Heating and refrigerating tray cabinet for distributing hot and cold dishes

Claim 2

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; and each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell.

Claim 3

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said metal shell comprising a piece of pressed metal including: perforations in its periphery which is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate of said tray; a channel which runs around its base to avoid deformation owing to thermal expansion while ensuring the collection of condensation water in the insulated space; and internal protruberances projecting above the rest of the base to serve as support for a receptacle which is thus held slightly away from the base of said shell.

Claim 4

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said metal shell comprising a piece of pressed metal including: perforations in its periphery which is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate of said tray; a channel which runs around its base to avoid deformation owing to thermal expansion while ensuring the collection of condensation water in the insulated space; and internal protruberances projecting above the rest of the base to serve as support for a receptacle which is thus held slightly away from the base of said shell.

Claim 5

A tray cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that the base of the metal shell is covered externally, in order, by a heating element covered in an insulating sheath, by a layer of ceramic fiber, by a reflecting aluminum foil, and finally by an aluminium shield which is pressed all around the metal shell, a silicone sealing joint being placed between the shield and the shell to prevent the foam generating mixture from penetrating between the shell and the shield.

Claim 6

A tray cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that the base of the metal shell of each tray is covered externally, in order, by a flat heating element covered in insulation, by a stainless metal plate fixed to the bottom of the metal shell, by a layer of ceramic fiber and finally by a shield which is fixed all around the metal shell, said element being held pressed against the base of the metal shell by said metal plate.

Claim 7

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said base of said metal shell being covered externally, in order, by a heating element covered in an insulating sheath, by a layer of ceramic fiber, by a reflecting aluminum foil, and finally by an aluminum shield which is pressed all around said metal shell, a silicone sealing joint being placed between said shield and said shell to prevent said foam generating mixture from penetrating between said shell and said shield.

Claim 8

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said base of said metal shell being covered externally, in order, by a heating element covered in an insulating sheath, by a layer of ceramic fiber, by a reflecting aluminum foil, and finally by an aluminum shield which is pressed all around said metal shell, a silicone sealing joint being placed between said shield and said shell to prevent said foam generating mixture from penetrating between said shell and said shield.

Claim 9

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said cover comprising a pressed stainless metal body covered on the outside by a layer of ceramic fiber, the whole being encased in a cladding of rigid plastic foam injection-molded around said body, said cladding carrying around the edge of said cover a lip engageable in the upper opening of said metal shell, while the plastic foam is selected so as to adhere strongly to said metal body.

Claim 10

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said cover comprising a pressed stainless metal body covered on the outside by a layer of ceramic fiber, the whole being encased in a cladding of rigid plastic foam injection-molded around said body, said cladding carrying around the edge of said cover a lip engageable in the upper opening of said metal shell, while the plastic foam is selected so as to adhere strongly to said metal body.

Claim 11

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; and each tray being fitted with an internal heating element supplied with electricity by means of two contact studs disposed on the opposite lateral edges of said tray, said studs making contact with moving studs fixed to said cabinet when said tray is in said shelving, said moving studs being connected with flexible means of return which tend permanently to press them against the corresponding edges of said tray, said tray being consequently gripped between two moving studs.

Claim 12

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; and each tray being fitted with an internal heating element supplied with electricity by means of two contact studs disposed on the opposite lateral edges of said tray, said studs making contact with moving studs fixed to said cabinet when said tray is in said shelving, said moving studs being connected with flexible means of return which tend permanently to press them against the corresponding edges of said tray, said tray being consequently gripped between two moving studs.

Claim 13

A tray cabinet according to claim 7, wherein: said cabinet comprises a device for regulating the heating of the thermally insulated heating chambers in said trays, the regulation being carried out by time constants, by supplying said electric elements of said trays with electricity intermittently according to intervals of time predetermined in accordance with a heating program.

Claim 14

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; and said cabinet comprising at least one large-section sheath which extends vertically along said shelving and which itself carries at least one small-section aperture at the height of each tray, refrigerated air being pumped into said sheath to emerge through said apertures and cool said trays, to be finally recycled inside said cabinet.

Claim 15

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; and said cabinet comprising at least one large-section sheath which extends vertically along said shelving and which itself carries at least one small-section aperture at the height of each tray, refrigerated air being pumped into said sheath to emerge through said apertures and cool said trays, to be finally recycled inside said cabinet.

Claim 16

A tray cabinet according to claim 9, wherein: said cabinet comprises two lateral vertical sheaths disposed on either side of two columns of trays and in which refrigerated air is pumped from the top the air blown onto said trays being collected by means of apertures in a central vertical sheath which extends between said two columns of trays and in which the air is drawn upwardly.

Claim 17

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; `means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; the electrical apparatus of said cabinet being placed substantially inside a removable drawer located in the base of said cabinet, and protected from humidity coming mainly from condensation.

Claim 18

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; `means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; the electrical apparatus of said cabinet being placed substantially inside a removable drawer located in the base of said cabinet, and protected from humidity coming mainly from condensation.

Claim 19

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said base of said metal shell of each tray being covered externally, in order, by a flat heating element covered in insulation, by a stainless metal plate fixed to the bottom of said metal shell, by a layer of ceramic fiber, and finally by a shield which is fixed all around said metal shell, said element being held pressed against the base of said metal shell by said metal plate.

Claim 20

A tray cabinet comprising: a refrigerating device to pump refrigerated air into shelving capable of receiving removable trays; at least one removable tray; means for individually heating at least one thermally-insulated space formed in said trays; each said tray comprising an upper plate of molded plastic material forming cavities in which food or other articles may be placed, and a lower plate of molded plastic material and welded to said upper plate all around the base of said tray; said lower plate of said tray having at least one hole therein through which a foam generating mixture is injected so that foam expands in place, adheres strongly to the internal faces of said plates, and solidifies, completely filling the enclosed space formed between said two plates; each tray comprising a heating space formed between a stainless metal shell of which the periphery is embedded in the thickness of said upper plate, said upper plate being injection-molded, and a detachable insulating cover engageable in said metal shell; and said base of said metal shell of each tray being covered externally, in order, by a flat heating element covered in insulation, by a stainless metal plate fixed to the bottom of said metal shell, by a layer of ceramic fiber, and finally by a shield which is fixed all around said metal shell, said element being held pressed against the base of said metal shell by said metal plate.

Claim 21

A tray cabinet according to claim 12, wherein: said element comprises a flat stainless wire wound around at least one strip of insulating material, two plates of the same material being placed on either side of the juxtaposed strips to form an insulating protection.

Claim 22

A tray cabinet according to claim 13, wherein: said plates and said strips of insulating material resistant to heat are assembled by clipping with stainless metal clips.

Claim 23

A tray cabinet according to claim 14, wherein: the periphery of said metal plate is held against the base of said metal shell by spot-welding.

Claim 24

A tray cabinet according to claim 15, wherein: the thickness of the space reserved for said protected element between the base of said shell and said metal plate is less by approximately 1/2 millimeter than the original thickness comprising said strips and said plates of insulating material so as to clamp said element in place.

Claim 25

A tray cabinet according to claim 15, wherein: each end of said element is welded to a small metal connecting plate to which is also welded the end of the corresponding electric feed wire, said two small connecting plates being disposed above an indentation of said metal plate attached to the base of said shell, so that the clamping brought about between said metal plate and the base of said shell operates in line with said flat wire itself and not in line with said connecting plates.

Claim 26

A tray cabinet according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover comprises a pressed stainless metal body covered on the outside by a layer of ceramic fiber, the whole being encased in a cladding of rigid plastic foam injection-molded around the body, this cladding carrying around the edge of the cover a lip engageable in the upper opening of the metal shell, while the plastic foam is chosen so as to adhere strongly to the metal body.

Claim 27

A tray cabinet according to claim 18, characterized in that each tray is fitted with an internal heating element supplied with electricity by means of two contact studs situated on the opposite lateral edges of the tray, these studs making contact with moving studs fixed to the cabinet when the tray is in the shelving, these moving studs being connected with flexible means of return which tend permanently to press them against the corresponding edges of the tray, the latter being consequently gripped between two moving studs.

Claim 28

A tray cabinet according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises at least one large-section sheath which extends vertically along the shelving and which itself carries at least one small-section aperture at the height of each tray, refrigerated air being pumped into this sheath to emerge through the apertures and cool the trays, to be finally recycled inside the cabinet.

Claim 29

A tray cabinet according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises two lateral vertical sheaths situated on either side of two columns of trays and in which refrigerated air is pumped from the top, the air blown onto the trays being collected by means of apertures in a central vertical sheath which extends between the two columns of trays and in which the air is drawn upwardly.

Claim 30

A tray cabinet according to claim 21, characterized in that the electrical apparatus of said cabinet is placed substantially inside on a removable drawer located in the base of the cabinet, and protected from humidity coming mainly from condensation.

Claim 31

A tray cabinet according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises a device for regulating the heating of the thermally insulated heating chambers in the trays, the regulation being carried out by time constants, by supplying the electric elements of the trays with electricity intermittently according to intervals of time predetermined in accordance with a heating program.

Claim 32

A tray cabinet according to claim 4, characterized in that the element is constituted by a flat stainless wire wound around at least one strip of insulating material, two plates of the same material being placed on either side of the juxtaposed strips to form an insulating protection.

Claim 33

A tray cabinet according to claim 24, characterized in that the plates and the strips of insulating material resistant to heat are assembled by clipping with stainless metal clips.

Claim 34

A tray cabinet according to claim 25, characterized in that the periphery of the metal plate is held against the base of the metal shell by spot-welding.

Claim 35

A tray cabinet according to claim 26, characterized in that the thickness of the space reserved for the protected element between the base of the shell and the metal plate is less by approximately 1/2 a millimeter than the original thickness comprising the strips and the plates of insulating material so as to clamp the element in place, and characterized in that each end of the element is welded to a small metal connecting plate to which is also welded the end of the corresponding electric feed wire, the two small connecting plates being situated above an indentation of the metal plate attached to the base of the shell, so that the clamping brought about between the said metal plate and the base of the shell operates in line with the flat wire itself and not in line with the connecting plates.