Transportable food storage container

Abstract

This invention provides a personal food storage buffet comprising a relatively large container of a size and shape that enables easy placement into and removal out of a refrigerator. The container has an upper tray and a lower tray. The lower tray is used to store utensils and dinnerware. The upper tray contains smaller containers and dispensers to store fixings and dressings. The upper tray also contains and heating/cooling pack to maintain freshness of the food. Positioned atop the perimeter of the cover is a pair of handles to transport the container. The upper tray and the lower tray may be connected together via a set of clips. An adjustable cover that serves as a sneeze guard is pivotally positioned over the upper tray via a pair of rods. When in the closed position, the cover attaches to the upper tray via a set of hinges and/or clips.

1 . A food storage container comprising:
 an upper tray, the upper tray being segmented into a plurality of sections, wherein the plurality of sections are configured to house a plurality of containers, wherein each of the containers has a rim, wherein the upper tray has a first side, a second side, and a bottom, and wherein a first channel is centrally positioned on an interior portion of the first side and a second channel is centrally positioned on an interior portion of the second side; and   a cover, the cover being shaped to mate with the upper tray, wherein the cover has an interior surface, a first side and a second side, wherein the cover has a first rod centrally positioned on the first side and a second rod centrally positioned on the second side, and wherein the first rod mates with the first channel of the upper tray and the second rod mates with the second channel of the upper tray.   
     
     
         2 . The food storage container of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a lower tray, the lower tray being configured for storage of a plurality of utensils and a plurality of dinnerware, wherein the lower tray is configured to mate with the upper tray. 
 
     
     
         3 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the upper tray is connected to the lower tray by a first pair of clips. 
     
     
         4 . The food storage container of  claim 2  wherein the lower tray further comprises a condiment box. 
     
     
         5 . The food storage container of  claim 1  further comprising a heating and cooling pack, the heating and cooling pack being positioned underneath the plurality of containers, and wherein the heating and cooling pack is disposed upon the bottom of the upper tray. 
     
     
         6 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the upper tray further comprises a plurality of bumps, the bumps being molded into the bottom of the upper tray. 
     
     
         7 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of sections form a suspension grid, wherein the suspension grid suspends the plurality of containers above the heating and cooling pack. 
     
     
         8 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of gaskets, wherein the plurality of gaskets are disposed upon the interior surface of the cover, and wherein the plurality of gaskets correspond with the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         9 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover further comprises a button, the button being centrally positioned upon the cover, wherein the cover and the suspension grid are interlocked upon rotation of the button, and wherein the gaskets on the interior surface of the cover are compressed onto the rims of each of the plurality of containers forming an individual seal for each of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         10 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the first rod and the second rod are telescopically adjustable within the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         11 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover is pivotally adjustable upon the first rod and the second rod. 
     
     
         12 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover is connected to the upper tray by a second pair of clips. 
     
     
         13 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover is connected to the upper tray by a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The food storage container of  claim 11  wherein the cover pivots on the hinge in a range of approximately 90 degrees to approximately 120 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the cover further comprises a pair of handles, the handles being pivotally adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the upper tray further comprises a first handle and a second handle, the first handle being positioned on an exterior portion of the first side and the second handle being positioned on an exterior portion of the second side. 
     
     
         17 . The food storage container of  claim 2  wherein the lower tray further comprises a first handle and a second handle, the first handle being positioned on an exterior portion of a first side of the lower tray and the second handle being positioned on an exterior portion of a second side of the lower tray. 
     
     
         18 . The food storage container of  claim 1  wherein the food storage container is incorporated into a refrigerator.