Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: A method of filling a restocking package is provided in which a queue of requests of items to be picked from a carousel is evaluated based on a set of user configurable priorities, a carousel is operated based on said evaluating, items are picked from the carousel in response to said operating, and a restocking package is filled with items held in said carousel in response to said operating. The method may additionally comprise filling the restocking package at a configurable time.

Abstract: A carrier apparatus is provided that includes a body and a fastener configured to affix the body to a product. The body includes a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag, or marker for directing inclusion of an RF transponder tag, at a designated location on the body. The apparatus of this aspect further includes a positioning feature configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to an RF antenna separate from the RF transponder tag. This positioning feature may be configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product in a manner ensuring approximately at least a predetermined spatial relationship between the RF transponder tag and the antenna or one or more other RF transponder tags located proximate the RF transponder tag. A carriage apparatus and method of storing a product are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials. A computer controlled system carries the engagement device and moves the engagement device in XY directions among the plurality of storage locations, counting and dispensing unit, source of vials, label printer and application unit, and output device.

Abstract: A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carrier apparatus is provided that includes a body and a fastener configured to affix the body to a product. The body includes a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag, or marker for directing inclusion of an RF transponder tag, at a designated location on the body. The apparatus of this aspect further includes a positioning feature configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to an RF antenna separate from the RF transponder tag. This positioning feature may be configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product in a manner ensuring approximately at least a predetermined spatial relationship between the RF transponder tag and the antenna or one or more other RF transponder tags located proximate the RF transponder tag. A carriage apparatus and method of storing a product are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. The output device may take a variety of forms such as an output chute, which is preferably used when a capping unit is provided, an output conveyor, a plurality of output lanes, and an output carousel, which may be a dedicated carousel or a portion of the carousel providing the plurality of storage locations. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials.

Abstract: An inventory management system is provided that utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to drive RFID tags to provide a notification signal, such as by illuminating light emitting diodes (LEDs) embodied by the RFID tags. The RFID tags may be placed on medication bins within a pharmacy pick-station in order to indicate which medication to select for processing an order or in which medication bin to place a particular medication being restocked. A method and computer program product for managing inventory, as well as an automated dispensing cabinet are further provided.

Abstract: A method of filling a restocking package is provided in which a queue of requests of items to be picked from a carousel is evaluated based on a set of user configurable priorities, a carousel is operated based on said evaluating, items are picked from the carousel in response to said operating, and a restocking package is filled with items held in said carousel in response to said operating. The method may additionally comprise filling the restocking package at a configurable time.

Abstract: A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end. A plurality of pins extend substantially parallel with the axis from the first end. The plurality of pins is located at a first radius relative to the axis. At least one of the pins is operable to move from the first radius to a second radius, relative to the axis. The chuck assembly also includes a means for moving at least one pin between the first radius and the second radius. A prime mover provides the necessary drive to the means for moving. The chuck assembly may be used in combination with various other components to form combinations or systems.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end. A plurality of pins extend substantially parallel with the axis from the first end. The plurality of pins is located at a first radius relative to the axis. At least one of the pins is operable to move from the first radius to a second radius, relative to the axis. The chuck assembly also includes a means for moving at least one pin between the first radius and the second radius. A prime mover provides the necessary drive to the means for moving. The chuck assembly may be used in combination with various other components to form combinations or systems.

Abstract: A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously.

Abstract: A chuck assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end. A plurality of pins extend substantially parallel with the axis from the first end. The plurality of pins is located at a first radius relative to the axis. At least one of the pins is operable to move from the first radius to a second radius, relative to the axis. The chuck assembly also includes a means for moving at least one pin between the first radius and the second radius. A prime mover provides the necessary drive to the means for moving. The chuck assembly may be used in combination with various other components to form combinations or systems.