U.S. patent application number 12/149682 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for radiant liquid heating container.
This patent application is currently assigned to THERMODYNE FOODSERVICE PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Jay Paul Tippmann, Vincent Paul Tippmann, JR..
Application Number | 20080283042 12/149682 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39645689 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tippmann, JR.; Vincent Paul ;
et al. |
November 20, 2008 |
Radiant liquid heating container
Abstract
A radiant liquid heating device includes a container for holding
a liquid. The container includes an opening for dispensing the
fluid and a closed bottom. A base member is mounted relative to the
closed bottom. The base member is spaced a predetermined distance
relative to the closed bottom to provide an air gap therebetween.
The base member is exposed to a heat source wherein the base member
shields the bottom of the container from being in direct contact
with the heat source to provide a source of radiant heat for
maintaining a liquid disposed within the container at a
predetermined temperature.
Inventors: |
Tippmann, JR.; Vincent Paul;
(Fort Wayne, IN) ; Tippmann; Jay Paul; (Fort
Wayne, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
THERMODYNE FOODSERVICE PRODUCTS,
INC.
Fort Wayne
IN
|
Family ID: |
39645689 |
Appl. No.: |
12/149682 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60916434 |
May 7, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/390.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 36/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/390.1 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/00 20060101
F24H009/00 |
Claims
1. A radiant liquid heating container comprising: a container for
holding a liquid, said container including an opening for
dispensing the fluid and a closed bottom; and a base member adapted
to be mounted relative to the closed bottom, said base member being
spaced a predetermined distance relative to said closed bottom to
provide an air gap therebetween; said base member being adapted to
be exposed to a heat source wherein the base member shields the
bottom of the container from being in direct contact with the heat
source to provide a source of radiant heat for maintain a liquid
disposed within said container at a predetermined temperature.
2. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein the container is constructed of glass and the base member
is constructed of aluminum.
3. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein an interior surface of said base member is coated with a
non-reflecting surface for enhancing the transmission of radiant
heat transmitted to the container.
4. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 3,
wherein the non-reflecting surface is black paint.
5. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein the base member is sealed relative to the container for
forming a water proof and air tight gap disposed between the closed
bottom of the container and an interior surface of the base
member.
6. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 5,
wherein the seal is constructed of plastic.
7. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 5,
wherein the seal is a silicone seal.
8. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein the base member includes an outer circumferential surface
for engaging an outer circumferential surface of the container at a
predetermined point, said predetermined point being displaced
upwardly from a bottom portion of the base member to prevent spot
heating of a liquid disposed within the container.
9. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein said base member is removably mounted relative to said
container to permit removal of the base member from the container
for cleaning.
10. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1, and
further including spacer members being disposed between said base
member and said container for maintaining the gap therebetween.
11. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 1,
wherein the container is constructed of metal and the base member
is constructed of metal.
12. A radiant liquid heating container comprising: a container
including an opening for dispensing a liquid and a closed bottom;
and a base member mounted relative to the closed bottom, said base
member being spaced a predetermined distance relative to said
closed bottom to provide an air gap therebetween; said base member
being exposed to a heat source wherein the base member shields the
bottom of the container from being in direct contact with the heat
source to provide a source of radiant heat for maintain a liquid
disposed within said container at a predetermined temperature
without burning the liquid.
13. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein the container is constructed of glass and the base member
is constructed of aluminum.
14. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein an interior surface of said base member is coated with a
non-reflecting surface for enhancing the transmission of radiant
heat transmitted to the container.
15. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 14,
wherein the non-reflecting surface is black paint.
16. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein the base member is sealed relative to the container for
forming a water proof and air tight gap disposed between the closed
bottom of the container and an interior surface of the base
member.
17. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 16,
wherein the seal is constructed of plastic.
18. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 16,
wherein the seal is a silicone seal.
19. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein the base member includes an outer circumferential surface
for engaging an outer circumferential surface of the container at a
predetermined point, said predetermined point being displaced
upwardly from a bottom portion of the base member to prevent spot
heating of a liquid disposed within the container.
20. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein said base member is removably mounted relative to said
container to permit removal of the base member from the container
for cleaning.
21. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12, and
further including spacer members being disposed between said base
member and said container for maintaining the gap therebetween.
22. The radiant liquid heating container according to claim 12,
wherein the container is constructed of metal and the base member
is constructed of metal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/916,434 filed on May 7,
2007 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a radiant liquid heating
container wherein a base member is mounted relative to the bottom
of the container with a predetermined space providing an air gap
between the container and the base for maintaining a liquid
disposed within the container at a predetermined temperature.
[0004] 2. Description of Background Art
[0005] Hithertofore, a container for maintaining a liquid at a
predetermined temperature is normally exposed directly to a heat
source. After the liquid is heated on the heat source for a certain
period of time, the liquid in the container may be burned by the
direct contact of the container relative to the heat source. This
is a particular problem with respect to coffee that is brewed and
thereafter exposed directly to a heat source. The heat source makes
point contact with the container to burn certain portions of the
coffee.
[0006] More specifically, a liquid product, such as coffee, is
maintained in a heated condition by placing the container holding
the liquid directly on a heat source, such as a burner. Normally,
three points of contact are made between the container and the
burner for conducting the heat of the burner to the container. At
the points of contact with the burner, the container is heated to a
very high temperature that results in a burning of the liquid
within the container. When coffee is disposed in the container, the
coffee is burned and the liquid within the container is boiled off
to produce a coffee product that is not fit for consumption.
[0007] In addition, a thermos may be used for storing a heated
liquid. However, with time the liquid within the thermos will cool
and thus become unsuitable for consumption.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to
provide a radiant heater for maintaining a liquid within a
container at a predetermined temperature without adversely
affecting the taste of the liquid.
[0009] It is another object of an embodiment of the present
invention to provide a radiant heater for maintaining a liquid
within a container at a predetermined temperature by displacing the
container to form a gap between the container and a base member for
heating the container by use of radiant heat while eliminating the
point contact between the container and the burner.
[0010] These and other objects of the invention are achieved by
providing a radiant liquid heating container that includes a
container for holding a fluid with an opening for dispensing the
fluid and a closed bottom. A base member is mounted relative to the
closed bottom. The base member is spaced a predetermined distance
relative to the closed bottom to provide an air gap therebetween.
The base member is exposed to a heat source wherein the base member
shields the bottom of the container from being in direct contact
with the heat source to provide a source of radiant heat for
maintaining a liquid disposed within the container at a
predetermined temperature.
[0011] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container for heating a
liquid;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base member that is formed
to fit the bottom of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base member with a dark
surface coating the interior of the base member;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the container being
mounted on the base member;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the container with
the base member being secured relative thereto;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container and the
base member illustrating the gap that is formed between the bottom
of the container and the base member; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a metal container with a
base member illustrating the gap that is formed between the bottom
of the container and the base member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a container 10 for holding a liquid. The
container 10 includes an opening 12 for dispensing the liquid and a
closed bottom 14. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a base member 20 for
mounting relative to the container 10. The base member 20 includes
an interior surface 22 with a circumferential surface 26 and a
closed bottom 24. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the interior surface
may be coated with a non-reflective material 26.
[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base member 20 is
adapted to be mounted relative to the closed bottom 14. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the base member 20 is spaced a predetermined
distance 30 relative to the closed bottom 14 to provide an air gap
therebetween. In one embodiment of the invention, the gap may be
1/4 of an inch, 0.625 cm.
[0022] The base member 20 is adapted to be exposed to a heat
source, such as an electric heater with a certain watt/density of
heat being supplied to the plate that is mounted on the heat
source. The base member 20 shields the bottom 14 of the container
10 from being in direct contact with the heat source to provide a
source of radiant heat for maintain a liquid disposed within said
container 10 at a predetermined temperature.
[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the container 10 may be
constructed of glass and the base member 20 may be constructed of
aluminum or any other suitable metallic material.
[0024] The interior surface 22 of said base member 20 is coated
with a non-reflecting surface 26 for enhancing the transmission of
radiant heat transmitted to the container 10. The non-reflecting
surface 26 may be black paint or any material for aiding in the
transmission of radiant heat to the container 10.
[0025] The base member 20 may be sealed relative to the container
10 for forming a water proof and air tight gap disposed between the
closed bottom 14 of the container 10 and the interior surface 22 of
the base member 20. The seal may be constructed of plastic or the
seal may be a silicone seal.
[0026] The base member 20 includes an outer circumferential surface
28 for engaging an outer circumferential surface 18 of the
container 10 at a predetermined point 32. The predetermined point
32 is displaced upwardly from a bottom portion 24 of the base
member 20 to prevent spot heating of a liquid disposed within the
container 10.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the base member 20 is
removably mounted relative to the container 10 to permit removal of
the base member 20 from the container 10 for cleaning. In addition,
spacer members 34, 36 may be disposed between the base member 20
and the container 10 for maintaining the gap therebetween.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the container 100 may be
constructed of metal and the base member 120 may be constructed of
aluminum or any other suitable metallic material.
[0029] The interior surface 122 of said base member 120 is coated
with a non-reflecting surface 126 for enhancing the transmission of
radiant heat transmitted to the container 100. The non-reflecting
surface 126 may be black paint or any material for aiding in the
transmission of radiant heat to the container 100.
[0030] The base member 120 may be sealed relative to the container
100 for forming a water proof and air tight gap disposed between
the closed bottom 114 of the container 100 and the interior surface
122 of the base member 120. The seal may be constructed of plastic
or the seal may be a silicone seal.
[0031] The base member 120 includes an outer circumferential
surface 128 for engaging an outer circumferential surface 118 of
the container 100 at a predetermined point 132. The predetermined
point 132 is displaced upwardly from a bottom portion 124 of the
base member 120 to prevent spot heating of a liquid disposed within
the container 100.
[0032] The base member 120 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be removably
mounted relative to the container 100 to permit removal of the base
member 120 from the container 100 for cleaning. In addition, spacer
members 134, 136 may be disposed between the base member 120 and
the container 100 for maintaining the gap therebetween.
[0033] The invention permits a liquid disposed with the container
10, 100 to be maintained at a predetermined temperature by use of
radiant heat and not conductive heat. By using radiant heat to
maintain a liquid such as coffee at a predetermined temperature the
present invention avoids problems in the prior art wherein the
coffee is burned by using conduction to heat at least three points
on the bottom of the container. Normally, if conduction heat is
used, the coffee would be heated to 300 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
at the three points of contact with the container which will result
in a burning of the coffee located in the particular areas in the
container adjacent to the three points of contact. In addition, the
conduction heat applied to the container will result in a boiling
off of the water in the coffee which will render the coffee unfit
for consumption. The present invention avoids the problems of the
prior art to provide coffee or soup that is maintained at a
predetermined temperature without burning or boiling off the
product to make it unacceptable for consumption.
[0034] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *