Methods and apparatus for performing liquid medication bottle-splitting operations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12239608-B2
Application number	US-202318102574-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2023
Priority date	Jan 28, 2022
Publication date	Mar 4, 2025
Grant date	Mar 4, 2025

Abstract

An apparatus for liquid medication bottle-splitting is provided. The apparatus includes: a first dispensing section comprising a funnel-shaped hollow body with a wide inlet opening tapering to a narrow outlet; a second dispensing section comprising a second funnel-shaped hollow body with a second wide inlet opening tapering to a second narrow outlet; and a crossover channel connecting the first dispensing section to the second dispensing section, the crossover channel including a crossover opening extending a length of the crossover channel, and the crossover channel being angled to evenly distribute a flow of liquid medication into at least a first split portion in the first dispensing section and a second split portion in the second dispensing section; the first dispensing section adapted to dispense the first split portion, and the second dispensing section adapted to dispense the second split portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for liquid medication bottle-splitting, the apparatus comprising:
a first dispensing section comprising a funnel-shaped hollow body with a wide inlet opening tapering to a narrow outlet;
a second dispensing section comprising a second funnel-shaped hollow body with a second wide inlet opening tapering to a second narrow outlet; and
a crossover channel connecting the first dispensing section to the second dispensing section, the crossover channel including a crossover opening extending a length of the crossover channel, and the crossover channel being angled to evenly distribute a flow of liquid medication into at least a first split portion in the first dispensing section and a second split portion in the second dispensing section;
the first dispensing section adapted to dispense the first split portion, and the second dispensing section adapted to dispense the second split portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the crossover channel comprises a V-shaped trough including angled channel walls to:
permit a faster flow of liquid medication comprising a larger volume, the larger volume decreasing to become a smaller volume during even distribution of the flow of liquid medication; and
permit a slower flow of the liquid medication comprising the smaller volume, the smaller volume decreasing to reach equilibrium inside the apparatus during the even distribution of the flow of liquid medication;
the crossover channel using the V-shaped trough to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the crossover channel comprises a peak central to the crossover channel, the peak being positioned at a midpoint of the length of the crossover channel;
the crossover channel gradually rising from each distal end to reach the peak at the midpoint; and
the crossover channel using the peak to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a top opening across a top of the apparatus, including the wide inlet opening, the second wide inlet opening, and the crossover opening;
the top opening being adapted to receive the flow of liquid medication.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the length comprises an entirety of the crossover channel, from a first distal endpoint on a first end of the crossover channel to a second distal endpoint on an opposite end of the crossover channel; and
wherein the top opening extends across an entirety of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a third dispensing section comprising a third funnel-shaped hollow body tapering from a third wide inlet opening to a third narrow outlet:
the crossover channel including an elongated portion connecting the third dispensing section to the first dispensing section and the second dispensing section:
the crossover channel being angled to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication into at least the first split portion, the second split portion. and a third split portion in the third dispensing section: and
the third dispensing section adapted to dispense the third split portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a fourth dispensing section comprising a fourth funnel-shaped hollow body tapering from a fourth wide inlet opening to a fourth narrow outlet;
the crossover channel including another elongated portion connecting the fourth dispensing section to the first dispensing section, the second dispensing section, and the third dispensing section:
the crossover channel being angled to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication into at least the first split portion, the second split portion, the third split portion, and a fourth split portion in the fourth dispensing section: and the fourth dispensing section adapted to dispense the fourth split portion.

8. A system for liquid medication bottle-splitting, the system comprising:
dispensing connectors joined to a split-funnel for liquid medication dispensing from the split-funnel to liquid medication bottles;
a split-funnel casing, comprising:
a liquid medication bottle compartment adapted to position the liquid medication bottles under the dispensing connectors for filling via the split-funnel;
a split-funnel slot adapted to fit and hold the split-funnel in position for dispensing to the liquid medication bottles via the dispensing connectors; and

the split-funnel positioned in the split funnel slot and joined to the dispensing connectors, the split-funnel comprising:
a first dispensing section comprising a funnel-shaped hollow body with a wide inlet opening tapering to a narrow outlet;
a second dispensing section comprising a second funnel-shaped hollow body with a second wide inlet opening tapering to a second narrow outlet; and
a crossover channel connecting the first dispensing section to the second dispensing section, the crossover channel including a crossover opening extending a length of the crossover channel, and the crossover channel being angled to evenly distribute a flow of liquid medication into at least a first split portion in the first dispensing section and a second split portion in the second dispensing section;
the first dispensing section adapted to dispense the first split portion, and the second dispensing section adapted to dispense the second split portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing section, the second dispensing section, and the crossover channel have co-planar top openings.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the dispensing connectors comprise:
tubing connecting the split-funnel to the liquid medication bottles; and
clamps configured to permit liquid medication flow into the tubing into the medication bottles when the clamps are released.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the clamps include at least one push-button; and
wherein the clamps are further configured to permit liquid medication flow into the tubing upon receiving a user input button push to the at least one push-button.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the crossover channel comprises a V-shaped trough including angled channel walls to:
permit a faster flow of liquid medication comprising a larger volume, the larger volume decreasing to become a smaller volume during even distribution of the flow of liquid medication; and
permit a slower flow of the liquid medication comprising the smaller volume, the smaller volume decreasing to reach equilibrium inside the split-funnel during the even distribution of the flow of liquid medication;
the crossover channel using the V-shaped trough to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the crossover channel comprises a peak central to the crossover channel, the peak being positioned at a midpoint of the length of the crossover channel;
the crossover channel gradually rising from each distal end to reach the peak at the midpoint; and
the crossover channel using the peak to evenly distribute the flow of liquid medication.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the split-funnel comprises a top opening across a top of the split-funnel, including the wide inlet opening, the second wide inlet opening, and the crossover opening;
the top opening being adapted to receive the flow of liquid medication.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the length comprises an entirety of the crossover channel, from a first distal endpoint on a first end of the crossover channel to a second distal endpoint on an opposite end of the crossover channel; and
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Assignees

• Express Scripts Strategic Dev Inc

Inventors

• Perano Kenneth

Classifications

• A61J1/2048

  Connecting means · CPC title

• B65B59/04

  Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance · CPC title

• B65B3/06

  by gravity flow · CPC title

• B65B39/00

  Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers · CPC title

• B65B39/001

  with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves · CPC title