The specific embodiment
Referring to accompanying drawing, at first with more specifically referring to Fig. 1, a food serving bar of the present invention is integrally indicated by label 1.This sales counter 1 comprises a basal part 3 that is a bin form, and it has a diapire 7, two side 9 and the end walls 11 that forms an inner space 15.One roof 17 covers on inner space 15, and wherein the top of inner space has an opening 19, and this opening 19 preferably (but might not) is microscler.In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, removed the part of one of all end walls 11 and one of all sidewalls 9, to be clearly shown that inner space 15 more.With below make a plurality of elongated of Heat Conduction Material (for example Ji Ya aluminium) and the parallel substantially opening 19 of separator (each total indicating) in roof 117, in inner space 15 by 23 along the longitudinal extension of bin 3.Separator 23 forms a plurality of elongated and parallel substantially dishes and admits chamber 25, be used for admitting substantially several rows food holding tray 27 abreast, described food holding tray 27 along the longitudinal extension of basal part 3, figure 2 illustrates a such plate in inner space 15.Sales counter 1 also comprises a temperature control system 31, and this temperature control system comprises in preferred embodiment and is used for many transfer pipes lines 33 that the separator 23 that is received in chamber 25 and plate 27 are heated or cool off.In following embodiment, temperature control system 31 is one to be used to cool off the refrigeration system of separator 23 and plate 27, but should be understood that, that temperature control system also can be used to heat separator and plate.
See also Fig. 1-5, food serving bar 1 comprises a dish type inner piece 41 of for example making with sheet metal, and it is suitable for being fixed to the roof 17 of bin 3.Inner piece 41 have below roof 17 extended sidewalls 43 and the opening roof 17 19 and separator 23 below and an isolated diapire 45.Inner piece 41 is divided into the inner space 15 of bin 3 in top 47 of inner piece inside and the bottom 49 below the inner piece.One compressor 51 and the evaporimeter 53 of aforementioned refrigeration system 31 are arranged in bottom 49, are used for cooling off in a conventional manner the bottom of bin 3.The refrigeration lines 33 that is used for cooling off separator 23 is connected to compressor 51 by quick connection/trip gear, welding or other mechanism's (not shown) that is fit to.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-5, each separator 23 comprises a groove 61, and described groove has a diapire 63 and from the upwardly extending sidewall 65 of diapire, admits in the chamber 25 one thereby form all dishes.Show three such grooves 61, but this number is (for example two, four or more than four) that can change.Groove 61 can be made with the sheet metal of punching press, perhaps uses Heat Conduction Material (for example aluminium or stainless steel) extruding or casting to make.In addition, each groove 61 can be an assembly of such part, or single extruding or casted article.Groove 61 can form separated from one another, perhaps forms the structure of 11 body.In a preferred embodiment, each groove 61 is to make with the aluminium of extruding, and its wall thickness about 0.1 inch to about 0.2 inch scope.The distance (for example 1.1 inches) that parallel groove 61 spaced apart is suitable is to form inboard, vertical substantially inner space 67 between the adjacent wall 65 of adjacent trenches.In addition, the side 43 of inner piece 41 and the lateral wall 65 of two outside grooves 61 are spaced apart, to form inner space 71 outside, vertical substantially.Inner piece 41 is spaced apart below the diapire 63 of groove 61, and to form the inner space of level substantially, this inner space is shown in 73 places.
All transfer pipes lines 33 lay respectively in the vertical space 67 and 71 in inboard and the outside, by being close to raceway groove 61 sidewalls 65, preferably near the upper end of sidewall, to be used for cooling off the upper portion that (or heating) is placed on the plate 27 in the groove.Transfer pipes line 22 can comprise the plurality of sections copper pipe along the length of groove 61, to be used for carrying suitable heat transmission medium (for example cooling agent).In order to guarantee heat transmission good between pipeline 33 and the trench wall 65, all pipelines preferably are fixed into them and directly contact with all walls, as passing through along wall with the carriage 75 of suitable spacing attached (for example welding) on wall 65.Amount and the type and the conspicuous other factors concerning those skilled in the art that of the food that the size and dimension of desired pipeline 33 depends on the size of plate 27, temperature that the food in plate will keep, kept.As shown in Figure 2, be provided with along the top of each sidewall 65 of each groove 61 33, two pipelines of two pipelines relatively adjacently one be stacked on another.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-5, transfer pipes line 33 is substantially parallel with the groove 61 that extends along food sales counter 1 length, thereby the position that need not between the adjacent plate 27 in all chambers 25 is horizontally through the transfer pipes line that groove 61 extends.Pipeline 33 can be 3/8 inch, this size be with the mode of example rather than the restriction mode provide.Spaced apart about 0.6 inch of two pipe center of OD copper pipe, and total vertical range D (Fig. 3) is about 1.0 inches.Should be understood that, to use and cool off or heat each wall 65 (thereby wall 65 is called as temperature control wall) greater or less than two pipelines 33.Pipeline 33 can form single coil, shown in Fig. 1-5, and the perhaps many independent coil pipes that (for example three) link together.In any case the inner space 67 and 71 between inboard 41 and the groove 61 is preferably and has been filled heat-barrier material substantially.As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment, this heat-barrier material be included in except with the tight adjacent side of the heat transfer wall 65 of groove 61 all sides on surround the heat-barrier material band of transfer pipes line 33.Heat-barrier material 83 fillings of one foamed material type the vertical space 67 that do not occupied of band 81 and 71 and groove 61 and inboard 41 between the inner space 73 of level.The band of heat-barrier material 81 is a polystyrene for example, and the heat-barrier material 83 of foamed material type can be polyurethane.Also can use the material of other type so that the heat transference efficiency between pipeline 33 and the groove 61 is the highest.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-5, lid 91 bridge joints that the sidewall 65 of adjacent trenches 61 is made by anti-abrasive material (for example stainless steel), described lid are placed on the vertical substantially inner space 67 between the groove.Lid 91 can fix on the throne by tack welding, adhesive or other device that is fit to.Preferably, lid 91 is removable, if consequently they are damaged or can change when they are worn.The extension 93 of bin 3 roofs 17 is along the opposite flank of opening 19, is located on the inner space 71 outside, vertical substantially between two grooves 61 in the inner piece 41 and the outside.These lids 91 and extension 93 have towards last surface 95, these surfaces are arranged in the plane P 1 of bin 3 roofs 17 substantially, and the periphery 97 of supporting food holding tray 27, so that all dishes are bearing in the corresponding chamber 25, figure 2 illustrates in such plate.Below lid 91 and roof extension 93, be provided with thermal boundary 99, to prevent these regional frostings (or overheated).Thermal boundary 99 can be made with a suitable heat-barrier material, as Merlon.Lid 91, thermal boundary 99 and roof extension 93 have vertical flange 121,123 and 125 respectively, all flanges are engaged on the horizontal shoulder 127 in the upper end of the sidewall 65 that is formed at groove 61, to form relative level and smooth, smooth, continuous connecting portion between trenched side-wall and lid and trenched side-wall and the roof extension, so that safeguard and provide a clean and attracting outward appearance (seeing Fig. 3 and 4).In one embodiment, the top transfer pipes line 33 along each trenched side-wall 65 is arranged on the position of close adjacently (being preferably a contact) corresponding horizontal shoulder 127.
Referring to Fig. 2, the width of each groove 61 between sidewall 65 is preferably not obvious greater than the width that is received in by the plate 27 in the formed chamber 25 of groove, so that the side 135 of plate is spaced apart than near-earth (for example in about 0.03 to 0.15 inch scope) with the temperature control sidewall of groove.This will guarantee the good heat transmission between groove 61 and the plate 27.Usually, splay in the side of plate 27, and the bottom 137 of plate is narrower slightly than the top of plate.Like this, when plate 27 was arranged in groove 61, as shown in Figure 2, the top 139 of plate will be the most near part that transfer pipes line 33 is positioned on the vertical substantially sidewall 65 of groove, with cooling effectively (or heating) plate.Preferably, the degree of depth of groove 61 should be arranged between the bottom of the diapire 63 of groove and plate 27 0.5 inch approximately.Advantageously keep a less relatively spacing, this is because the less chamber between groove 61 and the plate 27 can cool off (or heating) more efficiently.The length of groove 61 will change according to the size of the opening 19 in the roof 17 of bin 3, but usually about 54 inches to about 82 inches scope.
Although above-mentioned transfer pipes line 33 is the copper pipe of standard preferably, also consider the hot fluid pipeline that can use other type.For example, can be from the Thermalex of Alabamian Montgomery, the hot fluid pipeline of the aluminum microchannel extruding type that Inc. buys also is fit to.In addition, can other mechanism of copper pipe heat or cool off trench wall 65, as by a forced air circulation system, wherein the air of controlled temperature in raceway groove, circulate with heating and cooling they; A perhaps air impact system of the type of being developed by Enersyst Development Center, its mesohigh, at a high speed, the air-spray of controlled temperature is directed on the trench wall.Also consider the dipping bath system of use, wherein groove 61 is dipped in the hot fluid.
In order to prevent the plate under food serving bar refrigeration situation and the sub-cooled of content, can heating member 145 be set along the diapire 63 of each groove 61, as shown in Figure 2.Heating member 145 for example can be the resistance heated part.The temperature of can serviceability temperature sensor (not shown) surveying plate 27 and/or groove 61, and make suitable heating member 145 carry out work signaling if desired and whenever necessary.
Fig. 6-8 shows one second embodiment of food supply device of the present invention, and its total usefulness 201 indicates.Present embodiment is basic identical with first embodiment, and just dish supports being arranged in the plane P 2 towards last surface 202 of lid 203, and this plane is depressed in the below of plane P 1 of the roof 205 of bin 207.The groove 211 in two outsides (that is the groove at the elongated sides edge of the opening 209 in the close roof 205 of bin 207) has lateral wall 213, and described lateral wall is formed with the shoulder 215 of cardinal principle level and turns over antelabium 217 in place, shoulder outer end.Shoulder 215 and the 202 cardinal principle isoplanars towards last surface of coiling supporting lid 203 are to be bearing in plate 219 in these two grooves, 211 formed chambers 231.Thermal boundary 233 being set between the antelabium 235, with roof 205 frostings that prevent chamber 207 from shoulder 215 upwardly extending following turning over of turning over antelabium 217 and roof extension 237.
Fig. 9-10 shows one the 3rd embodiment 301 of food serving bar, and it is depicted as such as United States Patent (USP) the 4th, 870, the remodeling of an existing food serving bar of a frosting top unit that is disclosed in No. 835.Should be understood that, that present embodiment 301 also can be for comprising a complete food serving bar of parts as described below.This design 301 comprises a plurality of separators 303 by a framework 305 supporting, and its size and dimension is configured to match with opening in the food sales counter roof.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9-10, framework 305 is rectangular substantially, and has the side 307 of pair of parallel and the end 311 of pair of parallel (only showing one of them among the figure).Should be understood that, that framework 305 also can be that its size configurations becomes other shape (for example square or triangle) that matches with opening in the food sales counter roof.Each side 307 and 311 comprises: be suitable for being placed on the roof of sales counter and have a horizontal flanges 315 on the surface 317 that one side makes progress, and be shown in the vertical flanges 319 in the opening that extends downwardly into the sales counter roof.The horizontal flanges 315 of scaffold 305 can be made with a suitable anti-abrasive material (for example stainless steel), so that durable design and attracting outward appearance to be provided.As in the foregoing embodiments, separator 303 forms a plurality of elongated and parallel substantially dishes and admits chamber 321, in order to admit along food sales counter 301 longitudinal extensions, parallel all capable food holding tray 232 substantially, figure 10 illustrates such plate.Equally, sales counter 301 comprises temperature control system that a total usefulness 325 indicates in the mode identical with previous embodiment and in order to the transfer pipes line 329 of cooling and heating separator 303 and plate 323.
See also Fig. 9-10, food serving bar 301 comprises four separators 303.But, as previous embodiment, the number of separator can change.Spacing between the separator 303 preferably and the spacing between the separator 23 of Fig. 1 basic identical, although also can change this spacing.The separator 303 of food sales counter 301 is depicted as the rail bar form, have a pair of siding track bar 331 that extends along the relative parallel sides 307 of scaffold 305 and two of extending along the opening between the rail bar of both sides isolated in the middle of rail bars 335.Both sides rail bar 331 and middle rail bar 335 are fixed (for example welding) corresponding vertical flanges 319 to the parallel ends 311 of scaffold 305 in their preceding and rear end.
Rail bar 335 has a relative two side 341 (Figure 10) and a diapire 345 in the middle of each, and they form a space that comprises transfer pipes line 239, and its arrangement is identical with aforesaid embodiment.In the middle of each rail bar 335 also comprise one have towards the stainless steel lid 355 on last surface 357 and below lid a thermal boundary 361 of the opposing sidewalls 341 of bridge joint rail bar.Middle rail bar 335 is preferably the band 365 that is filled with heat-barrier material, and described heat-barrier material band surrounds transfer pipes line 329 on three sides.As in the foregoing embodiments, transfer pipes line 329 preferably contacts with corresponding opposing sidewalls, with cooling (or heating) sidewall with near the food disc 323 being positioned at.Equally, the opposing sidewalls 341 of rail bar 335 forms identical with previous embodiment one level and smooth, smooth, continuous connecting portion in the middle of lid 355 and each.
Each siding track bar 331 has to be had in one respectively and lateral wall 373 and 375, and they form a space that holds transfer pipes line 329 and heat-barrier material band 365, in previous embodiment.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9-10, the horizontal flanges 315 of scaffold 305 is placed on the inside and outside sidewall 373,375.Thermal boundary below horizontal flanges 315 stops framework 305 frostings.The vertical flanges of scaffold 305 is engaged on the thermal boundary 379, to form level and smooth, smooth, a continuous surface with madial wall 373.Each lateral wall 375 has a flange 381, and this flange is fixed (for example welding) to horizontal flanges 315.Each horizontal flanges is installed on the existing food supply device unit roof (not shown) so that lid 355 towards last surface 357 be arranged in identical plane P 3 substantially towards last surface 317.The periphery 385 of the horizontal flanges 315 supporting food holding trays 323 of lid 355 and scaffold 305 is to be bearing in plate in the chamber 321 between the adjacent rail bar 331,335.
Rail bar 335 and all siding track bars 331 in the middle of all (if or only be provided with one then be a rail bar) concrete size will become according to the requirement of cooling or heating.Mode with example, rail bar 335 can be that total height is that about 1.7 inches, (between the two side 341) width are that about 1.1 inches and length are about 82 inches in the middle of each, and each siding track bar can be that total height is about 1.7 inches, (interior and lateral wall 373,375 between) width and is about 0.7 inch and length and is about 82 inches.
Figure 11-12 shows one the 4th embodiment of food serving bar, and its total usefulness 401 indicates.Present embodiment and the 3rd embodiment are basic identical, and just dish supports being arranged in the plane P 4 towards last surface 407 of lid 411, and this plane P 4 is recessed in the below of the existing roof place plane P 3 of food serving bar.Both sides rail bar 415 has lateral wall 417, and outer side edges 417 is formed with the shoulder 421 of cardinal principle level and turns over antelabium 425 in place, shoulder outer end.Shoulder 421 substantially with dish supporting lid 411 towards last surface 407 coplines, with the periphery 435 of supporting food holding tray 441.Between the vertical flanges 455 of turning over antelabium 425 and scaffold 461 on the siding track bar 415, thermal boundary 451 is set, to prevent to place the framework frosting on the bin (not shown) roof.
Although the food supply device of each the foregoing description is a cold dish feeding mechanism preferably, should be understood that, that as already mentioned previously technology of the present invention also can be as heat dish feeding mechanism.This can be by replacing refrigeration lines to realize with heating member.Such part for example comprises makes hot fluid pass the heating pipeline of its circulation with heating separator wall.Also can use resistance heater to heat separator.In this structure, can form the groove of extruding or other separator, to be used as fin, this and the United States Patent (USP) of transferring the possession of simultaneously the 6th, 262, No. 394 and the 6th, 175, fin described in No. 099 is identical, and these two patents are incorporated herein, for your guidance.
In view of foregoing, can see, realize a plurality of purpose of the present invention, and obtained other favourable result.
Of the present inventionly comprise scope and in said structure, design various versions because can not deviate from, so comprise in the foregoing description or all the elements shown in the drawings should be understood that it is illustrative and nonrestrictive implication.