Patent ID: 7857161

Claim:
A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising: a housing; at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis; a platform movable along the support, and defining a second axis and a third axis; wherein the second axis and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to the first axis and each other; the platform supporting a plurality of storage locations extending along both the second and third axes, wherein a storage location is capable of storing at least one distinct, consumer-specific item, the consumer specific item being locatable at the storage location without predetermination and coupled with identifying information associating the item with a specific consumer; a plurality of bins, each bin supported by the movable platform, wherein each bin substantially contains a plurality of storage locations, and wherein the storage bins further comprise a plurality of walls, wherein the walls extending along the plane defined by the first and third axes contain a plurality of notches, wherein the notches in opposite walls are substantially aligned so as to form a plurality of substantially parallel storage location; and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along an axis chosen from the group consisting of the second or third axis to access and retrieve stored items.