Systems are disclosed for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes a scoop bin configured to store a product, wherein the scoop bin has a lid configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the product is configured to be scooped out of the scoop bin by a customer when the lid is in the open position. The system further includes a sensor configured to monitor a movement of the scoop bin, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a notification to the computing device identifying the movement of the scoop bin. A printer is configured to receive an instruction from the computing device to automatically print a label identifying the product stored in the scoop bin following the computing device receiving the notification of the movement.

A product dispenser defines a product dispensing path and includes a housing, a pusher, a driver, and a controller. The housing extends along the product dispensing path. The pusher is configured to translate along the product dispensing path. The driver is operably coupled to the pusher and configured to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path. The controller is in communication with the driver and operable to activate the driver to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path after a threshold period of time.

An apparatus for retaining and dispensing feminine products, the apparatus including a rack configured to hold a feminine product; a pushbutton that, when activated, is configured to move a push rod in a first direction, the push rod having teeth configured to engage a pinion gear as the push rod is moved along the first direction; a push member associated with the pinion gear, the push member being configured to engage the feminine product and thereby cause the product to dispense onto a release tray as the push rod is moved along the first direction; and a plunger associated with the pinion gear, the plunger being configured to contact a timing plate in response to the pinion gear rotating. The plunger is adapted to temporarily affix to the timing plate by a suction force for a period of time sufficient for the pushbutton to reset before a second feminine product can be dispensed.

An apparatus for retaining and dispensing feminine products, the apparatus including a rack configured to hold a feminine product; a pushbutton that, when activated, is configured to move a push rod in a first direction, the push rod having teeth configured to engage a pinion gear as the push rod is moved along the first direction; a push member associated with the pinion gear, the push member being configured to engage the feminine product and thereby cause the product to dispense onto a release tray as the push rod is moved along the first direction; and a plunger associated with the pinion gear, the plunger being configured to contact a timing plate in response to the pinion gear rotating. The plunger is adapted to temporarily affix to the timing plate by a suction force for a period of time sufficient for the pushbutton to reset before a second feminine product can be dispensed.

Systems are disclosed for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes a scoop bin configured to store a product, wherein the scoop bin has a lid configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the product is configured to be scooped out of the scoop bin by a customer when the lid is in the open position. The system further includes a sensor configured to monitor a movement of the scoop bin, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a notification to the computing device identifying the movement of the scoop bin. A printer is configured to receive an instruction from the computing device to automatically print a label identifying the product stored in the scoop bin following the computing device receiving the notification of the movement.

A feminine hygiene product dispenser for dispensing feminine hygiene products. The dispenser includes a rack to hold the feminine hygiene products. A weight is adapted to fit within the rack, wherein the weight is supported by a last feminine hygiene product to be dispensed from the rack, the weight including an indicator. A housing includes a door, wherein the door has a window through which the indicator appears in the absence the plurality of feminine hygiene products. A product dispensing module includes a suction cup, a delivery tray, and a trigger operatively connected to the suction cup and to the delivery tray, wherein actuation of the trigger moves the suction cup to a holding position and positions the delivery tray to a product delivery position. The trigger slides freely when the suction cup is in the holding position to prevent the delivery tray from dispensing one of the feminine hygiene products.

A feminine hygiene product dispenser for dispensing feminine hygiene products. The dispenser includes a rack to hold the feminine hygiene products. A weight is adapted to fit within the rack, wherein the weight is supported by a last feminine hygiene product to be dispensed from the rack, the weight including an indicator. A housing includes a door, wherein the door has a window through which the indicator appears in the absence the plurality of feminine hygiene products. A product dispensing module includes a suction cup, a delivery tray, and a trigger operatively connected to the suction cup and to the delivery tray, wherein actuation of the trigger moves the suction cup to a holding position and positions the delivery tray to a product delivery position. The trigger slides freely when the suction cup is in the holding position to prevent the delivery tray from dispensing one of the feminine hygiene products.

The disclosure relates to integrated systems for dispensing, weighing, identifying, processing, and/or printing tag identifiers for items (e.g., bulk food items). In one embodiment, a storage system includes one or more storage bins configured to store one or more bulk foods. The storage system further includes a kiosk. The storage system further includes a sensor attached to or positioned adjacent to each storage bin of the one or more storage bins. Each sensor is configured to monitor a movement of a respective storage bin. Additionally, each sensor is configured to transmit a notification or signal to the kiosk identifying the movement of the respective storage bin. Further, the kiosk is configured to receive the notification or signal from the sensor and automatically print a label identifying a bulk food stored in the respective storage bin.

An item dispensing device includes a plurality of stacked item ejection units, a cylindrical shared delivery pipe penetrating throughout the item ejection units, and an item dispensing unit connected to a lower end of the shared delivery pipe and provided with an item dispensing slot. A plurality of item ejection ports are opened in side wall portions of the shared delivery pipe. The item ejection unit includes a circular rotor and an energizing mechanism. In the rotor, item holders opened radially inward are disposed intermittently along the circumferential direction. The energizing mechanism energizes the item held in any one of the plurality of item holders radially inward and pushes out the item through an opening of the item holder substantially horizontally to the item ejection port when the opening is aligned with the item ejection port with rotation of the rotor.

An item dispensing device includes a plurality of stacked item ejection units, a cylindrical shared delivery pipe penetrating throughout the item ejection units, and an item dispensing unit connected to a lower end of the shared delivery pipe and provided with an item dispensing slot. A plurality of item ejection ports are opened in side wall portions of the shared delivery pipe. The item ejection unit includes a circular rotor and an energizing mechanism. In the rotor, item holders opened radially inward are disposed intermittently along the circumferential direction. The energizing mechanism energizes the item held in any one of the plurality of item holders radially inward and pushes out the item through an opening of the item holder substantially horizontally to the item ejection port when the opening is aligned with the item ejection port with rotation of the rotor.