Patent ID: 6092670
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A steam pan manipulation device for being detachably secured at a corner of a rectangular steam pan and to a flange thereof, whereby the steam pan may be safely removed from the top of a steam table with reduced danger of scalding the person lifting the steam pan when steam is emitted from around the periphery of the steam pan as it is vertically lifted from the steam table and whereby the steam pan may be safely carried with reduced danger of spilling hot liquid on the person carrying the pan through sloshing or inadvertent disengagement of the device from the pan, the device comprisinga flat, generally triangular-shaped base having a first side, a second side, and a third side oriented at a ninety degree angle to the second side, generally conforming in shape to a corner of a rectangular steam pan having a flange around its upper perimeter;a gripping means associated with the second side and the third side of the base, orienting the intersection point of the second side and third side of the base with the corner of the steam pan, detachably attaching the base to the flange of the steam pan, and resisting disengagement of the base from the steam pan when a force directed vertically or inwardly towards the interior of the pan is applied but allowing disengagement of the base from the pan when a force directed outwardly from the interior of the pan is applied in the absence of vertical force, whereby the base is held in close contact with and in the same plane as the flange of the pan; anda handle directed inwardly towards the interior of the steam pan and disposed upwardly away from the plane of the top of the steam pan, whereby the steam pan may be removed from a steam table, supported, and carried from a point of suspension above the steam pan.