Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for storing a commodity and a computer readable storage medium. The method for storing a commodity includes: acquiring a temperature of the commodity; comparing the temperature with temperature thresholds to obtain a comparison result; and determining, according to the comparison result, whether to generate a prompt message for prompting to store the commodity in a thermal insulation device.

Abstract: A bowl may be configured to include an outer body that has a u-shaped cross section, and the outer body may have a bottom configured to support the bowl on a surface, the bottom also including a circular groove around a circumference of the bottom and a bracket within the circular groove, wherein a foot is inserted within the groove, and wherein the foot is secured to the circular groove by the bracket. The bowl may include an inner body, wherein the inner body is concave and dome-shaped. The inner body may hold a liquid or solid, and the inner body is connected to an upper edge of the outer body. An internal cavity is formed by the outer body and inner body, and the internal cavity is insulative. The connection formed by the upper edge of the outer body and the inner body may be seamless.

Abstract: A food storage system including a secondary bowl that is adapted to be positioned at least partially on and/or in a main lid. The secondary bowl is adapted to be detachable from the main lid.

Abstract: A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes. The device has two opposing side walls and a cover panel connecting the side walls at the top. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover panel. The size of the opening is determined as a function of the standard-size containers to be placed in the opening. A laterally projecting opposite edges of the containers extend beyond the opening. Two opposing groove-like slots are on each of side walls below the opening. A tub for the purpose of tempering has two opposing, laterally projecting edges which are dimensioned to extend over the edges of the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, and which can be slid into the opposing slots in the side walls.

Abstract: A food container suitable for home entertainment and dining purposes having a chamber for containing a temperature altering device or insert and apparatus to secure the device within the chamber during use, the container arranged for convenient and rapid exchange of pre-cooled or pre-heated inserts by providing magnetically coupled base units to retain the inserts.

Abstract: A refrigerating assembly temporarily stores an item at a first temperature lower than an ambient temperature. A container receives the item and a shell is adapted for removably receiving the container therein. The container has a sidewall having a cavity therein containing an amount of a refrigerant medium having a second temperature lower than the ambient temperature for temporarily maintaining the item received in the container at the first temperature. The shell has an outer surface which is at the ambient temperature and an inner surface which has a layer of thermally insulating material mounted thereon for thermally insulating the shell from the container, thereby maintaining the outer surface at the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A temperature maintenance system for use with nested containers includes a segmented wall liner assembly and removable cover. The segmented wall liner assembly includes a plurality of segments formed in an array, with each of the segments connected to at least one of the other of the segments, and which extend radially outward from a central point. Each of the segments has a plurality of sections, and each of the sections has a central compartment which contains phase change material. The segmented wall liner assembly is capable of changing from a substantially flat, open position, to an angular position when removably disposed in-between the nested containers, and the nested containers have substantially concave surfaces, whereby the segments conform to the substantially concave surfaces when the segmented wall liner assembly is in the angular position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a serving dish mat adapted to maintain the serving temperature of a supported article and further prevent damage to an underlying support surface. The mat comprises a geometric shape having a thermally insulating base surface, a thermally conductive upper surface and an internal gel-like material therebetween that is readily freezable or heated. The gel material is one of high specific heat capacity and high enthalpy of fusion that is pre-heated or frozen, after which it releases heat or draws heat through the thermally conductive upper surface for maintaining a serving dish temperature resting thereupon. The gel slowly dissipates heat when heated and absorbs considerable heat when frozen prior to returning to a liquid state. The base surface insulates the support surface from the temperature of the internal material, while a serving dish temperature is maintained over a period without active heating or cooling sources.

Abstract: A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes. The device has two opposing side walls and a cover panel connecting the side walls at the top. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover panel. The size of the opening is determined as a function of the standard-size containers to be placed in the opening. A laterally projecting opposite edges of the containers extend beyond the opening. Two opposing groove-like slots are on each of side walls below the opening. A tub for the purpose of tempering has two opposing, laterally projecting edges which are dimensioned to extend over the edges of the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, and which can be slid into the opposing slots in the side walls.

Abstract: A bowl holder for a bowl adapted for serving a hot meal includes a top structure configured for a removable placement of the bowl into the bowl holder, a bottom plate, and sidewalls disposed between the top structure and the bottom plate near perimeters thereof.

Abstract: A food tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture extending there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for serving food, which employ stackable containers. The system includes a first container, a second container, and a support structure having top and bottom tiers for receiving the first and second containers, respectively. The first container features two or more compartments into which food may be placed. The second container also features two or more compartments, and both the second container and its compartments can be complementary in size and shape to the first container and its compartments. The second container further includes a means for heating and a means for cooling so that both hot and cold food items may be simultaneously served during a meal. The distance between the first container and the second container when seated on the support structure is such that food items in the first container can be effectively cooled or heated as desired by the second container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container and to a method of storing and heating matter. A container (1) is described as comprising at least one compartment unit comprising a compartment (9, 11) for receiving matter to be steam heated; a reservoir for receiving water; an induction element associated with said reservoir, said element being of a type which, during use the container (1), is heated when placed in an induction field of an induction heating device; and ducting means (25, 33, 37, 23) allowing steam generated in said reservoir to flow into said compartment (9, 11).

Abstract: A two part container adapted to separately hold consumable foodstuffs. The two part container provides a convenient device for transporting different foodstuffs in a separated fashion using a single container.

Abstract: An improved system and methods useful for the cooking of one or more food items by the application of a non-ambient temperature developed within a temperature retentive element. The temperature retentive element can be sized and shaped to form a cooking box in which cooking at a temperature relative to the non-ambient temperature may proceed and from which the food item, when fully cooked, may be served.

Abstract: A bowl holder for a bowl adapted for serving a hot meal includes a top structure configured for a removable placement of the bowl into the bowl holder, a bottom plate, and sidewalls disposed between the top structure and the bottom plate near perimeters thereof.

Abstract: A temperature-retaining food container includes an outer shell having an inner chamber that can be filled with a temperature storing medium. The shell is shaped to provide an expansion zone within the chamber to permit expansion of the medium. A support is formed to provide additional volume to the chamber and the expansion zone. The support structure can optionally be provided to automatically expand in response to an increase in pressure within the chamber. A lid is provided which covers the container and further operates as a serving platter. The shell of the container can optionally be formed from a plurality of separate portions, which interlock to form the complete serving container and disassemble for storage or use with smaller or crowded appliances.

Abstract: A food and beverage storage and serving vessel includes an inner container, an outer container, and a removable lid. The outer container has a hollow chamber that extends through a bottom wall and a side wall of the outer container. The chamber is filled with a phase change material that stays cold for an extended period of time when chilled, or stays hot for an extended period of time when heated. The inner container is removably assembled into the outer container, where surface contact between the inner container and outer container transfers the cold/heat of the phase change material to a food or beverage contained in the inner container.

Abstract: A temperature-retaining food container includes an outer shell having an inner chamber that can be filled with a temperature storing medium. The shell is shaped to provide an expansion zone within the chamber to permit expansion of the medium. A support is formed to provide additional volume to the chamber and the expansion zone. The support structure can optionally be provided to automatically expand in response to an increase in pressure within the chamber. A lid is provided which covers the container and further operates as a serving platter. The shell of the container can optionally be formed from a plurality of separate portions, which interlock to form the complete serving container and disassemble for storage or use with smaller or crowded appliances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for maintaining container contents in a desired ambient temperature and a container assembly for achieving the same. The method incorporates use of a container assembly comprising an outer bowl member, an inner vessel member and a lid member, all of which are constructed with porous materials. Critically-select portions of the outer bowl member, the inner vessel member and the lid member are glazed with a vapor-impervious coating while the remaining portions of the container assembly are left unglazed. The glazed portions thus provide an avenue for vapor or liquid media, emanating from temperature-maintaining matter, to permeate through the interstitial pores of the material by entering and exiting through the unglazed portions of the container assemblage. Container contents, housed in the lidded inner vessel member, are thus more efficiently maintained in a desired ambient temperature.

Abstract: A food serving container for keeping food articles chilled while being served. The food serving container includes an exterior bowl member designed for being positioned on a support surface. A cooling member is selectively positioned against an interior surface of the exterior bowl member. The cooling member is designed for being frozen. An interior bowl member is selectively coupled to the exterior bowl member whereby the cooling member is positioned between the interior bowl member and the external bowl member when the cooling member is positioned against the exterior bowl member and the interior bowl member is coupled to the exterior bowl member. The interior bowl member is substantially concave whereby the interior bowl member is designed for receiving the food articles. The cooling member is designed for cooling the food articles in the interior bowl member to inhibit spoiling of the food articles positioned in the interior bowl member.

Abstract: A freezer insert, a warmer insert or a freezer/warmer insert designed for use inside plastic food containers conforms to the bottom of the various sizes and shapes of the most popular plastic food containers sold under brand names such as Ziplock, Glad, Tupperware. The insert is a flat disk and contains known gels or thermal preservation fluids useful for portable cooling or warming. The insert also can rest on the walls of the container if those walls slope outward in the direction of the opening. The inserts divide the container vertically into cool, extra cool or hot compartments for different types of food. The disk can be round, square or of other shape. The inserts are stackable to allow efficient storage, for example in a freezer or kitchen cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container assembly and method for maintaining container contents in a desired ambient temperature. The device comprises an outer bowl member, an inner vessel member and a lid member, all of which are constructed with porous materials. Critically-select portions of the outer bowl member, the inner vessel member and the lid member are glazed with a vapor-impervious coating while the remaining portions of the container assembly are left unglazed. The glazed portions thus provide an avenue for vapor or liquid media, emanating from temperature-maintaining matter, to permeate through the interstitial pores of the material by entering and exiting through the unglazed portions of the container assemblage. Container contents, housed in the lidded inner vessel member, are thus more efficiently maintained in a desired ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container assembly and method for maintaining container contents in a desired ambient temperature. The device comprises an outer bowl member, an inner vessel member and a lid member, all of which are constructed with porous materials. Critically-select portions of the outer bowl member, the inner vessel member and the lid member are glazed with a vapor-impervious coating while the remaining portions of the container assembly are left unglazed. The glazed portions thus provide an avenue for vapor or liquid media, emanating from temperature-maintaining matter, to permeate through the interstitial pores of the material by entering and exiting through the unglazed portions of the container assemblage. Container contents, housed in the lidded inner vessel member, are thus more efficiently maintained in a desired ambient temperature.

Abstract: A freezer insert, a warmer insert or a freezer/warmer insert designed for use inside plastic food containers conforms to the bottom of the various sizes and shapes of the most popular plastic food containers sold under brand names such as Ziplock, Glad, Tupperware. The insert is a flat disk and contains known gels or thermal preservation fluids useful for portable cooling or warming. The insert also can rest on the walls of the container if those walls slope outward in the direction of the opening. The inserts divide the container vertically into cool, extra cool or hot compartments for different types of food. The disk can be round, square or of other shape. The inserts are stackable to allow efficient storage, for example in a freezer or kitchen cabinet.

Abstract: A plate mainly used for serving sushi on a revolving conveyor in restaurants. The plate is provided with a central recess with an ice disc set inside and covered with a transparent cover that is prevented from falling off the plate accidentally, so that the interior of the plate being carried on the conveyor is kept cool in order to keep the sushi fresh on the plate and prevent the sushi from coming into contact with outside air.

Abstract: Improved feeding dishes for children. The dishes are microwaveable containers such as plates or bowls having one or more lids thereon. The containers include pressure release opening such as vents for releasing pressure from the container while the dish is heated in a microwave. Automatic vents, which release pressure once the pressure releases a given level, and manual vents, which are opened and closed by the parent, are provided. Preferably, the containers are composites of soft and hard components.

Abstract: An energy-efficient cooker is formed of a main body, an insulation body made integrally with the main body, a base body fitted over the bottom of the main body for making contact with a heat source, and a lid covering an open top of the main body. The main body is provided with a vacuum space which is partially filled with an action fluid to bring about a fast and uniform heat transfer. The insulation body, the base body and the lid are provided with a vacuum space to minimize the loss of heat of the food that is cooked and contained in the main body.