Patent ID: 7288745

Claim:
A low profile food temperature control and serving pan and storage device comprising: a container having a bottom wall and upwardly projecting peripheral walls defining a thermal compartment for receiving a heat element and terminating upwardly in a peripheral lip; the walls being formed on opposite sides with molded inwardly projecting hand grips defining on the interior thereof respective catches disposed at a predetermined level and spaced a predetermined distance from one another; a shelf configured to be removably received in the compartment to be positioned at a selected level spaced above the bottom wall and below the predetermined level to divide the thermal compartment into a heat element cavity disposed there below and a food storage compartment disposed there above and configured to conduct heat therethrough, the shelf being longer than the predetermined distance; a shelf support device in the container and having an upwardly facing support shoulder disposed to support the shelf at the selected level; and a service lid defining upper and lower surfaces and configured with a marginal edge to nest against the lip, one of the surfaces defining a service surface.