Apparatus and method for heated food delivery
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H05B-006/12
A21B-001/52
출원번호
US-0301348
(2002-11-20)
발명자
/ 주소
Owens, Byron C
Van Hoy, Mark E.
Bostic, William M
출원인 / 주소
Vesture Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Merchant &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
157
초록▼
A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the articl
A delivery apparatus is provided by the invention. The delivery apparatus includes a container for holding an article to be delivered and a heater. The container includes a housing forming an interior area and an opening. The opening is provided with a size sufficient to allow movement of the article from outside the container to within the interior area, and from within the interior area to outside the container. The heater is provided for placement within the interior area for heating the article. The heater includes an electrically conductive coil for providing an electric current when exposed to a magnetic field, and an electrical resistance heating element for generating heat. The electrical resistance heating element is provided in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. A delivery apparatus assembly is provided which includes an induction range for generating a magnetic field. A heater and a method for delivering food are provided by the invention.
대표청구항▼
1. A delivery device for delivery of heated food, said delivery device comprising:(a) a container defining an interior area and an opening to the interior area; (b) a heater positioned in the container; (i) the heater being powered by a power source, the power source being remote from the container,
1. A delivery device for delivery of heated food, said delivery device comprising:(a) a container defining an interior area and an opening to the interior area; (b) a heater positioned in the container; (i) the heater being powered by a power source, the power source being remote from the container, (ii) the heater being separable from the power source remote from the container, to remain with and be transportable with, the container during a food delivery; (c) a heat sink positioned to retain heat during a food delivery; and (d) an indicator arrangement including: (i) an electrical energy storage device positioned on the delivery device, to travel therewith during a food delivery, (A) the electrical energy storage device being configured to selectively provide energy to the indicator arrangement even when the heater has been separated from the power source during a food delivery; and (ii) an electrically powered arrangement powered by the electrical energy storage device when the heater has been separated from the power source during a food delivery; (A) the electrically powered arrangement being configured to selectively provide information to a user during a food delivery even when the heater is not powered. 2. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein:(a) the electrical energy storage device is configured and positioned so as not to power the heater when the indicator arrangement is powered. 3. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrical energy storage device positioned on the delivery device, to travel therewith during a food delivery, is a battery. 4. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrical energy storage device positioned on the delivery device, to travel therewith during a food delivery, is a capacitor arrangement. 5. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement is configured to selectively communicate a temperature state of the interior area of the container to a user during a food delivery. 6. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement of the indicator arrangement includes a visual indicator device. 7. The delivery device of claim 6, wherein:(a) the visual indicator device includes an LED arrangement having at least one LED. 8. The delivery device of claim 7, wherein:(a) the container includes a window positioned adjacent to the indicator arrangement to view the visual indicator device of the indicator arrangement when the container is closed. 9. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the indicator arrangement includes a visual indicator positioned to provide a user with information without the user having to open the container. 10. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement of the indicator anungement includes only a visual indicator device. 11. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement of the indicator arrangement includes an audio indicator device. 12. The delivery device of claim 11, wherein:(a) the audio indicator device includes an voice chip configured to provide audible information to a user during a food delivery. 13. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein:(a) the voice chip of the audio indicator device is configured to selectively communicate an interior temperature condition of the container to a user during a food delivery. 14. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein:(a) the voice chip of the audio indicator device is configured to activate when a user opens the container. 15. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement of the indicator arrangement includes only an audio indicator device. 16. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein:(a) the heater includes a heating grid constructed to provide an output watt density of at least 2.5 Watts per square inch. 17. The delivery device of claim 16, wherein:(a) the heat sink positioned to retain heat during a food delivery includes: i) a central portion; and ii) four wings extending outward from the central portion. 18. The delivery device of claim 17, wherein:(a) the central portion of the heat sink has a generally square configuration having four corners; and (b) each one of the four wings extends from a selected one of the corners of the central portion. 19. The delivery device of claim 17, wherein:(a) each of the four wings extending outward from the central portion includes a central ridge. 20. The delivery device of claim 19, wherein:(a) the electrically powered arrangement of the indicator arrangement includes a visual indicator device. 21. The delivery device of claim 16, wherein:(a) the heating grid includes: (i) an electrically conductive coil configured to provide an electric current when exposed to the power source remote from the container; and (ii) a resistive heating element configured to generate heat, the resistive heating element being in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. 22. The delivery device of claim 21, wherein:(a) the electrically conductive coil includes a primary coil configured to energize the resistive heating element; and (b) a secondary coil configured to energize the electrical energy storage device of the indicator arrangement. 23. The delivery device of claim 21, wherein:(a) the electrically conductive coil provides the electric current when exposed to a magnetic field generated by: (i) an induction range including a power cord configured to receive electrical energy; and (ii) a magnetic field generator configured to generate the magnetic field from the electrical energy. 24. The delivery device of claim 16, further including:(a) a power cord configured to selectively provide an electrical connection between the heater and the power source remote from the container. 25. The delivery device of claim 1, further including:(a) a sheet structure having attachment extensions configured to attached to outer edges of the heat sink, the heater being disposed therebetween. 26. The delivery device of claim 25, further including:(a) insulation arranged between the sheet structure and the heater to direct heat energy from the heater toward the heat sink. 27. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein:(a) the heater includes a cover to cover and enclose the heater and the heat sink. 28. The delivery device of claim 1, further including:(a) a control system, the control system including: (i) a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the heater, and (ii) a central processing unit in electrical communication with the temperature sensor, the central processing unit being configured to: (A) process electrical signals, related to the thermal state of the heater, from the temperature sensor, (B) control generation of heat of the heater; and (C) convey information to a user during a food delivery. 29. The delivery device of claim 28, wherein(a) the central processing unit is configured to communicate with the electrical energy storage device to activate the indicator arrangement according to a status protocol for providing information to a user about the status of the container temperature. 30. The delivery device of claim 28, wherein:(a) the control system further includes: (i) an electrical switch configured to activate and deactivate electrical power from the power source remote from the container to the heater; and (ii) a central processing unit in electrical communication with the temperature sensor and the electrical switch, wherein based on the information from the temperature sensor, the central processing unit is configured to control the electrical switch, such that: A) the central processing unit causes the temperature of the heater to initially rise from an initial temperature to a higher temperature and then to proceed through at least one cycle from the higher temperature to a lower temperature and back to the higher temperature; B) the difference between the higher temperature and the lower temperature is between 300 F. and 900 F.; and C) the initial temperature is lower than the lower temperature. 31. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein:(a) the container is configured for delivery of pizza. 32. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein:(a) the heater includes: (i) an electrically conductive coil configured to provide an electric current when exposed to the power source remote from the container; and (ii) a resistive heating element configured to generate heat, the resistive heating element being in electrical connectivity with the electrically conductive coil. 33. A delivery device for delivery of heated food, the delivery device comprising:(a) a container defining an interior area (b) a cordless heater positioned in the container, the cordless heater including: (i) an electrical resistance heating element; (ii) a conductive coil electrically connected to the electrical resistance heating element, the conductive coil configured to provide an electric current sufficient to power the electrical resistance heating element when exposed to a sufficient magnetic field; and (c) an indicator arrangement positioned on the container and configured to selectively provide information to a user during a food delivery, the indicator arrangement including: (i) an electrical energy storage device transportable with the container during a food delivery; (ii) an electrically powered indicator device powered by the electrical energy storage device and transportable with the container during a food delivery; (iii) wherein the electrical energy storage device is configured and positioned so as not to power the electrical resistance heating element of the cordless heater. 34. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the electrically powered indicator device includes a visual indicator device. 35. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the electrically powered indicator device includes an audio indicator device. 36. The delivery device of claim 35, wherein:(a) the electrical resistance heating element is configured to generate the watt output within a time period of less than five minutes once the conductive coil is exposed to the magnetic field. 37. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the electrical resistance heating element has a watt output between 200 and 500 watts. 38. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the conductive coil is configured to provide an electric current within a range of at least 0.8 amps to 3 amps when exposed to the sufficient magnetic field. 39. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the conductive coil is configured to provide an electric current of about 1.5 amps when exposed to a magnetic field of 22 KHz. 40. The delivery device of claim 33, further including:(a) a controller operably connected to the cordless heater to control the temperature conditions within the container and provide a user with information regarding the temperature conditions within the container. 41. The delivery device of claim 40, further including:(a) a secondary coil of wound wire electrically connected to the controller, the secondary coil configured to provide an electric current of about 150 mA to power the controller. 42. The delivery device of claim 33, wherein:(a) the container is configured for delivery of pizza.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (157)
Anderson Leslie B. (Easton PA), Absorbent assembly for use as a thermal pack.
Carter Philip S. (Palo Alto CA) Krumme John F. (Woodside CA), Alternating current electrically resistive heating element having intrinsic temperature control.
Schmitt Philip ; McDermott Michael Blaze, Apparatus and method for non-contact detection and inductive heating of heat retentive food server warming plates.
Souder ; Jr. James J. (630 Archwood Ann Arbor MI 48103) Waldorf Lindsey E. (3888 Loch Alpine Drive Ann Arbor MI 48103), Container for inductively heating food.
Kanare Donald M. (P.O. Box 2933 Alameda CA 94501) Abdenour Thomas E. (14644 Outrigger San Leandro CA 94577) Axelgaard Jens (811 Tumbleweed La. Fallbrook CA 92028), Electrical stimulation heat/cool pack.
Hysen P. Paul (14500 Fairmont Detroit MI 48205) Souder James J. (630 Archwood Ann Arbor MI 48103) Waldorf Lindsay E. (3888 Lock Alpine Dr. Ann Arbor MI 48103), Food holder temperature maintenance system.
de Filippis Modeste (11 Ave. Felix Faure Lyons 7eme ; Rhone FRX) Rollet Jean (“Les Vignes”Dardilly ; Rhone FRX), Heating and refrigerating tray cabinet for distributing hot and cold dishes.
Nuns Jacques (Moret S/Loing FRX) Girault Alain (Moret S/Loing FRX), Inductive heating apparatus for cooking thin dishes such as omelets, quiches or the like.
Mucha George M. (Parma Heights OH) Alexander Jonathan W. (Boaz AL) Pfaffmann George D. (Farmington MI) McKelvey Richard H. (Albertville AL), Method of monitoring induction heating cycle.
Anderson George R. (Minneapolis MN) Ott Walter R. (Middlesex NJ) Smoke Edward J. (Edison NJ) Easter Ross A. (Minneapolis MN) Sholl Jeffrey J. (New Brighton MN), Microwave heating device and method.
Goswami D. Yogi (Gainesville FL) Hsieh Chung K. (Gainesville FL) Jotshi Chand K. (Gainesville FL) Klausner James F. (Gainesville FL), Phase change material storage heater.
Dickens David (Sunnyvale CA) Taylor James M. (Mountain View CA) Mandelbaum Fern (Menlo Park CA) Doljack Frank A. (Pleasanton CA), Rapid heating, uniform, highly efficient griddle.
Dickens David M. (Sunnyvale CA) Taylor James M. (Mountain View CA) Mandelbaum Fern (Menlo Park CA) Doljack Frank A. (Pleasanton CA), Rapid heating, uniform, highly efficient griddle.
Feldman Henry L. (8844 Town & Country Blvd. Ellicott City MD 21043) Berman Philip G. (11517 Karen Dr. Potomac MD 20854) Washburn William L. (7704 Jansen Dr. Springfield VA 22152), Therapeutic heat application.
Meier Herman (Littau CHX) Witzig Martin (Horgen CHX), Tray transport cart having electromagnetic induction heaters for heating meals to be placed on the trays.
Eckler Paul E. (2705 Hulman St. Terre Haute IN 47803) Hunt Richard B. (1312 Jessamine Rd. Dade City FL 33525), Warming devices and method using a material with a solid-solid phase change.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.