# US 9,038,846 B2 · Device for tempering food in rectangular, pan-like containers of standardized sizes

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- Number: US 9,038,846 B2
- Document ID: US9038846B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/826,823
- Filed: 2013-03-14
- Published: 2013-11-07
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-20
- Assignees: Bhs Tabletop Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: BHS tabletop Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Max Ottenwälder; Brigitte Johannes; Ralf Steiling; Manuela Küfner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038846B2

## CPC

- A47G 23/04: Containers with means for keeping food cool or hot ({A47G19/027, A47G19/127, A47G19/2288, A47G19/285, A47G23/0313 take precedence; } for butter or cheese A47G19/26 {; thermally insulated vessels A47J41/00})
- A47J 39/02: Dish-warmers; Devices to keep food hot
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

## Abstract

A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes. The device has two opposing side walls and a cover panel connecting the side walls at the top. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover panel. The size of the opening is determined as a function of the standard-size containers to be placed in the opening. A laterally projecting opposite edges of the containers extend beyond the opening. Two opposing groove-like slots are on each of side walls below the opening. A tub for the purpose of tempering has two opposing, laterally projecting edges which are dimensioned to extend over the edges of the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, and which can be slid into the opposing slots in the side walls.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes, the device comprising:
a framework comprising at least first and second opposing side walls separated by a first width, the first and second opposing sidewalls comprising first and second pairs of opposing slots at first and second insertion levels separated by a vertical distance, wherein each pair of opposing slots comprises a pair of cavities in the first and second opposing sidewalls;
a cover panel connecting first and second tops of the first and second side walls, wherein the cover panel comprises a rectangular opening having the first width selected to accommodate a standard-size container placed in the opening, wherein the container has a second width between first and second opposing edges of the container, the second width of the container being larger than the first width of the opening such that the first and second opposing edges of the container hold the container in the opening; and
a tub having a third width between third and fourth opposing edges, the third width being larger than the first width of the opening, wherein the third and fourth opposing edges of the tub hold the tub in the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, wherein the third and fourth opposing edges of the tub can be slid into a selected one of the first and second pairs of opposing slots located in the first and second side walls.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls further comprise a third pair of opposing slots, at a third insertion level the third insertion level separated by a vertical distance from the first and second insertion levels.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the tub has a bottom and a depth, wherein the depth of the tub and position of the insertion level are selected based on one or more standardized container depths in such a way that, regardless of whether the tub is supported within the opening or is positioned at a selected one of the insertion levels, the bottom of the tub is separated from a bottom of the container by a predetermined distance.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein a downward facing surface of a bottom of the tub comprises at least one mounting for at least one heating element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the tub comprises one of metal and plastic.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the framework comprises one of wood, plastic, and metal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising a standardized rectangular container adapted to hold the food.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one standardized rectangular container comprises one of porcelain, metal, and plastic.