Configurable oven rack system

Abstract

An oven to facilitate heating a food item is disclosed that includes an oven box one or more upper heating elements, and one or more lower heating elements. The oven box has a floor, a ceiling spaced across a height of the oven box from the floor, and at least one side wall that extends between the floor and the ceiling to at least partially delineate an interior of the oven box from an exterior thereof. The one or more upper heating elements are spaced proximate the ceiling relative to the one or more lower heating elements. The one or more lower heating elements are spaced proximate the floor relative to the one or more upper heating elements. The one or more lower heating elements are arranged in a first pattern and the one or more upper heating elements arranged in a second pattern. The first pattern is different than the second pattern.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This description generally relates to configurable oven rack systems and, more particularly, to configurable oven rack systems in which food items are prepared.BACKGROUNDDescription of the Related Art[0002]Historically consumers have had a choice when hot, prepared food was desired. Some consumers would travel to a restaurant or other food establishment where such food would be prepared and consumed on the premises. Other consumers would travel to the restaurant or other food establishment, purchase hot, prepared, food and transport the food to an off-premises location, such as a home or picnic location, for consumption. Yet other consumers ordered delivery of hot, prepared food, for consumption at home. Over time, the availability of delivery of hot, prepared, foods has increased and now plays a significant role in the marketplace. Delivery of such hot, prepared, foods was once considered the near exclusive, purview of Chinese take-out and pizza parlors. Howeve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system described in this patent includes a set of casters that help move an oven rack, as well as a common electrical power distribution bus that powers individual slots containing refrigeration / oven units when other slots are empty. The technical effects of this system include improved ease of movement and flexibility in power distribution for oven racks.

Problems solved by technology

The inherent challenges in such a delivery method are numerous.

In addition to the inevitable cooling that occurs while the hot food item is transported to the consumer, many foods may experience a commensurate breakdown in taste, texture, or consistency with the passage of time.

For example, the French fries at the burger restaurant may be hot and crispy, but the same French fries will be cold, soggy, and limp by the time they make it home.

While such measures may be at least somewhat effective in retaining heat in the food during transit, such measures do little, if anything, to address issues with changes in food taste, texture, or consistency associated with the delay between the time the food item is prepared and the time the food item is actually consumed.

Further there are frequently mistakes in orders, with consumers receiving food they did not order, and not receiving food they did order.

This can be extremely frustrating, and leaves the consumer or customer faced with the dilemma of settling for the incorrect order or awaiting a replacement order to be cooked and delivered.

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