adjacent to at least one other
plastic insulating panel at a food preparation station to form an
upper insulating wall of a refrigerated space, the panel having an
array of holes for receiving and retaining food containers therein
so that lower portions of the containers are suspended in the
refrigerated space below the lower surface of the panel.
15. The panel as claimed in claim 14 the array of holes include
generally square holes for receiving and retaining generally square
lower portions of containers therein.
16. The panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the array of holes
include generally round holes for receiving and retaining generally
round lower portions of containers therein.
17. The panel as claimed in claim 15 wherein the square holes of
the panel are arranged in rows and columns.
18. The panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the panel includes an
overhang portion formed at opposite ends thereof for support of the
panel at the food preparation station.
19. The panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the array of holes is
less than eleven in number.
20. The panel as claimed in claim 14 wherein the plastic of the
panel is high density polyethylene.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Serial No. 60/182,703, filed Feb. 15, 2000 entitled
"Apparatus and System for Selection and Storage of Food Items."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to kits to store a plurality of food
items at a food preparation station and plastic insulating panels
for use therein and, in particular, to kits to store a plurality of
food items at a food preparation station and plastic insulating
panels for use therein in a refrigerated space.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The food service industry has experienced a series of
transformations and challenges in recent years. Consumer demand for
new and varied food item selections has increased while
historically low national unemployment has caused many restaurants
and restaurant chains to develop innovative methods for utilizing a
shrinking labor pool of skilled workers. In addition, restaurants
and food service providers are continually faced with the cost and
expense of food spoilage, storage and refrigeration expenses, and
preservation of food ingredients in order to produce a visually
appetizing and good tasting food item.
[0004] Typically, food service providers have utilized a variety of
stainless steel tubs as illustrated in FIG. 3, plastic tubs or
receptacles as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, or other fixed
receptacles to hold food items in what is referred to as a
"makeline" at a refrigerated food preparation station, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The food service workers are generally
stationed in front of the makeline and select the specific items or
toppings needed for the food item from any number of tubs or
receptacles embedded within the makeline. These types of rigid
makelines are well known in the art and are utilized by many QSR
entities to prepare submarine sandwiches, hamburgers, Mexican
entrees, and pizza. Such makelines typically come in various
lengths (i.e., 6 foot, 7 foot and 8 foot) and models wherein the
widths of the top rail or counter which support the tubs or
receptacles vary.
[0005] However, these devices also require the workforce to
physically replenish the tub or receptacle with bulk food material
when the tub or receptacle is depleted. Very often, this extra step
results in spoilage of food items which fall outside of the
receptacle, disruption of the food preparation process, and
repeated use of valuable labor resources who may have to
continually replace the stock of high demand foot items such as
cheese for pizza, etc. Moreover, each of the tubs or receptacles
needs to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized at the end of the work
shift or day. Hence, these prior art makelines do not optimize
labor resources or work to minimize product spoilage.
[0006] As illustrated in FIG. 2, some makelines utilize stainless
steel gap fillers which fill any space between food tubs to prevent
food from falling between tubs and into the refrigerated space of
the makeline.
[0007] Although a number of devices are found in the prior art
which attempt to provide a removable tub which can be separated
from the makeline for cleaning purposes, these prior art devices
are often bulky and cumbersome. Some of these devices are stainless
steel tubs which are often expensive and do not allow the user to
remove and insert different sized tubs from the makeline with
ease.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a prior art apertured plastic sheet for
holding round plastic food tubs and bottles of FIGS. 6 and 7,
respectively. The plastic sheet of FIG. 5, however, is relatively
heavy and cumbersome to handle, especially when it is desired to
clean the sheet in a standard size sink. Also, the plastic sheet is
designed to fit only one type of makeline.
[0009] Further, these devices do not encompass an ergonomic or
modular feature whereby the size of the receptacle used is
specifically correlated to the volume of the particular food item
required during the course of a given work shift. In most cases,
the food service workers are still required to replenish the
depleted tub with new food product thereby running the risk of
excess spoilage and interrupting the flow of food preparation.
Moreover, the lack of a modular feature or ease of transitioning to
the selection of new food items can cause substantial down time in
the food preparation process.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a kit to
store a plurality of food items at a food preparation station and
plastic insulating panel for use therein wherein the kit is
modular, flexible and can be customized to fit makelines of varying
lengths and models.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit
to store a plurality of food items at a food preparation station
and plastic insulating panel for use therein wherein substantially
more food storage locations can be provided at the top rail of a
makeline to accommodate lower volume or non-core food items.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
kit to store a plurality of food items at a food preparation
station and plastic insulating panel for use therein wherein the
parts of the kit are relatively easy to clean and sanitize in
standard sinks.
[0013] Yet still another object of the present invention is to
provide a kit to store a plurality of food items at a food
preparation station and plastic insulating panel for use therein
wherein food containers of the kit can be easily removed and
replaced from an insulating panel of the kit and wherein lids for
the containers can also easily be placed on and removed from the
containers.
[0014] In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the
present invention, a kit from which a plurality of parts are
selected and arranged to store a plurality of food items in a
refrigerated space at a food preparation station is provided. The
kit includes a plurality of food containers. Each container is to
contain a food item in a lower portion thereof. The kit also
includes a plurality of panels. Each of the panels has upper and
lower surfaces. When selected panels are arranged side-by-side at
the food preparation station, the panels form an upper wall of the
refrigerated space. A first set of the panels has an array of holes
for receiving and retaining the containers therein so that the
lower portions of the containers are suspended in the refrigerated
space below the lower surfaces of the arranged panels.
[0015] A first set of the containers may have generally square
lower portions. The array of holes include generally square holes
for receiving and retaining the generally square lower portions of
the first set of containers therein. The square holes of the first
set of panels may be arranged in rows and columns.
[0016] A second set of the containers may have generally round
lower portions. The array of holes include generally round holes
for receiving and retaining the generally round lower portions of
the second set of containers therein.
[0017] A second set of the panels may include at least one spacer
panel.
[0018] The upper surfaces of the arranged panels may provide a
substantially flat, continuous surface to prevent food items from
falling into the refrigerated space.
[0019] The lower surfaces of the arranged panels may provide a
substantially flat, continuous surface to maintain refrigerated air
within the refrigerated space.
[0020] The containers are preferably plastic food containers.
[0021] A lid-receiving upper portion of each of the containers may
be spaced above the upper surface of the arranged panels when the
containers are received and retained in the array of holes to
permit easy removal of the containers from the first set of
panels.
[0022] The kit may include at least one member having a hole for
receiving and retaining a generally round lower portion of one of
the containers. The at least one member engages the upper surface
of one of the first set of panels about one of the array of holes
for supporting the lower portion of the one of the containers in
the refrigerated space.
[0023] The at least one member may be a ring wherein the one of the
array of holes is a generally round hole or the at least one member
may be a substantially square panel wherein the one of the array of
holes is a generally square hole.
[0024] Each of the panels may include an overhang portion formed at
opposite ends thereof for support of the panel at the food
preparation station.
[0025] Further in carrying out the above objects and other objects
of the present invention, a plastic insulating panel having upper
and lower surfaces is provided. The panel is sized to be arranged
side-by-side adjacent to at least one other plastic insulating
panel at a food preparation station forming an upper insulating
wall of a refrigerated space. The panel has an array of holes for
receiving and retaining food containers therein so that lower
portions of the containers are suspended in the refrigerated space
below the lower surface of the panel.
[0026] The array of holes may include generally square holes for
receiving and retaining generally square lower portions of
containers therein. The square holes of the panel may be arranged
in rows and columns.
[0027] The array of holes may include generally round holes for
receiving and retaining generally round lower portions of
containers therein.
[0028] The panel may include an overhand portion formed at opposite
ends thereof for support of the panel at the food preparation
station.
[0029] The plastic of the panel may be high density
polyethylene.
[0030] The above objects and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a
prior art makeline at a food preparation station wherein the
makeline includes a hinged clear plastic sheet which acts as a hood
and is movable between open and closed positions;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art stainless steel
gap filler which fills space between tubs to prevent food from
falling between the tubs;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art stainless steel
pan or bin with its lid;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of prior art
clear plastic pans or tubs for use in a food storage counter
generally of the type shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a prior art apertured plastic
sheet for holding plastic food tubs and bottles or FIGS. 6 and 7,
respectively, and is used in a food preparation station as
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art clear plastic
food tub and lid for use in the plastic sheet of FIG. 5;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a prior art clear
plastic squeeze bottle for storing liquid food items and for use in
the plastic sheet of FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an 8-hole plastic insulating
panel of a kit of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the panel of FIG. 8
holding a food container with a lid elevated above the upper
surface of the panel to permit easy removal and rotation or
replacement of food tubs and easy removal and attachment of the
lid;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a 4-hole plastic insulating
panel of the kit;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a 2-hole plastic insulating
panel of the kit;
[0042] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an insulating member in the
form of a square panel having a hole for receiving and retaining a
bottle in a square hole as shown in FIG. 13;
[0043] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the square panel of
FIG. 12 on the panel of FIG. 11 for receiving and retaining a
squeeze bottle of FIG. 7 with a ring of FIG. 15 therearound;
[0044] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a 3-hole plastic insulating
panel for receiving and retaining squeeze bottles having rings of
FIG. 15 therearound;
[0045] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a split ring by which a
squeeze bottle of FIG. 7 can be supported within the apertured
panel of FIG. 14;
[0046] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partially broken away,
of a squeeze bottle of FIG. 7 with a ring of FIG. 15 thereabout
located in one of the round holes in the panel of FIG. 14; and
[0047] FIGS. 17-19 are perspective views of plastic spacer panels
or spacers of the kit, which have different widths but the same
length to ensure that the various parts of the kit fit makelines of
various lengths.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0048] The present invention is generally a kit of parts from which
a plurality of desired parts are selected and arranged to store a
plurality of food items in a refrigerated space at a food
preparation station. A typical station is shown in FIG. 1. The kit
includes a plurality of food containers, such as square plastic
food tubs or containers, an example of which is shown in FIG. 9.
Another type of food container is a clear plastic squeeze bottle
for liquid food items such as dressing as illustrated in FIGS. 7,
13 and 16. Each container is to contain a food item in a lower
portion thereof.
[0049] The kit of the present invention also includes a plurality
of panels, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18
and 19. The panels may be metal, such as stainless steel, or
plastic, such as high density polyethylene. Each of the panels have
upper and lower surfaces. When selected panels are arranged
side-by-side at the food preparation station of FIG. 1, the panels
form an upper insulating wall of the refrigerated space. A first
set of the panels of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16 has an array
of holes for receiving and retaining the containers therein so that
the lower portions of the containers are suspended in the
refrigerated space below the lower surfaces of the arranged panels.
The plastic of the plastic insulating panels may be food quality
plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene.
[0050] In particular, a first container, generally indicated at 20
of FIG. 9, has a generally square lower portion 22. An 8-hole
panel, generally indicated at 24 in FIG. 8, has an array of
generally square holes 26 for receiving and retaining the generally
square lower portion 22 of such containers.
[0051] In like fashion, a 4-hole panel, generally indicated at 28
in FIG. 10, and a 2-hole panel, generally indicated at 30 in FIG.
11, all include similar square holes 32 and 34, respectively.
[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 13 and 16, a second set of the
containers, one of which is generally indicated at 36, have
generally round lower portions 38. The kit of parts also includes a
panel, generally indicated at 40 in FIG. 14, including generally
round holes 42 for receiving and retaining the generally round
lower portions 38 of the second set of containers 36 therein.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 17-19, the kit of parts also includes a
set of plastic spacers or spacer panels, generally indicated at 44,
46 and 48, respectively. The panels 44, 46 and 48 are substantially
identical to one another except for their width to ensure that the
panels selected from the kit of parts form a substantially
continuous upper wall for the refrigerated space with no gaps
therebetween allowing the rail to maintain a desired temperature in
its refrigerated space.
[0054] The upper surfaces of the arranged panels 24, 28, 30, 40,
44, 46 and/or 48 provide a substantially flat, continuous surface
to prevent food items from falling into the refrigerated space when
arranged side-by-side.
[0055] In like fashion, the lower surfaces of the arranged panels
24, 28, 30, 40, 44, 46 and/or 48 provide a substantially flat,
continuous surface to maintain refrigerated air within the
refrigerated space.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the square holes 26, 32 and
34, respectively, of the first set of panels 24, 28 and 30,
respectively, are preferably arranged in rows and columns to
maximize the number of square holes for various food items.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, a lid-receiving upper portion 50 of the
container 20 is spaced above an upper surface 52 of the panel 24
when the container 20 is received and retained in its hole to
permit easy removal of the container 20 from the panel 24. As also
shown in FIG. 9, a lid 54 is positioned on the upper portion 50 of
the container 20 and is also easy to remove and replace.
[0058] In general, the kit also includes at least one plastic
insulating member having a hole for receiving and retaining a
generally round lower portion of the containers 36. In FIG. 15, the
member is a split ring, generally indicated at 56, having a
generally round inner hole 57 and which is supported on the upper
surface 58 of the panel 56 about one of its holes for supporting
the lower portion 38 of the container 36 in the refrigerated space,
as shown in FIG. 16. The ring 56 is split so it is flexible enough
to hold onto a ridge formed about the container 36, but is rigid
enough to support the container 36 within the hole 42 of the panel
40.
[0059] In FIG. 12, the member is a substantially square plastic
insulating panel, generally indicated at 60, which has a generally
square hole 62. In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the panel
60 can convert a square hole 34 of the panel 30 into a round hole
(i.e., 62) for receiving and retaining the bottle 36 with the ring
56 thereabout.
[0060] Each of the panels 24, 28, 30, 40, 44, 46 and 48 includes an
overhang portion 64 formed at opposite ends thereof for support of
its respective panel at the food preparation station. In this way,
the panels 24, 28, 30, 40, 44, 46 and 48 can accommodate different
widths between rails which support the panels 24, 28, 30, 40, 44,
46 and 48. Oftentimes, different models of makelines have different
widths between their rails.
[0061] The present invention obviates the drawbacks found in the
prior art by providing a lightweight, flexible, and modular kit and
panel for food preparation as well as a kit and panel for the
selection and storage of food ingredients for the quick service
restaurant (QSR) industry. The present invention allows the user to
selectively place specific volumes of food items in containers
having varied volumetric capacity dependent upon the frequency that
those food items are required to be selected in the course of food
preparation. Accordingly, each food service application can select
the size, shape, and volume of its required food ingredients and
utilize the modular feature of the present invention to facilitate
ergonomic preparation of food items along the makeline. In
addition, the present invention provides module tubs which can be
removed, stored, and stacked in a refrigerated section of the
facility for later use without running the risk of product
spoilage.
[0062] While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been
described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *