Radiant Food Warming Plate With Air Gap Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food warming devices are cumbersome, expensive, and operate at extreme temperatures, which can lead to food drying out, burning, or charring, and are not suitable for maintaining food within the ideal temperature range of 160°F to 140°F (71°C to 60°C) for sustained periods.
Innovation Solution
A food warming apparatus featuring a heat radiating plate with a thermostatic controller that maintains the plate's temperature between 100°F and 450°F (38°C to 232°C, using an electric heating element and an air gap for radiation-based heat transfer, ensuring even heating without excessive temperature exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If steam tables with large water volumes are used for food warming, then heat transfer capability is improved, but device weight and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential heat transfer function from the large water volume system. Instead of using substantial quantities of water for heat transfer, the patent employs a heating element that directly heats a small amount of water or food product, achieving effective warming without the weight and bulk of traditional steam tables
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heating element as an intermediary between the power source and the food product. This intermediary efficiently transfers thermal energy directly to the food or small water volume, eliminating the need for large water reservoirs while maintaining effective heat transfer capability
2Speed
If electric coils or strip heaters operating at high temperatures are used, then heating speed is improved, but food quality deteriorates due to burning or charring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thermostatic controller that dynamically adjusts the heating element's operation to maintain optimal temperature. This dynamic control prevents the heating element from operating at excessively high temperatures that would cause food burning, while still achieving rapid heating through efficient thermal transfer to the food product
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostatic controller provides feedback control by monitoring the temperature and adjusting the heating element's power consumption accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the heating process maintains optimal temperature ranges, preventing food quality deterioration while preserving heating speed through efficient thermal management
3Productivity
If high temperature heating elements are used for food warming, then heating efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and food can dry out or overcook
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the heating system by using a thermostatic controller to maintain optimal temperature ranges. This parameter control ensures heating efficiency is achieved at appropriate temperatures, preventing energy waste from excessive heating while avoiding food quality issues from prolonged high-temperature exposure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively maintains food at the desired temperature range, reducing the risk of overcooking and energy costs while being more compact and cost-effective than traditional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a heat radiating plate in thermal communication with, and receiving heat from, the electric heating element
Implementation Method 2
The plate has a top surface disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the product or food holding container. The top surface of the plate is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the container to define a gap therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A product warming apparatus with at least one product holding container having a bottom surface. An enclosure includes at least one opening configured to receive the product holding container. A heat radiating plate is provided in thermal communication with and configured to receive heat from a heating element. The heat radiating plate includes a top surface disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the product holding container with the top surface of the heat radiating plate being spaced apart from the bottom surface of the product holding container to define a gap therebetween. A thermostatic controller is in thermal communication with the heat radiating plate for controlling a flow of heat to the heat radiating plate.