Automated label verify systems and methods for dispensing pharmaceuticals
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for filling a prescription order with a plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical, each shaped with either a card form factor or a box form factor, and each marked with a product barcode, the apparatus comprising:
- a conveyor configured to move the products along a workflow path;
a first verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to verify that the product barcode on each product belongs in the prescription order being filled;
a label application station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to print and apply a patient label onto each of the products; and
a second verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to independently verify that the product barcode on each of the products matches a patient barcode on the patient label after application to the product, the second verification station including a first barcode reader configured to read the product barcode and patient barcode on the products shaped with the card form factor, a second barcode reader configured to read the product barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor, and a third barcode reader configured to read the patient barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for filling a prescription order with plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical. The apparatus and method verifying a barcode on each of the products and printing and applying a patient label with a verified barcode to each of the products. After the patient label is applied, the barcodes are independently verified before the products are released.
70 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for filling a prescription order with a plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical, each shaped with either a card form factor or a box form factor, and each marked with a product barcode, the apparatus comprising:
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a conveyor configured to move the products along a workflow path; a first verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to verify that the product barcode on each product belongs in the prescription order being filled; a label application station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to print and apply a patient label onto each of the products; and a second verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to independently verify that the product barcode on each of the products matches a patient barcode on the patient label after application to the product, the second verification station including a first barcode reader configured to read the product barcode and patient barcode on the products shaped with the card form factor, a second barcode reader configured to read the product barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor, and a third barcode reader configured to read the patient barcode on the products shaped with the box form factor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. An apparatus for filling a prescription order with a plurality of products each containing a pharmaceutical, each shaped with either a card form factor or a box form factor, and each marked with a product barcode, the apparatus comprising:
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a conveyor configured to move the products along a workflow path; a first verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to verify that the product barcode belongs in the prescription order being filled; a label application station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to print and apply a patient label onto each of the products; a second verification station in the workflow path of the conveyor and configured to independently verify that the product barcode on each of the products matches a patient barcode on the patient label after application to the product, a first product feed device configured to receive and singulate batches of the products with the card form factor; and a second product feed device configured to receive and singulate batches of products shaped with the box form factor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification