Automatic distributed vending system

• US 8,028,822 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zachary L. Braunstein
• Original Assignee: Zachary L. Braunstein
• Inventors: Braunstein, Zachary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford; Gene O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar; Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US11/320,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20060293784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,106 Days
• Field of Search: 198/706, 198/370.05, 198/710, 198/712, 198/708, 198/711, 74/84, 221/234
• US Class Current: 198/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/58 the articles being supported on or by endless belts or like conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

Invention describes apparatus automating distributed item processing including pharmacy. Apparatus includes: portable vending cartridges, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting items inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers in real-time monitor presence of cartridges; inventory of carries, items; and execute controls of each cartridge and vending module including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading items into/from carriers; maintaining items within specifications: environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm achieving required performance: rates of item loading/unloading, power consumption. Pharmacy applications include cartridges handling containers with medications. Apparatus automates distributed processing of medications: at one centralized location cartridges are filled with medications and then transported to assigned destinations for insertion into designated modules for dispensing medications to authorized customers. Number of apparatuses could be configured as closed-loop real-time process control system aimed at achieving optimum utilization of resources and delivering products within specifications.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a conveyor timing belt assembly including one or more bearing assemblies, the conveyor timing belt assembly including a first surface and a second surface,

wherein the first surface is substantially smooth and the second surface is opposite the first surface and includes a plurality of conveyor timing belt engagement teeth or slots designed to provide reliable engagement with the respective drive or alignment pulleys,

wherein each of the one or more bearing assemblies are mounted fixedly and permanently to the first surface of the conveyor timing belt and opposite to the second surface of the conveyor timing belt,

wherein the one or more bearing assemblies are aligned substantially along a longitudinal center of the first surface of the conveyor timing belt,

wherein the one or more bearing assemblies do not extend beyond the width of the conveyor timing belt and do not extend through the second surface of the conveyor timing belt,

wherein each of the one or more bearing assemblies include a cavity configured to allow a shaft of an item carrier to be inserted, the conveyor timing belt guided by at least two pulleys assemblies designed to match the timing belt engagement teeth or slots to ensure reliable engagement between the teeth or slots of the second surface of the conveyor timing belt and the pulley assemblies;

wherein the at least one conveyor timing belt assembly is supported by at least two pulley assemblies will advance and maintain carriers in generally upright position at all times;

wherein an inner enclosure is configured to contain the conveyor timing belt including the one or more bearing assemblies, the at least two pulleys assemblies, and each of the item carriers; and

wherein an outer enclosure is configured to allow the inner enclosure to be slideably inserted into the outer enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more bearing assemblies includes the cavity having an inner race into which the shaft of the item carrier is inserted allowing the item carrier to swing about the axis of the inner race, and wherein the outer enclosure is configured to include a channel to mate with a slot of the inner enclosure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer enclosure is configured to include a slot to mate with a channel of the inner enclosure.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller to track bar codes applied to at least one of the inner enclosure, outer enclosure, item carrier, and items carried by the item carrier.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveyor includes a plurality of items carriers.