Object dispenser with locking fill door useful in system and method for dispensing objects
View Patent ↗A dispenser for dispensing prescription pharmaceuticals contained therein includes: a bin, the bin including an access opening; a door adjacent to the opening and movable between open and closed positions to allow access for filling the bin through the opening, wherein one of the bin and the door includes a first identifier corresponding to the identity of units of a single prescription pharmaceutical contained in the bin; a locking assembly configured and positioned to engage the door in the closed position and prevent the door from moving to the open position; an identifier reading device operably associated with the locking assembly to scan the first identifier and a second identifier on a bulk container, the second identifier corresponding to the identity of the contents of the bulk container; and a controller having a data storage unit and configured to receive and compare signals from the identifier reading device corresponding to the first and second identifiers. The controller is operably associated with the locking assembly such that the locking assembly disengages from the door responsive to a positive comparison by the controller, thereby enabling the door to be moved to the open position.
1. An automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine, the machine comprising a plurality of dispensers for dispensing prescription pharmaceuticals contained therein, each of the dispensers configured to automatically fill pharmaceutical prescriptions and comprising:
a bin including an access opening;
a door adjacent to the opening and movable between open and closed positions to allow access for filling the bin through the opening;
one of the bin and the door including a first identifier corresponding to the identity of units of a single prescription pharmaceutical contained in the bin;
a locking assembly configured and positioned to engage the door in the closed position and prevent the door from moving to the open position;
an identifier reading device operably associated with the locking assembly to scan the first identifier and a second identifier on a bulk container, the second identifier corresponding to the identity of the contents of the bulk container; and
a controller having a data storage unit and configured to receive and compare signals from the identifier reading device corresponding to the first and second identifiers;
wherein the controller is operably associated with the locking assembly such that the locking assembly disengages from the door responsive to a positive comparison by the controller, thereby enabling the door to be moved to the open position.
2. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly is attached to the bin.
3. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 2 , wherein the door has an aperture for receiving an extendable member of the locking assembly.
4. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 3 , wherein the locking assembly further comprises an actuating member;
wherein the extendable member extends through the actuating member;
wherein the extendable member is movable between extended and retracted positions;
wherein in the extended position the extendable member extends into the aperture of the door to lock the door; and
wherein the extendable member moves to the retracted position when the actuating member is actuated in response to a positive comparison by the controller.
5. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 4 , wherein the extendable member includes an inclined face.
6. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 4 , wherein the extendable member is biased toward the extended position.
7. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second identifiers are bar codes.
8. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the controller is mounted on the bin.
9. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 4 , wherein the actuating member is a solenoid, and the extendable member retracts in response to magnetizing of the solenoid.
10. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 4 , wherein the actuating member is a muscle wire that shrinks in response to a signal from the controller.
11. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 4 , wherein the actuating member is positioned in a slot in a side wall of the bin.
12. The automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine defined in claim 11 , wherein the actuating member is a muscle wire that shrinks in response to a signal from the controller.
13. A method for opening a bin containing units of a prescription pharmaceutical, the method comprising:
reading a first identifier that corresponds with an identity of the prescription pharmaceutical contained in the bin;
reading a second identifier that corresponds with an identity of a prescription pharmaceutical contained in a bulk container;
comparing the first and second identifiers to confirm a positive comparison therebetween; and
unlocking a locked door to the bin to permit access to the bin responsive to the positive comparison, the door covering an opening; and
replenishing the bin through the opening with the prescription pharmaceutical contained in the bulk container.
14. The method defined in claim 13 , wherein unlocking a locked door to the bin further comprises unlocking a locking assembly that is attached to the bin.
15. The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the locked door has engagement structure for engaging an extendable member of the locking assembly.
16. The method defined in claim 15 , wherein the locking assembly further comprises an actuating member;
wherein the extendable member extends through and is movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the actuating member; and
wherein the extendable member moves to the retracted position when the actuating member is actuated in response to a positive comparison.
17. The method defined in claim 16 , wherein the extendable member includes an inclined face.
18. The method defined in claim 16 , wherein the extendable member is biased toward the extended position.
19. The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the contents of the bin are pharmaceutical tablets.
20. The method defined in claim 13 , wherein the first and second identifiers are bar codes.
21. The method defined in claim 13 , further comprising:
reading a third identifier that identifies an operator; and
determining if the identified operator has authority to access the bin prior to unlocking the locked door.
22. An automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine, the machine comprising a plurality of dispensers for dispensing prescription pharmaceuticals contained therein, each of the dispensers configured to automatically fill pharmaceutical prescriptions and comprising:
a bin including an access opening;
a door covering the opening and movable between open and closed positions to allow access for filling the bin through the opening;
one of the bin and the door including a first identifier corresponding to the identity of units of a single prescription pharmaceutical contained in the bin;
a locking assembly configured and positioned to engage the door in the closed position and prevent the door from moving to the open position;
an identifier reading device operably associated with the locking assembly to scan the first identifier and a second identifier on a bulk container, the second identifier corresponding to the identity of the contents of the bulk container; and
a controller having a data storage unit and configured to receive and compare signals from the identifier reading device corresponding to the first and second identifiers;
wherein the controller is operably associated with the locking assembly such that the locking assembly disengages from the door responsive to a positive comparison by the controller, thereby enabling the door to be moved to the open position.