Abstract: Carrier car door assemblies respectively comprising a carrier car comprising a body, a door, a drive mechanism, a driven mechanism, and a magnetic release mechanism are disclosed herein. The carrier car travels along a track system between teller and customer stations to transport materials there-between. The door is connected to the body and movable between a door-closed position and a door-open position. The drive mechanism is connected to the body and to the driven mechanism so that the drive and driven mechanisms synchronously move between respective door-closed positions and door-open positions. The magnetic release mechanism is connected to the driven mechanism and moves from a magnetically coupled state to a magnetically de-coupled state when a user manually moves the door from the door-open position to the door-closed position. The magnetic release mechanism in the magnetically coupled state synchronously moves with the driven mechanism between door-closed and door-open positions.

Abstract: An improved serving method and apparatus are disclosed for use in rotary catering table equipment having a rotary conveyer (22) on which merchandise (e.g., sushi) items (14) are conveyed around. A freshness managing member (48) is used to automatically alert to the presence of a merchandise item on the rotary conveyer that is deteriorating in freshness upon a given lapse of time after supply. Shortage may also be detected, displayed and indicated by a processing device (70) in combination with mechanisms (32, 38) that determine where on the conveyer and which types of merchandise items are becoming short in number. Also disclosed are a merchandise item stocker (34) and a feeder for automatically serving the rotary conveyer (22) with merchandise items, which may be operated with a merchandise management system (80) in which an ordering mechanism (78) based on data from a managing device (74) automatically orders needed merchandise materials by types from member suppliers (76).

Abstract: A self-service checkout system which weighs products with RFID labels for security. The system includes an RFID label affixed to a product, a scale for determining actual weight information for the product, and a computer which records a customer indication that the product is on the scale, transmits a signal to the RFID label while the product is on the scale, records a response from the RFID label, obtains identification information for the product using the response from the RFID label, obtains price and reference weight information for the product using the identification information, compares the actual weight information with the reference weight information, and initiates acceptance of payment if a difference amount between the actual weight information and the reference weight information is with a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying system is provided in which the sorts of foods and drinks displayed on display members placed on a circulating conveying path and the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path following after their respective display members are detected. An optimum number of foods and drinks to be placed following after their respective display members placed on the circulating conveying path is set, and then it is judged whether or not the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path are the optimum number based on the detected sorts and number of foods and drinks. The sorts of and the number of insufficient foods and drinks are displayed when it is judged that the number of foods and drinks placed on the circulating conveying path is smaller than the optimum, so that a food preparer can be informed of the sorts and number of insufficient foods and drinks.

Abstract: A food and drink conveying system includes a conveying path for circulating a plurality of containers each having food and drink, and a plurality of tables arranged along the conveying path. The food and drink conveying system also includes a conveying container which holds one of the containers and which is placed on the conveying path, and noticing devices for letting an orderer know an arrival of his/her order proximate the orderer's table, so that the order can reliably be received by the customer, without any fear of the order being taken away on the way to the order's table by another person.

Abstract: Serving lines (1) have ends that extend into a kitchen (2). At the sides of the serving lines (1) are seats (12), shelves (11), distribution ports sealed off with flaps (10), and equipment for remote ordering. Orders are transmitted to the kitchen (2), which is equipped with a terminal (8) and a printer (9). An order is prepared and placed, with the bill, on a tray (18) that is deposited at the end of a serving line, which automatically transports the tray to the position of the customer who originated the order. A flap (10) then opens temporarily for the tray to be removed. After eating, the customer goes to a till, presents the bill, pays and leaves. A processor monitors automatic operation of the system; it is linked to the till for the appropriate checks. Special serving lines are also proposed to which customers with prepaid cards have access, offering such customers remote payment services as well.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting menu boxes (14) in an aircraft is equipped with at least one heater element (17) or groups of such elements (17/17A . . . ) which tilt automatically into spaces (16) between neighboring boxes (14) or pairs of boxes within the conveyor which is stopped during heating. When the heating is completed the elements (17) are again tilted into a rest position (17') outside the conveyor. Induction heating is preferably used.

Abstract: A food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, a multi-purpose column, conveyor delivery structures, and menu and order display units. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, to a method for food preparation, to a retractable menu, and to a drink dispenser and service module. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site. The food preparation method is primarily directed to pizza preparation, the pizza being incompletely cooked and stored, and then rapidly cooked to completion to provide fast food service time to patrons.

Abstract: An integrated system for delivering food and other products from a central processing station to one or more remote delivery stations, the products being transported in carriers which travel both vertically and horizontally in an upright position on conveyors having reversible paths of travel which include optional delivery positions. The system is expandable to include order stations in advance of the delivery stations from which orders are sent to the central processing station, the order stations optionally including currency conveyors in communication with the central processing station to permit payment for the items purchased at the time they are ordered.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, to a method for food preparation, to a retractable menu, and to a drink dispenser and service module. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site. The food preparation method is primarily directed to pizza preparation, the pizza being incompletely cooked and stored, and then rapidly cooked to completion to provide fast food service time to patrons.

Abstract: A carrier basket is suspended between an opposing pair of drive members which define a path of travel between a processing station and a remote delivery station, the path of travel having vertical flights at each station interconnected by a horizontal flight. To prevent rocking movement of the suspended carrier basket, it is provided at its opposite ends with diametrically opposite cam rollers which are sequentially engaged in cam tracks extending along the path of travel of the carrier basket, a first cam track lying at one end of the carrier basket and extending between the processing station and a point intermediate the horizontal flight of the conveyor, the other of the cam tracks lying at the opposite end of the carrier basket and extending between the intermediate point and the delivery station.