A nutrition tracking system comprises a nutrition tracking server, a plurality of weight-based food offering terminals, and one or more nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals. Multiple weight-based food offering terminals may be equipped on a food service cart. Each weight-based food offering terminal may be initialized to offer a type of food. The weight-based food offering terminal automatically measures the weight of food taken by a customer or for a customer, calculates the cost of food, and shows the weight and the cost on the display in real time. When the food is paid, the weight-based food offering terminal automatically reports the vending information to the nutrition tracking server. The nutrition tracking server maintains a database for customer meal information and a database for customer nutrition information. Customers may inquire their meal history and nutrition information using the nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals.

A nutrition tracking system comprises a nutrition tracking server, a plurality of weight-based food offering terminals, and one or more nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals. Multiple weight-based food offering terminals may be equipped on a food service cart. Each weight-based food offering terminal may be initialized to offer a type of food. The weight-based food offering terminal automatically measures the weight of food taken by a customer or for a customer, calculates the cost of food, and shows the weight and the cost on the display in real time. When the food is paid, the weight-based food offering terminal automatically reports the vending information to the nutrition tracking server. The nutrition tracking server maintains a database for customer meal information and a database for customer nutrition information. Customers may inquire their meal history and nutrition information using the nutrition and meal information inquiry terminals.

Systems are disclosed for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes a scoop bin configured to store a product, wherein the scoop bin has a lid configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the product is configured to be scooped out of the scoop bin by a customer when the lid is in the open position. The system further includes a sensor configured to monitor a movement of the scoop bin, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a notification to the computing device identifying the movement of the scoop bin. A printer is configured to receive an instruction from the computing device to automatically print a label identifying the product stored in the scoop bin following the computing device receiving the notification of the movement.

A vending structure comprising: exterior walls, a roof and a floor all defining a main structure; at least one transaction window; at least one ATM; at least one sign; a safe room defined within the structure with heightened security features including a secure entry door; electronic systems including at least one camera, an internet connection, at least one point of sale system, and at least one power distribution system. The structure may include a second level removably mounted on top of the main structure, the second level serving as a customer lounge for consuming products vended on the main floor. The second level preferably includes a vent means for venting fumes from the second level comprising either floor grates up through which at least one fan blows air or a vent hood with a powered fan drawing fumes up and away from the second level.

A vending structure comprising: exterior walls, a roof and a floor all defining a main structure; at least one transaction window; at least one ATM; at least one sign; a safe room defined within the structure with heightened security features including a secure entry door; electronic systems including at least one camera, an internet connection, at least one point of sale system, and at least one power distribution system. The structure may include a second level removably mounted on top of the main structure, the second level serving as a customer lounge for consuming products vended on the main floor. The second level preferably includes a vent means for venting fumes from the second level comprising either floor grates up through which at least one fan blows air or a vent hood with a powered fan drawing fumes up and away from the second level.

A computer-implemented method for indicating to a user an amount of an item to dispense from a bulk item dispenser is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes detecting a real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser. The computer-implemented method further includes overlaying an augmented scale onto the bulk item dispenser, wherein the augmented scale is positioned with respect to the real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser.

A fluid filling station which has a supply tank, filter, transfer pump, a high pressure valve, an optional flow meter, a pressure relief valve, at least one muffler, a filling head, a control module, a purge head, cylinder dispensing mechanism, and its method of use are provided for. This fluid filling station is capable of refilling many types of fluids, but is preferably for the use with carbon dioxide. Additionally, this station is capable of housing and dispensing prefilled refillable fluid containers.

A fluid filling station which has a supply tank, filter, transfer pump, a high pressure valve, an optional flow meter, a pressure relief valve, at least one muffler, a filling head, a control module, a purge head, cylinder dispensing mechanism, and its method of use are provided for. This fluid filling station is capable of refilling many types of fluids, but is preferably for the use with carbon dioxide. Additionally, this station is capable of housing and dispensing prefilled refillable fluid containers.

There is disclosed a method of eliminating waste in the delivery of a metered amount of bulk food from a manufacturing outlet to a customer in a delivery area. One or more stand-alone micro-retail units may be sited at outdoor locations in the delivery area and may each comprise a weatherproof housing sheltering multiple food silos. Each food silo may store an intermediate capacity of the bulk food item and be configured to dispense the metered amount through a silo output and through a food dispenser. A refill hatch may be disposed in a wall of the housing above and for each silo, connecting to an inlet of the silo. A vending interface of the retail unit may alert the manufacturing outlet, by a level indicator, of a low storage level of the dry food item and thereby trigger a delivery of the bulk food in an intermediate bulk compartment.

There is disclosed a method of eliminating waste in the delivery of a metered amount of bulk food from a manufacturing outlet to a customer in a delivery area. One or more stand-alone micro-retail units may be sited at outdoor locations in the delivery area and may each comprise a weatherproof housing sheltering multiple food silos. Each food silo may store an intermediate capacity of the bulk food item and be configured to dispense the metered amount through a silo output and through a food dispenser. A refill hatch may be disposed in a wall of the housing above and for each silo, connecting to an inlet of the silo. A vending interface of the retail unit may alert the manufacturing outlet, by a level indicator, of a low storage level of the dry food item and thereby trigger a delivery of the bulk food in an intermediate bulk compartment.