Medical cabinet access belt optimization system

• US 10,123,944 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArXium, Inc. (Van Humbeck Family)
• Original Assignee: ArXium, Inc. (Van Humbeck Family)
• Inventors: Michael, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waggoner, Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US15/891,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20180161248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/90 Constructional details of drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/975 in the form of repositionable partition walls
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/994 in the form of trays or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/105 Cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/185 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/18 Cupboards; Drawers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/462 for two or more drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/18 Recessed drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/60 the storage containers or supports being rectilinearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

Claims

1. A secured cabinet comprising:

a drawer housing;

a drawer unit slidable within the drawer housing between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the drawer unit is divided into at least a first compartment and a second compartment;

the drawer unit comprising a drawer;

a belt having a first opening, the belt being moveable to align the first opening with either the first compartment or the second compartment;

a belt actuator configured to move the belt; and

an electronic controller in communication with the belt actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the belt actuator to move the belt to align the first opening with either the first compartment or the second compartment, and the controller is further configured to move the belt to reduce a future amount of movement for an item request.

2. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the controller controls the belt actuator to position the belt at least in part based on the stored frequency of access.

3. The secured cabinet of claim 2 further comprising a first roller at a first end of the drawer unit and a second roller at a second end of the drawer unit.

4. The secured cabinet of claim 3, wherein the first roller and the second roller are each attached to a frame.

5. The secured cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional drawer units each having a belt and belt actuator.

6. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the belt includes a second opening that is larger than the first opening.

7. The secured cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a user interface configured to receive user requests and to communicate the user requests to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the belt actuator at least in part based on the user requests.

8. The secured cabinet of claim 7 wherein the controller receives the user requests from the user interface via wireless communication.

9. The secured cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a first medical product located in the first compartment and a second medical product located in the second compartment.

10. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the belt actuator is housed completely within the drawer unit.

11. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the drawer unit is electrically disconnected from the drawer housing when the drawer unit is in the extended position.

12. The secured cabinet of claim 1, wherein the drawer unit comprises a frame that includes one or more walls, the first compartment and the second compartment each being defined by the one or more walls of the frame and the walls of the drawer.

13. A storage system for securely storing items therein, comprising:

a drawer unit having a plurality of compartments formed therein, the drawer unit comprising a drawer defining an interior;

a cover movably disposed above the compartments of the drawer unit and having an opening formed therein, the cover being selectably moveable to align the opening with a compartment of the drawer unit to provide access to the plurality of compartments while restricting access to at least one of the plurality of compartments;

a cover actuator coupled to the cover that moves the cover, wherein the cover actuator comprises an electric motor; and

a controller in communication with the cover actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the cover actuator to move the cover to reduce a probable amount of movement for a request for an item.

14. The storage system of claim 13 further comprising a housing, wherein the drawer unit is slidable within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to cause movement of the cover only when the drawer is fully received within the housing.

15. The storage system of claim 13 wherein the cover comprises a belt.

16. The storage system of claim of claim 15, wherein the belt extends about an exterior of a support structure that is located within the interior of the drawer.

17. The storage system of claim 13 wherein the cover actuator is housed completely within the drawer unit.

18. The storage system of claim 13 wherein the drawer unit is electrically disconnected from the drawer housing when the drawer unit is in an extended position.

19. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the compartments of the drawer unit are defined by one or more walls forming the drawer and one or more walls forming a support structure that is located within the interior of the drawer.

20. A storage system for securely storing items therein, comprising:

a drawer unit having a plurality of compartments formed therein, the drawer unit comprising a drawer defining an interior;

a cover movably disposed above the compartments of the drawer unit and having an opening formed therein, the cover being selectably moveable to align the opening with a compartment of the drawer unit to provide access;

a cover actuator that moves the cover, wherein the cover actuator comprises an electric motor; and

a controller in communication with the cover actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the cover actuator to move the cover and the controller is further configured to store a frequency of access of the plurality of compartments to reduce an amount of movement for a request for an item in at least one of the plurality of compartments.