EP1959801A2 - Plateau de rechauffage d'aliments - Google Patents

Plateau de rechauffage d'aliments

Info

Publication number
EP1959801A2
EP1959801A2 EP06845387A EP06845387A EP1959801A2 EP 1959801 A2 EP1959801 A2 EP 1959801A2 EP 06845387 A EP06845387 A EP 06845387A EP 06845387 A EP06845387 A EP 06845387A EP 1959801 A2 EP1959801 A2 EP 1959801A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gasket
rim
wall
dish
tray
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06845387A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Keith E. Antal
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonoco Development Inc
Original Assignee
Sonoco Development Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonoco Development Inc filed Critical Sonoco Development Inc
Publication of EP1959801A2 publication Critical patent/EP1959801A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J37/00—Baking; Roasting; Grilling; Frying
    • A47J37/01—Vessels uniquely adapted for baking
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J39/00—Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils
    • A47J39/006—Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils for either storing and preparing or for preparing food on serving trays, e.g. heating, thawing, preserving
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J45/00—Devices for fastening or gripping kitchen utensils or crockery
    • A47J45/06—Handles for hollow-ware articles
    • A47J45/08—Heat-insulating handles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to apparatus for keeping food warm between the time of preparation and service.
  • Warming ovens are used in the food service industry to keep food warm between the time of preparation and the time of service. Trays constructed of plastic are presently used because of their ease of handling, and their durability. When kept in the warming oven, however, it is sometimes preferable that food is in contact with metal surfaces, such as aluminum or stainless steel, rather than plastic or other non-metal materials. Metals, however, are subject to deformation and the development of sharp edges because of wear and tear. Further, when stored at elevated temperature conditions, metal tends to become hot to the touch, thereby making the tray difficult to handle. Accordingly, it is desirable to produce a tray that has the food storage characteristics of metal while having properties of materials that are easier to handle at elevated temperature conditions.
  • This invention relates to apparatus for keeping food warm between the time of preparation and service. Specifically, the invention relates to a tray for retaining food products in warming ovens or other environmentally controlled devices.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a tray having a dish portion, a rim portion and a gasket portion.
  • the dish is constructed from a first material and includes a base portion adapted for handling food products.
  • the dish also includes a wall portion surrounding the entirety of the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom to define a retaining area.
  • the retaining area is closed by the base portion at the bottom end of the wall and opens away from the base portion at the upper end of the wall.
  • the rim is constructed from a second material and has an inner lip that extends generally parallel to the wall portion of the dish.
  • the inner lip is secured around the perimeter of the wall of the dish.
  • the rim is attached to the wall by a compressive engagement.
  • the rim also has a free end for handling of the tray.
  • the gasket is compressively disposed in the lip and forms the compressive bond between the dish and the rim.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a second perspective view of the tray shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tray shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tray shown in Fig. 1, detailing the attachment of a dish to a rim.
  • Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the tray shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket for use in a tray embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the gasket shown in Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tray shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of tray shown mounted within a warming oven.
  • FIG. 10 there is shown an embodiment of a tray for use in warming ovens, such as those commonly used in fast food restaurants.
  • the tray which is identified generally by the numeral 10, may be used to store food in an orderly and easily accessible manner while the food waits in a warming oven (not shown) of other environmental control device prior to service, further preparation or processing.
  • a warming oven not shown
  • the directions up and down will refer respectively to those directions when viewed in Fig. 1.
  • the warming oven may be used in a fast food restaurant to hold prepared food between the time of preparation and the time of serving. It is preferable that the warming oven keep the food in a ready-to-eat state. Temperatures inside the warming oven may reach levels above 180 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also desirable to regulate the humidity within the oven to ensure that the food does not become dried out or soggy.
  • a tray for use in such ovens must be constructed from materials that will withstand the conditions within the oven, as well as other storage and cleaning conditions. Further, because the tray is used in the food service industry, it is preferable that the materials and construction meet the guidelines of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for such apparatus.
  • NSF National Sanitation Foundation
  • the tray 10 as illustrated includes a dish portion 20, a rim portion 40 and a gasket 60.
  • the gasket 60 is disposed between the dish 20 and the rim 40 for compressive engagement of the dish 20 and rim 40 to form the tray 10.
  • the dish 20 includes a generally rectangular base 22 defining the bottom of the tray 10.
  • the length of the tray 10 is about two feet and the width W is sufficient to accommodate the food item that is to be contained therein, such as a hamburger patty.
  • the base 22 is generally flat and has an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32.
  • a sidewall 24 extends upwardly from the perimeter of the base 22.
  • the sidewall 24 and the base 22 are preferably of unitary construction, and define the retaining area of the dish 20.
  • One or more ridges 26 may be provided longitudinally along the base 22.
  • the ridges 26 are generally raised above the remainder of the inner surface 30 and support the food (not shown) above the remainder of the inner surface 30 of the base 22, thereby forming a passageway under the food for circulation of heated air or allow for the drainage of juices from the food.
  • longitudinal ridges 26 are shown, lateral ridges or some pattern or ridges, bumps or other features may be disposed on the base without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the wall 24 preferably surrounds the base portion 22.
  • the joint between the wall 24 and the base 22 is curved.
  • the retaining area is closed by the base 22 at the bottom and is open at the upper end 24b along the top edge of the wall 24.
  • the wall 24 extends generally perpendicular to the base 22.
  • the wall may also extend outwardly and upwardly from the base, or have other features without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the rim portion 40 extends around the perimeter of the dish 20.
  • the rim 40 comprises a vertical section 42 having an upper portion 43 and a lower portion 44.
  • the lower portion 44 has an inner wall 44a and an outer wall 44b.
  • a retaining channel 45 (Fig. 4) is preferably disposed between the inner and outer walls 44a, 44b.
  • the retaining cavity 45 is adapted to receive the open end 24b of the wall 24 for securing the rim 40 to the dish 20.
  • the upper portion 43 of the vertical section 42 of the rim 40 extends upwardly from the lower portion 44.
  • a plurality of apertures 47 may be provided through the upper portion 43 to facilitate circulation of air into the tray 10.
  • Outer rim 48 extends outwardly along the longitudinal sides of the rim 40.
  • the outer rims 48 preferably have a generally arcuate cross section with a rounded convex top surface 48a and a generally concave bottom surface 48b.
  • the bottom surface 48b may be sized to facilitate the mounting of the tray 10 on rails disposed within the oven.
  • Mounting end portions 52 are preferably disposed at longitudinal ends of the rim 40.
  • the mounting ends 52 like the outer rims 48 preferably facilitate the mounting of the tray 10 inside of a warming oven.
  • the mounting ends 52 extend across the width W of the tray 10 and have downwardly depending corner portions 53.
  • the corner portions 53 are hollow, and are open on top to facilitate grasping the trays 10.
  • Slots 54 are also provided in the mounting ends 52 and define a resilient tab for engagement of the tray 10 by an oven structure (not shown), for retention of the tray 10 in the oven.
  • a gasket 60 is disposed between the dish 20 and the rim 40 and adapted to resiliently secure the rim 40 to the dish 20. As best seen in Figs.
  • the gasket 60 preferably has an inverted, generally U-shaped cross section with an upper portion 62 and outer walls 64 extending downwardly therefrom.
  • Internal ribs 66 extend inwardly and upwardly into the central portion of the U-shape. The internal ribs 66 facilitate the insertion of the upper end 24b of the wall 24 into the gasket 60 and then resist the withdrawal of the wall 24 therefrom.
  • Outer ribs 68 are disposed on the outer surface of the gasket 60. The outer ribs 68 preferably extend outwardly and downwardly from the gasket wall in a manner that facilitates the insertion of the gasket 60 into the retaining cavity 45 formed by the inner and outer walls 44a, 44b of the rim 40 and restricts the movement of the gasket 60 therefrom.
  • the gasket 60 is disposed about the dish portion 20 by inserting the open end 24b of the wall 24 between the outer walls 64 of the gasket 60.
  • One wall 64 is preferably disposed on the inside of the dish 20, while a second wall 64 is preferably disposed on an outside of the dish 20.
  • the inner ribs 66 preferably engage the open end 24b and are pressed upwardly as the open end 24b is slid into the gasket 60.
  • the angle of the inner ribs 66 preferably restricts the movement of the gasket 60 away from the dish 20, once the open end 24b is inserted in the gasket 60. It is preferable that the engagement between the gasket 60 and the dish 20 is tight, providing a snug fit between the two pieces 60, 20.
  • the wall 24 of the dish 20 may also be textured, bent, curled or the like to increase frictional engagement with the gasket 60 and to resist the disassembly of the tray 10.
  • the gasket 60 is then inserted into the retaining cavity 45 of the rim 40.
  • the outer ribs 68 are shown as angled to facilitate the insertion of the gasket 60 into the cavity 45 by allowing the inner and outer walls 44a, 44b to slide along the ribs 68 while pushing them towards the gasket 60.
  • the ribs 68 may take other forms, such as being straight or including a chamfer, so as to increase retention of the gasket 60 in the cavity 45.
  • the cavity 45 is preferably sized to compress the gasket 60 between the first and second walls 44a, 44b and the open end 24b of the dish wall 24.
  • the deformation of the ribs 66, 68 and the compressable nature of the material of the gasket 60 allows the gasket 60 to resiliently retain the rim and the dish together. It is preferable that the gasket 60 allow for thermal expansion of the dish 20 and the rim 40, while still maintaining a seal between the two parts 20, 40.
  • the dish 20 is preferably constructed from a metal.
  • the rim 40 be constructed of a plastic material of the type generally adapted to be used in temperature and variable humidity conditions of a food preparation and warming oven, without corrosion, deformation or reaction with surrounding materials.
  • the gasket 60 is preferably constructed from a material that maintains a seal between the dish 20 and the rim 40 in heated conditions, as well as at room temperature and in colder environments, such as refrigerators or freezers.
  • the gasket 60 is preferably adapted to accommodate a ratio of thermal expansion of 10 to 1 between the plastic of the rim 40 and the metal of the dish 20, respectively. In other words, the plastic of the rim 40 may expand up to 10 times more than the metal of the dish 20 at certain temperatures.
  • the gasket 60 should maintain a seal after repeated use and cleaning of the tray. Such a material should also be resistant to corrosion and hardening after exposure to chemicals used in cleaning, as well as exposure to food products in a variety of temperature and humidity conditions. As mentioned above, it is preferable that the materials and construction used meet the NSF guidelines for food service devices.
  • the seal is maintained between the dish 20 and the rim 40 in a variety of thermal states.
  • a first state such as when the tray is inside of the oven and maintained at an elevated temperature
  • the rim 40 may be expanded in such a way that the wall 64 of the gasket adjacent to wall 44a of the rim 40 experiences an increase in compression between the wall 24 of the dish 20 and the inner wall 44a.
  • the compression of the inside gasket wall 64 occurs because the plastic material of the rim 40 will normally expand at a greater rate or amount than the metal of the dish 20 when both are heated.
  • the seal is maintained by the compression of the wall 64 of the gasket 60 between the outer wall 44b of the rim 40 and the wall 24 of the dish 20.
  • This second state of thermal expansion occurs at a temperature that is cooler than that discussed above for the first state, such as when the tray is at a temperature that is cooler than ambient room temperature. It is also preferable that during the transition between the first and second states of thermal expansion, the seal is maintained by the compression of at gasket between the first and second walls 44a, 44b and the dish 20.
  • the oven 70 is a traditional warming oven with front and rear doors 12, 74.
  • the tray 10 While the tray 10 is within the oven 70, heat is readily transferred through the metal dish portion 20, and is less readily transferred through the rim 40.
  • the tray 10 may inserted through the first doo ⁇ 72 and slid across the bottom 76 of the oven 70. The tray 10 may then be removed using the second door 74.
  • the slots 54 (not shown in Fig. 10) facilitate the engagement of the tray 10 with a corresponding oven structure (not shown), indicating to a user that the tray 10 is in its proper position within the oven 70.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un plateau qui permet de placer des aliments dans un four à réchauffer et comprend une partie plat, une partie rebord et une partie joint. Le plat est fabriqué dans un premier matériau et comprend une partie de base conçue pour recevoir les aliments. Le plat comporte en outre une paroi qui entoure intégralement la partie de base et s'élève autour de celle-ci. La paroi possède un côté clos assemblé à la partie de base et un côté libre éloigné de la partie de base. Le rebord, fabriqué dans un second matériau, est disposé parallèlement à la paroi, autour du périmètre du plat. Le rebord a un côté assemblage conçu pour être fixé par compression sur le côté libre de la paroi et un côté libre facilitant la manipulation du plateau. Le joint se fixe par compression entre le plat et le rebord et empêche le plat de bouger par rapport au rebord.
EP06845387A 2005-12-13 2006-12-13 Plateau de rechauffage d'aliments Withdrawn EP1959801A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74993105P 2005-12-13 2005-12-13
PCT/US2006/047655 WO2007070615A2 (fr) 2005-12-13 2006-12-13 Plateau de rechauffage d'aliments

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1959801A2 true EP1959801A2 (fr) 2008-08-27

Family

ID=38055419

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06845387A Withdrawn EP1959801A2 (fr) 2005-12-13 2006-12-13 Plateau de rechauffage d'aliments

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20070131698A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1959801A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2009519108A (fr)
WO (1) WO2007070615A2 (fr)

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US20090145305A1 (en) * 2007-12-10 2009-06-11 Johanson James E Two piece food tray
KR101633133B1 (ko) * 2008-03-31 2016-06-23 쓰리엠 이노베이티브 프로퍼티즈 컴파니 최적화된 이득을 갖는 낮은 층 총수의 반사 편광기
EP2627184B1 (fr) * 2010-10-14 2017-10-04 What More Uk Limited Moule
EP3041760A2 (fr) * 2013-09-03 2016-07-13 Freshrealm LLC Récipient d'expédition d'aliments frais
EP2878201A1 (fr) * 2013-11-29 2015-06-03 Salzburger Aluminium Aktiengesellschaft Plateau de cuisson
USD789800S1 (en) 2015-04-09 2017-06-20 Apple Inc. Packaging
USD816501S1 (en) * 2015-08-18 2018-05-01 Baylis Medical Company Inc. Medical device packaging tray
WO2019055744A1 (fr) * 2017-09-14 2019-03-21 Cleveland Range, Llc Accessoire d'identification de plateau pour dispositifs de maintien d'aliments
US10955182B2 (en) 2017-11-07 2021-03-23 FreshRealm, LLC Dynamic packing system
USD848845S1 (en) * 2018-03-23 2019-05-21 Ethicon, Inc. Packaging tray for a medical device
USD1021627S1 (en) 2022-09-14 2024-04-09 Apple Inc. Packaging for accessory

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009519108A (ja) 2009-05-14
WO2007070615A3 (fr) 2007-12-06
US20070131698A1 (en) 2007-06-14
WO2007070615A2 (fr) 2007-06-21

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