IE51404B1 - Improvements in tables with heating elements - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to devices for keeping meals hot.

It is known to provide hot plates on which platters, dishes and the like containing food which is to be served are stood in order to keep the food hot until it is actually served.

However, once the food has been dished onto individual plates and set on a table at place settings it soon gets cold even if the individual plates are initially warmed before food is dished onto them. The present invention aims to solve this problem.

According to the invention, there is provided a table having a plurality of place settings wherein each place setting is spaced apart from adjacent place settings and is defined by the provision of an electrical heating element, each said element being positively located on the table at its respective place setting, being so arranged that, when operative, it is capable of warming a plate located on it as well as food placed on the plate, and being provided with individual control means controlling its operation, wherein the heating elements are electrically connected to a single point which is adapted to be connected to a power supply source, wherein the table has at least one leg which is hollow and wherein the said single point is located at or adjacent to the upper end of this table leg, an electric cable extending down the inside of the table leg from the said single point and emerging from the said table leg adjacent the bottom thereof.

With a table according to the invention, the heating elements at the required number of place settings can he switched on and are then effective to keep plates and the food - 3 thereon which are placed on said heating elements hot throughout the course of the meal. Thus the last mouthful of food is just as warm as the first mouthful.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a table according to .the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a table comprising a top 1 and legs 2 is provided with six recesses 3 in its top each of which contains an electrical heating element 4. The recesses preferably have such a depth that the tops of the heating elements 4 are flush with the upper surface of the table top 1. The heating elements 4 each consist of a low amperage heater unit and the units are connected by suitable connections to a single point (not shown) on the table. An electric cable extends from this point and terminates in a plug which can be inserted in a socket of the conventional mains supply ±n order to provide electric current to the heater units. The connections may take the form of conventional electric cables. Alternatively, conduits may be recessed in the table top preferably in its underneath surface. It is also possible to print the heating elements and/or the connections on the table top so that said top is, in effect, a vast printed circuit.

One of the table legs may be hollow and the said single point may he located at or adjacent to the upper end of this table leg. A single connection which may form part of the electric cable can then extend down the inside of the table leg and emerge from said leg adjacent the bottom of said table leg. - 4 Each heater unit is provided with an individual switch control (not shown).

It should be noted that the invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment but numerous modifications and other embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the table maybe provided with any desired number of place settings commensurate with its size, e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8 or even more in the case of large tables. Further, the table may have any other desired shape, e.g. square, round, oblong, elliptical. Moreover, the heating elements need not he circular as shown in the drawing but could have other shapes, e.g. square or could be replaced hy full length strip heaters. It is also possible for the heating elements to be detachably secured to the table.

Claims (8)

1. A table having a plurality of place settings wherein each place setting is spaced apart from adjacent place settings and is defined by the provision of an electrical heating element, each said element jjeing positively located on the table at its respective place setting, being so arranged that, when operative, it is capable of warming a plate located on it as well as food placed on the plate and being provided with individual control means controlling its operation, wherein the heating elements are electrically connected to a single point which is adapted to be connected to a power supply source, wherein the table has at least one leg which is hollow and wherein the said single point is located at or adjacent to the upper end of this table leg, an electric cable extending down the inside of the table leg from the said single point and emerging from the said table leg adjacent the bottom thereof.

2. A table according to claim 1, wherein the connections from the heating elements to said single point take the form of electric cables.

3. A table according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein recesses· are provided in the underneath surfr· <’te table top to accommodate the electrical connections.

4. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating elements are accommodated in respective recesses in the top of tbe table provided at each of said place settings and serve to positively locate said heating elements in position. - 6

5. A table according to claim 4, wherein, the recesses and heating elements are so arranged that, when accommodated in the respective recesses, the tops of the heating elements are substantially flush with the upper surface of the table top.

6. A table according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating elements are detachably secured to the table top.

7. A table according to claim 1, wherein the heating elements and/or the connections are printed on the table top.

8. A table substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing.