Abstract: A hopper cover for a dispensing machine includes an exterior side having an exterior surface and an interior side having an interior surface that defines a plurality of recesses. The plurality of recesses are configured to receive a plurality of components of the dispensing machine. Each recess of the plurality of recesses corresponds with a specific component of the plurality of components. The hopper cover is configured to cover a hopper cavity of the dispensing machine when in a first orientation and facilitate organized disassembly and reassembly of the dispensing machine when in a second orientation.

Abstract: A breath guard includes a first support, a second support, a guide rail coupled to the first support and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, the guide rail including a rack defining a series of teeth, an adjustable panel extending between the first support and the second support, and an adjustment mechanism including a pawl rotatably coupled to the adjustable panel and configured to selectively engage the teeth of the rack. The adjustable panel is rotatable relative to the guide rail about an axis of rotation that extends laterally. The adjustment mechanism is configured to prevent longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel relative to the guide rail in a first direction and allow longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel in a second direction when the pawl engages the teeth of the rack, such that the adjustable panel is selectively repositionable between a series of longitudinal positions.

Abstract: A probe used with food preparation, rethermalization, storage, transportation, and/or service includes a body configured to be immersed in a foodstuff, one or more sensors configured to collect data including the temperature of the foodstuff, and a wireless device configured to transmit data collected by the one or more sensors to food equipment to control the heat provided to the foodstuff.

Abstract: A frozen food product dispensing machine includes a housing, and a freezer barrel and a cover defining a food product volume configured to contain food product. The cover defines a passage fluidly coupled to the food product volume. The machine further includes a spigot disposed within the passage and translatable along a longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, and an actuator coupled to the spigot by an actuator interface. The spigot prevents a flow of food product through the passage when in the first position and allows the flow of food product through the passage when in the second position. The actuator is configured to selectively move the spigot between the first position and the second position. The spigot is configured to be removed from the cover while the cover is coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A method for making a food pan including forming a pan including a bottom, and a side wall extending along a perimeter of the bottom, wherein the side wall comprises an upper perimeter. The method includes forming a rim around the upper perimeter of the side wall, wherein the rim comprises a top portion and an outer edge, providing a reinforcement band proximate the upper perimeter of the side wall and the rim, and bending the rim around the reinforcement band, wherein the outer edge of the rim contacts the side wall when fully shaped. The method further includes reforming a shape of the reinforcement band and the rim.

Abstract: A probe used with food preparation, rethermalization, storage, transportation, and/or service includes a head portion with a display, and a shaft portion that is coupled to the head portion and is configured to be at least partially immersed in a foodstuff. The probe further includes a sensing unit configured to collect data including the temperature of the foodstuff and a wireless device configured to transmit data collected by the sensing unit to a supervisory control device.

Abstract: A frozen food product dispensing machine includes a housing, a freezer barrel, a cover extending over the opening of the freezer barrel, wherein the cover defines a passage fluidly coupled to a food product volume, a spigot disposed within the passage and translatable along a longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, the spigot including an actuator interface, and an actuator selectively coupled to the spigot by the actuator interface, wherein the spigot prevents a flow of food product through the passage when in the first position and allows the flow of food product through the passage when in the second position, wherein the actuator is configured to selectively move the spigot between the first position and the second position in response to a user input, and wherein the spigot is configured to be selectively decoupled from the actuator by rotating the spigot about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Temperature regulation devices for heating food are disclosed. The temperature regulation device is configured to heat food held in a food pan positioned in a well of food service equipment. The temperature regulation device includes a module or housing and heating element, and is configurable in a variety of positions, orientations, locations, or configurations relative to the well and the food pans to accommodate a variety of sizes and configurations of food pans.

Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product into a frozen food container, an arm movable to transfer the dispensed frozen food product container to a user access platform, and a user access door located adjacent to the user access platform. The user access door is configured to be vertically driven between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by an exterior wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the exterior wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.

Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a freezer barrel configured to produce a frozen food product, a spigot fluidly connected to the freezer barrel, the spigot for dispensing the frozen food product, a movable platform for supporting a container to receive frozen food product, the movable container movable among a home position and a fill position below the spigot, and a processing circuit configured to open the spigot and fill the container with an amount of frozen food product.

Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.

Abstract: A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by an exterior wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the exterior wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.

Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product, a user selection of a desired amount of frozen food product, and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.