U.S. patent application number 11/638184 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for thermal food tray.
Invention is credited to Keith E. SR. Antal.
Application Number | 20070131698 11/638184 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38055419 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070131698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Antal; Keith E. SR. |
June 14, 2007 |
Thermal food tray
Abstract
A tray for handling food in a warming oven comprises a dish
portion a rim portion and a gasket portion. The dish portion is
constructed from a first material and has a base portion adapted
for handling of food products. The dish also has a wall portion
surrounding the entirety of the base portion and extending
therefrom. The wall portion has a closed end connected to the base
portion and an open end disposed away from the base portion. The
rim portion is constructed from a second material and extends
generally parallel to the wall portion, around the perimeter of the
dish portion. The rim portion has an attached end adapted for
compressive engagement with the open end of the wall and a free end
adapted to facilitate handling of the tray. The gasket is
compressively disposed between the dish and the rim and adapted to
restrict the movement of the dish away from the rim.
Inventors: |
Antal; Keith E. SR.; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IP GROUP OF DLA PIPER US LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE
1650 MARKET ST, SUITE 4900
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
38055419 |
Appl. No.: |
11/638184 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60749931 |
Dec 13, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/681 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/01 20130101;
A47J 39/006 20130101; A47J 45/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/681 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A tray for handling food in a warming oven comprising: a dish,
constructed from a first material, having a base portion adapted
for handling of food products, and a wall portion surrounding the
entirety of the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom, the
wall portion having a lower edge connected to the base portion and
an upper edge disposed away from the base portion; a rim,
constructed from a second material, the rim having a lower edge
adapted for engagement with the open end of the wall portion and a
free end adapted to facilitate handling of the tray; and a gasket
compressively disposed between the dish and the rim and adapted to
resiliently secure the dish and the rim.
2. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the first material is a
metal.
3. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the second material is a
plastic.
4. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the base portion
comprises at least one ridge extending along at least a portion
thereof.
5. The tray according to claim 1, the tray further comprising a
first end and a second end disposed longitudinally away from the
first end, each of the first and second ends having a gripping tab
portion extending longitudinally therefrom.
6. The tray according to claim 1, the free end of the rim having at
least one mounting tab extending along a lateral portion
thereof.
7. The tray according to claim 1, wherein one of the lower edge of
the rim and the upper edge of the dish has a first wall, a second
wall, and an attachment cavity disposed between the first and
second walls.
8. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the gasket has a
generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile, having an inner portion
and an outer portion, wherein each portion is adapted for
engagement with one of the upper edge of the wall portion of the
dish and the lower edge of the rim.
9. The tray according to claim 8, the gasket further comprising at
least one retaining rib extending therefrom for engagement with one
of the upper edge of the wall portion of the dish and the lower
edge of the rim.
10. The tray according to claim 9, wherein the retaining rib is
angled to facilitate movement of the gasket with respect to a
portion of the tray in a first direction and restrict the movement
of the gasket with respect to said portion in an opposing second
direction.
11. The tray according to claim 8, wherein the upper edge of the
wall of the dish is insertable into the inner portion of the
gasket.
12. The tray according to claim 11, wherein the outer portion of
the gasket is compressively insertable into the attachment cavity
of the rim, for retainment therein.
13. The tray according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion is
generally perpendicular to the base portion.
14. A tray for handling food in a warming oven comprising: a dish
constructed from a first material having a peripheral wall with
inner and outer faces; a rim constructed from a second material
having a peripheral cavity defined by inner and outer rim walls,
the second material having a greater coefficient of thermal
expansion than the first material; and a generally U-shaped gasket
constructed from a resilient material, having a first gasket
portion and a second gasket portion disposed on the peripheral wall
with the first gasket portion disposed adjacent to the inner face
and the second gasket portion disposed adjacent to the outer face;
wherein the rim disposed about the gasket and the peripheral wall
with the inner rim wall disposed proximate the first gasket portion
and the outer rim wall disposed proximate the second gasket
portion; and wherein a seal is formed between the inner wall and
the inner face of the peripheral wall, in conjunction with or
separately from the outer wall and the outer face of the peripheral
wall, due to compression of the first and second gasket portions
therebetween and at various states of thermal expansion of the
materials.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/749,931, filed Dec. 13, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to apparatus for keeping food warm
between the time of preparation and service.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Warming ovens are used in the food service industry to keep
food warm between the time of preparation and the time of service.
Trays constructed of plastic are presently used because of their
ease of handling, and their durability. When kept in the warming
oven, however, it is sometimes preferable that food is in contact
with metal surfaces, such as aluminum or stainless steel, rather
than plastic or other non-metal materials. Metals, however, are
subject to deformation and the development of sharp edges because
of wear and tear. Further, when stored at elevated temperature
conditions, metal tends to become hot to the touch, thereby making
the tray difficult to handle. Accordingly, it is desirable to
produce a tray that has the food storage characteristics of metal
while having properties of materials that are easier to handle at
elevated temperature conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to apparatus for keeping food warm
between the time of preparation and service. Specifically, the
invention relates to a tray for retaining food products in warming
ovens or other environmentally controlled devices.
[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a tray having a dish
portion, a rim portion and a gasket portion. The dish is
constructed from a first material and includes a base portion
adapted for handling food products. The dish also includes a wall
portion surrounding the entirety of the base portion and extending
upwardly therefrom to define a retaining area. The retaining area
is closed by the base portion at the bottom end of the wall and
opens away from the base portion at the upper end of the wall. The
rim is constructed from a second material and has an inner lip that
extends generally parallel to the wall portion of the dish. The
inner lip is secured around the perimeter of the wall of the dish.
The rim is attached to the wall by a compressive engagement. The
rim also has a free end for handling of the tray. The gasket is
compressively disposed in the lip and forms the compressive bond
between the dish and the rim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a form, which is presently preferred; it
being understood, that this invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the tray shown in
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tray shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tray
shown in FIG. 1, detailing the attachment of a dish to a rim.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tray according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the tray
shown in FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket for use in a
tray embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG.
6.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tray
shown in FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of tray shown mounted
within a warming oven.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] It will be appreciated that the following description is
intended to refer to specific embodiments of the invention selected
for illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or
limit the invention, other than in the appended claims.
[0018] In the Figures, in which like reference numerals indicate
like elements, there is shown an embodiment of a tray for use in
warming ovens, such as those commonly used in fast food
restaurants. The tray, which is identified generally by the numeral
10, may be used to store food in an orderly and easily accessible
manner while the food waits in a warming oven (not shown) or other
environmental control device prior to service, further preparation
or processing. For purposes of this disclosure, the directions up
and down, will refer respectively to those directions when viewed
in FIG. 1.
[0019] The warming oven may be used in a fast food restaurant to
hold prepared food between the time of preparation and the time of
serving. It is preferable that the warming oven keep the food in a
ready-to-eat state. Temperatures inside the warming oven may reach
levels above 180 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also desirable to
regulate the humidity within the oven to ensure that the food does
not become dried out or soggy. A tray for use in such ovens must be
constructed from materials that will withstand the conditions
within the oven, as well as other storage and cleaning conditions.
Further, because the tray is used in the food service industry, it
is preferable that the materials and construction meet the
guidelines of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for such
apparatus.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the tray 10 as illustrated includes
a dish portion 20, a rim portion 40 and a gasket 60. The gasket 60
is disposed between the dish 20 and the rim 40 for compressive
engagement of the dish 20 and rim 40 to form the tray 10.
[0021] The dish 20 includes a generally rectangular base 22
defining the bottom of the tray 10. Preferably, the length of the
tray 10 is about two feet and the width W is sufficient to
accommodate the food item that is to be contained therein, such as
a hamburger patty. The base 22 is generally flat and has an inner
surface 30 and an outer surface 32. A sidewall 24 extends upwardly
from the perimeter of the base 22. The sidewall 24 and the base 22
are preferably of unitary construction, and define the retaining
area of the dish 20. One or more ridges 26 may be provided
longitudinally along the base 22. The ridges 26 are generally
raised above the remainder of the inner surface 30 and support the
food (not shown) above the remainder of the inner surface 30 of the
base 22, thereby forming a passageway under the food for
circulation of heated air or allow for the drainage of juices from
the food. Those skilled in the art will recognize that although
longitudinal ridges 26 are shown, lateral ridges or some pattern or
ridges, bumps or other features may be disposed on the base without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0022] The wall 24 preferably surrounds the base portion 22. The
joint between the wall 24 and the base 22 is curved. The retaining
area is closed by the base 22 at the bottom and is open at the
upper end 24b along the top edge of the wall 24. As illustrated,
the wall 24 extends generally perpendicular to the base 22.
However, the wall may also extend outwardly and upwardly from the
base, or have other features without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0023] The rim portion 40 extends around the perimeter of the dish
20. Preferably, the rim 40 comprises a vertical section 42 having
an upper portion 43 and a lower portion 44. The lower portion 44
has an inner wall 44a and an outer wall 44b. A retaining channel 45
(FIG. 4) is preferably disposed between the inner and outer walls
44a, 44b. As will be described in further detail below, the
retaining cavity 45 is adapted to receive the open end 24b of the
wall 24 for securing the rim 40 to the dish 20.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the upper portion 43 of the
vertical section 42 of the rim 40 extends upwardly from the lower
portion 44. A plurality of apertures 47 may be provided through the
upper portion 43 to facilitate circulation of air into the tray 10.
Outer rim 48 extends outwardly along the longitudinal sides of the
rim 40. The outer rims 48 preferably have a generally arcuate cross
section with a rounded convex top surface 48a and a generally
concave bottom surface 48b. In some examples of the tray 10, the
bottom surface 48b may be sized to facilitate the mounting of the
tray 10 on rails disposed within the oven. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that a variety of configurations may be used to
facilitate mounting of the tray in an oven without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0025] Mounting end portions 52 are preferably disposed at
longitudinal ends of the rim 40. The mounting ends 52, like the
outer rims 48 preferably facilitate the mounting of the tray 10
inside of a warming oven. The mounting ends 52 extend across the
width W of the tray 10 and have downwardly depending corner
portions 53. The corner portions 53 are hollow, and are open on top
to facilitate grasping the trays 10. Slots 54 are also provided in
the mounting ends 52 and define a resilient tab for engagement of
the tray 10 by an oven structure (not shown), for retention of the
tray 10 in the oven.
[0026] A gasket 60 is disposed between the dish 20 and the rim 40
and adapted to resiliently secure the rim 40 to the dish 20. As
best seen in FIGS. 3-9, the gasket 60 preferably has an inverted,
generally U-shaped cross section with an upper portion 62 and outer
walls 64 extending downwardly therefrom. Internal ribs 66 extend
inwardly and upwardly into the central portion of the U-shape. The
internal ribs 66 facilitate the insertion of the upper end 24b of
the wall 24 into the gasket 60 and then resist the withdrawal of
the wall 24 therefrom. Outer ribs 68 are disposed on the outer
surface of the gasket 60. The outer ribs 68 preferably extend
outwardly and downwardly from the gasket wall in a manner that
facilitates the insertion of the gasket 60 into the retaining
cavity 45 formed by the inner and outer walls 44a, 44b of the rim
40 and restricts the movement of the gasket 60 therefrom.
[0027] During assembly, the gasket 60 is disposed about the dish
portion 20 by inserting the open end 24b of the wall 24 between the
outer walls 64 of the gasket 60. One wall 64 is preferably disposed
on the inside of the dish 20, while a second wall 64 is preferably
disposed on an outside of the dish 20. The inner ribs 66 preferably
engage the open end 24b and are pressed upwardly as the open end
24b is slid into the gasket 60. The angle of the inner ribs 66
preferably restricts the movement of the gasket 60 away from the
dish 20, once the open end 24b is inserted in the gasket 60. It is
preferable that the engagement between the gasket 60 and the dish
20 is tight, providing a snug fit between the two pieces 60, 20.
The wall 24 of the dish 20 may also be textured, bent, curled or
the like to increase frictional engagement with the gasket 60 and
to resist the disassembly of the tray 10.
[0028] After attachment of the gasket 60 to the dish 20, the gasket
60 is then inserted into the retaining cavity 45 of the rim 40. The
outer ribs 68 are shown as angled to facilitate the insertion of
the gasket 60 into the cavity 45 by allowing the inner and outer
walls 44a, 44b to slide along the ribs 68 while pushing them
towards the gasket 60. The ribs 68 may take other forms, such as
being straight or including a chamfer, so as to increase retention
of the gasket 60 in the cavity 45. Like the inner ribs 66, the
angle of the outer ribs 68 restricts the movement of the gasket 60
out of the cavity 45 once the gasket 60 is inserted therein. The
cavity 45 is preferably sized to compress the gasket 60 between the
first and second walls 44a, 44b and the open end 24b of the dish
wall 24. The deformation of the ribs 66, 68 and the compressable
nature of the material of the gasket 60 allows the gasket 60 to
resiliently retain the rim and the dish together. It is preferable
that the gasket 60 allow for thermal expansion of the dish 20 and
the rim 40, while still maintaining a seal between the two parts
20, 40.
[0029] The dish 20 is preferably constructed from a metal. Examples
of such metals are stainless steel, titanium and aluminum, with
aluminum being the preferred material. It is also preferable that
the rim 40 be constructed of a plastic material of the type
generally adapted to be used in temperature and variable humidity
conditions of a food preparation and warming oven, without
corrosion, deformation or reaction with surrounding materials. The
gasket 60 is preferably constructed from a material that maintains
a seal between the dish 20 and the rim 40 in heated conditions, as
well as at room temperature and in colder environments, such as
refrigerators or freezers. The gasket 60 is preferably adapted to
accommodate a ratio of thermal expansion of 10 to 1 between the
plastic of the rim 40 and the metal of the dish 20, respectively.
In other words, the plastic of the rim 40 may expand up to 10 times
more than the metal of the dish 20 at certain temperatures. Higher
ratios of expansion are also contemplated without departing from
the scope of the present invention. The gasket 60 should maintain a
seal after repeated use and cleaning of the tray. Such a material
should also be resistant to corrosion and hardening after exposure
to chemicals used in cleaning, as well as exposure to food products
in a variety of temperature and humidity conditions. As mentioned
above, it is preferable that the materials and construction used
meet the NSF guidelines for food service devices.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the tray 10, the seal is
maintained between the dish 20 and the rim 40 in a variety of
thermal states. For example, in a first state, such as when the
tray is inside of the oven and maintained at an elevated
temperature, the rim 40 may be expanded in such a way that the wall
64 of the gasket adjacent to wall 44a of the rim 40 experiences an
increase in compression between the wall 24 of the dish 20 and the
inner wall 44a. The compression of the inside gasket wall 64 occurs
because the plastic material of the rim 40 will normally expand at
a greater rate or amount than the metal of the dish 20 when both
are heated. Correspondingly, in a second state, the seal is
maintained by the compression of the wall 64 of the gasket 60
between the outer wall 44b of the rim 40 and the wall 24 of the
dish 20. This second state of thermal expansion occurs at a
temperature that is cooler than that discussed above for the first
state, such as when the tray is at a temperature that is cooler
than ambient room temperature. It is also preferable that during
the transition between the first and second states of thermal
expansion, the seal is maintained by the compression of at gasket
between the first and second walls 44a, 44b and the dish 20.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 10, in use, the tray 10 is placed
within an oven 70. The oven 70 is a traditional warming oven with
front and rear doors 72, 74. While the tray 10 is within the oven
70, heat is readily transferred through the metal dish portion 20,
and is less readily transferred through the rim 40. In instances
where food is prepared on one side of the oven 70 and served (or
further prepared) on the other side of the oven 70, the tray 10 may
inserted through the first door 72 and slid across the bottom 76 of
the oven 70. The tray 10 may then be removed using the second door
74. Alternatively, the slots 54 (not shown in FIG. 10) facilitate
the engagement of the tray 10 with a corresponding oven structure
(not shown), indicating to a user that the tray 10 is in its proper
position within the oven 70.
[0032] While a press fit between the dish 20 and the rim 40, with
the gasket 60 disposed therebetween, is the preferred method of
construction, other methods may be used contemplated without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Regardless of
the assembly method, it is desirable that a gasket is utilized
between the dish and the rim to simplify the manufacturing process,
to maintain a seal and to secure the dish to the rim.
[0033] A variety of modifications to the embodiments described will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure
provided herein. Thus, the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to
the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as
indicating the scope of the invention.
* * * * *