Methods and apparatus for automated filling of packagings with medications

US9073206B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Omnicare, LLC · US

Inventors

• Bradley Carson · Murfreesboro, US
• Joseph T. DeDeo · Mount Laurel, US
• Michael J. Szesko · Freehold, US
• Thomas Stocker · Wolfsburg, DE
• Kurtis J. Hoffman · Wauseon, US
• Patrick D. Downing · Washington Court House, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 21, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G16H20/13
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods for filling packagings with at least one medication includes receiving filling instructions for an order and operating an automated packaging station to fill a plurality of packagings making up an order. Operating the automated packaging station includes positioning a plurality of cassettes containing the medications needed for the order onto a feeder base at a single filling location, and moving each of the plurality of packagings to the filling location. The operation also includes actuating at least one of the cassettes at the feeder base simultaneously and according to the filling instructions when each packaging is located at the filling location. Automated packaging stations operable to perform the above filling instructions are also provided.