Food holding unit

Abstract

A food holding unit for heating food. The unit maintains cooked food at a proper temperature. The unit includes a food support having a food holding space to receive the cooked food. The food support includes openings that permit gas to flow there-through into a bottom of the food holding space. A cabinet has a food receiving space sized and shaped to receive the food support containing the cooked food. The food receiving space has an open front in open communication with a surrounding environment outside the food holding system. The open front permits the food support to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space through the open front. Ductwork extending along a first side of the cabinet and guides gas toward the food support. A heating element in the ductwork heats the gas. A blower moves the gas in the ductwork toward the food support.

Description

3510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)FOOD HOLDING UNITCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 579,639, filed August 30, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to food serving equipment, and more particularly to a food holding unit.BACKGROUND

[0003] This disclosure is directed to food holding unit that uses hot gas to maintain precooked food at proper temperatures before serving. This type of equipment is also often referred to as a food warmer. Such equipment is used in the quick service food industry to heat food or maintain cooked food at a desired temperature prior to the food being served.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a food holding unit for maintaining cooked food at a proper temperature comprises a food support having a food holding space configured to receive the cooked food. The food support includes a bottom wall bounding a bottom of the food holding space. The bottom wall has a plurality of openings configured to permit gas to flow upward through the plurality of openings into a bottom of the food holding space. A cabinet has a front and a back. The cabinet also has opposite first and second sides. The cabinet has a food receiving space sized and shaped to receive the food support containing the cooked food. The food receiving space has an open front in open communication with a surrounding environment outside the food holding system. The open front is sized and shaped to permit the food support to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space through the open front. Ductwork extends along the first side of the cabinet. The ductwork is arranged to guide gas toward the food support. A heating element is disposed in the ductwork for heating gas in the ductwork. A blower is configured to move gas in the ductwork toward the food support.

[0005] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.1CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a food holding unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 2 is another perspective of the food holding unit, with food supports removed;

[0008] FIG. 3 is another perspective of the food holding unit, with food supports removed;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective of a food support;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-section of the food holding unit;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the food holding unit;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged portion of the cross-section of Fig. 6;

[0013] FIG. 8 is another perspective of the food holding unit, with portions hidden from view to show interior details;

[0014] FIG. 9 is another perspective of the food holding unit, with portions hidden from view to show interior details;

[0015] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective of the food holding unit; and

[0016] FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional perspective of the food holding unit.

[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present disclosure relates to a food holding unit or system (e.g., a holding oven, a food warmer) that uses hot gas or air to maintain cooked food at a proper temperature before serving. The food holding units shown and described herein can be used to heat or keep warm various types of food, such as fried foods (e.g., potato fries, onion rings, chicken, etc.) and non-fried foods, for serving after the food has been cooked.

[0019] Referring to Figs. 1-3, a food holding unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The food holding unit 10 maintains cooked food at a proper temperature. The cooked food may be held by a food container or support 80 (broadly, food holder) that is in the food holding unit 10 (broadly, the food support is part of the food holding unit or system). The food holding unit 10 is configured for heating food with heated gas (e.g., air). For example, the food holding unit 10 may be referred to as a food warmer for maintaining cooked food held by the food support 80 in a warm condition (broadly,2CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) proper serving temperature) before it is served. The food holding unit 10 may be used for heating various types of food, such as potato fries, onion rings, and other fried foods or non-fried foods.

[0020] The food holding unit 10 includes a cabinet, generally indicated at 12. The cabinet 12 has a front and a back and opposite first and second sides. The cabinet 12 has (e.g., defines) a food receiving or support space or interior 14 (broadly, food conditioning space or food holding space) that is sized and shaped to receive the food support 80 (broadly, one or more food supports) containing the cooked food (broadly, the food receiving space is sized and shaped to receive the food). The food receiving space 14 of the cabinet 12 has an open front 14A. The open front 14A is in open communication (e.g., direct open fluid communication) with the surrounding environment outside the food holding unit 10. The open front 14A is sized and shaped to permit the food support 80 to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space 14 through the open front and for a user to remove food from the food support while the food support is in the food receiving space.

[0021] Desirably, the cabinet 12 is a pass-through cabinet. In the illustrated embodiment, the food receiving space 14 of the cabinet 12 also has an open back 14B opposite the open front 14A. The open back 14B is in open communication (e.g., direct open communication) with the surrounding environment outside the food holding unit 10. The open back 14B is sized and shaped to permit the food support 80 to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space 14 through the open back and for a user to remove food from the food support while the food support is in the food receiving space. The open front 14A and the open back 14B of the food receiving space 14 allow the food support 80 to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space of the cabinet 12 from the front and / or back and allow food to be inserted into and removed from the food support from the front and / or back.

[0022] The food holding unit 10 is free of a door (e.g., front door) arranged to close the open front 14A of the food receiving space 14 and is free of a door (e.g., back door) arranged to close the open back 14B of the food receiving space. The absence of doors allows an operator or user to quickly insert the food support 80 into and remove the food support from the food receiving space 14. Broadly, the food holding unit 10 is free of any structure that would need to be moved, either manually or automatically, to allow the food support 80 to be inserted into and / or removed from the food receiving space 14.

[0023] The cabinet 12 includes a base 16 and a ceiling or top portion 20. The base 16 rests on a support surface, such as a countertop, tabletop, or floor. The cabinet 12 also includes a first side and a second side. The cabinet 12 includes opposite first and second side walls (e.g., left and3CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) right side walls) 22, 24 generally forming the respective first and second sides of the cabinet. The first side wall 22 bounds a first side of the food receiving space 14 and the second side wall 24 bounds a second side of the food receiving space. In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet 12 has multiple (e.g., two) shelfs or levels, although the cabinet may have more (e.g., three) or fewer (e.g., one) levels without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Each level includes a food support holder 18 for holding one or more food supports 80, and an associated food receiving space 14. Accordingly, the illustrated cabinet 12 has two food receiving spaces 14 (which are generally identical). The food support holders 18 may also catch and hold grease from the food held by the food supports (each food support holder may be considered a grease collector). The upper level (e.g., upper food support holder 18), first and second side walls 22, 24, and the top portion 20 bound the first or upper food receiving space 14. The lower level (e.g., lower food support holder 18), first and second side walls 22, 24, and the upper level (e.g., upper food support holder) bound the second or lower food receiving space 14. Desirably, the open front 14A and the open back 14B of the lower food receiving space 14 extends from the lower level to the upper level and from the first side wall 22 to the second side wall 24. Similarly, desirably, the open front 14A and the open back 14B of the upper food receiving space 14 extends from the upper level to the top portion 20 and from the first side wall 22 to the second side wall 24. This makes the open front 14A and open back 14B of the food receiving spaces 14 relatively large. The large size of the open front 14A and the open back 14B relative to the food support 80 makes it easier to insert and remove the food support into and from the food receiving space 14 and to retrieve food while the food support is in the space.

[0024] The food supports 80 are located in the cabinet 12 between the side walls 22, 24. Specifically, the food supports 80 are supported and held in one of the food receiving spaces 14 by one of the food support holders 18. In the illustrated embodiment, each food support holder 18 can simultaneously receive and support four food supports 80, although the food support holders may support more (e.g., 5, 6, etc.) or fewer (e.g., 1, 2, 3) food supports without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, each food support holder 18 is sized to receive four food supports 80 in a 2x2 grid arrangement. It is understood the cabinet 12 can support any number of food supports 80. The food supports 80 are all identical.

[0025] Each food support holder 18 removeably receives the food supports 80. The food support holder 18 supports the food support 80 in the food receiving space 14 when the food support is received by the food support holder. Each food support holder 18 includes an interior 17 for receiving at least a portion of the food supports 80. Each food support holder 18 includes a4CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) plurality of food support openings 19, each sized and shaped to receive one food support 80. The food supports 80 are inserted into the interior 17 by being dropped down through the food support openings 19. The food supports 80 have tapered side walls configured to engage the edges (e.g. left and right side edges) of the food support holder 18 defining the opening 19 to support and suspend the food support in the interior 17. Other ways of supporting the food supports 80 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The removability of the food support 80 makes it easier to (1) place and remove food from the food support and (2) to clean the food support (e.g., remove any grease, food, and / or other debris).

[0026] Referring to Fig. 4, the food support 80 has or defines a food holding space 82. The food holding space 82 is sized and shaped to receive and hold the cooked food, such as a plurality of pieces of fried chicken breasts. The food support 80 includes a body 86 having a bottom wall or floor 86A, opposite front and back walls 86B, 86C extending upward from the bottom wall, and opposite left and right side walls 86D, 86E extending upward from the bottom wall. The front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E taper or slope slightly outward as the respective wall extends upward. The bottom, front, back, left side, and right side walls 86A-E bound the food holding space 82. Each (broadly, one or more) of the bottom, front, back, left side, and right side walls 86A-E includes a plurality of openings 90 (broadly, the food support 80 includes a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being in one or more of the bottom, front, back, left side, and / or right side walls). The openings 90 permit gas from outside the food support 80 to flow through the openings into the food holding space 82 of the food support. The openings 90 in the bottom wall 86A permit gas to flow upward into the food holding space 82 (a bottom thereof). The openings 90 in the front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E permit gas to flow horizontally into the food holding space 82. A rim 88 (e.g., a food support rim) of the food support 80 extends around the upper edges of the front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E. The rim 86 defines an open top of or food opening (mouth) 84 for the food holding space 82. The food opening 86 is at the upper end of the food holding space 82 and permits food to be inserted into and removed from the food holding space. In the illustrated embodiment, the food support 80 is formed of sheet metal (e.g., perforated sheet metal walls), although other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the food support 80 is standard size food pan, such as a 6-inch deep food pan (with openings 90 added). For example, the food support 80 can be a 6-inch deep 'T size food pan or a 6-inch deep 2 / 3 size food pan. Other configurations of the food support may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The food5CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) support 80 is free of any internal walls or partitions in the food holding space 82 for separating the cooked food held therein, thereby maximizing the amount of food that can be held in the food holding space.

[0027] With the food support 80 in the food support holder 18, the rim 88 of the food support is spaced above the top of the food support holder and the bottom wall 86A of the food support is spaced above a bottom wall or floor 18A (Fig. 5) of the food support holder. The body 86 of the food support extends upward through the opening 19 of the food support holder 18. Specifically, the front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E of the food support 80 extending upward, through the food support opening 19. Accordingly, the front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E of the food support 80 extend upward past the upper end or top of the food support holder 18. As a result, the food opening 84 of the food holding space 82 is disposed at an elevation above the food support holder 18. In other words, the food holding space 82 has a portion (e.g., upper portion) disposed at an elevation above the food support holder 18 (e.g., a portion disposed in the food receiving space 14). The rim 88 of the food support 80 is disposed at an elevation that is higher than the food support holder 80. For example, elevation distance between the rim 88 and the food support opening 19 is greater than 15% of the height of the food support 80, or greater than 20% of the height of the food support, or greater than 25% of the height of the food support, or greater than 30% of the height of the food support. In the illustrated embodiment, the food support 80 has a height of about 6 inches and the rim 88 of the food support is at an elevation about 2 inches higher than the elevation of the food support opening 19.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 5, the food holding unit 10 includes a gas supply plenum 25. The gas supply plenum 25 is disposed below and along the lower portions of the food supports (part of the interior 17 of the food support holder 18 (the part not occupied by the food supports 80) is the gas supply plenum). The cabinet 12 defines the gas supply plenum. Specifically, the food support holder 18 bounds the gas supply plenum 25. With the food supports 80 received by the food support holder 18, the gas supply plenum 25 is in fluid communication with the food holding spaces 82 of the food supports. The bottom of the food holding space 82 of the food support 80 and the gas supply plenum 25 is defined (e.g., separated) by the bottom wall 86A of the food support, which has the plurality of openings 90. The openings 90 fluidly couple the gas supply plenum 25 and the food holding space 82 of the food support 80. Heated gas is supplied to the gas supply plenum 25 by the food holding unit 10, as described herein. The heated gas flows from the gas supply plenum 25, generally upward through the openings 90 in the bottom wall 86A of the food support, and into6CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) the food holding space 82 of the food support to heat the food therein. The heated gas can also flow into the food holding space 82 through the openings 90 in the front, back, left side, and right side walls 86B-E of the food support 80. It has been found that heating the food holding space 82 from the bottom creates a more even distribution of the heated gas over the food holding space and therefore keeps all the food at a more uniform temperature.

[0029] The food holding unit 10 includes a forced gas heating system for heating and moving gas about the cabinet 12. The forced gas heating system moves the heated gas toward the food to be heated, thereby maintaining the cooked food at a proper temperature before serving. In general, the forced gas heating system include one or more blowers or fans 28 for blowing gas, one or more heating elements 30 (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) for heating the gas, and ductwork 32 for guiding the heated gas to the food support holders 18 (e.g., the gas supply plenums 25 thereof). The blowers 28 are arranged to draw gas (e.g., air) in from (directly in from) the environment surrounding the food holding unit 10 and push the gas towards the food supports 80.

[0030] With reference to Figs. 5-11, the forced gas heating system includes a first (left) forced gas heating sub-system 26A and a second (right) forced gas heating sub-system 26B. The first forced gas heating sub-system 26A is supported by and is partially disposed in the first side wall 22. The second forced gas heating sub-system 26B is supported by and is partially disposed in the second side wall 24. The first and second forced gas heating sub-systems 26A-B are similar.

[0031] Referring to Figs. 5-8, 10 and 11, the first or left forced gas heating sub-system 26A includes two blowers 28 for blowing gas, a first or front blower and a second or rear blower, and one or more heating elements (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) for heating the gas. In the illustrated embodiment, each heating element 30 comprises a coiled electrical resistance heating element, although other shapes of heating elements may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first forced-gas heating sub-system 26A includes ductwork 32. The ductwork 32 guides the gas toward the food supports 80 (e.g., upper level food supports), to bring the gas into contact with the cooked food held by the food supports. The ductwork 32 includes first and second (front and back) vertical duct sections 32A, 32B and a lateral duct section 32C. The heating element(s) 30 heat the gas in the ductwork 32. The heating element(s) 30 are positioned in the ductwork 32, downstream of the blowers 28, specifically in the lateral duct section 32C. In other embodiments, the heating element(s) 30 may be disposed in the vertical duct sections 32A-B. The ductwork 32 extends along the first side of the cabinet 12. The vertical duct sections 32A-B are disposed in the first or left side wall 22. Each vertical duct section 32A-B extends vertically7CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) downward from one of the blowers 28. Each vertical duct section 32A-B feeds the lateral duct section 32C. The lateral duct section 32C generally underlies the upper food support holder 18 (broadly, the upper food receiving space 14). Each blower 28 moves gas in the ductwork 32 toward the food supports 80. The blowers 28 blow the gas past the heating element(s) 30 (which heat the gas as it passes) and through the ductwork 32. The first sub-system 26A includes two gas inlets 42. Each blower 28 draws gas in through one of the gas inlets 42 and pushes the gas through the ductwork 32 toward the upper gas supply plenum 25. In the illustrated embodiment, each blower 28 defines or forms one of the gas inlets 42. The gas inlets 42 are arranged to draw in gas from the surrounding environment outside the food holding unit 10. The gas inlets 42 are in fluid communication (e.g., direct fluid communication) with the surrounding environment. Each blower 28 draws gas (e.g., fresh air) from the surrounding environment through one of the gas inlets 42. The blowers 28 are disposed on top of the left side wall 22. The ductwork 32 guides the gas from the blowers 28 toward (e.g., to) the upper gas supply plenum 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sub-system 26A (e.g., the ductwork 32, specifically the lateral duct section 32C) includes a gas outlet 38 (best seen in Fig. 2) in fluid communication with the gas supply plenum 25 of the upper food support holder 18. The heated gas flows out of the gas outlet 38 of the ductwork 32, into the gas supply plenum 25. The vertical duct sections 32A-B guide the gas generally vertically downward from the blowers 28, and the lateral duct section 32C guides the gas generally horizontally, toward the gas outlet 38. The blowers 28 are disposed at an elevation above the outlets 38 and the upper food support holder 18. In general, the front blower 28 may be considered to supply gas to the front two food supports 80 and the rear blower may be considered to supply gas to the back two food supports. Although it is understood that the gas from these two blowers 28 will mix in the lateral duct section 32C. In this embodiment, the first forced gas heating sub-system 26A only supplies gas to the upper food support holder 18. In other embodiments, the first gas heating sub-system may also supply gas to the lower food support holder, similar to the second forced gas heating sub-system 26B described below.

[0032] Referring to Figs. 6, 7, and 9-11, the second or right forced gas heating sub-system 26B includes two blowers 28 for blowing gas, a first or front blower and a second or rear blower, and one or more heating elements 30 (e.g., electrical resistance heating elements) for heating the gas. In the illustrated embodiment, each heating element 30 comprises a coiled electrical resistance heating element, although other shapes of heating elements may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The second forced-gas heating sub-system 26B includes ductwork8CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)32. The ductwork 32 guides the gas toward the food supports 80 (e.g., upper and / or lower level food supports), to bring the gas into contact with the cooked food held by the food supports. The ductwork 32 includes first and second (front and back) vertical duct sections 32A-B and a lateral duct section 32C. The heating element(s) 30 heat the gas in the ductwork 32. The heating element(s) 30 are positioned in the ductwork 32, downstream of the blowers 28, specifically in the lateral duct section 32C. In other embodiments, the heating element(s) 30 may be disposed in the vertical duct sections 32A-B. The ductwork 32 extends along the second side of the cabinet 12. The vertical duct sections 32A-B are disposed in the second or right side wall 24. Each vertical duct section 32A-B extends vertically downward from one of the blowers 28. Each vertical duct section 32A-B feeds the lateral duct section 32C. The lateral duct section 32C generally underlies the lower food support holder 18 (broadly, the lower food receiving space 14). Each blower 28 moves gas in the ductwork 32 toward the food supports 80. The blowers 28 blow the gas past the heating element(s) 30 (which heat the gas as it passes) and through the ductwork 32. The second sub-system 26B includes two gas inlets 42. Each blower 28 draws gas in through one of the gas inlets 42 and pushes the gas through the ductwork 32 toward the lower gas supply plenum 25 (and the upper gas supply plenum). In the illustrated embodiment, each blower 28 defines or forms one of the gas inlets 42. The gas inlets 42 are arranged to draw in gas from the surrounding environment outside the food holding unit 10. The gas inlets 42 are in fluid communication (e.g., direct fluid communication) with the surrounding environment. Each blower 28 draws gas (e.g., fresh air) from the surrounding environment through one of the gas inlets 42. The blowers 28 are disposed on top of the right side wall 24. The ductwork 32 guides the gas from the blowers 28 toward (e.g., to) the lower gas supply plenum 25 (and the upper gas supply plenum). In the illustrated embodiment, the second sub-system 26B (e.g., the ductwork 32, specifically the lateral duct section 32C) includes a gas outlet 38 (best seen in Fig. 3) in fluid communication with the gas supply plenum 25 of the lower food support holder 18. The heated gas flows out of the gas outlet 38 of the ductwork 32, into the gas supply plenum 25. The vertical duct sections 32A-B guide the gas generally vertically downward from the blowers 28, and the lateral duct section 32C guides the gas generally horizontally, toward the gas outlet 38. The blowers 28 are disposed at an elevation above the outlets 38 and the lower food support holder 18. In general, the front blower 28 may be considered to supply gas to the front two food supports 80 and the rear blower may be considered to supply gas to the back two food supports. Although it is understood that the gas from these two blowers 28 will mix in the lateral duct section 32C. In the illustrated embodiment, the second9CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) forced gas heating sub-system 26B supplies gas to both the upper food support holder 18 and the lower food support holder. In other embodiments, the second gas heating sub-system may only supply gas to the lower food support holder 18, similar to the first forced gas heating sub-system 26A described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the ductwork 32 includes one or more additional outlets 38A (Figs. 2, 9, and 11) in fluid communication with the upper gas supply plenum 25 for delivering gas from the second sub-system 26B to the upper food supports 80 (broadly, the upper food support holder 18 includes gas inlets to receive gas from the second sub-system). The heated gas flows out of these additional gas outlets 38A of the ductwork 32, into the upper gas supply plenum 25. In the illustrated embodiment, these additional gas outlets 38A are defined by the two vertical duct sections 32A-B.

[0033] Representative gas flows F through the sub-systems 26A-B are illustrated by the dashed lines in Figs. 5-7. Gas from the first and second sub-systems 26A-B heats the food in the upper food supports 80. Regarding the first forced gas heating sub-system 26A, the blowers 28 draw gas in through the gas inlets 42 from the surrounding environment and pushes the gas through the ductwork 32, where the gas is heated by the heating element(s) 30, and into the upper gas supply plenum 25 (via the outlet 38). Regarding the second forced gas heating sub-system 26A, the blowers 28 draw gas in through the gas inlets 42 from the surrounding environment and pushes the gas through the ductwork 32, where a portion of the gas moves into the upper gas supply plenum 25, via the outlets 38A of the vertical duct sections 32A-B. The gas from the two sub-systems 26A- B meet and mix in the upper gas supply plenum 25. The combine gas flow then flows through the upper gas supply plenum 25 and into the food supports 80 (via the openings 90 in the walls 86A-E) to heat the food held by the food supports. The gas flows up out of the food support 80 into the upper food receiving space 14. The gas can then flow out of the upper food receiving space 14 through the open front 14A and / or open back 14B.

[0034] Gas from the second sub-system 26B heats the food in the lower food supports 80. The blowers 28 of the second forced gas heating sub-system 26B draw gas in through the gas inlets 42 from the surrounding environment and pushes the gas (e.g., the portion of the gas that stays in the ductwork and does not flow out of the additional outlets 38 A) through the ductwork 32, where the gas is heated by the heating element(s) 30, and into the lower gas supply plenum 25 (via the outlet 38). The gas then flows through the lower gas supply plenum 25 and into the food supports 80 (via the openings 90 in the walls 86A-E) to heat the food held by the food supports. The gas10CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT) flows up out of the food support 80 into the lower food receiving space 14. The gas can then flow out of the lower food receiving space 14 through the open front 14A and / or open back 14B.

[0035] The food holding unit 10 may include a control system with controls (e.g., on / off switch, temperature displays, temperature setting buttons, etc.) for controlling the operation of the food holding unit 10, specifically the forced gas heating system. Other configurations of the control system may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the food holding unit 10 (specifically, the cabinet 12) may include one or more radiant heaters 40 (e.g., infrared heaters) directed toward the food supports 80 for heating the food in the food supports. In the illustrated embodiment, the food holding unit 10 includes one radiant heater 40 for each food support. Each radiant heater 40 is arranged to directly face one food support 80 (when the food support is supported by the food support holder 18) for heating the cooked food contained with the food support. Other configurations of radiant heaters may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0038] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the present disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0039] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.11CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.1

Claims

3510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A food holding unit for maintaining cooked food at a proper temperature, the food holding unit comprising: a food support having a food holding space configured to receive the cooked food, the food support including a bottom wall bounding a bottom of the food holding space, the bottom wall having a plurality of openings configured to permit gas to flow upward through the plurality of openings into a bottom of the food holding space; a cabinet having a front and a back, the cabinet having opposite first and second sides, the cabinet having a food receiving space sized and shaped to receive the food support containing the cooked food, the food receiving space having an open front in open communication with a surrounding environment outside the food holding system, the open front being sized and shaped to permit the food support to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space through the open front; ductwork extending along the first side of the cabinet, the ductwork arranged to guide gas toward the food support; a heating element disposed in the ductwork for heating gas in the ductwork; and a blower configured to move gas in the ductwork toward the food support.

2. The food holding unit of claim 1, further comprising a food support holder configured to removeably receive the food support.

3. The food holding unit of claim 2, wherein the food support holder is configured to support the food support in the food receiving space when the food support is received by the food support holder.

4. The food holding unit of claim 2 or 3, wherein the food holding space of the food support has an open top sized and shaped to permit the cooked food to be inserted into and removed from the food holding space, the open top of the food holding space being configured to be disposed at an elevation above the food support holder when the food support is received by the food support holder.12CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)5. The food holding unit of claim 4, wherein the food support holder has a food support opening sized and shaped to receive the food support.

6. The food holding unit of any one of claims 2-5, further comprising a gas supply plenum, the plurality of openings of the food support being configured to fluidly couple the gas supply plenum to the food holding space to permit gas from the gas supply plenum to flow upward through the plurality of openings into the food holding space when the food support is received by the food support holder.

7. The food holding unit of claim 6, wherein the ductwork is arranged to guide gas toward the gas supply plenum.

8. The food holding unit of claim 6 or 7, wherein the food support holder bounds the gas supply plenum.

9. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the food support includes a side wall bounding a side of the food holding space, the side wall having a plurality of openings configured to permit gas to flow there-through into the food holding space.

10. The food holding unit of any one of claims claim 1-8, wherein the food support includes opposite front and back wall and opposite left and right side walls, the front, back, left side, and right side walls bounding the food holding space, each of the front, back, left side, and right side walls having a plurality of openings configured to permit gas to flow there-through into the food holding space.

11. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the food support is a first food support, the food holding unit further comprising a second food support having a food holding space configured to receive the cooked food, the second food support including a bottom wall bounding a bottom of the food holding space of the second food support, the bottom wall of the second food support having a plurality of openings configured to permit gas to flow upward through the plurality of openings into a bottom of the food holding space of the second food support.13CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)12. The food holding unit of claim 11 , further comprising a food support holder configured to removeably receive the first and second food supports at the same time.

13. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the ductwork extends vertically downward from the blower.

14. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the ductwork includes a vertically extending duct section and a laterally extending duct section, the laterally extending duct section disposed below the food receiving space.

15. The food holding unit of claim 14, wherein the heating element is disposed in the laterally extending duct section.

16. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the ductwork includes an outlet, the blower being disposed at an elevation above the outlet.

17. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the ductwork is first ductwork, the heating element is a first heating element, and the blower is a first blower, and wherein the food holding unit further comprises: second ductwork extending along the second side of the cabinet, the second ductwork arranged to guide gas toward the food support; a second heating element disposed in the second ductwork for heating gas in the second ductwork; and a second blower configured to move gas in the second ductwork toward the food support.

18. The food holding unit of claim 17, wherein the cabinet includes opposite first and second side walls, the first side wall forming the first side of the cabinet and the second side wall forming the second side of the cabinet, the first side wall bounding a first side of the food receiving space and the second side wall bounding a second side of the food receiving space, the first ductwork disposed within the first side wall and the second ductwork disposed within the second side wall.14CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.13510829.046220 (DKE 10000.5PCT)19. The food holding unit of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the food receiving space has an open back opposite the open front, the open back being in open communication with the surrounding environment outside the food holding unit, the open back of the food receiving space being sized and shaped to permit the food support to be inserted into and removed from the food receiving space through the open back.

20. The food holding unit of claim 19, wherein the food holding unit is free of a door arranged to close the open back of the food receiving space, and wherein the food holding unit is free of a door arranged to close the open front of the food receiving space.15CORE / 3510829.046220 / 192119404.1

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