Abstract: A multi-zone food holding bin has a continuous food supporting surface with multiple food holding zones. Each food holding zone is independently controllable so that different food temperatures may be maintained in adjacent food holding zones.

Abstract: Foodservice customer order fulfillment includes an identifier is associated to a package. A customer order of an ordered item is received at an order fulfillment system. An indication of the ordered item is stored in association to the identifier in the order fulfillment system. The identifier associated to the package is read at a reader associated with a dispenser of at least one ingredient. The identifier is communicated from the reader to the order fulfillment system. A dispenser receives a dispense instruction from the order fulfillment system and operates to dispense at least one ingredient.

Abstract: A backblock includes a body with a cavity connected to an inlet and an outlet. A spindle is positioned with a first end within the cavity and a second end with a tab exterior of the body. A latching plate is configured for translative movement relative to the body. The latching plate includes a keyhole with a bore and a channel. The bore is dimensioned to receive the spindle and the channel is dimensioned to receive the tab. The latching plate has a first latch position proximate to the body and a second latch position spaced apart from the body. When the tab is in alignment with the channel, the latching plate can translate to the second latch position about the tab. When the tab is out of alignment with the channel, the tab retains the latching plate in the first latch position.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing head includes a housing having a front, a rear, and a base that extends between the front and the rear. A mixing nozzle is configured to dispense a flow of beverage via the base. A valve is configured to control the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle, and a switch is movable into and between a closed position in which the valve opens the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle and an open position in which the valve closes the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle. A lighting module disposed in the housing is configured to illuminate the front of the housing and the base of the housing when the switch is moved into the closed position.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a dispensing valve having a first flow path configured to dispense a first fluid and a second flow path configured to dispense a second fluid such that the first fluid and the second fluid mix downstream and form a mixed beverage. A flow control device regulates flow rate of the first fluid through the first flow path, and a shutoff valve selectively closes to stop flow of the first fluid through the first flow path. A sensor is configured to sense the flow rate of the first fluid, and a controller automatically controls the flow control device to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid and thereby obtain a desired fluid ratio of the mixed beverage.

Abstract: An infrared toaster and a method of toasting use a support configured to hold a food product relative to an infrared source. A light source and a camera are arranged relative to the support to illuminate the food product and capture digital images of the food product. A processor receives and analyzes successive images from the camera. The processor operates the IR source to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the food product. The processor operates the IR source to terminate operation directing IR energy when the predetermined toasting level is reached.

Abstract: A cup dispensing system in an automated dispensing beverage dispensing system receives a first supply of cups at a first dispensing assembly with a first selective release device and receives a second supply of cups at a second dispensing assembly with a second selective release device. The first and second dispensing assemblies respectively coincide with first and second indexed locations on a cup conveyance system. The cup dispensing system operates to dispense a first cup from the first dispensing assembly to the first indexed location and a second cup from the second dispensing assembly to the second indexed location.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a frozen beverage. The system includes a barrel having an inner wall and being configured to retain the frozen beverage therein. A mixing system causes mixing of the frozen beverage within the barrel. A cooling system cools the frozen beverage from radially outwardly of the inner wall. A melting system heats the frozen beverage from radially inwardly of the inner wall. The mixing system causes relatively larger ice crystals to move inwardly from the inner wall, and the melting system reduces a size of the relatively larger ice crystals.

Abstract: A toaster includes a rack within a toasting chamber. A lid is movable with the rack to selectively occlude an opening to the toasting chamber. A heating element within the toasting chamber is operable to direct IR energy to the bread product on the rack. An image capture device operates to acquire image data of the bread product on the rack. A controller receives the image data. The controller processor analyzes successive image data received from the image capture device. Based upon the analysis of the image data, the controller operates the heating element to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the bread product and then turn off the heating element.

Abstract: A beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution includes a mixer body having a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body. The first upstream inlet defines a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body and the second upstream inlet defines a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body such that the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for heat treatment of a food product includes an enclosure with a food product inlet and a food product outlet. At least one conveyor extends into the enclosure from the food product inlet. At least one heat source is arranged relative to the at least one conveyor. A ramp at least partially extends below the at least one conveyor.

Abstract: A touchless beverage dispensing valve assembly includes a nozzle and a valve configured to control a flow of a substance through the valve to the nozzle. A solenoid is configured to operate the valve between open and closed conditions. A trigger sensor includes an optical sensor and a controller. The controller executes a trigger sensor control module to receive an output from the optical sensor and operate the solenoid to control the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. A feedback device is operable to selectively provide a visual indication an operational status of the valve.

Abstract: An example of a beverage dispenser includes a nozzle and a valve coupled upstream of the nozzle. A sensor is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and provide a signal representative of a distance between the object and the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a sub-zone from a plurality of sub-zones within the detection zone in which the object is located. The valve is controlled between an open condition to dispense the substance through the nozzle and a closed condition based upon the determined sub-zone.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a frozen beverage. The system includes a barrel having an inner wall and being configured to retain the frozen beverage therein. A mixing system causes mixing of the frozen beverage within the barrel. A cooling system cools the frozen beverage from radially outwardly of the inner wall. A melting system heats the frozen beverage from radially inwardly of the inner wall. The mixing system causes relatively larger ice crystals to move inwardly from the inner wall, and the melting system reduces a size of the relatively larger ice crystals.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser configured for servicing from the front. A front cover is coupled to a cabinet and positionable in open and closed positions. A housing is positioned in an interior of the cabinet and supports cartridges containing ingredients for dispensing a beverage. The housing at least partially defines a cavity within the interior of the cabinet. An electronics box is configured for coupling to the cabinet in an operating position within the cavity and also in a service position in front of the housing. The cavity is accessible from the front of the cabinet when the front cover is in the open position and the electronics box is in the service position.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a beverage includes the detection of a presence of a cup underneath a nozzle, and in response to the detected presence of the cup, a target fill height is calculated. The controller operates to begin a dispense of a beverage into the cup. A beverage fill height determined and compared to a target fill height. When the beverage fill height exceeds the target fill height, the controller operates to stop dispensing the beverage into the cup.

Abstract: A method for cooling a mixed beverage formed with one or more beverage components includes circulating a refrigerant through a heat exchanger having a phase change material to cool a beverage component and sensing a temperature of the refrigerant. The method further includes detecting a first instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals a threshold refrigerant temperature, detecting a second instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals the threshold refrigerant temperature, and stopping circulation of the refrigerant when the second instance is detected.