U.S. patent application number 13/313441 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for post-supported covers for food trays.
This patent application is currently assigned to PRINCE CASTLE, INC.. Invention is credited to Keith Dice, Jack Guasta, Michael M. Maciejewski, Loren J. Veltrop.
Application Number | 20120076903 13/313441 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41213718 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120076903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maciejewski; Michael M. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2012 |
Post-Supported Covers for Food Trays
Abstract
A food warming apparatus includes one or more heating
compartments that can hold one or more trays, each covered by a
cover, each tray containing previously cooked food portions. One or
more supports are disposed inside a heating compartment. A support
includes one or more guide members and one or more stop members. A
cover includes one or more engagement sections. Without a tray, the
cover rests on the one or more stop members. When a tray is
inserted into the receiving space defined by the cover and the
support, the cover is lifted. The one or more engagement sections
engage the one or more guide members to guide the upward motion of
the cover. The cover then rests on the tray to at least partially
block an open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of
liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained
therein.
Inventors: |
Maciejewski; Michael M.;
(St. Charles, IL) ; Dice; Keith; (Naperville,
IL) ; Veltrop; Loren J.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Guasta; Jack; (Glendale Heights, IL) |
Assignee: |
PRINCE CASTLE, INC.
Carol Stream
IL
|
Family ID: |
41213718 |
Appl. No.: |
13/313441 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12109429 |
Apr 25, 2008 |
8091472 |
|
|
13313441 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/389 ;
426/418 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 39/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/389 ;
426/418 |
International
Class: |
A47J 39/02 20060101
A47J039/02; A23L 1/01 20060101 A23L001/01 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method for covering a tray in a food warming apparatus, said
food warming apparatus including a heating compartment, said tray
having a lip defining a tray opening, said method comprising:
providing a support that fits into said heating compartment, said
support including at least one stop member and at least one guide
member; providing a cover for said tray, said cover including at
least one engagement section for engaging said at least one guide
member; mounting said cover on said support in a first position
such that said cover rests on said at least one stop member and
said at least one engagement section engages said at least one
guide member; inserting said support with said cover mounted
thereon into said heating compartment such that said cover and said
support cooperatively define a receiving space within said heating
compartment for receiving said tray; and inserting said tray into
said receiving space until said cover is in a second position in
which said cover rests on said lip of said tray and at least
partially blocks said tray opening.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein inserting said tray into said
receiving space until said cover is in a second position comprises:
said cover moving upwardly from said first position to said second
position, guided by said at least one guide member.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: withdrawing said
tray from said heating compartment, wherein said cover moves
downwardly from second position to said first position, guided by
said at least one guide member.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one engagement
section at least partially surrounds said at least one guide
member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the field of food preparation.
More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and
method for maintaining in a ready-to-use condition cooked food
portions that are contained in a food tray and covered by a
cover.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In many establishments, such as fast food restaurants,
certain food items are cooked well in advance of when they are
ordered by or served to the customer. Examples of such food items
can include sandwich fillings, such as cooked eggs, hamburger
patties, breaded foods, such as chicken nuggets, or baked goods,
such as muffins. These previously cooked food portions are often
maintained in a ready-to-use condition until they served to the
customer. This typically involves maintaining the previously cooked
food portions at a serving temperature in the range of from about
140.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F., depending on the food
item.
[0005] Various food warming apparatus have been developed to
maintain previously cooked food items at a desired serving
temperature. Such food warming apparatus are sometimes referred to
as staging cabinets, holding cabinets, or warming cabinets. One of
the challenges associated with food warming apparatus is being able
to preserve the flavor, appearance, and texture of the previously
cooked food items while they are being maintained at the desired
serving temperature. In particular, certain types of food items,
such as cooked eggs and hamburger patties have a tendency to dry
out undesirably when they are kept warm for extended periods of
time.
[0006] One commonly used way to protect previously cooked food
items for which drying out is a concern, is to place the food items
in a container, such as a tray, and to provide a cover for the
container. The cover restricts evaporation of moisture from the
previously cooked food items. With a reduced amount of moisture
vapor being able to escape from the covered container, the
previously cooked food items contained therein do not dry out as
rapidly.
[0007] Conventional covers are inconvenient to use in food fast
restaurants and similar establishments. This is because when
previously cooked food portions are taken from the food warming
apparatus, the cover typically must be removed from the tray to
gain access to the food items contained therein, and must be
replaced to protect the remaining food portions contained in the
tray. The steps of removing and replacing a cover can take an
amount of time that is unacceptably large in fast food restaurants.
The removed cover can also become misplaced or contaminated and can
get in the way of other activities in the kitchen area.
SUMMARY
[0008] In a first principal aspect, an exemplary embodiment
provides a food warming apparatus for maintaining previously cooked
food portions contained in at least one tray in a ready-to-use
condition. The food warming apparatus comprises a cabinet having at
least one heating compartment therein. At least one support is
disposed in the at least one heating compartment. The support has
at least one stop member and at least one guide member. At least
one cover rests in a first position on the at least one stop
member. The at least one cover and the support cooperatively define
at least one receiving space within the at least one heating
compartment for receiving the at least one tray. The at least one
cover has at least one engagement section that engages the at least
one guide member such that the at least one guide member is able to
guide upward movement of the at least one cover from the first
position to a second position when the at least one tray is
inserted into the at least one receiving space.
[0009] In a second principal aspect, an exemplary embodiment
provides a method for covering a tray in a food warming apparatus.
The food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment. The tray
has a lip defining a tray opening. In accordance with the method, a
support that fits into the heating compartment is provided. The
support has at least one stop member and at least one guide member.
A cover for the tray is provided. The cover has at least one
engagement section for engaging the at least one guide member. The
cover is mounted on the support in a first position such that the
cover rests on the at least one stop member and the at least one
engagement section engages the at least one guide member. The
support with the cover mounted thereon is inserted into the heating
compartment such that the cover and the support cooperatively
define a receiving space within the heating compartment for
receiving the tray. The tray is inserted into the receiving space
until the cover is in a second position in which the cover rests on
the lip of the tray and at least partially blocks the tray
opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a food warming apparatus, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a food warming apparatus, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a post rack in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of a post rack in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view of a post rack in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a loop rack in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of a loop rack in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a top view of a loop rack in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a post rack supporting two
trays and two covers in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a front view of a post rack supporting two trays
and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a post rack supporting one
tray and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a front view of a post rack supporting one tray
and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a loop rack supporting two
trays and two covers in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a front view of a loop rack supporting two trays
and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a loop rack supporting one
tray and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a front view of a loop rack supporting one tray
and two covers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
1. Overview
[0026] A food warming apparatus is able to maintain previously
cooked food portions in a ready-to-use condition. The previously
cooked food portions may be placed in one or more open-top
containers, which are referred to herein as "trays." The trays
containing the previously cooked food portions may be placed in one
or more heating compartments to maintain the portions at a desired
temperature. The food warming apparatus may have a cabinet with one
or more heating compartments and may also have one or more heater
plates for heating the one or more heating compartments. Covers may
cover some or all of the trays in the heating compartments and
restrict evaporation of moisture or other liquid from the
previously cooked food portions.
[0027] One or more supports may be placed in the heating
compartments to support covers independently of the trays. A
support may have one or more guide members and one or more stop
members. The one or more supports may be part of a unitary support
structure, such as a rack. With no tray present, a cover may rest
on the one or more stop members in a resting position. In this
position, the cover and support cooperatively define a receiving
space for receiving a tray.
[0028] The cover may be fashioned with one or more engagement
sections. The one or more engagement sections may engage the one or
more guide members so that the guide members guide upward and
downward motion of the cover. For example, the cover may move
upwardly, guided by the one or more guide members, when a tray is
inserted into the receiving space. The cover may move downwardly,
guided by the one or more guide members, when the tray is
withdrawn. Further, when the tray is completely removed, the cover
may stay inside the compartment.
[0029] Thus, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may
be placed in the heating compartment by inserting it in the
receiving space. As the tray is inserted, the guide members may
engage the one or more engagement sections of the cover, so as to
guide the upward motion of the cover. Once the tray is fully
inserted, the cover at least partially blocks the open top of the
tray and restricts evaporation of liquid from the previously cooked
food portions contained in the tray. For example, a tray may have a
lip that defines the tray opening, such that when the tray is fully
inserted into the receiving space, cover rests on the lip of the
tray.
[0030] When a tray is withdrawn from the heating compartment, the
cover may drop from its position on the lip of the tray to the
resting position. As the tray is withdrawn, the guide members may
engage the one or more engagement sections of the cover, so as to
guide the downward motion of the cover. When the tray is fully
removed, the cover may stay in the heating compartment in its
resting position, i.e., resting on the one or more stop
members.
[0031] Configuring the covers so that they stay in the heating
compartment can provide benefits for establishments such as fast
food restaurants. In particular, a tray containing previously
cooked food portions may be inserted into the heating compartment
and covered in one step, and the tray may be withdrawn from the
heating compartment and uncovered in one step, thereby saving time.
In addition, the inconvenience and the possibilities of
contamination associated with direct handling of covers can be
reduced.
2. Exemplary Food Warming Apparatus
[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary food warming
apparatus 10 includes a housing or cabinet 12 that has a top 14, a
bottom 16, a front 18, a back 20, and sides 22. The interior of
cabinet 12 is divided into heating compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30.
Although FIG. 1 shows exemplary food warming apparatus 10 with four
heating compartments, it is to be understood that a food warming
apparatus could be provided with a greater or fewer number of
heating compartments.
[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, front 18 is open to provide
access to compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30. However, it is to be
understood that back 20 could also be open to provide access to
compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30; for example, in a pass-through
configuration. Each of compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30 includes an
upper compartment surface and a lower compartment surface. Thus,
heating compartment 24 includes upper compartment surface 32 and
lower compartment surface 34, as shown in FIG. 1. Compartments 26,
28, and 30 may be similarly configured.
[0034] Each of compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30 is sized to
accommodate one or more trays, as exemplified in FIG. 1 by trays 40
and 42 in heating compartment 24. Each of trays 40 and 42 are
covered by covers 46 and 48, respectively. Although FIG. 1 shows
two trays in each compartment, it is to be understood that the
compartments may be sized to accommodate a greater or fewer number
of trays. In addition, although FIG. 1 shows each compartment
filled with its maximum number of trays, it is to be understood
that a compartment might hold less than the maximum number of trays
at any given time.
[0035] In each compartment, trays may be supported by a support
structure such as a rack. For example, FIG. 1 shows trays 40 and 42
in heating compartment 24 supported by a post rack 44. The rack may
be mounted in the heating compartment in various ways. For example,
a rack could rest on the lower compartment surface. Alternatively,
a rack could be supported above the lower compartment surface. In
the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the rack in each compartment is
supported above the lower compartment surface by mounting brackets
disposed on the side walls of the compartment. Thus, compartment 24
is shown with mounting brackets 45 and 47 supporting post rack
44.
[0036] Each of heating compartments 24, 26, 28, and 30 may be
heated by a respective heating system. In an exemplary embodiment,
each heating system includes one or more resistive heaters for
heating its respective compartment from above and/or from below.
For example, heating compartment 24 may be heated through upper
compartment surface 32 by heater plates 50 and 52, which may be
positioned over trays 40 and 42, respectively. Heating compartment
24 may also be heated through lower compartment surface 34 by
similar heater plates. Compartments 26, 28, and 30 may be heated in
a similar manner.
[0037] Food warming apparatus 10 may include various controls for
enabling an operator to control its operation and various
indicators for displaying information to the operator. Some of the
controls and indicators may be arranged in a control panel 54
disposed on front 18. Other controls and indicators may be arranged
in interface bars 56, 58, 60, and 62, associated with compartments
24, 26, 28, and 30, respectively.
[0038] Control panel 54 may enable the operator to select setpoint
temperatures for the compartment (or for specific trays in the
compartments). A control system in food warming apparatus 10 may
control the heating systems for the compartments (e.g.,
thermostatically) to achieve and maintain the setpoint
temperatures. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system may
measure the temperature at the heating system (e.g., at heater
plate 50 or 52), so that the setpoint temperature corresponds to
the temperature at the heating system. The temperature of the food
inside of the covered tray in the compartment may be lower than the
setpoint temperature. For example, it may be desirable to maintain
previously cooked food portions at a temperature that may range
from about 140.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F. To achieve this
food temperature, the setpoint temperature may need to be as high
as 400.degree. F.
[0039] Interface bars 56, 58, 60, and 62 may each enable an
operator to select a hold time for the respective compartment (or
for a specific tray in the compartment) based, for example, on the
particular food product contained in the compartment (or contained
in a specific tray in the compartment). The operator may select the
hold time by scrolling through a list of food products, each of
which has been associated with a preset hold time. A display on the
interface bar may display descriptions of the food products as the
operator scrolls through the list and may then display a
description of the selected food product.
[0040] When the selected food product is placed in the compartment,
the operator may interact with the compartment's interface bar to
start a timer. When the hold time has been reached, the
compartment's interface bar may provide an indication to the
operator. The operator may then replace the food product with fresh
food product and interact with the interface bar to re-set the
timer.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary food warming apparatus 10 with a
loop rack 244. As with post rack 44, loop rack 244 may be mounted
in heating compartment 24 in various ways. FIG. 2 illustrates a
loop rack in each heating compartment that is supported by mounting
brackets disposed on the side walls of the heating compartment.
Thus, heating compartment 24 is shown with mounting brackets 45 and
47 supporting loop rack 244 above lower compartment surface 34.
FIG. 2 also shows loop rack 244 supporting trays 40 and 42 covered
with covers 246 and 248, respectively.
3. Exemplary Racks
[0042] a. Post Rack
[0043] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are isometric, front, and top views,
respectively, of post rack 44. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, post rack 44
includes a frame 100 and support brackets 102, 104 and 106
extending upwardly from frame 100. Frame 100 may be mounted in
heating compartment 24 as shown in FIG. 1, i.e., supported by
mounting brackets 45 and 47. Alternatively, frame 100 may rest on
lower compartment surface 34.
[0044] The front of frame 100 may be defined by one or more
laterally-extending front members 108, and the back of frame 100
may be defined by one or more laterally-extending back members 110.
Frame 100 may further include a plurality of cross-pieces 112
extending between front members 108 and back members 110.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, support brackets 102, 104, and
106 extend between front members 108 and back members 110. The
bottoms of support brackets 102, 104, and 106 are attached to front
member 108 and to back member 110.
[0046] The generally horizontal tops of support brackets 102, 104
and 106 define stop members 125, 145, and 165, respectively. In
this configuration, stop members 125 and 145 provide support for
cover 46, and stop members 145 and 165 provide support for cover
48.
[0047] One or more guide members may extend upward from support
brackets 102, 104, and 106. A guide member may be a post, shaft,
bar, upright, or other structure. In an exemplary embodiment, posts
121, 122, 123, and 124 disposed on support brackets 102 function as
guide members. Similarly, posts 141, 142, 143, and 144, disposed on
support bracket 104, and posts 161, 162, 163, and 164, disposed on
support bracket 106, function as guide members.
[0048] Post rack 44 also includes a divider 114 that divides the
support space of post rack 44 into two separate receiving spaces to
support each of trays 40 and 42. Divider 114 has divider members
116 and 118 extending between front member 108 and back member 110.
It is to be understood a rack may include more than one divider to
accommodate more than two trays or a rack may not include any
dividers if a rack accommodates only one tray. Thus, tray 40 may be
supported within heating compartment 24 between support bracket 102
and divider member 116 and tray 42 may be supported between divider
member 118 and support bracket 106. Divider 114 may also extend in
front of frame 100 to provide a handle 120. As shown in FIG. 1,
handle 120 extends out of the open front of heating compartment 24.
If the back of food warming apparatus 10 is open, handle 120 may
extend out of the back of food warming apparatus 10.
[0049] b. Loop Rack
[0050] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are isometric, front, and top views,
respectively, of loop rack 244. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, loop rack
244 includes a frame 200. The front of frame 200 may be defined by
one or more laterally-extending front members 208, the sides of
frame 200 may be defined by side members 202 and 206, and the back
of frame 200 may be defined by one or more laterally-extending back
members 210. Frame 200 may further include one or more cross-pieces
204, 211, and 212 extending between front members 208 and back
members 210, which serve to laterally position trays on rack
244.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, loops 221, 222, 231, 232, 233,
234, 261, and 262 function as guide members. Loops 221 and 222
extend vertically from side member 202, loops 231-234 extend
vertically from cross-piece 204, and loops 261 and 262 extend
vertically from side member 206.
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, a stop member is disposed on
each guide member. Loops 221, 222, 231, 232, 233, 234, 261, and 262
are configured with stop members 223, 224, 235, 236, 237, 238, 263,
and 264, respectively. Each stop member may act as a support for a
cover. In an exemplary embodiment, cover 246 may be supported by
stop members 223, 224, 235, and 236, while cover 248 may be
supported by stop members 237, 238, 263, and 264. While each guide
member is shown as a loop disposed with one stop member, it is to
be understood that any one guide member may have more or fewer stop
members.
[0053] While the stop members are shown as a ball in the exemplary
embodiment, a stop member could be any bulge, bump, bulb, knob, or
other protrusion disposed on the guide member. Alternatively, the
stop members for loop rack 244 could be one or more bars, as
disposed on post rack 44, as described above. As another
alternative, the stop members utilized on loop rack 244 could be
disposed on post rack 44 instead of the bars shown therein.
[0054] Loop rack 244 also includes a divider 214 that divides the
support space of post rack 244 into two separate receiving spaces
to support each of trays 40 and 42. Divider 214 has divider members
216 and 218 extending between front member 208 and back member 210.
It is to be understood that a rack may include more than one
divider to accommodate more than two trays or a rack may not
include any dividers if the rack only accommodates one tray. Thus,
tray 40 may be supported within heating compartment 24 between
cross-piece 211 and divider member 216 and tray 42 may be supported
between divider member 218 and cross-piece 212. Divider 214 may
also provide a handle 220. Handle 220 may extend out of the open
front of heating compartment 24. If the back of food warming
apparatus 10 is open, handle 220 may extend out of the back of food
warming apparatus 10.
4. Exemplary Covers
[0055] a. Post Rack Covers
[0056] FIGS. 9 and 10 are isometric and front views, respectively,
of a combination in which trays 40 and 42 are supported by post
rack 44 and are covered by covers 46 and 48, respectively. In an
exemplary embodiment, best shown in FIG. 9, cover 46 includes
engagement sections 80, 82, 84 and 86 and cover 48 includes
engagement sections 90, 92, 94, and 96.
[0057] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each engagement
section includes a hole that surrounds a corresponding post, where
each post acts as a guide member. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 9,
cover 46 has engagement sections 80, 82, 84, 86 with holes 81, 83,
85, and 87, respectively. On the left side of cover 46, holes 81
and 83 engage posts 122 and 124, respectively. On the right side of
cover 46, holes 85 and 87 engage posts 141 and 143, respectively.
On the left side of cover 48, holes 91 and 93 engage posts 142 and
144, respectively. On the right side of cover 48, holes 95 and 97
engage posts 161 and 163, respectively. A hole may be an aperture,
cut, slice, notch, or other type of opening in the cover that
partially surrounds and engages a guide member.
[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, covers 46 and 48 are made out of
a sheet material. The sheet material could be a metal, such as
stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium, with a thickness ranging
from about 0.024 inches to about 0.125 inches, depending on the
type of metal. A metal cover could be anodized black or other color
based, for example, on desired thermal characteristics. It is to be
understood that covers 46 and 48 could also be made out of other
materials, such as plastics (e.g., high temperature Nylon,
polysulfone, polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, or
polyphenylene sulfide), depending on the operating temperatures
that the covers experience.
[0059] To construct a cover out of a sheet material, a generally
rectangular piece of the sheet material may be cut and holes
punched in the sheet material to accommodate the guide members. The
two free edges of the sheet material may also be bent to provide
additional stiffness. As best shown in FIG. 9, cover 46 may include
a front turned-up edge 70 and a back turned-up edge 71, and cover
48 may include a front turned-up edge 72 and a back turned-up edge
73. Preferably, turned-up edges 70-73 do not contact upper
compartment surface 32 when covers 46 and 48 are in heating
compartment 24.
[0060] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, covers 46 and
48 rest on trays 40 and 42, respectively, rather than on stop
members 125, 145, and 165. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 10,
tray 40 includes a lip 74 that extends above stop members 125 and
145 and tray 42 includes a lip 76 that extends above stop members
145 and 165.
[0061] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate how cover 48 changes position
when tray 42 is withdrawn from heating compartment 24. As best
shown in FIG. 12, with tray 42 no longer supporting cover 48, cover
48 rests on stop members 145 and 165. Also, covers 46 and 48 may
move independently of each other. As best shown in FIG. 12, cover
46 is shown resting on lip 74 of tray 40.
[0062] When tray 42 is withdrawn, cover 48 stays in heating
compartment 24 because posts 142, 144, 161, and 163 function as
guide members. In particular, when tray 42 is pulled forward, cover
48 will fall and may be pulled with tray 42. The vertical motion of
cover 48 is guided by posts 142, 144, 161, and 163 disposed in
holes 91, 93, 95, and 97 until cover 48 reaches stop members 145
and 165. Further, if cover 48 is pulled with tray 42, the
horizontal motion of cover 48 is arrested by the engagement of
holes 91, 93, 95, and 97 with posts 142, 144, 161 and 163,
respectively.
[0063] In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, cover
48 and post rack 44 cooperatively define a receiving space into
which tray 42 can be inserted. The receiving space is defined above
by cover 48, defined below by front member 108 and back member 110,
and defined along the sides by divider member 118 and side member
106. However, the height of tray 42 is greater than the height of
the receiving space, i.e., the distance between front member 108
and cover 48. As a result, when tray 42 is inserted into the
receiving space, holes 91, 93, 95 and 97 engage posts 142, 143,
161, and 163, respectively, allowing posts 142, 143, 161, and 163
to guide the upward motion of cover 48. When tray 42 has been fully
inserted, cover 48 will again rest on lip 76, as shown in FIGS. 9
and 10.
[0064] The double-headed arrow in FIG. 11 shows the directions in
which tray 42 may be inserted and withdrawn from under cover 48.
Tray 42 may include a handle 77 to facilitate its movement in the
directions indicated by the double-headed arrow. FIG. 11 shows that
lip 76 may surround a top opening 78 that provides access to the
interior of tray 42. The interior of tray 42 defines a space that
may be used to contain previously cooked food portions. The height
of this interior space may be defined by the distance between a
generally flat bottom wall 79 of tray 42 and the upper surface of
lip 76. The sides of the interior space may be defined by four side
walls 89 that extend between bottom wall 79 and lip 76.
[0065] When a tray is inserted into a receiving space, the cover
may partially or completely block the top opening of the tray. In
an exemplary embodiment, when tray 42 is inserted into the
receiving space, cover 48 will rest on lip 76 and will at least
partially block top opening 78. In this position, cover 48 will
restrict the evaporation of liquid from previously cooked food
items contained in the interior of tray 42.
[0066] b. Loop Rack Covers
[0067] FIGS. 13 and 14 are isometric and front views, respectively,
of a combination in which trays 40 and 42 are supported by loop
rack 244 and are covered by covers 246 and 248, respectively.
[0068] Each cover may include one or more engagement sections that
engage the guide members of loop rack 244. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, covers 246 and 248 have
engagement sections with notches that receive and engage loops,
where the loops are acting as guide members. As best shown in FIG.
13, cover 246 has notches 281, 282, 283, and 284. On the left side
of cover 246, notches 281 and 282 engage loops 221 and 222,
respectively. On the right side of cover 246, notches 283 and 284
engage loops 231 and 232, respectively. On the left side of cover
248, notches 291 and 292 engage loops 233 and 234, respectively. On
the right side of cover 248, notches 293 and 294 engage guide
members 261 and 262, respectively.
[0069] Alternatively, a cover could be fashioned with holes but
without engagement sections. A hole may be an aperture, cut, slice,
notch, or other type of opening in the cover that partially
surrounds the guide member. Further, a cover could be fashioned
with holes instead of notches. A notch may be an aperture, cut,
slice, hole, or other type of opening in the cover that partially
surrounds the guide member.
[0070] Covers 246 and 248 may be made of the same sheet materials
as described above for covers 46 and 48. To provide additional
stiffness, cover 246 may have a turned-up front edge 296 and a
turned-up back edge 297. Similarly, cover 248 may have a turned-up
front edge 298 and a turned-up back edge 299. However, the sides of
the covers may be turned down so as to provide edges that contact
the stop members. Thus, cover 246 may have turned-down sides 300
and 301, and cover 248 may have turned-down sides 302 and 303.
[0071] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, covers 246
and 248 are supported by trays 40 and 42, respectively, not loop
rack 244. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 14, lip 74 of tray
40 extends above stop members 223 and 235 disposed on loops 221 and
231, respectively, and lip 76 of tray 42 extends above stop members
237 and 263 disposed on loops 233 and 261, respectively.
[0072] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate how the position of cover 248
changes when tray 42 is withdrawn from heating compartment 24. As
best shown in FIG. 16, with tray 42 no longer supporting cover 248,
cover 248 rests on stop members 237, 238, 263 and 264. Also, covers
246 and 248 move independently of each other. As best shown in FIG.
16, cover 246 is shown resting on lip 74 of tray 40.
[0073] When tray 42 is withdrawn, cover 248 stays in heating
compartment 24 because loops 233, 234, 261, and 262 function as
guide members. In particular, when tray 42 is pulled forward, cover
248 will fall and may be pulled with tray 42. The vertical motion
of cover 248 is guided by loops 233, 234, 261, and 262 disposed in
notches 291, 292, 293, and 294, respectively, until cover 248
reaches stop members 237, 238, 263 and 264. Further, if cover 48 is
pulled with tray 42, the horizontal motion of cover 48 arrested by
the engagement of notches 291, 292, 293, and 294 with loops 233,
234, 261, and 262, respectively. In this way, loops 233, 234, 261,
and 262 retain cover 248 in heating compartment 24.
[0074] In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, cover
248 and loop rack 244 cooperatively define a receiving space into
which tray 42 can be inserted. The receiving space is defined above
by cover 248, defined below by front member 208 and back member
210, and defined along the sides by divider member 218 and
cross-piece 212. However, the height of tray 42 is greater than the
height of the receiving space, i.e., the distance between front
member 208 and cover 248. As a result, when tray 42 is inserted
into the receiving space, notches 291, 292, 293, and 294 engage
loops 233, 234, 261, and 262, respectively, allowing loops 233,
234, 261, and 262 to guide the upward motion of cover 48. When tray
42 has been fully inserted, cover 248 will again rest on lip 76, as
shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0075] The double-headed arrow in FIG. 15 shows the directions in
which tray 42 may be inserted and withdrawn from under cover 248.
When tray 42 is inserted into the receiving space, cover 248 may
block top opening 78 of tray 42. In an exemplary embodiment, when
tray 42 is inserted into the receiving space, cover 248 will rest
on lip 76 and will at least partially block top opening 78. In this
position, cover 248 will restrict the evaporation of liquid from
previously cooked food items contained in the interior of tray
42.
5. Exemplary Method of Use
[0076] When tray 42 contains previously cooked food portions, tray
42 may be inserted under either cover 48 or cover 248 in heating
compartment 24 of food warming apparatus 10 in order to maintain
the previously cooked food portions in a ready-to-use condition. In
particular, heating compartment 24 may be heated to maintain the
previously cooked food portions at a desired holding temperature,
as described above. In addition, cover 48 or cover 248 may, at
least partially, block top opening 78 of tray 42 and restrict
evaporation of liquid from the previously cooked food portions.
[0077] When using covers 46 and 48 of tray 42, post rack 44 is used
as well. Post rack 44 supports cover 46 using posts 122, 124, 141
and 143 and stop members 125 and 145. Cover 46 has holes 81, 83,
85, and 87 to engage posts 122, 124, 141 and 143, respectively.
Post rack 44 supports cover 48 using posts 142, 144, 161 and 163
and stop members 145 and 165. Cover 48 has holes 91, 93, 95, and 97
to engage posts 142, 144, 161, and 163, respectively.
[0078] Similarly, when using covers 246 and 248 of tray 42, loop
rack 244 is used as well. Loop rack 244 supports cover 246 using
loops 221, 222, 231 and 232 and stop members 223, 224, 235 and 236.
Cover 246 has notches 281, 282, 283, and 284 to engage loops 221,
222, 231 and 232, respectively. Loop rack 244 supports cover 248
using loops 233, 234, 261 and 262 and stop members 237, 238, 263
and 264. Cover 248 has notches 291, 292, 293, and 294 to engage
loops 233, 234, 261 and 262, respectively.
[0079] Tray 42 may be withdrawn from heating compartment 24 in
order to use one or more of the previously cooked food portions,
for example, to prepare a food item ordered by a customer. In
particular, withdrawing tray 42 from heating compartment 24 allows
an operator access to the previously cooked food portions through
the top opening 78 of tray 42.
[0080] Covers 46 and 48 may be periodically removed from heating
compartment 24, for example, in order to clean them. To remove
covers 46 and 48, trays 40 and 42 may first be withdrawn from
heating compartment 24. Then, post rack 44 may be pulled out of
compartment 24, e.g., using handle 120, with covers 46 and 48 still
mounted thereon. Once post rack 44 has been withdrawn, covers 46
and 48 may be lifted off. Covers 246 and 248 may be removed from
heating compartment 24 in a similar fashion to covers 46 and 48, by
removing trays 40 and 42, pulling loop rack 244 out of heating
compartment 24 (which may include the use of handle 220), and
lifting covers 246 and 248 from loop rack 244.
[0081] Trays 40 and 42, post rack 44, and covers 46 and 48 may be
assembled in heating compartment 24 in the following way. First,
covers 46 and 48 are mounted on post rack 44. More particularly, as
may be seen in FIG. 9, cover 46 is mounted on post rack 44 by
fitting posts 122, 124, 141, and 143 through surrounding holes 81,
83, 85, and 87, respectively, so that cover 46 rests on stop
members 125 and 145. Similarly, cover 48 is mounted on post rack 44
by fitting posts 142, 144, 161, and 163 through holes 91, 93, 95,
and 97, respectively, so that cover 48 rests on stop members 145
and 165.
[0082] In a similar fashion, trays 40 and 42, loop rack 244, and
covers 246 and 248 may be assembled in heating compartment 24.
First, covers 246 and 248 are mounted on loop rack 244. More
particularly, as may be seen in FIG. 13, cover 246 is mounted on
loop rack 244 by fitting loops 221, 222, 231, and 232 through
partially surrounding notches 281, 282, 283, and 284, respectively,
so that cover 246 rests on stop members 223, 224, 235, and 236.
Similarly, cover 248 is mounted on post rack 244 by fitting loops
233, 234, 261, and 262 through notches 291, 292, 293, and 294,
respectively, so that cover 248 rests on stop members 237, 238,
263, and 264.
[0083] Once covers 46 and 48 have been mounted in this way, post
rack 44 or loop rack 244 may be inserted into heating compartment
24 through the front 18 of food warming apparatus 10, e.g., using
handle 120 for post rack 44 or handle 220 for loop rack 244, so
that frame 100 for post rack 44 or frame 200 for loop rack 244 is
supported by lower compartment surface 34. If the back 20 of food
warming apparatus 10 is open, post rack 44 or loop rack 244 may be
inserted into the back of heating compartment 24. Either post rack
44 or loop rack 244 rack may be supported by lower heating
compartment surface 34, by mounting brackets 45 and 47 above lower
heating compartment surface 34, or in some other way. Then, trays
40 and 42 may be inserted into the front of heating compartment 24
by sliding them over frame member 108 of post rack 44 or frame
member 208 of loop rack 244. If the back 20 of food warming
apparatus 10 is open, trays 40 and 42 may be inserted into the back
of heating compartment 24 by sliding them over frame member 110 of
post rack 44 or frame member 210 of loop rack 244.
[0084] For post rack 44, the insertion of trays 40 and 42 into
heating compartment 24 lifts up covers 46 and 48, as described
above, to attain the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Upon insertion of tray 40, posts 122, 124, 141, and 143 acting as
guide members may guide cover 46 upward. Similarly, upon insertion
of tray 42, posts 142, 144, 161, and 163 acting as guide members
may guide cover 48 upward.
[0085] The removal of trays 40 and 42 from heating compartment 24
lowers covers 46 and 48, as described above. Upon removal of tray
40, posts 122, 124, 141, and 143 may guide cover 46 downward.
Similarly, upon removal of tray 42, guide members 142, 144, 161,
and 163 may guide cover 48 downward.
[0086] For loop rack 244, the insertion of trays 40 and 42 into
heating compartment 24 lifts up covers 246 and 248, as described
above, to attain the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Upon insertion of tray 40, loops 221, 222, 231 and 232 acting as
guide members may guide cover 246 upward. Similarly, upon insertion
of tray 42, loops 233, 234, 261, and 262 acting as guide members
may guide cover 248 upward.
[0087] The removal of trays 40 and 42 from heating compartment 24
lowers covers 246 and 248, as described above. Upon removal of tray
40, loops 221, 222, 231 and 232 may guide cover 246 downward.
Similarly, upon removal of tray 42, loops 233, 234, 261, and 262
may guide cover 248 downward.
6. Conclusion
[0088] While certain features and embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be
understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and
enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following
claims.
* * * * *