Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
- a base having a receiving section and a labeling section;
an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial in the receiving compartment as the receiving compartment is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base;
a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and
a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and rotate the vial as the label is presented to the vial to apply the label to the vial.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial includes: a base having a receiving section, a labeling section, and a pick-up section; an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial from a vial dispenser in the receiving compartment as the receiving section is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base; a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial. The index member is further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section.
102 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
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a base having a receiving section and a labeling section; an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial in the receiving compartment as the receiving compartment is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base; a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and rotate the vial as the label is presented to the vial to apply the label to the vial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
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a base having a receiving section, a labeling section, and a pick-up section; an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial in the receiving compartment as the receiving compartment is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base; a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial; the index member being further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
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a base having a labeling section and a pick-up section; an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment; a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial; the index member being further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A labeling assembly for use with a vial labeling apparatus, comprising:
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a generally horizontal base; a drive roller unit mounted to the base, the drive roller unit including a drive roller that is rotatable relative to the base about a first generally vertical axis of rotation and a drive unit that drives the drive roller about the first axis of rotation; an idler roller unit mounted to the base, the idler roller unit including an idler roller that is rotatable relative to the base about a second generally vertical axis of rotation; and a swing wheel unit mounted to the base, the swing wheel unit including a shaft and a swing wheel that is rotatable relative to the shaft about a third generally vertical axis of rotation defined by the shaft, the shaft being pivotally mounted in the base for rotation about a generally horizontal axis of rotation, such that the position of the swing wheel relative to the drive roller unit and the idler roller unit can be modified to accommodate different sizes of pharmaceutical vials for labeling. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of labeling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a pharmaceutical vial in a receiving section; conveying the vial with an index member to a labeling section adjacent a labeling source; applying a label presented by the labeling source to the vial; conveying the labeled vial with the index member away from the labeling section to a pick-up section; and removing the labeled vial from the pick-up section. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification