Abstract: The invention is a steam-table pan formed of drawn metal sheet, the pan having a pinch-gripping bead including a gripping-skirt which is configured and vertically dimensioned for pinch-gripping of the bead with an adult's fingers to raise the pan from the steam table. The configuration of the steam-table pan provides substantially enhanced deformation resistance without a corresponding increase in thickness of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A steam-table pan having a pinch-gripping bead including a gripping-skirt which is configured and vertically dimensioned for horizontal pinch-gripping of the bead with an adult's fingers to raise the pan from the steam-table.

Abstract: The invention is a steam-table pan formed of drawn metal sheet, the pan having a pinch-gripping bead including a gripping-skirt which is configured and vertically dimensioned for pinch-gripping of the bead with an adult's fingers to raise the pan from the steam table. The configuration of the steam-table pan provides substantially enhanced deformation resistance without a corresponding increase in thickness of the metal sheet.

Abstract: The invention is a method for removing a steam-table pan from a steam table, the method including providing a steam-table pan with a specially configured upper edge region which is a pinch-gripping bead that includes a gripping-skirt configured and vertically dimensioned, along with the upper portion of the pan wall, for pinch-gripping of the bead with an adult's fingers to raise the pan from the steam table. The removing is by engaging the pinch-gripping bead between the person's thumb and index and/or middle finger(s) and lifting the pan from the opening in the top of the steam table with such pinch-gripping.

Abstract: Disclosed is the combination of a steam table pan for keeping food warm and a cover for lifting and carrying the pan. The pan is of the type including a container portion, a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges. All of the edges protrude away from the container portion and one of the end edges includes a downwardly-turned lip. The cover has a pair of side channels, each for engaging a respective side edge of the pan, and each side channel includes an upper member, an edge panel extending downwardly from the upper member, and a lip extending inwardly from the edge panel. The upper member and the lip of each of the side channels are spaced apart by a first dimension. In the improvement, the cover includes an end channel having an upper component, an end panel extending downwardly from the upper component, a ledge extending inwardly from the end panel and a stop extending upwardly from the ledge.

Abstract: A carrying cover for a food pan includes a pair of side channels generally parallel to one another and first and second cover ends generally parallel to one another and generally normal to the side channels. The cover handle is positioned closer to the first end than to the second end. When the two cover side channels and the cover end channel are engaged with respective edges of a steam table pan for pan carrying, the cover handle is "off center" with respect to the pan center of gravity. The force of gravity urges the pan toward the cover end channel which prevents the pan from sliding out of the cover.

Abstract: A metal transport pan having front, rear and end side walls extending downwardly with a slight inward taper and which are joined at curved corners, the lower parts of which have a similar taper and a top flange extending outwardly from the top of the side walls. Each of the curved corners has a nontapered section extending downwardly from the top flange generally at a right angle thereto to provide an outwardly protruding ridge whereby the spaced-apart ridges define a plurality of nesting surfaces for engagement with the top flange of a subjacent pan to limit the extent to which one pan may nest into the other and prevent contact between the side walls of the nested pans to maintain the stacked pans in nonjamming relation. The nontapered sections of the curved corners are formed at the same time as a conventional pan-forming draw is being performed in order to avoid any additional manufacturing steps.