Patents by Inventor Robert C. Fortmann

Robert C. Fortmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10485381
    Abstract: A food storage container is provided. The container includes a housing with a bottom, a first side wall, and a second side wall fixed to the first side wall that defines a food storage volume therewithin. The first side wall extends from a first end portion that includes a first peg that extends therefrom in a direction parallel with a plane through the first side wall. A third side wall is removably mounted to the first peg, wherein when mounted to the first peg, the third side wall establishes a barrier of the food storage volume different than barriers of the food storage volume provided by the bottom, the first side wall, and the second side wall. When the third side wall is removed from the first peg, the food storage volume may be accessed through a void left by the removal of the third side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda
  • Patent number: 10408885
    Abstract: A method of displaying a battery life for a warming cart battery is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting with a processor that a warming cart battery voltage is out of range of a predetermined threshold, determining with a processor an operation state of each of a plurality of periphery warming cart devices, and automatically setting a battery scale of a warming cart battery based on which of the plurality of periphery warming cart devices are in an active operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cooper Bohn, Richard Joseph Paddock, Jr., Jeffrey S. Erber, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 10258197
    Abstract: A modular holding cabinet is provided. The cabinet includes a housing defining an internal volume and an open front providing access into the internal volume. The housing supports at least one plate therewithin. The housing supports one or more end walls that are each aligned spaced outboard from an end face of a plate such that an air gap is established therebetween. The internal volume defines a plurality of discrete heating zones located above each of the one or more plates, each discrete heating zone receives heat from a first heater disposed within the respective plate and a plurality of second heaters disposed above the respective plate. The housing includes a plurality of displays and a plurality of inputs, with one of the plurality of displays and one of the plurality of inputs associated with each discrete heating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda
  • Publication number: 20170328958
    Abstract: A method of displaying a battery life for a warming cart battery is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting with a processor that a warming cart battery voltage is out of range of a predetermined threshold, determining with a processor an operation state of each of a plurality of periphery warming cart devices, and automatically setting a battery scale of a warming cart battery based on which of the plurality of periphery warming cart devices are in an active operation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cooper Bohn, Richard Joseph Paddock, JR., Jeffrey S. Erber, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20170079476
    Abstract: A food storage container is provided. The container includes a housing with a bottom, a first side wall, and a second side wall fixed to the first side wall that defines a food storage volume therewithin. The first side wall extends from a first end portion that includes a first peg that extends therefrom in a direction parallel with a plane through the first side wall. A third side wall is removably mounted to the first peg, wherein when mounted to the first peg, the third side wall establishes a barrier of the food storage volume different than barriers of the food storage volume provided by the bottom, the first side wall, and the second side wall. When the third side wall is removed from the first peg, the food storage volume may be accessed through a void left by the removal of the third side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda
  • Publication number: 20160249770
    Abstract: A food storage container is provided. The container includes a housing with a bottom, a first side wall, and a second side wall fixed to the first side wall that defines a food storage volume therewithin. The first side wall extends from a first end portion that includes a first peg that extends therefrom in a direction parallel with a plane through the first side wall. A third side wall is removably mounted to the first peg, wherein when mounted to the first peg, the third side wall establishes a barrier of the food storage volume different than barriers of the food storage volume provided by the bottom, the first side wall, and the second side wall. When the third side wall is removed from the first peg, the food storage volume may be accessed through a void left by the removal of the third side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Carter Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda
  • Patent number: 9126613
    Abstract: A cart is provided. The cart includes a plurality of walls to define an internal volume and a top surface. The top surface comprises a planar portion that is enclosed by edges along its perimeter, some or all of the edges including upstanding portions that extend above the planar portion. One or more of the upstanding portions includes an open portion proximate to the intersecting adjacent edge that forms a gap therebetween. A plurality of caps are provided, with a cap disposed upon each corner to contact the planar portion and the upstanding portions of the edges and enclose the gap in each corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Carter Hoffmann, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Savage, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20150191192
    Abstract: A cart is provided. The cart includes a plurality of walls to define an internal volume and a top surface. The top surface comprises a planar portion that is enclosed by edges along its perimeter, some or all of the edges including upstanding portions that extend above the planar portion. One or more of the upstanding portions includes an open portion proximate to the intersecting adjacent edge that forms a gap therebetween. A plurality of caps are provided, with a cap disposed upon each corner to contact the planar portion and the upstanding portions of the edges and enclose the gap in each corner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Carter Hoffmann, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Savage, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 8695489
    Abstract: A cooked food staging device and method are provided. The device and method are particularly suited for storing breaded, battered or bread food items for extended periods of time without becoming soggy. A heated compartment having a slot has a flexible member covering at least a portion of the slot to restrict airflow and to permit access to the food items contained therein, which may be contained on trays, without the necessity of removing the tray to view and remove selected food items therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry T. Ewald, Glenn Schackmuth, Paul G. Simmons, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20100288748
    Abstract: A cabinet is provided. The cabinet is configured to receive and support a plurality of trays therein. The cabinet includes a housing defining an enclosure with a top, a bottom, and right and left sides disposed between the top and bottom and a plurality of shelves disposed within the enclosure and disposed between the right and left sides in a spaced relationship. One or more heaters are disposed in conjunction with each of the plurality of shelves. A cover is disposed directly below at least some of the plurality of shelves, and configured to be slidably connected with respect to the shelf for selective placement into the enclosure or removal from the shelf. A control system is in electrical communication with the one or more heaters, and is configured to operate the one or more heaters in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda
  • Patent number: 7732738
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Carter Hoffman, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20080203082
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 7394042
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Carter Hoffman, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 7102103
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20040159646
    Abstract: A banquet cart includes a heater received in an opening in the bottom panel of the banquet cart. Plates of food are loaded into the interior compartment of the banquet cart in the kitchen. The heater includes a central heater unit and two heat retention material heating panels. The central heater unit heats the interior compartment of the banquet cart for twenty minutes. The central heater unit is turned off, and smaller heaters are turned on to heat the heat retention material heating panels for forty minutes. The smaller heaters are turned off and the banquet cart is rolled from the kitchen to a hallway proximate to the dining area for serving the plates of food to guests. The heated heat retention material heating panels can maintain the temperature of the air in the interior compartment of the banquet cart warm for approximately two hours and forty minutes, keeping the food in the banquet cart warm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 5852967
    Abstract: A food treatment system having a frame, a receptacle having a peripheral wall defining a space for storage of a food item and an opening through which a food item can be introduced to the storage space, and a conditioning source for changing the state of fluid in the food treatment space defined by the frame. The frame has a first wall against which the receptacle bears with the receptacle in an operative position with respect to the frame. The frame has a second wall which is spaced from the first wall so that the first and second walls cooperatively define the food treatment space. The second wall at least partially blocks the receptacle opening with the receptacle in the operative position. At least one of the first and second walls is movable relative to the other of the first and second walls to vary the spacing between the first and second walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Jeffrey S. Erber, Lawrence G. Banovez
  • Patent number: D821050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffman LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cooper Bohn, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: D821051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffman LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cooper Bohn, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: D821052
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffman LLC
    Inventors: Robert Cooper Bohn, Robert C. Fortmann
  • Patent number: D829471
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Carter-Hoffmann LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fortmann, Frank G. Marolda