Devices for prolonging the quality of warm foods

Abstract

Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure, a convection heat source, a ventilation system, and a radiant heat source. The enclosure is configured to receive the warm food item. The convection heat source is mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure. The ventilation system is mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure. The radiant heat source is mounted inside the enclosure in a position to irradiate the warm food item received in the enclosure. In some examples, the devices include an enclosure, a convection heat source, and a radiant heat source with the convection heat source configured to direct heated air within the enclosure from a plurality of positions along a sidewall from a back to a front of the enclosure.

1 . A device for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, comprising:
 an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item;   a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure;   a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure; and   a radiant heat source mounted inside the enclosure in a position to irradiate the warm food item received in the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the enclosure includes:
 a floor; 
 a ceiling opposite the floor, and 
 sidewalls extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening; and 
   the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively define an interior void of the enclosure.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the convection heat source includes a header system configured to direct heated air into the enclosure from a plurality of positions extending transverse to the opening along the sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the header system includes a pipe extending along one of the sidewalls and transverse to the opening; and   the pipe defines heated air ports along the length of the pipe.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sidewalls are comprised of a thermally insulating material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the header system is mounted to the enclosure within the interior void proximate the sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the device further comprises a shelf supported in the enclosure within the interior void in a position surrounded by the header system; and   the shelf includes a top surface configured to support the warm food item.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the header system includes a lower portion proximate the shelf and an upper portion spaced from the shelf;   the lower portion of the header system is positioned to direct heated air into the interior void underneath the warm food item supported on the shelf; and   the upper portion of the header system is positioned to direct heated air into the interior void above the warm food item supported on the shelf.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiant heat source is mounted inside the enclosure between the lower portion and the upper portion of the header system. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the radiant heat source is mounted to the sidewalls inside the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the radiant heat source is substantially planar. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the enclosure includes a roof spaced above the ceiling; and   the ventilation system includes:
 an exhaust fan mounted in the roof, the exhaust fan configured to direct air from within the enclosure out of the enclosure; and 
 a vent defined in the sidewalls proximate the floor, the vent configured to supply fresh air from outside the enclosure into the enclosure. 
   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising an air directing system configured to direct air within the enclosure towards the warm food item when the warm food item is supported on the top surface of the shelf. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the air directing system includes:
 a ceiling fan mounted to the ceiling and configured to direct air towards the top surface of the shelf; and   a floor fan mounted to the floor and configured to direct air towards the ceiling.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the floor fan is disposed underneath the shelf in a position to direct air towards an underside of the warm food item when the warm food item is supported on the top surface of the shelf. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is complimentarily configured with a vehicle to facilitate transporting the warm food item in the enclosure with the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a portable power source configured to power one or more of the convection heat source, the radiant heat source, and the ventilation system to facilitate the device prolonging the quality of the warm food item when the device is transported. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure includes a door operatively connected to the sidewalls proximate the opening and configured to selectively provide access to the interior void through the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the door extends from the ceiling to the floor. 
     
     
         20 . A device for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, comprising:
 an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a sidewall extending from a back to a front of the enclosure;   a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure from a plurality of positions along the sidewall from the back to the front of the enclosure; and   a radiant heat source mounted to the sidewall inside the enclosure in a position to irradiate the warm food item received in the enclosure;   wherein the radiant heat source is substantially planar and oriented parallel to the sidewall.