Methods and systems for tailing collection
AssigneeExpress Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
InventorRobert E. Hoffman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses a packing device to package pharmaceutical orders. The packing device is configured with at least one cutter that generates tailings and dust. A tailing collection device is provided that collects the tailings and dust generated by the packing device into and through an intake tube and into a collection assembly. The collection assembly includes a hood with at least one air filter, a frame, and a bin removably received within the frame. The frame supports the hood and aligns the bin to be in fluid communication with the hood. A gas motive device is positioned intermediate the ends of an intake tub before the hood and is configured to suction the tailings and/or dust.
Claims18
A dispensing system comprising:
- a dispenser to fill a pharmaceutical container with a drug;
- a packing device to package a pharmaceutical container for shipment in a sealed package and to move the sealed package in a flow direction;
- and
- a cutter including at least two cutters that are configured to cut, in a direction aligned with the flow direction, a longitudinal edge of the sealed package containing the pharmaceutical container to generate a tailing;
- and
- a tailing collection device, deployed in association with the cutter, including a collection assembly, an intake tube connected to the collection assembly, and a blower configured to enable a motive force within the intake tube to transport the tailing into the intake tube to the collection assembly, wherein the intake tube includes an adjustment plate at an open end of the intake tube.
A method of preparing pharmaceutical orders, comprising:
- filling, using a drug dispenser, a pharmaceutical container with a drug according to a pharmaceutical order;
- packaging, with a packaging device, the pharmaceutical container with associated literature into a packaging bag for shipping;
- sealing the packaging bag;
- placing an open end of an intake tube of a tailing collection device near a cutter of the packing device;
- moving a sealed packaging bag in a flow direction toward and past the cutter;
- cutting an edge of the sealed packaging bag with the cutter along the flow direction to separate a tailing from the sealed packaging bag;
- engaging a blower of the tailing collection device to create a motive force within the intake tube to draw the tailing into the intake tube;
- and
- receiving the tailing into and through the intake tube and into a collection assembly, wherein placing the open end of the intake tube of the tailing collection device includes positioning an adjustment plate fixed to an intake end of the intake tube.
A method of preparing pharmaceutical orders, comprising:
- filling, using a drug dispenser, a pharmaceutical container with a drug according to a pharmaceutical order;
- packaging, with a packaging device, the pharmaceutical container with associated literature into a packaging bag for shipping;
- sealing the packaging bag;
- placing an open end of an intake tube of a tailing collection device near a cutter of the packing device;
- moving a sealed packaging bag in a flow direction toward and past the cutter;
- cutting an edge of the sealed packaging bag with the cutter along the flow direction to separate a tailing from the sealed packaging bag;
- engaging a blower of the tailing collection device to create a motive force within the intake tube to draw the tailing into the intake tube;
- receiving the tailing into and through the intake tube and into a collection assembly;
- wherein engaging the blower of the tailing collection device includes forcing air flow in a restricted portion of the intake tube to generate the motive force to move the tailing into the intake tube away from the sealed package at an angle relative to the sealed package;
- and
- wherein receiving the tailing includes delivering the tailing through a fixed hood and then into a removable bin after the removable bin has been lofted and fluidly secured to the fixed hood to define an enclosed space.
A method of preparing pharmaceutical orders, comprising:
- filling, using a drug dispenser, a pharmaceutical container with a drug according to a pharmaceutical order;
- packaging, with a packaging device, the pharmaceutical container with associated literature into a packaging bag for shipping;
- wrap sealing the packaging bag;
- placing an open end of an intake tube of a tailing collection device near a cutter of the packing device;
- moving a sealed package in a flow direction toward and past the cutter;
- cutting an edge of the sealed package with the cutter along the flow direction to separate a tailing from the sealed packaging bag;
- engaging a blower of the tailing collection device to create a motive force within the intake tube to draw the tailing into the intake tube;
- and
- receiving the tailing into and through the intake tube and into a collection assembly, wherein placing the open end of the intake tube of the tailing collection device includes positioning an adjustment plate fixed to an intake end of the intake tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.