Abstract: A hand grip formed or molded on the handle for a cooking utensil for preventing peeling of the inner end of the hand grip from the handle and thereby limiting the migration of food particles into the space between the hand grip and the handle, the hand grip being molded onto the handle and interconnected through one or more openings in the inner end of the handle.

Abstract: A receptacle configured for nested stacking with a lower receptacle of the same construction includes walls intersecting at corners and with a bottom to form a well having an open top bounded by a rim. The rim lies generally in a first plane and has an inner limit adjacent the well which defines a first area larger than the bottom to facilitate nested stacking. Each wall extends in a first direction generally perpendicular with the first plane toward the bottom to a juncture. The juncture defines a second area slightly larger than the first area so that the juncture extends outward from the well an overlap distance beyond the inner limit of the rim of the lower receptacle to establish a generally line-to-line interference with the rim of the lower receptacle. The receptacle also includes a respective juncture-bump, or deviation, at each corner deviating outward from the well at each corner.

Abstract: A product serving apparatus includes an apportioning scoop, a product separation assembly for separating the product from the scoop, a hand operated actuator assembly for driving the product separation assembly, and an integral handle and support assembly affixed to the scoop. The handle assembly provides a substantially smooth exterior which is impermeable to soil or food product. The handle assembly provides a crevice-free exterior extending over the entire distance between its ends.

Abstract: A handling system configured for use with a receptacle having a bottom, sides and a flange. The system has a bail for supporting the receptacle, a guide for guiding the bail, and a stop structure for retaining the bail within the guide. The bail is freely movable within the guide and is movable between two positions. In the first position, the bail extends above the flange in a carrying position. In the second position, the bail extends below the flange in a stowed position. The bail is preferably comprised of two substantially parallel legs connected by a base. The two legs each include a bias structure preferably in the form of a deviation by which the base of the bail is held against an adjacent wall of the receptacle when the bail is in the stowed position. The legs of the bail pass through guide openings in the flange of the receptacle and attach to the stop structure. In the stowed position, the stop structure substantially covers the guide openings in the flange.

Abstract: A hot water pan for warming food in the food pan of a chafing dish. The hot water pan includes a central well for holding a volume of heated water and maintaining a warm food pan temperature. The hot water pan further includes a lip formation creating a water barrier with the edge of the food pan so that condensing water droplets do not flow from the hot water pan but are directed to return to the well.

Abstract: A breath guard apparatus for protecting food displayed in a food service area comprises means including a side guard for shielding the displayed food, means for supporting the shielding means above the food service area and hinge means connecting the side guard to the supporting means so that the side guard can be rotated from a closed position which shields the displayed food to an open position which provides access to the food.

Abstract: A cover for an open-topped receptacle, which receptacle is generally rectangular and has a peripheral prominence. In its preferred embodiment, the cover comprises a substantially planar central web bounded by an integral channel which is generally registrable with the peripheral prominence of the receptacle. The channel is configured to effect nested reception of the peripheral prominence within the channel. The channel has a width and comprises four channel segments and four corners. Each of the corners is established substantially at an intersection of a respective two of the channel segments and each of the corners is truncated at least the width of the channel athwart each of the respective two channel segments intersecting at the corner.

Abstract: A receptacle adaptable for nested stacking which has a bottom and walls which cooperate to form an open-topped well having rounded corners defined by a first radius. The receptacle includes a plurality of stop structures for limiting depth of insertion of adjacent receptacles in a nested orientation, which stop structures are preferably located at the corners of the well and comprise an integrally formed depression and an associated shelf in each corner.The shelf is generally planar and generally horizontal and has a boundary adjacent the well which is defined by a second radius, larger than the first radius which defines the corners.The depression has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion preferably depends outwardly of the well substantially from the boundary of the shelf and extends beyond a vertical line intersecting the boundary. The first portion is pitched outward of the vertical line from the boundary of the shelf.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles comprising a transporting well having a generally planar polygonal bottom and a plurality of walls, each of which walls being joined substantially at its upper extremity by a substantially rigid bead structure which defines a peripheral channel adjacent the plurality of walls outboard of the well. The channel is bounded by the plurality of walls, by a web extending substantially from the upper extremities of the walls, and by a skirt depending from the web. The skirt extends a greater distance from the web in the vicinity of the corners of the well than elsewhere. The apparatus includes a channel-filling structure substantially at the center of each section of longer skirt length for precluding jamming during stacking, and stand-off ridges on the outboard side of each wall for limiting the expanse of contact area between the walls and abutting planar surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-spouted serving pitcher construction is disclosed for facilitating spill-resistant retention and delivery of potable liquid. The disclosed open top pitcher includes an angled spill guard which retains splashing or sloshing liquid against spilling. The pitcher also includes at least one auxiliary spout defined in the spill guard. These and other features provide a multi-spouted open top serving pitcher particularly desirable for holding and serving potable liquid in a spill-resistant sanitary manner.

Abstract: An ice guard to receive a food container in crushed, flaked, cubed, or broken ice is provided having a side wall which includes a first end and a second end. The first end receives a first size of food container. The second end includes an inwardly intruding rim which receives a second, smaller size of food container. The side wall can define a plurality of apertures to cool the food container. By simply inverting the ice guard, different size food containers can be accommodated.

Abstract: A booster seat is provided which has two different booster heights and two corresponding seat sizes, and is capable of nesting in a second booster seat. The booster seat has two chairs portions each having a seat surface, a back support and two arm supports which define seat pockets. The first chair portion seat surface, back support and arm supports are smaller than the second chair portions seat surface, back and arm supports. The first chair portions has an outer circumference defined by its back support and arm supports which is small enough to nest in the second seat pocket. Both the first chair portion and the second chair portion are able to act as bases, and are connected to each other such that the first chair portions acts as a base for the second chair portion and the second chair portion acts as a base for the first chair portion.