U.S. patent application number 10/635533 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for tray lowering assemblies and methods of manufacturing the same.
Invention is credited to Halcomb, Danny, Smith, Thomas Matthew.
Application Number | 20040026583 10/635533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34272296 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040026583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Thomas Matthew ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Tray lowering assemblies and methods of manufacturing the same
Abstract
A tray lowering assembly includes a securing bracket. The
securing bracket includes a supporting arm which is adapted to
receive and to support a tray. Specifically, when a contact
pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of the supporting
arm, the supporting arm pivots towards the wall. For example, the
securing bracket can be pivotally connected to the wall via a wall
passage formed through the wall which is adapted to receive the
pivot arm, a bracket passage formed through the pivot arm, and a
securing plate mounted to the wall. Moreover, the bracket passage
is adapted to receive a portion of the securing plate when the
first supporting arm pivots towards the wall.
Inventors: |
Smith, Thomas Matthew;
(Eaton, OH) ; Halcomb, Danny; (Camden,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS LLP
C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
THE WARNER, SUITE 1300
1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
34272296 |
Appl. No.: |
10/635533 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60401352 |
Aug 7, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 27/0817 20130101;
A47J 37/1219 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/235 |
International
Class: |
E04G 003/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tray lowering assembly, comprising: a first securing bracket
comprising a first supporting arm, wherein the first supporting arm
is adapted to receive and to support a first tray; and means for
pivotally connecting the first securing bracket to a wall, wherein
when a contact pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of
the first supporting arm, the first supporting arm pivots towards
the wall.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first securing bracket
further comprises at least one first pivot arm, and the means for
pivotally connecting the first securing bracket to the wall
comprises: at least one first wall passage formed through the wall,
wherein the at least one first wall passage is adapted to receive
the at least one first pivot arm; at least one first bracket
passage formed through the at least one first pivot arm; and at
least one first securing plate mounted to the wall, wherein the at
least one first bracket passage is adapted to receive a portion of
the at least one first securing plate when the first supporting arm
pivots towards the wall.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second securing
bracket positioned below the first securing bracket and comprising
a second supporting arm, wherein the second supporting arm is
adapted to receive and to support a second tray; and means for
pivotally connecting the second securing bracket to the wall,
wherein when a contact pressure is applied to a predetermined
portion of the second supporting arm, the second supporting arm
pivots towards the wall.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first securing bracket
further comprises at least one first pivot arm, the second securing
bracket further comprises at least one second pivot arm, and the
means for pivotally connecting the first securing bracket to the
wall comprises: at least one first wall passage formed through the
wall, wherein the at least one first wall passage is adapted to
receive the at least one first pivot arm; at least one first
bracket passage formed through the at least one first pivot arm;
and at least one first securing plate mounted to the wall, wherein
the at least one first bracket passage is adapted to receive a
portion of the at least one first securing plate when the first
supporting arm pivots towards the wall, wherein the means for
pivotally connecting the second securing bracket to the wall
comprises: at least one second wall passage formed through the
wall, wherein the at least one second wall passage is adapted to
receive the at least one second pivot arm; at least one second
bracket passage formed through the at least one second pivot arm;
and at least one second securing plate mounted to the wall, wherein
the at least one second bracket passage is adapted to receive a
portion of the at least one second securing plate when the second
supporting arm pivots towards the wall.
5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first securing bracket is
adapted to be lowered from a first position to a second position,
and the second securing bracket is adapted to be lowered from the
second position to a third position.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the wall is slidably mounted to
a side wall of a holding cabinet.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for raising
and lowering the wall, wherein the first securing bracket is
lowered from the first position to the second position when the
wall is lowered from a first level to a second level.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tray is a food
product tray.
9. A tray lowering assembly, comprising: a first pair of securing
brackets, wherein a first of the first pair of securing brackets
comprises a first supporting arm adapted to receive and to support
a first tray, and wherein a second of the first pair of securing
brackets comprises a second supporting arm adapted to receive and
to support the first tray; means for pivotally connecting a first
of the first pair of securing brackets to a first wall, wherein
when a contact pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of
the first supporting arm, the first supporting arm pivots towards
the first wall; and means for pivotally connecting a second of the
first pair of securing brackets to a second wall, wherein the
second wall is positioned opposite the first wall, and when a
contact pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of the
second supporting arm, the second supporting arm pivots towards the
second wall.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first of the first pair of
securing brackets further comprises at least one first pivot arm,
and the means for pivotally connecting the first of the first pair
of securing brackets to the first wall comprises: at least one
first wall passage formed through the first wall, wherein the at
least one first wall passage is adapted to receive the at least one
first pivot arm; at least one first bracket passage formed through
the at least one first pivot arm; and at least one first securing
plate mounted to the first wall, wherein the at least one first
bracket passage is adapted to receive a portion of the at least one
first securing plate when the first supporting arm pivots towards
the first wall.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the second of the first pair
of securing brackets further comprises at least one second pivot
arm, and the means for pivotally connecting the second of the first
pair of securing brackets to the second wall comprises: at least
one second wall passage formed through the second wall, wherein the
at least one second wall passage is adapted to receive the at least
one second pivot arm; at least one second bracket passage formed
through the at least one second pivot arm; and at least one second
securing plate mounted to the second wall, wherein the at least one
second bracket passage is adapted to receive a portion of the at
least one second securing plate when the second supporting arm
pivots towards the second wall.
12. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a second pair of
securing brackets, wherein a first of the second pair of securing
brackets comprises a third supporting arm adapted to receive and to
support a second tray, and wherein a second of the second pair of
securing brackets comprises a fourth supporting arm adapted to
receive and to support the second tray; means for pivotally
connecting a first of the second pair of securing brackets to the
first wall, wherein the first of the second pair of securing
brackets is positioned below the first of the first pair of
securing brackets, and when a contact pressure is applied to a
predetermined portion of the third supporting arm, the third
supporting arm pivots towards the first wall; and means for
pivotally connecting a second of the second pair of securing
brackets to the second wall, wherein the second of the second pair
of securing brackets is positioned below the second of the first
pair of securing brackets, and when a contact pressure is applied
to a predetermined portion of the fourth supporting arm, the fourth
supporting arm pivots towards the second wall.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first pair of securing
brackets are adapted to be lowered from a first position to a
second position, and the second pair of securing brackets are
adapted to be lowered from the second position to a third
position.
14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first wall is slidably
mounted to a first side wall of a holding cabinet, and the second
wall is slidably mounted to a second side wall of the holding
cabinet.
15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first tray is a food
product tray.
16. The assembly of claim 9, further comprising: means for raising
and lowering the first wall, wherein the first securing bracket is
lowered from the first position to the second position when the
wall is lowered from a first level to a second level; and means for
raising and lowering the second wall, wherein the second securing
bracket is lowered from the first position to the second position
when the second wall is lowered from the first level to the second
level.
17. A method of manufacturing a food tray assembly, comprising the
step of: pivotally connecting a first securing bracket to a wall,
wherein the first securing bracket comprises a first supporting
arm, and when a contact pressure is applied to a predetermined
portion of the first supporting arm, the first supporting arm
pivots towards the wall.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:
pivotally connecting a second securing bracket to the wall, wherein
the second securing bracket comprises a second supporting arm, and
when a contact pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of
the second supporting arm, the second supporting arm pivots towards
the wall.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/401,352, which is entitled
"Tray Lowering Assemblies and Methods of Manufacturing the Same,"
and was filed on Aug. 7, 2002, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to the field of tray
lowering assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies.
More specifically, the invention is directed towards tray lowering
assemblies in which securing brackets, which are adapted to hold
trays of pretreated items, are pivotally connected to a wall, and
are sequentially raised, e.g., sequentially raised within a holding
cabinet, and methods of manufacturing such assemblies.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Apparatus for raising and lowering food products during a
cooking cycle are known in the art. For example, an open vat, large
capacity fryer having a counterbalanced, vertically moveable lid
for lowering a tray carrier holding trays containing food products
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,408 to King et al. (the "'408
patent"), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. Referring to FIG. 2 of the 408 patent, a tray carrier
may mount a series of five rectangular trays of a size to fit a
conventional holding cabinet. Tray carriers may come in various
sizes and configurations, but generally the tray carrier has a
series of rigid or substantially rigid brackets or rods, which may
support a tray. For example, a tray carrier for mounting a series
of five rectangular trays is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 409,440
to King (the "'440 patent"), the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference. In this tray carrier, each tray
may be supported between a pair of vertical walls on a pair of
horizontal brackets. These brackets may be in the form of shelves
or C-shaped supports. If tray carriers, which are configured as
those depicted in the '440 patent, are used in a large capacity
pressure cooker, such as that described in the '408 patent; the
tray carrier may be lowered into the cooker vat when the trays are
fully inserted into the carrier.
[0006] Specifically, with the arrangement described in the '408
patent, the trays initially are loaded with food product to be
cooked, the trays then may be lowered into and immersed in a
cooking medium. After the food product has been cooked, the trays
may be removed from the tray carrier as the tray carrier is raised
from the cooking medium. The trays of cooked food product may then
transferred to a location for sale or distribution, or the trays
may placed directly into a holding cabinet or onto storage racks
without having to remove the product from the trays.
[0007] Moreover, restaurants, such as "fast food" restaurants, may
precook some of the food products, e.g., chicken, beef, turkey,
fish, pizza, and the like, which they later may serve to customers.
Because the precooked food products may not be immediately served
after cooking, the precooked food products initially may be stored
in a holding cabinet. Some known holding cabinets may form an
enclosure, and may include a heater, a blower for circulating
heated air, and a plurality of shelves. After the food products are
cooked, the precooked food products may be placed on trays, which
may be placed on the shelves within the holding cabinet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, a need has arisen for tray lowering assemblies,
e.g., tray lowering assemblies used in holding cabinets, fryers, or
the like, and methods of employing such tray lowering assemblies
that overcome these and other shortcomings of the related art. A
technical advantage of the present invention is that items may be
stored in a storage area or a treatment area, which include a tray
lowering assembly, with a reduced risk of damage to the tray
lowering assembly or to a motor used to lower the assembly. For
example, during a lowering of the assembly into the storage area or
the treatment area, a tray may catch on a portion, e.g., an upper
portion, such as a counter top, of the storage area or the
treatment area. In the related art, when the tray catches the
portion of the storage area or the treatment area, the tray may
rise and apply a contact pressure to a securing bracket positioned
above the tray. Because the securing bracket is fixed, the tray may
become wedged between the securing bracket and the portion of the
storage area or the treatment area, which may prevent the assembly
from being lowered into the storage area or the treatment area.
Moreover, the motor used to lower the assembly continues to operate
when the tray is wedged, such that the motor, the lowering
assembly, the tray, or a combination thereof, may become damaged or
destroyed. In addition, food product positioned on the tray may
fall from the tray, and then may have to be discarded. In contrast,
in the present invention, when a tray applies a contact pressure to
a securing bracket positioned above the tray, the motor, the
lowering assembly, and the tray may not be damaged because the
securing bracket pivots inward, thereby allowing the tray to rise
above the securing bracket. Moreover, food product positioned on
the tray may not fall off the tray.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tray
lowering assembly comprises at least one securing bracket, e.g., a
pair of securing brackets positioned opposite each other, and means
for pivotally connecting the at least one securing bracket to a
wall. A tray may include a pan, a basket, a wire mesh platform, a
bucket, or similar container manufactured from metal, plastic,
ceramic, or similar rigid material. For example, the at least one
securing bracket may comprise a supporting arm which is adapted to
receive and to support a tray, and also may comprise at least one
pivot arm. Moreover, the means for securing the at least one
bracket to the wall may comprise at least one wall passage formed
through the wall which is adapted to receive the at least one pivot
arm, at least one bracket passage formed through the at least one
pivot arm, and at least one securing plate mounted to the wall.
Moreover, the at least one bracket passage may be adapted to
receive a portion of the at least one securing plate when the first
supporting arm pivots towards the wall.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of manufacturing a tray lowering assembly comprises the step
of pivotally connecting a first securing bracket to a wall.
Specifically, the first securing bracket comprises a first
supporting arm, and when a contact pressure is applied to a
predetermined portion of the first supporting arm, the first
supporting arm pivots towards the wall.
[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to
persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following
detailed description of the invention and the accompanying
drawings, which are provided by example only, and are not intended
to limit the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
needs satisfied thereby, and objects, features, and advantages
thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is front perspective view of a tray lowering assembly
depicting a pair of securing brackets in a first position according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the tray lowering
assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the tray lowering
assembly depicting the pair of securing brackets in a second
position according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is rear perspective view of the tray lowering
assembly of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a securing bracket according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-5, like
numerals being used for like corresponding parts in the various
drawings.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a tray lowering assembly 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted.
Tray lowering assembly 100 may comprise a first securing bracket
10, and a second securing bracket 30 positioned below first
securing bracket 10. For example, first securing bracket 10 may
comprise at least one pivot arm 10a, e.g., a pair of pivot arms
10a, and a supporting arm 10b. Similarly, second securing bracket
30 may comprise at least one pivot arm 30a, e.g., a pair of pivot
arms 30a, and a supporting arm 30b. In an embodiment, supporting
arm 10b or supporting arm 30b, or both, may be adapted to receive
and to support a tray (not shown). A tray may include a pan, a
basket, a wire mesh platform, a bucket, or similar container
manufactured from metal, plastic, ceramic, or similar rigid
material.
[0020] Tray lowering assembly 100 also may comprise means for
pivotally connecting first securing bracket 10 to a first wall 50,
and means for pivotally connecting second securing bracket 30 to
first wall 50. Specifically, referring to FIG. 1, when first
securing bracket 10 is pivotally connected to first wall 50 and
receives the tray, supporting arm 10b may be substantially
perpendicular to first wall 50, such that a first initial angle
.theta. formed between supporting arm 10b and first wall 50 is
about 90.degree.. Nevertheless, referring to FIG. 3, because first
securing bracket 10 is pivotally connected to first wall 50, when a
contact pressure is applied to an underneath side of supporting arm
10b, e.g., the side of supporting arm 10b facing supporting arm
30b, supporting arm 10b moves towards first wall 50. As such, when
the contact pressure is applied to the underneath side of
supporting arm 10b, first initial angle .theta. may be reduced,
e.g., may become about 0.degree.. For example, during a use of tray
lowering assembly 100, a tray may not be properly inserted on
support arm 30b, e.g., the tray may extend more than a
predetermined distance from support arm 30b. When tray lowering
assembly 100 is lowered within a storage area (not shown) or a
treatment area (not shown), the tray which is supported by support
arm 30b may catch a portion of the storage area or the treatment
area, such that tray rises and applies the contact pressure to the
underneath side of support arm 10b. In another example, there may
be an obstruction sticking out of the storage area or a cavity of
tray lowering assembly 100.
[0021] Similarly, when second securing bracket 30 is pivotally
connected to first wall 50 and receives the tray, supporting arm
30b may be substantially perpendicular to first wall 50, such that
a second initial angle .theta.' formed between supporting arm 30b
and first wall 50 is about 90.degree.. Nevertheless, because second
securing bracket 30 is pivotally connected to first wall 50, when a
contact pressure is applied to an underneath side of supporting arm
30b, supporting arm 30b moves towards first wall 50. As such, when
the contact pressure is applied to the underneath side of
supporting arm 30b, second initial angle .theta.' may be reduced.
Moreover, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art that tray lowering assembly 100 may comprise first wall 50, or
first wall 50 may be an element of another assembly employing tray
lowering assembly 100. For example, a storage area (not shown),
e.g., a holding cabinet (not shown), a fryer (not shown), such as a
pressure fryer (not shown), or the like, may employ tray lowering
assembly 100, and the storage area may comprise first wall 50.
Further, first wall 50 may be slidably mounted to a first side wall
(not shown) of the holding cabinet, such that first wall 50 may be
raised or lowered within the storage area.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
means for pivotally connecting first securing bracket 10 to first
wall 50 may comprise at least one first wall passage 20, e.g., a
pair of first wall passages 20, formed through first wall 50.
Specifically, first wall passage 20 may be adapted to receive pivot
arm 10a of first securing bracket 10. The means for pivotally
connecting first securing bracket 10 to first wall 50 also may
comprise at least one first bracket passage 90 formed through each
pivot arm 10a of first securing bracket 10. The means for pivotally
connecting first securing bracket 10 to first wall 50 further may
comprise at least one first securing plate 60 mounted to wall 50,
e.g., via at least one fastener 70, such as a screw, bolt, rivet,
or the like. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, each first bracket
passage 90 receives a portion of first securing plate 60 when
supporting arm 10b of first securing bracket 10 moves towards first
wall 50. Similarly, the means for pivotally connecting second
securing bracket 30 to first wall 50 may comprise at least one
second wall passage 40, e.g., a pair of second wall passages 40,
formed through first wall 50. Specifically, second wall passage 40
may be adapted to receive pivot arm 30a of second securing bracket
30. The means for pivotally connecting second securing bracket 30
to first wall 50 also may comprise at least one second bracket
passage 95 formed through each pivot arm 30a of second securing
bracket 30. The means for pivotally connecting second securing
bracket 30 to first wall 50 further may comprise at least one
second securing plate 80 mounted to wall 50, e.g., via at least one
fastener 70, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, or the like.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, each second bracket passage 95
receives a portion of second securing plate 80 when supporting arm
30b of second securing bracket 30 moves towards first wall 50.
[0023] In any of the above-described embodiments of the present
invention, tray lowering assembly further may comprise means for
raising and lowering, e.g., mechanical devices; electrical devices;
electromagnetic devices; or any combinations thereof, first wall
50. Examples of some means for raising are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,336,395 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,831 B1, U.S. Pat. No.
6,112,646, U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,488, U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,795, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,974,955, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,712, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In
another example, the means for raising may comprise at least one
first pulley (not shown), e.g., a first pair of upper pulleys (not
shown), positioned within an opening formed in first wall 50. The
means for raising also may comprise at least one second pulley (not
shown), e.g., a second pair of lower pulleys (not shown),
positioned below first wall 50. For example, at least a portion of
the second pulleys can be vertically aligned with first wall 50.
The means for raising further may comprise at least one cable (not
shown) engaging a portion of the first pulley and a portion of the
second pulley. For example, a first portion of the cable may be
positioned on a first side of first wall 50 and a second portion of
the cable may be positioned on a second side of first wall 50. The
means for raising also may comprise at least one motor (not shown)
operationally coupled to the second pulley, such that the motor
turns or rotates the second pulley. When the motor turns the second
pulley, first wall 50 may be raised or lowered depending on the
direction which the motor turns the second pulley, thereby raising
or lowering first securing bracket 10 or second securing bracket
30, or both.
[0024] In another example, the means for raising may comprise at
least one jacking system (not shown). The jacking system may
comprise at least one screw (not shown), and an engaging nut (not
shown) adapted to receive screw. The jacking system also may
comprise a pair of vertically extendable jack members (not shown),
e.g., a pair of double scissor jack members (not shown), and a
platform (not shown) connected to or mounted to the jack members
(not shown). The jacking system further may comprise the motor
operationally coupled to the screw, such that the motor turns or
rotates the screw. Moreover, when the motor turns the screw, the
jack members may extend vertically, and first wall 50 may be raised
or lowered depending on the direction which the motor turns the
screw. For example, when the screw moves about six inches in a
horizontal direction, the jack members may move about sixteen
inches in a vertical direction.
[0025] In operation, when first securing bracket 10 or second
securing bracket 30, or both are lowered, e.g., via a lowering of
first wall 50, and the tray supported by first securing bracket 10
or second securing bracket 30, or both, is not completely inserted
onto securing bracket 10 or securing bracket 30, or both, and
extends a predetermined distance from first securing bracket 10 or
second securing bracket 30, or both, the tray may contact a counter
top (not shown) of the holding cabinet. Similarly, when an
obstruction is positioned within a cavity of tray lowering assembly
10 or within the holding cabinet, or both, the tray may contact the
obstruction. That particular tray contacting the counter top or the
obstruction subsequently may rise and contact the supporting arm of
the securing bracket positioned above the tray, thereby causing the
contacted securing bracket to pivot in a direction towards first
wall 50. For example, when the tray supported by second securing
bracket 30 contacts the counter top of the holding cabinet or the
obstruction, the tray subsequently may rise and contact supporting
arm 10b of first securing bracket 10. This pattern may be repeated
until an operation of the holding cabinet is discontinued.
Nevertheless, because first securing bracket 10 and second securing
bracket 30 pivot, thereby preventing the tray from becoming wedged
between first securing bracket 10 and the counter top or the
obstruction, a motor employed to raise and lower first wall 50 may
not be damaged or destroyed when the tray applies the contact
pressure to the underneath side of first securing bracket 10.
Moreover, although this example is described with respect to a
holding cabinet, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill
in the art that similar results are obtained when assembly 100 is
lowered inside a fryer (not shown), and a tray contacts a portion
of the fryer or the obstruction.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, first wall 50 may be raised,
such that first securing bracket 10 and second securing bracket 30
may be positioned above or substantially flush with the counter top
of the holding cabinet. Pretreated items, e.g., precooked food
products, may be placed on a first tray (not shown), e.g., a first
food product tray, and pretreated items, e.g., precooked food
products, may be placed on a second tray (not shown), e.g., a
second food product tray. When a desired amount of pretreated items
been placed on a desired number of trays, e.g., between two and
about five trays depending on a number of securing brackets used by
tray lowering assembly 100, first wall 50 may be lowered inside the
holding cabinet. As such, each of the tray may be lowered from one
position to another position, such that the first tray may be
substantially flush with a horizontal plane of the opening of the
counter top of the holding cabinet. Moreover, the second may be
inside the holding cabinet. When all or substantially all of the
items on first tray have been removed, first wall 50 may be raised
from a first level to a second level. As such, each of the trays
may rise from a one position to another position. Consequently, the
first tray may be positioned outside the holding cabinet and the
second tray may be positioned substantially flush with the
horizontal plane of the opening of the counter top. Moreover, this
pattern may be repeated until the tray closest to a bottom of the
holding cabinet is substantially flush with the horizontal plane of
the opening of the counter top. When all of the pretreated items
have been removed, additional items may be positioned on the trays
and tray lowering assembly 100 may be lowered inside the holding
cabinet.
[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, first wall 50 may be
raised, such that first securing bracket 10 and second securing
bracket 30 may be positioned above or substantially flush with a
top of a fryer (not shown). Uncooked food products may be placed on
a first tray (not shown), and uncooked food products may be placed
on a second tray (not shown). When a desired amount of uncooked
food products been placed on a desired number of trays, e.g.,
between two and about five trays depending on a number of securing
brackets used by tray lowering assembly 100, first wall 50 may be
lowered inside the fryer. As such, each of the trays may be lowered
from one position to another position. When all or substantially
all of the food products have been cooked, first wall 50 may be
raised from a first level to a second level. As such, each of the
trays may rise from a one position to another position.
[0028] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a second wall (not shown) may be positioned
substantially opposite first wall 50. The elements described above
with respect to embodiments of the present invention which include
first wall 50 also may be included with respect to embodiments
including the second wall. Moreover, the features and advantages of
the embodiments of the present invention which include first wall
50 are substantially the same as the features and advantages of
embodiments of the present invention which include both first wall
50 and the second wall. Therefore, embodiments of the present
invention which include both first wall 50 and the second wall are
not further discussed.
[0029] While the invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that other variations and modifications of the
preferred embodiments described above may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the
specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is
intended that the specification and the described examples are
considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the
invention indicated by the following claims
* * * * *