Dining table combined with food warming apparatus

• US 4,038,518 A
• Filed: 05/24/1976
• Issued: 07/26/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David F. Hale, Richard F. Morton
• Original Assignee: David F. Hale, Richard F. Morton
• Inventors: Hale, David F., Morton, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Albritton, C. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/689,650
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 219/218, 219/385, 219/386, 219/10.49, 219/10.47, 312/236, 108/94
• US Class Current: 219/218
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0009 Plate and dish warming plates embedded in table top
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/1209 induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them

Abstract

A dining table which automatically maintains food at an optimum temperature all the while the food is on the table. Disposed beneath the table top, which permits flux linkage therethrough, is apparatus which generates one or more electromagnetic fields with each of the fields of influence thereof extending upwardly through the table top. Placing a peculiar food vessel within each field of influence causes an electromotive force (EMF) to be generated within conductor windings disposed therein. The food vessel also includes a heating element which is connected to the conductor windings; this heating element is powered by the EMF being generated by the conductor windings. Thus, a nominal amount of heat is developed which keeps the food contained within the food vessel at an optimum temperature.

Claims

1. The combination with a dining table having a horizontally disposed table top constructed from a substance which readily permits flux linkage therethrough;

of heat producing means for constantly maintaining food, which may selectively be placed in at least one prescribed location on said table top, at an optimum temperature during the complete course of a meal;

said heat producing means including electric means disposed beneath said table top for generating at least one electromagnetic field each having a field of influence extending upwardly through said table top, and at least one peculiar food vessel means responsive to the field of influence when placed in said prescribed location;

said food vessel means including conductor winding means inductively coupled to said electric means via the field of influence for generating an electromotive force therein, and heating element means electrically connected to said conductor winding means and being powered by said electromotive force for developing a nominal amount of heat whereby the food contained within said food vessel means may be maintained at the optimum temperature during the complete course of the meal;

said food vessel means being in the form of a serving platter with said conductor winding means and said heater element means being embedded therein, and said food vessel means including cladding means for establishing an impervious exterior for said serving platter whereby said conductor winding means and said heater element means are sealably enveloped by said cladding means.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said cladding means consists of stainless steel.

3. In a serving platter, the improvement which comprises conductor winding means selectively responsive to a changing electromagnetic field of influence which may be disposed adjacent thereto whereby an electromotive force is generated within said conductor winding means;

and heating element means electrically connected to said conductor winding means and being powered by the electromotive force generated therewith to develop a nominal amount of heat for constantly maintaining items of food, which may be placed on said serving platter, at an optimum temperature;

said conductor winding means and said heating element means being embedded within said serving platter.

4. The serving platter as set forth in claim 3 in which is included cladding means for establishing an impervious exterior for said serving platter whereby said conductor winding means and said heating element means are sealably enveloped by said cladding means.

5. The serving platter as set forth in claim 4 in which said cladding means consists of stainless steel.