Patent ID: 9445625
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: A23L

Claim Text:
1. A holding cabinet, comprising: a body defining a holding space; a holding compartment disposed within the holding space and configured to hold a product therein; a heating source comprising one or more of: a radiant heater disposed above the holding compartment, a conduction heater disposed below the holding compartment, and a convection heater disposed at an end of the holding compartment; a steam generator in atmospheric communication with the holding compartment and configured to generate steam; a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the holding compartment and configured to measure an air temperature of the holding compartment; a humidity sensor disposed adjacent to the holding compartment and configured to measure a relative humidity of the holding compartment; a product detector configured to detect that a product is loaded in the holding compartment and to identify a type of the product; a fan disposed adjacent to the heating source; an airflow sensor disposed within the holding space and configured to measure a rate of airflow; and a controller configured to regulate environmental conditions of the holding compartment according to a determined setpoint, which corresponds to a predetermined temperature and relative humidity, by: acquiring the air temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the relative humidity sensed by the humidity sensor, and the type of product detected by the product detector; selectively activating and deactivating one or more of the radiant heater, the conduction heater, the convection heater, and the steam generator in accordance with the acquired air temperature, the acquired relative humidity, and the determined setpoint corresponding to the type of product detected and a holding time of the product, to maintain the air temperature and the relative humidity of the holding compartment within a predetermined range based on the determined setpoint; selectively activating and deactivating the fan in accordance with the measured rate of airflow, the acquired air temperature, the acquired relative humidity, and the determined setpoint corresponding to the type of product detected and a holding time of the product, to maintain the airflow, the air temperature, and the relative humidity of the holding compartment within a predetermined range based on the determined setpoint; and selectively adjusting a pattern of the airflow within the holding compartment, such that air is selectively introduced within the holding compartment at different angles in accordance with the acquired air temperature, the acquired relative humidity, and the measured rate of airflow, wherein selectively adjusting the pattern of the airflow within the holding compartment, such that air is selectively introduced within the holding compartment at different angles comprises selectively introducing air into the holding compartment from different directions by selectively opening and closing a plurality of vents.