Apparatus for extending the holding time for food
US8437627B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J36/24
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The inventive warmer apparatus comprises a holding unit, enclosed on four sides, but open at the top to allow restaurants and kitchen operators easy access to food held in it. Food in the apparatus is exposed to radiant heat generated by a heated bottom surface and to hot convection air. Part of the convection air is used to create an air curtain to improve heat loss characteristics and protect from the environment. The apparatus uses a combination of radiant heat, convection air and a warm air curtain to keep food products hot and crisp. The air curtain provides additional food protection. The warmer apparatus conditions food to attain a noncooking biologically safe temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for at least twenty minutes. This allows restaurants to serve such food items longer to its customers, allowing more efficient batch cooking and significantly reducing food waste.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.