Abstract: Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user.

Abstract: A medicine dispensing apparatus which allows a prescribed quantity of medicines to be reliably taken out based on prescription data.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided for removing a pill from a blister pack having one or more foil sealed compartments in a plastic sheet, each containing a single pill. The pill dispenser includes a generally planar stage in generally horizontal orientation, a press assembly and a post. An opening is provided in the stage. The post extends upward, from the stage and the press assembly is rotatably coupled to the post. The press assembly includes a punch, configured such that the press assembly may be rotated to advance the punch through the opening. The blister pack may be loaded on the stage, with a compartment aligned with the opening and the foil adjacent to the stage. The press assembly may be operated to collapse the compartment, rupture the foil, and force the pill through the opening. A tray may be provided below the stage, for catching the pill.

Abstract: A machine for storing objects includes a compartment system with a plurality of compartments and having at least one closure mechanism which can be moved relative to a central, predefined access orifice in the machine housing to permit or prevent access to a specific, individual compartment or to a specific group of adjacent compartments. A driving force of the drive system for the closure mechanism is dimensioned or can be set and/or a drive train or a motion transmitting path between the drive system and closure mechanism has a force or torque limiting device such that maximum force or torque transmitting values acting on the closure mechanism are fixed or can be set so that automatic movements of the closure mechanism can not cause serious injuries to a user, and in addition the closure mechanism can be manually held open or pushed open in spite of the active drive system.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, reliable and maintenance-free dispenser in which the stored products are offered automatically on the outside of the dispenser where they can be grasped by a hand without further manipulation. The dispenser includes housings in which the products, stacked in a column, are stored and moved by gravity and, at the base of each housing in front of the first product of the column, outlet orifices are closed by a closing membrane with slits. A slope is provided, in the lower rear part of each housing, to automatically advance the first product a predetermined distance through the outlet orifice so that the product partially emerges and can be grasped by hand on the outside of the dispenser. The dispenser can be used to automatically dispense consumable products, such as drinks, without prepayment, and for all types of industrial, commercial, home and other applications.

Abstract: A dispenser for packets comprising a housing defining a channel, an outlet opening in communication with the channel and a platform movably mounted to the housing through the outlet opening. The channel provides for receiving a vertical stack of packets. The platform comprises lower and upper level portions thereof and is movable between an outward position and an inward position. In the outward position, the lower level portion is positioned outwardly of the housing and the upper level portion is positioned in the channel. In the inward position, the lower and upper level portions are positioned in the channel. When the platform is in the outward position, the vertical stack rests on the upper level portion. When the platform is moved to the inward position, the vertical stack drops on the lower level portion and when the platform is returned to the outward position, the lower level portion moves the lowermost packet of the vertical stack outwardly of the housing therewith through the outlet opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.

Abstract: A product delivery system for a vending machine includes first and second guide rails and a carriage rail. The guide rails are fixedly mounted in the vending machine spaced from and parallel to each other and extend along respective first and second axes. The carriage rail extends along a third axis and includes first and second ends that are slidably connected to the respective ones of the first and second guide rails. A carrier member is slidably mounted to the carriage rail for movement along the third axis. A first drive belt is coupled to the carriage rail and a first drive motor to selectively shift the carrier member along the third axis. A second drive belt, extending in multiple axes, is connected to each of the first and second ends of the carriage rail and a second drive motor. The second drive motor selectively shifts the carriage rail along the first and second axes upon driving the second drive belt.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.

Abstract: Capsule-dispensing cabinet intended for supplying machines with the aim of preparing drinks or other food preparations, comprising: a body, a plurality of buffer storage housings (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) forming a capsule buffer store, intended to be supplied by a plurality of removable tubes (2) containing stacked capsules, each tube and buffer storage housing (3) being arranged relative to one another so as to form an aligned stack of capsules. Each buffer storage housing (3, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) comprises individual selection means (5) enabling a capsule contained in the stack to be released and collection means (6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65) enabling the capsule thus released to be collected.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coins comprising a plurality of hoppers arranged adjacent a sloped coin ramp. The hoppers are located to eject coins from the hopper onto the coin ramp. At least one hopper is mounted on a hopper shim such that the hoppers are installed at a plurality of heights. The hoppers further arranged in at least two rows with the coin ramp disposed therebetween and at least one hopper including a hopper bin that is of extended height with respect to another hopper bin.

Abstract: A cutlery utensil dispenser having at least one utensil compartment and a dispensing mechanism is disclosed. Each utensil compartment is so dimensioned and configured to house a stack of utensils. The dispensing mechanism includes a drive member in operable communication with at least one driven member, each driven member being associated with a respective one of the compartments. Actuation of the drive member causes simultaneous actuation of each driven member that causes a utensil to be dispensed from each compartment in repeatable succession one at a time. Also disclosed is a cutlery utensil dispenser having an electric motor in operable communication with the dispensing mechanism, and a controller in operable communication with the motor. The controller includes a processing circuit responsive to computer executable instructions which when executed on the processing circuit facilitates dispensing of a utensil from the utensil compartment by operation of the motor on command.

Abstract: A self-facing merchandise pusher system for use in stores. Numerous products in a store are merchandised on shelves and a biased pusher is used to urge products toward the front edge of the shelf. The pusher includes ends that may be independently biased. The pusher system also includes removable dividers that separate product channels and also limit the amount of product that may be removed at a time from the shelf.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage from a post-mix beverage dispenser are provided. In one embodiment, the method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprises: (a) providing at least two beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (b) separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (c) receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and (d) in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a single faucet of the post-mix beverage dispensing system, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

Abstract: A vending machine comprises a first product dispensing unit configured for dispensing packaged pizza crust product, a second product dispensing unit configured for dispensing packaged pizza topping product, and an information processing apparatus coupled to the first product dispensing unit and the second dispensing unit. The information processing apparatus is configured for facilitating input and processing of a customer-configured pizza preparation kit order. The first product dispensing unit is a frozen product dispensing unit configured for enabling different types of packaged pizza crust product to be selectively dispensed. The second product dispensing unit is a refrigerated product dispensing unit configured for enabling different types of packaged pizza topping product to be selectively dispensed. The information processing apparatus includes an user interface arrangement, an order processing arrangement and a kit component management arrangement.

Abstract: A product holder includes a support mechanism configured to support one or more products, a mounting mechanism configured to couple the support mechanism to a surface, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to enable repositioning the support mechanism in a depth direction, the depth direction being generally perpendicular to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a vending apparatus is provided. A vertical base reference position of a selector arm is stored, wherein the vertical base reference position corresponds to one of a plurality of rows in a cylindrical storage device. A horizontal base reference position is stored, wherein the horizontal base reference position corresponds to a compartment identifier identifying a compartment within each of the plurality of rows. A position of the selector arm corresponding to a media storage compartment is also stored, wherein the position comprises a vertical position and a horizontal position. A motor is initiated to move the selector arm along a vertical axis, wherein a movement of the selector arm results in one of an increment and/or a decrement to the vertical position of the selector arm.

Abstract: A dispensing machine for elongated containers has a plurality of clusters arranged within a housing. The clusters each have an actuator and comprise four tubes that are bound together with an interstice along a central axis of the cluster. The actuator is mounted in the interstice and each cluster is supported by a first bracket. A plurality of clusters are mounted from front to rear in the housing with the first brackets being removably mounted in a retainer. The clusters in the retainer form a set and can be tilted forward to replenish the tubes with containers. There are several sets side by side within the housing. The clusters of each set are held in place by one attachment that can be opened without tools to remove the clusters of that set.

Abstract: A dispensing system for a vending machine includes a vend motor, a cradle, a load bar and a push arm. Upon selection of a particular product, the vend motor rotates the cradle, causing the product to emerge from the vending machine. The cradle is designed to accommodate a wide array of container sizes. The dispensing system incorporates a rotation sensor, a position sensor, and a lift arm. The sensors enable accurate rotation of the cradle through a plurality of vend angles depending upon the particular product being vended, while the lift arm cooperates with the push arm and load bar to refill the cradle after a series of product containers have been dispensed. In addition, the vend motor includes a soft start control that prevents instantaneous rotation of the output shaft so as to prolong an overall operational life of the motor.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical tablet dispensing and packaging system comprising a tablet packaging unit and a tablet dispensing unit having door cabinets and a base cabinet with each door cabinet rear portion detachably engaged to the base cabinet rear portion. Each cabinet rear portion is vertically wrinkled to form ridges and furrows so that when the door cabinets are attached to the base cabinet, spatial shafts are formed by the furrows and ridges.

Abstract: A cutlery dispenser comprises a storage chamber adapted to retain a plurality of cutlery therein; an ejector for sequentially ejecting the plurality of cutlery from the storage chamber; an actuator for driving the ejector; and a sensor for triggering the actuator in response to an event.

Abstract: A machine particularly adapted for dispensing light items packaged in symmetrical, frustum-shaped container. The items are propelled through a tubular cartridge and individually ejected by a flow of air generated by a blower under control of a toggling dual-gate mechanism at the dispensing end of the cartridge. The dual-gate mechanism of a removable magazine grouping a number of cartridges can be selectively addressed and activated by means of a solenoid-driven cross-bar assembly.

Abstract: The mobile vending apparatus can be transported to a desired venue such as a festival grounds, sports park, or the like, and is quickly and easily rendered operational for use by persons standing at ground level. The apparatus can include individual automatic vending units having lowered controls so as to be reachable from ground level, or the apparatus can include devices for lowering conventional vending machines to the ground or another surface.

Abstract: A tablet packing apparatus having a tablet feeding section and storage shelves for storing tablet vessels in which tablets fed from the tablet feeding section are packed. The storage shelves include a plurality of container chambers in which the tablet vessels which the tablet fed from the tablet feeding section are inserted; and a vessel holder for hanging and holding the tablet vessel. The vessel holder is provided at an upper portion inside each of the plurality of container chambers. The vessel holder includes a pair of holding members that are opposed to each other in a horizontal direction; and holding lugs formed at the lower ends of the holding members. The holding lugs extend in a direction in which the holding plates are opposed.

Abstract: Tablets are delivered from a tablet storage case (3) mounted on a case support table (4), and when the tablets are passed through a delivery passage (9), formed in the case support table (3), quantity of the passed tablets is counted by a counting means (10). A start state of mounting of the tablet storage case (4) on the case support table (3) is detected by case detection means (8, 19), and the counting sensor (10) is kept in off state until the start state of mounting of the photon-electron conversion region is detected by the case detection (8, 19) and is set to On state after the detection. This ensures prevention of erroneous operation due to the mounting and dismounting of the tablet storage case (4) on and from the case support table (3).

Abstract: In a medicine supply apparatus having a plurality of tablet cases equipped in a case accommodating portion of a main body, each tablet case containing medicines, chutes into which medicines discharged from the respective table cases fall, a hopper equipped in correspondence with the lower portions of the chutes, and a charging apparatus for charging a medicine accommodating container with medicines caught by the hopper, a plurality of drawers are equipped in the case accommodating portion, the tablet cases are detachably mounted on each drawer, and each drawer is equipped so as to be freely drawn out from the case accommodating portion.

Abstract: A vending machine comprises a first product dispensing unit configured for dispensing packaged pizza crust product, a second product dispensing unit configured for dispensing packaged pizza topping product, and an information processing apparatus coupled to the first product dispensing unit and the second dispensing unit. The information processing apparatus is configured for facilitating input and processing of a customer-configured pizza preparation kit order. The first product dispensing unit is a frozen product dispensing unit configured for enabling different types of packaged pizza crust product to be selectively dispensed. The second product dispensing unit is a refrigerated product dispensing unit configured for enabling different types of packaged pizza topping product to be selectively dispensed. The information processing apparatus includes an user interface arrangement, an order processing arrangement and a kit component management arrangement.

Abstract: A tablet cassette for a medicine packing machine is disclosed. The tablet cassette for a medicine packing machine includes a cassette for accommodating tablets and having a passage formed at one side of a lower end thereof, a cassette support with which the cassette is detachably coupled on the upper surface of the cassette support and which has an inclined passage communicated with the passage in one side thereof, and a discharge driver provided in the cassette and the cassette support. The discharge driver includes a conic rotating body provided in the cassette and having divisional protrusions on the outer circumference thereof, and a driving motor provided in the cassette support to rotate the rotating body in a forward direction and to rotate the rotating body in a reverse direction when tablets are lodged such that an overload is generated.

Abstract: An automated personal pill dispenser has one or more chambers for holding a supply of pills. A feed mechanism is associated with each chamber and is selectively operable to dispense an incremental number of pills from each respective chamber. A programmable controller is coupled to control and operate the feed mechanism. The controller has a timer, a memory and an input means and is programmably operable by the user and/or by remote input from a smart card, PDA or various networks such as one having access to data from a pharmacy. The programming presets at least one of a time and a number of pills to be dispensed from each chamber. The controller operates an alarm to alert the user and operates the feed mechanism to dispense pills at the preset time and number, also detecting the user's access to obtain the dispensed pills.

Abstract: A packaged commodity dispensing device in which a package commodity dispensing machine is easily repaired and a packaged commodity is easily supplied and exchanged. The packaged commodity dispensing machine dispenses a packaged commodity; a frame into which the packaged commodity dispensing machine is permitted to detachably fit from forward; and a fixing section to fix the packaged commodity dispensing machine in a state of fitting into the frame.

Abstract: A dispenser has an upper loading chamber (38), a dispensing chamber (40) located beneath the loading chamber, first and second openable covers (24, 34) for the loading chamber (38) and a dispensing chamber (40) and a gate means (32) mounted in the housing between the two chambers and forming a lower wall of the loading chamber (38). The gate means (32) is movable to allow selective communication of a loading chamber (38) and the dispensing chamber (40) to allow the contents of the loading chamber to fall into the dispensing chamber (40). Opening of the gate means (32) to an extent sufficient to allow the contents to fall into the dispensing chamber generates a signal from a limit switch (59) indicative that the loading chamber (38) is empty.

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 vending machine includes an adjustable channel assembly for varying the depth of a product stack area within the vending machine. Preferably two adjustable channel assemblies are mounted to a column wall to support a rear spacer wall that defines a back portion of the stack area. The rear spacer wall is selectively movable fore-to-aft in order to permit the stack area to be customized in order to accommodate various sized bottles and cans.

Abstract: Vending machine product is moved by the use of an “X-Y mechanism” having two stationary electronically controlled drive “motors”. These motors drive (directly or indirectly) tension elements (belt, chain, cable, etc.) 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” (centered by springs) mechanically links these components. Products move off the tray by a spring powered “slider” (one slider for each product column) on the tray. There is only one “rotator-gate-lever” mechanism per pair of product columns in each display tray. That is, 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.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for dispensing cards and other items. In one embodiment, a card dispensing apparatus includes at least first and second card hoppers and a movable card carriage. The card carriage is movable between a first position proximate to the first card hopper and a second position proximate to the second card hopper. The card carriage is configured to receive a first card from the first card hopper when in the first position and a second card from the second card hopper when in the second position. In one aspect of this embodiment, the card carriage can dispense at least the first card into a card outlet chute when the first card has been sufficiently read by a card reader. Alternatively, the card carriage can dispense the first card into a card escrow chute when the first card has not been sufficiently read by the card reader.

Abstract: A dispensing machine stores and dispenses containers longitudinally within the machine up to the time that a container is released to the outlet. The containers are arranged in vertical columns within the machine with four adjacent columns making up one set. Each set has a separate motor and the machine has a maximum selection equal to the number of sets. Each set has an upper abutment and a lower abutment that together control the movement of containers of each set to the outlet in succession. The two abutments are located a distance of less than the height of one container apart from one another. The containers are narrower at a top than at a base.

Abstract: In a vending machine island having a standard supporting a mounting plate at an elevated position, a securing post which extends to a level of the top of the tallest vender. A lid locked to the vender is provided with engaging means which engages a bracket affixed to the securing post. The bracket is secured by a locking screw which can only be accessed when the globe is removed, which requires that the lid of the globe be removed. Each vending machine is thus affixed to the stand by both its base and its lid, rendering the vending machine island substantially more resistant to theft and vandalism.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing system (10) for storing and dispensing pre-packaged pharmaceutical products (12) and other products. The system includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product conveyors (16) mounted within the cabinet and each configured for holding at least one product; an infeed conveyor (18) for receiving products that are to be stored in the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for receiving products that are to be dispensed from the cabinet; and a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the product conveyors and the infeed and outfeed conveyors for storing products in or dispensing products from the cabinet.

Abstract: A newspaper dispenser includes a housing with forward and rearward walls and a bottom. A cylindrical coil is rotatably mounted in the housing and projects forwardly from the rearward wall, with newspapers positioned between winds of the coil. A knob on the front of the housing is connected to a drive shaft on the coil to selectively rotate the coil and advance a newspaper forwardly along the bottom wall of the housing. A slot under the forward end of the coil receives a dropped newspaper and dispenses it from the housing.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus for label separable paper includes a holder provided with a reel support rod at the rear side for fitting label tape reels thereon, a label stripping unit containing a guide plate, a separating rod and a guide rod provided at the front side and plural separating plates assembled between the guide plate and the reel support rod to separate the label tape reels and prevent them from moving sideward or slipping off. The guide plate curves upward above the separating rod, having its front edge positioned higher than the separating rod to let labels move slantingly upward along the guide plate and stripped. The reel support rod has its opposite ends respectively positioned on and restricted by the opposite inner sides of the holder so it can always be fixed stably on the holder whether the stripping apparatus is placed horizontally or hung on a wall.

Abstract: There is provided an automated packaging apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of pills into a series of containers. The packaging apparatus includes a plurality of independently rotatable rotary slats. Each rotary slat includes an outer peripheral edge portion and the rotary slats are configured so that the outer peripheral edge portions define a common interior space. Each outer peripheral edge portion also defines an inner surface and a plurality of pill apertures. The pill apertures are configured to receive one of the pills from the common interior space at a first position and transmit the pill outside the rotary slats at a second position. A conveyor is configured to move a plurality of open containers along a predetermined path of travel and position each of the containers adjacent a respective rotary slat to define a delivery path that extends between the second position of the rotary slat and the container. At least one drive motor is in driving engagement for rotating the rotary slats.

Abstract: For ensuring that a vending machine motor will continue to operate until a product has descended through a vending space or an established time interval has elapsed, an optical beam is established across the vend space through which a product must drop. A change in beam intensity is detected. By preference infra red light is emitted at one focal point of an elliptical reflector, and detected at the other focal point. The light is emitted in pulses in the preferred embodiment, and the optical sensing system has automated calibration and error detecting functions.

Abstract: A vending machine for kimchi including a compressor at a lower portion, a low temperature storage part above the compressor and including partitions for holding packed kimchis, a first motor at a bottom of each partition, a transportation plate operated by each motor, a cam linked to each transportation plate via an axis, a first limit switch located to contact the cam, a discharge plate at a bottom of the low temperature storage part, a second limit switch turned on when the discharge plate is opened to discharge a kimchi, a spring at an opposite side of the discharge plate, a second motor at one side of the discharge plate to return the discharge plate to an original position, an evaporator and a fan installed over the low temperature storage part, and a money slot, selection buttons and an outlet equipped in the door.

Abstract: An automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system comprises a tablet dropping unit and a tablet packaging unit. The tablet dropping unit has door cabinets serving as a front double door of the system and slider cabinets horizontally aligned in rear of the door cabinets. The slider cabinets are linearly slidable to move back and forth so that the forward sliding (toward the door cabinet) of the slider cabinets can be effected when the door cabinets are swung open. Tablet cassettes having tablets are detachably racked in each cabinet in columns and rows. Hoppers to guide down the tablets into the tablet packaging unit are provided such that angles formed by a vertical line and respective inner side surfaces of the hoppers are gradually decremented to efficiently decrease tablet impact on the inner side surfaces of the hoppers.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more vending machines each of which has an associated module which can send and receive radio frequency signals, the system including a central data collection device which includes a device for sending radio frequency signals which can be intercepted by and used to control the operation of a selected one or more of the vending machines, each vending machine having elements for using the radio frequency signals it receives from the central data collection device to vend products selected by a customer, the central collection device includes a mechanism for determining the amount of deposits or credit entry in excess of the selected vends for returning this excess deposits or credit entry to the customer based on the amount of credit or deposits entered and the cost of the products selected to be vended by the vending machines.

Abstract: A vending machine comprising a cabinet having a front wall fitted with a dispensing opening, a plurality of conveyer racks parallely disposed within the cabinet, each for storing and conveying a plurality of boxes and each extending between a rear end adjacent a rear wall of the cabinet and a front end facing the front wall, and an elevator assembly vertically displaceable along a path extending within the cabinet between the front ends of the conveyer racks and the front wall and being displaceable between a plurality of collecting stations adjacent each front end and a vending station adjoining the dispensing opening.

Abstract: The system for conveying a selected product to a collection compartment in automatic vending machines is especially suitable for automatic tobacco vending machines, in which a unitary extraction from a storage unit is carried out once a product has been selected so as to deliver the product to the collection compartment. The system comprises a pair of elastic conveyor belts (4, 5) guided by certain cylindrical bodies (6), which can be aided by some freely rotating rods (7), with one of the cylindrical bodies (6) acting on each one of the elastic belts as a drive element for transmitting independent movement to them. A first elastic belt (4) is fitted in order to define an initial horizontal section (8) under the storage units (2) with a second section (9) in a vertical position on one side of the machine, while the second conveyor belt (5) is fitted in a position backing onto the vertical section (9) of the first belt (4).

Abstract: A drawer 2c is provided with a collecting mechanism 20 for collecting medicines discharged from the storage containers 3. The body frame 1 is provided with a recovery box 28 for recovering medicines collected by the collecting mechanism 20. The collecting mechanism 20 has a first passage and a second passage which can be used interchangeably. The first passage allows the medicines discharged from the storage containers 3 to be conveyed to the recovery box 28, when the drawers 2c are contained in the body frame 1, while the second passage allows the medicines discharged from the storage containers 3 to be conveyed to the recovery box 28 when the drawers 2c are drawn out of the body frame 1.

Abstract: A dispensing machine stores and dispenses containers longitudinally within the machine up to the time that a container is released to the outlet. The containers are arranged in vertical columns within the machine with four adjacent columns making up one set. Each set has a separate motor and the machine has a maximum selection equal to the number of sets. Each set has. an upper abutment and a lower abutment that together control the movement of containers of each set to the outlet in succession. The two abutments are located a distance of less than the height of one container apart from one another. The containers are narrower at a top than at a base.

Abstract: A personal medication in storage dispensing unit is provided for receiving and storing medication, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, pills capsules, gel tablets and the like in a manner which is easily accessible and which is conducive to inclusion within a medication regimen system. A medication regimen monitor can be included in this system in order to be programmed to signal proper medication dosage times. The monitor preferably provides non-compliance information, preferably information which persists and which designates which portion of the medication regimen was not complied with. The system also can include a holder for multiple storing and dispensing units in an ordered fashion consistent with daily requirements of the medication regimen.