Patent Description:
The use of display cabinets suited to promote the cooking, heating and preservation of food products intended for consumption by a user has long been known in the catering, large-scale distribution and retail sectors.

These cabinets, often referred to also as "hot food counters", comprise a substantially closed compartment inside which there is a supporting plane intended to support the food products on display.

The cabinet is also provided with heating means suited to transfer a predetermined amount of heat to the supporting plane, so that, through convection, it will be possible to cook and/or heat the food products placed on said surface.

In general, the heating means used in display cabinets can comprise heat sources of various types.

For example, said heating sources can be electrical, meaning that the heating of the supporting plane can be obtained by means of heat dissipation through the Joule effect following the passage of an electric current through a resistor.

Alternatively, heated food display cabinets can comprise electromagnetic induction heating means, which are designed to promote the generation of heat directly on the supporting plane following the application of an electromagnetic field generated by one or more plates (located below the surface itself).

However, the heating means are very frequently made in such a way that one or more infrared lamps is/are integrated therein.

These lamps are typically installed above the supporting plane to promote the heating of the latter through radiation of an infrared beam.

Infrared lamps are provided with a shaped reflector, placed above them and suited to reflect downwards (that is, towards the supporting plane) the portion of infrared radiation that, in the absence of said reflector, would interact with the upper side or the lateral sides of the cabinet.

The components positioned in proximity to the lamps (for example, the ceiling light) must be kept at room temperature (or at slightly higher temperatures) so as to prevent the user from being scalded or burnt during interaction with said sides when picking heated food products.

However, the main drawback of infrared heat sources lies in that the radiation they emit is not uniformly distributed inside the compartment and this causes the supporting plane to heat up unevenly.

The heating of said surface, in fact, is obtained through the synergic effect produced by two components emitted by the same radiant source: i) the direct radiation coming from the lamp, ii) the reflected radiation coming from the screen placed above the lamp (or from any side delimiting the compartment).

The composition of these two distinct types of radiation causes the supporting plane to heat up unevenly.

In fact, it has been possible to measure experimentally that the temperature gradient varies considerably as one moves around the upper side of the supporting plane, with differences that can even reach <NUM>.

A further drawback of the above-mentioned solutions is represented by the uneven heating of the food products contained inside the cabinet; this drawback, in fact, is the sign, on the product itself, that the temperature is not distributed evenly across the surface and this, moreover, can affect the preservation and shelf life of the food product.

Furthermore, an unevenly heated supporting plane requires an overall higher quantity of thermal energy to promote the cooking and/or heating of the food products.

Therefore, food display cabinets using infrared heat sources also have, among other things, reduced energy efficiency, which increases the running costs of the equipment. Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> describe cabinets or displays for displaying and storing cooked food products that have all the features illustrated in the preamble of claim <NUM>. However, these cabinets and displays have all the drawbacks explained above.

The present invention intends to overcome the above-mentioned technical drawbacks by providing a particularly effective and efficient cabinet for displaying and storing cooked food products.

In particular, the main object of the present invention is to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that suited to promote the uniform heating of the compartment suited to contain the food products.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that suited to heat the food products contained therein and to maintain them at a substantially uniform temperature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that is particularly energy efficient, in order to reduce electric energy consumption.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that is particularly easy to make compared to the current displays for heated food.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that is particularly reliable and durable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that does not require special measures to maintain optimal insulation between the internal compartment and the external environment.

Again, it is not the least object of the present invention to provide a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products that requires little maintenance during its operation.

These objects, together with others that are illustrated in greater detail below, are achieved by a cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked food products of the type according to claim <NUM>.

Other objects that are better described below are achieved by a cabinet for displaying and preserving food products according to the dependent claims.

The advantages and characteristics of the present invention are clarified by the following detailed description of a preferred but not limiting configuration of a cabinet for displaying and storing cooked food products for sale that is illustrated in the following drawings:.

The subject of the present invention is a cabinet, the purpose of which is to display and store cooked food products suited to be consumed by a user.

Said cabinet, hereinafter indicated by the reference number <NUM>, is configured to heat the food products P to a predetermined temperature so that they can be consumed hot by a user.

Conveniently, the cabinet <NUM> that is the subject of the invention can be configured to cook a food product P completely or to maintain the latter at a predetermined heating temperature.

The maximum temperature T max for heating or cooking the food product P can be set by the regulations in force in the country where the cabinet <NUM> will be installed, in general this temperature is below <NUM> and generally included between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The term "food product" as used in this description refers to any food and/or dishes that has already undergone prior cooking and/or pre-cooking and that is intended to be consumed by a consumer. In the present description, therefore, when reference is made to the possibility of promoting the "cooking" of a food product, what is meant is the heating of the food product itself in such a way as to bring it from an initial pre-cooking stage to a final stage where it is fully cooked.

The cabinet <NUM>, which is the subject of the present invention, is particularly suited to be installed in food outlets such as, for example, supermarkets, retail shops, restaurants and cafeterias, public premises, etc..

The cabinet <NUM> comprises a supporting frame <NUM> defining a longitudinal axis indicated by the reference letter L in the Figures.

More specifically, the longitudinal direction L defined by the frame <NUM> can be substantially vertical.

The frame <NUM> is also provided with a plurality of sides <NUM>, <NUM> defining an internal compartment <NUM> intended to contain the food product P.

The supporting frame <NUM> can be constituted by a plurality of parts suited to define the external body of the cabinet, however, for the purposes of the present description the part of the frame <NUM> that is useful for understanding the invention comprises the pair of sides <NUM> and the upper side <NUM> delimiting the compartment <NUM>.

These sides <NUM>, <NUM> are clearly visible in <FIG>.

More specifically, one of the sides <NUM> can comprise a door <NUM> suited to be selectively opened/closed by a user (or an operator) to allow the collection/insertion of the food product P contained inside the compartment <NUM>.

There is also a supporting plane <NUM> positioned inside the compartment <NUM> and suited to support the food products P intended to be heated.

As can be observed in greater detail in <FIG>, the supporting plane <NUM> can have a substantially horizontal upper surface <NUM>.

The internal compartment <NUM>, therefore, is delimited laterally and at the top by the sides <NUM> and the upper side <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and by the supporting plane <NUM> at the bottom. More specifically, the upper surface <NUM> of the compartment defines the bottom of the compartment <NUM>, while the lower surface of the upper side <NUM> defines the top of the compartment <NUM>.

Conveniently, it is possible to use one or more insulating layers (generally made of an environmentally friendly material such as Nefalit or a similar one) interposed between the supporting plane <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM>, in such a way as to reduce the heat dispersion that occurs in that area.

Conveniently, the cabinet <NUM> will be provided with heating means <NUM> positioned inside the compartment <NUM>.

In particular, the heating means <NUM> can be placed inside the compartment <NUM> in proximity to the upper side <NUM> of the frame, as better illustrated in <FIG>.

The purpose of said means <NUM> is to promote the heating of the supporting plane <NUM> to a predetermined temperature T<NUM>.

More specifically, the heating means <NUM> are suited to transfer thermal energy (or heat) to the external surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM> on which the food products P to be cooked/heated are directly placed.

In this way, during the operation of the heating means <NUM>, the thermal energy absorbed by the external surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM> is transferred to the food products P by conduction, so as to cook/heat them.

Conveniently, the heating means <NUM> may comprise at least one infrared source <NUM>.

In the configuration of the cabinet <NUM> illustrated in the Figures, a single infrared source <NUM> is used, which consists of one pair of rectilinear radiant tubes <NUM> mutually arranged side by side.

These tubes <NUM> substantially extend along the entire length of the compartment <NUM>.

The configuration of the infrared source <NUM> is clearly visible in <FIG>, where the radiant tubes <NUM> are anchored to an installation side <NUM>' positioned in proximity to the upper side <NUM> by means of a plurality of shaped supports <NUM> arranged in a spaced manner along the extension of said tubes <NUM>.

The radiant tubes <NUM> are suited to be powered electrically (through appropriate electrical connections known per se and not illustrated in the Figures), in such a way as to generate an electromagnetic radiation in the infrared band.

Conveniently, the radiant tubes may comprise a laminar parabolic element (generally made of a metallic material) positioned on their upper portion thereof so as to strongly limit infrared radiation in the area above the source <NUM>. Furthermore, this parabolic element allows most of the infrared radiation that originally propagates upwards to be conveyed downwards and in the direction of the supporting plane <NUM>.

The parabolic element (not shown in the Figures) associated with the radiant tubes can be inserted inside the latter or, alternatively, it can be positioned externally and cover their upper outer surface, or both.

In general, the total electric power absorbed by an infrared source <NUM> installed in a cabinet according to this description can be included between 500W and 4000W.

The infrared radiation emitted by the source <NUM> is almost completely absorbed by the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>, which causes the latter to heat up.

Conveniently, the infrared source <NUM> can be anchored to the frame of the cabinet so as to follow a predetermined direction of installation, indicated by the reference letter X in the Figures. In other words, the infrared source is anchored to the frame of the cabinet so that it is arranged along the direction of installation X.

Conveniently, the direction of installation X associated with the infrared source <NUM> can be tilted by a first predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the longitudinal development direction L of the frame <NUM>.

More specifically, the first inclination angle α can be between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and can preferably range between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

The installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM> can be bent and shaped in such a way as to feature three contiguous sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, each of which is flat and inclined.

In particular, the supports <NUM> of the infrared source <NUM> can be anchored to the intermediate tilted section, indicated by the reference number <NUM> in the Figures.

This intermediate section <NUM> is typically inclined by the first inclination angle α (generally included between <NUM>° and <NUM>°) with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

The installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM> has also one pair of flat and inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> arranged opposite and contiguous with the intermediate inclined section <NUM> to which the supports <NUM> of the infrared source <NUM> are anchored.

Said inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged laterally to the source and are oriented in such a way that they converge towards a point located outside the compartment <NUM> (and outside the installation side <NUM>').

This point is indicated by the reference letter P in the Figures.

The first of these sections, indicated by the reference number <NUM> in the Figures, is tilted by a second predetermined inclination angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

In general, the second angle of inclination β can be included between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and typically close to <NUM>°.

The other section of this pair, indicated by the reference number <NUM> in the Figures, is tilted by a third predetermined inclination angle γ with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

In general, the third angle of inclination γ can be included between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and typically close to <NUM>°.

Sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the installation side <NUM> are arranged in such a way that they mutually converge towards a point K located outside the compartment <NUM>, as clearly visible in <FIG>.

The inclination of sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the installation side <NUM>' along directions of inclination that converge towards the point K located outside the compartment makes it possible to define a housing inside which the infrared source <NUM> is located.

Advantageously, the cabinet <NUM> that is the subject of the present invention comprises a reflector element <NUM> positioned inside the compartment <NUM>, under the infrared source <NUM>.

More specifically, the reflector element <NUM> is inserted under the infrared source <NUM> in the space separating the radiant tubes <NUM>, <NUM>' and the upper surface <NUM> of supporting plane <NUM>. As schematically shown in greater detail in <FIG>, the reflector element is installed under the infrared source <NUM> along a directrix J connecting the source <NUM> itself to a point Q of the supporting plane. This directrix is substantially constituted by a section of a straight line suited to directly connect the source <NUM> to a predetermined point Q on the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>.

Therefore, according to what has been explained above, it can be stated that the reflector is arranged inside the compartment, in the space separating the infrared source <NUM> from the supporting plane <NUM>, and in particular in the space visible to a hypothetical operator who looks downwards, that is, in the direction of the supporting plane <NUM>, starting from a cross section of the cabinet made at the infrared source <NUM>.

In other words, the reflector element <NUM> is interposed in the path along which the infrared radiation would propagate between a starting point defined by the source <NUM> and an arrival point located in the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>; this radiation path, furthermore, is of the direct type, that is, it is constituted by a straight line during the propagation of which the electromagnetic radiation is not (or would not be) reflected by other objects present inside the compartment.

The reflector element <NUM>, therefore, is configured to at least partially reflect the infrared radiation generated by the source <NUM> towards the sides <NUM> and/or the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM>.

In particular, the reflector <NUM> is configured to reflect a part of the infrared radiation generated by the source <NUM> and suited to propagate inside the compartment <NUM> along a propagation direction that is such as to directly hit the supporting plane <NUM> (and the food product placed on it), that is, without being first reflected by other sides or objects located inside the compartment <NUM> or above the source <NUM>.

Conveniently, the reflector <NUM> is configured to reflect only a portion of the infrared radiation emitted by the source <NUM> and suited to reach the supporting plane <NUM> in a direct manner (that is, the radiation that hits the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM> without undergoing one or more reflections by the sides or objects located inside the compartment <NUM>). The remaining part of the direct radiation emitted by the source <NUM> reaches the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM> (or the food product P placed on said supporting plane <NUM>) without being reflected along its path.

Furthermore, the width w<NUM> of the reflector <NUM> is considerably smaller than the transversal dimension w<NUM> of the compartment <NUM> just below the reflector <NUM> itself. In this way, therefore, a large part of the infrared radiation emitted by the source <NUM> will reach the plane supporting plane <NUM> (and the food product supported by it) directly and without interfering with the reflector <NUM>, while a small part of the radiation emitted by the source <NUM> (and which would directly hit the supporting plane) is reflected by the reflector towards the sides <NUM> and/or the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM>.

The reflector element <NUM> will be suited to reflect most of the infrared radiation incident on it towards the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM>.

More specifically, as is better described below, the shape of the reflector element <NUM> will be selected in such a way as to promote the reflection of most of the incident infrared radiation (generated by the source <NUM>) towards the pair of inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> arranged beside the section <NUM> that supports the source <NUM> itself.

The main function of the reflector element <NUM> is to "shield" a large area of the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM> from the direct infrared radiation generated by the source <NUM>.

The infrared radiation that reaches the reflector element <NUM> then hits the supporting plane <NUM> only after being reflected at least twice: i) a first time at the reflector element <NUM> itself, and ii) a second time at the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM> (or at the inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> comprising said side).

Conveniently, the infrared radiation that reaches the reflector element <NUM> can then hit the supporting plane <NUM> after being further reflected following reflection i) and ii) mentioned above.

The reflector element <NUM> is positioned at a relatively high distance d<NUM> from the supporting plane <NUM> and such as to prevent (or make substantially null) the transfer of thermal energy from the reflector element <NUM> to the food product P placed on the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>.

In other words, the food product P located inside the compartment <NUM> can be heated exclusively through the infrared radiation emitted by the source <NUM> while the action of the reflector <NUM> in the process designed to heat/cook the food product P is almost zero.

<FIG> schematically shows the main paths followed by the infrared radiation that propagates from the source <NUM> to the supporting plane <NUM>.

More specifically, according to the invention, two direct radiation beams invest the supporting plane <NUM> in proximity to its end portions <NUM>. The expression "direct radiation beams" means the infrared radiation that is never reflected along the path connecting the source <NUM> to the supporting plane <NUM>.

In <FIG>, these direct radiation beams are delimited by the dashed lines indicated by the reference number <NUM>.

The central portion <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>, on the contrary, is hit by reflected infrared radiation; in particular, the beams that reach the central area of the supporting plane undergoes a first reflection at the reflector element <NUM> located under the source <NUM>, and then are reflected a second time at the pair of inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the installation side <NUM>'.

Conveniently, the value of the second inclination angle β and of the third of inclination angle γ respectively associated with the inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper side <NUM> are selected in such a way as to direct the incident infrared component (which has already been reflected at the reflector element <NUM>) towards the supporting plane <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the reflected beams that reach the plane <NUM> after being reflected at the inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> are schematically represented by the dashed lines indicated by the reference number <NUM>.

Obviously, the radiation beams shown in <FIG> are to be considered as an example and are intended to indicate the two main types of radiation that hit the supporting plane <NUM>. It should be noted, in fact, that a considerable part of the thermal energy associated with the latter is obtained through the combined effect (or overlapping) of the direct radiation coming from the source <NUM> and the radiation that has been reflected at the sides <NUM> of the frame <NUM> or other parts of the side <NUM>'.

Conveniently, the reflector element <NUM> can be constituted by a shaped metallic element extending over the full length of the infrared source <NUM>.

More specifically, the reflector element <NUM> can consist of a metal section bar shaped so as to define a lowered central portion <NUM> and one pair of end portions <NUM> extending from opposite sides with respect to the central portion <NUM>.

In the configuration of the reflector element <NUM> illustrated in the Figures (and better visible in <FIG>), this element has a substantially V-shaped cross section oriented so as to maintain the central portion <NUM> at a distance d<NUM> from the infrared source <NUM> greater than the distance d<NUM>, d<NUM>' that separates the end portions <NUM> from the same source.

In other words, and as can be better seen in the Figures, the reflector element <NUM> is positioned so that the cusp (or vertex) of the "V" shape of the cross section is directed towards the supporting plane <NUM>.

Conveniently, the reflector element <NUM> can have a shape different from that shown in the Figures, however, the preferred shape and installation of this component require that its central position <NUM> be placed at a greater distance d<NUM> from the infrared source <NUM> than the distance d<NUM> at which the end portions <NUM> are placed.

In this way, from the point of view of the infrared wave propagating from the source <NUM>, the reflector element has a substantially concave shape so as to direct the reflected radiation towards the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM>, and in particular towards the inclined sections <NUM>, <NUM> of the latter.

However, it is also possible to use other shapes for the cross section of the reflector element (for example, a substantially convex shape), provided that the reflection of the incident wave is always oriented so as to reach the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM>.

Conveniently, as can be better seen in <FIG>, the reflector element <NUM> is located under the infrared source <NUM> in a misaligned position (that is, not coaxial) with respect to the installation direction X of the latter.

The expression " misaligned position" in the preceding paragraph is intended to refer to the fact that the center plane of the reflector element, indicated by the symbol π in <FIG>, is neither aligned with nor superimposed on the installation direction X of the infrared source <NUM>; on the contrary, said plane π is spaced from the installation direction X by a predetermined distance d<NUM>.

The center plane π of the reflector element <NUM> lies at its central portion <NUM>, therefore it is evident that this portion <NUM> and the installation direction X are separated by the misalignment distance d<NUM> introduced above.

The misalignment of the reflector element <NUM> with respect to the installation direction X makes it possible to vary the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the source <NUM> that reaches the supporting plane <NUM> directly, that is, without being reflected during its propagation.

In the configuration of the cabinet illustrated in <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> of the reflector element <NUM> (or, alternatively, its center plane π) is offset to the right by the misalignment distance d<NUM> with respect to the installation direction X of the source <NUM>.

In this way, a considerable part of the infrared radiation generated by the radiant tube of the source <NUM> positioned further to the left (indicated by the reference number <NUM>' in <FIG>) hits the supporting plane <NUM> directly, while the radiation emitted by the tube positioned further to the right (indicated by the reference number <NUM>' in <FIG>) is completely (or almost completely) reflected by the reflector element <NUM>.

The misalignment of the reflector element with respect to the installation axis of the source generates an asymmetrical reflection with respect to the infrared radiation emitted by the tubes <NUM>', <NUM>".

It has been possible to verify experimentally that the size and position of the reflector element <NUM> play a decisive role in promoting the correct distribution of the infrared radiation that reaches the supporting plane <NUM>.

Furthermore, the size of the infrared source <NUM> affects the size and position of the reflector element inside the compartment <NUM>.

In particular, it is possible to parameterize the position of the reflector element <NUM> in space and its dimensions as a function of a dimension of the source <NUM> used as a reference, for example its width (indicated by the reference letter W in <FIG>).

The dimensional relationship between the distances/dimensions of the reflector element <NUM> and the width W of the infrared source can be expressed as follows:.

By way of example, considering an infrared source <NUM> having an approximate width W of <NUM>, the values of the distances/dimensions of the reflector element <NUM> are as follows:.

The above relationship, based on the reference dimension W of the source <NUM> and the dimensions/position of the reflector element <NUM>, makes it possible to arrange the latter in space in a position suited to distribute the infrared radiation produced by the source <NUM> and hitting the supporting plane <NUM> in a substantially uniform manner.

More specifically, it can be verified that the arrangement of a reflector element <NUM> in accordance with the distances/dimensions specified above makes it possible to considerably reduce the temperature gradient ΔT present on the external surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>. In particular, the installation of one reflector element <NUM> of the type described above in the compartment <NUM> can promote a more uniform distribution of temperature on the upper surface <NUM> of the supporting plane <NUM>; for example, the temperature gradient ΔT (that is, the thermal differential between two points of said surface) may be less than <NUM>% and typically close to <NUM>%.

Conveniently, the installation side <NUM>' of the frame <NUM> can have an additional shaped section <NUM> placed beside the infrared source <NUM> and suited to define a housing <NUM> for one or more LED lamps <NUM>.

The LED lamps <NUM> can be distributed along the transverse extension of the installation side <NUM>'.

These LED lamps <NUM> are illustrated schematically in <FIG>.

The function of the LED lamps <NUM> is to illuminate the food products placed on the supporting plane <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> can include also a cooling system <NUM> suited to maintain the temperature near the infrared source <NUM> and the LED lamps <NUM> within a predetermined range of values below the maximum permissible values for said components.

The cooling system <NUM> can comprise a metallic supporting element <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, intended to be positioned above the installation side <NUM>' suited to support the infrared lamp <NUM> and the LED lamps <NUM>.

This metallic element <NUM> is suited to support a plurality of fans <NUM> preferably positioned side by side along the transverse extension direction of the support itself.

Furthermore, the metallic element <NUM> can be provided with a plurality of openings <NUM> located at the fans <NUM>.

In addition to the above, the installation side <NUM>' is provided with a plurality of slits <NUM> arranged in such a way as to form rows (or lines) that extend over the entire transverse extension the side itself.

The presence of the slits <NUM> and the openings <NUM> makes it possible to promote the circulation of an air flow that hits the infrared source <NUM> and is suited to extract the heat generated by the latter and by the LED lamps <NUM> and distribute it inside the compartment <NUM>.

The activation of the fans <NUM> promotes the generation of a fresh air flow, the circulation of which is forced through the opening <NUM>.

This flow is subsequently conveyed towards the slits <NUM> in such a way as to generate a downward blow at the outlet of the the slits <NUM>.

This blowing action helps to dissipate the heat that formed in the upper area of the compartment <NUM> by conveying it towards the lower area of the compartment itself.

Blowing air downwards helps to promote the heating of the food products P placed on the supporting plane <NUM>, as well as to prevent the sides of the compartment from fogging up.

A first set of slits <NUM> can be configured to generate an air flow directed downwards and suited to hit the LED lamps <NUM> and the infrared source <NUM> in order to cool them.

A second set of slits <NUM> can be configured to generate the circulation of a substantially laminar air flow that skims the installation side <NUM>' and possibly also with the upper side <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>.

This laminar air flow helps to maintain the temperature of the installation side <NUM>' at values that are not dangerous in case of contact with a user's body.

The circulation of air within the compartment <NUM> thus makes it possible to cool the infrared source <NUM> and the LED lamps <NUM> and prevent them from overheating, which could damage them or reduce their service life.

In addition to the above, the circulation of the air flow makes it possible to keep all the components located inside the compartment <NUM> at a temperature lower than a critical value, in such a way as to reduce the risk of burns for a user who comes into contact with one or more of said components.

The heat produced by the infrared source <NUM> and the LED lamps <NUM> is also used to heat the food products P positioned on the supporting plane <NUM>; thanks to this feature, it is possible to increase the thermal efficiency of the cabinet <NUM> and reduce the energy consumption associated with the latter. In other words, the special configuration of the cooling system <NUM> makes it possible to generate hot air flows oriented towards the supporting plane <NUM> and suited to contribute to the heating/cooking of the food products P placed inside the compartment.

This special configuration of the cooling system <NUM> makes it possible to reuse for heating/cooking purposes of the food products P a good portion of the amount of heat generated by the source and the lamps; until now this heat has been considered a "side effect" associated with the operation of the radiant/luminous devices and therefore completely useless for the efficiency of the cabinet.

In addition to the above, the circulation of the air flow prevents condensation on the sides <NUM> (generally made of glass) that delimit the compartment <NUM>, keeping them always clear and substantially clean.

In order to maximize the effects described above, it is possible to conveniently vary the pitch and the cross sections of the slits <NUM> provided on the installation side <NUM>'.

Conveniently, the heating means <NUM> can include an electromagnetic induction heat source (not shown in the Figures) suited to promote the heating of the supporting element.

In this case, therefore, the heating of the supporting plane can be achieved through the synergetic effect obtained mainly by combining two distinct heat sources: an infrared source <NUM> and an electromagnetic induction source.

The present invention can be carried out in other variants, all falling within the scope of the claims; and dimensions of the invention can be any, provided that they are compatible with its use.

Claim 1:
A cabinet for displaying and preserving cooked heated food products (P), comprising:
- a supporting frame (<NUM>) provided with a plurality of sides (<NUM>, <NUM>) suited to define an internal compartment (<NUM>);
- a supporting plane (<NUM>) with an upper surface (<NUM>) positioned inside said compartment (<NUM>) and suited to support the cooked food products (P) intended to be displayed and preserved;
- heating means (<NUM>) positioned inside said compartment (<NUM>) above said plane supporting plane (<NUM>), said heating means (<NUM>) being suited to heat said plane supporting plane (<NUM>) to a predetermined temperature (T);
wherein said heating means (<NUM>) comprise at least one infrared source (<NUM>);
wherein it comprises a reflector element (<NUM>) positioned inside said compartment (<NUM>) and arranged under said infrared source (<NUM>), said reflector element (<NUM>) being suited to at least partially reflect the infrared radiation emitted by said infrared source (<NUM>);
said reflector (<NUM>) being configured to reflect only a portion of the infrared radiation emitted by said source (<NUM>) and suited to reach said supporting plane (<NUM>) in a direct manner;
so as to shield a large area of said upper surface (<NUM>) of said supporting plane (<NUM>) from the direct infrared radiation generated by said source (<NUM>), the remaining part of the direct radiation emitted by the source (<NUM>) reaching the upper surface (<NUM>) or the food product (P) without being reflected along its path.