Collating unit for use with a control center cooperating with an automatic prescription or pharmaceutical dispensing system
First Claim
1. A collating unit for automatically storing prescription containers dispensed by an automatic dispensing system, the collating unit comprising:
- a storage unit for storing the containers delivered by an infeed conveyor;
a plurality of holding areas formed within the storage unit for holding the containers;
a plurality of guide arms mounted within the storage unit and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor into the plurality of holding areas; and
a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor and the plurality of guide arms.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A collating unit (10) for use with a control center (12) cooperating with an automatic dispensing system (“ADS”) (14) for automatic storage of prescription containers dispensed from the ADS (14). The collating unit (10) broadly comprises an infeed conveyor (16) for transporting the prescription containers from the ADS (14) to the collating unit (10); a base (18) housed within the control center (12) and positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor (16); a collating unit conveyor (20) mounted on the base (18); a frame (21) substantially surrounding and covering the infeed conveyor (16) and the base (18); a plurality of holding areas (22) formed within the frame (21); a plurality of guide arms (24) mounted on the base (18) between the infeed conveyor (16) and the collating unit conveyor (20) and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor (16) into the plurality of holding areas (22); a plurality of sensors (26) to sense the presence of the containers within the collating unit (10); and a control system (28) for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor (16), the collating unit conveyor (20), the guide arms (24), and the sensors (26).
33 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A collating unit for automatically storing prescription containers dispensed by an automatic dispensing system, the collating unit comprising:
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a storage unit for storing the containers delivered by an infeed conveyor;
a plurality of holding areas formed within the storage unit for holding the containers;
a plurality of guide arms mounted within the storage unit and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor into the plurality of holding areas; and
a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor and the plurality of guide arms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A collating unit for automatically storing prescription containers dispensed by an automatic dispensing system, the collating unit comprising:
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an infeed conveyor for transporting the containers from the automatic dispensing system to the collating unit;
a collating unit conveyor positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor;
a frame substantially surrounding and covering the infeed conveyor and the collating unit conveyor;
a plurality of holding areas formed within the frame for holding the containers;
a plurality of guide arms mounted between the infeed conveyor and the collating unit conveyor and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor into the plurality of holding areas; and
a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor, the collating unit conveyor, and the plurality of guide arms. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A collating unit for automatically storing prescription containers dispensed by an automatic dispensing system, the collating unit comprising:
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an infeed conveyor for transporting the containers from the automatic dispensing system to the collating unit;
a base positioned generally adjacent to the infeed conveyor;
a collating unit conveyor mounted on the base;
a frame substantially surrounding and covering the infeed conveyor and the collating unit conveyor;
a plurality of holding areas formed within the frame for holding the containers;
a plurality of guide arms mounted on the base between the infeed conveyor and the collating unit conveyor and operable to maneuver the containers from the infeed conveyor into the plurality of holding areas;
a plurality of sensors positioned on the frame and operable to sense the presence of the containers stored in the collating unit; and
a control system for controlling operation of the infeed conveyor, the collating unit conveyor, the plurality of guide arms, and the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification