A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of interconnected bins, wherein the bins include a housing having a bottom and an open top. A drawer is slidable into and out of the housing and includes an open top and a ticket compartment configured for receipt of a stack of the interconnected lottery tickets in a laid-down orientation. A component section adjacent in the drawer is configured to automatically dispense the lottery tickets through a dispense slot upon receipt of a dispense command. A ramp is disposed within the ticket compartment and is angled upwards from a floor of the ticket compartment towards the component section. The ramp includes a plurality of raised ridges extending across the ramp and spaced longitudinally apart along the ramp, wherein each ridge defines a retaining edge for progressively longer stacks of interconnected lottery tickets placed within the ticket compartment in the laid-down orientation.

A dispenser of disposable containers for the preparation of beverages has a hopper to contain a plurality of disposable containers, a discharge unit to discharge the disposable containers, and a dispensing wheel, which receives disposable containers from the hopper, dispenses disposable containers to the discharge unit, is interchangeable to reconfigure the dispenser depending on the shape and/or size of the disposable containers, and is releasably connectable to an actuating device of the dispensing wheel.

Systems and methods that perform automated selection and delivery of a fastener. The system or apparatus may include a fastener inventory portion that retains a plurality of fasteners; a user delivery portion; a transfer assembly that affords physical transport of a fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion to the user delivery portion; a fastener attribute assembly that inputs desired fastener attribute data (DFA data) regarding a desired fastener; a computer system that interfaces with the fastener attribute assembly to input the DFA data; maps the DFA data to at least one fastener candidate; determines a fastener selection amongst the at least one fastener candidate; determines a number of discrete units of the desired fastener that comprise the fastener selection; and controls the transfer assembly to retrieve the fastener selection from the fastener inventory portion and physically transport the fastener selection to the user delivery portion.

A system of the present invention includes a shared commercial region for use by a plurality of tenant vendors, providing both a virtual and tangible experience regarding products of the tenant vendors. The system can also include a common area of the shared commercial region, populated by interaction terminals and goods linked to product information pages available through the interaction terminals or mobile devices. Through various embodiments, tenant vendors may be efficiently represented within a shared commercial region in high-cost/rent locations and geographically diverse venues, and in locations not normally suited for a small vendor to establish a sales presence. Also provided are systems for completing purchases on an immediate or deferred basis, and systems to monitor and analyze customer traffic and behaviors.

A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of interconnected bins, wherein the bins include a housing having a bottom and an open top. A drawer is slidable into and out of the housing and includes an open top and a ticket compartment configured for receipt of a stack of the interconnected lottery tickets in a laid-down orientation. A component section adjacent in the drawer is configured to automatically dispense the lottery tickets through a dispense slot upon receipt of a dispense command. A ramp is disposed within the ticket compartment and is angled upwards from a floor of the ticket compartment towards the component section. The ramp includes a plurality of raised ridges extending across the ramp and spaced longitudinally apart along the ramp, wherein each ridge defines a retaining edge for progressively longer stacks of interconnected lottery tickets placed within the ticket compartment in the laid-down orientation.

A food and beverage item identification and tracking device, and system for improving supply chain logistical operations and inventory management are disclosed. Multiple food and beverage item identification and tracking devices may be attached to corresponding beverage containers or food containers. Each of the food and beverage item identification and tracking devices includes a wireless communication device and a user interface. The user interface includes an LED to emit light responsive to an instruction received wirelessly, so that the food or beverage container is visually identifiable. The user interface may also include a speaker or buzzer so that the food or beverage container is audibly identifiable. A remote computing device may control the food and beverage item identification and tracking devices so that a subset of the tracking devices can be identified, and packaged for shipment. The system is designed to operate within either a distributor location or a reseller location.

A vending machine has a plurality of dispensing trays, each of which supports a plurality of products and is provided with an interchangeable lower plate coupled to a lower support frame, a plurality of supply channels, a product feeder to feed the products along each supply channel, and a driver to move the product feeder along the supply channel; the drivers are coupled to an interchangeable rear support frame.

This invention involves a digital wall-mounted vending machine having helix discharge units which are used to store and dispense packaged objects such as a diaper changing kit and other diaper-changing products such as baby wipes. The diaper changing kit is comprised of a diaper, a changing table cover, and a disposal bag. The machine utilizes a horizontal helix dispensing system made of coils. The space between the coils can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of products. A method is also provided to permit users to locate wall-mounted vending machines. The system involves a transceiver configured to communicate via a network. The transceiver may include a wireless transceiver and the network may include a cellular network.

A self-vending beverage distribution station is disclosed. The station is housed inside an aircraft or vehicle monument having a counter surface and delivery points set thereinto, the counter supported by forward and rear structural walls which define an interior compartment. The station can accommodate multiple mobile beverage dispensing carts secured therein, each cart capable of dispensing a variety of canned beverages. The station includes beverage dispensing systems connected to the beverage carts. The beverage dispensing systems include a selector for retrieving selected cans from the cart, conveyors for transferring the selected cans to a can lift, and linear actuators for transporting the cans upward to the delivery points for collection by the requesting users or consumers. Control systems within the dispensing station receive user requests and coordinates operations of the beverage dispensing systems.

A shuttle for handling and transporting goods, including: a receiving base suitable for receiving a removable support for goods; a gripper suitable for cooperating with the removable support, the gripper being movable relative to the receiving base; and an extension system connected to the gripper, for moving the removable support on the receiving base. The extension system moves the gripper along a transverse axis while remaining parallel to itself, between retracted position, a first protruding position, and a second protruding position opposite the first protruding position with respect to the retracted position.