Abstract: A vending system employs a vending machine with a cylindrical body and removably mounted top and bottom endpieces that allow the external appearance of the machine to be changed according to the type of product to be vended. The ornamentation can be formed in shapes resembling standard types of beverage cans, bottles, and other types of containers. A preferred version of the machine has two arcuate doors on opposing sides of the machine to allow vending access and refilling on both sides of the machine. Door-mounted components, including payment mechanism, selection buttons, and dispenser slot, are arranged vertically in a line at the deepest part of the door, and an offset two-array stacking configuration of the beverage units is used to obtain an optimal storage capacity of the machine. Other versions include a full cylindrical version or a semi-cylindrical one with one door for installations allowing vending access from the front only.

Abstract: An automated food vending system includes a vending machine having a plurality of stacks and dispenser mechanisms for dispensing standardized food package units, a microwave oven having a code reader located in a predetermined position in an interior cavity of the oven, and the food package units having standardized shapes corresponding to the vending stacks and to the microwave oven cavity. The food packages have a code for controlling the microwave oven printed in a predetermined position which is readable automatically by the code reader when the package unit is inserted in the oven. The dispenser mechanism has a configuration which allows it to be installed in existing vending machines for canned beverages. It may be formed as a pair of pivotable holding members spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the holding stack, or as a pair of continuous belts spaced apart in the depthwise direction of the holding stack.

Abstract: An automated food vending system includes a vending machine having a plurality of stacks and dispenser mechanisms for dispensing standardized food package units, a microwave oven having a code reader located in a predetermined position in an interior cavity of the oven, and the food package units having standardized shapes corresponding to the vending stacks and to the microwave oven cavity. The food packages have a code for controlling the microwave oven printed in a predetermined position which is readable automatically by the code reader when the package unit is inserted in the oven. The dispenser mechanism has a configuration which allows it to be installed in existing vending machines for canned beverages. It may be fromed as a pair of pivotable holding members spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the holding stack, or as a pair of continuous belts spaced apart in the depthwise direction of the holding stack.