Clover Coffee Machine

I'm not sure this is worth the beans it says it is but the Clover 1S claims to be the answer to a top-shelf single cup of coffee brewed at the coffee shop just to your taste.

Brewed in a fraction of the time your at-home single coffee cup maker does, the Clover 1S allows the consumer to watch their chosen coffee brew to perfection. It probably can't get any fresher than that. The Clover also comes with built-in software that can allow the owner to observe drinking trends and profits since each cup is meant to be served for $22 a cup! Whoa -- that is one pricey cup o' joe. Does that mean the biscotti are free?

Alternative and much cheaper option would be the Flavia Coffee Machine

View a demo video of the Clover coffee machine:

Japanese Vending Machines

Japan is home to roughly 127 million people and has one of the most concentrated populations on Earth. The Vending Machine Manufacturers Association claims Japan has one vending machine for every 23 people - about five and a half million vending machines in total. Obviously these machines are very popular in Japan and can be found almost anywhere from street corners to office blocks.

In the UK however, vending machines seem more commonplace in the workplace than on the street – which is probably a direct result of our fondness for vandalism and graffiti. Having a much lower crime and disorder rate than the UK, Japan’s dispensers command much more respect than their Western counterparts and are more widely received therefore.

Although not as widespread as in Japan, vending machines first appeared commercially in the UK during the early nineteenth century, used to vend post cards in London. The first ones introduced in the US supplied gum to train users on platforms.

The Japanese machines often make use of colours to attract people and to distinguish between hot and cold drink products. The products tend not to be disguised behind panels and compartments, instead are displayed naturally so the consumers can see what they will actually get before making the purchase.

The multitude of items on offer from these machines can vary from drinks to novelty items. There seems as if there is no limit to the variety of items that can be sold from these machines. Below is a (non-exhaustive) list of various items offered by the ‘metal vendor:’

• Drinks (hot & cold)
• Confectionary
• Snacks
• Cigarettes
• Ipods
• Trainers
  
• Alcohol
• Novelty Gifts
• Rice
• Flowers
• Newspapers & magazines
• Lingerie
• Batteries
• Tickets
• Toilet paper
• Umbrellas
• Eggs
  

However, I am (not yet) aware of vending machines offering the following products & services:

• MP3/4 audio (music & audio books)
• Digital Media (films and computer games)
• Stationary
• Vehicle hire (booking & key collection)
• Maps
  

Surely it will only be a matter of time before these services are offered in the high street through machines.

The world of one-way, human-free commerce is obviously prevalent and could possibly revolutionise the way consumers conduct purchasing. Consumers have already warmed to making purchases over the internet, yet still like the idea of walking around the high-street, actually looking at the product(s) available before purchasing. Vending machines may well bridge the gap between the internet and the high-street.

An alternative concept is a ‘reverse’ vending machine; whereby the consumer places a used plastic container in the machine which it then proceeds to wash and compact, before returning a redeemable voucher to the consumer.

In today’s economic and environmentally conscious world, these machines can only become more popular. Extensions of this principle could be developed to include refuse collection and garment washing.

The future is uncertain for the humble coffee vending machine but must be optimistic for the vending business in general, even if only in Japan.

Office Coffee Machine Considerations

Buying a coffee machine requires careful consideration and especially if you are buying one for the office. When you cook, you want to use the best utensils as it helps create the most delicious meal. The same applies to coffee – if you want great tasting coffee, you need a great coffee machine.

Access to coffee in the office environment is very important for many staff. Caffeine in moderation is a stimulant that gives a burst of energy, keeping our senses sharp. No wonder then the coffee we drink at work has a positive effect on performance levels.

The office coffee machine has the basic components of the standard coffee machine that you use at home but is designed to handle the demand of a busy office setting. Finding the perfect office coffee machine depends largely on the amount of people you have working in the environment. This can help you determine how many cups of coffee the coffee machine will be responsible for brewing on a daily basis.

Ease of use, convenience and low maintenance will play a big part in the type of coffee machine you choose for your office. Several different people will probably be using the machine so you want to be sure that it is not too difficult to operate. It should also be fairly easily cleaned, as some coffee machines can be quite difficult to clean.

The semi-automatic coffee machine would require the user to add ground coffee to the machine each time they want a fresh cup. If you are comfortable with at least partial user participation, then this may be the appropriate choice for your office setting.

If you are more comfortable with minimal user participation, then you may want to explore the fully automatic office coffee machines which requires no user participation as the entire process is machine operated. For larger offices with more people, a fully automatic office coffee machine is most likely the more efficient choice.

There are now drink machines available that can cater for different tastes, perfect for office environment as some people naturally prefer tea or a well-being drink, some prefer coffee or hot chocolate. Flavia drink machines have answered this need with a variety of machine designs and flavours to suit the home and office.
So, now you know the type of coffee machine your office needs, where do you buy it from to get the best deal? Do your research first, starting with the Internet to learn more about the popularity and functionality of different brands. You can also determine the prices you are looking at paying. Online prices are typically cheaper than in stores so shopping online could save you money.

The office coffee machine is an important part of office life, boosting staff morale and improving performance so make sure you buy the right drink machine.

Healthy Vending

Americans spend $21 billion a year on vending machine snacks. Picture this, a hungry student gazing across rows upon rows of brightly coloured packaging, rummaging thorough their pockets to find the right change for the vending machine to gorge on the chocolate bar they so desperately need.

Located in the back of offices and schools they sit and wait for those weakened by hunger to come, change jingling in their pockets. Vending machines typically offer snacks that would give most nutritionists a migraine. Not only are most the snacks unhealthy, they are also frequently obscure variations of known brands, the forgotten remainders of a failed product launch that no one will ever eat. In essence, many vending machines are where candy goes to die, a carb-loaded elephant burial ground.

To be sure, vending machines have changed a lot since the days of the automats, when Jazz Age eateries like Horn & Hardart would dispense a slab of meatloaf or a hot apple pie through a slot in exchange for a nickel or two. Today, however, instead of meals, most vending machines deal in quick fixes; sodas, candy bars and snack foods intended to quiet a rumbling stomach, not take the place of actual nutrition.

The problem is that, to many people, the vending machine is as much a part of their daily diet as fast food joints. According to the National Automatic Merchandising Association, in 2004, Americans spent more than $21 billion buying food and beverages from the vending machines. The average American works about eight to ten hours a day and, according to food-services giant Aramark about 15 percent of workers don't even have time to take a lunch break. For them, the vending machine is a straight shot down the hall, and the snacks inside it are usually fattening and not so healthy — that is until recently.

Partly in response to pressure from parent groups, customers and the health-care industry, vending business companies such as Klix are now beginning to offer drinks that may pose less danger to the heart, arteries and waistline.

As most students and office workers know, making healthy choices is a difficult task, especially when hungry. A morning spent in meetings and hours at the computer make a Mars Bar hard to avoid. For those office workers who don't have time to head to a restaurant for lunch or are working late, vending machines are their saviour.

In January 2005, the National Automatic Merchandising Association started a million-dollar campaign called "Balanced for Life." It highlights the need for a balanced diet and fitness focusing on nutrition in the workplace where vending sales are highest. According to NAMA, a large part of the campaign is to encourage vending and snack food leaders to develop healthier choices, which, so far, seems to be working.

However, even if there are healthier choices in vending machines, it is very easy to fall victim to a sugar craving. These lapses in judgement are why Dr. Kathy James at the University of San Diego says try not to skip meals, and if you need small snacks, choose peanuts or yogurt. "If you go to a machine and get a candy bar, it makes you quickly energetic, but an hour later you feel slumpy again."

Worlds Largest Vending Machines

Americans spend $21 billion a year on vending machine snacks but in Tokyo’s Harajuku district they have taken this to the next level. In this store, which isn't so much a store but a massive vending machine, it sells T-shirts crammed into tubes. Look at the pictures, insert the money and choose your t-shirt. No longer need annoying sales assistants!


Smart Car Vending Machine
Imagine yourself, credit card in hand, ready to fly across the Pacific and purchase your very first SMART Car from a vending machine.

However, you are then told it's just some advertisement. Sure, SMART Cars can't float but this was the promise of a car via a vending machine. I would have figured out a way to bring it home and make it work. To paraphrase the late, great comedian Mitch Hedberg "things are just better when they fall!".

Vending machines for many people are part of their daily diet as fast food joints.


Worlds Largest Vending Machine (Funny Video)


Japan Vending Machine

Vending Maching Surprize

With this vending machine, you just have no idea what you are going to get!

Cool Drink Machines

Looking for a cool drink machine for your kitchen, office, bar? Here are some very cool drink machine designs that are available to buy today.

Flavia Drink Machine is the most widely available

Golf Club Drink Dispenser

Everyone knows golf is a thirst-inducing sport so why not get equipped. Here is great way to keep hydrated on the golf course. The Club Champ Kooler Klub is a 48 ounce drink dispenser that looks like a golf club. The Club Champ fits in your golf bag ready to dispense any cold or hot beverage you can think of. Cleaner brush included. It costs $50. So if you are not a skilled golfer, put beer in the club. You might not hit anything, but you’ll have a smile on your face!

Choosing a Coffee Machine

For most people if not all, choosing a coffee machine can be a daunting task with so many factors to consider, such as price, brand, size, colour and many other details. So what should you look for in a coffee machine?

Coffee Machine Price
Two of the most important differentiators between coffee machines are size and brand. The price can range from 10 dollars to well over 100 dollars, with plenty in between. Like everything, keep in mind you get what you pay for.

However, this doesn’t mean that only $200 coffee machine brews good coffee, it only means that you should buy the best machine possible that is within your price range.

Coffee Machine Size
Another important factor to consider is how much coffee you plan to drink. If you drink a lot of coffee, or if several people will be sharing your coffee maker, you’ll want one with a large pot, to brew a large amount of coffee.

Another thing to take into account is how much shelf space you have, some brands take up a lot of space while other brands are more compact such as Flavia Coffee Machine and Mister Coffee.

Coffee Maker Brand
If you already have a variety of kitchen appliances, you probably have some brand that is your favourite and you think is reliable. When choosing a coffee machine, its best to go with one of the brands you are familiar with.

You might be able to save some money by going with a cheaper brand, but once again, you get what you pay for.

Automatic Coffee Machines for the home or office

With so many different coffee machines available to choose from, how do you choose the best coffee machine for you? Firstly and most importantly, you simply have to determine what sort of machine you need. Do you need a coffee machine for the home or for the office? There is a massive selection of different models and makes to choose from for both home or office use.

Whether you are making coffee for just a few of your friends at home or you are making coffee for the whole office, there is a coffee machine out there for you. However there is one type of coffee machine that makes quick coffee with little mess and maintenance...the automatic coffee machine.

The Automatic Coffee Machine

If you have a manual or semi-automatic coffee machine right now you will know of the time it takes to make coffee and the mess it creates. However, with an automatic coffee machine you are able to make more coffee in less time with less mess and maintenance. Everything that you have been looking for when it comes to a coffee machine can be found in the right automatic machine, so what are you waiting for?

There are many benefits of buying an automatic coffee machine. The most obvious is that you do not have to go through the process of grinding your own beans, dealing with a filter, or messing with water. Instead, all of this work is done for you, all you have to do is tell the machine to start brewing and the process begins. In just a few moments you can enjoy your coffee or you can enjoy serving it to others and you did not have to do anything for it! If you love drinking coffee this is an awesome benefit that you just cannot overlook.

Another benefit of owning an automatic coffee machine is that there is much less mess associated with it. When you have any other type of machine you have to measure the beans and put them into the grinder and then you take the ground beans and you put them into the machine along with water. Somewhere along the way you will undoubtedly spill something, making a mess that has to be cleaned up. When you are done with the brewing process you will also be required to remove a filter with any grounds, which is also likely to make a huge mess. When you have an automatic coffee machine you do not have to do any of this, in fact many of them are self cleaning, taking all of the work and mess out of the equation.

The automatic coffee machine is known for being very simple to maintain. These machines require very little care and when you do need to service them it is much easier to do so. With other machines you may simply end up throwing them away, assuming that you cannot fix a problem, but automatic machines are much easier to work with and when you need to have it serviced you can take it into someone who will be able to service it without a problem, which will save you both time and money.

Having an automatic coffee machine simply makes sense if you do not enjoy the process of brewing coffee. You have everything done for you and there is less work involved in enjoying your coffee. There are many different brand and models for you to choose from, you simply need to find the one that is right for you!

The Flavia Coffee Machine has become a very popular choice for both the home and the office coffee machine. The Flavia machine does not only brew coffee. You can purchase many different flavours of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, from indulgence drinks to wellbeing drinks so there's always a fresh taste sensation to discover, or a new mood inspiring flavour to savour.

Visit http://www.myflavia.com for more information and order your Flavia Coffee Machine.

Vending Machine Skirt Inspired by Japanese Ninja Assassins

You've heard of hiding in plain sight.Well, a fashion designer has come up with a more colourful way for worried women to blend into a busy street to elude a pursuer. We've had mini-skirts, skorts, pencils and midis. Now there's the vending machine skirt!

It's definitely not the real thing, but Aya Tsukioka's skirt doubles as a disguise to make the wearer look like a Coca Cola machine. Aya Tsukioka's skirt aims to make the wearer look like a Coca Cola vending machine. Ms Tsukioka, 29, unveiled her design in Tokyo by claiming she hopes it will help ease women's fear of crime.

She lifted a flap on the skirt to expose a large sheet of cloth printed with the familiar bright red Coca Cola logo. By unfolding the sheet and stepping to the side of the street, she showed how a woman walking alone could hide behind it to outfox a potential attacker. Aya Tsukioka unveils her design in Tokyo. She hopes it will help ease women's fear of crime

Her deluxe model even boasts four sides for a more complete cover.


The experimental clothes designer has already sold 20 of the £400 hand-sewn vending machine skirts and it hoping to market the design worldwide. She says the idea was inspired by a trick used by Japanese ninja assassins, who cloaked themselves in black blankets so they couldn't be seen at night. Tsukioka lifts a flap on the skirt to expose a large sheet of cloth printed with the familiar bright red Coca Cola logo

If the fizzy drink machine seems a little elaborate, not to mention impractical, she has also come up with the 'manhole bag' which is supposed to look like a sewer cover when you put it down so unwitting thieves walk right by without noticing it.

For children, she has a backpack that transforms into a fire hydrant. While British women might prefer to take self-defence classes, Ms Tsukioka said: "It is just easier for Japanese to hide. Making a scene would be too embarrassing."

She admits that making the switch from skirt to vending machine might prove a little tricky "especially when your hands are shaking".


But she told the New York Times: "These ideas might strike foreigners as far-fetched, but in Japan, they can become reality."

Tsukioka says the idea was inspired by a trick used by Japanese ninja assassins, who cloaked themselves in black blankets so they couldn't be seen at night.

Vender Bender

Do you love your vending machine so much that you would want to take a photograph of it every day? Probably not but this person does! He has a Flickr page page dedicated to his passion for vending machines.

Vending Machines High Growth Forecast

Reportlinker has announced that a new market research report related to vending machines is available in its catalogue and shows a high growth forecast which is great news for those in the vending business.

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Vending Machines in Millions of US$.

The specific product segments analyzed are Drink Vending Machines, Food Vending Machines, Cigarette Vending Machines, and Other Vending Machine (includes Insurance vending machines, fortune telling vending machines, car wash product vending machines, dollar bill changing machines, etc.)

The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2001 through 2015. The report profiles 176 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as American Vending Machines, Inc., Azkoyen SA, Coin Acceptors, Inc., Crane Merchandising Systems, Cubic Corp., Dixie-Narco, Inc., Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co., Ltd, Glory Ltd., Interlott, A GTECH Brand, Maas International, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Sanden Corp., Tomra Systems ASA, and Westomatic Vending Services Ltd.

Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.

View full vending report here

Ultimate Coffee Cup

Is this the ultimate coffee cup? Designer David Pier says so. He has designed this white porcelain cup and saucer to be the best around. The set is made from lead-free porcelain and is microwave and dishwasher safe. The saucers also double as lids. What makes this mug different is that it has an undulating rim designed to fit the rim better and prevent spills.

The oval body is meant to bring the centre of gravity closer to the hand. I am not sure whether or not it is the ultimate coffee cup but the design is very cool! It sells for $22 each.

View the ultimate Coffee Mug website

Mobile Espresso Bar

Kaffebilen is a mobile espresso bar who drives around in Oslo and sells coffee and some sandwiches to businesses and individuals. The car they use is only a little more than 3 meters long and 1 meter wide, but they have still managed to place a lot of coffee making machinery in this little fellow as these pictures show....