Refrigerated point-of-use holding cabinet using chilled liquid
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refrigerated food holding cabinet comprising:
- a first tray receiving member having a bottom, first and second side opposing walls that extend upwardly from the bottom, and first and second opposing open ends, the first tray receiving member defining a cavity in which food or a food holding tray can be placed through either of the first and second opposing open ends;
a second tray receiving member having a bottom, first and second side opposing walls that extend upwardly from the bottom, and first and second opposing open ends, the second tray receiving member defining a cavity in which food or a food holding tray can be placed through either of the first and second opposing open ends; and
a refrigeration system comprising;
a first heat exchanger coil, at least a portion of which is attached to the first tray receiving member;
a second heat exchanger coil, at least a portion of which is attached to the second tray receiving member;
a chilled working fluid, which circulates through the first heat exchanger coil and through the second heat exchanger coil, the chilled working fluid being a liquid that does not change phase as it circulates;
a tank configured to hold the chilled working fluid; and
a single pump, the pump being coupled to the tank and to both the first and second heat exchanger coils,wherein the first heat exchanger coil, the second heat exchanger coil, and chilled working fluid flowing therethrough are configured to conduct heat energy away from the first tray receiving member and away from the second tray receiving member, and thereby conduct heat energy away from a food holding tray or food item placed on the bottom of the first tray receiving member or from a food holding tray or food item placed on the bottom of the second tray receiving member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A refrigerated food holding cabinet comprising:
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a first tray receiving member having a bottom, first and second side opposing walls that extend upwardly from the bottom, and first and second opposing open ends, the first tray receiving member defining a cavity in which food or a food holding tray can be placed through either of the first and second opposing open ends; a second tray receiving member having a bottom, first and second side opposing walls that extend upwardly from the bottom, and first and second opposing open ends, the second tray receiving member defining a cavity in which food or a food holding tray can be placed through either of the first and second opposing open ends; and a refrigeration system comprising; a first heat exchanger coil, at least a portion of which is attached to the first tray receiving member; a second heat exchanger coil, at least a portion of which is attached to the second tray receiving member; a chilled working fluid, which circulates through the first heat exchanger coil and through the second heat exchanger coil, the chilled working fluid being a liquid that does not change phase as it circulates; a tank configured to hold the chilled working fluid; and a single pump, the pump being coupled to the tank and to both the first and second heat exchanger coils, wherein the first heat exchanger coil, the second heat exchanger coil, and chilled working fluid flowing therethrough are configured to conduct heat energy away from the first tray receiving member and away from the second tray receiving member, and thereby conduct heat energy away from a food holding tray or food item placed on the bottom of the first tray receiving member or from a food holding tray or food item placed on the bottom of the second tray receiving member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A refrigerated food holding cabinet comprising:
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at least one tier; first and second tray-receiving members within the at least one tier of the cabinet, each of the tray-receiving members being substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and having a substantially horizontal and substantially planar bottom and generally planar and opposing side walls extending substantially vertically from the substantially planar horizontal bottom, both of the first and second tray-receiving members having first and second opposing and open ends, the open ends being sized, shaped and arranged to allow a food or food storage tray to pass through them, the tray receiving members being configured such that food or a food holding tray placed in a tray receiving member will be in direct contact with the bottom of the tray receiving member; and a refrigeration system comprising; a first heat exchanger coil attached directly to outside surfaces of the first substantially parallelepiped-shaped thermally-conductive tray receiving member; a second heat exchanger coil attached directly to outside surfaces of the second substantially parallelepiped-shaped thermally-conductive tray receiving member; a tank configured to hold a chilled liquid; and a single pump, the pump being coupled to the tank and to both the first and second heat exchanger coils;
the chilled liquid being circulated by the pump through the first and second heat exchangers and the chilled liquid does not change phase as the chilled liquid circulates. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification