Patent Publication Number: US-7219608-B2

Title: Food preparation table

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a food preparation table; and more particularly, to a food preparation table which is capable of simplifying its hinge axle assembling process and reducing its manufacturing cost, and capable of allowing an operator to open a cover disposed on a pan holder with comparatively less force and to feel more comfortable in handling the cover by employing a slanted guide surface in a bracket. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As well known, widely used for preparing pizza, sandwich or salad, a food preparation table includes a horizontally disposed counter top for providing a place on which foodstuff is prepared; a pan holder disposed adjacent to the counter top, which accommodates a plural number of pans containing ingredient foodstuff items, e.g., sliced tomatoes and lettuces; one or more covers for covering or exposing the pan holder; a food storage compartment which is provided with a plural number of doors in a front thereof and refrigerates other items; and a refrigerating system which supplies cooled air into the food storage compartment and the pan holder. 
   Each cover is connected to an upper portion of an insulating wall surrounding the pan holder by means of hinge axles and brackets, so that it can open or close. When the ingredient foodstuff items in the pans disposed in the pan holder are used for preparing foodstuff, the covers are open. And while the ingredient foodstuff items are not used, the covers close the pan holder, so that the cooled air in the pans can be prevented from contacting with the ambient warm air. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an exploded perspective view of a conventional cover. The cover  50 ′ is provided with an upper case  30  made of stainless steel, an insulated pad  20  disposed inside the upper case  30 , a lower case  10  covering a bottom portion of the insulated pad  20  and a pair of first and a pair of second hinge axles  35   a ,  35   b . The lower case  10  is coupled to the upper case  30  by a plural number of bolts  34  screwing into openings  32  formed in both sides of the upper case  30  and rivet screws  22  built in both sides of the lower case  10 . The first and the second hinge axles  35   a ,  35   b  are disposed on rear portions of the both sides of the upper case  30  in a manner that the first hinge axles  35   a  are closer to a front portion of the upper case  30  than the second hinge axles  35   b . The first and the second hinge axles  35   a ,  35   b  are provided with external thread portions  24   a ,  24   b  projecting from the both sides of the upper case  30  and internal thread portions  26   a ,  26   b , wherein the internal thread portions  26   a ,  26   b  are screwed onto the external thread portions. 
   However, such a cover has some drawbacks. First, since the rivet screws  22  are built in the sides of the lower case  10 , an assembling process of the cover  50  requires relatively long time, which deteriorates a productivity in the mass production. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a perspective view of a conventional bracket with which a pair of the hinge axles  35   a ,  35   b  are movably engaged. The bracket  40  is provided with a bottom surface  41  which has a flange f attached to an upper portion of the insulated wall surrounding the pan holder; a vertically oriented guide surface  42  which guides the first hinge axle  35   a  vertically when the cover  50  is opened or closed; a slant face  44 ; and a round portion  43  which is disposed at a corner formed with the guide surface  42  and the slant face  44 . The slant face  44  is provided with a latch slot  45  which keeps the cover  50  open, and a slantingly oriented guide slot  46  in which the second hinge axle  35   b  is slidably fitted. The latch slot  45  is formed in an upper portion of the slant face  44  and the guide slot  46  in a lower portion thereof. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the cover  50  is closed, the first hinge axle  35   a  is positioned at a lower portion of the guide surface  42  and the second hinge axle  35   b  at a lowest portion of the guide slot  46 . When the cover  50  is opened, as shown in dotted line, the first hinge axle  35   a  is vertically lifted along the guide surface  42  and the second hinge axle  35   b  is moved upward in the guide slot  46 . Therefore, since the first hinge axle  35   a  is moved vertically and the entire cover  50  is lifted, great force is required to open the cover  50 . In addition, since the first hinge axle  35   a  is moved vertically, it collides severely with the upper portion of the pan holder when accidentally dropped from opening state, which may cause damage on both. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a food preparation table which is capable of simplifying an assembling process of a cover and capable of covering or exposing a pan holder with comparatively less force. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a food preparation table, comprising: a pan holder which accommodates pans containing ingredient foodstuff items; an insulated wall surrounding the pan holder; n brackets fixed on the insulated wall, n being an even positive number; and n/2 covers for covering or exposing the pan holder, each of the covers having: two opposite sides having a pair of openings, respectively; a pair of first hinge axles; a pair of second hinge axles; and a pair of plates, each having a pair of openings and being attached on one of said two opposite sides, wherein distal end portions of the pair of the first hinge axles and the pair of second hinge axles are slidably engaged with two brackets among said n brackets and the rest of end portions of the pair of the first hinge axles and the pair of second hinge axles are fixedly inserted into the openings of the pair of plates further through the openings formed in said two opposite sides. 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a food preparation table, comprising: a pan holder which accommodates pans containing ingredient foodstuff items; an insulated wall surrounding the pan holder; n brackets fixed on the insulated wall, n being an even number; and n/2 covers for covering or exposing the pan holder, each of the covers including: two opposite sides; a pair of first hinge axles which are attached on said two opposite sides, respectively; and a pair of second hinge axles which are attached on said two opposite sides, respectively, wherein the pair of first hinge axles are closer to a front portion of each of the covers than the pair of second hinge axles, and wherein distal end portions of the first hinge axles and the second hinge axles are slidably engaged with two brackets among said n brackets and each of the brackets includes a guide surface for guiding one of the first axles, which is at a slant. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional hood lid; 
       FIG. 2  presents a perspective view of a conventional bracket; 
       FIG. 3  schematically depicts a perspective view of a food preparation table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  offers an exploded perspective view of a portion of cover of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  sets forth a perspective view of a bracket of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  shows paths of a first and a second axle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A food preparation table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is schematically illustrated a perspective view of a food preparation table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The food preparation table includes a horizontally disposed counter top  2  for providing a place on which foodstuff is prepared; a pan holder  14  which is disposed on the backside of the counter top  2  and accommodates a plural number of pans P containing ingredient foodstuff items, e.g., sliced tomatoes and lettuces; a food storage compartment  6  which is provided with a pair of doors in a front thereof and preserves other items; a refrigerating system (not shown) which supplies cooled air into the food storage compartment  6  and the pan holder  14 ; an insulated wall  16  surrounding the pan holder  14 ; two pairs of brackets  150  fixed on the upper portion of the insulated wall  16 ; and two covers  50  which are pivotally supported by the corresponding pair of brackets  150 , respectively, and cover or uncover the pan holder  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated an exploded perspective view of a portion of cover  50 . The cover  50  is provided with an upper case  55  made of stainless steel, an insulated pad  20  inserted into the upper case  55 , a lower case  140  covering lower portion of the insulated pad  20  and a pair of hinge assemblies  60  disposed on rear portions of opposite sides of the upper case  55 . Two openings  254 ,  354  are formed in the rear portion of each side of the upper case  55 , and three openings  52 ,  54 ,  154  are formed in a fore portion of each side of the upper case  55 . In each side of the lower case  140 , two openings  52 ,  54  are formed corresponding burring taps  142 ,  143 . Each hinge assembly  60  is provided with a plate  70  having a threaded opening  76 , a pair of insertion opening  72  and a welding opening  74  disposed between the insertion opening  72 , and a first and a second hinge axles  66   a ,  66   b . And each plate  70  is fixed on an inside surface of side of the upper case  55  by using a bolt  34  screwed through the opening  154  and the threaded opening  76 . Moreover, the connection between the plate  70  and the inside surface of side of the upper case  55  is strengthened by welding them together through the welding hole  74 . And the hinge axles  66   a ,  66   b  are provided with insertion portion  62   a ,  62   b , respectively, i.e., end portions having a smaller diameter, which are inserted into and welded with the corresponding opening  254 ,  354  and insertion openings  72 , and hinge axle portions  64   a ,  64   b  serving as hinge shafts. And the first hinge axles  66   a  are closer to a front portion of the cover  50  than the second hinge axles  66   b . The lower case  140  is joined with upper case  55  by using the bolts  134  screwed through openings  52 ,  54  and into burring taps  142 ,  143 . 
   Further, a reflecting layer, such as a mirror, is disposed on a bottom surface of the lower case  140 , so that the ingredient foodstuff in the pan P can be seen through the reflecting layer when the cover  50  is opened. 
   As described above, since the first and the second hinge axles  66   a ,  66   b  are fixedly inserted into and welded with the insertion holes  72  formed in the plates  70  which are attached to the inside surfaces of opposite sides of the upper case, an assembling process of the cover  50  of the present invention is simplified and, therefore, the production cost of the hinge axles is reduced. Moreover, since the burring taps  142 ,  143  are used instead of rivet screws, the manufacturing process of the cover  50  is further simplified. And, since the bottom surface of the cover  50  reflects the ingredient foodstuff in the pan P, a foodstuff preparer easily finds what he or she intends to use without bending the waist. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a perspective view of a bracket of the present invention. The bracket  150  includes a bottom surface  152  having a flange f fixedly connected to the upper portion of the insulated wall  16  (See  FIG. 3 ); a guide surface  156  which guides the first hinge axle  66   a  and is formed with a curved slant surface; a horizontally extended guide slot  170  which horizontally guides the second hinge axle  66   b  fitted thereinto; a latch slot  158  which is disposed at the highest portion of the guide surface  156  and prevents the first hinge axle  66   a  from sliding downward along the guide surface  156 ; a stopper  162  which prevents the first hinge axle  66   a  from moving over the latch slot  158  to keep the cover  50  from opening over a certain angle; a support portion  160  which is disposed at the lowest portion of the guide surface  156  to prevent the first hinge axle  66   a  from moving downward anymore; a front protrusion  180  which is connected to the support portion  160  and is opposite to the guide surface  156  with respect to the support portion  160  to prevent the first hinge axle  66   a  from moving forward; and a back protrusion  172  which is disposed on an end portion of the guide slot  170  to limit a backward movement of the second hinge axle  66   b.    
   When the cover  50  is opened, the first hinge axle  66   a  slides upward along the guide surface  156  and the second hinge axle  66   b  slides horizontally in the guide slot  170 . Since the guide surface  156  is a curved slant surface instead of a vertical surface and the guide slot  170  is a horizontally elongated opening instead of a slantingly extended opening, comparatively less force is required to open the cover  50 . And the first hinge axle  66   a  is prevented from moving over the latch slot  158  by the stopper  162  under the condition that the cover  50  is opened at a certain angle. At this time, the first hinge axle  66   a  is restrained in the latch slot  158 , so that the cover  50  is not accidentally closed. 
   Further, when the cover  50  is opened, an operator moves the hand upward and then forward, which makes the operation comfortable. 
   When the cover  50  is closed, the cover  50  is slightly lifted up such that the first hinge axle  66   a  is escaped from the latch slot  158  and then slided downward along the guide surface  156 . Finally, the first hinge axle  66   a  comes into contact with the support portion  160  and the cover  50  is completely closed. At this time, the cover  50  comes into contact with the upper portion of the insulated wall  16 . 
   As described above, since the guide surface  156  is a curved slant face and the guide slot  170  is a horizontally elongated opening, comparatively less force is required to open the cover  50  and the operator feels more comfortable in handling it. In addition, since the cover  50  comes into contact with the upper portion of the insulated wall  16  almost at the same time or slightly after the first hinge axle  66   a  comes into contact with the support portion  160 , a hard collision between the cover  50  and the upper portion of the insulated wall  16  can be prevented. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , there are illustrated paths of the first and the second hinge axles  66   a ,  66   b  joined with the bracket  150  in a case where the cover  50  (See  FIG. 3 ) is dropped accidentally so that the first hinge axle  66   a  does not slide along the guide surface  156  (See  FIG. 3 ). When the cover  50  (See  FIG. 3 ) is dropped from the latch slot  158  (See  FIG. 3 ), the first hinge axle  66   a  is moved along a solid line and then collides with a slant portion  180   a  of the front protrusion  180  covered with an impact absorbing material, such as urethane. Thus, the speed of dropping cover  50  is reduced and then slides into the support portion  160 . Consequently, it is prevented that the cover  50  severely collides with the upper portion of the insulated wall  16  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
   While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.