Patents by Inventor Bradley Kenneth Smith
Bradley Kenneth Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11024407Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes at least one offload location; at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location; at least one sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote; and at least one sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Thomas P. Rhoads, Jr., Mark Longley, Steve Bouchelle, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Eric X. Bonpain, Robert Cenk Hernandez, Matthew P. Daniels, Gary M. Owen
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Patent number: 10219984Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: PARATA SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Mark Longley, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Craig Steven Davis, Matthew P. Daniels, George Raymond Abrams, Jr., Mark I. Perisich, Jeffrey J. Schedel, Gerald Cooper Ushery, Jr., Michael Richard Floyd, Weldon Curl, Jr., Nanette Kirsch, Timothy Ulm, Daniel Gardiner
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Publication number: 20190006035Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes at least one offload location; at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location; at least one sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote; and at least one sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Thomas P. Rhoads, JR., Mark Longley, Steve Bouchelle, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Eric X. Bonpain, Robert Cenk Hernandez, Matthew P. Daniels, Gary M. Owen
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Patent number: 10035258Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Craig Steven Davis, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Mark Alan Uebel, Michael Lee Jordan, Merle Elmer Hertzler, Tobias Heineck, Daryl Oshatz
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Patent number: 9656794Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Demetris P. Young, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Deborah Mary Hinzman
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Publication number: 20160331641Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Mark Longley, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Craig Steven Davis, Matthew P. Daniels, George Raymond Abrams, JR., Mark L. Perisich, Jeffrey J. Schedel, Gerald Cooper Ushery, JR., Michael Richard Floyd, Weldon Curl, JR., Nanette Kirsch, Timothy Ulm, Daniel Gardiner
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Patent number: 9399543Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Longley, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Craig Steven Davis, Matthew P. Daniels, George Raymond Abrams, Jr., Mark I. Perisich, Jeffrey J. Schedel, Gerald Cooper Ushery, Jr., Michael Richard Floyd, Weldon Curl, Jr., Nanette Kirsch, Timothy Ulm, Daniel Gardiner
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Publication number: 20160129585Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Craig Steven Davis, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Mark Alan Uebel, Michael Lee Jordan, Merle Elmer Hertzler, Tobias Heineck, Daryl Oshatz
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Patent number: 9241875Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Craig Steven Davis, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Mark Alan Uebel, Michael Lee Jordan, Merle Elmer Hertzler, Tobias Heineck, Daryl Oshatz
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Publication number: 20140252020Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Mark Longley, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Craig Steven Davis, Matthew P. Daniels, George Raymond Abrams, JR., Mark I. Perisich, Jeffrey J. Schedel, Gerald Cooper Ushery, JR., Michael Richard Floyd, Weldon Curl, JR., Nanette Kirsch, Craig Hooker, Timothy Ulm, Daniel Gardiner
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Patent number: 8777054Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: PARATA Systems, LLCInventors: Demetris P. Young, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Deborah H. Heller
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Publication number: 20140151392Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Demetris P. Young, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Deborah Mary Hinzman
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Publication number: 20140058555Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes at least one offload location; at least one tote to receive the vials at each offload location, the tote assigned for distribution to a remote pharmacy location; at least one sensor to detect the presence or absence of the tote; and at least one sensor to detect a fill level of the vials in the tote.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Thomas P. Rhoads, JR., Mark Longley, Steve Bouchelle, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Eric X. Boupain, Robert Cenk Hernandez, Matthew P. Daniels, Gary M. Owen
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Publication number: 20140041750Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Craig Steven Davis, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Mark Alan Uebel, Michael Lee Jordan, Merle Elmer Hertzler, Tobias Heineck, Daryl Oshatz
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Publication number: 20120187141Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Demetris P. Young, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Deborah H. Heller
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Publication number: 20120177473Abstract: A gripper unit includes a gripper body and first and second arcuate fingers that are pivotally mounted on the gripper body for rotation about parallel first and second axes. The first and second fingers have inner surfaces that face each other, each of the inner surfaces including longitudinal grooves. A gripper assembly of this configuration may be particularly suited for gripping bottles of different sizes and configurations, particularly those that have a lip or ridge on the bottle neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventor: Bradley Kenneth Smith
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Publication number: 20120012606Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing discrete doses of pharmaceuticals includes: a housing with an internal cavity having a front wall with first and second windows; multiple storage locations positioned within the housing; and a carrier assembly positioned and movable within the housing. The carrier assembly is configured to receive a pharmaceutical dose package loaded into either the first or second window and convey the pharmaceutical dose package to one of the storage locations for storage therein, and is further configured to retrieve a pharmaceutical dose package from one of the storage locations and return the pharmaceutical dose package to the first or second window for dispensing therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Mark Longley, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Craig Steven Davis, Matthew P. Daniels, George Raymond Abrams, JR., Mark I. Perisich, Jeffrey J. Schedel, Gerald Cooper Ushery, JR., Michael Richard Floyd, Weldon Curl, JR., Nanette Kirsch, Craig Hooker, Timothy Ulm, Daniel Gardiner
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Publication number: 20110305545Abstract: A method of retrieving a vial from a carrier includes the steps of: contacting a vial contained within a carrier with a gripper assembly to shift the position of the container to one end of the carrier and to adjust the position of the carrier on a platform from a diverted position to a retrieval position; lifting the vial from the carrier with the gripper assembly; and returning the vial to the carrier with the gripper assembly. Such a method can improve the accuracy and precision of moving the vial to and from the carrier for dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Craig Steven Davis, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Mark Alan Uebel, Michael Lee Jordan, Merle Elmer Hertzler, Tobias Heineck, Daryl Oshatz
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Patent number: D678375Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: George Raymond Abrams, Jr., Matthew P. Daniels, Bradley Kenneth Smith, Timothy Ulm