Abstract:
A portable party table [ 1000 ] for holding hot and cold foods is described. It employs at least two sections [ 1100, 1500 ] held together with a hinge [ 1600 ] for holding foods. The party table [ 1000 ] has folding legs [ 1111, 1511 ] and leg supports [ 1113, 1513 ] to support the legs. Each section [ 1100, 1500 ] has a tapered base [ 1101, 1501 ] with a drain hole [ 1107, 1507 ] and a drain plug [ 1109, 1509 ]. As ice melts it is directed toward the drain holes [ 1107, 1507 ]. Electric receptacle [ 1525 ] provide electricity for a heating plate. Alternatively, the hinge [ 1600 ] is a type which provides spacing between the sections [ 1100, 1500 ] to thermally insulate the hot from the cold section. The hinge [ 1600 ] may be allowed to slide to provide an insulation gap [ 1607 ], or eliminate the gap [ 1607].

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/364,948 “PORTABLE HOT AND COLD PARTY TABLE” filed Mar. 1, 2006 by the same inventor as the present application, Larry Dean and Marlene Dean. The present application claims priority from this application and incorporates all material as if it were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to a portable table which opens into a buffet for holding hot and cold foods. 
         [0006]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0007]    People have celebrations from time to time, many of which include a dinner. It is also common to have a buffet-style dinner at these events in which the guests help themselves to the food. 
         [0008]    The foods may be required to be cooled or warmed, depending upon the foods offered. 
         [0009]    There are buffet tables, or party tables which are designed to hold ice upon which containers of the food are placed. 
         [0010]    There are also buffet tables which have gas burners, electric burners to keep the food warm. 
         [0011]    Usually the buffets are all hot or cold buffets for thermal efficiency. 
         [0012]    It is not common for a person to incur the expense of buying a hot and/or cold buffet table unless they have many such celebrations. 
         [0013]    Also, these celebrations may be at different locations. 
         [0014]    Therefore, it makes sense to have a portable buffet which may be borrowed, transported to the celebrations and returned. 
         [0015]    The full buffets are too large and bulky to transport. Also, both a hot and cold buffet table would be required for hot and cold food. 
         [0016]    Currently, there is a need for a portable buffet which efficiently holds both hot and cold foods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention may be embodied as A portable party table for holding food, comprising:
       a) a first section [ 1100 ] having a tapered base [ 1101 ] with a drain hole [ 1107 ] allowing liquids to run toward the drain hole [ 1107 ],   b) a second section [ 1500 ] having a tapered base [ 1501 ] with a drain hole [ 1507 ] allowing liquids to run toward the drain hole [ 1507 ],   c) a hinge [ 1600 ] connected to the first section [ 1100 ] and the second section [ 1500 ] allowing the first section [ 1100 ] to pivot flat against the second section [ 1500 ], or to pivot outward to a full extended position in which the sections are coplanar,   d) a first set of folding legs [ 1111 ] within the first section [ 1100 ] capable of being in a folded position, folding into the first section or in an extended position holding the first section [ 1100 ] in an upright position, and   e) a second set of folding legs [ 1511 ] within the second section [ 1500 ] capable of being in a folded position, folding into the second section [ 1500 ], or in an extended position holding the second section [ 1500 ] in an upright position alongside of the first section [ 1100 ] for holding food as a buffet.       
 
         [0023]    The present invention may also be embodied as 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable buffet for both hot and cold foods. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable buffet which is easy to transport. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable buffet which folds into a compact unit. 
         [0027]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable buffet which limits the transfer of heat from the hot foods to the cold foods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable party table  1000  according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side elevational view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as viewed from the top. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  as viewed from the bottom. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a sectional side elevational view of another embodiment of the portable party table  1000  according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a partial enlarged view of the hinge  1600  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a sectional side elevational view of the hinge of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a canned fuel support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    At a party some of the foods must be kept chilled. One easy way is to have the food placed on ice cubes. The ice cubes take some time to melt. They can keep foods cold for several hours. 
         [0038]    Other foods require heating. One such way to heat the food is to provide an electric hot plate. This requires a source of electric power. 
         [0039]    Another method of heating would be the use of prepackaged flammable canisters. Therefore, the structure should be provided to hold these in a safe and secure location for an extended period of time while they are burning. 
         [0040]    A structure to hold both the ice and chilled food and the heating means and hot food should be provided. In its preferred embodiment, it incorporates the structure to insulate the hot section from the cold section and to improve the efficiency of both. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable buffet  1000  according to the present invention. 
         [0042]    Here it can bee seen that the portable party table  1000  is shown in its open and operational position. This embodiment has a first section  1100  and a second section  1500 . First section  1100  has a lip  1103 , which is typically a few inches high that surrounds the upper side of the first section  1100 . 
         [0043]    A second section  1500  has a lip  1503 , which is also a few inches high that surrounds its upper side. 
         [0044]    These lips  1103 ,  1503  are designed to hold ice if the section is intended to be used to hold chilled foods. 
         [0045]    First section  1100  has a tapered base  1101  which angles from the lip  1103  downward toward a drain hole  1107  plugged with a drain plug  1109 . In this embodiment it is shown in the center, but may be at various locations on tapered base  1101 . 
         [0046]    Similarly, second section  1500  has a tapered base  1501  which angles from the lip  1503  downward toward a drain hole  1507  plugged with a drain plug  1509 . Again, this drain hole  1507  and drain plug  1509  may be at various locations on tapered base  1501 . 
         [0047]    The first section  1100  and the second section  1500  are attached at a hinge  1600 . 
         [0048]    The first section  1100  is held up with folding legs  1111  shown in their extended position. A pair of leg supports  1113  hold and lock the folding legs  1111  in their extended position so that the folding legs  1111  stay extended. 
         [0049]    Similarly, the second section  1500  is held up with folding legs  1511  shown in their extended position. A pair of leg supports  1513  hold and lock the folding legs  1511  in their extended position so that the folding legs  1511  stay extended. 
         [0050]    Each tapered base  1101 ,  1501  preferably includes attachment points  1115 ,  1515 , respectively such as slots for attaching a structure to hold heating canisters in place when used for heating foods. 
         [0051]    If one side will be used to chill food and the other to heat food, it is important to have thermal insulation between the sides. Preferably center lip  1105  and  1505  are made of a thermally insulating material to slow heat conduction from first section  1100  to second section  1500 . 
         [0052]    Alternatively, center lips  1105 ,  1505  may be made hollow and/or contain thermal insulating material. 
         [0053]    A first connector extends from an outer side of the first section  1100  (not shown here). Similarly, a second connector  1519  extends from an outer side of the second section  1500 . These are positioned such that when the portable party table  1000  is folded first connector meets with and attaches to second connector  1519 . In this embodiment, second connector  1519  is a strap with a hook and loop connector, commonly sold under the name of Velcro®. The other connector (not shown here) is a metal loop through which the strap passes and then secures to itself. 
         [0054]    Leg retainers  1127 ,  1527  holds folding legs  1111 ,  1511  in their folded position. Leg retainer  1127 ,  1527  may be a common attachment means, such as hook and loop connector sold under the name Velcro®. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side elevational view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIG. 1 . Here the first section  1100  and second section  1500  are shown connected by a hinge  1600  on the upper side of center lips  1105 ,  1505 . 
         [0056]    Tapered base  1101  of the first section  1100  is shown tapering from the lip  1103  downward to the drain hole  1107 . This allows water from the melting ice in first section  1100  to move downward toward the drain hole  1107 . 
         [0057]    Second section  1500  has a similar structure and function. 
         [0058]    Either or both sections  1100 ,  1500  may optionally employ a drainage tube  1117 ,  1517  which attaches to the drain holes  1107 ,  1507 . This allows liquids to be drained away from the portable party table  1000 . 
         [0059]    After use, first section  1100  and second section  1500  are folded toward each other in the direction of the arrow marked “A” to fold flat against each other. First connector  1119  connects to second connector  1519  holding first section  1100  to second section  1500 . 
         [0060]    Folding legs  1111  fold into the bottom of the first section  1100  and folding legs  1511  fold into the bottom of the second section  1500 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as viewed from the top. The tapered base  1101  and lip  1103  of first section  1100  are visible from this view, as is the drain hole  1107 . 
         [0062]    The tapered base  1501  and lip  1503  of second section  1500  are also visible. Drain hole  1507  is shown at its center. 
         [0063]    Center lip  1105  and  1505  are shown here adjacent to each other. 
         [0064]    First connector  1119  and second connector  1519  are also visible. 
         [0065]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the portable party table  1000  of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  as viewed from the bottom. As before, drain holes  1107 ,  1507  and drain plugs  1109 ,  1509  are visible. Also, connectors  1519  and  1119  are also visible. Folding legs  1111 ,  1511  are shown in their folded position. For strength, vertical ribs  1121 ,  1521  and horizontal ribs  1123 ,  1523  may be employed. 
         [0066]    Since electricity will be required for electric hotplates, an electrical receptacle  1525  may be employed. There also may be protrusions from the bottom of the party table for wrapping, holding and storing the electric cord extending from the electric receptacle  1525 . 
         [0067]    There is a receptacle space  1125  which there are no horizontal or vertical ribs, providing a location to attach another electric receptacle if required. 
         [0068]    The drain plug  1509  may be unplugged to allow any wires from a heat source to pass through drain hole  1507  and to receptacle  1525 . In an alternative embodiment, there may be other holes serving the same purpose. 
         [0069]      FIG. 5  is a sectional side elevational view of another embodiment of the portable party table  1000  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the hinge  1600  is extended to create a gap  1607  between sections  1100  and  1500 . This reduces the transmission of heat between the sections and makes it more efficient when using one section for hot foods and the other for cold foods. 
         [0070]      FIG. 6  is a partial enlarged view of the hinge  1600  of  FIG. 5 . Hinge connectors  1609  and  1611  rotate about hinge pivot  1601 . Hinge connection  1609  extends into and is connected to center lip  1105  of section  1100 , preferably along the length of center lip  1105 . 
         [0071]    Hinge  1600  also has a hinge connector  1611  that extends into and is connected to center lip  1505 , preferably for the length of lip  1505 . 
         [0072]    Hinge  1600  pivots about hinge pivot  1601 . In this figure, hinge  1600  is shown in its full opened position. Since it can rotate no further in the direction marked “B”, it supports the center of party table  1000  where section  1100  meets section  1500 . By its design, it creates a gap  1607  used to separate and thermally insulate section  1100  from section  1500 . 
         [0073]    For additional support, end plates may be employed within the lips at the edges of hinge  1600 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 7  is a sectional side elevational view of the hinge of  FIG. 5  as viewed from a side of party table  1000 . Here the sides of sections  1100  and  1500  may be seen. A plate  1603  is secured within and partially extends from a sidewall of section  1100 . Plate  1603  is pivotally attached to hinge pivot  1601 . Similarly, a plate  1605  is secured within and partially extends from a sidewall of section  1500 . Plate  1605  is pivotally attached to hinge pivot  1601 . Plates  1603  and  1605  provide additional support to hinge  1600  and party table  1000 . 
         [0075]    In a further alternative embodiment, plates  1605  and  1603  may be allowed to slide out of section  1100  and  1500  until they hit a stop. This allows sections  1100  and  1500  to remain in intimate contact, or to create spaces by a gap allowing for thermal insulation between them. 
         [0076]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the gap  1607  of  FIGS. 5-7  may be filled with a thermal insulation material to further thermally insulate the sections. 
         [0077]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a heater support  1700  for securely holding a heating source for warming food. In this embodiment it is shown as fuel canisters  3 . Heater support  1700  may also hold and support an electric heating plate or other heating source. It is only required when hot foods are being served. It is not used when cold foods are being served. 
         [0078]    Heater support  1700  includes a support base  1701  which has a plurality of connector feet  1703 . These connector feet are intended to fit in the attachment points ( 1115  and  1515  of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
         [0079]    Support base  1701  has ridges  1705  which are sized to receive fuel canisters  3 . Heater support  1700  has holds the fuel canisters  3  as they burn keeping the food hot. Heating support  1700  keeps the heat source  3  off of the tapered base  1101 ,  1501 . This prevents the tapered base  1101 ,  1501  from melting if it is constructed from a plastic material. 
         [0080]    Heater support  1700  also acts as a safety device by preventing the fuel canisters  3  from tipping and starting a fire. 
         [0081]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.