Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described herein are example systems and methods of user interfaces on a product dispenser. The product dispenser includes a touch-to-pour user interface configured to provide a pattern of haptic feedback to a user while a touch is sensed on the touch-to-pour user interface. At the same time, the product dispenser is configured to dispense a product while the touch is sensed on the touch-to-pour user interface. The pattern of haptic feedback is dependent upon the product being dispensed from the product dispenser.

Abstract: A machine and process for providing consumer products may include a set of positions configured to contain consumer products or containers in which ingredients are used to form consumer products. The consumer products or containers may include radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. A set of antennas, where at least one antenna is disposed at each position, may be configured to output and receive RF signals. A transceiver may be in electrical communication with the antennas, and be configured to generate the RF signals. A processor may be in communication with the transceiver, and be programmed to (i) receive RFID signals from the RFID tags at the set of positions, and (ii) identify locations of the RFID tags to determine that corresponding consumer products or containers of ingredients are in correct positions.

Abstract: To provide a resin container and a method for manufacturing the same with which it is possible to generate more effervescence than hitherto. This resin container is provided with: a resin container main body inside which is formed an accommodating space that is hermetically sealed using a cap; and a textured region which is formed on an inner surface of the container main body and is formed from a rough surface.

Abstract: The present application provides a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a cooler and a beverage dispenser positioned within the cooler. The beverage dispenser may include a nozzle, a flow of water, an internal carbonation system in communication with the flow of water and the nozzle, and a number of internal ingredient containers in communication with the nozzle such that the beverage dispenser produces a beverage at the nozzle within the cooler.

Abstract: A switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-based polyester fibers, particularly a PET fibers, and a method of making the same by: contacting bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-Cy2 1,2-diol, wherein the C3-Cj2 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-based mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) compositions containing from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-C12 1,2-diol, bio-based polyester compositions made therefrom, and methods of making the same are disclosed. Preforms and blow-molded polyester containers prepared from the bio-based MEG and polyester are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new methods, compositions, containers, preforms, and designs for refillable carbonated soft drink bottles having improved caustic stress cracking resistance. The method of this disclosure combine the use of PET-based co-polyester resin that incorporates a cyclic hydrocarbon diacid co-monomer and/or a cyclic hydrocarbon diol comonomer, with a bottle design incorporating a petaloid base, for unexpectedly enhanced performance.

Abstract: The present application provides a container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process. The container may include a finish, a body section, and a base. The body section may include a number of support columns and a number of body panels. Each of the support columns may include a first raised mid-section extending into a first body panel and a second raised mid-section extending into a second body panel.

Abstract: The present application provides a dispensing nozzle for use with a flow of a diluent and a flow of a concentrate. The beverage dispenser may include an annular concentrate path of the flow of the concentrate and an annular diluent path surrounding at least in part the annular concentrate path for the flow of the diluent. The annular diluent path may include a shallow angle leading towards the flow of the concentrate such that the flow of the diluent and the flow of the concentrate mix in or downstream of the dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: An acid-resistant alloy catalyst, comprising nickel, one or more rare earth element, tin, aluminum and molybdenum. The catalyst is cheap and stable, does not need a carrier, can be stably applied in industrial continuous production, and can lower the production cost.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a storage to store product management data in which an on-sale product management numbers is associated with product management content; an input and output unit to input and output the product management data; and an update control unit configured to update the product management data. Further, the update control unit collectively receives all the product management data including a part to be updated, stores all the product management data as update target product management data, displays the update target product management data including confirmation target information and stores the update target product management data as updated product management data.

Abstract: Upon selection of a product selection icon on a user interface of a beverage vendor, a price per amount of the product is displayed to clearly depict product costs while also providing flexibility for having products of different price points. After selection of the product and upon successful payment validation, a dispensing gauge displays an amount of product dispensed and total current cost of a dispensing session at a location of the product selection icon. A selectable dispense icon is provided upon the successful payment to facilitate dispensing the selected product and a product icon is provided proximate to the selectable dispense icon. Within the dispensing session, upon selection of a second product selection icon, the dispensing gauge moves to the second product selection icon and accumulates additional cost for the transaction based on a cost per amount of a second product associated with the second product selection icon.

Abstract: A dispenser is configured to dispense food products at varying nutritive levels by dispensing a combination of sweeteners in a predetermined ratio from a plurality of sweetener sources. Using a predetermined combination of sweeteners in a predetermined ratio for a selected nutritive level for a given product ensures that the dispensed product will have a desirable flavor profile while at the same time providing increased consumer choice. A combination of caloric, mid-calorie, low calorie, and/or non-caloric sweeteners may be dispensed to produce a food product with a specified caloric level or nutritive level. For a given nutritive level selected, the product dispenser may dispense different combinations of sweeteners and/or different ratios of sweeteners for different brands or products to be dispensed. Likewise, for a given brand or product, the product dispenser may dispense different combinations of sweeteners and/or different ratios of sweeteners for different selected nutritive levels.