An automated store for storing and then distributing articles, including a housing for receiving closed shipping containers for storage, and for distributing articles retrieved from inside the shipping containers to an output of the housing. The housing further including entry means for controlling entry into the housing of closed shipping containers. Automated forming means form an opening in each of the plurality of the shipping containers, storing means for storing the opened shipping containers, computer controlled retrieving means for entering into selected ones of the opened shipping containers via the formed opening to retrieve an article and moving means for moving the retrieved articles to an output are further included in the housing.

Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing of articles. Systems may include: a robotic arm; an end-of-arm tool attached to the robotic arm; a scanning device proximate the end-of-arm tool; and a controller to control the robotic arm and the end-of-arm tool. The end-of-arm tool may include a body and two or more vacuum cups extending from the body, where the controller controls a level of suction provided to each of the two or more vacuum cups individually. Each of the two or more vacuum cups extending from the body may be movable between a retracted position proximate the body, and an extended position away from the body of the end-of-arm tool in response to instruction from the controller. Suction may be provided only to the vacuum cups of the two or more vacuum cups that are disposed in the extended position.

System and method for dispensing orders. One embodiment provides a method of dispensing a prescription order to a customer at a customer kiosk. The method includes receiving, at a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device, an instruction to deliver a filled prescription to a customer kiosk and transferring, using a gantry assembly, the filled prescription to a chute connecting the pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device and a pneumatic delivery terminal. The method further includes opening a door of the pneumatic delivery terminal and operating an actuator to transfer the filled prescription from the chute to the pneumatic delivery terminal. The method also includes closing the door of the pneumatic delivery terminal and delivering, via a pneumatic tube, the filled prescription to the customer kiosk.

A dispenser for scrubs or other items is modular and can be configured with a desired number of cells for storing scrubs and dispensing them accordingly. The dispenser includes a main or primary bank of cells with each cell housing an inventory of multiple scrubs for dispensing. The main bank of cells may operate in a standalone manner to dispense scrubs, or additional banks can be added to the main bank for increased inventory capacity. The scrubs are stored in a vertical stack in each cell with the uppermost scrub in the cell being the next scrub in that cell to be dispensed. One or more pickers each translate along a gantry to be selectively positioned above one of the cells for picking to pull the uppermost scrub in the cell and elevate it out of the cell. Multiple pickers may operate simultaneously to pick and dispense multiple scrubs at the same time. Each cell includes a platform supporting the vertical stack of scrubs. Once picked, the scrub is moved by the picker along the gantry to a discharge position in the main bank over a discharge delivery chute.

An automatic vending machine has a control unit controlling a payment unit. The payment unit is configured to receive payment from a user. The refrigeration unit is a chest freezer having a top lid and a hinge. The top lid is controlled by the control unit. The top lid moves between an open position and a closed position. A food package is stored in the refrigeration unit. A picking arm is mounted on a picking arm swivel. The picking arm has a pick suction tip that is vacuum driven. The picking arm is controlled by the control unit. The control unit is configured to control the picking arm to pick a food package from the refrigeration unit and move it to the microwave heating unit for heating.

An automated medicine sorting and medicine dispensing system comprising: a medicine storage mechanism (110) for storing a plurality of types of medicine; a medicine picking up mechanism (120) for picking up medicines from said medicine storage mechanism (110); and a rotating base (130) comprising a housing chamber (134), a rotating pad that is set within said housing chamber (134) and an electrical motor (131) that drives said rotating pad to rotate, wherein said housing chamber (134) is in communication with a medicine discharging passage. The automated medicine sorting and medicine dispensing system not only can realize automated medicine sorting and medicine dispensing, but also has the advantages of small volume, full functions and better user experience. Moreover, a portable medicine box is also provided, which is easy for a user to carry.

System and method for dispensing orders. One embodiment provides a method of dispensing a prescription order to a customer at a customer kiosk. The method includes receiving, at a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device, an instruction to deliver a filled prescription to a customer kiosk and transferring, using a gantry assembly, the filled prescription to a chute connecting the pharmaceutical storage and retrieval device and a pneumatic delivery terminal. The method further includes opening a door of the pneumatic delivery terminal and operating an actuator to transfer the filled prescription from the chute to the pneumatic delivery terminal. The method also includes closing the door of the pneumatic delivery terminal and delivering, via a pneumatic tube, the filled prescription to the customer kiosk.

Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing and packaging of articles. Systems may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, where the order includes one or more articles; a packaging station; a web of bags, where the web of bags is fed to the packaging station; a pneumatic table configurable to support a bag disposed at the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open the bag disposed at the packaging station; a loading bin configured to be inserted into the open bag and deposit the one or more articles; and a closure apparatus to seal the bag disposed at the packaging station after receiving the one or more articles.

A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

In one embodiment, a system includes: a robotic arm assembly; a plurality of components arranged around the robotic arm assembly and positioned within reach of the robotic arm assembly; and a controller configured to control operation of the robotic arm assembly within the system. Each of the plurality of components is configured to either: store ingredients under predetermined environmental conditions; store food preparation tools; dispense ingredients; blend, cook, or assemble ingredients into a completed food item; provide cleaning functionality to the system and/or components thereof; provide user access to completed food items; or display information relevant to a food item or preparation thereof to users. Methods of using such systems to prepare and dispense food items are also disclosed, and generally include translating recipes into instructions executable by the robotic arm assembly and/or components of the system, communicating such instructions to the robotic arm assembly, and executing such instructions.