Refrigeration – With means forming non-cooled work surface – e.g. – counter,...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-03-20
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
With means forming non-cooled work surface, e.g., counter,...
C062S440000, C062S446000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to refrigeration systems and, more particularly, to countertop food pan refrigeration systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art refrigeration units for use with cabinet or countertop food preparation are well known in the art. Typical patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,672 issued on Nov. 15, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,429 issued on Feb. 14, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,687 issued on Oct. 18, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,039 issued on Jan. 11, 1994, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,672 issued on Jan. 17, 1995. However, problems associated with food preparation refrigeration units continue to exist. Such problems include failing to adequately cool all the regions of the food contained in the food pans. Several patents disclose food pan arrangements with cooling coils in the units and cold air circulation around open top food pans.
Since the top portion of food in an open top food pan is exposed to the ambient air temperature and typically is furthest from the cooling zones, this portion of the food is more susceptible to spoiling. Prior patents addressing this problem often used evaporators in close proximity to the food pans and often added an upper cooling zone. Some prior patents attempted to cool the top portion of food in the pans by blowing cold air directly across the food in a standard compression refrigeration system. However, prior refrigeration units for use in countertop food preparation do not adequately cool the top portion of the food without drying it or causing frost to accumulate near the upper edges of the refrigeration unit.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a countertop food preparation refrigeration unit which provides additional cooling to the top layer of food in the food pan to prevent this food from spoiling due to exposure to the ambient air temperature. Additional objects of the invention are to prevent frost from accumulating on the outside rim near the food pans and to avoid drying out the food. Thus, an overall object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical refrigeration unit for a countertop food preparation assembly embodying these features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a refrigeration unit is adapted for use with a countertop in a countertop food preparation assembly.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a refrigerated food pan assembly which comprises an elongated inner channel with inner walls and a base. There is an elongated outer channel extending around said inner channel. Refrigeration coils are in thermal conduction with the inner channel for cooling the space within the inner channel. The coils are located around the inner walls and the base of the inner channel.
A plurality of food pans are mounted into the inner channel, and spaced apart from one another and from the inner walls of said inner channel.
In a broader aspect of the present invention, a cold air plenum is provided to blow cold air into a channel which holds food pans. The plenum includes vent openings to direct cold air near the top part of the food pans. By directing the cold air near the top of the food pans, the top layer of food is kept colder.
In another broad aspect of the present invention, an upper cooling coil provides a stationary blanket of cold air just above the top of the food pan to supply additional cooling to the top layer of food. Additionally, a warming arrangement may be mounted near the top and outer rim or lip of the outer channel. The warming arrangement prevents the outside rim or lip of the assembly from accumulating frost. Thus, the upper cooling coil properly maintains the coolness of the top layer of food without drying it while the warming arrangement serves to prevent frost from accumulating on the outside rim or lip.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof.
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Doerrler William
Omnitemp Industries, Inc.
Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
Shulman Mark
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