WO2000071950A1

WO2000071950A1 - Hot and cold food storage and display apparatus and method of manufacture

Info

Publication number: WO2000071950A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/014241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis E. Finegan; Nitish Vashishta; Timothy G. Lauer; Franklin D. Hodges
Original assignee: Load King Manufacturing Co.
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 2000-05-24
Publication date: 2000-11-30
Also published as: AU5158900A

Abstract

A food storage and display apparatus (10) includes cooling coils (32) sealably carried within a refrigeration coil chamber (34) formed around a food pan (18). The coil chamber (34) is filled with a thermally conductive epoxy (38) for fully engulfing the cooling coils (32), which epoxy flows within the refrigeration coil chamber (34) to contact sidewalls (20) and a flange (28) top wall of the pan (18). Thermal insulation (40) is carried within a channel (42) formed by an outside wall (44) carried in a spaced relation to the refrigeration coil chamber (34). Such an arrangement permits the use of a shallow pan (18) that is effectively and efficiently frosted on its sidewalls (20) and top surface (30) for storage and display of cold foods. A heating coil (78) is carried within the pan (18) for heating water during use of the food storage and display apparatus (10) in a food heating and display mode. A controller (80) is operable with temperature and fluid level sensors (82, 84) for controlling refrigerant flow to the cooling coils (32) and heater (78) control when in either the cold or hot mode of operation.

Description

HOT AND COLD FOOD STORAGE AND DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to food servers, and particularly to servers providing for both hot and cold food storage and display.

Background of the Invention

Refrigerated and heated food service tables are well known and used extensively in restaurants and food centers throughout the world. Food service tables that accommodate display and storage for either hot foods or cold foods within a single unit are particularly desirable. As described in U.S. Patent 4,593,752 to Tipton, a compact efficient food service table having both a heating capability and a cooling capability which permits, alternatively, display and service of hot or cold foods is particularly desirable and eliminates the need for a restaurant or food service facility to have separate hot and cold tables typically requiring the use of valuable space within the service facility. Tipton 752 discloses a food service table which includes separate heating and cooling systems enclosed within a housing which may be selectively activated to heat or to cool food displayed and served on the table. Heating elements and cooling coils are mounted on outside surfaces of a pan for heating and cooling foods displayed in the pan.

As described in U.S. Patent 4,407,143 to Wolfe, one of the attractive features of many salad bars or food tables is produced by what is commonly known as "frost top" unit which is typically a refrigerated plate which frosts so as to give the appearance of the food such as salad or additional condiments resting in ice. While such frost top units have been successful in providing salad bar displays with a pleasing appearance, typical manufactured frost top plates are flat and cannot effectively hold individual foods in one place to allow for convenient self service for a visually pleasing display. U.S. Patent 4,856,579 to

Wolfe discloses a hot and cold frost top unit for food and salad bars using a refrigeration system with a hollow cavity when in the cold operational mode and the use of hot water and a water heater and circulator for the hollow cavity with the water contacting food pans along a bottom surface by filling the unit with water to have a top surface of the water contact a bottom area of food pans thus transferring heat without scorching or overcooking food products when in the hot operational mode. To accumulate frost on top surfaces, Wolfe '579 discloses the use of refrigeration tubes extending not only along sidewalls of a hollow pan but also along under surfaces of top walls in order that the refrigeration tubes cool both the sidewalls and the top walls when operating in a cold mode. The surfaces of the top have refrigerant tubes oriented throughout the lateral extent to form relatively thick frost on the outer surface of the pan. Along with the continued demand for hot and cold food service tables, there remains a need to provide for a food service table or buffet that employs a shallow pan for use in both hot and cold service conditions while still providing sufficient frosting of the top surface.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food service or storage table and display that meets the need of the restaurant and food service industry including desirable frosting and heating of foods within a shallow pan for permitting versatility in minimal retail space requirements.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention are provided by a food storage and display apparatus which comprises a pan having side and bottom walls defining a cavity for receiving a food tray therein. Cooling coils are sealably carried within a refrigeration coil chamber formed around the pan. The cooling coils are engulfed within a thermally conductive material filling the coil chamber. Thermal insulation is further carried within a channel formed by an outside wall carried in a space relation to the refrigeration coil chamber.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a temperature sensor operable with the pan and responsive to temperature changes within the cavity.

A controller receives sensor signals from the temperature sensor for controlling a valve operable with a refrigerant supply for controlling refrigerant flow to the J cooling coils to thus provide a desirable cooling of the pan. The thermally conductive material contacts the pan sidewalls and a top flange which forms a pan top surface. Such contact permits cooling from the cooling coils to be efficiently and effectively transmitted to the sidewalls and top of the pan for frosting thereof. A heating element such as a heating coil is carried within the cavity for heating liquid therein when operating in a heating mode. A control valve is in fluid connection with the cavity for operation with the controller in controlling flow of liquid from a liquid source into the cavity. A liquid level sensor is responsive to the level of liquid within the cavity and is operable with the controller for providing liquid level signals thereto.

A manufacturing method aspect of the present invention includes providing a pan having side and bottom walls for defining a cavity. The pan includes a flange extending from a peripheral portion of the sidewall, wherein a top surface of the flange defines a pan top surface. Cooling coils are wrapped around an outside surface of the sidewall. A channel member defined by a bottom wall and opposing first and second sidewalls for defining a channel therebetween. A refrigerant coil chamber is formed by attaching the first sidewall of the channel member to a bottom surface of the flange for positioning the bottom wall of the channel member in a spaced relation to the pan sidewall with an outside surface of the bottom wall facing the sidewall for positioning the cooling coils therebetween. The channel is outwardly facing from the pan sidewalls. The manufacturing method includes filling the refrigerant coil chamber with a thermally conductive material for fully engulfing the cooling coil therein with the thermally conductive material contacting both the sidewalls and flange. A rigid sheet is attached to the channel member for forming an outside wall of the food storage and display apparatus. The channel is then filled with an insulating material. Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment and other embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention for a food storage and display apparatus useful with a free standing self service food bar;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one pan illustrated by way of example for one embodiment of the present invention as herein described;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross section enlarged view of one side wall portion of an embodiment of the present invention including a refrigerant coils embedded within thermally conductive material;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross section view taken through lines 5-5 of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is partial cross section view taken through lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic style flow diagram illustrating operating elements of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section and top plan view of one embodiment illustrating a liquid level sensor and liquid feeds; FIG. 9 is a partial cross section and elevation view illustrating one embodiment of a drain and fill device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross section view taken through lines 10-10 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged elevation view of an adjustable support as illustrated in FIG. 3; and FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view illustrating the support of FIG. 11 used with a support rail for carrying a food tray. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

With reference initially to FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention includes a food storage in display apparatus 10 useful, by way of example, with a self-service food bar 12 including a counter top and sneeze guard 16. Such an open-topped styled self service food bar 12 or buffet unit is provided for maintaining food at a desired temperature. The apparatus 10 herein described, by way of example, includes a pan 18 having side 20 and bottom 22 walls defining a cavity 24 for receiving food trays 26 therein, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 2, and again to FIG. 1. As illustrated with reference to FIG. 3, the pan 18 herein described by way of example includes a flange 28 extending from the side wall 20 for defining a pan top surface 30. As known in the art, it is desirable to have the pan top surface 30 covered with frost during display and storage of cold foods. Typically, the food will be carried in the food trays 26, illustrated again with reference to FIGS. 1 & 2, whether operating in a heating mode or a cooling mode.

To provide such frosting of the pan top surface 30, as well as frosting of the side wall 20, cooling coils 32 are carried within a refrigeration coil chamber 34 formed around an outside surface 36 the side wall 20 as illustrated with reference to FIG 4 and again to FIG 3. The cooling coils 32 are engulfed within a thermally conductive material 38 filling the coil chamber 34, with the thermally conductive material contacting the side wall 20 and the flange 28. Thermal insulation 40 is carried within a channel 42 formed by an outside wall, an outer wrapper 44, carried in a spaced relation to the refrigeration coil chamber 34. To provide for effective and efficient frosting of the pan top surface 30 and the cavity side surface 46 of the side wall 20, a method for manufacturing one embodiment of the apparatus 10 includes placing a protective cover 48 onto the pan top surface 30 for minimizing surface damage to the pan top surface during handling in both the manufacturing, shipping and installation of the apparatus 10. Duct tape has been shown to be an effective protective cover 48, easy to apply and remove. As illustrated again with reference to FIG. 4, the pan 18 is inverted and placed onto a support surface 50 such as a tabletop. The cooling coils 32 are wrapped around the outside surface 36 of the side wall 20 as illustrated with reference again to FIG. 3. One embodiment of the apparatus 10 herein described includes the cooling coils 32 wrapped five times around the pan 18 with the coils starting and ending at one end of the pan. A channel member 52 having a partition wall 54 and opposing first and second wing walls 56, 58 forming the channel 42 therebetween. The refrigeration coil chamber 34 is formed by attaching the first wing wall 56 of the channel member 52 to a bottom surface 60 of the flange 28 for positioning the petition wall 54 in a spaced relation to the pan side wall 20 with an outside surface 62 of the petition wall 54 facing the side wall 20 for positioning the cooling coils 32 therebetween. Such an orientation causes the channel 42 to face outwardly from lhe pan side wall 20. One embodiment of the present manufacturing method includes attaching a double-siding adhesive tape 64 onto the first wing wall 56 of the channel member 52 for sealingly attaching the first wing wall 56 to the bottom surface 60 of the flange 28. The refrigeration coil chamber 34 thus formed is then filled with the thermally conductive material 38. In one embodiment of the manufacturing process, an epoxy having thermally conductive properties is poured into the coil chamber 34 with the pan 18 inverted, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to allow free flowing epoxy to fully engulf the cooling coils 32 and contact both the side wall outside surface 36 and flange bottom surface 60. The level of epoxy poured is such to fully cover all the coils 32 and as much of the pan side wall outside surface 36 as desired for providing a desirable frosting of the pan 18. When hardened, the epoxy has been shown to provide an effective and desirable conductive pathway for transferring cooling provided by the coils and frosting onto the side wall outside surface 36 and pan top surface 30.

The outside wall or outer wrapper 44 is a rigid sheet. Insulation tape 66 is placed between a flange portion 68 of the wing wall 58 and the outer wrapper 44. One embodiment includes tacking of the outer wrapper 44 with sheet metal screws 70 or rivets of the outer wrapper to tabs 72 attached to the pan 18. The outside wrapper 44 may be attached prior to or after pouring of the epoxy. Once installed, the combination of the outer wrapper 44 and the channel member 52 cause the channel 42 to be enclosed for filling with the thermal insulation 40. One embodiment of the manufacturing process includes injecting a foam styled insulating material into the enclosed channel 42 through holes formed in the outer wrapper 44. A sealing material 74 such as putty may be placed along contacting edges of the channel member 52 and the flange 28 during both the pouring of the epoxy and injection of the foam to minimize leaking through gaps formed at the edges.

Additional steps in the manufacturing process include thermally insulating the bottom wall 22 of the pan 18 and forming a drain and fill hole 76 there through. A heating element, herein described as heating coil 78 is caused by the bottom wall 22 of the pan 18 for positioning the heating coil within the cavity 24. The drain and fill hole 76, and heating coil 78, as illustrated again with reference to FIG. 2, by way of example and with an illustration of the thermal insulation on the bottom of the pan illustrated by way of example to FIGS. 5 & 6. As illustrated again with reference to FIG. 4, one embodiment the present invention may include the use a styrofoam for the thermal insulation 40 that extends along the bottom wall 22 of the pan 18 and around lower portions of the side wall 20 extending to an edge of the thermally conductive epoxy material 38.

The arrangement of the cooling coils 32 embedded in the thermal epoxy as above described with reference to FIG. 4, not only improves on heat transfer during the cooling cycle, but with the coils secured in place by hardened epoxy, an improved cooling control is provided. Further, the improved heat transfer properties permit the use of a shallow pan, generally shorter side wall depth dimensions than typically found in the art. Such properties including the shallow pan are desirable both during the heating and cooling of the pan 18. Further, being able to convert from a hot mode to a cold mode of operations allows for a variety of foods and food pans. As illustrated, by way of example, and with reference to FIG. 7, the apparatus 10 is expected to be used in either a hot mode operation or a cold mode operation, with control of such operations for multiple pans 18A, 18B. With continued reference to FIG.7, a programmable logic controller 80 is operable with a temperature sensor 82 and a liquid level sensor 84 for receiving temperature and level input signals 86, 88 indicative of the temperature and liquid level within the cavity 24 of the pan 18. The controller 80 operates solenoid styled refrigerant flow valves 90 and water supply valves 92 for controlling liquid flow, generally water to the cavity 24 and refrigerant flow through the cooling coils 32. In addition, the controller 80 provides operating level signals 94 to the heater through a magnetic contactor circuit for heating the water carried within the cavity during the hot mode operation. As illustrated with reference again to FIG. 1 , a display and input device 96 is provided to a user for inputting pre-selected operating conditions and viewing sensed conditions.

As illustrated with reference again to FIG. 7, the temperature sensor 82 in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a temperature probe 82A carried by the pan 18 and signal conditioning electronics 82B operable between the temperature probe and the controller 80. As illustrated with reference to FIG. 8, one embodiment of the apparatus 10 includes an optical level sensor 84A carried within the pan side wall 20 with a feed water nozzle 98 for providing water into the cavity 24. In one embodiment of the present invention, a drain 100 operable at the drain hole 76 is used as both a fill and drain orifice operable with a solenoid styled feed water valve 102 and drain valve 104 communicating with the controller 80, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 9.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the food trays 26 are supported for suspension into the cavity 24 using support rails 106 operable with an adjustable support 108. As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10 & 11 , the adjustable support 108 is suspended from the pan side wall 20 through use of an aperture 110 operable with a support mount or stud 112 carried by the side wall. As illustrated with reference again to FIG. 6, by having the adjustable support 108, the food trays 26 may be positioned for suspension into the cavity 24 at various depths as well as various angles of view for displaying food as desired. As illustrated with reference to the exploded view of FIG. 12, one adjustable support 108 comprises a pair of grooves or slots 114 operable with the food tray support rail 106, which in one embodiment of the present invention includes a "U" shaped cross section. The use of the "U" shaped support rail 106 engaging the adjustable support 108 by being carried within the slots 114 allows for an improved structural support of the food tray 26 over tab styled end portions typically found in the arts for food tray support rails. In addition, by positioning pairs of grooves at pre-selected locations along a top flange portion 116 of the adjustable support 108, ease in aligning the food tray support rails 106 is provided and thus ease in selecting and supporting the food trays during set up of the self-service food bar 12.

As herein described, the refrigerant coils are concentrated in an upper half of the pan 18. These refrigerant lines form the coils are connected to a condensing unit 118 running on R-22 or equivalent refrigerant. Cold side operation of the apparatus 10 this pan has been tested and approved by the

National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) under NSF Standard 7 for use with hazardous foods.

Heating is achieved using a hot water bath. The pan 18 is filled with water up to a desired level and heated using the heating coil; 78 incorporated in the bottom wall 22 of the pan 18 as earlier descπbed. Heat from the water rises thereby keeping the food trays 26 warm.

The control of the pan 18 as herein described with reference to FIG. 7, is done using the programmable logic controller 80 (PLC). One control system 18A, 18B allows the user to control the temperature of two pans 80 independently. For example, one pan could be hot and the other pan could be cold. The PLC 80 will control one pan or two pans depending on the requirement.

The PLC 80 reads the temperature set point and opens the refrigerant solenoid valve 102 which allows the condensing unit 118 to pump refrigerant through lines to the coils 32. When the temperature reading from the pan 18 equals a temperature set point, the refrigerant solenoid valve 90 closes and the supply of refrigerant to the cold pan is stopped. After this point, the flow of refrigerant through the lines is turned on and off depending on the temperature requirement. If a temperature set point is changed to a higher temperature, the heating mode is operative. A level sensor 84 determines that there is no water in the pan 18 and opens the water feed solenoid valve 92. The pan 18 fills up with water until the level sensor is satisfied at which point the water feed solenoid valve 92 is closed and the heating coil 78 is turned on. The water is heated until the temperature set point is reached, after which the heating element comes on depending upon the heating requirement.

By way of example, the PLC 80 and LCD display 96 provide: an upper temperature limit alarm; a lower temperature limit alarm; troubleshooting of temperature sensor and signal conditioner; display and change of set points; temperature monitoring; keeps track of runtime; and keeps track of time since last servicing.

By way of further example, for one operating embodiment of the apparatus 10. Any setting below 50°F turns the cooling on and any setting above 50°F turns on the heating. A setting below 50°F energizes an output to the refrigeration solenoid valve while all the other outputs are de-energized. When the temperature setting is attained, the output to the refrigeration solenoid is de- energized. A 5°F differential is added to the software of the PLC such that, the refrigeration solenoid is again energized when the temperature rises 5°F above the temperature setting. The temperature is again pulled down to the temperature setting and when that is done the solenoid is again de-energized and this cycle continues indefinitely. In the cooling mode, if the temperature is 15°F below the temperature setting the LCD reads as the pan 18A or pan 18B being too cold, and if it is 15°F higher than the temperature setting, the LCD display reads pan 18A or pan 18B as being too hot. This function comes on, by way of example, after two hours of changing the temperature set point by which time the conditions in the unit have stabilized. A setting above 50°F de-energized the output to the refrigeration valve and the PLC turns on the heating mode and reads the output from the optical level eye. If the optical level sensor output indicates that there is no water in the pan, the output to the water feed solenoid is energized and the pan fills with water. When the optical level sensor indicates that the water has reached the desired height, the water feed solenoid is de-energized and the output to the magnetic contactor is energized and the heating element comes on. When the temperature setting is attained, the contactor is de-energized, with a 5°F differential added to the program, the contactor is again energized when the temperature decreases by 5°F below the temperature setting. The temperature is increased to the temperature setting and when that is done the contactor is again de-energized and this cycle continues indefinitely. The contactor is not on when the level switch is not satisfied. If the level switch is not satisfied, the water solenoid valve comes on and fills the pan with water until the level switch is satisfied and then the contactor comes on again.

In the heating mode if the temperature is 15°F below the temperature setting the LCD reads pan 18A or pan 18B as too cold, and if it is 15°F higher than the temperature setting, the LCD display reads pan 18A or pan 18B as being too hot. This function comes on after two hours of changing the temperature set point by which time the conditions in the unit have stabilized.

Each pan can be operated independently and the PLC will read the temperature input from each pan at 10 second intervals. One option includes turning one or both pans on or off as desired. The PLC and LCD monitors and displays the temperature of both pans. The PLC keeps track of the run time of the unit and shows the total number of hours that it has been running. The PLC also keeps track of the total number of hours since the last maintenance check on the unit. This value can be reset after the unit has been serviced. The display flashes a warning that servicing is required after it has been run for 720 hours. If an RTD or the signal conditioner goes bad, an "RTD FAULT" message is displayed on the screen.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

That Which is Claimed Is:

1. A method for manufacturing a food storage and display apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pan having side and bottom walls defining a cavity, the pan having a flange extending from a peripheral portion of the side wall, wherein a top surface of the flange defines a pan top surface; wrapping cooling coils around an outside surface of the side wall; providing a channel member having a partition wall and opposing first and second wing walls in combination forming a channel therebetween; forming a refrigerant coil chamber by attaching the first wing wall of the channel member to a bottom surface of the flange for positioning the partition wall of the channel member in a spaced relation to the pan side wall with the outside surface of the partition wall facing the side wall for positioning the cooling coils therebetween, thus having the channel outwardly facing therefrom; filling the refrigerant coil chamber with a thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive material fully engulfing the cooling coils therein, the thermally conductive material contacting the side wall and flange; attaching a generally rigid sheet to the channel member for forming an outside wall; and filling the channel with an insulating material.

2. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising the steps of placing the pan top surface onto a support surface for orientating the pan in an inverted position on the support surface, wherein the refrigerant coil chamber filling step comprises pouring a thermally conductive epoxy within the refrigerant coil chamber to a level for covering the cooling coils.

3. The method according to Claim 2, further comprising the step of removably attaching a sealing material along contacting edges of the channel member and flange.

4. The method according to Claim 2, further comprising the step of removably attaching a protective cover onto the pan top surface for minimizing surface damage to the pan top surface.

5. The method according to Claim 1 , wherein the channel filling step comprises the steps of sealing the rigid sheet to the channel and injecting an insulating foam into the channel.

6. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching double sided adhesive tape onto the first wing wall of the channel member for sealing the first wing wall of the channel member to the bottom surface of the flange.

7. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising the step of thermally insulating the bottom wall of the pan.

8. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a heating coil to the bottom wall of the pan for positioning the heating coil within the cavity.

9. The method according to Claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming a drain hole within the bottom wall of the pan.

10. A method for manufacturing a food storage and display apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: wrapping cooling coils around an outside surface of a hollow pan, the hollow pan including a side wall and flange extending therefrom for defining a pan top wall; providing a channel member defined by a partition wall and opposing first and second wing walls, the partition wall having an inside surface in combination with the first and second wing walls for defining a channel therebetween; forming a refrigerant coil chamber by positioning the partition wall of the channel member in a spaced relation to a pan side wall with the outside surface of the partition wall facing the side wall of the pan for positioning the cooling coils therebetween, thus having the channel outwardly facing therefrom; filling the refrigerant coil chamber with a thermally conductive material, the thermally conductive material fully engulfing the cooling coils therein, the thermally conductive material contacting the side wall and flange; attaching a generally rigid sheet to the channel member for forming an outside wall; and filling the channel with an insulating material.

11. The method according to Claim 10, further comprising the steps of placing the pan onto a support surface for orientating the pan in an inverted position, wherein the refrigerant coil chamber filling step comprises pouring a thermally conductive epoxy within the refrigerant coil chamber to a level for covering the cooling coils.

12. The method according to Claim 10, further comprising the step of removably attaching a sealing material along contacting edges of the channel member and the pan.

13. The method according to Claim 10, wherein the channel filling step comprises the steps of sealing the rigid sheet to the channel and injecting an insulating foam into the channel.

14. The method according to Claim 10, wherein the pan includes a flange extending from a periphery thereof, and wherein the method further comprises the step of fixedly attaching one of the first and a second wing walls of the channel member for sealingly attaching the first wing wall thereof to the flange.

15. A method for manufacturing a food storage and display apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: extending a first rigid sheet in a spaced relation around a side wall of a hollow pan for forming a chamber therebetween; extending a second rigid sheet around the hollow pan in a spaced relation with the second rigid sheet for forming a channel therebetween; positioning cooling coils within the chamber; filling the chamber with a thermally conductive material for fully engulfing the cooling coils therein; and filling the channel with an insulating material.

16. The method according to Claim 15, further comprising the steps of placing the pan onto a support surface for orientating the pan in an inverted position, wherein the refrigerant coil chamber filling step comprises pouring a thermally conductive epoxy within the refπgerant coil chamber to a level for covering the cooling coils.

17. The method according to Claim 16, wherein the channel filling step comprises the step of injecting an insulating foam therein.

18. A food storage and display apparatus comprising: a pan having side and bottom walls defining a cavity for receiving a food tray therein, the pan side wall including a flange extending therefrom for defining a pan top wall; cooling coils carried within a refrigeration coil chamber formed around side walls of the pan, the cooling coils engulfed within a thermally conductive material filling the coil chamber, the thermally conductive material contacting the side wall and flange; thermal insulation carried within a channel formed by an outside wall carried in a spaced relation to the refrigeration coil chamber; a first control valve operable with the cooling coils for controlling coolant flow thereto in response to a cooling control signal; a heating coil carried within the cavity; a temperature sensor responsive to temperature changes within the cavity; a second control valve in fluid connection with the cavity for controlling flow of liquid from a liquid source thereto; a liquid level sensor responsive to a level of liquid within the cavity; and a controller operable with the temperature sensor and liquid level sensor for receiving input signals therefrom indicative of the temperature and liquid level within the cavity, the controller operable with the first and second control valves for controlling liquid flow to the cavity and refrigerant flow to the cooling coils, and operable with the heater for controlling a heating of the liquid within the cavity.

19. The apparatus according to Claim 18, further comprising a display operable with the controller for providing a temperature and liquid level display to a user.

20. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the controller is a programmable controller responsive to preselected operating conditions input thereto.

21. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a temperature probe carried by the pan and signal conditioning electronics operable between the temperature probe and the controller.

22. The apparatus according to Claim 18, further comprising a magnetic contactor circuit operable between the controller and the heater for controlling operation thereof.

23. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein each of the first and second control valves includes solenoid valves.

24. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the thermally conductive material is formed around the cooling coils by a process including a step of pouring an epoxy within the refrigeration coil chamber for permitting the epoxy to fully contact the coils prior to hardening.

25. The apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the thermal insulation carried within the channel is formed therein by a process of injecting an insulating foam into the channel for filling a void therein.

26. A food storage and display apparatus comprising: a pan having side and bottom walls defining a cavity for receiving a food tray therein, the side walls having a flange extending therefrom for forming a pan top wall; cooling coils carried within a refrigeration coil chamber formed around the pan, the cooling coils engulfed within a thermally conductive mateπal filling the coil chamber, the thermally conductive mateπal in contact with the side walls and flange; thermal insulation carried within a channel formed by an outside wall carried in a spaced relation to the refrigeration coil chamber; valve means operable with the cooling coils for controlling coolant flow thereto; a temperature sensor responsive to temperature changes within the cavity; a controller operable with the temperature sensor for receiving an input signal therefrom indicative of the temperature within the cavity, the controller operable with the valve means for controlling refrigerant flow to the cooling coils and thus cooling thereof.

27. The apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the refrigeration coil chamber is formed by a channel member having a partition wall and opposing first and second wing walls in combination forming a channel therebetween, wherein the first wing wall of the channel member is attached to a bottom surface of the flange for positioning the partition wall of the channel member in a spaced relation to the pan side wall thus positioning the cooling coils therebetween, and pouring a liquid epoxy having the thermally conductive material for flowing into the refrigeration coil chamber for hardening therein..

28. The apparatus according to Claim 26, further comprising: a heating coil carried within the cavity; a liquid level sensor responsive to a level of liquid in the cavity; a control valve in fluid connection with the cavity for controlling flow of liquid from a liquid source thereto; and a liquid level sensor responsive to a level of liquid within the cavity, and wherein the controller is further operable with the liquid level sensor for receiving an input signal therefrom indicative of the liquid level within the cavity, the controller operable with the control valves for controlling liquid flow to the cavity and operable with the heater for controlling a heating of the liquid therein.

29. The apparatus according to Claim 27, further comprising a magnetic contactor circuit operable between the controller and the heating coil for controlling operation thereof.

30. The apparatus according to Claim 26, further comprising a display operable with the controller for providing a temperature and liquid level display to a user.

31. The apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a temperature probe carried by the pan and signal conditioning electronics operable between the temperature probe and the controller.

32. The apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the thermally conductive material is formed around the cooling coils by a process including a step of pouring an epoxy within the refrigeration coil chamber for permitting the epoxy to fully contact the coils prior to hardening.

33. A food storage and display apparatus comprising: a pan having side and bottom walls defining a cavity for receiving a food tray therein; cooling coils carried within a refrigeration coil chamber formed around the pan, the cooling coils engulfed within a thermally conductive material filling the coil chamber; thermal insulation carried within a channel formed by an outside wall carried in a spaced relation to the refrigeration coil chamber; a heating coil carried within the cavity; and a drain carried within the cavity for draining fluid therefrom.

34. The apparatus according to Claim 33, further comprising: a temperature sensor responsive to temperature changes within the cavity; a first control valve operable with the cooling coils for controlling coolant flow thereto in response to a cooling control signal; a second control valve in fluid connection with the cavity for controlling flow of liquid from a liquid source thereto; and a liquid level sensor responsive to a level of liquid within the cavity.

35. The apparatus according to Claim 34, further comprising a controller operable with the temperature sensor and liquid level sensor for receiving input signals therefrom indicative of the temperature and liquid level within the cavity, the controller operable with the first and second control valves for controlling liquid flow to the cavity and refrigerant flow to the cooling coils, and operable with the heater for controlling a heating of the liquid within the cavity.

36. The apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the thermally conductive material is formed around the cooling coils by a process including a step of pouring an epoxy within the refrigeration coil chamber for permitting the epoxy to fully contact the coils prior to hardening.

37. The apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the thermal insulation carried within the channel is formed therein by a process of injecting an insulating foam into the channel for filling a void therein.