Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
View Patent ↗A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
1. An apparatus for centering and gripping an object, comprising:
a main stage notable via a drive unit about a first axis of rotation;
a plurality of centering members pivotally interconnected with the main stage, each of the centering members being rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, the axes of rotation being substantially parallel with each other, wherein rotation of the centering members about their respective axes of rotation causes the centering members to contact an object positioned on the main stage, and wherein contact with each of the centering members indicates that the object is centered on the stage;
wherein the centering assembly includes a central sun gear that rotates with the main stage about the first axis, and wherein each of the centering members is connected to and rotatable with a respective centering member gear, each of the centering member gears engaging and being driven by the sun gear; and
wherein the sun gear is coupled to a drive unit via a clutch; and
wherein the clutch is configured such that, when the centering members are free to rotate relative to the main stage, the clutch engages the sun gear, such that the sun gear remains stationary and the centering member gears rotate relative to the main stage, and wherein when the centering members are prevented from rotating, the sun gear rotates with the main stage.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the centering members includes an arcuate contact edge.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 , wherein the arcuate contact edge includes multiple sets of gripping teeth.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , wherein the centering assembly includes an upper stage positioned above the main stage, the upper stage including an aperture sized to receive a closure and a container.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 , wherein the upper stage has sloping surfaces that drain into the aperture of the upper stage.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 2 , wherein a shield resides above each centering member and rotates about its respective centering member axis, an edge of the shield overlapping the arcuate edge of the centering member.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 , wherein each of the shields is magnetically attracted to its respective centering member, such that the shield rotates with the centering member until the shield edge strikes an object and experiences a force above a predetermined magnitude, at which point the shield counter-rotates relative to the centering member.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1 , wherein the clutch includes a clutch washer in contact with the sun gear, the clutch washer being configured to create friction force with the sun gear sufficient to prevent the sun gear from rotating with the main stage when the centering members are free to rotate, but insufficient to prevent the sun gear from rotating with the main stage when the centering members are prevented from rotating.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 , wherein the clutch further includes a spring that forces the sun gear into the clutch washer.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 9 , wherein the drive unit includes a shaft that is fixed to the main stage, the shaft having a shoulder in contact with the spring, and wherein the clutch includes a first thrust bearing in contact with the spring, a bearing that is prevented from rotating relative to the main stage, the bearing in contact with the first thrust bearing and the clutch washer, and a second thrust bearing in contact with the sun gear and the main stage.