Abstract: A product dispensing system is provided. The product dispensing system includes an enclosure and a plurality of removable merchandise retainers positioned within the enclosure. The enclosure defines a secured retail storage area and an unsecured retail storage area. The product dispensing system also includes a customer accessible selector for selecting an item of retail merchandise carried by one of the merchandise retainers. Upon selection, depression of an actuator of the selector will bias the item of retail merchandise from the secured retail storage area to the unsecured retail storage area.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.

Abstract: A condiment packet dispenser that includes a cylindrical shaped housing containing an open top with a plurality of radially partitioned chambers. Each chamber contains a cylindrical shaped container that stores individual condiment packets in a radial manner. The dispenser is operated by pushing a button which sends a signal to a motor control board. The motor control board powers a motor having a spur gear which turns the selected condiment container until the condiment packet is aligned with a drop chute. The packet then falls thru the drop chute and is available for picking up by the customer. There is also a cylindrical shaped top lid which is removable when new condiments need to be loaded to replenish the dispenser. The condiment dispenser sits on top of a base stand that may either be rigidly mounted or may be rotated to choose a condiment.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a product detection system for signaling a vending controller that a selected product has released from a product support shelf. The vending machine includes a product delivery device that, upon initiation of a vending operation, transports the selected product from the product support shelf towards a delivery area. Upon initiation of a vending operation, a motor moves a product delivery device to a position adjacent the selected product. A dispensing mechanism then releases the selected product which falls into the delivery device, imparting a downward force which is sensed at the motor. A sensor detects the downward force and signals the vending controller that the product has been received by the product delivery device. At this point, the vending controller continues with the vending operation.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and at least one vacuum source. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles and a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper chamber. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet defining a dispensing flow path therebetween. The vacuum source is adapted to provide a vacuum pressure and induce a gas flow in the housing. The apparatus is configured to generate a forward drive gas flow from the vacuum pressure and induced gas flow, and the forward drive gas flow conveys articles through the dispensing channel along the dispensing flow path in a direction from the inlet to the outlet to dispense the articles.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, utilizes a centralized, robotic gantry associated with companion modules for vending a plurality of selectable products. The modularized design enables deployment of half-sized or larger, full sized machines. The robotic gantry is deployed in a centralized module disposed adjacent display and inventory modules. Inventory modules can be fitted to both gantry sides, and doors can be fitted to the gantry front or rear. The gantry comprises an internal, vertically displaceable elevator utilizing a central conveyor for laterally, horizontally moving selected items from associated display and inventory positions to a vending position. Computerized software enables the display and vending functions, and controls elevator movement to dispense products from twin sides of the gantry by appropriately controlling the conveyor.

Abstract: A medication delivering device includes a delivering unit and a negative pressure unit. The delivering unit includes a cylinder, a retractable part and a tip element. The cylinder has a first opening and a second opening. The retractable part connects the cylinder with the tip element. The tip element has a first end, a second end and a channel. The first end passes through the first opening and is received within the cylinder. The second end is located at an outlet of a pill container. The channel penetrates from the first end to the second end to link with the interior of the cylinder. The negative pressure unit connects to the second opening for providing negative pressure to the interior of the cylinder and the channel of the tip element, so that the tip element sucks up a pill on the outlet of the pill container.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a consumer through a vending machine transaction. The system and method include a UI guide comprising visual cues to direct a consumer to insert a minimum amount of money, make a production selection and confirm the product selection. The system and method provide for the consumer to cancel the transaction and request that return of inserted coins.

Abstract: An object is to provide a medicine supply apparatus capable of reducing a time required for charging medicines without causing any trouble during counting of the medicines, the apparatus comprises: a discharge drum which discharges the medicines from a tablet case; a medicine detecting sensor which detects the medicines discharged from the tablet case, and a control device, and this control device controls a rotating motor for rotating the discharge drum to discharge the medicines from the tablet case, counts the discharged medicines based on a detecting operation of the medicine detecting sensor, and changes a discharge speed of the medicine by the discharge drum depending on a type of medicine in the tablet case.

Abstract: A vibration-assisted ejection cassette includes: outer plates 11 which align PTP-packaged drugs 20 for storage; a top frame 12 which is provided above an open front and which prevents accommodated drugs from being falling forward; an inner plate 13 which carries the accommodated drugs and advances the drugs when vibrated; and a vibrating member 15 which vibrates the inner plate 13. Thereby, vibration is exploited to maintain the drugs 20 in alignment with each other, advance the drugs while maintaining the drugs in alignment and eject them one by one. Additionally, a retention member 18 for retaining an ejected drug is provided in front of the open front. A control circuit 17 activates or stops activating the vibrating member 15 in accordance with whether or not an ejection detecting member detects that a drug is being retained. In this way, it is ensured that drugs are either manually picked up one by one or ejected by an automatic mechanism in an equally easy and stable manner.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second release mechanisms mounted to front portions of adjacent shelf dividers extending along a product shelf and establishing a product queue. A product transport system is arranged in the cabinet to carry a selected product container from the product queue towards a delivery chamber. A drive mechanism, operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms, is mounted to an underside of the product shelf to simultaneously shift the first and second release mechanisms in order to release a selected product to the product transport system.

Abstract: A self-contained, fully automated system for dispensing medicants into vials. Prescriptions are entered using a built-in workstation. Vials of several sizes are each contained in preloaded cassettes. Upon command from a computer, a vial is released and labeled with the prescription information. A robotic system moves the labeled vial to the output chute of one of many automated dispensing units that has previously been commanded to count a predetermined number of tablets, pills, or capsules. The filled vial is robotically moved to an optional capping station where a cap is applied if needed. The vial is then moved to an output region where it is sorted with other prescriptions for a customer. The prescription may be checked using the built-in computer workstation. Optionally, the automated dispensing system may be linked to pharmacy control software.

Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Abstract: This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated positioning system, catcher and trays for improved efficiency in product retrieval and delivery. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports the catcher through the X-Y plane to the front of a tray queue containing the selected product. The catcher is extended in the Z-direction, and lifts the foremost product container from the queue, moving one or more gates out of the way. The catcher then retracts, closing the gate, and the positioning system transports the catcher carrying the product container to a delivery port. The catcher then releases the product container which slides into a delivery port for customer pick up. Unique product storage trays are provided which work in conjunction with the catcher to allow only the foremost product to be removed from a tray queue. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second release mechanisms mounted to front portions of adjacent shelf dividers extending along a product shelf and establishing a product queue. A product transport system is arranged in the cabinet to carry a selected product container from the product queue towards a delivery chamber. A drive mechanism, operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms, is mounted to an underside of the product shelf to simultaneously shift the first and second release mechanisms in order to release a selected product to the product transport system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a candy storage and dispenser device. A multi-compartment dispensing device offers a unique device for storing and dispensing candy. Accordingly, multiple types and/or colors of candy may be contained in a transparent housing to create a very colorful presentation. Any number of candy types, including powdered, beads, pellets and the like, may be stored and dispensed with the multi-compartment device. The compartments are joined by a series of apertures which may, or may not, be regulated by a movable barricade. Then, when desired, the multiple candies are dispensed through the series of compartment apertures and a dispensing aperture. One version comprises a flute-shaped device having an operational mouthpiece.

Abstract: An article transfer device which transfers articles using hanger rods each of which includes helical ridges or helical grooves, wherein the article transfer device can ensure the sufficient number of articles to be suspended even when a depth of a housing is narrowed and, at the same time, can facilitate the observation of a front surface of each article. An article transfer device includes a plurality of hanger rods each of which forms helical ridges thereon and has a length sufficient to allow the suspending of a plurality of articles therefrom, a driver which rotates the respective hanger rods on the respective axes thereof, and a housing which accommodates the respective hanger rods, and the driver therein, wherein the respective hanger rods have axes thereof arranged obliquely with respect to the front-to-rear direction of the housing.

Abstract: An automated system for dispensing condiment packets includes a magazine for storing a stack of condiment packets and a dispenser for metering out those condiment packets. Multiple magazines and dispensers can be combined in a single condiment delivery assembly, thereby providing the means for dispensing a variety of condiment flavors. The delivery assembly can be incorporated into a fast food vending machine or can be designed as a standalone unit.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors,” which drive tension elements that position horizontally and vertically sliding components. A separation and selection system uses a “rotator” to release a product from a tray and a “gate” to separate the products into two columns on the tray. A “lever” mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. When a “cup” engages the “lever” moving to the right, a product from the left side of the display tray is pushed into the “cup” and vice versa. Adjustable side walls in each tray accommodate different sized packages. The delivery mechanism uses the “cup” for transport. A lower surface of the cup engages a sliding “door” to a balanced delivery “port” for delivery of product from the cup to the port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending products, and particularly beverage containers, of varied sizes, shapes and configurations. The products to be vended are aligned in selectable ordered queues within a vending machine that can include a transparent front panel. A container release assembly is positioned at the end of the vend queue to vend a container upon activation. The container release assembly acts on the first-in-line container to be vended and on the second-in-line container, by retaining the second-in-line container while the first is being released. The container release assembly acts on the containers from two opposite sides of the containers.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: A high capacity document sheet processor combines significant speed and efficiency enhancing improvements in existing approaches to stack feeding particularly in the stack loading, feeding and singulating functions with novel operational arrangements adaptable to a universal paper handling and envelope inserting system.

Abstract: A magazine vending machine provides a plurality of vending mechanisms in a series of rows and columns in a glass front cabinet. Each vending mechanism includes a magazine dispensing mechanism for individually dispensing customer selected magazines and a pusher plate assembly that can be locked in a rear most loading position to allow the operator to fill each vending mechanism with magazines. The magazine dispensing mechanism includes a microprocessor and sensor arrangement which determines the height of magazine dispensed from the magazine vending mechanism and makes adjustments to the magazine dispensing mechanism operation according to the height of the magazine.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing items from a plurality of horizontally arranged helical coils including a single dispenser for actuating for rotational movement of a selected helical coil. The machine includes, in a first embodiment, a horizontally positioned threaded bar on which is mounted the dispenser wherein rotation of the threaded horizontal bar re-positions the dispenser along a Y axis. A pair of vertical bars, a first vertical bar having a threaded exterior, rotation of the threaded vertical bar re-positions the horizontal bar with the following dispenser. Light emitters, positioned adjacent each helical coil, signal a receiver mounted on the dispenser assembly for positioning the dispenser in a pre-determined position. Once in position, dispenser is urged from a normal position out of engagement with any helical coil to an second position in engagement with a selected helical coil for actuation of the selected helical coil vending the selected article.

Abstract: In an article providing apparatus, a storage rack (11) has at a front face thereof a loading portion for loading articles into the storage rack. A conveying robot (12) is movable right and left along a rear face of the storage rack. Responsive to a command produced in an operational unit (15), the conveying robot picks up, as a designated article, one of the articles rearwardly from the storage rack and conveys the designated article with movement thereof. A conveyor (13) is adjacent to a side face of the storage rack and receives the designated article from the conveying robot to convey the designated article forward. The operational unit is placed in front of the conveyor and receives the designated article from the conveyor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an paper feeding device or a pack holder capable of preventing noise or a misfeeding when printing envelopes or postcards. The pack holder can be adjusted to feed standard size paper or postcards and envelopes. A sliding plate is used when feeding postcards and envelopes so that the last postcard or envelope in the stack can be fed into the machine successfully. The sliding plate allows only one of the two feeding rollers to make contact with a friction pad during the feeding of postcards and envelopes.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a service against payment. Values of at least a first set of parameters are displayed for determining the service, and a single control member is adapted, firstly, to allow selection of the desired value for the parameter and, secondly, to confirm the choice which has been made.

Abstract: A vending machine has an outer housing with a hollow interior and a manual retrieval opening. At least one tray is removably supported by the housing inside the interior thereof. The tray has a plurality of storage bins, each bin being dimensioned for receiving a plurality of items to be dispensed. Each bin has a movably actuable mechanism for ejecting a single unit of the item therefrom. A manually operable coin mechanism is mounted to an exterior of the housing for receiving a predetermined number and size of coins. Insertion of the proper coins into the coin mechanism permits a single actuation thereof through a predefined range of motion. A manually operable selector mechanism is mounted to the exterior of the housing for designating the item to be dispensed when moved into engagement with the ejecting mechanism of a preselected one of the plurality of storage bins.

Abstract: Medication dispenser apparatus comprises a plurality of containers for holding different kinds of medications; an injector for selectively injecting medications from their responsive containers; a dispensing station for receiving the ejected medications; and a programmable control for controlling the ejection of medications from their respective containers according to pre-programmed kinds of medication, amounts, and times. The described preferred embodiment is a group dispenser for dispensing medications for a plurality of patients, such as in the ward of a hospital, at predetermined times and in predetermined amounts.

Abstract: An automatic distribution machine includes a plurality of bin modules, each bin module being adapted to dispense packages onto a conveyor belt or the like. The bin modules are removable and interchangeable, thereby facilitating replacement if one fails. A sorting operation performed by the machine is controlled by a computer, which communicates with the bin modules through a common data bus. Expansion of the sorting operation can be achieved by extending the data bus to additional bin modules.

Abstract: A container storage and dispensing apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing for enclosing a storage and dispensing area, the housing having an access door for inserting the containers and having a first and a second exit door for dispensing the containers. The apparatus also includes first and second guides for guiding and supporting containers to the first exit door. Further the apparatus includes third and fourth guides for guiding and supporting containers to the second exit door.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles such as thin substrates includes horizontally disposed shelves one above the other. Each shelf is divided into a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes at least one endless belt for moving a stack of upright substrates toward a front edge of the shelf. A drive mechanism is connected to each belt for driving each belt. A transfer member is provided for each lane adjacent the front end portion of the shelf. Each transfer member projects beyond the effective reach of its associated belt so that the leading substrate to be dispensed is supported by the transfer member prior to dropping downwardly off the free end of the transfer member.

Abstract: Paper money such as bank notes of various denominations are dispensed by an apparatus having bank note storing cases including spaces which are adapted to store in a packed state sheets of the bank notes classified in accordance with the denominations, a note removal device provided at the note delivering end of each space in the note storing cases for taking the notes out of the note storing cases, and a note lifting device adapted to be selectively positioned in alignment with the note removal device for receiving the notes taken out by the note removal device. Preferably, each note removal device has a suction head and note removal rollers, and the note lifting device is a note kick-up roller, a stop member for dressing the leading edges of the notes, and a cam for regulating the position of the stop member in accordance with the width of the notes of the pertinent denomination.