A plate delivery system provides storage for plates in a first-in, last-out configuration. As the kitchen staff completes a meal (plated), the plate is presented to a staging area of the plate delivery system. The plate is moved into a storage area to be ready for the next plate at the staging area. After a number of plates are stored, the plate delivery system relocates from the kitchen to the eating area (e.g., restaurant table or banquet table) and each plate is sequentially presented by a delivery mechanism (e.g., telescoping arms, a robot, or a waitperson) for delivery to the table. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system is enclosed and has a cover mechanism. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system has telescoping arms with fingers for moving the plate from the staging area to the table.

A modular, top-loading, food transport cabinet and serving platform apparatus is disclosed in various embodiments. The food transport cabinet and serving platform is advantageous because it is alternatively configurable in both a transport condition (e.g., for transporting or delivering prepared food while maintaining a desired (hot or cold) temperature of the food) and a serving condition (e.g., presenting the prepared food for serving while maintaining a desired (hot or cold) temperature of the food). The apparatus can be configured to accommodate various food presentation and serving requirements and arrangements, including heating (e.g., chafing or direct heat) and chilling (e.g., ice) without having to remove the food items to be presented and served from the food transport cabinet to a special serving platform.

A modular, top-loading, food transport cabinet and serving platform apparatus is disclosed in various embodiments. The food transport cabinet and serving platform is advantageous because it is alternatively configurable in both a transport condition (e.g., for transporting or delivering prepared food while maintaining a desired (hot or cold) temperature of the food) and a serving condition (e.g., presenting the prepared food for serving while maintaining a desired (hot or cold) temperature of the food). The apparatus can be configured to accommodate various food presentation and serving requirements and arrangements, including heating (e.g., chafing or direct heat) and chilling (e.g., ice) without having to remove the food items to be presented and served from the food transport cabinet to a special serving platform.

A storage system includes a plurality of posts and a heated shelf. The heated shelf is connected to and supported by the plurality of posts and is configured to support food item(s) thereon. The heated shelf is independently adjustable vertically along the longitudinal axes of the posts and includes a body, a heating assembly and a temperature control device. The body includes a plurality of panels fixed to each other and cooperating to define a cavity. The heating assembly is disposed within the cavity of the body and is configured to transfer heat to an upper panel of the plurality of panels. The temperature control device is associated with one of the panels of the body and thermally coupled to the heating assembly. The temperature control device is at least partially externally located relative to the heated shelf and operable to control a temperature of the heated shelf.

A storage system includes a plurality of posts and a heated shelf. The heated shelf is connected to and supported by the plurality of posts and is configured to support food item(s) thereon. The heated shelf is independently adjustable vertically along the longitudinal axes of the posts and includes a body, a heating assembly and a temperature control device. The body includes a plurality of panels fixed to each other and cooperating to define a cavity. The heating assembly is disposed within the cavity of the body and is configured to transfer heat to an upper panel of the plurality of panels. The temperature control device is associated with one of the panels of the body and thermally coupled to the heating assembly. The temperature control device is at least partially externally located relative to the heated shelf and operable to control a temperature of the heated shelf.

A grill device having at least a first gas grill unit and a second gas grill unit for cooking food is described. The grill device includes a stand which carries the grill units and is intended for placement on the ground, and a base cabinet which is housed in the stand, and a central work unit disposed at a head end of the stand. The two grill units are fastened to the stand laterally from the work unit substantially opposite one another. Each grill unit includes a grill tray having a burning unit.

A grill device having at least a first gas grill unit and a second gas grill unit for cooking food is described. The grill device includes a stand which carries the grill units and is intended for placement on the ground, and a base cabinet which is housed in the stand, and a central work unit disposed at a head end of the stand. The two grill units are fastened to the stand laterally from the work unit substantially opposite one another. Each grill unit includes a grill tray having a burning unit.

The present invention relates to a multipurpose heating plate and a system designed to maintain food items at an optimal or elevated temperature for consumption. More specifically, the plate includes a heating element embedded within the plate, and disposed between a top surface and a bottom surface. The heating element radiates heat to maintain the warmth of the food placed on the top surface for a prolonged period of time to avoid deterioration of the food. The plate can include an insulating cover comprising silicone or rubber. A storage and charging rack includes a plurality of slots for storing the warmer plates. Each slot includes a charging slot for charging the heating element. The warmer plate also includes a charging port for engaging with the charging slot, thereby enabling the heating element to charge.

An actively heated or cooled mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed at least partially 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 user interface is electrically connected to the circuitry and has one or more selection members actuatable a) to turn off the one or more heating or cooling element or b) to adjust a temperature setting to one of multiple temperature settings configured to control the one or more heating or cooling elements to heat or maintain the liquid at a user selected temperature.

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.