FR2659548A1 - Isothermal trolley with hot and cold compartments - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an isothermal trolley with hot and cold compartments. It consists of an isothermal trolley (1) made in one piece by rotational moulding of a plastic material, with double walls having rounded corners which are filled with cellular foam expanded in situ and serve as technical sheaths, and comprising at least one refrigerated compartment (2) for storage and a heating compartment (4) provided with a means for rapidly heating an individual meal, the said compartments being closed by sliding doors (7) which occupy the entire height of the trolley. The invention concerns the temporary cold-storage of food and the rapid heating thereof prior to consumption. It is used in particular for the distribution of individual meals in organisations.

Description

INSULATED TROLLEY WITH COLD AND HOT COMPARTMENTS
The present invention relates to an insulated trolley with cold and hot compartments.

Its purpose is the temporary preservation of food by the cold, and its rapid heating before consumption. It applies in particular to the distribution of individual meals in communities.

In similar devices produced to date, the meals are reheated in the kitchen before distribution, then transported in an insulated trolley whose door must be opened and then closed to take out each meal, which results in the gradual cooling of the remaining meals, the last distributed being lukewarm or cold.

The device according to the present invention eliminates these drawbacks. Indeed, it allows individual dishes to be warmed up at the last minute, thus ensuring an optimal temperature for each consumer.

It consists of an isothermal trolley produced by rotomolding in one piece, in plastic material, with double walls with rounded corners filled with cellular foam expanded in situ and serving as technical sheaths, and comprising at least one refrigerated compartment for preservation and one reheating compartment provided with a means for rapid heating of an individual meal, said compartments being closed by sliding doors occupying the entire height of the trolley.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example of one of the embodiments of the subject of the invention
Figure 1 shows the device as a whole, seen from the front and in elevation.

Figure 2 shows the device seen from the side and in elevation.

 Figure 3 is a horizontal section along the arrows A-A of Figure 1, showing the refrigerated compartments.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section along the arrows B-B of Figure 1, showing the heating compartments.

The device, FIGS. 1 to 4, consists of an insulated trolley 1, equipped with two refrigerated compartments 2, 3 each opening on an opposite face, two rapid reheating compartments 4, 5 also each opening on an opposite face of an integrated refrigeration unit and various accessories such as electrical cabinet and control panels 6.

The insulated trolley 1 is made in one piece, made of rotational molded plastic, without a metal frame. It has double walls separated by insulating foam injected in situ. The opposite faces each have a sliding door 7 making it possible to eliminate the problems of travel, hinges or closings. These sliding doors go from top to bottom of the carriage and have a lockable closed position hiding the two compartments and the control panel ~ 6.

Each of the sides is provided with a double handle 8 molded in the mass, protecting the hands of the users and allowing the hanging of rotomolded containers for dispensing drinks or soups, specially designed for this use. These handles are formed by two horizontal recesses 9 in such a way that they do not protrude from the outer wall of the insulated carriage.

The two refrigerated compartments 2 and 3 can be provided with lateral grooves for meal trays. They are closed by sliding doors 7, and are cooled by evaporators supplied by the refrigeration unit and by blowers 10 causing a circulation of cold air passing through ducts arranged between the double walls and making it possible to maintain the food at a temperature close to 30 C during transport or waiting periods, as recommended by legislation.

Each refrigerated compartment 2, 3 is surmounted by a rapid reheating compartment 4, 5 which can advantageously be a microwave oven and the shape of which allows a meal tray to be received. The fast heating compartments are closed by an insulating door 11 located behind the sliding door, 7b.

The regulation and control of the cold, the reheating and the safety are ensured electronically by microprocessors. The control panels 6, with sensitive keys, allow the programming of the hot and cold parameters according to the meals served.

Meals are prepared in the kitchen and stored in the refrigerated compartments 2, 3 pending. At the time of distribution, the refrigeration is stopped, two individual meals are placed in the rapid reheating compartments 3, 4 after having programmed the heating power according to the dishes to be reheated. Then the reheated meals are removed to be distributed and replaced by others stored in the refrigerated compartments.

Thanks to the possibility of distributing meals comprising dishes reheated at the last moment, while ensuring a minimum of handling, the device which has just been described lends itself particularly well to the production of trolleys for storage and distribution of meals. individuals in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, etc., etc.

The positioning of the various constituent elements gives this device a maximum of useful effects which had not been obtained to date by similar devices.

Claims (6)

 10 Insulated trolley with cold and hot compartments, having  for the purpose of temporarily storing food in the cold,  and their rapid warming before consumption, intended for  particular to the distribution of individual meals in schools  activities, characterized by an insulated trolley (1) produced by  rotomoulding in one piece, plastic, without bone  metallic structure, with double walls with rounded rounded corners  of expanded cellular foam in-situ and serving as tech sheaths  and having at least one refrigerated compartment (2, 3) for storage and a reheating compartment  quick (4, 5) of an individual meal, said compartments being  closed by at least one sliding door (7) occupying all  the height of the insulated trolley (1).  2 "Device according to claim 1, characterized by  the fact that the insulated cart (1) is equipped with two compar  refrigerated materials (2, 3) each opening on an opposite face,  two quick-heating compartments (4, 5) opening  also each on an opposite side, with two grout doors  health (7) and an integrated refrigeration unit.  30 Device according to any one of the preceding claims  teeth, characterized by the fact that each side of the  isothermal cart (1) is provided with a double handle (8)  molded in the mass, allowing the hanging of containers  rotomolded for the distribution of drinks or soups, and formed  by two horizontal recesses (9) in "L" shape so that  they do not protrude from the wall  outside of the insulated trolley.  40 Device according to any one of the preceding claims  teeth 5 characterized by the fact that the regulation and  cold control, reheating and safety are  electronically insured by microprocessors, one or two  control panels (6) with sensitive buttons, allowing  programming of hot and cold parameters according to  meals served. 50 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding door or doors (7) have a lockable closed position masking a refrigerated compartment (2 or 3) and a rapid reheating compartment (3 or 4), as well as the control panel (6), the rapid reheating compartment being further closed by an insulating door (11). 60 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerated compartment or compartments (2, 3) are provided with lateral grooves for meal trays. 70 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rapid heating compartment or compartments are microwave ovens.