Vessel with improved food support surface

Abstract

A vessel incorporating an improved article support surface for supporting an article, such as a food product, during processing (e.g., baking, thawing or freezing), has a surface for supporting a food product or another article and a pattern is formed or otherwise incorporated in the article supporting surface. The pattern incorporated into the support surface is comprised of a raised portion and a low portion or valley and combine to define or create a pocket underneath the supported article or food product in which air circulates or flows during processing. In a preferred embodiment various shapes of baking sheets incorporating a “pebble-grain pattern” is embossed on a metal sheet and the embossed metal sheet is then formed into the desired shape. The sheets are constructed of various aluminum alloys used in the food equipment industry including, but not limited to, 3003, 3004 or 5052 aluminum alloys.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 - 42  (canceled)  
     
     
         43 . A cooking vessel for supporting a food product during cooking, comprising: 
 a sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy;    wherein the sheet has a patterned surface to support a food product during cooking;    wherein the patterned surface has raised portions and lower portions;    wherein the raised portions form a substantially planar surface;    wherein the raised portions extend generally vertically from the lower portions; and    wherein a combination of the raised portions and the lower portions form air pockets or air channels.    
     
     
         44 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 43 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels enhance heat transfer during cooking.  
     
     
         45 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 44 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels provide air circulation or air flow during cooking.  
     
     
         46 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 43 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels provide air circulation or air flow during cooking.  
     
     
         47 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 43 , wherein no other metallic, aluminum, or aluminum alloy layer is integral to the aluminum sheet with the patterned surface.  
     
     
         48 . A cooking vessel for supporting a food product during cooking, consisting of: 
 a sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy;    wherein the sheet has a patterned surface to support a food product during cooking;    wherein the patterned surface has raised portions and lower portions;    wherein the raised portions form a substantially planar surface;    wherein the raised portions extend generally vertically from the lower portions; and    wherein a combination of the raised portions and the lower portions form air pockets or air channels.    
     
     
         49 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 48 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels provide air circulation or air flow during cooking.  
     
     
         50 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 48 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels enhance heat transfer during cooking.  
     
     
         51 . The cooking vessel according to  claim 49 , wherein the air pockets or the air channels enhance heat transfer during cooking.