Abstract: A direct contact steam injection heater that includes a stem plug that is rotatable over 360°. The stem plug is connected to an actuator that is operable to rotate the stem plug over 360° of rotation during both the heating function of the steam injection heater and during a clean-in-place process. The stem plug includes a regulating head having a pair of sealing inserts formed on each of a pair of sealing faces. The sealing inserts are biased outward into contact with an inner surface that includes the steam injection nozzles. As the regulating head rotates between a closed position and an open position, the nozzles are exposed to allow steam to flow into the product being heated. The regulating head further includes a pair of foils. During the clean-in-place operation, the foils create a turbulent flow of cleaning liquid within the steam chamber.

Abstract: A merchandising and product display system includes a space defined between a pair of generally parallel dividers. At a rear end of each divider, a rear loading gate is mounted to permit product containers to be inserted through the rear into the opening and to prevent products from being pushed from within the space through the rear of the space. The loading gate includes a pair of wings extending less than halfway across the width of the opening. The wings are hingedly mounted to a central portion permitting the wing to be deflected forward and rearward, and include a rearward extending bulkhead that engages the central portion. The engagement of the bulkhead and the central portion prevents the wings from being deflected sufficiently to permit a product container from passing the gate.

Abstract: A ventilated merchandising system for products displayed in merchandise coolers such as refrigerator or freezer cases. One embodiment of the merchandising system includes a base member and a platform coupled to the base member such that air can flow between the platform and the base member. One or more plenum plates can be coupled to the base for directing air between the platform and the base member. A pusher plate may also be coupled to and movable along the platform for advancing products along the platform. A baffle system that may be coupled to a merchandising tray and a method of distributing air flow within a merchandise cooler unit are also provided.

Abstract: A merchandising and product display system includes a space defined between a pair of generally parallel dividers. At a rear end of each divider, a rear loading gate is mounted to permit product containers to be inserted through the rear into the opening and to prevent products from being pushed from within the space through the rear of the space. The loading gate includes a pair of wings extending less than halfway across the width of the opening. The wings are hingedly mounted to a central portion permitting the wing to be deflected forward and rearward, and include a rearward extending bulkhead that engages the central portion. The engagement of the bulkhead and the central portion prevents the wings from being deflected sufficiently to permit a product container from passing the gate.

Abstract: Display systems and a power clamp for use therein, the power clamp configured to releasably connect an illuminated graphics panel to a power source, are disclosed. The power clamp includes an actuating member, a biasing mechanism, a connector housing for retaining connector and a power ribbon or cable, the power clamp providing a safe and efficient method of temporarily securing and removably releasing a flexible printed circuit or illuminated graphics panel into a display system without requiring hard wiring of the panel to the display system, the printed circuit board or power source.