Abstract:
A method and apparatus for secure, rapid, storage and dispensing of varied items from a random location in a storage matrix. Drawers are organized in a ‘slice’ or vertically-oriented frame that supports horizontal shifting of the drawers to dispense their contents. Slices can be combined to form matrices of automated, high-density, storage volumes and storage can coincide with dispensing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/310,424, filed Mar. 4, 2010. This application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the storage and dispensing of items, particularly non-linear dispensing wherein stored items can be randomly accessed and dispensed through a linear motion from a random location within the dispenser. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Existing inventory storage and dispensing systems are complex and inflexible. Pick-n-place robotic solutions involve complex articulated components and can require multiple steps for dispensing. Belt or carousel driven dispensers discharge items in a single-point linear fashion, often requiring significant delay for distantly spaced selections. In warehouses, flow rack and pallet rack systems exhibit such shortcomings. Similarly, storage delays are common when adding inventory. They can require involved, labor-intensive, inventory sequencing to properly allocate items to pre-defined sections. A-frame configurations waste space and can only be filled with one type of item. Other dispensing devices are also limited to dispensing items of the same size and shape, unable to store and dispense varied, irregular, or soft articles. The design of automated systems often precludes scaling, limiting the application to storage of either large or small items. 
         [0004]    Medication storage and dispensing has particularly stringent requirements. It is vital that medications and prescriptions be accurately and securely stored. This applies in both institutional and home settings. Medication dispensers can require manual programming and complex inventory control steps. They can also be inflexible, requiring serial input and dispensing in a first-in first-out sequence. 
         [0005]    Overall, traditional manual inventory stocking of bins and shelves introduces delays in the stocking and dispensing sequence. Manual selection of inventory from bins on shelves is labor-intensive, slow, and prone to security breaches. Inventory is vulnerable to damage, and access to some storage locations can be very cumbersome. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is a scalable apparatus and method for secure storage with easy placement and rapid, efficient, dispensing of a variety of items. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments provide a scalable, automated, apparatus and method for secure storage. They provide easy, unattended, placement and rapid, efficient, dispensing of varied items. Drawers are organized in a ‘slice’ or vertically-oriented frame that supports horizontal shifting of the drawers to dispense their contents. Slices can be combined to form matrices of automated, high-density, storage volumes. 
         [0008]    Embodiments include a system for the dispensing of products, the system comprising at least one drawer slice; a plurality of drawers, each incorporated in the drawer slice; optionally, a plurality of containers, each enclosed within one of the drawers; and a delivery apparatus, wherein the delivery apparatus dispenses the contents of a selected drawer of the plurality of drawers. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments provide a method for storing and dispensing items comprising the steps of providing an item to be stored in a dispenser; placing the item to be stored in a random location within the dispenser; automatically associating the item to be stored with the random location after the item to be stored is placed in the dispenser; identifying an item for dispensing; locating the item in the dispenser; identifying row and or column of location of the item; optionally locking at least one drawer or shelf in at least one row or column based on the location of the drawer; shifting at least one drawer or shelf whereby the item is removed from its drawer by non-contact force. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the movement of drawers may be accomplished by mounting the drawers on guide rails and coupling the drawers to motors by pull wires or other suitable means. The drawers may be selectively engaged to the pull wires through the use of magnets, solenoids or other suitable means. Any of various desired combinations of drawers may be engaged or released permitting flexibility in the selection of which drawers are to be moved and what distance they are to be moved. 
         [0011]    The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A-1G  are diagrams depicting drawer motions for nonlinear vending of items configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an open ended drawer assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a slice containing drawers mounted on guide rails configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a slice containing components and 15 drawers configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an enlargement of a slice containing components and 15 drawers of  FIG. 4  configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating details of components of  FIG. 4  configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating segmented pull rod components configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an assembly for a belt and bearing mechanism configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a segmented platform for five positions configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a latch assembly, two units, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a muscle wire and spring latch drawer with an extension slide configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating a muscle wire assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating a pull wire and index disk configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating a solenoid assembly, nine solenoids ten drawer units, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating individual container unit assemblies (ICUs) configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating detail of  FIG. 15  configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating a medium individual container unit assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a diagram depicting Large Panel assemblies configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective diagram illustrating a magnetic dispenser slice with pill containers, 1,000 pieces, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20A  is a diagram illustrating a linear motor configuration with square drawers according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20B  is a diagram illustrating an alternative linear motor configuration with square drawers according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating PVC square tube with rails configurations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a diagram illustrating a thermoformed pill carrier configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating clear carrier containers configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating canisters configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is a diagram illustrating a container with vacuum seal assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is a flow chart of a method of dispensing items configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of pull wires along the back side of a slice of drawers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 28  is a diagram illustrating the supporting structure and assemblies for the pull wires in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 29  is a diagram illustrating the front view of a top guide block in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 30  is a diagram illustrating a top view and side view of the guide blocks and a selector wheel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 31  is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the selector wheel and guide block assemblies in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 32  is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the selector wheel and guide block assemblies along with a guide rail and drawer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 33  is a diagram illustrating the selector wheel and plunger block in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 34  is a diagram illustrating the use of solenoids in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 35  is a diagram illustrating solenoid engagement along with a stepper motor assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 36  is a diagram illustrating a metal selector wheel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 37  is a diagram illustrating a slice of drawers and shuttle assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 38  is a diagram illustrating a detailed view of the bottom end corner of the slice of drawers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 39  is a diagram illustrating a detailed view of the top end corner of the slice of drawers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 40  is a diagram illustrating a  250  unit dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 41  is a diagram illustrating a larger dispenser system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 42  is a diagram illustrating an alternative to the selector wheel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 43  is a perspective diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention comprising magnetic coils. 
           [0056]      FIG. 44  is a front cut away view of the slice and a perspective view of the rear of the drawer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 43 . 
           [0057]      FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a full slice  4500  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 43 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 46  is a perspective diagram  4600  illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention suitable for home use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0059]    The invention is susceptible of many embodiments. What follows is illustrative, but not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
         [0060]    In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “front” versus “back” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” refers to such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. Gravity feed or similar terminology is intended to include centrifugal force as from rotated dispensing components. 
         [0061]    Where the terms medication and prescriptions are used, they are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to drugs available only on a prescription of a licensed medical doctor, but to include oral solids, vitamins, dietary supplements, over the counter drugs, homeopathic or herbal remedies, any item taken that is available, for example, in capsule, caplet, tablet, pill or other solid form. 
         [0062]    Nonlimiting embodiments provide storage for groceries, parts, library inventory, files, temporary storage such as will-call, and bicycles. 
         [0063]    Elements of embodiments of the invention comprise slice components registering drawers, drawers that are free to move or are locked from movement, one or more drawer engagement components, drawer locking components, drawer locomotion components, bottom row drawer supports, drawer locator/location components, drawer inventory tracking components, and an enclosure containing the components. 
         [0064]    Operation of embodiments of the invention comprise motion of drawers below the dispensing drawer to shift them to clear a dispensing path. Drawers above shift to prevent undesired dispensing of items above the dispensed item&#39;s drawer. Filling can be accomplished in any order, with the system automatically tracking drawer location with item information as in a database. Similarly, item dispensing can be accomplished by providing item information, with the system accomplishing drawer location and dispensing steps automatically. The enclosure containing the drawers can provide security by sealing them from manual access. Multiple slices of drawers can be stacked beside each other to provide scalable storage, expanding the system from a two-dimensional matrix to a three-dimensional matrix. Simplicity of design supports economy, reliability and rapid drawer motion, quickly dispensing selected items. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 1A-1G  are diagrams depicting drawer motions for nonlinear vending of items. Related, similar, figure items are generally similarly numbered. Locked drawers are an example. As depicted in embodiments, for scenarios, drawers move far enough so that contents do not fall. One-half step move is typical, but any move blocking contents of drawer is sufficient. 
         [0066]      FIG. 1A  depicts a first drawer motion  100 A for nonlinear vending of items. Components comprise item to vend  105 , drawer moved a full step  110 , locked drawer  115  held to prevent motion from friction of drawer moved a full step  110 , and dispensed item  105  falling free  120 . Note that some items may be light enough that drawer movement does not influence the other drawers and drawer locking is avoided. 
         [0067]      FIG. 1B  depicts drawer motions  100 B for nonlinear vending of items. Components comprise location of item to vend  105 , drawers moved a full step  110 , locked drawers  115  held to prevent motion from friction of drawer moved, drawer moved ½ step  125 , and dispensed item falling free  120 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 1C  depicts drawer motions  100 C for nonlinear vending of items. Components comprise location of item to vend  105 , drawers (below) moved a full step  110 , locked drawer  115 , drawers (above) moved ½ step  125 , and dispensed item falling free  120 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 1D  depicts drawer motions  100 D for nonlinear vending of items. Embodiments provide for relocating item to empty lower drawer or maintaining its location. Components comprise location of item to vend  105 , empty drawers  130 , and item to drop into empty drawer  135 . Alternative  1 , on the lower left, shows locked drawer  115 , and item dropping into empty drawer  140 . This is followed by alternative  2 , on the lower right, without dropping into empty drawer comprising locked drawer  115  and item remaining in original drawer  145 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 1E  depicts drawer motions  100 E for nonlinear double vending of items. Components comprise location of items to vend  105 , drawers moved a full step  110 , locked drawers  115 , drawers moved ½ step  125 , and dispensed items falling free  120 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 1F  depicts drawer motions  100 F for nonlinear soft drop vending of items. Soft drop can be employed to diminish forces on an item being dispensed. First operation components comprise item to vend  105 , drawer moved a full step  110 , drawer moved ½ step  125 , and item falling length of one drawer  150 . Second operation components comprise drawer moving full step  110  and item falling freely  120 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 1G  depicts drawer motions  100 G for nonlinear vending of items. Components for image  1  comprise drawer for item to vend  105 , note that only three drawers need be moved ½ step (not entire row)  155 , drawer moving full step  110 , and first drawer held to prevent motion from friction of other drawers  160 . Components for image  2  comprise drawer moved ½ step to block above drawers  125 , and end position  165 . This method involves ‘leaving’ drawer behind after ½ move and continuing with remaining drawers to end position. This can also involve ‘locking’ additional drawers. Components for image  3  comprise home position  170 , and first drawer held to prevent motion from friction of other drawers  175 . Containers may relocate from an upper to a lower row with this method  180 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 2  is a diagram  200  illustrating an open ended drawer assembly embodiment. It depicts slices  205  with variable separation. Due to greater separation, slice  210  supports larger drawers than the other slices. Modular arrangement of slices provides both flexibility and standardization. 
         [0074]      FIG. 3  is a diagram  300  illustrating a slice containing drawers mounted on guide rails. Round containers placed horizontally “nest” when moved across other containers. This “nesting” can cause friction. Containers could fall off center due to uneven weight distribution. Containers placed vertically fall straighter, without binding. Components comprise drawer  305 , container  310 , guide rail  315 , sheet metal support  320 , frame post  325 , and bottom support  330 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 4  is a diagram  400  illustrating, with insets, a slice containing components and 15 drawers. For embodiments, containers are always longer than the drawers. This allows the containers to slide freely. The gap  430  between drawers can vary, but should not be so large as to allow the containers to bind if they get off-center. Bottom row  405  is designed to carry the combined weight of all the containers above. Components comprise pull chain  425 , drawer  415 , container  410 , and guide rail  420 . Note that the bottom row typically comprises shelf support of columns above. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  illustrating detail of  FIG. 4  Components comprise container  505 , guide rail  510 , pull chain  515 , slider to attach to drawer (not shown attached)  520 , photo sensor  525 , sprocket  530 , stepper motor  535 , motor mounting plate  540 , engagement wedge  545 , engagement tab  550 , and drawer  555 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  is a diagram  600  illustrating a further detail of  FIG. 4 . Components comprise container  605 , drawer  610 , photo sensor  615 , sprocket  620 , stepper motor  625 , motor &amp; sensor bracket  630 , roller slide  635 , engagement tab fixed to chain  640 , guide rail  645 , pull chain  650 , lower engagement wedge  655 , and top engagement wedge  660 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 7  is a diagram  700  illustrating embodiments of segmented pull rod components. Components comprise drawer  705 , container  710 , guide rail  715 , slider  720 , engagement pin (attached to back of drawer)  725 , friction clip  730 , guide for segmented pull rod  735 , segmented pull rod  740 , container  745 , drawer  750 , guide bushing  755 , stepper motor  760 , lead nut  765 , lead screw  770 , stepper motor  775 , support pillars  780 , and guide rails  785 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 8  is a diagram  800  illustrating an assembly for belt and bearing mechanism embodiment. A notched flexible belt passes between the belt support and the ball bearing. By indexing the belt, the ball bearing will engage or disengage the pull rod. Another embodiment uses air pressure to force the ball bearing to engage the pull rod. Components comprise drawer  805 , guide rail  810 , rollers  815 , ball bearing  820 , belt support  825 , pull rod  830 , housing  835 , opening for pull rod  840 , ball bearing seat  845 , mounting hole  850 , and air fitting  855 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  is a diagram  900  illustrating a segmented platform embodiment for five positions. Two rods are geared to move in opposite directions. They have segments that engage or disengage pins connected to the pallets. Rotating the rods selects which pallets are locked and which are free to move with the pull rod. Components comprise stepper motor  905 , guide rails  910 , pallets  915 , pull rod  920 , turning rod  925 , gears  930 , and segments  935 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 10  is a diagram  1000  illustrating a latch assembly embodiment, two units. Components comprise extension slide  1005 , pulling pin  1010 , locking pin  1015 , latching lever  1020 , pivot  1025 , solenoid  1030 , and lever stop  1035 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 11  is a diagram  1100  illustrating a muscle wire and spring latch drawer with extension slide embodiment. The muscle wire and spring steel latch are attached to the forward panel (not shown). When the muscle wire is activated, the spring latch is pulled over the pulling pin which will pull the drawer when the forward panel/slice is moved. Deactivating the muscle wire allows the spring latch to disconnect from the pin. Components comprise container  1105 , drawer  1110 , extension slide  1115 , pulling pin  1120 , spring steel latch  1125 , and muscle wire  1130 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 12  is a diagram  1200  illustrating a muscle wire assembly embodiment. Components comprise drawers that slide on supports affixed to the side walls  1205 , a flexible support that is pulled forward with drawer and prevents above canisters from falling behind drawer  1210 , and canister  1215 . Displayed surface mounts to the inside of the back wall so that it can engage the wire pull loop from a trailing drawer that extends thru a slot in the wall  1220 , wire pull loop  1225 , back wall  1230 , gap for pull loop  1235 , spring  1240 , pin  1245 , and muscle wire  1250 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 13  is a diagram  1300  illustrating a row assembly embodiment. This design is an alternative embodiment method of moving drawers by engaging and disengaging pull wires. It uses a stepper motor to index a disc that forces ball bearings to capture rods with pull wires attached. The entire engagement assembly is then moved on guide rails by another stepper motor which causes the appropriate drawers to move. The first drawer is attached to the engagement assembly in such a way that it provides the force to return all the drawers to the home position. Components comprise a home position  1305 , stepper motor moving engagement assembly  1310 , first drawer  1315 , engagement assembly  1320 , stepper motor operating disk  1325 , pull wires  1330 , pulleys  1340 , upper guide rail  1345 , disc  1350 , pull rod guide block  1355 , pull rods  1360 , and lower guide rail  1365 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 14  is a diagram  1400  illustrating a nine solenoid assembly embodiment with ten drawer units. Drawers are fixed to a solenoid assembly by a single wire. The first drawer is fixed and does not require a solenoid. The solenoid assembly is engaged or disengaged with the pull rod by the action of the solenoid. The pull rod is driven by the stepper motor and guided by bushings. Components comprise a first drawer (attached to a pull rod) that provides the pushing force to return all drawers to the home position  1405 . Components further comprise stepping motor geared to pull rod  1410 , guide rods  1415 , pull rod  1420 , solenoid assembly  1425 , solenoid  1430 , bushing  1435 , ball bearing (not shown)  1440 , lever  1445 , pivot  1450 , and pull wire attachment points  1455 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 15  is a diagram  1500  illustrating individual container unit assembly embodiments. It depicts between-slice gap formed by movement of slice. Components comprise guide rollers  1505 , engagement pin  1510 , electromagnets  1515 , stop lever rod  1520 , container  1525 , and rack &amp; pinion  1530  to operate stop lever rod. 
         [0087]      FIG. 16  is a diagram  1600  illustrating detail of a five unit assembly of  FIG. 15 . Components comprise drawer retaining clip  1605 , container  1610 , stop lever  1615 , drawer wire guides  1620 , frame  1625 , bearing  1630 , electromagnet  1635 , spacer  1640 , and stop lever rod  1645 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 17  is a diagram  1700  illustrating a medium individual container unit assembly embodiment. Components comprise air cylinder  1705 , guide rail  1710 , roller bearings  1715 , pull rod  1720 , air cylinder  1725 , engagement pin  1730 , latching collar  1735 , drop chute  1740 , for embodiments, front panel contains only electromagnets  1745 . Side view depicts home position  1750 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 18  is a diagram  1800  illustrating Large Panel assembly embodiments. Components comprise panel  1805 , drawer  1810 , latching assembly  1815 , pull rod  1820 , air cylinder  1825 , engagement pin  1830 , roller bearing  1835 , air cylinder  1840 , drop chute  1845 , and gantry robot for placing containers in drawers  1850 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 19  includes a perspective diagram  1900  illustrating a magnetic dispenser slice with pill containers, 1,000 pieces. To vend, all the magnetic coils on a slice are activated except the one for the container to be dispensed. The coil directly in front of the container to be dispensed is activated. This is done so that when the slices  1920  move apart, only the container to be dispensed will slide into the void, where it is released by the coil in front and allow to fall free. Components comprise guide bushing  1905 , magnetic coils  1910 , magnetic containers  1915 , molded slice  1920 , and container to dispense  1925 . Containers are loaded from the top and free-fall into place  1930 . Multiple slices are adjacently aligned in an array  1935 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 20A  is a diagram illustrating a linear motor configuration with square drawers according to an embodiment of the invention. The linear motor may be a QUICK STICK®. QUICK STICK® is a registered trademark of MagneMotion, Inc. of Devens, Mass. Components comprise MagneMotion QUICK STICK® 2005, drawer  2020 , magnet array  2025  and roller wheels  2030 . Other suitable devices similar in function to the QUICKSTICK® may be used. Drawer motion is effected by activation of the electromagnetic components. 
         [0092]      FIG. 20B  is a diagram illustrating an alternative linear motor configuration with square drawers according to an embodiment of the invention. Components comprise container  2010 , roller bearings  2015 , drawer  2035 , and linear motor  2040 . The linear motor may be a ServoTube™ linear motor as manufactured by Copley Controls of Canton, Mass. Drawer motion is effected by activation of the electromagnetic components. 
         [0093]      FIG. 21  is a diagram  2100  illustrating drawer style embodiments comprising PVC square tube with rails. Drawer embodiments  2105 - 2140  can be designed in virtually any shape or size as long as they allow an appropriate container or item to pass. Drawer embodiments can be open ended or closed. Drawer embodiments move on guide rails and are supported by attached rollers all on one side or opposing sides. In embodiments, slides or rollers are incorporated in the design of the Drawer. 
         [0094]      FIG. 22  is a diagram illustrating thermoformed pill carrier embodiments  2200 . Components comprise an angled feature  2205  so container enters drawers in correct orientation, and indent  2210  allowing easy opening. Carrier embodiment bodies comprise clear thermoformed plastic  2215  and foil lid  2220 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 23  is a diagram  2300  illustrating clear carrier with drug container embodiments. Components comprise foam lining that captures product and holds it by friction  2305 , flexible end caps allowing product to be pushed in or out  2310 , restricting bands through which product is forced and held in place by flexible membrane  2315 , and end caps friction-fit and collapsed to hold product  2320 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 24  is a diagram  2400  illustrating container or canister embodiments  2405 - 2430 . Containers can be virtually any shape or size provided they fit within the appropriate drawer. For embodiments, edges are rounded to pass freely and not bind between drawers. 
         [0097]    Containers by nonlimiting example can be configured to operate in pneumatic tube systems, provide anti-microbial protection, and include RFID tracking components. 
         [0098]      FIG. 25  is a diagram  2500  illustrating a container with vacuum seal assembly  2505 . When air is withdrawn through the valve, the flexible liner collapses, drawing the bottle tight against the foam cushioning. The vacuum also pulls the cap tight to the liner that is attached to the container. Everything stays connected until the valve is released. Components comprise flexible liner sealed to container  2510 , cap  2515 , foam cushion  2520 , bottle  2525 , flexible liner  2530 , container  2535 , air vent  2540 , valve spring  2545 , valve housing  2550 , and ball bearing  2555 . For embodiments, padding can be inserted and loose items accommodated. 
         [0099]    Embodiment aspects include temperature and or force consideration, time tracking, and real-time inventory support. Drawers may directly contain items including nonlimiting examples such as shoe boxes, cigarettes, aspirin, and beverage cans. Dispenser embodiments may be scaled to house very large items. Embodiments can support easy retrieval and easy re-stocking of empty locations. One content example is bicycles. 
         [0100]      FIG. 26  is a flow chart of a method  2600  of dispensing items. Steps comprise identifying an item for dispensing  2605 , locating the item in the dispenser  2610 , identifying the row and column of the location of the item  2615 , locking at least one drawer in at least one column based on the location of the drawer  2620 , shifting the drawers  2625 , whereby the item is removed from its drawer by non-contact force  2630 , returning drawers to home position as required  2635 , and accounting for container relocation as required  2640 . Soft drop embodiments comprise row-by-row displacement during dispensing so that the item transfers in row increments. The item drops a portion of the full height, incrementally in at least two steps, reducing impact forces on the item. In embodiments, drag fingers, or a similar feature, extend from the sides of containers to slow an item as it falls. Non-dispensing steps can use the same methodology to transfer items from upper to lower rows, reducing or eliminating empty drawers/containers beneath occupied drawers. Embodiments of the dispenser automatically track the location of items by reading one or more indicia associated with the item. This identification can be accomplished when an item is added to the dispenser with updates calculated as items are transferred from drawers. In some embodiments, item location tracking is accomplished by directly reading indicia of items within each drawer following an item transfer. By nonlimiting example, indicia can be machine readable characters, bar code, RFID or combinations of these. Note that some items can reside directly within drawers, not employing containers. 
         [0101]    Additional steps comprise placing an item in a random location within the dispenser, automatically associating the item with the random location after the item is placed in the dispenser, identifying the item for dispensing, and controlling the dispenser to dispense the item upon demand. This can support rapid loading or filling of drawers. 
         [0102]      FIG. 27  is a diagram  2700  illustrating a configuration of pull wires along the back side of a slice of drawers mounted on guide rails. The top row of drawers has a single pull wire  2702  attached to the last drawer in the row and to other select drawers for stability. Detail A  2704  illustrates pull wires positioned to move freely  2708 , the back side of a drawer  2710 , rollers  2712 , and guide rail  2714 . Detail B  2706 , which shows the last drawer in the row, illustrates retaining screw  2716  and bracket  2720  to attach and fasten pull wire  2718 . Additionally, the last drawer in the row also has a pull wire  2722  for half travel. 
         [0103]      FIG. 28  is a diagram  2800  illustrating the supporting structure and assemblies for the pull wires. Pull wires  2804  run between a top guide block  2802  and a bottom guide block  2806 . Engagement plate  2808  is deployed over top guide block  2802  so that push arms  2820  can be mounted on pivot wire  2810  running through engagement plate  2808 . Magnets  2822  are affixed to each push arm  2820 . Channels  2816  are formed in top guide block  2802  to receive push arms  2820  when extended. Pull wires  2804  extend thru slots  2818  in top guide block  2802  to be engaged by push arms  2820 . There is a push arm  2820  and pull wire  2804  for each drawer in the row. There is an additional push arm  2820  and pull wire  2814  for the last drawer in the row that is positioned to move the entire row of drawers a half step. 
         [0104]      FIG. 29  is a diagram  2900  illustrating the front view of a top guide block. The top guide block  2902  is shown along with the pivot wire  2908 , push arms  2910  and magnets  2912 . Pull wires  2914  are adjusted for full travel and pull wire  2916  is adjusted for half travel. The beginning point of travel  2904  and end point of travel  2906  are also shown. 
         [0105]      FIG. 30  is a diagram  3000  illustrating a top view and side view of the guide blocks and a selector wheel. Bottom guide block  3024 , top guide block  3026 , engagement plate  3014 , push arm  3006  (in attracted position) and pivot wire  3008  are shown. Pull wires  3004  are shown with a 90 degree bend at the termination point of the wire. Selector wheel  3012  is shown with selector wheel magnets  3028  which may align with push arm magnets  3002 . When the selector wheel  3012  is indexed, selector wheel magnets  3028  become aligned with push arm magnets  3002  causing the push arms to be either attracted or repulsed depending on the installation orientation of the magnets. When attracted, the push arms  3006  reside in the attracted part of the push arm channel  3016  and remain clear of the pull wires  3004 . When repulsed, the push arms  3006  reside in the repulsed part of the push arm channel  3018  and contact the pull wires  3004 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 31  is a diagram  3100  illustrating a perspective view of the selector wheel and guide block assemblies. Pull wires  3102  run through top guide block  3112  and bottom guide block  3114 . Selector wheel  3106 , with magnets  3108 , engages push arms  3110  through engagement plate  3104 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 32  is a diagram  3200  illustrating a perspective view of the selector wheel and guide block assemblies along with a guide rail and drawer. Pull wires  3210  run through top guide block  3218  and bottom guide block  3220 . Selector wheel  3212 , with magnets  3214 , engages push arms  3216  through engagement plate  3208 . Drawer  3202  is mounted on guide rail  3206  with rollers  3204 . The engagement plate  3208 , push arms  3216  and selector wheel  3212  are mounted to a shuttle (not shown). The top guide block  3218 , bottom guide block  3220  and pull wires  3210  are mounted to a back panel (not shown). 
         [0108]      FIG. 33  is a diagram  3300  illustrating the selector wheel and plunger block. In an alternative embodiment, when the selector wheel  3302  is indexed, magnets on the selector wheel  3308  align with magnets  3306  in the plunger block  3304 . Depending on the orientation of the magnetic poles, the plunger block magnets  3306  will extend or retract. When extended, they will engage pull wires. 
         [0109]      FIG. 34  is a diagram  3400  illustrating an alternative embodiment based on the use of solenoids. Engagement plate  3402  contains solenoids  3404 . Solenoid rods  3408  extend to engage pull wires and retract to clear pull wires. The engagement plate  3402  has rollers  3406 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 35  is a diagram  3500  illustrating the solenoid engagement embodiment along with a stepper motor assembly. Guide block  3510 , pull wires  3512 , and guide rails  3508  are shown behind engagement plate  3506  with solenoids  3504 . End drawer  3502  is shown above bottom drawer  3518 . Bracket  3514  attaches engagement plate  3506  to an assembly consisting of gear rack  3520  and stepper motor  3516 . The solenoid engagement plates travel on rollers (not shown) but are affixed to each other by a bracket and move as one unit by the stepper motor and gear rack. 
         [0111]      FIG. 36  is a diagram  3600  illustrating a metal selector wheel in an alternative embodiment. The all metal selector wheel  3602  has embedded magnets that, when aligned with the push arm magnets, cause them to repulse and engage the pull wires. When no magnets are aligned, the push arm magnets are naturally attracted to the metal selector wheel and disengage the pull wires. 
         [0112]      FIG. 37  is a diagram  3700  illustrating a slice of drawers and shuttle assembly. Rows of drawers  3710  arranged in a slice are shown along with a row of bottom drawers  3712 . Guide block assembly with pull wires  3704  is mounted on back panel  3706 . Stepper motor  3702  is provided for driving selector wheel shaft. A stepper motor for shuttle travel (not shown) turns a shaft that rotates the gear engaged with the gear rack  3714  mounted to the shuttle assembly  3708 . 
         [0113]    Selector wheel magnets are uniquely positioned for each selector wheel and each selector wheel is affixed to the shaft in the correct orientation. To operate, the stepper motor drives the selector wheel shaft indexes to one of 50 positions. Each position causes selector magnets to repulse corresponding push arm magnets, which force the push arms in to the guide block channel. The stepper motor then drives the shuttle the full travel length and returns. As the shuttle moves, any push arm in the guide block channel will push the pull wire and move the attached drawer. On the return stroke, the shuttle&#39;s trailing edge pushes all drawers back to the home position. Each index of the selector wheel shaft corresponds to a single drawer. To dispense a container from drawer number N, one only needs to index the shaft to position N and move the shuttle through its full motion. 
         [0114]      FIG. 38  is a diagram  3800  illustrating a detailed view of the bottom end corner of the slice of drawers. Back panel  3806 , shuttle  3804 , and bottom drawer  3802  are shown. Gear  3810  drives gear rack  3814 . Also shown are photo sensor  3808 , shaft  3816 , and slit wheel  3812 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 39  is a diagram  3900  illustrating a detailed view of the top end corner of the slice of drawers. Shown are drawers  3902 , stepper motor  3904 , shuttle  3906 , guide rail  3908 , and pull wire guide block assembly  3910 . Also shown are selector wheel single wire  3912 , shaft collar  3914 , bearing  3916 , shaft support bracket  3918 , selector wheel  3920 , selector wheel magnets  3922 , engagement plate  3924 , and back panel  3926 . 
         [0116]      FIG. 40  is a diagram  4000  illustrating a collection of five slices of drawers making up a  250  unit dispenser. Shown are top cap  4002 , drawers  4004 , bottom drawers  4006 , exit chute  4008 , back panel  4010  and frame  4012 . The stepper motor that drives the shuttle assembly in one slice may also be used to drive the shuttles in other slices. 
         [0117]      FIG. 41  is a diagram  4100  illustrating a larger collection of slices and a conveyor belt  4102  at the top for feeding items to be stored, and a conveyor belt at the bottom  4104  for delivering items that have been dispensed. 
         [0118]      FIG. 42  is a diagram  4200  illustrating an alternative to the selector wheel. 
         [0119]      FIG. 43  is a perspective diagram  4300  illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention comprising magnetic coils. A portion of a slice is shown with top cap  4305 , containers  4310 , guide rails  4315 , magnetic coils  4320 , back panel  4325 , and drawers  4330 . Magnet coils  4320  are energized to control movement of the drawers  4330 . Coils can be activated to move the drawers a full step, a half step or to provide locking. 
         [0120]      FIG. 44  is a front cut away view of the slice and a perspective view of the rear of the drawer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 43 . Shown are top cap  4405 , containers  4410 , guide rails  4415 , front control panel  4420 , magnetic coils  4425 , drawers  4435 , roller assembly  4440  and magnet assembly  4445 . Roller assemblies  4440  engage in guide rails  4415  permitting drawers to roll back and forth under the constraints imposed by the magnet assemblies  4445  and magnet coils  4425 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a full slice  4500  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 43 . Shown are mounting frame  4505 , top cap  4510 , containers  4515 , drawers  4520 , control display  4525 , front panel  4530  and bottom drawers  4535 . 
         [0122]      FIG. 46  is a perspective diagram  4600  illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention suitable for home use. Shown are top cover  4605 , plastic housing  4610 , display  4615 , memory key  4620 , control buttons  4625 , exit chute  4630 . Openings for pill containers  4635  are shown with the top cover  4605  removed. The openings may be keyed so that containers fit in only one orientation. This embodiment is a smaller scale version suitable to dispense medications and oral solids to home users. 
         [0123]    As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the essence of the invention. For instance, the invention may be practiced as an apparatus and/or process, and can be scaled. There is within the scope of the invention, a system for the storing and dispensing of items comprising a plurality of drawers arranged in a horizontal row, a plurality of the horizontal rows vertically stacked to form a slice of drawers and a sliding mechanism permitting at least one of the plurality of drawers to slide along the direction parallel to the long axis of the horizontal row, opening a dispensing path through the slice of drawers for a selected first item stored in a selected drawer to exit the system by non-contact force such as gravity. The sliding mechanism further permits the opening of an entrance path through the slice of drawers for a second item to enter the system to be stored in a second selected drawer by non-contact force. A plurality of slices of drawers may be arranged next to each other in close proximity forming a densely packed three dimensional matrix of drawers permitting minimal and efficient use of storage space. The drawers may be mounted on guide rails. The sliding mechanism may be a motor coupled to the drawers through a mechanism to transmit pulling force. The coupling may be a pull chain, a pull rod, a flexible belt or a pull wire. In some embodiments the motor may be a stepper motor. In other embodiments the motor may be a linear motor. The coupling may be selectively engaged by a solenoid, an air cylinder or an indexed disk driven by a second motor which may be a stepper motor or a linear motor. 
         [0124]    The sliding mechanism may further comprise a pull wire, a motor coupled to the pull wire and a magnet to selectively engage the pull wire to one of the drawers so that the pulling force from the motor is transmitted to the drawer. The motor may be a stepper motor or a linear motor. The magnets may be deployed on a selector wheel in a geometrical arrangement such that desired combinations of drawers are simultaneously engaged to the pull wires while other drawers are released from the pull wires. Various desired combinations may be selected by rotating the selector wheel. The rotation may be accomplished with a second motor which may be a stepper motor or a linear motor. 
         [0125]    A protective container may be available for securing the items to be stored and dispensed. 
         [0126]    There is further within the scope of the invention, a method for storing and dispensing items in a dispenser comprising a plurality of drawers. The method comprises placing an item to be stored in a random location within the dispenser and associating the item with the random location, identifying an item to be dispensed, locating it, and shifting at least one of the plurality of drawers based on the location of the item to be dispensed so that the item is permitted to exit the dispenser by non-contact force such as gravity. At least one of the plurality of drawers may be locked based on the location of the item to be dispensed. The item to be stored may be placed in a protective container prior to storing in the random location. The locating may be accomplished through the use of RFID tracking of the item. The shifting may be accomplished by sliding the drawer on guide rails. The sliding may be accomplished by selectively engaging the drawer to a pull wire which is coupled to a motor. The engaging may be accomplished with a magnet. 
         [0127]    The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.