Food preparation and storage device

Abstract

A food storage and preparation device ( 10, 50, 100 ) is provided for more rapidly cooling or heating a mass of food or other product contained within a storage pan. The device includes a plurality of air contact fins ( 20 ) which rapidly convey heat to and from the ambient surrounding air and a plurality of food contact fins ( 22, 56, 106 ) which are inserted within the mass of food to increase the surface area of the food exposed to a heat transfer surface to more rapidly transfer heat to or from the mass of food.

1 . An apparatus for rapidly changing the temperature of a mass of product, comprising: 
 at least two input heat transfer elements for extending into the mass of product, the input heat transfer elements being in parallel spaced planes;    at least one output heat transfer element in thermal contact with the input heat transfer elements and exposed to an ambient temperature environment to transfer thermal energy between the product mass and the ambient temperature environment, said at least two input heat transfer elements having a coating to facilitate cleaning.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one output heat transfer element defines a plurality of air contact fins.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lid for use on a pan containing the mass of product, the lid having at least two slots therein, said at least two input heat transfer elements passing through said slots.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pan wherein the mass of product is in the pan, the pan having a bottom, said at least two input heat transfer elements having pan contacting surfaces, said at least two input heat transfer elements contacting the bottom of the pan.  
   
   
       5 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for rapidly changing the temperature of pre-cooked food, comprising: 
 at least two input heat transfer elements for extending into the pre-cooked food, the input heat transfer elements being in parallel spaced planes;    at least one output heat transfer element in thermal contact with the input heat transfer elements and exposed to an ambient temperature environment to transfer thermal energy between the product mass and the ambient temperature environment; and    wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements each have a leading edge extending into the mass of product, the leading edge being linear    
   
   
       12 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for rapidly changing the temperature of a mass of product, comprising: 
 at least two input heat transfer elements for extending into the mass of product, the input heat transfer elements being in parallel spaced planes;    at least one output heat transfer element in thermal contact with the input heat transfer elements and exposed to an ambient temperature environment to transfer thermal energy between the product mass and the ambient temperature environment, said at least two input heat transfer elements having a coating to facilitate cleaning, the apparatus having no more than four input heat transfer elements.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mass of product is pre-cooked food, the at least two input heat transfer elements for extending into the pre-cooked food.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements have a length, the length being not less than 4 inches.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements have a length, the length being in the range of 4 to 10 inches.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements each have a leading edge extending into the mass of product, the leading edge being linear.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements have a length, the length being not less than 4 inches.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the at least two input heat transfer elements have a length, the length being in the range of 4 to 10 inches.