Foods and beverages: apparatus – Non-cooking heat treatment of food
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-06
2002-05-14
Simone, Timothy F. (Department: 1761)
Foods and beverages: apparatus
Non-cooking heat treatment of food
C099S331000, C099S357000, C099S468000, C099S448000, C219S214000, C219S385000, C219S400000, C221S092000, C221S1500HC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06386098
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a food preparation apparatus and more particularly, to a device for warming and storing pre-packaged food products.
The Mexican-derived shack food, commonly known as nachos, includes corn tortilla chips and melted cheese. In restaurants or at home, nachos are made by distributing shredded cheese over the tortilla chips and placing the combination into an even. When the cheese melts, the snack is ready for additional condiments, serving and consumption. This process results in a tasty snack, however, the process is disadvantageous for preparing large quantities in that, the process is very time consuming, labor intensive, and would require large, very hot ovens. Thus, there is no need for an apparatus which would pre-heat pre-packaged cheese to avoid these disadvantages.
Over the years this snack food has become a favorite of patrons at large event gatherings such as sporting events, conventions and fairs. Quick preparation is the most important. Profit margins are significantly reduced if the time to prepare is lengthy. Accordingly, a device was developed that used conventional food warming technology. A pan of processed cheese sauce was placed into a receptacle formed in a base. A heating element and water are disposed in the receptacle for warming the pan and the cheese sauce disposed therein. Thus, a food service worker could use a spoon to ladle the cheese saute onto the tortilla chips. While this was much faster than the previous method, disadvantages of this method are a messy workstation, skin forming atop the cheese sauce, potential for burns while changing the pans, product waste, difficulties in cleaning baked on cheese saute, and a large number of parts to clean.
The conventional method was further refined by the addition of a lid with an integral pump. The operator now only needed to push down on the pump handle in order to discharge the cheese saute from the pump nozzle. This system reduced the skin on top of the cheese sauce, and the disorderly work station, however, the device was now more complex and just as dirty, wasteful and more difficult to clean properly.
Thus, there remains the need for an apparatus which heats pre-packaged cheese or other pre-packaged food products such as chili, gravy or stew, to a serving temperature which requires minimal maintenance or cleanup, is simple to use and uses only the necessary amount of product required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel warming apparatus for pre-packaged food products.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a warmer for pre-packaged food products which evenly and slowly heats the food product to the preselected temperature such that the food product can be safely handled.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a warmer for pre-packaged food products which reduces the amount of labor associated with preparing of such.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a warmer for pre-packaged food products which can accommodate a large amount of food products to support a high volume production.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a warmer for pre-packaged food products which has warming elements isolated from direct contact with workers or the food products.
These objects are accomplished by at least one principal aspect of the present invention in which the food preparation apparatus includes a housing having a top wall and a front wall. The top and front walls each have an aperture defined therein. A passageway for warming and storing the pre-packaged food products extends from an entrance at the top wall aperture to an exit at the front wall aperture. A plurality of chutes are formed within the passageway for channeling the food products from the entrance to the exit. A plurality of electrical elements for warming the food products to a preselected temperature where the warming elements surround each chute. Accordingly, the warming elements maintain the food products at the preselected temperature until they are removed from the housing.
In another principal aspect of the present invention a device for heating and storing pre-packaged food products prior to use includes a hollow housing formed by a plurality of interior and exterior panels defining first and second openings which are in communication. A tubular recess is defined in the housing between the first and second openings having a divided first portion and a common area second portion. The divided portion includes a plurality of panels defining walls which subdivide the tubular recess. A heating zone is defined by a plurality of elements for warming the food products to a preselected temperature disposed between the interior and exterior panels, and within the walls such that each surface of the divided portion radiates and conducts heat at the preselected temperature in order to increase the temperature of the food products. A maintaining zone is defined by an additional heating element disposed in the common area second portion adjacent the second opening such that said food products maintain the preselected temperature until used.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
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Cretors Charles D.
Evers Gilbert J.
Vidojevic Nenad
C. Cretors & Co.
Simone Timothy F.
Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz
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