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 plurality of heat sources are arranged about at least one conveyor. The plurality of heat sources are configured to output heat towards the at least one conveyor. At least one temperature sensor is arranged at a food product inlet relative to the at least one conveyor. A controller is configured to receive temperature measurements from the at least one temperature sensor and to operate at least one heat source of the plurality of heat sources between a high fire condition and a low fire condition in an idle mode operation and a cooking mode operation.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a source of a base fluid, a source of a concentrate, and an assembly configured to receive and dispense the base fluid and the concentrate together as a mixed beverage having a predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. An actuator is configured to control flow of the base fluid and the concentrate to the assembly. The assembly is configured to premix a first portion of the base fluid with the concentrate to form a premixed concentrate, and to then dispense a combination of the premixed concentrate and a second portion of the base fluid as the mixed beverage having the predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. The actuation of the actuator causes an uninterrupted dispense of the base fluid and the concentrate from the source of the base fluid and the source of the concentrate, respectively, to the assembly, and from the assembly to a consumer of the mixed beverage.

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 product display unit is for displaying products and includes base with a body extending between the base ends and the base sides. A base further includes a first rib and a second rib each extending from the body in a first vertical direction and defining a channel defined therein. A slot vertically extends through the body and is vertically aligned with the channel. A pair of projections extend from the body in a second vertical direction opposite the first vertical direction and define a void therebetween. The projections and the void are in vertical alignment with the first rib. A divider having a bottom side and a tab extending in the second vertical direction from the bottom side is coupled to the base. The tab includes transversely extending barb.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system is provided. The system includes multiple sidewalls forming an ice bin cavity configured to store ice. The system further includes an auger drive assembly. The auger drive assembly includes a drive assembly that is coupled to one of the multiple sidewalls and has a motor configured to rotate a drive gear. The auger drive assembly further includes an auger assembly positioned within the ice bin cavity. The auger assembly includes a helical auger coupled to an auger gear. The drive gear is configured to mate with the auger gear to drive rotation of the helical auger and cause ice to be dispensed through an ice chute. The drive assembly is additionally configured to move relative to the auger assembly between a closed position and an opened position. The opened position permits removal of the auger assembly from the ice bin cavity.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a countertop for a conveyor that carries a plurality of cup holders around a track. A front side of the beverage dispenser machine is accessible by an operator to remove cups from the plurality of cup holders. A cup tower has a plurality of cup dispenser tubes that are each configured to hold a respective stack of cups. A cup grabber is movable up and down into and between a raised position in which the cup grabber is positioned to grab a cup from one of the stacks of cups and place a cup into one of the plurality of cup holders.

Abstract: A modular food holding system includes a plurality of individual modularized food holding chambers, each of the plurality of food holding chambers being physically and communicatively removably connected to one another. Each of the food holding chambers includes a food holding cavity and may further include a heating element and/or a cooling element for heating or cooling the food holding cavity. A chamber base is physically and communicatively removably connected to one of the food holding chambers and operation of at least one food holding chamber is controlled by the chamber base. A smart sensor is disposed within or connected to a food pan that is removably inserted within the food holding cavity of a food holding chamber. The smart sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of an interior environment of the food pan and communicate with the food holding chamber or the chamber base.

Abstract: An infrared source is arranged relative to support for bread product and operates to direct IR energy to the bread product. A light source is arranged relative to the support and operates to illuminate the bread product and a camera operates to capture images of the bread product. A processor receives the images from the camera. The processor compares successive images received from the camera. Based upon the comparison, the processor operates the IR source to achieve a predetermined toasting level of the bread product.

Abstract: A switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

Abstract: A modular food holding system includes a plurality of individual modularized food holding chambers, each of the plurality of food holding chambers being physically and communicatively removably connected to one another. Each of the food holding chambers includes a food holding cavity and may further include a heating element and/or a cooling element for heating or cooling the food holding cavity. A chamber base is physically and communicatively removably connected to one of the food holding chambers and operation of at least one food holding chamber is controlled by the chamber base. A smart sensor is disposed within or connected to a food pan that is removably inserted within the food holding cavity of a food holding chamber. The smart sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of an interior environment of the food pan and communicate with the food holding chamber or the chamber base.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A device having a platform configured to support the food products, a driving system configured to move the device, and a location detector configured to identify the location of the device within the area. A control system is configured to control the driving system based on the location of the device identified by the location detector, where the control system is configured to move the device along a primary path defined between a starting point and an ending point and to one or more fulfilment positions therebetween. The food products are received on the platform when the device moves to the one or more fulfilment positions.

Abstract: A basket for deep frying food items includes a bottom. Opposed side walls and opposed end walls extend from the bottom. om the bottom and extend between the opposed side walls, the opposed side walls and the opposed end walls forming a top opening into an open interior defined by the opposed side walls, the opposed end walls, and the bottom. A plurality of dividers extend upwards from the bottom between the opposed end walls. The plurality of dividers define a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an equal cross-sectional area in a lateral dimension.