Patent ID: 6550632
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A21C,G07F

Abstract:
A vending apparatus for dispensing hot pizzas (P), comprising a casing (1) divided into a refrigerated section (3) and a heating section (4), separated from and intercommunicating with each other, wherein said refrigerated section (3) includes:a storage unit (5) designed for containing a plurality of pre-cooked pizzas (P), each of which is packaged in a respective sealed container (E); pick-up means (7) for removing one pizza at a time from said storage unit (5) by gripping the corresponding container (E) peripherally; opening means (13) to open the container (E); and transfer means (17) for taking the pizza (P) out of the container (E), and wherein said heating section includes: an electric oven (30); a magazine (31) of stacked disposable trays (T); movable supporting means (25) designed for receiving the pizza (P) from said transfer means (17), transferring it to the heating section and introducing it into the oven (30), and for then depositing the hot pizza on the tray (T) located on the top of the tray magazine (31); and delivery means (37) for transferring the pizza (P) onto the corresponding tray (T) outside said casing (1); motor-driven actuator means and control means, which can be actuated from outside the casing (1), being provided for controlling said pick-up means (7), said opening means (13), said transfer means (17), said movable supporting means (25), and said delivery means (37) synchronously according to a pre-set automatic cycle.