Pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system

• US 9,334,112 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RxSafe LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: RxSafe LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Holmes, William K.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMBESS, YOLANDA RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/471,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20140367221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/04 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/165 using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/60 the storage containers or supports being rectilinearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00

Abstract

A storage and retrieval system includes a casing having an interior storage area and a staging area, a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area, and a gantry assembly positioned within the casing. The gantry assembly is operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area. The staging area simultaneously receives and supports more than one container to allow access to the more than one container.

Claims

1. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

a casing including an interior storage area and a staging area;

a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area; and

a gantry assembly positioned within the casing, the gantry assembly operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area,

wherein every container positioned in the staging area is accessible to a user, and wherein a portion of each container positioned in the staging area is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of each container from the casing through the staging area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the staging area is configured to receive the plurality of containers in a single layer, side-by-side arrangement.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each container includes a flange that is engaged by the casing when the container is positioned in the staging area to inhibit removal of the container through the staging area.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the flange is a first flange, wherein each container also includes a second flange that is engaged by the casing when the container is positioned in the staging area to inhibit removal of the container through the staging area.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second flanges extend outwardly from opposing sides of the container.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each container includes a base portion and a lid, and wherein the lid is movable relative to the base portion to access an interior of the container.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the base portion of each container includes a feature that is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container through the staging area.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the feature includes a flange extending along the base portion.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the staging area includes a recess formed in an outer surface of the casing, and wherein the gantry assembly is operable to move each container into and out of the recess.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor mounted to the casing adjacent the staging area, wherein the sensor identifies each container as the container is moved between the interior storage area and the staging area.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the staging area simultaneously receives and supports at least eight containers to allow access to the at least eight containers.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of containers is arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns within the casing.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface coupled to the gantry assembly, wherein the user interface controls operation of the gantry assembly.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is supported by the casing.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface tracks at least one of an amount of items and a type of items within each container.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface regulates which of the plurality of containers a particular user can access.

13. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

a casing including an interior storage area and a staging area;

a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area; and

a gantry assembly positioned within the casing, the gantry assembly operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area,

wherein the plurality of containers is accessible to a user when positioned in the staging area, and wherein a portion of each container is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container from the casing through the staging area,

wherein each container includes a base portion and a lid, and wherein the lid is movable relative to the base portion to access an interior of the container,

wherein each container further includes a lock mechanism to selectively secure the lid in a closed position, and further comprising an actuator mounted to the casing adjacent the staging area, and

wherein the actuator is operable to unlock the lock mechanism of each container when the container is positioned in the staging area.

18. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

a casing including an interior storage area and a staging area;

a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area;

a gantry assembly positioned within the casing, the gantry assembly operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area;

wherein the plurality of containers is accessible to a user when positioned in the staging area, and wherein a portion of each container is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container from the casing through the staging area,

wherein the staging area includes a recess formed in an outer surface of the casing,

wherein the gantry assembly is operable to move each container into and out of the recess, and

wherein the staging area further includes a shelf extending outwardly from the casing adjacent the recess.

19. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

a casing including an interior storage area and a staging area;

a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area; and

a gantry assembly positioned within the casing, the gantry assembly operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area,

wherein the plurality of containers is accessible to a user when positioned in the staging area, and wherein a portion of each container is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container from the casing through the staging area, and

wherein each container includes a flange that is engaged by the casing when the container is positioned in the staging area to inhibit removal of the container through the staging area.

20. A storage and retrieval system comprising:

a casing including an interior storage area and a staging area;

a plurality of containers positioned in the interior storage area; and

a gantry assembly positioned within the casing, the gantry assembly operable to move each of the plurality of containers between the interior storage area and the staging area,

wherein the plurality of containers is accessible to a user when positioned in the staging area, and wherein a portion of each container is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container from the casing through the staging area,

wherein each container includes a base portion and a lid, and wherein the lid is movable relative to the base portion to access an interior of the container,

wherein the base portion of each container includes a feature that is engaged by the casing to inhibit removal of the container through the staging area, and

wherein the feature includes a flange extending along the base portion.