Devices useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
View Patent ↗An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
1. An apparatus for transporting a hollow container, comprising:
a plurality of fingers having an outer surface, each of the fingers being eccentrically mounted on a mounting structure 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 operatively associated with the fingers that rotates the 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, the second circle corresponding to the inner perimeter of a hollow container, the outer surfaces of the fingers being contact surfaces configured and positioned to contact an inner surface of the container when the fingers are in the extended position; and
wherein the fingers include prongs extending generally parallel with the axes of rotation, the prongs being configured to grip the exterior of a lid for the container.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , 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.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 , wherein the clutch mechanism is coupled to a base such that the base is stationary relative to a mounting arm prior to the predetermined torque being reached, and the base rotates relative to the mounting arm after the predetermined torque is reached.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 , wherein the mounting arm is pivotable about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the fingers.
5. A method for securing a lid to a hollow container, comprising:
providing a plurality of fingers having an outer surface and a prong, each of the fingers being eccentrically mounted on a mounting structure 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 operatively associated with the fingers that rotates the fingers about their respective axes of rotation;
rotating the fingers from a retracted position, in which the outermost portions of the outer surfaces of the fingers define a first circle, to 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, such that the outer surfaces of the fingers contact an inner surface of the hollow container;
transferring the container to a second grasping device;
rotating the fingers such that the prongs grasp an outer surface of the lid;
relatively rotating the container and the lid to secure the lid on the container as the container is held by the second grasping device and the lid is held by the prongs of the fingers.
6. The method defined in claim 5 , 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.
7. The method defined in claim 6 , wherein the clutch mechanism is coupled to a base such that the base is stationary relative to a mounting arm prior to the predetermined torque being reached, and the base rotates relative to the mounting arm after the predetermined torque is reached.
8. The method defined in claim 7 , wherein the mounting arm is pivotable about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the fingers.