Patent ID: 7757890

Claim:
A system for dispensing cylindrical containers, comprising: a housing configured to mount to a shelf, the housing having a base and a plurality of upper openings and a plurality of lower openings; a plurality of tracks positioned in the housing, wherein each of the plurality of tracks connects one of the upper openings to one of the lower openings; a plurality of drawers, wherein one of the plurality of drawers is positioned in each of the lower openings, the plurality of drawers being slidable between a closed position and an open position in a horizontal direction along a surface of the base; a plurality of retaining tabs, each one of the plurality of retaining tabs coupled to one of the plurality of drawers, wherein sliding one of the plurality of drawers causes the associated retaining tab to translate to a blocking position, wherein the associated retaining tab extends through an opening in one of the plurality of tracks in the blocking position; and a sensor configured to detect a change in position of one of the plurality of drawers.