Pop-Up Food Preparation Counter Cabinet and Refrigerator

Abstract

A pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to the present invention is disclosed. The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator includes a cabinet having a top side and front side, a refrigerator contained within the cabinet, a lift cover having a top side and an underside being coupled to the top side of the cabinet, an inner refrigerated cavity creating an open air refrigerated space for a set of food storage pans. The lift cover is movable between an open position and a retracted/closed position and the set of food storage pans comprising a plurality of removable individual food storage pans configured for storage in the inner refrigerated cavity and being accessible when the lift cover is in the open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of manufacture providing a pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator, the pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator comprises:
 a cabinet having a top side and front side;   a refrigerator contained within the cabinet;   a lift cover having a top side and an underside being coupled to the top side of the cabinet, the lift cover is movable between an open position and a retracted/closed position; and   an inner refrigerated cavity creating an open air refrigerated space for a set of food storage pans, the set of food storage pans comprising a plurality of removable individual food storage pans configured for storage in the inner refrigerated cavity and being accessible when the lift cover is in the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator further comprises:
 one or more under-counter refrigerator doors coupled to the front side of the cabinet for providing access to the inner refrigerated cavity, the one or more under-counter refrigerator doors having an open position and a closed position; and   one or more extendable shelves within the refrigerated inner cavity of the refrigerator, the one or more extendable shelves being extendable out of the refrigerated inner cavity when the one or more under-counter refrigerator doors are in the open position.   
     
     
         3 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator further comprises
 a lifting mechanism coupled between the underside of the lift counter and the cabinet for lifting the lift counter between the open and retracted/closed position; and   an undercounter seal coupled to the underside of the lift counter, the undercounter seal prevents refrigerated air within the refrigerated inner cavity from escaping the refrigerator when the lift counter is in the retracted/closed position.   
     
     
         4 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein, the lift mechanism comprises one or more extending lift members, the extending lift members may be assisted by hydraulic, electric or mechanical crank devices. 
     
     
         5 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein, the plurality of removable individual food storage pans comprise a plurality of sized pans each of which having an outer rim, an outer surface, and an inner storage cavity, the outer surface extending into the refrigerated inner cavity and the outer rim configured to engage the undercounter seal when the lift counter is in the retracted/closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator further comprises:
 an extendable drawer coupled within the cabinet; and   a retractable cutting board and work surface, the retractable cutting board being configured to be stored within the extendable drawer.   
     
     
         7 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein, the retractable cutting board and work surface comprises two or more cutting boards coupled together by a central adjoining edge member, the retractable cutting board and work surface having a stowed position in which the are folded on top of each other by the central adjoining edge member and having an open position in which the two or more cutting boards are adjacent to each other within the extendable drawer. 
     
     
         8 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein the top side of the lift cover having a food preparation workspace usable when the lift cover is in the retracted/closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein, the lift cover is made from a material comprising wood, granite, quartz, and manmade material. 
     
     
         10 . The pop-up food preparation counter cabinet and refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein, the set of food storage pans are made of stainless steel, aluminum, and manmade material.