A vending machine (100) and a vending method and vending system (1000) therefor, the vending machine (100) comprising a machine body (10), a door body (20), and at least one layer of shelves (30) and a weighing device (40) that are installed inside the machine body (10). The vending method comprises: collecting the weight of products on a shelf before and after vending (S1); calculating the difference of the change between the weight of the products on the shelf before vending and the weight of the products on the shelf after vending (S2); and if the difference of the change is less than a first weight change threshold, issuing an alarm prompt (S3), wherein the first weight change threshold is less than or equal to zero. Using the present invention may promptly determine the misplacement and replacement of the products without relying on an RFID tag.

A vending machine (100) and a vending method and vending system (1000) therefor, the vending machine (100) comprising a machine body (10), a door body (20), and at least one layer of shelves (30) and a weighing device (40) that are installed inside the machine body (10). The vending method comprises: collecting the weight of products on a shelf before and after vending (S1); calculating the difference of the change between the weight of the products on the shelf before vending and the weight of the products on the shelf after vending (S2); and if the difference of the change is less than a first weight change threshold, issuing an alarm prompt (S3), wherein the first weight change threshold is less than or equal to zero. Using the present invention may promptly determine the misplacement and replacement of the products without relying on an RFID tag.

A system for dispensing an item from a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The system is attached to a dispensing apparatus lower portion of the dispensing apparatus. The system includes a plate and a flap movably attached to the plate. The flap has a flap open position and a flap closed position. As stop extends outward from a flap first surface of a flap lower portion. A movable arm is in attachment with the flap and moves the flap between the flap open position and the flap closed position. A heating element at least proximate to the flap. An opening on the flap extends between the flap first surface and a flap second surface. A rod is substantially vertically arranged and in attachment with the plate and configured such that the rod passes through the opening when the flap moves between the flap open position and the flap closed position.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

Mechanisms for dispensing items such as medications and medical supplies. Different mechanisms may be tailored to dispensing different kinds of items, for example medications in single dose packages, vials, syringes, or other similarly-shaped items. The dispensers may be placed in a dispensing unit that includes a lockable restock drawer and a dispense drawer into which items are dispensed by the dispensing mechanisms. The various kinds of dispensing mechanisms may be installed in the restock drawer in any workable proportion and arrangement. The dispensing mechanisms include multiple sensing technologies for tracking and inventory of items and for accurate sensing of items as they are dispensed.

A device that includes a housing configured to couple to a vehicle console. The device further includes a lid that is configurable between a closed position and an open position. The device further includes a lock is configured to transition from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the lock is configured to maintain the lid in the closed position. In the unlocked configuration, the lock is configured to release the lid from the closed position. The device further includes a user interface configured to display products, receive a user input identifying a product, receive card information, send an authorization request that requests a purchase of the product, and send an authorization signal to a controller in response to receiving an approval message. The device further includes the controller configured to send an actuation signal to unlock the lock in response to receiving the authorization signal.

A cartridge for food delivery apparatus is disclosed. The cartridge is for storing and conveying items. The cartridge includes a housing and an outer looped element affixed at least partially in a main cavity of the housing. A movable inner looped element is mounted on rotatable rollers. A plurality of panels defines a plurality of movable chambers between the outer looped element and the movable inner looped element. Each of the plurality of movable chambers is defined by a space between a first panel and an adjacent panel of the plurality of panels. A first movable door partially defining the outer looped element covers a first opening providing access to at one of the chambers. A second movable door is on the outer looped element and allows items to exit the cartridge. Generally, the cartridge enables the on-demand delivery of food items having a generally planar shape or surface.

A system for dispensing an item from a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The system is attached to a dispensing apparatus lower portion of the dispensing apparatus. The system includes a plate and a flap movably attached to the plate. The flap has a flap open position and a flap closed position. As stop extends outward from a flap first surface of a flap lower portion. A movable arm is in attachment with the flap and moves the flap between the flap open position and the flap closed position. A heating element at least proximate to the flap. An opening on the flap extends between the flap first surface and a flap second surface. A rod is substantially vertically arranged and in attachment with the plate and configured such that the rod passes through the opening when the flap moves between the flap open position and the flap closed position.

A cartridge having a housing, an outer looped element affixed at least partially in a cavity that spans substantially all of a length of the housing. A movable inner looped element is mounted a roller and positioned inside the outer looped element. Panels are radially attached to the movable inner looped element such that each of the plurality of panels extends toward the outer looped element. Movable chambers defined by a space between the panels. A first opening that spans substantially all of a first side of the outer looped element. A second opening is disposed on the outer looped element proximate to a bottom end of the outer looped element providing access to outside the cartridge. A second movable door covers substantially all of the second opening and partially defining the outer looped element when the second movable door is in a second movable door closed position.

A retail facility and a merchandise processing method thereof are provided. The retail facility includes: a building including a merchandise display area configured to place a merchandise, a packaging area configured to package the merchandise, and a shipment area configured to output a packaged merchandise; a sorting device configured to sort the merchandises from the merchandise display area to the packaging area; a packaging device configured to package the merchandise entering the packaging area; and a conveying device configured to convey the packaged merchandise from the packaging area to the shipment area.