This disclosure includes a parcel terminal that may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptable for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader. The electronic controller may be configured to determine a number of open shelves required to accommodate the parcel based on a size of the parcel and on the respective predetermined distances, to select a set of shelves having at least the required number of open shelves, and to initiate a movement of the loader so as to place the parcel within the selected set of shelves.

A cup dispenser comprising a cup-holder turret comprising a plurality of columns containing respective stacks of cups and each provided with an associated cup release device operable to release individual cups from the stack of cups; and an electronically-controllable actuator assembly comprising a first electric actuator to rotate the cup-holder turret; and a second electric actuator to operate the cup release devices of the columns.

Disclosed is a vending machine, including a cabinet, a bucket, a bucket drive mechanism, a first shutter mechanism, a second shutter mechanism, a controller and a storage column; a pickup port is arranged at the surface of the cabinet; the storage column stores the commodities; the bucket includes an inlet and an outlet; the inlet receives the commodity to be conveyed from the storage column, and the outlet is butted with the pickup port; the bucket drive mechanism drives the bucket to move in the cabinet; the first shutter mechanism blocks or opens the inlet; the second shutter mechanism blocks or opens the outlet; the controller controls the first shutter mechanism to open the inlet and the second shutter mechanism to block the outlet in the process of commodity to be conveyed entering the bucket. Further disclosed is a commodity conveying method.

Disclosed is a vending machine, including a cabinet, a bucket, a bucket drive mechanism, a first shutter mechanism, a second shutter mechanism, a controller and a storage column; a pickup port is arranged at the surface of the cabinet; the storage column stores the commodities; the bucket includes an inlet and an outlet; the inlet receives the commodity to be conveyed from the storage column, and the outlet is butted with the pickup port; the bucket drive mechanism drives the bucket to move in the cabinet; the first shutter mechanism blocks or opens the inlet; the second shutter mechanism blocks or opens the outlet; the controller controls the first shutter mechanism to open the inlet and the second shutter mechanism to block the outlet in the process of commodity to be conveyed entering the bucket. Further disclosed is a commodity conveying method.

A dispenser for scrubs or other items is modular and can be configured with a desired number of cells for storing scrubs and dispensing them accordingly. The dispenser includes a main or primary bank of cells with each cell housing an inventory of multiple scrubs for dispensing. The main bank of cells may operate in a standalone manner to dispense scrubs, or additional banks can be added to the main bank for increased inventory capacity. The scrubs are stored in a vertical stack in each cell with the uppermost scrub in the cell being the next scrub in that cell to be dispensed. One or more pickers each translate along a gantry to be selectively positioned above one of the cells for picking to pull the uppermost scrub in the cell and elevate it out of the cell. Multiple pickers may operate simultaneously to pick and dispense multiple scrubs at the same time. Each cell includes a platform supporting the vertical stack of scrubs. Once picked, the scrub is moved by the picker along the gantry to a discharge position in the main bank over a discharge delivery chute.

A dispenser for scrubs or other items is modular and can be configured with a desired number of cells for storing scrubs and dispensing them accordingly. The dispenser includes a main or primary bank of cells with each cell housing an inventory of multiple scrubs for dispensing. The main bank of cells may operate in a standalone manner to dispense scrubs, or additional banks can be added to the main bank for increased inventory capacity. The scrubs are stored in a vertical stack in each cell with the uppermost scrub in the cell being the next scrub in that cell to be dispensed. One or more pickers each translate along a gantry to be selectively positioned above one of the cells for picking to pull the uppermost scrub in the cell and elevate it out of the cell. Multiple pickers may operate simultaneously to pick and dispense multiple scrubs at the same time. Each cell includes a platform supporting the vertical stack of scrubs. Once picked, the scrub is moved by the picker along the gantry to a discharge position in the main bank over a discharge delivery chute.

The invention relates to a device (100) for the sale of goods (161), having at least two storage areas (111, 112), in each of which a temperature different from the other storage areas can be set and/or adjusted in a respectively associated temperature range, and which are each arranged for the storage of goods (161), having an automated handling system (120), by means of which goods (161) can be removed from each of the storage areas (111, 112), and having a output device (130) in which goods (161) can be provided for removal, the device (100) being arranged to remove selected goods (161) from the storage areas (111, 112) by means of the handling system (120) and, after a release, to provide them for removal in the output device (130), a system having at least one such device and a method for operating such a device (100).

A modular vending machine system including: multiple cartridges configured to hold a good to be dispensed; a docking station configured to removably store at least one of the cartridges; a vending machine main body including a cartridge port configured to receive at least one of the cartridges, a dispensing-port for dispensing the good to a user, and a mechanism configured to perform at least one of removing the good from the cartridge, performing dispensing preparation processing of the good, or dispensing the good via the dispensing port; and control circuitry configured to control operation of the cartridges, the docking station, and the vending machine, wherein the cartridge is provided with a traveling mechanism configured to enable the cartridge to move to and from the docking station and the vending machine main body.

A modular vending machine system including: multiple cartridges configured to hold a good to be dispensed; a docking station configured to removably store at least one of the cartridges; a vending machine main body including a cartridge port configured to receive at least one of the cartridges, a dispensing-port for dispensing the good to a user, and a mechanism configured to perform at least one of removing the good from the cartridge, performing dispensing preparation processing of the good, or dispensing the good via the dispensing port; and control circuitry configured to control operation of the cartridges, the docking station, and the vending machine, wherein the cartridge is provided with a traveling mechanism configured to enable the cartridge to move to and from the docking station and the vending machine main body.

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.