Abstract: A method of administering medication. Medication is stored in a plurality of drawers wherein each of the plurality of drawers includes a drawer electrical connector, a medication conveyor, and a non-volatile read/write memory to store data about the drawer. A drawer of the plurality of drawers is inserted into a receptacle of a housing, wherein the receptacle is one of a plurality of receptacles, and the housing also includes a plurality of housing electrical connectors corresponding to the plurality of receptacles, wherein one of the housing electrical connectors is coupled to the electrical connector of the drawer when the drawer is inserted in the receptacle.

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 dispenser for balancing weights for vehicles comprises a plurality of dispenser modules. The dispenser modules have a cartridge with at least two compartments for storing balancing weights. Each compartment has at least one retrieval opening. A cartridge actuator moves the cartridge linearly along a first axis, such that a retrieval feed opening is positioned above a slider feed opening in the dispenser module. A slider, which is operated by a slider actuator along a second axis, parallel to the first axis, has a balancing weight compartment, which can be moved under the slider feed opening, such that a balancing weight may drop from the cartridge into the compartment. The compartment is then moved to a picking tray in which the balancing weight is delivered to a handling device for placing the balancing weight to a wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for managing packing containers for shipping items. A system obtains a container dimension of a container and an item dimension of an item to be shipped in the container. The system determines a target amount of dunnage based at least upon the container dimension and item dimension, the dunnage being configured to be packed into the container to protect the item during shipment, the dunnage being dispensed by a dispenser. The system instructs the dispenser to dispense the target amount of dunnage for the container.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array system includes a plurality of separate bins, with each bin defined by a housing having a defined first internal space for receipt of first stack of interconnected lottery tickets and a removable first front panel. A plurality of different sized bin inserts are also provided, with each bin insert insertable into the bin housings and defining a second internal space that is less than the first internal space of the housing for receipt of a second stack of lottery tickets having a lesser individual length than the first stack of lottery tickets. A second front panel is associated with each of the bin inserts. Upon removal of the first front panel, one of the different sized bin inserts and associated second front panel are configured with the bin to convert the bin for dispensing of different sized lottery tickets.

Abstract: A vending machine is provided. The vending machine includes a number of bins, with each bin sized to contain a consumable product. The vending machine also includes a consumable product collection area, with the consumable product collection area accessible by a vending machine user. A conveyor communicates at least a portion of each of the bins, with the conveyor positioned to receive the consumable product from the bin and transport the consumable product to the consumable product collection area. The vending machine also includes an interface structured to receive a currency from the vending machine user to purchase at least one of the consumable products and a controller that activates the conveyor to transport the consumable product to the consumable product collection area.

Abstract: An automated dispenser for straws is provided with a housing, a hopper, and a guide tray. The housing has a dispensing slot in an anterior outer wall. The hopper has an upper section with transverse walls and longitudinal walls which converge to define a stacking slot and a substantially horizontal support to support straws beneath the stacking slot. An anterior inner wall, longitudinally extending channel, and posterior wall span the longitudinal walls. The anterior inner wall has an ejection opening and the posterior wall has an access opening each of which adjoin the longitudinally extending channel. A support member and pressing foot within the stacking slot can translate longitudinally and pass through both the ejection opening and the access opening. A guide tray, disposed below the ejection opening, has a location zone, a posterior wall, and an anterior wall. The guide tray urges straws into the dispensing slot projecting upwardly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for controlling access to product, such as but not limited to bottles, housed within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an opening having a contour that generally mirrors the shape and/or dimensions of the product stored within the dispenser plus a relatively small amount of clearance and also includes a tunnel within the interior of the device. The configuration of the opening and/or the tunnel feature prevents a user from accessing product stored behind the opening within the dispenser. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a pusher system that provides a time delay between the dispensing of products into a receiving area.

Abstract: A pill dispensing system that includes pill packages that can be used to dispense pills manually or with a dispenser system to provide enhanced functionality. The packages can be provided with information relating to the packaged pills or to the use of the packaged pills. By reading the information from the package, the dispenser system can know what is in the package, when it is to be taken and can understand and track inventory. The dispenser system provides reminders of when the pills should be taken. The dispenser system may have the ability to key a specific electronic device, such as a cell phone, to a specific user and the dispenser system may require the electronic device to be within proximity of the dispenser system before dispensing pills for that user.

Abstract: A smart carrier has a housing comprising one or more docking locations configured to accept a secure receptacle, a wireless interface module disposed within the housing, and a processor disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the one or more docking locations and the wireless interface module. The processor is configured to communicate with an external device through the wireless interface module and with a secure receptacle that is mated with one of the one or more docking locations. The smart carrier also has a battery disposed within the housing and configured to provide all operational power to the processor, the wireless interface module, and the one or more docking locations.

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 sequentially position each one of 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: Medication dispensing system for remote monitoring of the daily dispensing of medication and pre/post dispense monitoring of medication effected physiological functions is disclosed. In one embodiment a dispensing unit equipped with weight sensing mechanism such as scale or balance communicates with a monitoring application residing in a wireless terminal. The monitoring application provides supervision over a medication dispensing process.

Abstract: Modular vending machine systems provide for reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules. In some embodiments, the modular vending machine systems comprise one or more modular vending machines and product dispensing modules that may be releasably mounted using module holder structures of the modular vending machines. In some embodiments, a central controller device may be used for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines, product dispensing modules, and/or docking stations.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for modular vending systems utilizing reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules comprising a vertical conveyor and a mounting structure for releasably engaging with module holder structures of modular vending machines, and a central controller device for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines.

Abstract: A system for verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred to a process. The system includes a conduit that extends through a mouth of the container. The conduit is supported by an arm that moves between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth, and a second position in which the conduit is removed and moved away from the mouth. A reading device extracts information about the container from an information storage element. A computer program receives input regarding the extracted information, receives input regarding the process, and determining whether the container is correct for the process. The program prevents the arm from moving to the first position, and only if the container is determined to be correct does the program allow the arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include earplug dispensers that may comprise a rotating cam assembly operable to dispense one or more earplug to a user when a knob is rotated by the user. In some embodiments, the cam assembly may comprise and upper cam layer and a lower cam layer attached via clips to the rotating knob. Upon rotation of the knob, the upper cam layer may cause the earplugs to fall through one or more cavities to the lower cam layer. The lower cam layer may comprise a pushing structure operable to move the earplugs, upon rotation of the knob, within the lower cam layer to fall down through an opening in the dispenser. In some embodiments, the earplugs may fall through an opening in the rotating knob.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive a plurality of items and an access assembly configured to prevent unauthorized user access to the interior portion of the dispenser while providing selective access to certain items in response to input received from an authorized user. According to various embodiments, the access assembly comprises a pair of flexible barriers coupled to a sliding door assembly, which includes one or more lockable access doors. Together, the door assembly and flexible barriers prevent access to the interior of the dispenser when in a locked configuration and permit access to certain items when in an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include a controller configured to communicate with a data processing resource, determine that a recipe database update for a recipe of at least one beverage is available at the data processing resource, receive the recipe database update from the data processing resource, and update the recipe of the at least one beverage in a recipe database associated with the product dispenser, wherein an updated recipe comprises an ingredient identifier and an ingredient ratio for an ingredient associated with the ingredient identifier.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system for applying custom branded tape to packages that are shipped from a multi-seller materials handling facility. In some implementations, a materials handling facility may store, process and ship items for multiple sellers. As items are packed for shipping, a tape dispensing device may dispense custom branded tape associated with the seller of the item(s) being packed such that the sellers brand, logo or other information is presented on the exterior of the container.

Abstract: A portable self medication management system and method of provided. For example, the system may include a removable tote and docking station. The removable tote including a plurality of receptacles, communicating section for transferring data to and from a docking station and a power reception station for receiving power from the docking station. The docking station including a scanner, a display screen, a controller, a storage device, communicating sections for transmitting data to the removable tote and other external devices and a power transmitting section for transferring power to the removable tote.