Apparatus for dispensing vials

• US 7,100,796 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ScriptPro LLC
• Original Assignee: ScriptPro LLC
• Inventors: Giebler, Timothy A., Orr, Stacy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Application Number:
  US10/791,411
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 221/191, 221/193, 221/194, 221/312.R, 221/96, 193/32, 193/44, 141/174, 141/369, 141/370, 141/375, 198/406, 198/534
• US Class Current: 221/191
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for guiding the movement of a flanged vial (10) during an automated process to prevent the flange (50) from disrupting the movement of the vial (10) during the process. The apparatus (100) includes a receptacle (120) with a narrowing peripheral wall (130) adapted to receive the vial (10) during a vertical drop and direct the movement of the vial (10) toward a slide (160). A weighted flap (170) contacts the vial (10) as the vial (10) moves along the slide (160), slowing the descent of the vial (10), holding the vial (10) against the slide (160), and pivoting to accommodate the flange (50). A platform (190) catches the vial (10).

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing vials, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle with a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is adapted to receive the vial and the second opening is adapted to allow the vial to leave the receptacle;

a slide extending below the second opening and adapted to allow the vial to slide downwardly away from the receptacle; and

a flap with a first end thereof pivotally attached to the receptacle near the second opening, wherein the flap includes a weight secured to a second end thereof and the flap extends beyond the second opening and is adapted to contact the vial as the vial leaves the second opening and exert pressure on the vial as the vial moves down the slide.

2. An apparatus for dispensing vials, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle with a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is adapted to receive the vial and the second opening is adapted to allow the vial to leave the receptacle;

a slide extending below the second opening and adapted to allow the vial to slide downwardly away from the receptacle;

a flap with a first end thereof pivotally attached to the receptacle near the second opening, wherein the flap extends beyond the second opening and is adapted to contact the vial as the vial leaves the second opening and exert pressure on the vial as the vial moves down the slide; and

a side wall attached to the receptacle near the narrow opening adapted to maintain the vial on the slide as the vial moves down the slide, wherein the side wall extends between the slide and the flap.

3. An apparatus for dispensing vials, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle with a broad opening and a narrow opening, wherein the broad opening is adapted to receive the vial and the narrow opening is adapted to allow the vial to leave the receptacle;

a slide attached to a portion of a wall of the receptacle near the narrow opening, extending below the narrow opening parallel to the wall, and adapted to allow the vial to slide downwardly away from the receptacle;

a flap with an end thereof pivotally attached to the receptacle near the narrow opening, wherein the flap extends beyond the narrow opening and is adapted to contact the vial as the vial leaves the narrow opening, exert pressure on the vial as the vial moves down the slide, and pivot away from the vial to allow the vial to move down the slide; and

a side wall attached to the wall near the narrow opening, extending below the narrow opening between the slide and the flap, adapted to maintain the vial on the slide as the vial moves down the slide.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a platform attached to the slide and adapted to receive and support the vial after the vial has moved down the slide.

5. An apparatus for dispensing vials, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle with a narrowing peripheral wall, which forms a broad opening facing upward adapted to receive the vial, and a narrow opening facing downward adapted to allow the vial to leave the receptacle;

a slide attached to the wall near the narrow opening and extending below the narrow opening parallel to a portion of the wall near an end of the slide attached thereto, adapted to support the vial as it leaves the receptacle, and allow the vial to slide downwardly away from the receptacle along the slide;

a weighted flap with an end thereof pivotally attached to the wall near the narrow opening opposite the slide so that the flap extends beyond the narrow opening and partially obstructs a path of the vial as the vial moves down the slide, the flap adapted to contact the vial and force the vial into a position parallel to the slide as the vial leaves the narrow opening and moves down the slide, exert pressure on the vial to hold the vial against the slide and slow the vial'"'"'s movement, and pivot away from the vial in response to pressure from the vial to allow the vial to leave the receptacle and move down the slide;

a side wall attached to the wall near the narrow opening, extending below the narrow opening between the slide and the flap, adapted to maintain the vial on the slide as the vial moves down the slide; and

a platform attached to the slide and adapted to receive and support the vial after the vial has moved down the slide.