The present disclosure for a protection screen relates to methods and systems for protecting food, hot or cold, and drinks while eating in public spaces such as cafeterias, bars, restaurants, food courts, food bars, airplane seating, etc.

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.

Embodiments of the invention include a barrier assembly including a frame to hold a barrier member. A bracket defines a track and the bracket can be attached to a support surface such that a first branch of the bracket resides on a first side of the support surface and a second branch of the bracket resides on a second side of the support surface. An articulating connector couples the frame to track, the articulating connector enables the frame to move in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the track. The frame and connector can move along the track from a first position in which the frame resides above the support surface to a second position in which the frame resides below the support surface.

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 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 desk or table shield includes a clear face and two wings, is individually assignable, easily attached to a desk or table top, and include elbow openings preventing or reducing interference with arms during use. Clips are permanently attached to the desk or table top, and the shield engages and disengages from the clips to attach and detach from the desk or table. A template facilitates portioning the clips for attachment to the desk or table top. The wings are attached to the face by flexible hinges. Cable cutouts are provided for cabling. Carrying handles are provided by slots in the face and wings which align when the wings are folded against the face for carrying.

A breath guard for a food serving system includes first and second supports positioned laterally offset from one another, a guide rail coupled to the first support and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, an adjustable panel extending between the first and second supports, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the adjustable panel and configured to selectively engage the guide rail in a series of locations. The adjustable panel is rotatably and translatably coupled to the guide rail and is rotatable relative to the guide rail about an axis of rotation that extends laterally. The adjustment mechanism prevents longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel in a first direction and allows movement in a second direction opposite the first direction when the adjustment mechanism engages the guide rail, such that the adjustable panel is selectively repositionable between a plurality of longitudinal positions.

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 shield panel support providing for food shield panel position adjustment. The panel support includes a panel support arm connected to a panel support plate. The panel support plate defines a longitudinal slot. The system includes a tensioning apparatus extending through the longitudinal slot. The tensioning apparatus may be operated to permit the position of the panel support plate, and any attached panel, to be adjusted with respect to the panel support arm to any one of an infinite number of positions along the length of the slot. The tensioning apparatus may further be operated to secure the position of the panel support plate relative to the panel support arm.

Adjustable hinge assemblies for partially or completely rotating an object joined thereto about an axis in specific, pre-determined increments defined by the interaction of ball pins and detents permit the adjustable hinge to retain an attached object in specific rotational positions until sufficient force is applied in the plane of rotation to overcome this interaction. In certain cases the object may be a door, window, baffle, or airfoil. Preferably, the adjustable hinges may be used as part of a sneeze guard assembly to hold a main sneeze guard pane whose angle can be adjusted to protect food from airborne contamination, such as in airborne saliva or mucus droplets. An optional tuck-away hinge pane prevents contamination of food from the ends of the sneeze guard assembly.