Patents by Inventor James G. McErlean

James G. McErlean 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).

  • Patent number: 9592925
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8539742
    Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, Chih-Jen Leu, Mark A. Detri
  • Patent number: 8480834
    Abstract: The method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing a size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, Andrew P. Booler, Allen Petten, P. Thomas Shupert, Michael Joseph Szesko, Orlando Vidal, Mark A. Detri
  • Publication number: 20130000260
    Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James G. MCERLEAN, E. Christian HESS, Chih-Jen LEU, Mark A. DETRI
  • Publication number: 20120312450
    Abstract: The method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing a size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne RICE, James G. MCERLEAN, E. Christian HESS, Andrew P. BOOLER, Allen PETTEN, P. Thomas SHUPERT, Michael Joseph SZESKO, Orlando VIDAL, Mark A. DETRI
  • Patent number: 8322613
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8275481
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert G. Howell, Michael J. Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 8136332
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert G. Howell, Michael J. Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 8117809
    Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, Chih-Jen Leu, Mark A. Detri
  • Patent number: 8110057
    Abstract: A method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing the size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, Andrew P. Booler, P. Thomas Shupert, Michael J. Szesko, Allen Petten, Orlando Vidal, Mark A. Detri
  • Patent number: 8109066
    Abstract: In some embodiments, containers can be, for example, labeled with a uniquely identifiable customer label. The labeled containers can be loaded into a carrier that caries containers. The carrier can be transported to and from various stations by a transport system. The container carrier can travel through, for example, a solid pharmaceutical dispensing system where all or some of the containers in the carrier can be filled with a specific quantity of pharmaceutical product. The carrier can be transported to a capping and branding station where the containers can be capped and branded. The caps can be pre-branded, blank, or a combination of pre-branded and blank. Where at least some of the containers are branded with blank caps, a carrier and/or container can be transported to a branding station that can brand caps with cap labeling information (e.g., logos, graphics, artwork, text, etc.) that can be specific to each cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8087579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8065858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Wayne Rice
  • Publication number: 20110132489
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Jen LEU, James G. McErlean, Dennis W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20110120062
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Jen LEU, James G. MCERLEAN, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Publication number: 20110023416
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. Mcerlean, Dennis W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7837093
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 7837107
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: RE42730
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42766
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert