A serpentine product dispenser has a substantially S-shaped down chute between a cartridge containing rolling products, an exit port, and a lower feed channel leading to a product selection area. Jam-free feeding of cans from the cartridge is accomplished by forming the down chute in three arcuate sections. An upper arcuate section causes a first can falling through the exit port to impact a second can still in the dispenser, delaying motion of the second can, such that a third can follows the first can. A central arcuate section causes the first can to maintain rolling contact with a second can still in the cartridge, further facilitating the movement of the third can toward and into the down chute. A lower arcuate section directs cans toward the dispenser lower feed ramp and product selection area after they traverse the down chute upper and central arcuate sections.

A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. An apparatus may include: a plurality of shelf units. Each shelf unit extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured to receive articles, and the second end may be configured to present articles for retrieval in a retrieval position. Each of the plurality of shelf units is arranged with a respective second end facing a retrieval area. Each of the plurality of shelf units is inclined with the first end being lower than the second end. The apparatus may also include a retrieval device comprising an end-of-arm tool. The retrieval device is disposed within the retrieval area and configured to attach the end-of-arm tool to an article in a retrieval position of each of the plurality of shelf units.

An automatic vending machine includes: a product housing rack including product housing shelves each including a product housing path, and a product discharger; a first stopper configured to be movable between a protrusion position and a retract position, and to tilt such that a free end side of a holding portion is positioned at a product discharge port; a second stopper configured to be movable between a retract position and a protrusion position, and to press a vending product when protruding; a link configured to move each of the first and the second stopper to the protrusion and the retract position; and a driver configured to drive the link, wherein the second stopper includes ribs formed on a surface facing the product housing path, the ribs being configured to extend from a base end part toward a holding portion of the second stopper.

An automatic vending machine includes: a product housing rack including product housing shelves each including a product housing path, and a product discharger; a first stopper configured to be movable between a protrusion position and a retract position, and to tilt such that a free end side of a holding portion is positioned at a product discharge port; a second stopper configured to be movable between a retract position and a protrusion position, and to press a vending product when protruding; a link configured to move each of the first and the second stopper to the protrusion and the retract position; and a driver configured to drive the link, wherein the second stopper includes ribs formed on a surface facing the product housing path, the ribs being configured to extend from a base end part toward a holding portion of the second stopper.

A cooling arrangement for refrigerators that enables better temperature control and maintenance for beverage cans. The cooling arrangement facilitates access to the beverage cans without opening other cold storage chambers of the refrigerator. The cooling arrangement also prevents abrupt movement of the cans that can generate overflow of the liquid content of the beverage cans upon opening.

A baked goods handling system includes a holding cabinet operable to create a controlled environment therein. A dispenser receives a baked good from the holding cabinet and directs the baked good away from the holding cabinet. A treatment device receives the baked good from the dispenser to perform a treatment on the baked good.

A baked goods handling system includes a holding cabinet operable to create a controlled environment therein. A dispenser receives a baked good from the holding cabinet and directs the baked good away from the holding cabinet. A treatment device receives the baked good from the dispenser to perform a treatment on the baked good.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a lid assembly, a base, a dispenser assembly, and embedded signage. The housing includes a number of walls forming an internal volume, a top opening, and a bottom opening. At least one wall is composed of a translucent material. The lid assembly is operable to facilitate loading of an item into the housing, and the dispenser assembly is operable to dispense the item from the housing. The embedded signage is positioned at an internal surface of the at least one wall and/or integrated into the at least one wall, such that information displayed by the embedded signage is visible from a point external to the housing.

A cooling arrangement for refrigerators is provided, which allows better control and temperature maintenance for beverage cans, which facilitates access to them without having to open other cooling chamber of the refrigerator and also prevents an abrupt shift of the cans which can generate overflows of the liquid contents when opening them.

A cooling arrangement for refrigerators is provided, which allows better control and temperature maintenance for beverage cans, which facilitates access to them without having to open other cooling chamber of the refrigerator and also prevents an abrupt shift of the cans which can generate overflows of the liquid contents when opening them.