Counter-top reheating unit for packaged pre-cooked meals
US4327279A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1980 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/30
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A counter-top reheating unit for packages containing pre-cooked meals which are initially in a frozen state, the unit acting to quickly raise the temperature of the meals to a service temperature level and to maintain the meals at this level for an indefinite period. The unit includes a box-like case having telescoped therein an open-fronted inner box whose walls are spaced from those of the case to define rear and side air spaces therebetween. Mounted within the inner box is a compartment to receive a stack of packages with spacings therebetween. The perforated wall of the compartment is spaced from the rear of the inner box to define a rear plenum. In the heat-up phase, air in the rear space heated by both a high wattage and a low wattage heater element to a temperature well above the service level is blown into the plenum, the resultant pressure differential between the plenum and the rear space causing the air to flow at high velocity through the package spacings in the compartment and via the side spaces back to the rear space to create a continuous flow loop. The operation of the high wattage element is interrupted periodically whereby the meals are subjected to pulses of ver…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.