A vending machine for dispensing both soft-serve ice cream and frozen ice-cream-based beverages to consumers. The machine includes a power management system having a controller, a master relay for controlling power supplied to a first component, slave relays for controlling power supplied to second and third components, and a current sensor for sensing a current draw of the machine. The machine also includes a flavoring plate for providing flavoring to a dispensed ice cream product. The plate includes an orifice for extruding the product, a channel extending around the orifice, two or more ports in fluid communication with the channel, and one or more gates in communication with the channel and the orifice. Each of two or more ports is configured to introduce one of a flavoring fluid or a cleaning fluid to the channel.

Implementations of ice vending machines may include a cabinet having a frame, an ice maker coupled to the frame, and an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker. The ice storage section may include one or more agitators. Implementations may also include an ice feed coupled below the ice storage section, a bagging system coupled to the frame and below the ice feed, a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system, and an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet. The interactive panel may be configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice. The ice vending machine, in response to the purchase request, may be configured to fill and dispense the bag of ice on demand.

An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.

An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.

A vending machine system adapted to open and prepare a contained food item. The system includes a cabinet, a rack frame supported relative to the cabinet, a shelf coupled to the rack frame and configured to support a contained food item, a lid removal apparatus supported relative to the rack frame, and a food item actuator supported relative to the rack frame. The cabinet includes a refrigerated compartment housing the rack frame and a partition separating and selectively allowing access between the refrigerated compartment and a preparation compartment. The lid removal apparatus is configured to selectively retain a lid of the contained food item. The food item actuator is configured to move a container of the contained food item to the preparation compartment of the cabinet while the lid of the contained food item is retained by the lid removal apparatus subsequent to translation of the container.

Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

A self-contained food processor is provided for treating a food flow path in the food processor with a solution. The food flow path can be treated without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor and without requiring direct operator input. The food processor includes a controller for directing passage of a solution through at least portions of the food flow path without requiring constant operator oversight. The food processor can employ available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through the food flow path in the food processor.

Implementations of ice vending machines may include a cabinet having a frame, an ice maker coupled to the frame, and an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker. The ice storage section may include one or more agitators. Implementations may also include an ice feed coupled below the ice storage section, a bagging system coupled to the frame and below the ice feed, a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system, and an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet. The interactive panel may be configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice. The ice vending machine, in response to the purchase request, may be configured to fill and dispense the bag of ice on demand.

Kiosks, components, and methods are disclosed for preparing food to be vended to customers. The kiosk may be part of a multi-modal food distribution system in which the kiosk may operate in one or more various modes, including a kiosk vending mode, a constellation mode, and a cook en route mode to vend hot, prepared food to customers. The kiosks in the system may be configurable to change between each of the different modes depending upon information received by the system. The kiosk may be part of a kiosk-based food preparation system in which the kiosk vends prepared food items to customers. The kiosk may transmit information that may be used to provide replenishment to the kiosk. Such information may include the number of items vended, the number of items and/or supplies remaining, and/or a replenishment signal.

A self-contained food processor is provided for treating a food flow path in the food processor with a solution. The food flow path can be treated without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor and without requiring direct operator input. The food processor includes a controller for directing passage of a solution through at least portions of the food flow path without requiring constant operator oversight. The food processor can employ available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through the food flow path in the food processor.