Clifford M Oelfke

US Patent:

56602804, Aug 26, 1997

Filed:

Sep 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/527944

Inventors:

Steven H. Wiederhold - Neshanic Station NJ
Clifford M. Oelfke - Jamesburg NJ

Assignee:

Seco Products Corporation - Washington MO

International Classification:

B65D 8572

US Classification:

206549

Abstract:

A food service tray for a thermalization cart is injection molded as a one-piece integral tray. The tray includes a plurality of integral compartments some of which are for the placement of food items that are going to be heated (a heatable or hot compartment), the other compartments of which are for the placement of food items that will remain cold (a cold compartment). The bottom wall of each of the heatable compartments is of less thickness than the bottom wall of each of the cold compartments. Additionally, the upper surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the heatable compartments are in a first common plane that is coplanar to a second common plane formed by the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the cold compartments. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of the heatable compartments are naturally in a third common plane that is axially below the second common plane. The tray includes integrally molded supporting webs or gate bosses between the heatable compartments to provide rigidity and integrity to the tray due to the variable thickness bottom surface of the tray.

US Patent:

53960467, Mar 7, 1995

Filed:

Jun 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/080984

Inventors:

Clifford M. Oelfke - Monroe NJ

Assignee:

Therma-Chill, Inc. - Piscataway NJ

International Classification:

H05B 368

US Classification:

219386

Abstract:

An apparatus for storing, refrigerating and heating food items in serving containers including a rethermalization cart including a plurality of shelves. Each of the shelves support one of a plurality of food trays thereon. Each tray has a plurality of food compartments and openings for supporting one of the serving containers. Each serving container containing food to be heated includes a cover. Each shelf of the cart has at least three heating pads conforming to the openings of the tray when the tray is inserted in the shelf. The cart also includes a plurality of individual switches each controlling all of the heater pads of each tray shelf as a set. Each switch is provided within a channel recessed from the exterior surface of the cart. The cart may also include a hinged work station attached to the exterior surfaces thereof which is movable between a first position, wherein said station extends outwardly from the cart so that each tray can be placed thereon for food preparation, and a second position, wherein the station is closely confined to said cart.

US Patent:

50935569, Mar 3, 1992

Filed:

Feb 16, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/481555

Inventors:

Clifford M. Oelfke - Monroe NJ

Assignee:

Therma-Chill, Inc. - South Plainfield NJ

International Classification:

F25B 1300

US Classification:

219386

Abstract:

An apparatus for storing, refrigerating and heating food items in serving containers including a rethermalization cart including a plurality of shelves. Each of the shelves support one of a plurality of food trays thereon. Each tray has a plurality of food compartments and openings for supporting one of the serving containers. Each serving container containing food to be heated includes a cover. Each shelf of the cart has at least three heating pads conforming to the openings of the tray when the tray is inserted in the shelf. The cart also includes a plurality of individual switches each controlling all of the heater pads of each tray shelf as a set. Each switch is provided within a channel recessed from the exterior surface of the cart. The cart may also include a hinged work station attached to the exterior surfaces thereof which is movable between a first position, wherein said station extends outwardly from the cart so that each tray can be placed thereon for food preparation, and a second position, wherein the station is closely confined to said cart.