Device for offloading capped vials useful in system and method for method for dispensing prescriptions
View Patent ↗An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes: at least one chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section. The receiving section and the pick-up section are divided by an inlet. The receiving section has a concave sloping ramp and side walls. The pick-up section has a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough. The inlet is defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough. The chute also includes dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall. The inlet and dividers are configured and positioned such that an object as defined in UL 61010A-1, 1740 cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.
1. An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials, comprising:
at least one chute, the chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section, the receiving section and the pick-up section divided by an inlet, the receiving section having a concave sloping ramp and side walls, the pick-up section having a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough, the inlet being defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough;
the chute also including dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall, the dividers having front edges;
the inlet having a largest dimension of no more than 2.85 inches, and the front edges of the dividers being between about 5 and 7 inches from the inlet.
2. The offloading unit defined in claim 1 , wherein the trough has a width of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches.
3. The offloading unit defined in claim 1 , wherein the trough has a concave floor.
4. The offloading unit defined in claim 1 , wherein the dividers are separated by a distance of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches.
5. The offloading unit defined in claim 1 , wherein the dividers include sloping front edges.
6. An offloading unit for an automated pharmacy machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials, comprising:
at least one chute, the chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section, the receiving section and the pick-up section divided by an inlet, the receiving section having a concave sloping ramp and side walls, the pick-up section having a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough, the inlet being defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough;
wherein a distance between the front wall and the upper edge of the trough is between about 9 and 10 inches.
7. The offloading unit defined in claim 6 , wherein the trough has a width of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches.
8. The offloading unit defined in claim 6 , wherein the trough has a concave floor.
9. The offloading unit defined in claim 6 , wherein the pick-up section has dividers on opposite sides of the trough, and wherein the dividers are separated by a distance of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches.
10. The offloading unit defined in claim 9 , wherein the dividers include sloping front edges.
11. An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials, comprising:
at least one chute, the chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section, the receiving section and the pick-up section divided by an inlet, the receiving section having a concave sloping ramp and side walls, the pick-up section having a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough, the inlet being defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough;
the chute also including dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall;
the inlet and dividers being configured and positioned such that an object 2.95 inches in diameter cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.