Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for modular vending systems utilizing reloadable product dispensing modules, including, but not limited to, vertical product dispensing modules comprising a vertical conveyor and a mounting structure for releasably engaging with module holder structures of modular vending machines, and a central controller device for communicating with a plurality of modular vending machines.

A cabinet for storing items has at least one carousel rotatable about an axis of the cabinet, and each carousel has a plurality of compartments formed about the axis. The cabinet is structured to store items into the compartments or discharge items out of the compartments.

A cabinet for storing items has at least one carousel rotatable about an axis of the cabinet, and each carousel has a plurality of compartments formed about the axis. The cabinet is structured to store items into the compartments or discharge items out of the compartments.

Disclosed is a media rotation mechanism. The media rotation mechanism may include a housing, a media receiver, and a rotation motor. The housing may define a first opening and a second opening. The media receiver may define a media receiver opening. The rotation motor may be configured to rotate the media receiver between a first position and a second position. The first position may correspond to the media receiver opening facing the first opening. The second position may correspond to the media receiver opening facing the second opening.

Disclosed is a media rotation mechanism. The media rotation mechanism may include a housing, a media receiver, and a rotation motor. The housing may define a first opening and a second opening. The media receiver may define a media receiver opening. The rotation motor may be configured to rotate the media receiver between a first position and a second position. The first position may correspond to the media receiver opening facing the first opening. The second position may correspond to the media receiver opening facing the second opening.

There is provided a rotary stocker which includes: a base; a rotary part provided on the base and rotatably connected to the base about a rotary axis extending in a vertical direction; a rotary drive device provided for rotating the rotary part; a plurality of shelves on which an object to be placed is placed, the plurality of shelves being fixed to the rotary part and being arranged in a circumferential direction about the rotary axis; and a sensor positioned outside the plurality of shelves in a radial direction of the rotary axis, the sensor capable of detecting whether the object to be placed is placed on each of the shelves positioned between the rotary axis and the sensor.

There is provided a rotary stocker which includes: a base; a rotary part provided on the base and rotatably connected to the base about a rotary axis extending in a vertical direction; a rotary drive device provided for rotating the rotary part; a plurality of shelves on which an object to be placed is placed, the plurality of shelves being fixed to the rotary part and being arranged in a circumferential direction about the rotary axis; and a sensor positioned outside the plurality of shelves in a radial direction of the rotary axis, the sensor capable of detecting whether the object to be placed is placed on each of the shelves positioned between the rotary axis and the sensor.

Disclosed is an apparatus for securely storing, labeling, and automatically dispensing a medication to a patient. The apparatus includes an interface for verifying the identity of the patient prior to the medicine being dispensed. The patient obtains the medication via a dispenser that is selectively rotatable between secure and dispensing sides. The disclosure further relates to an associated system and method for allowing a health care professional to remotely prescribe a medication that is subsequently dispensed by the apparatus.

Disclosed is an apparatus for securely storing, labeling, and automatically dispensing a medication to a patient. The apparatus includes an interface for verifying the identity of the patient prior to the medicine being dispensed. The patient obtains the medication via a dispenser that is selectively rotatable between secure and dispensing sides. The disclosure further relates to an associated system and method for allowing a health care professional to remotely prescribe a medication that is subsequently dispensed by the apparatus.

A food vending machine and a food vending method are provided. The food vending machine includes a storage device, a movement device, a delivery device and a heating device. The storage device is configured to store at least one food item. The movement device is provided corresponding to the storage device, and is configured to fetch the at least one food item from the storage device and move the at least one food item. The delivery device is provided corresponding to the movement device, and includes at least one delivery portion. The at least one delivery portion includes a placement board. The movement device is configured to move and place the at least one food item on the placement board. The heating device includes a steam portion, a hot water portion and at least one injection member.