Abstract: The present invention includes various types of open-air display cases for displaying, storing, and/or vending food, beverages, or other products having a movable barrier that can be automatically positioned over an open front or side of such a unit to prevent access to the products therein when temperatures, component failure, lost power supply, or other variables affect the condition of the items stored in the display case, and methods of using such units.

Abstract: The present invention includes various types of open-air display cases for displaying, storing, and/or vending food, beverages, or other products having a movable barrier that can be automatically positioned over an open front or side of such a unit to prevent access to the products therein when temperatures, component failure, lost power supply, or other variables affect the condition of the items stored in the display case, and methods of using such units.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for detecting whether an acceptable mixture of fluid and water has been delivered by a vending machine. Embodiments of the invention utilize one or more second flow meters located downstream of a mix manifold. The additional flow meter allows the controller of the delivery system or vending machine to monitor and compare the volume of water to the volume of the final mix in order to determine whether an appropriate volume of syrup has or has not been mixed in the dispensed beverage.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for detecting whether an acceptable mixture of fluid and water has been delivered by a vending machine. Embodiments of the invention utilize one or more second flow meters located downstream of a mix manifold. The additional flow meter allows the controller of the delivery system or vending machine to monitor and compare the volume of water to the volume of the final mix in order to determine whether an appropriate volume of syrup has or has not been mixed in the dispensed beverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides machines, methods and apparatus for automatically vending, damping, delivering and returning large heavy product containers such as 5-gallon water bottles. In some embodiments, damping methods and apparatus are provided to gently transfer large heavy product containers from one level to another inside a vending machine. In some embodiments, methods and apparatus including adjustable support rails are provided for handling different sized large heavy product containers inside a vending machine. In some embodiments, delivery methods and apparatus are provided for use with large heavy product containers. In some embodiments, methods and apparatus for returning large product containers are provided. Some or all of these features may be provided in a single vending machine, or in multiple machines, and multiple features or machines may be controlled by a single computer processor.