Refrigerated Food Service Counter

Abstract

A refrigerated food service counter includes a case having sidewalls that define an interior space. A refrigeration unit is in thermal communication with the sidewalls of the case. A bracket is disposed within the interior space, and a food service pan is supported by the bracket. A cooling bar is movably attached to the bracket. The cooling bar is positioned proximate the food service pan and in thermal communication with a select sidewall of the case. The refrigeration unit draws heat from the sidewalls. The select sidewall in turn draws heat from the cooling bar, and the cooling bar in turn draws heat from the food service pan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerated food service counter, comprising:
 a case having sidewalls;   a refrigeration unit in thermal communication with the sidewalls;   a ledge attached to the sidewalls;   a cooling frame selectably supported by the ledge, the cooling frame being sized for thermal communication with the sidewalls of the case and having an opening; and   a food service pan selectably disposed within the opening of the cooling frame,   the refrigeration unit drawing heat from the sidewalls, the sidewalls drawing heat from the cooling frame, and the cooling frame drawing heat from the food service pan.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame is solid in cross-section. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame is a hollow enclosure, the enclosure containing a heat-transfer fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 3 , wherein the heat-transfer fluid comprises a food-grade eutectic fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame is of unitary construction. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame comprises a plurality of pieces that are assembled together. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame is made from at least one of aluminum, stainless steel and copper alloys. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises at least one of: an anodized coating, a chromate conversion coating, paint, or a powder coating. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls define an interior space. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the food service pan is supported by the cooling frame. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , further comprising an air-circulating device, wherein the air-circulating device is configured to circulate cold air to cool a bottom surface of the food service pan. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls comprise refrigerated interior sidewalls. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the ledge provides for easy and rapid installation and removal of the cooling frame. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerated food service counter of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling frame is attached to the ledge with a magnet. 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing a refrigerated food service counter, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a case having sidewalls defining an interior space and a ledge attached to the sidewalls;   placing a refrigeration unit in thermal communication with the sidewalls of the case;   positioning at a cooling frame so as to be supported by the ledge; and   supporting a food service pan with the cooling frame such that the cooling frame is proximate to the food service pan and in thermal communication with a select sidewall of the case, the refrigeration unit drawing heat from the sidewalls, the select sidewall drawing heat from the cooling frame, and the cooling frame drawing heat from the food service pan.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 filling an internal volume of the cooling frame with a heat-transfer fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the heat-transfer fluid comprises a food-grade eutectic fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coating the cooling frame with a coating, wherein the coating comprises at least one of: an anodized coating, a chromate conversion coating, paint, or a powder coating