Patent ID: 6392201
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A catering apparatus for delivering heated food product; said catering apparatus comprising:(a) a catering delivery rack comprising: (i) a frame having a top end and a bottom end, and including an upper region and a lower region; (ii) wheels attached to the frame and oriented so that said catering apparatus can be rolled on the wheels; (iii) a first shelf support positioned in the upper region; (iv) a second shelf support positioned in the lower region; (v) a third shelf support positioned intermediate the first and second shelf supports; (vi) first, second, and third shelves respectively supported by said first, second, and third shelf supports; and (vii) said frame including an front access side for access to said first, second, and third shelves; (b) an insulated cover having a front cover secured over said front access side, (i) said front cover being constructed and arranged for selective opening: (A) to provide selective access to said upper region and said first shelf without opening said lower region and exposing said second shelf; (B) to provide selective access to said lower region and said second shelf without opening said upper region and exposing said first shelf; and (C) to provide selective access to said third shelf positioned intermediate said first and second shelf supports without exposing said first shelf or said second shelf; and (c) a plurality of thermal transfer units including at least a first thermal transfer unit and a second thermal transfer unit; (i) said first thermal transfer unit: (A) comprising a first electrical resistance heating grid enclosed within a first container; and (B) being positioned at said upper region of said frame; (ii) said second thermal transfer unit: (A) comprising a second electrical resistance heating grid enclosed within a second container; and (B) being positioned at said lower region of said frame; and (iii) each of said first and second thermal transfer units being electrically charged.