High capacity drawer with mechanical indicator for a dispensing device

• US 20060175942A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: Switalski, Eric J., Bowers, Allen D., Conley, Louis S., Young, Kirk A., Meek, Robert B. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/369,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20060175942A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/222
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/462 for two or more drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of bins with a plurality of lids associated therewith. Each of the bins has a lock assembly that includes a catch operable to lock the lid in its closed position and a mechanical indicator responsive to the catch. Another aspect of the invention relates to an automated dispensing cabinet that includes a control computer and a plurality of row assemblies therein. Each row assembly has bins that include a tabbed lid, a lock assembly with a catch operable to engage and disengage the tab, and an indicator responsive to the lock assembly. Methods for dispensing from and restocking the remote dispensing systems are also given, as well as a method for indicating which item is to be dispensed from one of a plurality of bins.

Claims

1. A method for restocking items contained in a remote dispensing system including a cabinet having with a plurality of drawers, at least one of said plurality of drawers having a plurality of bin row assemblies, said method comprising:

selecting a bin row assembly;

opening said drawer containing said bin row assembly;

identifying said selected bin row assembly;

removing said selected bin row assembly from said drawer;

inserting a restocked bin row assembly in place of said removed selected bin row assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

loading said items into a plurality of bins contained in said restocked bin row assembly at a centralized storage area;

locking said plurality of bins; and

transporting said restocked bin row assembly to said remote dispensing system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the inventory of said remote dispensing system.