HIGH CAPACITY DRAWER WITH MECHANICAL INDICATOR FOR A DISPENSING DEVICE

• US 20090055018A1
• Filed: 08/19/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnicell Incorporated
• Original Assignee: McKesson Automation Incorporated (Omnicell Inc)
• Inventors: SWITALSKI, ERIC J., MEEK, ROBERT B. JR., BOWERS, ALLENS D., CONLEY, LOUIS S., YOUNG, KIRK A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,019,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• 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 drawers having 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 dispensing an item contained in remote dispensing system comprising:

granting a user access to said remote dispensing system having a plurality of lockable drawers with a plurality of lockable bins;

accepting dispensing information from said user;

unlocking at least one of said plurality of drawers, wherein said unlocked drawer contains an item to be dispensed;

unlocking at least one of said plurality of bins located within said unlocked drawer while changing the state of a mechanical indicator associated with a bin that has been unlocked;

verifying that said user has closed said unlocked bin; and

locking said at least one of said plurality of bins and said at least one of said plurality of drawers.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating the dispensing system'"'"'s inventory.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said unlocking at least one of said plurality of bins further includes simultaneously changing the state of a mechanical indicator associated with a bin that has been unlocked.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said accepting dispensing information further comprises at least one of:

accepting patient information;

accepting item to be dispensed information; and

accepting item quantity to be dispensed information.