Abstract: A food cartridge assembly adapted for use in a vending machine including a base, a lockable cover, a plurality of food trays housed beneath the cover, and a door covering an opening through the cover for accessing unpackaged food items on the trays, wherein the food cartridge is adapted to be filled off-site with unpackaged food items and loaded into the vending machine without any intermediate food handling.

Abstract: A cover apparatus includes a frame, a cover assembly at least partially supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism. The cover assembly includes a generally planar main portion, and at least one edge portion adjoining a side edge of the main portion. The drive mechanism engages the edge portion and moves the cover assembly relative to the frame to advance or retract the cover assembly. The drive mechanism may include first engagement elements, and the edge portion may include second engagement elements that interengage with the first engagement elements. The cover apparatus may be used for covering a pool.

Abstract: A cover apparatus includes a frame, a cover assembly at least partially supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism. The cover assembly includes a generally planar main portion, and at least one edge portion adjoining a side edge of the main portion. The drive mechanism engages the edge portion and moves the cover assembly relative to the frame to advance or retract the cover assembly. The drive mechanism may include first engagement elements, and the edge portion may include second engagement elements that interengage with the first engagement elements. The cover apparatus may be used for covering a pool.

Abstract: A retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A modular retractable enclosure is provided. The retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A modular retractable enclosure is provided. The retractable enclosure includes moveable bays that telescopically retract inside each other. Each bay is made from two or more vertical framing sections and a plurality of first framing members. Each vertical framing section can be made from a plurality of second framing members. Assembly rods are provided to couple the vertical framing sections and are tensioned to load the first framing members in longitudinal compression. The framing members are fastenable to each other. The second framing members can be held together using splice plates. The retractable enclosure may also include a drive system. A related method of constructing a retractable enclosure is also provided.