Catering box with active climate control for transporting delicate food items

US9492035B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FISHSIX RC THE MELT · US

Inventors

• Michael Pavel · Walnut Creek, US
• Jonathan Kaplan · San Francisco, US
• Will Tammen · Redwood City, US
• Michael J. Strasser · San Francisco, US
• Kyle Lamson · Chelmsford, US
• Curtis Chow · San Francisco, US
• Carrie Eaton · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 15, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F24C15/327
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A catering box with active climate control is configured to transport “delicate” foods, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers, without inducing substantial sogginess in the bread of those food items. The catering box includes a heat mass configured to retain heat generated by a hot plate and to then radiate that heat, during transport, after the hot plate has been disconnected from a power source. In addition, the catering box includes an exhaust fan that actively controls internal specific humidity levels in order to prevent moisture from settling within the bread of stored food items. A microcontroller within the catering box monitors temperature and absolute humidity levels, computes the current specific humidity level, and then selectively engages or disengages the exhaust fan in response. With his approach, the catering box may limit the degree to which humidity settles within the bread of delicate food items stored within.