System and method for distributing vials to downstream locations in an automated pharmacy
US9914594B1 · kind B1 · utility
2Cited by
9References
23Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0244
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automated method and system for distributing vials to downstream locations in an automated pharmacy. More specifically, the present invention is a conveyor table having two U-shaped configurations for moving vials in a loop until the vials enter an open outbound lane. A barrier portion on the table guides vials from the conveyor table on an outbound lane for transport to a downstream location, such as a packing station. The outbound lane is operationally connected to a lane of stations, and the system is adapted to guide the vials to the first station that is open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.