U.S. patent application number 14/905987 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-02 for plate for serving hot meals thereon.
This patent application is currently assigned to PROBALCO BVBA. The applicant listed for this patent is PROBALCO BVBA. Invention is credited to Karim REDJAL, Pol SPELEERS.
Application Number | 20160150896 14/905987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48914052 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160150896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SPELEERS; Pol ; et
al. |
June 2, 2016 |
PLATE FOR SERVING HOT MEALS THEREON
Abstract
The present invention concerns a plate (1) suited for directly
dressing and serving meals directly thereon, which plate (1)
comprises a heat storing material (14) allowing keeping the meal
dressed thereon warm for an extended period of time in view of
regular plates without heat storing material.
Inventors: |
SPELEERS; Pol; (Waregem,
BE) ; REDJAL; Karim; (Zwevegem, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PROBALCO BVBA |
Bellegem |
|
BE |
|
|
Assignee: |
PROBALCO BVBA
Bellegem
BE
|
Family ID: |
48914052 |
Appl. No.: |
14/905987 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 23, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/065831 |
371 Date: |
January 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574.2 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0683 20130101;
A47G 19/027 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/02 20060101
A47G019/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 23, 2013 |
EP |
13177666.8 |
Claims
1. A plate for direct contact with food served thereon, said plate
comprising: an upper part defining a well of the plate for
receiving food and an outer rim extending along at least part of
the periphery of the well; a base part fixed to the upper part
thereby defining a sealed cavity between the upper and base parts
and an amount of latent heat storing material disposed in said
sealed cavity, wherein the heat storing material is provided in a
sealed flexible pouch.
2. The plate according to claim 1, wherein said cavity is situated
under at least part of the surface of the well of the plate and
under at least part of the outer rim of the plate.
3. The plate according to claim 2, wherein the volume of the cavity
V is larger than the volume occupied by the pouch, thereby defining
a free volume in the cavity, the free volume being situated under
the outer rim of the plate.
4. The plate according to claim 1, wherein said heat storing
material is a phase change material having an expanded state
wherein the amount of PCM occupies a volume V and a non-expanded
state wherein the amount of PCM occupies a volume V.
5. The plate according to claim 4, wherein the ration ratio of the
volume of the PCM in its expanded state to the volume of the cavity
is between 0.6 and 0.9.
6. The plate according to claim 4, wherein the PCM material is
selected from the group comprising: hydrated salts, organic
compounds, solid to solid PCMs, eutectic solutions and/or
admixtures thereof.
7. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the upper part and or
base part are made of a ceramic material such as glazed ceramics or
porcelain.
8. The plate according to claim 7, having a total weight of 1 kg or
less, preferably 0.8 kg or less.
9. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the pouch is
manufactured from a composition comprising polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or
polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PET-G), polyamide
and/or combinations thereof.
10. The plate according to claim 9, wherein the pouch is
manufactured from a composition comprising polyamide 66.
11. The plate according to claim 9, wherein the pouch is
manufactured of a sandwich material comprising at least one layer
of polypropylene and at least one layer of polyamide or
polyester.
12. The plate according to claim 1, wherein a heat reflective layer
is provided between the base part facing the cavity and the
pouch.
13. The plate according to claim 1, comprising a partitioning wall
provided in said cavity and defining a compartment wherein the
pouch is confined and another compartment substantially
corresponding to the free volume.
14. A method of manufacturing a plate as identified in claim 1,
said method comprising the steps of: providing an upper part and a
base part; providing a pouch filled with a heat storing material
with desired heat absorbing and releasing properties; accommodating
the pouch on the intended top surface of the base part or the
intended lower surface of the upper part, and subsequently fixing
the upper part and base part to enclose the pouch in a cavity
defined by both the upper and base part of the plate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a plate suited for directly
dressing and serving meals directly thereon, which plate comprises
a heat storing material allowing keeping the meal dressed thereon
warm for an extended period of time in view of regular plates
without heat storing material.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] When serving hot meals in restaurants, on events, during
plane flights and in other situations where the place of dressing a
plate is distant from a place of serving the meal it is a challenge
to keep the food warm.
[0003] WO 90/14783, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,391, U.S. Pat. No.
4,304,106 for example disclose trays for storing and transporting
plates therein. These trays all include a heat storing material
such as a phase change material that can store heat rapidly and
release the heat more slowly over an elapsed period of time.
[0004] A drawback of such trays is that these are not suited for
serving food directly thereon but are intended for storing one or
more plates with food thereon to enable serving food on these
plates at a desired temperature during a relative long period of
time. Moreover the use of such trays is generally considered
non-appealing for serving food. Another drawback is that with trays
as described in at least U.S. '391 and U.S. '106 the heat storing
material is provided in a cavity defined by a top and bottom shell
of the tray, whereby in case of damaging one of these shells the
heat storing material may leak out of the cavity, especially when
at a elevated temperature (generally about 60.degree. C.) when the
heat storing material is in a fluid state. As such temperature is
common in for example a dishwasher, dish washing a damaged tray
according to U.S. '391 or U.S. '106 can seriously damage a
dishwasher due to leakage of the heat storing material (which when
temperature drops again can solidify in the tubings).
[0005] Yet another disadvantage is that the heat storing material
is not restricted in its flow in the cavity when in a liquid state.
As a consequence, when slightly tilting a tray the liquid will flow
to one side and promote further tilting and hence instability when
carrying a pile of trays.
[0006] WO 03/079869 discloses a plate for direct contact with food
served thereon, comprising a slot in its lower surface for
accommodating a cartridge of heat storing material therein.
[0007] A drawback of such plate is that the plate and cartridge are
two separate items that need to be assembled and disassembled for
each use cycle, which is cumbersome and very impractical in
restaurants or on large events where dishwashing the plates and
re-use of the plates needs to be fast and effective.
[0008] Moreover in a plate according to WO '869 the heat storing
material is visible at the bottom of the plate and is considered
potentially unappealing for people being served. It is clear from
the above that there remains a need for an appealing, easy to use
and handle, safe to use and efficient plate for serving food
thereon and for remaining this food warm during an extended period
of time in view of food served on normal plates without specific
heat storing material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses the above identified need by
providing a plate for direct contact with food served thereon, said
plate comprising: (a) an upper part defining a well of the plate
for receiving food and an outer rim extending along at least part
of the periphery of the well; (b) a base part fixed to the upper
part thereby defining a sealed cavity between the upper and base
parts (c) an amount of latent heat storing material disposed in
said sealed cavity wherein said heat storing material is provided
in a sealed flexible pouch.
[0010] Preferably, the heat storing material fills the pouch
substantially entirely.
[0011] It is preferred that the cavity is situated under at least
part of the surface of the well of the plate and under at least
part of the outer rim of the plate and that the volume of the
cavity V(c) is larger than the volume occupied by the pouch thereby
defining a free volume in the cavity, the free volume being
situated under the outer rim of the plate.
[0012] The volume of the cavity V(c) and the volume of the heat
storing material in its expanded phase V(e) are preferably chosen
such that the ratio V(e)/V(c) is comprised between 0.6 and 0.9.
[0013] The heat storing material preferably is a phase change
material (PCM) chosen from the group comprising: hydrated salts,
organic compounds, solid to solid PCMs, eutectic solutions and/or
admixtures thereof.
[0014] The pouch is preferably manufactured in a material
comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene terephthalate
glycol-modified (PET-G), polyamide and/or combinations thereof,
whereby polyamide 66 is highly preferred. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, the pouch is manufactured of a sandwich
material comprising at least one layer of polypropylene and at
least one layer of polyamide or polyester. In a specific embodiment
of the pouch according to the previous embodiment, said
polypropylene layer is positioned internally with respect to the
layer comprising polyamide or polyester or a combination thereof,
or is covered by the layer comprising polyamide or polyester or a
combination thereof. In a further specific embodiment, the pouch is
manufactured of a sandwich material comprising polypropylene layer
covered by a polyamide layer. In an alternative embodiment, the
pouch is manufactured of a sandwich material comprising
polypropylene layer covered by a polyester layer, wherein said
polyester is preferably selected from a group comprising
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene terephthalate
glycol-modified (PET-G).
[0015] The plate or at least the upper and or lower part thereof is
preferably manufactured in a material selected from the group
comprising: ceramic material such as glazed ceramics or
porcelain.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment a heat reflective layer
is provided between the base part facing the cavity and the
pouch.
[0017] Further a partitioning wall may be provided in said cavity
and defining a compartment wherein the pouch is confined and
another compartment substantially corresponding to the free
volume.
[0018] The plate according to the present invention preferably has
a total weight of 1 kg or less, preferably 0.8 kg or less.
[0019] The present invention also concerns a method of
manufacturing a plate as identified above, said method comprising
the steps of: a) providing an upper part and a base part; b)
providing a pouch filled with a heat storing material with desired
heat absorbing and releasing properties; c) accommodating the pouch
on the intended top surface of the base part or the intended lower
surface of the upper part and subsequently fixing the upper part
and base part to enclose the pouch in a cavity defined both the
upper and base part of the plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective cut-out view
of a plate according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 represents a cross-section according to line II-II in
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment of a plate as
depicted in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 represents a plate 1 according to the present
invention comprising an upper part 2 and a base part 3 with a
sealed cavity 4 defined in between both part 2 and 3. In this case
the upper part 2 comprises a generally planar disc-shaped well 5
and a slanting outer rim 6 extending along the periphery of the
well. The outer rim 6 comprises a flange 7 that extends from the
outer periphery of the rim towards the base part, thereby defining
a void 8 between the outer rim and said flange. At the free end of
said flange a rim 9 is provided extending transversally in view of
the well and away from said well. In the circular circumference a
circular slot 10 is provided.
[0024] The base part comprises a rim 11 along its periphery
extending into the cavity 4 and defining a circular shoulder
portion 12 able to cooperate with the slot circular slot 10 of the
upper part for (hermetically) sealing and fixing the base part to
the upper part.
[0025] The base part 3 and upper part 3 can be fixed by welding
(friction welding; laser welding; ultrasonic welding) or by gluing,
depending on the material wherein both parts are manufactured.
[0026] The upper part and base part can be manufactured from the
same material or from different materials chosen from the group
comprising: porcelain, plastic, metal or admixtures thereof.
Preferably both parts 2 and 3 are manufactured in glazed ceramics
such as porcelain, in which case it is preferred to apply glue for
fixing the upper part and base part together.
[0027] According to the invention a pouch 13 filled, preferably
entirely filled without air entrapment, with a heat storing
material, most preferably a so-called phase change material 14, is
accommodated in said cavity 4.
[0028] The pouch 13 is preferably manufactured in a flexible and
elastic polymeric material such as polypropylene, polyamide or
polyethylene, whereby polyamide 66 is preferred for the reason that
it allows good spreading of the PCM material without the sidewalls
of the pouch to adhere to one another. The material wherein the
pouch is manufactured preferably has a high tear resistance. In a
preferred embodiment, the material of which the pouch is
manufactured is a sandwich material comprising at least one layer
of polypropylene and at least one layer of polyamide or polyester.
In a particular embodiment, said sandwich material comprises
polypropylene layer that is positioned internally with respect to
the layer comprising polyamide or polyester or a combination
thereof, or is covered by the layer comprising polyamide or
polyester or a combination thereof. In further embodiments, the
pouch is manufactured of a sandwich material comprising
polypropylene layer covered by a polyamide layer or of a sandwich
material comprising polypropylene layer covered by a polyester
layer, wherein said polyester is preferably selected from a group
comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene
terephthalate glycol-modified (PET-G).
[0029] The PCM material as per the present invention is defined as
a material capable of absorbing, storing, and releasing an amount
of energy for a long period of time. The latent heat or cold
storage process can be achieved through a phase change, like for
example from solid to solid, solid to liquid, solid to gas and
liquid to gas, once the material has been subjected to a certain
temperature called melting temperature.
[0030] Moreover, this process can be repeatedly achieved by
reaching the melting temperature of the phase change material. The
PCM material 14 may include for example: hydrated salts such as Na2
SO4, 10H2 O; Na2 HPO4, 12H2 O; CaCl2, 6H2 O; [Na2 CO3 ]2, 10H2 O;
Mg[NO3 ]2, 6H2 O; MgCl2, 6H2 O; MgSO4, 12 H2 O; sodium acetate
trihydrate, glycols such as polyethylene glycol, clathrates,
hydroxides, Hydrophobic RT40 Powder, paraffin like octadecane,
n-Paraffins, sugar alcohols or fatty acids; paraffin mixed with
hydrophobic silica, non-paraffin organic compounds, such as lauric
acid, napthalene, magnesium nitrate; acetimide; benzoic acid;
strontium bromide; naphthalene; a mixture of urea and benzoic acid,
a mixture of benzomide and benzoic acid, aluminum potassium
sulfate, ammonium nitrate, fatty acids, esters, silica gel or dry
powder, eutectic solutions, ionic liquids or a combination thereof.
For assuring different storage and release of heat or cold
properties that would be suitable for different types of
applications, commercially available PCMs cover a phase change
temperature range from -40.degree. C. to +120.degree. C., whereby
for the present invention PCMs having a phase change temperature
between 50.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. are preferred.
[0031] An example of such PCM material is the n-paraffin based
Rubitherm.RTM. RT 58 commercialised by RubiTherm.RTM.. This PCM
material has a phase change temperature (melting temperature)
ranging between 55-59.degree. C. (typically 58.degree. C.); a heat
storage capacity of 178 kJ/kg; a density (solid at 15.degree. C.)
of 0.88 kg/l; a liquid density (80.degree. C.) of 0.77 kg/l; a
volume expansion during phase change of 14%; a heat conductivity of
0.2 W/m*K and a kinetic viscosity (at 90.degree. C.) of 32.49
mm2/s.
[0032] The pouch, with the PCM in an expanded state occupies a
volume V(e) that is lower than the total volume V(c) of the cavity
(including the void 8), whereby the ratio V(e)/V(c) is preferably
comprised in the range between 0.6-0.9.
[0033] As represented in FIG. 2, the rim 11 provided on the base
part 3 preferably defines a partitioning wall in the cavity,
thereby creating a central compartment (below the well 5 of the
plate) wherein the pouch is accommodated and a free volume below
the outer rim of the plate (substantially corresponding to the void
8).
[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, a heat reflective layer
15 or heat insulating layer is provided between the pouch and the
base part 3 of the plate 1.
[0035] FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment wherein the
cavity is further partitioned in three or more, in this case four,
compartments. One compartment under the outer rim of the plate free
of PCM material and three compartments under the well each
accommodating a pouch with PCM material, whereby one pouch 13a is
filled with a
[0036] PCM material having a phase change temperature T; the second
pouch 13b is filled with a PCM having a phase change temperature T2
and the third pouch 13c is filled with a PCM having a phase change
temperature T3. In this case T1, T2 and T3 are preferably different
and wherein these temperatures can range between 0.degree. C. and
120.degree. C., such as to create different zones on the plate that
are maintained at different temperatures during a certain period of
time sufficient for dressing and serving food on said plate.
[0037] In this case the plate preferably comprises an indicator 16,
accommodated in for example the outer rim 6 of the plate 1 and
connected to temperature sensors 17 designated to each of the PCM
comprising compartments of the plate in order to provide a visual
or other indication of the temperature in the compartments
corresponding to specific sections of the well of the plate.
Furthermore the plate may comprise a number of separating walls 18
on the food receiving surface of the well 5, which walls 18 are
arranged corresponding to the specific geometry of the PCM pouches
for different temperature zones on the plate.
[0038] Manufacturing a plate 1 according to the present invention
comprises the steps of: a) providing the upper part and the base
part; b) providing a pouch filled with a PCM material with a
desired phase change temperature; c) accommodating the pouch on the
intended top surface of the base part or the intended lower surface
of the upper part and subsequently fixing the upper and base parts
to enclose the pouch in the cavity defined both the upper and base
part of the plate.
[0039] In use, the plate and specifically the PCM material
accommodated therein is heated to a desired temperature at or above
its phase change temperature and subsequently food can be dressed
directly on the upper part 2 of the plate 1, preferably in the well
5.
[0040] As the PCM material will release the heat stored therein
over an extended period of time (generally up to 30 and even 60
minutes) the food dressed and served on the plate will remain warm
during that extended period of time.
[0041] When serving the plate, a waiter can easily hold the plate
at its outer rim as in this part no PCM material is present and as
this part is filled with a layer of air that acts as an insulator.
In alternative embodiments the free space in the cavity situated
under the outer rim of the plate can be filled or partially filled
with other insulating materials such as a heat insulating foam.
[0042] By providing the PCM material directly under the surface of
the plate contacting the food dressed and served thereon the total
amount of PCM material can be limited to for example between 60-390
cm3, preferably between 60-260 cm3, more preferably between 60-130
cm3 and most preferably between 90-130 cm3, thereby enabling
limiting the total weight of the plate (upper part+lower
part+pouch+PCM material) to below 2 kg, preferably below 1 kg even
when both the upper plate and base plate are manufactured in
porcelain.
* * * * *