A workstation includes a work surface disposed in a first horizontal plane and a multi-tiered food preparation receptacle positioned adjacent the work surface. The multi-tiered food preparation receptacle includes a first pair of rails and a second pair of rails. The first pair of rails defines a second horizontal plane and the second pair of rails defines a third horizontal plane. The third horizontal plane is located below the second horizontal plane and the second horizontal plane is located below the first horizontal plane. The first pair of rails and the second pair of rails are configured to receive items of food service equipment and permit the items of food service equipment to translate in the multi-tiered food preparation receptacle relative to one another without interference.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

A cutlery dispensing system includes a base having a plurality of base compartments with identical retaining features and a plurality of dispensers having compatible retaining features allowing them to be installed in the base in any desired order and combination. In embodiments, individual dispensers remain vertically supported when they are horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that enable cutlery refilling. The base can comprise a plurality of interlocking compartment base units, each of which having one or more base compartments, to allow flexible configuration and expansion of the base. End caps can be used to terminate the sides of the base. Compartment base units with only one base compartment can be less than six inches wide.

A cutlery dispensing system includes a base having a plurality of base compartments with identical retaining features and a plurality of dispensers having compatible retaining features allowing them to be installed in the base in any desired order and combination. In embodiments, individual dispensers remain vertically supported when they are horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that enable cutlery refilling. The base can comprise a plurality of interlocking compartment base units, each of which having one or more base compartments, to allow flexible configuration and expansion of the base. End caps can be used to terminate the sides of the base. Compartment base units with only one base compartment can be less than six inches wide.

A container enclosing a volume. The container having a container floor facing the volume, a release valve, and a container roof positioned opposite the container floor. The container roof having a container roof inlet that penetrates the container roof. A trough is coupled to the container roof inlet. The trough has at least one beverage mount for holding the beverage, a trough outlet, and a water pump coupled to the trough for transferring a fluid through the trough and the trough outlet.

A tray assembly is provided. The tray assembly includes a first tray configured to be mounted to a robot; and a second tray provided above the first tray and configured to be rotatably coupled to the first tray. The second tray includes at least one first rolling member provided on a lower surface of the second tray, which faces the first tray, and an elastic member having at least one end which is fixedly connected to the lower surface. When the second tray is rotated relative to the first tray, the second tray is configured to be returned to its original position by virtue of a restoring force of the elastic member of the second tray.

A food stand system with a plan view in the shape of an incomplete circle, with a flat top surface as a countertop, and a convex customer-facing surface. The stand contains a food preparation appliance having both cooking and refrigeration components. Sensors measure the appliance interior state, and provide data to an automated controller that controls appliance operation to prepare food for consumption.

A food stand system with a plan view in the shape of an incomplete circle, with a flat top surface as a countertop, and a convex customer-facing surface. The stand contains a food preparation appliance having both cooking and refrigeration components. Sensors measure the appliance interior state, and provide data to an automated controller that controls appliance operation to prepare food for consumption.

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.