U.S. patent application number 09/729001 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for portable and self-contained system for maintaining prepared meals in a cool state and reheating them.
Invention is credited to Laligant, Pascal, Le Blevennec, Pierre, Simeray, Janick.
Application Number | 20010004863 09/729001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9527017 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simeray, Janick ; et
al. |
June 28, 2001 |
Portable and self-contained system for maintaining prepared meals
in a cool state and reheating them
Abstract
A food heating and cooling device including a tray, at least one
main dish plate in the tray, at least one secondary dish plate in
the tray, a cover associated with the tray for maintaining the food
hot or cold, an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining heat
and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces
currents in an armature located on or under the plates, a
thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by
extracting residual heat from the plates and compensates for
thermal insulation leaks from the tray and cover, and rechargeable
batteries connected to the inducer and the thermoelectric
exchanger.
Inventors: |
Simeray, Janick; (Colombes,
FR) ; Le Blevennec, Pierre; (Boulogne-Billancourt,
FR) ; Laligant, Pascal; (Le Plessis Belleville,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS, LLP
1600 MARKET STREET
SUITE 3600
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
|
Family ID: |
9527017 |
Appl. No.: |
09/729001 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09729001 |
Dec 4, 2000 |
|
|
|
PCT/FR99/01311 |
Jun 3, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
99/468 ; 99/339;
99/340; 99/470 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 2203/028 20130101;
F25B 21/02 20130101; H05B 6/12 20130101; Y10S 165/918 20130101;
Y10S 165/902 20130101; A47J 39/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/468 ; 99/470;
99/339; 99/340 |
International
Class: |
A23L 001/00; A47J
009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 4, 1998 |
FR |
98/07034 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food heating and cooling device comprising: a tray; at least
one main dish plate in the tray; at least one secondary dish plate
in the tray; a cover associated with the tray for maintaining said
food hot or cold; an inducer for heating, reheating or maintaining
heat and powered by an electronic generator circuit which induces
currents in an armature located on or under said plates; a
thermoelectric exchanger for maintaining the food cold or cool by
extracting residual heat from said plates and compensates for
thermal insulation leaks from said tray and cover; and rechargeable
batteries connected to said inducer and said thermoelectric
exchanger.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating, reheating
or maintenance of a heated state of a main dish plate compartment
is partially implemented by thermal pumping of heat extracted from
a secondary dish plate compartment.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inducer connects
to an induction generator circuit by a removable connection.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inducer is not an
integral part of the tray and the tray rests on a support which is
integral with the device and contains at least one inducer, and the
tray is locked in place on said support by a lock.
5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
Peltier effect thermoelectric module, at least one interior heat
sink and at least one exterior heat sink.
6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two
internal radiators and an external heat sink, at least two Peltier
effect thermoelectric modules and a separating wall.
7. A single-use, disposable tray or cover associated with the
device according to claim 1, wherein the tray has an integrated
inducer connected to a connector or a recess attachment system
connected to an inducer support and the cover is fitted to the
tray.
8. A multiple-use, durable tray or cover associated with the device
according to claim 1, wherein the tray has an integrated inducer
connected to a connector or a recess attachment system connected to
an inducer support and the cover is fitted to the tray.
9. A cover according to claim 1, further comprising a folding flap
for thermally insulating contents of the tray in the absence of the
device.
10. A system for maintaining temperature of prepared meals
comprising: a tray having a fitted cover, a first zone sized and
shaped to receive a principal plate for hot food, at least a second
zone sized and shaped to receive an appetizer or a dessert on
appetizer plates and at least one Peltier effect module, wherein
said Peltier effect module transfers heat between interior portions
of the tray and the exterior of the tray, power-supply batteries
associated with the tray enabling self-contained use; a circuit for
controlling said Peltier effect modules; and an induction generator
for maintaining the tray at a refrigerated temperature and
selective heating of the first zone.
11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that in the
absence of inductive heating said Peltier effect module transfers
heat from the interior of the tray to the exterior.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said plate has an
armature.
13. The system according to claim 10, wherein a thermal connection
links the first zone to the second zone, the thermal connection
enabling reheating of the food in the second zone up to a cool
consumption temperature when the inductive heating is turned
on.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the thermal
connection is formed by sloped edges of the plate which are left
exposed and not made tight.
15. The system according to claim 10, further comprising at least
one interior radiator and at least one exterior radiator.
16. The system according to claim 10, wherein said cover has an
internal wall that separates the first zone from the second zone,
and further comprises two Peltier effect modules which, in the
absence of induction, transfer heat in parallel with one module
transferring from the first zone to the exterior and the other from
the second zone to the exterior, with the transfer of heat from the
first zone being inverted when inductive heating is turned on.
17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising two
internal radiators and one exterior radiator.
18. The system according to claim 10, wherein said first zone
connects to the induction generator circuit by a removable
connection.
19. The system according to claim 10, wherein said first zone is
located on a support on which rests said tray without an inducer
and which tray is locked in place by a lock.
20. The system according to claim 10, wherein said cover has at
least one foldable flap.
21. The system according to claim 10, wherein said tray and said
cover are reuseable.
22. The system according to claim 10, wherein said tray and said
cover are disposable.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No.
PCT/FR99/01311, with an international filing date of Jun. 3, 1999,
which is based on French Patent Application No. 98/07034, filed
Jun. 4, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention concerns a system for maintaining the
temperature of prepared meals served on trays. More precisely, the
system is portable and self-contained; ensures continuity of the
cold chain for dishes that are consumed in the cool state during
storage and transport; ensures continuity of the hot chain for
dishes that are consumed in the hot state and carried out directly
from the kitchen; reheats a dish that has been transported in the
cold state just before its delivery and keeps the dish hot during
its consumption. This system responds to the needs of the catering
business as well as those of restaurants that provide meals for
pick up or delivery.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Health regulations often require:
[0004] maintenance of cold conditions under 3.degree. C. for
long-term storage, and
[0005] a cool temperature below 12.degree. C. for delivery two
hours prior to consumption.
[0006] Health regulations also often apply to hot dishes:
[0007] a hot dish which is consumed in the hot state should not
drop below 62.5.degree. C. during the delivery phase. Maintenance
of the hot state should not last more than two hours.
[0008] A hot dish which is transported in the cold state
should:
[0009] be cooled in less than one hour, refrigerated and maintained
under 3.degree.C., and
[0010] be reheated above 65.degree. just before consumption.
[0011] A hot delivered dish should be consumed above 62.5.degree.
C. for the best gustatory enjoyment. Thus, there is a requirement
for the ability to maintain the temperature of the delivered dish
while awaiting its consumption. These temperatures correspond to
French regulations and are cited as examples.
[0012] These requirements are demanding and complicate the
organization of take-out restaurants by imposing:
[0013] a very brief elapsed time between making the hot dish and
its consumption, or alternatively,
[0014] transport of cold dishes in refrigerated vehicles which
requires that delivery be made just prior to consumption, followed
by reheating the dish back up to the required temperature on the
consumer's premises assuming that an oven is available.
[0015] A self-contained, portable device that maintains dishes in
the hot state or provides for their reheating by induction is
disclosed and described in patent application FR 9614475 and patent
application PCT FR 97/02125 by the same author. Plates heated by
induction are described in design patent application FR 9706059 and
patent application FR 9802066 by the same author, as well as
examples of inductors. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,481
describes portable devices for service using the Peltier phenomenon
and patent application EP 0 818 169 describes meal trays with
induction.
[0016] The present invention describes a more complete, improved
version of the previously described devices intended for the
applications cited in the introduction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The invention relates to a food heating and cooling device
including a tray, at least one main dish plate in the tray, at
least one secondary dish plate in the tray, a cover associated with
the tray for maintaining the food hot or cold, an inducer for
heating, reheating or maintaining heat which is powered by an
electronic generator circuit, thereby inducing currents in an
armature located on or under the plates, a thermoelectric exchanger
for maintaining the food cold or cool by extracting residual heat
from the plates and compensates for thermal insulation leaks from
the tray and cover, and rechargeable batteries connected to the
inducer and the thermoelectric exchanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a partial top view and a cross-section of a
portion of the system in accordance with aspects of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a partial top view and a cross-section of
another portion of the system in accordance with aspects of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-section of a device of the
invention with an integrated inductive circuit.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-section of a device of the
invention with an integrated inductive circuit.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows interior views of the system of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows another interior view of the system of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following description is intended to refer to specific
embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings and is not
intended to define or limit the invention, other than in the
appended claims. Also, the drawings are not to scale and various
dimensions and proportions are contemplated.
[0025] The device provides for the maintenance of sanitary
temperatures, reheating the hot dish and maintenance of the dish in
the hot state during its consumption. Thus, it simplifies logistics
by reducing delivery and timing restrictions, and improves the
consumer's enjoyment and satisfaction.
[0026] According to the invention, heating and cooling of the
device is provided by electric means. The device is portable and
contains a tray and its cover. The device is electrically
self-contained, for example, by means of internal batteries. The
device is rechargeable, comprises a safe low voltage input and/or a
mains input.
[0027] The device has a tray on which are arranged hot or cold
dishes, and optionally a hermetic cover that separates cold dishes
from hot dishes by a partition. The tray and cover associated with
the device thermally insulate and protect the meal. The device
maintains the contents in a cold state by means of a thermoelectric
process employing modules based on the Peltier effect. The
thermoelectric cooling maintains the temperature of the cold cell
at the required temperature, compensating for losses via the cover,
the tray and the separating partition.
[0028] Dishes to be consumed in the hot state are maintained in the
hot state or reheated by an inductive process.
[0029] The dishes to be consumed in the hot state are thus served
on plates containing an armature and the device provides induction
under the plate.
[0030] Turning now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in
particular, there is shown an example of a layout of the elements
associated with a device 11, a tray 12, a removable cover 13, a
principal plate for hot dishes 14 and various appetizer plates,
place settings and beverages 15.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows another example of layout of the device 21,
tray 22, cover 23, plate 24 and appetizer plates 25.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an example of implementation of the device
associated with a tray 12 or 22 comprising an integrated inductive
circuit and a removable connection 31 with said device 11 or
21.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows another example of implementation of the device
11 or 21 which is integral with an inductive support 41 on which
rests a tray 12 or 22 without an inducer, which tray is locked in
place by a locking system 42.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the device 11
comprising a thermoelectric exchanger 51 constituted by an interior
radiator 52, an exterior radiator 53, an internal thermal drain
associated with a thermoelectric module 54, an insulating padding
55, an assembly of rechargeable batteries 56, an electronics unit
57 providing for the following functions: generation of induction,
operation and control of the induction, management of the Peltier
modules, temperature acquisition and thermostat, low-voltage
recharging of the batteries, conversion of the mains voltage,
control interface and possibly display. The device comprises a
low-voltage connector and low-voltage support contact plugs 58, a
mains box.
[0035] FIG. 6 presents details on the implementation of the device
21. The two heat exchangers 61 and 61', the internal radiators 62
and 62', the single exterior radiator 63, and the thermal flux F
extracted from a cold zone, the thermal flux F.sub.1 or F
associated with the reheating zone, the separating partition 64 of
the cover 23 (FIG. 2).
[0036] The device maintains the main course, dessert and appetizer
in the cold state; then, approximately 20 minutes before the meal
is to be consumed, implements reheating of the main course while
still maintaining the appetizer and dessert in the cool state and,
then, the maintenance of the main course in the hot state during
the consumption of the appetizer and of the main course itself.
[0037] The first mode of implementation shown in FIG. 1 has the
zone intended for the plate 14 facing the consumer circumscribed by
a partition of the removable cover 13 which functions as a bell
cover. The zone has an inducer in the tray 12 or in the tray
support. The bottom of the plate 14 has an armature located on or
under the bottom facing said inducer.
[0038] The zone surrounding the plate contains the appetizer and
dessert plates as well as the various accessories 15: beverage,
place settings, bread, condiments, napkin, etc., as well as the
device 11.
[0039] The cold state is maintained in the absence of inductive
heating in the plate zone 14 by a permanent extraction of the
residual heat from the main course and the appetizers, desserts and
accessories, as well as the heat introduced by insulation leaks via
the tray 12, the cover 13 and the joint between them. This heat is
pumped by 11 and evacuated to the exterior.
[0040] A thermal connection links the plate zone 14 to the
appetizer and dessert zone.
[0041] This heat conduit is represented by the sloped edges of the
plate 14, which are left exposed and not made tight.
[0042] Ideally the temperature is maintained cold and thermostated
as long as the device 11 pumps heat and compensates for the losses,
and the induction heating device of the plate 14 does not
operate.
[0043] The tray 12 and the cover 13 are made of insulating
materials to reduce residual or standby losses. The joint between
the cover and the tray is fitted to reduce leaks of heat and air
with the exterior and control exchanges between the two internal
zones.
[0044] On command, the device 11 generates an induction under plate
14. The plate 14, which is equipped with an armature, then heats up
until the food reaches a desired hot temperature in, for example,
20 minutes. This heat is confined in the plate zone by insulation
and the joints between the cover 13 and the tray 12 which limit
heat leaks with the exterior. At the same time, the device 11
continues to extract and pump the heat from the zone of the
appetizers and desserts 15 to the exterior. The thermal connection
reheats the appetizers and desserts up to their cool consumption
temperature. Thus, the appetizers and desserts are served in the
cool state.
[0045] When the hot main course has reached the consumption
temperature, the consumer is notified and may then eat the cool
appetizer after having removed the cover. During this time, the
main course is kept hot by heat supplied by the inducer. The main
course is then kept hot during the entire duration of its
consumption.
[0046] The second mode of implementation as shown in FIG. 2 has a
plate zone 24 close to the device 21. The tray 22 has two induction
zones, one corresponding to the zone 24 and the other facing the
consumer. The cover 23 has an internal partition that circumscribes
the plate zone 24.
[0047] In this second mode of implementation, maintenance of the
cold state is implemented in the same manner in the plate zone and
in the appetizer plate zone 25 by an extraction of the residual
heat by pumping through 21.
[0048] The device 21 thus comprises two heat pumping devices that
function thermally in parallel, with one device extracting the heat
from the plate zone 24 and the other extracting the heat from the
appetizer plate zone. The heat extracted from these two zones is
evacuated onto a common sink on the exterior side of the device 21.
The cover 23 and the tray 22 are thermally insulated and provided
with a gasket which reduces the thermal leaks to the exterior and
between the zones. There is no internal thermal connection between
the two zones. Each zone is maintained at a temperature close to
0.degree. C. and is independently thermostated.
[0049] Heating is implemented in a particular manner. The plate
zone is heated by induction with an inducer placed under the plate
which is in turn provided with an armature. In addition, upon
start-up of the inductive heating, heat pumping of the plate zone
is inverted and device 21 pumps heat from its exterior sink into
plate zone 24. At the same time, device 21 continues to pump the
heat from appetizer plate zone 25 to its exterior heat sink.
[0050] Thus, the exterior heat sink which is common to zones 24 and
25 of device 21 puts the two heat pumps in series with one heat
pump extracting the heat from appetizer plate zone 25 and
communicating it to the exterior sink, while the other heat pump
takes up this heat from the exterior sink and transports it to zone
24. At the same time, common exterior sink 21 is brought to a
temperature close to room temperature because all of the heat
extracted from zone 25 is transported to zone 24.
[0051] Reheating the dish on plate 24 is thus a common and
simultaneous action of an inducer that dissipates heat into the
armature of plate 24 by direct thermal conduction and of pumping
that sends heat from zone 25 into zone 24. This process of
inductive heat combined with heat pumping is superior because it
simultaneously reheats the food and air of zone 24, thereby
reducing the evaporation from the food.
[0052] According to this second type of implementation, the
maintenance of the cold state in the two zones is implemented at a
conforming temperature. Reheating the food takes place, for
example, in 20 minutes and brings the plate 24 and its contents to
the consumption temperature. At the same time, the appetizer plates
are maintained at a cool temperature which can be varied at
will.
[0053] According to this second mode of implementation and by means
of the presence of a second inducer facing the consumer, the hot
main course can be maintained in the hot state in zone 24 while the
appetizer is consumed in the zone facing the consumer, then the
main course is kept hot while the consumer consumes it in the zone
facing him.
[0054] It should be noted that the first as well as the second
implementations both provide for a hot connection of the main
course if necessary. Triggering heating is then actuated when the
plate is placed in zone 14 or 24, depending on the mode.
[0055] Each of the two implementations of the device according to
the invention can be the object of at least two modes of
implementation in relation with many versions of associated
accessories constituting the trays, plates and covers.
[0056] According to a first mode of implementation shown in FIG. 3,
tray 12 or 22 contains the inductive circuits. Each tray has a
conductor 31 for a removable electric connection with device 11 or
21, as well as a mechanical locking device enabling a rigid locking
in place of the device on the side of said tray. According to this
first mode of implementation, the tray has inductive circuits made,
for example, on the basis of printed circuit technology in the form
of an engraved copper deposit or a circuit that is attached and
integrated in the mass of the composite. The removable electric
connector is particularly robust and protected against oxidation so
as to be resistant to frequent washings.
[0057] According to this first mode of implementation, the
removable device allows the tray and the cover to be cleaned in a
dishwasher while the surface of the device itself is cleaned under
a stream of water with detergent at room temperature.
[0058] According to a second mode of implementation shown in FIG.
4, device 11 or 12 is integral with a support 41 on which rests
tray 12 or 22. This support contains the inductors and is, for
example, made of a conventional printed circuit on epoxy glass
covered by protective insulating layers. The nonremovable electric
connector between this support and the device is durable and
protected; the mechanical structure is robust.
[0059] The removable tray is brought to be housed in a recess of
the device. The tray is held in place by a locking device 42 that
is integral with support 41 and which could be, for example, a
spring leaf fastened in a recess of the tray present on the
consumer side or a mushroom-shaped plug introduced into a cell of
the tray.
[0060] In this second mode of implementation, the tray is of
traditional fabrication and, thus, compatible without any special
development with all of the requirements of resistance to washing,
shock, detergent and to dishwasher temperature cycles. According to
this second mode of implementation and according to the invention,
the tray can be durable for multiple use or it can be designed for
a single use and thus disposable. The same is true of the cover
according to the first or second modes of implementation.
[0061] The tray fitted with a recess and cells, and its cover, one
side of which allows attachment of device 11 or 21, are the
associated accessories of the invention. According to the
invention, the cover and tray are durable or designed for a single
use. The tray or the cover can be separated from device 11 or 22.
The cover can be provided with a folding flap to be able to
insulate and protect the food. It can be folded over the opening
intended for the exchanger.
[0062] According to the invention, this cover is suitable for
delivering meals without making the device available to the
consumer. The delivery agent would leave with the device while the
cover would maintain the temperature of the dishes by limiting the
internal and external thermal exchanges.
[0063] Finally, and according to a fabrication technique that has
been especially optimized for reduced costs, it is possible to
provide a single use, disposable tray for a modest manufacturing
cost based on a tray to which is added an adhesive aluminum or
copper inducer, the possible lines of which are attached. Such a
single-use tray is suitable for the first mode of implementation
according to FIG. 3.
[0064] In addition and according to the invention, according to one
or the other of the previously cited two modes of implementations,
the tray has projections or plugs or colored markers delimiting the
position of the plate. Thus, the zones corresponding to the modes
of implementation of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 would be clearly and
conveniently delimited.
[0065] Finally, the plates intended to be heated, reheated or kept
hot by induction have an armature according, for example, to the
patent applications by the same author cited in the
introduction.
[0066] According to the invention, the plates are, without
preference and as a function of the applications, of the disposable
or durable type made of plastic, vitreous ceramic, porcelain or
other material.
[0067] The device 11 may be constituted by elements assembled as
shown, for example, in FIG. 5. The active central zone comprises a
heat pump with air exchanger 51, constituted by a finned radiator
on the exterior side 52 and the interior side 53, at least one heat
drain in contact with a Peltier effect thermoelectric module 54 and
one of the radiators. An insulating padding 55 confines the thermal
flux through the module and limits the losses. According to the
invention, the thermal flux is pumped by the thermoelectric module
54 under the effect of an electric voltage. The flux is absorbed by
the internal radiator 53 and dissipates onto the external radiator
52. The arrow shows the direction of the heat extraction.
[0068] An assembly of rechargeable batteries 56 generates the feed
voltage for self-contained use of the device 11, with these
batteries powering the Peltier effect thermoelectric modules 54 and
an electronics unit 57. The electronics unit, for example,
comprises:
[0069] an induction generator circuit,
[0070] a control circuit for the Peltier modules,
[0071] a temperature acquisition and thermostat circuit,
[0072] a rapid battery recharge circuit,
[0073] a schedule programming microcontroller,
[0074] a control keyboard and a LCD or diode display, and
[0075] a 220 V voltage reducer.
[0076] It is convenient to stack the devices after use with or
without the trays. Low voltage contact plugs 58 provide an electric
connection from one device to another in the stack. These plugs
carry the battery charging current into each device in the stack so
as to implement an automatic collective charge. The first device is
connected to the 220 V mains and used as a charger for the other
devices or, alternatively, a contact connected to a low voltage
power source carries the electricity. Each device possibly has a
220 V connection. It is understood, of course, that depending on
the mode of implementation the generator card is in direct contact
with the inducer or, alternatively, via a removable connector.
[0077] The device 21 according to the second implementation shown
in FIG. 6 has the same elements with the exception of the heat pump
which is split into two units 61 and 61', i.e., two internal
radiators 62 and 62' and a single external radiator 63 and at least
two Peltier effect thermoelectric modules. The flow of heat
extracted from the appetizer plate zone is represented by F and is
in a constant direction. The flow of heat extracted from or carried
to the plate zone 24 is represented by F.sub.1 or F.
[0078] The internal partition 64 of the cover 23 provides for the
insulation between the hot plate zone and the cold appetizer plate
zone. In this implementation, the radiator 63 plays a double role,
acting as an air sink of the fluxes F and F.sub.1 as well as a
thermal drain conductor of the flux F. Each heat exchanger
comprising a radiator type sink can also have a microventilator or
a microturbine. This contributes to the efficacy of the heat
extraction and makes it possible to optimize the weight or the
electrical self-containment of the device.
* * * * *