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.

The present invention refers to a vending machine for juices made of natural fruit comprising a structure or framework, a module for storing and dispensing fruits having compartments for preserving fruit, helical bars for transportation disposed in each compartment which transport the pieces of fruit without damaging them, weighing hoppers that receive, measure and dose the weight of the pieces of fruit by means of load cells, a means for transferring the dosed fruit, a blending module with the upper part of the blender vessel modified to eliminate the need for closure or covering, modules for transporting liquids with peristaltic pumps and with tubular conduits to control accurately the amount of liquid supplied, a module for supplying food additives, a container dispenser, a module for the interaction between the user and the machine equipped with a touch-screen, a cooling module, a control module and preferably a modified module for drainage and safety.

The disclosure relates to integrated systems for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes one or more storage bins configured to store one or more bulk foods. The storage system further includes a kiosk. The storage system further includes a sensor attached to or positioned adjacent to each storage bin of the one or more storage bins. Each sensor is configured to monitor a movement of a respective storage bin. Additionally, each sensor is configured to transmit a notification or signal to the kiosk identifying the movement of the respective storage bin. Further, the kiosk is configured to receive the notification or signal from the sensor and automatically print a label identifying a bulk food stored in the respective storage bin.

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.

A tubeless smoothie vending machine including a tubeless electro-mechanically actuated dispensing nozzle attached to each smoothie dispensing tank, a cup retrieval system to retrieve an empty cup and move the cup to each selected dispensing nozzle, a portal in the cup retrieval system to transfer the cup through the cup retrieval system, a receiving shelf to receive the filled cup, a dispenser system to drop dry food product into the beverage filled cup, and an access door to open when the beverage filled cup is ready to vend to the customer. Tubes for delivering beverage to the cup are eliminated. A consolidated smoothie vending machine having a plurality of integrated smoothie blenders, a dry food supplement delivery assembly, a straw delivery assembly, and a lid delivery assembly. In one example, the smoothie blenders are stacked. In one example, the smoothie blenders are attached to sliding shelving.

A tubeless smoothie vending machine including a tubeless electro-mechanically actuated dispensing nozzle attached to each smoothie dispensing tank, a cup retrieval system to retrieve an empty cup and move the cup to each selected dispensing nozzle, a portal in the cup retrieval system to transfer the cup through the cup retrieval system, a receiving shelf to receive the filled cup, a dispenser system to drop dry food product into the beverage filled cup, and an access door to open when the beverage filled cup is ready to vend to the customer. Tubes for delivering beverage to the cup are eliminated. A consolidated smoothie vending machine having a plurality of integrated smoothie blenders, a dry food supplement delivery assembly, a straw delivery assembly, and a lid delivery assembly. In one example, the smoothie blenders are stacked. In one example, the smoothie blenders are attached to sliding shelving.

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.

A registration device includes a shelf including a sensor and on which a commodity is placed, a camera configured to capture an image of a first area and a second area outside the first area, and a processor configured to start tracking of a customer who has entered the second area from outside based on the image captured by the camera, determine whether the commodity is taken from the shelf based on changes in weight measured by the sensor, upon determining that the commodity has been taken, determine whether the tracked customer performs a particular action within the first area, upon determining that the tracked customer has performed the particular action, determine whether the customer has entered the second area, and upon determining that the customer has entered the second area, register the taken commodity as a commodity being purchased by the customer.