Abstract: A mechanical picking system for a x-y picker dispensing apparatus that includes at least one substantially horizontal shelf operable for supporting a product, and a picker assembly which further includes an unpowered end effector. The unpowered end effector includes a plurality of receiving fingers and a holding area. The unpowered end effector is rotatable with respect to the shelf to enable the fingers to transfer the product from the shelf to the holding area.

Abstract: A portable beverage dispenser includes a portable ice chest, a dispensing valve device, a pressurization system, and a line system. The line system couples one or more beverage containers in the ice chest to the pressurization system through one or more gas lines, and couples the beverage containers to the dispensing valve device through one or more beverage lines. Actuating the dispensing valve device opens a valve and allows the beverage to flow into a cup under force of the pressurization system. A retractor, such as a spring-loaded reel, can also be included to facilitate keeping the dispensing valve device close to the ice chest when not in use.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: A vending machine for vending articles, most notably beverage or food containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vending machine having a cabinet with a plurality of vertically spaced shelves, and an “X-Y” picker assembly for receiving a packaged beverage from a shelf and for delivering the packaged beverage to a delivery port in a front face of the cabinet, or to another location as desired.

Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.

Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.

Abstract: In combination with a merchandise display cabinet having a front face with a display field therein, an apparatus for selectively placing a graphics region in the display field may include a graphics sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a plurality of graphics regions between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The apparatus also includes a spool assembly including a first spool disposed on one side of the display field and a second spool disposed on an opposite side of the display field. The graphics sheet may be windable on the first spool and the second spool to extend across the display field. The apparatus also includes a drive mechanism configured to rotate at least one of the first spool and the second spool to selectively position a selected one of the plurality of graphics regions into registry with the display field and a controller configured to selectively activate the drive mechanism to position the selected one of the plurality of graphics regions in the display field.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are described for displaying interchangeable graphics sheets on a display face of a merchandise cabinet such as a vending machine. The interchangeable sheets are stored on spool assemblies disposed within the cabinet and may be either manually or automatically manipulated in order to selectively register different graphics sheets within the display face of the vending machine. In a first embodiment, the graphics sheets have adhesive areas thereon in order to attach an old graphic sheet to a new graphic sheet to unwind the new graphic sheet from the spool assembly and position it into the display field on the face of the vending machine. The old graphics sheet functions as a leader for the new graphics sheet. In a second embodiment, the graphics sheets are provided with tear-off flexible leaders which are utilized to unwind the sheets from the storage spool assemblies and to position the graphics sheet into registry with the display fields on the face of the vending machine.

Abstract: A pouch for dispensing a beverage. The pouch includes a pair of opposing walls with a first half and a second half. A valve is inserted within one of the walls at the first half of the pouch. The valve is configured to be operable with a beverage dispenser. The pouch also includes various elements for hanging the pouch by its second half such that the pouch may be hung and dispense the beverage through the valve.

Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.

Abstract: A cooler with a number of product shelves and an oscillating drive mechanism. The oscillating drive mechanism is connected to the product shelves so as to rotate the product shelves in an oscillating manner.

Abstract: A cooler with a number of product shelves and an oscillating drive mechanism. The oscillating drive mechanism is connected to the product shelves so as to rotate the product shelves in an oscillating manner.

Abstract: An ice detector for an ice water bath tank having an evaporator system operated by a compressor to promote the growth of ice therein. The detector includes a device for providing reciprocating motion and a probe connected to the device. The probe is capable of reciprocating movement within the ice water bath tank until a predetermined amount of ice grows adjacent to the probe.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are described for displaying interchangeable graphics sheets on a display face of a merchandise cabinet such as a vending machine. The interchangeable sheets are stored on spool assemblies disposed within the cabinet and may be either manually or automatically manipulated in order to selectively register different graphics sheets within the display face of the vending machine. In a first embodiment, the graphics sheets have adhesive areas thereon in order to attach an old graphic sheet to a new graphic sheet to unwind the new graphic sheet from the spool assembly and position it into the display field on the face of the vending machine. The old graphics sheet functions as a leader for the new graphics sheet. In a second embodiment, the graphics sheets are provided with tear-off flexible leaders which are utilized to unwind the sheets from the storage spool assemblies and to position the graphics sheet into registry with the display fields on the face of the vending machine.

Abstract: A modular mounting block for a beverage dispenser. The modular mounting block includes a number of pump compartments and a number of dispensing valve compartments formed integrally within the block.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are described for displaying interchangeable graphics sheets on a display face of a merchandise cabinet such as a vending machine. The interchangeable sheets are stored on spool assemblies disposed within the cabinet and may be either manually or automatically manipulated in order to selectively register different graphics sheets within the display face of the vending machine. In a first embodiment, the graphics sheets have adhesive areas thereon in order to attach an old graphic sheet to a new graphic sheet to unwind the new graphic sheet from the spool assembly and position it into the display field on the face of the vending machine. The old graphics sheet functions as a leader for the new graphics sheet. In a second embodiment, the graphics sheets are provided with tear-off flexible leaders which are utilized to unwind the sheets from the storage spool assemblies and to position the graphics sheet into registry with the display fields on the face of the vending machine.

Abstract: A postmix beverage dispenser which includes pair of one-way valves to provide more continuous flow of concentrate into a metered water flow. The configuration according to the present invention has the cost advantages of a single-acting pump and the smooth-flow advantages of a double-acting pump. The single-acting reciprocating pump has a flow pattern that is similar to double-acting reciprocating pumps. The pump readily folds up into the package to facilitate shipping and can be constructed of rigid plastic materials to make for easier loading and unloading the package into the dispenser. The pump can be constructed primarily from inexpensive commodity plastics.