Abstract: A tubeless smoothie vending machine including a tubeless electro-mechanically actuated dispensing nozzle attached to each smoothie dispensing tank, a cup retrieval system to retrieve an empty cup and move the cup to each selected dispensing nozzle, a portal in the cup retrieval system to transfer the cup through the cup retrieval system, a receiving shelf to receive the filled cup, a dispenser system to drop dry food product into the beverage filled cup, and an access door to open when the beverage filled cup is ready to vend to the customer. Tubes for delivering beverage to the cup are eliminated. A consolidated smoothie vending machine having a plurality of integrated smoothie blenders, a dry food supplement delivery assembly, a straw delivery assembly, and a lid delivery assembly. In one example, the smoothie blenders are stacked. In one example, the smoothie blenders are attached to sliding shelving.

Abstract: A linear rail guide system for a smoothie vending machine, the linear rail guide system positioned and arranged for positioning a cup at a dispensing point of six separate smoothie blenders, the smoothie blenders located at different horizontal and vertical positions. In one example, the linear rail guide system includes a frame of two vertical members and two horizontal members, a horizontally movable third vertical member disposed on the two horizontal members, a vertically moveable cup holder assembly disposed on the third vertical member, a motor disposed on the third vertical member to vertically move a cup holder, and a second motor disposed on the cup holder assembly to rotate the cup holder.

Abstract: A mounting plate for a smoothie vending machine vertically disposed on the housing of the vending machine. The mounting plate is vertically hinged and swingable outward from the housing. The mounting plate is positioned and arranged between a front door of the smoothie vending machine and a plurality of smoothie dispensing tanks contained in the housing. The mounting plate is positioned and arranged to swing open to enable access to the smoothie dispensing tanks and a plurality of blender motors for refilling and maintenance. A means for retrieving and moving a cup are disposed on the mounting plate.

Abstract: A tubeless smoothie vending machine including a tubeless electro-mechanically actuated dispensing nozzle attached to each smoothie dispensing tank, a cup retrieval system to retrieve an empty cup and move the cup to each selected dispensing nozzle, a portal in the cup retrieval system to transfer the cup through the cup retrieval system, a receiving shelf to receive the filled cup, a dispenser system to drop dry food product into the beverage filled cup, and an access door to open when the beverage filled cup is ready to vend to the customer. Tubes for delivering beverage to the cup are eliminated. A consolidated smoothie vending machine having a plurality of integrated smoothie blenders, a dry food supplement delivery assembly, a straw delivery assembly, and a lid delivery assembly. In one example, the smoothie blenders are stacked. In one example, the smoothie blenders are attached to sliding shelving.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for presenting video game contests via television. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a network of gaming platforms, wherein the network of gaming platforms comprise at least one player platform and at least one spectator platform, each gaming platform in the network of gaming platforms having a video output, wherein the at least one spectator platform has a delayed start in the video game contest, a plurality of converters, each converter in the plurality of converters respectively coupled to the video outputs of the gaming platforms, a production facility, coupled to the plurality of converters, for viewing the video outputs of the gaming platforms via the plurality of converters and for selecting a chosen video output to be broadcast, and a broadcast system, coupled to the production facility, for distributing the chosen video output.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for presenting video game contests via television are presented. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a network of gaming platforms, wherein the network of gaming platforms comprise at least one player platform and at least one spectator platform, the at least one spectator platform having a viewing perspective different from that of the at least one player platform, each gaming platform in the network of gaming platforms having a video output, a plurality of converters, each converter in the plurality of converters respectively coupled to the video outputs of the gaming platforms, a production facility, coupled to the plurality of converters, for viewing the video outputs of the gaming platforms via the plurality of converters and for selecting a chosen video output to be broadcast, and a broadcast system, coupled to the production facility, for distributing the chosen video output.