system and method for dispensing prescriptions

• US 20050098572A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Klein, Pete, Pollard, Jasper, Newcomb, David, Williams, Jeffrey P., Michelli, Richard, Eberdt, Jess, Kelly, Simon
• Granted Patent: US 7,988,404 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

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An apparatus for transporting a workpiece within a three-dimensional volume, comprising:

a first rail extending in a generally horizontal direction;

a first carriage that is slidably connected to the first rail for movement in the horizontal direction;

a second rail attached to the first carriage and extending in a generally vertical direction;

a second carriage that is slidably connected to the second rail for movement in the vertical direction;

a traveler unit mounted to and revolvable along a generally horizontal annular path about the second carriage; and

a gripper unit mounted to the traveler unit configured to grip the workpiece.

25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the gripper unit is configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis.

26. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the gripper unit includes a pair of opposed jaws, one of the jaws being movable toward the other of the jaws to grip workpieces of different sizes.

27. The apparatus defined in claim 26, wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.

28. The apparatus defined in claim 26, wherein the gripper unit includes a clutch mechanism that ceases inward movement of the jaws after a predetermined magnitude of compression exerted by the jaws on a workpiece is reached.

29-55. -55. (canceled)