The present system is directed to a modular apparatus that may be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without the use of tools. The modular system includes connectors that may be fixed to the underside of a plank and then engaged with leg portions. The connectors further include channels to accommodate retention members of additional attachments, such as covers, guards, signage, or racks that may be added onto the modular apparatus to increase its utility. The retention members mate with the connectors to connect and securely hold the attachment and can be removed from the connectors all without the need for tools.

Provided is a sneeze guard attachment for creating an air curtain between display food covered by a sneeze guard and a person. The device includes a panel, a frame affixed to the panel that creates a chamber between the panel and the sneeze guard, and a means for forcing air into the chamber. The chamber includes an open end, which allows the air to be forced out of the chamber in order to create an air curtain. The air curtain separates the display food contained in a food bar/food prep area from the consumer. The device can be retrofitted on any preexisting food shield or sneeze guard, and can be utilized with various types of display food, including food items found in buffets, salad bars, hot food bars, roller grills, made-to-order food operations, catering stands, roller grills, sandwich preparation areas, and the like.

A food shield for use in a restaurant or food service institution includes a pair of partially overlapping upper and lower transparent panels, first and second locking assemblies connected to and supporting one lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels, and first and second non-locking assemblies connected to and supporting the opposite lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels. Each of the first locking and non-locking assemblies, which supports the upper transparent panel, is mountable to a respective vertical support post. The food shield is transformable into three different settings. In a cafeteria setting, the upper and lower transparent panels overlap each other to provide a full length barrier in front of food product being displayed. In a self-serve setting, the lower transparent panel is pivoted inwardly such that it resides behind the upper transparent panel. In a self-serve and display setting, the lower transparent panel is adjusted to a horizontal position to create a shelf situated behind the upper transparent panel.

A stand clamp including tightening apparatus to attach the clamp around a stand, pole, or similar structure. For example, the tightening apparatus may include first and second semicircular tapered threaded extensions extending from clamp portions, and a clamp knob threaded onto both tapered threaded extensions causing the first tapered threaded extension to move toward the second tapered threaded extension as the clamp knob is tightened. Alternatively, the tightening apparatus may include separate semicircular extensions with sloped walls received within corresponding sloped surfaces on the interior of a knob, causing the semicircular extensions to move toward each other as the knob is threaded into engagement with the semicircular extensions.

The present system is directed to a modular apparatus that may be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without the use of tools. The modular system includes connectors that may be fixed to the underside of a plank and then engaged with leg portions. The connectors further include channels to accommodate retention members of additional attachments, such as covers, guards, signage, or racks that may be added onto the modular apparatus to increase its utility. The retention members mate with the connectors to connect and securely hold the attachment and can be removed from the connectors all without the need for tools.

A reconfigurable multiple-piece end panel and mounting system for a food shield and a food shield system and methods. In some embodiments, the food shield system includes a support stand, a customer-facing panel supported by the support stand, and an end panel having a rear portion and a physically separate front portion that is independently removable from the end panel without the use of tools. The end panel mounting system provides for the front portion of the end panel to be selectively mounted to the support stand in a forward configuration where the front portion fully covers the adjacent outside edge of the customer-facing panel, or mounted in a reversed configuration where the front portion does not fully cover the adjacent outside edge of the customer-facing panel.

Buffet serving apparatus including box-like structure having slots. The box-like structure receives a container holding a food product. The buffet serving apparatus includes a serving unit having an axle. The axle presents a food holder. The slots receive the axle. The axle moves/slides along the slots. The axle rotates in one direction to pick up food product from the container using the food holder and rotates in opposite direction to dispense the food product from the food holder. The serving unit includes a wheel/handle that connects to the axle. The wheel/handle helps move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The serving unit includes a motor configured to move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The buffet serving apparatus provides required hygiene and prevents contamination of food products and/or food holder, as may occur with the COVID-19 virus.

The present invention provides shelf adjustment systems and methods that may be used in merchandiser display cases and other applications to accommodate changes in product offering, giving the user increased flexibility in the use of merchandiser display cases. The shelf adjustment systems of embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for coordinating shelf adjustment, such that adjusting the display angle of one shelf of the invention causes the display angle of another shelf or shelves to also be adjusted by the same amount as the adjusted shelf.

A food shield pivot connection providing for adjustment of the angular orientation of a support arm, and any attached panel, relative to a food shield stand. A representative pivot connection includes a threaded shaft extending from the stand clamp, an opening extending through the panel support arm defining a pivot axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the threaded shaft, and a plate positioned to selectively engage and disengage with the panel support arm. In this embodiment, a knob is threaded onto the threaded shaft, such that rotating the knob in a first direction drives the plate into engagement with the support arm, and rotating the pivot knob in the opposite direction allows a spring or similar mechanism positioned around the threaded shaft to bias the plate away from the support arm.

A bracket assembly includes a cylindrical member configured to hold a supporting bar at a first opening of the cylindrical member, a cylindrical core housed in the cylindrical member from the second opening of the cylindrical member, an annular cap coupled with the cylindrical core at the second opening of the cylindrical member, and a torque cartridge housed within a torque cartridge housing and transversely press fitted into the cylindrical member and the cylindrical core. The torque cartridge has a first portion with a first end that is coupled to the cylindrical core and a second portion with a first end that is rotatably coupled at a second end of the first portion to provide an infinite smooth pivoting movement between the first and second portions of the torque cartridge.