Apparatus and method for distributing ophthalmic lenses

An apparatus for storing, and dispensing packages comprising:

• a cartridge comprising a back wall and two side walls,
• wherein said cartridge is sized to hold a package,
• wherein said back wall comprises a first hole,
• wherein said side walls are substantially parallel to each other and attached substantially perpendicular to said back wall, and
• wherein each of said side walls comprises a means for releasably holding the package in said cartridge;
• a first spool and a second spool,
• wherein said first and second spools are rotatably mounted to a least one support,
• wherein said first spool rotates about a first axis with one degree of freedom and said second spool rotates about a second axis with one degree of freedom,
• wherein said first axis and second axis are spaced a distance apart and are substantially co-planar, and
• wherein the rotation of each of said first and second spools can be controlled by one or more rotator means,
• a continuous flexible sheet having a width, a height and a first hole formed therein,
• wherein said flexible sheet encircles said first and second spools and the space therebetween,
• wherein the back wall of said cartridge is attached to said flexible sheet, and
• wherein the first hole in the continuous flexible sheet and said first hole in the back wall of said cartridge are aligned to permit an object to pass therethrough,
• a pushing means,
• wherein said pushing means extends a pushing member through the first hole of the flexible sheet and the first hole in the back wall of the cartridge in response to an electrical signal from a computer;
• and
• a scanning means.