Abstract: The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.

Abstract: An entirely mechanical gas bottle dispensing machine that allows to either only dispense by gravity a filled bottle upon insertion of a first token or dispense a filled bottle with return of an empty bottle upon insertion of a second token.

Abstract: A lottery ticket machine having function of preventing tickets from being illegally drawn out includes a machine base provided thereon with a driving device, two press rollers and a control device. One of the two press rollers is disposed with a shaft extending out of the machine base for assembling the control device, which consists of a rotary gear with engage holes, a bushing and a control wheel bored with a bushing hole to be fitted on the bushing and provided with engage teeth and projecting bars to be respectively engaged with the engage holes of the rotary gear. An outer cover covered on the control device is disposed inside with engage teeth to be correspondingly engaged with the engage teeth of the control wheel, and a spring has its opposite ends respectively pushing against the control wheel and the inner wall of a bushing cover.

Abstract: A blister pack system has an upper part and a bottom part, between which a blister pack is disposed. Pouches of the blister pack are aligned with corresponding ejection openings of the upper part and corresponding ejection openings of the bottom part. Every ejection opening of the upper part is associated with an individual contact surface that can be connected to a control/computing unit via an individual strip conductor. The system includes an ejection device, which at a top section has an electrical contact, and at a peg section an additional electrical contact which is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the top section. The individual contact surfaces and the individual strip conductors associated therewith, as well as a common contact surface and a common strip conductor associated therewith or a subsection thereof extend in surfaces of the upper part that are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A unit (100) for filling containers (2) with products (1), in particular pharmaceutical products (1), includes a hopper (3,3a) containing a mass of products (1) in bulk, conveying means (5,6) aimed at feeding the products (1) leaving the hopper (3) along a predetermined path (P) up to a station (SR), where the containers (2) are filled with the products (1). The containers (2) are fed to the filling station (SR) by transporting means (4,C). A checking station (SC) for checking the products (1) is situated along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (SR). The conveying means (5,6) include first means (51,52,53) consisting of vibrating planes and second conveying means (6). The second conveying means (6) are situated at the checking station (SC) between the conveying vibrating planes means (51,52,53) and the filling station (SR).

Abstract: Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.

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: The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted to a cradle and the screw and cradle combination is positioned within the canister so that it is generally parallel to the base of the canister. By virtue of being removably mounted, screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the cradle within canister. A removable shelf is mounted to at least one interior side of the cradle and is positioned near the proximal end of the screw and cradle combination. Like the screw channel, the shelf is of a certain width that corresponds with a certain pill size.

Abstract: The drug compliance monitoring system provides a patient with a portable medication dispenser programmed with medication-taking data. The dispenser alerts the patient to take a dose of medication and gathers compliance data relating to the medication-taking data. The compliance data is accessible to a physician, or other caregiver, etc., via a network database.

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: A method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. The method includes: forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing passage; generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention is a fault tolerant computer controlled automatic medication dispenser with a unique dispensing system. This dispensing system enables a large number of detachable medication filled dispensing wheels to be vertically stacked and held in a fixed position; and then be automatically dispensed one dispensing wheel. The patient's medication can be dispensed for a few days, weeks, and or many months without a refill. These medication filled dispensing wheels are stored and held in a fixed position within the dispenser.

Abstract: A medicament dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, at least one controller, and a plurality of drawers each movably carried by the frame and each defining a plurality of dispensing cells. A plurality of removable dispensing devices is provided with each one carried by one of the dispensing cells. Each of the dispensing cells further comprises a motor for providing rotary motion to one of the removable dispensing devices in response to the controller, a sensor operating in conjunction with the controller for counting medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices, a chute for receiving medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices and a chute gate for controlling access to the chute. The cabinet may additionally comprise a chute gate release responsive to the controller for controlling the chute gate and a chute gate sensor connected to the controller and responsive to the position of the chute gate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container.

Abstract: There is provided a sticky note supply device that separates an uppermost sticky note from a stacks of sticky note one by one so as to discharge to the outside of the device from a discharge section. The sticky note supply device includes a transport unit that separates the sticky note to discharge the sticky note to the outside of the device from the discharge section, a control unit that controls the drive of the transport unit, and a detecting unit that is provided in the discharge section so as to detect whether the sticky note is present or not. When a next sticky note starts to be transported after the sticky note is completely transported by the transport unit and the detecting unit detects the presence, the control unit prohibits the transport unit from being driven.

Abstract: A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: Coin operated vending machines and vending methods for self service car washes that vend different commodities or services at a united price. The machines vend vacuum at different speeds, and spot remover or fragrance. Each machine has a computer-controlled, multi-segmented bar graph providing an analog indication of the amount of a vend that remains, and a dot matrix system for displaying text messages. The bar graph has multiple adjacent segments each having multiple cells that contain separate LEDS of different colors. The bar graph provides a relative, analog indication of the amount of a particular commodity remaining to be vended. When a vend starts, all of the bar graph segments are illuminated and as vending continues, bar graph segments and individually cells are sequentially decremented. Different products are associated with different colors. The customer may switch selections while a credit balance remains, and bar graph illumination is reset to 100%.

Abstract: A counter is disclosed for use with a medication storing and dispensing cassette. The counter is comprised of a loader for receiving a cassette, a sensor for sensing whether a cassette is in the loader, means for moving the loader into an operative position, a vacuum unit for applying a vacuum to the cassette, a drive unit for driving a driven portion of the cassette and a counter for counting medication within a portion of the cassette. Methods of operating the counter are also disclosed.

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 container for dispensing dosages of multiple medications over time. The present invention includes a container which has a plurality of compartments each configured to contain a plurality of dosages of a different medication. A rotatable lid is attached on top of the container such that an opening in the lid may be selectively positioned in fluid communication with each of the plurality of compartments. A lid position detection device is provided for identifying which of the compartments the opening is presently addressing. A programmable computing device is provided to track dosages administered from each of the plurality of compartments. A display, controlled by the programmable computing device, conveys information regarding the medication contained within a selected compartment.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters, each having a machine-readable canister identifier. The device for dispensing pills further includes a reader adapted to read the machine-readable canister identifier and a selector interfaced to the reader. An active pill canister from the plurality of pill canisters is selected by the selector using data from the reader to determine which of the plurality of pill canisters is at a target location. A control is provided for releasing a desired quantity of pills from the selected pill canister at a target location into a target package.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided, each of the plurality of platens having a machine-readable platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to move in both an X axis and a Y axis and adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens whereas the selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited and the machine-readable platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is the selected platen.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a frame having first and second opposed sides, a plurality of cells configured to house pharmaceutical pills, a first touch screen display on the frame first side, and a second touch screen display on the frame second side. A plurality of dispensing shelves configured to receive filled pill containers are accessible from the second side of the frame for removal of pill containers therein. The pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a processor and memory coupled thereto. A computer program resides in the memory and is executable by the processor for displaying a cell inventory graphical user interface (GUI) within the first touch screen display, and a series of GUIs within the second touch screen display that include status information about a prescription order at a respective stage of completion by the pharmaceutical dispensing system.

Abstract: An article dispensing machine and article transport storage unit are shown that permit articles slated for inventory to be delivered in secure manner from a centralized inventory supply center to an article dispensing machine forming part of an article distribution system. The article transport storage unit is locked during transport from the supply center to the machine and does not become unlocked until fully installed within the machine.

Abstract: An automated small items dispensing apparatus is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a networked, programmable, automatic medication items dispensing apparatus for use by individual patients who are enrolled in a medication protocol or medication therapy regimen. The device is located separate from the patient's health care provider's facility, such as in the patient's home.

Abstract: A lock status notification method, apparatus and corresponding medication storage device (e.g., mobile medication dispensing cart, medication cabinet, nurse server, etc.) are provided. In order to generate the notification, a computing device operating on the medication storage device may monitor the status of a manual lock associated with one or more drawers of the medication storage device (e.g., through the use of a sensor associated with the lock). A notification may be generated if it is determined that the medication storage device is unlocked at a certain point in time (e.g., when a user is attempting to log off of an application executing on the computing device). At least one of the drawers of the medication storage device may include a next case medication pocket having an automatic lock and in which medications prepared for the next case or procedure in which the user is participating can be securely stored.

Abstract: A monitor and method for reasonable confirmation of a vend from a vending machine includes a set of optical emitters positionable on one side of a dispensing area and a set of optical detectors, adapted to sense the optical energy of the emitters, positioned on an opposite side of the dispensing area. The emitters are spaced apart from each other and mounted on a supporting structure that can be installed on the one side of the dispensing area in a vending machine. The detectors similarly are spaced from one another on a supporting structure that can be installed on an opposite side of the dispensing area. A controller operates the emitters to individually turn on and off in a predetermined sequence. The controller checks for falsing of any detector during the off periods and monitors if any detector is blocked during the on periods. Upon sensed falsing or blockage, the controller generates an output signal.

Abstract: A pharmacy medication verification system is particularly useful for verifying medications to be dispensed to hospital patients while minimizing or eliminating verification by a pharmacist. Typically, a technician or robot picks the medications from storage bins in accordance with a medical prescription or stocking order and uses various sensors to ensure that the correct medication was picked and enters a medication container. The system typically provides correct and incorrect medication indicators as well as correct and incorrect entry indicators. Error reports may be generated when appropriate to communicate any relevant errors to the pharmacist, who can then verify that the correct medications are in the container. In one aspect, the containers are in the form of patient drawers which fit within a cart for delivery to hospital rooms. A containment device may be used to secure the drawer or other container during the verification process.

Abstract: A laundry vacuum transfer system comprising a stock box (12 or 13), having an inlet (22) connectable to a passageway and an outlet (23) connectable to a vacuum means (24) for developing sub-atmospheric pressure within the box and along the passageway for drawing textile articles into the box via said inlet, the box having an upper door (27) dividing the box into upper and lower compartments (31,32) and a lower door (28) for controlling discharge of textile articles onto a compartmentalized transfer belt (15) located beneath the lower door (28)), and an accumulation bin (16 or 17) which receives laundry from the transfer belt (15), which is indexed to transport the laundry to the bin (16 or 17), the stock box having both compartments separately connected to the outlet via valve means (29).

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a bill-operated capsuled article vending machine. The capsuled article vending machine 10 is provided with a capsule container 12 at an upper portion thereof and a capsule dispensing unit 14 at a lower portion thereof. The capsule dispensing unit 14 is provided with a reverse rotation preventing mechanism 44 of the handle 32, a bill identifying unit 50, a bill storing box 52 and a rotation control unit 54 for the handle 32, in addition to the handle 32. The rotation control unit 54 is provided with a locking mechanism 60 for locking or unlocking the handle 32, a sensor 62 for detecting a rotational position or a rotational angle of the handle 32 and a control unit 64. When the bill identifying unit 50 recognizes reception of a prescribed bill, the rotation control unit 54 enables one rotation of the handle 32, by which an article is dispensed.

Abstract: A curved or multisided bowl like counting device with a flat inner surface which may have raised dividers or lines such that tablets or capsules poured into said device in quantities of 10 to 15 at a time can be easily counted by visual discernment of groupings of two's, three's, four's, five's, six's, seven's or eight's.

Abstract: An automated method and system for sorting packs of lottery tickets supplied in a random order includes designating collections of the ticket packs, and assigning each particular collection to a bin position along an automated sorting line. Each ticket pack is identified with a particular collection as a function of data marks on the ticket packs. The ticket packs are conveyed in a random linear sequence past a data mark reader and to the bin positions. For each scanned pack, a bin position is determined for a collection the respective ticket pack is needed for. The ticket packs are automatically removed at the proper bin position.

Abstract: A container machine and method, the machine comprising: an exit track for containers; a primary starwheel holding processed containers and moving the processed containers along a pitch line path toward the exit track; a sorter starwheel positioned adjacent to the primary starwheel and driven in phase synchronization with the primary starwheel; a sorter track for providing a path for containers held by the sorter starwheel; a diverter mechanism to divert at least a selected one of the processed containers on the primary starwheel to a pocket of the sorter starwheel; and a timing device for causing the diverter mechanism to operate while the primary starwheel is rotating at least at fifty percent of production speed and preferably at production speed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Abstract: A unit dose medication compliance monitoring and reporting apparatus and system (100) that includes a dispenser shell (120) formed with dose compartments (130). A retainer sheet (150) affixed to the shell (120) seals each compartment (130) and partially bursts upon dispensing. A sensor network and monitoring and reporting circuitry (160, 170) records dispensing times and determines an average time interval, which can be reported with other data on an integral data display (190). The system (100) can thereby monitor and report patient compliance with prescription regimens. Additional data can be recorded and displayed for augmented patient compliance assistance and analysis, which data can include customized informational messages, telephone and other patient support contact information, unit doses dispensed and remaining, reminder alarms, identification data, prescription regimens, among other data.

Abstract: A networked items dispenser is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a bulk storage bin for storing items, a temporary storage bin for receiving the items, and a dispensing receptacle for receiving the items from the temporary storage bin. A communications network interface is provided for entering programming instructions. A programmable internal memory device is also included for storing a schedule for dispensing the items, such that the schedule can be automatically adjusted according to a hierarchy of dispensing rules.

Abstract: A tablet filling device to convey a vial to a tablet cassette for receiving tablets easily and reliably. The tablet filling device includes: a detachable tablet feeding unit including a plurality of tablet feeders capable of discharging tablets one by one and arranged horizontally and vertically; and an arm unit that carries an empty vial, fills the vial with tablets discharged from a tablet feeder of the tablet feeding unit, and carries the vial filled with the tablets. The arm unit includes: a perpendicularly moving base movable horizontally and vertically along a horizontal rail and a vertical rail, respectively, the rails provided in directions in which the tablet feeders of the tablet feeding unit are arranged; an arm base on the perpendicularly moving base to be slidable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal rail and horizontally rotatable; and an arm, on the arm base, capable of holding the vial.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a three button actuated pill holder/dispenser are provided. Such a pill holder/dispenser may include a housing comprising a plurality of apertures, a top button and two side buttons. In response to actuation of the top button, a pill may be dispensed from the pill holder/dispenser. Preferably, the two side buttons, which may project through the apertures, lock the top button, such that the top button may only be actuated when the two side buttons are depressed. Alternatively, some other sequence of the buttons may be implemented to cause a pill to be actuated. Additionally, the pill holder/dispenser may be packaged in a sealable package.

Abstract: A medication dispenser comprises slots that may be sized to accommodate medication containers of various sizes. Each slot has an associated barcode reader. A user inserts the pharmacy-provided pill or medication container into one slot. The barcode on the container is read. From the barcode the medication in the container is identified. The device contains a simple user interface that allows the user to enter the dosing frequency prescribed, how many pills or cc's are in the container, how many refills and a starting time. The dispenser alerts users to possible drug interactions with medications in other slots as well as alerts them to dosing times and other pertinent information.

Abstract: A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product. The apparatus comprises one or more bins for holding a bulk product, a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to each of the bins, a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanisms, and an interface for receiving a request for one of the bulk products. The controller is operatively coupled to the interface and configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a request for controlling the dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the bulk products.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for delivery product from a dispensing container received in use within said dispensing apparatus, the dispensing apparatus comprising a housing defining a socket for said dispensing container and an outlet for product dispensed from said dispensing container, the apparatus further comprising a dose counting mechanism wherein at least a part of the dose counting mechanism is formed from copolyester.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles using an apparatus including a housing and a sensor system, the housing defining a dispensing passage having a dispensing inlet and a dispensing outlet downstream of the dispensing inlet, the sensor system including first and second sensors spaced apart along the dispensing channel such that the second sensor is located downstream of the first sensor. The method includes: forcing at least one article along a path through the dispensing passage; generating detection signals using the first and second sensors responsive to articles passing through the dispensing channel; and using the detection signals from the first and second sensors to monitor dispensing performance of the apparatus.

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

Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely, detecting a tablet dropped in a last hopper so that packaging speed of tablets is increased and operation of a shutter and a sealer is precisely performed, is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine includes a last hopper provided at the lower end of a hopper installed in a main frame, a shutter installed in the last hopper, and a shutter driving part for driving the shutter to open and close the last hopper, and the apparatus includes a dropping tablet detector installed in the last hopper to detect when the tablet is dropped into the last hopper and to input the detected information about the dropping tablet to the controller such that the moment when the shutter is opened is optimized.

Abstract: The various aspects of the invention include embodiments of an integrated consumer or household product dispensing system which include one or more releasable product containers which are preferably disposable, and which include state-sensitive elements in communication with a processor, and which provide for the enhancement of the convenience, safety and efficiency of product use and re-supply. Certain embodiments of the dispensing system can automatically and/or semi-automatically manage a users inventory of one or more products and determine when re-supply is needed. Further embodiments of the dispensing system can automatically and/or semi-automatically place re-supply transactions with E-commerce suppliers and/or carry out related transactions with shippers and financial institutions, so as to provide for convenient product container re-supply. Further exemplary embodiments including a personal dental care dispenser system are described.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for dispensing flat sheet articles from a stack, and having a housing, a magazine for storing the articles, a base disposed perpendicularly to the housing, the base having service portion and a delivery portion, the service portion communicating with a lower portion of the magazine, and a dispensing mechanism within the service portion of the base, in which the dispensing mechanism engages with an article at the lower portion of the magazine for advancing the article into the delivery portion of the base, and an agitator operable upon return movement of a dispensing mechanism for agitating the articles in the magazine.

Abstract: A system for controlling access and recording who has been allowed or denied access to controlled access areas. A sanitization station which controls access to protected areas and records who has been allowed to enter and who has been denied entry to the area. Improved sanitization stations providing greater safety and efficacy as well as efficient and clean operation. Access control systems and stations that record attempts to access protected areas through the station, permit or deny access to the protected based on preset rules or permissions, and also record compliance with requirements for access to the protected area by authorized persons. The systems and stations may trigger local or remote alarms when an unauthorized person enters or attempts to enter a protected area, or fails to comply with conditions required to gain admission to the protected area.