Abstract: A dispenser for wrapped straws has a housing with a hopper with upright plates forming parts of reciprocating assemblies that move outwardly when a front actuator engages a cam plate for axial movement. A composite plunger assembly travels on the cam plate. The plunger assembly has multiple spring loaded ejector members. When the cam plate is advanced one of the ejector members will encounter a straw in the hopper which is by chance positioned to be advanced through an outlet opening. The other ejector members, encountering straws not well positioned for ejection, will be depressed, but will not dispense a straw. A user extracts the one partially protruding straw and returns the cam plate to its initial position which causes the reciprocating assemblies to return to a central position, thereby shuffling the wrapped straws and presenting them again to the plunger assembly for the next dispensing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a wet wipe packaging body are designed to improve use quality as to press resistance application member against front surface of wet wipe stacked body at all times when bulk of wet wipe stacked body in bag body is reduced. Exemplary embodiments of the wet wipe packaging body include an outlet port frame body for wet wipes that pulled out from an opening portion provided in a bag body. A resistance application member, which is biased in direction in which resistance is applied to the wet wipe continuous body, is provided on an outlet port side of the outlet port frame body, and lower surface side of outlet port frame body is attached on an outer surface side of bag body so as to surround an opening portion of the bag body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for counting a plurality of objects and parsing the objects into groups of varying quantities. In various embodiments, the system includes a singulating and counting module operable to singulate and count a plurality of objects from a large volume of the objects. Additionally, the system includes a diverter and accumulator module operable to receive the singulated objects, parse the objects into groups of varying quantities, and direct each group into a selected one of a plurality of discharge funnels. Furthermore, the system includes an object collection module operable to position a plurality of object collection receptacles adjacent the discharge funnels such that each group of objects is deposited into a respective corresponding one of the object collection receptacles.

Abstract: A soft good dispensing device includes a loading zone, one or more rollers, and a cutting mechanism. The loading zone is configured to receive a soft good supply. The one or more rollers are configured to automatically unwind a desired quantity of a soft good from the soft good supply. The cutting mechanism is configured to automatically separate the desired quantity of the soft good from the soft good supply. The cutting mechanism includes a rotary cutting blade and a rotatable key. The rotary cutting blade is configured to cut the soft good as the rotary cutting blade travels relative to an unwound portion of the soft good. The rotatable key is coupled to the rotary cutting blade and operable to extend the rotary cutting blade from the cutting mechanism and retract the cutting blade into the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A product dispenser is configured to dispense products subject to a warning and products not subject to a warning, the product dispenser further configured to transmit a product warning notice only in response to a request to dispense a product subject to the warning. In another embodiment, a product dispenser is configured to dispense a food or beverage product and provide information indicative of an attribute of the food or beverage product, such as nutrition facts, as it is being dispensed. In another embodiment, a product dispenser is configured to enable a user to request a customized product from the product dispenser, to determine a first profile for the customized product blend, compare the first profile to a second profile, and reformulate the customized product blend to a dispensed product blend comprising a third profile approximating the second idealized profile.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses an automated dispensing device to dispense pharmaceuticals into containers. The automated dispensing device is configured with a filling cabinet that stores and dispenses measured quantities of pharmaceuticals and is further configured to stage measured quantities of pharmaceuticals in buffer tubes to enable efficient fulfillment of the pharmaceutical orders. Containers may be disposed on a pallet which may be moved within an automated dispensing device to place the containers under buffer tubes to receive measured quantities of pharmaceuticals from the buffer tubes into appropriate containers in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus having a lower housing having an opening, and a reservoir piece seated inside the lower housing and having a containing section that holds at least one item to be dispensed, the containing section having an enclosing wall, a base and an opening provided in the enclosing wall that communicates with the interior of the containing section. A biasing element is positioned between the base of the reservoir piece and the lower housing, with the biasing element normally biasing the reservoir piece to a non-dispensing position where the openings are not aligned. The apparatus also has an upper housing, and the upper housing and lower housing can be squeezed together to cause the reservoir piece to move downwardly against the normal bias of the biasing element, so as to align the openings to arrive at a dispensing position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to dispense the combined recipe.

Abstract: Embodiments include environmentally adaptive olfactory generation systems and methods and computer program products for operating the same. Aspects include receiving a desired concentration of an olfactory stimulant, receiving a detected concentration of the olfactory stimulant from an olfactory stimulant sensor, and receiving one or more environmental factors from an environmental sensor. Aspects also include comparing the detected concentration of the olfactory stimulant with the desired concentration of the olfactory stimulant and adjusting a dispensing characteristic of an olfactory stimulant emitter based on the comparison and the one or more environmental factors.

Abstract: A self-contained pill dispenser is disclosed. A housing is provided and a hopper for containing a plurality of pills is supported by the housing. A transport tube receives pills from the hopper. The transport tube has a controllable aperture for facilitating or inhibiting delivery of pills to the transport tube. A microcontroller is also operatively connected to the hopper, the transport tube, and the input aperture. Optionally, a feed chute can be operatively connected between the hopper and the transport tube. The system can self-calibrate the mechanism for counting and dispensing pills by dynamically adjusting the input aperture based upon the stored information representative of the pulse width signal and the amplitude signal.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for dispensing measurement strips is presented having a strip cartridge with an enclosure for retaining a plurality of measurement strips and a dispensing slot for dispensing one measurement strip at a time, a spring rotatably arranged with respect to the strip cartridge, the spring comprising at least one engagement section adapted to engage one of the measurement strips at a time and move it out of the dispensing slot when the spring is rotated, and a guide slot arranged in the strip cartridge for guiding the engagement section of the spring as the spring is rotated.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a computer-implemented method can include receiving, at a computing device, a beacon signal including a vending device identifier and sending, to a cloud-based vending service, the vending device identifier. The method can further include receiving, from the cloud-based vending service, an indication of at least one product available for purchase from the vending device and receiving, at the computing device, an indication of a selected product of the at least one product available for purchase. The method can also include sending, to the cloud based service, a request to purchase the selected product and receiving, from the cloud-based vending service, a purchase token for the selected product. The method can still further include sending, to the vending device, the purchase token and receiving, from the vending device, an acknowledgment that the purchase token has been used to purchase the selected product.

Abstract: An example robot includes movable members, a hydraulic system including at least (i) hydraulic actuators configured to operate the movable members, and (ii) a source of hydraulic fluid, and a controller. The controller may be configured to: determine a task to be performed by the robot, where the task includes a plurality of phases; cause hydraulic fluid having a first pressure level to flow from the source to the hydraulic actuators for the robot to perform a first phase of the plurality of phases of the task; based on a second phase of the task, determine a second pressure level for the hydraulic fluid; and adjust, based on the second pressure level, operation of the hydraulic system before the robot begins the second phase of the task.

Abstract: The present invention is a kiosk that can regulate, control and distributing authorized products. The kiosk has a user interface that receives information about a user and authenticates the user's identity. The kiosk can accept a user's request to purchase a regulated product. The kiosk can then a regulator the user's request for approval and deliver the product to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a likely misuse of a medicament by a user. The system includes a computer communicatively coupled with a dispensing device. The computer receives a usage pattern of a medicament by the user as indicated by the dispensing device and a result of a test correlating with an actual consumption of the medicament by the user. Based on the usage pattern, the computer computes an estimated result of a test corresponding to the at least one predetermined test. Based on a comparison between the estimated result and the test result, a determination is made as to whether the user has likely misused the medicament.

Abstract: A medication storage and dispensing workstation for use in a medication management system administering the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a healthcare environment is disclosed. The workstation incorporates a linear drawer assembly having a plurality of discrete, removable, storage modules for containing medications and/or other medical supplies. The storage modules are arranged in a linear array extending longitudinally along the travel path of the linear drawer assembly. Each storage module, in turn, comprises a drawer that is extensible laterally relative to the linear arrangement of the storage modules. As such, the drawer assemblies comprise a compartmentalized “drawer-in-drawer” arrangement that provides an efficient use of storage space and enables a user to utilize the workstation in a workspace having a smaller footprint that traditional storage cabinet apparatus.

Abstract: A cigarette dispensing device includes a case provided with a lid including a closure element controlled by an electric actuator, an electronic plate, and a rechargeable battery for powering the electronic plate and the electric actuator. The opening of the case is actuated using an application installed on a mobile terminal. The application is designed to: receive a request for the remote opening of the case from the user; establish a variable delay time between the case opening request from the user and the transmission of an opening command to the case via a wireless communication; and, during the variable delay time, transmit an information message to the screen of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An ADA compliant vending machine ensures provides a user control for entering an ADA mode, and displays all user-actuated vend transaction controls below a first specified height when operating in the ADA mode. A delivery bucket surface on which vended products are supported moves between a lowered position below a second specified height and a raised position above the second specified height in coordinate operation with opening of the delivery bin door. Products are dropped below the second specified height during delivery but are raised above that height for customer retrieval. Mechanical force required to open the delivery bin door is less than five pounds, even with closing of anti-pilfer flaps also being coordinated with opening of the delivery bin door.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimizing a value of a dispensing parameter of a product dispenser based at least in part on product usage data. The dispensing parameter may include any suitable adjustable parameter of the product dispenser including, but not limited to, a dispense duration, a volume of product (e.g., a shot size), a sheet length, a capability of a user sensor to distinguish between genuine and false triggers of the sensor, a delay setting that specifies a delay time between successive dispenses, or the like. The value of the dispensing parameter may be optimized to align an actual performance outcome with a target performance outcome. The target performance outcome may include, for example, minimizing product usage per user, maximizing user sensor reliability (e.g., a percentage of dispenses that occur in response to genuine user-initiated triggering events), and so forth.

Abstract: An apparatus at a dispensary where herbal products are sold to a consumer who has authorization to use the herbal products. The present invention fulfills in an innovative way four requirements for such a dispensary: (a) a safe to store all herbal products in a secure manner; (b) a user friendly display where different variations and quantities of herbal products are securely displayed with advisory information on each displayed product; (c) a series of electronic scales inside locked compartments to accurately weigh the amount of herbal products contained in the apparatus; and (d) an accurate inventory control system connected to a computer that uses data points received from the scales housed in the interior of the apparatus and gives real-time inventory measurements.