The present invention generally relates to thawing a cryogenically frozen sample. A method of thawing a sample includes receiving a temperature data feed from one or more temperature sensors reporting an exterior surface temperature of a vessel, calculating a thaw end time based on the temperature data feed, and outputting a signal to interrupt thawing of the sample at the calculated thaw end time, the sample at the thaw end time having solid phase remaining. A method of thawing a cryogenic sample includes heating a sample container with a heater, determining a thaw start time for the cryogenic sample; determining an estimated thaw end time of the cryogenic sample based on the determined thaw start time of the cryogenic sample, the cryogenic sample at the estimated thaw end time having solid phase remaining; and stopping the heating of the sample container after the estimated thaw end time.

A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.

A secure delivery container can have a body with a chamber that can receive one or more items for delivery to an end recipient and a door actuatable to close the chamber in a locked position and open to allow access to the items. The container can have a heat transfer system with one or more heat transfer elements in thermal communication with one or more surfaces of the body that define the chamber and configured to heat or cool the one or more surfaces to heat or cool the delivery items in the chamber. The container can wirelessly communicate with a remote electronic device to receive information from the remote electronic device and to communicate operational information from the one or more heat transfer elements to the remote electronic device.

A conduction oven system includes an oven enclosure operating as a docking station having removable warming shelf configured within the docking station where a wireless control system is used for controlling temperature and cook time of food products using the shelf. The warming shelf docks within the docking station and may use the same power source as the docking station or its own independent power source with the docking station acting as a charging station.

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, and methods for food storage and warming, and particularly, providing static, constant, even, and gentle heat for precise temperature and humidity control.

A method of operating a rethermalizing station having an induction coil includes detecting a temperature of a food pan, selecting, based on the temperature of the food pan, a selected mode from a set comprising a low temperature mode, an over temperature mode, and a keep warm mode, and varying, in accordance with the selected mode, an output power of the induction coil by controlling a supply current to the induction coil to vary between a first nonzero current value and a second nonzero current value.

Beverage container heating apparatuses and associated methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a flexible band or sleeve is configured to wrap around an exterior surface of a beverage container. The flexible band can include a first layer configured to be positioned in contact with the exterior surface of the beverage container. The first layer comprises a reflective surface facing the beverage container and a heating element configured to provide heat to the exterior surface of the beverage container. The flexible band may also include a second layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the first layer. The second layer can include a removable insulation assembly. The flexible band further includes a third layer adjacent to and covering at least a portion of the second layer. The third layer can include various electronic components, such as a control circuitry and a battery.

There is provided an apparatus for heating a pot of food or beverage, the apparatus comprising at least one receptacle (20), each receptacle for temporarily receiving a pot of food or beverage to be heated. Each receptacle comprises a base (22), sidewalls (24), and an opening opposite from the base (22) for receiving the pot; a heater element (43) mounted to the sidewalls; a temperature sensor (45) mounted to the base; a pot sensor (40, 41) for detecting whether or not a pot is present in the receptacle; and a controller connected to the heater element, temperature sensor, and pot sensor. The controller is configured to control the heater element in response to the pot sensor and temperature sensor.

An oven for heating food and associated components and methods. The oven includes a food heating compartment bounding a food holding space for holding food to be heated. The food holding space has an open top. A bottom wall of the food heating compartment supports food in the food holding space and has gas flow inlets. A gas supply plenum is disposed below the food holding space and is in fluid communication with the food holding space via the gas flow inlets. A gas supply duct defines a gas supply passageway disposed below and fluidly coupled to the gas supply plenum. A heater heats the gas as the gas flows through the gas supply passageway. A blower blows the gas through the gas supply passageway, into the gas supply plenum and through the gas flow inlets into the food holding space for heating the food.

A container support is disclosed. The container support is operated in conjunction with an induction heating unit, which is disposed beneath a table and generates a magnetic field, and includes a plate for supporting a cooking container placed thereon, a manipulation unit provided at a portion of the plate so as to receive control commands from a user, and a signal-transmitting part provided at a portion of the plate so as to transmit electric signals to the induction heating unit.