Abstract: A food dispensing machine for dispensing articles of food in either a heated or a non-heated state. A plurality of vertical disposed storage racks are disposed within a refrigerated chamber in the upper portion of the machine. At least one of the storage racks is adapted to deliver an article of food to a microwave oven, wherein the article of food is heated. After the heating cycle is completed, the heated article of food is delivered from the microwave oven to a receptacle bin. Individual selector mechanisms are provided to permit an operator of the dispensing machine to select either an unheated or a heated article of food. Alternatively, unheated articles of food are delivered directly from either of the storage racks to the receptacle bin, thereby bypassing the microwave oven. Provision is made for preventing moisture, generated upon heating of food in the microwave oven, from falling as condensation into the oven.

Abstract: A food dispensing machine for dispensing articles of food in either a heated or a non-heated state. A plurality of vertical disposed storage racks are disposed within a refrigerated chamber in the upper portion of the machine. At least one of the storage racks is adapted to deliver an article of food to a microwave oven, wherein the article of food is heated. After the heating cycle is completed, the heated article of food is delivered from the microwave oven to a receptacle bin. Individual selector mechanisms are provided to permit an operator of the dispensing machine to select either an unheated or a heated article of food. Alternatively, unheated articles of food are delivered directly from either of the storage racks to the receptacle bin, thereby bypassing the microwave oven. Provision is made for preventing moisture, generated upon heating of food in the microwave oven, from falling as condensation into the oven.

Abstract: An automated food dispensing system is disclosed which uses microwave energy to rapidly heat precooked food items, including complete meals, from low storage temperatures to elevated serving temperatures. Mechanical means are provided to almost instantaneously transport any one of several selectable food items from refrigerated storage compartments into a microwave heating chamber upon insertion of proper coinage or other validation and for automatic delivery of the heated meal or other food item through a delivery chute upon completion of a predetermined heating interval. Container means are provided to prevent the heating of certain food components, such as salads and cold desserts, while rapidly heating other items. Microwave transparent thermal insulation of the food container is provided to permit transportation of the refrigerated food contents with limited spoilage prior to its use and which maintains food items heated therein at elevated temperatures for prolonged periods after dispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing cooked dishes is disclosed which includes a refrigerated isothermal cabinet in which cooked dishes are kept. The cabinet has an outlet opening for the dishes and an automatic door selectively opening and closing the opening in the cabinet. A first conveyor is located within the cabinet and has one end emerging from the outlet opening thereof. At least one microwave induction oven is positioned adjacent the conveyor for receiving cooked dishes emerging from the cabinet and reheating the cooked dishes.

Abstract: A vending machine which measures the weights of a retaining vessel, having commodities, so as to determine the difference in weight before and after the removal of commodities as an electrical signal. An in-line system includes a locking access door for taking out commodities from the machine by inserting a lock-releasing medium into the automatic vending machine. An off-line system includes a system for storing nomenclature, quantity, price and the like of commodities to be purchased by inserting a storing medium into the automatic vending machine.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus enclosing the rivet hoppers of an automatic riveting machine. A refrigerant such as liquid nitrogen is conducted into the refrigerant coils of an insulated enclosure to maintain the temperature of the rivets in the hoppers at sub-zero temperature in order to retard the age hardening process. Frost formation on the rivets is effectively prevented by purging the enclosure with gaseous nitrogen. Upon passing through the coolant coils, the nitrogen absorbs sufficient heat to convert it from the liquid state to a gaseous state. The gas then discharges from the open end of the coils into the enclosure and through a vent in the side wall of the enclosure to atmosphere. To augment frost prevention, dry nitrogen gas is utilized to propel the rivets from the hoppers into the fingers of the riveting machine. Down time for servicing, changing rivets, etc. is reduced to a minimum by a temperature controlled space heater mounted inside the enclosure.