Food carrier

Abstract

A food carrier for carrying a plurality of meal containers includes an insulated housing having a closed bottom, a closed top, and least one side wall having a first opening proximate the top of the housing and a second opening proximate the bottom of the housing, wherein the first opening receives a meal container therethrough, and wherein the second opening allows removal of the meal containers and precludes simultaneous removal of all of the meal containers. The food carrier includes a first door movable between an open position, wherein the meal containers may be loaded within the housing via the first opening, and a closed position, wherein the first door covers the first opening, and a second door movable between an open position, wherein the meal containers may be removed from within the housing via the second opening, and a closed position, wherein the second door covers the second opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 968,436, filed Oct. 19, 2004, entitled FOOD CARRIER, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 223,128, filed Aug. 19, 2002, entitled FOOD CARRIER, which is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 073,832, filed Feb. 11, 2002, entitled FOOD CARRIER, the content of each being hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a food carrier, and in particular to a food carrier for carrying a plurality of meal containers in a stacked orientation, and allowing for removal of the meal containers from a lower portion of the carrier. [0003] Food carriers are used in a wide variety of applications, such as for carrying liquids and / or prepackaged foods. Food carriers typically a top loading area, whereby meal containers or trays may be l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides an insulated food carrier for carrying a plurality of meal containers that is more durable, has a reduced manufacturing costs, includes an uncomplicated design that is economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, and is particularly well adapted to the proposed use. In addition, the present inventive food carrier is easy to clean and maintain, and provides positive closure when in use.

Problems solved by technology

Heretofore, food carriers have typically been constructed of a rigid, nondeformable material such as plastic or metal and have had significantly complicated designs.

Specifically, the materials from which typical food carriers have been constructed are heavy and / or are prone to fracture and / or rupture if impacted or dropped.

In addition, doors for previous food carriers were typically fastened via complicated hinge assemblies.

Other designs allowed for “floating” door / lids and provided no means for positive engagement thereof.

Further, no positive means for locking the doors in a closed position were provided to prevent the doors from accidentally opening and the associated meal trays from inadvertently falling out of the food carrier.

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