Patent Publication Number: US-2022233023-A1

Title: Pan storage apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,510, filed Jan. 26, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to pan storage and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for supporting and covering open top pans, such as open top food storage pans. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many types of containers have an open top and a lid for covering the open top for storing items therein. For example, some containers having an open top and lid may be used for storing food. It may be desirable to store food in such a container before preparing, serving, and/or consuming the food. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for storing a pan with an open top comprises a housing having a pan storage space with a front pan receiving opening configured to permit the pan to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. The apparatus includes a pan support surface configured to support the pan when the pan is in the pan storage space. A cover is receivable in the pan storage space and configured to at least partially cover the open top of the pan when the pan is in the pan storage space. At least one cover support is coupled to the housing and has a holder with a support surface configured to support the cover in the pan storage space. The holder and the cover are arrangeable relative to one another such that the holder and the cover engage one another to retain the cover in the pan storage space when the pan moves in the pan storage space. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus is for storing pans of different sizes having open tops. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pan storage space with a front pan receiving opening configured to permit the pans to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. The apparatus includes a pan support surface configured to support the pans when the pans are in the pan storage space. The apparatus includes a first cover having a first cover size and shape to cover a first pan of a first pan size. The apparatus includes a second cover having a second cover size and shape to cover a second pan of a second pan size different than the first pan size, the second cover size being different than the first cover size. A plurality of cover supports are coupled to the housing and configured to support the first and second covers in the pan storage space. The plurality of cover supports include a first cover support group configured to support the first cover and a second cover support group configured to support the second cover. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus is for storing a plurality of pans having open tops. The apparatus includes a housing having a pan storage space sized and shaped to receive the plurality of pans. The pan storage space has a front pan receiving opening configured to permit the pans to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. A pan support surface is configured to support the pans when the pans are in the pan storage space. A first cover is receivable and supportable in the pan storage space and configured to at least partially cover the open top of a first pan when the first cover is supported in and the first pan is in the pan storage space. The first cover includes a first divider for dividing the pan receiving space. A second cover is receivable and supportable in the pan storage space and configured to at least partially cover the open top of a second pan when the second cover is supported in and the second pan is in the pan storage space. The second cover includes a second divider for dividing the pan receiving space. The first and second covers are configured to be supported in the pan storage space in a first cover arrangement in which the first and second covers are supported and arranged in the pan storage space such that the first and second dividers divide the pan storage space into a first pan subspace sized to receive the first pan and a second pan subspace sized to receive the second pan. The first and second covers are configured to be supported in the pan storage space in a second cover arrangement in which the first and second covers are arranged in the pan storage space such that the first and second dividers divide the pan storage space into a third pan subspace sized to receive a third pan of a size different than at least one of the first or second pans. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus is for storing a pan with an open top. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pan storage space with a front pan receiving opening configured to permit the pan to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. A pan support surface is configured to support the pan when the pan is in the pan storage space. A cover is disposed in the pan storage space and configured to at least partially cover the open top of the pan when the pan is in the pan storage space. A primary retainer is configured to retain the cover in the pan storage space when the pan moves in the pan storage space. A secondary retainer is configured to retain the cover in the pan storage space when the pan moves in the pan storage space and the primary retainer fails to retain the cover in the pan storage space. 
     Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective of a pan storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective of the pan storage apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of a pan for use with the pan storage apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective of an upper wall assembly of the pan storage apparatus supporting covers with pans covered by the covers, other components of the pan storage apparatus being hidden from view to show interior details; 
         FIG. 5  is an upwardly looking perspective of the upper wall assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective of a cover support of the pan storage apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective of a cover of the pan storage apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting the covers in an arrangement to cover pans of a first size; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting the covers in another arrangement to cover pans of different sizes; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting the covers in another arrangement to cover pans of different sizes; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting different size covers in an arrangement to cover pans of different sizes; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting different size covers in another arrangement to cover pans of different sizes; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of the upper wall assembly supporting different size covers in another arrangement to cover pans of different sizes; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective of a pan storage apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective of a cover of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective of a cover according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective of a pan storage apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is an upwardly looking perspective of an upper wall assembly of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective of a cover support of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective of a cover of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the cover of  FIG. 22 ; and 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged, perspective of a side of an upper wall assembly of the pan storage apparatus of  FIG. 19  supporting the cover of  FIG. 22 , with a pan covered by the cover, other components of the pan storage apparatus being hidden from view to show interior details. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a pan storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference number  10 . For example and without limitation, the pan storage apparatus  10  may be used in the food service industry for food storage, such as for storing food in one or more pans  12  ( FIG. 3 ) in an ambient, cool, or warm temperature environment. As will become apparent, contents stored in a pan  12  in the pan storage apparatus  10  can be accessed by pulling the pan forward (e.g., outward) from a stowed position to expose an open top of the pan and its contents therein, and the pan can be pushed rearward (e.g., inward) to return the pan to its stowed position, or the pan can be removed from the pan storage apparatus. It will be understood the pan storage apparatus  10  may be used for other purposes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The pan storage apparatus  10  includes a housing or cabinet  20 . The housing  20  includes top, bottom, left, right, front, and rear walls, defining an interior of the housing. The housing  20  includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment, each defining a pan storage space  22 . Each pan storage space  22  is sized and shaped to receive at least one pan  12  and more desirably a plurality of pans. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , four pans  12  are shown received in each of the respective pan storage spaces  22 . Both of the compartments (e.g., pan storage spaces  22 ) have an open front and an open back permitting the pans  12  to be inserted in and accessed from either the front or back of the housing. Accordingly, the pan storage space  22  has a front pan receiving opening ( FIG. 1 ) configured to permit the pans  12  to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. Likewise, the pan storage space  22  has a rear pan receiving opening configured to permit the pans  12  to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. Other configurations and arrangements (e.g., permitting access from the front only) may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Each compartment includes a left side wall, a right side wall, a bottom or lower wall, and an upper wall  24  defining the pan storage space  22 . The bottom wall defines a pan support surface configured to support the pan  12  when the pan is in the pan storage space  22 . The pan support surface is generally horizontal (e.g., lies in a generally horizontal plane). It will be understood that compartments having other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The pan  12  is selectively receivable in and removable from the pan storage space  22 . The pan storage space  22  includes the front opening and the rear opening permitting the pan  12  to be inserted into the pan storage space from the front and the back of the pan storage space. The front opening will be described in further detail herein, with the understanding that the rear opening has essentially the same configuration. The front opening includes a lower portion sized to permit the pan  12  to be received in the pan storage space  22  from the front of the pan storage space through the pan receiving opening. The pan support surface is generally a slide surface constructed to slidably receive and support the bottom of the pan  12  in the pan storage space  22 . As the pan  12  is inserted into the pan storage space  22  though the lower portion of the front opening, the pan can be slid along the pan support surface and rest in the pan storage space on the pan support surface. Desirably, the lower portion of the front opening has a width and a height generally corresponding to or greater than a width and a height of the pan  12 , and the pan support surface has a width and a length at least as great as the width and length of the bottom of the pan. Other pan receiving openings and pan support surfaces and dimensions can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the pan support surface may comprise two pan support surfaces configured to slidably receive and support the rim of the pan  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pan storage apparatus  10  is configured for holding food at a warm temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall  24  of each compartment is part of an upper wall assembly  26 . In addition to the upper wall  24 , the upper wall assembly  26  includes a heating element  28  (broadly, a food temperature conditioning element), such as an electrical resistance heater to heat the pans  12  and the food container therein. The use of other heating elements (e.g., infrared heat emitters) instead of or in addition to the heating element  28  is within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, each compartment may include a heat sink (not shown) to be heated by the heating element  28  to help heat the pans  12 . It will be appreciated that the heating elements  28  or other food temperature conditioning element(s) could be located below the pan instead of above the pan. It will be understood that the food may be held in an ambient, heated, or cooled temperature environment (e.g., using one or more (or no) heating and/or cooling food temperature conditioning elements) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a pan  12  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure for use with the pan storage apparatus  10  is generally shown. The pan  12  is generally rectangular and includes a bottom or lower wall  14 A, a front or first end wall  14 B, a rear or second end wall  14 C, left and right side walls  14 D,  14 E, defining an interior  16  of the pan, and an open top providing access to the interior. The interior  16  is sized and shaped to hold food therein. Food can be inserted and removed from the interior  16  through the open top. The pan  12  includes a peripheral rim  14 F extending around the periphery of the pan adjacent the open top. The rim  14 F extends outboard of the front, rear, and left and right side walls  14 B- 14 E and includes front, rear, left, and right rim portions corresponding to the respective sides of the pan  12 . Handles  18  are provided at the front and rear of the pan  12 . The pan  12  may be made of any suitable material, such as a type of plastic. 
     Pans  12  can have any one of a variety of different sizes (e.g., a first pan size, a second pan size, a third pan size, a fourth pan size, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the pan  12  is what is commonly known in the industry as a ⅓ size pan  12 A (e.g., a first pan size). Typically, ⅓ size pans  12 A have a length of about 12 inches and a width of about 6⅔ inches. The pan storage apparatus  10  can also be used to hold ½ size pans  12 B (e.g., a second pan size), ⅔ size pans  12 C (e.g., a third pan size), full size pans  12 D (e.g., a fourth pan size), etc. A ½ size pan  12 B, ⅔ size pans  12 C and a full size pan  12 D are shown schematically in  FIGS. 10-14 . The fraction portion (e.g., ⅓) of the pan size type indicates the size of the pan in relation to a full size pan  12 D. For example, ⅓ size pans  12 A are so named because they are ⅓ the size of a full size pan  12 D. Accordingly, three ⅓ size pans  12 A can fit in the same space as one full size pan  12 D. The pans  12 A-D all have generally the same configuration or construction, just different sizes (e.g., different widths). For example, pans  12 A-D all have the same height, such as a height of about 4 inches. Typically, ½ size pans  12 B have a length of about 12 inches and width of about 10 inches, ⅔ size pans  12 C have a length of about 12 inches and a width of about 13⅓ inches, and full size pans  12 D have a length of about 12 inches and a width of about 20 inches. Pans having other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, such as the configurations described herein. As used herein, the reference numeral “12” refers to all sizes and types of pans (e.g., pans  12 A-D) for use with the pan storage apparatus  10  and the reference numeral “12” followed by a letter, such as “A,” refers to a particular size of pan, such as a ⅓ size pan. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , the pan storage apparatus  10  includes pan covers  30  for covering pans  12  thereunder. The covers  30  are supported (e.g., disposed) in the pan storage spaces  22 . The covers  30  are configured to at least partially, and more desirably, fully, cover the open tops of the pans when the pans are in the pan storage space  22 . In this embodiment, four covers  18  are shown in each pan storage space  22  for covering the four pans  12  received therein. As will become apparent, other configurations and/or arrangements of the covers  18  are possible to accommodate pans  12  of different sizes (e.g., pans  12 A-D). 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an example cover or lid  30  is shown in closer detail. The cover  30  is sized and shaped to cover the pan  12 . The cover  30  is generally rectangular. The cover  30  includes a generally rectangular base or pan covering portion  32 . The pan covering portion  32  has opposite front and rear edge margins and opposite left and right (e.g., first and second) side edge margins. The pan covering portion  32  is sized and shaped to cover the open top of the pan  12 . The pan covering portion  32  includes a generally rectangular lower or pan engagement surface for engaging the pan rim  14 F around the periphery of the pan rim to substantially seal (e.g., by the force of gravity on the cover  30 ) around the open top of the pan. In the illustrated embodiment, the pan covering section  32  (e.g., pan engagement surface) is substantially planar. Other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the cover  30  may not be constructed to engage the pan  12  and/or may be constructed to permit venting from the open top of the pan, as described in more detail below. It will be appreciated that the cover can at least partially cover the open top of the pan without engaging the pan or engaging only part of the pan rim for permitting the interior of the pan to vent out of the open top. 
     The cover  30  includes left and right (e.g., first and second) side flanges  34  extending generally upward from the respective left and right side edge margins of the pan covering portion  32 . The side flanges  34  are generally planar and are generally perpendicular (nonparallel) to the pan covering portion  32 . The cover  30  includes left and right (e.g., first and second) upper flanges  36  extending inward (e.g., toward one another) from the upper edge margins of the left and right side flanges  34 . The upper flanges  36  are generally planar, are generally perpendicular (nonparallel) to the side flanges  34  and are generally parallel to the pan covering portion  32 . Desirably, the upper flanges are co-planar. The upper flanges  36  overly the pan covering portion  32 . Accordingly, the cover  30  has generally U-shaped sides defining a space or channel extending along the side of the cover used to mount the cover to the pan support apparatus, as explained in more detail below. Each upper flange  36  defines at least one opening  38  (e.g., slot). In the illustrated embodiment, each upper flange  36  defines two slots  38 , one generally adjacent the front of the cover  30  and the other generally adjacent the rear of the cover. As explained in more detail below, the slots  38  are used to help retain the cover  30  in the pan storage space  22  when pans  12  are inserted into and removed from the space. The cover  30  may also include a front and rear lift flanges  40  extending generally forward and rearward, respectively, and upward from the front and rear edge margins, respectively, of the pan covering portion  32 . As will become apparent, the lift flanges  40  facilitate lifting of the cover  30  as the pan  12  is inserted in to the pan receiving space  22  to permit the pan to enter the pan receiving space. The lift flanges  40  are generally planar and extend at a non-orthogonal skew angle (e.g., 45 degree angle) relative to the pan covering portion  32 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  30  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a partition or divider  42  configured to divide the pan receiving space  22 , as described in more detail below. The divider  42  is generally planar and extends generally vertically. The divider  42  is configured to be disposed between two adjacent pans  12 . The divider  42  is attached to one of the side flanges  34  and extends downward therefrom. The divider  42  is configured to engage the pan  12  underlying the cover  30  to help keep and position the pan under the cover. Moreover, the divider  42  acts as a guide for the pan  12  when the pan is inserted into and removed from the pan storage space  22  and generally keeps the pan from contacting other pans. In other embodiments, the cover  30  may not include a divider. See for example the left-most cover in  FIG. 9 . It is understood not all the covers  30  of the pan holding apparatus  10  may have dividers  42 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the pan holding apparatus  10  includes three identical covers  30  with dividers  42  and one cover without a divider. In other embodiments, all the covers  30  may include dividers. 
     The covers  30  of the pan holding apparatus  10  can have different sizes and shapes to cover pans  12  of different sizes. For example, the cover  30  shown in  FIG. 7  is a ⅓ size cover  30 A (e.g., a first cover size) sized and shaped to cover a ⅓ size pan  12 A. The pan storage apparatus  10  can also be used with covers  30  of other sizes (e.g., a first cover size, a second cover size, a third cover size, etc.). For example, the pan storage apparatus  10  can be used with ⅔ size covers  30 B (e.g., a second cover size), full size covers  30 C (e.g., a third cover size), etc. A full size cover  30 C and ⅔ size covers  30 B are shown schematically in  FIGS. 12-14 . Generally, the ⅔ size cover  30 B is sized and shaped to cover a ⅔ size pan  12 C and a full size cover  30 C is sized and shaped to cover a full size pan  12 D. However, it is understood that larger covers  30  can be used to cover smaller pans  12 . For example, a ⅔ size cover  30 B can be used to cover a ½ size pan  12 B. As with the pans  12 , the fraction portion (e.g., ⅓) of the cover size type indicates the size of the cover  30  in relation to a full size cover  30 C and therefore the corresponding size (e.g., maximum size) of the pan the cover is configured to cover. The covers  30 A-C all have generally the same configuration or construction, just different sizes (e.g., different widths). Covers having other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The cover  30  may be formed of any suitable material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, another type of metal, or a type of plastic. As used herein, the reference numeral “30” refers to all sizes and types of covers (e.g., covers  30 A-C) for use with the pan storage apparatus  10  and the reference numeral “30” followed by a letter, such as “A,” refers to a particular size of cover, such as a ⅓ size cover. 
     Like the pan  12 , the cover  30  is selectively receivable in and removable from the pan storage space  22 . The pan storage space  22  includes the front opening and the rear opening permitting the cover  20  to be inserted into the pan storage space from the front and the back of the pan storage space. The front opening (with the rear opening having essentially the same configuration) of the pan storage space  22  includes an upper portion located above the lower portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower portions are non-overlapping sections of the front opening. The upper portion of the front opening is sized to permit the cover  30  to be received in the pan storage space  22  from the front of the pan storage space through the upper portion of the front opening. Desirably, the upper portion of the front opening has a width and a height generally corresponding to or greater than a width and height of the cover  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-8 , the covers  30  are suspended in the pan storage space  22 . The pan holding apparatus includes a plurality (broadly, at least one) of cover supports  50 . The cover supports  50  support the covers  30  in the pan storage space  22 . The cover supports  50  are coupled to the housing  20 . Specifically, the cover supports are part of the upper wall assembly  26  and are coupled to the upper wall  24 . Accordingly, the cover supports  50  are disposed in the pan storage space  22 . The cover support  50  includes a rail  52  mounted to the upper wall  24 . The rail  52  includes a front end adjacent to the front opening and a rear end adjacent to the rear opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the rail  52  includes a mounting flange  54  and a side flange  56  extending generally downward from the mounting flange. The mounting flange  54  and side flange  56  are generally planar and perpendicular (nonparallel) to one another. The cover support  50  includes at least one holder  58  configured to support and retain the cover in the pan storage space  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cover support  50  includes two holders  58  spaced apart from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the holders  58  are disposed at each end of the rail  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the holder  58 , in combination with the side flange  56 , has a generally hook shape (e.g., J-hook shape). Cover supports  50  of the present disclosure are generally easier to clean than conventional supports because the cover supports of the present disclosure do not have or define (either by itself or with other components) long, narrow channels or openings that can be difficult to access for cleaning. 
     The holder  58  and the cover  30  are arranged relative to one another such that the holder and the cover engage one another to retain the cover in the pan storage space  22  when the pan moves in the pan storage space. The holder  58  is configured to extend through the cover  30  and retain the cover in the pan storage space  22  when the pan moves in (e.g., into or out of) the pan storage space. The holder  58  is also configured to support the cover  30  in the pan storage space  22 . The holder  58  includes a support flange  60  extending generally horizontally from a lower edge margin of the side flange  56 . The support flange  60  is generally planar. The support flange  60  defines (e.g., includes) a cover support surface (e.g., the upper surface of the support flange) of the cover support  50  configured to engage and support the cover  30  when the cover is in the pan storage space  22 . The cover support surface is generally horizontal. The holder  58  also includes at least one retainer flange  62  (broadly, “retainer”) extending generally upward from a side edge margin of the support flange  60 . For reasons that will become apparent, the retainer  62  may be considered a first or primary retainer. The retainer flange  62  is configured to extend through the cover  30  (e.g., the opening  38 ) when the cover is supported by the cover support  50 . The retainer flange  62  defines (e.g., includes) at least one retainer surface configured to engage the cover  30  (e.g., the edges of the opening  38 ) to retain the cover in the pan storage space  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer flange  62  includes a front retainer surface and a rear retainer surface. The front retainer surface is the front edge of the retainer flange  62  and the rear retainer surface is the rear edge of the retainer flange. The front retainer surface faces forward and generally inhibits the cover  30  from moving rearward. The rear retainer surface faces rearward and generally inhibits the cover from moving forward. The retainer surfaces are generally vertical (e.g., lie in a vertical plane). In the illustrated embodiment, the holder  58  includes two retainer flanges  62  at the front and rear ends of the holder. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pan holding apparatus  10  includes eight cover supports  50 . The cover supports  50  are arranged so that two cover supports (e.g., left and right or first and second cover supports) support one cover  30 . The two cover supports  50  are arranged to support opposite sides of the cover  30 . One cover support  50  supports the left side of the cover  30  and the other cover support  50  supports the right side of the cover. When the cover  30  is supported in the pan storage space  22  by the two cover supports  50 , the cover rests on the cover support surfaces of the cover supports. One upper flange  36  rests on the cover support surfaces of one of the cover supports  50  and the other upper flange rests on the cover supports surface of the other cover support. In this position, the holders  58  extend through the openings  38  of the cover  30  ( FIG. 8 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the four holders  58  of the two cover supports  50  extend through the four openings  38  in the cover  30 . 
     To position the cover  30  in the pan storage space  22 , the cover  30  is moved into the pan storage space through generally the upper portion of the front or rear opening and arranged with respect to the two cover supports  50  that will support the cover such that the holders  58  are aligned with the openings  38 . In particular, the cover  30  is positioned so that the upper flanges  36  are disposed above the holders  58  and so that both cover supports  50  are positioned inward of the side flanges  34 . When aligned, the cover  30  is lowered until the cover rests on the cover support surfaces of the cover supports  50  (e.g., holders  58 ). This can be referred to as a retained position of the cover  30 . As the cover  30  is lowered, the holders  58  extend into and through the openings  38 . 
     To remove the cover  30  in the pan storage space  22  (e.g., for cleaning, rearrangement or replacement), the cover  30  is lifted or raised until the holders  58  no longer extend into or through the openings  38  (e.g., the retainers are out of horizontal registration with and below the edges of the openings of the cover). This can be referred to as a non-retained position of the cover  30 . When the cover  30  is clear of the holders  58 , the cover is moved out of the pan storage space  22  through the front or rear opening (e.g., upper portion thereof). The cover  30  can be moved in either a generally forward or rearward direction. 
     When the cover  30  is in the pan storage space  22 , the retainers  62  of the two cover supports  50  retain the cover in the pan storage space for preventing inadvertent removal of the cover from the pan storage space. In particular, the holders  58  inhibit the cover  30  from moving in either the forward or rearward direction with the pan  12  as the pan is inserted or removed from the pan storage space  22 . As a pan  12  is inserted or removed from the pan storage space  22 , the pan engages and tends to drag the cover  30  in the same direction the pan is moving in. To inhibit the cover  30  from being dragged with the pan  12 , the retainer flange  62  (e.g., retainer surface) engages the cover, thereby preventing the cover from moving with the pan. For example, if the pan  12  is moving in a forward direction, the rear retainer surfaces of the holders  58  engage the edges of the openings  38  (broadly, cover retainer surfaces) to inhibit the cover  30  from moving in the forward direction. Similarly, if the pan  12  is moving in a rearward direction, the forward retainer surfaces of the holders  58  engage the edges of the openings  38  to inhibit the cover  30  from moving in the rearward direction. The cover supports  50  (e.g., holders  58 ) are immovable or fixed in position with respect to the housing  20 . 
     To store the pan  12  in the pan storage space  22 , the pan can be inserted into the pan storage space by moving the pan through the front or rear opening (e.g., the lower portion thereof) and sliding it along the pan support surface. As the pan  12  is received in the pan storage space  22 , the pan lifts the cover  30  upward such that the cover becomes supported by and rests on the rim  14 F of the pan, thereby covering the open top of the pan. In this position, the cover  30  is spaced above and out of engagement with the cover support surfaces of the cover supports  50 . The cover support surfaces of the holders  58  are located with respect to the pan support surface so that the height of the pan  12  is greater than the vertical distance between the cover support surfaces and the pan support surface so the pan lifts the cover  30  off the cover support surfaces. Desirably, when the pan  12  reaches its stowed position in the pan storage space  22 , the cover  30  covers the open top of the pan and substantially seals around the rim  14 F. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  30  is biased against the rim  14 F by gravity only, but biasing devices such as springs, clamps, etc. may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the pan  12  supports the cover  30  off the cover support surfaces, the retainer surfaces of the holder  58  are still in horizontal registration with the edges of the opening  38  (i.e., the cover is still in the retained position) for retaining the cover in the pan storage space  22 . 
     When it is desired to move the pan  12  from its stowed position in the pan storage space  22  to supply food (broadly, contents) to or remove food from the pan, the pan can be slid at least partially out of the pan storage space by grasping the handle  18  and sliding the pan forward or rearward. The front or rear end of the open top of the pan  12  becomes uncovered as the pan is pulled forward or rearward, exposing the contents in the pan. The cover  30  may ride forward or rearward on the pan  12  until the retainers  62  engage the cover for stopping forward or rearward movement of the cover. Accordingly, the retainers  62  retain the cover  30  in the pan storage space  22 . If the pan  12  is entirely removed from the pan storage space  22 , the upper flanges  36  of the cover  30  will come to rest in flatwise engagement with the cover support surfaces of the cover supports  50 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pan holding apparatus  10  may also include secondary retainers  64 . The secondary retainers  64  are configured to retain the covers  30  in the pan storage space  22  when the pan  12  moves in the pan storage space and the primary retainers  62  fail to retain the cover in the pan storage space. As mentioned above, the retainers  62  may be considered primary retainers and are configured to retain the covers  30  in the pan storage space  22 . However, if the primary retainers  62  fail to retain the cover  30  in the pan storage space, as explained in more detail below, the secondary retainers  64  retain the cover. As shown in the figures, the primary and secondary retainers  62 ,  64  have different configurations or constructions. The secondary retainer  64  is disposed outside the pan storage space  22 . In particular, the pan storage apparatus  10  includes secondary retainers  64  disposed forward of the front opening and secondary retainers disposed rearward of the rear opening. The secondary retainer includes a flange or flap  66  connected to the upper wall assembly  26  of the housing  20 . The flap  66  extends downward, over a portion of the front or rear opening. Specifically, the flap  66  blocks or covers a portion of the front or rear openings (e.g., a portion of the upper portion) to retain the cover  30 . In this retaining position, the flap  66  is in horizontal registration with the cover  30  so that the cover will contact the flap if the cover moves in the forward or rearward direction and the primary retainers  62  fail to retain the cover. The flap  66  is movably or rotatably connected to the housing  20  with a fastener (e.g., a bolt). The flap  66  can rotate about the fastener. This allows the flap  66  to be rotated generally upward into a non-retaining position where the flap does not block the front or rear opening and are not in horizontal registration with the covers  30  to permit the covers to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space  22 . The flap  66  is sized, shaped and positioned to not be in horizontal registration with the pan  12  when the pan is in the pan storage space  22 , thereby permitting the pan to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. The secondary retainers  64  may be configured to retain two or more covers  30 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary retainers  64  are generally disposed between adjacent cover supports  50 , each supporting a different cover  30 , so that the one secondary retainer can retain both the covers (e.g., the one secondary retainer is in horizontal registration with the two covers). However, it is understood that when the covers  30  are rearranged, as described in more detail below, the secondary retainers  64  may only be disposed to retain one cover. 
     The secondary retainers  64  retain the covers  30  when the primary retainers  62  fail to do so. The primary retainers  62  may fail to retain the cover  30  if the cover is lifted (e.g., lifted too high) as the pan  12  moves in the pan storage space  22  such that the primary retainers  62  (e.g., retainer surfaces) are no longer in horizontal registration with the cover (e.g., the edges of the openings  38 ). In this position, the cover  30  will move with the pan  12  until the cover engages the secondary retainer  64 . As mentioned above, the covers  30  are configured to be slightly lifted by the pan  12  in order to rest on the rim  14 F of the pan and cover the open top. This designed lifting of the cover  30  is not enough to move the cover out of horizontal registration with the primary retainers  62 . However, if the cover  30  is further lifted (e.g., inadvertently moved upward), the cover may no longer be in horizontal registration with the primary retainers  62  and, accordingly, the primary retainers will fail to retain the cover. For example, the cover  30  may be inadvertently lifted if the pan  12  is not disposed generally horizontally but instead at an angle (e.g., 20 degrees) to the horizontal when the pan moves in the pan storage space  22 . If the pan  12  is angled, an end of the pan may further lift the cover  30 , thereby disengaging the cover from the primary retainers  62 . In one example, an operator may impart an angle to the pan  12  relative to the horizontal by rotating the front end of the pan downward about a front edge of the pan support surface. This rotation may be involuntary and simply a result of the pan  12  being in a raised position relative to the operator (e.g., the operator has to access the pan by reaching up, sliding the pan outward and moving the pan downward) and the weight of the food in the pan. This rotation causes the rear end of the pan  12  to move upward, lifting the cover  30 . If the rear end of the pan  12  lifts the cover  30  too far upward, the cover may disengage from some or all of the primary retainers  62 . Thus, the primary retainers  62  will no longer be able to retain the cover  30  and the cover will generally move with the pan  12  until the pan engages the secondary retainer. It will be appreciated that, desirably, the secondary retainer  64  is located with respect to the holders  58  such that the cover  30  does not engage the secondary retainer unless the cover is not retained by the holders. In other words, in most circumstances, when the pan  12  is pulled forward, the cover  30  will engage the retainers  62 , which will stop forward movement of the cover before engaging the secondary retainer  64 , which prevents wear on the secondary retainer. 
     The secondary retainer  64  is desirably configured to position the cover  30  to reengage the primary retainer  58  when the secondary retainer retains the cover in the pan storage space  22 . Specifically, the primary and secondary retainers  62 ,  64  are configured to have the cover  30  return to the retained position on the primary retainers after the cover is retained by the secondary retainer. The secondary retainers  64  are configured to be closely adjacent to the cover  30  when the covers are in the retained position. As mentioned above and shown in  FIG. 6 , the upper portions of the retaining surfaces of the retainer flange  62  are curved. Desirably, the distance between the flap  66  and the cover  30  when the cover is in the retained position is less than the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the retaining surfaces. In this manner, the edges of the openings  38  of the cover  30  will be positioned above the curved portions of the retaining surfaces when the cover engages the secondary retainer  64 . Accordingly, when the secondary retainer  64  engages or retains the cover  30 , the cover is positioned to reengage the primary retainers  62 . After the pan  12  stops lifting the cover  30 , the cover falls downward with the edges of the openings  38  engaging and sliding along the curved portions of the retaining surfaces to guide the cover back into the retained position. 
     During some methods of operation, only a portion of the primary retainers  62  may fail to retain the cover  30  if the cover is lifted (e.g., lifted too high) as the pan  12  moves into and/or out of the pan storage space  22  such that only some of the primary retainers (e.g., retainer surfaces) are no longer in horizontal registration with the cover (e.g., the edges of the openings  38 ). For example, the leading edge of the pan  12  may lift the cover  30  off of the leading or front cover supports  50  while the trailing or rear cover supports remain engaged with the cover. In this method of operation, the trailing cover supports  50  retain the cover  30 , such that the secondary retainers  64  are not utilized in this operation situation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the dividers  42  of the covers divide the pan receiving space  22  into pan subspaces  23 . Each pan subspace  23  is sized and shaped to receive (e.g., hold) one of the pans  12  therein. The pan subspaces  23  are sections of the pan storage space  22 . The pan subspaces  23  are generally bounded by the covers (e.g., underlie the covers), the pan support surface and/or the side wall of the housing  20 . A lower end of the pan subspace  23  is defined by the pan support surface and an upper end of the pan subspace is defined by one or more covers  30 . The opposite sides of the pan subspace  23  may be defined by two dividers  42  or a divider and a side wall of the housing  20  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     As with the covers  30  and the pans  12 , the pan subspaces  23  of the pan holding apparatus  10  can have different sizes and shapes to receive pans of different sizes. For example, the pan subspaces  23  shown in  FIG. 9  are ⅓ size pan subspaces  23 A (e.g., a first pan subspace size) sized and shaped to receive a ⅓ size pan  12 A. As explained in more detail below, the pan storage apparatus  10  can be configured to have pan subspaces  23  of other sizes (e.g., a first pan subspace size, a second pan subspace size, a third pan subspace size, etc.). For example, the pan storage apparatus  10  can have ⅔ size pan subspaces  23 B (e.g., a second pan subspace size), full size pan subspace  23 C (e.g., a third cover size), etc. A full pan subspace  23 C and ⅔ size pan subspace  23 B are shown in  FIGS. 10-14 . Generally, the ⅔ size pan subspace  23 B is sized and shaped to receive a ⅔ size pan  12 C and a full size pan subspace  23 C is sized and shaped to cover a full size pan  12 D. However, it is understood that larger pan subspaces  30  can be used to receive smaller pans  12 . For example, a ⅔ size pan subspace  23 B can be used to receive a ½ size pan  12 B, as shown in  FIG. 11 . As with the pans  12  and covers  30 , the fraction portion (e.g., ⅓) of the cover size type indicates the size of the pan subspace  30  in relation to a full size pan subspace  23 C and therefore the corresponding size (e.g., maximum size) of the pan the pan subspace is configured to receive. The pan subspaces  23 A-C all have generally the same configuration or construction, just different sizes (e.g., different widths). As used herein, the reference numeral “23” refers to all sizes of pan subspaces (e.g., pan subspaces  23 A-C) for use with the pan storage apparatus  10  and the reference numeral “23” followed by a letter, such as “A,” refers to a particular size of pan subspace, such as a ⅓ size pan subspace. 
     The pan holding apparatus  10  is configurable and reconfigurable to hold pans  12  of generally any size (e.g., ⅓ size pans  12 A, ½ size pans  12 B, ⅔ size pans  12 C, full size pans  12 D, etc.). In particular, the covers  30  of the pan holding apparatus  10  are arrangeable and rearrangeable to configure the pan holding apparatus to hold generally any combination of pans  12  (e.g., different size pans  12 A-D). In the illustrated embodiment, a 4/3 size pan (not shown) is the maximum size pan  12  that the pan storage space  22  is sized to hold, although other sizes (e.g., larger or smaller) of the pan storage space are within the scope of the present disclosure. Desirably, the pan storage space  22  is sized based on a multiple of a ⅓ size pan  12 A. As will become apparent, this sizing of the pan storage space  22  enables the pan holding apparatus  10  to be quickly configured to hold a wide variety of different sizes and arrangements of pans  12 . Overall, the size and arrangement of pans  12  that are held by the pan holding apparatus  10  is determined by the size and arrangement of the covers  30  in the pan storage space  22 . The configurability of the pan holding apparatus  10  is accomplished in several ways. First, each cover  30  is configured to be coupled to the housing  12  in different orientations (e.g., at least two orientations), thereby changing the position of the divider  42  of the cover in the pan receiving space  22 . Second, the covers  30  can be coupled to the housing  20  in different arrangements or orders, thereby also changing the positions of the dividers  42  in the pan receiving space  22 . Third, different size covers  30  can be coupled to the housing  20 . All three of these different methods can be used to configure the pan holding apparatus  10  to hold pans  12  of different sizes as desired. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the covers  30  of the illustrated embodiment are configured to be coupled to the housing in two different (e.g., first and second) orientations, a left orientation and a right orientation. In the left orientation, the cover  30  is oriented such that the divider  42  is on the left side of the cover. For example, the right three covers  30  in  FIG. 9  are all shown in the left orientation. In the right orientation, the cover  30  is oriented such that the divider  42  is on the right of the cover. For example, the right-most cover  30  in  FIG. 10  is shown in the right orientation. A cover  30  in the right orientation is turned around or rotated approximately 180 degrees about a vertical axis (not shown) relative to a cover in the left orientation. Rotating the cover  30  positions the divider  42  on either the left or right side of the cover. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the size of the pan subspace  23  (and therefore the size of the pan  12  that can be held therein) can be selected as desired by choosing the orientation in which the covers  30  are coupled to the cover supports  50  of the housing  20 . The orientation of the covers  30  determines the position of the dividers  42  in the pan storage space  22  and therefore the size of the pan subspace(s)  23  defined by the dividers. 
     The covers  30  can be oriented to change the configuration of the pan subspaces  23  in the pan storage space  22  and thereby the sizes of pans  12  that can be received in the pan storage space. The covers  30  can be oriented in one (e.g., a first) cover arrangement (e.g., orientation arrangement) such that the dividers  42  divide the pan storage space  22  into one (e.g., a first) pan subspace  23  configuration. The covers  30  can also be oriented in another (e.g., a second) cover arrangement such that the dividers  42  divide the pan storage space  22  into another (e.g., a second) pan subspace  23  configuration. In the second cover arrangement, at least one of the covers  30 A has been rotated approximately 180 degrees to change the orientation of the cover. For simplicity, these different cover arrangements will be described in context of two covers  30  with the understanding these teachings are applicable to all covers. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pan holding apparatus  10  includes four ⅓ size covers  30 A. Three of these ⅓ size covers  30 A include dividers  42  and the other does not. The three ⅓ size covers  30 A with dividers  42  are identical. In  FIG. 9 , two covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2  are arranged in the pan storage space  22  in a first cover arrangement such that the dividers  42  of these covers divide the pan storage space into one (e.g., a first) pan subspace  23 A 1  sized to receive one (e.g., a first) pan  12  and a second pan subspace  23 A 2  sized to receive another (e.g., a second) pan. In this embodiment, the two pans are ⅓ size pans  12 A. As used herein, subscripts are used to identify separate elements of the same element type (e.g., a first ⅓ size cover and a ⅓ size second cover of the ⅓ size covers). In  FIG. 10 , the two covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2  are arranged in the pan storage space  22  in a second cover arrangement. In this second cover arrangement, the dividers  42  of these two covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2  divide the pan storage space  22  into third pan subspace  23 B size to receive another (e.g., a third) pan  12 . This pan  12  can be of a different size than the pans (broadly, at least one of the pans) received when the covers are in the first cover arrangement. In this embodiment, the third pan subspace  23 B can receive up to a ⅔ size pan  12 C. 
     In operation, to change the pan subspace  23  configuration, the operator rearranges (e.g., re-orients) the two covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2  (broadly, at least one cover) positioned in the first orientation in the pan receiving space  22  as shown in  FIG. 9  to the orientations shown in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the operator rearranges the second cover  30 A 2  in the second orientation. The operator removes the second cover  30 A 2  from the cover supports  50  and the pan storage space  22 , turns or rotates the second cover approximately 180 degrees and then reinserts the second cover into the pan storage space and attaches to the second cover to same cover supports the cover was initial suspended from. This process moves the divider  42  on the second cover  30 A 2  from the left side ( FIG. 9 ) to the right side ( FIG. 10 ), thereby changing the size (e.g., width) of the pans subspace  23  defined between the dividers of the first and second covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2 . In other embodiments, two or more (e.g., both the first and second covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 2 ) of the covers  30  may be rearranged in another orientation to change the configuration of the pan subspaces  23  in the pan storage space  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the covers  30  can be rearranged (e.g., reorder) in other ways to change the configuration of the pan subspaces  23  in the pan storage space  22  and thereby the sizes of pans  12  that can be received in the pan storage space. Specifically, the covers  30  with and without dividers  42  can be rearranged to change the configuration of the pan holding apparatus  10 . The covers  30  can be ordered in one (e.g., a first) cover arrangement (e.g., order arrangement) such that the dividers  42  divide the pan storage space  22  into one (e.g., a first) pan subspace  23  configuration. The covers  30  can also be ordered in another (e.g., a second) cover arrangement such that the dividers  42  divide the pan storage space  22  into another (e.g., a second) pan subspace  23  configuration. Specifically, the at least some of the covers  30  are reordered or repositioned such that they are being supported by different cover supports  50  in the pan storage space  22  in the second cover arrangement compared to the first cover arrangement. For simplicity, these different cover arrangements will again be described in context of two covers  30  with the understanding these teachings are applicable to all covers. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the pan holding apparatus  10  includes four ⅓ size covers  30 A. Three of these ⅓ size covers  30 A include a divider  42  and the other does not. Specifically, the pan holding apparatus  10  includes one ⅓ size cover  30 A 3  with a divider  42  and one ⅓ size cover  30 A 4  without a divider. Other configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the pan holding apparatus  10  can includes two ⅓ size covers  30 A with dividers  42  and two covers without dividers. In  FIG. 9 , the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  are arranged in the pan storage space  22  in a first cover arrangement such that the divider  42  of the first cover  30 A 3  divides the pan storage space into one (e.g., a first) pan subspace  23 A 3  size to receive one (e.g., a first) pan  12  and a second pan subspace  23 A 4  sized to receive another (e.g., a second) pan. In this embodiment, the two pans are ⅓ size pans  12 A. In this arrangement, the divider  42  is disposed generally between the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4 , thereby dividing the pan storage space  22  underlying the two covers forming two ⅓ size pan subspaces  23 A. In  FIG. 11 , the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  are arranged (e.g., ordered) in the pan storage space  22  in a second cover arrangement. In this second cover arrangement, the divider  42  of the first cover  30 A 3  divides the pan storage space  22  into third pan subspace  23 B size to receive another (e.g., a third) pan  12 . This pan  12  can be of a different size than the pans (broadly, at least one of the pans) received when the covers are in the first cover arrangement. In this embodiment, the third pan subspace  23 B can receive up to a ⅔ size pan  12 C, with a ½ size pan  12 B shown in the illustrated embodiment. In this arrangement, the divider  42  is not disposed between the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4 , thereby enabling both covers to define a single pan subspace  23  and cooperate with each other to cover a pan  12  received in the pan subspace (e.g., each cover covers a portion of the pan). 
     In operation, to change the pan subspace  23  configuration, the operator rearranges (e.g., reorders) the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  (broadly, at least two covers) positioned in the first order in the pan receiving space  22  as shown in  FIG. 9  to the order shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, the operator changes (e.g., switches) the positions of the two covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  in the pan receiving space  22 . The operator removes the first and second covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  from their respective cover supports  50  shown in  FIG. 9  and the pan storage space  22 . The operator than switches the first and second covers  30 A 3 ,  30 A 4  around and reinserts the covers into the pans storage space  22 . The first cover  30 A 3  is attached to the cover supports  50  previously supporting the second cover  30 A 4  and the second cover is attached to the cover supports  50  previously supporting the first cover. This process moves the divider  42  on the first cover  30 A 3  away from the second cover  30 A 4 , thereby enabling the two covers to cooperate to define one pan subspace  23  and cover a larger pan  12 . In other embodiments, three or more of the covers  30  may be rearranged in another order to change the configuration of the pan subspaces  23  in the pan storage space  22 . As used herein, the term “arrange” and other terms within the arrange word family (e.g., arrangement) may refer to the orientation and/or order of the covers  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , the pan holding apparatus  10  can include a variety of different size covers  30  to cover different size pans  12  in the pan storage space  22 . Specifically, covers  30  of different sizes can be attached to the cover supports  50  to change the configuration of the pan subspaces  23  in the pan storage space  22  and thereby the size of pans  12  that can be received in the pan storage space. In the illustrated embodiment, the pan holding apparatus  10  is shown including ⅓ size covers  30 A, ⅔ size covers  30 B and full size covers  30 C. 
     The cover supports  50  are configured to enable covers  30  of different sizes (e.g.,  30 A,  30 B,  30 C) to be attached to the housing  20  and to be disposed (e.g., suspended) in the pan storage space  22 . The cover supports  50  are arranged in cover support sets or pairs  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pan holding apparatus includes four cover support sets  70 A-D, although more or fewer are within the scope of the present disclosure. Each cover support set  70  includes two (e.g., first and second, left and right) cover supports  50 . As mentioned above, two cover supports  50  are used to support a cover  30  (e.g., the left and right sides of a cover) in the pan storage space  22 . As explained in more detail below, the two cover supports  50  supporting the cover can be part of the same cover support set  70  or different cover support sets. Each cover support set  70  is configured to support the smallest size of cover  30  to be used with the pan holding apparatus  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the smallest size of cover  30  and pan  12  are the ⅓ size cover  30 A and ⅓ size pan  12 A, although other sizes are within the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the reference numeral “70” refers to all the cover support sets (e.g., sets  70 A-D) of the pan storage apparatus  10  and the reference numeral “70” followed by a letter, such as “A,” refers to a particular cover support set. 
     The cover supports  50  (e.g., cover support sets  70 ) are configured to support covers  30  of different sizes. For example, one cover support  50  may be used to support covers  30  of various different sizes. The cover support sets  70  are positioned on the housing  20  to cooperate with one another to support covers  30  of larger sizes. In particular, the cover support sets  70  and cover supports  50  are positioned on the housing  20  so that the first or left cover support  501  of one cover support set  70  can be used with the second or right cover support  502  of the same cover support set to support a first size of cover  30  (e.g., ⅓ size cover  30 A) or can be used with the second cover support  502  of a different cover support set to support a second size of cover (e.g., a ⅔ size cover  30 B). The two (e.g., left and right) cover supports  501 ,  502  used to support one cover  30  form a cover support group. It is understood that a cover support set  70  can be a cover support group, or that a cover support  50  of one cover support set and another cover support of another cover support set may form a cover support group. Moreover, one cover support  50  can be used to form several different cover support groups depending on the other cover support used with it. The cover supports  50  can be a part of different cover support groups to support covers  30  of different sizes. The cover support sets  70  are also uniformly spaced apart, so that the distance between any two cover supports  50  is standardized or the same as the distance for other corresponding two cover supports. For example, the distance between the left cover support  501  of the first cover support set  70 A and the right cover support  502  of the third cover support set  70 C (e.g., a first cover support group) is the same as a distance between the left cover support  501  of the second cover support set  70 B and the right cover support  502  of the fourth cover support set  70 D (e.g., a second cover support group) and, thus, a full size cover  30 C can be suspended from either one of these cover support groups. This uniform spacing of the cover supports  50  permits the interchangeability of the cover  30  sizes described herein. 
     The pan holding apparatus  10  is configured to hold (e.g., include) one or more of a first cover  30  (e.g., a ⅓ size cover  30 A) having a size and shape to cover a first pan  12  (e.g., a ⅓ size pan  12 A) of a first size, one or more of a second cover (e.g., a ⅔ size cover  30 B) having a size and shape to cover a second pan  12  (e.g., a ⅔ size pan  12 C) of a second size different than the first size, and/or one or more of a third cover (e.g., a full size cover  30 C) having a size and shape to cover a third pan (e.g., a full size pan  12 D) of a third size different than the first and second sizes. The first, second and third covers  30  all have different sizes. The cover supports  50  are configured to support the first, second and/or third covers  30  in the pan storage space  22 . The cover supports  50  include a first cover support group configured to support the first cover  30  (e.g., a ⅓ size cover  30 A), a second cover support group configured to support the second cover (e.g., a ⅔ size cover  30 B), and a third cover support group configured to support the third cover (e.g., a full size cover  30 C). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pan storage apparatus  10  is configured to hold covers  30  having sizes that are a multiple of the ⅓ size cover  30 A (e.g., ⅔ size cover  30 B). The cover supports  50  (e.g., cover support sets  70 ) are arranged (e.g., spaced apart) such that cover supports of generally adjacent cover support sets can be used to support covers  30  having a size that is a multiple of the ⅓ size cover  30 A. To support a ⅔ size cover  30 B, the left cover support  501  of one cover support set  70  and a right cover support  502  of an adjacent cover support set  70  are used (e.g., form a cover support group) to support the ⅔ size cover ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). For example, in  FIG. 13  the left cover support  501  of cover support set  70 A and the right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 B form a cover support group used to support a ⅔ size cover  30 B. To support a full size cover  30 C, the left cover support  501  of one cover support set  70  and a right cover support  502  of another cover support set  70  spaced apart by a cover support set (e.g., there is a cover support set disposed therebetween) are used (e.g., form a cover support group) to support the full size cover (e.g.,  FIG. 14 ). For example, in  FIG. 14 , the left cover support  501  of cover support set  70 A and the right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 C form a cover support group used to support a full size cover  30 C. Moreover, the at least some of the various different cover support groups (e.g., first and second cover support groups) can include one (broadly, at least one) of the same cover supports  50 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the left cover support  501  of cover support set  70 A forms one cover support group with the right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 B to support a ⅔ size cover  30 B and forms another cover support group with right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 C to support a full size cover  30 C. 
     Desirably, the pan storage space  22  of the pan holding apparatus  10  is sized large enough to permit at least two different size covers to be supported in the pan storage space at the same time. This increases the versatility and configurability of the pan holding apparatus  10  to receive the sizes of pans  12  as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the pan storage space  22  of the pan holding apparatus  10  is sized to receive a cumulative size total of 4/3 size covers  30  (e.g., 4/3 size pans  12 ). Thus, the pan storage space  22  can receive four ⅓ size covers  30 A, two ⅓ size covers and a ⅔ size cover  30 B, or a ⅓ size cover and a full size cover  30 C. The different sizes of covers  30  can be rearranged (e.g., reoriented and/or reordered), as described above, to create generally any desired pan subspace  23  configuration to hold generally any desired pan  12  configuration. Other sizes (e.g., lengths) of the pan storage space of the pan holding apparatus are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the pan storage space can be sized to hold more or fewer pans (e.g., more or fewer than four ⅓ size pans  12 A). Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , in one example embodiment, a pan storage apparatus  110 , described in more detail below, has a pan storage space  112  sized to receive a cumulative size total of a full size pan  12 D (e.g., a full size cover  30 C). In other words, the pan storage space  112  is sized to hold up to three ⅓ size pans  112 A. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 12-14 , in operation, to change the sizes of covers  30  in the pan storage space  22 , and thereby the pan subspace  23  configuration, the operator changes out one or more of the covers in the pan storage space. The operator may remove one or more initial covers  30  of the same or different sizes from the cover supports  50  (e.g., cover support groups) supporting those covers and then insert a new cover of a different size in the pan storage space  22  and support the new cover using at least one (e.g., some) of the cover supports that were previously supporting the initial covers. For example, referring to  FIGS. 9 and 12 , the operator can add a ⅔ size cover  30 B to the pan holding apparatus  10  (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) by removing two adjacent ⅓ size covers  30 A 1 ,  30 A 3  from the pan holding apparatus (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). In this example, the left cover support  501  of cover support set  70 B and the right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 C which were previously used to support the ⅓ size covers  30 A ( FIG. 9 ) are now being used (e.g., form a new cover support group) to support the ⅔ size cover  30 B ( FIG. 12 ). In another example, referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the operator can add a full size cover  30 C to the pan holding apparatus  10  (as shown in  FIG. 14 ) by removing adjacent ⅓ size cover  30 A and ⅔ size cover  30 B from the pan holding apparatus (as shown in  FIG. 13 ). In this example, the left cover support  501  of cover support set  70 A and the right cover support  502  of cover support set  70 C which were previously used to support the ⅓ and ⅔ size covers  30 A,  30 B ( FIG. 13 ) are now being used (e.g., form a new cover support group) to support the full size cover  30 C ( FIG. 14 ). The operator can then further rearrange the covers  30  in the pan storage space  22  as desired. For example, the operator can reorient and/or reorder the covers  30 , as described above. 
     As is now apparent, the pan holding apparatus  10  is configurable to hold generally any size of pan  12  in generally any order in the pan storage space  22 . By selecting the cover  30  sizes supported in the pan storage space  22 , the order of the covers, and/or the orientation of the covers (collectively and broadly, the cover arrangement or configuration) the operator can configure the pan storage space (e.g., pan subspaces  23 ) to receive the desired configuration (e.g., sizes and/or orders) of pans  12 .  FIGS. 9-14  illustrate several example configurations of the covers  30  for configuring the pan receiving space  22  to receive different configurations of pans  12 . It is understood that the cover  30  configurations are not limited to those shown in  FIGS. 9-14  and other cover configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, a person having ordinary skill in the art readily understands and/or can determine what cover  30  configurations are possible in view of the teachings herein (e.g., configuring the covers by changing the orientation, order, and/or sizes of the covers). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17 , another embodiment of a pan storage apparatus according to the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference number  110 . The pan storage apparatus  110  includes covers  130  for covering pans  112 . Pan storage apparatus  110 , covers  130 , and pans  112  are generally analogous (have substantially the same construction) to pan storage apparatus  10 , covers  30  and pans  12 , respectively. Thus, for ease of comprehension, where similar, analogous, or identical parts are used, similar reference numerals, plus 100, are employed. Accordingly, unless clearly stated or indicated otherwise, the above descriptions regarding pan storage apparatus  10 , covers  30 , and pans  12  also apply to pan storage apparatus  110 , covers  130  and pans  112 . 
     Pan storage apparatus  110  is generally the same as pan storage apparatus  10  except that pan storage apparatus  110  includes different covers  130  for covering pans  112 , and the apparatus is not as wide. Pans  112  are similar to pans  12 , except that pans  112  have a smaller height. For example, the pans  112  may have a height of 2½ inches. To accommodate the smaller height of the pans  112 , covers  130  have a height (e.g., a first height) that is taller than the height (e.g., a second height) of covers  30 . In particular, the side flanges  134  of cover  130  are taller (e.g., have a taller height) than the side flanges  34  of cover  30 . It is understood the side flanges  134  of cover  30  can be generally any height to accommodate the height of any pan. Covers  30  and covers  130  are interchangeable. In addition, both covers  30 ,  130  can be used (e.g., mounted to) the pan storage apparatus  10 ,  110  at the same time so that the pan storage apparatus can support pans  12 ,  112  of different heights (e.g., side-by-side) at the same time. Accordingly, by selecting covers  30 ,  130  of a particular height, the operator can further configure (in addition to selecting the cover sizes supported in the pan storage space  22 ,  122 , the order of the covers, and/or the orientation of the covers, as described above) the cover arrangement (e.g., pan subspaces  23 ,  123 ) to receive the desired configuration (e.g., sizes and/or orders) of pans  12 ,  112 . Multiple (e.g., two or more) covers  30 ,  130  of different heights and/or sizes (e.g., ⅓ size covers  30 A,  130 A, ⅔ size covers  30 B,  130 B, full size covers  30 C,  130 C, etc.) can from a cover kit of the pan storage apparatus  10 ,  110  and be provided with the pan storage apparatus to permit the operator to arrange the covers in multiple (e.g., all the) different cover arrangements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , another embodiment of a cover according to the present disclosure for a pan storage apparatus, as described herein, is generally indicated by the reference number  230 . Cover  230  has substantially the same construction as the covers  30  and  130  and, thus, for ease of comprehension, where similar or identical parts are used, similar reference numerals, plus 200 or 100, respectively, are employed. Accordingly, unless clearly stated or indicated otherwise, the above descriptions regarding covers  30 ,  130  also apply to cover  230 . 
     In this embodiment, the cover  230  includes a vent opening  233  to provide for venting from the open top of the pan  12 . The vent opening  233  is defined by the pan covering portion  232 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  230  includes a single vent opening  233  but other configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the cover could include multiple vent openings in the form of perforations or holes and in a variety of different patterns and arrangements. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  230  includes vent flanges  235  extending upward from the edges of the vent opening  233 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19-24 , another embodiment of a pan storage apparatus according to the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference number  310 . The pan storage apparatus  310  includes covers  330  for covering pans  12 . The pan storage apparatus  310  and the covers  330  of  FIGS. 19-24  are generally analogous to the pan storage apparatus  10  and the covers  30 , respectively, of  FIGS. 1-14 . Thus, for ease of comprehension, where similar, analogous, or identical parts are used, similar reference numerals, plus 200, are employed. Accordingly, unless clearly stated or indicated otherwise, the above descriptions regarding the pan storage apparatus  10  and the covers  30  of  FIGS. 1-14  also apply to the pan storage apparatus  310  and the covers  330  of  FIGS. 19-24 . 
     In this embodiment, the configuration of the cover supports  350  is different from the cover supports  50  of  FIGS. 1-14 . Accordingly, the covers  330  of  FIGS. 19-24  have a different configuration from the covers  30  of  FIGS. 1-14  to correspond to the cover supports  330  of  FIGS. 19-24 . 
     The cover support  350  includes a rail  352  mounted to the upper wall  324 . The rail  352  includes a front end adjacent to the front opening and a rear end adjacent to the rear opening. The rail  352  includes a mounting flange  354  and a side flange  356  extending generally downward form the mounting flange. The cover support  350  includes a holder  358  configured to support and retain the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322 . The holder  358  generally extends from the front end to the rear end of the rail  352 . 
     The holder  358  is configured to retain the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322  when the pan moves in (e.g., into or out of) the pan storage space. This holder  358  is also configured to support the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322 . In the illustrated embodiment, the holder  358  comprises a support flange  360  extending generally horizontally from a lower edge margin of the side flange  356 . The support flange  360  is generally planar. The support flange  360  and the mounting flange  354  generally extend in the same direction from the side flange  356 . Thus, the cover support  350  has a generally U-shape defining a space or channel that receives a portion of the cover  330 , as explained in more detail below. The support flange  360  defines (e.g., includes) a cover support surface (e.g., the upper surface of the support flange) of the cover support  350  configured to engage and support the cover  330  when the cover is in the pan storage space  322 . The cover support surface is generally horizontal and generally extends the entire length of the rail  352 . This arrangement makes it easier to install or connect the cover  330  to the cover support  350  because the cover (e.g., retainer flanges  362  described below) can ride along the support surface as the cover is being installed. The holder  358  (e.g., the support flange  360 ) defines at least one opening  359  (e.g., slot). In the illustrated embodiment, the holder  358  defines two slots  359 , one generally adjacent the front of the rail  352  and the other generally adjacent the rear of the rail. As explained in more detail below, the slots  359  are used to help retain the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322  when pans are inserted into and removed from the space. 
     The cover  330  is configured to extend through the holder  358  and retain the cover in the pan storage space  322  when the pan moves in (e.g., into or out of) the pan storage space. The cover  330  includes left and right (e.g., first and second) side flange  334  extending generally upward from the respective left and right side edge margins of the pan covering portion  332 . The cover  330  includes left and right (e.g., first and second) upper flanges  336  extending outward (e.g., away from one another) from the upper edge margins of the left and right side flange  334 . The cover  330  also includes at least one retainer flange  362  (broadly, “retainer”) extending generally downward from a side edge margin of one of the upper flanges  336 . For reasons previously discussed, the retainer  362  may be considered a first or primary retainer. The retainer flange  362  is configured to extend through the cover support  350 , specifically the holder  358  (e.g., the opening  359 ), when the cover  330  is supported by the cover support. The retainer flange  362  defines (e.g., includes) at least one retainer surface configured to engage the holder  358  (e.g., the edges of the opening  359 ) to retain the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322 . In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer flange  362  includes a front retainer surface and a rear retainer surface. The front retainer surface is the front edge of the retainer flange  362  and the rear retainer surface is the rear edge of the retainer flange. The front retainer surface faces forward and generally inhibits the cover  330  from moving forward. The rear retainer surface faces rearward and generally inhibits the cover from moving rearward. The retainer surfaces are generally vertical (e.g., lie in a vertical plane). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper flange  336  in combination with the side flange  334  and the retainer flange  362  has a generally hook shape (e.g., J-hook shape). In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  330  includes four retainer flanges  362 , two attached to each upper flange  336 —one at the front end of each upper flange and one at the rear end of each upper flange. 
     To position the cover  330  in the pan storage space  22 , the cover is moved into the pan storage space  322  through generally the upper portion of the front or rear opening and arranged with respect to the two cover supports  350  that will support the cover. In particular, the cover  330  is positioned so that the upper flanges  336  are disposed above the holders  358  and so that both cover supports  350  are generally positioned outward of the side flange  334 . The cover  330  can then be moved forward or rearward within the pan storage space  322  (with the retainer flanges  362  riding along the support surfaces of the holders  358 ) until the retainer flanges  362  are aligned with the openings  359 . By riding along the support surface, the end farthest from the operator installing the cover  330  does not need to be lifted in order for the corresponding retainer flanges  362  at that end of the cover to be aligned with the openings  359 . When aligned, the cover  330  is lowered until the cover rests on the cover support surfaces of the cover supports  350  (e.g., holders  358 ). This can be referred to as a retained position of the cover  330 . As the cover  330  is lowered, the retainer flanges  362  extend into and through the openings  359 . 
     To remove the cover  330  in the pan storage space  322  (e.g., for cleaning, rearrangement or replacement), the cover  330  is lifted or raised until the retaining flanges  362  no longer extend into or through the openings  359  (e.g., the retainers are out of horizontal registration with and above the edges of the openings of the holders  358 ). This can be referred to as a non-retained position of the cover  330 . When the cover  330  is clear of the holders  358 , the cover is moved out of the pan storage space  322  through the front or rear opening (e.g., upper portion thereof). The cover  330  can be moved in either a generally forward or rearward direction. 
     When the cover  330  is in the pan storage space  322 , the retainers  362  retain the cover in the pan storage space for preventing inadvertent removal of the cover from the pan storage space. In particular, the holders  358  inhibit the cover  330  from moving in either the forward or rearward direction with the pan as the pan is inserted or removed from the pan storage space  322 . As a pan is inserted or removed from the pan storage space  322 , the pan engages and tends to drag the cover  330  in the same direction the pan is moving. To inhibit the cover  330  from being dragged with the pan, the retainer flange  362  (e.g., retainer surface) engages the holder  358 , thereby preventing the cover from moving with the pan. For example, if the pan is moving in a forward direction, the forward retainer surfaces of the retainer flanges  362  engage the edges of the openings  359  (broadly, holder retainer surfaces) to inhibit the cover  330  from moving in the forward direction. Similarly, if the pan is moving in a rearward direction, the rear retainer surfaces of the retaining flanges  362  engage the edges of the openings  359  to inhibit the cover  330  from moving in the rearward direction. Accordingly, the holders  358  and the cover  330  are arranged relative to one another such that the support flange  360  and the cover engage one another to retain the cover in the pan storage space  322  when the pan moves in the pan storage space 
     As mentioned above, the pan is stored in the pan storage space  322  by sliding it along the pan support surface. As the pan is received in the pan storage space  322 , the pan lifts the cover  330  upward such that the cover becomes supported by and rests on the rim of the pan, thereby covering the open top of the pan. In this position, the cover  330  is spaced above and out of engagement with the cover support surfaces of the cover supports  350 . The cover support surfaces of the holders  358  are located with respect to the pan support surface so that the height of the pan is greater than the vertical distance between the cover support surfaces and the pan support surface so the pan lifts the cover  330  off the cover support surfaces. Desirably, when the pan reaches its stowed position in the pan storage space  322 , the cover  330  covers the open top of the pan and substantially seals around the rim. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  330  is biased against the rim by gravity only, but biasing devices such as springs, clamps, etc. may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 24 , when the pan supports the cover  330  off the cover support surfaces, the retainer surfaces of the retainer flanges  362  are still in horizontal registration with the edges of the opening  359  (e.g., the holders  358 ) (i.e., the cover is still in the retained position) for retaining the cover in the pan storage space  322 . 
     In view of the above, generally, the arrangement of the retainer flanges and the openings are reversed between the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-14  and the embodiment of  FIGS. 19-24 . Accordingly, broadly, it may be considered that one of the holder or the cover includes a retainer and the other of the holder or the cover includes an opening through which the retainer extends. With the retainer configured to engage the other of the holder or the cover to retain the cover in the pan storage space when the pan moves in the pan storage space. In particular, the retainer is configured to engage an edge of the other of the holder or the cover that defines the opening to retain the cover in the pan storage space when the pane moves in the pan storage space. 
     It is apparent that the elements, features, and/or teachings set forth in each embodiment disclosed herein are not limited to the specific embodiment(s) the elements, features, and/or teachings are described in. Accordingly, it is understood that the elements, features, and/or teachings described in one embodiment may be applied to one or more of the other embodiments disclosed herein, even if said elements, features and/or teachings where not described as being a part of said one or more other embodiments. For example, it is understood the cover  330  of  FIGS. 19-23  can be arranged and rearranged like the cover  30  of  FIGS. 1-14 . In another example, it is understood the cover of  FIGS. 19-23  can have an opening like the openings  233  of the cover  230  of  FIG. 18  and/or have a height like the height of the cover  130  of  FIGS. 15-17 . 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     Other Statements of Invention 
     The following are statements of invention described in the present disclosure. Although some of the following statements are not currently presented as claims, the statements are believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. Associated apparatuses corresponding to method statements, are also believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. Associated methods corresponding to apparatus statements, are also believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. It is understood that the following statements may refer to and be supported by one, more than one, or all of the embodiments described above. 
     A1. A method of retaining a cover for a pan with an open top, the method comprising: at least partially covering the open top of the pan disposed in a pan storage space with the cover; at least partially removing the pan from the pan storage space; and as the pan is at least partially removed from the pan storage space, retaining the cover in the pan storage space with at least one cover support disposed in the pan storage space, the at least one cover support supporting and retaining the cover in the pan storage space. 
     A2. The method of statement A1, wherein the at least one retainer support includes a first cover support and a second cover support, the first and second cover supports supporting opposite sides of the cover. 
     A3. The method of statement A1, wherein the at least one cover support includes a support surface engaging and supporting the cover and wherein the retainer includes a retainer surface engaging and retaining the cover in the pan storage space. 
     A4. The method of statement A3, wherein the support surface is generally horizontal and the retainer surface is generally vertical. 
     A5. The method of statement A4, wherein the at least one cover support includes a support flange including the support surface and the retainer includes a retainer flange including the retainer surface, the retainer flange extending from the support flange. 
     A6. The method of statement A5, wherein the retainer flange extends through the cover. 
     B1. A method of organizing a pan storage apparatus for storing pans of different sizes, each pan having an open top, the method comprising: supporting a first cover in a pan receiving space of the pan storage apparatus with a first cover support group of a plurality of cover supports, the first cover having a first cover size and shaped to cover a first pan of a first pan size; and supporting a second cover in the pan receiving space with a second cover support group of the plurality of cover supports, the second cover having a second cover size and shape to cover a second pan of a second pan size different than the first pan size. 
     B2. The method of statement B1, wherein supporting the second cover includes removing the first cover from the first cover support group and using at least one of the cover supports of the first cover support group as part of the second cover support group to support the second cover. 
     B3. The method of statement B1, further comprising supporting a third cover in the pan receiving space with a third cover support group of the plurality of cover supports, the third cover sized and shaped to cover a third pan of a third size different than the first and second sizes, the third cover having a different size than the first and second covers. 
     B4. The method of statement B1, further comprising rearranging the first and second covers in the pan storage space. 
     B5. The method of statement B4, wherein rearranging includes changing which cover supports of the plurality of cover supports support the respective first and second covers. 
     B6. The method of statement B4, wherein rearranging includes removing one of the first and second covers from the cover supports, turning the cover support to reorient the cover support, and reinstalling said one of the first and second covers on the cover supports as reoriented. 
     C1. A method of organizing a pan storage apparatus for storing pans of different sizes, each pan having an open top, the method comprising: positioning first and second covers in a first orientation in a pan receiving space of the pan storage apparatus, the first and second covers including respective first and second dividers for dividing the pan receiving space to receive a first pan and a second pan; and rearranging at least one of the first and second covers in the pan receiving space for dividing the pan receiving space to receive a third pan of a size different than at least one of the first and second pans. 
     C2. The method of statement C1, wherein rearranging includes rearranging both of the first and second covers in the second orientation. 
     C3. The method of statement C1, wherein rearranging includes moving at least one of the first and second covers to a second orientation different than the first orientation. 
     C4. The method of statement C3, wherein moving to the second orientation includes rotating the at least one of the first and second pans approximately 180 degrees about a vertical axis. 
     D1. A method of keeping a cover in a pan storage space of a pan holding apparatus, the method comprising: retaining the cover in the pan storage space with a primary retainer when a pan with an open top moves in the pan storage space; and retaining the cover in the pan storage space with a secondary retainer when the pan moves in the pan storage space and the primary retainer fails to retain the cover in the pan storage space. 
     D2. The method of statement D1, wherein the primary retainer is disposed in the pan storage space and the secondary retainer is disposed outside the pan storage space. 
     D3. The method of statement D1, wherein the retaining the cover in the pan storage space with the secondary retainer includes positioning the cover to reengage the primary retainer. 
     D4. The method of statement D1, wherein the primary retainer extends through the cover and the secondary retainer blocks a portion of a front pan receiving opening of the pan storage space.