A dispensing machine for dispensing a frozen confectionary product, the machine comprising: a first storage area for storing a first storage tray with one or more first tubes in the dispensing machine, a serving station for receiving one or more first tubes comprising a composition that is a frozen confectionary from the first storage tray. The serving station comprises a first position under the one or more first tubes for receiving a container, a means for extruding the frozen confectionary out of the tubes located in the serving station, a cutting device for cutting at least a portion of the frozen confectionary into the container. The dispensing machines further comprises means for transferring the one or more first tubes in the first storage area to the serving station and from the serving station to a storage area, and wherein the one or more first tubes are reusable; and at least two zones, the at least two zones comprising a first zone wherein the temperature is lower than the temperature in the second zone, and wherein the first storage area is located in the first zone and the serving station is located in the second zone.

A method of dispensing a frozen confectionary product from a dispensing machine. The method can include loading one or more tubes comprising a frozen confectionary or a component of a frozen confectionary from a storage tray onto a serving station located in the dispensing machine; positioning the container in the serving station under the one or more tubes; dispensing the frozen confectionary or component of the frozen confectionary into the container; optionally placing a spoon into the container; and conveying the frozen confectionary product to an outlet located on the dispensing machine. A method of supplying a dispensing machine with frozen confectionaries and/or components of frozen confectionaries is also provided.

The present technology is directed to a kiosk for storing, displaying, and distributing a plurality of baked products. The kiosk may include, for example, a housing defining a chamber therein and configured to receive a plurality of baked products. The kiosk may include one or more sensors configured to analyze the individual baked products to determine one or more baked unit parameters and adjust one or more baking inputs based on the measured parameters.

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.

The present invention relates to a frozen soft-serve confection dispensing machine where the soft serve confection is a flavored frozen soft-serve confection having a base selected from ice creams, frozen yogurts, sorbets and gelatos. The dispensing machine comprises one or more base hoppers, each base hopper being linked to a dedicated detachable base cartridge, a dedicated plurality of detachable flavour cartridges containing a flavour mix and a dedicated mixing chamber and storage slot associated with each detachable flavour cartridge. The detachable base cartridge and plurality of flavour cartridges are connected to one of the base hoppers. Control means are provided to enable a user to select a flavour mix from one of the dedicated flavour cartridges, and to cause the base and selected flavour mix to be mixed in the dedicated mixing chamber and then storing and refrigerating the mixture of the base and flavour mix in the storage slots to form a mixed frozen soft-serve confection for dispensing.

The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, including: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

Provided is a device, comprising: a barrier configured to impeded or prevent particles shed by a robot in a first volume of space from entering a second volume of space in which the robot manipulates a workpiece; and a robot having three or more degrees of freedom, the robot comprising: a first portion disposed on a first side of the barrier in the first volume, the first portion comprising an actuator of the robot, the actuator being configured to drive movement of the robot to manipulate the workpiece; and a second portion disposed on a second side of the barrier in the second volume, the second portion comprising an end-effector of the robot by which the robot makes contact with the workpiece.

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.

Provided is an alimentary-product assembling and dispensing device comprising: a plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers positioned to dispense respective ingredients in a plurality of different locations of a robotic work environment; a robot configured to receive an open-top vessel from an open-top-vessel dispenser and move the open-top vessel to the different locations to receive different ingredients from the plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers, wherein the robot comprises four or fewer degrees of freedom; and a vending aperture through which consumers retrieve vended alimentary products assembled by the robot from ingredients dispensed from the plurality of alimentary-ingredient dispensers.

An interactive frozen confectionery vending machine with a freezer enclosure, a delivery and toppings dispensing enclosure and a control system enclosure. A programmable control system allows a customer to select a frozen confectionery cup stored within the freezer enclosure and to select a hard and soft topping that are automatically dispensed into the cup and the cup is delivered to the waiting customer through a customer access door that closes after the transaction is completed. A centrally located gear motor rotates an arm that terminates in a cup. The cup receives a topping from a canister and then rotates to drop the topping into the frozen confectionery cup. A soft topping is pumped via flexible liquid topping delivery tubes into a dispensing arm located above the frozen confectionery cup. A standard payment system and touch screen allow the customer to pay for and select frozen confectionery and toppings.