Claims
- 1. A method of dispensing solid pharmaceutical items of substantially identical size and configuration from a bulk of such solid pharmaceutical items stored in a housing, comprising the steps of:
providing a singulating bin comprising a hopper and a dispensing channel fluidly connected thereto, the dispensing channel defining a flow path; applying a forwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel; passing a series of solid pharmaceutical items in single file from the hopper into the dispensing channel; accelerating the solid pharmaceutical items in the dispensing channel with the forwardly-directed jet; counting the number of solid pharmaceutical items that pass a predetermined point in the dispensing channel; comparing the number of solid pharmaceutical items that have passed the predetermined point with a predetermined number; and applying a rearwardly-directed jet into the dispensing channel after a predetermined number of solid pharmaceutical items have passed the predetermined point to draw any additional items in the dispensing channel back into the hopper.
- 2. The method defined in claim 1, comprising the further step of agitating the solid pharmaceutical items during the step of applying a forwardly-directed jet.
- 3. The method defined in claim 2, wherein the step of agitating comprises drawing a gas through the hopper at a sufficient pressure to agitate the solid pharmaceutical items in the hopper.
- 4. The method defined in claim 1, comprising the further step of adjusting the dimensions of an inlet of the dispensing channel to complement the dimensions of the solid pharmaceutical items.
- 5. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
a frame; a container dispensing station attached to the frame; a labeling station attached to the frame; a labeling carrier configured to grasp a container and transport the container from the container dispensing station to the labeling station; a dispensing station having a plurality of bins that receive and dispense solid pharmaceutical items; and a dispensing carrier that receives a labeled container from the labeling carrier, transports the labeled container to the dispensing station for filling with solid pharmaceutical items from one of the bins; and a controller operatively connected with and controlling the operation of the container dispensing station, the labeling station, the labeling carrier, the dispensing station, and the dispensing carrier.
- 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the labeling carrier is further configured to rotate the container so that the container can receive a label from the labeling station.
- 7. The apparatus defined in claim 5, further comprising a closure dispensing station that applies a closure to a filled container, and wherein the dispensing carrier transports a filled, labeled container to the closure dispensing station, and wherein the controller further controls the operation of the closure dispensing station.
- 8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the dispensing carrier is further configured to transport the filled, labeled, capped container to an offload station.
- 9. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein each of the bins comprises:
a hopper for holding items to be singulated; a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper and configured in cross-section to permit the passage of a single item at a time, the dispensing channel including a forwardly-directed jet aperture and a rearwardly directed jet aperture being located upstream of the forwardly directed aperture; wherein each of the forwardly-directed jet and the rearawardly-directed jet is fluidly connected with a positive pressure source.
- 10. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein each of the hoppers is fluidly connected with a low pressure source that is configured to induce air flow in the housing that agitates solid pharmaceutical items contained in the housing.
- 11. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
a dispensing station comprising a plurality of bins for storing the items, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the bins; each of the bins including a dispensing outlet on one side that dispenses items and a replenishment opening on a side thereof opposite the dispensing outlet, each of the bins further including an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet; the bins being mounted on a frame such that the dispensing outlets face an access region within the frame and the replenishment openings face away from the frame; a dispensing carrier configured to transport containers to be filled with the items, the dispensing carrier positioned within the access region; and a controller that controls the operation of the dispensing carrier.
- 12. The apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the electronic unit of each bin includes an identifier that is unique to that bin.
- 13. The apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the electronic unit of each bin is configured to interact with an identifier of the physical location of the bin within the frame, that identifier being mounted on the frame.
- 14. The apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the replenishment opening is a gate is pivotally interconnected with the bin at a pivot located at a lower end portion of the gate.
- 15. The apparatus defined in claim 11, further comprising:
a container dispensing station attached to the frame; a labeling station attached to the frame; a labeling carrier configured to grasp a container and transport the container from the container dispensing station to the labeling station; a closure dispensing station that applies a closure to a filled container; and a controller operatively connected with and controlling the operation of the container dispensing station, the labeling station, the labeling carrier, the dispensing station, the closure dispensing station, and the dispensing carrier; wherein the dispensing carrier is also configured to transport a filled, labeled container to the closure dispensing station.
- 16. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the labeling carrier is further configured to rotate the container so that the container can receive a label from the labeling station.
- 17. An apparatus for dispensing containers, comprising:
a rotatable mounting platform with a plurality of apertures; a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted in a generally vertical disposition on the mounting platform and configured to receive a plurality of containers in vertically stacked relationship, each dispensing tube being positioned above a respective aperture and rotatable with the mounting platform; a rotary drive unit connected with the mounting platform that rotates the mounting platform; a sorting member positioned below the mounting platform and fixed relative thereto, the sorting member having an aperture positioned such that, as the mounting platform is rotated, the mounting platform apertures pass over the sorting member aperture; and a receiving member pivotally interconnected with the sorting member, the receiving member being pivotable between a receiving position, in which the receiving member is positioned below the sorting member aperture to receive a container from one of the plurality of dispensing tubes, and a donating position, in which the receiving member extends away from the sorting member to present a container to a grasping apparatus.
- 18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the receiving member includes a support finger that is positioned beneath the sorting member aperture when the receiving member is in the donating position.
- 19. An apparatus for transporting a hollow container, comprising:
a mounting arm; a base rotatably mounted on the mounting arm; a plurality of fingers having an outer surface, each of the fingers being eccentrically mounted on the base to extend generally parallel to each other in a first direction, each finger being rotatable about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the first direction; and a rotary drive unit mounted to the mounting arm that rotates the plurality of fingers about their respective axes of rotation; wherein the fingers are moveable between a retracted position, in which the outermost portions of the outer surfaces of the fingers define a first circle, and an extended position, in which the outermost portions of the outer surfaces of the fingers define a second circle that is larger in diameter than the first circle.
- 20. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein the rotary drive unit includes a clutch mechanism that ceases rotation of the fingers when the fingers experience a predetermined torque due to resistance on finger pressure on the container.
- 21. The apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein the clutch is coupled to the base such that the base is stationary relative to the mounting arm prior to the predetermined torque being reached, and the base rotates relative to the mounting arm after the predetermined torque is reached.
- 22. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein the mounting arm is pivotable about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the fingers.
- 23. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein in the retracted position, the outer surfaces of the fingers define a stepped cylinder.
- 24. An apparatus for transporting a workpiece within a three-dimensional volume, comprising:
a first rail extending in a generally horizontal direction; a first carriage that is slidably connected to the first rail for movement in the horizontal direction; a second rail attached to the first carriage and extending in a generally vertical direction; a second carriage that is slidably connected to the second rail for movement in the vertical direction; a traveler unit mounted to and revolvable along a generally horizontal annular path about the second carriage; and a gripper unit mounted to the traveler unit configured to grip the workpiece.
- 25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the gripper unit is configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis.
- 26. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the gripper unit includes a pair of opposed jaws, one of the jaws being movable toward the other of the jaws to grip workpieces of different sizes.
- 27. The apparatus defined in claim 26, wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.
- 28. The apparatus defined in claim 26, wherein the gripper unit includes a clutch mechanism that ceases inward movement of the jaws after a predetermined magnitude of compression exerted by the jaws on a workpiece is reached.
- 29. An apparatus for dispensing a bulk collection of items, the apparatus comprising:
a housing including a hopper that houses the bulk collection of items; an electrical connector mounted on the housing, the electrical connector including electrical contacts adapted to conduct electrical signals from an external signal generator; a high pressure connector attached to the housing that provides fluid communication into the housing, the high pressure connector adapted to be connected to a high pressure fluid source, the high pressure connector facing in the first direction; a low pressure inlet included in the housing that provides fluid communication into the housing, the low pressure inlet adapted to be connected to a low pressure fluid source, the low pressure inlet facing in the first direction; and a mechanical connector associated with the housing, the mechanical connector being configured to mount the housing on a frame so that the electrical connector, the high pressure connector, and the low pressure inlet face in the first direction and so that, substantially simultaneous with the mounting of the housing in position on the frame, the electrical contacts connect to a complementary electrical device associated with the frame, the high pressure connector connects with a high pressure source associated with the frame, and the low pressure inlet connects with a low pressure source.
- 30. The apparatus defined in claim 29, wherein the low pressure inlet is configured to interconnect with the low pressure source via an opening in the low pressure source covered by a pivoting door.
- 31. The apparatus defined in claim 30, further comprising an actuating unit attached to the housing, the actuating unit interacting with the door of the low pressure unit to open the door during operation.
- 32. The apparatus defined in claim 29, wherein the mechanical connector comprises a slot in the housing configured to mate with at least one prong on the frame, each being configured such that mounting of the bin on the frame is carried out by sliding the housing in the first direction relative to the bin.
- 33. The apparatus defined in claim 32, wherein the mechanical connector further comprises a securing member movably attached to the housing that engages a securing component of the frame.
- 34. The apparatus defined in claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the high pressure connector and configured in cross-section to permit the passage of a single item at a time, the dispensing channel including a forwardly-directed jet aperture and a rearwardly directed jet aperture being located upstream of the forwardly directed aperture.
- 35. The apparatus defined in claim 29, wherein the housing is configured such that the application of low pressure from the low pressure source agitates items residing in the housing.
- 36. An apparatus for dispensing a bulk collection of items from a container, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having a hopper that houses the bulk collection of items; a dispensing channel fluidly connected to the hopper, the dispensing channel having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow path; the inlet being defined by a floor, a ceiling, and walls, all of which are connected with the housing, and at least two of which are moveable relative to the housing so that the size of the inlet can be adjusted to singulate the bulk items passing through the inlet.
- 37. The apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein at least three of the floor, ceiling and walls are moveable relative to the housing.
- 38. The apparatus defined in claim 37, wherein the floor is configured to translate relative to the housing in a first direction perpendicular to the flow path, and a first one of the walls is configured to translate relative to the floor in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and to the flow path.
- 39. The apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the first wall translates in the first direction in conjunction with the floor.
- 40. The apparatus defined in claim 39, wherein the ceiling translates in the second direction in conjunction with the first wall.
- 41. The apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the dispensing channel outlet is connected with a splash guard.
- 42. The apparatus defined in claim 41, wherein the splash guard is formed of a compliant material.
- 43. An apparatus for applying a closure to a cylindrical container, comprising:
a mounting member; a platform that is slidably mounted on the mounting member; a drive unit connected with the platform that is configured to slide the platform along the mounting post; a cup mounted on the platform; and a closure holder positioned above the platform, the closure holder including a ceiling and two supporting ledges beneath the ceiling to support a closure from below, the closure holder being sized and configured to permit an upper edge of container to pass between supporting ledges.
- 44. The apparatus defined in claim 43, further comprising a rotary unit connected with and configured to rotate the cup.
- 45. The apparatus defined in claim 44, further comprising a second cup mounted on the platform.
- 46. The apparatus defined in claim 44, wherein the rotary drive unit is configured to rotate the second cup simultaneously with the first cup.
- 47. An apparatus for singulating a bulk supply of flat cylindrical items, each of the items having an open end, comprising:
a bin configured to house the bulk supply of items, a hopper connected to the bin, the hopper including a central island having a perimeter edge, an external wall surrounding the island, and a circumferential groove positioned between the island and the wall; a protrusion extending radially inwardly from the wall, the protrusion being located and configured such that an item positioned between a portion of the edge the island and the protrusion and oriented with its open end facing the island can fit into the groove, but an item positioned between a portion of the edge of the island and the protrusion and oriented with its open end facing the protrusion cannot fit into the groove.
- 48. The apparatus defined in claim 47, further comprising an elongate aperture in the groove slightly larger than the item that enables a closure to exit the groove.
- 49. The apparatus defined in claim 47, further comprising a channel connected with the aperture configured to convey an item away from the groove while maintaining the orientation of the item.
- 50. An apparatus for dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising:
a dispensing station comprising a plurality of bins for storing the items, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the housings; each of the bins including a dispensing outlet and an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet, each bin further including an identifier that is unique to that bin.
- 51. The apparatus defined in claim 50, wherein the identifier is contained within the electronic unit.
- 52. The apparatus defined in claim 51, wherein the electronic unit of each bin is configured to interact with an identifier of the physical location of the bin within the frame, the physical location identifier being mounted on a frame that supports the bins.
- 53. A method of dispensing solid pharmaceutical items, comprising the steps of:
loading a plurality of bins into a frame, each of the bins containing items of substantially identical size and configuration, and at least some of the bins containing items that differ in size and/or composition from the items contained in others of the bins, each of the bins including a dispensing outlet and an electronic unit that monitors the counting of items traveling through the dispensing outlet, each bin further including an identifier that is unique to that bin; transmitting a signal indicative of the identity of the bin from each bin to a controller; and dispensing items from the bin upon an appropriate signal from the controller.
- 54. The method defined in claim 53, wherein the frame includes a plurality of identifiers of physical location, the identifiers of physical location being configured to interact with the bin identifiers, such that the controller recognizes the physical location of each bin and its contents.
- 55. The method defined in claim 54, further comprising the step of relocating a bin into another physical location on the frame.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/380,402, filed May 14, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60380402 |
May 2002 |
US |