Chafing dish

A collapsible chafer stand for heating food is disclosed. The chafer stand includes a base frame. The chafer stand includes leg frames placed apart from one another. The leg frames connect at distal ends of the base frame via T-shaped members. The chafer stand includes poles extending from distal ends of each leg frame. The chafer stand includes a top frame removably connected to the poles. The top frame includes pole receiving sections. The pole receiving sections receive the poles and connect the top frame to the base frame. The poles are connected via a straight connecting bar and handle. The top frame receives a tray having a dish. The base frame receives a heating member for chafing the dish. The top frame is removed and the poles are made to collapse over the base frame when not in use. The chafing stand provides an easily stackable structure that can be folded for easy transportation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to racks or stands. More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible chafer stand or rack for warming food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that a chafing rack or chafing stand is commonly used for holding and heating food. A typical chafing stand includes an open structure made of metal to support a metal pan, which holds a chafing dish. The chafing stand further includes a support structure at the bottom to receive a heater for heating the chafing dish.

Several chafing stands have been disclosed in the past. One such example is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 20050167381, entitled “Folding rack for chafing dish” (“the '381 Publication”). The '381 Publication discloses a folding chafing dish rack having a locking mechanism between the legs which prevents the inadvertent collapse of the rack when in use. The device is easily assembled and stable when in use and folds into a compact package which can be efficiently stored.

Another example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 9,861,228, entitled “Structurally efficient, reduced material folding stand for a chafing dish” (“the '228 Patent”). The '228 Patent discloses a collapsible chafing dish stand includes a rim that holds the chafing dish pan; a first leg formed into a first geometric shape having two ends each pivotally coupled to the rim; a second leg similarly formed with two ends each pivotally coupled to the rim; a first cross bar and a second cross bar each formed into a select geometric shape, and pivotally coupled to the first leg and the second leg, respectively; and a hook to releasably couple the first cross bar to the second cross bar to secure the first and second legs in a support position. The improved configuration permits manufacture of a stand with fewer wire bends, simplified hinges and hook, simplified coupling of cross bars, and simplified geometric shapes, all of which combine to minimise material usage, and be more economically producible in a highly competitive marketplace, while retaining structural integrity.

Yet another example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 9,414,712, entitled “Compactly stackable wire chafing stand” (“the '712 Patent”). The '712 Patent discloses a wire stand having an upper rim of a closed rectangle and a lower rim of wire metal of similar, but smaller shape. The stand is nestable such that angled wires extending between the upper and lower rim touch each other when nested and the upper rims of the nested stands are held close to each other. The upper and lower rims are connected by at least two wires substantially identically shaped and bent with each wire being unitary and having a segment thereof attached to the upper rim and extending outwardly therefrom to form a handle element for the chafer wire stand. Each wire is attached to the lower rim and extends therefrom to form two supporting legs for the chafer wire stand.

Although the above discussed disclosures are useful, they have few problems. For instance, the existing chafing stands have bulky handles that interfere with the fuel holder. Further, the existing chafing stands have a nestable wire frame, which is not easy to collapse and put back in place.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an improved collapsible chafer rack or stand for chafing a dish.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a collapsible chafer stand that avoids the drawbacks of known chafer stands.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a collapsible chafer stand or foldable tray holder that is easily stackable.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a collapsible chafer stand to have a sleeker base frame that does interfere with a heating member used for chafing a dish.

In order to overcome one or more objects, the present disclosure presents a collapsible chafer stand for chafing a dish. The chafer stand includes a base frame. The chafer stand includes leg frames placed apart from one another. The leg frames connect to the base frame at distal ends of the base frame via T-shaped members. The chafer stand includes poles extending from distal ends of each leg frame. The chafer stand includes a top frame removably connected to the poles. Further, the top frame includes pole receiving sections. The pole receiving sections receive the poles and connect the top frame to the base frame. The top frame receives a tray having a dish. The base frame receives a heating member for heating the dish. The top frame is removed and the poles are made to collapse/fold over the base frame when not in use.

In one aspect, the leg frame includes a first section, U-shaped members, and second sections. The first section draws through the T-shaped member. The U-shaped members extend from distal ends of the first section. Here, the U-shaped members extend downwardly from the first section and act as base legs for the first frame. Each second section of the second sections extends from each U-shaped member.

In one advantageous feature of the present disclosure, the chafing stand provides an easily stackable structure that can be folded for easy transportation and reduced shipping costs by shipping the item in a smaller box.

In another advantageous feature of the present disclosure, the base frame is a single rod which is sleeker and does not interfere with the heating member, when compared with known base frames having additional bars.

In another advantageous feature of the present disclosure, the T-shaped member acts as a hinge member allowing the leg frames to pivot easily for folding.

The features and advantages of the disclosure here will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES. As will be realised, the disclosure disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed disclosure may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed chafing stand. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed chafing stand.

In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the disclosure preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present disclosure encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

Although the present disclosure provides a description of a chafing stand, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the chafing stand. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure.

The present disclosure discloses a collapsible chafer stand for heating food. The chafer stand includes a base frame. The chafer stand includes leg frames placed apart from one another. The leg frames connect to the base frame at distal ends of the base frame via T-shaped members. The chafer stand includes poles extending from distal ends of each leg frame. The chafer stand includes a top frame removably connected to the poles. The top frame receives a tray having a dish. The base frame receives a heating member for chafing the dish. The top frame is removed and the poles are made to collapse over the base frame when not in use.

Various features and embodiments of a collapsible chafing stand are explained in conjunction with the description ofFIGS.1-8.

FIG.1shows an environment10in which a collapsible chafing stand11implements, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the terms “collapsible chafing stand” and “chafing stand” are used interchangeably. Further,FIG.2shows a perspective view of chafing stand11, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Chafing stand11includes a first frame12and a second frame14. First frame indicates a bottom frame and second frame14indicates a top frame positioned over first frame12. Second frame14receives a tray or metal pan16that holds a chafing dish19, as shown inFIG.1. Here, dish19indicates a food item that requires heating. First frame12supports second frame14to rest at a height from a surface. Further, first frame12receives a heating member or heater or fuel holder18for heating the dish19.

FIGS.3A,3B and3Cshow a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view and a side perspective view, respectively of first frame12, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. First frame12is made of a metal wire, hard plastic, wood or any other suitable material. First frame12comes in a U-shaped configuration as shown in at leastFIG.3. First frame12has a first end20and a second end22. First end20indicates a front end and second end22indicates a rear end, or vice versa of first frame12. Further, first frame12includes a first side24and a second side26. First side24indicates a right side and second side26indicates a left side, or vice versa of first frame12. Further, first frame12has a top end28and a bottom end30.

First frame12includes a base frame32. Base frame32indicates a rod positioned horizontally with respect to a surface, such as a floor or table, for example. Base frame32includes a heater support member34. Heater support member34comes in a circular or coil-like structure and helps to place heating member18over it for heating dish19in tray16.

Further, first frame12includes a pair of leg frames36. Leg frames36include a first leg frame38and a second leg frame40, placed apart from each other. First leg frame38and second leg frame40connect by base frame32with support from T-shaped members42. In the present embodiment, base frame32connects a T-shaped member42at each of its distal ends. Each T-shaped member42, i.e., T-shaped member42at second side26receives first leg frame38and T-shaped member42at first side24receives second leg frame40, as shown in at leastFIG.3A. In one implementation, leg frame36includes a ring member44. Ring member44comes in an O-ring or D-ring shape. Here, ring member44acts as a stop to the further extension of t-shaped member42when opening the first frame12into an open position. Ring member44further supports first frame12when in an open position.

Each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40includes a first section46. First section46indicates a cylindrical wire that draws through T-shaped member42as shown in at leastFIGS.3B and4. First section46includes U-shaped members48. U-shaped members48extend down from both sides of first section46. U-shaped members48rest over the surface and act as base legs for first frame12. As U-shaped members48extend downward, they create a space or gap such that base frame32and heater support member34can rest at a height from the surface without coming in contact with the surface. Further, each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40includes second sections50. Section sections50extend from U-shaped members48at each side/end as shown in at leastFIG.3B. Further, each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40includes poles52extending from distal ends of section sections50. It should be understood that each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40includes a pair of poles52, each extending upwards (towards top end28) from the distal ends of section sections50. Specifically, poles52extend vertically i.e., 90 degrees with respect to second sections50, as shown in at leastFIG.3C. Further, each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40includes a connecting bar and handle54. Connecting bar and handle54connects poles52extending from opposite ends of section sections50and supports poles52remain in place, as shown inFIGS.3A,3B and3C. Connection bars and handles54further act as handles for carrying/transporting first frame12and/or chafing stand11

In the present invention, each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40pivotably connects to base frame32via T-shaped frame42. As such, poles52at each of first leg frame38and second leg frame40are collapsible to fold first frame12.FIGS.5A and5Bshow the feature of poles52of first leg frame38positioned vertically and poles52of second leg frame40collapsed/folded over base frame32. Subsequently, poles52of first leg frame38are folded over base frame32, as shown inFIG.6.

FIG.7shows a bottom perspective view of second frame14, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As specified above, second frame14indicates a top frame. Second frame14indicates a rim that comes in a rectangular shape with curved edges. As can be seen, second frame14has an open structure to receive tray16, which holds dish19. Second frame14includes a plurality of pole receiving sections62. Pole receiving sections62extend downwards i.e., towards bottom end30. Each of pole receiving sections62include a hole64having a slightly larger diameter than pole52to receive it.FIG.8shows an exploded view of chafing stand11in which second frame14aligns with first frame12, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Here, pole receiving sections62align with poles52. Subsequently, poles52insert in holes64and connect to second frame14.

In order to use chafing stand11, at first, base frame32is placed over the surface. Subsequently, poles52are positioned perpendicularly with respect to base frame32. Further, second frame14is connected to poles52as shown inFIG.2. Furthermore, tray26having dish19is placed within second frame14, as shown inFIG.1. Here, the weight of second frame14and/or tray16gets distributed across poles52. In order to heat dish19, heating member18is placed over heater support member34.

After use, tray16is removed from second frame14and heating member18is removed from first frame12. Further, second frame14is removed from poles52. Furthermore, poles52are folded over first frame12. In one example, ring members44act as a stop to the further extension of t-shaped members42when opening the first frame12into an open position. Ring member44further supports first frame12when in an open position.11.

The presently disclosed chafing stand provides several advantages over prior art. For instance, the chafing stand is made of a wire metal with minimum connections making it easy to install and uninstall. Further, the base frame is a single rod, which is sleeker and does not interfere with the heating member, when compared with known base frames having additional bars. The T-shaped member acts as a hinge member allowing the leg frames to pivot easily for folding. Further, the T-shaped member keeps the chafing stand stable. The leg frames allow stacking the poles and the second frame without adding much weight to the overall structure. The connecting bar and handle is designed to minimize the folded size of the chafing stand for easier shipping and storage.

A person skilled in the art appreciates that the chafing stand can come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need and comfort of the user. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed chafing stand.

In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure.