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.

Abstract: The manual food processor includes a first shelf configured to receive a blade cartridge. The first shelf includes a first slider configured to selectively retain the blade cartridge at the first shelf. The manual food processor also includes a pair of guide rails extending from the first shelf and a second shelf slidable along the pair of guide rails. The second shelf is configured to receive a pusher block cartridge and includes a second slider configured to selectively retain the pusher block cartridge at the second shelf. The manual food processor also includes a handle mechanism operable to cause the second shelf to slide along the guide rails between an open position and a closed position. The first shelf is spaced apart from the second shelf in the open position, and the pusher block cartridge interfaces with the blade cartridge in the closed position.

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: 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 frozen food product dispensing machine includes a housing, a freezer barrel disposed within the housing, a plurality of drawers, and a manifold comprising a plurality of inlets and one outlet. The plurality of drawers are disposed within and slidably coupled to the housing and configured to each support a liquid food product mix reservoir. The inlets are each fluidly coupled to one of the liquid food product mix reservoirs, and the outlet is fluidly coupled to the freezer barrel to supply liquid food product mix from all of the liquid food product mix reservoirs to the freezer barrel.

Abstract: A pan includes a base, a sidewall, and a lip. The sidewall extends from and around a first periphery of the base. The base and the sidewall cooperatively define a cavity. The lip extends from and at least partially along a second periphery of an end of the sidewall opposite the base. The lip has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the lip is configured to engage a third portion of a second pan when the pan and the second pan are in a nested arrangement such that engagement between the first portion of the lip and the third portion of the second pan forms an air gap between the pan and the second pan when in the nested arrangement.

Abstract: The manual food processor includes a first shelf configured to receive a blade cartridge. The first shelf includes a first slider configured to selectively retain the blade cartridge at the first shelf. The manual food processor also includes a pair of guide rails extending from the first shelf and a second shelf slidable along the pair of guide rails. The second shelf is configured to receive a pusher block cartridge and includes a second slider configured to selectively retain the pusher block cartridge at the second shelf. The manual food processor also includes a handle mechanism operable to cause the second shelf to slide along the guide rails between an open position and a closed position. The first shelf is spaced apart from the second shelf in the open position, and the pusher block cartridge interfaces with the blade cartridge in the closed position.

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 a side wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the side 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 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.