Saute Stations with Cold Pack Thermal Storage and Insulated Temperature Sensors

Abstract

Disclosed dual temperature saut? stations includes thermal systems to facilitate mobile food preparation using means of refrigeration/heat transfer to and from cold pack thermal systems in thermal communication with refrigeration coils. A saut? station may include an outer foam pack shell enclosing a cold pack layer with thermal tubing disposed within the cold pack layer. The cold pack layer acts as a thermal storage station, sometimes used to cool the thermal tubing and the thermal tubing sometimes used to cool the cold pack layer. The food preparation stations demonstrate further thermal efficiency by use of a buffered or enclosed temperature sensor, with the temperature sensor encased within a thermal layer or shell so as to not immediately react to incoming ambient air when a refrigerator door is opened. Thus, the sensor mimics the temperature of the food avoiding unnecessary cycling of the condenser.

Claims

1. A buffered temperature sensing system, the system comprising: a) a temperature probe having a smaller outside diameter as compared to an inside diameter of an outer sleeve; b) the temperature probe disposed within the outer sleeve; and c) the area between the temperature probe and the inside of the outer sleeved filed with a food simulant, the food simulant comprising 60 to 80 percent vegetable glycerin and 20 to 40 percent propylene glycol.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the food simulant compromises 65 to 75 percent vegetable glycerin and 25 to 35 percent propylene glycol.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the food simulant comprises a viscosity in the range of 7,000 to 13,000 Pa s/cPs at 20 degrees Celsius.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the food simulant comprises a viscosity in the range of 8,000 to 10,000 Pa s/cPs at 20 degrees Celsius.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the food simulant comprises a viscosity in the range of 8,000 to 10,000 Pa s/cPs at 20 degrees Celsius and the food simulant compromises 65 to 75 percent vegetable glycerin and 25 to 35 percent propylene glycol.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein an endcap is disposed on the distal end of the sleeve.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the outer sleeve comprises proximal end attached to a bushing.

8. The system of claim 1 disposed within a food storage area with the food storage area disposed within a gel pack and coolant line housing (260), the coolant line housing defining a gel pack and coolant line void (270) the coolant line void comprising refrigerant lines and gel packs.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the gel packs comprise fluid contained within a flexible membrane, the fluid comprising 50 to 90 percent vegetable glycerin and 10 to 50 percent propylene glycol.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the fluid has a viscosity in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 centipoises at 20 degrees centigrade.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the gel pack and coolant line housing is contained within a form assembly (280) and the form assembly is insulated with foam insulation.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the food storage area comprises a pan chiller pan (230) and the pan chiller pan comprises sidewalls (240) with the sidewalls having upper portions comprising a first and second lip (207) with the first and second lips supporting a plurality of pan dividers (203).

13. A food cooling system comprising a food storage area with the food storage area disposed within in a gel pack and coolant line housing (260), the coolant line housing defining a gel pack and coolant line void (270) the gel pack coolant line void containing refrigerant lines and gel packs.

14. The food cooling system of claim 1 wherein the gel packs comprise fluid contained within a flexible membrane, the fluid comprising 50 to 90 percent vegetable glycerin and 10 to 50 percent propylene glycol.

15. The food cooling system of claim 14 disposed within a form assembly (280) and the form assembly is insulated with foam insulation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 front perspective view of a disclosed dual temperature saute station

[0027] FIG. 2 side and top perspective view of a disclosed dual temperature saute station

[0028] FIG. 3 top view of a disclosed dual temperature saute station

[0029] FIG. 4 right side view of a disclosed dual temperature saute station

[0030] FIG. 5 front view of a disclosed dual temperature saute station

[0031] FIG. 6 exploded view of coolant related components

[0032] FIG. 7 front view of tank and coolant components

[0033] FIG. 8 sectional view of coolant components

[0034] FIG. 9 exploded view of temperature sensing components FIG. 10 sectional view of temperature sensing components

[0035] FIG. 11 perspective view of a buffered temperature sensor attached to a power and reporting cord

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0036] 100 dual temperature saute station [0037] 200 cooling components [0038] 202 pan chiller end [0039] 203 pan divider [0040] 204 drain pipe [0041] 205 sensing probe housing [0042] 206 refrigerant line [0043] 207 lip of pan chiller pan 225 [0044] 220 drain void defined within lower plate 230 pan chiller pan 225 [0045] 225 pan chiller pan [0046] 227 cooling void defined within the pan chiller pan [0047] 240 side wall of pan chiller pan 225 [0048] 260 gel pack and coolant line housing may be permanently sealed [0049] 265 outer wall of gel pack and coolant line housing [0050] 270 gel pack and coolant line void, defined by outer wall 265 and inner wall 275. [0051] 275 inner wall of gel pack and coolant line housing 260 [0052] 280 form assembly [0053] 285 outer wall of form assembly 280 [0054] 290 inner wall of form assembly 280 [0055] 295 inner void of middle area of form assembly, defined between outer wall 285 and inner wall 290 foam is injected into the void. The top of the liners may be solid and fill voids may be used to inject foam or other insulating material. [0056] 300 temperature probe assembly [0057] 301 outer sleeve [0058] 302 temperature probe [0059] 303 end cap [0060] 304 retainer bushing may be tig welded in place [0061] 320 temperature sensor wire senses ohms to derive temperature [0062] 350 void for food simulant or other buffer material, the void defined by the outside diameter of the temperature probe 302 and inside diameter of the outer sleeve 301

[0063] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0065] Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

[0066] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of including, but not limited to. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 1, a dual temperature saute station may include a Carel dual temperature controller wherein each controller may individually operate one pan chiller. Two or more separate temperature settings are available for each pan chiller and controller. An under-counter unit may include gel pack systems wherein a bottom coil uses thermal energy from a thermal storage system such as gel packs. Disclosed embodiments may use standardized cooling mechanisms such as an R-448A Commercial Temperature Evaporative Condensing Unit.

[0068] FIG. 1 shows two pan chiller systems on either side of a gas burner system. Disclosed embodiments are sometimes referred to as Dual Temperature Saute Stations and are well suited for frying eggs or pancakes or heating other food by use of the burners and for keeping fresh food chilled and readily available within one or more pan chiller units.

[0069] FIG. 2 demonstrates the versatility and modularity of the disclosed embodiments as there are just two burners on the left center area and refrigeration available on the right center area.

[0070] Disclosed embodiments are versatile and may be exceptional portable as often required for hotels, resorts or events. Embodiments may include propane gas tanks and electrical cords.

[0071] FIG. 6 presents an exploded view of cooling components 200 that may include a form 280 that may support, contain or insulate a gel pack and coolant line housing 260. The housing 260 may comprise an outer shell 265 or outer wall and an inner shell 275 or inner wall. The inner and outer walls may define a gel pack and coolant line void which may hold gel packs and coolant lines in direct thermal contact.

[0072] The inside surfaces of the inner wall 275 may define a void to accept a pan chiller pan 225. The pan chiller pan may be divided into framed areas and accept pans as shown in FIG. 3.

[0073] The gel packs avoid drainage and welding problems presented by using glycol or other free flowing coolants. The disclosed gel packs have been found to stay frozen for up to 48 hours and are easily removable and replaced, to aid in the portability features as discussed above. Gel packs are reusable and robust. Gel packs may contain a food grade glycerin which may be NSF or National Safety Food standard. The glycerin may freeze to negative 60 degrees before freezing solid. The advantage of such freezing points is that the glycerin remains fluid or slushy during normal use.

[0074] The fluid used within the plastic voids overcomes shortfalls in the related art buy having a lower freezing point compared to prior art products. In one disclosed embodiment, the fluid contained within a flexible membrane may include a mixture of 50 to 90 percent USP grade vegetable glycerin and 10 to 50 percent USP grade propylene glycol. The viscosity of the disclosed gel is in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 centipoises at 20 degrees centigrade. USP or USPNF may stand for United States PharmacopeiaNational Formulary.

[0075] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 depict the disclosed layers of components that define a center cooling void 227 defined by the pan chiller pan.

[0076] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 depict a buffered temperature probe system 300 that may comprise a temperature probe 302 having a smaller outer diameter as compared to the inside diameter of an outer sleeve 301. The temperature probe may be secured within the outer sleeve by use of an endcap 303 and retainer bushing 304. A food simulant or other buffer material may be disposed within a void 350 for food simulant or other buffer material, the void defined by the outside diameter of the temperature probe 302 and inside diameter of the outer sleeve 301.

[0077] The food simulant or other buffer material used in the disclosed embodiments has achieved unexpectedly excellent results as compared to the materials used in the prior art. This is evident by, inter alia, the fact that buffered or encased thermometers are generally found in the prior art literature only and not in current use. Thus, there is a need in the art for the disclosed food simulate formulations.

[0078] Disclosed food simulant formulations may include may include a mixture of 60 to 80 percent USP grade vegetable glycerin and 20 to 40 percent USP grade propylene glycol. An optimized range may include a mixture of 65 to 75 percent USP grade vegetable glycerin and 25 to 35 percent USP grade propylene glycol.

[0079] The viscosity of a disclosed food simulant may be in the range of 7,000 to 13,000 Pa s or cPs at 20 degrees Celsius with an optimal range of 8,000 to 10,000 Pa s or cPs at 20 degrees Celsius.

[0080] Disclosed methods of construction or assembly may include using a retaining bushing 304 the temperature sensor 302 into the sleeve 301 and then overfilling the sleeve with a disclosed food simulant mixture. Due to the viscosity of the food simulant mixture a syringe may be needed for injection into the sleeve. The end cap 303 may then be screwed into the sleeve causing the food simulant to overflow and to prevent air bubbles in the sleeve.

[0081] Disclosed embodiments may include the use of foam or other insulation within form assembly 280.

[0082] Disclosed embodiments may include disposing coolant lines and gel packs within the gel pack and cooling line housing and sealing the top part of the gel pack void 270 with metal and TIG welds.

[0083] The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

[0084] All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0085] These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

[0086] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.