Door movement systems for cabinets

Abstract

A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet is provided. The system includes a motor in communication with a controller to automatically open and close the door. A first plate is fixed to a motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein. A first leg extends from the door extending through the slot. A second leg extends from the door. A first sensor moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 015931, filed on April 27, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 159175, filed on March 10, 2021, the entire contents of each application are fully incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present subject discloses and relates to the cabinet that is configured to store articles so that they can be automatically delivered to the end user or customer in the future. The cabinet includes a storage compartment and is often used in restaurants to store food that has been prepared after the customer orders the food, which is placed in the cabinet for the customer to take later. The cabinet has many different uses, but is generally regarded as a beneficial way to allow the order to be delivered to the customer in an effective manner, because it is not necessary for the restaurant staff to directly hand over the prepared articles to the customer, on the contrary, the restaurant staff can place the prepared articles in the compartment, close the door of the compartment, and then send the customer a message that the article is ready to be taken away by the customer. The password to enter the cabinet is usually provided to the customer to allow the customer to enter the compartment. Some traditional cabinets have a system for monitoring the front of the cabinet to confirm that nothing blocks the path to the door of the compartment. These systems often add undesirable cost, complexity and the possibility of failure to the design of the cabinet. Providing the present subject discloses to provide the cabinet with the safety aspects of traditional monitoring systems with higher reliability and lower cost. Summary of the invention

[0004] A first representative embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The embodiment includes a cabinet having a plurality of storage compartments. The cabinet includes a housing, the housing includes a plurality of walls, and the walls define two or more compartments to accommodate items therein. Two or more doors are rotatably mounted to the housing, the plurality of doors selectively close or open the corresponding two or more compartments, and two or more motor assemblies are each operably connected between one or more of the plurality of walls and the corresponding door. Each motor assembly includes a motor shaft, a motor is fixed to one or more of the plurality of walls, the motor communicates with a controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein the rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction causes the corresponding door to move in a direction associated with the door transitioning from a closed position to an open position, and wherein the rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with the door transitioning from an open position to a closed position. A first plate is fixed to the motor shaft, rotates with the rotation of the motor shaft, and the plate includes a slot disposed therein. A first leg extends from a corresponding door extending through the slot. A second leg extends from the corresponding door. The first sensor moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect the relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending the second signal to the motor.

[0005] Another representative embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The embodiment includes a system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet. The system includes a motor supported on one or more walls of the cabinet, the motor including a motor shaft, the motor communicating with a controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein the rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with transferring the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein the rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with transferring the door from an open position to a closed position. A first plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein. A first leg extends from the door extending through the slot. A second leg extends from the door. A first sensor moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative motion between the motor shaft and the door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in the second direction and the first sensor detects relative motion between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending the second signal to the motor.

[0006] The advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art through the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be appreciated, the disclosed subject matter is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects. Therefore, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet having multiple compartments and doors to selectively close and allow individual access to each compartment, with side panels of the compartment housing removed.

[0008] Figure 1 a is multiple doors in open position Figure 1 of the view.

[0009] Figure 1 b is Figure 1 Detail of aDetailed view of H.

[0010] Figure 1 c is Figure 1 Another front perspective view of the cabinet, showing the Figure 1 The inner side wall shown in b is opposite to the inner side wall.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the drawing shows a plurality of motor assemblies provided for operating the respective doors of each compartment.

[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the door and motor assembly with the door in the closed position.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Side view of the view.

[0014] Figure 4 a is Figure 4 Detail view of detail A.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Detail view of detail B.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 , with the second plate of the motor assembly removed from this view.

[0017] Figure 7 is a view of the interior of the motor assembly with the door in the closed position.

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 3with the door in the open position.

[0019] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Side view of.

[0020] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Detailed view of detail C.

[0021] Fig.10 a is Fig.10 , with the second plate of the motor assembly removed from this view.

[0022] Fig.11 is a view of the interior of the motor assembly with the door in the open position.

[0023] Fig.11 a is Fig.11 Detailed view of detail D.

[0024] Fig.12 yes Figure 3 , with the door in an intermediate position and the object disposed between the lower edge of the door and the housing.

[0025] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 Detailed view of E.

[0026] Fig.14 yes Fig.12 Detail of E - side view.

[0027] Fig.15 is a view of the interior of the motor assembly with the door in an intermediate position and the object disposed between the lower edge of the door and the housing.

[0028] Fig.16 is another perspective view of the motor assembly and door, with the door in an open position and portions of the motor assembly removed.

[0029] Fig.17 is a perspective view of a cabinet having a plurality of compartments, each of which may be isolated by a door capable of automatic operation.

[0030] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 A perspective view of a portion of a compartment of a cabinet with the door in an open position.

[0031] Fig.18 a is Fig.18 Another perspective view of the view.

[0032] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 A perspective view of a portion of a compartment with the door in a fully closed position.

[0033] Fig.19 a is Fig.19 Another perspective view of a view of the door in a fully closed position.

[0034] Fig.19 b is Fig.18 Detailed perspective view of a compartment with the door in the fully closed position.

[0035] Fig.19 c is Fig.19 A further detailed view of view of b.

[0036] Fig. 20 yes Fig.18 A side view of a compartment with an obstacle positioned below a lower edge of the door to prevent the door from reaching a fully closed position.

[0037] Fig. 20 a is Fig. 20 Detailed perspective view of the orientation.

[0038] Fig. 20 b is Fig. 20 Another detailed perspective view of the orientation of.

[0039] Fig.21 yes Fig.18 Side view of a compartment with an obstruction positioned below the lower edge of the door, the door having not yet reached the lock and position sensor, the obstruction preventing the door from traveling to the fully closed position.

[0040] Fig.21 a is Fig.21 perspective view of the.

[0041] Fig.21 b is Fig.21 Another perspective view of the view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Now go to Figure 1-16 , a cabinet 10 with multiple compartments 20 for closed storage is provided. The cabinet 10 disclosed and described herein is specifically designed to receive food for storage so that it can be picked up by customers based on previous orders (or at the facility or by remote ordering (e.g., via the Internet or through an application). The cabinet 10 specifically discussed here is used for food, usually packaged food, or cooked food in a container, which is ready to be picked up by customers in restaurants, food stores, etc. or at remote locations, but those of ordinary skill in the art will easily understand that the cabinet 10 can be used for non-food items, such as products sold in stores, prescription drugs in pharmacies, personalized papers, etc., by carefully reading this specification and the accompanying drawings. After a comprehensive reading of this disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will easily understand how the cabinet 10 can be used for various items stored and picked up by customers.

[0043] Cabinet 10 may be configured to be located at a restaurant facility for storing and picking up cooked / processed food ordered at the restaurant facility, or cabinet 10 may be located at a location remote from the restaurant facility but convenient to customers, such as to allow a delivery service to place items in compartment 20 (which may be closed by door 50) from which the customer is able to remove the items at a time convenient to the customer.

[0044] The cabinet 10 may be directly adapted for use by a delivery service or restaurant to deposit packaged food into a selected compartment 20, upon which the customer opens the compartment door 50 and removes the food from the compartment 20 without any physical contact with the housing or the cabinet input device 99. Similarly, the cabinet 10 may be made of materials and components having surface coatings or components that may be contacted by a user that are not susceptible to receiving or retaining biological material from a person contacting the component, or breathing or coughing on the component, etc., or may be configured to prevent or minimize the release of biological material received on its surface to another person who subsequently comes into physical contact with the component or is in close proximity to the component.

[0045] The cabinet 10 may include a heating system for heating one, some or all of the multiple compartments 20. The heating system may be by means of a resistive heater or other heating means. Additionally or alternatively, the cabinet 10 may include a refrigeration or cooling system for one, some or all of the multiple compartments. In some embodiments, the cabinet 10 may include forced ventilation to allow mixing of the heat generated by the heating system and / or cooling.

[0046] The cabinet 10 can be configured to selectively and individually automatically open and close the doors 50 (as described below, each door 50 is moved by the motor assembly 100) based on one of a plurality of inputs. For example, the cabinet 10 can include an input device 99 on the cabinet that allows a user to enter a code, such as a number or password, to open a door associated with a compartment on command. Similarly, the input device 99 can have a sensor capable of receiving and interpreting or recognizing a symbol or code (e.g., a QR code, a UPC symbol, or another automatically generated visual prompt), and when received, opens the associated door 50.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, the cabinet 10 may be configured to automatically open a door 50 associated with a compartment upon receipt of a signal from a remote device, such as a signal generated by a customer application, a delivery service application, a restaurant application, etc. on a phone, tablet, computer, or other device capable of generating and transmitting a signal. For example, the cabinet 10 may include a Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, or other data communication technology that operates wirelessly with a remote server or network, or a hardwired connection to a server that receives a signal from a remote device associated with a customer.

[0048] By comparison Figure 1 and 1It is understood that the cabinet 10 includes a plurality of compartments 20, which are closed by separate doors 50, respectively. In some embodiments, the construction of the cabinet 10 allows access to the compartment 20 only via an opening 20a selectively opened or closed by the door 50, and in other embodiments, the cabinet may include an opening, such as an opened cabinet back. In this embodiment, the cabinet 10 may be designed to be arranged in a restaurant, and restaurant staff may enter the opening to place items in the corresponding compartment (e.g., from a position in the restaurant where customers are not usually allowed to enter or where customers are not present), and customers may only enter the compartment when the door 50 is opened. In some embodiments, the compartments 20 may be stacked vertically so that the ceiling of the compartment forms the floor of the compartment above the compartment. The cabinet may have one or more rows of stacked compartments 20.

[0049] like Figure 1 As best shown in FIG. 1a-1c, each compartment 20 may include a sensing system 40 configured to determine whether any items, such as food, are placed in a particular compartment 20 and are available for pickup. In some embodiments, the sensing system 40 may be a system having a transmitter 41 and a receiver 42 disposed on opposing walls within the compartment, such as opposing right and left walls 25, 26 defining the compartment 20. In some embodiments, the transmitter 41 and the receiver 42 may be lasers, or another type of light source, such as a light source operating in the infrared spectrum. As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this specification, when one or more items are placed on the floor of the compartment 20, the transmitter and receiver 41, 42 will be blocked, and the sensing system 40 sends a signal to the controller 1000 when the signal is blocked. As discussed elsewhere herein, when the controller receives a signal from the sensing system 40 that there are one or more items in the compartment 20 or that there are no items in the compartment, the controller 1000 uses that information to operate the position of the door 50 and may also cause a communication to be sent to the restaurant or the customer, such as to the restaurant's POS system or the customer's application. For example, when the door 50 associated with the compartment containing the sensing system 40 is in the open position and the sensing system 40 has sent a signal to the controller indicating that one or more items are in the compartment, but the controller 1000 subsequently receives a signal that there are no items in the compartment, the controller may be programmed to automatically cause the door 50 to move from the open position to the closed position either immediately or after a predetermined delay time, as described below.

[0050] In some embodiments, the sensing system 40 may be an array of multiple adjacent transmitters 41 and receivers 42, or in other embodiments a single transmitter 41 and multiple receivers 42. These embodiments with receivers dispersed to receive signals spaced apart along the cross-sectional area of ​​the compartment 20 allow for redundancy (i.e., the sensing system cannot conclude, for example, that an item is or is not present in a compartment) when only a single transmitter receives or does not receive, for example, a light beam from the transmitter, and will also allow the sensing system 40 to identify that items are present in the compartment 20, such as when they are located relatively close to the opening 20a or relatively close to the back wall of the compartment 40. The sensing system 40 may be programmed with logic to determine that an item is present in a compartment, such as when two separate receivers 42 no longer receive a light beam, rather than just a single receiver 42, to allow for continuity of proper operation when one of the transmitter / receivers is no longer operating properly (due to power loss, improper alignment of the light beam, or for other reasons). In the embodiment described here, each compartment 20 comprises two groups of emitters 41a, 41b, each group having seven emitters, and correspondingly two groups of seven receivers 42a, 42b, each group receiving light from the emitters.

[0051] like Figure 3 , 4 , 4a, 8, 9 and 12, the door 50 associated with each compartment 20 can be in a closed position ( Figure 3 , 4 ) and open position ( Figure 8 , 9 ) (as determined by controller 1000 as discussed herein). Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the door 50 is in the closed position, the top edge portion 54 and the top edge 54a of the door are spaced apart from the bottom edge portion 34, which defines the upper boundary of the opening 20a in the compartment, as indicated by the distance X and as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, when the door is in the open position, the bottom portion 52 is spaced from the bottom edge portion 34, and the spacing is maintained (at least) throughout the range of motion of the door 50. This space X can be 0.75 inches in some embodiments, or in the range of about 0.75 to 2 inches in other embodiments, including all values ​​within the range, and is provided to prevent the entrapment of items that may extend between the door and the bottom edge portion, to prevent injuries to personnel when operating the door 50 if items (such as a user's fingers) are placed in the space when the door 50 is moved, and to be small enough to prevent theft or minimize any reasonable chance of physical interference with the contents of the compartment when the door 50 is closed. As described below, if the door is blocked from moving in the closing direction, the controller 1000 will stop the closing movement of the door 50. The term "about" is specifically defined herein to include the reference value and ±5% of the reference value.

[0052] In the embodiments depicted and specifically described in this specification, the door 50 contacts the top edge portion 32 of the compartment wall when in the closed position. In other embodiments, the door 50 can maintain a small gap between the top edge portion 32 and the bottom edge portion 52 of the door 50 when in the closed position, providing the small gap to minimize pinching between the door and the top edge portion 32 while preventing theft or minimizing any reasonable chance of physical interference with the contents of the compartment 20 when the door 50 is closed.

[0053] Each door 50 can be rotatably mounted to the cabinet, specifically the side walls 25, 26, which form the side walls of the corresponding compartment 20 with another rotatable pin connector known in the art. Each door 50 includes a side panel 55, 56 extending rearwardly from the door 50 and extending into the corresponding compartment 50, and the side panels 55, 56 are pinned or otherwise connected relative to the side walls.

[0054] In some embodiments, the motor assembly 100 is disposed on one of the side walls forming the compartment (eg, the side wall 25 adjacent the side panel 56 of the door 50 ), and the motor assembly 100 is operable to control movement of the door 50 between open and closed positions.

[0055] The motor assembly 100 may include the following components: a motor 110 including a motor shaft 112, an inner plate 70 secured to the motor shaft, first and second door position sensors 134, 144 secured relative to the side wall 25, and a safety sensor 124 secured relative to the motor shaft to move along an arc as the motor shaft 112 rotates. The motor assembly 100 also includes a first leg 72 extending from the side panel 56 and extending through a slot 72 in the inner plate 70, and a second leg 62 extending from the side panel 56 and selectively interacting with the first, second and safety sensors 134, 144, 124. In some embodiments, the components of the motor assembly (except the shafts 72, 62 extending from the door 50) may be secured to the rigid plate 102 to allow for precise positioning relative to one another, and to allow efficient assembly of the cabinet by requiring only a plurality of fasteners to secure the rigid plate 102 to the side wall (in a position such that the two legs 72, 62 are properly positioned within and through the correct slots) and then making the required electrical connections. In some embodiments, the transmitter 41 of the sensing system 40 may also be located on a rigid plate to facilitate assembly of the cabinet 10 .

[0056] The motor 110 may be a DC or AC motor capable of rotating its shaft 112 in either rotational direction based on receipt of a first signal (a first direction which will move the door in a direction toward the open position) or a second signal (a second direction which will move the door in a direction toward the closed position). This specification describes the transmission and reception of signals between the various components and the controller 1000. The various paths for transmitting signals are described in Figure 1The cabinet 10 will include the necessary wiring or other pathways for signal flow between the various components and the controller 1000 as is well known in the art.

[0057] The motor 110 can be such that the motor 110 automatically stops rotating when the first or second signal is no longer received. In some embodiments, the motor shaft 112 includes first and second portions 113, 114 extending from the motor housing in opposite directions, and the two portions 113, 114 are either the same shaft or rotatably fixed relative to each other so that the two shaft portions 113, 114 always rotate in the same direction. In some embodiments, the portions 113, 114 can be separate shafts with a transmission therebetween to allow different portions 113, 114 to rotate at different speeds. The embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings depict a single shaft 112, wherein the portions 113, 114 are opposite ends of the same shaft, and torque is applied to the shaft (within and surrounded by the motor housing) at a midpoint between the two ends. The position of the motor shaft 112 can be identified and controlled using one of various types of conventional technologies, such as an encoder, a Hall effect sensor, a visual marker on the motor shaft, and the like.

[0058] Inner plate 70 (in Figure 7 114 and 115. In some embodiments, the inner plate 70 may be positioned in face-to-face contact with the side panel 56 of the door 50, while in other embodiments, the inner plate 70 may be positioned to be spaced apart from the side panel 56, but remain substantially parallel to the side panel 56 for all or at least a portion of the inner plate 79. The term "substantially" is specifically defined as accurately representing a reference value and an angle that does not exceed ±5 degrees of the reference value. The inner plate 70 may include a collar 78 that is fixed to a central hole passing therethrough. The inner plate 70 is fixed to the first end 113 of the shaft 112, either using a collar 78 having a flat surface that mates with a corresponding flat surface 113a on the shaft 113, and / or using a set screw that extends through the collar 78 and engages the shaft 112.

[0059] The inner plate 70 includes a slot 72 that receives the first leg 58 extending perpendicularly from the side panel 56. The slot 72 has an arc length that allows a certain amount of relative rotation between the inner plate 70 (and the motor shaft 112 to which the inner plate 70 is fixed) and the side panel 56. In some embodiments, the slot 72 can be sized to allow 12 degrees or about 12 degrees of relative rotation between the position where the first leg 58 contacts the first end 72a of the slot and the position when the first leg 58 contacts the second end 72b of the slot 58. In other embodiments, the slot 72 can have an arc length to allow other amounts of relative rotation, such as 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or any amount within the range of about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees, including all angles within this range.

[0060] The spring 79 is disposed between the side panel 56 and the inner panel 70, and the spring 79 is configured to resist the relative rotation of the inner panel relative to the side panel, for example, to urge the first leg 58 to contact the first end 72a of the slot 72. In other embodiments, the torsion spring can be disposed around the motor shaft 112 and connect the motor shaft and the side panel 56 to urge the side panel to rotate with the motor shaft 112.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the inner panel 70 is disposed within the compartment 20 , or at least on one side of the side panel 56 of the door 50 in the direction of the corresponding compartment 20 .

[0062] The motor assembly 100 also includes a travel slot 82 that can be disposed on the rigid plate 102, through which the second leg 62 extends. The second leg 62 is fixed to the side panel 56, and in some embodiments, the second leg 62 extends in a direction opposite to the first leg 58, and in some embodiments, the second leg 62 extends in a direction away from the corresponding compartment 20. The arc length of the second leg 62 extending through the travel slot 82 determines the potential amount of movement of the door 50 between the closed position and the open position, in other words, the range of movement of the side panel 56 of the door 50 relative to the rigid plate 102, which is fixed to the side wall 25 of the compartment 20.

[0063] In some embodiments, the travel slot 82 includes an arc length of 90 degrees to allow the door 50 to move from a closed position to an open position perpendicular to the closed position, when in the open position, all of the door 50, or in some embodiments, a majority of the door 50, is located within the compartment 20. In some embodiments, the travel slot 82 can be exactly 90 degrees, or substantially 90 degrees, while in other embodiments, the travel slot 82 can be between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees, including all values ​​within this range, and the size of the door 50 and the opening 20a into the compartment 20 is such that when the door 50 is in the open position, the largest object envisioned to be contained in the compartment can be placed in and removed from the compartment.

[0064] like Figure 6 , 10 10a, the motor assembly 100 has first and second door position sensors 134, 144 that are fixed relative to the side wall 25 of the compartment 20 and, in some embodiments, fixed to the rigid plate 102. The first door position sensor 134 is configured to determine when the second leg 62 has reached or is very close to the first end 82a of the slot 82, which corresponds to the closed position of the door 50. Similarly, the second door position sensor 144 is configured to determine when the second leg 62 has reached or is very close to the second end 82b of the slot 82, which corresponds to the open position of the door 50.

[0065] One or both of the first and second door position sensors 134, 144 may have a tongue 136, 146 extending in a cantilevered manner from the housing 135, 145 of the respective sensor and an input device 138, 148 on the housing 135, 145. In some embodiments, the input device 138, 148 may be a biasing member that extends out of the sensor housing generally toward the tongue and is compressed into the housing against a biasing force as the tongue moves toward the housing. In one embodiment, the sensor may be a sensor such as the D3V micro basic switch manufactured by Omron. In other embodiments, the input device 138, 148 may operate based on magnetic coupling when the tongue moves close enough to the sensor, or based on electrical coupling when the tongue contacts the input device, or by other methods known in the art of sensing a change in tongue position.

[0066] In these embodiments, the tongues 136, 146 of the respective first and second sensors are arranged so that when the second leg 62 slides through the slot 82 as the door moves, the tongues 136, 146 extend across the path of the second leg 62. Fig.10 and 10 As shown in a, when the second leg approaches the second end 82b of the slot, that is, when the movable door 50 approaches the open position ( Fig.10 a), the tongue 146 of the second sensor 144 is disposed at a position where the second leg 62 first contacts (at position 146a on the tongue 146). The continued movement of the second leg 62 applies a force on the tongue to bend the tongue toward the housing 145 and the input device 148. In embodiments where the input device is a biasing member, the continued movement of the second leg 62 causes the tongue 146 to contact the input device 148 and apply a force thereto, thereby pushing the input device 148 into the housing 145 of the sensor, as shown in FIG. Fig.10As shown in a. With sufficient movement of the input device 148, the electrical connection within the sensor housing 145 is established or lost (depending on the design of the sensor as normally open or normally closed), which establishes or stops the signal sent to the controller 1000 (depending on the electrical design of the motor assembly 100), which identifies to the controller that the door 50 has reached the open position 50 (and in some embodiments, the signal (or lack thereof or signal) continues when the door remains in the open position). As discussed herein (and with respect to this second sensor, as well as the first sensor 134 and the safety sensor 124, discussed below), a change in the signal sent to the controller (i.e., either specifically sending a signal to the controller when the input device 148 establishes or breaks an electrical connection, or stopping sending a previous signal to the controller) is defined as sending a signal to the controller (i.e., a signal to the controller or starting to send a signal or stopping sending a previous signal). When the controller 1000 receives the signal (or, as described above, identifies that the previous signal is lost), the controller 1000 stops sending the first signal to the motor, which causes the motor shaft 112 to stop rotating in the opening direction.

[0067] In some embodiments, the second position sensor 144 and its tongue 146 are positioned so that the second leg 62 contacts the tongue (at position 146a) and moves the tongue 146 to actuate the input device 148 at a position before the second leg 62 reaches the end 82b of the slot, so that the controller is allocated time to stop the actuation movement of the motor shaft before the second leg 62 contacts the end 82b of the slot to prevent the second leg 62 from contacting the end 82b with significant momentum (speed), thereby preventing impact or vibration and minimizing any noise generated when the door movement is stopped due to the second leg 62 reaching the mechanical stop 82b at the end of the slot 82.

[0068] In other embodiments, the second position sensor 144 may be a proximity sensor, or a light sensor, or a position sensor, or a magnetic sensor. For example, the second position sensor may include an arm positioned to extend into the path of the second leg so that an electrical connection is directly formed when contacted by the arm, the electrical connection causing a signal to be sent to the controller. Alternatively, the sensor may be a magnetic sensor that couples with the second leg 62 when in close proximity to the second leg, the magnetic coupling causing a signal to be sent to the controller. Still alternatively, the sensor may be a light sensor that sends a light beam through the path of the slot 82, and when the second leg blocks the light beam, it identifies that the second leg 82 is located at or near the second end 82a of the slot, causing a signal to be sent to the controller. Other types of sensors capable of detecting the position of the second leg 62 within a specific position within the slot 82 may be provided in place of the second sensor 144 (and the first and safety sensors discussed below) specifically described above, and those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to readily use alternative sensors known in the art after a thorough reading of this specification without undue experimentation.

[0069] The operation of the first position sensor 134 operates in a manner similar to the second position sensor 144 described above. The tongue 136 of the first position sensor 134 is disposed through the slot 82, and when the second leg approaches the first end 82a of the slot, i.e., when the door 50 moves from the open position to the closed position, the tongue 136 is in a position (at position 136a) where it contacts the second leg 62. As with the second sensor 144 discussed above, when the second leg 62 contacts the tongue 136 of the first sensor 134, it applies a force to the tongue 136, which causes the tongue 136 to bend toward the housing 135 until it contacts the input device 138, and as the second leg 62 continues to move, the input device 138 is pushed into the housing 135 a sufficient amount to make or lose electrical connection within the housing, which establishes or stops sending a signal to the controller 1000 in a manner similar to the sending or stopping of a signal from the second position sensor 144 to the controller described above. Figure 6 Depicted is the tongue 136 pushing the input device 138 into the housing (and the initial position is similar to Fig.10 , where the second leg 62 is in contact with the tongue but has not yet contacted the input device).

[0070] Embodiments in which the input devices 138, 148 are not mechanically moveable input devices, but instead operate by magnetic coupling or by an electrical signal generated directly between the tongue and the input device (when engaged) will operate in a similar manner relative to the second leg 62, thereby causing movement of the corresponding tongue when the door reaches the established position.

[0071] The motor assembly 100 also includes a safety sensor 124. In some embodiments, the safety sensor 124 is the same type of sensor as used for the first and second sensors 134, 144, or the safety sensor can be a different type of sensor. The safety sensor 124 is configured to move along an arc as the motor shaft 112 rotates. In some embodiments, the outer plate 120 is fixed to the motor shaft 112, and in some embodiments, fixed to the first end 114 of the motor shaft 112. The outer plate 120 can include a collar 122 that is fixed to the motor shaft in a manner similar to the structure that fixes the inner plate 70 to the motor shaft as described above. The safety sensor 124 is fixed near the outer circumference of the outer plate 120 and is aligned so that its tongue 126 extends across the second shaft 62 and, in some embodiments, contacts the second shaft 62, wherein the tongue 124 contacts a portion of the second shaft 62 that generally faces the second end 82b of the slot 82. As discussed further below, in the event that there is relative motion between the motor shaft 112 and the door 50 (e.g., the motor shaft 112 rotates in a direction to close the door 50, but the door does not move in that direction), the outer plate 120 rotates and the safety sensor moves in an arc along the circumference of the outer plate 120, but the second leg 62 stops moving (or does not move as fast as the safety sensor). This relative motion causes a force to be applied to the tongue 126, which ultimately causes the tongue 126 to contact and move the input device 128. As the input device 128 moves sufficiently into the housing 125, an electrical connection is established or lost, which causes a signal from the safety sensor to the controller 1000 to be established or lost, thereby causing the controller 1000 to stop sending a signal to rotate the motor shaft 112 in the closing direction.

[0072] The safety sensor 124 cooperates with the inner panel 70, and in particular, cooperates with the slot 72 in the inner panel 70 that receives the first leg 58. Generally, when the motor shaft 112 rotates, the first leg 58 (extending from the side panel 56 of the door 50) contacts the first end 72a ( 72b ) of the slot 72 as the motor shaft 112 rotates in a direction that moves the door from the open position to the closed position. Figure 7 ). If the movement of the door 50 is blocked, such as Fig.12 As schematically shown by the object 11000 disposed between the upper surface 32 of the cabinet and the bottom edge portion 52 of the door, the door 50 and therefore the side panels and the first and second legs 58, 62 are prevented from moving in the closing direction, and as the inner plate 70 continues to rotate with the motor shaft 112, the first shaft moves along the slot 72 until it reaches the opposite end 72b of the slot 72 ( Fig.15 ), this force overcomes the biasing force of spring 79 and continues to rotate the inner plate.

[0073] At the same time, as the motor shaft 122 rotates, the outer plate 120 also continues to rotate, which causes the safety sensor 124 to continue to move in an arc, but the second leg 62 stops rotating due to the object 11000 preventing the door from moving. As the safety sensor 124 continues to rotate, a force is applied to the tongue 126, which causes the tongue to bend into contact with the input device 128 (or other type of sensor coupled to the input device), which causes the input device to move into the housing 125 and make or break an electrical connection as described above, which ultimately causes the controller 1000 to stop the rotation of the motor shaft 112.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, when the door is blocked from moving, the amount of rotation of the motor shaft is preferably sufficient to cause the safety sensor 124 to send a signal to the controller 1000 to stop rotating the motor shaft before the first leg reaches the second end 72a of the first slot 72.

[0075] In some embodiments, when the first sensor 134 sends a signal to the controller indicating that the door is approaching or has reached the closed position, the controller 1000, upon receiving the signal, can send a signal to the motor to rotate the shaft in a direction to move the door 50 toward the open position (e.g., upon receiving input from a user that the user wishes to retrieve an item within the corresponding compartment 20), but cannot send a signal to the motor to rotate the shaft in a direction to continue moving the door toward the closed position. Similarly, when the second sensor 144 sends a signal to the controller indicating that the door is approaching or has reached the open position, the controller 1000, upon receiving the signal, can send a signal to the motor to rotate the shaft in a direction to move the door 50 toward the closed position (e.g., after a delay time after the sensor 40 determines that the item within the compartment 20 has been removed), but cannot send a signal to the motor to rotate the shaft in a direction to continue moving the door toward the open position.

[0076] A person of ordinary skill in the art who has carefully read this specification will appreciate that the motor assembly 100, particularly the feature that interrupts the rotation of the motor shaft 112 when the movement of the door is obstructed, is configured to minimize any potential injury if a user's hand or arm or other limb is located between the door 50 and the top surface 32 of the cabinet, and to minimize damage to a physical object if it is located under the door to prevent the movement of the door. A person of ordinary skill will be able to determine the dimensions and appropriate locations of the components described herein to best meet these purposes of the system for changing the dimensions of a compartment, door, etc., by only routine optimization.

[0077] In some embodiments, when the controller 1000 receives (or loses) a signal from the safety sensor 124, the controller 1000 may be programmed to immediately send a signal to the motor 110 to rotate the motor shaft 112 in the opposite direction (ie, to move the door toward the open position).

[0078] Now go to Figure 17-21 b, provides another representative embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment relates to an alternative cabinet 400 having a plurality of compartments 420, each compartment having its own door 450. The cabinet 400 is configured to automatically open the door 450 associated with one of the compartments upon receiving a signal from a remote device or from an input device 402 associated with the cabinet 400. The signal from the remote device can be a signal generated by a customer application, a delivery service application, a restaurant application, etc. on a phone, tablet, computer, or other device capable of generating and transmitting signals. For example, the cabinet 400 can include Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, or other data communication technology that works wirelessly with a remote server or network, or a hardwired connection to a server that receives a signal from a remote device associated with a customer.

[0079] Cabinet 400 includes multiple compartments 420 that are individually closed by individual doors 450. In some embodiments, the construction of cabinet 400 allows access to compartment 420 only via opening 420a that is selectively opened or closed by door 450, while in other embodiments, the cabinet may include an opening, such as an open cabinet back. In this embodiment, cabinet 400 may be designed to be arranged in a restaurant, and restaurant staff may enter the opening to place items in the corresponding compartment (e.g., from a location in the restaurant where customers are not usually allowed to enter or where customers are not present), and customers may only enter the compartment when door 450 is opened. In some embodiments, compartments 420 may be stacked vertically so that the ceiling of the compartment forms the floor of the compartment above the compartment. Cabinet may have compartments 420 stacked in a single row or multiple rows.

[0080] The cabinet 400 has a system that recognizes when an obstruction is present under the door 450 and prevents the door 450 from moving further in the closing direction. The door 450 can be in the fully closed position ( Figure 19-19 c) and fully open position ( Figure 18-18 The door 450 moves along a track 510 which is positioned along one or both of the right side wall 402 and the left side wall 403 of the compartment 420, the walls (as well as the floor 404 and the ceiling (which may be formed by the floor and rear wall 405 in the compartment above the particular compartment, if provided) being part of the housing within the cabinet.

[0081] The system includes a motor 455 including a motor shaft 456 that engages a transmission 457 to allow rotation of the motor shaft 456 to cause the door to translate between fully open and fully closed positions. In some embodiments, a belt 458 extends around the motor shaft 456 (or a pulley fixed to the motor shaft 456) so that rotation of the motor shaft 456 causes movement of the belt 458. The belt 458 can extend from the motor shaft to a second idler pinion (not specifically shown, but located at the belt near the front end of the housing) that is located near the motor opposite, such as near the opening 420a of the compartment in the illustrated embodiment, where the motor is located near the rear of the compartment. In some embodiments, the belt can extend between two pinions (or one pinion and the motor shaft 456), while in other embodiments, the belt 458 can extend further around additional idler pinions, such as to allow belt tension adjustment to simplify belt replacement.

[0082] The system includes a carrier 470 fixed to the belt 458 so that the carrier 470 translates as the belt moves. In some embodiments, the belt 458 has a plurality of teeth 458a disposed along the belt, and the carrier engages with the teeth 458a to prevent relative movement therebetween. Fig.19 As shown in Figure 4c, the carrier 470 can receive a securing device 499 that engages the teeth 458a of the belt to secure the carrier to the belt 458. When provided, the securing device 499 has teeth 499a that are complementary to the teeth 458a of the belt 458.

[0083] The carrier 470 can travel along an axis 494 (which extends along the compartment) that is positioned to support the travel of the carrier 470 between the fully open position and the fully closed position of the door.

[0084] The carrier 470 can have a planar portion 472 that includes a hole 473 to accommodate a shaft 495 therethrough. The planar portion 474 can support a finger 472 extending therefrom (or be part of the planar portion) that interacts with the protrusion 482 as described below. The planar portion 474 can additionally support an arm 476 extending therefrom that is aligned to interact with a position sensor 486 that is positioned near the front of the vehicle compartment, as will be discussed below. The arm 476 can extend along a plane parallel to the plane passing through the planar portion 474 to allow positioning of the position sensor 486 for detecting when the carrier 470 is in a fully forward position, but to provide space (X, Fig.19 c) to be positioned behind the front surface of the housing.

[0085] The position sensor 486 is arranged to be engaged by the carrier, and in particular by the arm 476, when the carrier is in the fully forward position. The position sensor can have a plunger 486a extending therefrom, which is pressed inwardly by the arm 476 when the carrier is in the fully forward position. Alternatively, the position sensor 486 can be a magnetic switch, an electrical switch, or another known type of switch for determining the position of a movable member. The position sensor 486 generates a signal that the carrier 470 is in the fully forward position, which is used to stop the rotation of the motor shaft 456 to interrupt the movement of the carrier 470. The position sensor 486 can communicate directly with the motor, or a controller 2000 (in Fig.17 ) to communicate with the motor based on signals received from the position sensor 486.

[0086] A lock 480 may be provided to prevent the carrier 470 (and therefore the door) from moving from a fully forward position (corresponding to the door being in a closed position) to a rearward position (corresponding to the door being open and moving to a fully open position). In one embodiment, the lock 480 includes a protrusion 482 that extends between a retracted position that allows free movement of the carrier 470 in a rearward direction and an extended position that blocks the path of the finger 472 extending from the carrier 470 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.19 c best understanding).

[0087] The protrusion 482 may include a wedge surface 484 that faces the finger 472 when the finger 472 is located behind the protrusion 482. The wedge surface 484 is arranged so that when the finger 472 contacts the protrusion while moving in a forward direction, the finger exerts a forward force on the wedge surface 484, which, due to the geometry of the surface, provides a force vector perpendicular to the direction of travel of the finger 472, which causes the protrusion 482 to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the finger and retract from contact with the finger 472. The wedge surface 484 may be planar or may be entirely or have a portion of an arcuate shape to limit the movement of the protrusion as desired as the finger 472 moves forward.

[0088] As the carrier 470 continues to move in the forward direction, the finger 472 causes the protrusion 482 to fully retract so that the finger can pass the protrusion to allow the carrier 470 to reach the fully forward position. Once the finger 472 passes the protrusion 482, the protrusion 482 automatically returns to its normal position ( Fig.19 c). In some embodiments, the protrusion 482 may be biased toward the normal position with a spring, or the protrusion may be biased or urged to the normal position with magnetic force, or via a linear actuator, or based on other known components to continuously push the member a given distance in one direction (but be able to allow opposite movement due to a force exerted on it in the opposite direction).

[0089] When the protrusion 482 is in the normal position (positioned within the path taken by the finger 472 when the carrier 470 moves between the forward and rearward positions), and the finger 472 is in front of the protrusion 482, the protrusion blocks rearward movement of the finger 472 (and therefore the carrier 470) in the rearward direction when in the normal position. This serves to "lock" the carrier 470 (and the door 450, as described below) in the closed position. The protrusion 482 and the operator 481 that controls the position of the protrusion 482 receive a signal regarding the desired position of the protrusion (as described above), i.e., in the locked position (the protrusion 482 is disposed within the path of the finger's movement) or the unlocked position (the protrusion 482 is withdrawn from the path of the finger's movement), and the operator 481 controls the position of the protrusion 482 based on the receipt of the signal. In some embodiments where a controller 2000 is provided, the controller 2000 receives a desired door position signal (i.e., a signal to keep the door 450 locked in the closed position, or a signal to open the door 450) and sends a signal to the operator 481 to keep the door in the closed position, i.e., to keep the protrusion 482 in the extended position (within the travel of the finger 472) or to open the door, which causes the operator 481 to withdraw the protrusion 482 from the extended position to allow the finger 472 to travel backward past the protrusion. When the controller 2000 receives a command to open the door, the controller 2000 also sends a signal to the motor 455 to cause the motor to rotate the shaft 456 in the direction to move the belt 458, thereby moving the carrier 470 from the forward position to the rearward position.

[0090] Now go to Fig.19 b and 20b, a bracket 490 is provided that is connected to the door 450, preferably near the top 450a of the door 450 by a pin connection 533. The bracket 490 is movably supported by the carrier 470 so that the bracket 490 moves with the movement of the carrier 470 between the forward and rearward positions of the carrier 470, which causes the door 450 to also move between the corresponding closed and open positions when the carrier 470 moves between the forward and rearward positions.

[0091] In some embodiments, the carrier 470 includes one or more (two in the illustrated embodiment) shafts 478, and the bracket 490 includes a corresponding hole through which the shaft 478 extends to constrain the position of the bracket 490 relative to the carrier 470, thereby allowing only relative longitudinal movement. The bracket 490 and the carrier 470 are connected to a spring 488, which biases the bracket 490 relative to the carrier to a first position (corresponding to the door 450 being fully closed when the carrier 470 is in the fully forward position), but allows relative linear movement of the bracket 490 relative to the carrier 470 because it is constrained by the shaft 478. The bracket 490 can include an extension leg 495 that accommodates one end of the spring 488, the spring 488 extending beyond the boundaries of the rest of the bracket 490 and establishing a distance for the extension of the spring 488 when the bracket 490 moves relative to the carrier 470, as described below.

[0092] Fig.19 b depicts a perspective view of the carrier 470 and bracket 490 with the door in the closed position. Fig. 20 b is a perspective view of the carrier 470 and the bracket 490, wherein the door 450 is prevented from reaching the closed position due to an object 3000 (e.g., a box) disposed below the lower edge 450b of the door preventing the door from closing ( Fig. 20 In operation, the door 450 is moved from an open position ( Fig.18 ) moves to the closed position ( Fig.19 ), which causes the carrier 470 to slide linearly toward the front end of the housing (as constrained by the shaft 494). As the spring 488 pushes the bracket 490 to move with the carrier 490, the bracket 490 moves in a forward direction with the carrier 470. As the door travels within the track 510, the door 450 moves toward the closed position. The track 510 is curved to allow the door to move from a position that is completely or approximately parallel to the floor when in the open position to a position that is completely or approximately perpendicular to the floor when in the closed position. The term "approximately" is defined herein to mean within plus or minus 5% of a given dimension or a given angle.

[0093] When the belt 458 has moved sufficiently, the door is close to the closed position, and due to the shape of the track has reached an orientation close to perpendicular to the floor. The fingers 472 of the carrier 470 contact the wedge-shaped surface 484 of the protrusion 482, which applies a force to the protrusion 482. The vector component of this force extends in a direction that pushes the protrusion 482 inwardly to allow the fingers 472 to continue to move past the protrusion, and when the fingers 272 leave the protrusion, the protrusion returns to its normal extended position through the path of motion of the fingers 272.

[0094] If the door reaches the fully closed position (such as Fig. 20As shown in FIG. 4 , door 450 contacts object 3000 located below the door, and as belt 458 moves, carrier 470 continues to move, but door 450 is prevented from moving, which also prevents bracket 490 from moving with carrier 470. As carrier 470 continues to move, bracket 490 allows carrier 470 to continue to move (via shaft 478 moving through a hole in bracket 490), and spring 488 extends as the carrier continues to move, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 and 20 b (for simplicity, the extended spring 488 is schematically depicted). The extension of the spring 488 applies a force (proportional to the spring extension length and the spring constant) to urge the carrier and the bracket to return to their normal position. As the carrier 470 continues to move, the arm 476 of the carrier 470 reaches the position sensor 486, which causes the motor 455 to stop rotating, thereby stopping the movement of the carrier 470.

[0095] While the spring force and weight of door 450 interact with object 3000 disposed beneath the door, the system can be designed so that the force applied by the door to the object is limited to avoid any injury or damage to object 3000 beneath the door, particularly if the object is, for example, a user's hand or finger.

[0096] When the object 3000 is withdrawn from under the door, the spring 3000 pushes the bracket to slide along the carrier 470 (constrained by the shaft 478) to allow the door to reach the fully closed position ( Fig.19 ).

[0097] As described above, the lock 480 prevents the door 450 from being manually opened a distance greater than the relative travel allowed between the carrier 470 and the bracket 490. Specifically, when the door 450 is in the fully closed position, the user is able to apply an upward force to the door 450, which causes the bracket 490 to slide and also causes the carrier 470 to slide, wherein the force of the bracket 490 is transmitted to the carrier 470 through the spring 488. The carrier 470, which has a small amount of movement in the rearward direction, contacts the protrusion 482 extending within the path of the finger 472, which prevents further movement of the carrier 470. As the door 450 continues to rise, the bracket 490 moves relative to the carrier 470, but when the spring 488 stretches, the door begins to feel resistance to movement. Eventually, the bracket 490 reaches the end of the shaft 476 due to the relative movement of the bracket and the carrier, preventing further movement of the bracket 490, which prevents further movement of the door 450. When the door 450 is released, the door returns to the closed position due to the weight of the door and the force of the spring 488 returning the bracket 490 to its normal position relative to the carrier 470. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon careful reading of this specification, how to design the door 450, carrier 470, bracket 490, and spring 488 to provide the benefits of protection and injury prevention when the door is mechanically blocked by an object beneath the door when it is closed (discussed herein), as described above, while minimizing the amount that the door 450 can be manually opened when the door is in the closed position to prevent the door from being manually opened by a person at the cabinet - so that when the door is manually opened as much as possible, typical items intended to be stored in the cabinet when the door is closed cannot be removed from the cabinet due to the design of the carrier 470 and bracket 490.

[0098] In some embodiments, the housing may include a recess 550 within the floor 403 below the door at the front of the housing such that when in the closed position, the lower portion 450b of the door enters the recess 550, which prevents a user from being able to easily slide or wedge a member (e.g., a screwdriver) below the bottom edge of the door 450 to prevent or make it more difficult for a person to attempt to manually lift the door in an opening direction.

[0099] Now go to Figure 21-21 a, door 450 may encounter object 4000 (at Fig.21482 and sensor 486). In this case, object 4000 prevents the door from moving further in the closing direction before carrier 470 reaches protrusion 482 and sensor 486. In this case, object 4000 prevents the door from moving, which causes bracket 490 to stop moving linearly with carrier 470, thereby extending the length of spring 488 as carrier 470 continues to move forward with the movement of belt 458. As movement continues, carrier 470 reaches the maximum range of possible relative travel relative to bracket 490 (as limited by the length of shaft 478), so carrier 470 can no longer move, which also limits further movement of belt 458. This force applied by the spring to carrier 470 (in the direction opposite to the movement of belt 458) is applied to the belt and causes the belt to apply a resistive torque to motor shaft 456, which is sensed by motor 455. Upon sensing this resistive torque, the motor 455 stops rotating its shaft 456 and, in some embodiments, sends a signal regarding this condition to the controller 2000, which can provide an alert to the user via an input device (on the housing or a remote input device). Once the object 4000 obstructing the door's movement is removed, the user can provide an input received by the controller, which again allows the motor 455 to begin rotating the shaft 456 in a direction that continues to close the door.

[0100] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are embodied by the following numbered paragraphs:

[0101] Numbered paragraph 1: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising:

[0102] a motor supported on one or more walls of the cabinet, the motor including a motor shaft, the motor in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from an open position to a closed position;

[0103] a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein;

[0104] a first leg extending from the door extending through the slot;

[0105] a second leg extending from the door;

[0106] A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

[0107] Numbered paragraph 2: The system of numbered paragraph 1, wherein the sensor includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging the second leg, wherein when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

[0108] Numbered paragraph 3: The system of numbered paragraph 2, wherein the first sensor is fixed to the second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

[0109] Numbered paragraph 4: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 1-3, further comprising second and third sensors, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to an open position, wherein the second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the respective second and third sensors to recognize and send respective signals.

[0110] Numbered paragraph 5: The system of numbered paragraph 4, wherein when the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to the closed position, the controller is capable of sending the first signal to the motor but is unable to send the second signal to the motor.

[0111] Numbered paragraph 6: The system of numbered paragraph 5, wherein when the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to the open position, the controller is capable of sending the second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

[0112] Numbered paragraph 7: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 1-6, wherein engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

[0113] Numbered paragraph 8: The system of numbered paragraph 2 also includes a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in a second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein as the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to an input member of the first sensor.

[0114] Numbered paragraph 9: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 1-8, further comprising a door rotatably mounted to one or more walls of the cabinet and movable between open and closed positions in response to rotation of the motor shaft.

[0115] Numbered paragraph 10: A cabinet having a plurality of storage compartments, comprising:

[0116] a housing comprising a plurality of walls defining two or more compartments for receiving items therein,

[0117] two or more doors rotatably mounted to the housing, the plurality of doors selectively closing or opening the corresponding two or more compartments;

[0118] Two or more motor assemblies, each motor assembly operably connected between one or more of the plurality of walls and a corresponding door, wherein each motor assembly comprises:

[0119] a motor having a motor shaft, the motor being secured to one or more of the plurality of walls, the motor being in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction causes the corresponding door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from an open position to a closed position;

[0120] a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein;

[0121] a first leg extending from a respective door extending through the slot;

[0122] a second leg extending from the corresponding door;

[0123] A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

[0124] Numbered paragraph 11: The system of numbered paragraph 10, wherein a first sensor within each of the plurality of motor assemblies includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging a second leg, wherein when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

[0125] Numbered paragraph 12: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 10 or 11, wherein the first sensor is fixed to the second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

[0126] Numbered paragraph 13: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 10-12, wherein each of the two or more motor assemblies includes second and third sensors secured to one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very nearly a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very nearly an open position, wherein the second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the respective second and third sensors to recognize and send respective signals.

[0127] Numbered paragraph 14: The system of numbered paragraph 13, wherein when the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to a closed position, the controller is capable of sending the first signal to the motor but is unable to send the second signal to the motor.

[0128] Numbered paragraph 15: The system of numbered paragraph 14, wherein when the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to the open position, the controller is capable of sending the second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

[0129] Numbered paragraph 16: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 10-15, wherein engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

[0130] Numbered paragraph 17: The system of numbered paragraph 11 also includes a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in a second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein as the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to an input member of the first sensor.

[0131] Numbered paragraph 18: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 10-17, wherein each of the two or more doors has a top portion forming a top edge and a bottom portion forming a bottom edge, wherein the housing includes two or more openings in the plurality of walls, the openings allowing communication into the respective two or more compartments, wherein each of the two or more openings includes a top portion having a top edge and a bottom portion upon which the bottom portion of the respective door rests when the respective door is in a closed position,

[0132] Wherein a top edge of the door is spaced apart from a top edge of the opening when the door is in the closed position, and wherein the door is spaced apart from the top edge of the opening throughout a range of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position.

[0133] Numbered paragraph 19: The system of numbered paragraph 18, wherein the spacing between the top edge of the door and the top edge of the opening is at least 0.75 inches when the door is in the closed position and is at least 0.75 inches throughout the range of motion of the door between the closed position and the open position.

[0134] Numbered paragraph 20: The system of any of numbered paragraphs 10-19, wherein each of the two or more compartments includes a fourth sensor disposed therein, wherein the fourth sensor identifies when an item is disposed in the corresponding compartment and when the item is not disposed in the corresponding compartment, wherein the fourth sensor sends a signal to the controller based on whether the item is disposed in the corresponding compartment.

[0135] Numbered paragraph 21: The system of numbered paragraph 20, wherein when a door associated with the corresponding compartment is in an open position, and when the controller receives a signal from a fourth sensor to identify that an object is set in the compartment, the controller maintains the corresponding door in the open position, wherein when the controller receives a signal from the fourth sensor to identify that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, the controller waits for a preset time after receiving the signal that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, and then the controller causes a motor assembly associated with the corresponding door and compartment to move the corresponding door from the open position to the closed position.

[0136] Numbered paragraph 22: The system of numbered paragraph 21, wherein the fourth sensor includes a receiver and a transmitter, which are arranged on opposite walls among multiple walls defining the corresponding compartment, wherein the transmitter sends a light beam directed to the receiver through the internal space of the corresponding compartment, and wherein when the light beam is received by the receiver, the fourth sensor identifies that no item is set in the corresponding compartment, and when the collector does not receive the light beam, the fourth sensor identifies that an item is set in the corresponding compartment.

[0137] Numbered paragraph 23: The system of numbered paragraph 22, wherein the light beam is an infrared light beam.

[0138] Numbered paragraph 24: A system of any of numbered paragraphs 10-23, wherein when the controller receives a signal from a first sensor after detecting relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, the controller sends a first signal to the motor to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction, thereby moving the corresponding door toward an open position.

[0139] Numbered paragraph 25: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising:

[0140] a housing that movably supports the door to enable the door to transition between a fully closed position and an open position, the housing including first and second opposing side walls, one or both of the first and second side walls including a track along which a portion of the door moves when the door transitions between the fully closed position and the open position;

[0141] the housing supports a motor operably engaged with the transmission, the transmission being aligned such that rotation of the motor shaft causes linear translation of the carrier between a rear position and a forward position, wherein when the carrier is in the rear position the door is in the open position;

[0142] wherein the door is coupled to a bracket, the bracket being configured to move linearly relative to the carrier, a spring being coupled between the carrier and the bracket, the spring biasing the bracket to a forward position relative to the carrier;

[0143] Wherein when the carrier is pushed in the forward direction and movement of the door toward the fully closed position is blocked, the bracket is prevented from sliding with the carrier, which causes the spring to extend as the carrier continues to move in the forward direction.

[0144] Numbered paragraph 26: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 25, wherein the door is connected to the bracket by a pin connection to allow the door to pivot relative to the bracket.

[0145] Numbered paragraph 27: A system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of any of numbered paragraphs 25 or 26, further comprising a lock that prevents the door from being fully opened, wherein the lock comprises a protrusion that extends movably from the housing, and wherein the carrier comprises a finger that is aligned with the protrusion along a path of travel of the finger between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0146] Numbered paragraph 28: The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 27, wherein when the lock is engaged, the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger so that when the carrier is in the forward position, the protrusion prevents the finger and the carrier from traveling in a rearward direction.

[0147] Numbered paragraph 29: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 28, wherein the protrusion continues to block the carrier when the carrier is in the forward position until a signal is generated to allow the door to open, whereupon the protrusion is translated to withdraw from a position blocking the finger and carrier from travel.

[0148] Numbered paragraph 30: A system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet as described in any of numbered paragraphs 28 or 29, wherein the protrusion includes a wedge-shaped surface facing the rear of the housing so that as the finger moves toward the forward position and when the finger contacts the wedge-shaped surface of the protrusion, the finger provides a force on the wedge-shaped surface having a vector component that causes the protrusion to be withdrawn from a position that prevents the finger from moving forward past the protrusion.

[0149] Numbered paragraph 31: A system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet as in any of numbered paragraphs 25-30, wherein the housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, the carrier including an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position.

[0150] Numbered paragraph 32: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 31, wherein the arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced apart from the plane in a rearward direction.

[0151] Numbered paragraph 33: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet as described in any of numbered paragraphs 25-32, wherein the transmission device is a belt drive device, wherein the belt is wrapped around a motor shaft and an idler pinion near a front opening in the housing, and wherein the carrier is fixed to the belt so as to translate as the belt translates with rotation of the motor shaft.

[0152] Numbered paragraph 34: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet as in any of numbered paragraphs 27-30, wherein the housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, the carrier includes an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position, and wherein the arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced apart from the plane in a rearward direction,

[0153] wherein the controller receives a signal from the position sensor when the carrier reaches the forward position and the arm engages the position sensor, wherein when the controller receives the signal from the position sensor that the carrier has reached the forward position, the controller is capable of maintaining the lock in a position where the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger to prevent the finger and the carrier from translating in a rearward direction.

[0154] Numbered paragraph 35: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 34, wherein the controller is in communication with a user, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the lock engaged until the controller receives a signal to release the lock.

[0155] Numbered paragraph 36: The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 35, wherein the signal to unlock the door can be received from one or more of a user input unit on the housing, a remote signal received via a network.

[0156] Numbered paragraph 37: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet as in any of numbered paragraphs 31-36, wherein when movement of the door toward a fully closed position is blocked at a position where the fingers of the carrier do not engage the position sensor, movement of the carrier in a forward direction is blocked due to a resistive torque applied from the belt to the motor shaft, wherein when the carrier is blocked from moving forward, the belt is also blocked from translating, thereby applying a resistive torque to the motor shaft.

[0157] Numbered paragraph 38: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising:

[0158] a housing that movably supports the door to enable the door to transition between a fully closed position and an open position, the housing including first and second opposing side walls, one or both of the first and second side walls including a track along which a portion of the door moves when the door transitions between the fully closed position and the open position;

[0159] the housing supports a motor operably engaged with the transmission, the transmission being aligned such that rotation of the motor shaft causes linear translation of the carrier between a rear position and a forward position, wherein when the carrier is in the rear position the door is in the open position;

[0160] wherein the door is coupled to a bracket, the bracket being configured to move linearly relative to the carrier, a spring being coupled between the carrier and the bracket, the spring biasing the bracket to a forward position relative to the carrier;

[0161] Wherein when the carrier is pushed in the forward direction and movement of the door toward the fully closed position is blocked, the bracket is prevented from sliding with the carrier, which causes the spring to extend as the carrier continues to move in the forward direction.

[0162] Numbered paragraph 39: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 38, wherein the door is connected to the bracket by a pin connection to allow the door to pivot relative to the bracket.

[0163] Numbered paragraph 40: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 38 also includes a lock that prevents the door from being fully opened, wherein the lock includes a protrusion that extends movably from the housing, and wherein the carrier includes a finger that is aligned with the protrusion along a path of travel of the finger between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0164] Numbered paragraph 41: The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 40, wherein when the lock is engaged, the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger so that when the carrier is in the forward position, the protrusion prevents the finger and the carrier from traveling in a rearward direction.

[0165] Numbered paragraph 42: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 41, wherein the protrusion continues to block the carrier when the carrier is in the forward position until a signal is generated to allow the door to open, whereupon the protrusion is translated to withdraw from a position blocking the finger and carrier from travel.

[0166] Numbered paragraph 43: A system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 41, wherein the protrusion includes a wedge-shaped surface facing the rear of the housing so that as the finger moves toward a forward position and when the finger contacts the wedge-shaped surface of the protrusion, the finger provides a force on the wedge-shaped surface having a vector component that causes the protrusion to withdraw from a position that prevents the finger from moving forward past the protrusion.

[0167] Numbered paragraph 44: A system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 38, wherein the housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, the carrier including an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position.

[0168] Numbered paragraph 45: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 44, wherein the arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced apart from the plane in a rearward direction.

[0169] Numbered paragraph 46: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 38, wherein the transmission device is a belt drive device, wherein the belt is wrapped around a motor shaft and an idler pinion near a front opening in the housing, and wherein the carrier is fixed to the belt so as to translate as the belt translates with rotation of the motor shaft.

[0170] Numbered paragraph 47: The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 40, wherein the housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, the carrier includes an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position, and wherein the arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced apart from the plane in a rearward direction,

[0171] wherein the controller receives a signal from the position sensor when the carrier reaches the forward position and the arm engages the position sensor, wherein when the controller receives the signal from the position sensor that the carrier has reached the forward position, the controller is capable of maintaining the lock in a position where the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger to prevent the finger and the carrier from translating in a rearward direction.

[0172] Numbered paragraph 48: The system for opening and closing a door within a cabinet of numbered paragraph 47, wherein the controller is in communication with a user, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the lock engaged until the controller receives a signal to release the lock.

[0173] Numbered paragraph 49: The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 48, wherein the signal to unlock the door can be received from one or more of a user input unit on the housing, a remote signal received via a network.

[0174] Numbered paragraph 50: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet of numbered paragraph 44, wherein when movement of the door toward a fully closed position is blocked at a position where the fingers of the carrier do not engage the position sensor, movement of the carrier in a forward direction is blocked due to a resistive torque applied from the belt to the motor shaft, wherein when the carrier is blocked from moving forward, the belt is also blocked from translating, thereby applying a resistive torque to the motor shaft.

[0175] Numbered paragraph 51: A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising:

[0176] a motor supported on one or more walls of the cabinet, the motor including a motor shaft, the motor in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from an open position to a closed position;

[0177] a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein;

[0178] a first leg extending from the door extending through the slot;

[0179] a second leg extending from the door;

[0180] A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

[0181] Numbered paragraph 52: The system of numbered paragraph 51, wherein the sensor includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging the second leg, wherein when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

[0182] Numbered paragraph 53: The system of numbered paragraph 52, wherein the first sensor is fixed to the second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

[0183] Numbered paragraph 54: The system of numbered paragraph 51 also includes second and third sensors, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to an open position, wherein the second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the corresponding second and third sensors to recognize and send corresponding signals.

[0184] Numbered paragraph 55: The system of numbered paragraph 54, wherein when the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to a closed position, the controller is capable of sending the first signal to the motor but is unable to send the second signal to the motor.

[0185] Numbered paragraph 56: The system of numbered paragraph 55, wherein when the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to the open position, the controller is capable of sending the second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

[0186] Numbered paragraph 57: The system of numbered paragraph 51, wherein engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

[0187] Numbered paragraph 58: The system of numbered paragraph 52 also includes a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in a second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein as the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to an input member of the first sensor.

[0188] Numbered paragraph 59: The system of numbered paragraph 51, further comprising a door rotatably mounted to one or more walls of the cabinet and movable between open and closed positions in response to rotation of the motor shaft.

[0189] Numbered paragraph 60: A cabinet having a plurality of storage compartments, comprising:

[0190] a housing comprising a plurality of walls defining two or more compartments for receiving items therein,

[0191] two or more doors rotatably mounted to the housing, the plurality of doors selectively closing or opening the corresponding two or more compartments;

[0192] Two or more motor assemblies, each motor assembly operably connected between one or more of the plurality of walls and a corresponding door, wherein each motor assembly comprises:

[0193] a motor having a motor shaft, the motor being secured to one or more of the plurality of walls, the motor being in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction causes the corresponding door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from an open position to a closed position;

[0194] a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein;

[0195] a first leg extending from a respective door extending through the slot;

[0196] a second leg extending from the corresponding door;

[0197] A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

[0198] Numbered paragraph 61: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein a first sensor within each of the plurality of motor assemblies includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging a second leg, wherein when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

[0199] Numbered paragraph 62: The system of numbered paragraph 61, wherein the first sensor is fixed to the second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

[0200] Numbered paragraph 63: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein each of the two or more motor assemblies includes second and third sensors secured to one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to a controller when the door is at or very nearly a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very nearly an open position, wherein the second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the respective second and third sensors to recognize and send respective signals.

[0201] Numbered paragraph 64: The system of numbered paragraph 63, wherein when the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to a closed position, the controller is capable of sending a first signal to the motor but is unable to send a second signal to the motor.

[0202] Numbered paragraph 65: The system of numbered paragraph 64, wherein when the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to the open position, the controller is capable of sending the second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

[0203] Numbered paragraph 66: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

[0204] Numbered paragraph 67: The system of numbered paragraph 61 also includes a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in a second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein as the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to an input member of the first sensor.

[0205] Numbered paragraph 68: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein each of the two or more doors has a top portion forming a top edge and a bottom portion forming a bottom edge, wherein the housing includes two or more openings in the plurality of walls, the openings allowing communication into the respective two or more compartments, wherein each of the two or more openings includes a top portion having a top edge and a bottom portion upon which the bottom portion of the respective door rests when the respective door is in a closed position,

[0206] Wherein a top edge of the door is spaced apart from a top edge of the opening when the door is in the closed position, and wherein the door is spaced apart from the top edge of the opening throughout a range of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position.

[0207] Numbered paragraph 69: The system of numbered paragraph 68, wherein the spacing between the top edge of the door and the top edge of the opening is at least 0.75 inches when the door is in the closed position and is at least 0.75 inches throughout the range of motion of the door between the closed position and the open position.

[0208] Numbered paragraph 70: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein each of the two or more compartments includes a fourth sensor disposed therein, wherein the fourth sensor identifies when an item is disposed in the corresponding compartment and when the item is not disposed in the corresponding compartment, wherein the fourth sensor sends a signal to the controller based on whether the item is disposed in the corresponding compartment.

[0209] Numbered paragraph 71: The system of numbered paragraph 70, wherein when a door associated with the corresponding compartment is in an open position, and when the controller receives a signal from a fourth sensor to identify that an object is set in the compartment, the controller maintains the corresponding door in the open position, wherein when the controller receives a signal from the fourth sensor to identify that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, the controller waits for a preset time after receiving the signal that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, and then the controller causes a motor assembly associated with the corresponding door and compartment to move the corresponding door from the open position to the closed position.

[0210] Numbered paragraph 72: The system of numbered paragraph 71, wherein the fourth sensor includes a receiver and a transmitter, which are disposed on opposite walls among a plurality of walls defining the corresponding compartment, wherein the transmitter sends a light beam directed to the receiver through an interior space of the corresponding compartment, and wherein when the light beam is received by the receiver, the fourth sensor identifies that no item is set in the corresponding compartment, and when the collector does not receive the light beam, the fourth sensor identifies that an item is set in the corresponding compartment.

[0211] Numbered paragraph 73: The system of numbered paragraph 72, wherein the light beam is an infrared light beam.

[0212] Numbered paragraph 74: The system of numbered paragraph 60, wherein when the controller receives a signal from a first sensor after detecting relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, the controller sends a first signal to the motor to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction, thereby moving the corresponding door toward an open position.

[0213] Although the disclosed preferred embodiments have been described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and can be modified without departing from the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and all devices within the meaning of the claims, whether literally or by equivalent, are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising: a motor supported on one or more walls of the cabinet, the motor including a motor shaft, the motor in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction moves the door in a direction associated with transitioning the door from an open position to a closed position; a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein; a first leg extending from the door extending through the slot; a second leg extending from the door; A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first sensor includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging the second leg, wherein the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The first sensor is fixed to a second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

4. The system of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a second and a third sensor, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is at or very close to an open position, wherein, The second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the respective second and third sensors to recognize and transmit respective signals.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: When the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to a closed position, the controller is capable of sending a first signal to the motor but is unable to send a second signal to the motor.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: When the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to an open position, the controller is capable of sending a second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in the second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein, As the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to the input member of the first sensor.

9. The system of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a door rotatably mounted to one or more walls of the cabinet and movable between open and closed positions as the motor shaft rotates.

10. A cabinet having a plurality of storage compartments, comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of walls defining two or more compartments for receiving items therein, two or more doors rotatably mounted to the housing, the plurality of doors selectively closing or opening the corresponding two or more compartments; Two or more motor assemblies, each motor assembly operably connected between one or more of the plurality of walls and a corresponding door, wherein each motor assembly comprises: a motor having a motor shaft, the motor being secured to one or more of the plurality of walls, the motor being in communication with the controller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from the controller, and wherein the motor is configured to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from the controller, wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the first direction causes the corresponding door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from a closed position to an open position, and wherein rotation of the motor shaft in the second direction causes the door to move in a direction associated with transition of the door from an open position to a closed position; a first plate fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with rotation of the motor shaft, the plate including a slot disposed therein; a first leg extending from a respective door extending through the slot; a second leg extending from the corresponding door; A first sensor that moves based on the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the first sensor can detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, wherein when the motor shaft rotates in a second direction and the first sensor detects the relative movement between the motor shaft and the door, the first sensor sends a signal to the controller, wherein upon receiving the signal, the first sensor stops sending a second signal to the motor.

11. The cabinet according to claim 10, wherein: A first sensor within each of the plurality of motor assemblies includes a tongue extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner and engaging the second leg, wherein when the first sensor moves relative to the second leg, the tongue mechanically engages an input member in the first sensor, wherein engagement of the input member causes the first sensor to detect relative movement between the motor shaft and the door and send a signal to the controller.

12. The cabinet according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein: The first sensor is fixed to a second plate, and the second plate is fixed to the motor shaft to rotate with the rotation of the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft includes a first portion extending from the motor housing in a first direction and fixed to the first plate, and the motor shaft includes a second portion extending from the motor housing in an opposite second direction and fixed to the second plate.

13. The cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: Each of the two or more motor assemblies includes a second and a third sensor fixed to one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the second sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is in or very close to a closed position, and the third sensor is configured to recognize and send a signal to the controller when the door is in or very close to an open position, wherein the second leg moves relative to the second and third sensors, and engagement between the second leg and the second and third sensors causes the respective second and third sensors to recognize and send respective signals.

14. The cabinet according to claim 13, wherein: When the second sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to a closed position, the controller is capable of sending a first signal to the motor but is unable to send a second signal to the motor.

15. The cabinet according to claim 14, wherein When the third sensor identifies that the door is in or very close to an open position, the controller is capable of sending a second signal to the motor but is unable to send the first signal to the motor.

16. The cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: Engagement of the first leg within the slot allows the motor shaft to move between approximately 10 and 20 degrees of rotation relative to the door.

17. The cabinet of claim 11, further comprising a spring disposed between the first plate and the door to urge engagement between the first leg and the first end of the slot due to the biasing force of the spring, wherein when the motor rotates in the second direction and the door is prevented from rotating, the first leg slides within the slot toward the opposite second end of the slot and overcomes the biasing force of the spring, and wherein, As the motor shaft continues to rotate in the second direction, the second leg applies a force to the tongue of the first sensor, thereby moving the tongue into engagement with and applying a force to the input member of the first sensor.

18. The cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: each of the two or more doors having a top portion forming a top edge and a bottom portion forming a bottom edge, wherein the housing includes two or more openings in the plurality of walls, the openings allowing communication into the respective two or more compartments, wherein each of the two or more openings includes a top portion having a top edge and a bottom portion on which the bottom portion of the respective door rests when the respective door is in a closed position, wherein a top edge of the door is spaced apart from a top edge of the opening when the door is in the closed position, and wherein the door is spaced apart from the top edge of the opening throughout a range of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position.

19. The cabinet according to claim 18, wherein The spacing between the top edge of the door and the top edge of the opening is at least 0.75 inches when the door is in the closed position and is at least 0.75 inches throughout the range of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position.

20. The cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: Each of the two or more compartments includes a fourth sensor disposed therein, wherein the fourth sensor identifies when an item is disposed in the corresponding compartment and when the item is not disposed in the corresponding compartment, wherein the fourth sensor sends a signal to the controller based on whether the item is disposed in the corresponding compartment.

21. The cabinet according to claim 20, wherein When the door associated with the corresponding compartment is in the open position, and when the controller receives a signal from the fourth sensor to identify that an object is set in the compartment, the controller maintains the corresponding door in the open position, wherein when the controller receives a signal from the fourth sensor to identify that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, the controller waits for a preset time after receiving the signal that no object is set in the corresponding compartment, and then the controller causes the motor assembly associated with the corresponding door and the compartment to transfer the corresponding door from the open position to the closed position.

22. The cabinet according to claim 21, wherein The fourth sensor includes a receiver and a transmitter, which are arranged on opposite walls of the multiple walls defining the corresponding compartment, wherein the transmitter sends a light beam directed to the receiver through the internal space of the corresponding compartment, and wherein when the light beam is received by the receiver, the fourth sensor recognizes that no item is set in the corresponding compartment, and when the collector does not receive the light beam, the fourth sensor recognizes that the item is set in the corresponding compartment.

23. The cabinet of claim 22, wherein: The light beam is an infrared light beam.

24. The cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: When the controller receives a signal from the first sensor after detecting relative motion between the motor shaft and the corresponding door, the controller sends a first signal to the motor to rotate the motor shaft in a first direction to move the corresponding door toward an open position.

25. A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet, comprising: a housing that movably supports the door to enable the door to transition between a fully closed position and an open position, the housing including first and second opposing side walls, one or both of the first and second side walls including a track along which a portion of the door moves when the door transitions between the fully closed position and the open position; the housing supports a motor operably engaged with the transmission, the transmission being aligned such that rotation of the motor shaft causes linear translation of the carrier between a rearward position and a forward position, wherein when the carrier is in the rearward position the door is in the open position; wherein the door is coupled to a bracket, the bracket being configured to move linearly relative to the carrier, a spring being coupled between the carrier and the bracket, the spring biasing the bracket to a forward position relative to the carrier; Wherein when the carrier is pushed in the forward direction and movement of the door toward the fully closed position is blocked, the bracket is prevented from sliding with the carrier, which causes the spring to extend as the carrier continues to move in the forward direction.

26. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 25, wherein: The door is connected to the bracket by a pin connection to allow the door to pivot relative to the bracket.

27. A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising a lock to prevent the door from being fully opened, wherein: The lock includes a protrusion movably extending from the housing, and wherein the carrier includes a finger aligned with the protrusion along a path of travel of the finger between a rearward position and a forward position.

28. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 27, wherein: When the lock is engaged, the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger such that when the carrier is in the forward position, the protrusion prevents the finger and carrier from traveling in a rearward direction.

29. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 28, wherein: The protrusion continues to block the carrier when the carrier is in the forward position until a signal is generated to allow the door to open, whereupon the protrusion is translated to withdraw from a position blocking travel of the finger and carrier.

30. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 28 or 29, wherein: The protrusion includes a wedge-shaped surface facing the rear of the housing so that as the finger moves toward the forward position and when the finger contacts the wedge-shaped surface of the protrusion, the finger provides a force on the wedge-shaped surface having a vector component that urges the protrusion to withdraw from a position that prevents the finger from moving forward past the protrusion.

31. A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to any one of claims 25-26 and 28-29, wherein: The housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, and the carrier includes an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position.

32. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 31, wherein: The arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced therefrom in a rearward direction.

33. A system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to any one of claims 25-26 and 28-29, wherein: The transmission is a belt drive wherein the belt is wrapped around a motor shaft and an idler pinion proximate a front opening in the housing, wherein the carrier is secured to the belt to translate as the belt translates with rotation of the motor shaft.

34. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 27, wherein: The housing supports a position sensor that identifies when the carrier reaches a forward position, the carrier including an arm that contacts the position sensor when the carrier is in the forward position and removes contact from the sensor when the carrier is in any position other than the forward position, and wherein the arm extends along a plane that is parallel to a plane extending through the carrier but spaced apart from the plane in a rearward direction, wherein the controller receives a signal from the position sensor when the carrier reaches the forward position and the arm engages the position sensor, wherein when the controller receives the signal from the position sensor that the carrier has reached the forward position, the controller is capable of maintaining the lock in a position where the protrusion extends into the path of travel of the finger to prevent the finger and the carrier from translating in a rearward direction.

35. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 34, wherein: The controller is in communication with a user, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the lock engaged until the controller receives a signal to disengage the lock.

36. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 35, wherein: The signal to release the lock may be received from one or more of a user input unit on the housing, a remote signal received over a network.

37. The system for opening and closing a door in a cabinet according to claim 33, wherein: When movement of the door toward the fully closed position is blocked at a position where the finger of the carrier does not engage the position sensor, movement of the carrier in a forward direction is blocked due to a resistive torque applied from the belt to the motor shaft, wherein when the carrier is blocked from moving forward, the belt is also blocked from translating, thereby applying a resistive torque to the motor shaft.

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