Patent ID: 8113108

Claim:
A system for storing, treating and dispensing food items, comprising: a first section, and a plurality of individual supports within said first section configured for receipt of individual food items placed thereon; a second section disposed for receipt of said supports with said food items from said first section and configured for treatment of said food items into a consumable food item; a third section disposed for receipt of said supports from said second section with said consumable food items and configured for storage and automatic dispensing of said consumable food items upon request; said second section disposed between said first and third sections; and a transport system configured between said first, second, and third sections defining a closed transport loop that moves in a single loop direction for said supports such that empty supports from said third section are conveyed back to said first section as supports with consumable food items therein are simultaneously conveyed from said second section to said third section; and at least one collection device affixed to a vertical guide configured for vertical movement, said at least one collection device further comprising a lifting element configured for horizontal movement which engages and lifts said supports onto or from the closed transport loop in association with the vertical guide.