Temperature controlled food tray system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A temperature controlled food tray system, comprising:
 a first food tray mounted on a top surface of a first tray support, the first food tray having an uppermost surface adapted to support food thereon and a cooling element that, when activated, cools the first food tray independent of whether airflow is present in the system; 
 wherein the cooling element is disposed between the uppermost surface of the first food tray and the top surface of the first tray support and is configured to have cooling fluid circulated there through; 
 a cooling outlet fluidicly coupled to the cooling element of the first food tray; 
 at least one radiant heating element coupled above the first food tray that, when activated, directs radiant heat toward the uppermost surface of the first food tray; and 
 at least one controller, the at least one controller being configured to activate the radiant heating element and to deactivate the cooling element of the first food tray to thereby operate the first food tray as a heating food tray, the at least one controller being further configured to deactivate the radiant heating element and to activate the cooling element of the first food tray to thereby operate the first food tray as a cooling food tray. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second food tray with a cooling element coupled to the second food tray, the second food tray being coupled to the first food tray; and 
 a refrigeration unit fluidicly coupled to the cooling element of at least one of the first and second food trays. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one radiant heating element directed toward the second food tray; and 
 the at least one controller being further adapted to activate the radiant heating element directed toward the second food tray and deactivate the cooling element of the second food tray. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one controller is adapted to activate the cooling element of the first food tray or the second food tray. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first food tray is disposed below the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the food trays are modular. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second tray support adapted to support the second food tray and a support structure comprising at least one upright member, the first and second tray supports being coupled to the upright member. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element coupled to the first food tray and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to activate the cooling element and deactivate the heating element to operate the first food tray as a cooling food tray, and to deactivate the cooling element and activate the heating element to operate the first food tray as a heating food tray. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a heating element coupled to the second food tray and wherein the at least one controller is adapted to activate the cooling element and deactivate the heating element to operate the second food tray as a cooling food tray, and to deactivate the cooling element and activate the heating element to operate the second food tray as a heating food tray. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a thermal shield coupled to the first food tray, the second food tray, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure coupled to the first food tray and a plurality of heating outlets adapted to be coupled with a plurality of heating elements, a plurality of cooling outlets adapted to be coupled with a plurality of cooling elements, or a combination thereof, the outlets being disposed along the support structure. 
     
     
       13. A temperature controlled food tray system, comprising:
 an upright structure having a heating outlet and a cooling outlet; 
 a first tray support; 
 a second tray support;  
 a first food tray with a first heating element that provides heating energy to an uppermost surface of the first food tray, the uppermost surface of the first food tray comprising a food support surface configured to support food for display to consumers, the first heating element being disposed between the uppermost surface of the first food tray and a top surface of a the first tray supportto which, the first food tray is being coupled to the first tray support; and 
 a second food tray with a first cooling element that provides cooling energy to an uppermost surface of the second food tray, the uppermost surface of the second food tray comprising a food support surface configured to support food for display to consumers, the first cooling element being disposed between the uppermost surface of the second food tray and a top surface of a the second tray supportto which, the second food tray is being coupled to the second tray support; 
 wherein the first tray support is mounted to the upright structure and the first heating element is coupled to the heating outlet; 
 wherein the second tray support is mounted to the upright structure; 
 wherein the first cooling element is fluidicly coupled to the cooling outlet, the second food tray thereby being configured to have cooling fluid from a source of cooling energy circulated there through; and 
 wherein the heating element and the cooling element are configured to operate independently of one another; and 
 wherein the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray or the second food tray is disposed above the first food tray. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray is disposed below the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein one or more of the food trays are modular. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a third food tray adapted to replace the first food tray, the third food tray being a cooling tray. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a third food tray adapted to replace the second food tray, the third food tray being a heating tray. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a support structure coupled to at least one of the food trays and a plurality of heating outlets adapted to be coupled with a plurality of heating elements, a plurality of cooling outlets adapted to be coupled with a plurality of cooling elements, or a combination thereof, the outlets being disposed along the support structure. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second cooling element coupled to the first food tray to form a combination unit, and wherein the first food tray is adapted to be operated as a heating tray or a cooling tray. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second heating element coupled to the second food tray to form a combination unit, and wherein the second food tray is adapted to be operated as a heating tray or a cooling tray. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a thermal shield coupled to the first food tray, the second food tray, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a radiant heating element disposed above the first food tray and adapted to heat food items disposed on the first food tray. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a canopy having a structure above the first food tray. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the food trays are coupled to a counter to support the food trays. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray comprises a food support and a heating unit. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second food tray comprises a food support and a cooling unit. 
     
     
       28. A temperature controlled food tray system, comprising:
 a support structure comprising at least one upright member and at least a first tray support and a second tray support, the tray supports being coupled to the upright member and spaced vertically from one another; 
 at least one cooling outlet configured to couple to a food tray having a cooling element and provide cooling fluid into the food tray; 
 at least one heating outlet configured to couple to a food tray having a heating element; 
 a first food tray mounted on a top surface of the first tray support and removably coupled to a first of the at least one heating outlet, the at least one cooling outlet, or a combination thereof; 
 a second food tray mounted on a top surface of the second tray support and removably coupled to a second of the at least one heating outlet, the at least one cooling outlet, or a combination thereof, the first and second food trays being interchangeably coupled to the first and second tray supports; and 
 at least one controller that selectively activates or deactivates one or more of the at least one heating and cooling outlets; 
 wherein at least one of the first and second food trays includes a cooling element configured to have cooling fluid from a source of cooling energy circulated there through, the cooling element being disposed between an uppermost surface of the at least one food tray and the top surface of the tray support to which the at least one food tray is coupled. 
 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first food tray is coupled with a heating element and the second food tray is coupled with a cooling element. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a third food tray coupled with a cooling element and adapted to replace the first food tray. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a third food tray coupled with a heating element and adapted to replace the second food tray. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a refrigeration unit coupled to the at least one cooling outlet. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a plurality of heating outlets, a plurality of cooling outlets, or a combination thereof, the outlets being disposed along the support structure. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first food tray is disposed below the second food tray in elevation. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 28 , wherein at least one of the first food tray and second food tray comprises a heating element and a cooling element and is configured to be selectively activated and operated as a heating tray or a cooling tray. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a thermal shield coupled to the first food tray, the second food tray, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a canopy disposed over the first food tray having a radiant heating element adapted to heat food items disposed on the first food tray. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the food trays are coupled to a counter to support the food trays. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first food tray comprises a food support and a heating unit. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the second food tray comprises a food support and a cooling unit. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the second food tray is configured to have cooling fluid from a source of cooling energy circulated there through, and further comprising a heating element coupled to the second food tray to form a combination unit, and wherein the second food tray is adapted to be selectively operated as a heating tray or a cooling tray independently from the first food tray. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge joint coupled to the first food tray, the first food tray being adapted to rotate about the hinge joint relative to the first tray support. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the food support surface of the first food tray is visible from a front and a rear of the system. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the food support surface of the second food tray is visible from a front and a rear of the system. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 45 , wherein the food support surface of the first food tray is visible from the front and the rear of the system. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a first space above the first food tray providing access to the food support surface of the first food tray. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the first space provides access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a front of the first space. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the first space provides access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a rear of the first space. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the first space provides access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a front of the first space. 
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the first space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a front of the first space. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the first space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a rear of the first space. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 52 , wherein the first space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a front of the first space. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the first space is in open communication with ambient air adjacent the system. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 54 , wherein a front of the first space is open to the ambient air in front of the system. 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 54 , wherein a rear of the first space is open to the ambient air behind the system. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 56 , wherein a front of the first space is open to the ambient air in front of the system. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing access to the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       59. The system of  claim 58 , wherein the second space provides access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       60. The system of  claim 58 , wherein the second space provides access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       61. The system of  claim 60 , wherein the second space provides access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       62. The system of  claim 58 , wherein the second space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       63. The system of  claim 58 , wherein the second space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       64. The system of  claim 63 , wherein the second space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       65. The system of  claim 58 , wherein the second space is in open communication with ambient air adjacent the system. 
     
     
       66. The system of  claim 65 , wherein a front of the second space is open to the ambient air in front of the system. 
     
     
       67. The system of  claim 65 , wherein a rear of the second space is open to the ambient air behind the system. 
     
     
       68. The system of  claim 67 , wherein a front of the second space is open to the ambient air. 
     
     
       69. The system of  claim 47 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing access to the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       70. The system of  claim 48 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       71. The system of  claim 49 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       72. The system of  claim 50 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front and a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       73. The system of  claim 51 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space. 
     
     
       74. The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       75. The system of  claim 53 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray providing unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front and a rear of the second space. 
     
     
       76. The system of  claim 54 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray in open communication with the ambient air. 
     
     
       77. The system of  claim 55 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray, a front of the second space being open to the ambient air in front of the system. 
     
     
       78. The system of  claim 56 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray, a rear of the second space being open to the ambient air behind the system. 
     
     
       79. The system of  claim 57 , further comprising a second space above the second food tray, a front and a rear of the second space being open to the ambient air in front of and behind the system, respectively. 
     
     
       80. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the upright structure includes a first upright member, the first and second tray supports being directly mounted to the first upright member. 
     
     
       81. The system of  claim 80 , wherein the upright structure includes a second upright member, the first and second tray supports being directly mounted to the first upright member. 
     
     
       82. The system of  claim 13 , wherein an elevation of the first tray support relative to an elevation of the second tray support is fixed. 
     
     
       83. The system of  claim 82 , wherein the first food tray is directly coupled to the first tray support and the second food tray is directly coupled to the second tray support. 
     
     
       84. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tray support surrounds a perimeter of the first food tray and the second tray support surrounds a perimeter of the second food tray. 
     
     
       85. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tray support includes a top wall defining a first opening, the first food tray is disposed in the opening of the first tray support, and wherein the second tray support includes a top wall defining a second opening, the second food tray being disposed in the opening of the second tray support. 
     
     
       86. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tray support defines a first recess, the first food tray disposed in the first recess, and wherein the second tray support defines a second recess, the second food tray disposed in the second recess. 
     
     
       87. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a first channel extending around a perimeter of the first food tray, and a second channel extending around a perimeter of the second food tray. 
     
     
       88. The system of  claim 87 , wherein the first channel is bounded by the first food tray and the first tray support, and wherein the second channel is bounded by the second food tray and the second tray support. 
     
     
       89. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first tray support and the second tray support have vertically aligned footprints. 
     
     
       90. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the upright structure includes a first upright member and a second upright member, the first upright member being adjacent to a first side of the first tray support and adjacent to a first side of the second tray support, the second upright member being adjacent to a second side of the first tray support and adjacent to a second side of the second tray support. 
     
     
       91. The system of  claim 90 , wherein the first upright member engages the first tray support and the second tray support, and wherein the second upright member engages the first tray support and the second tray support. 
     
     
       92. The system of  claim 90 , wherein the first tray support is disposed above the second tray support, the first tray support including a bottom and the second tray support including a top face, the first and second upright members extending upward from the top face of the second tray support to the bottom of the first tray support. 
     
     
       93. The system of  claim 90 , wherein the second tray support is disposed above the first tray support, the second tray support including a bottom and the first tray support including a top face, the first and second upright members extending upward from the top face of the first tray support to the bottom of the second tray support. 
     
     
       94. The system of  claim 90 , wherein the first and second upright members are spaced rearward of a front of the food support surface of the first tray and the first and second upright members are spaced forward of a rear of the food support surface of the first tray. 
     
     
       95. The system of  claim 94 , wherein the first and second upright members each include a front side and a rear side, wherein a distance between the front and rear sides of the first upright member is less than a distance between a front of the food support surface of the first food tray and the front side of the first upright member and is less than a distance between a rear of the food support surface of the first food tray and the rear side of the first upright member, and wherein a distance between the front and rear sides of the second upright member is less than a distance between the front of the food support surface of the first food tray and the front side of the second upright member and is less than a distance between the rear of the food support surface of the first food tray and the rear side of the second upright member. 
     
     
       96. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray includes a second cooling element and the second food tray includes a second heating element, the system further comprising a first controller, the first controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first heating element and the second cooling element independent of the second heating element and the first cooling element to selectively operate the first food tray in a heating mode or a cooling mode regardless of a temperature status of the second food tray. 
     
     
       97. The system of  claim 96 , further comprising a second controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the second heating element and the first cooling element independent of the first heating element and the second cooling element to selectively operate the second food tray in a heating mode or a cooling mode regardless of a temperature status of the first food tray. 
     
     
       98. The system of  claim 97 , wherein the first controller is configured to prevent concurrent activation of the first heating element and the second cooling element, and wherein the second controller is configured to prevent concurrent activation of the second heating element and the first cooling element. 
     
     
       99. The system of  claim 97 , wherein the first controller comprises a first multi-position electrical switch and the second controller comprises a second multi-position electrical switch. 
     
     
       100. The system of  claim 99 , wherein each of the first and second multi-position electrical switches has a respective first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein the first multi-position switch is configured to activate the second cooling element and deactivate the first heating element in the first position, activate the first heating element and deactivate the second cooling element in the second position, and deactivate the second cooling element and the first heating element in the third position, and wherein the second multi-position switch is configured to activate the first cooling element and deactivate the first heating element in the first position, activate the second heating element and deactivate the first cooling element in the second position, and deactivate the first cooling element and the first heating element in the third position. 
     
     
       101. The system of  claim 97 , wherein the first controller comprises a first adjustable switch and the second controller comprises a second adjustable switch, the first adjustable switch configured to adjust a heating intensity of the first heating element, the second adjustable switch configured to adjust a heating intensity of the second heating element. 
     
     
       102. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray includes a first thermal shield underlying the first heating element and the second food tray includes a second thermal shield underlying the first cooling element. 
     
     
       103. The system of  claim 102 , wherein the first food tray includes a second cooling element and the second food tray includes a second heating element, the first thermal shield underlying the second cooling element and the second thermal shield underlying the second heating element. 
     
     
       104. The system of  claim 103 , wherein the first food tray includes a bottom wall, the first heating element, the second cooling element, and the first thermal shield being disposed between the food support surface of the first food tray and the bottom wall of the first food tray, and wherein the second food tray includes a bottom wall, the first cooling element, the second heating element, and the second thermal shield being disposed between the food support surface of the second food tray and the bottom wall of the second food tray. 
     
     
       105. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the food support surface of the first food tray is planar and the food support surface of the second food tray is planar. 
     
     
       106. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the food support surface of the first food tray is laterally offset inboard from a top face of the first tray support, and wherein the food support surface of the second food tray is laterally offset inboard from a top face of the second tray support. 
     
     
       107. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first food tray includes a first extension around a periphery of the food support surface of the first food tray, and wherein the second food tray includes a second extension around a periphery of the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       108. The system of  claim 107 , wherein the first extension includes a front wall, a first side wall extending downward from a first side edge of the food support surface of the first food tray, a second side wall extending downward from a second side edge of the food support surface of the first food tray, and a rear wall extending downward from a rear edge of the food support surface of the first food tray, and wherein the second extension includes a front wall, a first side wall extending downward from a first side edge of the food support surface of the second food tray, a second side wall extending downward from a second side edge of the food support surface of the second food tray, and a rear wall extending downward from a rear edge of the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       109. The system of  claim 108 , wherein the first heating element is disposed between the front and rear walls of the first extension and the between the first and second side walls of the first extension, and wherein the first cooling element is disposed between the front and rear walls of the second extension and the between the first and second side walls of the second extension. 
     
     
       110. The system of  claim 108 , wherein the first food tray includes a first lip extending upward from a front edge of the food support surface of the first food tray, and the second food tray includes a second lip extending upward from a front edge of the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       111. The system of  claim 69 , wherein the first food tray and the first tray support bound a bottom of the first space, and wherein the second food tray and the second tray support bound a bottom of the second space. 
     
     
       112. The system of  claim 111 , wherein the second food tray bounds a top of the first space, a front of the first space extending between the first and second tray supports and a rear of the first space extending between the first and second tray supports. 
     
     
       113. The system of  claim 111 , wherein the first food tray bounds a top of the second space, a front of the second space extending between the first and second tray supports and a rear of the second space extending between the first and second tray supports. 
     
     
       114. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the upright structure comprises a counter having a countertop, the countertop supporting the first and second tray supports. 
     
     
       115. The system of  claim 114 , wherein the first tray support or the second tray support engages the countertop. 
     
     
       116. The system of  claim 114 , wherein the food support surface of the first food tray is disposed above a top of the countertop. 
     
     
       117. The system of  claim 114 , wherein the food support surface of the second food tray is disposed above a top of the countertop. 
     
     
       118. The system of  claim 114 , further comprising the source of cooling energy, the source of cooling energy comprising a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit being supported by the upright structure and disposed below the countertop. 
     
     
       119. The system of  claim 118 , wherein the refrigeration unit has a footprint disposed within a footprint of the counter. 
     
     
       120. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a canopy disposed above the first and second food trays. 
     
     
       121. The system of  claim 120 , wherein the canopy is disposed above the first and second tray supports. 
     
     
       122. The system of  claim 121 , wherein the upright structure includes a first upright member and a second upright member, the first and second upright members extending upward from the first tray support or the second tray support, the canopy being mounted to the first and second upright members. 
     
     
       123. The system of  claim 69 , wherein:
 the upright structure includes a first upright member and a second upright member, the first upright member being adjacent to a first side of the first tray support and adjacent to a first side of the second tray support, the second upright member being adjacent to a second side of the first tray support and adjacent to a second side of the second tray support;   the first food tray includes a second cooling element and the second food tray includes a second heating element, the system further comprising a first controller, the first controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first heating element and the second cooling element independent of the second heating element and the first cooling element to selectively operate the first food tray in a heating mode or a cooling mode regardless of a temperature status of the second food tray; and   the first food tray is directly coupled to the first tray support and the second food tray is directly coupled to the second tray support.   
     
     
       124. The system of  claim 123 , wherein:
 the first upright member engages the first tray support and the second tray support, and the second upright member engages the first tray support and the second tray support;   an elevation of the first tray support relative to an elevation of the second tray support is fixed;   the system further comprises a second controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the second heating element and the first cooling element independent of the first heating element and the second cooling element to selectively operate the second food tray in a heating mode or a cooling mode regardless of a temperature status of the first food tray; and   the first food tray includes a first thermal shield underlying the first heating element and the second cooling element, and wherein the second food tray includes a second thermal shield underlying the first cooling element and the second heating element.   
     
     
       125. The system of  claim 124 , wherein:
 the first space provides access to the food support surface of the first food tray from a front of the first space;   the second space provides access to the food support surface of the second food tray from a front of the second space;   the first controller is configured to prevent concurrent activation of the first heating element and the second cooling element, and wherein the second controller is configured to prevent concurrent activation of the second heating element and the first cooling element;   the first food tray includes a bottom wall, the first heating element, the second cooling element, and the first thermal shield being disposed between the food support surface of the first food tray and the bottom wall of the first food tray, and wherein the second food tray includes a bottom wall, the first cooling element, the second heating element, and the second thermal shield being disposed between the food support surface of the second food tray and the bottom wall of the second food tray;   the first tray support surrounds a perimeter of the first food tray and the second tray support surrounds a perimeter of the second food tray.   
     
     
       126. The system of  claim 125 , wherein the upright structure comprises a counter having a countertop, the countertop supporting the first and second tray supports. 
     
     
       127. The system of  claim 126 , wherein:
 the first space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the first food tray from the front of the first space;   the second space provides unobstructed access to the food support surface of the second food tray from the front of the second space;   the food support surface of the first food tray is planar and the food support surface of the second food tray is planar;   the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray;   the second tray support engages the countertop; and   the first tray support is disposed above the second tray support, the first tray support including a bottom and the second tray support including a top face, the first and second upright members extending upward from the top face of the second tray support to the bottom of the first tray support.   
     
     
       128. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second cooling element coupled to the first food tray and a second heating element coupled to the second food tray, wherein the first food tray is adapted to be operated as a heating tray to or a cooling tray, and wherein the second food tray is adapted to be operated as a cooling tray or a heating tray, the first heating element comprising an electric resistance heating element, the second heating element comprising an electric resistance heating element, and the second cooling element being configured to have cooling fluid circulated there through, wherein the first food tray is disposed above the second food tray. 
     
     
       129. The system of  claim 128 , in combination with the source of cooling energy, and wherein the upright structure comprises a counter comprising a countertop, and the source of cooling energy is in the counter below the countertop, the source of cooling energy comprising a compressor. 
     
     
       130. The system of  claim 129 , wherein the counter is part of a food service counter line arranged for serving food to customers. 
     
     
       131. The system of  claim 128 , further comprising a canopy above the first food tray, the canopy being supported by the upright structure, the canopy including a front side a rear side and having a depth therebetween, the canopy including a left side and a right side and having a width therebetween, the system comprising a first space above the food support surface of the first food tray, the first space configured to permit a consumer in front of the food support surface to see the food support surface of the first food tray, the canopy comprising a front wall extending widthwise of the canopy and extending downward toward the food support surface of the first food tray. 
     
     
       132. The system of  claim 128 , wherein the second food tray includes a front customer side and a rear employee side and a depth extending therebetween, the second food tray includes a left side and a right side and a width extending therebetween, and wherein the upright structure includes a first left column segment left of the food support surface of the second food tray and a first right column segment right of the food support surface of the second food tray, the first left column segment extending upward to the first tray support, and the first right column segment extending upward to the first tray support. 
     
     
       133. The system of  claim 132 , wherein the first right column segment has a front and a rear, the front of the first right column segment being spaced rearward from a front of the food support surface of the second food tray, and the rear of the first right column segment being spaced forward from a rear of the food support surface of the second food tray, and wherein the first left column segment has a front and a rear, the front of the first left column segment being spaced rearward from a front of the food support surface of the second food tray, and the rear of the first left column segment being spaced forward from a rear of the food support surface of the second food tray. 
     
     
       134. The system of  claim 133 , further comprising a canopy over the first food tray, and wherein the upright structure further comprises a second right column segment right of the food support surface of the first food tray and a second left column segment left of the food support surface of the first food tray, the second right column segment extending from the first tray support to the canopy, and the second left column segment extending from the first tray support to the canopy. 
     
     
       135. The system of  claim 134 , wherein the second right column segment is spaced rearward from a front of the food support surface of the first food tray and spaced forward from a rear of the food support surface of the first food tray, and wherein the second left column segment is spaced rearward from the front of the food support surface of the first food tray, and the second right column segment is spaced forward from the rear of the food support surface of the first food tray. 
     
     
       136. The system of  claim 132 , wherein the upright structure comprises a counter comprising a countertop, the second tray support being seated on the countertop, wherein the first right column segment and the first left column segment extend upward from the second tray support. 
     
     
       137. The system of  claim 132 , wherein the upright structure comprises a housing below the second food tray, the second food tray support at least partially covering a top of the housing. 
     
     
       138. The system of  claim 137 , further comprising a canopy over the first food tray, the canopy being supported by the upright structure. 
     
     
       139. The system of  claim 138 , wherein the upright structure comprises a first right column segment, a first left column segment, a second right column segment, and a second left column segment, wherein the second food tray includes a front customer side and a rear employee side and a depth extending therebetween, the second food tray includes a left side and a right side and a width extending therebetween, and wherein the first left column segment is left of the food support surface of the second food tray and the first right column segment is right of the food support surface of the second food tray, the first left column segment extending upward to the first tray support, and the first right column segment extending upward to the first tray support, wherein the first right column segment has a front and a rear, the front of the first right column segment being spaced rearward from a front of the food support surface of the second food tray, the rear of the first right column segment being spaced forward from a rear of the second food tray, and wherein the first left column segment has a front and a rear, the front of the first left column segment being spaced rearward from the front of the food support surface of the second food tray, and the rear of the first left column segment being spaced forward from the rear of the food support surface of the second food tray, wherein the second right column segment is right of the food support surface of the first food tray and extends from the first tray support to the canopy, and wherein the second left column segment is left of the food support surface of the first food tray and extends from the first tray support to the canopy. 
     
     
       140. The system of  claim 128 , wherein the first food tray comprises a first wall extending downward from the food support surface of the first food tray and a second wall extending downward from the food support surface of the first food tray, the second wall located on an opposite side of the food support tray from the first wall. 
     
     
       141. The system of  claim 140 , wherein the first tray support extends outward away from the first wall and outward away from the second wall. 
     
     
       142. The system of  claim 141 , wherein the first heating element and the first cooling element are located between the first and second walls. 
     
     
       143. The system of  claim 142 , further comprising a trough at least partially defined by the first wall and located between the first wall and the first tray support. 
     
     
       144. The system of  claim 142 , wherein the first tray support includes an inner wall opposite and facing the first wall. 
     
     
       145. The system of  claim 128 , wherein the first tray support defines a boarder having an upwardly facing surface extending around a periphery of the first food tray.