초록 ▼

A refrigeration system for maintaining edible substances at a low temperature of the present invention includes a serving pan, an element for retaining or holding the serving pan, and a refrigeration tube and a glycol medium surrounding the pan is disclosed. The refrigeration tube and glycol medium

A refrigeration system for maintaining edible substances at a low temperature of the present invention includes a serving pan, an element for retaining or holding the serving pan, and a refrigeration tube and a glycol medium surrounding the pan is disclosed. The refrigeration tube and glycol medium act together in order to maintain the pan at a low temperature for a prolonged period of time and to provide an even cooling of the pan. In a second embodiment, the refrigeration tube may be surrounded by the glycol medium. In a further embodiment, the system may be used to heat food rather than to cool food by using a heat pump alone or in combination with electric heating elements. In yet another embodiment, the glycol medium may surround only the sides or only the bottom of the pan.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A refrigeration system for maintaining food at a low temperature comprising:a pan having an inner metal wall comprised of a bottom wall and surrounding side walls forming a first compartment into which food may be placed; a metal outer wall comprised of a bottom wall and surrounding side walls se

1. A refrigeration system for maintaining food at a low temperature comprising:a pan having an inner metal wall comprised of a bottom wall and surrounding side walls forming a first compartment into which food may be placed; a metal outer wall comprised of a bottom wall and surrounding side walls secured to said inner wall, said outer wall being spaced from at least one of said inner bottom and inner side walls so as to create a second compartment therebetween; a chillable fluid material located within said second compartment; a refrigeration coil secured to the outer surface of said outer wall at at least one of the bottom and sides thereof for chilling said outer wall and said chillable fluid material; and a substantially horizontally extending flange extending outwardly from the top of said pan, said flange being thermally insulated from inner wall of said pan whereby said pan can be inserted into the well of a serving counter with said flange contacting said counter but wherein said inner wall of said pan is thermally insulated from said counter.