Apparatus and method for heated food delivery
First Claim
1. A delivery apparatus comprising:
- (a) a container sized to be carried during a food delivery, the container defining an interior area and an opening to the interior area;
(b) an electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area, relative to an ambient temperature, and positioned within the interior area of the container;
(i) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area being powered by a power source, the power source being remote from the container;
(ii) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area also being configured to remain with and be transportable with the container during a food delivery; and
(c) a connection apparatus residing within the delivery apparatus and including a retractable connection pad electrically connected to the electrical device, the pad biased in a retracted position within the delivery apparatus by a biasing member, the pad extendable to an exposed position for connection to the power source.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A delivery apparatus is provided according to one aspect of the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container sized to be carried during a food delivery. The container defines an interior area and an opening to the interior area. The delivery apparatus further includes an electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area relative to an ambient temperature. The electrical device is positioned within the interior area of the container. The electrical device is powered by a power source remote from the container. The electrical device is configured to remain with the container during a food delivery, and is transportable. The delivery apparatus further includes a connection apparatus residing within the delivery apparatus. The connection apparatus includes a retractable connection pad electrically connected to the electrical device. The pad is movable between a retracted position and an exposed position, and is biased in the retracted position by a biasing member. The pad is extendable to the exposed position for connection to the power source.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A delivery apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a container sized to be carried during a food delivery, the container defining an interior area and an opening to the interior area;
(b) an electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area, relative to an ambient temperature, and positioned within the interior area of the container;
(i) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area being powered by a power source, the power source being remote from the container;
(ii) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area also being configured to remain with and be transportable with the container during a food delivery; and
(c) a connection apparatus residing within the delivery apparatus and including a retractable connection pad electrically connected to the electrical device, the pad biased in a retracted position within the delivery apparatus by a biasing member, the pad extendable to an exposed position for connection to the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A base station for powering a delivery apparatus having a retractable connection apparatus, the base station comprising:
-
(a) a connection surface sized to accept the delivery apparatus, the surface including a contact pad electrically connected to a power source;
(b) a delivery apparatus cradle constructed for holding the delivery apparatus in position on the connection surface; and
(c) a magnetic field source positioned within the base station near the contact pad. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method of heating an interior area of a delivery apparatus including an electrical device and a connection apparatus having a retractable connection pad, the method comprising:
-
placing the delivery apparatus on a base station having a contact pad so as to align the connection pad with the contact pad, the contact pad electrically connected to a power source;
extending the connection pad to provide electrical connectivity between the connection pad and the contact pad to power the electrical device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A delivery system comprising:
-
(a) a delivery apparatus including;
(i) a container sized to be carried during a food delivery, the container defining an interior area and an opening to the interior area;
(i) an electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area, relative to an ambient temperature, and positioned within the interior area of the container;
(1) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area being powered by a power source, the power source being remote from the container;
(2) the electrical device configured to change the temperature of the interior area also being configured to remain with and be transportable with the container during a food delivery;
(iii) a connection apparatus residing within the delivery apparatus and including a retractable connection pad electrically connected to the electrical device, the connection pad biased in a retracted position within the delivery apparatus by a biasing member, the pad extendable to an exposed position for connection to the power source;
(b) a base station including;
(i) a connection surface sized to accept the delivery apparatus, the surface including a contact pad electrically connected to the power source and configured for use with the connection pad;
(ii) a delivery apparatus cradle constructed for holding the delivery apparatus in position on the connection surface; and
(iii) a magnetic field source positioned within the base station near the contact pad. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
Specification