Automated Solid Pharmaceutical Packaging Machine Utilizing Robotic Drive

• US 20080229718A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc. (Omnicell Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc. (Omnicell Incorporated)
• Inventors: Barrett, Robert, Feehan, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/473
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.

Claims

1. A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals comprising:

a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of pharmaceutical dispensing mechanisms containing a plurality of solid pharmaceuticals therein;

a filling location spaced from said dispensing mechanisms;

a robotic arm capable of retrieving at least one of said plurality of dispensing mechanisms from one of said plurality of storage locations and transporting said at least one dispensing mechanism to said filling location;

a drive mechanism for positioning a plurality of cavities beneath said filling location; and

wherein when said dispensing mechanism is positioned at said filling location, pharmaceuticals are dispensed from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said robotic arm is capable of returning said at least one of said plurality of dispensing mechanisms to said one of said plurality of storage locations.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of storage locations are arranged along an arc.

4. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of storage locations are arranged vertically.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a drive mount at said filling location and wherein said dispensing mechanism is positioned on said drive mount for dispensing said pharmaceuticals.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cavities are positioned in an array and said drive mechanism provides movement of said cavities in a X direction and a Y direction.

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cavities are positioned in an array and said drive mechanism provides movement of said dispensing mechanism in a X direction and a Y direction.

8. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said cavities are provided by a product package.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said cavities are provided by a template.

10. A machine as defined in claim 9, further comprising a product package positioned beneath said template;

and

wherein said pharmaceuticals are dispensed from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities of said template prior to said pharmaceuticals being dispensed to said cavities of said package.

11. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said machine includes a first drive mechanism for positioning said plurality of cavities and a second drive mechanism for simultaneously positioning a second plurality of cavities.

12. A method of packaging solid pharmaceuticals comprising:

providing a plurality pharmaceutical dispensing mechanisms containing a plurality of pharmaceuticals at a plurality of storage locations;

providing a plurality of cavities at a filling location, said filling location being spaced from said storage locations;

providing a drive mechanism to provide relative motion between said plurality of cavities and said filling location;

providing a robotic arm;

utilizing said robotic arm to retrieve one of said dispensing mechanism;

transporting said retrieved dispensing mechanism to said filling location;

aligning said cavities and said retrieved dispensing mechanism; and

dispensing pharmaceuticals from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities.

13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein said step of aligning is provided by moving said product package.

14. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein said step of aligning is provided by moving said retrieved dispensing mechanism.

15. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of returning said dispensing mechanism to said storage location.