An enclosure or display cabinet for displaying heated objects (such as a food display module or container) using heat-sensitive lighting is disclosed herein. The heat-sensitive lighting may be, for example, an LED lighting unit. LED lighting is inefficient and tends to degrade or fail when operating at higher temperatures. However, LED lighting may be preferred as it is typically more energy efficient than other lighting options (such as incandescent bulbs). The lighting unit includes a thermally insulated space, shelf, or gap for housing the lighting and a system for reducing heat generated by the display or the lighting unit.

The present invention provides protective enclosures and food and/or beverage stations with these enclosures in which one or more of the side panels are easily raised and lowered and easily fixed in one or more positions as desired. For example, side panels can be easily lowered or closed or easily raised and fixed in one or more open configurations. The present invention is based at least in part on a coupling system that pivotably and slideably couples the moveable and positionable side panels to the protective enclosure. The coupling system uses a system of coordinated slots that cooperatively guide the movement of the side panel in its range of motion.

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.

Provided is a canopy cover for a roller grill assembly that works in conjunction with a roller grill food separating device. The canopy includes a pair of support brackets that contact the sidewalls of the roller grill to support the canopy thereon. The canopy support brackets include cutouts for positioning a food separating device on the grill assembly. The configuration of the cutouts allows the food separating device support brackets to rest between the ends of the canopy support brackets and on the roller grill. The canopy further includes a pair of canopy header brackets for supporting a header graphic custom sign positioned above the roller grill. The canopy provides a sanitary cover for a roller grill and a food separating device that permits segregation of food products on the grill surface, protects the food from contaminants, and provides support for an advertising sign.

Various embodiments for a food display that includes a friction hinge capable of retaining and adjusting a panel without a locking mechanism that requires attachments or detachments are disclosed. The food display can include food display posts and a friction hinge attached to at least one of the food display posts. A panel can be coupled to the friction hinge to act as a sneeze or breath guard, where the panel is capable of rotating about the friction hinge when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the panel.

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.

Various embodiments of a modular food shield system are disclosed and described within the context of exemplary food shield configurations. Certain embodiments may include cut-to-length support posts. Further, certain embodiments may include versatile brackets that can be positioned, and repositioned, along the length of support post without requiring that the support post be slotted, tapped, drilled or otherwise customized to secure the bracket in position. Brackets used in certain embodiments may further be configured to make use of one or more double duty set screws that can simultaneously secure the bracket to a support post while providing a structure for mating with one or more ancillary components in the food shield system such as, but not limited to, an internally threaded barrel spacer, a cut-to-length support post, a main viewing panel or side panel, a finishing cap component, a viewing panel adjustment mechanism, etc.

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.

Various embodiments for a food display that includes a friction hinge capable of retaining and adjusting a panel without a locking mechanism that requires attachments or detachments are disclosed. The food display can include food display posts and a friction hinge attached to at least one of the food display posts. A panel can be coupled to the friction hinge to act as a sneeze or breath guard, where the panel is capable of rotating about the friction hinge when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the panel.

A bracket assembly includes a supporting bar, a cylindrical member configured to slidably receive the supporting bar, an annular cap configured to removably couple with the cylindrical member, an arm extending outwardly from the annular cap, a torque cartridge, and a clamping element configured to releasably hold a frame. The torque cartridge includes a first portion and a second portion rotatably coupled with the first portion. The first portion of the torque cartridge is received within the arm such that the second portion of the torque cartridge is rotatable relative to the first portion and to the arm. The clamping element is coupled with the second portion of the torque cartridge at an outer end of the arm such that the clamping element is rotatable relative to the arm and to the annular cap.