Abstract: A method of adjusting temperatures of products to a desired product temperature. The method may include enabling the selection of a product, enabling the selection of the desired product temperature, enabling the placement of the product into a temperature adjust device, circulating a liquid or a gas through the temperature adjust device, the liquid or the gas having been cooled to a cool temperature less than the desired product temperature or heated to a warm temperature greater than the desired product temperature, determining when the desired product temperature has been obtained, and ceasing circulation of the liquid or a gas through the temperature adjust device.

Abstract: The present application provides a product dispensing system for dispensing one of a number of predetermined products. The product dispensing system may include a product dispenser with a number of micro-ingredients to create the predetermined product, a reading device configured to read or receive data, a container for receiving the predetermined product, and a data storage medium with the data thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless transaction payment module system that is scalable and configurable to include interfaces for vending equipment monitoring and control capabilities, interfaces for a card reader device and other identification devices as payment for items vended, an interactive interface and protocol for interconnecting the system to a computing platform, and support for a plurality of communication options that include wired, point-to-point wireless, and wireless networking including LAN/WAN/WCDMA/CDMA/CDPD/2G/2.50/3G solutions. In an exemplary embodiment the system can be embodied in a semiconductor package or module package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a play list of a plurality of digital content for transmission and presentation on a public access electronic terminal for use with various data processing resources. The method establishes a virtual terminal on a play list server; selects the plurality of digital content at the virtual terminal; appends a digital content header to each of the plurality of digital content included in the play list; stores the play list in association with said virtual terminal; transmits the play list from the virtual terminal to the public access electronic commerce terminal; selectively receives the play list from the public access electronic commerce terminal; generates an activity report in the public access electronic commerce terminal based on the play list transmission; and selectively updates the data processing resources to reflect the activity report.

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 method of configuring a production line to mass customize shaped vessels, the method comprising receiving a plurality of consumer or event data, configuring a plurality of vessel forming stations based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data, and shaping a plurality of vessels by indexing the plurality of vessels through the plurality of vessel forming stations. Other embodiments include shaping by contouring length of each of the plurality of vessels, selecting a decoration style to be applied to the plurality of vessels based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data, and configuring a top-forming station based in part on received plurality of consumer or event data.

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 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: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of remotely managing a vessel forming production line, the method comprising communicating from a remote data processing resource a plurality of consumer or event data to a controller, the controller controls a plurality of vessel forming stations having a plurality of shape forming operations and a plurality of non-shape forming operations, configuring each of the plurality of shape forming operations and the plurality of non-shape forming operations based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data to manufacture the shaped vessel, and manufacturing the shaped vessel. Other embodiments include completing a sales transaction resulting in generation of the plurality of consumer or event data, generating the plurality of consumer or event data based in part on the current status of an event, and decorating the shaped vessel based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a card reader assembly. The card reader assembly can be mounted in a variety of vending equipment, arcade game equipment, and other suitable equipment. Furthermore, the card reader assembly can be mounted in a standard size vending machine bill validator opening. The card reader assembly can provide for the optional mounting of a card reader, a card reader interface circuit board, a payment module board, a communication board, and or a printer. The printer mechanism is mounted on a printer bracket. The printer bracket can be slid over the edges of and fastened to the support bracket. A paper exit slot can be provided in the card reader assembly faceplate to allow the printer paper to exit through the faceplate such that a user can receive the printer paper. In addition, the printer mechanism, card reader, and or a pushbutton can be electrically connected to the card reader interface board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless transaction processing system implementing a VEND ASSIST mode of operation to effectuate a cashless vending transaction. The VEND ASSIST mode allows a computing platform 802 to oversee, control, and authorize by way of a system 500 the vend selection and sale price of a user selected vend item prior to fulfilling the user's request. The cashless transaction processing system includes a system 500 and a computing platform 802. The system 500 initiates a vending session when certain commands from an interconnected computing platform 802 are received or in response to presentation, by a user, of valid payment identification data. Computing platform 802 data communicates a VEND APPROVE or VEND DENY response to a system 500 initiated REQUEST VEND APPROVE data communication. A vend cycle is then initiated or preempted as appropriate.

Abstract: A method of creating customized beverage products includes providing a multiple stream filing system suited for producing an array of beverage products. The method also includes receiving an order for a customized beverage product from the array of beverage products. The order indicates at least one characteristic of the customized beverage product. The at least one characteristic comprises one or more of the following: a beverage formulation, a beverage additive, a package size, a package shape, or label content. The method further includes instructing the multiple stream filling system to produce the customized beverage product. The multiple stream filing system produces the customized beverage product without performing an operation to reduce contamination of the customized beverage product with ingredients from a previously produced beverage product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a bio-based PET packaging and particularly to a method of producing a bio-based PET from at least one bio-based material comprising: a) forming at least one PET component from at least one bio-based material, wherein the at least one PET component is selected from a monoethylene glycol (“MEG”), a terephthalic acid (“TA”), and combinations thereof; (b) processing said bio-based PET component into a bio-based PET.

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 method of retrofitting a vending machine for dispensing products or services. The method includes the steps of removing a vending machine controller from the vending machine, placing the vending machine in communication with a vending bridge, placing the vending bridge in communication with a remote data processing device having one or more virtual equipment modules, and communicating instructions from the virtual equipment modules to the vending machine via the vending bridge to dispense the products or services.

Abstract: A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services. The vending machine system may include a vending machine with a vending mechanism, a number of virtual equipment modules remote from the vending machine, and a vending bridge. The vending bridge is in communication with the virtual equipment modules and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services.

Abstract: A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services. The vending machine system may include a vending machine with a vending mechanism, a data processing device remote from the vending machine, and a vending bridge. The vending bridge is in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cashless transaction processing system and method for locally authorizing cashless payment transactions at a payment module. Locally authorizing transactions can include utilizing locally stored databases and other authorization criteria or rules to validate or approve a plurality of payment identification data presented by a user, wherein the plurality of payment identification data presented by the user is intended to be utilized to effectuate payment for vended goods and services. In addition, the cashless transaction payment module system is scalable and configurable to include interfaces for vending equipment monitoring and control capabilities, interfaces for a card reader device and other payment interfaces, an interactive interface and protocol for interconnecting the system to a computing platform, and support for a plurality of communication options that include wired, point-to-point wireless, and wireless networking including LAN/WAN/WCDMA/CDMA/CDPD/2G/2.