US3628447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot food display unit
Assignee: JOSEPH M LINSEY CORP
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Filing: 1970-01-26
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1990-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A hot food display and vending unit for popcorn or the like including a plurality of vertically spaced trays mounted to a vertical support. The upper surface of each tray supports the food package. The underside of each tray includes radiant heating means directed downwardly toward the food supported by a tray immediately below to heat the food supported thereon. The unit includes a device which recirculates air through a passage in the underside of each tray and then directs the air downwardly above the periphery of each tray to generate a thermal curtain about the space where the food is displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 George Levenback
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:52
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A display unit for ready-to-serve foods comprising: a plurality of horizontal trays arranged in substantially vertical alignment and in vertically spaced relation to each other; standard means secured to said trays for supporting said trays in said vertically spaced configuration, said spaces between said trays defining food display regions; heating means adapted to heat said food display regions; means for generating a downwardly directed air curtain about and substantially enclosing each of said food display regions; and means for heating said air whereby said air curtain may be maintained at a warm temperature, said means for generating said downwardly directed air curtain including blower means adapted to impart a sufficient velocity to said downwardly directed air curtain as to maintain said air curtain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A display unit for ready-to-serve foods comprising: a plurality of horizontal trays arranged in substantially vertical alignment and in vertically spaced relation to each other; standard means secured to said trays for supporting said trays in said vertically spaced configuration, said spaces between said trays defining food display regions; heating means adapted to heat said food display regions; means for generating a downwardly directed air curtain about and substantially enclosing each of said food display regions; and means for heating said air whereby said air curtain may be maintained at a warm temperature, said means for generating said downwardly directed air curtain including blower means adapted to impart a sufficient velocity to said downwardly directed air curtain as to maintain said air curtain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said trays further comprise: a chamber formed integrally with each of said trays below the food-supporting surface thereof; and wherein said means for generating said downwardly directed air curtain comprises: means for introducing air into said chamber, said chamber having outlet means formed peripherally about its underside.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 2 further comprising: said means for heating said air being disposed within said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for introducing air into said chamber comprises: said standard being of hollow construction; blower means mounted within said standard in the lower region thereof, for inducting air into said standard and directing said inducted air outwardly through said standards; and means for communicating each of said chambers with the hollow of said standard to direct said air into said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising: means for distributing the air within said chamber to the peripheral regions of said chamber, said chamber having downwardly directed outlet means and said peripheral regions thereof for directing said air downwardly in said curtain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said heating means comprises: radiant heater means mounted to the underside of selected of said trays to heat the food display region immediately below; and reflector means secured to the underside of said tray above said radiant heating means, said reflector means defining a portion of said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said reflector includes baffle means adapted to direct the air from said chamber toward said peripheral outlet formed in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said reflector means is heat-conductive and may be heated by radiant heater means, said reflector means defining said portion of said chamber and being effective to heat the air flowing through said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each tray except the base tray includes said curtain-forming means, and wherein the uppermost tray includes outlet means for forming a curtain which embraces and includes the other curtains formed by the other of said trays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the uppermost of said trays extends forwardly of and beyond the forward edges of the lower of said trays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising: said curtain comprising heated air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |