초록

A pan including a shelf dividing the interior thereof into a lower chilling element and an upper portion disposed in heat relationship with the lower portion and a lid for covering the top of the container and having a serving surface for display of food thereon.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A low profile food temperature control and serving pan and storage device comprising: a container having a bottom wall and upwardly projecting peripheral walls defining a thermal compartment for receiving a heat element and terminating upwardly in a peripheral lip; the walls being forme

I claim: 1. A low profile food temperature control and serving pan and storage device comprising: a container having a bottom wall and upwardly projecting peripheral walls defining a thermal compartment for receiving a heat element and terminating upwardly in a peripheral lip; the walls being formed on opposite sides with molded inwardly projecting hand grips defining on the interior thereof respective catches disposed at a predetermined level and spaced a predetermined distance from one another; a shelf configured to be removably received in the compartment to be positioned at a selected level spaced above the bottom wall and below the predetermined level to divide the thermal compartment into a heat element cavity disposed there below and a food storage compartment disposed there above and configured to conduct heat therethrough, the shelf being longer than the predetermined distance; a shelf support device in the container and having an upwardly facing support shoulder disposed to support the shelf at the selected level; and a service lid defining upper and lower surfaces and configured with a marginal edge to nest against the lip, one of the surfaces defining a service surface. 2. The low profile pan of claim 1 wherein: the service surface is formed with indentations defining cavities for receiving foods. 3. A low profile pan of claim 1 wherein: the lid is configured to nest against the lip with the upper surface facing upwardly and includes a handle on the upper surface, the upper surface being arrayed about the handle. 4. The low profile pan of claim 1 wherein: the lid is formed with the upper surface defining the service surface and includes a handle formed in the upper surface. 5. The low profile pan of claim 1 wherein: the lid is configured with the handle formed centrally in the upper surface. 6. The low profile pan of claim 1 wherein: the container rectangular shaped in horizontal cross section; the lid is rectangular shaped in horizontal cross section and is formed with its upper surface planar and configured with downwardly recessed food receiving cavities. 7. A low profile food temperature control and serving pan and storage device comprising: a rectangular in horizontal cross section container having a bottom and upwardly projecting peripheral walls defining a thermal compartment for receiving a heat element and terminating upwardly in a peripheral lip; a shelf formed about its periphery with downwardly turned perimetrical walls and configured to be removably received in the compartment to be positioned at a selected level supported spaced above the bottom wall to divide the thermal compartment into a heat element cavity disposed there below and a food storage compartment disposed there above and configured to conduct heat therethrough; the peripheral walls configured to form a shelf support device having oppositely disposed walls including inwardly projecting tabs defining upwardly facing support shoulders disposed to support the shelf at the selected level; and a rectangular service lid configured with a marginal edge to nest against the lip and formed with an upper surface recessed downwardly to form food-receiving cavities and the lid including a handle to be grasped to hold the lid with the upper surface facing upwardly to display food thereon. 8. The low profile pan of claim 7 wherein: the shelf is formed with perforations. 9. The low profile food temperature control storage and serving device of claim 7 wherein: the lid is configured with the handle formed centrally in the upper surface. 10. The low profile food temperature control and serving pan of claim 7 to serve as a cooler pan and wherein: at least one of the peripheral or bottom walls are formed with a drain hole. 11. The pan of claim 7 wherein: the lid is formed with a downwardly depending perimetrical skirt. 12. The low profile pan of claim 7 wherein: the shelf includes a handle. 13. The low profile pan of claim 7 wherein: the peripheral wall is substantially 10 inches high. 14. The low profile pan of claim 7 wherein: the peripheral wall is no more than 6 1/2 inches high. 15. A low profile food temperature control and serving pan and storage device comprising: a container having a bottom wall and upwardly projecting peripheral walls defining a thermal compartment for receiving a heat element and terminating upwardly in a peripheral lip, the peripheral walls are formed exteriorly about their periphery adjacent the lip with an outwardly opening indention; a shelf configured to be removably received in the compartment to be positioned at a selected level supported spaced above the bottom wall to divide the thermal compartment into a heat element cavity disposed there below and a food storage compartment disposed there above; the peripheral end wails of the container are formed with molded inwardly projecting band grips defining on the interior thereof a catch for restricting the shelf against removal from the container; a shelf support device in the container and having upwardly facing support shoulders disposed to support the shelf at the selected level; the shelf being formed with a downwardly depending perimetrical skirt configured to be received in the shoulders; and a service lid defining upper and lower surfaces and configured with a marginal edge to nest against the lip and in the indention, one of the surfaces defining a service surface.