Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving product usage prior to refill of product dispensers in service areas that include a plurality of such dispensers. Via a sensor configured with each of the product dispensers and a control system in communication with the sensors, a product level or amount condition of product in each dispenser is detected. Based on the information from the sensors, a visual or audio message is generated and transmitted to the patron that encourages the patron to use a first product dispenser that has a greater product fill amount as compared to a second product dispenser in the same or a different service area.

Abstract: A novel chewing gum box includes a gum storage chamber, a storage chamber cover, a funnel apparatus, a gum introducing plate, a gum carrying groove, a carrying groove baffle, a push handle, a spring baffle, guide rails, guide rail grooves, a spring groove, and a spring. The gum storage chamber is communicated with the gum carrying groove through the funnel apparatus. The gum carrying groove is connected to the push handle and is capable of reciprocating along the guide rails and the guide rail groove. When retrieving gum, the box body is tilted and shaken first to allow gum in the storage chamber to slide along the gum introducing plate into the gum carrying groove via the funnel apparatus. The push handle then is actuated to have the gum pushed out along the guide rail and the guide rail groove, so that the gum is available for retrieval.

Abstract: Technological advancements are disclosed that increase automation and efficiency in the operations of the computer networks, graphical user interfaces and databases for cosmetics retail displays to be responsive to retail store and customer requirements and increase performance of such systems. The system integrates information from various, often disparate and remotely located systems and databases, involved in the designing, manufacturing, producing, allocating and/or delivering components of cosmetics products retail displays to a diverse set of retail store locations. Customizations of cosmetics retail displays at various retail store locations are automated and facilitated based on cosmetics products retail sales performance at the various retail store locations.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous solution polymerization process wherein production rate is increased. Process solvent, ethylene, optional comonomers, optional hydrogen and a single site catalyst formulation are injected into a first reactor forming a first ethylene interpolymer. Process solvent, ethylene, optional comonomers, optional hydrogen and a heterogeneous catalyst formulation are injected into a second reactor forming a second ethylene interpolymer. The first and second reactors may be configured in series or parallel modes of operation. Optionally, a third ethylene interpolymer is formed in an optional third reactor, wherein an optional heterogeneous catalyst formulation may be employed. In a solution phase, the first, second and optional third ethylene interpolymers are combined, the catalyst is deactivated, the solution is passivated and following a phase separation process an ethylene interpolymer product is recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container of storing packets of edible items. The container comprises a plurality of compartments for storing one kind of packet in each compartment, the compartments having an opening configured thereon; a lid having a handle, the lid being configured to selectively facilitate a ejection of at least one packet when the handle is operated by a user; and a biasing means configured at an operative bottom edge of the plurality of compartments, the biasing means configured to provide an upward push to the packets, thereby facilitating the ejection of the packets from the opening when the handle is operated by the user.

Abstract: A single-bead dispenser including a container for holding plural beads in a spherical chamber, a wiper disposed within and rotatable about a horizontal axis of the chamber to sweep the inner wall of the chamber and transport a single contained bead upwardly from the chamber to an opening for discharge to a manually accessible platform on the container while leaving all the other contained beads in the chamber, a geared ring mounted externally of the container and manually rotatable about a vertical axis of the chamber, and a gear secured to the wiper and engaged and driven by the geared ring for effecting sweeping rotation of the wiper when the ring is turned. The wiper may be a lune of a hollow sphere close to and concentric with the chamber inner wall and may bear a dispensing scoop shaped to capture and convey a single bead to the opening.

Abstract: Vending systems for use in a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include the following: a product housing positioned in a vehicle, the product housing including an exposed surface having a product delivery opening; a removable inventory cartridge; a product dispensing mechanism including a product dispensing opening, the product dispensing mechanism being configured for dispensing a product from the removable inventory cartridge in the product housing to the product dispensing opening; a product delivery conduit including a first end and a second end, the first end being joined with the product dispensing opening and the second end defining a product delivery opening, which is formed in the exposed top surface of the product housing and positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and an lifting mechanism positioned within the product delivery conduit for mechanically lifting the product dispensing opening to the product delivery opening.

Abstract: A mounting head is formed of a main body section and a plurality of nozzle holding units, and each of the plurality of nozzle holding units is mounted to the main body section in an exchangeable manner. The height of a suction nozzle when the mounting head is moving over a circuit board is different for each of the plurality of nozzle holding units. In a mounting machine using such a mounting head, due to an installation position optimization program being executed, an installation position of a tape feeder in which electronic components which are scheduled to be mounted to the circuit board which is conveyed by one of a pair of conveyance devices are stored is set to a tape feeder installation table of a supply device of a side close to the one conveyance device of the pair of supply devices.

Abstract: A device to reduce solid state drives (SSD) and the like digital media storage devices into particles less than 2 mm maximum edge length. The device is particularly adapted to disintegrating 1.8? and 2.5? solid state drives at a rate of about 360 HDD/hr or 720 SSD/hr with a throughput of about 10 seconds. A blade assembly is designed to provide multiple cutting angles while rotating at 520 rpm to maintain a low decibel rating.

Abstract: A sheet processing system comprising: a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; a conveying unit conveying a container containing a plurality of sheets; a distribution unit for distributing the container to any one of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses; an identification information reading unit for obtaining identification information from the container; a communication unit for receiving information about the paper sheets contained in the container; and a controller for controlling a distribution destination of the container, on the basis of information about processing situations of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses, the identification information about the container, and the information about the sheets contained in the container.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The analyte sensor may include one or more conductors received in a hollow portion of a hollow member. The first conductor may be made, at least in part, of a semiconductor material and an active region may be provided in contact with at least the first conductor. The analyte sensor may, in one aspect, include a lancet and an integrated sensor. Manufacturing methods and apparatus and systems utilizing the analyte sensors are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: A sheet conveyer having a load applier unit is provided. The load applier unit includes a contacting member, a lever, a contractive spring, and a preloading member. The lever is movable between a first position, in which the lever being moved in a direction to stretch the contractive spring causes the contractive spring having been stretched by the preloading member to be further stretched to urge the contacting member and causes the load applier unit to apply a load that acts in a direction to press a feed roller against sheets on a tray to the holder, and a second position, in which the contractive spring is maintained in a condition stretched by the preloading member without causing the load applier unit to apply the load that acts in the direction to press the feed roller against the sheets on the tray to the holder.

Abstract: A tape feeder, including a tape feeder body and a feeder wagon/linear guide, is used to direct component tape in a linear movement towards a component pick position. The feeder wagon comprises a feeder wagon body slidably mounted to the tape feeder body for movement between a first, pickup position and a second, delivery position. The feeder wagon further comprises a feeder head mounted to the feeder wagon body for movement (1) with the feeder wagon body as it moves along the first path, and (2) along a second path transverse to the first path between a first, tape-engaged position and a second, tape-released position. The feeder head comprises a tape-engaging element engageable with component tape.

Abstract: An indexer adapted to index a test sensor from a test-sensor cartridge. The indexer includes an indexer face having a first aperture formed generally through the center thereof. The indexer further includes a retention pin extending through the first aperture and a flexible pawl positioned near an edge of the indexer face. The indexer is adapted to be rotated in a first direction and a second generally opposite direction about the retention pin. The flexible pawl is configured to bend when the indexer is rotated in the second direction. The flexible pawl is configured to assist in rotating the test-sensor cartridge.

Abstract: A medication-taking support device that has no possibility of a pill case being left outside the medication-taking support device even if the pill case ejected outside a casing is not received by a user is provided. The medication-taking support device includes a cassette (25) that stores medicine-containing pill cases in such a manner that the pill cases are stacked on top of one another, a push-out mechanism (30) that pushes out the pill case on a lowermost tier in the cassette (25) by a predetermined dimension, and a pull-back mechanism (32) that pulls back the pill case remaining on the lowermost tier without being extracted from the cassette (25) into the cassette (25).

Abstract: A paintball loader is provided having a body split vertically along a length of the body into two side portions, wherein the side portions are attached by a hinge along an upper portion of the paintball loader body.

Abstract: For safe storage and simple and safe administration of tablets T by a user, a cartridge 900 is provided that can be inserted into a medicament dispenser 1 for solid medicament portions T and that is designed with a reservoir for receiving the medicament portions T, and a medicament dispenser 1 for this cartridge 900 is also provided. According to the invention, the cartridge 900 comprises a singulation device 910 that is designed to dispense defined medicament portions T and that comprises a movable mechanism 940 for separating a defined medicament portion T from the reservoir and for dispensing it from the medicament dispenser 1, wherein the singulation device 910 is designed to produce an operative connection to an actuating device 14, 220, 224, 226; 15, 210; 230 in the medicament dispenser 1.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a pill box adapted for dispensing medication. In one embodiment, the pill box includes a base member, a carousel coupled to the base member and configured to rotate about the base member, one or more compartments, each compartment formed within the carousel and configured to store a single dose of medication with a lid configured to enclose the base and the carousel. The pill box ratchet advancement mechanism includes a resilient member and a stop member configured to facilitate motion of the carousel in a first direction and to restrict motion in a second direction, and a locking component configured to permit a pre-determined displacement of the carousel in the first direction and to limit further displacement in the first direction by locking the carousel.

Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.

Abstract: A dispenser system for delivering various combinations of dispersants to a body of water with the various combinations of dispersants supplied to the body of water through the interchanging of dispensing cartridges which are attachable to a main dispensing cartridge where a condition for interchanging of dispensing cartridges may be triggered by an event.

Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover plate defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for flat items such as disposable gloves that are contained within a dispensing bag that has an at least partially-open front side. The dispenser includes a base that has a rear wall and a pair of opposing side walls. A non-opaque cover with a dispensing aperture therethrough is pivotally fixed between each side wall and adapted to swing between an open and a closed position. At least one elastic cord is stretched between each side wall to urge the dispensing bag towards the cover when the cover is in the closed position and the dispensing bag is between the cover and the at least one elastic cord. The front side of the dispensing bag may be non-opaque and open at a dispensing bag aperture therethrough, a temporary adhesive being fixed proximate a periphery of the dispensing bag aperture.

Abstract: A paper towel cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side wall, a pivotally mounted front wall defining a door, a back wall extending between the side walls, and a paper towel tray having an opening to provide access to paper towels. The paper towel cabinet also includes a module assembly comprising a first module having a front surface extending transversely relative to the first side wall and toward the second side wall. When the door is in an open position, the front surface prevents paper towels leaning toward the door from falling out of the cabinet. The cabinet also includes a bar mounted proximate to the opening and having a length extending between the side walls. The bar is positioned between a stack of paper towels and the opening when the stack of paper towels is placed on the paper towel tray.

Abstract: A dispenser holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted.

Abstract: Invention describes apparatus automating pharmacy operations. Apparatus includes portable vending cartridges, cartridge transport components, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting containers with medications secured inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers monitor in real-time presence of cartridges, inventory of carries and containers with medications, and execute controls, including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading medications in/from carriers; maintaining medications within specifications—environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm to achieve required performance: rates of medications loading/unloading, power consumption.

Abstract: A serpentine product dispenser has a substantially “S”-shaped down chute between a cartridge containing rolling products, an exit port, and a lower feed channel leading to a product selection area. Jam-free feeding of cans from the cartridge is accomplished by forming the down chute in three arcuate sections. An upper arcuate section causes a first can falling through the exit port to impact a second can still in the dispenser, delaying motion of the second can, such that a third can follows the first can. A central arcuate section causes the first can to maintain rolling contact with a second can still in the cartridge, further facilitating the movement of the third can toward and into the down chute. A lower arcuate section directs cans toward the dispenser lower feed ramp and product selection area after they traverse the down chute upper and central arcuate sections.

Abstract: A serpentine dispenser and cartridge system provides simplified stocking and restocking of the dispenser, as well as jam-free dispenser feeding. Cartridge opening flaps allow a cartridge be inverted and inserted into a dispenser while products in the cartridge are prevented from falling out. A dispenser wedge applies pressure on rolling products as the cartridge is inserted into the dispenser, forcing a retaining flap open so that rolling products may exit the cartridge and enter the dispenser. The wedge may also constrain rolling products to exit the cartridge in an order that prevents jamming.

Abstract: A serpentine dispenser and cartridge system provides simplified stocking and restocking, as well as jam-free dispenser feeding. A cartridge priming flap allows a cartridge be inverted and inserted into a dispenser while products in the cartridge are prevented from falling out. Cartridge opening is completed by holding an priming flap while pushing the cartridge into the dispenser. In other embodiments, a dispenser wedge applies pressure on rolling products, forcing a retaining flap open, as the cartridge is pushed into the dispenser. The wedge can also constrain rolling products to exit the cartridge in an order that prevents jamming.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.

Abstract: A stud feed assembly for welding studs comprising a stud loader and a stud catcher. The stud loader comprises a first chute component and a second chute component, the first chute component having a greater diameter than the second chute component. The stud catcher comprises a receiving component and a vertical component, the receiving component being shaped to receive it stud such that the receiving component aligns the received stud in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A clay target magazine comprising a wall of cylindrical shape, said wall having at least one sight window provided therein, said magazine having slots provided in said wall proximate to said walls lower end to accept a retaining means therein, said magazine sized to hold a plurality of clay targets, said magazine further sized in order to be loaded into the carousel of a clay target trap.

Abstract: A solid chemical feed unit dissolver has an upper feed unit chamber with an inwardly tapering sealing surface at its lower end and against which a lowermost feed unit seals, retaining the upper chamber in a dry condition, preventing wetting and caking of solid chemical feed units behind the dissolving and sealed off face of the solid chemical feed unit. A solid chemical feed unit magazine is slotted to permit gentle feeding of a plurality of solid chemical feed units therein and a cover-defined sight slot permits guiding and visual observation of remaining solid chemical feed units in the magazine. The magazine preferably, but not necessarily, defines the tapering sealing surface. Distinctly shaped solid chemical feed units are disclosed. The dissolver can handle large solid chemical feed unit loads up to one hundred pounds or more and in a small footprint stable configuration. Methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A holding apparatus includes a bracket and a receiving case. The receiving case is mounted to the bracket and receives a plurality of products. In addition includes a front wall, a rear wall opposite to the front wall, a bottom wall connected to the rear wall, two opposite sidewalls connected to the front wall, rear wall and the bottom wall. The front wall defines a through hole, and the through hole extends to the bottom wall. An acute angle is defined between the bottom wall and the front wall.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly having a container and an insert secured within the container. The insert includes a product cartridge defining a product containing space and a dispensing body having a dispenser receptacle. The product containing space has a first opening through which product exits, and the dispenser receptacle has a second opening at least partially offset from the first opening through which product enters the dispenser receptacle. The dispenser assembly further includes a push-button assembly attacked to the insert, including a button that moves between first and second positions. The button has an orifice defined therein in communication with one of the first or second openings when in the first position and with the other of the first or second openings when in the second position, such that the button permits transmittal of product between the first and second openings when moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a rack, a pair of slides, and a tray. A first slideway and a second slideway are defined in each of the pair of slides. The first slideway communicates with the second slideway. A stop tab is located in the second slideway. The tray is movable along the pair of slides. The tray includes a block tab and an end post. The end post is movable from the first slideway to the second slideway. In the first slideway, the end post and the block tab are restricted, and the tray is substantially horizontal. In the second slideway, the stop tab blocks the block tab, the end post is lift up by the tray, and the tray is oblique.

Abstract: A vending machine includes a rack, a number of goods carrying modules, a rail, and at least one blocking member. The number of goods carrying modules is located in the rack. The number of goods carrying modules is removable from the rack. The rail is fixed to the rack. At least one guiding slot is defined in the rail. At least one blocking member is slidable along the guiding slot. The blocking member blocks at least one of the number of goods carrying modules from being removed out of the rack.

Abstract: A device for providing connection elements, such as rivets and the like has a storage unit with at least one outlet, two stacked, replaceable cartridges each having at least one output flange for dispensing connection elements, and a cartridge guide and a detachable cartridge lock assigned to each cartridge which for its installation is slideable via the cartridge guide to an operating position and fixable by the cartridge lock assigned to the cartridge guide and engaged with the cartridge for locking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system and dispensing device for assisting a patient in complying with a medical regimen. The system includes an electronic dispensing device to be used by the patient which comprises a device to obtain information about the regimen. A device registers operation of the dispensing device by the patient taking the medicines. A warning device reminds a patient of the regimen. A medicine packing station packs the medicine within a package in portions to be taken according to the regimen. A database stores information about the regimen. A service center is provided to assist when necessary. A communication network is provided for communication between the dispensing device and the service center and/or between the service center and the patient.

Abstract: A vending machine system for stackable goods such as vehicle air fresheners includes a hopper and a reciprocating arm. The hopper is configured to hold a stack of the stackable goods. The hopper has an aperture formed in a base of the hopper for dispensing the stackable goods from the hopper. The reciprocating arm is disposed adjacent the aperture. The reciprocating arm is linearly movable between a retracted position and an extended position. One of the stackable goods is received by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the retracted position, and is pushed from the stack of stackable goods by the reciprocating arm when the reciprocating arm is in the extended position.

Abstract: A removable, adjustable product magazine for use in an article dispensing system includes a central support member including a back wall connected to a base, first and second sidewalls, and a follower. The central support and the sidewalls cooperatively define a product compartment having a front opening. The sidewalls include fastener slots for connecting the follower to one of the sidewalls. Advancement of the follower adjusts the depth of the compartment. Each of the sidewalls has front, rear, and bottom flanges for retaining products within the magazine, connecting the sidewalls to the back wall and base. The base and backwall have fastener slots for adjustable connection of the sidewalls, thereby enabling adjustment of the width of the compartment. The sidewall front flanges terminate above the base to provide a product exit port. The back wall includes an ejector port for providing access to an ejector cylinder to expel product units.

Abstract: A utensil dispensing tray that cooperates with a dispenser. The tray includes at least one feature that causes the utensil, such as a knife, fork, spork, or spoon, to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation for presentation as the utensil drops into the tray. The tray also includes one or more features that result in the utensil being consistently positioned in its second orientation within a dispensing area of the tray.

Abstract: A medication dispenser assembly provides access to medication to promote compliance with a prescribed medication schedule. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall extending from the bottom to the top. Apertures extend through the top. A plurality of vertically aligned bays is positioned in the housing with each bay having an associated access opening extending through the perimeter wall. A plurality of trays each have a plurality of compartments. An interior space of each compartment is accessible through a top of each compartment. Each tray is insertable into a selectable one of the bays through the associated access opening. The compartments of an uppermost one of the trays are accessible through the apertures in the top of the housing. A plurality of doors is coupled to the top of the housing with each door covering an associated one of the apertures.

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 long-life substance dispensing device for a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher, comprises: —a body (20?, 30?) designed to be sealingly fixed to a structure of the washing machine, —a support means (40) adapted to contain a total amount of a substance sufficient for performing a plurality of washing cycles, —an actuation system (47?, 50?, 61?) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of at least one dose of the substance contained in the support means (40). The actuation system (47?, 50?, 61?) comprises at least one drive element and one driven element (47?) capable of cooperating to obtain the delivery. The actuation system (47?, 50?, 61?) is arranged for being able to take on an operative condition, wherein the drive element (61?) is operatively coupled with the driven element (47?), and an inoperative condition, wherein the drive element (61?) is decoupled from the driven element (47?).

Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container that defines an internal volume and an access opening into the internal volume, at least one product received in the internal volume and a biasing assembly extendable into the internal volume to urge the product toward the access opening, wherein the container is engaged with the biasing assembly when the biasing assembly extends into the internal volume.

Abstract: A card extracting device for use with a plurality of cards may include a card storage, a gate through which the cards pass toward an outside of the card storage, an extracting tab to engage with and extract one of the cards, a tab-moving mechanism to move the extracting tab, an extracting roller outside the card storage to further forward the extracted card, a motor to drive the tab-moving mechanism and the extracting roller, a card-extraction detecting section to detect that card extraction is completed, and a control section to control the motor. An engaging section may be formed in the extracting tab to abut a rear end portion of the card and extract the card. The control section may drive the motor forward to extract the card or drive the motor in reverse based on a detection result from the card extraction detecting section.

Abstract: A container comprising a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, the walls comprising a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a base wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and a third wall laterally extending between the first and second side walls and vertically extending from the base wall, wherein the third wall comprises an upper portion connected to the first and second side walls and a lower portion being outwardly movable from the base wall and the first and second side walls to increase the internal volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology of discharging, from a drug cartridge, a drug instructed to discharge, while managing a plurality of drugs stored in a drug cartridge. The technology makes it possible to correctly discharge the drugs even when the dosing order of the drugs is changed. A medical agent dispenser has: a main body case (1); an annular drug cartridge (2) which is housed in the main body case (1) and has a plurality of holders (3) at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction; a discharge mechanism (7) which discharges the drugs from the holders (3); and an input interface (6) which receives operations of leading the drug to be discharged. Based on the number of operations the input interface (6) has received, gears (4a, 4b), i.e., rotating mechanisms which rotationally transfer the drug cartridge (2), are controlled.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus combination includes a sheet product dispensing unit and a cartridge configured to support sheet product, the cartridge being so dimensioned and configured such that it can be located in operable communication with the dispensing unit. The cartridge includes a dispensing opening, and the dispensing unit includes an entry opening and a dispensing opening. The dispensing opening of the cartridge is disposed proximate the entry opening of the dispensing unit when the cartridge is located in operable communication with the dispensing unit such that sheet product is able to pass from the cartridge through the dispensing opening of the cartridge, through the entry opening of the dispensing unit, and through the dispensing opening of the dispensing unit, under a control of the dispensing unit.