Apparatus and method for heated food delivery

• US 6,433,313 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phase Change Energy Solutions INC
• Original Assignee: Vesture Corporation (MRGB Hold Co.)
• Inventors: Owens, Byron C., Van Hoy, Mark E., Bostic, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US09/611,761
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385-387, 219/399, 219/409, 219/410, 219/413, 219/620, 219/621
• 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 includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater, and an enunciating device for displaying temperature conditions within the container. The container includes a plurality of walls forming an interior area and an opening, wherein the opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article and the heater from outside the container to within the interior area of the container. The container includes a flap for selectively covering and uncovering the opening to allow access to the interior area of the container. The heater is constructed and arranged for placement within the interior area of the container and is provided for heating the article. The enunciating device includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature within the container, a temperature display for displaying temperature conditions within the container, and a power source for operating the enunciating device. A method for delivering food and an enunciating device are provided.

Claims

1. A pizza delivery apparatus comprising:

(a) a container comprising a plurality of walls defining a container interior;

(i) said container including an opening sized for movement of at least one pizza box into and out of the container interior;

(ii) said container including a flap positioned for selective closing of the opening;

(b) an enunciating device comprising;

(i) a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature condition within the container;

(ii) an electrically powered display for displaying information concerning a temperature condition detected by the temperature sensor; and

(iii) an enunciating device power source for electrically powering the electrically powered display;

(c) a heater selectively positionable within the container in heat transfer relationship with the container interior;

said heater being powered by a heater power source; and

,

(d) a heater controller comprising;

(i) a switch electrically coupled to the heater for activating and deactivating power from a heater power source to the heater; and

,

(ii) a central processor unit configured to control the switch to;

(A) cause heating of the heating grid from an initial temperature to a higher temperature, said higher temperature being at least 240°

F.;

(B) allow the heating grid to cool to a lower temperature; and

,

(C) thereafter operate the control switch, as programmed, in response to detected temperature conditions;

(D) said higher temperature being at least 30°

F. higher than said lower temperature.

2. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said heater comprises a heating grid having a watt density of at least 2.5 watts per square inch.

3. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) the heating grid is a mica heating grid.

4. A pizza delivery device according to claim 3 wherein:

(a) the heating grid is a 300 watt mica heating grid.

5. A pizza delivery device according to claim 3 wherein:

(a) the heater includes a polycarbonate heat sink.

6. A pizza delivery device according to claim 5 wherein;

(a) said polycarbonate heat sink is positioned such that, when said pizza delivery device is used to deliver pizza, at least a portion of said polycarbonate heat sink is positioned between said mica heating grid and said pizza.

7. A pizza delivery device according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) the polycarbonate heat sink has a shape comprising a square central portion with four wings, one wing extending from each corner of the square central portion.

8. A pizza delivery device according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) the heating grid has an area of 100 square inches.

9. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) the heating grid has a watt density of at least 3.0 watts per square inch.

10. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) the heater is of a type to be powered by an AC power source and includes an AC power cord.

11. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) the enunciating device power source comprises a capacitor arrangement positioned to selectively power the electronically powered display of the enunciating device when the heater is not connected to an AC power source.

12. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 11 wherein:

(a) the electrically powered display of the enunciating device includes at least one LED.

13. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) the electrically powered display of the enunciating device includes a green LED.

14. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said container includes;

a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, and first and second sidewalls.

15. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 14 wherein:

(a) said flap comprises an extension of at least one of the bottom wall, top wall, first sidewall and second sidewall.

16. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) the container includes a hook and loop fastener positioned to selectively secure the flap in a closed orientation.

17. A pizza delivery apparatus according to claim 16 wherein:

(a) the container includes handles for transporting the bag.

18. A pizza delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the enunciating device power source comprises a rechargeable battery arrangement positioned to selectively power the electronically powered display of the enunciating device when the heater is not connected to a power source.