Chafing dish-like device

Abstract

A chafing dish having a depending shelf of unique configurations so as to receive a conventional heating unit in sufficiently retained relationship to make the assemblage easily asportable.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dish-like device from which food is to be dispensed comprising the combination of: 
 an open topped member defining a container having side and bottom walls and being adapted to contain food, said open topped member having depending legs adapted to be supported from a surface; a shelf having lateral edges and being cooperatively supported from said open topped member a predetermined distance from said bottom wall and defining a space of predetermined size, said shelf having an upraised projection on at least one of said lateral edges.    
     
     
         2 . A dish-like device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said upraised projection is a lip extending the length of one of said edges.  
     
     
         3 . A dish-like device in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said space of predetermined size is adapted to receive and house a heating member.  
     
     
         4 . A dish-like device in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said device is rectangular in configuration and is fabricated of metal and said heating member is a burner assembly having a self-contained source of fuel.  
     
     
         5 . A chaffing dish from which food is to be dispensed comprising the combination of: 
 an open topped member defining a container having side and bottom walls and adapted to contain food therein;    a plurality of legs cooperatively associated with said container and depending downwardly and being adapted to be supported from a surface; a shelf cooperatively suspended beneath said bottom wall and defining a space therebetween, said shelf having a continuous surface and being about congruently shaped to said bottom wall; said space being sufficient in size to receive within said space, in close tolerance relationship to said bottom wall a heating unit whereby food contained within said chaffing dish may be heated.    
     
     
         6 . The chaffing dish in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said chaffing dish is rectangular in configuration and said shelf has an upraised lip extending the length of one of its long sides.  
     
     
         7 . The chaffing dish in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said chaffing dish and plurality of legs are of metal construction.  
     
     
         8 . The chaffing dish in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said chaffing dish additionally includes a heating unit having a self-contained source of fuel.  
     
     
         9 . The chaffing dish in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said shelf is supported from said chaffing dish along its short sides.  
     
     
         10 . The chaffing dish in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said shelf has a heater unit retention member on the long side opposite said upraised lip.