Article dispensing – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
2006-09-05
2006-09-05
Bollinger, David H. (Department: 3653)
Article dispensing
Automatic control
C221S079000, C221S087000, C221S088000, C221S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07100792
ABSTRACT:
The system includes a bin hopper which temporarily stores a plurality of small elements, such as medications. The elements are moved out of the bin and singulated into a one-by-one sequence by a series of singulating conveyors. The resulting sequence of elements is moved onto a main system conveyor where the element is identified and then moved to a loading mechanism which arranges the item so it is ready to be gripped and stored. The system includes a mass storage apparatus comprising a series of four upstanding cylindrical drums, each having a plurality of individually accessible and addressable cell storage locations for the elements. A gripping apparatus removes the elements from the loading mechanism and transfers them to a selected location in a cylindrical drum. When an article is to be dispensed, the drum is rotated so that an ejection arm comes adjacent the desired location in the drum. The ejector arm is actuated, pushing the small element out of its slot, into the center of the drum, where it falls onto a conveyor which moves the dispensed item from the system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3140009 (1964-07-01), Wallace
patent: 5007518 (1991-04-01), Crooks et al.
patent: 5143193 (1992-09-01), Geraci
patent: 5622470 (1997-04-01), Schaefer et al.
patent: 6006946 (1999-12-01), Williams et al.
patent: 2002/0114687 (2002-08-01), Inui
Browning David M.
Fuhrman Dennis J.
Hunter Steven N. W.
Park, IV William C.
Bollinger David H.
Omnicell, Inc.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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