HOT AND COLD FOOD HOLDING APPLIANCE

• US 20110030565A1
• Filed: 08/08/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Michael Shei
• Original Assignee: Steven Michael Shei
• Inventors: Shei, Steven Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,499,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/329.P
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 39/006 for either storing and preparing or for preparing food on serving trays, e.g. heating, thawing, preserving
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention a novel apparatus is disclosed that provides both hot and cold holding for food products in one food holding appliance. In preferred embodiments the improvements include one or more of the following: (1) Positioning a heat transfer module containing a heat transfer plate above the top of one or more food holding pans forming the top surface of each food holding compartment. (2) Providing a heat transfer module to transfer both cold or hot heat energy to the food holding pans in each compartment. (3) Thermally isolating each heat transfer module form an adjacent heat transfer module to provide independent temperature control of hot or cold food holding compartments in one food holding appliance. (4) Removable heat transfer partitions that can used to subdivide each food holding compartment in to sections providing additional heat transfer capability along the sides of each food holding pan and blocking the flow of ambient air between the food holding pans. (5) A control system that regulates the temperature of each hot or cold food holding compartments by sensing the temperature of each heat transfer module and adjusting the the amount of heat energy to be added or removed.

Claims

1. A food holding appliance for holding food at a desired temperature, comprising:

a food holding compartment, for support of food holding pans and boundry of heat transfer space, heat transfer plate, for transfer of heat energy to and from stored food products, heat transfer fluid passage, thermally coupled to said heat transfer plate for directing the flow of hot or cold heat transfer fluids, thermal insulation space between adjacent food holding compartments, housing to contain thermal insulation and heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer module housing, for support of heat transfer plate and boundry of said thermal insulation space, for regulating heat transfer from one food holding compartment to an adjacent food holding compartment, suitably encircling to said heat transfer module, rigidly connected to said heat transfer plate;

a rigid support structure, for support and location of one or more heat transfer modules, defining the boundry of a food holding compartment;

a heat transfer surface, for transfer of heat energy to food holding compartment, integrally conformed to said heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer fluid passage manifold, fluidly coupled to said heat transfer fluid passage, fluid control valve, for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules;

a temperature control, for temperature control of heat transfer surface;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition, for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition assembly, for conduction of heat between food pan walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

means for controlling compression of refrigerated heat transfer fluids, fluidly connected to said means for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules;

means for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions;

means for locating and support of removable heat transfer partitions, removably connected to said means for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow, and structurally embedded to said means for the transfer of heat from the plate surface to food products, with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions;

means for conduction of heat between food pan walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

means for the control of heat transfer fluid, electrically connected to said means for control of heat tranfer module temperature, and fluidly connected to said means for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules;

means for temperature control of heat transfer surface, electrically connected to said means for control of heat transfer module temperature;

means for control of heat transfer module temperature, electrically connected to said means for temperature control of heat transfer surface, and electrically connected to said means for the control of heat transfer fluid;

means for generating heat energy from electricity, rigidly connected to said means for locating and fastening fluid transfer passage or heat element to heat transfer plate, and thermally connected to said means for the transfer of heat from the plate surface to food products, with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions; and

means for control of electric heat elements, electrically connected to said means for generating heat energy from electricity, and electrically connected to said means for temperature control of heat transfer surface.

2. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transfer of heat to stored food products through the plate surface, providing a thermal insulation space between adjacent heat transfer modules, and a means to support heat transfer partitions comprises a heat sink mass, heat transfer fluid passage, thermal insulation space, housing to contain thermal insulation and heat transfer plate, heat transfer plate heat transfer module.

3. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the transfer of heat from the plate surface to food products, with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions comprises a heat transfer surface, heat sink mass, heat conductive material, heat transfer fluid passage, guide slots for supporting heat transfer partitions heat transfer plate.

4. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for containment and transport of food products comprises a food holding pan.

5. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for support and location of heat transfer modules and defining boundry of heat transfer compartment comprises a rigid support structure.

6. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules comprises a heat transfer fluid passage manifold.

7. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for controlling compression of refrigerated heat transfer fluids comprises a refrigeration compressor.

8. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow comprises a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition.

9. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for support of food holding pans and boundry of heat transfer space comprises a food holding compartment.

10. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for directing the flow of heat transfer fluids comprises a heat transfer fluid passage.

11. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transfer of heat energy to food holding compartment comprises a heat transfer surface.

12. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for locating and support of removable heat transfer partitions comprises a heat transfer partition guide.

13. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for regulating heat transfer from one food holding compartment to an adjacent food holding compartment comprises an insulation space.

14. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for support of heat transfer plate and boundry of insulation space comprises a heat transfer module housing.

15. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for locating and fastening fluid transfer passage or heat element to heat transfer plate comprises a mounting bracket.

16. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for conduction of heat between food pan walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow comprises a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition assembly.

17. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for control of heat tranfer module temperature comprises a refrigeration control system.

18. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the control of heat transfer fluid comprises a fluid control valve.

19. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for temperature control of heat transfer surface comprises a temperature control.

20. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for control of heat transfer module temperature comprises an oil heat control system.

21. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for generating heat energy from electricity comprises a heat element.

22. The food holding appliance in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for control of electric heat elements comprises an electric heat control system.

23. A food holding appliance for holding food at a desired temperature, comprising:

a heat sink mass, heat transfer fluid passage, thermal insulation space, housing to contain thermal insulation and heat transfer plate, heat transfer plate heat transfer module, for transfer of heat to stored food products through the plate surface, providing a thermal insulation space between adjacent heat transfer modules, and a means to support heat transfer partitions;

a heat transfer surface, heat sink mass, heat conductive material, heat transfer fluid passage, guide slots for supporting heat transfer partitions heat transfer plate, for the transfer of heat from the plate surface to food products, with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions, rigidly connected to said heat transfer module;

a food holding pan, for containment and transport of food products;

a rigid support structure, for support and location of heat transfer modules and defining boundry of heat transfer compartment, rigidly fastened to said heat transfer module;

a heat transfer fluid passage manifold, for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules;

a refrigeration compressor, for controlling compression of refrigerated heat transfer fluids, fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition, for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

a food holding compartment, for support of food holding pans and boundry of heat transfer space, partially framed to said support structure, and removably inserted to said food holding pan;

a heat transfer fluid passage, for directing the flow of heat transfer fluids, fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold, and thermally coupled to said heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer surface, for transfer of heat energy to food holding compartment, integrally conformed to said heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer partition guide, for locating and support of removable heat transfer partitions, removably connected to said removable heat transfer partition, and structurally embedded to said heat transfer plate;

an insulation space, for regulating heat transfer from one food holding compartment to an adjacent food holding compartment, suitably encircling to said heat transfer module;

a heat transfer module housing, for support of heat transfer plate and boundry of insulation space, rigidly connected to said heat transfer plate;

a mounting bracket, for locating and fastening fluid transfer passage or heat element to heat transfer plate, rigidly connected to said heat transfer plate;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition assembly, for conduction of heat between food pan walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

a refrigeration control system, for control of heat tranfer module temperature, adaptably coupled to said refrigeration compressor, and adaptably coupled to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a fluid control valve, for the control of heat transfer fluid, electrically connected to said refrigeration control system, and fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a temperature control, for temperature control of heat transfer surface, electrically connected to said refrigeration control system;

an oil heat control system, for control of heat transfer module temperature, electrically connected to said temperature control, and electrically connected to said fluid control valve;

a heat element, for generating heat energy from electricity, rigidly connected to said mounting bracket, and thermally connected to said heat transfer plate; and

an electric heat control system, for control of electric heat elements, electrically connected to said heat element, and electrically connected to said temperature control.

24. The food holding appliance as recited in claim 23, further comprising:

an air flow passage access panel with air flow passages, for covering the compressor compartment and directing cooling air flow, removably engaged to said support structure.

25. A food holding appliance for holding food at a desired temperature, comprising:

a heat sink mass, heat transfer fluid passage, thermal insulation space, housing to contain thermal insulation and heat transfer plate, heat transfer plate heat transfer module, for transfer of heat to stored food products through the plate surface, providing a thermal insulation space between adjacent heat transfer modules, and a means to support heat transfer partitions;

a heat transfer surface, heat sink mass, heat conductive material, heat transfer fluid passage, guide slots for supporting heat transfer partitions heat transfer plate, for the transfer of heat from the plate surface to food products, with uniform distribution of heat sink energy and the means of support for heat transfer partitions, rigidly connected to said heat transfer module;

a food holding pan, for containment and transport of food products;

an air flow passage access panel with air flow passages, for covering the compressor compartment and directing cooling air flow;

a rigid support structure, for support and location of heat transfer modules and defining boundry of heat transfer compartment, removably engaged to said access panel with air flow passages, and rigidly fastened to said heat transfer module;

a heat transfer fluid passage manifold, for heat transfer fluid distribution to heat transfer modules;

a refrigeration compressor, for controlling compression of refrigerated heat transfer fluids, fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition, for conduction of heat to food pan side walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

a food holding compartment, for support of food holding pans and boundry of heat transfer space, partially framed to said support structure, and removably inserted to said food holding pan;

a heat transfer fluid passage, for directing the flow of heat transfer fluids, fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold, and thermally coupled to said heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer surface, for transfer of heat energy to food holding compartment, integrally conformed to said heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer partition guide, for locating and support of removable heat transfer partitions, removably connected to said removable heat transfer partition, and structurally embedded to said heat transfer plate;

an insulation space, for regulating heat transfer from one food holding compartment to an adjacent food holding compartment, suitably encircling to said heat transfer module;

a heat transfer module housing, for support of heat transfer plate and boundry of insulation space, rigidly connected to said heat transfer plate;

a mounting bracket, for locating and fastening fluid transfer passage or heat element to heat transfer plate, rigidly connected to said heat transfer plate;

a heat conductive removable heat transfer partition assembly, for conduction of heat between food pan walls and reduction of convective heat transfer from air flow;

a refrigeration control system, for control of heat tranfer module temperature, adaptably coupled to said refrigeration compressor, and adaptably coupled to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a fluid control valve, for the control of heat transfer fluid, electrically connected to said refrigeration control system, and fluidly connected to said heat transfer fluid passage manifold;

a temperature control, for temperature control of heat transfer surface, electrically connected to said refrigeration control system;

an oil heat control system, for control of heat transfer module temperature, electrically connected to said temperature control, and electrically connected to said fluid control valve;

a heat element, for generating heat energy from electricity, rigidly connected to said mounting bracket, and thermally connected to said heat transfer plate; and

an electric heat control system, for control of electric heat elements, electrically connected to said heat element, and electrically connected to said temperature control.