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

  • US 10,219,984 B2
  • Filed: 07/21/2016
  • Issued: 03/05/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. 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.

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