U.S. patent application number 10/264324 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for holding cabinets and methods of serving precooked food products employing such holding cabinets.
Invention is credited to Koopman, Peter J..
Application Number | 20030080657 10/264324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23273486 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030080657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koopman, Peter J. |
May 1, 2003 |
Holding cabinets and methods of serving precooked food products
employing such holding cabinets
Abstract
A holding cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side
wall positioned opposite the first side wall. The holding cabinet
also includes a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in
which a first support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a
second support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports
is operably mounted through the second side wall. The holding
cabinet further includes a second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, which are positioned above the first pair of stationary,
pivotable supports, in which a first support of the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the
first side wall and a second support of the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the
second side wall. Moreover, the holding cabinet is adapted to
receive a first food product holder, in which the food product
holder is positioned between the first side wall and the second
side wall and is supported by the first pair of stationary,
pivotable supports. The holding cabinet also includes a first
lifting panel, a second lifting panel, and a first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports for raising the first food
product holder from the first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports to the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
Inventors: |
Koopman, Peter J.;
(US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS LLP
C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
THE WARNER, SUITE 1300
1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
23273486 |
Appl. No.: |
10/264324 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60326738 |
Oct 4, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 39/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/306 |
International
Class: |
A47B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A holding cabinet comprising: a first side wall; a second side
wall positioned opposite said first side wall; a first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall and a second support of said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
second side wall, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to
receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food
product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said
second side wall and is supported by said first pair of stationary,
pivotable supports; and means for raising said first food product
holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to
said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
2. The holding cabinet of claim 1, wherein said first side wall
comprises a first channel, said second side wall comprises a second
channel, and said means for raising said first food product holder
comprises: a first lifting panel positioned within at least a
portion of said first channel; a second lifting panel positioned
within at least a portion of said second channel; and a first pair
of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of
said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on
said first lifting panel and a second support of said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting
panel.
3. The holding cabinet of claim 2, further comprising: means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and
said second lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or
lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel
simultaneously raises said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports move to raise said first food product holder from said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports.
4. The holding cabinet of claim 3, wherein said means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and
said second lifting panel comprises: at least one cylinder
connected to said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel,
wherein said cylinder comprises an engaging nut; at least one screw
threaded into said engaging nut and disposed within said cylinder;
a gear box operationally coupled to said screw, wherein said gear
box turns said screw; and a plurality of pulleys and cables adapted
to raise said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel.
5. The holding cabinet of claim 3, wherein said means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and
said second lifting panel comprises: a first cylinder connected to
said first lifting panel, wherein said first cylinder comprises a
first engaging nut; a second cylinder connected to said second
lifting panel, wherein said second cylinder comprises a second
engaging nut; a first screw threaded into said first engaging nut
and disposed within said first cylinder, wherein said threads of
said first screw have a first direction of twist; a second screw
threaded into said second engaging nut and disposed within said
second cylinder wherein said threads of said second screw have a
second direction of twist opposite said first direction of twist; a
continuous, timing belt comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein
said timing belt is operationally coupled to said first screw and
said second screw; and a gear box operationally coupled to said
continuous, timing belt.
6. The holding cabinet of claim 3, wherein said first lifting panel
comprises a first plurality of engaging teeth, said second lifting
panel comprises a second plurality of engaging teeth, and said
means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting
panel and said second lifting panel comprises: a first conveyer
belt comprising a first plurality of teeth, wherein said first
plurality of teeth engage said first plurality of engaging teeth; a
second conveyer belt comprising a second plurality of teeth,
wherein said second plurality of teeth engage said second plurality
of engaging teeth; a continuous, timing belt comprising a third
plurality of teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally
coupled to said first conveyer belt and said second conveyer belt;
and a gear box operationally coupled to said timing belt.
7. The holding cabinet of claim 3, wherein when said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food
product holder said first food product holder contacts said second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said first of said
second pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said
first side wall and said second of said second pair of stationary,
pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that
said first food product holder rises above said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports.
8. The holding cabinet of claim 7, wherein said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports release when said first food product
holder rises above said second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports.
9. The holding cabinet of claim 8, wherein said first pair of
non-stationary supports move in a downward direction when said
second pair of stationary, pivotable supports release.
10. The holding cabinet of claim 2, further comprising: a door hung
on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall, a heater for
heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and a blower for
circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.
11. The holding cabinet of claim 2, further comprising a counter
having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said second pair of
stationary supports are positioned adjacent to said counter, such
that said food product holder supported by said second pair of
stationary supports is positioned above or substantially level with
said opening of said counter.
12. A holding cabinet comprising: a first side wall; a second side
wall positioned opposite said first side wall; a first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as
said first of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced
from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports; a third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said third
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports positioned above said second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as
said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
and a second support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced
from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said
third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding
cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein
said first food product holder is positioned between said first
side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports; and means for raising said first
food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports to
said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth
pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
13. The holding cabinet of claim 12, wherein said first side wall
comprises a first pair of channels formed within said first side
wall, said second side wall comprises a second pair of channels
formed within said second side wall, and said means for raising
said first food product holder comprises: a first lifting panel
positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said
first pair of channels; a second lifting panel positioned within at
least a portion of a second support of said first pair of channels;
a third lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a
first support of said second pair of channels; a fourth lifting
panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of
said second pair of channels; a first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting
panel, and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports is formed on said third lifting panel; and a
second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports
is formed on said second lifting panel spaced from and on
substantially the same plane as said first of said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said
second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said
fourth lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same
plane as said second of said first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports.
14. The holding cabinet of claim 13, further comprising: means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said
second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth
lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or lowering said
first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting
panel, and said fourth lifting panel simultaneously raises said
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second
pair of non-stationary supports, wherein said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of
non-stationary supports move to raise said first food product
holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said second pair of stationary supports to said third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary
supports.
15. The holding cabinet of claim 14, wherein said means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said
second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth
lifting panel comprises: at least one cylinder connected to said
first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting
panel, or said fourth lifting panel, wherein said cylinder
comprises an engaging nut; at least one screw threaded into said
engaging nut and disposed within said cylinder; a gear box
operationally coupled to said screw, wherein said gear box turns
said screw; and a plurality of pulleys and cables adapted to raise
said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel or said
third lifting panel and said fourth lifting panel.
16. The holding cabinet of claim 14, wherein said means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said
second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth
lifting panel comprises: a first cylinder connected to said first
lifting panel or said second lifting panel, wherein said first
cylinder comprises a first engaging nut; a second cylinder
connected to said third lifting panel or said fourth lifting panel,
wherein said second cylinder comprises a second engaging nut; a
first screw threaded into said first engaging nut and disposed
within said first cylinder, wherein said threads of said first
screw have a first direction of twist; a second screw threaded into
said second engaging nut and disposed within said second cylinder
wherein said threads of said second screw have a second direction
of twist opposite said first direction of twist.; a continuous,
timing belt comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said timing
belt is operationally coupled to said first screw and said second
screw; and a gear box operationally coupled to said continuous,
timing belt.
17. The holding cabinet of claim 14, wherein said first lifting
panel or said second lifting panel comprises a first plurality of
engaging teeth, said third lifting panel or said fourth lifting
panel comprises a second plurality of engaging teeth, and said
means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting
panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and
said fourth lifting panel comprises: a first conveyer belt
comprising a first plurality of teeth, wherein said first plurality
of teeth engage said first plurality of engaging teeth; a second
conveyer belt comprising a second plurality of teeth, wherein said
second plurality of teeth engage said second plurality of engaging
teeth; a continuous, timing belt comprising a third plurality of
teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally coupled to said
first conveyer belt and said second conveyer belt; and a gear box
operationally coupled to said timing belt.
18. The holding cabinet of claim 14, wherein when said first pair
of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food
product holder said first food product holder contacts said third
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of
stationary supports and said first of said third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall,
said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports
pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said fourth pair
of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side
wall, and said second of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that said first
food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary,
pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports.
19. The holding cabinet of claim 15, wherein said third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports release when said first food product holder
rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
20. The holding cabinet of claim 16, wherein said first pair of
non-stationary supports and said second pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports move in a downward direction when said third
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of
stationary supports release.
21. The holding cabinet of claim 13, further comprising: a door
hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall, a heater
for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and a blower for
circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.
22. The holding cabinet of claim 13, further comprising a counter
having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said third pair of
stationary supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports are
positioned adjacent to said counter, such that said food product
holder supported by said third pair of stationary supports and said
fourth pair of stationary supports is positioned above or
substantially level with said opening of said counter.
23. A holding cabinet of claim comprising: a first side wall; a
second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall; a first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of
said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said second side wall; a second pair of stationary,
pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as
said first of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced
from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports; a third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said third
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports positioned above said second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as
said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
and a second support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced
from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said
third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding
cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein
said first food product holder is positioned between said first
side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports; a fifth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports positioned above said third pair of stationary,
pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
first side wall and a second support of said fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said
second side wall; a sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports
positioned above said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said sixth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall
spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of
said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second
support of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on
substantially the same plane as said second of said fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding cabinet is
adapted to receive a second food product holder, wherein said
second food product holder is positioned between said first side
wall and said second side wall and is supported by said third pair
of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports; and means for raising said first
food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports to
said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and simultaneously raising
said second food product holder from said third pair of stationary,
pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports to said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
24. The holding cabinet of claim 23, wherein said first side wall
comprises a first pair of channels formed within said first side
wall, said second side wall comprises a second pair of channels
formed within said second side wall, and said means for raising
said first food product holder and simultaneously raising said
second food product holder comprises: a first lifting panel
positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said
first pair of channels; a second lifting panel positioned within at
least a portion of a second support of said first pair of channels;
a third lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a
first support of said second pair of channels; a fourth lifting
panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of
said second pair of channels; a first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting
panel, and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports is formed on said third lifting panel; a second
pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support
of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed
on said second lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the
same plane as said first of said first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports, and a second support of said second pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said fourth lifting
panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said
second of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports. a
third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is
formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said
third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said
third lifting panel; and a fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting
panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first
of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a
second support of said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports is formed on said fourth lifting panel spaced from and on
substantially the same plane as said second of said third pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports.
25. The holding cabinet of claim 24, further comprising: means for
simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said
second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth
lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or lowering said
first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting
panel, and said fourth lifting panel simultaneously raises said
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, said second pair
of non-stationary supports, said third pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports, and said fourth pair of non-stationary
supports, wherein said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports and said second pair of non-stationary supports move to
raise said first food product holder from said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary
supports to said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said fourth pair of stationary supports, and said third pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of
non-stationary supports move to raise said second food product
holder from said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said fourth pair of stationary supports to said fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary
supports.
26. The holding cabinet of claim 25, wherein when said first pair
of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food
product holder said first food product holder contacts said third
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of
stationary supports and said first of said third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall,
said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports
pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said fourth pair
of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side
wall, and said second of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports pivots inside said second side wall, and wherein when said
third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth
pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said
second food product holder said second food product holder contacts
said firth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and sixth fourth
pair of stationary supports and said first of said fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall,
said second of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports
pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said sixth pair
of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side
wall, and said second of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that said first
food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary,
pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and said second food product holder simultaneously rises
above said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said
sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
27. The holding cabinet of claim 26, wherein said third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports release when said first food product holder
rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and
said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and said fifth
pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports release when said second food
product holder rises above said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
28. The holding cabinet of claim 27, wherein said first pair of
non-stationary supports, said second pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports, said third pair of non-stationary supports, and
said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move in a
downward direction when said third pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, said
fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and said sixth pair
of stationary, pivotable supports release.
29. The holding cabinet of claim 24, further comprising: a door
hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall, a heater
for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and a blower for
circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.
30. A holding cabinet comprising: a first side wall comprising a
first channel; a second side wall positioned opposite said first
side wall, wherein said second side wall comprises a second
channel; a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a
first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports
is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second
support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through said second side wall; a second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a first lifting panel positioned within at
least a portion of said first channel; a second lifting panel
positioned within at least a portion of said second channel; and a
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports positioned below
said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is
formed on said first lifting panel and a second support of said
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said
second lifting panel, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to
receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food
product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said
second side wall and is supported by said first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports, and said first lifting panel,
said second lifting panel, and said first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder
from said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
31. The holding cabinet of claim 30, further comprising a second
pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports
is formed on said first lifting panel and a second support of said
second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said
second lifting panel, wherein said first lifting panel, said second
lifting panel, and said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports move to raise said first food product holder from said
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports.
32. The holding cabinet of claim 31, further comprising: a door
hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall, a heater
for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and a blower for
circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.
33. A method of serving precooked food products comprising the
steps of: placing a precooked food product on a first food product
holder; placing said first food product holder in a holding
cabinet, wherein said holding cabinet comprises: a first side wall;
a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall; a
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support
of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through said second side wall; and a second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall, wherein said first food product holder is
positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall
and is supported by said first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports; raising said first food product holder from said first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports; and removing said food product from
said first food product holder when said first food product holder
rises to an upper portion of said holding cabinet.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said holding cabinet further
comprises a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said
first side wall and the step of removing said food product
comprises the step of removing said food product when said first
food product holder rises above said door.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein said holding cabinet further
comprises a counter and at least a portion of said first side wall
and at least a portion of said second side wall are disposed within
said counter, wherein the step of removing said food product
comprises the step of removing said food product when said first
food product holder rises above or substantially level with said
counter.
36. A method of serving precooked food products comprising the
steps of: placing a precooked food product on a first food product
holder; placing said first food product holder in a holding
cabinet, wherein said holding cabinet comprises: a first side wall
comprising a first channel; a second side wall positioned opposite
said first side wall, wherein said second side wall comprises a
second channel; a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a
second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports
is operably mounted through said second side wall; a second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said
second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through said first side wall and a second support of said second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
said second side wall; a first lifting panel positioned within at
least a portion of said first channel; a second lifting panel
positioned within at least a portion of said second channel; a
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first
support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is
formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said
second lifting panel, wherein said first food product holder is
positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall
and is supported by said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports; raising said first food product holder from said first
pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to said first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports; raising said first food product
holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to
said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and removing
said food product from said first food product holder when said
first food product holder rises to an upper portion of said holding
cabinet.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein said holding cabinet further
comprises a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said
first side wall and the step of removing said food product
comprises the step of removing said food product when said first
food product holder rises above said door.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein said holding cabinet further
comprises a counter and at least a portion of said first side wall
and at least a portion of said second side wall are disposed within
said counter, wherein the step of removing said food product
comprises the step of removing said food product when said first
food product holder rises above or substantially level with said
counter.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/326,738, entitled "Holding
Cabinet and Methods of Serving Precooked Food Products Employing
Such Holding Cabinets," the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to the field of holding
cabinets and methods of serving precooked food products employing
such holding cabinets. More specifically, the invention is directed
towards holding cabinets in which precooked food products are
raised within the holding cabinet, and methods of serving precooked
food products employing such holding cabinets.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Some restaurants, such as fast food restaurants, may precook
some of the food products, e.g., chicken, beef, turkey, fish,
pizza, and the like, which they later may serve to customers.
Because the precooked food products may not be immediately served
after cooking, the precooked food products initially may be stored
in a first holding cabinet. Some known first holding cabinets may
form an enclosure, and may include a heater, a blower for
circulating heated air, and a plurality of shelves. After the food
products are cooked, the precooked food products may be placed on
food product holders, such as trays, pans, or the like, which may
be placed on the shelves within the first holding cabinet.
Subsequently, the precooked food products may be transferred to a
second holding cabinet, which may be at a predetermined location
inside the restaurant, such that precooked food products placed
inside the second holding cabinet may be displayed to customers.
For example, the precooked food products may be transferred from
the first holding cabinet to the second holding cabinet when the
second holding cabinet is depleted or substantially depleted of a
particular type of food product. Some known second holding cabinets
may form a transparent enclosure, and may include a rotatable
surface or surfaces and a heater, so that the precooked food
products may be at a desirable temperature when they are served to
customers.
[0006] Although food products may be precooked and stored in
holding cabinets, if the precooked food products remain in the
holding cabinets for more than a predetermined amount of time, the
precooked food products may become undesirable for consumption. For
example, the precooked food products may change in texture or
taste, or both, or may become dry. Consequently, in order to reduce
an amount of time that the precooked food products spend inside the
holding cabinets before being served to customers, some restaurants
may employ known indexing methods, such that the precooked food
product which has been inside the holding cabinet for the longest
period of time may be the next food product served to a customer
requesting that particular food product. Such indexing methods may
include manually marking the precooked food products or the food
product holder, manually rotating the rotatable surface(s) when
precooked food products are added to or removed from the second
holding cabinet, memorizing the order in which the precooked food
products are placed inside the holding cabinets, and the like.
[0007] Nevertheless, such restaurants may have multiple employees
who place precooked food products in the holding cabinets, and also
may have multiple employees who serve the precooked food products
from the holding cabinets. Further, the employees who place the
precooked food products inside the holding cabinets may be
different than those employees who remove the precooked food
products from the holding cabinets, which may make it difficult to
accurately index the precooked food products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, a need has arisen for holding cabinets and
methods of employing such holding cabinets that overcome these and
other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the
present invention is that food products stored in a holding cabinet
may be indexed such that a food product which has been inside the
holding cabinet for the longest period of time may be the next food
product served to a customer requesting that particular food
product. Another technical advantage of the present invention is
that a single holding cabinet may be employed to hold precooked
food products and also to display precooked food products to
customers.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
holding cabinet is provided. The holding cabinet comprises a first
side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite the first side
wall. The holding cabinet also comprises a first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through the first side wall and a second support of the first pair
of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the
second side wall. The holding cabinet further comprises a second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports, which are positioned above
the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first
support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support
of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through the second side wall. Moreover, the holding cabinet
is adapted to receive a first food product holder, in which the
first food product holder is positioned between the first side wall
and the second side wall and is supported by the first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports. The holding cabinet also comprises
means, e.g., a first lifting panel, a second lifting panel, and a
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, for raising,
e.g., mechanically raising, the first food product holder from the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
holding cabinet is provided. The holding cabinet comprises a first
side wall which comprises a first channel, and a second side wall
which is positioned opposite the first side wall and comprises a
second channel. The holding cabinet further comprises a first pair
of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted
through the first side wall and a second support of the first pair
of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the
second side wall. Moreover, the holding cabinet comprises a second
pair of stationary, pivotable supports which are positioned above
the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first
support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support
of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through the second side wall. The holding cabinet also
comprises a first lifting panel which is positioned within at least
a portion of the first channel, and a second lifting panel which is
positioned within at least a portion of the second channel. The
holding cabinet further comprises a first pair of non-stationary,
pivotable supports which are positioned below the first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the
first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on the
first lifting panel and a second support of the first pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on the second lifting
panel. In addition, the holding cabinet is adapted to receive a
first food product holder, in which the first food product holder
is positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall
and is supported by the first pair of non-stationary, pivotable
supports. Moreover, the first lifting panel, the second lifting
panel, and the first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports
raise, e.g., mechanically raise, the first food product holder from
the first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to the first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports. In one embodiment, the
first lifting panel, the second lifting panel, and a second pair of
non-stationary, pivotable supports raise, e.g., mechanically raise,
the first food product holder from the first pair of stationary,
pivotable supports to the second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a holding cabinet is provided. The holding cabinet
comprises a first side wall and a second side wall positioned
opposite the first side wall. The holding cabinet also comprises a
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first
support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support
of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through the second side wall. The holding cabinet further
comprises a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which
a first support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and is
spaced from and on substantially the same plane as the first of the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support
of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably
mounted through the second side wall and is spaced from and on
substantially the same plane as the second of the first pair of
stationary, pivotable supports. Moreover, the holding cabinet also
comprises a third pair of stationary, pivotable supports which are
positioned above the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
in which a first support of the third pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a
second support of the third pair of stationary, pivotable supports
is operably mounted through the second side wall. The holding
cabinet also comprises a fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports which are positioned above the second pair of stationary,
pivotable supports, in which a first support of the fourth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the
first side wall and is spaced from and on substantially the same
plane as the first of the third pair of stationary, pivotable
supports, and a second support of the fourth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall
and is spaced from and on substantially the same plane as the
second of the third pair of stationary, pivotable supports. The
holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder,
in which the first food product holder is positioned between the
first side wall and the second side wall and is supported by the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports. Moreover, the holding cabinet
comprises means, e.g., a first lifting panel, a second lifting
panel, a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a
second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, for raising,
e.g., mechanically raising, the first food product holder from the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports to the third pair of stationary,
pivotable supports and the fourth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports.
[0012] In still another embodiment, the holding cabinet also
comprises a fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports which are
positioned above the third pair of stationary, pivotable supports,
in which a first support of the fifth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a
second support of the fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports
is operably mounted through the second side wall. In this
embodiment, the holding cabinet further comprises a sixth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports which are positioned above the
fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first
support of the sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is
operably mounted through the first side wall and is spaced from and
on substantially the same plane as the first of the fifth pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of the sixth
pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through
the second side wall and is spaced from and on substantially the
same plane as the second of the fifth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports. In addition, the holding cabinet is adapted to receive a
second food product holder, in which the second food product holder
is positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall
and is supported by the third pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and the fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
Moreover, the first lifting panel, the second lifting panel, a
third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a fourth pair
of non-stationary, pivotable supports raise, e.g., mechanically
raise, the second food product holder from the third pair of
stationary, pivotable supports and the fourth pair of stationary,
pivotable supports to the fifth pair of stationary, pivotable
supports and the sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.
[0013] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
a method of serving precooked food products is described. The
method comprises the steps of placing a precooked food product on a
first food product holder and placing the first food product holder
in a holding cabinet according to any of the above-described
embodiments. The method also comprises the steps of raising, e.g.,
mechanically raising, the first food product holder from the first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports to the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports, and removing the food product from
the first food product holder when the first food product holder
rises to an upper portion of the holding cabinet, e.g., above the
door.
[0014] According to yet a further embodiment of the present
invention, a method of serving precooked food products is
described. The method comprises the steps placing a precooked food
product on a first food product holder and placing the first food
product holder in a holding cabinet according to any of the
above-described embodiments. The method also comprises the steps of
raising, e.g., mechanically raising, the first food product holder
from the first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to the
first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and raising, e.g.,
mechanically raising the first food product holder from the first
pair of stationary, pivotable supports to the second pair of
stationary, pivotable supports. Moreover, the method comprises the
step of removing the food product from the first food product
holder when the first food product holder rises to an upper portion
of the holding cabinet, e.g., above the door.
[0015] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to
persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following
detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings
and color photographs, which are provided by example only, and are
not intended to limit the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
needs satisfied thereby, and objects, features, and advantages
thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 including arrows indicating movement of the
elements of the holding cabinet according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 showing a transitional stage within the holding
cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 including arrows indicating movement of the
elements of the holding cabinet according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 including arrows indicating movement of the
elements of the holding cabinet according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 including arrows indicating movement of the
elements of the holding cabinet according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the holding
cabinet of FIG. 1 showing the completion of one raising cycle
within the holding cabinet according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the left side of the
holding cabinet of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the right side of the
holding cabinet of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIGS. 10a-d are front cross-sectional views depicting
pivoting of a stationary, pivotable support including arrows
indicating movement of a food product tray according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 11a-d are front cross-sectional views including arrow
indicating movement of a non-stationary, pivotable support
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a front open view of a holding cabinet according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first means for raising
or lowering lifting panels according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second means for raising
or lowering lifting panels according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third means for raising
or lowering lifting panels according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a front view of a holding cabinet according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a counter of a holding
cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a back perspective view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 22 is a back perspective view of a holding cabinet
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-22, like
numerals being used for like corresponding parts in the various
drawings.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 12, and 16, a holding cabinet
100 may comprise a first side wall 110 and a second side wall 112
positioned substantially opposite first side wall 110. First side
wall 110 may comprise a first channel (not shown), and in one
embodiment, also may comprise a second channel (not shown) spaced
apart from the first channel. Second side wall 112 may comprise a
third channel (not shown) formed substantially opposite the first
channel, and in one embodiment, also may comprise a fourth channel
(not shown) spaced apart from the third channel and formed
substantially opposite the second channel.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 9, and 21, holding cabinet 100 also
may comprise a plurality of stationary, pivotable supports, e.g.,
stationary supporting hinges, which may pivot, but may not move up
or down, relative to side wall 110 and side wall 112, respectively.
For example, holding cabinet 100 may comprise a stationary support
120a formed on first side wall 110 and a stationary support 120b
formed on second side wall 112, which may be positioned
substantially opposite stationary support 120a. Holding cabinet 100
also may comprise a stationary support 122a formed on first side
wall 110, which may be positioned above stationary support 120a,
and a stationary support 122b formed on second side wall 112, which
may be positioned above stationary support 120b substantially
opposite stationary support 122a. Holding cabinet 100 further may
comprise a stationary support 124a formed on first side wall 110,
which may be positioned above stationary support 122a, and a
stationary support 124b formed on second side wall 112, which may
be positioned above stationary support 122b substantially opposite
stationary support 124a. Moreover, holding cabinet 100 may comprise
a stationary support 126a formed on first side wall 110, which may
be positioned above stationary support 124a, and a stationary
support 126b formed on second side wall 112, which may be
positioned above stationary support 124b substantially opposite
stationary support 126a.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, holding cabinet 100 also may comprise a
stationary support 120a' formed on first side wall 110, which may
be spaced from and formed on substantially the same plane as
stationary support 120a, and a stationary support 120b' formed on
second side wall 112, which may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 120b. Holding
cabinet 100 further may comprise a stationary support 122a' formed
on first side wall 110, which may be positioned above stationary
support 120a' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 122a. In
addition, holding cabinet 100 may comprise a stationary support
122b' formed on second side wall 112, which may be positioned above
stationary support 120b' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 122b. Holding
cabinet 100 also may comprise a stationary support 124a' formed on
first side wall 110, which may be positioned above stationary
support 122a' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 124a. Moreover,
holding cabinet 100 may comprise a stationary support 124b' formed
on second side wall 112, which may be positioned above stationary
support 122b' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 124b. In
addition, holding cabinet 100 may comprise a stationary support
126a' formed on first side wall 10, which may be positioned above
stationary support 124a' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 126a. Holding
cabinet 100 further may comprise a stationary support 126b' formed
on second side wall 112, which may be positioned above stationary
support 124b' and also may be spaced from and formed on
substantially the same plane as stationary support 126b. Thus, in
an embodiment, holding cabinet 100 may comprise at least four pairs
of stationary supports operably mounted through each of the side
walls 110 and 112, respectively.
[0043] In any of the above-described embodiments, holding cabinet
100 also may comprise at least one food product holder 106, which
may be a tray, pan, or the like, which may be positioned between
first side wall 110 and second side wall 112. For example, holding
cabinet 100 may comprise a single food product holder 106.
Alternatively, holding cabinet 100 may comprise a plurality of food
product holders 106, such as between two and five food product
holders. Nevertheless, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that the number of food product holders 106
employed may depend on a size of holding cabinet 100 and the number
of stationary supports employed in holding cabinet 100. Moreover,
in one embodiment, at least one of the food product holders 106 may
be supported by stationary supports, which are positioned
substantially in the same plane, such that food product holder 106
may be substantially level.
[0044] In any of the above-described embodiments, holding cabinet
100 further may comprise means for raising, e.g., mechanical means,
electrical means, electromagnetic means, or any other non-manual
means, the at least one food product holder 106. For example, food
product holder 106 may be raised from stationary supports 120a and
120b to stationary supports 122a and 122b. Alternatively, food
product holder 106 may be raised from stationary supports 120a,
120b, 120a', and 120b' to stationary supports 122a, 122b, 122a',
and 122b'. Similarly, food product holder 106 may be raised from
stationary supports 122a and 122b to stationary supports 124a and
124b. Alternatively, food product holder 106 may be raised from
stationary supports 122a, 122b, 122a', and 122b' to stationary
supports 124a, 124b, 124a', and 124b'. Nevertheless, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that food product
holder 106 may be raised from any set of stationary supports
positioned in a first plane to any other set of stationary supports
positioned in a second plane which is above the first plane.
Moreover, the means for raising food products holder 106 may
comprise a first lifting panel 108a, which may be positioned within
at least a portion of the first channel, and a second lifting panel
108b, which may be positioned within at least a portion of the
third channel. In one embodiment, the means for raising food
product holder 106 also may comprise a third lifting panel 108a',
which may be positioned within at least a portion of the second
channel, and a fourth lifting panel 108b', which may be positioned
within at least a portion of the fourth channel.
[0045] In any of the above-described embodiments, the means for
raising food product holder 106 also may comprise a plurality of
non-stationary, pivotable supports, e.g., movable supporting
hinges, which may pivot and also may move up or down relative to
side wall 110 and side wall 112, respectively. For example, the
means for raising food product holder 106 may comprise a
non-stationary support 130a formed on first lifting panel 108a and
a non-stationary support 130b formed on second lifting panel 108b,
which may be positioned substantially opposite non-stationary
support 130a. In this embodiment, food product holder 106 may be
supported by non-stationary supports 130a and 130b, and may be
raised from non-stationary supports 130a and 130b to stationary
supports 120a and 120b.
[0046] The means for raising food product holder 106 also may
comprise a non-stationary support 132a formed on first lifting
panel 108a, which may be positioned above non-stationary support
130a, and a non-stationary support 132b formed on second lifting
panel 108b, which may be positioned above non-stationary support
130b substantially opposite non-stationary support 132a. The means
for raising food product holder 106 further may comprise a
non-stationary support 134a formed on first lifting panel 108a,
which may be positioned above non-stationary support 132a, and a
non-stationary support 134b formed on second lifting panel 108b,
which may be positioned above non-stationary support 132b
substantially opposite non-stationary support 134a. Moreover, the
means for raising food product holder 106 may comprise a
non-stationary support 136a formed on first lifting panel 108a,
which may be positioned above non-stationary support 134a, and a
non-stationary support 136b formed on second lifting panel 108b,
which may be positioned above non-stationary support 134b
substantially opposite non-stationary support 136a.
[0047] In an another embodiment, the means for raising food product
holder 106 also may comprise a non-stationary support 130a' formed
on third lifting panel 108a', which may be spaced from and formed
on substantially the same plane as non-stationary support 130a, and
a non-stationary support 130b' formed on fourth lifting panel
108b', which may be spaced from and formed on substantially the
same plane as non-stationary support 130b. In this embodiment, food
product holder 106 may be supported by non-stationary supports
130a, 130b, 130a', and 130b', and may be raised from non-stationary
supports 130a, 130b, 130a', 130b' to stationary supports 120a,
120b, 120a', and 120b'. The means for raising food product holder
106 further may comprise a non-stationary support 132a' formed on
third lifting panel 108a', which may be positioned above
non-stationary support 130a' and also may be spaced from and formed
on substantially the same plane as non-stationary support 132a. In
addition, the means for raising food product holder 106 may
comprise a non-stationary support 132b' formed on fourth lifting
panel 108b', which may be positioned above non-stationary support
130b' and also may be spaced from and formed on substantially the
same plane as non-stationary support 132b.
[0048] The means for raising food product holder 106 also may
comprise a non-stationary support 134a' formed on third lifting
panel 108a', which may be positioned above non-stationary support
132a' and also may be spaced from and formed on substantially the
same plane as non-stationary support 134a. Moreover, the means for
raising food product holder 106 may comprise a non-stationary
support 134b' formed on fourth lifting panel 108b', which may be
positioned above non-stationary support 132b' and also may be
spaced from and formed on substantially the same plane as
non-stationary support 134b. In addition, the means for raising
food product holder 106 may comprise a non-stationary support 136a'
formed on third lifting panel 108a', which may be positioned above
non-stationary support 134a' and also may be spaced from and formed
on substantially the same plane as non-stationary support 136a. The
means for raising food product holder 106 further may comprise a
non-stationary support 136b' formed on fourth lifting panel 108b',
which may be positioned above non-stationary support 134b' and also
may be spaced from and formed on substantially the same plane as
non-stationary support 136b.
[0049] In any of the above-described embodiments, holding cabinet
100 also may comprise means for simultaneously raising or lowering
first lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b. For
example, referring to FIGS. 13 and 20, the means for simultaneously
raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and second lifting
panel 108b may comprise a pulley system 150. In this embodiment,
the means for simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting
panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b also may comprise a first
cylinder 152a, which may be mounted to a backside of first lifting
panel 108a via a mounting bracket 160a. Moreover, first cylinder
152a may comprise a threaded engaging nut 154a. Similarly, the
means for simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel
108a and second lifting panel 108b also may comprise a second
cylinder 152b, which may be mounted to a backside of second lifting
panel 108b via a mounting bracket 160b. The means for
simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b further may comprise at least one screw
156, such as an ACME-type or jacking screw, i.e., a screw which has
threads running substantially the entire length of the screw, which
may be operationally coupled to a gear box 158 or a motor (not
shown), or both. In operation, when first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b are in a lowered positioned, screw 156
may be substantially inside first cylinder 152a, and gear box 158
or the motor (not shown), or a combination thereof, may turn screw
156 in a predetermined direction. When screw 156 turns, threaded
engaging nut 154a may move in an upward direction, such that first
lifting panel 108a also may move in an upward direction. In one
embodiment, the length of screw 156 may be selected such that it is
less than the length of first cylinder 152a. For example, first
cylinder 152a may be between about ten inches and about eleven
inches, and screw 156 may be about eight inches, such that screw
156 may not contact a top portion of first cylinder 152a and about
one inch of screw 156 may not be disposed within cylinder 152a. In
this embodiment, when first lifting panel 108a and second lifting
panel 108b move from a fully lowered position to a fully raised
position, engaging nut 154a may move about 6 inches upwards along
screw 156.
[0050] Moreover, referring to FIGS. 13 and 22, pulley system 150
may be arranged such that when first lifting panel 108a moves in an
upward direction, second lifting panel 108b also may move in an
upward direction. When screw 156 turns in a direction opposite the
predetermined direction, threaded engaging nut 154a may move in a
downward direction towards a base of screw 156, such that first
lifting panel 108a also may move in an downward direction.
Moreover, pulley system 150 may be arranged such that when first
lifting panel 108a moves in a downward direction, second lifting
panel 108b also may move in a downward direction. For example, the
individual pulleys comprising pulley system 150 may be operatively
connected by rope, cable, wire rope, or the like.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 14, an alternative means for
simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b is shown. Nevertheless, this embodiment
may be substantially similar to the above-described embodiment.
Therefore, those differences between these embodiments now will be
discussed. In this embodiment, the means for simultaneously raising
or lowering first lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b
may comprise a plurality of screws 156. For example, the means for
simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b may comprise a first screw 156a and a
second screw 156b. Moreover, the threads on first screw 156a may
have a twist in a first predetermined direction, e.g., a right
twist, and the threads on second screw 156b may have a twist in a
direction opposite the direction of the twist of first screw 156a,
e.g., a left twist. Moreover, second cylinder 152b may comprise a
threaded engaging nut 154b. The means for simultaneously raising or
lowering first lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b
also may comprise a continuous, timing belt 162, which may comprise
a plurality of teeth 164 spaced such that when a first tooth 164a
contacts a first gear 166a, a second tooth 164b simultaneously may
contact a second gear 166b. In operation, gear box 158 or the motor
(not shown), or combinations thereof, may rotate a third gear 166c,
which may rotate timing belt 162, such that teeth 164a and 164b may
engage first screw 156a and second screw 156b, respectively.
Engaging first screw 156a and second screw 156b may allow first
screw 156a and second screw 156b to rotate in the predetermined
direction. Nevertheless, because the direction of twist on first
screw 156a may be opposite the direction of twist on second screw
156b, when screws 156a and 156b are rotated in the same direction,
engaging nuts 154a and 154b simultaneously may move in the same
direction, such that first lifting panel 108a and second lifting
panel 108b also may simultaneously move in the same direction.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 15, another alternative means for
simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b is shown. Nevertheless, this embodiment
may be substantially similar to the above-described embodiments.
Therefore, those differences between these embodiments now will be
discussed. In this embodiment, first lifting panel 108a and second
lifting panel 108b each may have a plurality of engaging teeth.
Moreover, the means for simultaneously raising or lowering first
lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b may comprise a
first, continuous conveyer belt 168a having a plurality of engaging
teeth and positioned adjacent to first lifting panel 108a, such
that the engaging teeth on first conveyer belt 168a may engage with
the engaging teeth on first lifting panel 108a. The means for
simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting panel 108a and
second lifting panel 108b also may comprise a second, continuous
conveyer belt 168b having a plurality of engaging teeth and
positioned adjacent to second lifting panel 108b, such that the
engaging teeth on second conveyer belt 168b may engage with the
engaging teeth on second lifting panel 108b. First conveyer belt
168a and second conveyer belt 168b may be operationally coupled to
timing belt 162, such that when timing belt 162 advances in a
predetermined direction, first lifting panel 108a and second
lifting panel 108b may be simultaneously raised. Similarly, when
timing belt 162 advances in a direction which is opposite the
predetermined direction, first lifting panel 108a and second
lifting panel 108b may be simultaneously lowered.
[0053] It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the means for simultaneously raising or lowering first lifting
panel 108a, second lifting panel 108b, third lifting panel 108a',
and fourth lifting panel 108b' may be the same as or substantially
similar to above-described means for simultaneously raising or
lowering first lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b.
For example, a screw 156 may be employed for each lifting panel, or
alternatively, the lifting panels positioned on the same side wall
may be mechanically or operatively connected. Moreover, it also
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that there
may be numerous suitable ways to raise or lower first lifting panel
108a, second lifting panel 108b, third lifting panel 108a' or
fourth lifting panel 108b', or combinations thereof.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 12, 16, and 17, in any of the
above-described embodiments, holding cabinet 100 also may comprise
at least one door 142, which may be hung on a hinge (not shown)
from side wall 110, and a top or a counter 176. Counter 176 may
include at least one opening (not numbered by shown in FIGS. 17 and
18), and at least one of the non-stationary supports may be
positioned within or below counter 176, such that at least a
portion of first side wall 110 and at least a portion of second
side wall 112 also may be positioned within or below counter 176.
Moreover, door 142 may comprise a plurality of shelves 140. In one
embodiment, door 142 may be positioned below counter 176, and also
may be shorter than first side wall 110 and second side wall 112,
such that when food product holder 106 is positioned at an upper
portion of holding cabinet 100, e.g., above door 142 or above or
substantially level with counter 176, or both, at least a portion
of a food product 174, e.g., chicken, beef, turkey, fish, pizza,
and the like, disposed on food product holder 106 may be positioned
above or substantially level with counter 176 and may be retrieved
without opening door 142. For example, in this embodiment, holding
cabinet 100 may be positioned in a serving location in a
restaurant, e.g., a location at which customers may order food
products and receive ordered food products, such that food products
174 positioned above or substantially level with counter 176 may be
displayed to or viewed by customers. Moreover, holding cabinet 100
further may comprise at least one heater (not shown) positioned
within holding cabinet 100, and a blower (not shown) for
circulating heat within holding cabinet 100. Referring to FIGS.
16-17 and 19, holding cabinet 100 also may comprise a first shelf
172a positioned above counter 176, and at least one first radiant
heater 170a positioned inside first shelf 172a or on a surface of
first shelf 172a, which may provide radiant heat for food products
174 positioned above or substantially level with counter 176.
Similarly, holding cabinet 100 further may comprise a second shelf
172b positioned above first shelf 172a, and at least one second
radiant heater 170b positioned inside second shelf 172b or on a
surface of second shelf 172b, which may provide radiant heat for
food products 174 positioned on a top surface of first shelf
172a.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in operation, food product holder
106 may be placed on non-stationary supports 130a and 130b.
Alternatively, food product holder 106 may be placed on
non-stationary supports 130a, 130b, 130a', and 130b'. First lifting
panel 108a and second lifting panel 108b, or alternatively first
lifting panel 108a, second lifting panel 108b, third lifting panel
108a', and fourth lifting panel 108b', may be raised, such that
food product holder 106 also may be raised. Referring to FIGS.
10a-10d, food product holder 106 may contact stationary supports
120a and 120b, such that stationary supports 120a and 120b may
pivot inside first side wall 110 and second side wall 112,
respectively. Alternatively, food product holder 106 may contact
stationary supports 120a, 120b, 120a', and 120b', such that
stationary supports 120a and 120a' may pivot inside first side wall
110 and stationary supports 120b and 120b' may pivot inside second
side wall 112. When the stationary supports pivot inside their
respective side walls, food product holder 106 may be raised above
the stationary supports, such that the stationary supports
subsequently may be released from their respective side walls.
Referring to FIGS. 11a-d, when the stationary supports release from
their respective side walls, the lifting panels may be lowered to
their original positioned, such that food product holder 106 may be
supported by stationary supports 120a and 120b and non-stationary
supports 132a and 132b. Alternatively, food product holder 106 may
be supported by stationary supports 120a, 120b, 120a', and 120b'
and non-stationary supports 132a, 132b, 132a', and 132b'.
[0056] Moreover, first lifting panel 108a and second lifting panel
108b, or alternatively first lifting panel 108a, second lifting
panel 108b, third lifting panel 108a', and fourth lifting panel
108b', subsequently may be raised again, such that food product
holder 106 also may be raised by non-stationary supports 132a and
132b, or alternatively, by non-stationary supports 132a, 132b,
132a', and 132b'. Referring to FIGS. 10a-10d, food product holder
106 may contact stationary supports 122a and 122b, such that
stationary supports 122a and 122b may pivot inside first side wall
110 and second side wall 112, respectively. Alternatively, food
product holder 106 may contact stationary supports 122a, 122b,
122a', and 122b', such that stationary supports 122a and 122a' may
pivot inside first side wall 110 and stationary supports 122b and
122b' may pivot inside second side wall 112. When the stationary
supports pivot inside their respective side walls, food product
holder 106 may be raised above the stationary supports, such that
the stationary supports subsequently may be released from their
respective side walls. Referring to FIGS. 11a-d, when the
stationary supports release from their respective side walls, the
lifting panels may be lowered to their original positions, such
that food product holder 106 may be supported by stationary
supports 122a and 122b and non-stationary supports 134a and 134b.
Alternatively, food product holder 106 may be supported by
stationary supports 122a, 122b, 122a', and 122b' and non-stationary
supports 134a, 134b, 134a', and 134b'.
[0057] Nevertheless, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that the above-described operation of holding
cabinet 100 may continue until food product holder 106 rises to the
upper portion of holding cabinet 100, , e.g., above door 142 or
above or substantially level with counter 176, or both, such that
food products 174 disposed on food product holder 106 may be
displayed and served to customers. Moreover, it also will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that when multiple
food product holders 106 are placed within holding cabinet 100,
each of the food product holders 106 simultaneously may be raised
within holding cabinet 100.
[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method of serving precooked food products employing a holding
cabinet 100 according any of the above-described embodiments, is
described. The method comprises the steps of placing a precooked
food product 174 on food product holder 106 and placing food
product holder 106 in holding cabinet 100. The method also
comprises the step of raising food product holder 106 from a first
plurality of stationary, pivotable supports located substantially
in a first plane to a second plurality of stationary, pivotable
supports located substantially in a second plane which is above the
first plane. The method further comprises the step of removing food
product 174 from food product holder 106 when food product holder
106 rises to an upper portion of holding cabinet 100, e.g., above
door 142 or above or substantially level with counter 176, or
both
[0059] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of serving precooked food products employing a holding
cabinet 100 according any of the above-described embodiments, is
described. The method comprises the steps of placing a precooked
food product 174 on food product holder 106 and placing food
product holder 106 in holding cabinet 100. The method also
comprises the step of raising food product holder 106 from a first
plurality of non-stationary, pivotable supports located
substantially in a first plane to a first plurality of stationary,
pivotable supports located substantially in a second plane which is
above the first plane. Moreover, the method comprises the step of
raising food product holder 106 from the first plurality of
stationary, pivotable supports located substantially in the second
plane to a second plurality of stationary, pivotable supports
located substantially in a third plane which is above the second
plane. The method further comprises the step of removing food
product 174 from food product holder 106 when food product holder
106 rises to an upper portion of holding cabinet 100, e.g., above
door 142 or above or substantially level with counter 176, or
both.
[0060] While the invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that other variations and modifications of the
preferred embodiments described above may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the
specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is
intended that the specification and the described examples are
considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the
invention indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *