Importance

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Abstract

A meal delivery system for conveniently preparing, storing, transporting, rethermalizing and serving large volumes of food at multiple sites includes a new food serving pan equipped with an integral heating element and a first electrical connector, and a portable frame for receiving and supporting the food serving pan, and includes an electrical power supply means and at least one second electrical connector adapted to mate with the first electrical connector for providing electrical power to the heating element and heating the food serving pan when it is placed on the portable frame. The meal delivery system includes a heat control means comprising a removeable lid with first and second indicators for the food serving pan and a sensor means in the frame for detecting the first and second indicators and selectively controlling application of the electrical power delivered to the food serving pan for controlling the level of heat applied to foods within the food pan. A first preferred embodiment includes a mobile food service cart having a plurality of interior stations for receiving a corresponding number of food pans within the food service cart, each station including one second electrical connector for mating with the first electrical connector of the food pan. A second preferred embodiment includes a chafing dish serving frame adapted to support a single food serving pan on a serving surface and includes one second electrical connector for mating with the first electrical connector.

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First Claim