A metering device includes a storage tank, a funnel, a feeder, at least one measuring container, a first driver, and a second driver. Liquid and string-shaped foods are sent from the storage tank to the funnel by the feeder. The measuring container is provided under the funnel in a measuring position, and volumetrically meters the string-shaped foods sent from the funnel while ejecting the liquid. The first driver moves the funnel or the measuring container to insert the funnel into the measuring container at a time of metering, and moves the funnel or the measuring container to separate the funnel from the measuring container after metering is completed. The second driver moves the measuring container from the measuring position to an ejecting position.

A metering device includes a storage tank, a funnel, a feeder, at least one measuring container, a first driver, and a second driver. Liquid and string-shaped foods are sent from the storage tank to the funnel by the feeder. The measuring container is provided under the funnel in a measuring position, and volumetrically meters the string-shaped foods sent from the funnel while ejecting the liquid. The first driver moves the funnel or the measuring container to insert the funnel into the measuring container at a time of metering, and moves the funnel or the measuring container to separate the funnel from the measuring container after metering is completed. The second driver moves the measuring container from the measuring position to an ejecting position.

A container assembly having a container, a lid having a spout, and a partition to separate the container into multiple subcompartments. The partition has a flexible edge which is in contact with an inner surface of the lid. When the lid rotates about the container, the flexible edge is biased against the lid and is capable of being deformed.

A container assembly having a container, a lid having a spout, and a partition to separate the container into multiple subcompartments. The partition has a flexible edge which is in contact with an inner surface of the lid. When the lid rotates about the container, the flexible edge is biased against the lid and is capable of being deformed.

A dispensing baked good container assembly includes a container having a top and a bottom and a cavity between the top and the bottom configured to hold baked good ingredients. The container includes a closure member at the top configured to be opened. A pastry bag is configured to extend from the container. The pastry bag is initially packed in the cavity and configured to be deployed from the container after the container is opened. The pastry bag is open to the cavity such that items are configured to be passed through the cavity into the pastry bag after being deployed for mixing and dispensing of the baked good ingredients from the pastry bag.

A dispensing baked good container assembly includes a container having a top and a bottom and a cavity between the top and the bottom configured to hold baked good ingredients. The container includes a closure member at the top configured to be opened. A pastry bag is configured to extend from the container. The pastry bag is initially packed in the cavity and configured to be deployed from the container after the container is opened. The pastry bag is open to the cavity such that items are configured to be passed through the cavity into the pastry bag after being deployed for mixing and dispensing of the baked good ingredients from the pastry bag.

A vending machine system for loading and dispensing pre-baked unpackaged food including a fixed cartridge disposed in a refrigerator of a vending machine, and a transport cartridge adapted to removably attach to the fixed cartridge, the transport cartridge operable for holding trays of unpackaged food and loading the trays of unpackaged food from the transport cartridge into the fixed cartridge, wherein, when the transport cartridge is removably attached to the fixed cartridge, a front opening of the transport cartridge aligns with a front opening of the fixed cartridge, and wherein the rack of the transport cartridge aligns with the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge such that trays of unpackaged food within the transport cartridge can simultaneously be transitioned from the rack to the conveyor system.

A vending machine system for loading and dispensing pre-baked unpackaged food including a fixed cartridge disposed in a refrigerator of a vending machine, and a transport cartridge adapted to removably attach to the fixed cartridge, the transport cartridge operable for holding trays of unpackaged food and loading the trays of unpackaged food from the transport cartridge into the fixed cartridge, wherein, when the transport cartridge is removably attached to the fixed cartridge, a front opening of the transport cartridge aligns with a front opening of the fixed cartridge, and wherein the rack of the transport cartridge aligns with the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge such that trays of unpackaged food within the transport cartridge can simultaneously be transitioned from the rack to the conveyor system.

The present application discloses a scalable automated kitchen system comprising: ingredient containers configured to contain or otherwise hold food ingredients wherein some ingredient containers may be closed by lids such as caps; storage room configured to store ingredient containers; lid opening apparatus configured to remove a lid from a closed container; transfer apparatus configured to move a closed ingredient container from storage area to the lid opening apparatus; cooking stations configured to cook food; a transport system comprising rail tracks and vehicles moving on the rail tracks configured to transport ingredient containers, stopping mechanisms, charging mechanisms, and track switch mechanisms. The automated kitchen system can save labor cost and can produce cooked food of consistent quality.

The present application discloses a scalable automated kitchen system comprising: ingredient containers configured to contain or otherwise hold food ingredients wherein some ingredient containers may be closed by lids such as caps; storage room configured to store ingredient containers; lid opening apparatus configured to remove a lid from a closed container; transfer apparatus configured to move a closed ingredient container from storage area to the lid opening apparatus; cooking stations configured to cook food; a transport system comprising rail tracks and vehicles moving on the rail tracks configured to transport ingredient containers, stopping mechanisms, charging mechanisms, and track switch mechanisms. The automated kitchen system can save labor cost and can produce cooked food of consistent quality.