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WO2002082951A1 - Food warming device - Google Patents

Food warming device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002082951A1
WO2002082951A1 PCT/IB2002/001237 IB0201237W WO02082951A1 WO 2002082951 A1 WO2002082951 A1 WO 2002082951A1 IB 0201237 W IB0201237 W IB 0201237W WO 02082951 A1 WO02082951 A1 WO 02082951A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
central part
slab
underside
heating element
natural stone
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2002/001237
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christian Johannes Neumann
Original Assignee
Christian Johannes Neumann
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Christian Johannes Neumann filed Critical Christian Johannes Neumann
Publication of WO2002082951A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002082951A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B31/00—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons
    • A47B31/02—Service or tea tables, trolleys, or wagons with heating, cooling or ventilating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/2483—Warming devices with electrical heating means

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a food warming device.
  • a food warming device which comprises a slab of natural stone having upper and under-sides, and a wire or cable like heating element which is recessed in a groove in the underside.
  • the natural stone may be granite or marble.
  • the configuration of the heating element may be such that the amount of heat per volume of the slab transferred in use from the heating element to the slab, is greater at the periphery of the slab than it is at the centre of the slab.
  • the heating element may extend along a series of spaced grooves in the underside, the spacing between adjacent grooves being smaller in a peripheral region of the slab than it is at a central region of the slab.
  • a food warming device which includes: a two-part slab of natural stone, comprising a central part and a peripheral part disposed peripherally of the central part; and a heating element disposed for heating the central part; an expansion gap being defined between the central part and the peripheral part, to allow for differential thermal expansion and contraction of the central part in relation to the peripheral part.
  • the expansion gap may at least partly be filled with a resiliently deformable sealant.
  • the device may further include a mobile support structure attached to the underside.
  • the support structure may be a trolley mounted on castors.
  • Figure 1 is a top plan view of a food warming device in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a detail section on ll-ll in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an underneath view of a central part of the food warming device
  • FIG. 4 is a detail section on IV-IV in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the food warming device of Figure 1 mounted on a trolley.
  • reference numeral 10 generally indicates a food warming device which comprises a two-part slab preferably of granite, the slab having a central part 12 and a peripheral part 14 which extends peripherally of the central part.
  • the central part 12 is provided with a heating element 16, and there is an expansion gap 18 between the central part 12 and the peripheral part 14, to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the central part 12 with respect to the peripheral part 14.
  • central part 12 is shown in the drawings to be rectangular, it is to be understood that it can have any desired shape. For example, it may be round or oval.
  • the parts 12 and 14 may be of the same granite material. Alternatively, if desired, the parts 12 and 14 may be of different granite materials, to give a decorative effect, or may be marble.
  • the central part 12 is supported on a number of stainless steel plates 20 which are secured to the underside of the peripheral part 14.
  • the stainless steel plates 20 are secured to the peripheral part 14 adhesively, by means of a suitable epoxy adhesive.
  • they are secured by means of threaded stainless steel studs 22 and nuts 24.
  • the studs 22 are set into the underside of the peripheral part 14 by having their upper ends inserted into holes drilled in the underside of the peripheral part 14, the holes being filled with an epoxy - resin 26.
  • the protruding ends of the studs pass through openings in the plate 20, and have the nuts 24 tightened thereon.
  • At least an upper part of the gap 18 is filled with a polyurethane or silicone sealant 28, this being of a resiliently deformable nature, allowing for expansion and contraction of the central part 12 of the slab with respect to the peripheral part 14.
  • the heating element 16 is preferably a heating cable of the type that is available from Hemstedt in Germany, as type: HEM - GS1S1 4.8; manufacturing type: NH 2GM2G - 150. It is recessed into the underside of the central part 12, by being laid into grooves 30 that are cut into the underside of the central part 12 by means of a circular cutting blade. After the heating element 16 has been placed in position, the grooves 30 are filled with a suitable epoxy resin 32, the heating element 16 thus becoming embedded in the epoxy resin 32. To minimize heat loss on the underside of the central part 12, a sheet of heat insulating material (e.g. "Isoplan 750", 3 mm thickness - not shown in the drawings) is bonded to the underside.
  • Isoplan 750 3 mm thickness - not shown in the drawings
  • the heating element 16 is connected to a centrals power supply via a control device (not shown) whereby the temperature of the warming device 10 can be adjusted.
  • the warming device 10 is provided with a pair of temperature sensors (not shown), which serve as thermo-switches to prevent the temperature of the central part 12 from exceeding 85DC.
  • the slab will have a thickness of about 30 mm.
  • a gap 18 which has a width of between 2 and 5 mm has been found to be satisfactory.
  • the grooves 30 have a width of about 10 mm, and a depth of about 14 mm.
  • the spacing between adjacent grooves 30 at the periphery of the central part 12 is smaller than that between the grooves that are closer to the centre of the central part 12.
  • the spacing between the first and second groove (counting from the outside inwardly) at each end of the central part 12 is in the order of 30 mm (centre to centre), whereas the spacing between adjacent pairs of the recentraling grooves at that end is in the order of 45 mm (centre to centre).
  • the spacing between the first and second ' groove 30 and between the second and third groove (counting from the outside inwardly) is 30 mm, whereas the spacing between adjacent pairs of the recentraling grooves on that side is in the order of 45 mm (centre to centre).
  • the slab is mounted on a mobile support structure in the form of a trolley 34, being attached to the underside of the slab.
  • the trolley 34 is mounted on castors 36.
  • the invention illustrate holds the advantages of providing a food warming device 10 which allows food to be kept warm, while being aesthetically pleasing, and avoiding unsafe conditions by providing for differential thermal expansion between the central part 12 and the peripheral part 14, thereby to avoid cracking, and by preventing leakage of fluids through the expansion gap 18 onto the heating element 16 and mains power supply, which are electrically powered.
  • the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5 of the drawings can be conveniently moved to a desired location, such as a storage location or a serving location.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

A food warming device 10 in accordance with the invention includes a slab of natural stone having an upper side and an underside, and an elongate heating element 16 which is recessed in a groove 30 in the underside. The invention extends to a device having a two-part slab of natural stone, comprising a central part 12 and a peripheral part 14, and a heating element 16 disposed for heating the central part 12, an expansion gap 18 being defined between the central part 12 and the peripheral part 14, to allow for differential thermal expansion and contraction of the central part 12 in relation to the peripheral part 14.

Description

FOOD WARMING DEVICE
THIS INVENTION relates to a food warming device.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a food warming device which comprises a slab of natural stone having upper and under-sides, and a wire or cable like heating element which is recessed in a groove in the underside.
The natural stone may be granite or marble.
The configuration of the heating element may be such that the amount of heat per volume of the slab transferred in use from the heating element to the slab, is greater at the periphery of the slab than it is at the centre of the slab. Thus, the heating element may extend along a series of spaced grooves in the underside, the spacing between adjacent grooves being smaller in a peripheral region of the slab than it is at a central region of the slab.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a food warming device which includes: a two-part slab of natural stone, comprising a central part and a peripheral part disposed peripherally of the central part; and a heating element disposed for heating the central part; an expansion gap being defined between the central part and the peripheral part, to allow for differential thermal expansion and contraction of the central part in relation to the peripheral part.
The expansion gap may at least partly be filled with a resiliently deformable sealant. The device may further include a mobile support structure attached to the underside. The support structure may be a trolley mounted on castors.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a food warming device in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a detail section on ll-ll in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an underneath view of a central part of the food warming device;
Figure 4 is a detail section on IV-IV in Figure 3; and
Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the food warming device of Figure 1 mounted on a trolley.
Referring now to the drawings in more detail, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a food warming device which comprises a two-part slab preferably of granite, the slab having a central part 12 and a peripheral part 14 which extends peripherally of the central part. The central part 12 is provided with a heating element 16, and there is an expansion gap 18 between the central part 12 and the peripheral part 14, to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the central part 12 with respect to the peripheral part 14.
Although the central part 12 is shown in the drawings to be rectangular, it is to be understood that it can have any desired shape. For example, it may be round or oval.
The parts 12 and 14 may be of the same granite material. Alternatively, if desired, the parts 12 and 14 may be of different granite materials, to give a decorative effect, or may be marble.
The central part 12 is supported on a number of stainless steel plates 20 which are secured to the underside of the peripheral part 14. The stainless steel plates 20 are secured to the peripheral part 14 adhesively, by means of a suitable epoxy adhesive. In addition, they are secured by means of threaded stainless steel studs 22 and nuts 24. The studs 22 are set into the underside of the peripheral part 14 by having their upper ends inserted into holes drilled in the underside of the peripheral part 14, the holes being filled with an epoxy - resin 26. The protruding ends of the studs pass through openings in the plate 20, and have the nuts 24 tightened thereon.
At least an upper part of the gap 18 is filled with a polyurethane or silicone sealant 28, this being of a resiliently deformable nature, allowing for expansion and contraction of the central part 12 of the slab with respect to the peripheral part 14.
The heating element 16 is preferably a heating cable of the type that is available from Hemstedt in Germany, as type: HEM - GS1S1 4.8; manufacturing type: NH 2GM2G - 150. It is recessed into the underside of the central part 12, by being laid into grooves 30 that are cut into the underside of the central part 12 by means of a circular cutting blade. After the heating element 16 has been placed in position, the grooves 30 are filled with a suitable epoxy resin 32, the heating element 16 thus becoming embedded in the epoxy resin 32. To minimize heat loss on the underside of the central part 12, a sheet of heat insulating material (e.g. "Isoplan 750", 3 mm thickness - not shown in the drawings) is bonded to the underside.
In use, the heating element 16 is connected to a centrals power supply via a control device (not shown) whereby the temperature of the warming device 10 can be adjusted. The warming device 10 is provided with a pair of temperature sensors (not shown), which serve as thermo-switches to prevent the temperature of the central part 12 from exceeding 85DC.
In a typical example, the slab will have a thickness of about 30 mm. A gap 18 which has a width of between 2 and 5 mm has been found to be satisfactory.
The grooves 30 have a width of about 10 mm, and a depth of about 14 mm.
The spacing between adjacent grooves 30 at the periphery of the central part 12 is smaller than that between the grooves that are closer to the centre of the central part 12. Thus, in the example illustrated, the spacing between the first and second groove (counting from the outside inwardly) at each end of the central part 12 is in the order of 30 mm (centre to centre), whereas the spacing between adjacent pairs of the recentraling grooves at that end is in the order of 45 mm (centre to centre). On each side of the central part 12, the spacing between the first and second 'groove 30 and between the second and third groove (counting from the outside inwardly) is 30 mm, whereas the spacing between adjacent pairs of the recentraling grooves on that side is in the order of 45 mm (centre to centre). The effect of this arrangement is that more heat per volume of the slab is transferred from the heating element 16 to the slab at the periphery of the slab than it is at the centre of the slab. It has been found that this particular arrangement of the heating element allows the slab to be heated to a sufficiently high temperature for use as a food warmer, without the granite material cracking.
Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, the slab is mounted on a mobile support structure in the form of a trolley 34, being attached to the underside of the slab. The trolley 34 is mounted on castors 36. The invention illustrate holds the advantages of providing a food warming device 10 which allows food to be kept warm, while being aesthetically pleasing, and avoiding unsafe conditions by providing for differential thermal expansion between the central part 12 and the peripheral part 14, thereby to avoid cracking, and by preventing leakage of fluids through the expansion gap 18 onto the heating element 16 and mains power supply, which are electrically powered. The embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5 of the drawings can be conveniently moved to a desired location, such as a storage location or a serving location.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A food warming device which includes a slab of natural stone having an upper side and an underside, characterised in that an elongate heating element is recessed in a groove in the underside.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 , characterised in that the natural stone is granite.
3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 , characterised in that the natural stone is marble.
4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the heating element extends along a series of spaced grooves in the underside, the spacing between adjacent grooves being smaller in a peripheral region of the slab than it is at a central region of the slab.
5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device includes a mobile support structure attached to the underside.
6. A food warming device which includes a two part slab of natural stone, comprising a central part and a peripheral part disposed peripherally of the central part; and a heating element disposed for heating the central part; characterised in that an expansion gap is defined between the central part and the peripheral part, to allow for differential thermal expansion and contraction of the central part in relation to the peripheral part.
7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the expansion gap is at least partly filled with a resiliently deformable sealant.
8. A device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised in that the device includes a mobile support structure attached to the underside.
9. A device as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 8, characterised in that the support structure is a trolley mounted on castors.
10. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 6, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
11. A new device substantially as herein described.
PCT/IB2002/001237 2001-04-17 2002-04-17 Food warming device WO2002082951A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2001/3114 2001-04-17
ZA200103114 2001-04-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002082951A1 true WO2002082951A1 (en) 2002-10-24

Family

ID=25589138

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2002/001237 WO2002082951A1 (en) 2001-04-17 2002-04-17 Food warming device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002082951A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202008010445U1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2009-12-17 Maier, Max Work surface and thus equipped trolley
WO2009143342A3 (en) * 2008-05-23 2010-03-11 Carter-Hoffmann Apparatus and system for heating transportable banquet cart

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4357523A (en) * 1980-02-29 1982-11-02 Ingo Bleckmann Electrical heating means for cookers or hot plates
US4625098A (en) * 1984-10-16 1986-11-25 Joe Do S Cookware having integrally formed natural stone bottoms and method of manufacturing the same
DE3821115A1 (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-12-28 Thomas Carl Ganz Table with at least one heating element
FR2729744A1 (en) * 1995-01-25 1996-07-26 Bernard Lalande Electric heater for public or private rooms
DE29618466U1 (en) * 1996-10-23 1997-02-13 Wagner, Reinhold, 91189 Rohr Grill trolley with worktop, with grill or warming plate and with at least one drawer
WO1998041064A2 (en) * 1997-03-13 1998-09-17 Aktiebolaget Electrolux A table top with induction heating elements
US6150636A (en) * 1997-01-10 2000-11-21 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau Gmbh Contact heat-transferring cooking system with an electric hotplate

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4357523A (en) * 1980-02-29 1982-11-02 Ingo Bleckmann Electrical heating means for cookers or hot plates
US4625098A (en) * 1984-10-16 1986-11-25 Joe Do S Cookware having integrally formed natural stone bottoms and method of manufacturing the same
DE3821115A1 (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-12-28 Thomas Carl Ganz Table with at least one heating element
FR2729744A1 (en) * 1995-01-25 1996-07-26 Bernard Lalande Electric heater for public or private rooms
DE29618466U1 (en) * 1996-10-23 1997-02-13 Wagner, Reinhold, 91189 Rohr Grill trolley with worktop, with grill or warming plate and with at least one drawer
US6150636A (en) * 1997-01-10 2000-11-21 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau Gmbh Contact heat-transferring cooking system with an electric hotplate
WO1998041064A2 (en) * 1997-03-13 1998-09-17 Aktiebolaget Electrolux A table top with induction heating elements

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009143342A3 (en) * 2008-05-23 2010-03-11 Carter-Hoffmann Apparatus and system for heating transportable banquet cart
DE202008010445U1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2009-12-17 Maier, Max Work surface and thus equipped trolley

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