Restaurant food preparation line

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A food preparation line having a generally U-shaped configuration. A first section providing a heated storage compartment. A second section providing a cooled storage compartment. The first section arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the second section. A third section attached to the second section and having a pass-through area. The heated storage compartment has two access openings such that the compartment may be restocked and emptied from two different locations respectively.

What is Claimed is: 
     
         1.  32. A steam cabinet comprising a steam chamber defined by at least enclosing three side walls, a side wall with an opening, a ceiling panel and a floor panel, a steam flow within the steam chamber, a fan located outside of the steam flow, and an air curtain defined by a laminar air flow extending across the opening. 
     
     
         2.  33. The steam cabinet of Claim  32  further comprising a swinging door which extends partially into the opening, the swinging door contacting the air curtain. 
     
     
         3.  34. The steam cabinet of Claim  33  further comprising a heater arranged on the ceiling and an exhaust system positioned above the heater and on the outside of the steam cabinet on the ceiling panel. 
     
     
         4.  35. An ingredient dispenser comprising a hopper connected to a positive displacement pump wherein the positive displacement pump delivers a metered amount of an ingredient. 
     
     
         5.  36. The ingredient dispenser of Claim  34  wherein the positive displacement pump forces the ingredient through a nozzle on a food preparation line. 
     
     
         6.  37. The ingredient dispenser of Claim  34  wherein the positive displacement pump is a piston-type pump which operates with a two-position valve. 
     
     
         7.  49. A steam cabinet for maintaining food product, said cabinet comprising four sides, a top and a bottom being spaced by said sides, a first access opening extending through at least one of said four sides, a fan being positioned inside of said cabinet, a first heating element being positioned proximate said fan, a laminar air passage being in fluid communication with said fan and at least a portion of said air passage being disposed along said bottom, a steam well being disposed above at least a portion of said air passage, a second heating element being disposed within said steam well, an air curtain extending over said first access opening, an partial swinging door being disposed above said first access opening and extending part way into said first access opening, an exhaust system being disposed at said top, said exhaust system comprising a manually operated vane, said vane being adapted to direct discharge from said exhaust system, a third heating element being disposed within said cabinet and being disposed generally below said exhaust system. 
     
     
         8.  50. The steam cabinet of Claim  49  further comprising a second access opening, said second access opening being generally enclosed by an access door, said door being capable of being secured in a closed position by a latch, a drip edge and a channel being disposed below at least a portion of said door, said channel sloping downward and said drip edge being generally aligned with one side of said channel 
         51.  The steam cabinet of Claim  50 , wherein said channel communicates with said steam well 
         52.  The steam cabinet of Claim  50 , wherein said channel communicates with an area outside of said cabinet. 
     
     
         9.  53. The steam cabinet of Claim  49  further comprises shelving that is disposed generally above said steam well. 
     
     
         10.  54. The steam cabinet of Claim  53 , wherein said shelving is disposed between said steam well and said third heater. 
     
     
         11.  55. A steam cabinet comprising a first side and a second side, a top and a bottom being vertically spaced by said first side and said second side, a first access opening extending through said first side, a fan being positioned inside of said cabinet, a first heating element being positioned proximate said fan, an air passage extending between said fan and said access opening, a steam well being disposed in said bottom of said steam cabinet, a second heating element being disposed within said steam well, a swinging door depending downward from said first side into said first access opening, air from said air passage flowing upward to said swinging door and defining an air curtain, an exhaust system being disposed at said top, said exhaust system comprising a manually operated vane, said vane being adapted to control air flow from said cabinet and a third heating element being disposed within said cabinet at a location generally below said exhaust system. 
     
     
         12.  56. The steam cabinet of Claim  55  further comprising a second access opening defined in said second side, said access opening being generally covered by a latchable door. 
     
     
         13.  57. The steam cabinet of Claim  56  further comprising a drip channel being disposed beneath said door when said door is in a closed position. 
     
     
         14.  58. The steam cabinet of Claim  57  further comprising a wiping edge that contacts said door when said door is opened. 
     
     
         15.  59. The steam cabinet of Claim  57 , wherein said channel is in fluid communication with said steam well.