Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ice making evaporator that combines the cubic shape of pan and partition evaporators with the central ice making of a pin evaporator to achieve an ice shape that is mostly cubic. Separation of the cooling ability of these two evaporator portions allows cube shaping during ice making cycle based on time, temperature, pressure, or other variables.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring a property of an eye of a subject using an apparatus which is: arranged to provide a bleaching light, a background light ostensibly invisible to rods (e.g. substantially red, and/or having or being a wavelength greater than 580 nm) and a target light ostensibly visible to rods (e.g. substantially green, and/or having or being a wavelength less than 580 nm and greater than 400 nm, e.g.

Abstract: A combination oven that is operable with convection air, impingement air, microwave energy and steam in various combinations thereof. The oven has an oven chamber and a fan box that are located front to back. A fan in the fan box circulates heated air by discharging via openings in a top and a bottom and taking in via an intermediate opening of a baffle plate. Impingement plates are easily installed and removed in the oven chamber to provide impingement air upwardly or downwardly. Microwave energy is provided through the side walls of the oven chamber. Intake ports for cooling air are located in a bevel between the side walls and bottom wall of the oven's outer enclosure so as to allow the oven to be located right next to other structures, such as a wall. An interlock assembly is also provided for the oven door. A steam generation apparatus provides steam assist and includes a steam generation unit, a steam controller with control of retention and release of steam via the oven's vent.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode.

Abstract: A grilling apparatus for use in a cooking chamber of an oven includes an upper cooking surface, a lower cooking surface, at least one pair of connectors movably connecting the upper cooking surface to the lower cooking surface, a guide disposed about a door of the oven, and an actuator connected to the pair of connectors. The actuator is slidably disposed about the guide. The guide is connected to the door of the oven such that movement of the door causes the actuator to slide in the guide moving the upper and lower cooking surfaces towards and/or away from one another.

Abstract: The grilling apparatus of the present disclosure has an upper cooking grid, a lower cooking grid, at least one pair of connectors movably connecting the upper cooking grid to the lower cooking grid, and a handle which is connected to the pair of connectors to allow the upper and lower cooking grids to move towards and away from one another. A food product is cooked between the upper and lower cooking grids, and each of the grids contacts a respective side of the food product.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having first and second platens with product recognition. A positioning mechanism moves the second platen toward the first. A detector senses the second platen making contact with a food product disposed on the first platen and provides a signal. A controller uses the signal to measure the travel distance of the second platen. The product thickness is a function of the travel distance, which is used to select a cooking procedure for the food product. The controller then executes the selected cooking procedure to cook the food product. The detector can include a micro switch, proximity sensor, touch sensor, strain sensor, thermal sensor, optical sensor, sonar sensor or positioning load change sensor.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising an ice portion control module, an ingredient module; an ice dispensing conduit in communication with the ice portion control module, and an ingredient dispensing valve removably connected to the ice dispensing conduit and in communication with the ingredient module. Ice is dispensed into a beverage container via the ice dispensing conduit and the ingredient is dispensed into the beverage container via the ingredient dispensing valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling an integrated beverage system that comprises a dispensing module that dispenses one or more ingredients into a beverage container and a blending/mixing module that blends and/or mixes the ingredients in the beverage container, the method comprising: controlling the dispensing module and the blending/mixing module to prepare first and second beverages concurrently or sequentially.

Abstract: A method for preparing a single serving frozen beverage in a single serving disposable drink container, the method comprising: dispensing a predetermined quantity of ice into the single serving disposable drink container, dispensing a predetermined quantity of flavorings into the single serving disposable drink container, blending the ice and the flavorings by a blender in the single serving disposable drink container, and securing the single serving disposable drink container during the blending step, the single serving disposable drink container being received by a retainer recess, the retainer recess receiving and supporting only a lower portion of the single serving disposable drink container.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending and cleaning includes at least one blender module comprising a housing, a spindle, at least one blade, a drain, and a cleaning assembly. The housing comprises a substantially vertically disposed wall. A controller which, upon completion of a blending or mixing sequence, activates a cleaning and/or sanitizing mode via said cleaning assembly to clean at least an interior of said housing.

Abstract: A method of controlling an integrated beverage system that comprises a dispensing module that dispenses one or more ingredients into a beverage container and a blending/mixing module that blends and/or mixes the ingredients in the beverage container, the method comprising: controlling the dispensing module and the blending/mixing module to prepare first and second beverages concurrently or sequentially.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a single serving of a frozen slurry beverage in a disposable drink container or cup by preparing a supply of fine frozen particles of water in the form of ice flakes and/or ice nuggets of compressed ice flakes, depositing a predetermined quantity or amount of the fine frozen particles of partially frozen water into a disposable single serving drinking cup or container, dispensing or adding a predetermined quantity or amount of flavored liquid beverage mix into the disposable single serving drinking cup or container and blending the fine frozen particles of partially frozen water and the flavored liquid beverage mix into a substantially uniform frozen slurry beverage of a predetermined consistency.

Abstract: An integrated beverage dispensing and cleaning system comprising: at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes ice, at least one other ingredient, and/or at least one mixin within a beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; and a cleaning assembly integrated with the blender module, wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, a cleaning mode is initiated.

Abstract: A controller and method of controlling an integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender/mixer/cleaner module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender/mixer/cleaner module, the blender/mixer/cleaner module initiates a cleaning mode.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one beverage, the method comprising: selecting a beverage from a menu; portioning and/or dispensing of ice and/or at least one ingredient into a beverage container, based upon the menu selection; positioning the beverage container with the ice and the beverage ingredient into an interior of a housing of the blender module, the blender module comprising an integrated cleaning apparatus; blending and/or mixing the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container while disposed in the blender module, thereby producing the beverage; and initiating a cleaning mode wherein, upon completion of the blending and/or mixing process and removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the interior of the blender module is cleaned for subsequent usage.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A conveyor oven having an oven chamber with a single opening by which a food product enters and exits on a conveyor belt that is reversibly driven to convey the food product in and out of the oven chamber in a reciprocating manner. Also, the food is conveyed to a cooking position in an oscillating range within the oven chamber and then moved back and forth in the cooking range in an oscillatory manner within the oscillating range so as to prevent burning that would otherwise occur if left stationary.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clam grill that has first and second platens. The second platen is moved toward the first platen. A signal is provided in response to a detection of an impediment to the motion of the second platen. The motion of the second platen is stopped in response to the signal.