APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY HEATING AND COOLING SEPARATE ZONES

摘要

Disclosed is a device for simultaneously heating and cooling adjacent food portions. A first module (12) defining a first hollow chamber is formed into a substantially planar surface for supporting the food portion to be cooled. The first chamber contains a vaporizable substance in equilibrium with vapor. A second module (14) defining a second hollow chamber is likewise formed into a substantially planar surface for supporting the food portion to be heated. The second chamber (14) contains a sorbent and is evacuated. The chambers are fluidly interconnected by a conduit having a normally closed valve (32) to prevent egress of vapor from the first chamber (12). In use, the valve (32) is open, allowing vapor from the first chamber (12) to flow into the evacuated second chamber (14).