Autonomous vending facility providing meals including cooked dishes, e.g. for small business establishment, allows customer to order dishes required and to specify the time at which they should be ready, using personalized card

摘要

The device comprises units in the form of a cabinet (10) for storing food products in the form of 'plated' meals provided by a third party, together with units for chilled (12) and hot drinks (14). A reservation unit (16) for selected dishes is provided, with a card reading terminal (40) for payment, overall control of the facility being provided by a centralized controller to which connection may be made via a network. In use, a person wishing to order a meal introduces his personal card into the reader and selects the desired dishes, e.g. on a touch screen, also specifying the time at which they wish it to be ready.