Patent ID: 6383542
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A method for preparing and dispensing a combination of food products in a vending machine with a product delivery opening from a selection of components wherein individual components are prepackaged in a plurality of trays sealed with a single peel off tape comprising the steps of:providing stationary means for thermal processing and moveable means for thermal processing, said stationary means for thermal processing and said moveable means for thermal processing laterally aligned with said product delivery opening, dispensing a first tray containing a bottom component by pulling a first single peel off tape over a tray guide positioned at 45 to 85 degrees angle clockwise in relation to the front plane of said vending machine, placing a support proximate to a second tray with a top component, releasing said top component from said second tray onto said support by pulling a second single peel off tape under a guide positioned at 5 to 45 degrees angle clockwise in relation to said front plane, moving said support away from said guide in a direction to said front plane until said support is clear for lateral displacement, moving said top component and said first tray independently along said front plane until said top component and said first tray are laterally aligned with said delivery opening, said stationary means for thermal processing, and said moveable means for thermal processing, moving said top component in a direction away from said front plane into said stationary means for thermal processing while independently raising said first tray into said moveable means for thermal processing; heating said top component and said first tray; lowering said first tray and displacing said moveable means for thermal processing out of the tray path, raising said first tray past said moveable means for thermal processing while independently removing said top component from said stationary means for thermal processing and lowering said top component to a close proximity of said first tray, releasing said top component into said first tray, thereby forming a combination of food products in said first tray, aligning said first tray vertically with said delivery opening and said moveable means for thermal processing, and placing said moveable means for thermal processing in a starting position, thereby dispensing said combination of food products.