Problem of system tableware - accuracy of fit with accessories

In our knowledge, we report in detail at various points about wall thickness tolerances and weight tolerances that occur naturally during the production of porcelain due to shrinkage during firing. These tolerances cannot be completely eliminated even by the most modern manufacturing processes. This affects all manufacturers in all countries of the world.

While these tolerances for plates, platters and trays hardly play a noticeable role in "normal use", the subject of "fitting accuracy" certainly involves differences and problems, especially when using transport equipment, warming systems and lids. A suitable example of this is a very popular porcelain plate.

Menu plate GVP 078

Who ultimately invented this form is not revealed to us. Decades ago, it was already produced as disposable packaging made of aluminum and various plastics for the "take-away business" - i.e. for snack food. This sheet form was then produced by various German manufacturers in mobile transport systems for schools, daycare centers and geriatric care - for the Dinner Champion and Thermofuture warming systems, among others. The majority of the product description can be read as product description:

Menu bowl rectangular 235 x 175 x 40 mm

Whether it is a menu tray or menu plate, we do not want to clarify here. What is more important is that this plate - of course - has tolerances with all subsequent manufacturers. Unfortunately, these differences, some of which are really minimal, often lead to incompatibilities in combination with different lids and warming systems.  

For better understanding, here is an overview of the differences of three market leaders for this porcelain plate / porcelain dish.

The shortest and longest measured values are given!

The warming boxes available on the market are all very different. By the way, many of them are made of expanded polystyrene (known as Styrofoam), which is classified as environmentally harmful by both the European Union and the German government. But that is a different matter. Almost every system uses its own lids and locking systems, usually made of plastic or silicone. In addition, there are a number of suppliers on the free market who also offer lids and closure systems at significantly lower prices. Over the years we have accumulated so many exhibits that we can no longer assign a whole series of lids ourselves. They are available in all colors and

• with single closing lip
• with double closing lip
• without, with one or even with two levers (closing lips)
• and with very different degrees of flexibility in terms of how it can be slipped over the porcelain

From the multitude of porcelain menu bowls - which are more or less all stackable into one another - plus lids plus warming systems, the number of possible combinations is calculated to be 3 to the power of 8, based on the patterns we have available. It would therefore be wrong to describe the article as follows:

Menu tray 235 x 175 x 40 mm fitting for Thermohauser (or Dinnerbox, Menuemax or....)

It should read:

Menu tray 235 x 175 x 40 mm when using lid no. XYZ suitable for Thermofuture (or Heatbox, Menuemaster or....), because "fit" is - as shown here - not adapted to, with or without lid and its function in the transport system.  

In fact, the problem is not the - unalterable - tolerance of the porcelain, but rather, in our opinion, the poor implementation in the organization of the transport systems. Especially the lids are all difficult: sometimes they are too tight, sometimes they rub off during adjustment, sometimes they just lie on top loosely.

It is true that the suppliers of the transport systems themselves, if they offer lids and porcelain, should ensure compatibility. However, this excludes the use of considerably cheaper, generic products. If you order your windshield wiper from Mercedes, you pay much more than in the accessory trade.

In other words: the problem has not yet been solved sustainably.

Styrofoam, silicone, PP and PC plastics are all not yet perfect. And whether this plate with this lid fits into this transport system, each user should determine for himself by means of samples. For the reasons mentioned above, we do not guarantee 100% suitability for a specific system or combination.

Product knowledge - A request to our readers!

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