Automated pharmacy system for dispensing unit doses of pharmaceuticals and the like

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016331641-A1
Application number	US-201615216387-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 21, 2016
Priority date	Jul 14, 2010
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1 . A carrier assembly for a storage and dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a base; a pair of jaws, the jaws having facing contact surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other; a first drive unit coupled to the jaws and the base configured to reciprocally drive the jaws toward and away from each other; and a second drive unit coupled to the jaws, the second drive unit configured to convey the jaws in either direction substantially parallel to the contact surfaces.

2 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a vertical rail to which the base is slidably mounted.

3 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 1 , wherein the jaws are mounted on blocks driven by the first drive unit.

4 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 3 , wherein the first drive unit is mounted on a carriage driven by the second drive unit.

5 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a bar code scanner mounted to the base to detect a bar code on a object positioned in the jaws.

6 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that detects the presence of an object positioned between the jaws.

7 . A carrier assembly for a storage and dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a base; a pair of jaws, the jaws having facing contact surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other; a first drive unit coupled to the jaws and the base configured to reciprocally drive the jaws toward and away from each other; and first and second scanners mounted on the base on opposite sides of the jaws to detect a bar code on an object positioned in the jaws.

8 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 7 , further comprising a second drive unit coupled to the jaws, the second drive unit configured to convey the jaws in either direction substantially parallel to the contact surfaces; and

9 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 7 , further comprising a vertical rail to which the base is slidably mounted.

10 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 7 , wherein the jaws are mounted on blocks driven by the first drive unit.

11 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 8 , wherein the first drive unit is mounted on a carriage driven by the second drive unit.

12 . The carrier assembly defined in claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that detects the presence of an object positioned between the jaws.

13 . A method of presenting an object residing in a storage bin for dispensing through a window in a dispensing machine, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a carrier assembly having:
a base;
a pair of jaws, the jaws having facing contact surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other;
a first drive unit coupled to the jaws and the base configured to reciprocally drive the jaws toward and away from each other; and
a second drive unit coupled to the jaws, the second drive unit configured to convey the jaws in either direction substantially parallel to the contact surfaces;
(b) grasping the storage bin with the item residing therein in the jaws; (c) conveying the storage bin and item to a position adjacent the window; (d) conveying the storage bin forwardly toward the window as the storage bin is grasped with the jaws; (e) releasing the storage bin from the jaws; (f) moving the jaws rearwardly away from the window; (g) re-grasping the storage bin with the jaws; (h) conveying the storage bin forwardly with the jaws as the storage bin is grasped with the jaws; (i) repeating steps (e)-(h) until the storage bin protrudes a desired distance through the window.

14 . The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the base includes a ceiling, and wherein the storage bin rests on the ceiling during step (f).

15 . The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the carrier assembly further comprises a bar code scanner mounted to the base to detect a bar code on the object.

16 . The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the carrier assembly further comprises a sensor on the jaws to detect the presence of the storage bin between the jaws.

Assignees

• Parata Systems Llc

Inventors

• Longley Mark
• Smith Bradley Kenneth
• Davis Craig Steven
• Daniels Matthew P
• Abrams Jr George Raymond
• Perisich Mark L
• Schedel Jeffrey J
• Ushery Jr Gerald Cooper
• Floyd Michael Richard
• Curl Jr Weldon
• Kirsch Nanette
• Ulm Timothy
• Gardiner Daniel

Classifications

• B65D83/0409

  the dispensing means being adapted for delivering one article, or a single dose, upon each actuation (B65D83/0445 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61J2205/30

  Printed labels · CPC title

• G07F11/58 Primary

  the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors · CPC title

• A61J7/0076 Primary

  Medicament distribution means (with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00) · CPC title

• G07F17/0092

  for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles (medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00) · CPC title