Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, multi-factor tracking of items housed within the storage container, machine vision identification of items, among others.

A smart refrigerator assembly includes a refrigerator to facilitate storage of perishable items. Each of a pair of carousels is rotatably integrated into the refrigerator to support perishable food items. Each of a pair of doors is hingedly coupled to the refrigerator for opening and closing the refrigerator. Each of the doors is constructed of an electrochromic material to facilitate the doors to be alternatively opaque or translucent. In this way the doors facilitate contents of the refrigerator to be visible without opening the doors.

Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others. The storage container can provide flame retardant protection and/or electrical isolation to one or more items located within the storage container.

Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video/image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others. The storage container can provide flame retardant protection and/or electrical isolation to one or more items located within the storage container.

A shelf bracket assembly mounted upright on a vertically disposed shelf has: a load cell; an anchor; and a cantilever supporting a shelf panel. The cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed frame or a vertically disposed metal plate and a mount for the load cell. The load cell has a monolithic measuring body that has: a force-supporting section; a force-introduction section; and a linkage section between the force-supporting section and the force-introduction section. The force-supporting section of the monolithic measuring body is laterally attached to the mount. The monolithic measuring body has at least one mounting hole through which the monolithic measuring body is attached to the mount with a screw extending horizontally through the monolithic measuring body.

A shelf bracket assembly mounted upright on a vertically disposed shelf has: a load cell; an anchor; and a cantilever supporting a shelf panel. The cantilever projects from the shelf upright in a substantially horizontal direction. The cantilever has a vertically disposed frame or a vertically disposed metal plate and a mount for the load cell. The load cell has a monolithic measuring body that has: a force-supporting section; a force-introduction section; and a linkage section between the force-supporting section and the force-introduction section. The force-supporting section of the monolithic measuring body is laterally attached to the mount. The monolithic measuring body has at least one mounting hole through which the monolithic measuring body is attached to the mount with a screw extending horizontally through the monolithic measuring body.

One or more example embodiments provide a vending machine (105) that detects refrigerant leaks. The vending machine includes a main cabinet (605), a sensor circuit (615), and control equipment (830). The sensor circuit is configured to detect a refrigerant leaked in the main cabinet. The control equipment is configured to operate a component (620) of the refrigerated vending machine based on the detected refrigerant.

One or more example embodiments provide a vending machine (105) that detects refrigerant leaks. The vending machine includes a main cabinet (605), a sensor circuit (615), and control equipment (830). The sensor circuit is configured to detect a refrigerant leaked in the main cabinet. The control equipment is configured to operate a component (620) of the refrigerated vending machine based on the detected refrigerant.

Live inventory management environment system and methods are disclosed. A shelf for items has bins each with an associated sensor. A processor receives a detection signal from the sensor which indicates placement or removal an item(s) from an associated bin. An entry device sends an entered request for placement or removal of items to the processor, and an indicator strip has lights which uniquely identify each one of the bins when lit. The processor has information relating to which bin each subset of lights is associated, and causes activation of a subset of lights associated with a bin of the item(s) in the request and records in memory a type of action, a time stamp and a quantity of the item(s) placed or removed from the bin having the subset of lights lit and indicated in the detection signal subsequently received from the sensor of the associated bin.

Live inventory management environment system and methods are disclosed. A shelf for items has bins each with an associated sensor. A processor receives a detection signal from the sensor which indicates placement or removal an item(s) from an associated bin. An entry device sends an entered request for placement or removal of items to the processor, and an indicator strip has lights which uniquely identify each one of the bins when lit. The processor has information relating to which bin each subset of lights is associated, and causes activation of a subset of lights associated with a bin of the item(s) in the request and records in memory a type of action, a time stamp and a quantity of the item(s) placed or removed from the bin having the subset of lights lit and indicated in the detection signal subsequently received from the sensor of the associated bin.