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.

An electronic medication storage cabinet includes a plurality of drawers configured with a plurality of sensors arranged to identify a positioning of storage pockets within the drawers. Upon receiving an indication of a new medicine container to be loaded in the cabinet, a sequence of steps to load the medicine container into the cabinet is generated based on a mapping algorithm. A first step is displayed on a display the cabinet, and a determination is made as to whether the first step is associated with one of the plurality of drawers. In response to determining that the first step is associated with one of the plurality of drawers, the drawer is automatically unlocked. In response to determining that the first step is successfully completed, a determination of whether execution of any additional steps is pending and indicated on the display.

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. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments 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 in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

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. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments 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 in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

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.

A touchless modular containment system for delivering one or more articles to a person includes a modular frame that defines a plurality of discrete cubbies. Each cubby has a front door that is coupled to the modular frame and includes a sliding drawer assembly for controllably delivering the one or more articles to the person. The sliding drawer assembly has a base tray that is secured to the modular frame. The sliding drawer assembly has a movable traveler assembly that defines a top surface of the sliding drawer assembly and moves between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. A front of the traveler assembly is positioned relative to and adjacent the front door such that forward driving of the traveler assembly toward the fully extended position opens the front door by the traveler assembly urging the front door open without any interaction between the person and the front door.

A touchless modular containment system for delivering one or more articles to a person includes a modular frame that defines a plurality of discrete cubbies. Each cubby has a front door that is coupled to the modular frame and includes a sliding drawer assembly for controllably delivering the one or more articles to the person. The sliding drawer assembly has a base tray that is secured to the modular frame. The sliding drawer assembly has a movable traveler assembly that defines a top surface of the sliding drawer assembly and moves between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. A front of the traveler assembly is positioned relative to and adjacent the front door such that forward driving of the traveler assembly toward the fully extended position opens the front door by the traveler assembly urging the front door open without any interaction between the person and the front door.

A drawer control means for controlling access to restricted stored items located in compartments in drawers positioned within a cabinet housing a multiplicity of drawers, said drawers being arranged in columns, whereby the drawers in any column can be controlled such that access to a selected drawer and access to a specified compartment within that drawer is effected by only two locking mechanisms per drawer column, and such that the withdrawal distance of a drawer from the cabinet is pre-set prior to the drawer being opened.

A drawer control means for controlling access to restricted stored items located in compartments in drawers positioned within a cabinet housing a multiplicity of drawers, said drawers being arranged in columns, whereby the drawers in any column can be controlled such that access to a selected drawer and access to a specified compartment within that drawer is effected by only two locking mechanisms per drawer column, and such that the withdrawal distance of a drawer from the cabinet is pre-set prior to the drawer being opened.

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.