Method for automatic dispensing of articles stored in a cabinet

A method of dispensing articles stored in a plurality of drawers, each of the drawers being linearly movable from a closed position to an open position, each of the drawers being capable of being latched in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a drawer to be opened,
• b) automatically determining a variable distance to which said drawer will be opened,
• c) unlatching the drawer selected in step (a), and
• d) linearly moving said drawer to the open position, while limiting movement of said drawer so as to prevent the drawer from moving beyond said distance.

A method of dispensing articles stored in a plurality of drawers, at least one of the drawers having a plurality of compartments, each of the drawers being linearly movable from a closed position to an open position, each of the drawers being capable of being latched in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a drawer to be opened,
• b) automatically determining a variable number of compartments to be exposed,
• c) unlatching the drawer selected in step (a),
• d) linearly moving said drawer to the open position, while limiting movement of said drawer so as to expose only said number of said compartments.

A method of dispensing articles stored in a plurality of drawers, each of the drawers being linearly movable from a closed position to an open position, each of the drawers being capable of being latched in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a drawer to be opened,
• b) unlatching the drawer selected in step (a),
• c) linearly moving said drawer to the open position, while limiting movement of said drawer so as to prevent the drawer from moving beyond a preselected distance, and
• d) automatically maintaining a record of the distance of movement of said drawer,
• wherein the method is performed repeatedly, and wherein the method further comprises the step of permitting said drawer to move by a greater distance the next time the drawer is moved to its opened position.

A method of dispensing articles stored in a plurality of drawers, at least one of the drawers having a plurality of compartments, each of the drawers being linearly movable from a closed position to an open position, each of the drawers being capable of being latched in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a drawer to be opened,
• b) unlatching the drawer selected in step (a),
• c) linearly moving said drawer to the open position, while limiting movement of said drawer so as to expose a preselected number of said compartments, and
• d) automatically maintaining a record of the distance of movement of said drawer,
• wherein the method is performed repeatedly, wherein the method further comprises the step of permitting said drawer to move by a greater distance the next time the drawer is moved to its opened position.