Object dispenser having a variable orifice and image identification
First Claim
1. A dispensing method that reliably retrieves an object from a group of randomly ordered objects held within bulk storage containers, comprising:
- providing a dispensing system for dispensing at least one of a plurality of randomly ordered objects stored in bulk storage containers therein;
said system, in response to a dispense request, retrieving an object using a probe extending downward into a bulk storage container to collect an object therefrom and transferring the object to a dispense location accessible by a user; and
storing and maintaining an inventory level for each of the objects stored in the dispensing system, wherein the operation of storing and maintaining an inventory level for each of the objects stored in the dispensing system further includes;
picking several objects to determine an accurate average weight per object, and estimating the inventory on-hand based upon a weight of objects in a bulk storage container divided by the average weight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing objects from automated storage and retrieval systems such as medications is disclosed which may also include a singulator to assure singulation (retrieval of singular objects). The singulator may be an imaging system to confirm and/or identify the objects being dispensed and/or a variable orifice dynamically adjustable to a specific object or pill size, and through which only a single object or pill is allowed to pass. The system may further include a flexible probe so as to reduce the size of the system where the movement of the probe relative to or while retrieving objects is accomplished by advancing/retracting a flexible tube. The method and apparatus may further include an imaging system.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A dispensing method that reliably retrieves an object from a group of randomly ordered objects held within bulk storage containers, comprising:
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providing a dispensing system for dispensing at least one of a plurality of randomly ordered objects stored in bulk storage containers therein; said system, in response to a dispense request, retrieving an object using a probe extending downward into a bulk storage container to collect an object therefrom and transferring the object to a dispense location accessible by a user; and storing and maintaining an inventory level for each of the objects stored in the dispensing system, wherein the operation of storing and maintaining an inventory level for each of the objects stored in the dispensing system further includes;
picking several objects to determine an accurate average weight per object, and estimating the inventory on-hand based upon a weight of objects in a bulk storage container divided by the average weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11)
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7. An object dispensing system, including:
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a housing comprising a rotatable carousel located below a horizontal support frame, the rotatable carousel including a plurality of individually removable bulk containers where each bulk container provides a repository for randomly ordered objects therein; an access port in the horizontal support frame of the housing through which one of said randomly ordered objects may be removed from only one of the plurality of bulk containers, in seriatim; a pre-dispense port in the horizontal support frame of the housing providing controlled access to a dispensing receptacle located below the pre-dispense port; and a retrieval probe, said probe located within the confines of the housing and operatively sliding along an arc between the access port and the pre-dispense port, said probe including a compliant tip for releasably engaging an object in one of the plurality of bulk containers via said access port, said probe retrieving the object from a bulk container and then moving between the access port and the pre-dispense port to deliver the object to the dispensing receptacle via the pre-dispense port. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification