A refrigerated dispensing system is provided including an outer refrigerator cabinet and an interior, removable chassis that mounts a plurality of separately removable product storage and dispensing cartridges. While individual cartridges are removably positionable within slots on one or more shelves inside of the chassis, the entire chassis (with cartridges positioned thereon) may be removed from the outer refrigerator cabinet, as may be desirable in the event of a loss of power to the outer refrigerator cabinet. The shelves are preferably of a modular and reconfigurable design, thus allowing portions of the chassis (e.g., individual shelves or portions thereof) to be modified or replaced with alternative shelving or other storage devices to meet the current refrigerated product storage needs of any particular facility.

A vending refrigerator for dispensing pharmaceutical products, such as vials, bottles, syringes, and the like, at a point of distribution, e.g., a doctor's office or pharmacy. The vending refrigerator comprises a first product dispenser for one type of packaging and a second product dispenser for a second type of packaging. The product can be removed from a dispenser drawer but cannot be placed back into the dispenser through the drawer. The product dispensers are filled through openings that are not accessible during normal operations, but that are accessible during refilling procedures. The refrigerator may include a shelf where products that are mistakenly pulled from the product dispenser or that contain multiple doses of their contents can be placed for temporary storage. In some embodiments, the refrigerator comprises a chilled compartment and a freezer compartment.

A vending refrigerator for dispensing pharmaceutical products, such as vials, bottles, syringes, and the like, at a point of distribution, e.g., a doctor's office or pharmacy. The vending refrigerator comprises a first product dispenser for one type of packaging and a second product dispenser for a second type of packaging. The product can be removed from a dispenser drawer but cannot be placed back into the dispenser through the drawer. The product dispensers are filled through openings that are not accessible during normal operations, but that are accessible during refilling procedures. The refrigerator may include a shelf where products that are mistakenly pulled from the product dispenser or that contain multiple doses of their contents can be placed for temporary storage. In some embodiments, the refrigerator comprises a chilled compartment and a freezer compartment.

A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. The cover is designed to block access to the compartment of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration. The switch is connected to the electric actuator, and when activated the switch selectively shorts the electric actuator. Sliding the drawer relative to the enclosure activates the switch.

A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. The cover is designed to block access to the compartment of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration. The switch is connected to the electric actuator, and when activated the switch selectively shorts the electric actuator. Sliding the drawer relative to the enclosure activates the switch.

Disclosed is a medicine dispensing device and a method for dispensing medicine, wherein the medicine dispensing device includes a tray and a drop plate below the tray in a drop direction, wherein the drop plate is slidable relative to the tray between a hold position and a drop position, wherein the medicine dispensing device further includes one or more retaining members for retaining the drop plate relative to the tray in the drop direction when the drop plate is in a dispensing path, wherein the drop plate is slidable in a release direction into a release position outside of the dispensing path, wherein the one or more retaining members are arranged for releasing the drop plate from the tray in the release position.

Disclosed is a medicine dispensing device and a method for dispensing medicine, wherein the medicine dispensing device includes a tray and a drop plate below the tray in a drop direction, wherein the drop plate is slidable relative to the tray between a hold position and a drop position, wherein the medicine dispensing device further includes one or more retaining members for retaining the drop plate relative to the tray in the drop direction when the drop plate is in a dispensing path, wherein the drop plate is slidable in a release direction into a release position outside of the dispensing path, wherein the one or more retaining members are arranged for releasing the drop plate from the tray in the release position.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Disclosed is a medicine dispensing device and a method for dispensing medicine, wherein the medicine dispensing device includes a tray and a drop plate below the tray in a drop direction, wherein the drop plate is slidable relative to the tray between a hold position and a drop position, wherein the medicine dispensing device further includes one or more retaining members for retaining the drop plate relative to the tray in the drop direction when the drop plate is in a dispensing path, wherein the drop plate is slidable in a release direction into a release position outside of the dispensing path, wherein the one or more retaining members are arranged for releasing the drop plate from the tray in the release position.