An article dispensing apparatus includes an article discharging apparatus, which includes a base, an article storage passage storing articles, a lower pedal, and an upper pedal, an out-of-stock detection switch that is turned to a first state when the lower pedal is in a second standby position and that is turned to a second state when the lower pedal is in a position other than the second standby position; an output member putting the article discharging apparatus in the standby state and drives the article discharging apparatus when the output member rotates from the standby position; and a controller rotating the output member to return the output member to the standby position when the output member rotated from the standby position does not return to the standby position in a preset set time and when the out-of-stock detection switch is turned to the first state in the set time.

A dispenser of feminine 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 feminine product dispenser. The feminine product dispenser transports one of the feminine 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 dispenser of feminine 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 feminine product dispenser. The feminine product dispenser transports one of the feminine 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.

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.

An automatic heating vending machine including a storage space, a storage mechanism, a fetching mechanism, a gripping arm mechanism, a rotating disc mechanism and a heating mechanism are disclosed. The storage mechanism is installed in the storage space to store food. The fetching mechanism is installed in the storage space and disposed under the storage mechanism to catch the food. The gripping arm mechanism grips the food on the fetching mechanism. The rotating disc mechanism is disposed on one side of the gripping arm mechanism. The gripping arm mechanism grips the food and then places the food on the rotating disc mechanism. The heating mechanism is disposed above the rotating disc mechanism. After the food has been placed on the rotating disc mechanism, the rotating disc mechanism undergoes horizontal movement and vertical movement, allowing the food to be admitted to the heating mechanism and heated.

An automatic heating vending machine including a storage space, a storage mechanism, a fetching mechanism, a gripping arm mechanism, a rotating disc mechanism and a heating mechanism are disclosed. The storage mechanism is installed in the storage space to store food. The fetching mechanism is installed in the storage space and disposed under the storage mechanism to catch the food. The gripping arm mechanism grips the food on the fetching mechanism. The rotating disc mechanism is disposed on one side of the gripping arm mechanism. The gripping arm mechanism grips the food and then places the food on the rotating disc mechanism. The heating mechanism is disposed above the rotating disc mechanism. After the food has been placed on the rotating disc mechanism, the rotating disc mechanism undergoes horizontal movement and vertical movement, allowing the food to be admitted to the heating mechanism and heated.

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.

Virtually immersive and physical digital systems and methods are described for dispensing physical consumer products. In various aspects, such systems and methods comprise receiving, by one or more processors from an input controller of a pedestal, a first selection corresponding to a selected virtual product selected from one or more virtual rendered products as rendered on a virtually immersive GUI. Based on the first selection, first virtual immersive graphical content, comprising image frame(s) depicting the selected virtual product, is rendered on a display screen. A second selection corresponding to the selected virtual product is received from the input controller causing second virtual immersive graphical content to be rendered the display screen. The second virtual immersive graphical content comprises image frame(s) depicting the selected virtual product being virtually dispensed or provided. A physical dispenser dispenses a physical product corresponding to the selected virtual product in a location accessible to the user.

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.