Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in the electronic control of frozen carbonated beverage machines and improvements in electric defrost heaters used therein. A control scheme is shown that provides for accurately determining the viscosity of a semi-frozen beverage as a function of the torque of a drive motor used in the harvesting and mixing thereof. The torque is first calculated based upon the current and voltage to the motor and the phase difference there between. The torque is adjusted to compensate for motor efficiency after which the net torque value is converted to a viscosity scale. The viscosity scale has a zero value relating to the net torque experienced by the motor when the beverage is known to be completely liquid. Viscosity is maintained within a narrow range based upon pre-defined three level low, medium and high viscosity sets, and wherein compressor short-cycling is eliminated.

Abstract: A portable, refrigerated article display apparatus for indirectly refrigerating individually packaged articles, such as food items and/or beverages, and promoting impulse buying comprises a base, a hollow housing having a transparent, outer cylindrical-shaped wall and an article support assembly mounted in the interior of the housing atop a rotatable article support carriage. The article support assembly comprises either a shelf unit having a series of interlocking, vertically stacked shelf members adapted to support food items such as prepared sandwiches, a beverage rack having a plurality of vertically extending columns adapted to support beverage containers stacked end-to-end, or a combination shelf unit and beverage rack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for prolonging the preservation of cut flowers involves cooling the bottom portion of a flower pot, which contains water in which the stems of cut flowers stand, while also cooling a semi-enclosed flower space with cooling air introduced in such fashion that the blooms of the cut flowers are not subjected to significant draft of the cooling air.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case is provided which includes a framework having a plurality of first panels connected to each other to form a structure having a polygonal cross-section. Each first panel is connected to an adjacent first panel such that an extending portion of the first panel extends beyond its connection point to an adjacent first panel. The framework also includes a plurality of second panels, each second panel being connected at one end to an extending portion of a first panel. The framework defines a plurality of refrigeration compartments. Each compartment includes an information board to provide information relating to the products displayed in the compartments.

Abstract: A dual temperature merchandiser incorporating both upper and lower communicating compartments, the upper compartment for chilling food products, with the lower compartment disposed for holding frozen food products, a single refrigeration unit incorporating the condenser and compressor are provided for maintaining the chilled and freezing temperatures within their respective compartments, and evaporators operatively associated and rendered functional by the aforesaid condenser and compressor being provided within each of the compartments, thermostatic controls responsive to the temperatures maintained within each compartment a valve operatively associated with the thermostatic control maintained in the upper chilling compartment and providing for the flow, or curtailment thereof, of refrigerant through the evaporator maintained within said compartment for independently maintaining the chilling temperature therein, regardless of the continued transfer of refrigerant through the lower compartment and sustaining