In an apparatus for dispensing, a dispenser includes a housing, a reservoir housed within the housing, a chute in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the chute is adjacent to the reservoir, a user input device, a power source housed within the housing, a logic housed within the housing, wherein the power source powers the logic, a motor housed within the housing, wherein the power source powers the motor, wherein the logic controls the motor, a gear train housed within the housing, wherein the motor drives the gear train, a first platform defining an opening, wherein a portion of the first platform abuts a bottom portion of the chute when the dispenser is in a non-dispensing state, and a second platform including a well, wherein the gear train is configured to rotate the second platform relative to the housing, and wherein when the logic sets the dispenser to a dispensing state a position of the well is adjustable relative to the housing via the user input device, such that the well substantially aligns with the chute.

Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

A system including a network of article or service dispensing devices connected for two way communication with a central hub in which article or service selection requests are received from user's smart devices or from input units at the dispensing devices, dispensing devices suitable for use in the system, and a method of controlling transactions using the system. Capabilities include transmission of inventory and operational status information from the dispensing devices, verification that legal and commercial requirements for the desired transaction are met, providing information to tax authorities, and providing information to owners of or those maintaining the system on which to base stocking decisions, and to owners of brands available in dispensing devices from which targeted promotional materials can be selected, and delivered to a user while a transaction is in progress.

A vending machine for dispensing a customized dietary supplement to dialysis patients, is disclosed. The vending machine comprises a serving dispenser designed to hold and distribute the customized dietary supplement to a user. The vending machine further comprises a user interface, a controller having a memory unit to store an inventory of ingredients operatively linked to a user interface and programmed to control the serving dispenser. The controller is configured to dispense the customized dietary supplement based on a user input. The vending machine prevents user from having unhealthy snacks for dialysis. The method decreases health complication faced by the dialysis patients. The vending machine provides wide product selection and optimal component storage capacities. It also affords improved product quality, which helps in improving the patients' health.

A vending machine for dispensing a customized dietary supplement to dialysis patients, is disclosed. The vending machine comprises a serving dispenser designed to hold and distribute the customized dietary supplement to a user. The vending machine further comprises a user interface, a controller having a memory unit to store an inventory of ingredients operatively linked to a user interface and programmed to control the serving dispenser. The controller is configured to dispense the customized dietary supplement based on a user input. The vending machine prevents user from having unhealthy snacks for dialysis. The method decreases health complication faced by the dialysis patients. The vending machine provides wide product selection and optimal component storage capacities. It also affords improved product quality, which helps in improving the patients' health.

A document handler system and method includes timed operation functionality in which the manufacturer of the document handler may input coded information in the document handler to establish a timed operation of the document handler which may be contingent on continued payments for use of the document handler. Alternatively, or in addition, the timed operation may be used to establish an appropriate warranty period during which the manufacturer is obligated to provide repairs, modification and/or support for the document handler.

A document handler system and method includes timed operation functionality in which the manufacturer of the document handler may input coded information in the document handler to establish a timed operation of the document handler which may be contingent on continued payments for use of the document handler. Alternatively, or in addition, the timed operation may be used to establish an appropriate warranty period during which the manufacturer is obligated to provide repairs, modification and/or support for the document handler.

Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

A Local Controller device installed in or on the fuel pump capable of functioning as a pump controller dedicated solely to the pump in which it is installed and as a data router to and from the peripheral devices. This dedicated Local Controller device contains a microcomputer with a pump communications interface and optionally a remote, Site Controller communication interface which is non-dedicated and has control over many pumps at the station. If connected to such a Site Controller, the device will function as a slave to this Site Controller. Otherwise it functions autonomously to control the pump on its own.

A vending machine has a cabinet internally defining a dispensing compartment that is closed by a front door and houses a plurality of dispensing trays, each of which supports a plurality of products and is slidably engaged in a guide device defined by a pair of elongated guides, each of which is coupled to the cabinet through a front tooth and a rear tooth and is provided with a retractable spring-loaded locking pin movable between a coupling position and a release position with respect to the cabinet.