Apparatus and method for heated food delivery

• US 6,353,208 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2000
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vesture Corporation (MRGB Hold Co.)
• Original Assignee: Vesture Corporation (MRGB Hold Co.)
• Inventors: Owens, Byron, Bostic, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US09/504,550
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385, 219/386, 219/387, 219/528, 219/529, 219/535, 219/544, 219/549, 126/400, 165/104-1-1
• US Class Current: 219/387
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/145 Hand carriers for pizza delivery, e.g. with thermal insulation, heating means or humidity control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0252 Domestic applications
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/028 Heaters specially adapted for trays or plates to keep food or liquids hot
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/035 Electrical circuits used in resistive heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs

Abstract

A delivery apparatus comprising a container and a heater is provided. The container is provided for holding an article in thermally conductive contact with the heater. The heater includes a heating grid constructed to provide a output watt density of greater than 2.5 watts per square inch. A heat sink is provided in thermally conductive contact with the heating grid for receiving and storing heat energy from the heating grid. The heater also includes a cover and a power cord. In another embodiment a delivery apparatus includes a controller. The controller provides information to the user about the status of the delivery apparatus by changing the state of a light source. A method of delivering food is also provided.

Claims

1. A delivery device comprising:

(a) a container comprising a plurality of walls forming an interior area;

(i) the container comprising a pizza carrier having a bottom wall, a top wall, and sidewalls;

(ii) the container having a selectively openable side, for movement of a boxed pizza into and out of the interior area;

(b) a heater positioned in the container;

(i) the heater being selectively powered by a power source remote from the container;

(ii) the heater being disconnectable from a power source, that is remote from the container, to remain in, and to be transportable with, the container, during a pizza delivery;

(c) an indicator arrangement including;

(i) an electrical energy storage device positioned on the container, to travel therewith during a pizza delivery;

(A) the electrical energy storage device is not constructed for powering the heater;

(ii) an electrically powered LED arrangement selectively powered by the electrical energy storage device when the heater is disconnected from the power source remote from the container;

(A) the electrically powered LED arrangement being positioned on the container, to travel therewith during a pizza delivery;

(iii) a temperature sensor positioned on the container;

(A) to sense a temperature state within the container even when the heater is disconnected from the power source remote from the container;

(B) to travel with the container, during a pizza delivery; and

,

(C) to selectively provide a temperature condition for indication by the electrically powered LED arrangement even when the heater is disconnected from the power source remote from the container;

(d) whereby a temperature state in a portion of the container can be sensed by the temperature sensor and be indicated by the electrically powered LED arrangement during a pizza delivery and even when the heater is disconnected from the power source remote from the container.

2. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device that is positioned on the container to travel therewith during a pizza delivery, is a battery.

3. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device that is positioned on the container to travel therewith during a pizza delivery, is a capacitor arrangement.

4. A delivery device according to claim 1 including:

(a) a power cord positioned to selectively electrically connect the heater to a power source remote from the container.

5. A delivery device according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the heater is of a type powered by an AC power source; and

,

(b) the power cord is an AC power cord.

6. A delivery device according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device, positioned on the container to travel therewith, is a capacitor arrangement which is charged when the power cord is electrically connected to an AC power source.

7. A delivery device according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) the container includes a flap selectively moveable between open and closed positions, to selectively open and close the interior area of the container.

8. A delivery device according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the heater is of a type powered by a DC power source; and

,

(b) the power cord is a DC power cord.

9. A delivery device according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) the container includes a flap selectively moveable between open and closed positions, to selectively open and close the interior area of the container.