A spiral-type object dispensing unit (1) includes: a box-shaped column (2) having an opening (22) in the lower surface; a motor unit (3) including motor (11); and spiral (20) disposed in the column (2), the spiral detachably joined to rotary shaft (14) of the motor (11) at an upper end and extending spirally toward the opening (22) of the column (2) at a lower end. Products supported by the spiral (20) are dispensed from opening (22) by motor (11) rotating and driving spiral (20). A spiral unit (4) including spiral (20) and guide (21) is interchangeable between a first spiral unit that includes a first guide extending in a vertical direction on a central axis of the spiral (20) and a second spiral unit that includes a second guide extending in the vertical direction to the left of the central axis.

A spiral-type object dispensing unit (1) includes: a box-shaped column (2) having an opening (22) in the lower surface; a motor unit (3) including motor (11); and spiral (20) disposed in the column (2), the spiral detachably joined to rotary shaft (14) of the motor (11) at an upper end and extending spirally toward the opening (22) of the column (2) at a lower end. Products supported by the spiral (20) are dispensed from opening (22) by motor (11) rotating and driving spiral (20). A spiral unit (4) including spiral (20) and guide (21) is interchangeable between a first spiral unit that includes a first guide extending in a vertical direction on a central axis of the spiral (20) and a second spiral unit that includes a second guide extending in the vertical direction to the left of the central axis.

A distribution station includes a base, a housing, a rotating shelf, a distribution vehicle, a sorting device, and a control system. The housing is provided on the base, and is provided with a goods access port and an access door. The rotating shelf is provided on the base and located in the housing. The rotating shelf includes a rotating shaft, a transmission belt, a plurality of shelf units, and a driving mechanism. The distribution vehicle enters and exits the housing via the access door and is used to transport goods. The sorting device is provided on the base and located in the housing. The sorting device is used to pick up goods and place the same between the distribution vehicle and the shelf units. The control system is used to control the driving mechanism and the sorting device.

Automated cold storage unit and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other products in compliance with regulatory requirements are provided. Such units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more controlled temperature zones fitted with temperature sensors. The units include a reader to track product information and status. Product movement within the unit is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with secure access to the contents of the unit and associated product data and information.

Automated cold storage unit and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other products in compliance with regulatory requirements are provided. Such units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more controlled temperature zones fitted with temperature sensors. The units include a reader to track product information and status. Product movement within the unit is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with secure access to the contents of the unit and associated product data and information.

A vending machine with a curved exterior shape is disclosed. Some embodiments of the vending machine are circular in design, and include a transparent upper housing that allows customers to see into the interior of the vending machine. Products for vending may be stored in a non-transparent lower housing. A centrally-located product delivery system transports products for vending from the lower housing to delivery portals located on the upper housing. The product delivery system is able to move along a vertical line and rotate through the horizontal plane and can deliver products from any portion of the lower housing to any delivery portals located on the upper housing.

A medicine cassette 100 includes a side-wall constituent body 110, a first rotating body 120, a second rotating body 130 and a medicine discharging part 144c. The medicine cassette 100 can scrape up medicines prepared in a medicine containing part 182 along with a rotation of the first rotating body 120 to transfer and place the medicines onto the second rotating body 130 and transfer the medicines toward a downstream side of a rotational direction of the second rotating body 130 to discharge the medicines from the medicine discharging part 144c. An expanding portion 110a expanding toward an outer side of a radial direction of the second rotating body 130 is provided in the side-wall constituent body 110 on a lower side of the second rotating body 130.

A medicine cassette 100 includes a side-wall constituent body 110, a first rotating body 120, a second rotating body 130 and a medicine discharging part 144c. The medicine cassette 100 can scrape up medicines prepared in a medicine containing part 182 along with a rotation of the first rotating body 120 to transfer and place the medicines onto the second rotating body 130 and transfer the medicines toward a downstream side of a rotational direction of the second rotating body 130 to discharge the medicines from the medicine discharging part 144c. An expanding portion 110a expanding toward an outer side of a radial direction of the second rotating body 130 is provided in the side-wall constituent body 110 on a lower side of the second rotating body 130.

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.

Embodiments herein call for an apparatus, method, and system for the sale and provision to users of mattresses, pillows, and other bedding and bedroom-related products. The system comprising: a storage compartment configured to hold one or more units each of one or more products, wherein the one or more products are selected from pillows, mattresses, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, or comforters; at least one delivery compartment configured to receive at least one unit and permit extraction of the at least one unit by a user; a unit transfer subsystem configured to remove a selected at least one unit from the storage compartment and transfer the selected at least one unit to the delivery compartment; and a user interface configured to display the one or more products to a user, receive a user selection of one or more of the units, and authorize the unit transfer subsystem to transfer the selected at least one unit to the delivery compartment.