Heated humidified food cabinet
First Claim
1. A food container comprising:
- walls defining an exterior of the container and an open interior for receiving food items;
at least one opening in the walls which provides access to move food items into and out of the interior of the container;
an air moving device for creating a moving air stream,ductwork configured to circulate the air stream in the container;
the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream through the interior of the container adjacent to the food items;
a 1200 W to about 2000 W air heating element operated by a 110-120 V power supply located in the air stream;
a water receptacle for receiving a supply of water;
the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream over the supply of water;
a 1200 W to about 2000 W water heating element operated by a 110-120 V power supply arranged to add heat energy to the supply of water in the water receptacle; and
a control arranged to operate the air and water heating elements alternately and not simultaneously.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A food container or cabinet may have a power cord extending and exiting from the cabinet at recess formed at a corner of side, top and back walls. The cabinet may be heated and humidified and operated with a control that operates air and water heating elements alternately and not simultaneously. The control may include a microprocessor and a digital storage device storing instructions for the microprocessor. An interface may be provided at the cabinet via which electronic signals can be directed to or received from the microprocessor or digital storage device. The container may be provided with a removable water receptacle and a water heating element positioned within the receptacle. The water heating element may be mounted in a pivotable fashion such that as the receptacle is removed from the container, the heating element is automatically pivoted out from within the receptacle and as the receptacle is returned to the container, the heating element is automatically pivoted into the receptacle.
38 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A food container comprising:
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walls defining an exterior of the container and an open interior for receiving food items; at least one opening in the walls which provides access to move food items into and out of the interior of the container; an air moving device for creating a moving air stream, ductwork configured to circulate the air stream in the container; the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream through the interior of the container adjacent to the food items; a 1200 W to about 2000 W air heating element operated by a 110-120 V power supply located in the air stream; a water receptacle for receiving a supply of water; the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream over the supply of water; a 1200 W to about 2000 W water heating element operated by a 110-120 V power supply arranged to add heat energy to the supply of water in the water receptacle; and a control arranged to operate the air and water heating elements alternately and not simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A food container comprising:
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walls defining an exterior of the container and an open interior for receiving food items; at least one opening in the walls which provides access to move food items into and out of the interior of the container; an air moving device for creating a moving air stream, ductwork configured to circulate the air stream in the container; the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream through the interior of the container adjacent to the food items; an air heating element located in the air stream; a water receptacle for receiving a supply of water; the ductwork being configured to direct at least a portion of the air stream over the supply of water; a water heating element arranged to add heat energy to the supply of water in the water receptacle; a control arranged to control a temperature and a humidity within the cabinet; the control including a microprocessor and a digital storage device for storing instructions for the microprocessor; and an interface provided at an exterior of the cabinet via which electronic signals can be directed to or received from the microprocessor or digital storage device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A food conditioning container comprising:
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walls defining an exterior of the container and an open interior for receiving food items; at least one opening in the walls which provides access to move food items into and out of the interior of the container; at least one electrically operated air conditioning element positioned within the cabinet to condition at least one characteristic of the air, a power cord extending to the exterior of the cabinet and exiting from the cabinet at a corner of a side wall, the top wall and the back wall. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A food conditioning container comprising:
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walls defining an exterior of the container and an open interior for receiving food items; at least one opening in the walls which provides access to move food items into and out of the interior of the container; a removable water receptacle positioned within the container to provide a source of humidity for air within the cabinet; at least one electrically operated water heating element positioned within the receptacle to heat water contained in the water receptacle, the water heating element being mounted in a pivotable fashion such that as the water receptacle is removed from the container, the water heating element is automatically pivoted out from within the water receptacle and as the water receptacle is returned to the container, the water heating element is automatically pivoted into the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification