A warming tray with a telescoping boss and method of use

Abstract

The application discloses a warming plate with a telescopic boss and a use method thereof, which comprises a supporting pad, a telescopic boss arranged on the supporting pad, and a heating body arranged in the telescopic boss. The telescopic boss and the supporting pad are connected through a connecting part. In a natural state, the top surface of the telescopic boss is higher than the supporting plane of the supporting pad, so as to extend into the bottom of tableware with a foot ring recess and be attached to the bottom for heating. Meanwhile, the telescopic boss can move downward relative to the supporting pad when being pressed by flat-bottom tableware, until the bottom of the flat-bottom tableware abuts against the supporting plane of the supporting pad. Through the design, the warming plate can adapt to tableware with different bottom structures, especially for tableware with a foot ring recess. The telescopic boss can extend into the recess center to be attached to the bottom for heating, so that the heating is uniform and the heating efficiency is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances, and in particular to a food warmer with a telescopic protrusion and its method of use. Background Technology

[0002] A food warmer is a kitchen appliance used to keep food warm. It generates heat through a heating element to heat the utensils placed on the surface, maintaining the food within a suitable temperature range and preventing it from cooling down and affecting its taste and eating experience. With the improvement of living standards, food warmers have gradually become a common kitchen appliance for family gatherings and banquets.

[0003] However, existing food warmers have significant limitations in use. Commercially available food warmers typically use a flat heating panel with a uniform planar structure. However, in actual dining scenarios, the bottom structures of tableware vary significantly: some tableware has a recessed foot ring, with the central area of ​​the bottom recessed relative to the foot ring; while other tableware has a flat bottom. Because the heating panel of existing food warmers is a fixed planar structure, when tableware with a recessed foot ring is placed, the heating panel only contacts the foot ring area of ​​the tableware, leaving a gap between the central recessed area of ​​the tableware's bottom and the heating panel. This results in inefficient heat transfer to the central area of ​​the tableware's bottom, leading to low heating efficiency and uneven heating. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a food warmer with a telescopic protrusion to adapt to tableware with a foot ring recess for heating, and a method of using the same.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: A food warming board with a telescopic protrusion includes a support pad, the support pad having a telescopic protrusion for supporting tableware, and the telescopic protrusion having a heating element for heating the tableware placed on the telescopic protrusion. The telescopic protrusion is connected to the support pad via a connecting part. In its natural state, the top surface of the telescopic protrusion is higher than the support plane of the support pad, so that it can extend into the bottom of the tableware with the foot ring recess and fit against the bottom of the tableware for heating. The support pad is provided with a cavity corresponding to the position of the telescopic protrusion. When the telescopic protrusion is pressed down by the flat-bottomed tableware, it can move downward relative to the support pad and retract into the cavity until the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting part is an elastic connecting wall, which is connected between the telescopic boss and the support pad. The elastic connecting wall supports the telescopic boss so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad. When the telescopic boss is pressed down by force, the elastic connecting wall deforms and folds, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss to drop.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic boss is configured as an outwardly protruding arc-shaped surface, and the elastic connecting wall is configured as an inwardly recessed arc-shaped surface.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic connecting wall is provided with a folding guide groove, and the folding guide groove guides the elastic connecting wall to fold when the telescopic boss is pressed down.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting part is a spring, which is disposed between the telescopic boss and the cavity. The spring supports the telescopic boss so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad. When the telescopic boss is pressed down, the spring is compressed, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss to drop until it contracts and sinks into the cavity.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting part includes an elastic connecting wall and a spring. The elastic connecting wall is connected between the telescopic boss and the support pad. The spring is disposed below the telescopic boss. The elastic connecting wall and the spring together support the telescopic boss so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad. When the telescopic boss is pressed down by force, the elastic connecting wall deforms and folds, and the spring is compressed, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss to drop until it contracts and sinks into the cavity.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support pad is provided with a wire groove, and the power cord of the heating element is arranged in the wire groove.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of telescopic protrusions are provided, and the plurality of telescopic protrusions are independently provided on the support pad, and each telescopic protrusion can independently telescopically move relative to the support pad.

[0013] This invention also discloses a method for using a food warming board, which employs the food warming board described above, and the steps for using it are as follows: When tableware with a foot ring recess is placed, the telescopic protrusion extends into the center of the foot ring recess and fits against the bottom of the tableware. The heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the bottom of the tableware through the telescopic protrusion for heating. The support pad abuts against the foot ring to support the tableware. When flat-bottomed tableware is placed, the telescopic protrusion is pressed down by the flat-bottomed tableware and moves downward relative to the support pad, retracting and sinking into the cavity until the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad. The flat-bottomed tableware is supported and heated by the support pad and the telescopic protrusion.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting a retractable protrusion structure, the warming plate can automatically adjust according to the shape of the bottom of the tableware. For tableware with a foot ring indentation, the retractable protrusion automatically extends into the indented area and fits against the bottom of the tableware. For flat-bottomed tableware, the retractable protrusion automatically retracts downward when pressed, so that the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware contacts the support pad, thus accommodating different types of tableware. At the same time, a heating element is built into the retractable protrusion, which can directly heat the bottom of the tableware it fits against. Thus, for tableware with a foot ring indentation, the retractable protrusion can extend into the center of the indentation and fit against the bottom of the tableware, so that the heat generated by the heating element is directly transferred to the center area of ​​the bottom of the tableware. This avoids the problem that traditional flat heating panels can only contact the foot ring and cannot heat the indented center, achieving comprehensive heating of the bottom of the tableware and significantly improving heating uniformity. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting part being an elastic connecting wall in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting part being a spring in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting part of the present invention, which consists of an elastic connecting wall and a spring. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Reference Figures 1 to 4 A food warming board with a telescopic protrusion includes a support pad 1, on which a telescopic protrusion 2 for supporting tableware is provided, and a heating element for heating the tableware placed on the telescopic protrusion 2 is provided inside the telescopic protrusion 2.

[0018] The telescopic protrusion 2 is connected to the support pad 1 via a connecting part. In its natural state, the top surface of the telescopic protrusion 2 is higher than the support plane of the support pad 1, allowing it to extend into the bottom of tableware with a foot-ring recess and fit against it for heating. The support pad 1 has a cavity 11 corresponding to the position of the telescopic protrusion 2. When pressed down by flat-bottomed tableware, the telescopic protrusion 2 can move downward relative to the support pad 1 and retract into the cavity 11 until the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad 1. In this way, by setting a telescopic protrusion structure, the warming plate can automatically adjust according to the shape of the bottom of the tableware: for tableware with a foot-ring recess, the telescopic protrusion 2 automatically extends into the recessed area and fits against the bottom of the tableware; for flat-bottomed tableware, the telescopic protrusion 2 automatically retracts downward into the cavity 11 when pressed down, so that the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware contacts the support pad 1, thus accommodating different types of tableware. Meanwhile, for tableware with a foot ring recess, the telescopic protrusion 2 extends into the center of the recess and fits against the bottom of the tableware, so that the heat generated by the heating element can be directly transferred to the center area of ​​the bottom of the tableware. This avoids the problem that traditional flat heating panels can only contact the foot ring and cannot heat the recessed center, thus achieving full heating of the bottom of tableware with a foot ring and significantly improving heating uniformity.

[0019] In one embodiment of this solution, the connecting part is an elastic connecting wall 3, which connects the telescopic boss 2 and the support pad 1. The elastic connecting wall 3 supports the telescopic boss 2 so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad 1. When the telescopic boss 2 is pressed down, the elastic connecting wall 3 deforms and folds, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss 2 to drop. Specifically, the elastic connecting wall 3 is made of a flexible material, such as silicone, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), etc., which have good elasticity and heat resistance. The elastic connecting wall 3 is an annular elastic connecting wall 3, which is arranged around the outer periphery of the telescopic boss 2 between the support pad 1. This annular structure ensures that the telescopic boss 2 is subjected to uniform force in the circumferential direction, and the telescopic movement is smooth and reliable.

[0020] The deformation and folding process of the elastic connecting wall 3 is as follows: In its natural state, the elastic connecting wall 3 is in an unfolded state, and its supporting telescopic protrusion 2 makes its top surface higher than the supporting plane of the supporting pad 1. When the tableware with the foot ring recess is placed on the warming board, the telescopic protrusion 2 extends into the center of the foot ring recess at the bottom of the tableware. Since the telescopic protrusion 2 only needs to fit against the bottom of the tableware without bearing a large downward pressure, the telescopic protrusion 2 maintains a high position to fit against the foot ring. When the flat-bottomed cutlery is placed on the warming board, the bottom of the cutlery first contacts the top surface of the telescopic protrusion 2. Under the weight of the cutlery itself, the telescopic protrusion 2 is subjected to downward pressure, and the elastic connecting wall 3 deforms and folds—the side wall of the elastic connecting wall 3 wrinkles along the axial direction and folds and contracts, causing the telescopic protrusion 2 to move downward as a whole. As the downward pressure increases, the elastic connecting wall 3 gradually folds, and the top surface of the telescopic protrusion 2 gradually descends and contracts into the cavity 11 until the bottom of the flat-bottomed cutlery abuts against the supporting plane of the supporting pad 1. At this time, the elastic connecting wall 3 completes the folding and contraction, and the top surface of the telescopic protrusion 2 is flush with or slightly lower than the supporting plane of the supporting pad 1.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the telescopic protrusion 2 is configured as an outwardly protruding arc-shaped surface, and the elastic connecting wall 3 is configured as an inwardly concave arc-shaped surface. The arc-shaped surface design of the telescopic protrusion 2 helps to form a better fit with the bottom of the tableware, increasing the contact area and improving heat conduction efficiency; the inwardly concave arc-shaped surface design of the elastic connecting wall 3 helps to guide the elastic connecting wall 3 to deform and fold along a predetermined direction when subjected to force, avoiding irregular deformation.

[0022] As another preferred embodiment, the elastic connecting wall 3 is provided with a folding guide groove 31, which guides the elastic connecting wall 3 to fold when the telescopic boss 2 is pressed down. The folding guide groove 31 can be an annular groove located on the inner or outer side of the elastic connecting wall 3, or it can be multiple longitudinal grooves spaced apart circumferentially along the elastic connecting wall 3. The number and depth of the folding guide grooves 31 can be adaptively designed according to the material properties, wall thickness, and required deformation stroke of the elastic connecting wall 3.

[0023] In another embodiment of this solution, the connecting part is a spring 4, which is disposed between the telescopic boss 2 and the cavity 11. The spring 4 supports the telescopic boss 2 so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad 1. When the telescopic boss 2 is pressed down, the spring 4 compresses, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss 2 to descend and contract into the cavity 11. Specifically, the specific type of the spring 4 can be a compression helical spring 4, a wave spring 4, etc., with one end connected to the bottom of the telescopic boss 2 and the other end connected to the corresponding position of the support pad 1. The number of springs 4 can be selected according to the size of the telescopic boss 2 and the required support force. For a larger telescopic boss 2, multiple springs 4 can be set to ensure that the telescopic boss 2 is subjected to uniform force and moves smoothly.

[0024] In another embodiment of this solution, the connecting part includes an elastic connecting wall 3 and a spring 4. The elastic connecting wall 3 connects the telescopic boss 2 and the support pad 1, and the spring 4 is disposed below the telescopic boss 2. The elastic connecting wall 3 and the spring 4 together support the telescopic boss 2 so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad 1. When the telescopic boss 2 is pressed down, the elastic connecting wall 3 deforms and folds, and the spring 4 is compressed, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss 2 to descend and shrink into the cavity 11. Specifically, the specific structure of the elastic connecting wall 3 and the spring 4 is the same as in the above embodiment. In this way, the elastic connecting wall 3 provides uniform circumferential support and sealing for the telescopic boss 2, and the spring 4 provides axial elastic restoring force. The two complement each other, making the telescopic movement of the telescopic boss 2 more stable and reliable.

[0025] In this design, the heating element is disposed inside the telescopic protrusion 2. Specifically, the heating element can be embedded in the inner cavity of the telescopic protrusion 2 or attached to the inner wall of the telescopic protrusion 2, so that the heat generated is conducted through the wall of the telescopic protrusion 2 to the top surface of the telescopic protrusion 2, and then from the top surface to the bottom of the tableware it is attached to. The heating element can be any combination of one or more of the following: a heating wire, a conductive coating, or a PTC heating element. Regardless of the type of heating element used, the power cord of the heating element needs to be led out from the telescopic protrusion 2. Therefore, the support pad 1 is provided with a wire groove 12, and the power cord of the heating element is routed within the wire groove 12. The wire groove 12 can be located on the bottom surface or inside the support pad 1, and the power cord is connected to an external power source after passing through the wire groove 12.

[0026] When the heating element is a heating wire, the heating wire can be arranged in a spiral coil inside the telescopic boss 2 to increase the length of the heating wire within a limited space and improve the heating power. Alternatively, the heating wire can be arranged in a serpentine, meandering manner within the internal cavity of the telescopic boss 2 to achieve a more uniform heat distribution. A thermally conductive insulating material (such as thermally conductive silicone) can be filled between the heating wire and the inner wall of the telescopic boss 2 to improve heat conduction efficiency and ensure electrical safety.

[0027] When the heating element is a conductive coating, the conductive coating is applied to the inner or outer wall surface of the telescopic boss 2. The conductive coating can be graphene, carbon nanotube, or indium tin oxide (ITO), etc. As a surface heating source, the conductive coating forms a uniform planar heating area on the wall surface of the telescopic boss 2, ensuring even heat distribution and avoiding potential localized overheating issues with the heating wire. When energized, the conductive coating heats up as a whole, and the heat is evenly transferred to the top surface through the wall of the telescopic boss 2, achieving uniform heating of the bottom of the tableware.

[0028] When the heating element is a PTC heating element, it is housed within the inner cavity of the telescopic boss 2. The PTC heating element features automatic temperature control; when the temperature rises to the Curie temperature, its resistance increases sharply, and the heating power automatically decreases, thus achieving constant-temperature heating without the need for additional temperature control circuitry, ensuring high safety. The PTC heating element can be in sheet or block form, attached to the lower inner top wall of the telescopic boss 2, allowing heat to be directly transferred upwards to the top surface of the telescopic boss 2.

[0029] In this design, several telescopic protrusions 2 are provided, each independently mounted on the support pad 1, and each protrusion 2 can independently extend and retract relative to the support pad 1. This arrangement of multiple telescopic protrusions 2 allows the warming board to simultaneously hold multiple pieces of tableware, and each piece can be individually fitted and heated. Preferably, the telescopic protrusions 2 are available in various sizes, with different lateral dimensions to accommodate tableware with different foot ring recess sizes. This allows users to place tableware of different sizes on the corresponding telescopic protrusion 2 as needed.

[0030] This invention also discloses a method for using a food warming board, which employs the food warming board described above, and the steps for using it are as follows: When tableware with a foot ring recess is placed, the telescopic protrusion 2 extends into the center of the foot ring recess and fits against the bottom of the tableware. The heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the bottom of the tableware through the telescopic protrusion 2 for heating. The support pad 1 abuts against the foot ring to support the tableware. When flat-bottomed tableware is placed, the telescopic protrusion 2 is pressed down by the flat-bottomed tableware and moves downward relative to the support pad 1, retracting and sinking into the cavity 11 until the bottom of the flat-bottomed tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad 1. The flat-bottomed tableware is supported and heated by the support pad 1 and the telescopic protrusion 2.

[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made to the telescopic boss 2 scheme of the present invention, such as whether to select a spring 4 based on the material and thickness of the elastic connecting wall 3; whether to select an electrical wire trough 12 based on the wiring layout; the heating element including but not limited to heating wire, conductive coating, PTC; the support pad 1 and the telescopic boss 2 using a thin film of the same thickness and then setting a support frame with a recessed space; are all based on the principle of this case and should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A food warming board with a telescopic boss, comprising a support pad (1), characterized in that, The support pad (1) is provided with a telescopic protrusion (2) for supporting tableware, and the telescopic protrusion (2) is provided with a heating element for heating the tableware placed on the telescopic protrusion (2); The telescopic protrusion (2) is connected to the support pad (1) through a connecting part. In its natural state, the top surface of the telescopic protrusion (2) is higher than the support plane of the support pad (1) so that it can extend into the bottom of the tableware with the foot ring recess and fit against the bottom of the tableware for heating. The support pad (1) has a cavity (11) corresponding to the position of the telescopic protrusion (2). When the telescopic protrusion (2) is pressed down by the flat tableware, it can move downward relative to the support pad (1) and retract into the cavity (11) until the bottom of the flat tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad (1).

2. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part is an elastic connecting wall (3), which is connected between the telescopic boss (2) and the support pad (1). The elastic connecting wall (3) supports the telescopic boss (2) so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad (1). When the telescopic boss (2) is pressed down by force, the elastic connecting wall (3) deforms and folds, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss (2) to drop and shrink into the cavity (11).

3. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to claim 2, characterized in that, The telescopic boss (2) is configured as an outwardly protruding arc surface, and the elastic connecting wall (3) is configured as an inwardly recessed arc surface.

4. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic connecting wall (3) is provided with a folding guide groove (31). When the telescopic boss (2) is pressed down, the folding guide groove (31) guides the elastic connecting wall (3) to fold.

5. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part is a spring (4), which is located between the telescopic boss (2) and the cavity (11). The spring (4) supports the telescopic boss (2) so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad (1). When the telescopic boss (2) is pressed down, the spring (4) is compressed, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss (2) to drop and shrink into the cavity (11).

6. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part includes an elastic connecting wall (3) and a spring (4). The elastic connecting wall (3) is connected between the telescopic boss (2) and the support pad (1). The spring (4) is located below the telescopic boss (2). The elastic connecting wall (3) and the spring (4) together support the telescopic boss (2) so that its top surface is higher than the support plane of the support pad (1). When the telescopic boss (2) is pressed down by force, the elastic connecting wall (3) deforms and folds, and the spring (4) is compressed, causing the top surface of the telescopic boss (2) to drop and shrink into the cavity (11).

7. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The support pad (1) is provided with a wire groove (12), and the power cord of the heating element is laid in the wire groove (12).

8. A food warming board with a telescopic boss according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The telescopic protrusions (2) are provided in a plurality of manner, and the plurality of telescopic protrusions (2) are independently provided on the support pad (1), and each telescopic protrusion (2) can independently telescopically move relative to the support pad (1).

9. A method of using a food warmer, characterized in that, The steps for using the food warming board as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 are as follows: When tableware with a foot ring recess is placed, the telescopic protrusion (2) extends into the center of the foot ring recess and fits against the bottom of the tableware. The heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the bottom of the tableware through the telescopic protrusion (2) for heating. The support pad (1) abuts against the foot ring to support the tableware. When flat tableware is placed, the telescopic protrusion (2) is pressed down by the flat tableware and moves downward relative to the support pad (1) and retracts into the cavity (11) until the bottom of the flat tableware abuts against the support plane of the support pad (1). The flat tableware is supported and heated by the support pad (1) and the telescopic protrusion (2).

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