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.

The present application discloses an automated restaurant comprising: a kitchen; a customer-tracking area comprising a dining area; and a plurality of vehicles. The kitchen comprises a storage apparatus to store ingredient containers, a transfer apparatus to move ingredient containers, and one or more cooking stations. Each vehicle is configured to move one or more food containers from cooking stations to dining tables. A tracking system comprises cameras, lidars, etc., which are fixedly mounted. The tracking system can dynamically map out the fixtures, humans and vehicles in the restaurant. Information from the tracking system is used to control the motion of the vehicles. The tracking system can dynamically track the positions of customers in the customer-tracking area, so that foods ordered by specific customers may be automatically sent by vehicles to the customers' locations.

The present application discloses an automated restaurant comprising: a kitchen; a customer-tracking area comprising a dining area; and a plurality of vehicles. The kitchen comprises a storage apparatus to store ingredient containers, a transfer apparatus to move ingredient containers, and one or more cooking stations. Each vehicle is configured to move one or more food containers from cooking stations to dining tables. A tracking system comprises cameras, lidars, etc., which are fixedly mounted. The tracking system can dynamically map out the fixtures, humans and vehicles in the restaurant. Information from the tracking system is used to control the motion of the vehicles. The tracking system can dynamically track the positions of customers in the customer-tracking area, so that foods ordered by specific customers may be automatically sent by vehicles to the customers' locations.

According to one example, a removable lid for a container of a vessel includes a valve configured to selectively allow air to vent out of a fluid retaining interior region of the container when the lid is positioned on the container. The valve includes an opening that extends entirely through a thickness of a portion of the lid, and a valve plug. The valve plug includes a valve top portion that extends vertically above a top surface of the portion of the lid, a valve bottom portion, and a valve central portion. The valve top portion is configured to be contracted, by a downward pressure, into a more vertically compact shape. The valve top portion is further configured to, absent the downward pressure, expand back upwards out of the more vertically compact shape.

A food storage system comprising a bottom receptacle, a plurality of stackable containers, a handle configured to extend over a topmost one of the plurality of stackable containers, and a fastening mechanism having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end coupled to the top lid. A length of the fastening mechanism is adjustable so that a spacing between the bottom receptacle and the handle is adjustable.

A portable kitchen assembly is disclosed, including a rectangular container and stowable legs for supporting the container at a convenient height for standing preparation of food. The rectangular container has a top wall, bottom wall, back wall, front wall, and first and second side walls. The front wall is configured to open to a kitchen counter position, and the stowable legs are attachable to an external side of the bottom wall.

A lockable food delivery box apparatus for preventing food tampering and contamination includes an insulated box defining a storage cavity configured to store food items for delivery. A box lid is selectively engageable with an open side of the insulated box. An electronic lock is coupled to the insulated box and is in operational communication with the box lid to secure and alternatively free the box lid. The electronic lock has a transceiver configured to be in operational communication with a smartphone. A heating coil is coupled to the insulated box to raise the temperature within the storage cavity. A cooling system is coupled to the insulated box to lower the temperature within the storage cavity. A power supply is coupled within the insulated box and is in operational communication with the heating coil, the cooling system, and the electronic lock.

A lockable food delivery box apparatus for preventing food tampering and contamination includes an insulated box defining a storage cavity configured to store food items for delivery. A box lid is selectively engageable with an open side of the insulated box. An electronic lock is coupled to the insulated box and is in operational communication with the box lid to secure and alternatively free the box lid. The electronic lock has a transceiver configured to be in operational communication with a smartphone. A heating coil is coupled to the insulated box to raise the temperature within the storage cavity. A cooling system is coupled to the insulated box to lower the temperature within the storage cavity. A power supply is coupled within the insulated box and is in operational communication with the heating coil, the cooling system, and the electronic lock.

The invention relates to a portable food box which ensures boxes to be carried without requiring an additional plastic bag. In particular, the invention relates to a portable box comprising a carrying bag having a foldable form on a side of the box.