System and method for dispensing prescriptions
View Patent ↗An apparatus for transporting a workpiece within a three-dimensional volume includes: 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.
1. 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, the gripper unit including a pair of opposed jaws;
wherein the traveler unit is revolvable relative to the second carriage; and
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.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , wherein the gripper unit is configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , 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.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 , wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.
5. 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;
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, and
wherein the gripper unit is rotatable about a horizontal axis and is mounted on the traveler unit such that the horizontal axis is generally in a plane defined by the jaws and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable jaw.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 , wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 5 , 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.
8. 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 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 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, the gripper unit including a pair of opposed jaws;
wherein the traveler unit is revolvable relative to the second carriage; and
wherein the gripper unit includes a mechanism that ceases inward movement of the jaws after a predetermined magnitude of compression exerted by the jaws on a workpiece is reached.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 , wherein the gripper unit is configured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 8 , 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.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 10 , wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.
12. 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 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 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;
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, and
wherein the gripper unit is rotatable about a horizontal axis and is mounted on the traveler unit such that the horizontal axis is generally in a plane defined by the jaws and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable jaw.
13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 , wherein each of the jaws includes a curved portion.
14. The apparatus defined in claim 12 , 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.