US 11,734,986 B2
Vending machine and transport cartridge systems and methods
Eduardo Lopez, Sarasota, FL (US); Shawn Marquardt, Sarasota, FL (US); Allan L. Cube, Morgan Hill, CA (US); Sun Shue, Newark, CA (US); and Juarencio P. Baculi, Jr., Milpitas, CA (US)
Assigned to 24/7 Pizza Box, LLC, Sarasota, FL (US)
Filed by 24/7 Pizza Box, LLC, Sarasota, FL (US)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/96,781.
Application 18/096,781 is a continuation of application No. 17/528,518, filed on Nov. 17, 2021, granted, now 11,557,166.
Application 17/528,518 is a continuation of application No. 17/106,686, filed on Nov. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,191,394, issued on Dec. 7, 2021.
Application 17/106,686 is a continuation of application No. 16/632,660, granted, now 10,863,867, issued on Dec. 21, 2020, previously published as PCT/US2019/027894, filed on Apr. 17, 2019.
Application 16/632,660 is a continuation of application No. 15/957,370, filed on Apr. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,546,445, issued on Jan. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0154272 A1, May 18, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07F 11/62 (2006.01); G07F 11/72 (2006.01); G07F 11/04 (2006.01); A47J 39/00 (2006.01); A47J 47/01 (2006.01); G07F 11/16 (2006.01); G07F 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 11/72 (2013.01) [A47J 39/006 (2013.01); A47J 47/01 (2013.01); G07F 11/04 (2013.01); G07F 11/16 (2013.01); G07F 11/165 (2013.01); G07F 11/62 (2013.01); G07F 17/0078 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vending machine system for dispensing unpackaged food, comprising:
a cabinet;
a refrigerator disposed in the cabinet;
an oven disposed in cabinet;
a delivery chute;
an interface for operating the vending machine system;
a fixed cartridge disposed in the refrigerator, the fixed cartridge comprising a conveyor system for conveying trays of food within the fixed cartridge; and
a single tray loading device for loading individual trays of food into the fixed cartridge, the single tray loading device configured for temporary attachment to the fixed cartridge to align an individual tray of food with the conveyor system to transfer the individual tray of food from the single tray loading device into the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge, wherein:
the fixed cartridge comprises:
a housing having a front opening;
a door; and
a drive mechanism operable for driving the conveyor system and
the single tray loading device having:
a first opening on a front side of the a device for loading a tray and/or a temporary container having the tray therein,
an internal flap positioned within the single tray loading device that is configured to open and close when advancing the tray and/or temporary container having the tray therein through the single tray loading device, and
a second opening configured to pass the tray from the single tray loading device into the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge and, if present, concurrently retaining the temporary container therein such that the temporary container may be subsequently removed from the single tray loading device to allow for another tray to be loaded within the conveyor.