MULTI-COMPARTMENT STEP-DRAWER
First Claim
1. A step-drawer comprising:
- a dispensing drawer having a front and a front-to-back axis, the dispensing drawer comprising;
a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis; and
a ladder fixedly coupled to the body, the ladder comprising a plurality of cross-arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis; and
a control module comprising;
a housing; and
a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder, the latching element having a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing drawer to move toward the front.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-pocket step-drawer is disclosed that includes a dispensing drawer and a control module. The dispensing drawer has a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body. The ladder has a plurality of cross arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis. The control module includes a housing and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder. The latching element has a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing element to move toward the front.
33 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A step-drawer comprising:
a dispensing drawer having a front and a front-to-back axis, the dispensing drawer comprising; a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis; and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body, the ladder comprising a plurality of cross-arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis; and
a control module comprising;a housing; and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder, the latching element having a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing drawer to move toward the front. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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13. A step-drawer assembly comprising:
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a plurality of step-drawers each comprising; a dispensing drawer having a front and a front-to-back axis, the dispensing drawer comprising a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body, the ladder comprising a plurality of cross-arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis; and a control module comprising a housing and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder, the latching element having a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing element to move toward the front; and a chassis configured to accept the plurality of step-drawers.
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23. An automated dispensing machine (ADM) comprising:
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at least one step-drawer assembly comprising; a plurality of step-drawers each comprising a dispensing drawer having a front and a front-to-back axis, the dispensing drawer comprising a body comprising at least one fixed wall forming at least two open-top compartments that are arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis and a ladder fixedly coupled to the body, the ladder comprising a plurality of cross-arms arranged along an axis parallel to the front-to-back axis, and a control module comprising a housing and a latching element coupled to the housing and disposed proximate to the ladder, the latching element having a first position wherein the latching element engages one of the plurality of cross-arms so as to prevent the dispensing drawer from moving toward the front and a second position wherein the latching element allows the dispensing element to move toward the front; and a chassis configured to accept a plurality of step-drawers.
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Specification