Abstract: Provided herein are textile items return systems including which are configured to identify the type and/or condition of a returned textile item. The systems include an image acquisition device configured to acquire image data of a returned textile item and identification module which is configured to receive the acquired image data and identify one or more item parameters of the returned textile item using a suitable classification algorithm. Further provided are textile items dispensing and return (TIDR) systems including the textile items return system.

Abstract: Provided herein are automated time and space efficient item dispensing systems having a plurality of storage compartments and one or more adjustable grippers, for fast and accurate automatic dispensing of items or sets of items.

Abstract: Provided herein are automated article dispensing systems having inventory management capabilities, and methods for managing inventory of articles in automated dispensing systems. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize an inventory management assembly which includes one or more sensors configured to detect directly or indirectly one or more parameters related to quality and/or quantity the articles and an inventory management processing module configured to compute inventory related data based at least on the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A side-grip method of grasping and moving textile items in a vending machine from the storage area to the dispensing chute that does not require the textile item to be packaged comprising: (a) providing a stack of folded and unwrapped textile items; (b) providing an article selection mechanism configured with a gripping element; (c) vertically displacing said gripping element until said gripping element reaches a level of a top textile item in said stack; and (d) closing said gripping element solely on said textile item. Disclosed also is a vending machine configured to implement such a method.

Abstract: A side-grip method of grasping and moving textile items in a vending machine from the storage area to the dispensing chute that does not require the textile item to be packaged comprising: (a) providing a stack of folded and unwrapped textile items; (b) providing an article selection mechanism configured with a gripping element; (c) vertically displacing said gripping element until said gripping element reaches a level of a top textile item in said stack; and (d) closing said gripping element solely on said textile item. Disclosed also is a vending machine configured to implement such a method.