Heated delivery system

• US 7,034,254 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2004
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Db Rediheat, DB Rediheat, Inc., The Boott Fetzer Company
• Original Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grabowski, Brian M., Atreyapurapu, Rao
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US10/842,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 219/387, 219/521, 219/523, 219/530, 219/533, 219/540, 219/544, 219/548
• 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: F24C 7/10 with special adaptation for travelling, e.g. collapsible

Abstract

A heated delivery system for pizza and the like including a thermally insulated receptacle, an electrical resistance heating unit having a heat storing shell molded from thermosetting resin, and an electrical resistance heating member within the shell, the member having the capacity of being heated and maintained at a desired temperature. The heating member may be silicone rubber containing resistance heating elements, and its temperature may be regulated by a suitable temperature control, such as a thermostat or other means.

Claims

1. A heated delivery system comprising:

a) a thermally insulated receptacle having an interior that houses a heated product for delivery and performs as a heated holding oven, an opening provided access to said interior, and a closure flap for said opening,

b) a pouch on an interior wall of said receptacle, said pouch having a mouth that can be opened and closed,

c) a heating unit insertable into said pouch through said mouth, said heating unit including a pair of plates molded from thermosetting resin and connected together to form a heat storing shell, each of said plates having a face, a rim surrounding said face, and a cavity in said face, said plates being oriented so that the cavity of one plate is closed by the face of the other plate,

d) an electrical resistance heating member within said shell, said heating member having a raised area disposed in the cavity of one of said plates, and

e) a power cord connected to said heat unit said power cord extending out from said pouch and said receptacle to provide a short, external pigtail portion, and a disconnect connector attached to said pigtail portion from mating with an extension cord, whereby said connector and extension cord can be electrically connected and disconnected while said extension cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and is under power.

2. A heated delivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heating member is made of silicone rubber and has electrical resistance elements embedded therein.

3. A heated delivery system comprising:

a) a thermally insulated receptacle having an interior that houses a heated product for delivery and performs as a heated holding oven, an opening providing access to said interior, and a closure flap for said opening;

b) a pouch on an interior wall of said receptacle, said pouch having a mouth that can be opened and closed;

c) a heating unit insertable into said pouch through said mouth, said heating unit including a pair of plates molded from thermosetting resin and connected together to form a heat storing shell, said plates being identical so they can be molded from a single cavity mold, and an electrical resistance heating member within said shell, said member having the capacity of being heated to a desired temperature, and;

d) a power cord connected said heating unit, said power cord extending out from said pouch and said receptacle to provide a short, external pigtail portion, and a disconnect connector attached to said pigtail portion for mating with an extension cord, whereby said connector and extension cord can be electrically connected and disconnected while said extension cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and is under power.

4. A heated delivery system comprising:

a) a thermally insulated receptacle having an interior that houses a heated product for delivery and performs as a heated holding oven, an opening providing access to said interior, and a closure flap for said opening;

b) a pouch on an interior wall of said receptacle, said pouch having a mouth that can be opened and closed;

c) a heating unit insertable into said pouch through said mouth, said heating unit including a pair of plates molded from thermosetting resin and connected together to form a heat storing shell, and an electrical resistance heating member within said shell, said member having the capacity of being heated to a desired temperature;

d) said heating member having a raised area covering electrical connections therein, and each of said plates having a face, a rim surrounding said face, and a cavity in said face, said plates being oriented so that the cavity of one plate is closed by the face of the other plate, said raised area of said heating member being disposed within cavity;

e) a power cord connected said heating unit, said power cord extending out from said pouch and said receptacle to provide a short, external pigtail portion, and a disconnect connector attached to said pigtail portion for mating with an extension cord, whereby said connector and extension cord can be electrically connected and disconnected while said extension cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and is under power.

5. A heated delivery system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plates have edges secured together, and a strain relief comprising edge portions of said plates that mate to crimp said power cord.