U.S. patent application number 11/045508 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for food container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hatco Corporation. Invention is credited to Majchrzak, Michael, Rolston, David, Witt, Allan.
Application Number | 20050211109 11/045508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34826475 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050211109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Majchrzak, Michael ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Food container
Abstract
A food container is shown having a plurality of openings used to
move food into and/or out of the container. Each of the openings
has an air curtain positioned across the opening. The air curtains
form barriers between the interior of the container and the
exterior environment. The food container may be capable of
humidifying and/or heating food positioned therein.
Inventors: |
Majchrzak, Michael;
(Milwaukee, WI) ; Witt, Allan; (Lenoir, NC)
; Rolston, David; (Milwaukee, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
SUITE 3800
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5308
US
|
Assignee: |
Hatco Corporation
|
Family ID: |
34826475 |
Appl. No.: |
11/045508 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11045508 |
Jan 28, 2005 |
|
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10763726 |
Jan 23, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/468 ; 99/330;
99/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 39/003 20130101;
A47F 3/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
099/468 ;
099/330; 099/331 |
International
Class: |
A23L 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food container comprising: an opening which is used to move
food into and/or out of the container; and an air stream which
moves parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an
interior of the container and an exterior environment; wherein the
air stream is humidified.
2. The food container of claim 1 wherein the air stream is used to
humidify the interior of the container.
3. The food container of claim 1 wherein the air stream is used to
provide heat to the interior of the container.
4. The food container of claim 1 comprising a control system which
is used to control the humidity of the air stream.
5. The food container of claim 1 comprising a water source which is
used to humidify the air stream.
6. The food container of claim 5 wherein the humidity of the air
stream is controlled by controlling the temperature of the water in
the water source.
7. The food container of claim 1 comprising a duct system used to
direct the air stream parallel to the opening; a heating element
used to heat the air stream; a fan which is used to circulate the
air stream through the container; and a water source which is used
to provide humidity to the air stream.
8. A food container comprising: an opening which is use to move
food into and/or out of the container; an air stream which moves
parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an interior of
the container and an exterior environment; a baffle positioned
adjacent to a water source, the baffle being used to alter the
movement of the air stream as the air stream passes over the water
source.
9. The food container of claim 8 wherein the baffle comprises a
perforated plate.
10. The food container of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the
air stream passes through the baffle.
11. The food container of claim 10 wherein all of the air stream
passes through the baffle.
12. The food container of claim 8 wherein the interior of the
container is heated.
13. The food container of claim 12 wherein the air stream is used
to provide heat to the interior of the container.
14. The food container of claim 8 wherein the air stream is used to
humidify the interior of the container.
15. The food container of claim 8 comprising a duct system used to
direct the air stream parallel to the opening; a heating element
used to heat the air stream; and a fan which is used to circulate
the air stream through the container.
16. A food container comprising: a fan used to output an air
stream; a perforated plate positioned to receive the air stream
from the fan; and a water source; wherein the air stream from the
plate passes over the water source to humidify the air stream; and
wherein the air stream is used to humidify an interior of the
container.
17. The food container of claim 16 wherein the air stream passes
through the perforated plate.
18. The food container of claim 16 wherein the interior of the
container is heated.
19. The food container of claim 16 wherein the air stream is used
to provide heat to the interior of the container.
20. The food container of claim 16 wherein the container is
portable.
21. The food container of claim 16 comprising a duct system used to
direct the air stream across an opening to form a barrier between
the interior of the container and an exterior environment; and a
heating element used to heat the air stream.
22. A food container comprising: an opening which is used to move
food into and/or out of the container; an air stream which moves
parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an interior
chamber of the container and an exterior environment; and a water
source positioned above the interior chamber; wherein the water
source is used to humidify the interior chamber of the
container.
23. The food container of claim 22 wherein the air stream is used
to humidify the interior chamber of the container.
24. The food container of claim 22 wherein the air stream is used
to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.
25. The food container of claim 22 comprising a control system
which is used to control the humidity of the interior chamber of
the container.
26. The food container of claim 25 wherein the humidity of the
interior chamber is controlled by controlling the temperature of
the water in the water source.
27. The food container of claim 22 comprising a duct system used to
direct the air stream parallel to the opening; a heating element
used to heat the air stream; a fan which is used to circulate the
air stream through the container.
28. A food container comprising: a first opening used to move food
into and/or out of an interior chamber the container; a second
opening used to move food into and/or out of the interior chamber
of the container; a first air stream and a second air stream which
move parallel to the first opening and the second opening,
respectively, to form barriers between the interior chamber of the
container and an exterior environment; a water source; and a baffle
positioned adjacent to the water source, the baffle being used to
humidify at least one of the first air stream or the second air
stream.
29. The food container of claim 28 wherein the air stream is used
to humidify the interior chamber of the container.
30. The food container of claim 28 comprising a heating element
used to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.
31. The food container of claim 28 comprising a control system
which is used to control the humidity of the interior chamber of
the container.
32. The food container of claim 28 wherein the first opening is
positioned opposite the second opening.
33. The food container of claim 28 wherein the water source is
positioned above the interior chamber.
34. A food container comprising: a first opening used to move food
into and/or out of an interior chamber of the container; a second
opening used to move food into and/or out of the interior chamber
of the container; a first air stream and a second air stream which
move parallel to the first opening and the second opening,
respectively, to form barriers between the interior chamber of the
container and an exterior environment; and a duct system including
a plurality of duct openings, the duct openings being positioned in
the container so that secondary air moves between the duct openings
and at least one of the first air stream or the second air stream
while passing adjacent to the food.
35. The food container of claim 34 wherein the air stream is used
to humidify the interior chamber of the container.
36. The food container of claim 34 comprising a heating element
used to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.
37. The food container of claim 34 comprising a first side wall in
the interior chamber of the container which includes at least a
portion of the duct openings.
38. The food container of claim 37 comprising a second side wall
positioned opposite the first side wall, the second side wall also
including at least a portion of the duct openings.
39. The food container of claim 34 wherein the first opening is
positioned opposite the second opening.
40. The food container of claim 34 wherein the water source is
positioned above the interior chamber.
41. The food container of claim 34 wherein the secondary air moves
from at least one of the first air stream or the second air stream
to the duct openings.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/763,726, filed on Jan. 23, 2004,
entitled "Food Container," the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The subject matter described herein relates generally to the
field of containers. In particular, the subject matter described
herein relates to food containers. The food containers may be used
for storing food, holding food at temperature, cooling food,
humidifying food, rethermalizing food, warming food, and/or cooking
food.
[0003] A wide variety and configuration of food containers are used
to house and display food in places such as convenience stores,
restaurants, etc. Depending on the type of food, these containers
may be heated, cooled, and/or humidified to prevent the food from
becoming cold and/or hard, thus making the food more appealing to
consumers. For example, the containers may be used to house and
display donuts, pastries, hot dogs, etc. In other applications, the
containers may be used to refrigerate and/or freeze food to prevent
it from melting, spoiling, etc. In still other applications, the
containers may be used to hold food at elevated temperature or to
cook food.
[0004] Typically, a solid barrier such as a door is used to isolate
the interior of the container from the exterior environment. The
door prevents the transfer of heat and/or humidity between the
interior of the container and the exterior environment. The door is
usually hinged on one side so that it can be opened and closed to
provide access to the interior of the container. Unfortunately
continually opening and closing the door may result in a loss of
productivity and efficiency on the part of the persons using the
containers. Users often desire to quickly remove items from the
containers. For example, in a fast food setting, a food preparer
may want to be able to quickly access food components (e.g., hot
dog buns, hot dogs) to prepare the finished food product (e.g., a
hot dog in the bun with desired toppings). In other situations, the
container may be provided with an opening that does not include a
barrier between the exterior environment and the interior of the
container. This arrangement results in a loss of efficiency due to
excess heating, cooling, and/or humidifying. Accordingly, it would
be desirable to provide an improved food container for housing
items such as food.
[0005] It should be understood that the claims define the scope of
the subject matter for which protection is sought, regardless of
whether any of the aforementioned disadvantages are overcome by the
subject matter covered by the claims. Also, the terms recited in
the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as
would be recognized by those of skill in the art, except, to the
extent a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its
ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its
ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive
meaning, or except if a term has been explicitly defined to have a
different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phase "as
used herein shall mean" or similar language. Accordingly, the
claims are not tied to any particular embodiment, feature, or
combination of features other than those explicitly recited in the
claims.
DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container according to
one embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container from FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the container from FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the container from
FIG. 2 along line 4-4.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the container from
FIG. 3 along line 5-5.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the container from FIG.
1 with the outside covers removed.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the container from FIG.
6 with additional covers removed.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a container
according to another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a container
according to another embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a to perspective view of a container according to
another embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a to perspective view of a container according to
another embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a front view of a container according to another
embodiment where portions of the interior of the container are
shown in outline.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a side view of a container according to another
embodiment where portions of the interior of the container are
shown in outline.
DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a top perspective, front perspective,
and side elevation views, respectively, of a container 50 according
to one embodiment. Container 50 comprises an interior chamber 52,
which is configured to house items such as food in a controlled
environment. Container 50 shown in FIGS. 1-9 is shaped similarly to
a box with an opening 54 on one side for moving food between the
interior and the exterior of container 50. In other embodiments,
container 50 may be any of a number of suitable shapes and
configurations. For example, container 50 may be substantially
cylindrical, etc. Also, container 50 may be configured to be
portable (e.g., moved by hand, rolled on castors, etc.) or fixed in
a stationary position using a suitable fastening mechanism (e.g.,
welding, bolted, glued, etc.). In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
1-9, container 50 is configured to be placed on top of a countertop
or table. In another embodiment, opening 54 may be located on a top
side of container 50. In still another embodiment, container 50 may
comprise two, three, or more openings 54 for moving food between
the interior and the exterior of container 50. In yet another
embodiment, container 50 may comprise transparent sides (e.g.,
glass, plastic, etc.) so that the food is visible.
[0020] In one embodiment, container 50 comprises a control system,
which is used to maintain the physical characteristics (e.g.,
temperature, humidity, etc.) of the air in chamber 52 substantially
constant. The control system is typically configured to control
both temperature and humidity of the air in chamber 52. However, in
other embodiments, the control system may be configured to control
only one of the temperature and humidity of the air in chamber 52
or may be configured to control additional properties of the air in
chamber 52 such as the air's speed. In general, the control system
includes any of the components, structure, and matter that is used
to control the temperature and humidity of the air in container 50.
In one embodiment, the control system comprises at least a
thermometer and/or a hygrometer. In another embodiment, the control
system comprises a thermostat and/or a humidistat which are used to
control the temperature and/or humidity, respectively, of the air
in chamber 52. In still another embodiment, the control system may
use feedback control to control the temperature and/or humidity of
the air in chamber 52.
[0021] Control panel 60 may be used to provide input (e.g., set
levels for temperature, humidity, water temperature, etc.) to the
control system. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, control
panel 60 comprises buttons 62 and display 64. Buttons 62 may be
used to input the desired temperature and/or humidity level.
Display 64 is configured to show the user the set and/or actual
temperature and/or humidity levels. In addition, container 50 also
comprises a power on/off switch 66 and a power cord 68. In other
embodiments, control panel 60 may comprise other input devices
and/or displays. For example, control panel 60 may comprise rotary
dials instead of buttons 62. Also, control panel 60 may be
distributed on container 50. For example, display 64 may be located
on one side of container 50 and buttons 62 may be located on
another side of container 50. In yet another embodiment, container
50 may be supplied with a computer interface for interfacing with a
computerized control system or a computerized information
source.
[0022] As mentioned previously, container 50 defines at least one
opening 54 through which food may be moved between the interior and
the exterior of container 50. Opening 54 may be any suitable size
and shape. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, opening 54 is
quadrilateral and substantially planar. Opening 54 may be
positioned in a substantially vertical plane, as shown in FIGS.
1-3, or may be positioned in a number of other planes (e.g., a
substantially horizontal plane for a container where opening 54 is
on a top side or a plane at any degree of inclination between a
horizontal plane and a vertical plane).
[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, trays 56 are used
to support food (e.g., pastries, brownies, hot dogs, etc.). Trays
56 are of a sufficient size to pass through opening 54 and be
received by rails 70 in chamber 52. In other embodiments, food may
be moved between the interior and the exterior of container 50 in a
variety of other suitable ways (e.g., individual food items placed
in container 50 without using trays 56, etc.).
[0024] Container 50 uses an air curtain 58 to form a barrier
between interior chamber 52 of container 50 and the exterior
environment. A user can easily reach through, or otherwise pierce,
air curtain 58 to move food between the interior and the exterior
of container 50. Thus, air curtain 58 provides an effective barrier
between chamber 52 and the exterior environment yet eliminates the
need for the user to open a door while moving food into and out of
container 50. Air curtain 58 may also provide an effective barrier
against insects and other foreign matter that may otherwise enter
chamber 52. Also, a portion of the air from air curtain 58 may be
used to humidify, cool, and/or heat the interior of container
50.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional side view of
container 50 along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 is shown. Container 50
comprises at least one fan 74 and a duct system 76 which are
configured to circulate air stream 72 through container 50. In
general, fans 74 are electrically operated and are configured to
provide a constant air flow rate. In another embodiment, fans 74
may be adjustable to provide varying controlled (actively or
passively) air flow rates. Fans 74 are provided with outside
ventilation using louvers 90, which allow air to enter a
ventilation space 92. Air that enters louvers 90 may be used to
prevent fans 74 from overheating. Ambient air that enters louvers
90 is kept separate from air stream 72. In another embodiment, air
stream 72 may comprise ambient air that is continually being
combined with circulated air. In another embodiment, air stream 72
may comprise only ambient air that is brought in through a vent
then expelled back into the ambient environment after it has been
used to create air curtain 58.
[0026] In FIG. 4, the general flow of an air stream 72 is shown. As
shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, fans 74 blow air into a baffle box 78.
Baffle box 78 is a substantially enclosed box comprising a baffle
80 through which air stream 72 is forced to pass. Before passing
through baffle 80, air stream 72 may be heated using heating
element 82. In other embodiments, heating element 82 may be located
in any suitable position in duct system 76. After being heated, air
stream 72 passes through baffle 80. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, baffle 80 comprises a perforated, substantially
planar, plate. Typically, the perforations in baffle 80 are also
substantially uniform. As air stream 72 passes through the
perforations in baffle 80, the velocity of air stream 72 increases
briefly before slowing down on the other side of baffle 80. Also,
baffle 80 provides a pressure drop.
[0027] After passing through baffle 80, air stream 72 passes over
water source 84 to humidify air stream 72. Once air stream 72 exits
baffle 80 the velocity of air stream 72 decreases substantially.
The decrease in velocity of air stream 72 and/or the pressure drop
across baffle 80 allows air stream 72 to pick up water from water
source 84 better than if baffle 80 was not present. Water source 84
comprises a heating element 85 which can be used to heat the water
and provide a controlled amount of water vapor to be picked up by
air stream 72. In one embodiment, the temperature of the water in
the water source 84 may be controlled by the control system to
regulate the humidity in air stream 72 and/or chamber 52. Water
source 84 is filled using water input 86. Water placed in water
input 86 passes through water tube 88 to water source 84. In
another embodiment, water source 84 may be coupled to a continuous
water supply that refills water source 84 when it gets low (e.g., a
float with a valve that turns on when the water level of water
source 84 is low). In other embodiments, container 50 may be
configured without a water source 84 or any system for humidifying
air stream 72. This may be desirable in connection with foods that
do not need to be humidified.
[0028] After passing over water source 84, air stream 72 travels
through duct 96, which is a part of duct system 76. As air stream
72 enters duct 96, the velocity of air stream 72 increases due to
the smaller area through which air stream 72 now passes. Air stream
72 exits duct 96 through nozzles 94, which are positioned adjacent
opening 54 in a downward direction. As air stream 72 passes
downward over opening 54, air curtain 58 is created. Air from air
curtain 58 returns back to fans 74 through a plurality of air
returns 98 in duct system 76. At least one of air returns 98 is
positioned adjacent to opening 54 opposite nozzles 94. Air returns
98 positioned opposite nozzles 94 receive a portion of air stream
72 that exits nozzles 94. This portion typically includes most of
air stream 72. At least one of air returns 98 is positioned on a
first side 100 of chamber 52. Generally, first side 100 is
positioned opposite opening 54. Food placed in trays 56 is
positioned substantially between air returns 98 positioned on first
side 100 and opening 54. A portion of air stream 72 passes over
and/or around the food before entering air returns 98 positioned on
first side 100. Thus, the water content of the food, temperature
and/or humidity of the air in chamber 52 may be controlled using
air from air stream 72. In one embodiment, the air from air stream
72 is used to maintain the temperature and/or humidity of chamber
52 substantially constant without the use of additional temperature
and/or humidity control systems.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, first side 100 is perforated
according to a substantially uniform pattern to provide a plurality
of distributed air returns 98. In one embodiment, the size of the
perforations is between approximately 3 millimeters and
approximately 10 millimeters or, desirably, between approximately 5
millimeters and approximately 8 millimeters. In still another
embodiment, first side 100 is configured to include a higher
density of air returns 98 and/or all of air returns 98 near trays
56. This allows the portion of air stream 72 that passes through
the air returns on first side 100 to be nearer to the food, thus
enhancing the heat transfer and/or humidification of the food. In
other embodiments, first side 100 may comprise a single air return
98 located in any suitable position. After air stream 72 passes
through air returns 98, air stream 72 travels through duct system
76 back to fans 74 to begin the cycle again.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional front view of
container 50 along line 5-5 in FIG. 3 is shown. Duct system 76
comprises two separate ducts 102 and 104 through which air is
returned from chamber 52 to fans 74. Also, each fan 74 has separate
outlet ducts 106 and 108. In other embodiments, duct system 76 may
comprise a single duct to circulate air stream 72 through container
50. In still other embodiments, duct system 76 may comprise a
filter to capture any particles that may dislodge from the food as
it is passed through air curtain 58.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a top perspective view of
container 50 with the outside covers removed is shown. FIGS. 6 and
7 provide a top perspective view of fans 74, baffle box 78, baffles
80, ducts 96, and wiring enclosure 110. Wiring enclosure 110 houses
electrical wires that provide power to heating elements 82 as well
as other electrical devices. FIG. 7 shows container 50 with one of
baffle boxes 78 removed. Underneath baffle boxes 78 are covers 112,
which cover water source 84. Covers 112 help to isolate water
source 84 from heating elements 82. Air stream 72 exits fan outlet
ducts 106 and 108, travels through baffle boxes 78 and into ducts
96.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional side view of
container 50 is shown according to another embodiment. In this
embodiment, fan 74, baffle 80, and water source 84 are located at
the bottom of container 50. Fan 74 is configured to circulate air
through container 50 in a manner similar to the previous
embodiments. However, in this embodiment, the air in air curtain 58
flows upward from nozzles 94 to air returns 98.
[0033] In FIG. 9, a cross-sectional side view of container 50 is
shown according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, a top
side 114 of container 50 comprises opening 54. Accordingly, air
curtain 58 is substantially horizontal and provides a barrier
between chamber 52 and the exterior environment. The majority of
the air from air curtain 58 is received by one or more air returns
98 positioned adjacent to opening 54 and opposite nozzles 94 while
the remainder is received by air returns 98 positioned in a bottom
side 116 of container 50. This embodiment may also include any
other features described or discussed in relation to other previous
embodiments.
[0034] FIGS. 10-14 show another embodiment of container 50. In many
ways, container 50 shown in FIGS. 10-14 is similar to the earlier
embodiments. However, in this embodiment, container 50 comprises
opening 54 and another opening 55 positioned opposite opening 54.
Openings 54, 55 allow the user to pass food into chamber 52 from
either side of container 50. This may be desirable in situations
where container 50 is positioned on a counter so that the food
preparer can access it from one side and the food consumer can
access it from the other side. The food preparer can easily
replenish the stock of food in container 50 from one side while the
food consumer simultaneously accesses the other side.
[0035] Air curtains 58, 59 are formed over each of openings 54, 55
using air streams 72, 73, respectively. Air curtains 58, 59 form a
barrier between chamber 52 and the exterior of the container 50.
Container 50 includes baffle boxes 78, 79, each of which has a fan
74. Each one of baffle boxes 78, 79 also includes baffle 80 which
is positioned above water source 84. Baffle boxes 78, 79 also
include heating elements 82, 83, respectively. In this embodiment,
baffle boxes 78, 79 are separate so that air is unable to travel
between baffle boxes 78, 79. However, in another embodiment, baffle
boxes 78, 79 may be combined into one baffle box having ducts 96,
97 and nozzles 94 on both ends to form air curtains 58, 59. Also,
as shown in FIGS. 10-14, water source 84 is a single continuous
reservoir and is configured similarly to water source 84 in earlier
embodiments. In another embodiment, separate water sources may be
provided for each baffle box 78, 79. Baffle boxes 78, 79 may be
configured similarly to previous embodiments in that baffle 80 may
be positioned above water source 84 so that air from the fans 74
passes through baffle 80 and becomes humidified.
[0036] Container 50 also includes duct system 76. Duct system 76 is
used to circulate air streams 72, 73 throughout container 50 and to
form air curtains 58, 59. Container 50 also includes a first side
wall 200 and a second side wall 202, both of which are also part of
the duct system 76. Duct system 76 includes ducts 96, 97 and
corresponding nozzles 94 which are used to direct air streams 72,
73 across openings 54, 55 to form air curtains 58, 59. Air streams
72, 73 are received by duct openings 206, 208 positioned at the
bottom of openings 54, 55, respectively. Air stream 72 travels
underneath the bottom of chamber 52, upward through first side wall
200 and back to baffle box 78. Air stream 74 travels underneath the
bottom of chamber 52, upward through second side wall 202 to baffle
box 79. In one embodiment, the bottom of chamber 52 may include a
duct that is split in two diagonally in the same general direction
as baffle boxes 78, 79 are split apart so that air received by duct
opening 206 is not mixed with air received by duct opening 208. In
another embodiment, the duct underneath the bottom of chamber 52
may allow the mixture of air received by duct openings 206,
208.
[0037] In one embodiment, duct system 76 may include duct openings
or holes 204 in first side wall 200 and corresponding duct openings
or holes (not shown) in second side wall 202. Air from air curtains
58, 59 may form a secondary air flow that travels past the food
positioned in chamber 52 to the duct openings 204. By controlling
the amount of heat and water in air streams 72, 73, the food or
other item positioned in container 50 may be maintained at a
desired temperature and moisture level. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 10-14, the secondary air received by first side wall 200
travels to baffle box 78 to be used in air curtain 58 while the
secondary air received by second side wall 02 travels to baffle box
79 to be used in air curtain 59. In another embodiment, baffle
boxes 78, 79 may be divided perpendicularly to side walls 200, 202
so that secondary air received by first side wall 200 may travel to
both baffle boxes 78, 79. Numerous other embodiments may also be
used.
[0038] Illustrative Embodiments
[0039] One embodiment relates to a food container which comprises
at least one opening through which food is moved and a humidity
source in fluid contact with an air stream providing humidity to
the air stream. The air stream is directed across the opening to
form a barrier between the interior of the container and the
exterior environment.
[0040] Another embodiment relates to a food container which defines
at least one opening through which food is moved. An air curtain
system provides a humidified air curtain over the opening.
[0041] Another embodiment relates to a container comprising a
heating element disposed in the container, at least one opening
through which food is moved between the interior and exterior of
the container, and at least one duct configured to direct an air
stream across the opening to form a barrier between the interior of
the container and the exterior environment. The heating element is
used to at least one of cook food, rethermalize food, and maintain
food at a temperature.
[0042] Another embodiment relates to a container comprising at
least one opening through which items are moved between the
interior and the exterior of the container, a support surface in
the container for supporting the items, and an air curtain system
providing an air curtain over the opening. A portion of the air
stream flowing over and around the items.
[0043] Another embodiment relates to a container comprising at
least one opening through which items are moved between the
interior and the exterior of the container and a duct system
configured to direct an air stream across the opening, the duct
system comprising a plurality of air returns. At least one of the
air returns is positioned adjacent to the opening and receives at
least a portion of air stream. The portion of the air stream
forming a barrier between the interior of the container and the
exterior environment. The items are configured to be positioned
substantially between at least another one of the air returns and
the opening. The another one of the air returns being configured to
receive another portion of the air stream.
[0044] Another embodiment relates to a container comprising at
least one opening through which items are moved out of the
container, an air curtain provided over the opening to form a
barrier between an interior environment of the container and an
exterior environment, and a first side positioned substantially
opposite the opening. The first side comprising at least one air
return which is configured to receive a portion of the air from the
air curtain.
[0045] Another embodiment relates to a container comprising at
least one opening through which items are moved between the
interior and exterior of the container and an air curtain provided
over the opening to form a barrier between the interior of the
container and the exterior environment. The air in the air curtain
is used to maintain the temperature and the humidity of the
interior of the container at substantially controlled levels.
[0046] Another embodiment relates to a container configured to
house food comprising at least one fan configured to output an air
stream and a baffle configured to receive the air stream from the
fan. The air stream from the baffle passes over a water source to
humidify the air stream. The humidified air stream is circulated in
the container to maintain the water content of the food at or above
a set level.
[0047] The construction and arrangement of the elements described
herein are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have
been described in detail in this disclosure, those of ordinary
skill who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many
modifications are possible without materially departing from the
novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the
claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the methods and systems described
herein. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be
varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the methods and
systems described herein.
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