Abstract: A coiled tube for cooling water or thick juice has an inner layer for preventing minerals such as Ca, Mg, etc. from depositing thereon, and a water or thick juice tube has an inner layer for preventing minerals such as Ca, Mg, etc. from depositing thereon on the side of the down-stream of the coiled tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage by supplying the ground coffee beans fed from a coffee mill for grinding coffee beans to an extractor to prepare the coffee beverage is disclosed, wherein a device for removing the silver skins out of the coffee beans ground by the coffee mill is provided therewith.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus performs positioning of a second movable member relative to a first stationary member in respect of two (X and Y) directions perpendicular to each other. A first optical sensor detects a predetermined position of the second member relative to the first member in respect of the X direction. The first optical sensor has a light projector and a light receiver separately arranged on the first and second members such that they are opposed to each other in the Y direction, when the second member is in the predetermined position in respect of the X direction. A second optical sensor detects a predetermined position of the second member relative to the first member in respect of the Y direction. The second optical sensor has a light projector and a light receiver separately arranged on the first and second members such that they are opposed to each other in the X direction, when the second member is in the predetermined position in respect of the Y direction.

Abstract: An ice feeder stores ice in an ice container, and supplies ice from an ice gate provided in the ice container through a supply passage extending therefrom. A sensor arranged on the supply passage detects passage of ice delivered to generate a detection signal. An amount of delivered ice is measured based on the detection signal from the sensor. When a time required for the amount of delivered ice to reach a predetermined value exceeds a predetermined time period, a signal indicative of no ice stock is generated. Alternatively, when the amount of ice delivered within a predetermined time period does not reach a predetermined amount, the signal indicative of no ice stock is generated.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for supplying a drink in a cup. A predetermined amount of ice is supplied from an ice making machine with rapidity and stability. The vending machine has: an ice making machine; an ice chute for feeding the ice discharged from the ice making machine into a cup; a sensor for detecting the ice passing through the ice chute and outputting an ice passage signal; and a controller for detecting the amount of ice discharged from the ice making machine and controlling the ice discharging operation of the ice making machine on the basis of the ice passage signal.

Abstract: The material pack opening apparatus of the invention comprises: a pair of substantially parallel, spaced apart teeth shaped sting edges arranged in an front-to-end (longitudinal) direction; a transverse sting edges arranged perpendicular to, and at substantially intermediate position of, said paired sting edges; and a platform for holding thereon said sting edges, said apparatus enabling a material pack at the bottom of multiple packs each containing powder material and stacked on an article stock rack, to be cut open the bottom of the lowest material pack widely along two cut lines by pressing from above said packs, and, by vibrating said platform, enabling the bottom pack unpacked, freeing the powder material almost completely into a material accommodation unit in a short time.

Abstract: An automatic food vending machine comprises: a cooking means for cooking food materials; a first storage means for preserving food materials for a long period; a second storage means for preserving food materials in a condition that they can be instantly cooked by said cooking means; a first transport means for transporting food materials from said first storage means to said second storage means; and a second transport means for transporting food materials from said second storage means to said cooking means. A large quantity of food materials may be stored in the first storage means and transported to the second storage means by the first transport means as required. In the second storage means the food materials are stored so that they may be instantly cooked. The apparatus permits on one hand preservation of a large amount of food materials without deterioration and on the other hand prepare them for quick heat treatment for sale.