Food pan having elastomeric heat and scratch resistant protective flange gasket

A pan for use in serving food therein, comprising:

• a body comprised of a high heat conductive metal and including a wall that defines a hollow interior within which food can be held, said body having a closed lower end and an open upper end;
• a flange projecting laterally from and extending around an outer surface of said wall at or near said upper end of said body, said flange having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge between the upper and lower surfaces;
• and
• a sealing and protective gasket comprised of a heat resistant, insulating and elastomeric material extending around said flange so as to entirely cover said outer edge and at least partially cover said upper and lower surfaces of said flange in order to provide a seal between said lower surface of said flange and an upper surface of a rim of a serving table when placed therein, said gasket being immediately adjacent to and in direct contact with said upper and lower surfaces of said flange, so that the pan is substantially free of gaps between said gasket and said upper and lower surfaces of said flange.

A pan gasket for placement over and sealing against a flange of a metal pan, comprising:

• a gasket body made from a heat resistant, insulating and elastomeric material,
• said gasket body having a size and shape so as to releasably fit over a flange of a pan that is rectangular or rectangular with rounded corners,
• said gasket body having an upper portion that extends over and covers at least a majority of an upper surface of a flange that is rectangular or rectangular with rounded corners during use,
• said gasket body having a lower portion that extends over and covers at least a majority of a lower surface of a flange that is rectangular or rectangular with rounded corners during use.