Temperature-controlled concrete countertop

Abstract

A concrete countertop includes a concrete slab that defines a substantially planar work surface. The work surface is treated for direct contact with foodstuffs. A piping circuit is embedded within the concrete slab and is coupled to a refrigeration motor for circulating refrigerant through the piping circuit. The concrete slab and work surface are thereby cooled by the circulation of refrigerant through the piping circuit. In another aspect, the concrete countertop may additionally, or alternatively, include a heating element embedded within the concrete slab to facilitate maintaining the work surface at an elevated temperature. The concrete countertop may further include a control communicating with the refrigeration motor and/or the heating element and operative to maintain the work surface within a desired temperature range.

1 . A chilled countertop for preparing foodstuffs, comprising: 
 a concrete slab defining a substantially planar concrete work surface;    said work surface treated for direct contact with foodstuffs such that foodstuffs may be safely prepared directly thereon;    a piping circuit embedded within said concrete slab;    a refrigerant disposed within said piping circuit; and    a refrigeration motor in fluid communication with said piping circuit and operative to circulate said refrigerant therethrough, said refrigeration motor comprising a compressor and a refrigerant expansion device;    said work surface being cooled by circulation of said refrigerant in said piping circuit.    
     
     
         2 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein said work surface has a surface finish not more than about 2 microinches to about 4 microinches.  
     
     
         3 . The countertop of  claim 1 , wherein said work surface has a highly polished finish obtained by polishing with a tool of at least 3500 grit.  
     
     
         4 . The countertop of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a penetrating primer applied to said work surface; and    a sealant applied to said work surface, atop said primer.    
     
     
         5 . The countertop of  claim 4 , wherein said sealant has a layer thickness of approximately 6 mils to approximately 8 mils.  
     
     
         6 . The countertop of  claim 1 , further comprising a control in communication with said refrigeration motor and operative to maintain the temperature of said work surface of said concrete slab within a desired range.  
     
     
         7 . The countertop of  claim 1 , further comprising a base disposed beneath said concrete slab and supporting said concrete slab thereon.  
     
     
         8 . The countertop of  claim 7 , further comprising casters provided on said base to facilitate moving the countertop.  
     
     
         9 . The countertop of  claim 7 , wherein said work surface has a surface area within an envelope of not more than about 36 inches long and not more than about 36 inches wide for portability of the countertop.  
     
     
         10 . The countertop of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate coupled to said piping circuit and embedded within said concrete slab therewith to facilitate heat transfer between said piping circuit and said concrete slab.  
     
     
         11 . A method of making a countertop, comprising: 
 embedding a piping circuit in a concrete slab;    applying a primer to a work surface of the concrete slab, the primer being a type that is safe for direct contact with foodstuffs; and    applying a sealant to the work surface of the concrete slab, the sealant being a type that is safe for direct contact with foodstuffs.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 grinding and polishing the work surface to a smooth finish that has a surface roughness not more than about 2 microinches to about 4 microinches.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein embedding the piping circuit in the concrete slab comprises: 
 pouring a first layer of wet concrete into a form;    placing the piping circuit on the first layer;    pouring a second layer of wet concrete atop the first layer and the piping circuit prior to hardening of the first layer so the first and second layers coalesce to form a unitary concrete slab.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 controlling the distance of the piping circuit beneath the work surface.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 placing a refrigerant within the piping circuit; and    coupling the piping circuit to a refrigeration motor including a compressor and a refrigerant expansion device for cooling the work surface.    
     
     
         16 . A temperature controlled countertop for preparing foodstuffs, comprising: 
 a slab formed from moldable countertop material, said slab comprising a substantially planar work surface;    said work surface suitable for direct contact with foodstuffs such that foodstuffs may be safely prepared directly thereon;    a piping circuit embedded within said slab;    a refrigerant disposed within said piping circuit; and    a refrigeration motor in fluid communication with said piping circuit and operative to circulate said refrigerant therethrough, said refrigeration motor comprising a compressor and a refrigerant expansion device;    said refrigerant cooling said work surface upon operation of said motor.    
     
     
         17 . The countertop of  claim 16 , further comprising a heating element embedded within said slab for heating said work surface.  
     
     
         18 . The countertop of  claim 16  further comprising a control in communication with said refrigeration motor and said heating element, said control operative to maintain the temperature of said work surface of said concrete slab within a desired range.