By swinging a collating chute supplied with items, the items are held in a plurality of holding cells formed in a holding array. After all of the holding cells are filled with the items, a diving funnel array is moved downward to a position so as to contact the upper surface of a container. Then, discharge gates of the holding array are opened to discharge the items from the holding cells into a plurality of pockets formed in the container.

A confectionary item dispenser include a dispenser housing having a dispenser housing opening, a reservoir within the dispenser housing having a reservoir chute aligned with the dispenser housing opening, and a dispenser shield disposed within the dispenser housing and movable so that a dispenser shield opening can align with the dispenser housing opening and the reservoir chute at a dispensing position to dispense a confectionary item. An indeterminate outcome actuation mechanism with an actuation mechanism input device causes the dispenser shield to move between the dispensing position and a non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced such that the dispenser shield may be disposed in one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced so that a confectionary item may or may not be dispensed each time.

A child-resistant dispenser includes a housing (110); and a slider (150) disposed on the housing and configured to slide from a closed position to a dispensing position, the slider comprising a movable engagement portion (148) that engages a stop (122) on the housing, wherein the engagement between the movable engagement portion and the stop restricts movement of the slider to the dispensing position and the movable engagement portion is configured to disengage from the stop in response to a release force applied to the slider.

A confectionary item dispenser include a dispenser housing having a dispenser housing opening, a reservoir within the dispenser housing having a reservoir chute aligned with the dispenser housing opening, and a dispenser shield disposed within the dispenser housing and movable so that a dispenser shield opening can align with the dispenser housing opening and the reservoir chute at a dispensing position to dispense a confectionary item. An indeterminate outcome actuation mechanism with an actuation mechanism input device causes the dispenser shield to move between the dispensing position and a non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced such that the dispenser shield may be disposed in one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced so that a confectionary item may or may not be dispensed each time.

A candy dispenser include a dispenser housing having a dispenser housing opening, a candy reservoir within the dispenser housing having a candy reservoir chute aligned with the dispenser housing opening, and a dispenser shield disposed within the dispenser housing and movable so that a dispenser shield opening can align with the dispenser housing opening and the candy reservoir chute at a dispensing position to dispense a candy piece. An indeterminate outcome actuation mechanism with an actuation mechanism input device causes the dispenser shield to move between the dispensing position and at least one non-dispensing position when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced such that the dispenser shield may be disposed in any one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing positions when the actuation mechanism input device is displaced so that a candy piece may or may not be dispensed each time.

Methods of dispensing small piece goods are provided. The method includes storing one or more small piece goods in a storage container for a storage and dispensing station, reducing, by the plurality of contact reducing members, a contact area between the separating device base area and the one or more small piece goods within the storage container, rotating the separating device within the housing to situate a first channel above the dispensing opening, the first channel containing a first small piece good and dispensing the first small piece good through the dispensing opening Methods of using a system for storage and dispensing of drug portions are also provided.

A container for storing capsules and discharging them individually, including an upwardly open capsule-holding receptacle, a cap rotatably mounted on the receptacle, an upright discharge guide rod having one or plural outwardly opening vertical movement passages on its periphery, fixedly mounted in the receptacle, and a hollow cylinder concentrically surrounding the guide rod within the receptacle and coupled to the cap for rotation therewith. A thread on the inner surface of the cylinder faces and cooperates with the vertical movement passages to receive capsules admitted from the receptacle through an entry port in the cylinder and, as the cap is rotated, to raise the admitted capsules one by one to a central discharge port in the cap.

A pharmaceutical dispenser includes a substantially cylindrical dispenser body including a curved sidewall with a flat longitudinal surface, a base perpendicular to the flat longitudinal surface at a first end, an orifice at a second end, opposite the base, and a side portal spaced from the base; and a cap that can couple to the first end and to the second end. The curved sidewall has a side portal having a perimeter in an arced T shape with rounded edges. The dispenser accommodates multiple capped cylindrical pharmaceutical containers.

A system includes a container forming an interior volume configured to store products and a lid assembly configured to secure to the container. The lid assembly includes a lid housing forming an opening. The products are to be dispensed from the interior volume via the opening. The lid assembly further includes a dispensing structure configured to load a portion of the products to be dispensed. The lid assembly further includes a cover structure configured to selectively unblock the opening to allow the portion of the products to be dispensed. The lid assembly further includes a processing device configured to determine that the portion of the products is to be dispensed and cause the cover structure to be actuated to unblock the opening to allow dispensing of the portion of the products.

Storage containers for small piece goods are provided, the storage containers including a housing having a dispensing opening and a separating device disposed in the housing. The separating device includes contact reducing members opposing the dispensing opening, the contact reducing members configured to reduce a contact area between the separating device and small piece goods within the storage container. Systems and methods of using a system for storage and dispensing of small piece goods are also provided.