A vending machine configured to dispense foodstuffs includes a plurality of cartridges having a plurality of slots with each slot releasably retaining a foodstuff; a heating section configured to receive at least one foodstuff from at least one of the plurality of slots and to heat the at least one foodstuff; and a dispensing drawer configured to receive the at least one foodstuff passing through the heating section and to permit access to the foodstuff.

A beverage container storage and dispensing device (“dispensing device”) (10) for storage and dispensing of beverage containers containing a beverage is provided. The dispensing device comprises a shell (12) that has a hollow interior. The dispensing device also comprises, located inside of the shell, a helical beverage container storage and dispensing track (22) (“dispensing track”). The dispensing track extends in a spiralling manner around and along a central support structure (24). The dispensing track defines a channel that is configured to receive and thus locate, in use, a plurality of beverage containers (19), each containing a beverage, in a substantially upright configuration in series there along such that, in use, beverage containers located higher on the dispensing track move downwardly along the dispensing track when a beverage container located lower on the dispensing track is removed from the dispensing track.

A beverage container storage and dispensing device (“dispensing device”) (10) for storage and dispensing of beverage containers containing a beverage is provided. The dispensing device comprises a shell (12) that has a hollow interior. The dispensing device also comprises, located inside of the shell, a helical beverage container storage and dispensing track (22) (“dispensing track”). The dispensing track extends in a spiralling manner around and along a central support structure (24). The dispensing track defines a channel that is configured to receive and thus locate, in use, a plurality of beverage containers (19), each containing a beverage, in a substantially upright configuration in series there along such that, in use, beverage containers located higher on the dispensing track move downwardly along the dispensing track when a beverage container located lower on the dispensing track is removed from the dispensing track.

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.

An automatic vending machine is provided with a storage compartment or the like having a thermally insulating construction in which a number of product columns for accommodating products aligned side-by-side in one column are provided in different levels in such a way that the most downstream products in each product column are aligned side-by-side in a vertical direction, and an in-compartment fan for cooling an internal atmosphere of the storage compartment or the like by blowing air that has been cooled by means of an evaporator disposed in the storage compartment or the like, wherein the automatic vending machine is also provided with a control unit which drives the in-compartment fan for a predefined time if the internal temperature of the storage compartment or the like reaches to or above a predefined reference temperature in a state in which driving of a freezer and of the in-compartment fan are stopped.

Embodiments herein call for an apparatus, method, and system for the sale and provision to users of mattresses, pillows, and other bedding and bedroom-related products. The system comprising: a storage compartment configured to hold one or more units each of one or more products, wherein the one or more products are selected from pillows, mattresses, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, or comforters; at least one delivery compartment configured to receive at least one unit and permit extraction of the at least one unit by a user; a unit transfer subsystem configured to remove a selected at least one unit from the storage compartment and transfer the selected at least one unit to the delivery compartment; and a user interface configured to display the one or more products to a user, receive a user selection of one or more of the units, and authorize the unit transfer subsystem to transfer the selected at least one unit to the delivery compartment.

A consumer-operated kiosk can include an inspection area configured to receive a first device from a user. The kiosk can include an imaging device configured to image the first device when the first device is positioned within the inspection area. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a vending apparatus configured to store a plurality of second electronic devices for purchase. The kiosk can include one or more release mechanisms configured to directly release any one of the second electronic devices from the vending apparatus. The kiosk includes one or more processors operably connected to the inspection area, the imaging device, the vending apparatus, and the one or more release mechanisms. The one or more processors can be configured to cause the imaging device to capture one or more images of the first electronic device, facilitate purchase of the first electronic device based at least in part on the one or more captured images of the first electronic device, receive a request to vend a selected phone from among the phones in the vending apparatus, and/or cause the one or more release mechanisms to release the selected phone directly from the vending apparatus into a vending bay of the kiosk.

A unique programmed utility method, methodology, system and process to detect items that are physically removed from a peg hook or from inside a divider in order to charge the customer for the items removed.

A unique programmed utility method, methodology, system and process to detect items that are physically removed from a peg hook or from inside a divider in order to charge the customer for the items removed.