Abstract: A system includes a central conveyor assembly including a first conveyor tier and a second conveyor tier, one or more product dispensing stations for dispensing one or more medications, and a verification station adjacent to the one or more product dispensing stations to verify a patient order of the one or more medications. The system is configured to receive the patient order for the one or more medications, determine a dispensing and routing itinerary for the patient order, route a dispensed medication in a transport carrier to the one or more product dispensing stations based on the dispensing and routing itinerary for the patient order. If the patient order is not complete, transfer the dispensed medication in the transport carrier to another product dispensing station for accumulating additional dispensed medications. If the patient order is complete, transfer the transport carrier containing the dispensed medication directly to the verification station.

Abstract: An item packaging machine is configured to fulfill a plurality of orders that each include one or more items. The item packaging machine includes an introduction assembly configured to index each item in a retaining notch that is advanced by a conveyor over a base. The conveyor advances each item to a label applicator assembly, where each item is verified by one or more cameras directed to at least one side of each item and a label is applied to each item. The conveyor advances each labeled item to a packaging assembly, where each item is verified and advanced into a package that includes order identification information applied thereon and that is configured to package the order that includes the item.

Abstract: A horizontal poly bubble bagging machine includes one or more vertically extending magazines, each for holding a stack of poly bubble-bags in a horizontal orientation, one or more de-stack assemblies for retrieving a poly bubble bag from a corresponding magazine, and one or more bag transport assemblies for moving the retrieved horizontally oriented poly bubble bag from the magazine to a staging area and further to a fill and seal area for loading and sealing items into the bag.

Abstract: A conveyor module, a plurality of which is configured to transport and sort an input stream of packages into a plurality of output streams. The conveyor module includes an infinite belt and a pair of presence sensors that detect the presence of a package on the belt. The conveyor module can be combined with a plurality of like modules in a parallel or orthogonal alignment and controlled independently to bi-directionally move packages longitudinally or transversely toward a desired output stream and to sort an input stream of packages among a plurality of output streams. Any number of conveyor modules may be combined to provide a desired number of output streams and to accommodate desired dimensions of a package transport and sorting system.

Abstract: An item packaging machine is configured to fulfill a plurality of orders that each include one or more items. The item packaging machine includes an introduction assembly configured to index each item in a retaining notch that is advanced by a conveyor over a base. The conveyor advances each item to a label applicator assembly, where each item is verified by one or more cameras directed to at least one side of each item and a label is applied to each item. The conveyor advances each labeled item to a packaging assembly, where each item is verified and advanced into a package that includes order identification information applied thereon and that is configured to package the order that includes the item.

Abstract: An item packaging machine is configured to fulfill a plurality of orders that each include one or more items. The item packaging machine includes an introduction assembly configured to index each item in a retaining notch that is advanced by a conveyor over a base. The conveyor advances each item to a label applicator assembly, where each item is verified by one or more cameras directed to at least one side of each item and a label is applied to each item. The conveyor advances each labeled item to a packaging assembly, where each item is verified and advanced into a package that includes order identification information applied thereon and that is configured to package the order that includes the item.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system is described that includes a carton and a mover configured to carry the carton throughout the system. The carton is a preformed, five-sided container with flanges extending outwardly from edges thereof. The mover includes a depression in a top surface thereof that nestably receives the carton therein. The mover may include a vacuum system to aid retention of the carton therein. The mover and carton may include indicia to enable identification and tracking thereof throughout the fulfillment process. A lidding process applies a lid that is adhered to the flanges of the carton and includes identifying indicia thereon. The system provides identification and verification of items placed in the carton and can be easily integrated into existing manual and automated fulfillment systems. A manual system allows a user to manually pick and load cartons and attach a carton lid via an adhesive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for order fulfilment and product handling are described. The system includes an application configured to identify products included in an order from a pharmacy to a wholesaler that can be bundled based on one or more criteria. Those products are retrieved from stock by the wholesaler and packaged together for shipment to the pharmacy. Operators at the pharmacy directly induct the bundled products into a product-handling system which accumulates and collates the products and other non-bundled products with respect to a patient order. The product-handling system may apply labels to the products and places the products associated with the patient order into a single package for shipment to the patient. The bundled products are directly inducted into the product-handling system without being placed in stock at the pharmacy.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: A poly bubble bag filling machine, seal head, bag magazine, and a carton are described. The filling machine includes the bag magazine which is configured to hold and advance a plurality of pre-formed poly bubble bags as they are retrieved for filling. The carton provides simple handling and replacement of bags in the magazine and enables operation of the magazine while the carton is in place. A bag-transfer carriage transfers bags from the magazine to the seal head. The seal head includes suction bars configured to enable application and retention of a sufficient suction force to sides of the bag to open and retain the bag during filling. Sealing bars are positioned near the suction bars and are operable to seal the bag closed via application of heat.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing pharmaceuticals and packages of pharmaceutical products are described. A wholesaler receives an aggregate order for products that includes an indication of individual patient-orders contained within the aggregate order. The wholesaler retrieves the products from stock and packages them in bundles coinciding with the patient-orders to form pharmacist-ready packages. Indicia are applied to each pharmacist-ready package identifying its associated patient-order. A vendor or pharmacy receives the pharmacist-ready packages, verifies the contents thereof using the indicia, labels each of the products therein as required, reseals the products in the package, and applies a package label associated with a patient for which the patient-order was placed. The package label is disposed to overlie the indicia. The now patient-ready package is provided to the patient. As such, need for stocking, retrieval from stock, and grouping of products by the pharmacy is reduced.

Abstract: A product dispensing system and methods of use are described. The system includes a linear dispensing unit configured to hold a number of products in an equal number of respective channels in a stacked orientation. Single units of the products are dispensed onto dedicated carriers which maintain an orientation of the product units. The carriers are independently moveable and identifiable and are moved to aggregate various product units associated with a single order and to transport the product units to a validation system. The validation system uses a variety of sensors to verify the identity of the product unit and to cross-reference the product identity with the order. A label is applied to the product unit and the product unit is further transported to a packaging system while continuing to maintain an orientation thereof.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: A poly bubble bag filling machine, seal head, bag magazine, and a carton are described. The filling machine includes the bag magazine which is configured to hold and advance a plurality of pre-formed poly bubble bags as they are retrieved for filling. The carton provides simple handling and replacement of bags in the magazine and enables operation of the magazine while the carton is in place. A bag-transfer carriage transfers bags from the magazine to the seal head. The seal head includes suction bars configured to enable application and retention of a sufficient suction force to sides of the bag to open and retain the bag during filling. Sealing bars are positioned near the suction bars and are operable to seal the bag closed via application of heat.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system is described that includes a carton and a mover configured to carry the carton throughout the system. The carton is a preformed, five-sided container with flanges extending outwardly from edges thereof. The mover includes a depression in a top surface thereof that nestably receives the carton therein. The mover may include a vacuum system to aid retention of the carton therein. The mover and carton may include indicia to enable identification and tracking thereof throughout the fulfillment process. A lidding process applies a lid that is adhered to the flanges of the carton and includes identifying indicia thereon. The system provides identification and verification of items placed in the carton and can be easily integrated into existing manual and automated fulfillment systems. A manual system allows a user to manually pick and load cartons and attach a carton lid via an adhesive.

Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional rotation and translation apparatus includes a base frame, a yaw frame mounted on the base frame to rotate about a yaw axis, a pitch frame mounted on the yaw frame to rotate about a pitch axis, a roll frame mounted on the pitch frame to rotate about a roll axis, and an occupant support slidably mounted on the roll frame. The base frame may be mounted to translate along a translation frame. The yaw, pitch, and roll axes intersect at a selected location relative to an occupant of the occupant support. A yaw motor is engaged between the base and yaw frames; a pitch motor is engaged between the yaw and pitch frames; and a roll motor is engaged between the pitch and roll frames. The motors are selectively activated to cause relative rotation of the respective frames.