Access Surface Open To Atmosphere Patents (Class 62/458)
  • Patent number: 11846452
    Abstract: A compact device for the temperature conditioning of foods while allowing the food to be visible and using little physical space. The device features both heating and cooling functions, but is preferably used for cooling fruits, vegetables, accessory fruits, roots and others. The device is compact, having a translucent cover, thus offering better visibility and increasing food consumption. Preferably developed with polymeric material, the body has the function of protecting all the internal constituents of the device. The base of the device is responsible for thermal stability, keeping low or high temperature in the compartment for longer periods. The bowl of the device is responsible for holding food within the cooled or heated area and the food conditioning cover is made of a translucent material, with the function of keeping thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Willian Garcia De Souza
  • Patent number: 8820111
    Abstract: One aspect provides a cooling system, and method of manufacture thereof, that has a housing having at least one condenser attached thereto and an auxiliary condenser attached to the housing. A refrigeration loop fluidly couples at least one condenser and the auxiliary condenser. A compressor forms a portion of the refrigeration loop, wherein the auxiliary condenser is interposed the compressor and at least one condenser within the refrigeration loop that forms a refrigerant path from the compressor to the auxiliary condenser and from the auxiliary condenser to at least one condenser. A fan located within the housing is positioned to force air through the auxiliary condenser and out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Berthold Adomat
  • Patent number: 8802364
    Abstract: A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design uses inner and outer containers, each made of transparent polyethylene sheets, where the inner compartments are filled with the solution and sealed, and then placed into each compartment in an outer container, wherein two compartments in the outer container are separated by a flattened and sealed portion of the polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus H. Haarmann, Anthony Alleva, Thomas-Laurent Bringas
  • Patent number: 8726689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a storage compartment, a door for opening/closing a front surface of the storage compartment, and a cold storage unit provided in a storage space defined in the storage compartment. The cold storage unit is rotatably installed at one sidewall defining the storage space to serve as a shelf, so that convenience of use and space utility are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Shin Jang, Young Gwi Park
  • Patent number: 8602093
    Abstract: A composite heat exchanger system includes an air cooled condenser, a sub-radiator and a main radiator, and it is formed in a state where a tank of the sub-radiator is communicated with a tank of the main radiator. A water cooled condenser is contained in a tank of the sub-radiator. A part of a flowing medium that is cooled down by the main radiator is introduced in the sub-radiator to cool the flowing medium of the water cooled condenser. The flowing medium that is cooled down by the water cooled condenser is introduced in the air cooled condenser to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8349552
    Abstract: A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having, a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design uses inner and outer containers, each made of transparent polyethylene sheets, where the inner compartments are filled with the solution and sealed, and then placed into each compartment in an outer container, wherein two compartments in the outer container are separated by a flattened and sealed portion of the polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus H. Haarmann, Anthony Alleva, Thomas-Laurent Bingas
  • Patent number: 8192924
    Abstract: A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design used double-layered transparent polyethylene, with two sealed compartments filled with the solution, separated by a flattened and sealed portion between them. One of the two sealed compartments contacts one side of the blood bag and the other compartment is folded over to contact the other side of the blood bag. The transparent compartments allows an operator to verify at any time whether the solution is in a solid state, and the flexibility of the compartments eases the proper positioning of them around a blood bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Barakat, Louis Thibault, Klaus H. Haarmann, Annie Beauséjour, Anthony Alleva, Mario Tremblay, Serghe Lapointe
  • Patent number: 7919163
    Abstract: The present disclosure utilizes the phase change properties of various phase change materials, specifically of 1-decanol and 1-dodecanol. Blood platelets and biological tissues that are chemically unstable at high temperatures can be maintained between 20° C. and 24° C. using 1-Dodecanol in a disclosed container. Temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products may be maintained between 2° C. to 8° C. using 1-Decanol in a disclosed container. The present disclosure may be used to control the temperature of such products during transport by confining the temperature of the product within a predetermined range. This permits light weight packaging with the maintenance of temperatures in narrow, pre-selected ranges over extended periods of time. A nylon and low density polyethylene thermal blanket comprising cells substantially filled with phase change material, which is advantageously puncture proof, durable, and capable of surrounding any payload, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin Romero
  • Patent number: 7914199
    Abstract: An apparatus for a frozen food product, such as an ice cream or frozen-yoghurt product, produces an aerated and flavored base mix. The base mix is provided in a liquid form to the apparatus and is mixed with a gas in the apparatus to aerate the base mix. Flavor is added to the aerated base mix in a turbulence tube of the apparatus, and the aerated and flavored base mix is then deposited out of the turbulence tube onto a cold plate of the apparatus as a thin layer material. The cold plate may be disposed such that it is in open view of a customer. One or more solid-food mix-in additives can be added to the aerated and flavored base mix on the cold plate. The aerated and flavored base mix is allowed to at least partially freeze on the cold plate with the additive(s) dispersed therein to produce a frozen food product, which is then manually scraped from the cold plate and served to a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: MooBella, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Kateman, Richard Rosenberger
  • Publication number: 20080276629
    Abstract: Salt water fed to an ice-maker 1 is cooled to generate ice. The ice is scraped by scrapers 1c to form small particles of ice which are mixed with the salt water to generate salt water-mixed sherbet ice 143. The salt water-mixed sherbet ice is fed from the ice-maker to an ice storage tank 14 so as to be stored in the ice storage tank. A predetermined amount of the salt water-mixed sherbet ice with a predetermined sherbet concentration at a predetermined low temperature is stored in the ice storage tank while the salt water-mixed sherbet ice is refluxed from the ice storage tank to the ice-maker. Water 24 is injected into the salt water-mixed sherbet ice in the process of producing the salt water-mixed sherbet ice. By the method of producing salt water-mixed sherbet ice, salt water-mixed sherbet ice at a relatively high temperature can be produced easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Hamashita, Shinichi Hattori
  • Publication number: 20080028785
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a container that encloses a cooling space that is adapted to store food, a refrigerating circuit that lowers the temperature of cooling space, a moving support fixture that is adapted to move the refrigerator with small force, and a manual moving fixture that is adapted to move the refrigerator with manual force. The container includes an access device that allows access into the cooling space. The access device is at least partially transparent so that the inside of the cooling space is visible from outside the refrigerator. The access device is a door or lid, and is made of a transparent and thermally insulating material. The manual moving fixture includes a handle. The moving support fixture comprises a plurality of casters that are attached to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Brian S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20040261445
    Abstract: A cooler for chilling food is particularly suited for outdoor buffet service and has an ice tray and a base that raises the ice tray off the ground. The ice tray is formed from insulated walls defining an interior compartment and includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending around the outer periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface that slopes away from the side wall to a drain that extends through the bottom wall. The cooler can be drained without tilting the cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Kunkel, Branden L. Kunkel
  • Patent number: 6832492
    Abstract: A cooler for chilling food is particularly suited for outdoor buffet service and has an ice tray and a base that raises the ice tray off the ground. The ice tray is formed from insulated walls defining an interior compartment and includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending around the outer periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall has an upper surface that slopes away from the side wall to a drain that extends through the bottom wall. The cooler can be drained without tilting the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Anna Kunkel, Branden L. Kunkel
  • Publication number: 20040139753
    Abstract: A freezing and thawing unit for small amounts of biopharmaceuticals and biologics. The freezing and thawing unit is reduced in scale, as compared to a corresponding commercial or large-scale process. The freezing and thawing unit can be used for testing, preservation and/or processing of small quantities of biopharmaceuticals and biologics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Voute, Richard Wisniewski, Eric K. Lee, Jonathan N. Webb
  • Patent number: 6745595
    Abstract: A non-stick freezing surface for freezing a thin layer of liquid food product includes a thermally conductive platen having a smooth upper surface and a coating containing PTFE covering that surface. Preferably, the coating is of nickel-infused PTFE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Moobella, LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Kateman, Charles S. Brunner
  • Publication number: 20040025530
    Abstract: A storage device (2) is provided for inter alia drink containers (22). The device (2) includes a reservoir for a temperature conditioning material (14, 16) and multiple holders (10) arranged in the reservoir. Each of the holders (10) is configured for locating a drink container (22) with a substantial portion of the same immersed in the temperature conditioning material (14, 16) when in use, whereby the drink container (22) is removable therefrom for consumption and returnable thereto for temperature conditioning. The storage device (2) further includes a first resilient member (8) associated with each of said holders (22). The first member (8) is formed with a number of displaceable elements arranged in a normal position to substantially cover the associated holder (10) and are displaceable to an open position while engaging said drink container (22) when same is located in said holder (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: John Granville Perrins
  • Publication number: 20020162347
    Abstract: A self-service food display in which a food tray that is supported by a support structure is cooled by an air stream that passes over and under the tray. The tray has opposed end sections and one or more intermediate sections. The air stream is uniformly distributed over the intermediate sections to substantially maintain the same temperature in the vicinity thereof. The air stream is distributed to the opposed end sections in higher volumes to minimize heat transfer with ambient. The air stream also forms an air curtain that extends above three sides of the food tray. Additionally, the air stream is distributed at an angle to an upper surface of the food tray in a manner that provides higher volumes to the opposed end sections to minimize heat transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Darrel Jay Walker, Kenneth James Houtman, Scott Alan McNeal
  • Publication number: 20020083727
    Abstract: The cooling efficiency of a refrigerating chamber and a storage chamber is improved, and the cooling capability is prevented from degrading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Yasuhide Koike, Toshinobu Ishihara, Tomio Suyama, Kouichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6293124
    Abstract: A refrigerated serving device is disclosed. The refrigerated serving device is portable. It includes a food chilling area. A compressor is operatively connected to an evaporator coil and a condenser coil forming a refrigeration unit which maintains the food chilling area at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: DeLau Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin P. Roth, David E. Roth, James D. Woltz
  • Patent number: 6244067
    Abstract: A refrigerated serving device is disclosed. The refrigerated serving device is portable. It includes a food chilling area. A compressor is operatively connected to an evaporator coil and a condenser coil forming a refrigeration unit which maintains the food chilling area at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: DeLau Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin P. Roth, David E. Roth, James D. Woltz
  • Patent number: 6109049
    Abstract: A system for cooling outdoor golf practice tees is incorporated into a practice facility including a building that houses, perhaps, five or so practice tees, each of which is partially enclosed by building structure. Within the ceiling of the building, a single air conditioning unit is mounted having an outlet connected to an elongated manifold and within each enclosure, a vent is provided connected to the manifold and having a louvered outlet allowing adjustment of the direction of air flow from the outlet. A blower motor is located in the duct supplying air to the vent from the manifold and the blower motor includes a fan directed such that rotations of the motor result in blowing of conditioned air through the vent. Each enclosure includes a check control mechanism designed to receive money and responsive to receipt of the proper amount activating the blower motor for a prescribed period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Bruce B. Wetherell
  • Patent number: 6032475
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus for cold merchandise, e.g., food products or containers holding beverages, particularly soft drinks, comprising a cabinet of a substantially rectangular shape in its horizontal cross section having an evaporator (8) and a fan (7) placed at the top within the cabinet (1), and a compressor (9), condenser (10) and fan (11) disposed at the bottom of the cabinet (1), and where a compartment (2) in the cabinet (1) for the beverage container (20) has a rear wall section (2"), a front wall section (16), a bottom section (2'), a top section (12), and side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Norcool A.S.
    Inventor: Ulf Tolfsen
  • Patent number: 5966961
    Abstract: A heating or refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigeration circuit which includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a valve or capillary duct for expansion between the condenser and the evaporator. It also includes a seat or space for material to be temperature-conditioned at the evaporator and at the condenser, each seat being arranged in a heat-exchange relationship with at least one portion of duct of the evaporator or of the condenser of the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Paolo Ziggiotto
  • Patent number: 5927092
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are directed to positioning proximate cooling units in novel ways in refrigerated food service and display units. Preferred embodiments include one or more of the following: (1) positioning the top of a side-pan cooling element above the top of an adjacent food pan; (2) positioning at least a portion of a side-pan cooling element above a portion of the opening of a food pan; (3) positioning multiple side-pan cooling elements between adjacent food pans; (4) movably positioning a side-pan cooling element relative to an adjacent food pan; (5) positioning a plate type side-pan cooling element as a non-linear divider among adjacent food pans, and (6) providing a pan cooler with a low capacity fan which allows cooled air to be recirculated about the food pans substantially independently of air circulation within any storage area of the refrigeration unit. In most preferred embodiments, the pan cooler has a finless sub-pan cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Kairak, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Kushen, Donald Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5722254
    Abstract: A refrigerated serving device is disclosed. The refrigerated serving device is portable. It includes a food chilling area. A compressor is operatively connected to an evaporator coil and a condenser coil forming a refrigeration unit which maintains the food chilling area at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: DeLau Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robin P. Roth, David E. Roth, James D. Woltz
  • Patent number: 5718124
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a counter-top service bowl for chilling various foods and beverages. A miniaturized refrigeration system is secured to the outer surface of the bowl having an evaporator coil disposed within a coil chamber. Air is directed through the chamber and into the middle of the bowl cavity. At the bottom of the bowl is a series of holes lining the bottom of the bowl for induction back into the circulation chamber. In operation the bowl acts as a chiller wherein solid foods such as fruit is chilled by air circulation and associated contact along the surface of the bowl. A bowl liner insertable into the base bowl permits placement of non-solid foods such as fruit salads. The bowl liner seals the circulation chamber forcing air past an evaporator coil and outward through an exhaust port. The bowl liner can be removed for use as a conventional bowl and returned to maintain the chilled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Inventor: Lise Senecal
  • Patent number: 5584187
    Abstract: A refrigeration plant having an associated but detachable receptacle for receiving chilled liquid. The refrigeration plant and receptacle are connected by manually detachable hoses to complete a recirculation system for the chilled liquid. The receptacle is insulated and portable. Beverage cans or other containers can be placed and chilled in the receptacle, and transported to another location. When additional containers are placed in the receptacle to replace those removed for consumption, the receptacle is reconnected to the refrigeration plant. The chilled liquid, which also chills the containers, is then renewed. An aqueous solution including a freeze point depressant, or plain water, is suitable for the chilled liquid. The refrigeration plant preferably includes a strainer and a flow control valve. The receptacle is preferably insulated and open at the top, and also may have a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Glenn E. Whaley
  • Patent number: 5423194
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a counter-top service bowl for chilling various foods and beverages. A miniaturized refrigeration system is secured to the outer surface of the bowl having an evaporator coil disposed within a coil chamber. Air is directed through the chamber and into the middle of the bowl cavity. At the bottom of the bowl is a series of holes lining the bottom of the bowl for induction back into the circulation chamber. In operation the bowl acts as a chiller wherein solid foods such as fruit is chilled by air circulation and associated contact along the surface of the bowl. A bowl liner insertable into the base bowl permits placement of non-solid foods such as fruit salads. The bowl liner seals the circulation chamber forcing air past an evaporator coil and outward through an exhaust port. The bowl liner can be removed for use as a conventional bowl and returned to maintain the chilled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Valany Marketing Inc.
    Inventor: Lise Senecal
  • Patent number: 5388429
    Abstract: Equipment for cooling or maintaining the temperature of food or other products is disclosed. The cooling equipment uses turbulent rather than laminar (or no) airflow to promote and enhance product cooling and contemplates refrigeration tubing contacting the interior sides rather than exterior surfaces of an associated liner. Isolating the airflow system from the ambient environment reduces the possibility of product warming or contamination caused by contact with warmer, debris-laden ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Low Temp Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howell B. Shackelford, Casey F. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 5381672
    Abstract: A diverter directs cold air from a refrigeration unit downwardly onto food stored in bins or pans in the top of a food storage cabinet. The food storage cabinet may include drawers and/or bins for storing food, and also includes a refrigeration unit for providing cold air. A plenum and a plurality of tent like diverters are provided for directing cold air downwardly onto the bins. Vents in the plenum may also be used to direct cold air within the cabinet, onto the drawers, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Omninet Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Haasis
  • Patent number: 5247807
    Abstract: A modular (unitary) refrigerated condiments container is provided for use in a conventional restaurant-type salad bar. The modular refrigerated condiments container comprises a housing having a recessed cold pan in the top thereof and a removable condiment support plate for mounting above the bottom surface of the recessed pan. At least one upstanding wall extends across the recessed pan to divide it into two or more sections for enhanced cooling of condiment holders supported by the condiment support plate. A refrigeration condensing unit is provided and includes refrigerant-containing cooling coils in heat exchange communication with the recessed pan so as to cool the space defined between the recessed pan and the condiment support plate and thereby to cool the condiment holders supported by the condiment support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Fiberglass International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronnie T. Jarman, Joseph E. Johnston, Carl J. Padgett
  • Patent number: 5117649
    Abstract: A food preparation table including a cabinet having a refrigerated base for cooling stored foods, and a refrigerated upper compartment wherein food pans are supported on a pan rail recessed vertically below the top surface of the unit whereby the refrigerator simultaneously maintains a blanket of cool air across the top of the food pan, which is lower than ambient temperature, and the food in the pan is maintained at its desired cooled temperature. An automatic hot gas defrost system prevents ice build-up which would otherwise lower optimum performance of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Glenco-Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mangini, John P. Morris
  • Patent number: 5025639
    Abstract: A patio table has a means for supporting an umbrella, incorporating a central thermally insulated container having access doors or the top surface of the table. The thermal container is cooled by an enclosure containing ice/chemical coolant or alternate refrigeration coils. A tubular member extends from the table top to a base structure of expanded area. The base structure has an enclosure for an alternate electric refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Tammy D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5007250
    Abstract: A portable insulated cooling container comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a handle, the first compartment being separate from the second compartment, the first compartment adapted to receive a plurality of beverage containers and the second compartment adapted to receive a coolant, with the beverage containers being directly accessible from the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: R.V.R. Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Musielak
  • Patent number: 4941327
    Abstract: A compact retail display refrigerator for displaying refrigerated food packages maintained at super chilled temperature comprises a small cabinet with a refrigerated upper compartment containing a row array of package guideways formed of a plurality of vertically extending guide pins upstanding from a perforated base support plate. Self acting spring loaded lift devices mounted within the guideways support stacks of food packages therein and urge them upwardly step-by-step to automatically locate the existing topmost package in each stack at a predetermined selection level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: FreshNes Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Milton C. Miles
  • Patent number: 4856579
    Abstract: A hot and cold frostop for a food and salad bar in which the unit may be utilized to maintain food products at a predetermined serving temperature regardless of whether the food products are those which are desired to be heated or those which are desired to be cooled. The hot mode is used independently of the cold mode and the unit includes removable components and a selectively operable heating unit and refrigeration unit. The heating unit is operative by heating water that is in heat exchange relation to food pans mounted removably on the unit and the refrigeration unit is provided with heat exchange tubes associated with the upper end of the unit for cooling containers having food products therein by utilizing the natural tendency of cold air to migrate downwardly around the periphery of the containers for keep them cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: John J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4848091
    Abstract: A portable refrigerated table-bar useful in the hospitality industry comprises an upright cylindrical cabinet having a table top, a centrally disposed dual tube arrangement for raising or lowering slidingly a pair of trays affixed thereto in spaced apart relation and a thermoelectric refrigerating unit disposed within the lower portion of the cabinet. The sliding movement of the trays is activated by electromechanical means associated therewith. One tray is provided with a plurality of depressions for accomodation of beverage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Instabar Corporation
    Inventor: Solly Border
  • Patent number: 4724682
    Abstract: A container assembly for storing and displaying chilled products such as bottled or canned soft drink beverages and the like comprising a body member, a floor member positioned adjacent the lower end portion of the body member, a tub member adapted to hold products positioned therein located adjacent the upper end portion of the body member, a drain tank assembly positioned intermediate the floor member and the tub member, and a plurality of bracket members attached to the inner wall surface of the body member, each of the bracket members including a plurality of spaced shoulder surfaces adapted for positioning and supporting the floor member, and/or the tub member, and/or the drain tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Paul Flum Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Flum, Jerry M. Mynatt
  • Patent number: 4715195
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapid cooling of bottles, cans or other containers of liquid or of solid materials is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a top-opening cabinet which has a tub for holding liquid and a refrigeration unit for cooling the liquid in the tub. A plate having an opening is placed across the tube and a bag is positioned in the opening so that it extends into the liquid. The bag is made of a thin, flexible, water impervious material and it is sealed across the opening in the plate so that direct access to the liquid is prevented. The container is placed in the bag which then substantially conforms to the shape of that part of the container lying below the surface of the liquid. The container's contents are cooled without the container ever coming into direct contact with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Iosif Kucza
  • Patent number: 4655052
    Abstract: A portable cooler includes a main cavity chest for storing foodstuffs and coolant. An auxiliary cavity is used to store beverages which can be consumed simultaneously while being cooled. A partition separates the main cavity and the auxiliary cavity for enabling cool air to be circulated from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber while preventing items in the main chamber to enter the auxiliary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Luciano F. Garcia
  • Patent number: 4615183
    Abstract: A cold plate for maintaining specimen samples for dissection at desired cooled temperatures includes a metal plate having an aperture therethrough to receive a removable dark frosted glass piece capable of transmitting light therethrough. The metal plate is equipped with an integrally embedded hollow matrix of tubing to circulate a cooling medium delivered from a remotely operated refrigeration system. In addition, a remotely-operated lighting system is provided to illuminate the dark frosted glass piece and the surrounding regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Jorge L. Juncos, Edward Wellner, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 4306616
    Abstract: A refrigerated shelf for a food display counter comprising a sheet of metal having an upper surface for supporting chilled food items and a cooling coil at the underside of the shelf, the coil being adapted for the flow of coolant therethrough for cooling the shelf. Heat transfer means in heat-exchange relation with the coil and the underside of the shelf is provided for effecting a substantially uniform temperature condition throughout the upper surface of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John J. Woods, Jr., Robert L. Bergholtz
  • Patent number: 4034572
    Abstract: An open-fronted refrigerated display case permitting shoppers direct access to goods displayed therein which also allows loading thereof by the movement of a loaded cart into a stationary location within the display case from the front direction or the rear direction, the case including a stationary housing which defines a refrigerated enclosure which further defines a front opening and a rear wall area and a case floor, the front opening having an air curtain extending thereover created by the passage of refrigerated air from air outlets along the upper edge of the front opening to air inlets along the lower edge of the front opening, also including an air circuit means to communicate the air from the inlet to the outlet and through the refrigeration device to form the air curtain from refrigerated air, also including a door means extending over at least a portion of the rear wall area with the remainder of the rear wall area covered by a curtain means, the door means being mounted within at least one track
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert R. Morris, James Henry