Automatic apparatus for storing and dispensing packaged medication and other small elements
First Claim
1. A method for storing and dispensing individual elements, comprising:
- temporarily storing a plurality of individual elements in a storage area;
removing the elements from the storage area;
depositing the elements one by one onto a conveyor;
moving the elements along the conveyor to a loading mechanism;
removing the elements from the conveyor with the loading mechanism and positioning them so that they are ready to be stored;
individually moving the positioned elements with a moving assembly to a mass storage apparatus containing a plurality of individually addressable storage locations;
storing each element in one of the locations in the mass storage apparatus; and
using a dispensing assembly, dispensing a selected individual element from a known location in the mass storage apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system includes a bin hopper which temporarily stores a plurality of small elements, such as medications. The elements are moved out of the bin and singulated into a one-by-one sequence by a series of singulating conveyors. The resulting sequence of elements is moved onto a main system conveyor where the element is identified and then moved to a loading mechanism which arranges the item so it is ready to be gripped and stored. The system includes a mass storage apparatus comprising a series of four upstanding cylindrical drums, each having a plurality of individually accessible and addressable cell storage locations for the elements. A gripping apparatus removes the elements from the loading mechanism and transfers them to a selected location in a cylindrical drum. When an article is to be dispensed, the drum is rotated so that an ejection arm comes adjacent the desired location in the drum. The ejector arm is actuated, pushing the small element out of its slot, into the center of the drum, where it falls onto a conveyor which moves the dispensed item from the system.
138 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for storing and dispensing individual elements, comprising:
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temporarily storing a plurality of individual elements in a storage area; removing the elements from the storage area; depositing the elements one by one onto a conveyor; moving the elements along the conveyor to a loading mechanism; removing the elements from the conveyor with the loading mechanism and positioning them so that they are ready to be stored; individually moving the positioned elements with a moving assembly to a mass storage apparatus containing a plurality of individually addressable storage locations; storing each element in one of the locations in the mass storage apparatus; and using a dispensing assembly, dispensing a selected individual element from a known location in the mass storage apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification