A lid dispensing system includes a housing, and a cartridge for holding a plurality of lids. The cartridge includes an engagement mechanism for attaching the cartridge to the housing. The lid dispensing system also includes an apparatus for picking a single lid from the stack of lids held by the cartridge, and dispensing the single lid to a dispensing position within the housing. The dispensing position accessible from the outside of the housing.

Packaging dispensers are configured to retain various types of packaging in which prepared food items are placed prior to delivery to a customer. The packaging dispensers retain a plurality of a packaging type as a supply of the packages. The packaging dispensers facilitate withdrawal of a single package from the supply of the packages.

A fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid and a method for dispensing a fluid such as a mouthwash may include a container having an internal reservoir for containing a volume of the fluid and a fluid pump connected to the container. The fluid pump may include a head, a spout, a stem, and a collar. The collar may attach the fluid pump to the container. The fluid dispenser may further include a container holder having a stem support that defines a slot that receives the stem of the fluid pump, a base, and an attachment member extending from the stem support toward the base. Various fluid dispenser designs, implementations, and uses are discussed.

A utensil dispenser that selectively dispenses a lowermost utensil from a stack of utensils. A main housing retains plural dispensing chambers. A selectively operable dispensing mechanism has a movable support structure, an actuated support structure, and an actuation structure retained by a manual actuator. First and second arms form the movable support structure with distal portions that are in proximity to support the lowermost utensil when in a first condition and that are separated when in a second condition. A shelf member retained by the actuator forms the actuated support structure to be selectively interposed between the lowermost and second lowermost utensil. An actuation structure, such as opposed ramp surfaces, is retained by the actuator to separate the first and second arms on actuation of the actuator. When the actuator is actuated, the stack of utensils, except for the lowermost utensil, is supported so that the lowermost utensil is dispensed.

Systems for providing on-demand cup printing and dispensing for food service are provided herein. A cup dispenser includes a cup source configured to hold a stack of cups and one or more cup-moving elements configured to cause a cup from the stack of cups to move through the cup dispenser. The cup dispenser includes a motor configured to operate the one or more cup-moving elements to cause the cup to move through the cup dispenser along a path. The cup dispenser also includes a printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information on the cup that is based on the food service order associated with the cup. The cup dispenser further includes a dispensing slot that provides the cup, which includes the at least one of order information or personalization information printed thereon.

Systems for providing on-demand food service material printing for food service are provided herein. Once a customer places a request for food service, the system can determine the order information about the customer's order and personalization information about the customer or store. Such information may be printed on a food service material item by a printer/dispenser in the store. The printed food service material item can then be used in preparation of the food order and provided to the customerproviding a more personalized customer experience. Such a system may be used to provide on-demand printing for any food service material item including, for example, food wrap, food containers, cups, carry-out bags, tray liners, pouches, napkins, among many others. Such systems may provide many advantages, including for example personalization of food service material and/or real-time promotion availability for stores. Example food service material dispensers are also provided herein.

Systems for providing on-demand food service material printing for food service are provided herein. A food service material dispenser comprises a roll holder configured to hold a roll of food service material, one or more rollers, and a motor configured to operate to translate the food service material along a path within the dispenser. The dispenser includes a cutting arrangement configured to perform a cut of the food service material to form the sheet of food service material that defines a size associated with a food service order. The dispenser also includes a printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information on the food service material that is based on the associated food service order. The dispenser further includes a chute configured to dispense the sheet of food service material, which includes the at least one of order information or personalization information printed thereon.

A cup dispenser (10) and associated methods are provided in which the cup dispenser (10) is tiltable (including rotation) between a dispensing position and a loading position. In the loading position, cups are easily loaded into the cup dispenser (10). A rolling-element bearing (30) may, among other mechanisms, be employed to facilitate the movement.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.