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: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for securely 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 area dimensioned to receive one or more items, a laterally sliding access door configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser, and one or more locking mechanisms designed to inhibit unauthorized access to the interior of the housing. In various embodiments, the dispenser is configured to accept a storage cart, and includes a plurality of guide walls located within the housing and configured to facilitate positioning of the cart within the interior area of the housing.

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: 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 one or more items and a laterally sliding access door comprised of a flexible barrier configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser. In various embodiments, the dispenser also includes a biasing system configured bias the access door to a closed position.

Abstract: Improvements to increase the speed at which a vending machine can dispense articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine defines plural first arrays of receptacles for receiving articles with the first arrays stacked so that adjacent receptacles in the first arrays form second arrays. A separate user door closes each first array of receptacles, a slot door assembly provides a plurality of receptacle doors operative to open a particular receptacle when the user door is unlocked, and a slot access mechanism provides access to a particular receptacle. The machine waits a specified time period after dispensing to detect whether a subsequent user request is received. If a subsequent user request is received, the machine moves the slot access mechanism directly to a receptacle where the articles are available. Additional improvements include procedures for avoiding problems caused by misaligned doors and procedures for providing optimal article stocking.

Abstract: An item receiving apparatus that, in various embodiments, comprises: (1) a housing defining an interior storage area and an opening through which at least one item may be received for storage within the interior storage area; (2) an item support surface disposed adjacent the interior storage area for supporting one or more items as the items are stored within the interior storage area; (3) an item repositioning assembly disposed between the opening and the item support surface. The item receiving apparatus may be adapted to move the item repositioning assembly from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to the occurrence of a pre-determined event. The item repositioning assembly may be adapted to push one or more items within the storage area laterally away from at least a portion of the item repositioning assembly as the item repositioning assembly is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the wheel positioning assembly are adapted for facilitating the insertion of a cart into an enclosure. In certain embodiments, the cart comprises: (1) first and second fixed front wheels that are disposed adjacent opposite front lateral sides of the cart; and (2) first and second swiveled rear wheels disposed adjacent opposite lateral side of the cart. In various embodiments, the wheel positioning assembly comprises: (1) a first wheel guide for physically guiding the first, fixed front wheel into a desired first-front-wheel position in which the first front wheel is disposed within the dispenser and adjacent a first wheel barrier; and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the second rear wheel in a desired second-rear-wheel position within the dispenser. The first wheel barrier and the locking mechanism may selectively cooperate to physically prevent removal of the cart from the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of loading a cart into an enclosure, according to various embodiments of the invention, comprises the steps of: (A) providing a cart having a first end and a second end, the cart comprising at least one swiveled wheel adjacent the first end, and at least two non-swiveled wheels adjacent the second end, the swiveled and non-swiveled wheels being adapted to facilitate the rolling movement of the cart over a surface; (B) positioning the at least two non-swiveled wheels on a wheeled platform so that the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform; and (C) while the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform, and while the at least one swiveled wheel is disposed on a support surface adjacent an interior portion of the enclosure, using the wheeled platform and the at least one swiveled wheel to roll the cart into the interior portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: Improvements to increase the speed at which a vending machine can dispense articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine defines plural first arrays of receptacles for receiving articles with the first arrays stacked so that adjacent receptacles in the first arrays form second arrays. A separate user door closes each first array of receptacles, a slot door assembly provides a plurality of receptacle doors operative to open a particular receptacle when the user door is unlocked, and a slot access mechanism provides access to a particular receptacle. The machine waits a specified time period after dispensing to detect whether a subsequent user request is received. If a subsequent user request is received, the machine moves the slot access mechanism directly to a receptacle where the articles are available. Additional improvements include procedures for avoiding problems caused by misaligned doors and procedures for providing optimal article stocking.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the wheel positioning assembly are adapted for facilitating the insertion of a cart into an enclosure. In certain embodiments, the cart comprises: (1) first and second fixed front wheels that are disposed adjacent opposite front lateral sides of the cart; and (2) first and second swiveled rear wheels disposed adjacent opposite lateral side of the cart. In various embodiments, the wheel positioning assembly comprises: (1) a first wheel guide for physically guiding the first, fixed front wheel into a desired first-front-wheel position in which the first front wheel is disposed within the dispenser and adjacent a first wheel barrier; and (2) a locking mechanism for selectively maintaining the second rear wheel in a desired second-rear-wheel position within the dispenser. The first wheel barrier and the locking mechanism may selectively cooperate to physically prevent removal of the cart from the enclosure.

Abstract: A dispenser having an interior portion that is dimensioned for receiving a wheeled cart that is configured for storing items to be dispensed from the dispenser. The cart may, for example, be supported by at least two non-swiveled wheels disposed adjacent a first end of the cart and at least one swiveled wheel disposed adjacent a second end of the cart. In particular embodiments, the dispenser includes a pivotable wheel support that is adapted for: (A) supporting the cart's non-swiveled wheels; and (B) while supporting these non-swiveled wheels in respective, substantially fixed positions relative to the pivotable wheel support, pivoting from: (1) a first position in which the cart is positioned outside the dispenser; to (2) a second position in which the cart is positioned within the dispenser's interior. This may assist in loading the cart into the dispenser.

Abstract: A method of loading a cart into an enclosure, according to various embodiments of the invention, comprises the steps of: (A) providing a cart having a first end and a second end, the cart comprising at least one swiveled wheel adjacent the first end, and at least two non-swiveled wheels adjacent the second end, the swiveled and non-swiveled wheels being adapted to facilitate the rolling movement of the cart over a surface; (B) positioning the at least two non-swiveled wheels on a wheeled platform so that the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform; and (C) while the non-swiveled wheels are supported by the wheeled platform, and while the at least one swiveled wheel is disposed on a support surface adjacent an interior portion of the enclosure, using the wheeled platform and the at least one swiveled wheel to roll the cart into the interior portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: A cart positioning assembly that is adapted for guiding a wheeled cart into a desired target cart position within an enclosure (e.g., a dispenser) by engaging a body portion of the cart and thereby guiding the movement of the body portion as the cart moves into the target cart position. In particular embodiments: (1) the cart includes at least one front fixed wheel and at least one swiveled rear wheel; (2) the front fixed wheel is in a target fixed-wheel position when the cart is in the target cart position; (3) the swiveled rear wheel is in a target swiveled-wheel position when the cart is in the target cart position; (4) the cart positioning assembly is adapted to facilitate a sliding movement of the fixed wheel into the target fixed-wheel position; and (5) the cart positioning assembly is adapted to facilitate a rolling movement of the swiveled wheel into the target swiveled-wheel position.

Abstract: An item receiving apparatus that, in various embodiments, comprises: (1) a housing defining an interior storage area and an opening through which at least one item may be received for storage within the interior storage area; (2) an item support surface disposed adjacent the interior storage area for supporting one or more items as the items are stored within the interior storage area; (3) an item repositioning assembly disposed between the opening and the item support surface. The item receiving apparatus may be adapted to move the item repositioning assembly from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to the occurrence of a pre-determined event. The item repositioning assembly may be adapted to push one or more items within the storage area laterally away from at least a portion of the item repositioning assembly as the item repositioning assembly is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: A compact automated dispenser for quickly and quietly dispensing hospital linens or other items while tracking the dispenser's inventory. The dispenser preferably includes a flexible “roll-up door” that opens by rolling onto a door support, such as a roller, within the top portion of the dispenser. This makes it possible to open the door without swinging the door outwardly from the front surface of the dispenser. Alternatively, the door may be mounted on tracks to slide into the dispenser when the door is opened. A control system controls access to items within the dispenser, and closes the door automatically in response to one or more predetermined events. Such predetermined events include: (1) the passage of a pre-determined period of time; (2) a user activating a “close door” button; or (3) a sensor failing to detect the presence of a user within the proximity of the dispenser for a pre-determined period of time.

Abstract: A reduced friction, quiet, flexible door for use with dispensers and enclosures such as garages and warehouses. The door preferably comprises a first slat, a second slat, and one or more flexible elongate members for maintaining the first slat relative to the second slat so that when the flexible door is in a closed position, the first slat is spaced apart from the second slat. The door is preferably also configured to maintain the first slat relative to the second slat so that the first slat does not contact the second slat as the door is moved between an open and a closed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the door comprises three or more slats that are linked together so that they do not substantially engage each other while the door is closed or while the door is being moved between an open and a closed position.