Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing items. The dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing outlet and an item holder having item holding areas and being movably disposed to position the item holding areas one at a time in sequence over the dispensing outlet so that when one of the item holding areas is positioned over the dispensing outlet, the other item holding areas are not disposed over the dispensing outlet. The dispensing apparatus further includes a blocker disposed over the item holder opposite the dispensing outlet, the blocker blocking access to the dispensing outlet from directly above the item holder when the item holder positions one of the item holding areas over the dispensing outlet.

Abstract: A pusher is disposed to drive material out of a dispensing outlet and extends into a first chamber that is configured to contain a hydraulic fluid disposed to drive the pusher. A second chamber is configured to exchange hydraulic fluid with the first chamber. A fluid control mechanism is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. Air under pressure is applied to urge a rapidly transforming material to flow toward one portion of a bifurcated chamber from another portion of the bifurcated chamber. The driven rapidly transforming material is allowed to drive a material from a dispensing outlet. At least a portion of the rapidly transforming material is caused to physically transform to a form that is more resistant to flowing. The dispensing outlet is caused to change position. At least a portion of the rapidly transforming material is caused to physically transform away from the form that is more resistant to flowing.