Warming cabinet for food storage

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods for food storage and warming, and particularly, providing static, constant, even, and gentle heat for precise temperature and humidity control.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods for food storage and warming.

BACKGROUND

Warming cabinets for food storage and transport are commonly utilized in the catering and restaurant industries. Warming cabinets may be used to maintain already-prepared food in a ready-to-serve state. Warming cabinets may also be used for the secure transport of food, and so contain shelves or trays within the cabinet. Optimally, these cabinets maintain a desired temperature and humidity in view of the opening and closing of doors and/or movement of the cabinet.

Traditional warming cabinets use high-density heating elements like thermal cables or coils, which lack precise temperature control and require a fan to move the high-density heat throughout the cabinet. High-density heating elements are generally located on only one side of the cabinet yielding internal ‘hot spots’ and a temperature variance of up to 25° C., leading to unpredictability and altered food texture. The use of a fan to distribute the high-density heat further leads to faster drying of the food, so these cabinets use water or water vapor to compensate for the loss of humidity, resulting in foods that taste washed out or dried upon serving. The use of high-density heat elements also creates dangerously-hot exterior cabinet walls. The high-density heating elements are prone to short-circuiting and are burdensome to repair or replace, requiring a disassembly of the entire cabinet.

SUMMARY

A warming cabinet or banquet cart is disclosed having thermal pads positioned on multiple interior faces of the cart such that the thermal pads provide a radiant, static, constant, even, and gentle heat. This heat maintains a precise temperature and humidity in the warming cabinet chamber without the use of fans or water vapor, which alter food taste and texture. The thermal pads can be independently controlled for optimal temperature control and consume less energy than conventional high-density heating elements, which demand high wattage to kick start a heating cycle and process. The joints of these heating elements may be located away from potential water sources, decreasing their propensity for short-circuiting, but when needed, the thermal pads are easy to service and can be repaired replaced individually.

According to one example (“Example 1”), a warming cabinet apparatus includes a housing interior including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first sidewall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a second side wall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface; and a first heating element arranged on the first sidewall and a second heating element arranged on the second side wall, the first heating element and the second heating element being independently or jointly controllable and configured to radiate heat throughout the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 2”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first heating element and the second heating element are configured to maintain moisture within the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 3”), further to the apparatus of Example 2, the first heating element and the second heating element are configured to maintain a maximum amount of natural food product moisture.

According to another example (“Example 4”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first heating element and the second heating element are configured to radiate heat to maintain a temperature within the housing interior of between about 4° C. to about 6° C.

According to another example (“Example 5”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first sidewall and the second sidewall include polyurethane insulation, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to thermally insulate the housing interior from an exterior surface of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

According to another example (“Example 6”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first heating element and the second element are configured to radiate heat independently.

According to another example (“Example 7”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the heating elements are accessible from the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 8”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first heating element and the second heating element are configured to maintain a temperature within the housing interior without use of a fan or high-density heating element.

According to another example (“Example 9”), further to the apparatus of Example 1, the first sidewall includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the second sidewall includes an upper portion and a lower portion and further includes one or more heating elements arranged on the upper portion of the first sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the lower portion of the first sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the upper portion of the second sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the lower portion of the second sidewall, the one or more heating elements independently or jointly controllable and configured to radiate heat throughout the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 10”), a warming cabinet apparatus includes a housing interior including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first sidewall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a second side wall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface; and one or more heating elements arranged on the first sidewall or on the second side wall, the one or more heating element being independently or jointly controllable and configured to radiate heat and maintain moisture throughout the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 11”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the one or more heating elements are configured to radiate heat to maintain a temperature within the housing interior of between about 4° C. to about 6° C.

According to another example (“Example 12”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the first sidewall and the second sidewall include polyurethane insulation, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall are configured to thermally insulate the housing interior from an exterior surface of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

According to another example (“Example 13”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the one or more heating elements are configured to radiate heat independently.

According to another example (“Example 14”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the one or more heating elements are accessible from the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 15”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the one or more heating elements are pads substantially rectangular in shape, square in shape, circular in shape, oval in shape, hexagonal in shape, or octagonal in shape.

According to another example (“Example 16”), further to the apparatus of Example 10, the first sidewall includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the second sidewall includes an upper portion and a lower portion and further includes one or more heating elements arranged on the upper portion of the first sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the lower portion of the first sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the upper portion of the second sidewall and one or more heating elements arranged on the lower portion of the second sidewall, the one or more heating elements independently or jointly controllable and configured to radiate heat throughout the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 17), a method of operating a warming cabinet apparatus includes arranging food within a housing interior, the housing interior including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first sidewall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a second side wall arranged between the upper surface and the lower surface; and maintaining a temperature and humidity within the housing interior using one or more heating elements arranged on the first sidewall or on the second side wall, the one or more heating element being independently or jointly controllable and configured to radiate heat throughout the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 18″), further to the method of Example 17, the one or more heating elements are configured to radiate heat to maintain a temperature within the housing interior of between about 4° C. to about 6° C.

According to another example (“Example 19”), further to the method of Example 17, the one or more heating elements are configured to maintain moisture within the housing interior.

According to another example (“Example 20”), further to the method of Example 17, the one or more heating elements are configured to maintain a maximum amount of natural food product moisture.

The foregoing Examples are just that, and should not be read to limit or otherwise narrow the scope of any of the inventive concepts otherwise provided by the instant disclosure. While multiple examples are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative examples. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature rather than restrictive in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions and Terminology

This disclosure is not meant to be read in a restrictive manner. For example, the terminology used in the application should be read broadly in the context of the meaning those in the field would attribute such terminology.

With respect to terminology of inexactitude, the terms “about” and “approximately” may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement. Measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement deviate from the stated measurement by a reasonably small amount as understood and readily ascertained by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Such deviations may be attributable to measurement error, differences in measurement and/or manufacturing equipment calibration, human error in reading and/or setting measurements, minor adjustments made to optimize performance and/or structural parameters in view of differences in measurements associated with other components, particular implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and/or manipulation of objects by a person or machine, and/or the like, for example. In the event it is determined that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts would not readily ascertain values for such reasonably small differences, the terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood to mean plus or minus 10% of the stated value.

Throughout this disclosure, the term “warming cabinet” is used to describe what may otherwise or additionally be called a “banquet cabinet”, a “cabinet”, a “banquet cart”, and/or a “holding cabinet.”

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is an illustration of an exterior of an example warming cabinet100, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The warming cabinet has a door102which may open and close to allow for the placement of food within the warming cabinet100. The warming cabinet100may be used to keep food at a safe and even temperature. The warming cabinet100may be of any size or shape such that food may be placed inside the warming cabinet100for storage and/or transportation.

As described in further detail below, the warming cabinet100includes one or more heating elements configured to radiate heat. The heat provide may be static, constant, even, and gentle throughout an interior of the warming cabinet100. In addition, and as described in further detail below, due to the static, constant, even, and gentle heat, the one or more heating elements maintain a moisture content level within the interior of the warming cabinet100. In this manner, for example, food arranged within the interior of the warming cabinet100may be maintained at a desired moisture level and will not dry out prior to service.

FIG.2is a partial cutaway illustration of an interior of an example warming cabinet, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The warming cabinet200has an upper surface204connected to a lower surface206via a first sidewall208and a second sidewall210. In some examples, a first heating element212is attached to a first sidewall208between an upper surface204and a lower surface206. In some examples, a second heating element214is attached to a second sidewall210between an upper surface204and a lower surface206. The first and second heating elements212,214are configured to radiate heat throughout the housing interior218. Using such a configuration results in the heat being evenly distributed throughout the housing interior218to minimize hot spots in any portion of the warming cabinet200.

In some examples, the heating elements212,214(e.g., thermal pads) radiate heat toward or in the generally direction of the housing interior218instead of toward the upper surface204, lower surface206, first sidewall208, or second sidewall210, such that the warming cabinet200requires less energy to maintain a steady temperature than traditional warming cabinets. The heating elements212,214radiate heat such that the warming cabinet200does not use a fan and a high-density heating element to maintain a desired temperature in the interior of the warming cabinet200. The heating elements212,214radiating heat in this manner may result in food inside the housing interior218remaining at a desired and even temperature while retaining a maximum amount of natural food-product moisture.

The heating elements212,214provide a radiant, static, constant, even, and gentle heat throughout the entire cabinet. As compared with traditional high-density heating elements like thermal cables or coils, the heating elements212,214may precisely maintain the heat of food while using 1/3-1/2 of the energy of high-density heating equipment. The heating elements212,214may be easily and accurately thermostatically controllable, within one (1) degree Celsius. Such control results in limited temperature fluctuations and a narrow, targeted, temperature range.

The resulting smaller temperature fluctuation range requires less energy to start and maintain a heating cycle, and therefore consumes much less overall energy, particularly as compared with traditional high-density heating elements, which have a temperature fluctuation of 10-20° C. and require a larger amount of energy to start and maintain a heating cycle. The broader the temperature fluctuation, the more energy the unit requires to maintain a temperature.

FIG.3Ais a partial cutaway illustration of an interior of another example warming cabinet, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The warming cabinet300has an upper surface304, a lower surface306and a first sidewall308and a second sidewall310extending between the upper surface304and the lower surface306. In some examples, a first heating element312is attached to a first sidewall308between an upper surface304and a lower surface306. In some examples, one or more heating elements312,314are embedded into sidewalls308,310. In some examples, a second heating element314is attached to a second sidewall310between an upper surface304and a lower surface306. In some examples, the warming cabinet300has a third heating element320, a fourth heating element322, a fifth heating element324, a sixth heating element326, and a seventh heating element328(fewer or greater numbers of heating elements may be utilized as required by for maintaining temperature and interior volume of the warming cabinet300). In some examples, like the first and second heating elements312,314, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth heating elements320,322,324,326are attached to a sidewall. In such examples, there may also be a seventh heating element328attached to the lower surface306. In some aspects, the heating elements are evenly spaced across the sidewalls.

The multiple heating elements depicted in the warming cabinet300may provide radiant heat from more than one direction, to allow for efficient and reliable temperature control within the housing interior318. Further, the position of the multiple heating elements with integrated gaps (as shown inFIG.4B) located on the first sidewall308and second sidewall310ensure optimal maintaining of heat and even temperature within the housing interior318. The multiple heating elements can be independently controlled or controlled as a unit, to allow for desired temperature control within the housing interior318. In certain instances, heating elements312,314,320,322,324,326,328may require different amounts of heat to maintain the desired temperature. Circulating power to the heating elements312,314,320,322,324,326,328may save energy and resources.

In some examples the use of a thermostat or thermocouple coupled with the multiple heating elements allows for precise temperature control so that food products can be held at a desired or set serving temperature for an extended period of time without unnecessary temperature fluctuations drying out the food products.

FIG.3Bis an illustration of an interior of another example warming cabinet, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The warming cabinet300has an upper surface304, a lower surface306and a first sidewall308and a second sidewall310extending between the upper surface304and the lower surface306. In some aspects, the sidewalls308,310are foamed PU insulation. In some examples, a first heating element312is attached to a first sidewall308between an upper surface304and a lower surface306. In some examples, one or more heating elements312,314are attached to an inner removable sidewall cover335. In some aspects, the inner removable sidewall cover335is attached to sidewalls308,310with one or more removeable elements, such as screws330, in some cases four screws330, and the inner rem oveable sidewall cover335and heating elements312,314can be removed from the sidewalls308,310by unscrewing the screws330.

FIG.4Ais an illustration of an example heating element, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The heating element400has a power cord410and a connection end412. Each heating element400is an individual and separate element and can be positioned independently within a warming cabinet. Each heating element400can be controlled independently or in combination with other heating elements400. In some examples, a heating element400is a non-convection heating pad or a thermal pad. The connection end412may be positioned at the top of the upper surface of the interior of the warming cabinet, as depicted inFIG.4B. Such a position decreases the likelihood of the short-circuiting of the heating element400due to water leaking into the electrical aspects of the heating element400. In traditional warming cabinets with high-density heating elements, the heating elements are frequently short-circuited and burnt out due to water that has seeped into joints of the electrical connections. This water enters via normal cleaning processes or from the water or water vapor that was added to compensate for the loss of humidity from the use of high-density heat and/or fan. The use of independent heating elements400avoids these issues.

FIG.4Billustrates an example configuration of the extended cable connected points in an example warming cabinet405. The warming cabinet405has multiple heating elements, each with a power cord410and a connection end412. The connection end412may be positioned at the top of the upper surface of the interior of the warming cabinet415. This position conceals the connection end(s)412of the heating elements away from any locations containing moisture, such as the housing interior and/or inner side walls of the warming cabinet, decreasing the likelihood of short circuiting. This position also conceals the connection end(s)412for security purposes.

A warming cabinet containing heating elements400may be easy to service as the heating elements400are easily accessible for repair or replacement. Traditional high-density heating elements like thermal cables or coils are extremely difficult to service as the entire warming cart must be disassembled and the entire heating element must be removed and replaced with an entirely new high-density heating element. This costly, time-consuming and laborious process is avoided with the use of the individual heating elements400.

WhileFIG.4Aillustrates an example heating element generally having a rectangular shape, other shapes for the heating element400can include square, circular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal, or lacking a uniform shape and seemingly randomly shaped. The heating elements400can have the size and shape consistent with the size and shape of the surface or sidewall to which they are to be attached.

Depending on the size and shape of the warming cabinet, any number of heating elements may be used. For example, two heating elements may be used on opposing sidewalls, as depicted inFIG.2. In other examples, more than two heating elements may be used on opposing sidewalls, and/or on the upper surface or lower surface.FIGS.5A-Bare illustrations of exteriors of example warming cabinets, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG.5Adepicts a cabinet with an upper cabinet510and a lower cabinet512. A number of heating elements can be used in the sidewalls of each of the upper cabinet510and lower cabinet512ofFIG.5Aand the two upper cabinets510and two lower cabinets512ofFIG.5B. The use of these separate heating elements allows for better control of the temperature of the housing interior as temperature variance, for example, between the upper cabinet510and the lower cabinet512. As detailed herein, the temperature variance according to the present disclosure is around 5-6° C.

In some examples, the cabinet may be a cooling cabinet for the storage and/or transport of food requiring lower temperatures. In some aspects, such as depicted inFIG.5B, the cabinet may be a combination cabinet and have one portion for warming and one portion for cooling. In such examples, the insulation material of the sidewalls and exterior is such that the heating of one cabinet does not adversely affect the cooling of the other.

The warming cabinet500has one or more doors502which may open to allow for the placement of food within the warming cabinet500. The warming cabinet500may be used to keep food at a safe and even temperature. The warming cabinet500may be of any size or shape such that food may be placed inside the warming cabinet500for storage and/or transportation.

The warming cabinet500includes one or more heating elements configured to radiate heat. The heat provide may be static, constant, even, and gentle throughout an interior of the warming cabinet500. In addition, and as described in further herein, due to the static, constant, even, and gentle heat, the one or more heating elements maintain a moisture content level within the interior of the warming cabinet500. In this manner, for example, food arranged within the interior of the warming cabinet500may be maintained at a desired moisture level and will not dry out prior to service.

The warming cabinet500may be stationary or may have wheels522or the like to allow it to be moved for the transport of food.

In some examples, the warming cabinets500are insulated with a material such that the heating of one cabinet does not adversely affect the heating or cooling of another. In some aspects, the heating cabinets are insulated with that material such that the heating of one cabinet does not adversely affect the cooling of another. For example, the walls may be insulated with zero ODP injected polyurethane insulation.

FIG.6is an example plot of a temperature control of warming cabinets, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, as compared with a traditional warming cabinet containing high-density heating elements.

Graph600shows an example temperature pattern of a warming cabinet that is the subject of the present disclosure (as discussed in detail above). The steady oven air temperature over a period of multiple hours results from the radiant, static, constant, even, and gentle heat provided by the thermal pad heating elements of this disclosure. The heating elements maintains a precise temperature and humidity in the warming cabinet chamber, resulting in optimal food after storage in the warming cabinet.

Graph602is an example temperature pattern of a warming cabinet using traditional high-density heating elements. As shown in graph602, maintenance of a desired chamber temperature over a course of many hours using high-density heating elements results in a fluctuating temperature.

The invention of this application has been described above both generically and with regard to specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.