Abstract:
A system and device for storing, transporting and cooking meals in circumstances where open flame is restricted. The system and device provides a container with a removable lid that allows for the storage and use of cooking vessels and heating elements in a closed environment. This situation allows heat to be created and transferred to a cooking vessel while containing the heat and related items in a closed container. Preferably the system and device is utilized with Dutch ovens and charcoal briquettes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for Dutch oven cooking, and more particularly to a system and device for performing Dutch oven cooking in applications where open fires are prohibited. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Outdoor cooking has gained tremendous popularity, particularly among parties in rural areas of the American West. Due to a variety of factors, one of these types of cooking that has proven to be tremendously popular is what is known as “Dutch oven” cooking. 
   In Dutch oven cooking, a party who desires to prepare a meal places the meal within a large, covered, typically metal (cast iron), container called a Dutch oven. These containers are specially designed so as to allow heat to be dissipated evenly throughout the containers and so as to allow a meal to be cooked. Heat is imparted to a Dutch oven typically through the use of a hot piece of combusting material such as a piece of charcoal or a hot wood ember. Depending upon the circumstances, a variety of other types of heating materials may also be utilized. Dutch ovens provide a simple, straightforward and effective way to bake items while outdoors, and thus provides a user the ability to prepare a wider variety of foods than those that are traditionally made available in such settings. 
   However, one problem that takes place in such an environment is that fire is generally utilized to create the cooking embers. In some particular instances an open flame cannot be utilized when a burn ban is in effect. Another problem that exists in the prior art is that use of these Dutch ovens requires that a variety of other pieces of equipment also be utilized in conjunction with these devices. These additional pieces of equipment include charcoal starter chimneys, devices for carrying and storing these ovens, and devices for handling these hot ovens. Storage of such devices and combinations thereof are typically reserved to devices that carry an individual oven or a large wooden box that can carry several ovens. However, when not in use, these large containers are in many instances so large and awkward so as to prevent their meaningful usage, and become troublesome to a user. 
   What is needed therefore is a device that allows for the easy transport and use of Dutch ovens in a variety of circumstances. What is also needed is a device for storing the various items related to outdoor and Dutch oven cooking. What is also needed is a device that provides a safe closed system for Dutch oven cooking. Embodiments of the present invention meets these needs and provides these advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a system and device for storing, transporting and cooking with a Dutch oven even in circumstances where open flame is not permitted. One embodiment of the present invention provides a closed container that allows for the storage and use of Dutch ovens in a variety of circumstances because the Dutch ovens are held within a closed mobile cooking environment. Other embodiments of the present invention may be operated with the lid off, thereby creating an “open” cooking environment. 
   The system of the present invention is made up of an outer container having a top and a bottom, and a circumvolving outer wall. This container defines a chamber inside of the container. This chamber is shaped so as to receive at least one cooking vessel, preferably a Dutch oven, within the chamber. A cooking vessel, preferably a Dutch oven, is configured for placement within the chamber. A heating device, preferably a burning charcoal briquette, is also configured for placement within the device. This allows heat to be transferred to the cooking vessel. While the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in this application it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but is intended to include all modifications and embodiments that are within the scope of the broadest interpretation of the claims of the invention. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention the container contains a floor suspended above the bottom of the container which is preferably closed. A variety of apertures are positioned above and below this floor as to allow better air flow and heat regulation within the chamber. The top of the chamber is preferably open so as to allow generally vertical access to the inner portions of the container. A removable lid is configured for placement over the open-ended top of the container. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this removable lid has a closed top portion, an open bottom portion and sides that surround the closed top. This configuration defines a lid chamber, which is divided by a grate or mesh plate that is positioned at approximately one half of the depth of the container. 
   In some embodiments of the invention, a ring is placed on this grate on the side of the grate that is positioned nearest to the internal portions of the container. This ring is configured to hold charcoal briquettes when the lid in placed on its top in an inverted position. In this position, the device can be utilized to heat the briquettes. All of the ash and debris that comes from heating the briquettes are collected in the lid and none of this material leaves this system. 
   In use the present invention can be utilized first by removing the closed top lid, and utilizing the inverted lid to light a preselected number of charcoal briquettes. In this, the use of the supplied ring may be utilized. 
   Once these charcoal briquettes are appropriately ignited, a pre-designated number of these items are placed upon the floor which is suspended above the bottom of the container. A Dutch oven of a preselected size, containing a preselected meal is then placed upon these coals. More charcoal briquettes, or other types of heated embers or elements may then be placed on the lid of this Dutch oven. A number of Dutch ovens containing various ingredients may then be systematically stacked within the chamber. When the container is filled, or when the preselected number of Dutch ovens has been reached, the lid can be replaced over the container so as to hold the heat in the device, or the lid can be left off. 
   After a predesignated cooking time has passed, the lid of the device can be removed and the Dutch ovens extricated from the chamber. In as much as complete combustion of the charcoal briquettes causes these to be reduced to ash, all of this ash can be stored in the bottom of the container on top of the floor. After cooking, the Dutch ovens can be returned to the container and the entire container transported as a single unit. 
   The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out our invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective representational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cut away perspective representational view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with Dutch ovens with briquettes placed in side. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded perspective front plan view of embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a (partial) perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the lid of the present invention in an inverted position with a ring for lighting charcoal briquettes connected there-to. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a bottom side plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a first side plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a second side plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a third side plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a fourth side plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
   The present invention is a system and device for storing, transporting and cooking food with a Dutch oven under a variety of circumstances, including those circumstances where the use of an open flame is restricted. Referring now to  FIGS. 1-10 , a variety of views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown. 
   The Figures show an outer container  12 , this container  12  has an open top  14 , a closed bottom  16  and a circumvolving wall  18  that interconnects the top  14  and the bottom  16 . This container  12  defines a chamber  20 , wherein cooking vessels  30  of a preselected size and appropriate heating devices  32  can be placed. A cut away view of these features is shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment of the invention, a replaceable lid  24  having a lid top  34  and an open lid bottom  38  is included and utilized to hold heat within the chamber, if so desired. It is preferred that the outer chamber  12  be manufactured of metal, including but not limited to steel or aluminum. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown is in these figures, the chamber  20  includes a floor  22 , which is suspended above the bottom  16 . It is preferred that this floor be located at least four inches above the bottom  16  of the chamber  20  and be ventilated with at least two holes  28 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the floor being generally centered between the top holes and the bottom holes so that the top holes supply air (oxygen) to the charcoal ( 32 ) and the bottom holes ventilate the lower chamber (defined in the chamber, between the bottom  16  and the floor  22 ). The bottom chamber being ventilated so as to prevent the bottom  16  of the chamber from becoming too warm and damaging (starting a fire) the surface upon which the present invention is used. 
   The dimensions of the chamber can vary according to the respective needs and necessities of the user, however in this preferred embodiment of the invention the device is configured to allow stacking of a Dutch oven consistent with the traditional use of these types of cooking vessels. 
   This removable lid  24  is configured for placement over the open top  14  of the container  12 . This removable lid  24  contains a divider  26  preferably made from a material that contains a variety of apertures such as a grate or mesh portion, preferably made of expanded metal. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this divider  26  is placed approximately mid way between the portion of the lid  24  that passes over the top  14  of the container  12  and the closed top portion of the lid  34 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention has four generally flat sides (the circumvolving wall  18 ) that are interconnected at their edges and corners. While this shape is shown and described as the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously configured according to the other various needs and necessities of a user. A variety of other shapes are also contemplated including generally round, cornerless cylinders as well as octagonal, heaxagonal, decagonal cylinders and other types of shapes that are consistent with the shape, function, and purpose of the present invention. 
   Within these walls, a plurality of vents  28  are defined. These vents  28  are positioned in the walls so as to allow the flow of air into the chamber  20 . This flow of air can be utilized to regulate a variety of features. This flow of air can be utilized to regulate the temperature of the bottom  16  of the chamber by cooling. The flow of air can also be utilized to regulate the rates of combustion of the heating elements  32 , which can thereby affect the cooking times of the materials within the cooking vessels  30 . This regulation of airflow may take place in various forms, including opening and closing various apertures (vents) so that the flow of air is altered like a damper. 
   Depending upon the exact necessities of the user, various modifications to this basic idea may take place. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a partial perspective view of another feature of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments of the invention, a ring  36  is also included as part of this invention. This ring  30  is configured to hold charcoal briquettes  32  (or other heating element) in a tight grouping so as to better accomplish the task of lighting these briquettes. Preferably this is done by inverting the lid  24  so as to expose the grate divider  26 , which is placed within the lid. The ring  36  is then placed upon this divider  26 , briquettes are then added into this ring  36 , and the briquettes are then lit according to any of the generally known and acceptable methods for doing so. The lid  24  collects any debris that may fall from the burning of the briquettes  32 . When the briquettes  32  are sufficiently ignited they can be separated and utilized within the system in the manner desired by the user. Depending upon the needs of the user, the shape, placement, configuration and connection of the ring  30  to other portions of the container  10  can all be modified and varied. 
     FIG. 2  shows a cut away view of the present invention in use. After lighting the briquettes  32  according to the manner described above, these briquettes  32  are allowed to burn until a designated amount of combustion has taken place. These briquettes  32  can then be removed from the ring and placed within the container. 
   Once these charcoal briquettes are appropriately ignited, a pre-designated number of these items are placed upon the floor  22  which is suspended above the bottom  16  of the container  12 . A Dutch oven of a preselected size and containing a preselected meal is then placed upon these coals  32 . More charcoal briquettes or other types of heated embers or elements  32  may then be placed on the lid of this Dutch oven. A number of Dutch ovens containing various ingredients may then be systematically stacked within the chamber. When the container is filled, or when the preselected number of Dutch ovens have been reached, the lid  24  can be replaced over the container  12  so as to hold the heat in the chamber  20 , if so desired. 
   After a predesignated cooking time has passed, the lid  24  of the device can be removed and the Dutch ovens extricated from the chamber  20 . In as much as complete combustion of the charcoal briquettes causes these to be reduced to ash, all of this ash can be stored in the bottom of the container on top of the floor. After cooking, the Dutch ovens can be returned to the container  12  and the entire container  12  transported as a single unit. 
   The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate, but do not limit the invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, while the exemplary embodiments illustrate the use of the invention as utilizing Dutch ovens and charcoal briquettes, the invention is not limited to use with these items and may be used with other cooking vessels and heating devices. 
   While there is shown and described, the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.