System and apparatus having a temperature-controlled work area and method of making and using same

1. A system configured to allow a user to prepare or package temperature-sensitive product without requiring the user to enter a harsh environment, the system comprising:

a table defining or surrounding an insulated chamber configured to hold a temperature-controlling substance, a lid removably attachable to a top of sidewalls of the table to enclose the chamber, the lid defining a planar surface and including an opening extending therethrough, a chimney surrounding the opening and extending upwardly from the lid, a screen extending above and parallel to the planar surface of the lid, the screen being configured to support temperature-sensitive product thereon,

wherein at least a portion of the screen extends into an area surrounded by the chimney, the screen being configured to support a container holding temperature-sensitive product above the chamber while permitting the passage of conditioned air therethrough, and

wherein at least a portion of the screen extends outwardly beyond the area surrounded by the chimney.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a baffle attached to a bottom surface of the lid, the baffle being configured to encourage circulation of air within the table when the lid is attached to the table.

3. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an inlet extension extending inwardly into the chamber, the inlet extension including a row of holes configured to encourage circulation of air within the table.

4. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fan unit attachable to the table, the fan unit configured to circulate air from outside the table to the insulated chamber; and

a control unit operatively connected to the fan unit, the control unit configured to control operation of the fan unit.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein at least one temperature sensor is mounted within the chimney and is configured to provide the control unit with information about the air temperature within the chimney.

6. The system according to claim 4 , wherein said control unit includes a touch screen or data entry device for setting a set point air temperature or temperature range desired within the chimney and for turning on or off the fan unit.

7. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit is configured to maintain air temperature within the chimney within a set range.

8. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit comprises:

one or more processors; and

one or more memories operatively coupled to the one or more processors and having computer readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, causes the at least one of the one or more processors to:

a) receive information obtained from one or more sensors attached to the table; and

b) control a speed of the fan unit based on the received information.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one wall of the chimney is movable with respect to another wall of the chimney to permit movement of the container holding temperature-sensitive product beneath the at least one wall and into the area surrounded by the chimney.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the chimney comprises four walls, each wall extending perpendicularly to the lid, each adjacent pair of walls extending perpendicularly to one another.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the temperature-controlling substance is dry ice.