IL178223A - Food and water heater - Google Patents

Description

FOOD AND WATER HEATER γκηι on own!? ηη Yair mshulam 178223/2 MESH-655-l .l-vl 2006-08-27 FOOD AND WATER HEATER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for heating and/or retaining heat of food and water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many different devices are known for heating and/or retaining heat of food and water. For example, United States Patent 5293583 is an example of a Portable vehicular water heating tank having insulating jacket providing warming pockets for food packets. In this patent document, a water heater and food product warming unit e.g. for vehicles includes a selectively sealed tank in which water may be heated by conduction using a heating element secured exteriorly. A thermally insulated cover generates pockets between cover and tank walls into which food packets may be inserted and heated by the hot water .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved system for heating food and water.

There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a heating system comprising a generally flat replenishable water receptacle comprising a heatable bottom surface, a heat conducting top surface, and apparatus for drawing water out of the receptacle without disturbing the top surface thereof.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also comprises a heating element positioned for heating water within the receptacle.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat conducting top surface comprises a removable cover.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the removable cover contains no electrical components.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water receptacle comprises a water vessel detachable from said heating element and containing no electrical components.

Still fiirther in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water receptacle defines an interior and also comprises at least one partitions configured and arranged within the interior to separate water residing in said interior into a plurality of bodies of water thereby to prevent water from collecting at one end of the water receptacle.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the partitions allow a degree of fluid communication between said plurality of bodies of water to facilitate filling of the interior with water.

Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a method for manufacturing a heating system comprising providing a generally flat replenishable water receptacle comprising a heatable bottom surface, a heat conducting top surface, and apparatus for drawing water out of the receptacle without disturbing the top surface thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the following drawings: Fig. 1 is a simplified perspective view illustration of a food receptacle bearing cover for a water and food heating and heat maintaining device constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a simplified perspective view illustration of a water receiving receptacle operative in conjunction with the cover apparatus of Fig. in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a simplified perspective view illustration of a heating device operative in conjunction with the cover apparatus of Fig. 1 and the waster receiving receptacle of Fig. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a simplifed perspective view illustration of the complete and fully-componnd embodyment of the present invntion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which is a simplified perspective view illustration of a food receptacle bearing cover 10 for a water and food heating and heat maintaining device constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cover of Fig. 1 is constructed so as to be sturdy enough to support several food receptacles resting on the top surface 20 thereof. For example, if the horizontal dimensions of the cover of Fig. 1 are approximately a few dozen cm in each direction (e.g. 55 x 42 cm), the cover of Fig. 1 is typically sturdy enough to support several full pots. Preferably, the cover apparatus of Fig. 1 has no electrical components whatever and is formed of a suitable heat-conducting material such as metal.

Reference is made to Fig. 2 which is a simplified perspective view illustration of a water receiving receptacle 40 operative in conjunction with the cover apparatus 10 of Fig.l in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cover apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 preferably fits over the top surface of the receptacle 40 of Fig. 2, but does not totally seal the receptacle, so as to prevent a build-up of pressure inside. The receptacle 40 preferably includes a spigot 50 or other water-dispensing device as shown which may be slightly elevated relative to the bottom surface 90 of the receptacle 40 so that normal operation of the spigot will not entirely empty the receptacle of hot water; a minimal amount of hot water will remain due to safety considerations.

Preferably, the internal volume of the receptacle 40 is partitioned into several, such as three in the illustrated embodiment, chambers 60 separated by internal walls 70 in which apertures 80 are formed to provide limited fluid communication between the chambers. The walls 70 are constructed and operative to facilitate carrying of the receptacle 40 when it is partially full of water. In the absence of internal walls 70, receptacle 40 might be difficult to carry since the water would tend to tip toward one side of the receptacle rather than being generally evenly distributed throughout the receptacle as is the case when only limited fluid communication is provided between a plurality of interior chambers as shown. The apertures 80 may be of any suitable size, number and shape. For example, two apertures 20 mm in diameter may be provided in each internal wall 70 as shown.

The cover 10 of Fig. 1 preferably comprises a double lip 30 which encases the top surface 85 of the outer walls 87 of the receptacle 40 such that the cover prevents the escape of condensed water from the receptacle and also prevents external spillage e.g.■ from pots placed on the top surface of the cover 10, from penetrating the receptacle 40.

Fig. 3 is a simplified perspective view illustration of a heating device 100 operative in conjunction with the cover apparatus of Fig. 1 and the water receiving receptacle of Fig. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The heating device of Fig. 3 includes at least one heating element 110, such as an electrical heating element which is typically coiled evenly interiorly of or atop of a planar floor member 120 of the heating device 100. A plug 160 is provided to connect the heating device 100 to an electrical power supply. The device 100 is configured to snugly receive the water receptacle 40 of Fig. 2 and typically includes, for example, a spigot receiving indentation 140. Legs 150 may be provided to distance the heating element 110 from the surface on which the heating device 100 is resting. The legs may for example be about 5 - 10 cm long and the height h of the spigot receiving indentation's apex may be slightly in excess of the height of a cup or mug e.g. approximately 15 cm.

Preferably, the heating device 100 is the only electrical component in the system 5 of the present invention and in contrast, the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 are entirely nonelectrical and therefore safe.

Preferably, the heating device 100 has more than one heating mode which may for example be implemented by a pair of heating elements, one more powerful heating element for heating cold or room temperature water or food and the other less powerful 0 heating element for maintaining the heat of hot water or food. The two heating elements may be respectively actuated by first and second positions of a suitable switch 130.

A particular advantage of the apparatus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in contrast to conventional cylindrical water heating devices and heat-maintaining devices such as thermoses, is that the apparatus 5 shown and described herein is low hence not top heavy and not apt to be knocked over or spill. Also, due to the large effective heating surface area relative to the volume of water being heated, the water remains relatively hot.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suited to use on the Jewish Sabbath, in order to (a) maintain, throughout the Sabbath, the heat of water heated before the Sabbath in receptacle 40; and/or (b) maintain, for at least the duration of a first, evening meal, the heat of food heated before the Sabbath and placed on the top surface of cover 10; and/or (c) heat food which was placed, during the Sabbath, on the top surface of cover 10.

A particular advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that very even heating of food placed on the top surface of the cover 10 is provided irrespective of the configuration and location of the heating element 110, since the heating of the food is not effected directly by the heating element and instead, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating element heats the water ■ in receptacle 40 which in turn heats the food. a Preferably, tiny air holes (not shown) are formed in e.g. the top surface 20 of the cover of Fig. 1 to allow steam, which may accumulate over time as water in the receptacle 40 is heated by the heating element 110, to escape therethrough.

Optionally, the heating device 100 of Fig. 3 can double as a food heating element, receiving therewith one or more suitably configured food receptacles which are heated directly by the heating element. In this embodiment, the water receptacle 40 of Fig. 2 is not operative. Alternatively, food receptacles fitting into the chambers 60 may be provided, e.g. disposable aluminum foil chambers.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating element of Fig. 3 is omitted and the water receptacle of Fig. 2 is configured to be placed directly onto an external heating element such as a stove operated at its lowest heat, or hot plate.

Features of the present invention which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features of invention which are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment may be prpvided separately or in any suitable subcombination. 178223/3

Claims (5)

1. A heating system comprising: a low and generally flat replenishable water receptacle which is not top heavy and not apt to be knocked over or spill, the receptacle comprising: a heatable bottom surface; a heat conducting top surface; and apparatus for drawing water out of the receptacle without disturbing the top surface thereof, wherein said water receptacle defines an interior and also comprising at least one partitions configured and arranged within the interior to separate water residing in said interior into a plurality of bodies of water thereby to prevent water from collecting at one end of the water receptacle, and wherein said partitions allow a degree of fluid communication between said plurality of bodies of water to facilitate filling of the interior with water.

2. A system according to claim 1 and also comprising a heating element positioned for heating water within the receptacle.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said heat conducting top surface comprises a removable cover.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said removable cover contains no electrical components.

5. A method for manufacturing a heating system comprising: providing a low and generally flat replenishable water receptacle which is not top heavy and not apt to be knocked over or spill, including: providing a heatable bottom surface, providing a heat conducting top surface, and providing apparatus for drawing water out of the receptacle without disturbing the top surface thereof,