Device and Method for Keeping Hot Food Dry by Condensing Inside Vapor with Outside Air Temperature

Abstract

This invention utilizes any container (“housing”) suitable for enclosing hot food. When uncovered, a perforation in the wall of the container permits ambient air to flow between the inside of the container and the outside of the container. Ordinarily, a perforation (i.e., a hole) in the food container that allows air to pass through would not be advantageous. But this invention employs an absorbent material, preferably a dry absorbent material, to cover the hole. When configured this way, warmer air from inside the container encounters relatively cooler air outside air at the perforation. When it does, moisture held by the inside air will condense onto the absorbent material. As a result, moisture held by the absorbent material will be kept off the hot food inside the container.

1 . A method of transporting food, the method comprising the steps of,
 enclosing food in a container,
 the air adjacent to the food comprising a first dew point temperature, 
 the container comprising a perforation and an absorbent layer, the absorbent either positioned within the perforation or positioned so that it covers the perforation, the absorbent layer being dry, 
   closing the container, and   positioning the container in a location where the ambient air outside the container is lower than the first dew point temperature, and   transporting the container to a new location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the absorbent layer comprising pleats. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , the container further comprising a frame connected to the container along a perimeter of the perforation and the frame connected to the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         4 . A method of storing food, the method comprising the steps of,
 enclosing food in a container,
 the food comprising a first temperature, 
 the container comprising a perforation and an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer either positioned within the perforation or positioned so that it covers the perforation, the absorbent layer being dry, 
   closing the container, and   positioning the container in a location where the ambient air outside the container is lower that the first temperature, and   storing the container.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , the absorbent layer comprising pleats. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , the container further comprising a frame connected to the container around the perforation and the absorbent layer connected to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . A food storage device for keeping hot food dry, the device comprising:
 a housing for enclosing hot food,   a perforation in the housing, and   an absorbent layer positioned within the perforation or covering the perforation on the inside or the outside of the housing, the absorbent layer being dry,   wherein air inside of the housing is thermally exposed to the air outside of the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The food storage device of  claim 7 , the absorbent layer comprising pleats. 
     
     
         9 . The food storage device of  claim 7  further comprising a frame connected to the housing along a perimeter of the perforation and the frame connected to the absorbent layer.