Food distribution truck

Abstract

A trolley (1) for distributing foodstuffs, comprising a frame (2) enclosed on all sides by heat-insulating plates (3, 4, 5), wherein the interior of the trolley (1) is divided into a plurality of chambers (7, 8, 9, 10), some of which are heated by a warm air stream, characterized in that an upper plate (5) of the trolley (1) is provided with openings (16), each of which is connected to one of the heated chambers (7, 8, 9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a food distribution trolley, in particular for dispensing multi-portion meals, in which food can be heated and kept at serving temperature during dispensing.

[0002] The trolley according to the invention can also enable the storage of food at low temperatures that must be refrigerated before distribution. State of the art

[0003] Food distribution trolleys, so-called bain-marie trolleys, are known from the prior art. These trolleys have a work surface in which there are one or more basins containing a water filling which, after being heated by electrical resistances, acts as an energy storage device to maintain the temperature of the foodstuffs located in containers above or in contact with the water filling.

[0004] Before they can be used for food distribution, these carts require a phase of thermal energy storage, in which the water in the tanks is heated to a specific temperature using electrical resistance.

[0005] When the water has reached this preset temperature, the containers with the food to be distributed are placed in the above-mentioned tanks, where they are kept at the preset serving temperature.

[0006] The water heating phase usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours, as the heating elements used have only low power and the water has a high heat capacity and therefore requires a lot of energy to increase the temperature.

[0007] When the food stored in the cart is to be distributed, the cart is disconnected from the power supply and moved to the location where the food is to be distributed.

[0008] The water transfers heat energy to the containers in the tanks, counteracting the natural temperature drop of the food exposed to the outside environment and keeping it at serving temperature.

[0009] This type of car, known from the state of the art, has some disadvantages.

[0010] Firstly, when water is heated, condensation forms and drips onto the floors of work and transit areas, causing cleaning and safety problems (slipping).

[0011] Furthermore, again in the area of ​​safety, opening the tank caps may result in the escape of very hot water and steam, which can be dangerous for the personnel operating the vehicles.

[0012] A water filling and emptying cycle must be performed at each service to avoid problems with stale water, an activity that complicates operations and increases the workload for kitchen staff.

[0013] Furthermore, the trolley must be switched on in good time, i.e., approximately 1.5 to 2 hours before the food is served, so that the water can reach the set temperature. This also complicates the processes and increases the workload for the kitchen staff.

[0014] Also known from the prior art are ventilated trolleys comprising a work surface and one or more heated or cooled compartments, which are heated or cooled to a specific temperature by air circulation, achieved with the aid of suitable fans. Containers containing the food to be distributed are placed in these compartments, allowing the food to be distributed to be heated or cooled and maintained at a specific temperature.

[0015] At the time of serving, the containers containing the food must be removed from the compartments in which they were stored and placed on the work surface.

[0016] The well-known ventilated trolleys also have disadvantages, since the containers containing the food to be distributed, when placed on the work surface of the trolley, are often too high and uncomfortable to use during food distribution. Summary of the invention

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a trolley for distributing hot or chilled food which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, is easy to maneuver and does not require long preheating times before it can be used.

[0018] Another aim of the invention is to reduce the energy consumption necessary to keep the food to be distributed at a given temperature.

[0019] The objects of the present invention are solved by claim 1 and claims 2 to 11.

[0020] The invention makes it possible to provide a trolley that combines the advantages of so-called bain-marie and ventilated trolleys. Short description of the drawings

[0021] The invention will now be described purely by way of example and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food distribution trolley according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a further perspective view of a carriage according to the invention, with the internal compartments of the carriage visible; Fig. 3 a plan view of the car in Fig. 1 is; Fig. 4 a cross-section of the car from Fig. 3 according to line IV-IV in Fig. 3 is; Fig. 5 a plan view of the car in Fig. 1 is; Figure is a section through the sleigh in Fig. 5, corresponding to line VI-VI in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the interior of the car according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] With reference to the figures, a food distribution trolley 1 according to the invention has a frame 2 which is closed on all sides by heat-insulating panels 3, 4, 5.

[0023] The interior of the carriage 1 is divided into a plurality of chambers 7, 8, 9, 10 ( Fig. 4), some of which, e.g. chambers 7, 8, 9, are heated by a stream of warm air which is introduced into them by fans 11.

[0024] Some plates, designated in the figures by the reference numeral 4, are hinged to the frame 2 so that each of them can serve as a door through which one of the chambers 7, 8, 9, 10 inside the carriage 1 is accessible.

[0025] The air sucked in by the fans 11 is heated by heating elements 19 ( Fig. 7) surrounding the fans 11.

[0026] At least one of these chambers, e.g. chamber 10, can be cooled or ventilated by means of a cooling unit 12 mounted under the floor 13 of the carriage 1.

[0027] One or more of the chambers 7, 8, 9, 10 may be a neutral chamber, ie neither heated nor cooled, but kept at room temperature.

[0028] Each of these rooms is separated from adjacent rooms by heat-insulating partition walls 14, 15.

[0029] The upper plate of the carriage, designated by reference numeral 5 in the figures, has a series of openings 16, each of which can be closed by a corresponding cover 17.

[0030] In each opening 16, which communicates from below with one of the chambers 7, 8, 9, a tray containing the food to be distributed can be inserted, which is large enough so that its edges rest on an area of ​​the upper plate 5 surrounding the opening 16.

[0031] In each chamber there are a plurality of support elements 20 on which food trays or food containers can be placed, or a storage compartment 18 on which containers or trays can be placed whose dimensions prevent them from being placed on the edges of the openings 16 or on the support elements 20.

[0032] The trolley 1 is equipped with at least one, preferably two, support surfaces 21 hinged to the frame 2, on which trays, containers or other objects can be placed during the distribution of food.

[0033] The cart 1 is further provided with a first pair of wheels 22, each mounted on a fixed support 23 on the floor 13 of the cart 1, and a second pair of wheels 24, each mounted on a pivotable support 25 on the floor 13 of the cart 1. The wheels 22 and 24 are used to move the cart 1.

[0034] Finally, the trolley 1 is equipped with a control panel 26, via which the temperatures in the chambers 7, 8, 9, 10 can be adjusted and the fans 11, the heating elements 19 and the cooling unit 12 can be controlled.

[0035] When in use, the trolley must first be connected to a power source in order to operate the fans 11, the heating elements 19 and the cooling unit 12 so that the thermally ventilated chambers 7, 8, 9 can be heated and the cooling chamber 10 can be cooled until a temperature set via the control panel 26 is reached in each chamber.

[0036] When the set temperature is reached in each chamber, trays and pans containing the food to be dispensed can be placed in the openings 16, on the support surfaces 18 and on the support elements 20.

[0037] Before the food is dispensed, the trolley 1 is disconnected from the power source.

[0038] The thermal energy stored by the masses in the trolley, such as the fans 11, the heating elements 19, the plates, the support surfaces 18, the support elements 20, the trays and the baking trays containing the food, is gradually released, thereby maintaining the set temperatures in the heated chambers and thus the temperature of the food.

[0039] In particular, during the distribution of the food, the trays inserted into the openings 16 of the upper plate 5 are surrounded on five sides by the hot air rising from the underlying chambers, which slows down the temperature drop of the food in the trays, since the food is exposed to the environment during its distribution.

[0040] Cart 1 requires significantly less time to heat up the holding chambers than a so-called bain-marie cart.

[0041] Furthermore, the trolley 1 according to the invention, compared to the known thermally ventilated trolleys, makes it possible to reduce the temperature drop of the food during its distribution, since the containers arranged in the openings 16 or on the support surfaces 18 are bathed in the warm air located in the heated chambers, whereas in the known thermally ventilated trolleys, the containers with the food to be distributed, after being removed from the heated chambers, are completely exposed to the outside environment on the work surface of the trolley, which leads to rapid cooling of the food.

[0042] This problem can be solved in conventional ventilated carts by using heating lamps mounted above the work surface. However, this solution increases production costs and the cart's footprint.

[0043] Another advantage of the trolley according to the invention over known ventilated trolleys concerns ergonomics. In the trolley according to the invention, the containers inserted into the openings 16 always remain at an optimal height, as they are set back from the work surface. In contrast, in the known ventilated trolleys, the containers rest on the work surface and, if they have very high edges, make it difficult to remove the contents.

Claims

[1] A trolley (1) for distributing foodstuffs, comprising a frame (2) closed on all sides by heat-insulating panels (3, 4, 5), the interior of the trolley (1) being divided into a plurality of chambers (7, 8, 9, 10), some of which are heated by a stream of warm air, characterized by that an upper plate (5) of the carriage (1) is provided with openings (16), each of which communicates with one of the heated chambers (7, 8, 9). [2] Carriage (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one chamber (10) of the chambers (7, 8, 9, 10) is statically cooled. [3] Carriage 1 according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warm air flow is generated by fans (11), each of which is surrounded by an electric heating element (19). [4] A trolley (1) according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a cooling unit (12) configured to cool the at least one chamber (10). [5] Cart (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the openings (16) is associated with a closure cover (17). [6] Food distribution trolley (1), wherein each of the chambers (7, 8, 9, 10) is separated from adjacent chambers by heat-insulating partition walls (14, 15). [7] A trolley (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein some of the panels (4) are hinged to the frame (2) to serve as doors for access to the chambers (7, 8, 9, 10). [8] Trolley (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein support elements (20) are provided in the heated chambers (7, 8, 9) which are designed to carry trays or bowls for the food. [9] Car (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that each of the heated chambers (7, 8, 9) comprises a support surface (18) which is arranged under a corresponding opening (16) and rests on the support elements (20). [10] Car (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it additionally has at least one tiltable support surface (21) which is hinged to the frame (2). [11] Car (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that it comprises a control panel (26) with which a temperature can be set for each of the chambers (7, 8, 9, 10) and with which the fans (11), heating elements (19) and the cooling unit (12) can be operated.

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