Food Tray Heater

Abstract

A collapsible food tray heater is disclosed wherein the food tray heater has solid sidewalls to block wind from blowing out a fire source when the collapsible food tray heater is used outdoors especially during windy conditions. Additionally, the solid walls of the collapsible food tray heater retain the heat within the heater to keep the food in the food tray hotter compared to prior art chafing dishes. The collapsible food tray heater may be collapsed such that the collapsed food tray heaters may be stacked upon each other for convenient storage and transport.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible food tray heater comprising:
 a first solid side wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions;   a second solid side wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions;   a first solid end wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to first vertical portions of the first and second side walls, the first solid end wall defining first and second halves hinged to each other for collapsing the food tray heater;   a second solid end wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to second vertical portions of the first and second side walls, the second end wall defining first and second halves hinged to each other to collapse the food tray heater for convenient storage and transport;   wherein the upper portions of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall and second end wall are sized and configured to support outwardly extending flanges of a first food tray when the food tray heater is in a deployed configuration, and the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall collectively blocks wind from entering within a cavity defined by the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall to retain heat within the cavity when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein two or more of the lower portions of the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall support the collapsible food tray heater when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein the first and second end walls fold toward each other for collapsing the food tray heater. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  further comprising a fuel tray traversable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, the fuel tray being wedged between the two solid end walls when the fuel tray is disposed in the horizontal position, the two solid end walls being foldable at the hinge when the fuel tray is disposed at the vertical position. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  further comprising a spacer disposable upon upper portions of the first side wall and the second side wall and/or the upper portions of the first end wall and second end wall for receiving a second food tray size which is smaller compared to the first food tray. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 5  wherein the spacer comprises:
 two inverted channels generally parallel to each other, the two inverted channels receive the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second side walls or the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second end walls; 
 two collapsible arms extending and attached between the two inverted channels at opposed end portions for collapsing the spacer to a compact configuration when not in use. 
 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall and second end wall has a cut out at the lower horizontal portion for providing oxygen into the cavity during use. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein opposed first and second side walls or opposed first and second end walls have cut outs at the lower horizontal portions for providing a handle to carry the food tray heater. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein an exterior surface of the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall have a rust resistant coating or a powder coating finish to prevent fingerprint marks. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible food tray heater of  claim 1  wherein the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall, and second solid end wall are fabricated from a steel material.