Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of coordinating vessel shaping style and decoration, the method comprising receiving a vessel in a decoration operation, the vessel having a formed shape style, determining the formed shape style, selecting based in part on the formed shape style a decoration style, and decorating the vessel with selected decoration style. Other embodiments include selecting the decoration style based in part on the vessel top form style, selecting the vessel top form style based in part on the decoration style, and selecting a pathway to index the vessel across the operation wheel through the shaping operation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of shape forming vessels, the method comprising selecting a pathway to index the vessel across an operation wheel, indexing the vessel, controlling rotational indexing direction of the vessel across selected pathway, and operating on the vessel as the vessel is indexed across the operation wheel along selected pathway. Other embodiment include shaping by contouring length of the vessel, applying decoration to the vessel, wherein the decoration is added at a precise location based in part on reference to the registration spot, and using a controller to select the pathway based in part on desired shape of the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can implement systems and methods for providing a vending network. In one embodiment, a system for providing a vending network can be provided. The system can include at least one transaction-type device associated with a vending machine, wherein the at least one transaction-type device is operable to facilitate cash transactions and/or cashless transactions associated with one or more products or services offered by the vending machine. The system can also include at least one server operable to communicate with the at least one transaction-type device, wherein the at least one server is operable to receive data associated with the transactions. Furthermore, the system can include at least one vend settlement server operable to communicate with the at least one server, wherein the at least one vend settlement server can settle some or all of the transactions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of performing non-shape forming operations during vessel shaping, the method comprising indexing a cylinder across a pathway of at least one of an operation wheel, the operation wheel further having a plurality of work zones, performing at the plurality of work zones a plurality of operations on the cylinder in a sequence of a first shaping plurality of operations followed by a non-shaping plurality of operations followed by a second shaping plurality of operations, and effectuating transformation of the cylinder into a shaped vessel. Other embodiment include applying decoration to the cylinder contoured surface during non-shaping operations, trimming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, and top-forming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, to name a few.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of implementing a loyalty awards program. The a loyalty award program can be implemented using tokenized user account data (e.g., credit card number, bank routing number, etc.) in lieu of original the account data. Using the tokenized data, the loyalty account can be identified and a loyalty award, based on purchase details of a transaction, can be associated with the user's account. The present invention does not require the loyalty system to be PCI compliant since the secure user account data is not handled and/or data warehoused at the loyalty system.

Abstract: A method of printing indicia on a container to control a product dispenser. The method may include the steps of printing indicia on the container, the indicia controlling access to dispense from the product dispenser, reading the indicia about the product dispenser, determining if the container is authorized to use the product dispenser, and allowing a user to dispense a selected product type into the container.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a vessel may include providing multiple operation wheels configured in opposing facing pairs. Each operation wheel may include multiple work zones, each work zone of an operation wheel being configured in an opposing facing pair with a work zone of another operation wheel to engage the vessel and perform a forming operation on the vessel. Opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels may be linearly pushed to a closed position to engage the vessel, and pulled to an open position. The work zone(s) may perform least one forming operation on the vessel. The vessel may be indexed through the operations at a rotational timing coordinated to index the vessel when opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels are in the open position, the indexing may be clockwise or counterclockwise based on whether a decoration operation is to be performed on the vessel.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming station comprising a plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of operation wheels are configured in opposing facing pairs, a plurality of linear drives are interconnected with the plurality of operation wheels, the plurality of linear drives push opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operations to a closed position causing opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel, the linear drives pull the plurality of operation wheels to an open position allowing the vessel to be indexed to other operation positions, and a conveyor system positioned between opposing facing pairs of the plurality of operation wheels engages the vessel and indexes the vessel through the plurality of operations.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a vessel forming production line comprising a plurality of vessel forming stations having at least one of an operation wheel, at least one of a conveyor, and a controller, the conveyor indexes a vessel across the operation wheel, the controller coordinates movement and operation of the operation wheel and the conveyor, a second conveyor transfers the vessel between the plurality of vessel forming stations, and a plurality of cylinder feeders feed the vessel into at least one of a pathway through the plurality of vessel forming stations, wherein the plurality of vessel forming stations are organized into a scalable matrix configuration allowing a plurality of different shaped vessels to be manufactured simultaneously. Other embodiments include a plurality of linear drives configured to cause opposing pairs of operation wheels to engage the vessel and perform operations on the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information.

Abstract: A system for implementing a loyalty program includes a personal terminal, an interaction terminal, and a loyalty module. The personal terminal may be associated with a user. The interaction terminal may be associated with a product or service. The interaction terminal and the personal terminal may be operable to establish a communication when in proximity of each other. The loyalty module may be operable to provide a benefit to the user in response to the communication. The benefit may be provided without regard to whether the user obtained or purchased the product or service.

Abstract: A cooler system for providing goods. The cooler system may include a cooler with a refrigeration system and a shelf monitor, a data processing device remote from the cooler, and a vending bridge. The data processing device is in communication with the refrigeration system and the shelf monitor of the cooler.

Abstract: A system for implementing a loyalty program includes a personal terminal, an interaction terminal, and a loyalty module. The personal terminal may be associated with a user. The interaction terminal may be associated with a product or service. The interaction terminal and the personal terminal may be operable to establish a communication when in proximity of each other. The loyalty module may be operable to provide a benefit to the user in response to the communication. The benefit may be provided without regard to whether the user obtained or purchased the product or service.

Abstract: A method of rewarding loyalty of a user may include providing a personal terminal to the user, detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal, and based at least in part on the proximity of the personal terminal to the interaction terminal, providing a benefit to the user.

Abstract: A method of printing indicia on a container to control a product dispenser. The method may include the steps of printing indicia on the container, the indicia controlling access to dispense from the product dispenser, reading the indicia about the product dispenser, determining if the container is authorized to use the product dispenser, and allowing a user to dispense a selected product type into the container.

Abstract: A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.

Abstract: A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method of rewarding loyalty of a user may include providing a personal terminal to the user, detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal, and based at least in part on the proximity of the personal terminal to the interaction terminal, providing a benefit to the user.