Modular Heating Unit

• US 20140263269A1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Prince Castle LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Veltrop, Loren, Beu, Scott W., Paton, David E., Santiago, Ronaldo J., Betzold, David Anthony, Larson, Eric W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,271,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/394
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 39/02 Dish-warmers; Devices to keep food hot

Abstract

A modular heating unit comprising modular heating bins is disclosed. The modular heating bins may be arranged into different configurations to accommodate different kitchen food preparation layouts.

Claims

1. A modular heating unit comprising:

a top cover;

a base unit;

a heating element;

at least two modular heating bins, the at least two modular heating bins configured to be arranged in different positions to accommodate different cooking space dimensions, the at least two modular heating bins and the heating element operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

2. The modular heating unit of claim 1, wherein the at least two modular heating bins are stacked on top of each other between the base unit and the top cover.

3. The modular heating unit of claim 1, wherein the at least two modular heating bins are positioned adjacent to each other, the at least two modular heating bins releasably connected to the base unit and the top cover.

4. The modular heating unit of claim 1, further including at least three modular heating bins, the at least three modular heating bins stackable in different positions, the at least three modular heating bins operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

5. The modular heating unit of claim 4, wherein the at least three modular heating bins are stacked on top of each other between the base unit and the top cover.

6. The modular heating unit of claim 4, wherein the at least three modular heating bins are positioned adjacent to each other, the at least three modular heating bins releasably connected to the based unit and the top cover.

7. The modular heating unit of claim 1, further including 1+N modular heating bins configured to be arranged in different positions.

8. The modular heating unit of claim 1, wherein:

the base unit is configured to connect the at least two modular heating bins to a power source and provide communication between the at least two modular heating bins and an external network.

9. The modular heating unit of claim 1, wherein

the base unit is configured to provide wireless communication between the base unit and the at least two modular heating bins.

10. The modular heating unit of claim 1, wherein the at least two modular heating bins are configured to interlock to the base unit with a slide lock mechanism.

11. A modular heating unit comprising:

a top cover;

a base unit;

a first modular heating bin having a first chamber and a first heating element apparatus, the first heating apparatus for heating the first chamber;

a second modular heating bin having a second chamber and a second heating apparatus, the second heating apparatus for heating the second chamber; and

the first and second modular heating bins configured to be arranged in different positions to accommodate different cooking space dimensions, the first and second modular heating bins and the first and second heating elements operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

13. The modular heating unit of claim 11, further including a third modular heating bin having a third chamber and a third heating apparatus, the first, second and third modular heating bins stackable in different configurations, the first, second and third modular heating bins operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

14. The modular heating unit of claim 11, further including 1+N modular heating bins stackable in different configurations, the 1+N modular heating bins operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

15. The modular heating unit of claim 11, wherein the first and second modular heating bins are operatively connected to the base in at least a first configuration, where the first and second modular heating bins are connected to the base unit adjacent to each other, and a second configuration where the first modular heating bin is connected to the base unit and the second modular heating bin is stacked on top of the first modular heating bin.

16. The modular heating unit of claim 11, wherein the first and second modular heating bins have a first connecting structure on the top of the first and second modular heating bins and a second connecting structure on the bottom of the first and second modular heating bins, wherein the first connecting structure of the first modular heating bin is connectable to the second connecting structure of the second modular heating bin.

17. The modular heating unit of claim 11, wherein the first and second modular heating bins have a first connecting structure on the top of the first and second modular heating bins and a second connecting structure on the bottom of the first and second modular heating bins, wherein the first connecting structure of the second modular heating bin is connectable to the second connecting structure of the first modular heating bin.

18. The modular heating unit of claim 11, wherein the first and second modular heating bins have a first connecting structure on the top of the first and second modular heating bins and a second connecting structure on the bottom of the first and second modular heating bins, wherein the base unit is connected to the second connecting structure of the first modular heating bin and the second modular.

19. A modular heating bin comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

two side walls, the two side wall interconnecting the bottom wall and the top wall;

a front wall, the front wall connected to the two side walls, the top wall, and the bottom wall, the front wall having a first opening configured to hold a pan;

a back wall, the back wall connected to the two side walls, the top wall, and the bottom wall, the back wall having a second opening configured to hold the pan, the second opening extending through to the first opening from the front wall to the back wall;

the top wall further comprising a plurality of tabs, the plurality of tabs configured for interconnecting the top wall with another similar modular heating bin.

20. The modular heating bin of claim 19, wherein the bottom wall further comprises a plurality of slots, the plurality of slots configured to connect the bottom wall to a base unit.

21. A modular heating bin comprising:

a top;

a bottom;

two side walls, the two side wall interconnecting the bottom and the top;

a front wall, the front wall connected to the two side walls, the top, and the bottom; and

a back wall, the back wall connected to the two side walls, the top, and the bottom;

wherein the top, the bottom, the two side walls, the front wall, and the back wall define a chamber configured to hold a pan, wherein the front wall has a front opening to the chamber and the back wall has a back opening to the chamber.

22. The modular heating bin of claim 21, wherein the bottom further comprises a plurality of slot for connecting the bottom to a base unit.

23. A modular heating unit comprising:

a top cover;

a base unit;

a first modular heating bin, the first modular heating bin having a first set of dimensions;

a second modular heating bin, the second modular heating bin having a second set of dimensions, the second set of dimensions different from the first set of dimensions of the first modular heating bin;

the first and second modular heating bins configured to be arranged in different positions to accommodate different cooking space dimensions, the first and second modular heating bins operatively connected to the base unit and the top cover.

24. The modular heating unit of claim 23, further including a first pan and a second pan, the first pan and the second pan having different dimensions, the first pan sized for use in the first modular heating bin, the second pan sized for use in both the first modular heating bin and the second modular heating bin.