In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a cloud based management system controlling a plurality of automated food production systems residing at different locations. A machine learning algorithm may be used to modify recipe data to customize recipes.

A novel food station comprises first and second pluralities of cubbies, each sized to enclose a food portion container, and a food collection hatch that is selectively externally accessible. A heating system can controllably heat one or more of the first plurality of cubbies independently of the first plurality of cubbies, and a cooling system can cool one or more of the second plurality of cubbies independently of the first plurality of cubbies. An internal transport system including an end effector that temporarily couples to the portion container carrier of a selected cooled cubby of the second plurality of cubbies and can controllably move the food portion container carrier to a selected heated cubby or to the food collection hatch.

The methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to controlling noise and performance associated with a vacuum system for retrieving and dispensing dispensable units, such as pills. By way of example and not limitation, such methods may be useful for addressing the particular challenges associated with automated dispensing of pills (or other dispensable units) in environments—such as many household or point-of-care environments—that are sensitive to noise and/or in environments in which the retrieval device is generally operated by users without specialized training in maintaining the retrieval device.

A mechanised container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base openable to deposit at least one item from the container in to a further container positioned by a load handling device beneath the first container. Each item can be stored in such mechanised containers in stacks within a robotic storage and picking system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for an automated storage system. The container has a base which extends across an area that has a center point and an imaginary center axis that extends through the center point. The container also has a casing with a bottom end connected to the base and a top end opposing the bottom end and defining an opening for accessing the container. The casing extends from the base in a direction which has a component parallel to the center axis. A rim extends from the second end of the casing away from the center axis. A bottom-facing skirt extends from the rim, whereby a gripping space is formed between the casing, rim and skirt of the container.

A fully autonomous delivery station, including a management unit for receiving orders for goods, and a housing including one or more storage devices containing goods to be delivered, a moving collector moving between the one or more storage devices for collecting the goods, and kiosk used by a user of the delivery station for receiving the goods outside the housing.

Provided herein are automated article dispensing systems having inventory management capabilities, and methods for managing inventory of articles in automated dispensing systems. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize an inventory management assembly which includes one or more sensors configured to detect directly or indirectly one or more parameters related to quality and/or quantity the articles and an inventory management processing module configured to compute inventory related data based at least on the one or more parameters.

The invention provides a vending machine for dispensing hot packaged food. The vending machine includes a storage and dispenser unit comprising plural dispensing trays arranged in an array for storing one or more packaged foods, a frame, and a carrier structure. Each individual dispensing tray includes a pivotable gate and a slideway inclined by a tilting angle from a horizontal axis. The carrier structure comprises a carrying arm having an engaging feature; and an engaging mechanism for actuating the pivotable gate. The engaging mechanism is configured to move the carrying arm towards the individual dispensing tray such that the engaging feature actuates the pivotable gate from a locked position to an unlocked position. The packaged food is prevented from sliding down when the pivotable gate is at the locked position. The packaged food is slidable relative to the individual dispensing tray when the pivotable gate is at the unlocked position.

There is provided a medicine dispensing system configured such that a medicine dispensing device includes a sub unit having a function to dispense medicine that is connected to a medicine dispensing device that includes a main unit having a function of packing medicines. There is also provided a medicine dispensing device that can be appropriately integrated with such a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes, in some embodiments a main unit, a sub unit and a transfer device connecting the main unit and the sub unit. The medicine dispensing system transfers the medicine dispensed in the sub unit to the main unit by means of a transfer device and dispenses the medicine at a medicine packing part together with the medicine dispensed from a main storage part in the main unit.

An automated storage system for receiving, storing, and dispensing items is herein proposed. The system has an enclosure, which defines a storage volume, and a port which selectively connects the storage volume to the ambient space for deposit and retrieval of items. The system also includes a plurality of containers for containing at least one item being stored as well as a support structure for supporting the plurality of containers in the storage volume. The containers feature a base, an envelope extending from the base, and an opening opposing the base and providing access to an inner volume defined by the base and envelope for containing at least one item. The system includes a manipulator for transporting the containers between an access position at the port and a storage position at the support structure. Finally, the system includes a one-sided attachment interface between the container and the support structure for removably attach the container to the support structure in the storage position, in which the opening of the container is above the base.