초록 ▼

A topless bin for holding and warming food items such as wrapped sandwiches, fries, or breakfast meals, is disclosed herein. The bin includes a base, a base heating element, a pair of side walls and a pair of side heating elements. The base has a horizontal holding surface for supporting the food it

A topless bin for holding and warming food items such as wrapped sandwiches, fries, or breakfast meals, is disclosed herein. The bin includes a base, a base heating element, a pair of side walls and a pair of side heating elements. The base has a horizontal holding surface for supporting the food items being held. The base heating element is thermally coupled to the holding surface such that the food items are warmed thereby. Each side wall has a first portion extending upwardly perpendicular to and at opposite sides of the base, and a second portion extending upwardly at an inclined angle from the first portion. Each side heating element is supported by the second portion of one of the side walls. The inclination is selected to direct heat at an angle from the respective side heating element toward the holding surface such that the food items are also warmed thereby. Thus, the food items are warmed without either an overhead heat source or convected heat from an air stream. The heat sources can also be implemented as infrared heating elements.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A topless bin for holding and warming food items, comprising:a base having a generally horizontal holding surface for supporting the food items;a side wall extending upwardly from the base; anda source of heat supported by the side wall and configured to direct heat at an

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A topless bin for holding and warming food items, comprising:a base having a generally horizontal holding surface for supporting the food items;a side wall extending upwardly from the base; anda source of heat supported by the side wall and configured to direct heat at an angle downwardly from the source of heat toward the holding surface, wherein the food items being supported on the base are warmed at least by the source of heat and the food items are viewable from overhead the bin.