US 12,437,601 B2
Vending machine and opening systems and methods
Peter Mayhew, Corona, CA (US); and David Chessler, Sarasota, FL (US)
Assigned to 24/7 PIZZA BOX, LLC, Sarasota, FL (US)
Filed by 24/7 Pizza Box, LLC, Sarasota, FL (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/543,672.
Application 18/543,672 is a continuation of application No. 17/522,002, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,847,881.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/111,239, filed on Nov. 9, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0153336 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); F24C 15/16 (2006.01); G07F 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 17/0071 (2013.01) [B65G 1/06 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01); F24C 15/16 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vending machine system adapted to open and prepare a contained food item, the system comprising:
a cabinet including a refrigerated compartment, a preparation compartment, and a partition separating the refrigerated compartment and the preparation compartment, the partition configured to selectively allow access between the refrigerated compartment and the preparation compartment;
a rack frame;
a shelf arranged in the frame the rack frame that supports the contained food item;
a lid removal apparatus that removes a lid of the contained food item; and
a food item actuator supported relative to the rack frame, the food item actuator including an arm translatable relative to the lid removal apparatus, wherein the system is configured such that translation of the arm moves a container of the contained food item from the refrigerated compartment to the preparation compartment of the cabinet, and wherein the system is configured such that the lid of the contained food item is retained by the lid removal apparatus subsequent to translation of the arm, wherein the lid removal apparatus is coupled to the rack frame.