Patent ID: 7784398

Claim:
A pan having a food protection apparatus attached thereto, the food protection apparatus comprising: at least first and second support members, each support member having a first portion and a second portion, each support member comprising a beam structure with a tapering cross-sectional area; and a shield comprising a substantially planar shape, the first support member being attached on the first portion of the first support member to the shield, the first support member being attached on the second portion of the first support member to the pan, the second support member being attached on the first portion of the second support member to the shield, the second support member being attached on the second portion of the second support member to the pan, wherein the first and second support members operate to position the shield with respect to the pan, the support members fixedly spacing the shield a set distance from the pan such that the shield does not move relative to the pan and such that the shield does not contact the pan.