SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RELIABLY DISPENSING PRE-PACKAGED PHARMACEUTICALS
The present specification describes a medicine dispensing system for automatically dispensing medication at a predetermined time. The system includes a cartridge that carries a strip of medicine pouches. When the cartridge is dropped into a dispensing unit, it automatically aligns with the dispensing unit without requiring any installation work from the user. The automatic alignment is enabled because of self-aligning features manufactured in the cartridge housing.
1 . A cartridge for a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
a frame with opposed sidewalls and having a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole;
a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed, the pouches formed as an elongate strip, the strip of pouches being wound into a roll over an axle member that extends between the sidewalls of the frame, wherein a free end of the strip extends through the routing hole in the floor and between the floor and the base;
2 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , further comprising indicia related to contents and/or dispensing frequency of the pharmaceuticals in the pouches.
3 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , wherein the axle is removably mounted to the sidewalls of the frame.
4 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , wherein the brake comprises a biasing member that is configured to press the strip against the floor.
5 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , wherein the base includes a hole configured to receive a drive roller that advances the strip from the cartridge.
6 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , further comprising a cover that overlies the frame.
7 . The cartridge defined in claim 1 , further comprising an idle roller mounted adjacent the floor and the base to facilitate advancement of the strip from the cartridge.
8 . A cartridge for a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
a frame with opposed sidewalls and having a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole;
a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed, the pouches formed as an elongate strip, the strip of pouches being wound into a roll over an axle member that extends between the sidewalls of the frame, wherein a free end of the strip extends through the routing hole in the floor and between the floor and the base;
wherein a brake member is mounted between the floor and the base and is configured to press the strip against the floor or the base to apply a braking force thereto.
9 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , further comprising indicia related to contents and/or dispensing frequency of the pharmaceuticals in the pouches.
10 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , wherein the axle is removably mounted to the sidewalls of the frame.
11 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , wherein the brake comprises a biasing member that is configured to press the strip against the floor.
12 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , wherein the base includes a hole configured to receive a drive roller that advances the strip from the cartridge.
13 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , further comprising a cover that overlies the frame.
14 . The cartridge defined in claim 8 , further comprising an idle roller mounted adjacent the floor and the base to facilitate advancement of the strip from the cartridge.
15 . A cartridge for a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:
a frame with opposed sidewalls and having a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole;
a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed, the pouches formed as an elongate strip, the strip of pouches being wound into a roll over an axle member that extends between the sidewalls of the frame, wherein a free end of the strip extends through the routing hole in the floor and between the floor and the base;
wherein the frame is formed from a flat blank of sheet material.
16 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , further comprising indicia related to contents and/or dispensing frequency of the pharmaceuticals in the pouches.
17 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , wherein the axle is removably mounted to the sidewalls of the frame.
18 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , wherein the brake comprises a biasing member that is configured to press the strip against the floor.
19 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , wherein the base includes a hole configured to receive a drive roller that advances the strip from the cartridge.
20 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , further comprising a cover that overlies the frame.
21 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , further comprising an idle roller mounted adjacent the floor and the base to facilitate advancement of the strip from the cartridge.
22 . The cartridge defined in claim 15 , wherein the frame is formed of cardboard.