Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod separate and detached from a syringe barrel and a packaging member, the plunger rod having a sealing member and the packaging member having a first compartment and a second compartment is disclosed. With the syringe barrel received within the first compartment and the plunger rod received within the second compartment, the sealing member of the plunger rod seals the syringe barrel and the plunger rod within the packaging member. In this manner, the syringe assembly is placed in the packaging member in a manner that allows for reduced storage space of the syringe assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a plunger assembly for advancing a plunger through a barrel, such as the barrel of a pre-filled syringe. The plunger assembly includes a stopper adapter defining an aperture. The stopper adapter includes a first restraining member adjacent to the aperture. The plunger assembly also includes a plunger rod having a first end, a second end, and a plunger rod head disposed adjacent the first end of the plunger rod. The plunger rod head includes a second restraining member engageable with the first restraining member of the stopper adapter. The plunger assembly is configured such that as the plunger rod head is moved axially within the aperture of the stopper adapter, the first restraining member of the stopper adapter engages the second restraining member of the plunger rod head to secure the plunger rod head within the aperture. A syringe assembly with a plunger assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod separate and detached from a syringe barrel and a packaging member, the plunger rod having a sealing member and the packaging member having a first compartment and a second compartment is disclosed. With the syringe barrel received within the first compartment and the plunger rod received within the second compartment, the sealing member of the plunger rod seals the syringe barrel and the plunger rod within the packaging member. In this manner, the syringe assembly is placed in the packaging member in a manner that allows for reduced storage space of the syringe assembly.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod separate and detached from a syringe barrel and a packaging member, the plunger rod having a sealing member and the packaging member having a first compartment and a second compartment is disclosed. With the syringe barrel received within the first compartment and the plunger rod received within the second compartment, the sealing member of the plunger rod seals the syringe barrel and the plunger rod within the packaging member. In this manner, the syringe assembly is placed in the packaging member in a manner that allows for reduced storage space of the syringe assembly.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes: at least one chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section. The receiving section and the pick-up section are divided by an inlet. The receiving section has a concave sloping ramp and side walls. The pick-up section has a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough. The inlet is defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough. The chute also includes dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall. The inlet and dividers are configured and positioned such that an object as defined in UL 61010A-1, 1740 cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes: at least one chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section. The receiving section and the pick-up section are divided by an inlet. The receiving section has a concave sloping ramp and side walls. The pick-up section has a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough. The inlet is defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough. The chute also includes dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall. The inlet and dividers are configured and positioned such that an object as defined in UL 61010A-1, 1740 cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a dispensing channel, a housing and an article supply regulation system. The dispensing channel has an inlet and an outlet and defines a dispensing path therebetween. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles. The hopper chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispensing channel. The housing includes a floor. The article supply regulation system includes a first divider wall, a second divider wall and a third divider wall configured and positioned in the hopper chamber to define, in combination with the housing: a front region between the inlet and the first divider wall; a first rear region between the first divider wall and the second divider wall; a second rear region between the second divider wall and the third divider wall; and a third rear region on a side of the third divider wall opposite the second rear region.

Abstract: A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes: at least one chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section. The receiving section and the pick-up section are divided by an inlet. The receiving section has a concave sloping ramp and side walls. The pick-up section has a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough. The inlet is defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough. The chute also includes dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall. The inlet and dividers are configured and positioned such that an object as defined in UL 61010A-1, 1740 cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.