US3875370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat-retaining food service unit
Assignee: Standex International Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-07
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1994-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A heat-retaining hot food service unit which consists of a shaped body of metal, preferably aluminum, that is enclosed in a synthetic resin or plastic jacket which also serves as a base, a food-containing dish and a removable cover. The resin is molded into place around the aluminium body and has a configuration such that the removable food-containing dish nests in the plastic jacket which thus functions as a base for the dish. The removable cover fits over the base and dish, enclosing the edges thereof and defining with the perimeter of the base and the dish, a dead air space for insulating the edge portions of the base and the dish from ambient air. The resinous material has a coefficient of expansion greater than the aluminum body. In one embodiment, there is a resistance heating element embedded in the aluminum and contacts for the heating element extend out of the base for connection to a source of electricity. In another embodiment an elastic expansion joint connects the body and the jacket to provide for variation in expansion of the two while maintaining a sealed connection between them.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie G Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:22
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/24; A47J36/2483; A47J27/00; A47J27/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A heat retaining food service unit, said unit comprising, in combination, a. a metallic three-dimensional body fabricated from a material capable of being heated to a temperature in the order of 250*300*F. without substantial deformation, b. a molded plastic jacket and base for said unit, said jacket fitting closely adjacent said body on all sides and having a top surface adapted to receive a food dish, c. said jacket being molded in place around said body from a synthetic resin material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of expansion of the material out of which said body is fabricated, such synthetic resin being capable of transmitting heat from said body to the top surface of said jacket and to a dish lying thereon, d. a hot food dish having a bottom surface complementary to the top surface of said jacket and an upper surface adapted to receive foods, and e. a dome shaped cover for said unit, said cover having a closed top and an openended skirt depending from said top, and skirt having a lower edge lying in a plane and a configuration fitting closely circumjacent the perimeter of said dish and said jacket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A heat retaining food service unit, said unit comprising, in combination, a. a metallic three-dimensional body fabricated from a material capable of being heated to a temperature in the order of 250*300*F. without substantial deformation, b. a molded plastic jacket and base for said unit, said jacket fitting closely adjacent said body on all sides and having a top surface adapted to receive a food dish, c. said jacket being molded in place around said body from a synthetic resin material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of expansion of the material out of which said body is fabricated, such synthetic resin being capable of transmitting heat from said body to the top surface of said jacket and to a dish lying thereon, d. a hot food dish having a bottom surface complementary to the top surface of said jacket and an upper surface adapted to receive foods, and e. a dome shaped cover for said unit, said cover having a closed top and an openended skirt depending from said top, and skirt having a lower edge lying in a plane and a configuration fitting closely circumjacent the perimeter of said dish and said jacket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A unit according to claim 1 in which the body is a mass of commercial grade aluminum and the jacket is molded from a thermoplastic polyester resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A unit according to claim 1 in which the jacket has a downwardly extending perimeter rib at the edge of its bottom surface for defining a dead air space between the bottom surface of said jacket and a surface upon which said unit is placed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A unit according to claim 1 in which the jacket has an inwardly extending edge surface below its outermost perimeter and said surface defines with the skirt of the cover a dead air space around the edge of said jacket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A unit according to claim 1 and a resistance heating element embedded in said body, said element having electrical connector means protruding outside of said jacket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A unit according to claim 1 in which the jacket has a closed bottom totally enclosing the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A unit according to claim 1 in which the jacket bottom underlies the body and there is an annular space between the perimeter of said body and the surrounding portion of said jacket, such space being closed by an elastic sealing material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A unit according to claim 7 in which there are bores through the body and the material of the jacket extends through the bores connecting the bottom of the jacket to the top of the jacket.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |