Pharmaceutical dispensing system and associated method
First Claim
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1. An automation apparatus for dispensing groups of individually packaged products, the apparatus comprising:
- a storage arrangement adapted to store a plurality of products each contained in an individual package, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a first module and a second module, wherein the first module is adapted to store products having a first frequency demand threshold and the second module is adapted to store products having a second frequency demand threshold that is lower than the first frequency demand threshold;
a plurality of fixed first discharge assemblies adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the first module of the storage arrangement;
a second discharge assembly comprising a moveable pick device, the second discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages out of the second module of the storage arrangement;
a transfer station adapted to receive and hold the individual packages selected from the second discharge assembly; and
a conveyor having assigned spaces, each assigned space adapted to receive the selected individual packages first from the first discharge assemblies and then from the transfer station.
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Abstract
A dispensing system and associated method provides a turnkey solution for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings.
141 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automation apparatus for dispensing groups of individually packaged products, the apparatus comprising:
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a storage arrangement adapted to store a plurality of products each contained in an individual package, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a first module and a second module, wherein the first module is adapted to store products having a first frequency demand threshold and the second module is adapted to store products having a second frequency demand threshold that is lower than the first frequency demand threshold; a plurality of fixed first discharge assemblies adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the first module of the storage arrangement; a second discharge assembly comprising a moveable pick device, the second discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages out of the second module of the storage arrangement; a transfer station adapted to receive and hold the individual packages selected from the second discharge assembly; and a conveyor having assigned spaces, each assigned space adapted to receive the selected individual packages first from the first discharge assemblies and then from the transfer station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16)
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11. A method of dispensing a selection of individually packaged products, the method comprising:
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assigning a designated space on a conveyor for receiving the selection of individually packaged products; moving the designated space on the conveyor along a conveyor path past a first storage module and a second storage module, wherein the first module is adapted to store products having a first frequency demand threshold and the second module is adapted to store products having a second frequency demand threshold that is lower than the first frequency demand threshold; moving a first subset of the selection of individually packaged products via one or more fixed first discharge assemblies onto the conveyor at the designated space; retrieving a second subset of the selection of individually packaged products from the second storage module via a second discharge assembly comprising a moveable pick device; moving the retrieved second subset of the selection of individually packaged products into a transfer station; holding the second subset of the selection of individually packaged products at the transfer station; and moving the retrieved second subset of the selection of individually packaged products onto the conveyor at the designated space. - View Dependent Claims (12, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification