A device for dispensing articles, the device comprising: a conveying member comprising n receptacles, of which n - m are suitable for receiving articles, the receptacles being movable between an article receiving position and an article dispensing position a sensor for sensing the presence of articles in the receptacles, the sensor positioned between the receiving position and the dispensing position wherein m of said receptacles is a blank receptacle which is unable to receive an article and the sensor is unable to distinguish an empty receptacle from a blank receptacle such that the maximum number of detectable articles conveyed once n receptacles have passed the sensor is n - m, where m is at least 1.
