Topless holding bin with side heat source
US6031208A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J31/02
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A topless bin for holding and warming food items such as wrapped sandwiches, fries, or breakfast meals, is disclosed herein. The bin includes a base, a base heating element, a pair of side walls and a pair of side heating elements. The base has a horizontal holding surface for supporting the food items being held. The base heating element is thermally coupled to the holding surface such that the food items are warmed thereby. Each side wall has a first portion extending upwardly perpendicular to and at opposite sides of the base, and a second portion extending upwardly at an inclined angle from the first portion. Each side heating element is supported by the second portion of one of the side walls. The inclination is selected to direct heat at an angle from the respective side heating element toward the holding surface such that the food items are also warmed thereby. Thus, the food items are warmed without either an overhead heat source or convected heat from an air stream. The heat sources can also be implemented as infrared heating elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.