US20110017079A1 - Food Tray Heater - Google Patents
Food Tray Heater Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110017079A1 US20110017079A1 US12/509,162 US50916209A US2011017079A1 US 20110017079 A1 US20110017079 A1 US 20110017079A1 US 50916209 A US50916209 A US 50916209A US 2011017079 A1 US2011017079 A1 US 2011017079A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- solid
- food tray
- end wall
- heater
- portions
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 86
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 65
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000021170 buffet Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021150 warm meals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- A47J39/00—Heat-insulated warming chambers; Cupboards with heating arrangements for warming kitchen utensils
- A47J39/02—Dish-warmers; Devices to keep food hot
-
- 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
- A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
- A47J36/24—Warming devices
- A47J36/26—Devices for warming vessels containing drinks or food, especially by means of burners Warming devices with a burner, e.g. using gasoline; Travelling cookers, e.g. using petroleum or gasoline with one burner
Definitions
- the improved food tray heater is related to a chafing dish.
- Chafing dishes are typically used during a dinner buffet or when a caterer comes to a person's home to serve a hot meal.
- the chafing dish may be placed on top of racks or platforms or sit on legs to raise a food tray above a heat source to keep the food in the food tray warm during food service.
- the improved heater disclosed herein addresses the needs discussed above, those discussed below and those that are known in the art.
- the improved food tray heater may have two solid sidewalls and two solid end walls attached to each other so as to form a rectangular configured enclosure.
- the food tray may be disposed or rest upon upper end portions of the end walls and sidewalls to support the food tray above a heat source disposed within the improved food tray heater and disposed below the food tray.
- the heat source introduces heat into the food tray and food to keep the food warm during food service. Since the end walls and sidewalls are solid and block wind, the improved food tray heater may be used outdoors during windy conditions.
- the heat source used to heat the food tray is typically a can of fuel or other flame
- oxygen must be continuously introduced within the cavity of the improved food tray heater to prevent snuffing out the heat source (e.g., chafing fuel, flame, etc.).
- One or more of the end walls and sidewalls may have cut outs to supply oxygen to the heat source to prevent the flame of the heat source from being put out.
- the improved food tray heater may also be collapsed into a convenient flat configuration.
- a plurality of collapsed food tray heaters may be stacked upon each other for convenient storage and transport. More particularly, the end walls of the improved food tray heater may be collapsed inwardly between the sidewalls of the improved food tray heater. When the end walls are collapsed inwardly, the sidewalls are traversed closer to each other until the collapsed food tray heater forms the generally flat configuration. To erect the improved food tray heater from the collapsed position, the sidewalls may be spread apart until the end walls are fully extended. Thereafter, a fuel tray may be rotated from a vertical position to a horizontal position and wedged between the end walls. This prevents any inadvertent collapse of the improved food tray heater since the end walls may be collapsed inwardly only when the tray is wedged against the end walls.
- a spacer may be disposed on the upper end portions of the end walls and/or sidewalls to accommodate a smaller food tray.
- the improved food tray heater provides for a versatile unit that can hold or support multiple food tray sizes without requiring an entirely separate unit.
- a collapsible food tray heater may comprise a first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall.
- the first solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions.
- the second solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions.
- the first solid end wall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to the first vertical portions of the first and second sidewalls.
- the first solid end wall may define first and second halves hinged to each other for collapsing the food tray heater.
- the second solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to second vertical portions of the first and second sidewalls.
- the second end wall defines first and second halves hinged to each other to collapse the food tray heater for convenient storage and transport.
- the upper portions of the first sidewall, second sidewall, first end wall and second end wall may be sized and configured to support outwardly extending flanges of the first food tray when the food tray heater is in a deployed configuration.
- the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may collectively block wind from entering within a cavity defined by the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall to retain heat within the cavity when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
- Two or more of the lower portions of the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may support the collapsible food tray heater when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
- the first and second end walls may fold toward each other for collapsing the food tray heater.
- a fuel tray may be traversable between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
- the fuel tray may be wedged between two solid end walls when the fuel tray is disposed in the horizontal position.
- the two solid end walls are foldable at the hinge when the fuel tray is disposed at the vertical position.
- the collapsible food tray heater may further comprise a spacer disposable upon upper portions of the first sidewall and second sidewall and/or the upper portions of the first end wall and second end wall for receiving a second food tray size which is smaller compared to the first food tray size.
- the spacer may comprise two inverted channels generally parallel to each other. The two inverted channels may receive the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second sidewalls or the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second end walls.
- Two collapsible arms may extend and be attached between two inverted channels of opposed end portions for collapsing the spacers to a compact configuration when not in use.
- first sidewall, second sidewall, first end wall and second end wall may have a cut out at the lower horizontal portion for providing oxygen into the cavity during use. This provides oxygen to the fuel source. Also, opposed first and second sidewalls or opposed first and second end walls may have cut outs at the lower horizontal portions for providing a handle to carry the food tray heater and/or for providing oxygen into the cavity during use.
- first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may have a rust resistant coating or powder coating finish to prevent fingerprint marks.
- first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may be fabricated from a steel material or other suitable material.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible chafing disc heater
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsed collapsible chafing dish heater
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible chafing dish heater with a spacer
- FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the spacer shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsible chafing dish heater with a tray for supporting a heat source disposed in a vertical position;
- FIG. 6 is a collapsed spacer shown in FIG. 4 and;
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a tray support shown in FIG. 5 .
- the chafing dish heater 10 may support a food tray 12 above one or more heat sources 14 for heating the food in the food tray 12 during food service.
- the heat sources 14 provide heat to the food within the food tray 12 such that guests at a buffet line may enjoy a warm meal.
- the end walls 16 a, b and sidewalls 18 a, b circumscribe the heat source 14 and have a solid configuration to block wind from blowing out the heat source 14 (e.g., fire flame). Additionally, since the end walls 16 and sidewalls 18 prevent movement of air, the air within the chafing dish heater 10 remains heated to aid in the warming of the food tray 12 and food disposed therein.
- the chafing dish heater 10 may be conveniently knocked down to a collapsed configuration as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Multiple collapsed chafing dish heaters 10 may be stacked upon each other for transport and/or storage.
- a spacer 20 may be disposed on top of the chafing dish heater 10 to support the smaller food tray or two half trays 12 a .
- the spacer 20 may also be collapsed as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the chafing dish heater 10 and spacer 20 disclosed herein provides for a versatile chafing dish heater 10 that can accommodate multiple sizes of food trays 12 and 12 a , is capable of being used outside or in windy environments, retains heat thereby keeping food hotter and is collapsible for convenient transport and storage.
- the chafing dish heater 10 may comprise two sidewalls 18 a, b . These sidewalls 18 a, b may have an inwardly directed lip 22 at opposed ends of the sidewalls 18 a, b .
- Hinges 24 may be attached to the lip 22 at all four corners of the heater 10 for the purposes of collapsing the chafing dish heater 10 as will be discussed further below.
- Two hinges 24 may be attached (e.g., riveted, tack welded, etc.) to each of the lips 22 .
- One hinge 24 may be located at the upper portion of the lip 22 and the second hinge 24 may be located at the lower portion of the lip 22 .
- the end walls 16 a, b of the chafing dish heater 10 may have first halves 26 a, b and second halves 26 a, b and 28 a, b .
- the first and second halves 26 a , 28 a may pivot with respect to each other via hinge 30 .
- the first and second halves 26 b , 28 b of the end wall 16 b may pivot with respect to each other via a hinge 30 (not shown in FIG. 1 ).
- the hinges 30 connecting the first and second halves 26 a , 28 a and first and second halves 26 b , 28 b may be located on the exterior of the end walls 16 a, b .
- the hinges 24 may be located on the interior of the lip 22 and the respective first and second halves 26 b , 28 b , 26 a , 28 a .
- This arrangement for the hinges 24 , 30 allow the first and second halves 26 b , 28 b and 26 a , 28 a to collapse the end walls 16 a, b inwardly but not outwardly.
- the first and second halves 26 a , 28 a of end wall 16 a may lie in the same plane (see FIG. 1 ) or may be collapsed inwardly (see FIG. 2 ).
- the first and second halves 26 b , 28 b of the end wall 16 b may line the same plane or be traversed inwardly for collapsing the chafing dish heater 10 .
- the chafing dish heater 10 may have a tray 32 with one or more holes 34 (see FIG. 5 ) for receiving the heat sources 14 .
- the tray 32 may be disposed in the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1 or traversed to the vertical position, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- a thickness 35 of the tray 32 may be equal to or less than a thickness 36 of the lip 22 .
- the end walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inward without interference with the tray 32 (see FIG. 2 ) when the tray 32 is in the upright vertical position. When the end walls 16 a, b are fully collapsed as shown in FIG. 2 , the chafing dish heater 10 is fully collapsed and may be conveniently stored, stacked or transported.
- the tray 32 may be hinged to the lip 22 on both ends of sidewall 18 b . (Compare FIGS. 1 and 5 ).
- the tray 32 may have leg supports 38 (see FIG. 1 ) that is pinned to the lips 22 .
- the tray 32 bumps up against the sidewall 18 b which prevents further rotation, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the tray 32 rests upon tray supports 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 7 ).
- the tray supports 40 are formed on end walls 16 a, b .
- the tray supports 40 may have a U-shaped cross sectional configuration which receives a portion of the tray 32 .
- the tray 32 may be fabricated with a top plate 42 and four (4) flanges 44 a - d .
- the flanges 44 a, c may be received within the U-shaped tray supports 40 formed at end walls 16 a, b , as shown in FIG. 7 .
- a length 46 of the tray 32 may be approximately equal to a distance between the end walls 16 a, b when the end walls 16 a, b are in the erected position.
- the tray 32 is wedged against the end walls 16 a, b to provide a solid and generally rigid chafing dish heater 10 .
- the flanges 44 a, c are received in tray supports 40 formed in the end walls 16 a, b .
- the end walls 16 a, b and the flanges 44 a, c may be wedged against each other.
- the tray supports 40 are formed to have a smooth lower surface such that a person may grab the underside of the tray supports 40 and lift the chafing dish heater 10 .
- the end walls 16 a, b may have cut outs 48 a, b that permit air to flow into the chafing dish heater 10 to provide oxygen to the heat sources 14 .
- the sidewalls 18 a, b may have cut outs 48 a, b for providing air to the heat sources 14 .
- the end walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inwardly but not outwardly.
- the fuel tray 32 is wedged between the end walls 16 a, b .
- the end walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inwardly and/or outwardly with hinges.
- the flanges 44 a, c are received within the tray supports 40 , as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the tray supports 40 interlock with the flanges 44 a, c to prevent outward collapsing of the end walls 16 a, b.
- the spacer 20 may be mounted to the chafing dish heater 10 to accommodate smaller food trays or two half trays 12 a .
- the spacer 20 may have two (2) channels 50 a, b that are maintained in spaced relationship with each other via collapsible support members 52 a, b .
- Each of the support members 52 a, b may be hinged to the channels 50 a, b .
- each of the support members 52 a, b may define first and second halves 54 a, b and 56 a, b .
- the first and second halves 54 a , 56 a of the support member 52 a may be pivoted with respect to each other via hinge 58 .
- the first and second halves 54 b , 56 b of the support member 52 b may be pivoted with respect to each other via hinge 57 .
- the hinges 58 , 57 permit the support members 52 a, b to be collapsed inwardly only.
- the support members 52 a, b may be hinged so as to be collapsible such that the support members 52 a, b may extend inwardly or outwardly.
- the outer edges 60 , 62 of the channels 50 a, b may be snug against the sidewalls 18 a, b as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the top opening of the chafing dish heater 10 is reduced to accommodate the smaller food tray or two half trays 12 a.
- the chafing dish heater 10 may be collapsed in the following manner. First, the tray 32 is traversed from the horizontal position (see FIG. 1 ) to the vertical position (see FIG. 5 ). With the tray 32 in the vertical position, the end walls 16 a, b are collapsed by pushing the hinges 30 inwardly in the direction of arrows 60 a, b (see FIG. 5 ). The chafing dish heater 10 is then traversed to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 . Multiple chafing dish heaters 10 may be collapsed and stacked upon each other for easy transport and storage. If the spacer 20 is used in conjunction with the chafing dish heater 10 , prior to collapsing the chafing dish heater 10 , the spacer 20 is removed and collapsed to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 .
- the end walls 16 a, b and sidewalls 18 a, b may be coated with a rust resistant coating and/or a powder coating finish to prevent unsightly fingerprint marks.
- the powder coating finish provides an attractive and durable aesthetic appeal to the chafing dish heater 10 .
- the chafing dish heater 10 and the spacer 20 may be fabricated from a steel material or other materials suitable for the design disclosed herein.
Abstract
A collapsible food tray heater is disclosed wherein the food tray heater has solid sidewalls to block wind from blowing out a fire source when the collapsible food tray heater is used outdoors especially during windy conditions. Additionally, the solid walls of the collapsible food tray heater retain the heat within the heater to keep the food in the food tray hotter compared to prior art chafing dishes. The collapsible food tray heater may be collapsed such that the collapsed food tray heaters may be stacked upon each other for convenient storage and transport.
Description
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- The improved food tray heater is related to a chafing dish.
- Chafing dishes are typically used during a dinner buffet or when a caterer comes to a person's home to serve a hot meal. The chafing dish may be placed on top of racks or platforms or sit on legs to raise a food tray above a heat source to keep the food in the food tray warm during food service.
- Some of the problems associated with modern day chafing dishes relate to the transportability, storage and ease of use when caterers must quickly set up and disassemble the food service area.
- The improved heater disclosed herein addresses the needs discussed above, those discussed below and those that are known in the art.
- The improved food tray heater may have two solid sidewalls and two solid end walls attached to each other so as to form a rectangular configured enclosure. The food tray may be disposed or rest upon upper end portions of the end walls and sidewalls to support the food tray above a heat source disposed within the improved food tray heater and disposed below the food tray. The heat source introduces heat into the food tray and food to keep the food warm during food service. Since the end walls and sidewalls are solid and block wind, the improved food tray heater may be used outdoors during windy conditions.
- Since the heat source used to heat the food tray is typically a can of fuel or other flame, oxygen must be continuously introduced within the cavity of the improved food tray heater to prevent snuffing out the heat source (e.g., chafing fuel, flame, etc.). One or more of the end walls and sidewalls may have cut outs to supply oxygen to the heat source to prevent the flame of the heat source from being put out.
- The improved food tray heater may also be collapsed into a convenient flat configuration. A plurality of collapsed food tray heaters may be stacked upon each other for convenient storage and transport. More particularly, the end walls of the improved food tray heater may be collapsed inwardly between the sidewalls of the improved food tray heater. When the end walls are collapsed inwardly, the sidewalls are traversed closer to each other until the collapsed food tray heater forms the generally flat configuration. To erect the improved food tray heater from the collapsed position, the sidewalls may be spread apart until the end walls are fully extended. Thereafter, a fuel tray may be rotated from a vertical position to a horizontal position and wedged between the end walls. This prevents any inadvertent collapse of the improved food tray heater since the end walls may be collapsed inwardly only when the tray is wedged against the end walls.
- It is also contemplated that a spacer may be disposed on the upper end portions of the end walls and/or sidewalls to accommodate a smaller food tray. As such, the improved food tray heater provides for a versatile unit that can hold or support multiple food tray sizes without requiring an entirely separate unit.
- A collapsible food tray heater may comprise a first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall. The first solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions. Also, the second solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions. The first solid end wall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to the first vertical portions of the first and second sidewalls. The first solid end wall may define first and second halves hinged to each other for collapsing the food tray heater. The second solid sidewall may define opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to second vertical portions of the first and second sidewalls. The second end wall defines first and second halves hinged to each other to collapse the food tray heater for convenient storage and transport.
- The upper portions of the first sidewall, second sidewall, first end wall and second end wall may be sized and configured to support outwardly extending flanges of the first food tray when the food tray heater is in a deployed configuration. The first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may collectively block wind from entering within a cavity defined by the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall to retain heat within the cavity when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
- Two or more of the lower portions of the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may support the collapsible food tray heater when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
- The first and second end walls may fold toward each other for collapsing the food tray heater.
- A fuel tray may be traversable between a horizontal position and a vertical position. The fuel tray may be wedged between two solid end walls when the fuel tray is disposed in the horizontal position. The two solid end walls are foldable at the hinge when the fuel tray is disposed at the vertical position.
- It is also contemplated that the collapsible food tray heater may further comprise a spacer disposable upon upper portions of the first sidewall and second sidewall and/or the upper portions of the first end wall and second end wall for receiving a second food tray size which is smaller compared to the first food tray size. The spacer may comprise two inverted channels generally parallel to each other. The two inverted channels may receive the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second sidewalls or the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second end walls. Two collapsible arms may extend and be attached between two inverted channels of opposed end portions for collapsing the spacers to a compact configuration when not in use.
- One or more of the first sidewall, second sidewall, first end wall and second end wall may have a cut out at the lower horizontal portion for providing oxygen into the cavity during use. This provides oxygen to the fuel source. Also, opposed first and second sidewalls or opposed first and second end walls may have cut outs at the lower horizontal portions for providing a handle to carry the food tray heater and/or for providing oxygen into the cavity during use.
- An exterior surface of the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may have a rust resistant coating or powder coating finish to prevent fingerprint marks. Also, the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall may be fabricated from a steel material or other suitable material.
- These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible chafing disc heater; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsed collapsible chafing dish heater; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible chafing dish heater with a spacer; -
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the spacer shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collapsible chafing dish heater with a tray for supporting a heat source disposed in a vertical position; -
FIG. 6 is a collapsed spacer shown inFIG. 4 and; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a tray support shown inFIG. 5 . - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , a collapsiblechafing dish heater 10 is shown. Thechafing dish heater 10 may support a food tray 12 above one ormore heat sources 14 for heating the food in thefood tray 12 during food service. Theheat sources 14 provide heat to the food within the food tray 12 such that guests at a buffet line may enjoy a warm meal. Theend walls 16 a, b andsidewalls 18 a, b circumscribe theheat source 14 and have a solid configuration to block wind from blowing out the heat source 14 (e.g., fire flame). Additionally, since the end walls 16 and sidewalls 18 prevent movement of air, the air within thechafing dish heater 10 remains heated to aid in the warming of thefood tray 12 and food disposed therein. After use, thechafing dish heater 10 may be conveniently knocked down to a collapsed configuration as shown inFIG. 2 . Multiple collapsed chafingdish heaters 10 may be stacked upon each other for transport and/or storage. For smaller trays or twohalf trays 12 a (seeFIG. 3 ), aspacer 20 may be disposed on top of the chafingdish heater 10 to support the smaller food tray or twohalf trays 12 a. Thespacer 20 may also be collapsed as shown inFIG. 4 . Accordingly, the chafingdish heater 10 andspacer 20 disclosed herein provides for a versatilechafing dish heater 10 that can accommodate multiple sizes offood trays - Referring back to
FIG. 1 , the chafingdish heater 10 may comprise twosidewalls 18 a, b. Thesesidewalls 18 a, b may have an inwardly directedlip 22 at opposed ends of the sidewalls 18 a, b.Hinges 24 may be attached to thelip 22 at all four corners of theheater 10 for the purposes of collapsing the chafingdish heater 10 as will be discussed further below. Two hinges 24 may be attached (e.g., riveted, tack welded, etc.) to each of thelips 22. Onehinge 24 may be located at the upper portion of thelip 22 and thesecond hinge 24 may be located at the lower portion of thelip 22. - The
end walls 16 a, b of the chafingdish heater 10 may havefirst halves 26 a, b andsecond halves 26 a, b and 28 a, b. The first andsecond halves hinge 30. Likewise, although not shown, the first andsecond halves end wall 16 b may pivot with respect to each other via a hinge 30 (not shown inFIG. 1 ). The hinges 30 connecting the first andsecond halves second halves end walls 16 a, b. Additionally, thehinges 24 may be located on the interior of thelip 22 and the respective first andsecond halves hinges second halves end walls 16 a, b inwardly but not outwardly. The first andsecond halves end wall 16 a may lie in the same plane (seeFIG. 1 ) or may be collapsed inwardly (seeFIG. 2 ). Likewise, the first andsecond halves end wall 16 b may line the same plane or be traversed inwardly for collapsing the chafingdish heater 10. - The chafing
dish heater 10 may have atray 32 with one or more holes 34 (seeFIG. 5 ) for receiving the heat sources 14. Thetray 32 may be disposed in the horizontal position as shown inFIG. 1 or traversed to the vertical position, as shown inFIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 5, athickness 35 of thetray 32 may be equal to or less than athickness 36 of thelip 22. Theend walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inward without interference with the tray 32 (seeFIG. 2 ) when thetray 32 is in the upright vertical position. When theend walls 16 a, b are fully collapsed as shown inFIG. 2 , the chafingdish heater 10 is fully collapsed and may be conveniently stored, stacked or transported. - The
tray 32 may be hinged to thelip 22 on both ends ofsidewall 18 b. (CompareFIGS. 1 and 5 ). By way of example and not limitation, thetray 32 may have leg supports 38 (seeFIG. 1 ) that is pinned to thelips 22. When thetray 32 is traversed to the vertical position, thetray 32 bumps up against thesidewall 18 b which prevents further rotation, as shown inFIG. 5 . When thetray 32 is traversed to the horizontal position (seeFIG. 1 ), thetray 32 rests upon tray supports 40 (seeFIGS. 5 and 7 ). The tray supports 40 are formed onend walls 16 a, b. The tray supports 40 may have a U-shaped cross sectional configuration which receives a portion of thetray 32. More particularly, thetray 32 may be fabricated with atop plate 42 and four (4) flanges 44 a-d. Theflanges 44 a, c may be received within the U-shaped tray supports 40 formed atend walls 16 a, b, as shown inFIG. 7 . Alength 46 of thetray 32 may be approximately equal to a distance between theend walls 16 a, b when theend walls 16 a, b are in the erected position. When thetray 32 is traversed to the horizontal position (seeFIG. 1 ), thetray 32 is wedged against theend walls 16 a, b to provide a solid and generally rigidchafing dish heater 10. Theflanges 44 a, c are received in tray supports 40 formed in theend walls 16 a, b. Theend walls 16 a, b and theflanges 44 a, c may be wedged against each other. The tray supports 40 are formed to have a smooth lower surface such that a person may grab the underside of the tray supports 40 and lift the chafingdish heater 10. Theend walls 16 a, b may have cutouts 48 a, b that permit air to flow into the chafingdish heater 10 to provide oxygen to the heat sources 14. Additionally, thesidewalls 18 a, b may have cutouts 48 a, b for providing air to the heat sources 14. - As discussed above, the
end walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inwardly but not outwardly. When thefuel tray 32 is traversed to the horizontal position, thefuel tray 32 is wedged between theend walls 16 a, b. However, it is also contemplated that theend walls 16 a, b may be collapsed inwardly and/or outwardly with hinges. In this embodiment, when thefuel tray 32 is traversed to the horizontal position, theflanges 44 a, c are received within the tray supports 40, as shown inFIG. 7 . The tray supports 40 interlock with theflanges 44 a, c to prevent outward collapsing of theend walls 16 a, b. - In certain circumstances, a smaller food tray or two
half trays 12 a is used. However, it would be inconvenient to carry two different sizedchafing dish heaters 10 to accommodatelarge food trays 12, smaller food trays and twohalf trays 12 a. To this end, the spacer 20 (seeFIG. 3 ) may be mounted to the chafingdish heater 10 to accommodate smaller food trays or twohalf trays 12 a. Thespacer 20, as shown inFIG. 6 , may have two (2)channels 50 a, b that are maintained in spaced relationship with each other viacollapsible support members 52 a, b. Each of thesupport members 52 a, b may be hinged to thechannels 50 a, b. Also, each of thesupport members 52 a, b may define first andsecond halves 54 a, b and 56 a, b. The first andsecond halves support member 52 a may be pivoted with respect to each other viahinge 58. Also, the first andsecond halves support member 52 b may be pivoted with respect to each other viahinge 57. The hinges 58, 57 permit thesupport members 52 a, b to be collapsed inwardly only. However, it is also contemplated that thesupport members 52 a, b may be hinged so as to be collapsible such that thesupport members 52 a, b may extend inwardly or outwardly. When thespacer 20 is fully extended, theouter edges channels 50 a, b may be snug against the sidewalls 18 a, b as shown inFIG. 3 . The top opening of the chafingdish heater 10 is reduced to accommodate the smaller food tray or twohalf trays 12 a. - From the setup position or erected position, the chafing
dish heater 10 may be collapsed in the following manner. First, thetray 32 is traversed from the horizontal position (seeFIG. 1 ) to the vertical position (seeFIG. 5 ). With thetray 32 in the vertical position, theend walls 16 a, b are collapsed by pushing thehinges 30 inwardly in the direction ofarrows 60 a, b (seeFIG. 5 ). The chafingdish heater 10 is then traversed to the configuration shown inFIG. 2 . Multiplechafing dish heaters 10 may be collapsed and stacked upon each other for easy transport and storage. If thespacer 20 is used in conjunction with the chafingdish heater 10, prior to collapsing the chafingdish heater 10, thespacer 20 is removed and collapsed to the configuration shown inFIG. 6 . - The
end walls 16 a, b and sidewalls 18 a, b may be coated with a rust resistant coating and/or a powder coating finish to prevent unsightly fingerprint marks. The powder coating finish provides an attractive and durable aesthetic appeal to the chafingdish heater 10. The chafingdish heater 10 and thespacer 20 may be fabricated from a steel material or other materials suitable for the design disclosed herein. - The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of hinging the various parts. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Claims (10)
1. A collapsible food tray heater comprising:
a first solid side wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions;
a second solid side wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions;
a first solid end wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to first vertical portions of the first and second side walls, the first solid end wall defining first and second halves hinged to each other for collapsing the food tray heater;
a second solid end wall defining opposed upper and lower horizontal portions and opposed first and second vertical portions which are hinged to second vertical portions of the first and second side walls, the second end wall defining first and second halves hinged to each other to collapse the food tray heater for convenient storage and transport;
wherein the upper portions of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall and second end wall are sized and configured to support outwardly extending flanges of a first food tray when the food tray heater is in a deployed configuration, and the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall collectively blocks wind from entering within a cavity defined by the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall to retain heat within the cavity when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
2. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein two or more of the lower portions of the first solid side wall, second solid side wall, first solid end wall and the second solid end wall support the collapsible food tray heater when the food tray heater is in the deployed configuration.
3. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein the first and second end walls fold toward each other for collapsing the food tray heater.
4. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 further comprising a fuel tray traversable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, the fuel tray being wedged between the two solid end walls when the fuel tray is disposed in the horizontal position, the two solid end walls being foldable at the hinge when the fuel tray is disposed at the vertical position.
5. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 further comprising a spacer disposable upon upper portions of the first side wall and the second side wall and/or the upper portions of the first end wall and second end wall for receiving a second food tray size which is smaller compared to the first food tray.
6. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 5 wherein the spacer comprises:
two inverted channels generally parallel to each other, the two inverted channels receive the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second side walls or the opposed upper horizontal portions of the first and second end walls;
two collapsible arms extending and attached between the two inverted channels at opposed end portions for collapsing the spacer to a compact configuration when not in use.
7. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein one or more of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall and second end wall has a cut out at the lower horizontal portion for providing oxygen into the cavity during use.
8. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein opposed first and second side walls or opposed first and second end walls have cut outs at the lower horizontal portions for providing a handle to carry the food tray heater.
9. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall and second solid end wall have a rust resistant coating or a powder coating finish to prevent fingerprint marks.
10. The collapsible food tray heater of claim 1 wherein the first solid sidewall, second solid sidewall, first solid end wall, and second solid end wall are fabricated from a steel material.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/509,162 US20110017079A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2009-07-24 | Food Tray Heater |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/509,162 US20110017079A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2009-07-24 | Food Tray Heater |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110017079A1 true US20110017079A1 (en) | 2011-01-27 |
Family
ID=43496154
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/509,162 Abandoned US20110017079A1 (en) | 2009-07-24 | 2009-07-24 | Food Tray Heater |
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Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102178470A (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2011-09-14 | 施军达 | Three-pot thermal-insulation plate |
CN102204777A (en) * | 2011-05-06 | 2011-10-05 | 杭州银都餐饮设备有限公司 | Meal furnace frame with foldable legs |
WO2014030991A1 (en) * | 2012-08-20 | 2014-02-27 | Bricio Arzubide German | Collapsible wire grill for holding trays |
CN104983298A (en) * | 2015-07-23 | 2015-10-21 | 赵百华 | Hotpot device having hotpot bottom food lifting function |
USD760035S1 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2016-06-28 | Dong-myung Kim | Food storage container |
US20160213195A1 (en) * | 2015-01-26 | 2016-07-28 | Bernet Ulysses Revely, III | Semi Automatic Collapsible Chafer with Heater Supports |
USD839686S1 (en) * | 2016-09-01 | 2019-02-05 | Shaina Martinez | Lockable food container |
US11330934B2 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2022-05-17 | Sterno Products, Llc | Reusable chemically heated chafing dish |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102178470A (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2011-09-14 | 施军达 | Three-pot thermal-insulation plate |
CN102204777A (en) * | 2011-05-06 | 2011-10-05 | 杭州银都餐饮设备有限公司 | Meal furnace frame with foldable legs |
WO2014030991A1 (en) * | 2012-08-20 | 2014-02-27 | Bricio Arzubide German | Collapsible wire grill for holding trays |
USD760035S1 (en) * | 2013-01-10 | 2016-06-28 | Dong-myung Kim | Food storage container |
US20160213195A1 (en) * | 2015-01-26 | 2016-07-28 | Bernet Ulysses Revely, III | Semi Automatic Collapsible Chafer with Heater Supports |
US10478014B2 (en) * | 2015-01-26 | 2019-11-19 | Bernet Ulysses Revely, III | Semi automatic collapsible chafer with heater supports |
CN104983298A (en) * | 2015-07-23 | 2015-10-21 | 赵百华 | Hotpot device having hotpot bottom food lifting function |
USD839686S1 (en) * | 2016-09-01 | 2019-02-05 | Shaina Martinez | Lockable food container |
US11330934B2 (en) * | 2018-12-07 | 2022-05-17 | Sterno Products, Llc | Reusable chemically heated chafing dish |
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