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A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sa

A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sales transaction record of the replaced magazine, thus avoiding the need for magazine locking mechanisms and other security measures.

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A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sa

A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sales transaction record of the replaced magazine, thus avoiding the need for magazine locking mechanisms and other security measures. container of claim 1, wherein the lid is constructed to stackably engage a base of a second container. 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the base further forms a plurality of ventilation a the plurality of ventilation apertures is generally symmetrically disposed along at least one of the major axis and the minor axis of the base. 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the concave channel, first concave region, and second concave region varies in width along its length. 11. The container of claim 1, wherein the base further forms a third concave region, the third concave region extends from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, the third concave region is adjacent to the first concave region. 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the base further forms a fourth concave region, the fourth concave region extends from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls, the fourth concave region is adjacent to the second concave region. 13. The container of claim 1, wherein the base further forms at least one ventilation aperture adapted to increase airflow through the basket. 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the at least one ventilation aperture is disposed in one of the concave channel, first concave region, and second concave region. 15. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an embossment. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the lid forms a plurality of ventilation apertures adjacent to the embossment. 17. The container of claim 15, wherein the embossment forms a plurality of ventilation apertures. 18. The container of claim 1, wherein the first latching portion and the second latching portion define a first ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other. 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the lid further comprises a rim, the rim extends at least partially around the lid and forms a plurality of ventilation apertures. 20. The container of claim 18, wherein the first latching portion and the second latching portion define a plurality of ventilation apertures opposite to and in alignment with the first ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other. 21. The container of claim 18, wherein the first latching portion and the second latching portion further define a second ventilation slot opposite the first ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the first latching portion and the second latching portion further define a third ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other, and the lid further comprising a fourth ventilation slot being located opposite of the third ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other, the first ventilation slot, the second ventilation slot, and the third ventilation slot are located on a different one of the pair of sidewalls and endwalls. 23. A hinged container, comprising: a basket having a base, a pair of generally smooth and flat sidewalls, and a pair of generally smooth and flat endwalls, the base, the pair of sidewalls, and the pair of endwalls being integrally connected, the pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extending outwardly to form a first latching portion, the base forming a concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region, the concave channel extending parallel to a major axis of the base, the first concave region extending from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, the second concave region extending from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls, the base forming a vertical contact point near each of four corners of the base, each of the vertical contact points being adapted to nestably engage a lid of a second container when the second container is in a stacked relationship with the container; and a lid being hingedly connected to the first latching portion, the lid forming a plurality of ventilation apertures, the lid having a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion, the first and second latching portions being adapted to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship, the first and second latching portions defining a first ventilation slot, a second ventilation slot opposite of the first ventilation slot, a third ventilation slot opposite of the plurality of ventilation apertures when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other, the first ventilation slot, the second ventilation slot, and the third ventilation slot being located on a different one of the pair of sidewalls and endwalls. 24. A hinged container, comprising: a basket having a base, a pair of generally smooth sidewalls, and a pair of generally smooth endwalls, the base, the pair of sidewalls, and the pair of endwalls being integrally connected, the pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extending outwardly to form a first latching portion, the base forming a concave channel, a first concave region, and a second concave region, the concave channel extending along a major axis of the base, the first concave region extending from the concave channel to one of the pair of sidewalls, and the second concave region extending from the concave channel to the other of the pair of sidewalls; and a lid being hingedly connected to the first latching portion, the lid forming a first ventilation slot, the lid having a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion, the first and second latching portions being adapted to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship, the first and second latching portions defining a second ventilation slot, a third ventilation slot, and a fourth ventilation slot opposite of the first ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other, the first ventilation slot, the second ventilation slot, and the third ventilation slot being located on a different one of the pair of sidewalls and endwalls. 25. A hinged container, comprising: a basket having a base, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of endwalls, the base, the pair of sidewalls, and the pair of endwalls being integrally connected, the pair of sidewalls and the pair of endwalls integrally extending outwardly to form a first latching portion; and a lid being hingedly connected to the first latching portion along a major axis, the lid having a second latching portion corresponding to the first latching portion, the first and second latching portions being adapted to retain the lid and the basket in a closed relationship, the first and second latching portions defining a first ventilation slot and a second ventilation slot opposite of the first ventilation slot when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship relative to each other, the first and second ventilation slots extending parallel to a major axis of the container. 26. The container of claim 25, wherein the pair of endwalls and pair of sidewalls are substantially smooth and in the absence of any ribbing structure. 27. The container of claim 25, wherein the lid further comprises a rim, the rim extends at least partially around the lid and forms a plurality of ventilation apertures. 28. The container of claim 25, wherein the first latching portion and the second latching portion further define a pair of third ventilation slots when the first and second latching portions are in a closed relationship with each other. 29. The container of claim 25, wherein the base comprise a respective vertical contact point being located near each of four corners thereof, the vertical contact points is adapted to nestably engage a lid of a second container