A novel food station comprises a plurality of cubbies, each sized to enclose a food portion container (FPC). Each cubby includes a cubby door and a door actuation mechanism that can open and close the cubby door independently from that of other cubbies. A heating system that can controllably heat the FPC within at least a first cubby, and a cooling system can perform cooling within at least a second cubby. The food station includes an internal transport system with an end effector that temporarily couples to the FPC, and controllably moves the FPC in a common transport space within the food station. The food station includes a control system that controls the heating, the cubby doors, and the movement of the internal transport system. Each cubby door, when closed, closes off the corresponding cubby interior space sufficiently to enable independent temperature control within the cubby interior space.

A method of vending an assembled food item. Receiving a request for an assembled food item. Conveying a first food item to a heating element for heating the first food item. Conveying a second food item to a second heating element for heating the second food item. Heating the first food item and second to a predetermined temperature or for an amount of time. After heating the first food item, dispensing the first food item into a first side of a foldable box that is open and dispensing the second food item into a second side of the foldable box. Folding the first side of the foldable box to be positioned substantially above the second side of the foldable box such that the foldable box is in a substantially closed position and such that the first food item is positioned substantially on top of the second food item.

A method of vending an assembled food item. Receiving a request for an assembled food item. Conveying a first food item to a heating element for heating the first food item. Conveying a second food item to a second heating element for heating the second food item. Heating the first food item and second to a predetermined temperature or for an amount of time. After heating the first food item, dispensing the first food item into a first side of a foldable box that is open and dispensing the second food item into a second side of the foldable box. Folding the first side of the foldable box to be positioned substantially above the second side of the foldable box such that the foldable box is in a substantially closed position and such that the first food item is positioned substantially on top of the second food item.

A cartridge for food delivery apparatus is disclosed. The cartridge is for storing and conveying items. The cartridge includes a housing and an outer looped element affixed at least partially in a main cavity of the housing. A movable inner looped element is mounted on rotatable rollers. A plurality of panels defines a plurality of movable chambers between the outer looped element and the movable inner looped element. Each of the plurality of movable chambers is defined by a space between a first panel and an adjacent panel of the plurality of panels. A first movable door partially defining the outer looped element covers a first opening providing access to at one of the chambers. A second movable door is on the outer looped element and allows items to exit the cartridge. Generally, the cartridge enables the on-demand delivery of food items having a generally planar shape or surface.

A cartridge for food delivery apparatus is disclosed. The cartridge is for storing and conveying items. The cartridge includes a housing and an outer looped element affixed at least partially in a main cavity of the housing. A movable inner looped element is mounted on rotatable rollers. A plurality of panels defines a plurality of movable chambers between the outer looped element and the movable inner looped element. Each of the plurality of movable chambers is defined by a space between a first panel and an adjacent panel of the plurality of panels. A first movable door partially defining the outer looped element covers a first opening providing access to at one of the chambers. A second movable door is on the outer looped element and allows items to exit the cartridge. Generally, the cartridge enables the on-demand delivery of food items having a generally planar shape or surface.

A product conveying device (10) for automatic dispensers is described, comprising a supporting element (1), configured to support the product being delivered, a thrusting element (3) sliding connected on guiding means (5) to the supporting element (1), at least one pair of worm screws (2), counter-rotating with synchronous movement, rotating connected to the supporting element (1) and to the thrusting element (3), to advance the thrusting element (3) along the guiding means (5) in order to thrust the product towards a terminal end (A) of the supporting element (1), to make it fall towards an outlet mouth from the automatic dispenser.

A product conveying device (10) for automatic dispensers is described, comprising a supporting element (1), configured to support the product being delivered, a thrusting element (3) sliding connected on guiding means (5) to the supporting element (1), at least one pair of worm screws (2), counter-rotating with synchronous movement, rotating connected to the supporting element (1) and to the thrusting element (3), to advance the thrusting element (3) along the guiding means (5) in order to thrust the product towards a terminal end (A) of the supporting element (1), to make it fall towards an outlet mouth from the automatic dispenser.

A system for dispensing an item from a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The system is attached to a dispensing apparatus lower portion of the dispensing apparatus. The system includes a plate and a flap movably attached to the plate. The flap has a flap open position and a flap closed position. As stop extends outward from a flap first surface of a flap lower portion. A movable arm is in attachment with the flap and moves the flap between the flap open position and the flap closed position. A heating element at least proximate to the flap. An opening on the flap extends between the flap first surface and a flap second surface. A rod is substantially vertically arranged and in attachment with the plate and configured such that the rod passes through the opening when the flap moves between the flap open position and the flap closed position.

A system for dispensing an item from a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The system is attached to a dispensing apparatus lower portion of the dispensing apparatus. The system includes a plate and a flap movably attached to the plate. The flap has a flap open position and a flap closed position. As stop extends outward from a flap first surface of a flap lower portion. A movable arm is in attachment with the flap and moves the flap between the flap open position and the flap closed position. A heating element at least proximate to the flap. An opening on the flap extends between the flap first surface and a flap second surface. A rod is substantially vertically arranged and in attachment with the plate and configured such that the rod passes through the opening when the flap moves between the flap open position and the flap closed position.

A cartridge having a housing, an outer looped element affixed at least partially in a cavity that spans substantially all of a length of the housing. A movable inner looped element is mounted a roller and positioned inside the outer looped element. Panels are radially attached to the movable inner looped element such that each of the plurality of panels extends toward the outer looped element. Movable chambers defined by a space between the panels. A first opening that spans substantially all of a first side of the outer looped element. A second opening is disposed on the outer looped element proximate to a bottom end of the outer looped element providing access to outside the cartridge. A second movable door covers substantially all of the second opening and partially defining the outer looped element when the second movable door is in a second movable door closed position.