Method of using a drop-in passive thermal insert for food service counters

Abstract

Passive temperature control is provided to vessels too tall to be stored in a shallow, temperature-controlled tray or basin by a vertically oriented thermally-conductive tube. In one embodiment, an insulative collar covers the tray and insulates portions of the tube that extend above the top of the tray. Optional heat sinking fins and air convection holes increase heat transfer between the tube and the tray.

1 . A method of controlling the temperature of a vessel stored in a temperature-controlled tray, the temperature-controlled tray having a first height, the vessel having a second height greater than the first height, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing a thermally-conductive metal tube into the temperature-controlled tray, the metal tube having a height greater than the first height and less than the second height, the tube also having an interior cross sectional shape and configured to stand substantially upright into the temperature-controlled tray;   placing a dispenser having an exterior shape into the metal tube;   wherein the interior cross sectional shape of the metal tube conforms to but is larger than the exterior shape of the dispenser; and   wherein the metal tube passively transfers heat between the dispenser in the metal tube and the temperature-controlled tray.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a refrigerated tray and wherein the dispenser is a food dispenser. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray is a heated tray and wherein the dispenser is a food dispenser. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , including the step of providing the temperature-controlled tray to a food service counter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of providing a thermally-conductive fin to the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal tube has a bottom and wherein the tray has a bottom and wherein the step of placing the thermally-conductive metal tube into the tray includes placing the bottom of the metal tube in thermal contact with the bottom of the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the step of serving a food product from said food service counter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is a condiment dispenser and wherein placing a condiment dispenser into the upright, thermally-conductive metal tube passively refrigerates the contents of the condiment dispenser. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the food service counter has a top surface, wherein the method further includes the step of providing an insulation layer to a portion of the metal tube above the top surface of the food service counter. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling the temperature of a vessel stored in a temperature-controlled tray having a first height, the vessel having a second height greater than the first height, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing a thermally-conductive metal tube into the temperature-controlled tray, the metal tube having a height greater than the first height but less than the second height, the metal tube also having an interior cross sectional shape;   providing a thermally insulating collar to a portion of the tube, the thermally insulating collar covering at least part of the temperature-controlled tray and insulating portions of the tube.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of:
 placing a dispenser having an exterior shape into the upright thermally-conductive metal tube;   wherein the interior cross sectional shape of the metal tube conforms to and is larger than the exterior shape of the condiment dispenser.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , including the step of providing the temperature-controlled tray to a food service counter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  including the step of providing a thermally-conductive fin to the metal tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature-controlled tray has a bottom and wherein the step of placing the thermally-conductive metal tube into the temperature-controlled tray includes the step of placing the thermally-conductive tube such that it makes thermal contact with the bottom of the tray. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of serving a food product from said food service counter. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein placing a dispenser into the upright, thermally-conductive metal tube passively refrigerates the contents of the dispenser. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the food service counter has a top surface, wherein the method further includes the step of providing an insulation layer to a portion of the metal tube above the top surface of the food service counter.