Abstract: A container includes a canister having an upper lip, and an operator having an operator main body. The operator has a gripping ring at one end that defines an operator upper lip and a container opening. The gripping ring outside diameter is greater than an outside diameter of the operator main body. The canister includes a helical grooved canister engagement feature which extends about the canister. The operator includes an operator engagement feature which is a longitudinal slot formed through the operator main body. A lift having a lift projection is received in the operator, and the operator main body is received within the canister, with the lift projection extending through the operator engagement feature and into the canister engagement feature. The gripping ring extends at least partially over the canister upper lip, and a lower edge of the gripping ring is located adjacent the canister upper lip.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a cabinet having at least one drawer with selectable access for storing items, such as medications. A slidable cover with a first opening allows for closure and/or access to items in an interior of the drawer. The cabinet further includes an actuator coupled to the cover and a controller coupled to the actuator to control movement of the first opening relative to the drawer interior in response to signals generated from a user interface.

Abstract: A dispensing system including a dispenser for dispensing a product and a waste receptacle for receiving a used product. A triggering connection is present between the dispenser and the waste receptacle. The triggering connection is suitable to trigger in response to a dispensing action an encouraging action of the waste receptacle to encourage use of the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A system and method for vending digital video discs is provided. A request is received from a user to complete a rental transaction for a first digital video disc. A database is queried to determine whether a quantity of a set of second digital video discs in a vending inventory exceeds a predetermined threshold. A discount offer notification is presented to the user to rent one of the set of second digital video discs, upon determining that the quantity of the set of second digital video discs exceeds the predetermined threshold. A second request from the user to rent one of the second set of digital video discs is received, and one of the set of second digital video discs is vended to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging beverage components and dispensing beverages are provided. Bag-in-box packages include connectors that contain rotary pumps. Each rotary pump includes a resiliently deformable housing and a rotor that form a plurality of chambers. The bag-in-box package may be incorporated into a dispenser system that includes a touch screen that allows users to input beverage selections.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the filling of a medication dispenser that comprises a first and a second container for receiving a strip of medication packages. In the method a taking time of the first medication package of the second strip inserted into the second container is compared with a taking time of the last medication package of the first strip inserted into the first container, in order to determine if the delivery of medication packages can be continued after the first strip with the second strip. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.

Abstract: An article vending machine in a network of article vending machines capable of exchanging an inoperable rental article received from a user for an operable replacement article. The article dispensing machine checks customer identification information against one or more customer rental criteria to determine if the customer is eligible to exchange an inoperable article for an operable one. The article vending machine searches for an identical replacement article within an inventory of the machine itself and within inventories of the networked article vending machines. Alternatively, the article vending machine may provide a refund for the inoperable article.

Abstract: A system for dispensing paper product at a food-selling establishment. The system includes a point-of-sale device for entering details of a particular sale transaction, with the point-of-sale device being configured to output a slip containing specific indicia associated with the particular sale transaction. A dispenser of paper product is configured to obtain information from the specific indicia on the slip and to dispense a predetermined quantity of paper product in response to the obtained information.

Abstract: A device having user-selectable content includes a storage having the capacity to store pre-loaded content and a controller. The controller is operative to manage access to the pre-loaded content, by way of limiting the access to a user-selected portion of the pre-loaded content. The controller limits access subject to and performed according to an indication of an initial purchase transaction. Also provided is a controller that includes a processing unit and an interface to a memory. The processing unit is operative to manage access to pre-loaded content stored on the memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a medical pill dispensing system. A method involves accessing a plan. The plan indicates a first pill distribution for a first period of time, and a second pill distribution for a second period of time. The method also involves receiving an input, where the input indicates a change to the plan. The input indicates at least one pill to be distributed in the first period of time. The method also involves determining whether to modify one or more of the first pill distribution or the second pill distribution. The method involves, in response to a determination that the second pill distribution is to be modified, modifying the plan to indicate a change in the second pill distribution.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cart having a computer and monitor, a work surface with pull out keyboard, and plural drawers arranged as a vertical series of cassettes that can be added as needed. The battery powered device uses software and pass codes for controlling access to each drawer, and requires a second pass code for any drawer designated to contain narcotics. Records can be kept of who dispenses what medication and when for each cart in a system of carts. The cart in the system is in wireless communication with a system administrator. Emails alerting the system administrator of low battery power, of a cart switching to off, of an attempted break-in, and of inventory and usage data are sent automatically by email.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including an organizer and dispensing units for medicines, vitamins and/or samples. The organizer includes seats in which to place the dispensing units. The apparatus includes an identification device connected to a data processing device and containing dispensing data on medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including detecting members controlled to a detecting state by detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device. The identification device is configured to be brought in connection with the organizer so that at least some of the detecting members are aligned with at least some of the seats of the organizer, wherein at least those dispensing units, which are aligned with at least one detecting member, can be identified by means of detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device.

Abstract: The present invention is a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Configuration of the rails facilitates bins of variable height.

Abstract: A method for queuing robots destined for a target location in an environment, includes determining if a first robot occupies the target location and if it is determined that the first robot occupies the target location, determining if a second robot destined for the target location has entered a predefined target zone proximate the target location. If the second robot has entered the predefined target zone, the method further includes navigating the second robot to a first queue location and causing the second robot to wait at the first queue location until the first robot no longer occupies the target location. The method also includes navigating the second robot to the target location after the first robot leaves the target location.

Abstract: A medication storage/dispenser unit comprises a processor connected to medication package storage compartments. The storage compartments comprise a medication package, and preferably may also include a content reader, a medication information reader, and a medication package indicator. The processor receives a medication request from the medical information system, receives content and other medication from the storage compartments, processes the information and automatically opens the appropriate compartment with the correct medication.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including an organizer and dispensing units for medicines, vitamins and/or samples. The organizer includes seats in which to place the dispensing units. The apparatus includes an identification device connected to a data processing device and containing dispensing data on medicines, vitamins and/or samples, including detecting members controlled to a detecting state by detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device. The identification device is configured to be brought in connection with the organizer so that at least some of the detecting members are aligned with at least some of the seats of the organizer, wherein at least those dispensing units, which are aligned with at least one detecting member, can be identified by means of detecting signals generated on the basis of dispensing data in the data processing device.

Abstract: A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. The cover is designed to block access to the compartment of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration. The switch is connected to the electric actuator, and when activated the switch selectively shorts the electric actuator. Sliding the drawer relative to the enclosure activates the switch.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a medication station and a controller responsive to patient admittance status information. The medication station includes at least one securable compartment configured to hold medication. The controller is configured to assign a patient to the at least one securable compartment such that medications for the patient are able to be placed into the at least one securable compartment. The controller is also configured to selectively permit access to the medications for the patient in the at least one securable compartment when the patient admittance status information indicates the patient is currently admitted, and restrict access to retrieval of the medications for the patient in the at least one securable compartment when the patient admittance status information indicates the patient is not currently admitted.

Abstract: An automated prescription dispensing system and method for facilitating dispensing of medications from an automated prescription dispenser designed for in-home use. The dispenser may connect to a remote patient monitoring center for monitoring of the patient's dispenser use and adherence to a medication regime. The dispenser may further connect to a remote medication operations center for monitoring replenishment of the patient's medications and to a remote medical center for monitoring the patient's reaction to medications and clinical signs. A connection to a data analytics center and analytical engine facilitates communications among and between the users and/or caregivers at the remote centers. The dispenser may be loaded with a standardized cartridge that is replenished according to the patient's needs. The dispenser is further equipped with a camera that allows a caregiver at the remote patient monitoring center to view the patient while the patient uses the dispenser.

Abstract: A pill dispensing assembly for dispensing a pill from a pill bottle includes a first layer having a pill exit passage. A second layer is operatively connected to the first layer, and includes a pill entry passage horizontally offset from the exit passage. A pill dispensing layer is positioned between the first and second layers, is movable with respect to the first and second layers, and includes a holding chamber sized to receive the pill. The holding chamber is horizontally movable from a first loading position in which the holding chamber is aligned with the entry passage and is horizontally offset from the exit passage to receive the pill, to a second dispensing position in which the holding chamber is aligned with the exit passage and is horizontally offset from the entry passage to dispense the pill through the exit passage. Pill dispensing may be timed or time monitored.