System and apparatus for the dispensing of drugs

A system of items distribution, comprising:

• providing a receptacle having a plurality of side walls, a bottom and a movable, lockable top;
• loading said receptacle with at least one item;
• placing said receptacle onto a dispensing structure;
• providing a signal to said dispensing structure to cause said receptacle to open said top.

An assembly comprising:

• an automated dispensing machine having at least one drawer;
• a plurality of receptacles adapted to be placed in said at least one drawer, said receptacles each having a plurality of side walls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls such that said top is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position;
• an information storage device secured to or in each of said receptacles for storing information relative to contents of each of said receptacles;
• a communication contact on each of said receptacles enabling the transfer of information between said information storage device and an information source;
• wherein said automated dispensing machine is adapted to receive information from an operator and process a signal to one of said receptacles to cause said one of said receptacles to open and enable said operator to remove at least a portion of the contents of said one of said receptacles.

A method for the distribution of a plurality of items, comprising:

• providing individual receptacles for said items, each of said receptacles including a plurality of side walls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls such that said top is adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, an information storage device secured to or in each of said receptacles for storing information relative to said items to be contained in said receptacles, and a communication contact on each of said receptacles enabling the transfer of information between said information storage device and an information source;
• loading said items in individual ones of said receptacles and closing said top of said receptacles;
• inserting information relative to said items loaded into each of said receptacles, into said information storage devices;
• transporting said loaded receptacles to a receiving station at a location for distribution of said items;
• providing an automated dispensing machine for dispensing said items;
• entering information regarding said items in said receptacles into a memory of said automated dispensing machine;
• placing said loaded receptacles into said automated dispensing machine;
• actuating one of said receptacles to open and expose its contents of items by entering required information into said automated dispensing machine.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a transportable structure having a loading surface and a processor in association therewith;
• at least one receiving zone on said surface;
• a receptacle adapted to be removably secured to said surface at said receiving zone;
• a communication port at said receiving zone;
• a communication device in association with said receptacle and adapted to be engaged with said communication port when said receptacle is secured to said surface, to enable communication between a processor in association with said structure and said receptacle.

An apparatus comprising:

• a drug distributing structure including a surface for receiving at least one receptacle;
• a receiving zone on said surface adapted to securely receive said at least one receptacle;
• said receiving zone including a communication port for communicating with said receptacle;
• a processor in association with said structure for processing information received from said receptacle.