Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a conveyor system having a continuous cooking surface and a dispenser disposed proximate the continuous cooking surface. The cooking apparatus also having a guide disposed between the dispenser and the continuous surface to guide food product released from dispenser to the continuous cooking surface; and at least one platen proximate the cooking surface to cook the food product. A method of cooking using a cooking apparatus by dispensing a food product from a food dispenser and receiving the food product onto a continuous cooking surface and moving the cooking surface between a first platen and a second platen to cook the food product. The conveyor mechanism is indexed to move at a same rate as said food dispenser and indexes the appropriate distance to convey the food product to a position centered beneath upper cooking platen.

Abstract: The cooking device of the present disclosure has a housing and a cooking surface mounted in the housing. A plurality of lids is removably coupled to the housing. Each lid is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The lids are elevated above the cooking surface when the lids are in the open position and contact the cooking surface when the lids are in the closed position. The lids capture steam and smoke released during cooking of the food product to add flavor and moisture to the food product.

Abstract: A method and device for creating a beverage recipe for an integrated beverage blending system includes a dispenser and at least one blending/mixing/cleaning module. The method creates the beverage recipe with recipe program running on a computer interactively with a user making recipe entry parameters for the dispensing, blending and mixing operations. The recipe can be stored on a portable memory and inserted into a user interface controller of the integrated system or into an associated point of sale device.

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 gas burner has an air-gas mixture distribution section with an open loop geometry and a plurality of sides. The air-gas mixture distribution section has a top heating surface and a plurality of ports are disposed on the top heating surface. An inlet is disposed on one of the plurality of sides of the air-gas mixture distribution section and a distribution diffuser is mounted inside the air-gas mixture distribution section.

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 food holding cabinet that has multiple tiers with moisture even distribution, lighting and heating features. The moisture feature provides a circulating moisture laden airflow to a tier. The lighting feature provides low energy consuming light emitting diodes to a tier. The heating feature provides different heating to different heating zones.

Abstract: A food holding cabinet for holding food with a carrier that can be moved in and out of the cabinet be either a front door or a rear door. The food holding cabinet comprises an assembly with slots and fixtures that facilitate the motion of the carrier.

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: 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: 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 beverage system includes an ingredient module and an ingredient dispensing valve dispensing an ingredient into a beverage container. The ingredient module comprises a housing, an ingredient container disposed within the housing, a first ingredient conduit disposed between the ingredient container and the ingredient dispensing valve, and a pumping device that causes the ingredient to move from the ingredient container, through the first ingredient conduit, and through the ingredient dispensing valve under pressure. A valve receives the ingredient from the pumping device and passes the ingredient to the dispensing valve. The valve includes a second ingredient conduit, where the valve controls the size of the second ingredient conduit, such that the size of the second ingredient conduit is reduced during dispensing of the ingredient to the dispensing valve and enlarged when the dispensing of the ingredient to the dispensing valve is terminated.

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.