Frameless Food Guard System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for a frameless food guard are disclosed. Unlike the prior art, embodiments of a frameless food guard do not comprise a support structure for support of the food guard panel components. Advantageously, one or more of the food guard panel components in a frameless food guard not only restrict access to food residing behind the food guard assembly but also operate to carry all or part of the load of the overall system. As a result, a support structure is not required, thereby minimizing the amount of surface that is not easily accessed for cleaning.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application for patent having been assigned Ser. No. 61/302,745, and filed on Feb. 9, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food guard systems and, more particularly, to a food guard system that does not require a support frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food guard systems, sometimes referred to as “sneeze guards,” are required by federal law for any cafeteria-style or self-service-style food establishment. Food guard systems are required to have a front glass panel, often referred to as a main viewing panel, which provides a barrier between the consumer and food that may be either directly accessed by the consumer, i.e. self service, or served to the consumer by an attendant, such as in a cafeteria. Therefore, in general, there are two types of food guard systems, namely, a self-service type of food guard system designed to allow consumers to serve themselves (buffet) and an attendant type of food guard system designed to allow an attendant to serve consumers (cafeteria).

With food guard systems of the self-service type, an opening exists between the lower edge of the main viewing panel and the countertop to allow consumers to access food through the opening. With food guard systems of the attendant type, the main viewing panel extends over most or all of the vertical distance between the top panel of the food guard system and the countertop to eliminate the aforementioned opening. In other words, in an attendant-type food guard system, the main viewing panel separates the consumers from the food such that an attendant, who is located on the opposite side of the food guard system from the consumer, is required in order to access and serve the food.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical cafeteria style, or attendant-serve, food guard system 100 known in the art. In the cafeteria style food guard system 100, a series of fixed panels, including a top panel 105, at least one side panel 110, and a main viewing panel 115 are fixed to a support structure 120. The panels operate to define an open backed space over a food service counter (not shown), or some other surface (not shown), such that consumers may view the food through the panels without having direct access to the same. The main viewing panel 115 operates to define a plane that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the food service counter. Further, the leading edge 115LE of the main viewing panel 115 is positioned such that the gap between the leading edge 115LE and the food service counter is minimized, thereby prohibiting consumer access to any food residing behind and under the system. Notably, when using the cafeteria style food guard system 100, food is accessed by an attendant through the open back of the space defined by the panels. The food is ultimately served by the attendant to the consumer by passing the food over the top panel 105 or around side panel 110.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical buffet style, or self-service, food guard system 200 known in the art. In the food guard system 200, the main viewing panel 115 and top panel 105 previously described relative to a cafeteria style system 100 is effectively combined, from a functional standpoint, into a single main viewing panel 215. The main viewing panel 215 is fixed to a support structure 220 along with at least one side panel 210. Similar to the cafeteria style system 100, a typical buffet style system 200 operates to define an open backed space over a food service counter. Notably, the buffet style system 200 provides some protection to the food from airborne contaminants, as does the cafeteria style system 100, but the leading edge 215LE of the main viewing panel 215 is positioned well above the food service counter. Advantageously, when using a buffet style system 200, no attendant is required as consumers may directly access, i.e. self-serve, the food by reaching under the main viewing panel 215.

The prior art embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are typical examples of cafeteria and buffet type food guard designs, respectively. The prior art in food guard systems, not surprisingly, varies substantially according to specific applications and/or aesthetic requirements and, as such, FIGS. 1 and 2 are included herein for the purpose of depicting typical functionality and component combinations common across the industry and are not meant to represent the sum total of food guard configurations currently known in the art. Regardless of the particular food guard embodiment that may be employed in the prior art, however, a common aspect among all is the inclusion of some sort of support structure or frame, such as exemplary elements 120 and 220. While necessary in the prior art, the support structure of a food guard system can significantly complicate the process of keeping the system clean.

In many food service establishments (if not all) that make use of a food guard system, a priority is keeping the food guard clean. The panel components, which provide the primary means of protection for the food, are easily wiped down, for the most part, and kept sanitary. Keeping the panel components clean, however, is only part of the battle. To thoroughly clean a food guard system, each and every component must be sanitized. In many embodiments, keeping the entire system clean can be a tedious task.

For instance, food guards can become unsanitary from any number of sources including splashed food, air borne particles, contact with hands, contact with clothing, etc. Further, the contamination from those sources can find its way to the surface of any component comprised within the given food guard system or, perhaps even worse, into a hard to reach nook or cranny between components. Referring back to the typical embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, thoroughly cleaning the nooks, crannies and recesses inherent to the support structure elements or created by the juxtaposition of the support structure elements to the panel elements can be nearly impossible. In fact, for many embodiments, a thorough cleaning would require nothing less than a full disassembly of the food guard system so that each and every component could be properly sanitized.

Accordingly, a need exists for a food guard system that minimizes inaccessible surfaces within the system, thereby providing for convenient and efficient cleaning of the entire system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments, aspects and features of the present invention encompass a system and/or a method for a frameless food guard system. Advantageously, embodiments of a frameless food guard system minimize the amount of surfaces, nooks or crannies comprised within the system that cannot be easily reached for cleaning. Further, embodiments of a frameless food guard system provide for an unimpeded view of food residing behind or beneath the system.

Embodiments of a frameless food guard system are comprised of a series of panels connected to one another via a series of connector components. The connectors collectively operate to mechanically couple one panel component to another, thereby producing a substantially rigid structure. Further, the connector components comprised within embodiments of a frameless food guard system may be of a bracket style, channel style, adhesive, clamp or any other connector suitable for mechanically coupling with a panel. Importantly, while features and aspects of the connector components comprised within various embodiments of a frameless food guard system may be novel in and of themselves, inclusion or exclusion of any given connector component within a frameless food guard system will not limit the scope of this disclosure.

Panel components for a given embodiment may include side panels, main viewing panels, top panels or any combination thereof. Importantly, unlike typical food guard systems known in the art, some, or all, of the panel components in a frameless food guard system not only provide a barrier to food access but also are load bearing members of the overall system. Further, panel components may be comprised of plexi-glass, glass, metal, plastic or any material suitable for a panel component in a food guard system.

To be clear, food guard systems commonly known in the art rely upon a support structure of some kind to mount and position the panel components. Also, while some prior art embodiments are configured for “suspension” applications which hang over a surface, many prior art embodiments utilize the support structure components to actually secure the overall system to a surface. Regardless, the panel components of prior embodiments are “passive” components included primarily for food protection and access restriction and, as such, are not load bearing members of the overall structure.

Advantageously, unlike the prior art, embodiments of a frameless food guard system do not require support structure components. Rather, the panel components themselves are configured as structural members that may actually carry/distribute the load of the overall structure or adjacent system components. As such, frameless food guard systems have very few, if any, surfaces that are not easily accessed and cleaned. Further, because frameless food guard systems do not require a support structure, the view of the food protected by the system is not impeded.

Also, embodiments of frameless food guard systems may be suitable for cafeteria applications, buffet applications, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a known cafeteria style food guard system, having a series of panels fixedly attached to a support structure.

FIG. 2 depicts a known buffet style food guard system, having a series of panels fixedly attached to a support structure.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system, configured for a buffet application.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system, configured for a cafeteria application.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a non-limiting example of a scalable frameless food guard system featuring a series of panels, configured for a cafeteria application.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assembly suitable for use with a frameless food guard system.

FIG. 10 illustrates the exemplary detachable accessory depicted in FIG. 9 in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assembly suitable for use with a frameless food guard system.

FIG. 12 illustrates the exemplary detachable accessory depicted in FIG. 11 in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments and aspects of the present invention provide a solution to the above-described needs in the art, as well as other needs in the art, by providing a food guard system that does not require a support frame. An advantageous aspect of embodiments of a frameless food guard system is that there is not a support frame to impede sanitization of the overall system. Another advantage of a frameless food guard system is that the view of the food residing beneath or behind various embodiments is not obstructed by support components typically associated with a support frame.

Turning now to the figures, where like labels represent like elements throughout the drawings, various aspects, features and embodiments of a frameless food guard system will be presented in more detail. The examples as set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation and are not meant as limitations on the scope of a frameless food guard system. A frameless food guard system thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Unlike the prior art food guard systems described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a frameless food guard system does not comprise a support frame but, rather, distributes the load of the various components across the panel components themselves in conjunction with a series of connecting fastener or bracket components. Such is an important difference because the panel components in the prior art are supported by a support frame such that the panels only provide for a barrier between a consumer and the food stored beneath and do not carry any of the load of the overall system (outside, perhaps, the portion of the overall load that is attributable to the given panel component itself). By distributing all or part of the additional weight-related forces of the overall food guard system onto given panel components, a food guard system can be constructed without a supporting frame structure. The end result is a system that is both cost effective to manufacture and efficient to keep clean once assembled.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system 300, configured for a buffet application. The main viewing panel 315 of the embodiment is positioned such that its lower edge 315LE is raised above the surface upon which the system is mounted (not shown). As such, the particular embodiment is suitable for a buffet application wherein consumers may access food residing behind the embodiment in a self-serve manner. Again, embodiments of a frameless food guard system may be suitable for any number of applications and, as such, one skilled in the art will understand that the particular arrangements depicted herein are offered for exemplary purposes only and will not limit the scope of a frameless food guard system.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the exemplary system 300 is comprised of three panel components including a main viewing panel 315 and two side panels 310. The panels are mechanically coupled via a series of connector components 320 that operate to bind the structure together. In the present embodiment of the system 300, the side panels 310 are load bearing panels that carry the weight of the main viewing panel 315. The weight of the main viewing panel 315, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, is distributed to the side panels 310 via the connector components 320. In addition to carrying the load of the overall system, the side panels 310 also provide protection and restricted access to any food residing beneath the system. Also comprised within the food guard system 300 are connector components 325 in communication with the lower edges of the side panel components. These “foot” connectors 325, while not required in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system, provide a means for securing the overall structure to a surface, such as a countertop, for example.

Notably, in the exemplary embodiment of the food guard system 300, both the connector components 320 and the foot connectors 325 comprise curved or chamfered features that, advantageously, reduce surface area susceptible to deposit of food or contaminants while maintaining an ease for being cleaned. That is, one skilled in the art of sanitation will understand that the curved profile and chamfered edges of the connector and foot components provide for quick and easy wiping, scrubbing, washing or the like as such component profiles minimize nooks, crannies and crevices that cannot be properly cleaned with traditionally available cleaning supplies and techniques.

Another advantageous aspect of the frameless food guard system 300 is that the connector components 320 are configured to position the left and right edges of main viewing panel 315 to at least partially overlap (i.e., cover) the leading edges 310LE of the side panels 310. While such panel positioning is not required in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system in accordance with the invention, many frameless food guard systems in accordance with the invention are configured such that the left and right edges of the main viewing panel 315 at least partially overlap, or cover, the leading edges 310LE of the side panels 310 in order to minimize the possibility that airborne contaminants may find a way through a space between the side panels 310 and the left and right edges of the main viewing panel 315.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the frameless food guard system 300 depicted in FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4 illustration, the connector components 320 used for securing the main viewing panel 315 to the two side panels 310 can be seen in isolation. Importantly, the particular connector components 320 depicted in the drawings are not required in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system. Some embodiments may employ an adhesive, a channel component configured to receive the full edges of panel components, or any other connector means known in the art. Along these lines, it will be noted that features and aspects of various components comprised within various embodiments of a frameless food guard system, such as the exemplary connector components depicted in the figures, may be novel in and of themselves. Even so, the scope of a frameless food guard system will not be limited by the inclusion or exclusion of any component, regardless of whether or not such component, in and of itself, comprises novel aspects, shown in the figures. To this end, the embodiments depicted in the figures are offered for exemplary purposes only and will not be construed as limiting the scope of a frameless food guard system.

Returning to the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the connector components 320 are configured in parts that are at substantially 90 degrees to each other such that when mechanically coupled with the main viewing panel 315 and a side panel 310, the planes defined by those panels are positioned substantially at right angles, i.e., perpendicularly, to each other. Further, for the particular connector components 320 shown in FIG. 4, the panels 310, 315 are received in grooves within the connector components 320 and held in place via adhesive, a compression fit, a gasket or some other means for creating a useful coefficient of friction. Again, the connector components 320 depicted are exemplary in nature and, even though the connector components used within an embodiment of a frameless food guard system may comprise novel features or aspects, the inclusion or exclusion of any given connector component will not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Further seen in FIG. 4, the foot components 325 are configured to receive a fastener package 325F through a hole in the side panels 310. Also, as is known in the art, a fastener package may include spacers or washers in order to minimize or alleviate movement of the fastener relative to the receiving component, i.e., a foot component 325 in the illustrative embodiment.

Advantageously, the foot components 325 and connector components 320 depicted in the present figures are designed to have smooth, chamfered edges and overall curved features such that crevices and recesses are minimized and, as such, are easily cleaned. Even so, such unique and novel connector design, while desirable in many applications for a frameless food guard system, is not required in all embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example of a frameless food guard system 500, configured for a cafeteria application. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 is very similar to that which has been described relative to FIGS. 3 and 4. The main viewing panel 515 of the system 500, however, extends all the way down to the serving surface, thereby preventing direct access to food residing behind the system. Also, different from the exemplary embodiment of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main viewing panel 515, in addition to the side panels 510, may be positioned to carry part of the load of the overall system. For instance, top panel 505, by virtue of being connected to side panels 510 and main viewing panel 515 via top panel connector components 520T, has a load that is distributed across both side panels 510 and the main viewing panel 515. As such, in the exemplary FIG. 5 embodiment 500, each of the side panels 510 and main viewing panel 515 serve “double duty” as a load bearing structural member of the overall system and as a barrier to food that may be residing beneath the space defined by the embodiment 500.

Notably, although in the FIG. 5 embodiment the main viewing panel 515 is a load bearing member of the system, not all embodiments of a frameless food guard will be assembled such that the main viewing panel, or any given panel for that matter, is a load bearing member. Also, it will be noted that the main viewing panel 515 depicted in the exemplary embodiment 500 features a curved profile but such is not required in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system. Moreover, it will be understood that the description and claiming of panel components comprised in various embodiments as being perpendicular to, substantially perpendicular, at an angle to, or any other language indicating orientation relative to, another component or reference point will not preclude any component from featuring a curved profile such as the exemplary main viewing panel 515 of the system 500. Further, such positional language will be understood to not limit the relative positioning of the given component being described.

Moreover, one skilled in the art will notice that the main viewing panel 515 is dimensioned (and positioned via the connector means 520M) such that the forward facing edges of the side panels are covered. As has been described, it is an advantage of such a design feature that food exposure to air borne particle ingress through the “cracks” between the panels can be minimized or altogether alleviated. Also depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 are multiple embodiments of foot components 525S, 525M. Notably, the foot components 525S shown beneath side panels 510 are similar to those described relative to the prior figures. The main viewing panel 515 foot components 525M depicted in the exemplary embodiment are included for structural support of the main viewing panel 515 and are not required in all embodiments. Unlike the side panel foot components 525S, the exemplary main viewing panel foot components 525M do not feature fastener packages for rigid attachment to the panel or to the surface over which the embodiment is placed. Even so, such features and aspects are exemplary and not necessarily comprised within all embodiments of a main viewing panel foot component. To be clear, the foot components 525S and 525M are just two exemplary embodiments of foot components that may be included in some embodiments of a frameless food guard system and, as such, the inclusion or exclusion of either or any foot component in any given embodiment of a frameless food guard system will not be construed as a limitation on scope.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of the frameless food guard system 500 depicted in FIG. 5. For the most part, the exemplary components depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 are comparable to those depicted and described relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. Notably, as described above, the exemplary foot components 525M shown beneath the lower edge of the main viewing panel 515 do not require fasteners. Instead, the illustrative foot components 525M comprise grooves configured to receive the main viewing panel 515 and provide additional support and overall stability. Again, the connector and foot components 525S, 525M depicted are offered for exemplary purposes and all embodiments of a frameless food guard system do not necessarily require the types of connectors and foot components shown. Such is included and described herein for illustrative purposes only and will not be relied upon to suggest that all foot components in a frameless food guard embodiment that are configured to mechanically couple with another component will comprise just such a fastener package.

FIG. 7 is a non-limiting example of an illustrative embodiment of a scalable frameless food guard system 700 featuring a series of panels, configured for a cafeteria application. Certainly, although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 is depicted as a cafeteria style configuration, it should be noted that other embodiments of a scalable frameless food guard system will be configured for other applications such as, but not limited to, buffet applications.

Advantageously, many embodiments of a frameless food guard system of the invention are scalable in that additional connectors may be employed to extend the overall structure for a given application. The scalable system 700 depicted in FIG. 7 is essentially an extension of that shown and described relative to FIGS. 5 and 6. Again, while the scalable system 700 shown in FIG. 7 is of a cafeteria style, one skilled in the art will understand that buffet embodiments may also be scalable.

Seen in FIG. 7, panel connectors 720E with opposing grooves are used to position adjacent main viewing panels 715A, 715B in substantially the same plane. Notably, one skilled in the art will understand that by replacing connector components 720M, which are configured to position an end panel component 710 relative to a main viewing panel component 715, with expansion components 720E, an indefinite number of main viewing panels 715C . . . 715n (not shown) could be connected in series, thus lengthening the overall assembly. Also, a divider panel 710D may be positioned behind the main viewing panels 715A, 715B . . . 715n such that any “crack” or space between the main viewing panels is taken up by the leading edge of the divider panel 710D. Advantageously, such a configuration may drastically reduce potential exposure of food to air borne contamination, as has been disclosed herein previously.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each of the panel components may be configured to bear all or part of the load of the overall system. As in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system, the lack of a support structure in the embodiment of FIG. 7 facilitates easy and efficient cleaning of the system because inaccessible surfaces are minimized.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment 700 of a frameless food guard system depicted in FIG. 7. Many of the components shown in FIG. 8 are similar to those described relative to FIGS. 3 and 4. The expansion connector components 720E are configured to position adjacent panels in a substantially parallel plane whereas the exemplary connector components 720M are operable to position panel components in substantially perpendicular planes. Notably, some embodiments of an expansion connector component 720E may also position divider panels 710D in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the main viewing panel components. Also, exemplary foot connectors 725S and 725M can be shown with exemplary fastener packages 725F exploded for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assembly suitable for use with a frameless food guard system. More specifically, the exemplary detachable accessory assembly embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 is of a food warmer and bracket system that may be secured, via the exemplary slip-style bracket components, along the edge of a frameless food guard panel component. Notably, although the depicted detachable accessory assembly comprises a food warmer component, one skilled in the art will understand that any number of accessories may be mechanically coupled to a frameless food guard system, or any food guard system having an exposed panel edge for that matter, via a slip-style bracket or other bracket feature easily coupled with, and de-coupled from, a panel edge.

The exemplary detachable accessory assembly depicted in FIG. 9 is of a food warmer type 905 such as that typically known in the art for receiving and retaining warming devices (details not shown). The accessory 905, or some other component comprised within a detachable accessory assembly, may be configured to receive wiring from an electrical power source via a flexible or rigid conduit 920, which may be securable via any number of bracket 925 mechanisms known in the art.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a frameless food guard system that incorporates the exemplary food warmer type detachable accessory assembly shown in FIG. 9. When mounted under the top panel 505 of a frameless food guard system, or other type of food guard system, the food warmer 905 type detachable accessory assembly operates to position a heat source over any food residing beneath the food guard system. Advantageously, a food warmer 905 type detachable accessory assembly such as that shown in FIG. 9 is useful for warming the area beneath the food guard system so that the food product residing beneath the food guard system remains at a suitable serving temperature.

A disadvantage of typical food warmer type accessory assemblies, and other food guard accessory assemblies known in the art, however, is that the bracket assemblies employed for mechanically coupling the accessory to the various food guard systems is not easily coupled and de-coupled for cleaning. Similar to what has been described relative to food guard frames, the addition of accessories can complicate cleaning procedures because the accessory introduces numerous cracks and crevices that may contain contamination sources. Further, assembly attachment methodologies presently known in the art are not easily removed for thorough sanitation. The exemplary detachable accessory assembly depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 comprises features and aspects that operate to overcome these limitations, and other limitations, of food guard accessories known in the art.

Referring back to the FIG. 9 embodiment of a detachable accessory assembly, a slip-style bracket 900 component is depicted fastened to the ends of the food warmer accessory 905. The exemplary bracket 900 comprises a support structure 910 having an extension 910E that operates to suspend an attachment head 915 at a distance above the food warmer accessory 905. Advantageously, when the attachment head 915 is in communication with a food guard panel edge, the overall weight of the detachable accessory assembly operates to place a moment arm on the attachment head 915, thereby securely suspending the overall assembly beneath the panel.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 10, which depicts the exemplary FIG. 9 detachable accessory assembly in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5, an attachment head 915 comprising a top element 915T and a bottom element 915B separated by a gap 915G can be seen. The gap 915G is dimensioned such that it can slidably receive the back edge 505BE of the top panel component 505. Once the panel back edge 505BE is inserted into the gap 915G, the moment arm resulting from the weight of the accessory 905 operates to apply a force, via the top element 915T, down onto the top of the food guard panel 505. Once in communication with the food guard panel 505 in this way, the bottom element 915B, in conjunction with a suitably sized gap 915G, prevents the accessory from “swinging” away from the underside of the panel component 505.

Again, an advantage of such a detachable accessory assembly is that it can be easily communicated and de-communicated from the food guard system without requiring the removal of fasteners. Additionally, the exemplary detachable accessory assembly doesn't require the structural rigidity of the food guard panel be compromised with bored holes or other means that may be required for fixing accessory assemblies currently known in the art to a food guard system.

It should be noted that some embodiments of a detachable accessory assembly for food guard systems may comprise other bracket designs and/or attachment head configurations that vary from the exemplary embodiment depicted and described relative to FIGS. 9 and 10. The embodiment depicted and described relative to FIGS. 9 and 10 is offered for illustrative purposes only and will not be construed to limit the disclosure concerning detachable accessory assemblies for food guard systems. One skilled in the art will understand that a detachable accessory assembly for food guard systems will comprise features and aspects, though possibly novel in and of themselves, that operate to position a food guard accessory, such as a food warmer for example, relative to a food guard system panel component without requiring that the structural rigidity of the panel be compromised in any way. For example, attachment heads of various embodiments may include rubber components or other high friction components useful for inhibiting the detachable accessory assembly from slipping, pinching components, slip-fit components, set screws, squeezing mechanisms, spring-loaded mechanisms, or the like. Further, various embodiments of a detachable accessory assembly for food guard systems may operate to place an accessory in an advantageous position relative to any panel or component comprised within a food guard system such as, but not limited to, under a food guard panel, to the side of a food guard panel, over a food guard panel, perpendicular to a food guard panel, parallel to a food guard panel, etc.

FIG. 11 is another non-limiting example of a detachable accessory assembly suitable for use with a frameless food guard system. Similar to the exemplary embodiment depicted and described relative to FIG. 9, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 also comprises a slip-style style bracket 1100 component, shown fastened to the ends of a light box accessory 1105. The exemplary bracket 1100 comprises a support structure 1110 that operates to suspend an attachment head 1115 at a distance above the light box accessory 1105. Advantageously, when the attachment head 1115 is in communication with a food guard vertical panel edge, the weight of the light box or other applicable accessory operates to place a downward force on the attachment head, thereby securely suspending the accessory beneath the panel.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIG. 12 which depicts the exemplary FIG. 11 detachable accessory assembly in communication with an exemplary cafeteria style frameless food guard system such as the one described relative to FIG. 5, an attachment head 1115 comprising a gap 1115G can be seen. The gap 1115G is dimensioned such that it can slidably receive the top edge 510TE of the vertical side panel component 510. Once the panel top edge 510TE is inserted into the gap 1115G, the downward force resulting from the weight of the accessory 1105 operates to securely “hang” or suspend the accessory between two side panels.

The present frameless food guard systems have been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the system. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of a frameless food guard system. Some embodiments of a frameless food guard system utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of a frameless food guard system that are described and embodiments of a frameless food guard system comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a frameless food guard is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather, the scope of a frameless food guard is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A frameless food guard system, the system comprising:

a plurality of panel components, wherein at least one of the panel components is a load bearing member of the system and is positioned to provide structural support to an adjacent panel; and

one or more connector components, wherein each of the one or more connector components operate to position at least two panel components adjacently; and

wherein the plurality of panel components and connector components operate to define a space over a surface.

2. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein the one or more connector components are separable from the panel components.

3. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more foot components, wherein the one or more foot components are mechanically coupled with at least one of the panel components and configured to position the system relative to said surface.

4. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one or more connector components is configured to position at least two panel components in substantially a same plane.

5. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one or more connector components is configured to position at least two panel components in substantially perpendicular planes.

6. The frameless food guard system of claim 5, wherein one of the two panel components is positioned such that it overlaps the juxtaposed edge of an adjacently positioned panel component.

7. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the connector components further comprises a gasket component.

8. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the connector components feature chamfered edges.

9. The frameless food guard system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panel components comprises:

at least one main viewing panel component, wherein said main viewing panel component is positioned at an angle to said surface and operates to provide a barrier to access to the space defined by the system.

10. The frameless food guard system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of panel components further comprises:

at least one side panel component, wherein the side panel component is positioned substantially perpendicular to the main viewing panel component such that a substantially vertical edge of the side panel component is overlapped by a surface of the main viewing panel component.

11. The frameless food guard system of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one top panel component, wherein the top panel component is positioned substantially parallel to said surface.

12. A scalable and frameless food guard system operable to define a space over a surface, the system comprising:

a plurality of panel components, wherein: at least one of the panel components is a load bearing member of the system and is positioned to provide structural support to an adjacent panel; at least two of the panel components are main viewing panel components positioned at an angle to said surface and configured to provide a barrier to access to the space defined by the system; at least one of the panel components is a side panel component, wherein the side panel component is positioned substantially perpendicular to said at least two main viewing panel components; and

one or more connector components, wherein: each of the one or more connector components operates to position at least two panel components adjacently; and at least one of the connector components is configured to position the at least two main viewing panel components in a substantially common plane.

13. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, wherein at least one or more of the connector components are configured to position at least one or more additional main viewing panels in a substantially common plane with the at least two main viewing panels.

14. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, wherein at least one or more of the connector components are configured to position two main viewing panel components in a substantially common plane and a side panel component in a different plane.

15. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 14, wherein the at least one or more connector components configured to position two main viewing panel components in a substantially common plane and a side panel component in a different plane further operates to position the edge of the side panel component in substantial alignment with a gap between the adjacent edges of the main viewing panel components.

16. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, further comprising one or more foot components, wherein the one or more foot components are in communication with a panel component and configured to position the system relative to said surface.

17. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, wherein the one or more connector components are separable from the panel components.

18. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, wherein one or more of the connector components further comprises a gasket component.

19. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, wherein one or more of the connector components feature chamfered edges.

20. The scalable and frameless food guard system of claim 12, further comprising at least one top panel component, wherein the top panel component is positioned substantially parallel to said surface.