Holding cabinets and methods of serving precooked food products employing such holding cabinets

Abstract

A holding cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite the first side wall. The holding cabinet also includes a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall. The holding cabinet further includes a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, which are positioned above the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall. Moreover, the holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, in which the food product holder is positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall and is supported by the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports. The holding cabinet also includes a first lifting panel, a second lifting panel, and a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports for raising the first food product holder from the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holding cabinet comprising: 
 a first side wall;    a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall;    a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and    means for raising said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         2 . The holding cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein said first side wall comprises a first channel, said second side wall comprises a second channel, and said means for raising said first food product holder comprises: 
 a first lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said first channel;    a second lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said second channel; and    a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel.    
     
     
         3 . The holding cabinet of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel simultaneously raises said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         4 . The holding cabinet of  claim 3 , wherein said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel comprises: 
 at least one cylinder connected to said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel, wherein said cylinder comprises an engaging nut;    at least one screw threaded into said engaging nut and disposed within said cylinder;    a gear box operationally coupled to said screw, wherein said gear box turns said screw; and    a plurality of pulleys and cables adapted to raise said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel.    
     
     
         5 . The holding cabinet of  claim 3 , wherein said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel comprises: 
 a first cylinder connected to said first lifting panel, wherein said first cylinder comprises a first engaging nut;    a second cylinder connected to said second lifting panel, wherein said second cylinder comprises a second engaging nut;    a first screw threaded into said first engaging nut and disposed within said first cylinder, wherein said threads of said first screw have a first direction of twist;    a second screw threaded into said second engaging nut and disposed within said second cylinder wherein said threads of said second screw have a second direction of twist opposite said first direction of twist;    a continuous, timing belt comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally coupled to said first screw and said second screw; and    a gear box operationally coupled to said continuous, timing belt.    
     
     
         6 . The holding cabinet of  claim 3 , wherein said first lifting panel comprises a first plurality of engaging teeth, said second lifting panel comprises a second plurality of engaging teeth, and said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel comprises: 
 a first conveyer belt comprising a first plurality of teeth, wherein said first plurality of teeth engage said first plurality of engaging teeth;    a second conveyer belt comprising a second plurality of teeth, wherein said second plurality of teeth engage said second plurality of engaging teeth;    a continuous, timing belt comprising a third plurality of teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally coupled to said first conveyer belt and said second conveyer belt; and    a gear box operationally coupled to said timing belt.    
     
     
         7 . The holding cabinet of  claim 3 , wherein when said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder said first food product holder contacts said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said first of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall and said second of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that said first food product holder rises above said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         8 . The holding cabinet of  claim 7 , wherein said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports release when said first food product holder rises above said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         9 . The holding cabinet of  claim 8 , wherein said first pair of non-stationary supports move in a downward direction when said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports release.  
     
     
         10 . The holding cabinet of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall,    a heater for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and    a blower for circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         11 . The holding cabinet of  claim 2 , further comprising a counter having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said second pair of stationary supports are positioned adjacent to said counter, such that said food product holder supported by said second pair of stationary supports is positioned above or substantially level with said opening of said counter.  
     
     
         12 . A holding cabinet comprising: 
 a first side wall;    a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall;    a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports;    a third pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and    means for raising said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         13 . The holding cabinet of  claim 12 , wherein said first side wall comprises a first pair of channels formed within said first side wall, said second side wall comprises a second pair of channels formed within said second side wall, and said means for raising said first food product holder comprises: 
 a first lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said first pair of channels;    a second lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of said first pair of channels;    a third lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said second pair of channels;    a fourth lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of said second pair of channels;    a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said third lifting panel; and    a second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said fourth lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         14 . The holding cabinet of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel simultaneously raises said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of non-stationary supports, wherein said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of non-stationary supports move to raise said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary supports to said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports.    
     
     
         15 . The holding cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel comprises: 
 at least one cylinder connected to said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, or said fourth lifting panel, wherein said cylinder comprises an engaging nut;    at least one screw threaded into said engaging nut and disposed within said cylinder;    a gear box operationally coupled to said screw, wherein said gear box turns said screw; and    a plurality of pulleys and cables adapted to raise said first lifting panel and said second lifting panel or said third lifting panel and said fourth lifting panel.    
     
     
         16 . The holding cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel comprises: 
 a first cylinder connected to said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel, wherein said first cylinder comprises a first engaging nut;    a second cylinder connected to said third lifting panel or said fourth lifting panel, wherein said second cylinder comprises a second engaging nut;    a first screw threaded into said first engaging nut and disposed within said first cylinder, wherein said threads of said first screw have a first direction of twist;    a second screw threaded into said second engaging nut and disposed within said second cylinder wherein said threads of said second screw have a second direction of twist opposite said first direction of twist.;    a continuous, timing belt comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally coupled to said first screw and said second screw; and    a gear box operationally coupled to said continuous, timing belt.    
     
     
         17 . The holding cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein said first lifting panel or said second lifting panel comprises a first plurality of engaging teeth, said third lifting panel or said fourth lifting panel comprises a second plurality of engaging teeth, and said means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel comprises: 
 a first conveyer belt comprising a first plurality of teeth, wherein said first plurality of teeth engage said first plurality of engaging teeth;    a second conveyer belt comprising a second plurality of teeth, wherein said second plurality of teeth engage said second plurality of engaging teeth;    a continuous, timing belt comprising a third plurality of teeth, wherein said timing belt is operationally coupled to said first conveyer belt and said second conveyer belt; and    a gear box operationally coupled to said timing belt.    
     
     
         18 . The holding cabinet of  claim 14 , wherein when said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder said first food product holder contacts said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports and said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, and said second of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that said first food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         19 . The holding cabinet of  claim 15 , wherein said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports release when said first food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         20 . The holding cabinet of  claim 16 , wherein said first pair of non-stationary supports and said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move in a downward direction when said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports release.  
     
     
         21 . The holding cabinet of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall,    a heater for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and    a blower for circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         22 . The holding cabinet of  claim 13 , further comprising a counter having an opening formed therethrough, wherein said third pair of stationary supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports are positioned adjacent to said counter, such that said food product holder supported by said third pair of stationary supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports is positioned above or substantially level with said opening of said counter.  
     
     
         23 . A holding cabinet of claim comprising: 
 a first side wall;    a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall;    a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports;    a third pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports;    a fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to receive a second food product holder, wherein said second food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and    means for raising said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and simultaneously raising said second food product holder from said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         24 . The holding cabinet of  claim 23 , wherein said first side wall comprises a first pair of channels formed within said first side wall, said second side wall comprises a second pair of channels formed within said second side wall, and said means for raising said first food product holder and simultaneously raising said second food product holder comprises: 
 a first lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said first pair of channels;    a second lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of said first pair of channels;    a third lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a first support of said second pair of channels;    a fourth lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of a second support of said second pair of channels;    a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said third lifting panel;    a second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said fourth lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports.    a third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said third lifting panel; and    a fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said first of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and a second support of said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said fourth lifting panel spaced from and on substantially the same plane as said second of said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         25 . The holding cabinet of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 means for simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel, wherein simultaneously raising or lowering said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, said third lifting panel, and said fourth lifting panel simultaneously raises said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, said second pair of non-stationary supports, said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and said fourth pair of non-stationary supports, wherein said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of non-stationary supports move to raise said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of stationary supports to said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports, and said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of non-stationary supports move to raise said second food product holder from said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports to said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary supports.    
     
     
         26 . The holding cabinet of  claim 25 , wherein when said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder said first food product holder contacts said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary supports and said first of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, said second of said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, and said second of said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, and wherein when said third pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said second food product holder said second food product holder contacts said firth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and sixth fourth pair of stationary supports and said first of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, said second of said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, said first of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said first side wall, and said second of said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports pivots inside said second side wall, such that said first food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said second food product holder simultaneously rises above said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         27 . The holding cabinet of  claim 26 , wherein said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports release when said first food product holder rises above said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports release when said second food product holder rises above said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         28 . The holding cabinet of  claim 27 , wherein said first pair of non-stationary supports, said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, said third pair of non-stationary supports, and said fourth pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move in a downward direction when said third pair of stationary, pivotable supports, said fourth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, said fifth pair of stationary, pivotable supports, and said sixth pair of stationary, pivotable supports release.  
     
     
         29 . The holding cabinet of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall,    a heater for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and    a blower for circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         30 . A holding cabinet comprising: 
 a first side wall comprising a first channel;    a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall, wherein said second side wall comprises a second channel;    a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;    a first lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said first channel;    a second lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said second channel; and    a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports positioned below said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel, wherein said holding cabinet is adapted to receive a first food product holder, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, and said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, and said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder from said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports.    
     
     
         31 . The holding cabinet of  claim 30 , further comprising a second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel and a second support of said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel, wherein said first lifting panel, said second lifting panel, and said second pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports move to raise said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports.  
     
     
         32 . The holding cabinet of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said side wall,    a heater for heating an inside of said holding cabinet; and    a blower for circulating said heated air inside said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         33 . A method of serving precooked food products comprising the steps of: 
 placing a precooked food product on a first food product holder;    placing said first food product holder in a holding cabinet, wherein said holding cabinet comprises: 
 a first side wall;  
 a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall;  
 a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall; and  
 a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports;  
   raising said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and    removing said food product from said first food product holder when said first food product holder rises to an upper portion of said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said holding cabinet further comprises a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said first side wall and the step of removing said food product comprises the step of removing said food product when said first food product holder rises above said door.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said holding cabinet further comprises a counter and at least a portion of said first side wall and at least a portion of said second side wall are disposed within said counter, wherein the step of removing said food product comprises the step of removing said food product when said first food product holder rises above or substantially level with said counter.  
     
     
         36 . A method of serving precooked food products comprising the steps of: 
 placing a precooked food product on a first food product holder;    placing said first food product holder in a holding cabinet, wherein said holding cabinet comprises: 
 a first side wall comprising a first channel;  
 a second side wall positioned opposite said first side wall, wherein said second side wall comprises a second channel;  
 a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;  
 a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports positioned above said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said first side wall and a second support of said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through said second side wall;  
 a first lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said first channel;  
 a second lifting panel positioned within at least a portion of said second channel;  
 a first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports, wherein a first support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said first lifting panel, and a second support of said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports is formed on said second lifting panel, wherein said first food product holder is positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall and is supported by said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports;  
   raising said first food product holder from said first pair of non-stationary, pivotable supports to said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports;    raising said first food product holder from said first pair of stationary, pivotable supports to said second pair of stationary, pivotable supports; and    removing said food product from said first food product holder when said first food product holder rises to an upper portion of said holding cabinet.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said holding cabinet further comprises a door hung on a hinge to at least a portion of said first side wall and the step of removing said food product comprises the step of removing said food product when said first food product holder rises above said door.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said holding cabinet further comprises a counter and at least a portion of said first side wall and at least a portion of said second side wall are disposed within said counter, wherein the step of removing said food product comprises the step of removing said food product when said first food product holder rises above or substantially level with said counter.