# US 11,897,686 B2 · Systems and methods for dispensing sterile items > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,686 B2 - Document ID: US11897686B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/045,773 - Filed: 2022-10-11 - Published: 2023-04-13 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-04 - Applicants: Stefan Richard Schacht - Inventors: Stefan Richard Schacht - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897686B2 ## CPC - B65D 83/0811: {with means for assisting dispensing} - A41D 13/11: Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres (eye-masks A61F9/04 {; hoods affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents A62B17/04}) - A47K 10/36: with {mechanical dispensing, roll switching or} cutting devices - A61B 42/40: Packages or dispensers - A61F 15/002: {dispensers for web or tape like bandages} - A61M 5/002: {Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. packages for syringes or needles or kits for diabetics} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A cartridge system comprising a carrier reel, distal and proximal take-up reels, a main guide post adapted to engage the main guide support, a first strip guide post, a second strip guide post, and a packaging strip. The packaging strip comprises first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers. At least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers. The carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip. The distal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion. The proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second strip portion. Rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels unwinds the packaging strip from the carrier reel such that the first strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, and the second strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge system containing items to be dispensed from a dispensing system comprising a main housing assembly defining a dispensing opening and a drive system, the cartridge assembly comprising: a carrier reel; distal and proximal take-up reels; a main guide post; a first strip guide post; a second strip guide post; and a packaging strip supported by the carrier reel, the packaging strip comprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers; wherein the carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip; the distal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion; the proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second strip portion; the proximal and distal take-up reels are configured to be rotated by operation of the drive system; and rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels unwinds the packaging strip from the carrier reel such that the first strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, the second strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and the items are dispensed through the dispensing opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cartridge system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a cartridge housing; and a cartridge plate adapted to support the carrier reel and the distal and proximal take-up reels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cartridge system as recited in claim 1, in which: a carrier reel projection of the carrier reel extends through a carrier reel opening in the cartridge housing; a distal take-up reel projection of the distal take-up reel extends through a first take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing; and a proximal take-up reel projection of the proximal take-up reel extends through a second take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing. ### Claim 4 A cartridge assembly for storing items to be dispensed, the cartridge assembly comprising: a cartridge plate, a cartridge housing that engages the cartridge plate to define a cartridge chamber, a carrier reel supported by the cartridge plate within the cartridge chamber, the carrier reel defining a carrier reel projection adapted to engage the first bearing assembly; distal and proximal take-up reels supported by the cartridge plate within the cartridge chamber, where the distal take-up reel defines a distal take-up reel projection adapted to engage the second bearing assembly, and the proximal take-up reel defines a proximal take-up reel projection adapted to engage the third bearing assembly; a main guide post; a first strip guide post; and a second strip guide post; and a packaging strip supported by the carrier reel, the packaging strip comprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers; wherein the carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip; the distal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion; the proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second strip portion; and rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels causes the packaging strip to be unwound from the carrier reel, the first strip portion to be wound onto the distal take-up reel, the second strip portion to be wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and the items to be dispensed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A cartridge assembly system as recited in claim 4, in which: a carrier reel projection of the carrier reel extends through a carrier reel opening in the cartridge housing, a distal take-up reel projection of the distal take-up reel extends through a first take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing, and a proximal take-up reel projection of the proximal take-up reel extends through a second take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing.