Automated prescription and/or literature bagger system and method optionally integrated with automated dispensing system and/or automated labeling and packaging system

• US 7,386,965 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc. (The Cigna Group)
• Original Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Incorporated (The Cigna Group)
• Inventors: Leu, Chih-Jen, Szesko, Michael J., McErlean, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESAI, HEMANT
• Application Number:
  US11/296,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20060090422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 534/11, 534/15, 534/57, 534/59, 53467-469, 534/77, 534/79, 531/312, 531/314, 531/351, 531/352, 531/353, 156540-542
• US Class Current: 53/135.2
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/20 for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents adding unpacking elements B65B61/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0018 Preparing the labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/0015 Preparing the labels or articles, e.g. smoothing, removing air bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/22 by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1033 Flexible sheet to cylinder lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1051 by folding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1326 Severing means or member secured thereto also bonds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1339 Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1768 Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1771 Turret or rotary drum-type conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1773 For flexible sheets

Abstract

A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.

Claims

1. A method for filling a plurality of prescription orders, comprising the steps of:

transporting in at least a first direction a plurality of containers by a first plurality of rollers;

transporting in the first direction a plurality of labels by a second plurality of rollers, optionally disposed on a backing sheet;

printing on a label for at least one of the plurality of containers, the name and address information of a recipient of a prescription order;

securely placing a label on the at least one of the plurality of containers, one container at a time, when the at least one of the plurality of containers reach a predetermined position;

opening the at least one of the plurality of containers; and

placing in the opened at least one of the plurality of containers a pharmaceutical container with enclosed medication, corresponding to the prescription order associated with the label, and sending the at least one of the plurality of containers with the medication to the recipient of the prescription.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of discarding a container that cannot be opened.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a literature pack in the opened container.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of sealing the opened container.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of transporting the at least one of the plurality of containers in at least a second direction subsequent to sealing the container.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sealing the opened container.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of conveying the plurality of containers a predetermined amount in the at least first direction to a position where the container is opened.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of sensing whether the at least one of the plurality of containers is in position for opening.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step sensing whether the at least one of the containers is in position for opening.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of separating the label from the backing sheet prior to said placing step.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a vacuum to hold the label in place prior to placing the label on the at least one of the plurality of containers.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a vacuum to hold the label in place prior to placing the label on at least one of the plurality of containers.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing the label on a first one of the plurality of containers substantially simultaneously while opening a second one of the plurality of containers having another label placed thereon.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of rollers and second plurality of rollers rotate in concert in the first direction to convey at least one of the plurality of containers and plurality of labels.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of rollers define an area through which the containers are conveyed.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second plurality of rollers define an area through which the plurality of labels and the backing material are conveyed.

17. A method for filling a plurality of prescription orders, comprising the steps of:

transporting in at least a first direction a plurality of containers by a first plurality of rollers;

transporting in the first direction a plurality of labels by a second plurality of rollers, optionally disposed on a backing sheet;

printing on a label for at least one of the plurality of containers, information corresponding to a recipient of a prescription order;

securely placing a label on the at least one of the plurality of containers, one container at a time, when the at least one of the plurality of containers reach a predetermined position;

opening the at least one of the plurality of containers; and

placing in the opened at least one of the plurality of containers a pharmaceutical container with enclosed medication, corresponding to the prescription order associated with the label, and sending the at least one of the plurality of containers with the medication to the recipient of the prescription.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of discarding a container that cannot be opened.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of placing a literature pack in the opened container.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of conveying the plurality of containers a predetermined amount in the at least first direction to a position where the container is opened.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of sensing whether the at least one of the plurality of containers is in position for opening.

22. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step sensing whether the at least one of the containers is in position for opening.

23. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of transporting the at least one of the plurality of containers in at least a second direction subsequent to sealing the container.

24. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of separating the label from the backing sheet prior to said placing step, and providing a vacuum to hold the label in place prior to placing the label on the at least one of the plurality of containers.

25. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of placing the label on a first one of the plurality of containers substantially simultaneously while opening a second one of the plurality of containers having another label placed thereon.

26. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first plurality of rollers and second plurality of rollers rotate in concert in the first direction to convey at least one of the plurality of containers and plurality of labels.

27. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first plurality of rollers define an area through which the containers are conveyed.

28. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second plurality of rollers define an area through which the plurality of labels and the backing material are conveyed.