Container for use in a random access and random load dispensing unit
First Claim
1. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to deliver pharmaceuticals, the vending apparatus utilizing an automated retrieval assembly to retrieve the container, the container comprising:
- 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 machine readable label located on the header.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
83 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to deliver pharmaceuticals, the vending apparatus utilizing an automated retrieval 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 machine readable label located on the header. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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4. The container of claim 4, wherein the machine readable label is a barcode.
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12. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to deliver pharmaceuticals, the vending apparatus utilizing an automated retrieval 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; and
a barcode 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 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to deliver pharmaceuticals, the container comprising:
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a receptacle containing the pharmaceuticals, the receptacle integrally formed in a shape similar to a clamshell;
a substantially rigid header integrally formed with the receptacle; and
a tag located on the header, said tag containing data correlating the pharmaceutical contained within the container, and the corresponding consumer for whom the pharmaceutical is intended. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A container for use with a vending apparatus configured to deliver pharmacy-filled prescriptions, the container comprising:
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a receptacle containing a pharmacy-filled prescription;
a substantially rigid header coupled to the receptacle, the header being of substantially uniform thickness; and
a machine readable label located on the header. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A container used to store a pharmacy-filled prescription within an automated vending device comprising:
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a receptacle having a plurality of sidewalls, the side walls defining an enclosable space for storing the pharmacy-filled prescription;
a substantially rigid header located proximate to at least one sidewall;
a sensible information tag located on the header and containing data correlating a unique, pharmacist-filled prescription contained within the container to a corresponding consumer for whom the prescription was filled;
the header providing a substantially fixable surface, allowing said tag to be located in information-sensing alignment with an information sensor located within an automated vending device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40)
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37. The container of claim 37, wherein the barcode is a label, which is coupled to the header using an adhesive.
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41. A container used to store a pharmacy-filled prescription within an automated vending device comprising:
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a receptacle having a plurality of sidewalls, the sidewalls defining a closed posterior portion, and a substantially enclosable space for storing a pharmacy-filled prescription;
a header coupled to a substantially anterior portion of at least one sidewall;
a sensible information tag located on the header, wherein the tag contains data correlating the pharmacy-filled prescription contained within the bag to a specific consumer for whom the prescription was filled; and
wherein the automated vending apparatus comprises a housing, an internal information sensor, a plurality of unique storage locations, and at least one customer access point, the container being locatable at a unique storage location such that the header presents a substantially fixed information sensing location allowing said tag to be located in sensible alignment with the information sensor. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A container for storing a pharmacy-filled prescription in an automated vending apparatus comprising:
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a receptacle having a plurality of sidewalls, the side walls configured to define a discrete space for storing a pharmacy-filled prescription;
a substantially rigid header coupled to at least one sidewall;
a barcode located on the header, and wherein the barcode contains data correlating the pharmacist-filled prescription contained within the container to a consumer for whom the prescription was filled, the automated vending apparatus comprises a housing, an internal barcode reader, a plurality of unique storage locations, and at least one customer access point, the container being located at a unique storage location such that the header establishes a predetermined information reading position so that the barcode data may be scanned by the barcode reader. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method of using a container to deliver a prescription comprising:
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placing a customer-specific prescription within the container, which comprises a receptacle for storing a customer-specific prescription;
a header coupled to the receptacle; and
a sensible information tag located on the header and containing data correlating the customer-specific prescription contained within the container to a corresponding consumer for whom the prescription was filled;
the header providing a substantially fixable surface, allowing said tag to be located in information-sensing alignment with an information sensor located within an automated vending device;
placing the container in a vending apparatus; and
delivering the container to the correct consumer. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification