Jerk-resistant drawer operation system

• US 6,065,819 A
• Filed: 09/26/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Pyxis Corp. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Williams, David R., Holmes, William K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/938,259
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 312/333, 312/334.44, 312/215, 312/223.1, 312/222, 312/330.1, 312/295, 312/319.5
• US Class Current: 312/215
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0054 using microprocessor, printed circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0067 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0607 the detent moving pivotally or rotatively
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/462 for two or more drawers
• 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

A drawer operating system for controlling a drawer having a sliding direction, the drawer defined by a front end and a rear end and partitioned by walls into a plurality of bins consecutive with one another along the sliding direction for holding various dispensable items, the drawer housed in a cabinet and arranged to move between a closed position and graduated, progressively open positions to allow access to one or more bins and the contents stored therein, the system including a linear encoder for monitoring the position and direction of movement of the drawer, including the length of opening the drawer on its preceding excursion, and for producing a plurality of electronic signals specific to the position and movement of the drawer, a drawer stop device arranged between the drawer and the cabinet, a controller for receipt of the electronic signals, and an electric solenoid, including a spring-loaded plunger slidingly mounted therein, for activation by the controller, after the beginning of the drawer-opening sequence, and during translational movement along the drawer stop device to drive a trigger attached thereto into contact with the drawer stop device to prevent the drawer from being manually opened beyond a certain distance out from the cabinet wherein a bin containing the items to be withdrawn is exposed.

Claims

1. A drawer operating system housed in a cabinet and arranged to move a drawer between a closed position and progressively open positions to allow access to one or more drawer bins and any contents stored therein, said system comprising:

a drawer, said drawer including a front portion containing a plurality of bins for storing contents, and a rear portion coextensive with and detachably secured to said front portion;

a monitor in association with said drawer, said monitor adapted to monitor the position of said drawer, including the length of opening said drawer on said drawer'"'"'s preceding excursion, and said monitor adapted to produce a signal relative to the position of said drawer;

a drawer stop arranged adjacent said drawer and within said cabinet;

a controller adapted to receive said signal directly or indirectly from said monitor; and

an actuator in said rear portion of said drawer, said actuator adapted to be actuated by said controller, after the beginning of the drawer-opening sequence and during translational movement along said drawer stop, to prevent said drawer from being manually opened beyond a certain distance out from said cabinet wherein a bin containing the items to be withdrawn is exposed.

2. The drawer operating system of claim 1 wherein said monitor is a linear encoder.

3. The drawer operating system of claim 1 wherein said actuator is an electric solenoid.

4. The drawer operating system of claim 3 wherein said electric solenoid includes a spring-loaded plunger slidably mounted therein.

5. The process of controlling the opening and closing of an elongated drawer, housed in a cabinet, said drawer defined by a front portion and a rear portion and sub-divided into a plurality of consecutively spaced bins for holding material therein, said drawer arranged to move between a fully closed position and a plurality of progressively open positions, said process comprising the steps of:

providing coded information at said cabinet concerning a particular item needed from said drawer and identification information as to the party entering the coded information;

opening the drawer, upon receipt of said identification information, a first distance to expose the material contained in at least one bin;

stopping further withdrawal of the drawer when the appropriate bin has been exposed from the cabinet;

monitoring the length of opening of the drawer; and

closing the drawer in the cabinet.

6. The process of claim 5 further including the step of receiving second coded information and identification information and opening the drawer a second distance, which said second distance is greater than said first distance.

7. The process of claim 5 wherein said material are drugs to be administered to patients.

8. The process of claim 5 wherein said drawer is opened manually.

9. A drawer operating system housed in a cabinet and arranged to move a drawer between a closed position and progressively open positions to allow access to one or more drawer bins and any contents stored therein, said system comprising:

a drawer, said drawer including a plurality of bins for storing contents;

a monitor in association with said drawer, said monitor adapted to monitor the position of said drawer, said monitor adapted to produce a signal relative to the position of said drawer;

a drawer stop arranged adjacent said drawer and within said cabinet;

a controller adapted to receive said signal;

an actuator in association with said drawer, said actuator adapted to be actuated by said controller to prevent said drawer from being manually opened beyond a certain distance out from said cabinet wherein a bin containing items to be withdrawn is exposed; and

a shaft extending from the rear of said drawer, said shaft having a first spring associated therewith, said shaft and spring adapted to cushion the jarring effect of closing said drawer and to store potential energy for use in pushing the drawer outward upon opening.