Abstract: The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted within a canister, such that screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the canister. Upon rotation of the screw, the articles to be dispensed travel along a sidewall, pass under a singulation ramp, and exit from an aperture on the proximal end of the canister. A rotational driver-coupling is mounted to the proximal end of the screw, allowing for activation of the canister by engaging the screw. The present invention further describes methods of dispensing articles.

Abstract: The processes of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The dispensing of an article is effected by at least activating a driver-coupling connected to a screw having a channel of a predetermined width and depth corresponding to the dimensions of said article; rotating said screw until detection of an article drop; removing a second article from said channel; and stopping the rotation of said screw upon detection of an article drop. The methods of the present invention further include embodiments in which the rotation of the screw is subsequently reversed. Furthermore, the present invention permits for the dispensing of articles to be stopped upon having a predetermined number of articles dispensed or a detection of increased torque applied to the screw. The present invention provides for accurate pill dispensing.

Abstract: The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted within a canister, such that screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the canister. Upon rotation of the screw, the articles to be dispensed travel along a sidewall, pass under a singulation ramp, and exit from an aperture on the proximal end of the canister. A rotational driver-coupling is mounted to the proximal end of the screw, allowing for activation of the canister by engaging the screw. The present invention further describes methods of dispensing articles.

Abstract: The processes of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The dispensing of an article is effected by at least activating a driver-coupling connected to a screw having a channel of a predetermined width and depth corresponding to the dimensions of said article; rotating said screw until detection of an article drop; removing a second article from said channel; and stopping the rotation of said screw upon detection of an article drop. The methods of the present invention further include embodiments in which the rotation of the screw is subsequently reversed. Furthermore, the present invention permits for the dispensing of articles to be stopped upon having a predetermined number of articles dispensed or a detection of increased torque applied to the screw. The present invention provides for accurate pill dispensing.

Abstract: The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted to a cradle and the screw and cradle combination is positioned within the canister so that it is generally parallel to the base of the canister. By virtue of being removably mounted, screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the cradle within canister. A removable shelf is mounted to at least one interior side of the cradle and is positioned near the proximal end of the screw and cradle combination.

Abstract: The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted to a cradle and the screw and cradle combination is positioned within the canister so that it is generally parallel to the base of the canister. By virtue of being removably mounted, screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the cradle within canister. A removable shelf is mounted to at least one interior side of the cradle and is positioned near the proximal end of the screw and cradle combination. Like the screw channel, the shelf is of a certain width that corresponds with a certain pill size.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medication dispenser having a refrigerated compartment and a plurality of access doors that provide access to a limited portion of the refrigerated compartment. A plurality of turntables are rotatably disposed within the refrigerated compartment. The turntables receive at least one medication in a predetermined location, and each turntable aligns with an access door. The dispenser further includes a computer system that receives input selecting a first medication to be dispensed and outputs a first signal in response to the input. A controller is operably coupled to the refrigerated compartment and receives the first signal from the computer system. The controller outputs a second signal to rotate a turntable such that the first medication is positioned adjacent an access door, and the controller outputs a third signal to unlock the adjacent access door.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of delivering a container (103) to a marking apparatus (100), wherein the marking apparatus (100) is of the type having a marking device for selectively applying a mark to a container (103). The method comprises providing a plurality of containers within a staging assembly (104), and isolating at least one container (103) within a singulator assembly (112), wherein the singulator assembly (112) is in communication with the staging assembly (104). The method further comprises transporting the at least one container (103) from the singulator assembly (112) to a portion of the marking apparatus (100) with a shuttle (210).

Abstract: An auto-feed assembly (102) for selectively transporting containers to a marking apparatus (100) is provided. The marking apparatus (100) includes a marking device for selectively applying a mark to a container (103). The auto-feed assembly includes a staging assembly (104) for processing a plurality of containers and a singulator assembly (112) in communication with the staging assembly (104) for isolating at least one container (103) from the plurality of containers. The auto-feed assembly (102) further includes a shuttle (210) disposed between the singulator assembly (112) and a portion of the marking apparatus (100), wherein the shuttle (210) is adapted for transporting the at least one container (103) to the portion of the marking apparatus (100).

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

Abstract: A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.