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.

Approaches are described for storing, managing, and dispensing products from automated multi-user kiosks. For example, a multi-user kiosk may include interface sides alternating with non-interface panels including at least one storage door for loading products. Products are stored in a shared storage within the kiosk. The shared storage may be a plurality of carousels stacked as a single column Each carousel can rotate independently of each other. Users are verified and authorized prior to purchasing products or accessing storage for loading products. A first carousel containing a first product may be rotated in a first direction to dispense the first product to a first user at a first side of the kiosk at substantially a same time as a second carousel containing a second product rotates in a second direction to dispense the second product to a second user at a second side of the kiosk.

Approaches are described for storing, managing, and dispensing products from automated multi-user kiosks. For example, a multi-user kiosk may include interface sides alternating with non-interface panels including at least one storage door for loading products. Products are stored in a shared storage within the kiosk. The shared storage may be a plurality of carousels stacked as a single column Each carousel can rotate independently of each other. Users are verified and authorized prior to purchasing products or accessing storage for loading products. A first carousel containing a first product may be rotated in a first direction to dispense the first product to a first user at a first side of the kiosk at substantially a same time as a second carousel containing a second product rotates in a second direction to dispense the second product to a second user at a second side of the kiosk.

A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a dispensing device includes the steps of predicting a depletion time in the future when the medicaments in the container of a first feeder unit of the plurality of feeder units will be depleted or are past their expiry date; providing a notification ahead of said depletion time that a second feeder unit holding medicaments with the same composition as the first feeder unit needs to be presented to the dispensing device, together with a due time for presenting said second feeder unit to the dispensing device; and continuing the dispensing of the medicaments from the first feeder unit at least until the due time.

A method for dispensing discrete medicaments with a first feeder unit includes the steps of determining a remaining value indicative of the amount of the medicaments remaining in the container; comparing said remaining value to a threshold value; making a selection between a complete empty detection mode when said remaining value is above the threshold value and a shortened empty detection mode when the remaining value is below the threshold value; and executing the selected one of the complete empty detection mode and the shortened empty detection mode when no medicament is fed from the container towards the outlet after controlling the dispensing mechanism to feed a medicament from the container into the outlet.

An automatic vending machine includes: a product housing rack including product housing shelves each including a product housing path, and a product discharger; a first stopper configured to be movable between a protrusion position and a retract position, and to tilt such that a free end side of a holding portion is positioned at a product discharge port; a second stopper configured to be movable between a retract position and a protrusion position, and to press a vending product when protruding; a link configured to move each of the first and the second stopper to the protrusion and the retract position; and a driver configured to drive the link, wherein the second stopper includes ribs formed on a surface facing the product housing path, the ribs being configured to extend from a base end part toward a holding portion of the second stopper.

A medicine dispensing apparatus includes: a hopper that receives a medicine and causes the medicine to proceed to a guiding port; a holding section that is provided to the hopper and holds the medicine; and a delivering section that is provided to the hopper and delivers the medicine held by the holding section to the guiding port.

A power assembly is configured to detachably mate with the power input member of a storage column of a vending machine, to supply power for the power input member. The driving assembly is connected to the power assembly and is configured to drive the power assembly to move reciprocatively in a width direction of the vending machine. Also disclosed is a vending machine.

In an embodiment, a medication dispensing assembly includes a housing containing a plurality of electronically activated guidance devices which are configured to guide medications from at least one medication dispenser into a plurality of containers. The housing includes a panel which closes off at least a portion of one side of the housing. The panel has a plurality of wire openings that are spaced apart from one another. A plurality of wires extend through a portion of an interior of the housing and extend through the wire openings of the panel from the interior of the housing to outside of the housing. The wires are electronically connected with electronically activated guidance devices. At least one of the wire openings includes a slot which extends to an edge of the panel.