Devices Useful in System and Method for Dispensing Prescriptions

• US 20080061075A1
• Filed: 11/06/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Klein, Pete, Calderwood, David, Pollard, Jasper, Michelli, Richard, Daniels, Matthew, Williams, Jeffrey, Moran, Joseph, Young, Demetris, Abrams, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,703,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/92
• 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 11/70 in which the articles are formed in the apparatus from components, blanks, or material constituents
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/10 with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

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. A bin for dispensing solid pharmaceutical articles, comprising:

a floor, a ceiling, and side walls defining a chamber;

a lower screen positioned in the floor;

an upper screen positioned in the ceiling;

a first partition spanning the side walls, the partition dividing the chamber into four quadrants, wherein a first quadrant is positioned forwardly of the first partition, a second quadrant is positioned above the first quadrant, a third quadrant is positioned rearwardly of the first partition, and a fourth quadrant is positioned below the third quadrant;

the partition being positioned such that, when air is drawn through the chamber from the lower screen to the upper screen, at least some tablets positioned in the first quadrant travel serially from the first quadrant to the second, third and fourth quadrants.

2. The bin defined in claim 1, wherein the first partition is positioned rearwardly of the lower screen.

3. The bin defined in claim 1, further comprising a second partition positioned rearwardly of the third quadrant.

4. The bin defined in claim 3, wherein the second partition depends from the ceiling.