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Patent 2724557 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2724557
(54) English Title: UNIVERSAL PORTABLE KITCHEN
(54) French Title: UNITE DE CUISINE PORTATIVE UNIVERSELLE
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47B 77/04 (2006.01)
  • A47B 31/00 (2006.01)
  • A47B 77/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • DOYLE, MARK (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • DOYLE, MARK (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • DOYLE, MARK (Canada)
(74) Agent: G. RONALD BELL & ASSOCIATES
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2010-12-09
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2012-06-09
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract




A universal portable kitchen package is provided for use with aid relief in a
disaster zone. A
self-sufficient kitchen package includes: a portable kitchen unit that has a
sink attached to a
drainage hose, a storage space and a workspace; an external firebox; an
external water
filtration system; a survival kit; a set of basic kitchen utensils and other
additional elements
which would be needed for survival of a family of 4-6 persons in a distress
zone or inside
small housing/infrastructure. The portable kitchen unit comprises three
compartments: a
utility compartment under the sink area, a food compartment and a supply
compartment under
the countertop workspace. The portable kitchen unit is disposed on detachable
wheels.
Undercarriage height provides maximum clearance when the portable kitchen unit
is
transported on the ground. A push-bar can be provided to aid in the pushing of
the kitchen
unit, and the bar can also act as a towel rack.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




18

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:


1. A portable kitchen unit comprising:

a substantially horizontal planar working area disposed on an upper area of
said
unit, structured and dimensioned to satisfy the operational criteria of said
unit;
a sink assembly structured and adapted for utilitarian co-operation with said
planar
working area; and
at least one storage compartment positioned beneath said planar working area.

2. The portable kitchen unit according to claim 1 further including means
associated with
said kitchen to readily facilitate the movement thereof from one location to
another.

3. The portable kitchen unit according to claim 2 wherein:

the means are detachable form the structure of said unit.

4. The portable kitchen unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein:

the sink assembly is provided with a drain connected to a drainage hose to
facilitate
drainage of the sink assembly.

5. The portable kitchen unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein:
each of the at least one storage compartments has a securable hatch.
6. The portable kitchen unit according to claim 5 wherein:

the hatch is a sliding door.



19

7. The portable kitchen unit according to claim 5 wherein:

the hatch is a hinged door.

8. The portable kitchen unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein:

the at least one storage compartment includes a utility storage compartment
located
in an area under the sink assembly, and a food storage compartment and a
supply
storage compartment located in an area under the under the substantially
horizontal
planar working area adjacent to the utility storage compartment.

9. The portable kitchen unit according to claim 8 wherein:

the utility compartment is sealed off from the adjacent food storage
compartment
and supply storage compartment.

10. The portable kitchen unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein:
the horizontal planar working area has an upwardly protruding edge.

11. The portable kitchen unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10 further
comprising:

at least one push-bar or towel rack located on at least one side of the
portable
kitchen unit.

12. An external cooking firebox comprising:

an enclosed box defining a top side, a bottom side and four lateral sides made
of a
fire-resistant material having an opening adjacent the top side leaving a lip
adjacent
the bottom side on one of the lateral sides and the top side having a
plurality of
holes incorporated therein.

13. The external cooking firebox according to claim 12 wherein:



20

the fire-resistant material is stainless steel.

14. The external cooking firebox according to claim 12 or 13 further
comprising:
an external thermal insulating support which comprises:
a rigid lightweight outer layer; and
a thermal insulating inner layer;
the external thermal insulating firebox support being elongated and
substantially L-shaped and dimensioned to receive the external cooking
firebox.

15. A portable kitchen kit for disaster relief comprising:

a portable kitchen unit as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11; and
an external cooking firebox as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The portable kitchen kit for disaster relief according to claim 15 further
comprising:
a basic utensil set, at least a pot and ladle, and cleaning supplies.

17. The portable kitchen kit for disaster relief according to claim 15 or 16
further
comprising:

at least on empty bottle and non-perishable food items.

18. The portable kitchen kit for disaster relief according to any one of
claims 15 to 17
further comprising:

a first aid and survival kit.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02724557 2010-12-09
1

UNIVERSAL PORTABLE KITCHEN
Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a portable kitchen package that can be used
anywhere, and more particularly, in the areas where aid relief is deployed.
The portable
kitchen package contains a portable cart provided with a sink, a top workspace
and three
storage compartments; a firebox, a water filtration system, and basic supplies
to sustain a
family of 4 to 6 for an indefinite term.

Background of the invention

When humanitarian crises occur due to armed conflicts, natural disasters,
epidemics, etc. the international community responds with humanitarian aid
that provides
material and logistical assistance to save lives, alleviate suffering and
maintain a certain
level of living comfort for large groups of affected population. Sick, wounded
or displaced
people need food, water, medical supplies, etc. The delivery of humanitarian
aid can
become a logistical challenge for aid workers when there are thousands of
people to care
for. In a crisis situation, it is instrumental to provide the basics for human
survival, with a
priority for food and food preparation. Lack of conditions required for food
preparation at
the family level puts a greater demand on aid workers. The aid relief activity
would greatly
benefit in this regard if there were portable kitchens that could be easily
transported and
deployed to families in need and would come with a set of essential items for
food
preparation.

In the past, attempts have been made to provide portable kitchens mostly
directed
to food preparation during outdoor activities or at remote sites where
conventional kitchens
are not available. Certain attempts included kitchen utilities such as sinks
with drainage,


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
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burners for cooking, utensils for preparing and serving the food, containers
or enclosures
for storing various camping supplies such as stoves, utensils for cooking, and
the like.

One example of a portable kitchen, toilet and shower unit is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,862,540 where the unit comprises a sink, a work top, cupboards, a
gas-
operated cooking device, water container, a portable chemical toilet, a shower
set, an
electrical pump for pumping water to the sink and shower head. The unit is
sized as to fit
into the back of a vehicle having rear door or doors for transport and can be
used when the
unit is positioned in the back of the car. The kitchen disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,862,540
is not portable without the aid of a motor vehicle.

Another example of a camper style kitchen is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
6,883,881which relates to a portable kitchen comprising an adjustable kitchen
surface, two
sinks provided with faucets and drainage, folding legs with adjustable length,
rack shelves
for storage and for supporting at least one heat cooking device and a storage
cavity for
folding legs, shelves and other accessories. The design requires set-up, with
foldable parts
reducing overall stability of the unit during use. Although the kitchen has a
sink, the sink
depth is drastically less than typical, causing difficulty while washing
larger items. The
storage areas are open to the elements and non-existent during transportation.

U.S. Patent No. 5,683,157 relates to a portable kitchen for storing and
preparing
food, comprising a main box provided with storing compartments, a table and a
sink
designed as the lid for the box. The compartments could be used to store
camping items.
The sink is attached to the main box through hinges and can be detached from
the main
box. The box is made of light-weight plastic and it is provided with handles
for
comfortably carrying it. The sink of the invention does not have drainage
making it
difficult to use. The kitchen comes as a box that requires lifting during
manual
transportation. Also, the unit requires a support to achieve effective
workspace height.


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
3

U.S. Patent No 6,543,436 relates to a portable kitchen that comes as a base
unit in
the form of a box with handles and it provides an internal cooking surface,
work surface,
compartments for utensils, shelves hinged to the base unit. It could come with
removable
legs or permanently attached folding legs. Multi-purpose racks can be extended
from both
ends of the base unit. The design does not include a sink and the camp box is
not attached
to the stand, but rather it is supported by a stand.

U.S. Patent No 5,970,855 relates to a portable kitchen which provides a
cooking
surface that can be moved from the position situated over the heat source to a
lateral
position. The base unit includes storage units and may include a refrigerated
compartment.
The unit is mounted on at least two wheels for portability. The unit does not
include a sink
and the heat source for cooking is liquid fuel like propane.

While these various prior art portable kitchens have worked with some degree
of
success for outdoor food preparation, various shortcomings make them
inadequate for use
in disaster relief response efforts. For example, one perceived difficulty
with prior art
portable kitchens is the need to be transported by hand, which can be awkward
and
strenuous to the human body. Another shortcoming of the prior art portable
kitchens
relates to the need to assemble and set-up the kitchen. Yet another
shortcoming of prior art
portable kitchens relates to a reduced stability and reduced cooking space of
the kitchen
unit during use. Additionally, the stoves disclosed in prior art require
liquid fuel, which is
difficult to supply in disaster scenarios. A portable kitchen intended for
displaced families
should include all needed equipment and supplies for food storage and
preparation so as to
be a self-sufficient package aid.

In summary, none of the known portable kitchens offer the unique and
innovative
combination of structural and functional characteristics of the invention
disclosed herein.



CA 02724557 2010-12-09
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Summary of the invention

The following summary is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of
the
various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention.
Detailed
descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment allowing those skilled in the
art to make
and use the inventive concepts are provided by the entire disclosure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal portable
kitchen
package.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a universal portable kitchen package comprising a portable kitchen
unit, an
external portable firebox, a water filtration system, a basic utensil set,
wherein the portable
kitchen unit comprises a sink, a countertop workspace and storage
compartments.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the underside of the
portable kitchen unit has provisions for attaching wheels to the unit.
Preferably, the wheels
are detachable for shipping and can be easily attached to the unit and locked
in with a snap
in and lock connection. The undercarriage height may be 10 inches, but the
height range
can vary such as to provide for easier manual transportation of the kitchen
unit over
uneven terrain. The wheels are connected to the structural support of the
kitchen unit,
comprising cross bars provided at the base of the unit. The axel rods that
connect the
wheels to the base of the kitchen unit are constructed of strong steel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sink is provided
with a drain connected to a drainage hose to facilitate proper drainage.

Preferably, the portable kitchen unit includes a utility storage compartment
beneath
the sink area, and a food storage compartment and a supply storage compartment
positioned beneath the countertop workspace. Preferably, the countertop
workspace is
large enough to provide ample space for meal preparation and other kitchen
related tasks.


CA 02724557 2010-12-09

The countertop may have a small upwardly protruding edge to prevent objects
and liquid
from rolling or spilling off. Each compartment may have an access hatch that
can be
secured. The utility compartment may be sealed off from the food storage and
supply area
to prevent any transmission of bacteria from the sink drainage hose should a
leak occur.
5 Drainage hose and basic cleaning supplies may be stored in the utility
compartment.
Preferably, the unit is constructed with hard, durable plastic panels or
molded shell. The
plastic walls between compartments may act as structural support for added
weight of the
sink when it is filled with water, and for the workspace.

Preferably, the kitchen unit may have a width of 2 feet and 6 inches (or about
760
mm), a height of 3 feet (about 900 mm) and a length of 6 feet (about 1820 mm),
but greater
or smaller sizes could be employed if desired.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the kitchen unit corners are
rounded to prevent injury from sharp edges. According to still another
embodiment of the
present invention, the kitchen unit may be provided with at least one push-bar
on at least
one side to aid in the movement of the unit and to also act as a towel rack.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable
kitchen package is provided with an external cooking firebox made of stainless
steel. The
firebox may be a closed square box provided on one side with an opening for
different fuel
types, like wood. The top surface will preferably have '/2 inch holes spaced
equally
throughout to provide venting to the cooking surface.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, the portable kitchen
package may include a mold to compress fuel sources like wet sawdust and/or
recycled
paper into fire bricks. The bricks may substitute for wood in the firebox.

To aid with cooking, the portable kitchen package may include a basic utensil
and
bowl set, along with at least a pot and ladle, and cleaning supplies. The
package may
include bottles for water storage and an initial non-perishable food source
like a bag of rice


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
6

or any dried food suitable for preservation without a refrigerator. A survival
kit comprising
a basic first-aid kit, a blanket, hand sanitizer, candles, a tarp and rope may
also be included
in the kitchen package to act as a rain cover.

Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is a top view of the portable kitchen unit;

Fig.2 shows a cross-section view in a vertical plan of the portable kitchen
unit of
Fig 1, taken along section A-A;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section in a horizontal plan of the portable
kitchen unit, taken along section B-B shown in Fig.2;

Fig. 4 shows the longitudinal cross-section in a vertical plan of the portable
kitchen
unit similar to the view shown in Fig 2, additionally having the kitchen unit
provided with
attached wheels;

Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the connection of the wheels to the portable
kitchen
unit shown in Fig 4;

Fig. 6 is a lateral view of the portable kitchen unit with attached wheels;

Fig. 7 is a lateral view of the portable kitchen unit with attached wheels,
showing
the utility compartment side;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the firebox;

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a support for onboard fire box provided
with
insulation layer;

Fig. 10 shows a front view of an embodiment of a firebrick molder;
Fig. 11 shows a lateral view of the firebrick molder shown in Figl O;


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
7

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the preparation of the mix for firebricks;
Fig 13 shows a second embodiment of the portable kitchen unit;

Fig. 14 shows the portable kitchen unit with a strapped cargo;

Fig. 15a shows a perspective view of a hook for tying the cargo to the kitchen
unit;
Fig. 15b shows a cross-sectional view of the hook shown in Fig 15a, taken
along
line C-C;

Fig. 16 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the hook;
Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of the portable kitchen unit;

Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of a vertical and longitudinal cross-
sectional view
of the kitchen unit; and

Fig. 19 shows a tridimensional sectional view of the portable kitchen unit,
taken
along section A-A of Fig 1.

Fig. 20 shows a lateral view of the portable kitchen unit according to another
embodiment of present invention.


Detailed description of the invention

The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art
or
science to which the present invention pertains to make and use the invention,
and is
provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements.

In the following description, Uni-kit designates the universal portable
kitchen
package, which may comprise a portable kitchen unit, a water filtration
system, an external
firebox, fire sources and basic supplies. Uni-kit can be used in various
scenarios and it is


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
8

preferably used as an aid relief, not only as a utility cart, to sustain a
family of 4 to 6 for an
indefinite term in a disaster area, and, also, in a small housing system, the
portable kitchen
unit comprising a sink, a workspace and three areas for storage, all contained
in a plastic
shell on independently turning wheels. The purpose of the Uni-kit is to
provide easy to use
infrastructure when needed, to be a self-sufficient aid kitchen package to
displaced families
or in new developments, eventually in remote areas of the world. Being a self-
sufficient
portable package, Uni-kit reduces the work load of aid relief workers.

Referring to Fig.!, there is shown a top view of an example embodiment of the
portable kitchen unit. Fig.2 shows a cross-sectional view of the portable
kitchen unit of
Fig. 1 taken along section A-A shown in Fig. 1. The outer shell of the
portable kitchen unit
can be made of traditional hard durable plastic or bio-plastic which can
rapidly biodegrade.
Preferably, the kitchen units that are intended for short uses will be made of
bio-plastic.
When the units are discarded, they will biodegrade easily. The hard, durable
shell can be
made of any other suitable material. The top of the unit is of rectangular
shape having a
counter workspace 11 provided with upwardly protruding edges not shown in the
drawings
and a sink workspace accommodating a sink 13 positioned at one end of the
workspace.
The counter workspace portion 11 of the top of the unit is large enough to
provide ample
space for meal preparation or other tasks related to cooking and meal serving.
To provide a
comfortable cooking setting, the counter preferably has a height 27 of at
least 36 inches.
The body of the portable kitchen unit is preferably divided into three
compartments that
can be used as a utility compartment 23, a food storage compartment 24 and a
supply
compartment 25. It should be understood that the body can be divided in any
other number
of compartments for various uses.

In Fig. 3, which shows a longitudinal cross-section in a horizontal plan of
the
portable kitchen unit, taken along section B-B shown in Fig.2, it can be seen
that each
compartment has its own access door (16, 17, 12) that can be secured.
Preferably, the
utility compartment 23 is provided under the sink 13 whose drain 14 is aligned
over the


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
9

utility door 16. It should be understood that the utility door 16 can be
provided on any
external vertical wall of the utility compartment. The food storage and
supplies
compartment doors (12, 17) are shown on opposite sides of the kitchen unit in
the example
embodiment of the present invention, but it should be understood that they can
be provided
in any other configuration on the external vertical walls of the food storage
and supplies
compartments of the portable kitchen unit. In the example embodiment, the
compartment
doors are shown as sliding doors. Other designs could also be used to attach
and actuate
the doors. For optimum access to the food storage and supplies compartment,
the access
doors 12, 17 preferably have a width greater than 20 inches. Each door will
have a locking
mechanism to ensure the doors do not open during transportation. The length 18
of the
kitchen unit is preferably 6 feet to maximize storage and workspace area. The
width 19 of
the portable kitchen unit is preferably 30 inches to ensure that the kitchen
unit can pass
through any doorway. International building code states that the main door to
a family
dwelling shall be no less than 3 feet (36 inches) in width. The wall 22
between the utility
compartment and the next compartment acts as a structural support for the
added weight
when the sink is filled with water. The divider 21 between the food storage
compartment
and supplies compartment also adds support to the workspace.

The sink drain 14 is aligned over the door of compartment. A drainage hose is
attached to the sink drain 14 to facilitate the drainage. The length of the
hose is chosen
such as to accommodate proper water drainage away from the kitchen unit. When
not in
use, the drainage hose could be stored in the utility compartment along with
some basic
cleaning supplies. The utility compartment will be sealed off by means of wall
22 from the
food storage and supplies compartments to prevent any bacterial contamination
from the
drainage hose should a leak occur. The size of the sink 13 is preferably 1
foot 3 inches by 2
feet 2 inches, typical to North American style residential kitchen sizes. It
should be
understood that other sizes may be provided.


CA 02724557 2010-12-09

Preferably, all the corners of the kitchen unit will be rounded to prevent
injury from
sharp edges. The kitchen unit could be tan in color, but any other color may
be used.

An optional push-bar 15 can be attached, as it can best be seen in Fig 1, to
the end
of the kitchen unit proximate to the sink or to any side of the kitchen unit.
While the
5 drawings of the present invention show one push-bar attached to the end side
close to the
sink, the kitchen unit can also be provided with two or more push-bars
attached to the sides
of the kitchen unit. The purpose of the push-bar is to aid in the kitchen unit
movement and
it can have an additional use as a towel rack.

The kitchen unit is provided with wheel supports 22 to connect wheels to the
10 kitchen unit.

In Fig 4 there is shown a cross-section view of the portable kitchen unit
shown in
Fig 1, taken along section A-A, the kitchen unit having wheels attached to the
base of the
unit.

The kitchen unit may be provided with wheels 31 attached to the base of the
unit by
wheel supports 22 preferably constructed of strong steel. The wheel design is
important as
the kitchen unit is mainly intended for use in a disaster zone where it might
be required to
be manually moved over rough terrain. The actual tire is made of resilient
material, such as
rubber, mounted on a strong, hard rim, such as a metal rim. The tires could be
air inflated
to allow smooth movement over rough terrain. It has been noted that if one
pair of wheels
is fixedly connected to the bottom of the unit, it is difficult to push or
pull the unit on
rough terrain. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
connection of the
wheel supports to the bottom of the cart allows all the wheels to have a 360
degree
rotational movement. A sub-optimal design would have one pair of wheels,
aligned
parallel either the longer or shorter side of the unit, fixedly connected to
the bottom of the
unit. The attachment of the wheel to the axel rods is provided with snap in
and lock
connection. Alternatively, the attachment of the axel rods to the bottom of
the kitchen unit


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
11

has a snap in and lock connection. The wheels will be stored inside the
kitchen unit until
the Uni-kit is delivered. Once delivered, the wheels are attached to the
bottom of the unit
and locked in. This feature makes the Unit-kit easier to ship.

Fig 5 shows an enlarged view of the connection of the wheel to the bottom of
the
kitchen unit. The structural support for the wheels 31 is achieved by a
plurality of cross
bars 41. Each cross bar extends between two wheels and it is aligned parallel
to either the
smaller side or the longer side of the kitchen unit. The purpose of the cross
bars is to
evenly distribute the kitchen unit weight onto the wheels.

For better stability of the portable kitchen unit, weight can be added to the
cross
bars to lower the gravity center of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, a
water storage tank
can be provided as an added optional weight to increase the stability of the
unit.

Fig 6 shows a lateral view of the portable kitchen unit shown in Fig. 1, seen
with
attached wheels. The geometry of the axel rods 22 will allow for 360 degree
movement of
the wheels. The bottom 51 of the kitchen unit will preferably be at height of
about 10
inches to provide maximum clearance over obstacles when the unit is being
transported
manually. Smaller heights are also considered.

Fig 7 shows a lateral view of the kitchen unit seen from the utility
compartment
end and having the access door 16 and the push-bar 15 provided on the small
wall adjacent
to the utility compartment.

To be self-sufficient, the Uni-kit comprises additional elements needed for
survival
in a distress area. An important element for survival is having a cooking
facility that would
make use of readily available fuel source in remote area where conventional

Fig. 8 shows an external portable firebox that is provided with the Uni-kit
package
to facilitate cooking. The firebox is designed as an enclosure shaped as a
box, having walls
made of fire-resistant material such as stainless steels, having an opening
103 on one


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
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lateral side for feeding the fuel source of different types, like wood, paper,
charcoal, etc.
The opening 103 is provided adjacent upper side of the box, leaving a lip 102
on the lateral
side adjacent the base of the box to prevent the fuel source from falling out
of the box. The
upper side of the box has holes 104 equally spaced throughout to provide
venting to the
cooking surface. The holes can be square holes of 1/2 inches or of any other
shape with an
opening area of about one square inch or less. To offer enough cooking space
and still be
easy to deposit and transport, the firebox may be a square box of 18"x18"x18".
Other
dimensions can also be provided.

The Uni-kit can include an external thermal insulating support to be used with
the
external fire box. As shown in Fig. 9, the support comprises an outer plate
106 that can be
made of rigid material, preferably plastic for a lightweight support, and a
thermal-
insulating plate 105 positioned on top and in contact with plate 106.
Preferably, the outer
plate 106 and the thermal-insulating plate 105 are L-shaped. The thermal-
insulating plate is
preferably made of aerogel which provides effective thermal insulation. Other
suitable
materials can be used for thermal-insulating plate 105. The outer plate 106
and the
thermal-insulating plate 106 are attached to each other by any suitable
attaching means.
The plates are sized to receive on the lower surface 107 a fire-box as shown
in Fig. 8

For convenience, the thermal insulating support can be removably mounted on
the
kitchen unit top or, alternatively, it can be seated on the ground or any
available higher
mount, as the insulating support would provide heat insulation for the fire
box.

A fire starting kit is provided with the Uni-kit package, comprising matches,
a
metal poker and fire starting products, for example a tube of fire paste. For
the firebox
included in the Uni-kit, the solid fuel is the most suitable for use.

The Uni-kit can be provided with a firebrick molder that is used to make
firebricks
from wet sawdust and recycled paper. Fig. 10 shows a front view of a molder
provided
with a tubular chamber 115 pivotally attached through pivotal points 117 to a
frame 111.


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Chamber 115 has an end closed by a shaft end-cap 118 and the opposite end
being open for
loading the firebrick mix. Holes 116 have been drilled throughout the entire
lateral wall of
the chamber 115 to allow liquid drainage. The area of the holes is small
enough to retain
the solid parts of a firebrick mix. Preferably, the area of the holes is about
'/4 square inches.
A hydraulic jack 112 with ramming shaft 114 is attached to the upper side of
the molder
frame 111. The hydraulic jack is actuated by a jack arm 113, such as to lower
the ram into
the chamber 115 and apply pressing force onto the firebrick mix loaded into
the chamber
115.

In Fig. 11 there is shown a lateral view of the manual firebrick molder. The
ram
114 is actuated by jack arm 113 and can move in a vertical direction. When
lowered, it
applies a force F in the direction shown in Fig. 11 onto the inside content of
the chamber
116. The force F is based on the pressure manually applied from the jack arm.
The
chamber 115 can rotate around a horizontal axis extending between pivotal
points 117.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the preparation of the mix for firebricks. Wet
saw
dust 131 and wet paper 132 are mixed and ignition liquid 133 is added to
obtain the
firebrick mix 134. The ignition liquid component of the mix is intended to
increase the
ignition qualities of the resulting brick. The mix is then loaded into chamber
115 of the
molder and compressed to form into a brick. During the compression, excessive
water and
liquid is eliminated through holes 116 and the resulting compressed brick can
be removed
from the chamber 115. The chamber can be rotated as shown in Fig 12 and the
brick is
easily removed from the inside of the chamber. The wet firebrick can be dried
in a kiln or
through any other available method. It should be understood that the firebrick
mix may
contain any combination of heat releasing products.

The dried brick would substitute wood in the external firebox of the Uni-kit.

Fig. 13 shows a second example embodiment of the portable kitchen unit where
the
wheels are recessed slightly so as to allow more economical space usage. The
resulting


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
14

height of the kitchen unit is smaller, making the unit especially suitable for
permanent
indoor units in small rural structures.

Hooking means collectively designated 26 can be provided on the outer surface
of
the side walls of the kitchen unit, preferably in the position illustrated,
for the cargo of the
personal belongings to be hooked on top of the unit. The cargo can be secured
to the
kitchen unit with ropes or straps, or a canvass by tying them to the hooks, as
shown in Fig
14, such as to cover and strap the cargo of personal belongings during
transportation,
storage or when the kitchen is not in use. The hooking means take the form of
hooks,
claws or any other suitable curved fasteners and are preferably uniformly
spaced around
the periphery of the kitchen unit, proximate the upper side of the kitchen
unit. The number
and position of the hooks is for illustration purposes only. The position and
the number of
the hooks are not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings, but
other hook
configurations can be constructed as well.

Fig 15a shows a round-shaped hook 151 that can be removably attached to the
side
walls by means of conventional tapered shaft screw 152 with a flat,
countersunk head 153.
The hook is provided with a central through-hole for receiving the screw
shaft.
countersunk head. Preferably, the screw countersunk head 153 is recessed
within the outer
surface of the hook when installed as to ensure a smooth outer surface of the
hook, as
clearly seen in Fig 15b which shows a cross-section view of the hook 151 and
screw 152
of Fig 15a, taken along line C-C.

Alternatively, the hooks can be integrally molded within the outer walls of
the
kitchen unit. Fig 16 shows a cross-section view of a molded hook.

In Fig 17 and Fig 18 are shown isometric views of the portable kitchen unit.
Fig 19
shows a tridimensional sectional view of the portable kitchen unit, taken
along section A-A
of Fig 1.


CA 02724557 2010-12-09

In Fig 20 is shown another embodiment of the portable kitchen unit provided
with
a pair of wheels 201 and two legs 202. The unit can be reclined with the use
of the two
handles 203 and easily moved to a stationary place where it can rest on the
two wheels 201
and the two legs 202.

5 The Uni-kit can also be provided with a water filtration system made by a
third-
party manufacturer. One such example would be a bucket with a clay filter.

The Uni-kit package may include bottles to store the clean water after it is
filtered
in the filtration system. The Uni-kit may also include basic cooking supplies
such as
utensils, pots, bowl set, knife, cleaning items, nonperishable food products
such as rice,
10 beans, etc. Uni-kit can include a survival kit comprising first-aid kit,
survival blanket, hand
sanitizer, soap and candles. It can include a tarp and rope to provide means
for creating a
canopy above the Uni-kit.

The portable kitchen unit is provided with large storing space where the
additional
elements of the Uni-kit can be stored during transportation and while in use.

15 The intent of the Uni-kit is to be a package to be deployed and used with
aid relief to offer
access to safe water, cooking and serving food. The Uni-kit provides the
basics for human
survival and helps aid relief effort in disaster zones, either because of
natural causes,
because of war or social or political strife. The Uni-kit has a long shelf
life, it can be stored
for instant and easy delivery in time of need. The Uni-kit offers practical
support to
families in need until they are permanently settled. Having access to basic
needs as meal
preparation proves to also be a great emotional support for people in need.

The Uni-kit is a perfect staple to the world of humanitarian aid. It can be
deployed
to the relief area instantly. It can then be used in temporary housing until
more permanent
structures are built. It can also be used as a permanent fixture in smaller
shelters for rural
areas.


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
16

The Uni-kit offers a family a sense of being together during a time of
hardship.
Daily life will continue around the Uni-kit and communication will help
restore morale.
Uni-kit offers not only a portable, durable kitchen unit with sink, storage
and a
large workspace, but also a portable firebox, a water filtration system, a
complete aid
package and a survival kit. One example of aid components may include:

Survival kit comprising basic survival kit, survival blanket, candles, alcohol
free
hand sanitizer, mirror;

Fire starting kit comprising fire box, matches, fire paste, fire poker, supply
of fuel;
Basic kitchen supplies comprising pot with lid and ladle, oven mitts, four
utensil
set, four bowls, a large cutting board with knife, utility cloths and dish
towel, drain plug,
drainage hose of unspecified length;

Cleaning supplies comprising dish scrubber, disinfectant spray, dish soap,
rags,
biodegradable garbage bags;

Water supplies comprising drinking cups, water bucket with clay filter;

Food supplies comprising bag of rice, bag of burgol, salt, pepper, various
spices,
soup stock, garlic powder, drink mix, seeds to start a garden;

Miscellaneous items such as rope, tarp, cloth bags.

It should be understood that the aid components can be selected according to
the
needs of the people to whom the Uni-kit is deployed.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
drawings and
foregoing description, it is to be understood that it should not be considered
restrictive in
character and that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and
described and
thus, various modifications to the disclosure embodiments will be readily
apparent to those


CA 02724557 2010-12-09
17

skilled in the art or science, and the general principles defined herein may
be applied to
other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope
of the
invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments
disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and features
disclosed herein.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2010-12-09
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2012-06-09
Dead Application 2016-12-09

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2015-12-09 FAILURE TO REQUEST EXAMINATION
2015-12-09 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $200.00 2010-12-09
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2012-12-10 $50.00 2012-11-19
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2013-12-09 $50.00 2013-12-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2014-12-09 $50.00 2014-12-05
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
DOYLE, MARK
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2010-12-09 1 24
Description 2010-12-09 17 733
Drawings 2010-12-09 13 105
Representative Drawing 2011-10-27 1 6
Claims 2012-03-09 3 88
Cover Page 2012-06-04 2 41
Correspondence 2011-01-07 1 16
Assignment 2010-12-09 3 72
Prosecution-Amendment 2012-03-09 2 62
Prosecution-Amendment 2012-03-09 30 866