Apparatus and method for heated food delivery

• US 6,555,789 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• 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:
  US10/201,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 281 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 is provided by the invention. The 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 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, the heater including;

(i) a heating element;

(ii) a heat sink positioned in thermally conductive relation with the heating element;

the heat sink including;

(1) a center portion; and

(2) wings extending from the center portion;

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

(iv) the heater being transportable with the container during a pizza delivery; and

(c) an indicator arrangement positioned on the container, the indicator arrangement including;

(i) an electrical energy storage device transportable with the container during a pizza delivery; and

(ii) an electrically powered display selectively powered by the electrical energy storage device, the display being transportable with the container during a pizza delivery, and configured to indicate a temperature state within the container during the pizza delivery;

(d) wherein the heater is not powered by the electrical energy storage device.

2. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device transportable with the container during a pizza delivery, is a battery.

3. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device transportable with the container during a pizza delivery, is a capacitor arrangement.

4. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the electrically powered display transportable with the container during a pizza delivery comprises and LED arrangement having at least one LED.

5. A delivery device according to claim 1 further including:

(a) a temperature sensor positioned on the container and transportable with the container, the temperature sensor being configured to;

(i) sense a temperature state within the container even when the container is remote from the power source;

(ii) selectively provide a temperature condition for indication by the electrically powered display even when the container is remote from the power source.

6. The delivery device of claim 5 wherein:

(a) the electrically powered display is configured to indicate a readiness set point, the readiness set point corresponding to a selected temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

7. The delivery device of claim 6 wherein:

(a) the readiness set point is at least 140 degree Fahrenheit.

8. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the heating element of the heater is powered by an AC power source.

9. A delivery device according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) the electrical energy storage device of the indicator arrangement is charged by a secondary current source electrically connected to the electrical energy storage device.

10. The delivery device of claim 1 further including:

(a) a heater controller comprising;

(i) a switch electrically coupled to the heater for activating and deactivating heat generation; and

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

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

F.;

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

,

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

(D) said higher temperature being at least 30°

F. higher than said lower temperature.

11. The delivery device of claim 1 wherein:

(a) one of the side walls includes a window for viewing the electrically powered display of the indicator arrangement to inform a user of temperature conditions within the container.

12. The delivery device of claim 11 wherein:

(a) the one of the side walls having the window is the openable sidewall.

13. The delivery device of claim 11 wherein:

(a) the window is a transparent material configured within the one sidewall that permits the user to view the electrically powered display of the indicator arrangement.