Automated item dispensing systems
First Claim
1. An automated item dispensing system comprising:
- (a) at least one dispenser capable of dispensing an item;
(b) at least one local controller in communication with a respective dispenser for controlling and monitoring the dispenser;
(c) a central controller for receiving and processing electronic item orders from at least one user;
(d) a communication network for providing communication between said local controller, said central controller, said at least one user and at least one supplier;
wherein said dispenser comprises;
(i) at least one rotatable carousel located internal to the dispenser, the carousel comprising at least one cell defined by two side walls each side wall extending from a central location of the carousel;
(ii) an access hatch aligned with the or each carousel for accessing an interior of the at least one cell; and
(iii) a motor for rotating the carousel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an automated item dispensing system that is capable of dispensing biological products. The system preferably comprises: (a) at least one dispenser (preferably a temperature controlled dispenser) capable of dispensing an item; (b) at least one local controller for controlling and monitoring a respective dispenser; (c) a central controller for receiving and processing electronic item orders from at least one user; and (d) a communication network for providing communication between said central controller, said local controller(s), said user(s) and at least one supplier that is capable of stocking and restocking items in the dispenser. The dispenser preferably comprises: (i) at least one rotatable carousel; (ii) an access hatch aligned with each carousel for accessing an interior of an item cell located within the carousel; and (iii) a motor for rotating the carousel.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An automated item dispensing system comprising:
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(a) at least one dispenser capable of dispensing an item;
(b) at least one local controller in communication with a respective dispenser for controlling and monitoring the dispenser;
(c) a central controller for receiving and processing electronic item orders from at least one user;
(d) a communication network for providing communication between said local controller, said central controller, said at least one user and at least one supplier;
wherein said dispenser comprises;
(i) at least one rotatable carousel located internal to the dispenser, the carousel comprising at least one cell defined by two side walls each side wall extending from a central location of the carousel;
(ii) an access hatch aligned with the or each carousel for accessing an interior of the at least one cell; and
(iii) a motor for rotating the carousel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An item dispenser for use with the automated item dispensing system comprising:
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(1) an environmentally controlled cabinet;
(2) at least one rotatable carousel located within the cabinet, wherein the carousel comprises a plurality of cells defined by two side walls, each side wall extending from a central location of the carousel;
(3) an access hatch aligned with each rotatable carousel for accessing an interior of the cells;
(4) a motor for rotating the carousel; and
(5) a local controller for controlling rotation of the carousel and monitoring availability of an item located within a cell of the carousel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An automated item dispensing system comprising:
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(1) an environmentally controlled cabinet;
(2) at least one multiple celled dispenser;
(3) an access hatch aligned with the dispenser for accessing an interior of the cells;
(4) a motor for moving or rotating the dispenser or one or more cells in the dispenser; and
(5) a local controller for controlling movement of the dispenser and monitoring availability of an item located within a cell of the dispenser.
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28. A method for automatically dispensing items comprising use of an automated item dispensing system, wherein the automated item dispensing system comprises:
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(a) at least one multiple celled dispenser capable of dispensing at least one item, where the multiple celled dispenser comprises (i) multiple cells, (ii) an access hatch aligned with the dispenser for accessing an interior of the cells, (iii) a motor for moving or rotating the dispenser or one or more cells in the dispenser; and
(iv) a local controller for controlling movement of the dispenser and monitoring availability of an item located within a cell of the dispenser;
(b) a central controller for receiving and processing electronic item orders from at least one user; and
(c) a communication network for providing communication between said local controller, said central controller, said at least one user and at least one supplier. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification