Multi-zone food holding bin

A multi-zone food holding bin comprising:

• a chassis having a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, a front face, and an opposing rear face;
• a first food holding compartment within the chassis, the first food holding compartment being defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, and a shelf, the first food holding compartment having a first opening, the first opening of the first food holding compartment being configured to allow food items to be placed into and removed from the first food holding compartment;
• a substantially planar surface forming a top surface of the shelf and thus a bottom surface of the first food holding compartment, the substantially planar surface extending completely to the first opening of the first food holding compartment, and the substantially planar surface comprising a thermally conductive material;
• a first food holding zone formed in the first food holding compartment, the first food holding zone having an independently controllable first heating element disposed at a top portion of the first food holding compartment, and an independently controllable second heating element disposed at a bottom portion of the first food holding compartment, the first food holding zone including a first food holding bay and a second food holding bay, each of the first and second food holding bays being configured to receive a food holding tray;
• and
• a second food holding zone formed in the first food holding compartment, the second food holding zone having an independently controllable third heating element disposed at the top portion of the first food holding compartment and an independently controllable fourth heating element disposed at the bottom portion of the first food holding compartment, the second food holding zone including a third food holding bay and a fourth food holding bay, each of the third and fourth food holding bays being configured to receive a food holding tray,
• wherein the first food holding zone and the second food holding zone are adjacent one another across the substantially planar surface and the first food holding zone is configured to maintain a first temperature and the second food holding zone is configured to maintain a second temperature, the first temperature and the second temperature capable of being different than one another, and
• wherein the first independently controllable heating element is adapted to output more heat energy than the second heating element.

A multi-zone food holding bin

• a chassis having a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, a front face, and an opposing rear face;
• a first food holding compartment within the chassis, the first food holding compartment being defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, and a shelf, the first food holding compartment having a first opening, the first opening of the first food holding compartment being configured to allow food items to be placed into and removed from the first food holding compartment;
• a substantially planar surface forming a top surface of the shelf and thus a bottom surface of the first food holding compartment, the substantially planar surface extending completely to the first opening of the first food holding compartment, and the substantially planar surface comprising a thermally conductive material;
• a first food holding zone formed in the first food holding compartment, the first food holding zone having an independently controllable first heating element disposed at a top portion of the first food holding compartment, and an independently controllable second heating element disposed at a bottom portion of the first food holding compartment, the first food holding zone including a first food holding bay and a second food holding bay, each of the first and second food holding bays being configured to receive a food holding tray;
• and
• a second food holding zone formed in the first food holding compartment, the second food holding zone having an independently controllable third heating element disposed at the top portion of the first food holding compartment and an independently controllable fourth heating element disposed at the bottom portion of the first food holding compartment, the second food holding zone including a third food holding bay and a fourth food holding bay, each of the third and fourth food holding bays being configured to receive a food holding tray,
• wherein the first food holding zone and the second food holding zone are adjacent one another across the substantially planar surface and the first food holding zone is configured to maintain a first temperature and the second food holding zone is configured to maintain a second temperature, the first temperature and the second temperature capable of being different than one another,
• further comprising a second food holding compartment disposed below the first food holding compartment within the chassis, the second food holding compartment being defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, and the shelf, the second food holding compartment having a first opening, the first opening of the second food holding compartment being configured to allow food items to be placed into and removed from the food holding compartment;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the second heating element and to the fourth heating element, the controller being configured to independently operate the second heating element and the fourth heating element
• wherein the shelf is located between the first and second food holding compartments, the shelf comprises a first side and a second side, the first side facing into the first food holding compartment, the second side facing into the second food holding compartment, and the second and fourth heating elements are disposed in the shelf and in thermal communication with the first side, the second and fourth heating elements being capable of providing different amounts of heat energy into the first and second food holding zones of the first food holding compartment, and
• wherein the shelf comprises an upper thermally conductive plate, a lower thermally conductive plate, a fifth heating element, and a sixth heating element, the fifth and sixth heating elements being disposed between the upper thermally conductive plate and the lower thermally conductive plate, the second and fourth heating elements being in thermal communication with the upper thermally conductive plate and the fifth and sixth heating elements being in thermal communication with the lower thermally conductive plate, the fifth and sixth heating elements providing heat energy into the second food holding compartment.