Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for improving the power efficiency and control of an induction heating system. In particular, the induction heating system includes a series resonant bridge inverter circuit and a control circuit. The inverter circuit includes one or more induction coils that are structured to inductively couple to the cookware to heat the cookware and a current sensor structured to sense a coil current signal across the one or more inductor coils. In particular, the current sensor is structured to generate a positive sensed voltage signal corresponding to a positive portion of the coil current signal and a negative sensed voltage signal corresponding to a negative portion of the coil current. The control signal is structured to control switching of a first and a second set of switches based on the positive and negative sensed voltage signals.

Abstract: A food station includes a base configured to support a food product, a frame coupled to the base and including a longitudinal member having a length extending in a longitudinal direction, and a heat strip module coupled to the longitudinal member. The heat strip module includes a housing, a heating element coupled to the housing, and a reflector coupled to the housing. The heat strip module is at least one of (a) selectively rotatable relative to the longitudinal member between a first orientation and a second orientation and configured to emit the energy in both the first orientation and the second orientation or (b) selectively repositionable along the length of the longitudinal member between a first position and a second position and configured to emit the energy in both the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A cookware handle includes a grip comprising a first side, a second side, a pocket between the first side and the second side, a first aperture in the first side, and a second aperture in the second side. The cookware handle also includes a shaft comprising a proximal end configured to be coupled to cookware, a distal portion positioned in the pocket, and a third aperture aligned with the first aperture and the second aperture. The cookware handle also includes a plug including a ribbed thumb grip aligned with a surface of the first side of the grip. The plug retains the grip on the shaft by filling the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture.

Abstract: A method of operating a rethermalizing station having an induction coil includes detecting a temperature of a food pan, selecting, based on the temperature of the food pan, a selected mode from a set comprising a low temperature mode, an over temperature mode, and a keep warm mode, and varying, in accordance with the selected mode, an output power of the induction coil by controlling a supply current to the induction coil to vary between a first nonzero current value and a second nonzero current value.

Abstract: An induction warmer station includes a housing, a cooktop coupled to the housing, an induction coil positioned in the housing adjacent the cooktop, and a controller configured to adjust the frequency of a current input to the induction coil based on an indication of a response of an output current from the induction coil to a change in surface area of load material placed on the cooktop.

Abstract: An adjustable breath guard includes a frame, a shield, and a hinge assembly pivotally coupling the shield to the frame. The hinge assembly is reconfigurable between (a) an engaged configuration in which the hinge assembly limits downward movement of the shield and permits upward movement of the shield and (b) a disengaged configuration in which the shield permits both downward movement of the shield and upward movement of the shield. The hinge assembly is configured to change from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration in response to the shield moving upward.

Abstract: The present invention provides protective enclosures and food and/or beverage stations with these enclosures in which one or more of the side panels are easily raised and lowered and easily fixed in one or more positions as desired. For example, side panels can be easily lowered or closed or easily raised and fixed in one or more open configurations. The present invention is based at least in part on a coupling system that pivotably and slideably couples the moveable and positionable side panels to the protective enclosure. The coupling system uses a system of coordinated slots that cooperatively guide the movement of the side panel in its range of motion.

Abstract: A food service system comprising a housing having a first bay, a first positioning bracket having a first opening, and a first power supply module having a first mounting interface. The system may further comprise a first canister to selectively couple the first power supply module and controllably dispense a first food product, where the first canister comprises a first receptacle, a first base coupled to the first receptacle, and a first dispenser. The system may further comprise a first drive motor module removably mounted to the first base and operatively coupled to the first dispenser, where the first canister is removably mounted in the first bay by at least an engagement between the first drive motor module and the first mounting interface, and where the first drive motor module may actuate the first dispenser and the first dispenser controllably dispenses the first food product.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for a food protection system includes a first hinge member, a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, and a coupler selectively repositionable relative to the first hinge member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the coupler engages the first hinge member to limit rotation of the coupler relative to the first hinge member. In the disengaged position, the coupler is free to rotate relative to the first hinge member. The coupler is rotatably coupled to the second hinge member such that (a) rotation of the coupler relative to the second hinge member in a first rotational direction is limited and (b) the coupler is free to rotate relative to the second hinge member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A manual food processor includes a base, a plurality of blades coupled to the base and extending from the base in a vertical direction, a rod coupled to the base and oriented at an acute angle relative to the vertical direction of the blade, and a carriage slidable along the rod from a top end of the rod to a bottom end of the rod. The carriage is configured to support a food item from below the food item and to push the food item from above the food item. The carriage is positioned entirely on a first side of the plurality of blades when at the top end of the rod and is intersected by the plurality of blades at the bottom end of the rod.

Abstract: A temperature regulation device for positioning in a well of food service equipment, the temperature regulation device including a housing and a support coupled to the housing. The housing includes a top surface and a bottom surface and the support includes a connector having a connector axis, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The support is rotatable about the connector axis between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position of the support, the housing is positioned in a first position relative to the well, and in the retracted position of the support, the housing is positioned in a second position relative to the well.

Abstract: A drive circuit includes a voltage input circuit, a first surge protection device, and a second surge protection device. The voltage input circuit includes a first line terminal and a second line terminal, and supplies an input voltage to the first and second line terminals. The first surge protection device is connected between the first line terminal and ground to connect the first line terminal to ground when the input voltage is supplied, and to disconnect the first line terminal from ground when the input voltage is not supplied. The second surge protection device is connected between the second line terminal and ground to connect the second line terminal to ground when the input voltage is supplied, and to disconnect the second line terminal from ground when the input voltage is not supplied.

Abstract: A method of operating a rethermalizing station having an induction coil includes detecting a temperature of a food pan, selecting, based on the temperature of the food pan, a selected mode from a set comprising a low temperature mode, an over temperature mode, and a keep warm mode, and varying, in accordance with the selected mode, an output power of the induction coil by controlling a supply current to the induction coil to vary between a first nonzero current value and a second nonzero current value.

Abstract: A method of arranging an induction coil in a food service well includes supporting, by supports in an extended position, the induction coil at a first height in the food service well, rotating the supports from the extended position to a retracted position, and supporting, with the supports in the retracted position, the induction coil at a second height in the food service well, the first height different than the second height.

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: A method of using a frozen food product dispensing machine includes producing, by the frozen food product dispensing machine, a frozen food product, and dispensing, by the frozen food product dispensing machine, the frozen food product through a nozzle passage of a nozzle coupled to the frozen food product dispensing machine. The nozzle defines a food product inlet fluidly coupled to the frozen food product dispensing machine and a food product outlet. The nozzle passage extends between the food product inlet and the food product outlet. The method includes introducing, by a cleaning fluid source, a cleaning fluid into the nozzle passage through a cleaning fluid inlet in the nozzle. The cleaning fluid inlet is fluidly coupled to the nozzle passage between the food product inlet and the food product outlet.

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.