Expeditionary palletized kitchen system

Abstract

A low cost mobile but commercial grade kitchen is provided for use by military and disaster relief personnel in the field and, importantly, in forwardly deployed positions. The expeditionary palletized kitchen system (EPKS) is designed to fit within the interior of a standard TRICON box to facilitate transport with standard military shipping vehicles and equipment. The EPKS has folding side members that open the structure to allow more room for food preparation and serving. All equipment needed to prepare and feed a large number of troops or disaster victims is contained within the folding walls once folded and secured for shipment.

1 . An Expeditionary Palletized Kitchen System (EPKS) comprising:
 a plurality of folding side members connected to a substantially horizontal floor member by respective hinges, whereby the exterior dimensions of said plurality of folding side members, once folded into a substantially upright position, allow the EPKS to fit into a standard TRICON box for shipping, and whereby said plurality of folding side members increase the floor space provided by said floor member when said plurality of folding side members are unfolded into a substantially horizontal position;   a plurality of commercial grade kitchen appliances carried by said floor member; and   a plurality of kitchen utensils stored within one or more storage spaces carried by said floor member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a multi-level sanitation system to ensure that food preparation may be performed under sanitary conditions. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of detachable leveling members for leveling the EPKS once deployed. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a standard military use 208 VAC electrical connection designed to power the EPKS. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an expansion member for expanding the floor surface area in the EPKS. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising an interior storage space provided within one or more of said plurality of folding side members designed to carry said expansion member when said expansion member is not in use.