System and method for dispensing prescriptions

• US 20050098571A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Newcomb, Jasper Pollard, Jeffrey P. Williams, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein, Richard Michelli, Simon Kelly
• Original Assignee: David Newcomb, Jasper Pollard, Jeffrey P. Williams, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein, Richard Michelli, Simon Kelly
• Inventors: Klein, Pete, Pollard, Jasper, Newcomb, David, Williams, Jeffrey P., Michelli, Richard, Eberdt, Jess, Kelly, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 7,275,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/5
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53687 by rotation of work part

Abstract

An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. An apparatus for applying a closure to a cylindrical container,

comprising:

a mounting member;

a platform that is slidably mounted on the mounting member;

a drive unit connected with the platform that is configured to slide the platform along the mounting post;

a cup mounted on the platform; and

a closure holder positioned above the platform, the closure holder including a ceiling and two supporting ledges beneath the ceiling to support a closure from below, the closure holder being sized and configured to permit an upper edge of container to pass between supporting ledges.

44. The apparatus defined in claim 43, further comprising a rotary unit connected with and configured to rotate the cup.

45. The apparatus defined in claim 44, further comprising a second cup mounted on the platform.

46. The apparatus defined in claim 44, wherein the rotary drive unit is configured to rotate the second cup simultaneously with the first cup.

47-55. -55. (canceled)