Electric food warming system and method

Abstract

A device is disclosed for warming tortillas and other foods. The device operates with a standard electric alternating current ranging from 110 to 120 volts in the US and 220v -240v in other countries. This appliance is to be used in homes or in businesses for the purpose of warming either corn or flour tortillas in quantities ranging from one up to six at a time. The electric current provides energy to heater elements located within the unit and thus provide the heat necessary to warm the tortillas placed on a plurality of circular loading trays. The loading trays are specially designed to lock-in-place in the open and closed positions and are designed to work with a vertical pivot tube which allows the loading trays a pivot-swivel action for efficiency in the loading and unloading of tortillas.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A control system for a system to heat tortillas, the control system comprising: 
 a. selection means for a user to select corn tortillas or flour tortillas; and,    b. heat control means to control the heat applied to the tortillas depending on whether the user selects corn tortillas or flour tortillas.    
   
   
       17 . A control system according to  claim 16  wherein said heat control means causes more heat to be applied to the tortillas when the user selects corn tortillas than when the user selects flour tortillas.  
   
   
       18 . A control system according to  claim 16  wherein said heat control means comprises means to control the rate at which heat is applied to the tortillas.  
   
   
       19 . A control system according to  claim 16  wherein said heat control means comprises timing means to control the duration of heating the tortillas, wherein the timing means causes the tortillas to be heated for a first predetermined time if the user selects corn tortillas and for a second predetermined time if the user selects flour tortillas.  
   
   
       20 . A control system according to  claim 19  wherein said first predetermined time is longer than said second predetermined time.  
   
   
       21 . A control system according to  claim 19  wherein said first predetermined time is about 50% to about 80% longer than said second predetermined time.  
   
   
       22 . A control system according to  claim 19  wherein said first predetermined time is about 65% longer than said second predetermined time.  
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 19  further comprising a timing adjustment control to permit a user to vary the duration of heating the tortillas from the predetermined times.