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A merchandiser for displaying food products and holding such food products at a controlled temperature has a well divided into three or more well sections, wherein each of the well sections receives a serving tray and wherein the serving trays collectively have a center line. A rear access door, a p

A merchandiser for displaying food products and holding such food products at a controlled temperature has a well divided into three or more well sections, wherein each of the well sections receives a serving tray and wherein the serving trays collectively have a center line. A rear access door, a pair of side plates, and a transparent front plate, together with the well, define a food product holding cavity. A pair of supporting brackets position a merchandiser heating and control device above the well. The merchandiser heating and control device has a heating compartment, which positions three or more heating elements and three or more illuminating elements substantially above the center line of the serving trays, wherein the heating compartment includes three or more circulating fans for circulating heated air from the heating compartment into the holding cavity. The merchandiser heating and control device also has a retaining bracket for receiving an upper edge of the rear access door and has an enclosed guide surface. Further, the merchandiser heating and control device has a control compartment positioned above the retaining bracket and containing control elements for controlling heating elements and illuminating elements and having a rear control panel, wherein the control compartment includes a cooling fan for cooling the control elements and a plurality of vents formed in the control panel for drawing cooling air into the control compartment from outside the holding cavity and for exhausting heated air outside the holding cavity. Moreover, the merchandiser heating and control device has a securing bracket for mounting an upper edge of the transparent front plate. Methods for manufacturing such merchandisers permit them to be readily reconfigured during manufacture or at a customer site.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A merchandiser for displaying food products and holding such food products at a controlled temperature, comprising:a well divided into a plurality of well sections, wherein each of said well sections receives a serving tray and wherein said serving trays collectively ha

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A merchandiser for displaying food products and holding such food products at a controlled temperature, comprising:a well divided into a plurality of well sections, wherein each of said well sections receives a serving tray and wherein said serving trays collectively have a center line;a rear access door, a pair of side plates, and a transparent front plate, which together with said well define a food product cavity; anda pair of supporting brackets, which positions a merchandiser heating and control device above said well;wherein said merchandiser heating and control device comprises:a heating compartment, which positions at least one heating element substantially above said centerline of said serving trays, wherein said heating compartment includes at least one circulating fan for circulating heated air from said heating compartment into said cavity;a retaining bracket for receiving an upper edge of said rear access door, having an enclosed guide surface;a control compartment positioned above said retaining bracket and containing control elements for controlling said at least one heating element and having a rear control panel, wherein said control compartment includes at least one cooling fan for cooling said control elements and a plurality of vents formed in said control panel for drawing cooling air into said control compartment from outside said cavity and for exhausting heated air outside said cavity; anda securing bracket for mounting an upper edge of said transparent front plate.