Systems and apparatus for heating or cooling food. A heating and cooling system for operative connection to a well includes a first manifold having a plurality of openings, each allowing a seal to be made against a first surface of a Peltier chip, and defines a flow path for a heat transfer fluid which directly contacts the first surfaces of a plurality of Peltier chips. The fluid circulates through tubing from the manifold to the well and connects to a flow space of a tray disposed therein. A second opposite manifold may be joined to the first manifold to form a block and defines a second flow path allowing direct contact with the second surfaces of the plurality of Peltier chips. The fluid circulates through tubing from the second manifold to a radiator. The manifolds may be joined to form a manifold block. The trays may be interchangeable.

An apparatus and method for dehydrating a quantity of previously air popped corn so as to maintain its crunchiness includes a support ring having an upstanding continuous peripheral wall configured to nest atop an upper edge of a receptacle, the upstanding continuous peripheral wall being complementary to an open top of the receptacle and defining an interior area. A distribution conduit having a cylindrical configuration is coupled to an inner surface of the support ring and has opposed upstream and downstream ends defining a channel therebetween. The upstream and downstream ends are open and the distribution conduit has an elongate configuration and is oriented axially relative to the support ring. A blow-drying device may be releasably mounted in the upstream end of the distribution conduit for generating a heated air stream and blowing the generated heated air stream from the upstream to the downstream end when energized.

An apparatus and method for dehydrating a quantity of previously air popped corn so as to maintain its crunchiness includes a support ring having an upstanding continuous peripheral wall configured to nest atop an upper edge of a receptacle, the upstanding continuous peripheral wall being complementary to an open top of the receptacle and defining an interior area. A distribution conduit having a cylindrical configuration is coupled to an inner surface of the support ring and has opposed upstream and downstream ends defining a channel therebetween. The upstream and downstream ends are open and the distribution conduit has an elongate configuration and is oriented axially relative to the support ring. A blow-drying device may be releasably mounted in the upstream end of the distribution conduit for generating a heated air stream and blowing the generated heated air stream from the upstream to the downstream end when energized.

A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes a food holding unit and at least one food pan transporter. A food pan is stowable in a food pan receiving location of the food holding apparatus. The food pan is moveable by the pan transporter into and out of the food pan receiving location.

A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes a food holding unit and at least one food pan transporter. A food pan is stowable in a food pan receiving location of the food holding apparatus. The food pan is moveable by the pan transporter into and out of the food pan receiving location.

Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.

Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.

An actively heated or cooled cup or mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A sensor can detect a presence of a liquid in the chamber, the circuitry configured to turn on power to the heating or cooling elements after said liquid is detected and further configured to automatically turn off power to the heating or cooling elements upon receiving a signal indicating that the liquid in the chamber has dropped below a predetermined liquid level or been depleted completely.

A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lock is operable to (i) permit the first door to move from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the unlocked configuration and (ii) prevent the first door from moving from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the locked configuration.

A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lock is operable to (i) permit the first door to move from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the unlocked configuration and (ii) prevent the first door from moving from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the locked configuration.