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Apparatus and method for storing and dispensing pharmacist-filled prescription medications

  • US 9,135,403 B1
  • Filed: 07/29/2014
  • Issued: 09/15/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2014
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for storing and dispensing prescription medication in a package after the prescription medication has been prepared by a pharmacist or an employee of a pharmacy, said apparatus comprising:

  • a housing having a front side, a back side, top end, bottom end, a first side and a second side with at least a front wall at said front side, a first side wall at said first side, a second side wall at said second side and a top wall at said top end, said housing defining an interior area therein;

    a conveying assembly disposed in said interior area of said housing, said conveying assembly comprising a plurality of bins moveably disposed inside said interior of said housing so as to move along a conveying path, each of said bins having a compartment to receive the package containing the prescription medication;

    one or more doors at one of said front side or said back side of said housing, said one or more doors configured to allow the pharmacist or the employee to access said interior area of said housing and place the package having the prescription medication on one of said plurality of bins in said interior area of said housing;

    a prescription identification system disposed in said interior area of said housing, said prescription identification system associated with said conveying assembly so as to controllably position one of said plurality of bins;

    a grabbing mechanism structured and arranged to remove the package containing the prescription medication from one of the plurality of bins and place the package in a prescription tray, said grabbing mechanism and said prescription tray disposed in an extension housing extending outward of said front side of said housing, said extension housing having an opening therein to allow the customer to access the package on said prescription tray; and

    a customer access panel at said front side of said housing, said customer access panel comprising at least a computer and one of a display screen and a keypad electronically connected to said computer, said customer access panel configured to operate said conveying assembly so as to move the prescription medication to said prescription tray so the prescription medication may be retrieved by a customer of the pharmacy.

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