Random access and random load dispensing unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
- a housing;
at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis;
a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms; and
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.
146 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis;
a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms; and
a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
a shuttle assembly movable in the housing to access and retrieve products stored in random locations in the housing;
an access door pivotably coupled to the housing;
a plurality of customer interface components coupled to the access door, at least one of the customer interface components being configured to determine an identity of a customer;
a computer in communication with the customer interface components, the computer being able to match the customer with at least one of the products stored in the random locations in the housing; and
a controller in communication with the computer for operating the shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly being directed to the location in the housing to retrieve the at least one product for the customer. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising:
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a housing;
an access door pivotably coupled to the housing;
a plurality of customer interface components coupled to the access door, at least one of the customer interface components being configured to determine an identity of a customer;
at least one substantially vertically-oriented support defining a first axis and located in the housing;
a plurality of platforms movable along the first axis and coupled to the support;
a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms to selectively allow only the bins on one of the plurality of platforms to be accessed at a given time;
a shuttle assembly movable along the the first axis, the shuttle assembly being further movable along a second axis and a third axis coplanar with the second axis, the second and third axes being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and to each other, the shuttle assembly being movable along the second and third axes between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins;
a computer in communication with the customer interface components, the computer being able to match a particular product previously specified for the customer with a random location in the housing in which the particular product is stored;
a controller in communication with the computer for operating the shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly being directed to the random location in the housing to retrieve the specific product for the customer;
a dispense bin located in the access door, the dispense bin being movable between a first position, in which the dispense bin is deployed into the housing for the shuttle assembly to deposit the product into the dispense bin, and a second position, in which the dispense bin is retracted into the access door and the product is ready to be retrieved by the customer; and
a dispense bin lid selectively covering the dispense bin, the dispense bin lid being movable between a first position, in which the product in the dispense bin is inaccessible by the customer, and a second position, in which the product in the dispense bin is accessible by the customer for removal.
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49. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to dispense pharmaceuticals, the vending apparatus utilizing an automated picker assembly to retrieve the container, the container comprising:
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a receptacle containing the pharmaceuticals;
a substantially rigid header coupled to the receptacle, the header including opposite end portions extending beyond an outer periphery of the receptacle, and two apertures through the header; and
a barcode label coupled to the header. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to dispense pharmaceuticals, the vending apparatus utilizing an automated picker assembly to retrieve the container, the container comprising:
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a receptacle including an open end to deposit therein the pharmaceuticals;
two opposing side walls defining in part the open end;
a header including an insertion portion insertable into the open end of the receptacle between the opposing side walls;
opposite end portions extending beyond an outer periphery of the receptacle;
two apertures through the header, the apertures each defining a shape having an apex; and
a label having a barcode printed thereon, a first portion of the label being coupled to one of the side walls of the receptacle and to one side of the header, and a second portion of the label extending beyond an outer periphery of the header, the second portion of the label configured to couple to a second side of the header and the other side wall of the receptacle to at least partially close the open end of the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification