Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for producing and vending ice in an energy-efficient manner. A system for producing and vending ice comprises: an ice-making device configured to manufacture ice; a reservoir coupled to the ice-making device and configured to store the manufactured ice manufactured; and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the ice-making device, the control circuit configured to: determine a beginning ice inventory at a first time; determine a predicted ice demand for a first period, wherein the predicted ice demand is a function of at least a historical factor, a weather factor, a customer social event factor, and a public social event factor; determine an ice manufacturing quantity based on the beginning ice inventory, the predicted ice demand, and a manufacturing capacity of the ice-making device; and cause the ice-making device to produce an amount of ice consistent with the determined ice manufacturing quantity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to utilizing a sonication probe. In some embodiments, there is provided a rice cooker utilizing a sonication probe to cook rice including a rice cooker housing; a pH sensor; a temperature sensor; a viscosity sensor; a sonication probe; and a control circuit configured to control an operation of the sonication probe that causes the sonication probe to stop emitting one or more sound waves to substantially halt breakdown of amylose of the rice based on a pH value, a temperature value, and a viscosity value associated with the rice.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for producing and vending ice in an energy-efficient manner. A system for producing and vending ice comprises: an ice-making device configured to manufacture ice; a reservoir coupled to the ice-making device and configured to store the manufactured ice manufactured; and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the ice-making device, the control circuit configured to: determine a beginning ice inventory at a first time; determine a predicted ice demand for a first period, wherein the predicted ice demand is a function of at least a historical factor, a weather factor, a customer social event factor, and a public social event factor; determine an ice manufacturing quantity based on the beginning ice inventory, the predicted ice demand, and a manufacturing capacity of the ice-making device; and cause the ice-making device to produce an amount of ice consistent with the determined ice manufacturing quantity.

Abstract: An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for producing and vending ice in an energy-efficient manner. A system for producing and vending ice comprises: an ice-making device configured to manufacture ice; a reservoir coupled to the ice-making device and configured to store the manufactured ice manufactured; and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the ice-making device, the control circuit configured to: determine a beginning ice inventory at a first time; determine a predicted ice demand for a first period, wherein the predicted ice demand is a function of at least a historical factor, a weather factor, a customer social event factor, and a public social event factor; determine an ice manufacturing quantity based on the beginning ice inventory, the predicted ice demand, and a manufacturing capacity of the ice-making device; and cause the ice-making device to produce an amount of ice consistent with the determined ice manufacturing quantity.

Abstract: An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for producing and vending ice in an energy-efficient manner. A system for producing and vending ice comprises: an ice-making device configured to manufacture ice; a reservoir coupled to the ice-making device and configured to store the manufactured ice manufactured; and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the ice-making device, the control circuit configured to: determine a beginning ice inventory at a first time; determine a predicted ice demand for a first period, wherein the predicted ice demand is a function of at least a historical factor, a weather factor, a customer social event factor, and a public social event factor; determine an ice manufacturing quantity based on the beginning ice inventory, the predicted ice demand, and a manufacturing capacity of the ice-making device; and cause the ice-making device to produce an amount of ice consistent with the determined ice manufacturing quantity.

Abstract: An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to utilizing a sonication probe. In some embodiments, there is provided a rice cooker utilizing a sonication probe to cook rice including a rice cooker housing; a pH sensor; a temperature sensor; a viscosity sensor; a sonication probe; and a control circuit configured to control an operation of the sonication probe that causes the sonication probe to stop emitting one or more sound waves to substantially halt breakdown of amylose of the rice based on a pH value, a temperature value, and a viscosity value associated with the rice.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to utilizing a sonication probe. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for utilizing a sonication probe to cook rice including a housing; a pH sensor; a temperature sensor; a viscosity sensor; an ultrasonic generator; a memory; and a control circuit configured to: receive a desired shelf life value of one or more shelf life values; obtain a first predetermined combination of a plurality of different predetermined combinations corresponding to the desired shelf life value; control an operation of the ultrasonic generator; determine the pH value, the temperature value, and the viscosity value; determine whether each of the pH value, the temperature value, and the viscosity value are respectively within a corresponding threshold; and in response, cause the ultrasonic generator to stop emitting one or more sound waves to substantially halt breakdown of amylose of the rice.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to utilizing a sonication probe. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for utilizing a sonication probe to cook rice including a housing; a pH sensor; a temperature sensor; a viscosity sensor; an ultrasonic generator; a memory; and a control circuit configured to: receive a desired shelf life value of one or more shelf life values; obtain a first predetermined combination of a plurality of different predetermined combinations corresponding to the desired shelf life value; control an operation of the ultrasonic generator; determine the pH value, the temperature value, and the viscosity value; determine whether each of the pH value, the temperature value, and the viscosity value are respectively within a corresponding threshold; and in response, cause the ultrasonic generator to stop emitting one or more sound waves to substantially halt breakdown of amylose of the rice.

Abstract: An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a housing capable of receiving a pre-packaged charge of pre-whipped topping or icing. The housing has an inner wall with a slot formed therein for receiving a rack that is capable of rotational and translational motion within the slot. The rack has a set of gear teeth that engage with a catch on a plunger. The piston moves in the axial direction to force the pre-whipped topping or icing through the outlet in its packaging. The catch on the piston is locked in one direction and pivots in the opposite direction such that the rack engages with the piston when it moves in a first direction and the rack disengages with the piston when it is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method for producing dough which has reduced proofing time. The proofing time is at least 33% less that required in the absence of vacuum exercising. The method comprises mixing the dough ingredients, forming gas nucleation sites by proofing the dough, exercising the dough by subjecting the dough to cycles of differential pressure, allowing the dough to return to ambient pressure and then, optionally, baking the dough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dough processing, a method for providing a container for a dough product, a container, and a product formed by a container.