CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/646,556, filed on Jan. 25, 2005, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/663,441, filed on Mar. 18, 2005, the contents of each of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for carrying containers. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for carrying containers of food items and the like for heating in a microwave oven.

Food containers of all sorts are used for heating food items and the like in a microwave oven. However, when heated, these containers are hot to the touch and can cause burns to a person's fingers when held. In particular, ceramic containers can be extremely hot to the touch. Additionally, there is no warning that a container is hot since the air inside the microwave oven is not particularly hot to warn a person that a container inside may be hot to the touch. Persons have used cloth hot pads to prevent hands from burning, but these pads can be difficult to use. Thus, there is a need for a device to carry food containers that have been heated in a microwave that is not hot to the touch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device and method are provided for supporting a food container and the like. The device includes a base member, a central container receiving portion and a plurality of support legs. The plurality of support legs are positioned on a side of the base member opposite the central container receiving portion. In one embodiment, the device is formed of a unitary body made of a microwave transparent material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container carrying device from a first side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container carrying device of FIG. 1 from a second side.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the container carrying device of FIG. 1 supporting a plate.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the container carrying device of FIG. 1 supporting a bowl.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container carrying device of FIG. 1 supporting a cup.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative container carrying device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the container carrying device of FIG. 6 supporting a bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Device 10 is made of a unitary body including a base member 12. One embodiment of device 10 is sold under the trade name Microwave Caddyâ„¢. FIG. 1 illustrates a first side 14 of base member 12 that includes a plurality of support legs 16. First side 14 also includes a first raised step portion 20 and a second raised step portion 22. Base member 12 includes apertures 24 that allow device 10 to be hung when not in use or grasped by a person when carrying. The plurality of legs 16 includes three spaced apart legs positioned in a circular configuration. The legs 16 are of sufficient height to allow finger clearance such that a person's fingers can be inserted underneath base member 12 to easily grasp device 10. Additionally, legs 16 are spaced apart from an edge of the base member 12 such that a person can easily grab device 10. Many microwave ovens often include turntables, and thus spacing legs 16 from an edge of base member 12 allow device 10 to be easily grasped by a person regardless of orientation of device 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second side 30 of base member 12, opposite of first side 14. Second side 30 includes a plurality of support legs 32. Second side 30 also includes a first recessed step portion 34 and a second recessed step portion 36. The plurality of legs 32 includes three spaced apart legs positioned in a circular configuration. Legs 32, similar to legs 16, also are of sufficient height to provide finger clearance and spaced apart from an edge of base member 12 such that device 10 can easily be grasped and held by a person.

First side 14 and second side 30 include central container receiving portions that are configured such that device 10 can carry different types of food containers and the like. Such containers include, but are not limited to, cups, bowls and plates. The container receiving portions include at least one surface that is at an angle with respect to the base member 12. In order to accommodate containers of different sizes, first side 14 and second side 30 include structures to engage and receive various types of containers. In an exemplary embodiment, the circular configuration formed by the plurality of legs 32 has a smaller diameter than the circular configuration formed by the plurality of legs 16. When first side 14 is used to receive different size containers, legs 32 support device 10. Alternatively, when second side 30 is used to receive different size containers, legs 16 support device 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates device 10 supporting a plate 40. On first side 14, first raised step portion 20 can be sized to engage an underside of plate 40, for example a plate having a 12â€³ diameter. The circular configuration formed by legs 16 also serve to engage the plate 40 to prevent the plate 40 from slipping. Legs 16 can be of a predetermined height to easily accommodate plates or other types of containers as desired. Second raised step portion 22 can be sized to engage an underside of a small plate, for example a plate having a 9â€³ diameter. In situations where first side 14 engages a container, legs 32 are placed on a surface to provide support for device 10 and the container.

FIG. 4 illustrates device 10 supporting a bowl 42. First recessed portion 34 on second side 30 can be sized to engage bowl 42. The circular configuration formed by legs 32 can engage a bowl to prevent the bowl from slipping. FIG. 5 illustrates device 10 supporting a cup 44. Second recessed portion 36 can be sized to engage cup 44 or alternatively a small bowl. Legs 32 can also be of a predetermined height to easily accommodate bowls and serve as a container receiving portion. When second side 30 is used to engage a container, legs 16 serve to support device 10 and the container.

Device 10 is made of a material that is microwave transparent, such as polypropylene. Other examples include polycarbonate, polysulfone and styrene copolymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The microwave transparent material is substantially unaffected by microwaves and thus does not heat to a significant temperature in a microwave. As a result, device 10 is not hot to the touch after being heated in the microwave. A person can place a food container on device 10, heat the food for a desired time and remove device 10 without the need for a hot pad to prevent fingers from being burned.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment of a carrying device according to the present invention. Device 50 includes a base member 52, a central aperture 54 and a plurality of support legs 56. Device 50 is made of a microwave transparent material as discussed above. Central aperture 54 forms a container receiving portion with a surface angled with respect to base member 52. In FIG. 7, a bowl 58 is inserted into aperture 54 and thus device 50 can support bowl 58 for heating in a microwave.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.