Seco Products Corporation

Lepel Corp.

Michael B McDermott

Philip Schmitt

The present invention relates generally to inductive heating, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for non-contact detection and inductive heating of heat retentive food server warming plates used in institutional food service. The invention provides a non-contact detection and control circuit for an inductive heating apparatus for heating an inductively reactive heat radiating element built into a warming plate. The warming plate employed by the invention has an integral inductively reactive heat radiating element that is brought to a desired heating temperature such as 450.degree. F. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is configured like a conventional industrial cook stove and surface. Underneath the surface is a magnetic inductive coil controlled by the invention for inductively heating a reactive ferromagnetic heat radiating element that is placed on the surface.

Apparatus and method for non-contact detection and inductive heating of

A one-piece, seamless food service base is insert molded from a heat and impact resistant plastic. The base is shaped to receive a standard serving plate and includes an integrally molded core. The core is made from a metal or other material that is susceptible to heating through induction heating. In one form, the core is a solid metal disk with strategically disposed bores for molding the base. In another from, the core is a hollow metal disk having a standard wax phase change core. Insulation may also be added above and/or below the core to improve heat transfer and to keep the bottom of the unit cool. In another form, the core is made of graphite and may even be mixed with ceramic to form a composite which may be used for the entire base, alleviating the need for insert molding a separate core and base.

Heat retentive food service base

A one-piece, seamless food service base is insert molded from a heat and impact resistant plastic. The base is shaped to receive a standard serving plate and includes an integrally molded core. The core is made from a metal or other material that is characteristically susceptible to heating through induction heating. In one form, the core is a solid metal disk with strategically disposed bores for molding the base. In another form, the core is a hollow metal disk having a standard wax phase change core.

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Washington, MO, United States of America

Michael B McDermott