Patents by Inventor Shane P. Coughlin
Shane P. Coughlin 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: 8434641Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: ScriptPro LLCInventors: Michael E. Coughlin, Shane P. Coughlin, Timothy A. Giebler, Lawrence Guerra
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Publication number: 20120290128Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: SCRIPTPRO LLCInventors: Michael E. Coughlin, Shane P. Coughlin, Timothy A. Giebler, Lawrence Guerra
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Publication number: 20090188935Abstract: A system for storing a plurality of solid objects and dispensing the solid objects into a plurality of containers. The system comprises non-automated dispensing cells, physically actuated to dispense solid objects one at a time into one of the containers, and automated dispensing cells, electrically actuated to dispense solid objects from a holding tank simultaneously in bulk into one of the containers. The automated dispensing cells may independently dispense objects into the holding tank one at a time while a manipulator arm of the system simultaneously brings a container to one of the non-automated or automated dispensing cells. Then, when the manipulator arm brings a container to one of the automated dispensing cells, the solid objects may be dispensed into the container in bulk by simply opening a gate mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: SCRIPTPRO LLCInventors: Michael E. Coughlin, Shane P. Coughlin, Timothy A. Giebler, Lawrence Guerra
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Patent number: 6905046Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: ScriptPro LLCInventors: Shane P. Coughlin, Michael E. Coughlin, Stacy Orr, Timothy Surgeon
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Publication number: 20030194306Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Shane P. Coughlin, Michael E. Coughlin, Stacy Orr, Timothy Surgeon
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Patent number: 6592005Abstract: A pill count sensor (10) comprises an electromagnetic energy emitting array (40) and an electromagnetic energy receiving array (42), with a pill detection zone (44) defined therebetween; a sensor amplifier (28); a control board (30) interfaced with a computing device (24); and interconnecting cabling (34, 36, 38). The electromagnetic energy emitting and receiving arrays (40,42) emit and receive, respectively, beams of electromagnetic energy (46) across the zone (44) such that any pill (50) entering the zone (44) is detected by a resulting disruption in received electromagnetic energy at the receiving array (42). The sensor amplifier (28) is operable to automatically self-calibrate in order to compensate for detected electromagnetic energy levels, and to generate a pill sense signal in response to a detected pill (50). The control board (30) is operable to increment a pill count.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Scriptpro LLCInventors: Shane P. Coughlin, Michael E. Coughlin, Stacy Orr, Timothy Surgeon
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Patent number: 6578734Abstract: A vial gripping mechanism (10) includes a pivotally mounted swing arm (26). A sensor receiving array (44) is mounted to a sensor end (34) on an inward edge (46) of the arm (26). A channel (38) protecting a cable (64) follows an outside edge (42) from the receiving array (44) to a cam end (36). A torsion spring (28) forces the cam end (36) against a cam (30) which is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) adjacent the arm (26). By action of the mechanism (10), the arm (26) is moved relative to the cam (30) such that in a sensing position, the receiving array (44) is directly opposite a sensor transmitting array (74), and in a shielded position, the receiving array (44) is housed within a shield (32). The shield (32) is fixedly mounted to the mechanism (10) and protects the receiving array (44) while in transit.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Scriptpro LLCInventors: Shane P. Coughlin, Michael E. Coughlin, Stacy Orr, Timothy Surgeon
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Patent number: 6343711Abstract: A medicament dispensing cell (12) is provided which is used in large, automated dispensing machines (10) to provide rapid and accurate dispensing of medicament dosage forms such as tablets (124), capsules, or pills. The cell (12) includes a housing (20) for storage of tablets (124) and includes a rotatable platen conveyor assembly (68) which moves the tablets (124) along a passageway (96) and through an outlet opening (36). The passageway (96) includes a restricted throat section (98) defined by a bushing (78) and an inclined roller (100). The roller (100) is oriented so as to prevent simultaneous passage of two tablets (124) through the throat section (98).Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Scriptpro, LLCInventor: Shane P. Coughlin
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Patent number: 6085938Abstract: A medicament dispensing cell for use in an automatic dispensing machine includes a housing defining a medicament storage section, a discharge section leading to an outlet, a passage between the sections, a rotatable platen and a dispensing assembly for dispensing medicament in single file from the storage section to the discharge section. A pair of resilient, spacing fingers extend from the outboard wall of the discharge section and are positioned to guide medicament units around the distal end thereof in order to space medicament units during rotation of the platen.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Scriptpro LLCInventor: Shane P. Coughlin