Abstract:
The Stacker features multiple removable working surfaces for the heating or cooking of meals and or liquids within a microwave, convection, or combination microwave convection oven. The Stacker also provides storage of prepared meals within a refrigeration unit. The Stacker also provides portable transport of prepared meals on plates, bowls, etc. The Stacker is constructed of a microwave and or convection oven safe material that provides vertical working surfaces. By utilizing current rotary systems found in microwaves or similar ovens, the Stacker allows for even-heat distribution of multiple plates, bowls, cups or any type of food container using it&#39;s multiple working surfaces. The Stacker can also be used in newer microwave ovens which provide even heating within a microwave oven without the use of a rotary system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/561,391, filed Apr. 12, 2004, for STACKER, by Keith Edward Lambert, Maria Christine Lambert, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.  
         [0002]     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/553,441, filed Mar. 16, 2004, for STACKER, by Keith Edward Lambert, Maria Christine Lambert, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to the heating of food or liquids and, more particularly, to the heating and or cooking of multiple foods and or liquids utilizing one or more working surfaces within a microwave or combination microwave and convection oven. The present invention provides storage of prepared meals within a refrigeration unit for later heating. The present invention provides portable solutions for the transport of prepared meals on inventions working surfaces. The present invention provides storage of plates or bowls to be heated before travel or heated after travel utilizing an insulated carry bag.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Typical microwave or similar ovens are limited to heating one, or possibly two plates or bowls of food at one time.  
         [0005]     Microwave or similar ovens with a rotary system provide even cooking or heating of food or liquid but are typically limited to one rotating working surface. Thus microwave users are forced to cook or heat one plate, bowl or cup at a time utilizing a standard microwave or similar oven rotary system.  
         [0006]     The present invention seeks to provide a means by which multiple food and or liquid containers can be vertically stacked in a microwave or similar oven to provide multiple stationary or rotating working surfaces for plates, bowls, or any other oven safe container.  
         [0007]     For example a household of four utilizing a standard microwave or similar oven typically has to heat or reheat plates one at a time, which can prove to be a laborious, time-consuming process. By the time one plate is hot, the other plates become cold, which is a limiting factor of current oven designs. Using the present invention a family of four can heat up all four plates at the same time. Thus offering a time saving approach to heating and cooking in a microwave or similar oven.  
         [0008]     The present invention seeks to provide a means by which multiple food and or liquid containers can be vertically stacked in a refrigeration unit to provide storage for multiple plates, bowls, or any other oven safe container, thus reducing the need for additional containers within a refrigeration unit. For example leftover foods can be put on plates and stacked in the refrigeration unit, or leftovers can be put directly on the inventions removable working surfaces which can be used as plates for serving of meals.  
         [0009]     For individuals that like to have picnics or bring meals to others homes it is a hassle to bring prepared foods, etc normally an individual has to bring multiple containers. The present invention seeks to provide a means by which multiple prepared plates, bowls, etc can be transported within one housing for easy transport utilizing an insulated travel bag. The present invention also seeks to provide a means by which multiple prepared foods on embodiment working surfaces can be transported within one housing for easy transport utilizing an insulated travel bag.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide multiple working surfaces for the heating of food on multiple plates, bowls, or in any microwave or similar oven safe container.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the invention to provide multiple removable working surfaces for the heating of food on such removable working surfaces.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the invention to provide multiple working surfaces for the heating of liquids.  
         [0013]     It is another object of the invention to be stackable is so desired.  
         [0014]     It is another object of the invention to provide even-heat distribution to the warming of foods or liquids in multiple microwave or convection oven safe containers.  
         [0015]     It is another object of the invention to be dish washer safe for easy clean up.  
         [0016]     It is another object of the invention to provide splatter protection of foods and or liquids.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the invention to protect moisture content of such mounted food.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the invention to provide storage of prepared food on plates, bowls, etc within a refrigeration unit.  
         [0019]     It is another object of the invention to provide food portion limits by utilizing user-supplied plates on working surfaces or by mounting food directly on removable working surfaces.  
         [0020]     It is another object of the invention to provide transport of prepared meals within the stacker utilizing an insulated carry bag.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a Stacker which features multiple removable working surfaces for the heating or cooking of foods and or liquids within a microwave or combination microwave/convection oven. The present invention also provides storage of multiple stacked plates, bowls, etc within a refrigeration unit. The Stacker is constructed of a refrigeration, microwave and or convection oven safe material that provides two or more vertical working surfaces for plates, bowls, cups or any type of food container. Within a microwave or similar oven, multiple Stacker units can be stacked one on top of another to provide multiple surfaces for the end user to heat or cook multiple plates, bowls, cups, or other type of food container. The present invention also provides heating of multiple foods on it&#39;s height adjustable removable working surfaces. The invention also provides even-heat distribution by being mounted on the oven&#39;s existing rotary system. The invention also can replace the ovens existing rotary system mounting surface where plates, bowls, cups, or containers are normally mounted. The invention also provides storage of prepared meals on plates, bowls, etc within a refrigeration unit. The invention also provides portable solutions for foods utilizing it&#39;s adjustable working surfaces and or plates, bolws, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of a Stacker that is capable of providing three working surfaces;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a Stacker;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a Removable Working Surface;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a Stacker;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a Working Surface;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a Cover. Used to seal the Stacker unit;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing three working surfaces;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces with cover;  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces;  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker that is capable of providing five working surfaces;  
         [0035]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces;  
         [0036]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing five working surfaces;  
         [0037]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces with cover;  
         [0038]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces;  
         [0039]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces;  
         [0040]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces;  
         [0041]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing seven working surfaces;  
         [0042]      FIG. 20  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces with cover; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an insulated travel bag. 
     
    
       [0044]     For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Stacker that is capable of providing three working surfaces. Food containers such as plates, bowls, and the like can be mounted on the stacker&#39;s top working surface  14  as well as on any of the inventions lower working surfaces if installed in order to supply additional working surfaces. The main housing  16  may be fabricated from plastic, glass or any microwave or similar oven safe material. The main housing base  18  may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 , or both the main housing base  18  and the main housing  16  can be one fabricated piece. Moreover, the main housing  16  is circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. Incorporated in the main housing  16  is the seal rim  32  which aids in the containment of steam during the heating or cooking process.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a Stacker. Molded in the top working surface  14  is a spill proof rim  10  which provides spill containment should a food or liquid leak out of it&#39;s container. This spill proof rim  10  can be circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height of the spill proof rim  10  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. All working surfaces are removable and have a spill proof rim  10  should it be desirable.  
         [0047]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a removable working surface  30 . Molded in the bottom of the removable working surface  30  are multiple support strut  12  members. The purpose of such support strut  12  members is to provide additional stiffening for a stacker removable working surface  30 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a Stacker. The main housing base  18  may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave or similar oven safe material and is attached by mechanical fastening in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Moreover, the Main Housing  16  is circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The main housing base  18  has an extruded bottom mount  20  molded into the embodiment. Moreover, the extruded bottom mount  20  is circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height of the extruded bottom mount  20  is to be designed to provide optimal mounting on an oven rotary base while providing rotational operating clearance for the Main Housing base  18 . The extruded bottom mount  20  can also be oriented to engage with existing oven rotary systems in order to replace such included rotary system plates.  
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a removable working surface  30 . The removable working surface  30  may be fabricated from plastic, glass or any microwave or similar oven safe material. Molded in the top of the removable working surface  30  is a spill proof rim  10  which provides spill containment should a food or liquid leak out of it&#39;s container. This spill proof rim  10  can be circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height of the spill proof rim  10  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The removable working surface  30  can be concave in designed to aid in the containment of food mounted directly on the removable working surface  30 . All working surfaces are removable and have a spill proof rim  10 . The top surface of the removable working surface  30  can also be used as a plate surface for the mounting of food. The removable working surface  30  units can also be supplied in different colors to help define meal placement during the serving of a meal.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces. This view reveals a cross sectional view of the Stacker top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18 . This view also reveals the working surface mount  24  located between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  which provides a means to mount a removable working surface  30  by engaging the removable working surface  30  into the working surface mount  24  in order to provide additional working surfaces for a Stacker. The removable working surface  30  can be designed to lock into the working surface mount  24  by those skilled in the art.  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces. This view reveals the container loading side of the main housing  16 . The user places a food or liquid container in this area on top of the main housing base  18 . The main housing base  18  has a molded lower spill proof rim  22  which provides spill containment should a food or liquid leak out of it&#39;s container. The lower spill proof rim  22  can be circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height or depth of the lower spill proof rim  22  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. If necessary the top working surface  14  of a Stacker can be supported by multiple support strut  12  members. The height and width and orientation of the support strut  12  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art while providing support to the top working surface  14 . When a removable working surface  30  is utilized users can place a plate of food on this surface or place food directly onto the removable working surface  30  and use the removable working surface  30  as a plate.  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a Cover. A cover is used to seal the Stacker unit. The cover is mounted between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  to provide a means to close the Stacker unit during heating, cooking, refrigeration, or travel. The cover may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanical fastened by engaging the cover locking device  28  into the cover lock socket  26  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 . Moreover, the cover is an arc in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user.  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing three working surfaces. A cover is used to seal the Stacker unit. The cover is mounted between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  to provide a means to close the Stacker unit during heating, cooking, refrigeration, or travel. The cover may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened by engaging the cover locking device  28  into the cover lock socket  26  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 . Moreover, the cover is an arc in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user.  
         [0054]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing three working surfaces with an installed cover.  
         [0055]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces. The present view shows one removable working surface  30  installed, in this embodiment up to three removable working surface  30  units can be installed for the direct mounting of food onto the removable working surface  30  or for the mounting of food containers such as plates, bowls, and the like. Plates, bowls, and the like can be mounted on the stacker&#39;s top working surface  14 . The main housing  16  may be fabricated from plastic, glass or any microwave or similar oven safe material. The main housing base  18  may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 , or both the main housing base  18  and the main housing  16  can be one fabricated piece. Moreover, the main housing  16  is circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. Incorporated in the main housing  16  is the seal rim  32  which aids in the containment of steam during the heating or cooking process.  
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker that is capable of providing five working surfaces. This view reveals a cross sectional view of the Stacker top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18 . This view also reveals multiple working surface mount  24  locations between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  which provides a means to mount multiple removable working surface  30  units by engaging the removable working surface  30  into the working surface mount  24  in order to provide additional working surfaces for a Stacker. The removable working surface  30  can be designed to lock into the working surface mount  24  by those skilled in the art.  
         [0057]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces. This view reveals the container loading side of the main housing  16 . The user places a food or liquid container in this area on top of the main housing base  18 . The main housing base  18  has a molded lower spill proof rim  22  which provides spill containment should a food or liquid leak out of it&#39;s container. The lower spill proof rim  22  can be circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height or depth of the lower spill proof rim  22  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. If necessary the top working surface  14  of a Stacker can be supported by multiple support strut  12  members. The height and width and orientation of the support strut  12  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art while providing support to the top working surface  14 . When a removable working surface  30  is utilized users can place a plate of food on this surface or place food directly onto the removable working surface  30  and use the removable working surface  30  as a plate.  
         [0058]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing five working surfaces. A cover is used to seal the Stacker unit. The cover is mounted between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  to provide a means to close the Stacker unit during heating, cooking, refrigeration, or travel. The cover may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened by engaging the cover locking device  28  into the cover lock socket  26  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 . Moreover, the cover is an arc in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user.  
         [0059]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing five working surfaces with an installed cover.  
         [0060]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces. The present view shows two removable working surface  30  units installed, in this embodiment up to five removable working surface  30  units can be installed for the direct mounting of food onto the removable working surface  30  or for the mounting of food containers such as plates, bowls, and the like. Plates, bowls, and the like can be mounted on the stacker&#39;s top working surface  14 . The main housing  16  may be fabricated from plastic, glass or any microwave or similar oven safe material. The main housing base  18  may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 , or both the main housing base  18  and the main housing  16  can be one fabricated piece. Moreover, the main housing  16  is circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. Incorporated in the main housing  16  is the seal rim  32  which aids in the containment of steam during the heating or cooking process.  
         [0061]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces. This view reveals a cross sectional view of the Stacker top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18 . This view also reveals multiple working surface mount  24  locations between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  which provides a means to mount multiple removable working surface  30  units by engaging the removable working surface  30  into the working surface mount  24  in order to provide additional working surfaces for a Stacker. The removable working surface  30  can be designed to lock into the working surface mount  24  by those skilled in the art.  
         [0062]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces. This view reveals the container loading side of the main housing  16 . The user places a food or liquid container in this area on top of the main housing base  18 . The main housing base  18  has a molded lower spill proof rim  22  which provides spill containment should a food or liquid leak out of it&#39;s container. The lower spill proof rim  22  can be circular in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The height or depth of the lower spill proof rim  22  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. If necessary the top working surface  14  of a Stacker can be supported by multiple support strut  12  members. The height and width and orientation of the support strut  12  is to be designed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art while providing support to the top working surface  14 . When multiple removable working surface  30  units are utilized users can place a plate of food on this surface or place food directly onto the removable working surface  30  and use the removable working surface  30  as a plate.  
         [0063]      FIG. 19  is a side view of a Cover for a Stacker that is capable of providing seven working surfaces. A cover is used to seal the Stacker unit. The cover is mounted between the top working surface  14  and the main housing base  18  to provide a means to close the Stacker unit during heating, cooking, refrigeration, or travel. The cover may be fabricated from plastic, glass, or any microwave safe material and is mechanically fastened by engaging the cover locking device  28  into the cover lock socket  26  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to the main housing  16 . Moreover, the cover is an arc in the preferred embodiment, but in alternate embodiments, it can be shaped as a square, polygon, or any other geometric shape deemed to be aesthetically pleasing to the user.  
         [0064]      FIG. 20  is a side view of a Stacker capable of providing seven working surfaces with an installed cover.  
         [0065]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the insulated travel bag  38 . The insulated travel bag  38  provides transport for the Stacker and is to be fabricated from a flexible insulating material to provide insulating properties for the containment of heat or cold. The travel bag is equipped with a travel bag handle  34  to easily carry the Stacker. The Stacker is loaded into the insulated travel bag  38  and is sealed by the travel bag sealing device  36 .  
         [0066]     Thus in summary, it can be seen that what is provided in this invention is a food and liquid vertical stacking system that is both functional and practical. A hollow, disc shaped body is orientated, like multiple stacked platforms, with an opening orientated for the loading of food or liquid containers. The body is comprised of a main housing  16  which is mechanically fastened to the main housing base  18  or both the main housing base  18  and the main housing  16  can be one fabricated piece The main housing  16  can also incorporate multiple removable working surface  30  units within one embodiment providing multi layer loading of food or liquid containers. The main housing base  18  has an integral lower mounting surface by use of the Main Housing base  18  which provides a mounting surface for a food or liquid container. The Main Housing  16  has a top working surface  14  which provides a mounting surface for a food or liquid container. The top working surface  14  also has a molded spill proof rim  10  which provides containment of food or liquids in the event of a leak during the cooking or heating process. The main housing base  18  has a lower spill proof rim  22  which provides containment of food or liquids in the event of a leak or spill during the cooking or heating process. The main housing  16  when mechanically fastened to the main housing base  18  provides a means to vertically stack multiple inventions in order to provide more working surface in a microwave or convection oven. The removable working surface  30  units can also be used as a plates for the mounting of food directly on the removable working surface  30 . The Stacker also provides portable solutions for meals directly mounted on the removable working surface  30  units or by mounting plates, bowls, etc onto the removable working surface  30  units, the end user can then load the Stacker into the insulated travel bag  38  for easy transport.  
         [0067]     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 purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.  
         [0068]     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.