A dispensing device, comprising a container, one or more support members mechanically coupled to one or more of the lateral walls, a base which has one or more supporting arms and a cover element mechanically coupled to one or more of the supporting arms to remain fixed while said container rotates around said rotation axis. The container includes a storage portion defined by a circumferential wall and two or more lateral walls with a dispensing opening defined in the circumferential wall. The supporting arm(s) support rotation of the container from a closed state to an open state and vice versa. The rotation is held around a rotation axis defined by a location of the support member(s). The cover element covers the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the closed state and does not cover the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the open state.

A gravity-feed dispenser is connected to a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The gravity-feed dispenser includes a spout and a valve separating the hopper from the spout. An actuator assembly is connected to the valve and includes a detectable element. The actuator assembly is operable to move the valve between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper out of the spout. A fixture is configured to engage and support the gravity feed dispenser. A sensor is connected to the fixture and is positioned relative to the actuator assembly. The sensor operates to detect the detectable element of the actuator assembly and produce a signal indicative of the open condition or the closed condition.

A dispensation system having a hopper that is located remote to the remainder of the dispensation system. The hopper can be located remote from a delivery system and a conveyor or other transmitting device can connect the hopper to the delivery system. The hopper can therefore be located in an area that is more accessible or less valued than the area in which the products or objects are dispensed, allowing a more efficient product distribution system.

A dispensing device, comprising a container, one or more support members mechanically coupled to one or more of the lateral walls, a base which has one or more supporting arms and a cover element mechanically coupled to one or more of the supporting arms to remain fixed while said container rotates around said rotation axis. The container includes a storage portion defined by a circumferential wall and two or more lateral walls with a dispensing opening defined in the circumferential wall. The supporting arm(s) support rotation of the container from a closed state to an open state and vice versa. The rotation is held around a rotation axis defined by a location of the support member(s). The cover element covers the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the closed state and does not cover the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the open state.

A dispensing device, comprising a container, one or more support members mechanically coupled to one or more of the lateral walls, a base which has one or more supporting arms and a cover element mechanically coupled to one or more of the supporting arms to remain fixed while said container rotates around said rotation axis. The container includes a storage portion defined by a circumferential wall and two or more lateral walls with a dispensing opening defined in the circumferential wall. The supporting arm(s) support rotation of the container from a closed state to an open state and vice versa. The rotation is held around a rotation axis defined by a location of the support member(s). The cover element covers the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the closed state and does not cover the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the open state.

An item storage system includes a shelving portion and a replenishment portion. The shelving portion includes: a first shelf having a toroidal shape with a center axis; and a second shelf having a toroidal shape that is spaced apart from the first shelf along the center axis. The replenishment portion includes: an elevator portion configured to deliver items to the first shelf and the second shelf, wherein at least part of the elevator portion is positioned in the center of the shelving portion and is surrounded by the shelving portion; and a storing portion configured to load items into the elevator portion, wherein the storing portion is positioned above or below the shelving portion.

A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. A hopper identifier encodes an identification of the bulk material in the hopper. A valve of a gravity feed dispenser is operable by an actuator assembly between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper into a consumer receptacle. A controller is configured to receive an indication of a dispense of bulk material from the hopper and to receive the identification of the bulk material in the hopper. A retail endpoint is configured to receive the indication of a dispense and the identification of the bulk material in the hopper and configured produce a sale indicator from the indication of the dispense and the identification of the bulk material in the hopper.