A modular heated display system with at least one heated display unit and at least one frame extension. The heated display unit will typically include a heating element supported by a frame. When the heated display unit is set upon a supporting surface, the heating element is raised some distance above the supporting surface by the frame. One or more frame extensions may be removably coupled to the frame opposite the heating element. Any coupled frame extension serves to elevate the heating element to a different height above the supporting surface. In some implementations, the heated display unit will include a light source within the frame, generally position underneath the heating element. Control electronics may be provided to cause the light source to project light downward, onto the supporting surface below the frame when the heating element is active or at an elevated temperature.

A modular heated display system with at least one heated display unit and at least one frame extension. The heated display unit will typically include a heating element supported by a frame. When the heated display unit is set upon a supporting surface, the heating element is raised some distance above the supporting surface by the frame. One or more frame extensions may be removably coupled to the frame opposite the heating element. Any coupled frame extension serves to elevate the heating element to a different height above the supporting surface. In some implementations, the heated display unit will include a light source within the frame, generally position underneath the heating element. Control electronics may be provided to cause the light source to project light downward, onto the supporting surface below the frame when the heating element is active or at an elevated temperature.

A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by a side wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the side wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.

A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by a side wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the side wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.

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.

A method of and container for temperature-controlled meal transport are provided. A food tray accommodation area is defined in the interior of the meal transport container. A plurality of ledges are defined in the food tray accommodation area, the ledges designed to support a plurality of different sized food trays. An insulator is provided to insulate the food tray accommodation area. A pair of integral upper carrying handles and a pair of integral lower handles are provided. The upper integral carrying handles are designed to nest with the integral lower handles when a plurality of meal transport containers are stacked. A thermometer monitors temperature within the food tray accommodation area. Heating elements heat cooked food from a cooled temperature to an appropriate hot-serving temperature, maintain heated food at temperature, and cook raw food.

A method of and container for temperature-controlled meal transport are provided. A food tray accommodation area is defined in the interior of the meal transport container. A plurality of ledges are defined in the food tray accommodation area, the ledges designed to support a plurality of different sized food trays. An insulator is provided to insulate the food tray accommodation area. A pair of integral upper carrying handles and a pair of integral lower handles are provided. The upper integral carrying handles are designed to nest with the integral lower handles when a plurality of meal transport containers are stacked. A thermometer monitors temperature within the food tray accommodation area. Heating elements heat cooked food from a cooled temperature to an appropriate hot-serving temperature, maintain heated food at temperature, and cook raw food.

A control unit for an actively heated or cooled drinkware, dishware or serverware device has a base with a surface that receives the actively heated or cooled drinkware, dishware or serverware device thereon, and a visual display. The control unit has circuitry configured to communicate with the visual display. The circuitry is operable to perform one or more of: send a data request signal to the device, receive one or more data from device, receive one or more operating parameter setpoints from a user, send the one or more operating parameter setpoints to the device to set a new target value for the one or more operating parameter setpoints at which the device is to operate, and communicate at least one of the one or more data to the visual display to display said at least one data on the visual display.

A control unit for an actively heated or cooled drinkware, dishware or serverware device has a base with a surface that receives the actively heated or cooled drinkware, dishware or serverware device thereon, and a visual display. The control unit has circuitry configured to communicate with the visual display. The circuitry is operable to perform one or more of: send a data request signal to the device, receive one or more data from device, receive one or more operating parameter setpoints from a user, send the one or more operating parameter setpoints to the device to set a new target value for the one or more operating parameter setpoints at which the device is to operate, and communicate at least one of the one or more data to the visual display to display said at least one data on the visual display.