Food container

Abstract

A food container is shown having a plurality of openings used to move food into and/or out of the container. Each of the openings has an air curtain positioned across the opening. The air curtains form barriers between the interior of the container and the exterior environment. The food container may be capable of humidifying and/or heating food positioned therein.

1 . A food container comprising: 
 an opening which is used to move food into and/or out of the container; and    an air stream which moves parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an interior of the container and an exterior environment;    wherein the air stream is humidified.    
   
   
       2 . The food container of  claim 1  wherein the air stream is used to humidify the interior of the container.  
   
   
       3 . The food container of  claim 1  wherein the air stream is used to provide heat to the interior of the container.  
   
   
       4 . The food container of  claim 1  comprising a control system which is used to control the humidity of the air stream.  
   
   
       5 . The food container of  claim 1  comprising a water source which is used to humidify the air stream.  
   
   
       6 . The food container of  claim 5  wherein the humidity of the air stream is controlled by controlling the temperature of the water in the water source.  
   
   
       7 . The food container of  claim 1  comprising 
 a duct system used to direct the air stream parallel to the opening;    a heating element used to heat the air stream;    a fan which is used to circulate the air stream through the container; and    a water source which is used to provide humidity to the air stream.    
   
   
       8 . A food container comprising: 
 an opening which is use to move food into and/or out of the container;    an air stream which moves parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an interior of the container and an exterior environment;    a baffle positioned adjacent to a water source, the baffle being used to alter the movement of the air stream as the air stream passes over the water source.    
   
   
       9 . The food container of  claim 8  wherein the baffle comprises a perforated plate.  
   
   
       10 . The food container of  claim 8  wherein at least a portion of the air stream passes through the baffle.  
   
   
       11 . The food container of  claim 10  wherein all of the air stream passes through the baffle.  
   
   
       12 . The food container of  claim 8  wherein the interior of the container is heated.  
   
   
       13 . The food container of  claim 12  wherein the air stream is used to provide heat to the interior of the container.  
   
   
       14 . The food container of  claim 8  wherein the air stream is used to humidify the interior of the container.  
   
   
       15 . The food container of  claim 8  comprising 
 a duct system used to direct the air stream parallel to the opening;    a heating element used to heat the air stream; and    a fan which is used to circulate the air stream through the container.    
   
   
       16 . A food container comprising: 
 a fan used to output an air stream;    a perforated plate positioned to receive the air stream from the fan; and    a water source;    wherein the air stream from the plate passes over the water source to humidify the air stream; and    wherein the air stream is used to humidify an interior of the container.    
   
   
       17 . The food container of  claim 16  wherein the air stream passes through the perforated plate.  
   
   
       18 . The food container of  claim 16  wherein the interior of the container is heated.  
   
   
       19 . The food container of  claim 16  wherein the air stream is used to provide heat to the interior of the container.  
   
   
       20 . The food container of  claim 16  wherein the container is portable.  
   
   
       21 . The food container of  claim 16  comprising 
 a duct system used to direct the air stream across an opening to form a barrier between the interior of the container and an exterior environment; and    a heating element used to heat the air stream.    
   
   
       22 . A food container comprising: 
 an opening which is used to move food into and/or out of the container;    an air stream which moves parallel to the opening and forms a barrier between an interior chamber of the container and an exterior environment; and    a water source positioned above the interior chamber;    wherein the water source is used to humidify the interior chamber of the container.    
   
   
       23 . The food container of  claim 22  wherein the air stream is used to humidify the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       24 . The food container of  claim 22  wherein the air stream is used to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       25 . The food container of  claim 22  comprising a control system which is used to control the humidity of the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       26 . The food container of  claim 25  wherein the humidity of the interior chamber is controlled by controlling the temperature of the water in the water source.  
   
   
       27 . The food container of  claim 22  comprising 
 a duct system used to direct the air stream parallel to the opening;    a heating element used to heat the air stream;    a fan which is used to circulate the air stream through the container.    
   
   
       28 . A food container comprising: 
 a first opening used to move food into and/or out of an interior chamber the container;    a second opening used to move food into and/or out of the interior chamber of the container;    a first air stream and a second air stream which move parallel to the first opening and the second opening, respectively, to form barriers between the interior chamber of the container and an exterior environment;    a water source; and    a baffle positioned adjacent to the water source, the baffle being used to humidify at least one of the first air stream or the second air stream.    
   
   
       29 . The food container of  claim 28  wherein the air stream is used to humidify the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       30 . The food container of  claim 28  comprising a heating element used to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       31 . The food container of  claim 28  comprising a control system which is used to control the humidity of the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       32 . The food container of  claim 28  wherein the first opening is positioned opposite the second opening.  
   
   
       33 . The food container of  claim 28  wherein the water source is positioned above the interior chamber.  
   
   
       34 . A food container comprising: 
 a first opening used to move food into and/or out of an interior chamber of the container;    a second opening used to move food into and/or out of the interior chamber of the container;    a first air stream and a second air stream which move parallel to the first opening and the second opening, respectively, to form barriers between the interior chamber of the container and an exterior environment; and    a duct system including a plurality of duct openings, the duct openings being positioned in the container so that secondary air moves between the duct openings and at least one of the first air stream or the second air stream while passing adjacent to the food.    
   
   
       35 . The food container of  claim 34  wherein the air stream is used to humidify the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       36 . The food container of  claim 34  comprising a heating element used to provide heat to the interior chamber of the container.  
   
   
       37 . The food container of  claim 34  comprising a first side wall in the interior chamber of the container which includes at least a portion of the duct openings.  
   
   
       38 . The food container of  claim 37  comprising a second side wall positioned opposite the first side wall, the second side wall also including at least a portion of the duct openings.  
   
   
       39 . The food container of  claim 34  wherein the first opening is positioned opposite the second opening.  
   
   
       40 . The food container of  claim 34  wherein the water source is positioned above the interior chamber.  
   
   
       41 . The food container of  claim 34  wherein the secondary air moves from at least one of the first air stream or the second air stream to the duct openings.