U.S. patent application number 11/185482 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for food warming apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Duke Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Shei, Steven M..
Application Number | 20050255208 11/185482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34435373 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050255208 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shei, Steven M. |
November 17, 2005 |
Food warming apparatus and method
Abstract
A method of preserving cooked food. Food is cooked in a cooking
appliance to provide pre-cooked food and placed in a holding
compartment of a food warming apparatus for a duration of holding
time. The pre-cooked food is heated in the holding compartment for
at least a portion of the duration of holding time by delivering in
a pre-programmed manner an amount of radiant heat to the pre-cooked
food from a radiant heat source positioned above the pre-cooked
food. The amount of radiant heat delivered to the pre-cooked food
is varied to maintain the food at a selected holding temperature by
delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked food at a first level
during a first phase of the duration of holding time and delivering
radiant heat to the pre-cooked food at a second level during a
second phase of the duration of holding time.
Inventors: |
Shei, Steven M.; (Fort
Wayne, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SENNIGER POWERS LEAVITT AND ROEDEL
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
16TH FLOOR
ST LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Assignee: |
Duke Manufacturing Company
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
34435373 |
Appl. No.: |
11/185482 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11185482 |
Jul 20, 2005 |
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10680626 |
Oct 7, 2003 |
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10680626 |
Oct 7, 2003 |
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10611295 |
Jul 1, 2003 |
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60394841 |
Jul 10, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/523 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A21B 2/00 20130101; A21B
1/22 20130101; A47J 39/003 20130101; F24C 7/087 20130101; F24C 7/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/523 |
International
Class: |
A23L 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of preserving cooked food, comprising the steps of:
cooking food in a cooking appliance to provide pre-cooked food;
placing the pre-cooked food in a holding compartment of a food
warming apparatus for a duration of holding time; and heating the
pre-cooked food in the holding compartment for at least a portion
of said duration of holding time by delivering in a pre-programmed
manner an amount of radiant heat to the pre-cooked food from a
radiant heat source positioned above the pre-cooked food; said
heating step comprising varying the amount of radiant heat
delivered to the pre-cooked food to maintain the food at a selected
holding temperature by delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked
food at a first level during a first phase of the duration of
holding time and delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked food at
a second level during a second phase of the duration of holding
time.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first level and
said second level are both less than a maximum level of radiant
heat deliverable from the radiant heat source.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first level of
radiant heat permits said pre-cooked food to cool down to the
selected holding temperature and said second level of radiant heat
is higher than the first level to hold the pre-cooked food at the
selected holding temperature.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heating step
further comprises delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked food at
a third level less than said second level during a third phase of
the duration to maintain said pre-cooked food at the selected
holding temperature.
5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pre-cooked food
placed in the compartment is at a temperature greater than ambient
temperature, and said heating step comprises not delivering any
substantial radiant heat to the pre-cooked food until the food has
cooled to a temperature approaching said selected holding
temperature.
6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pre-cooked food
placed in the compartment is at a temperature below ambient
temperature, and said heating step comprises delivering radiant
heat to the pre-cooked food until the food reaches said selected
holding temperature.
7. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising sensing a
characteristic indicative of the temperature of the pre-cooked food
in the compartment, and varying the amount of radiant heat
delivered to the food according to said sensed characteristic.
8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said sensed
characteristic is a temperature of a surface in said holding
compartment.
9. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said sensed
characteristic is an amount of radiant energy emitted by said
pre-cooked food.
10. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 12 in. from said source of radiant heat.
11. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 10 in. from said source of radiant heat.
12. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 8 in. from said source of radiant heat.
13. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 6 in. from said source of radiant heat.
14. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 4 in. from said source of radiant heat.
15. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in said holding oven at a location within a
distance of less then 2 in. from said source radiant heat.
16. A method of controlling a food holding oven, said oven
comprising a cabinet, a plurality of separate, thermally isolated
holding compartments in the cabinet, a plurality of trays for
containing pre-cooked food having been previously 5 cooked in a
cooking appliance, each compartment being adapted for removably
receiving one tray per compartment, and heat sources above
respective trays adapted for activation to emit radiant heat to the
food in the trays to warm the food, said method comprising: setting
a selected holding temperature for each compartment; setting a
duration of holding time for each compartment, said duration of
holding time comprising a duration of heated holding time; and
varying the amount of radiant heat delivered to the pre-cooked food
during a respective duration of heated holding time to maintain the
food in a respective compartment at said selected holding
temperature.
17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said varying the
amount of radiant heat comprises delivering radiant heat to the
pre-cooked food at a first level during a first phase of the
duration of holing time and delivering radiant heat to the
pre-cooked food at a second level during a second phase of the
duration of holding time.
18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first level of
radiant heat permits said pre-cooked food to cool down to the
selected holding temperature during said first phase and said
second level of radiant heat is higher than the first level to hold
the pre-cooked food at the selected holding temperature.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein said varying the
amount of radiant heat further comprises delivering radiant heat to
the pre-cooked food at a third level less than said second level
during a third phase of the duration to maintain said pre-cooked
food at the selected holding temperature.
20. A method as set forth in claim 16 further comprising
maintaining at least two compartments at different selected holding
temperatures.
21. A method as set forth in claim 16 further comprising placing
said pre-cooked food in a respective compartment at a location
within a distance of less then 12 in. from a respective heat
source.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/680,626, filed Oct. 7, 2003, which is a
continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No.
10/611,295, filed Jul. 1, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/394,841, filed Jul. 10, 2002, titled
HOLDING OR COOKING OVEN.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to food service equipment
and more particularly to equipment for maintaining foods at
temperatures suitable for serving food.
[0003] In one embodiment, this invention is especially (but not
exclusively) directed to food service equipment that uses infrared
(IR) heaters to maintain pre-cooked food at proper temperatures
before serving. This type of equipment is referred to using such
terms as holding oven, holding unit, and food warmer, and these
terms are used interchangeably hereinafter. Such equipment is often
used in, for example, the fast food service industry to heat food.
However, such equipment has certain disadvantages. For example,
short holding times (e.g., twenty minutes or less) and rapid
product quality degradation often limit the effectiveness of this
technology for holding applications. Additionally, different food
products require different amounts of IR energy to be held in
optimum condition. The quality of the food being held is affected
in large part by the temperature and the air flow in the holding
oven. As the food loses moisture due to evaporation, flavor is
lost. This affects the texture and taste of the product. For
example, chicken meat fibers will dry out and become tough, while
the breading will become dry and greasy. French fries will develop
a dry, rubbery texture as moisture is lost and the outer skin loses
its crispness.
[0004] Conventional IR holding devices are not adjustable to
control the amount of IR energy delivered to the food being heated.
Rather, the heat source is on full power all of the time, and the
food is placed relatively far from the heat source to prevent
overheating. As a result, the typical prior holding device requires
a large amount of vertical space. This can present a problem in a
situation where space is at a premium, as in a fast-food
restaurant.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,175,099, 6,262,394 and 6,541,739, assigned
to Duke Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, Mo. and incorporated herein
by reference, are directed to a holding or cooking oven which is an
improvement over prior designs and which has proven to be
successful with various fried products. However, there is still a
need for a technology that extends the holding time and quality of
food products, especially fried products such as hash browns,
French fries, rotisserie chicken, deep-fried chicken and
shrimp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Among the several objects of this invention will be noted
the provision of food service equipment, e.g., a food warmer, which
is adapted for holding pre-cooked food longer without degradation
of the quality of the product, including products having a crust
which tends to become soggy or rubbery, such as fried potato
products, fried chicken, and rotisserie chicken; the provision of
such equipment which is more compact than conventional food warming
equipment, thus requiring less space; the provision of such an oven
which allows evaporative losses to be more closely controlled to
enhance food quality; and a method of maintaining previously cooked
food in an environment where the quality of the food is maintained
at a high level for a longer period of time.
[0007] In general, one aspect of the present invention is directed
to a method of preserving cooked food. The method comprises the
steps of cooking food in a cooking appliance to provide pre-cooked
food, placing the pre-cooked food in a holding compartment of a
food warming apparatus for a duration of holding time, and heating
the pre-cooked food in the holding compartment for at least a
portion of the duration of holding time by delivering in a
pre-programmed manner an amount of radiant heat to the pre-cooked
food from a radiant heat source positioned above the pre-cooked
food. The heating step comprises varying the amount of radiant heat
delivered to the pre-cooked food to maintain the food at a selected
holding temperature by delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked
food at a first level during a first phase of the duration of
holding time and delivering radiant heat to the pre-cooked food at
a second level during a second phase of the duration of holding
time.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method
of controlling a food holding oven. The oven comprises a cabinet, a
plurality of separate, thermally isolated holding compartments in
the cabinet, a plurality of trays for containing pre-cooked food
having been previously cooked in a cooking appliance, each
compartment being adapted for removably receiving one tray per
compartment, and heat sources above respective trays adapted for
activation to emit radiant heat to the food in the trays to warm
the food. The method of controlling the oven comprises setting a
selected holding temperature for each compartment, setting a
duration of holding time for each compartment, the duration of
holding time comprising a duration of heated holding time, and
varying the amount of radiant heat delivered to the pre-cooked food
during a respective duration of heated holding time to maintain the
food in a respective compartment at the selected holding
temperature.
[0009] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in
part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an oven of the present
invention equipped with heat sinks for receiving food-containing
trays, auxiliary heat sources mounted above the heat sinks, and
metallic covers for covering the trays (the trays being omitted
from the view);
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1
but showing a tray positioned in a respective heat sink below its
cover;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective showing a heat sink, cover and
auxiliary heat source;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a plan of a cover per se;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
an oven of the present invention equipped with compartments for
receiving food-containing trays;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the oven of FIG.
5 showing trays positioned in respective compartments below heat
sources;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the oven similar
to FIG. 6 showing trays positioned in respective compartments below
alternate heat sources;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the oven similar
to FIG. 6 showing trays positioned in respective compartments below
alternate heat sources;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the oven of FIG.
5 showing a ventilation system of the oven according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tray
used with the oven of FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a
control circuit of the oven of FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a time vs. temperature curve
illustrating one mode of operation of the oven of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a time vs. heat source activation curve for the
mode of operation depicted in FIG. 12;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a time vs. temperature curve
illustrating a different mode of operation of the oven of FIG.
5;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a time vs. heat source activation curve for the
mode of operation depicted in FIG. 14;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective of a different embodiment of a
holding oven of this invention;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the holding oven of FIG.
16;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a section on line 18-18 of FIG. 17;
[0028] FIG. 19 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17 with parts broken
away to show the distance D1 between the food in the oven and a
heat source of the oven;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a right-side elevation of the holding oven of
FIG. 16;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a section on line 21-21 of FIG. 20;
[0031] FIG. 22A is a graph of a time v. holding temperature curve
during an embodiment of a holding duration;
[0032] FIG. 22B is a graph of time v. radiant energy curve during
the embodiment of FIG. 22A;
[0033] FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a holding oven of another
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a holding oven of still
another embodiment; and
[0035] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a holding oven of yet another
embodiment.
[0036] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding
reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a holding oven of the
present invention, generally designated 1, comprising a cabinet
having an interior 12 comprising a plurality of tiers for removably
receiving a plurality of trays, each generally designated 3, the
trays in each tier being disposed side-by-side. As shown, the oven
has two tiers, an upper tier 5 and a lower tier 7, each
accommodating three trays. It is to be understood that the number
of tiers and the number of trays in each tier may vary.
[0038] The holding oven 1 has a top 9, bottom 11, sides 13 and 15,
and a shelf 17 extending from one side to the other generally
midway of the top and bottom. The shelf 17 and top 9 define the
upper tier 5; the bottom 11 and shelf 17 define the lower tier 7.
The oven has a front panel 19 and a corresponding rear panel (not
shown) each having openings such as indicated at 21 for sliding
each tray 3 either into or out of its respective tier front or
rear.
[0039] In one embodiment, each tray 3 is generally rectangular in
plan, having a bottom 23, opposite side walls each designated 25,
and end walls each designated 27. Each tray is disposed in its
respective tier 5, 7 in the oven 1 in a heat sink generally
designated 29 extending from front to rear in the respective tier,
being slidably disposed in its heat sink for being slidably
withdrawn from or entered in the heat sink either front or rear
through the respective opening 21. Each heat sink 29, which is made
of aluminum, for example, has a bottom 31 and side walls each
designated 33 (FIG. 2). The side walls 33 have outwardly
(laterally) extending flanges 35 and rims 37 extending up from the
outer margins of the flanges. Each heat sink constitutes a
tray-receiving member for holding a single tray. An electrical
resistance heating element generally designated 39 having a bottom
component 41 contacting the bottom of the heat sink and upwardly
extending side components 43 contacting the sides of each heat sink
is provided for heating the heat sink and the tray 3 therein. Each
heat sink 29 and associated heating element 39 constitutes the
primary heating source for heating the respective tray 3 and its
food content. At 45 is indicated an on-off electrical power control
for all the heating elements 34. At 47, are indicated temperature
controls for the heating elements 39 in the upper and lower tiers.
The bottom component 41 of each heating element 39 in the upper
tier 5 seats on shelf 17, the bottom component 41 of each heating
element 39 in the lower tier 7 seats on the bottom 11 of the
holding oven 1. The sides 43 of each heating element extend up to
the flanges 35 of the respective heat sink 29. Reference may be
made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,175,099, 6,262,394 and 6,541,739,
incorporated herein by reference, assigned to Duke Manufacturing
Co. of St. Louis, Mo., for further details relating to the
construction of the heat sink 29 and associated equipment.
[0040] Primary heating sources other than the heat sinks 29 and
associated heating elements 39 can be used without departing from
the scope of this invention.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment, each tray 3 has a rim 49 having
an outwardly (laterally) directed upper part 51 with a downwardly
extending angled lip 53 in sliding sealing engagement with the
respective heat sink flange 35. The rim defines the open top 32 of
the tray 3. A cover generally designated 55 is provided for the
open top of each tray, each cover having a metallic portion 57
overlying the top of the respective tray. More specifically, the
metallic portion 57 of each cover comprises a generally horizontal
cross wall comprising a rectangular plate of anodized aluminum
sheet, for example, having downturned flanges such as indicated at
59 at each side thereof and anodized metal angles 61 extending the
length thereof on each side margin. The lower edges of the
downturned flanges 59 engage the top of the heat sink flanges 35.
One or more of the covers 55 is/are spaced above the rims 49 of
respective trays 3 at a distance no greater than one inch, more
preferably no greater than about 0.40 inch, and still more
preferably no greater than about 0.30 in. One or more openings such
as indicated at 63 is/are provided in at least one of the covers 55
for venting moisture from each tray having such an opening or
openings. FIG. 4 shows a cover having sixteen openings 63 arranged
in a pattern such as illustrated. The number and pattern may vary
widely; the area of the one opening in a cover having one opening
and the combined area of the openings in a cover having more than
one opening is preferably less than about 25% of the area of the
open top of the tray 3 it is covering, more preferably less than
about 5% and even more preferably less than 1% thereof. The
combined areas of the openings and the specific pattern of openings
in a cover will vary depending on the type and quantity of food in
the tray being covered. Whatever the circumstances, the size and
pattern of the opening(s) can be selected to closely control the
amount of moisture vented from the tray and thus optimize the
conditions for maintaining food quality over an extended period of
time.
[0042] Each cover 55 is part of a system generally designated 65
for heating the food in the respective tray in addition to the
primary heat source, e.g., the respective heat sink 29 and heating
element 39. This auxiliary heating system 65 comprises a heat
source 67 for heating the metallic portion 57 of the respective
cover 55 whereby the metallic portion is adapted to emit radiant
heat to the food in the respective tray for additional warming of
the food in the tray 3. Each heat source 67, which is located over
the respective cover 55, comprises one electric heating element 69
or more disposed in a sheet metal housing 71 affixed to an interior
surface of the oven or cabinet 1. In particular the heating element
69 is a commercial item, viz., a Chromalox electrical resistance
heater element sold by Carlton Company of St. Louis, Mo. The
housing 71 comprises a shallow pan of sheet metal such as aluminum
having a rectangular bottom 73, sides 75, ends such as indicated at
77 and flanges 79 extending out from the top of the sides.
[0043] In one embodiment, the heating element 69 lies on the bottom
73 of the pan extending lengthwise thereof. It is suitably
connected in an electrical circuit such that it is adapted to heat
the respective cover 55 by heating the bottom 73 of the pan 71 with
attendant emission of heat from the bottom of the pan to the cover.
Terminals of the heating element for connection thereof in the
aforesaid circuit are indicated at 81 and 83. The pans 71 are
affixed in the oven or cabinet with the bottom 73 of each pan 71
spaced above the respective cover 55 a distance less than 2.0
inches and more particularly less than about 1.0 inch. In one
embodiment, the power delivered by each heat source 67 to the
respective cover 55 ranges from 100-500 watts, for example, and
each heat source 67 is operable to heat each cover 55 to a
temperature which preferably ranges from 200.degree. to 500.degree.
F. Pivoted locks for locking the covers 55 in the oven 1 are
indicated at 85.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a holding oven of
this invention, generally designated 101, comprising a generally
rectangular or box-shaped cabinet 102. The cabinet 102 has a top
109, a bottom 111, opposite sides 113 and 115, a front panel 119
and a corresponding rear panel (not shown). The cabinet 102 defines
an interior, generally designated 112, for removably receiving a
plurality of trays, each generally designated 103. The holding oven
101 has vertical partitions 126 and horizontal partitions 127
within the cabinet 102 dividing the interior 112 thereof into a
plurality of separate, thermally isolated holding compartments 128.
It is to be understood that the number of vertical and horizontal
partitions 126 and 127 (and thus the number of compartments 128)
may vary. Preferably, the partitions 126 and 127 prevent the
transfer of food flavors between the compartments 128.
[0045] The front panel 119 and rear panel contain openings, such as
indicated at 121, in communication with each compartment 128. In
one embodiment, the openings 121 in the front panel 119 have
corresponding openings (not shown) formed in the rear panel such
that each compartment 128 extends from front to rear of the oven
101 and is adapted for removably receiving one of the trays 103
from either the front or the back of the holding oven 101. The
openings 121 are sized for sliding each tray 103 either into or out
of the compartment 128.
[0046] Preferably, the compartments 128 and corresponding openings
121 are arranged in several tiers of compartments. As shown in FIG.
5, the holding oven has three horizontal tiers, an upper tier 132,
a middle tier 134 and a lower tier 136. Each tier includes three
compartments 128, with each compartment accommodating an individual
tray 103. It is to be understood, however, that the number of tiers
and the number of compartments in each tier may vary. In some
embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to configure the
holding oven 101 to have a single tier having two, three, or more
compartments 128. Preferably, the entire cabinet 102 is fabricated
of sheet metal material and a least the top 109, the bottom 111 and
the sides 113 and 115 are of a dual wall construction to insulate
the interior 112.
[0047] The holding oven 101 includes a control mechanism, generally
indicated at 140, for controlling operation of the oven 101.
Preferably, the control mechanism 140 has an operator input device,
which in one embodiment, comprises a keypad, indicated by reference
142, and a display, indicated by reference 144, to selectively
allow the operator to interact with the control mechanism to
control the environment, such as the temperature and/or air flow,
in each compartment 128. The control mechanism may include a
separate keypad for each compartment 128. Alternately, the operator
input device can include dials, switches and the like known to
those in the art. For example, rotatably mounted control dials
mounted on the front panel 119 and movable in a push-and-turn
fashion to any user-selected positions can permit operator input to
the control mechanism 140. The control mechanism 140 may also
include associated indicator lights (not shown) to inform an
operator of the status of a particular compartment 128 or the food
within the compartment, such as whether the temperature in the
compartment is at a desired temperature or whether the food in the
compartment is approaching or has exceeded the desired hold time.
Further operation of the control mechanism 140 will be described
below.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, each compartment 128 has tray
supports comprising, in one embodiment, inwardly (laterally)
extending flanges 144 extending from the vertical partitions 126 at
opposite sides of the compartment 128. The flanges 144 are
vertically spaced for supporting a tray 103 at different elevations
in the compartment 128. In one embodiment, the compartments 128 in
the holding oven 101 have different widths and/or heights to
accommodate trays of different sizes. It is contemplated that the
tray supports can have other forms, such as grooves or slots in the
vertical partitions 126.
[0049] Heat sources 146 positioned above respective compartments
128 are adapted to emit radiant heat into the compartments directed
at the trays 103 to warm food contained therein. Each heat source
146 can function as the primary heating source for heating the
respective tray 103 and cooking its food content or maintaining an
already cooked food near a selected temperature. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6, the heat source (designated 146A) is a quartz
infrared heat source, but it will be understood that other heat
sources may be used. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates ceramic
infrared heat sources 146B and FIG. 8 illustrates resistance
heating elements embedded in magnesium oxide 146C. Alternatively,
halogen infrared heat sources or other sources may be used. The
power delivered by each heat source 146 ranges from between about
20 and 2,000 watts, desirably between about 25 and 1500 watts,
preferably between about 30 and 1000 watts, more preferably between
about 35 and 750 watts and even more preferably between about 40
and 600 watts. In one embodiment, each heat source 146 delivers
about 400 watts of power. Additional means for heating the holding
oven 101 other than heat sources 146 can be used without departing
from the scope of this invention. Reference may be made to the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,175,099, 6,262,394 and 6,541,739,
for further details relating to the construction of certain types
of equipment used for heating the trays 103 and food contained
therein.
[0050] In one embodiment, a panel 150 is positioned between each
heat source 146 and its respective compartment 128 to prevent the
trays 103 and their contents from contacting the heat sources. In
one embodiment, the panel 150 is a tempered glass cover that
permits radiant energy produced by the heat source 146 to pass
through into the compartment 128. In this embodiment, the panel is
preferably made from transparent or semi-transparent glass.
Alternately, the panel 150 can be a radiant metallic plate. In this
latter embodiment, the heat source 146 is used to heat the panel
150, and the panel then radiates heat to warm the contents of the
tray 103. A reflector 152 is positioned above the heat source 146
to radiate heat down toward the tray 103 below it.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the holding oven 101
having a forced air mechanism, indicated generally at 154, for
delivering recirculating air into the compartments 128. The
mechanism 154 comprises lower air ducting 160, upper air ducting
162, and a fan system 156 that moves air through the lower and
upper air ducting air ducting. In one mode of operation, the fan
system 156 circulates air in one direction along a flow path
through the lower air ducting 160, into the compartments 128 and
then through the upper air ducting 162 and back to the fan system.
The lower air ducting 160 conveys the forced air into the
compartments 128 through openings 164 located in a floor 166 of the
compartments 128 below the trays 103. Air flows up from the
compartments 128 into the upper air ducting 162 through one or more
openings 168 in the panels 150 above the trays 103. In a second
mode of operation, the fan system 156 moves air in the opposite
direction through the upper air ducting 162, down into the
compartments via openings 168, into the lower ducting 160 via
openings 164, and then back to the fan system.
[0052] The number and pattern of openings 164, 168 in the panels
150 and floor 166 may vary widely depending on the type of heat
source 146 used in each compartment 128 and the type of food in the
compartment. The size and/or speed of the fan system 156 and/or the
number, pattern and/or size of the openings 164, 168 associated
with each compartment 128 can be varied to regulate the air flow
around each tray 103 to provide optimum air flow for different food
products. Additionally, the number, size and/or pattern of the
opening(s) 164, 168 can be selected to closely control the amount
of moisture vented from each compartment 128 and thus optimize the
conditions for maintaining food quality over an extended period of
time.
[0053] An upper duct heat source 170 and a lower duct heat source
172 are positioned in the respective air ducting 162,160 for
heating air flowing along the selected flow path. The upper and
lower duct heat sources 170, 172 heat the air that flows through
the compartments so that, optionally, the food may also be warmed
by convective heating. The duct heat sources 170, 172 are
commercially available items, e.g., Chromalox electrical resistance
heater element sold by Carlton Company of St. Louis, Mo. The duct
heat sources 170, 172 may be used when additional heat is needed in
the compartments 128, such as when the initial temperature is low
or a large quantity of food is placed in the compartments. In one
embodiment, temperature sensors 174 (FIG. 9), such as conventional
resistive thermal detector type sensors known to those skilled in
the art, may be positioned in each of the compartments 128 or in
the air ducting 162, 160. The temperature sensors 174 provide
feedback to the control mechanism 140, for example, to supply an
indication of the temperature to the display 144, to control the
operation of the fan system 156, or to provide indications to a
warning system (not shown) that the temperature has exceeded a
selected threshold. The forced air mechanism 154 can also provide
recirculating air for forced cooling of the food stored in the
compartment 128. FIG. 9 illustrates a holding oven with a single
tier and a single forced air mechanism 154, but holding ovens 101
with multiple tiers can have separate fan systems with associated
air ducting 160, 162 for each tier within the scope of the
invention.
[0054] The air flow over the food in the tray 103 is controlled to
enable an operator to control the amount of moisture that
evaporates from the food. When the air flow direction is from the
bottom to the top, i.e., from the lower air ducting 160 through the
compartment 128 and into the upper air ducting 162, convection heat
is applied to the food in the tray from below the tray, and
infrared heat is applied from the heat sources 146 above the tray
103. By changing the direction of air flow so that air flows from
top to bottom, the food can be cooked or held with a combination of
convection heat and infrared heat directed from above the tray 103.
Depending on the food in the tray, air flow can be maintained
continuously from one direction, e.g., always from bottom to top,
throughout the cook/hold cycle. Alternately, the direction of the
air flow can be reversed during the cook/hold cycle so that air
flow is alternately directed from the bottom and from the top of
the food product. In one embodiment, the forced air mechanism 154
supplies air while the heat sources 146 are activated and is turned
off when the heat sources are deactivated.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10, each tray 103 is generally
rectangular in plan, having a bottom 180, opposite side walls each
designated 182, end walls each designated 184, and an open top. As
shown, each tray 103 has a rim 186 comprising a pair of laterally
extending lips 190 adapted for sliding sealing engagement with the
respective support flanges 144 in a compartment. One or more
openings such as indicated at 194 is/are provided in at least one
of the bottom 180 and/or the side walls 182 and end walls 184 for
allowing air to circulate through the tray 103 to vent moisture
from each tray. FIG. 10 shows a tray having sixteen openings 194 in
the bottom 180 and each side wall 182 and 8 openings 194 in each
end wall 184 arranged in a pattern such as illustrated. It is
contemplated that the number, pattern and size of openings 194 may
vary widely. For example, the openings 194 in the tray 103 may be
circular, oval, square or other shape and each opening may have an
area of between about 0.1 and about 1.0 square inch. It is
desirable that the combined area of the openings 194 in the tray is
less than about 50% of the area of the open top of the tray 103,
preferably less than about 25% and more preferably less than about
10% thereof. Also, it is contemplated that different trays 103
within the oven 101 may have different patterns of openings 194.
The combined areas of the openings 194 and/or the specific pattern
of openings in the tray 103 will vary depending on the type and
quantity of food in the tray 103. Whatever the circumstances, the
size and pattern of the opening(s) 194 can be selected to closely
control the amount of moisture evaporated from the tray 103 and
thus optimize the conditions for maintaining food quality over an
extended period of time.
[0056] The control mechanism 140 is used to selectively control the
environment, such as the temperature and/or air flow, in each
compartment 128 of the holding oven 101. As will be described more
fully hereafter, the control mechanism 140 is operable to vary the
amount of radiant heat as needed to maintain the food at a desired
holding temperature to preserve the quality of the food for a
longer period of time. As used herein, the term "selected holding
temperature" means either a single substantially constant
temperature (e.g., 180.degree. F.) or a range of temperatures
(e.g., 160-180.degree. F.). In one embodiment, the control
mechanism comprises suitable timer and duty cycle controls to
control the length of the duty cycle of each heat source 146, the
term "duty cycle" meaning the ratio of heat source on-time to heat
source on-time plus heat source off-time. The control mechanism 140
uses a suitable microprocessor and appropriate software to control
relays 198 (FIG. 11) that activate the heat sources 146, 170 and
172 and fans 156.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic of a portion of one
embodiment of an oven control circuit, generally indicated at 196,
that is controlled by the control mechanism 140. The circuit 196
operates the heat sources 146 in the multiple compartments 128 of
the holding oven and the heat sources 170, 172 in the upper and
lower ducting 160, 162. In the embodiment shown, the control
mechanism 140 regulates the heat sources in the holding oven 101 by
energizing conventional relays 198. It is understood that the
control mechanism 140 may independently operate the heat sources
146 in the compartments 128, such that the heat source 146 for one
compartment may be actuated while the corresponding heat source for
another compartment is at a different level of activation or
deactivated. Additionally, the control mechanism 140 may
independently operate the upper and lower duct heat sources 170,
172 such that neither, one or both heat sources in a flow path may
be operating, and such that, for example, the top heat source may
be operated in one tier while the bottom heat source may be
operated in another tier. Using a keypad 142 or other suitable
operator input device, the control mechanism 140 can be programmed
to control the heat sources 146, 170 and 172 to adjust various
parameters, such as, for example, the ambient hold time, the heated
hold time, the total hold time, the percentage heater on time, the
time base of the duty cycle, the cook or rethermalization time,
and/or the temperature, as more fully described below. As such, the
control mechanism 140 controls operation of the heat sources 146
independent of one another so that the temperature in each
compartment 128 may be independently controlled.
[0058] Typically, the holding oven 101 will operate in at least two
modes. In a first "cool down and hold" mode, the initial
temperature of the food placed in the holding oven is higher than
the desired holding temperature of the food, as is typically the
case when the food has just been cooked in a cooking appliance
(e.g., cooking or baking oven, frier, etc.) and then is transferred
to the holding oven. In this mode, the control mechanism 140 is
operable to maintain the heat source in a respective compartment
128 deactivated (or at a low level of activation) while the
pre-cooked food in the compartment 128 cools down to the selected
holding temperature during a duration of non-heated holding time,
and for then controlling the heat source 146 in the compartment 128
to maintain the food in the compartment 128 at or near the selected
holding temperature for a duration of heated holding time. In a
second "heat up and hold" or "rethermalizing" mode, the initial
temperature of the pre-cooked food placed in the oven is lower than
the desired holding temperature of the food, as where the food has
been cooked and then refrigerated before placement in the holding
oven. In this mode, the control mechanism 140 is operable to
activate the heat source in the compartment 128 to raise the
temperature in the compartment 128 to the selected holding
temperature during a duration of rethermalizing holding time, and
for then controlling the heat source 146 in the at least one
compartment 128 to maintain the food in the compartment 128 at the
selected holding temperature for the duration of heated holding
time. It will be understood that the oven 1 of FIG. 1 can be used
in a similar manner without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0059] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an example of the operation of
the holding oven 101 in the first (cool down and hold) mode. In
particular, FIG. 12 illustrates a time vs. temperature curve for a
complete duration of holding time D for one compartment 128 of the
oven 101, and FIG. 13 illustrates a time vs. activation curve for
the heat source 146 of that same compartment during the holding
time duration D. The time vs. temperature curve of FIG. 12 plots
the temperature of the food product as a function of time. One
skilled in the art will understand that this curve can be different
for each type of food product to be held in the oven 101.
[0060] In a cool down and hold situation, a food product is
typically cooked as by frying, grilling, baking, etc., in a cooking
appliance until a desired high internal temperature, usually
between about 170 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit (.degree. F.), is
achieved. After the food is cooked, the food product is placed in a
tray 103 and inserted into compartment 128 in the oven 101.
Alternatively, the food can be placed in the oven without the use
of a tray. Using the keypad 142 or other input device, the operator
selects a desired holding temperature, indicated at T, which will
be lower than the temperature Tc of the food initially placed in
the compartment. The holding temperature T is the desired
temperature for maintaining the pre-cooked food to preserve taste,
appearance and/or other food quality. The operator also selects a
duration of holding time D. The duration of holding time D is the
total time the food is to be held in the oven 101 and maintained at
a desired quality level. Alternatively, the control mechanism 140
can be programmed so that the operator need only select the type of
food to be placed in the compartment and the control mechanism 140
automatically uses preselected settings for that type of food.
[0061] In general, when the holding oven is operating in the cool
down and hold mode, it is desirable that food introduced into the
oven be allowed to quickly cool down to the selected holding
temperature, and that the food be held at this temperature
thereafter. Thus, the duration of holding time D may comprise an
ambient hold time, i.e., a period of non-heated cool-down time such
as indicated at B in FIG. 12, during which time the food product is
allowed to cool to the desired holding temperature T. Preferably,
during the ambient hold time B, heat source 146 is either in a
deactivated state or a state in which it is delivering a relatively
low quantity of radiant heat to the food so that the food product
may cool down more rapidly than if the heat source was at full
power. The food product is allowed to cool for the ambient hold
time B until it reaches the desired hold temperature T as
illustrated at point A. In one embodiment, forced air flow from the
forced air mechanism 154 (FIG. 9) can be used to more rapidly
decrease the temperature. After the internal temperature of the
food decreases to the desired hold temperature T, the food is held
near the desired hold temperature to preserve food quality for a
period of heated hold time, indicated at C, comprising the
remaining portion of the holding time duration D. During the heated
holding time C, the heat source 146 may be operated in duty cycles
to apply the appropriate amount of radiant heat to the food.
Additionally, the control mechanism 140 controls the heat sources
170, 172 and the fan system 156 to maintain the internal food
temperature at or near the desired hold temperature T during the
heated hold time C.
[0062] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment in which the heat source
146 is successively activated and deactivated in a controlled
sequence or duty cycle, indicated at G, to maintain the temperature
in the compartment 128 near the selected holding temperature T. In
this particular embodiment, each duty cycle G comprises a heating
interval E during which time the heat source 146 is activated
followed by a non-heating interval F during which time the heat
source is deactivated. The time-base of the duty cycle G is the
time required to complete one cycle of activation and deactivation
of the heat source 146 as shown in FIG. 13. In one embodiment, the
time-base of the duty cycle G and the percent on time of the heat
source 146 (i.e., the duration of heating interval E divided by the
time-base of the duty cycle G expressed as a percent) maintains the
actual temperature within the compartment 128 within at least about
15 degrees of the desired temperature, preferably within at least
about 10 degrees, more preferably within about 5 degrees, and even
more preferably within about 2 degrees of the desired
temperature.
[0063] The operator is able to set various parameters using the
keypad 142 or other input device of the control mechanism 140, such
as the ambient hold time delay B, the heating interval E, the
time-base of the duty cycle G, and/or total hold time D. These
parameters can be selected by the operator or preset for the type
of food product in the compartment 128 so that the operator need
only select the proper food product. The control mechanism 140 in
an oven 101 having more than one compartment 128 can control the
duty cycle of the heat source 146 in each compartment to maintain
the temperatures in the compartments at different levels.
[0064] Using the keypad 142 or other input device, an operator can
also control the operation of the forced air mechanism 154 (FIG. 9)
by activating the fan system 156 or selecting the direction of
forced air flow. In one embodiment, forced air flow from the forced
air mechanism 154 conveys convective heating air into the
compartments 128 at locations below the trays 103 for flow in a
generally upward direction toward the trays 103. Alternately, the
ventilation system conveys heating air into the compartments 128 at
locations above the trays 103 for flow in a generally downward
direction toward the trays 103. The fan system 156 can be operated
such that heating air is circulated through the compartments 128 in
one direction and then the direction of air flow is reversed to
circulate heating air through the compartments 128 in the opposite
direction. Using the keypad 142 or other input device of the
control mechanism 140, the operator is able to select the duration
that the fan system 156 circulates air through the compartments
128. For example, in one embodiment, the forced air mechanism 154
operates in a controlled sequence during the duty cycle G such that
the fan system 156 is activated when the heat sources 146 are
activated and is deactivated when the heat sources are deactivated.
Alternately, the fan system 156 can be continuously activated for
the duration of the total hold time D or can be activated so that
the fan system is on a desired percentage of the duty cycle G
independent of the heat sources. Preferably, the fan system 156 is
activated a suitable percentage of the time to control the
evaporation of moisture from the food in the compartment 128. The
percentage of time the fan system 156 is activated desirably
depends on the type and/or the amount of food placed in the
compartment 128. The percentage of time the fan system 156 is
activated and the direction of air flow can be selected by the
operator or preset for the type of food product in the compartment
128 so that the operator need only select the proper food product.
Additionally, the vertical position of at least one tray 103 in a
respective compartment 128 may be varied.
[0065] Set forth below are exemplary oven settings for particular
food products when the oven is operating in a cool down and hold
mode.
EXAMPLE 1
Fried Chicken Nuggets
[0066] Ambient hold time delay (B)=10 minutes
[0067] Hold temperature (T)=180.degree. F.
[0068] Time-base of duty cycle (G)=120 seconds
[0069] Percent on time (E)=50%
[0070] Total hold time (D)=60 minutes
EXAMPLE 2
Fried Apple Turnover
[0071] Ambient hold time delay (B)=25 minutes
[0072] Hold temperature (T)=200.degree. F.
[0073] Time base of duty cycle (G)=120 seconds
[0074] Percent on time (E)=40%
[0075] Total hold time (D)=240 minutes
[0076] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an example of the operation of
the oven 101 in the second (heat up and hold or rethermalizing)
mode. In particular, FIG. 14 illustrates a time vs. temperature
curve for a complete hold cycle D for one compartment 128 of the
oven 101, and FIG. 15 illustrates a time vs. activation curve for
the heat source 146 of that same compartment during the hold cycle
D. The time vs. temperature curve of FIG. 14 plots the temperature
of the food product as a function of time. One skilled in the art
will understand that this curve can be different for each type of
food product to be held in the oven 101.
[0077] In this mode, the oven 101 is used to raise the temperature
of a food product to a selected temperature and hold the food
product at the selected temperature. A tray 103 containing a food
product at an initial temperature T.sub.1 is placed into the
compartment 128. (Temperature T.sub.1 may vary from a frozen or
refrigerated temperature to ambient or above.) Using the keypad 142
or other input device, the operator selects a desired holding
temperature T (which will be higher than the initial food
temperature T.sub.I), and a duration of holding time D.
Alternatively, the control mechanism 140 can be programmed so that
the operator need only select the type of food to be placed in the
compartment and the control mechanism 140 automatically uses
preselected settings for that type of food. In either case, the
control mechanism is operable to activate the heat source 146 to
raise the temperature of the food product for a duration of heat-up
or rethermalization time, indicated at I, the food reaching the
holding temperature T at time H. The heat source 146 is then
activated and deactivated during the heated holding time C for
successive duty cycles G to maintain the food in the compartment
128 at the selected holding temperature T for the duration the
total hold time D. In one embodiment, the duration of the heated
holding time C includes intervals of the duty cycle G when the heat
source 146 is activated as indicated by E and intervals during
which the heat source is deactivated as indicated by F as described
above.
[0078] Set forth below are exemplary oven settings for particular
food products when the oven is operating in a heat-up and hold
mode.
EXAMPLE 3
Diced Frozen Chicken
[0079] Rethermalization time (I)=40 minutes
[0080] Hold temperature(T)=220.degree. F.
[0081] Time-base of duty cycle (G)=180 seconds
[0082] Percent on time (E)=50%
[0083] Total hold time(D)=160 minutes
EXAMPLE 4
Refrigerated Beef BBO
[0084] Rethermalization time (I)=30 minutes
[0085] Hold temperature(T)=210.degree. F.
[0086] Time base of duty cycle (G)=180 seconds
[0087] Percent on time (E)=30%
[0088] Total hold time(D)=240 minutes
[0089] With the heating system of the present invention and the
capability of controlling the evaporation of moisture from the
trays 103, the holding time (D) for fast service cooked foods such
as chicken and french fries is substantially increased, and good
texture and taste are maintained. In this respect, controlling the
rate of evaporation of moisture from chicken, for example,
precludes drying out and toughening of the chicken fibers and
precludes the breading from becoming dry and greasy. And with
respect to french fries, for example, development of a dry, rubbery
texture as moisture is lost and the outer skin loses crispness is
precluded.
[0090] In the embodiments described above, the control mechanism
140 uses a duty-cycle system to control the amount of radiant heat
delivered to the pre-cooked food by the heat sources. In this type
of system, the percentage of heater on and off time is adjusted to
vary the radiant energy as needed to maintain the food at the
suitable holding temperature. It will be understood, however, that
the control mechanism 140 can vary the amount of radiant energy
delivered to the food in other ways. For example, the heat sources
146 may be variable-power heaters operable to deliver radiant heat
at multiple discrete energy levels or at an infinite number of
levels between full-power and zero power (as by varying the voltage
to the heaters), and the control mechanism 140 may operate to
increase and decrease the radiant heat delivered by the heaters in
a controlled, pre-programmed manner to maintain a particular food
at its ideal holding temperature.
[0091] The particular program used by the control mechanism 140 to
control a heat source 146 for any given type of food may be
determined empirically. Alternatively, the control mechanism 140
can include one or more sensors and one or more appropriate
feedback loops for each compartment or group of components of the
holding oven. For example, in one embodiment, at least one sensor
is used in each compartment to detect a characteristic indicative
of the temperature of the food in the compartment, and the control
mechanism is responsive to signals received from the at least one
sensor to control the heat source 146 to vary the radiant heat
delivered to the pre-cooked food to maintain it at a holding
temperature appropriate for that food. The characteristic detected
by the one or more sensors may be the temperature of the air in the
compartment, or the temperature of a surface in the compartment, or
the radiant IR energy emitted by the food in the compartment, or
some other characteristic. Thus, the sensor may be a standard
temperature sensor, or an IR emissions detector, or some other type
of detector capable of detecting the aforesaid characteristic
indicative of the temperature of the food in the compartment.
[0092] FIGS. 16-21 show another embodiment of food warming
apparatus of this invention, generally designated 201. The
apparatus comprises a cabinet 203 having two horizontal tiers of
compartments, two compartments per tier (each compartment being
designated 207). It will be understood that the number of tiers can
vary from one to any number more than one, and that the number of
compartments 207 in each tier may vary from one to any number more
than one. In the particular embodiment shown, each compartment is
sized to receive a single tray T, but it will be understood that
each compartment 207 may be sized to receive more than one tray, or
that some compartments may be sized to receive one tray and other
compartments more than one tray. In other embodiments (to be
discussed later), food is placed in one or more compartments 207
without the use of a tray.
[0093] The cabinet 203 has front and back panels 211, 213 with
openings 215 aligned with the compartments 207 in the cabinet to
allow food (either in or out of trays T) to be placed into the
compartments and removed from the compartments from both ends of
the compartments. The cabinet also has a bottom wall 221, side
walls 223, a top wall 225, a vertical partition or divider 227
extending between the top and bottom walls of the cabinet to
separate the two compartments 207 in each tier, and a horizontal
partition or divider 231 extending between the side walls 223 to
separate the compartments in the upper tier from the compartments
in the lower tier. As a result, the interior of the cabinet is
divided into a plurality of separate, thermally isolated holding
compartments 207, and each compartment is completely enclosed on
opposite sides, top and bottom so that food flavors are prevented
(or at least inhibited) from transferring between compartments.
Suitable thermal insulation (not shown) is provided adjacent the
walls of each compartment 207.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 19, for example each compartment 207 has a
heat source 235 for emitting radiant heat down on pre-cooked food
in the compartment. As noted previously, this heat source 225 may
comprise one or more IR heat lamps or the like, each mounted by a
suitable fixture adjacent to the top wall of the compartment. A
reflector 241 is provided in each compartment 207 over the best
source 235 for reflecting radiant heat in a generally downward
direction through a cover panel 245 of suitable material capable of
transmitting the heat (e.g., glass). The food in the compartment
207 is positioned a distance D1 below the heat source 235, as shown
in FIG. 19. Distance D1 is desirably relatively small to reduce or
minimize the size (e.g., vertical height) of the cabinet 203. In
one embodiment, for example, distance D1 is less than 12 in.; in
another it is less than 11 in.; in another it is less than 10 in.;
in another it is less than 9 in.; in another it is less than 8 in.;
in another it is less than 7 in.; in another it is less than 6 in.;
in another it is less than 5 in.; in another it is less than 4 in.;
in another it is less than 3 in.; in another it is less than 2 in.;
in another it is less than 1 in.; and in another it less than 0.5
in. In other embodiments, distance D1 may be in the range of 0.25
in. to 10 in., or in the range of 0.25 in. to 8 in., or in the
range of 0.25 in. to 6 in., or in the range of 0.25 to 4 in., or in
the range of 0.25 to 3 in., or in the range of 0.25 in. to 2 in.,
or in the range of 0.25 in. to 1 in. Where the pre-cooked food is
placed in one or more trays, as shown in FIG. 19, each tray T is
supported by supports 247 in a respective compartment 207 at an
elevation where the bottom of the tray is spaced above the floor of
the compartment a suitable distance D2. Distance D2 may be in the
range of 0-12 in., and more preferably 0.5-1.0 in. Alternatively,
the food may be placed on the floor of the compartment.
[0095] The heat sources 235 in the cabinet 203 are controlled by a
suitable control mechanism 251, similar to the control mechanism
140 described above, which can be used to operate each heat source
235 independently of the other heat sources to deliver varying
amounts of radiant energy to the food in a respective compartment.
In this manner, the amount of radiant energy delivered to the food
in a compartment 207 can be closely controlled to maintain the food
at an appropriate holding temperature for that particular food, as
described above. Also, because the amount of radiant heat delivered
to the food is varied as a function of time, the heat source 235 in
each compartment 207 can be placed much closer to the food (e.g.,
distance D1 in FIG. 19, discussed above) which has the desirable
advantage of reducing the size of the cabinet 203. This is in
contrast to conventional IR holding units where the energy
delivered by the heat source is not variable. Rather, the heat
source is energized to deliver full power all of the time. As a
result, the heat source must be positioned relatively far from the
food (e.g., 12 in. or more).
[0096] In one embodiment, the control mechanism 251 is programmed
for different types of food, so that after food has been placed in
a particular compartment 207, an operator simply selects that type
of food from a suitable menu on a display (not shown) on the
cabinet. The control mechanism then automatically selects the
appropriate heating protocol for the food selected, including one
or more of the following: the ideal holding temperature for the
food selected; the duration of holding time ("holding duration");
and the manner in which the heat source in each compartment is to
be varied to maintain the food at the desired holding temperature
(e.g., percent on time during each duty cycle, if duty cycles are
used). For convenience, the control 251 also includes a timer which
times out the holding duration, and a display 255 which shows the
time remaining until the end of holding duration. The control
mechanism 251 may also include a visual and/or audible alarm for
alerting an operator at a predetermined time before the end of the
holding duration, so that steps can be taken to start cooking a
fresh batch or batches of additional food. (At the end of a holding
duration, any food remaining in the compartments 207 is typically
disposed of and replaced by freshly cooked food.)
[0097] As noted previously, an important aspect of this invention
is the ability of the control mechanism 251 to vary the amount of
radiant heat delivered by the heat source in each compartment 207
to the pre-cooked food in the compartment. In general, or at least
typically, it is desirable that pre-cooked food introduced into the
compartment be allowed to cool down as quickly as possible to the
desired holding temperature, and that the food be held relatively
constant at the desired holding temperature using a minimum of
power to the heat source 235. The graphs in FIGS. 22A and 22B
illustrate this concept. FIG. 22A graphs time v. temperature in one
compartment 207. Pre-cooked food introduced into the compartment at
time T.sub.0 cools down to the desired holding temperature at time
T.sub.1. Thereafter, the food is substantially maintained at the
holding temperature for the remainder of the holding duration D.
FIG. 22B is a graph of time v. the radiant energy delivered by the
heat source 235 to the food. In the particular embodiment shown in
this graph, the heat source is operated at a first relatively low
level (where the heater is either off or delivering radiant heat at
low level of energy or power) during a first phase P1 from time
T.sub.0 to time T.sub.1, so that little or no radiant energy is
delivered to the food. As a result, the temperature of the food
declines relatively rapidly toward ambient temperature. When the
temperature of the food approaches (or reaches) the desired holding
temperature, the control mechanism 251 causes the heat source 235
in the compartment 207 to deliver radiant heat at a second higher
level (e.g., 70% of maximum) to stop the decline in temperature of
the food and hold it at about the desired holding temperature
during a second phase P2 from time T.sub.1 to time T.sub.2. After
the temperature of the food has equilibrated at the desired holding
temperature, which will vary depending on the particular type of
food, the control mechanism 251 causes the heat source 235 to
reduce the amount of radiant heat delivered to the food to a third
level (e.g., 30% maximum) sufficient to maintain the food at the
desired holding temperature during a third phase P3 from time T2
until the end of the holding period at time T3.
[0098] It will be understood that the graphs shown in FIGS. 22A and
22B can vary, and that the number of phases P1, P2, P3 discussed
above can vary without departing from the scope of this
invention.
[0099] FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of a holding oven of this
invention, generally designated 301. The oven is similar to those
described above except that the cabinet of the unit has only one
compartment. In this embodiment, food is not placed in a tray, but
rather on the bottom wall 307 or other supporting surface in the
compartment, and the heat source 311 is closely spaced above the
food to heat the food and maintain it at the desired holding
temperature. The spacing D1 between the food and the IR heat source
is relatively small (as discussed above) to reduce the overall
height dimension of the oven 301. The heat source 311 is controlled
by a control mechanism 140, 251 of the type described above.
[0100] FIG. 24 shows a holding oven, generally designated 401,
which is similar to the oven shown in FIG. 23. In this embodiment,
the single compartment 403 of the oven is sized to hold multiple
trays T. All other aspects of the oven, including the heat source
and control mechanism, are the same.
[0101] FIG. 25 shows a holding oven, generally designated 501,
which is similar to the oven shown in FIG. 24 except that the oven
is divided into three compartments 503, each of which is capable of
receiving food placed on the bottom wall or other supporting
surface in the compartment. Partitions 507 between the compartments
prevent or at least inhibit the transfer of food flavors between
adjacent compartments. Each compartment 503 has its own heat source
511 which is spaced relatively closely to the bottom wall of the
compartment to maintain the distance between the food and the heat
source within the ranges (e.g., distance D1) described above. The
heat sources 511 are controlled by a control mechanism similar to
the control mechanism 140, 251 described above.
[0102] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0103] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several
objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous
results attained. As various changes could be made in the above
constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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