Automated solid pharmaceutical packaging machine utilizing robotic drive
A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.
1. A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals comprising:
a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of pharmaceutical dispensing mechanisms containing a plurality of solid pharmaceuticals therein;
a filling location spaced from said dispensing mechanisms;
a robotic arm capable of retrieving at least one of said plurality of dispensing mechanism from said storage location to said filling location and capable of returning said at least one of said plurality of dispensing mechanisms to said storage location;
a drive mechanism for positioning a product package having a plurality of cavities in order to position each of said cavities beneath said filling location; and
wherein when said dispensing mechanism is positioned at said filling location, pharmaceuticals are dispensed from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities.
2. A machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage locations are arranged along an arc.
3. A machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage locations are arranged vertically.
4. A machine as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a drive mount at said filling location and wherein said dispensing mechanism is positioned on said drive mount for dispensing said pharmaceuticals.
5. A machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cavities are positioned in an array and said drive mechanism provides movement of said product package in a X direction and a Y direction.
6. A machine as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a template having a plurality of cavities aligned with said cavities of said package, said template positioned beneath said dispensing mechansim; and;
wherein said pharmaceuticals are dispensed from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities of said template prior to said pharmaceuticals being dispensed to said cavities of said package.
7. A machine as defined in claim 1 , wherein said machine includes a first drive mechanism for positioning a first product package and a second drive mechanism for simultaneously positioning a second product package.
8. A machines as defined in claim 1 , wherein upon dispensing said pharmaceuticals from said dispensing mechanism, the distance between said dispensing mechanism and said cavities to be filled is minimized.
9. A method of packaging solid pharmaceuticals comprising:
providing a plurality pharmaceutical dispensing mechanisms containing a plurality of pharmaceuticals at a plurality of storage locations;
providing a product package having a plurality of cavities therein at a filling location, said filling location being spaced from said storage locations;
providing a drive mechanism to provide alignment between said product package cavities and said filling location;
providing a robotic arm;
utilizing said robotic arm to retrieve one of said dispensing mechanism;
transporting said retrieved dispensing mechanism to said filling location;
aligning said product package cavities and said retrieved dispensing mechanism; and
dispensing pharmaceuticals from said dispensing mechanism into said cavities of said product package.
10. A method as defined in claim 9 , wherein said step of aligning is provided by moving said product package.
11. A method as defined in claim 9 , wherein said step of aligning is provided by moving said retrieved dispensing mechanism.