Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
First Claim
1. A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container, comprising:
- positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along a centering axis that is generally normal to the closure;
translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position;
positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis;
translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and
relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container, wherein rotating the container comprises gripping the container with a plurality of centering members, each of the centering members being rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, andwherein the closure and centering members are configured such that, when each of the centering members is in contact with the container, an angle defined between (a) a point on the centering assembly through which a respective axis of rotation of a centering member passes, (b) a contact point between the centering member and the container, and (c) a point on the centering assembly through the centering axis is between about 140 and 178 degrees.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
72 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container, comprising:
-
positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along a centering axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container, wherein rotating the container comprises gripping the container with a plurality of centering members, each of the centering members being rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, and wherein the closure and centering members are configured such that, when each of the centering members is in contact with the container, an angle defined between (a) a point on the centering assembly through which a respective axis of rotation of a centering member passes, (b) a contact point between the centering member and the container, and (c) a point on the centering assembly through the centering axis is between about 140 and 178 degrees. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container, comprising:
-
positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a plurality of centering members of a centering assembly along a centering axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering members along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container, wherein rotating the container comprises gripping the container with the centering members, each of the centering members being rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, and wherein the closure and centering members are configured such that, when each of the centering members is in contact with the container, an angle defined between (a) a point on the centering assembly through which a respective axis of rotation of a centering member passes, (b) a contact point between the centering member and the container, and (c) a point on the centering assembly through the centering axis is between about 140 and 178 degrees.
-
Specification