Provided is an automatic column setting device for an article vending machine. The device is for an article vending machine 1 including a column in an article storing shelf 13, to store articles arranged in a front-rear direction, and a dispensing mechanism 55 removably installed for the column in the shelf 13, to sequentially dispense the stored articles, the mechanism 55 is arbitrarily installable at a plurality of preset right and left positions in the shelf 13, and the automatic column setting device includes a motor presence/absence information preparing section 81 that detects an installation position of motor 61 in accordance with a connected state of motor 61, and a pattern extracting section 82 that determines a type and an installation position of the mechanism 55 in the shelf 13 based on presence/absence information of motor 61 that is detected by the motor presence/absence information preparing section 81.

Provided is an automatic column setting device for an article vending machine. The device is for an article vending machine 1 including a column in an article storing shelf 13, to store articles arranged in a front-rear direction, and a dispensing mechanism 55 removably installed for the column in the shelf 13, to sequentially dispense the stored articles, the mechanism 55 is arbitrarily installable at a plurality of preset right and left positions in the shelf 13, and the automatic column setting device includes a motor presence/absence information preparing section 81 that detects an installation position of motor 61 in accordance with a connected state of motor 61, and a pattern extracting section 82 that determines a type and an installation position of the mechanism 55 in the shelf 13 based on presence/absence information of motor 61 that is detected by the motor presence/absence information preparing section 81.

A system that includes detergent articles and a dispenser. The dispenser may include a drum containing the articles, a collection element having a scoop, and a refilling area. The drum may be rotatable around a drum rotation axis making an angle of at least 75 degrees and of less than 135 degrees with the direction of gravity, and the drum may have a cylindrical shape, a barrel shape, a funnel shape or a conical shape.

An apparatus for retaining and dispensing feminine products, the apparatus including a rack configured to hold a feminine product; a pushbutton that, when activated, is configured to move a push rod in a first direction, the push rod having teeth configured to engage a pinion gear as the push rod is moved along the first direction; a push member associated with the pinion gear, the push member being configured to engage the feminine product and thereby cause the product to dispense onto a release tray as the push rod is moved along the first direction; and a plunger associated with the pinion gear, the plunger being configured to contact a timing plate in response to the pinion gear rotating. The plunger is adapted to temporarily affix to the timing plate by a suction force for a period of time sufficient for the pushbutton to reset before a second feminine product can be dispensed.

An apparatus for retaining and dispensing feminine products, the apparatus including a rack configured to hold a feminine product; a pushbutton that, when activated, is configured to move a push rod in a first direction, the push rod having teeth configured to engage a pinion gear as the push rod is moved along the first direction; a push member associated with the pinion gear, the push member being configured to engage the feminine product and thereby cause the product to dispense onto a release tray as the push rod is moved along the first direction; and a plunger associated with the pinion gear, the plunger being configured to contact a timing plate in response to the pinion gear rotating. The plunger is adapted to temporarily affix to the timing plate by a suction force for a period of time sufficient for the pushbutton to reset before a second feminine product can be dispensed.

A secure storage and retrieval system has a vault with a frame, one or more platters rotatably mounted about the frame, storage bins arranged radially about each of the one or more platters, and mounting surfaces arranged about a perimeter of the vault; and at least one user terminal connected to the vault at one of the mounting surfaces of the vault, the at least one user terminal including an elevator system that vertically moves the plurality of storage bins between any of the one or more platters and an opening formed through an outer shell of the user terminal.

A package delivery system for an automated delivery management of one or more packages is provided. The package delivery system may include a package locker unit and a control network. The package locker unit includes at least one adjustable access point, at least one pallet tower and at least one adjustable door assembly slidably. The at least one pallet tower includes a plurality of adjustable racks. The adjustable door assembly slidably coupled to the at least one pallet tower and defines an adjustable access point to access the package from the respective pallet of the respective rack. The control network is configured to facilitate customized automatic operation of the at least one adjustable door assembly while loading and delivery of the one or more packages.

A food management system includes a cabinet having a chamber, a lift, and an ejector. The chamber is defined, in part, by a front wall including a chute defining a first end of a dispensing region along the cabinet. At least one lift is disposed within the chamber, and is configured to receive a plurality of containers therein. The lift is operable to sequentially present at least one of the containers to the dispensing region of the cabinet. The ejector includes a bumper disposed within the dispensing region. The bumper is operable to translate through the dispensing region from a retracted position on an opposite side of the at least one lift from the chute, to an extended position between the retracted position and the chute to bias the at least one of the containers from the at least one lift through the chute.

A dispenser of hygiene products, including feminine pads and tampons activated by a motion sensor. A motion of a person's hand or other object within a given distance from the motion sensor will close an electronic circuit causing a motor to rotate. The motor is attached to a shaft which rotates. The shaft retains a product dispenser. The product dispenser transports one of the hygiene products to a retrieval tray. A time delay reduces the likelihood of or prevents someone from continuously activating the motion sensor to dispense all of the products in the machine.

A vending machine system for loading and dispensing pre-baked unpackaged food including a fixed cartridge disposed in a refrigerator of a vending machine, and a transport cartridge adapted to removably attach to the fixed cartridge, the transport cartridge operable for holding trays of unpackaged food and loading the trays of unpackaged food from the transport cartridge into the fixed cartridge, wherein, when the transport cartridge is removably attached to the fixed cartridge, a front opening of the transport cartridge aligns with a front opening of the fixed cartridge, and wherein the rack of the transport cartridge aligns with the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge such that trays of unpackaged food within the transport cartridge can simultaneously be transitioned from the rack to the conveyor system.