Preparation station

Abstract

The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing preparation station for use in outdoor food service. The integrated connection of the side walls, front, back, cover and bottom panel components simplifies the preparation station assembly construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.

1 . A preparation station comprising: 
 a left side panel for enclosing the left side of said preparation station;    a right side panel for enclosing the right side of said preparation station;    a base panel for enclosing the bottom of said preparation station;    a back panel for enclosing the back of said preparation station;    a cover for enclosing the top of said preparation station; and    a front portion including at least one door hingedly mounted thereon;    said base panel is adapted to receive means to provide mobility to said preparation station;    whereby said base panel, said left side panel, said right side panel, said back panel, and said cover are constructed and arranged for snap-together assembly without additional fasteners;    wherein said preparation station can be shipped in a disassembled state and assembled on a desired site.    
   
   
       2 . The preparation station of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said left side panel and said right panel includes; 
 a bottom portion including at least one integrally formed socket constructed and arranged to cooperate with said base panel in an overlapping and interlocking manner;    a top edge including an upwardly extending lip constructed and arranged to cooperate with said cover panel in an underlying manner;    a first edge having at least one integrally formed elongated socket for connection to said back panel in a perpendicular relationship;    a second edge having at least one integrally formed elongated socket for connection to said base panel in a perpendicular relationship;    an inner surface; and    an outer surface.    
   
   
       3 . The preparation station of  claim 2  wherein said at least one elongated socket formed on said first edge is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage a corresponding at least one elongated boss formed on said rear panel resulting in a mechanically secure connection therebetween and wherein said at least one elongated socket formed on said second edge is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage a corresponding at least one boss formed on said base panel resulting in a mechanically secure connection therebetween.  
   
   
       4 . The preparation station of  claim 1  wherein said base panel includes; 
 a top surface constructed and arranged to provide a rigid and generally flat surface;    a bottom surface constructed and arranged to provide rigidity and stability to said preparation station;    a front closed edge and a rear closed edge;    a left edge and a right edge, each having at least one integrally formed boss arranged in a linear fashion and extending outwardly from said left and said right edges, said at least one boss constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one inwardly extending socket integrally formed on a lower portion of said left and said right side panels for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       5 . The preparation station of  claim 4  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereon, said at least one spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets; 
 wherein said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said aperture for interlocking engagement therebetween.    
   
   
       6 . The preparation station of  claim 4  wherein said bottom surface of said base panel includes at least four integrally formed caster bosses; 
 each of said caster bosses is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a caster for securement thereof without additional fasteners;    whereby said preparation station is moveably supported upon said casters.    
   
   
       7 . The preparation station of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said casters includes a manually engageable lock; 
 wherein said lock is constructed and arranged to prevent rotation of said caster while said lock is in an engaged position and allow free rotation of said caster when said lock is in a disengaged position.    
   
   
       8 . The preparation station of  claim 1  further including an intermediate support panel, said intermediate support panel comprising; 
 a top surface constructed and arranged to provide a rigid and generally flat surface;    a bottom surface;    a front closed edge and a rear closed edge;    a left edge and a right edge each having at least one integrally formed boss arranged in a linear fashion and extending outwardly from said left and said right edges, said at least one boss constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one integrally extending socket integrally formed into a portion of said left and said right side panels for interlocking engagement therebetween.    
   
   
       9 . The preparation station of  claim 1  wherein said front portion includes two doors; 
 said doors extending between said left side panel and said right side panel;    one of said doors extending upwardly between said base panel and said intermediate support panel;    said one door hingedly secured to said base panel and said intermediate support panel to provide access to the interior of said preparation station below said intermediate support panel;    the other of said doors extending upwardly between said intermediate support panel and said cover;    said other door hingedly secured to said intermediate support panel and said cover to provide access to the interior of said preparation station above said intermediate support panel.    
   
   
       10 . The preparation station of  claim 1  wherein 
 said cover includes a socket integrally formed on the bottom portion at each corner thereof;    said left and right side walls include a socket integrally formed at the top of said first and said second edge; and    further including a plurality of bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with the sockets formed in said cover and in said side walls for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       11 . The preparation station of  claim 10  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereto; 
 said at least one spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets;    wherein said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said at least one aperture for interlocking engagement therebetween.    
   
   
       12 . The preparation station of  claim 1  further including at least one shelf hingedly mounted to an upper portion of said right side panel or said left side panel; 
 wherein said shelf can be pivoted between a vertical stored position and a horizontal operational position.    
   
   
       13 . The preparation station of  claim 1  further including at least one shelf hingedly mounted to an upper portion of both said right and left side panels;  
   
   
       14 . The preparation station of  claim 12  wherein each said shelf includes a plurality of hinges constructed and arranged to mount said shelf onto said left or right side panel.  
   
   
       15 . The preparation station of  claim 14  wherein each said shelf includes a plurality of supports hingedly connected thereto; 
 said supports including an engagement portion positioned on said support at an end opposite that of said hinge connection;    a plurality of support mounts positioned on an upper portion of said left or right side panel;    said supports being constructed and arranged to pivot downwardly from a lower portion of said shelf, said engagement portions engageable with said support mounts to allow said supports to support said shelf in an extended horizontal position.    
   
   
       16 . The preparation station of  claim 14  wherein each said shelf is supported by at least two of said hinges; 
 one of said hinges includes a fixed pin on which said hinge pivots;    a portion of said fixed pin extends beyond said hinge and engages a hole formed in an edge portion of said right or left side panel;    said other of said hinges includes a sliding pin on which said hinge pivots;    a portion of said sliding pin extends beyond said hinge and engages a hole formed in an opposite edge portion of said right or left side panel;    said sliding pin is biased to a position wherein said portion thereof extends beyond said hinge;    said sliding pin includes means to allow said sliding pin to be slid longitudinally between a first position wherein said portion thereof extends beyond said hinge and a second position wherein said portion is retracted into said hinge;    wherein said portion may be retracted into said hinge and disengaged from said hole in said edge of said side panel;    whereby said shelf may be removed from said side panel.    
   
   
       17 . The preparation station of  claim 8  further including a tray positioned above said intermediate support panel, said tray being constructed and arranged to include vertically extending walls which divide said tray into a plurality of separate compartments.  
   
   
       18 . The preparation station of  claim 15  wherein said tray includes at least one handle, said handle being constructed and arranged to provide support for removal of said tray from said preparation station.  
   
   
       19 . The preparation station of  claim 1  wherein the means to provide mobility to said preparation station comprises casters mounted to said base panel; 
 whereby said preparation station may be easily moved in any direction.    
   
   
       20 . The preparation station of  claim 1  further including releasable locks on at least one of said casters.