Methods for prolonging the quality of warm foods

Abstract

Methods for prolonging the quality of a warm food item after the warm food item is prepared, the methods including the steps of placing the warm food item in a thermally insulated enclosure, maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined temperature range based on the type of warm food item, maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure by blowing heated air over the warm food item, and maintaining the moisture level within the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined moisture range based on the type of warm food item.

1 . A method for prolonging the quality of a warm food item after the warm food item is prepared, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the warm food item in a thermally insulated enclosure;   maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined temperature range based on the type of warm food item by blowing heated air over the warm food item; and   maintaining the moisture level within the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined moisture range based on the type of warm food item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein blowing heated air over the warm food item includes directing heated ;air towards the bottom of the warm food item. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein blowing heated air over the warm food item includes directing heated air towards the top of the warm food item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein blowing heated air over the warm food item includes directing heated air towards the side of the warm food item. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure includes irradiating the warm food item with infrared radiation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein irradiating the warm food item includes irradiating the top of the warm food item with infrared radiation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warm food item is a pizza pie and the predetermined temperature range is between 140 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warm food item is French fries and the predetermined temperature range is between 150 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein maintaining moisture levels within the thermally insulated enclosure includes removing moisture-laden air from the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein removing moisture-laded air from the thermally insulated enclosure includes removing moisture released from the warm food item into the air within the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein removing moisture-laden air from the thermally insulated enclosure includes forcing moisture-laden air out of the thermally insulated enclosure from a position in the thermally insulated enclosure above the warm food item. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising supplying air from outside the thermally insulated enclosure into the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein supplying air from outside the thermally insulated enclosure into the thermally insulated enclosure includes supplying air into the thermally insulated enclosure from a position in the thermally insulated enclosure beneath the warm food item. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the rate of air supplied into the thermally insulated enclosure substantially matches the rate at which moisture-laden air is forced out of the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of chum  14 , wherein supplying air from outside the thermally insulated enclosure into the thermally insulated enclosure* includes passively supplying air into the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warm food item is a pizza pie and the predetermined moisture range is between the ambient humidity level outside the thermally insulated enclosure and 10 percent above the ambient humidity level outside the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warm food item is French fries and the predetermined moisture range is between the ambient humidity level outside the thermally insulated enclosure and 5 percent above ambient humidity levels outside the thermally insulated enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transporting the warm food item to a location remote from where the warm food item was prepared. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising securing the thermally insulated enclosure to a vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising tracking the location of the thermally insulated enclosure with a global positioning system.