Abstract: Quick service restaurants with car wash systems and traffic management systems for managing customer traffic and routing customers who have made food-only purchases and customers who have purchased both a food item and a carwash service. In some examples, graphical user interfaces incorporated in point of sale systems display time predictions for the delivery of food items and carwash services to aid and encourage customer selection of both food items and carwash services.

Abstract: An enhanced service system comprises a pair of first wires between a first position proximal to an entry point of a drive through facility and a second position proximal to a receiving window in the drive through facility, and an aerial host unit coupled to the pair of first wires using a pair of first and second host wires. The aerial host unit is longitudinally movable between the first position and the second position and includes an aerial host member moveably supported by the first and second host wires to move laterally between the pair of first wires to approach an incoming customer vehicle, facilitate the customer to place an order, receive payment from the customer, and direct the customer to the receiving window where the aerial host member retrieves the items corresponding to the placed order from the receiving window and transfers the retrieved items to the customer.

Abstract: A system for processing payment for products for purchase may include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal and a promotions processing server coupled to the POS terminal and that may include a processor and an associated memory coupled thereto. The processor may be configured to store in the memory a respective digital coupon wallet for each user and present, to the POS terminal, a digital coupon in the respective digital coupon wallet for a given user for at least one product. The processor may also be configured to generate a supplemental, full-price, digital coupon for a remaining purchase price after application of the digital coupon to a purchase price of the at least one product and present, to the POS terminal, the supplemental, full-price, digital coupon.

Abstract: An improved drive through and organics foods store and associated systems and methods are provided. The present invention makes several improvements to the organics food industry by implementing novel methods to streamline the sale of organic foods to customers, including novel supplying, ordering, and distribution models for organic and non-GMO foods.

Abstract: A drive through window has a user interface allowing one to place an order using a touch screen, voice commands, or combination thereof. The user interface can have a display screen and can accept payment via a magnetic strip reader, wireless transmission of data, or other payment mechanisms used. When a vehicle approaches a drive through, the vehicle is instructed to stop (based on signage, a gate, or other indicator) and cameras (are used to) determine the location of a driver of the vehicle and/or window associated with the driver. Once the location is determined, the user interface is put into position by moving a support structure for the interface along a horizontal axis, vertical axis, and finally along a depth axis until the interface is within reach of the driver and in some embodiments, passes through a window and into a cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a food order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a food order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the food order assembly station.

Abstract: A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station.

Abstract: A system for improving the efficiency of drive-through delivery systems is provided. The system can provide complete error tracking and feedback; however, partial or no error tracking and/or feedback can be provided if desired. Errors in order fulfillment can be reduced. Detailed information on product weight and delivery timing can be provided. By analyzing the weight distributions of each food item or any other suitable measurements, production quality and consistency may be monitored. By analyzing the delivery times for each food item type or any other suitable measurements, production efficiency and restaurant work flow may be measured.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a system, method and process for delivery of classified goods and serviced items through a vehicle drive-thru facility, the facility having a plurality of vehicle drive-thru pick-up portals for goods or services orderable via an electronic or computer medium. The present invention comprises, in another embodiment, a process for operating a multi-lane, drive-thru, consolidated retail or commercial supercenter mall featuring specialized facility designs, high-speed order processing, warehouse management, order consolidation and delivery system of amalgamated classified goods or services. The present invention is adapted to apply a blend of shared staffing and shared services provision, information technology and enterprise management tools, and integrated process designs to meet the needs of a variety of tenant businesses operating within a single unit.

Abstract: A low-cost paging based order fulfillment method, system, and apparatus that allows customers to easily indicate their arrival at a place of business without entering the business or using voice based communications and which is able to simultaneously transmit specifically identifiable information to relevant employees for purposes of expediting delivery of customer purchases. Customers arriving at the place of business in a vehicle are allowed to remain in the vehicle during the entirety of the notification and delivery process. The business may designate specific employees for receipt of customer notification and identification data for quick payment processing and delivery of customer purchases.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic drop off and pick up of merchandise on which service is desired. The system includes a processing device for input of data related to merchandise to be dropped off, a drop off section for receiving the merchandise being dropped off and retaining the merchandise for performing the desired service and a pick up section for storing the merchandise after the desired service has been performed and returning the merchandise to the customer upon receipt of payment by the means for receiving the claim ticket.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering items between a processing station and a remote delivery station includes a pair of flexible drive members and a pair of spaced apart drive guides each positioned to define a path of travel for one of the drive members between the stations. A carrier member having an item receiving portion and upper and lower ends is attached to both of the flexible drive members adjacent one of its upper or lower ends for reciprocation between the stations along the guides. A third flexible stabilization drive member and a corresponding stabilization guide is positioned to define a third path for the stabilization drive member. The carrier member is attached to the stabilization drive member adjacent to the other of its upper or lower ends. The active stabilization guide member provides for more uniform and stable translation of the carrier member between the stations.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a base station and a base station comprising the base station, which does not limit the time period required for the processing performed by the signal processing section of the base station, but can prevent the talk back sound from being delayed and misheard for reverberations, thereby making it easy for an order taker to accurately take the order.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering items between a processing station and a remote delivery station includes a pair of flexible drive members and a pair of spaced apart drive guides each positioned to define a path of travel for one of the drive members between the stations. A carrier member having an item receiving portion and upper and lower ends is attached to both of the flexible drive members adjacent one of its upper or lower ends for reciprocation between the stations along the guides. A third flexible stabilization drive member and a corresponding stabilization guide is positioned to define a third path for the stabilization drive member. The carrier member is attached to the stabilization drive member adjacent to the other of its upper or lower ends. The active stabilization guide member provides for more uniform and stable translation of the carrier member between the stations.

Abstract: The information of sales items is transmitted from a cash register 1 to a sensing device 2 and stored in a sales items memory 26. In the sensing device 2, a commodities information memory 25 stores the information relating to a nominal weight of each commodity as well as a nominal weight of a package. A weight sensor 24 measures an actual overall weight of all of the sales items including the package. A controller 23 compares the measured overall weight with a sum of their nominal weight values, to detect any error in the packing operation.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.

Abstract: A drive-through window station of a restaurant has a food preparation area adjacent a food preparation viewing window. A driveway exterior the window positions a customer in a vehicle at an enhanced elevation whereby the customer may look inward and downward to view and direct the food selection, preparation and packaging by continuous communication using one or more spaced two-way speaker-microphones units. A canopy over the driveway enables proper lighting to view the interior food preparation. Sensor activated lighting increases the interior and/or exterior illumination when a vehicle enters the driveway, and decreases the interior and/or exterior illumination when a vehicle exits the driveway.

Abstract: A flexible drive tape conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations includes a carrier member and at least one tape guide track having a tape guide. The drive tape is substantially inflexible in a direction transverse to its width, and is at least partially housed in the tape guide. At least a portion of a tape guide track and tape guide are twisted about their longitudinal axis so that the drive tape and its affected carrier member can be turned in a direction transverse to the width of the drive tape. A drive mechanism is used to selectively reciprocate the drive tape and the carrier member between the spaced apart stations.

Abstract: A new Telescoping Drive-Through Menu System for increasing the drive-through process by eliminating miscommunications that occur mesial the customer and the employee, and further providing a support which retracts the menu into a cavity thereby protecting the menu from vandalism. The inventive device includes a vertical support which is telescoping, an activating pressure plate which detects when a vehicle is present, and a menu ordering system secured to the upper portion of the vertical support allowing entry of the desired order through a slanted keyboard.

Abstract: Restaurants featuring improved efficiency through use of pneumatic systems for delivery of fast food products from a kitchen area to a food delivery area, such as in an out building, can revolutionize the fast food industry. A customer order entry station is located on a first side of the restaurant, and an order unit transmits order entry information to an indicator located adjacent to the kitchen area. A pneumatic dispatch station located adjacent to the kitchen area is connected via a second dispatch unit located in the food delivery area to a pneumatic tube. Upon the taking of a customer's order, the order entry information is acted upon by food service personnel who prepare food products such as sandwiches and load them into the kitchen area dispatch station for transport to the food delivery area. The food products reach the customer who has, by this time, navigated around the restaurant to the out building.

Abstract: A tape conveyor system for moving a carriage along a path having at least one vertical curve and at least one horizontal curve comprises a carriage track, a tape guide, and a carriage. A block on the tape is movably positioned between two elements on the carriage to effect movement of the carriage along the carriage track. The tape guide orients the tape width horizontally during each vertical curve and vertically during each horizontal curve. The carriage track has two opposing channels, and the carriage has wheels in each channel so that the carriage can move along both horizontal and vertical track portions in a stable manner. A container can be mounted to the carriage via a leveling mechanism which cooperates with cam guide surfaces on the carriage track to control the orientation of the container.

Abstract: A food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, a multi-purpose column, conveyor delivery structures, and menu and order display units. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, to a method for food preparation, to a retractable menu, and to a drink dispenser and service module. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site. The food preparation method is primarily directed to pizza preparation, the pizza being incompletely cooked and stored, and then rapidly cooked to completion to provide fast food service time to patrons.

Abstract: An integrated system for delivering food and other products from a central processing station to one or more remote delivery stations, the products being transported in carriers which travel both vertically and horizontally in an upright position on conveyors having reversible paths of travel which include optional delivery positions. The system is expandable to include order stations in advance of the delivery stations from which orders are sent to the central processing station, the order stations optionally including currency conveyors in communication with the central processing station to permit payment for the items purchased at the time they are ordered.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, to a method for food preparation, to a retractable menu, and to a drink dispenser and service module. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site. The food preparation method is primarily directed to pizza preparation, the pizza being incompletely cooked and stored, and then rapidly cooked to completion to provide fast food service time to patrons.

Abstract: A carrier basket is suspended between an opposing pair of drive members which define a path of travel between a processing station and a remote delivery station, the path of travel having vertical flights at each station interconnected by a horizontal flight. To prevent rocking movement of the suspended carrier basket, it is provided at its opposite ends with diametrically opposite cam rollers which are sequentially engaged in cam tracks extending along the path of travel of the carrier basket, a first cam track lying at one end of the carrier basket and extending between the processing station and a point intermediate the horizontal flight of the conveyor, the other of the cam tracks lying at the opposite end of the carrier basket and extending between the intermediate point and the delivery station.

Abstract: A driver interaction center, and a method of operating such a center, which includes a driver service dispensation structure, having a plurality of collection stations for dispensing services, and a plurality of driveways, each of which is arrayed adjacent to at least one of the collection stations and which is directionally oriented for tandem collection of the services at the driver's side of vehicles such that drivers need not have to leave their seats to collect the services. Each of the driveways further defines a drive-thru periphery that is situated along the driver's side of vehicles as the vehicles proceed along the given driveway. The driver interaction center can be a food court center, a bank center, a photography center, as well as any of a number of other centers which provide goods or services on a drive-thru basis or have a combination of counter sevice and drive-thru service.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for use from an open window of a stationary vehicle. The position of the open window is optically or acoustically sensed and a data input and dispensing component is moved by a carriage mechanism in response to the sensed signals to a position adjacent to the open window. Input of data can also cause the component to be moved between this window position and an at rest position at which material may be collected and/or dispensed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an establishment designed to facilitate dispensing food or other commodities to customers in automobiles from drive-up stations or windows. The establishment has two of its sides joined in a curved segment with one dispensing window on the curved segment, and dispensing windows on adjacent sides. Multiple egress lanes are disposed such that at least one lane is accessable from each dispensing window even while automobiles are parked at the other windows. The use of a curved segment rather than the typical corner arrangement facilitates using multiple egress lanes to significantly increase traffic flow.

Abstract: A conveying system is provided, which is particularly designed to convey food over a traffic lane to another traffic lane. The system includes a track extending from inside the restaurant, over the adjoining traffic lane or lanes, to a food-receiving station. A chain-driven trolley is coupled to the track and carries a leveling basket for holding the food or other material being conveyed. In the preferred form, the track includes a high-density, polymer plastic defining two chain-receiving parallel grooves and a third, enlarged, parallel groove. The trolley includes a pair of spaced, track-riders shiftably received in the enlarged groove and coupled to one loop of the chain. Preferably, the trolley includes a basket-locking mechanism and the food-receiving station includes an inclined shoulder. The locking mechanism unlocks before the basket reaches the food-receiving station such that upon reaching the food-receiving station the basket contacts the inclined shoulder, pivoting outwardly towards the customer.