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 an automated kitchen system comprising a first computer and a plurality of second computers which are connected so that the first computer may communicate with any of the second computers. The automated kitchen system also comprises: a plurality of ingredient containers each configured to contain or store food ingredients; caps configured to close on the ingredient containers; a storage apparatus comprising compartments each configured to store a plurality of ingredient containers and refrigeration mechanism configured to cool the food or food ingredients in the containers of the storage apparatus; transport boxes each configured to contain capped ingredient containers; a transportation apparatus configured to move the transport boxes wherein the transportation apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cap opening apparatus configured to remove a cap from a capped container wherein the cap opening apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a first transfer apparatus configured to move a capped ingredient container from a transport box to the storage apparatus, and also configured to move a capped ingredient container to a location on the cap opening apparatus, wherein the first transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; a transfer apparatus configured to move an ingredient container from the location of cap opening apparatus to a position on a container holder of the cyclic transport apparatus wherein the second transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; and a plurality of cooking systems. Each cooking system comprises a cooking container configured to hold food or food ingredients during a cooking process, a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute food or food ingredients held in the cooking container, wherein the stirring motion comprising motors, sensors, and a stove; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; an unloading apparatus configured to unload food ingredients from an ingredient. The above mechanisms and apparatuses comprise electrical or electronic devices and sensors, which are configured to be connected to the second computers. The first computer is configured to store various sub-programs and other lists that are useful to control the electric or electronic devices in the mechanisms, apparatuses or systems in the kitchen system.

The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising a first computer and a plurality of second computers which are connected so that the first computer may communicate with any of the second computers. The automated kitchen system also comprises: a plurality of ingredient containers each configured to contain or store food ingredients; caps configured to close on the ingredient containers; a storage apparatus comprising compartments each configured to store a plurality of ingredient containers and refrigeration mechanism configured to cool the food or food ingredients in the containers of the storage apparatus; transport boxes each configured to contain capped ingredient containers; a transportation apparatus configured to move the transport boxes wherein the transportation apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cap opening apparatus configured to remove a cap from a capped container wherein the cap opening apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a first transfer apparatus configured to move a capped ingredient container from a transport box to the storage apparatus, and also configured to move a capped ingredient container to a location on the cap opening apparatus, wherein the first transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; a transfer apparatus configured to move an ingredient container from the location of cap opening apparatus to a position on a container holder of the cyclic transport apparatus wherein the second transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; and a plurality of cooking systems. Each cooking system comprises a cooking container configured to hold food or food ingredients during a cooking process, a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute food or food ingredients held in the cooking container, wherein the stirring motion comprising motors, sensors, and a stove; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; an unloading apparatus configured to unload food ingredients from an ingredient. The above mechanisms and apparatuses comprise electrical or electronic devices and sensors, which are configured to be connected to the second computers. The first computer is configured to store various sub-programs and other lists that are useful to control the electric or electronic devices in the mechanisms, apparatuses or systems in the kitchen system.

A dispenser, a dispensing system and a dispensing method are disclosed. A plurality of dispensers may be implemented. The dispenser includes a flexible container having a top and a bottom and capable of holding a product therein, the flexible container including top and bottom openings. A rigid support structure that supports the flexible container is provided. A moveable dispensing arm that operatively facilitates product dispensing is also provided. The moveable dispensing arm is operable between a dispensing condition and a retaining condition, and it includes a pinching edge which is configured to pinch the flexible container shut in either the dispensing condition or the retaining condition of the dispensing arm.

A dispenser, a dispensing system and a dispensing method are disclosed. A plurality of dispensers may be implemented. The dispenser includes a flexible container having a top and a bottom and capable of holding a product therein, the flexible container including top and bottom openings. A rigid support structure that supports the flexible container is provided. A moveable dispensing arm that operatively facilitates product dispensing is also provided. The moveable dispensing arm is operable between a dispensing condition and a retaining condition, and it includes a pinching edge which is configured to pinch the flexible container shut in either the dispensing condition or the retaining condition of the dispensing arm.

Some embodiments of the current invention relate to an automatic and/or sanitary dry goods dispenser. Optionally, a manual dispenser may be upgraded for automatic dispensing. For example, a motor optionally opens and/or closes a dispensing valve fully and/or partially. For example, the opening and closing may be adjusted to achieve a desired flow rate and/or dispensing volume. Optionally, the device may include a valve biased to a closed configuration. Optionally, a motor that opens the valve for a fixed time and/or for as long as a switch remains in an activated and/or oscillates the valve. Additionally or alternatively, a manual operation option is available. In some embodiments, the opening and/or closing may be preprogrammed. For example, a user will purchase goods and/or a program will be transferred to the dispenser according to his purchase.

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.

The present disclosure provides a volumetric measurement based apparatus for dispensing powdered spice. The apparatus comprises a storage section comprising a funnel shaped section with the narrowed part of the funnel towards the side of dispensation of powdered spice. The apparatus also comprises an outer hole that is misaligned with the first hole, and in between the two holes a lever is configured to slide, with the lever having a slot. The lever is coupled to any driving mechanism that enables angular motion of the lever. When the slot and the first hole are aligned, powdered spice flows from the first hole to the second hole. The lever can then move, and when the slot is aligned with the outer hole, the powdered spice is dispensed. The quantity of powdered spice dispensed is a function of amount of overlap of the holes.