Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing and returning reusable articles each identifiable with its own identification code, comprising: a pair of opposing, stationary arrays of locations, each location being capable of holding a reusable article therein and having its own particular location code; a memory adapted to store details of the location codes and the article codes in memory; a data receiver for receiving informational data from a patron; a receptacle for receiving and discharging the articles; a transfer mechanism for placing an article in a location in the arrays or removing an article therefrom, the transfer mechanism being movable relative to the arrays between operative engagement with any of the locations and the receptacle; an article code sensing device adapted to sense the article code of an article carried by the transfer mechanism; and a control device having means for receiving control information and for generating output instructional information and control signals, the control device being responsive to informational data from the receiver to actuate the transfer mechanism to remove a selected article from a location in the arrays to the receptacle by the transfer mechanism, or to return an article received by the receptacle to an empty location in the arrays.

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First Claim