Automated vending machine for producing beverages using comestibles

Abstract

A vending machine for producing beverages. The vending machine presents a user with a number of beverage options and receives the user selection. A plurality of refrigerated containers house various comestibles. An ejection mechanism is disposed within each container for expelling comestibles from the container. Control module selectively actuates the ejection mechanisms to expel comestibles required to make the user-selected beverage. The expelled comestibles slide down along a ramp into a blending chamber. A liquid is dispensed onto the ramp facilitating movement of the comestibles. The control module actuates the blender apparatus to blend the comestibles and the liquid into a homogenous beverage. The beverage is dispensed into a cup. The ramp and the blending chamber are automatically rinsed after preparation of each beverage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage vending machine comprising:
 a container having an opening, the container configured to house a frozen comestible;   a freezer system for controlling a temperature within the container, wherein the freezer system maintains the temperature below a freezing point;   an ejection mechanism for expelling the comestible from the container though the opening therein;   an electric motor in a mechanical communication with the ejection mechanism, whereby operation of the electrical motor causes the ejection mechanism to urge the comestible toward the opening in the container;   a control module in electrical communication with the electric motor, the control module actuating the electric motor, thereby causing the ejection mechanism to expel a predetermined amount of the frozen comestible from the container;   a blender apparatus in electrical communication with the control module, the blender apparatus having a rotational blade configured to pulverize the frozen comestible, blender apparatus further having a blending chamber configured to receive an expelled comestible and a predetermined volume of a liquid, wherein the control module actuates the blender apparatus causing the blade to rotate for a predetermined duration thereby blending the frozen comestible with the liquid to produce a beverage; and   a first electric valve in a fluid communication with an interior space of the blending chamber and in electrical communication with the control module, wherein the control module causes the first electric valve to open, thereby dispensing the beverage from the blending chamber into a cup.