Method and apparatus for the dispensing of drugs
AssigneePyxis Corporation
InventorsLaird Broadfield, Patricia M. Lee, Paul M. Seelinger, David T. Heffron, Albert W. Dibelka, John J. Rodenrys, Robert J. Feeney, Joseph M. Calabro, William Conrad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and apparatus are described in which modular receptacles are filled and transported to automatic dispensing machines for later retrieval and distribution. A system of the present invention includes the loading, refilling, and replacement of the modular receptacles at various stages in the process of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for distribution of items such as medical supplies and drugs.
Claims30
An apparatus, comprising:
- a receptacle adapted for removable placement on a dispensing structure said receptacle 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;
- a latch in association with said top and at least one of said side walls, said latch adapted to be actuated by a request signal to open said top;
- an engagement member adapted to securely engage a portion of a dispensing structure;
- an information storage device secured to or in said receptacle for storing information relative to contents of said receptacle;
- and
- a communication contact on said receptacle enabling the transfer of information between said information storage device and an information source.
A method for the distribution of items, comprising the steps of:
- providing a receptacle adapted for removable placement on a dispensing structure, said receptacle having a plurality of sidewalls, a bottom adjoined to said side walls, and a top movably secured to at least one of said side walls such that the top is adapted for movement between an open position and a secure closed position, said receptacle having a hinge assembly that joins said top to at least one of said side walls and wherein said top is adapted to open upon said dispensing structure receiving a request signal from an operator;
- providing a dispensing structure adapted to receive said receptacle;
- loading said receptacle with at least one item;
- placing said receptacle on to said dispensing structure;
- and
- providing a signal to said dispensing structure to cause said receptacle to open said top.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a receptacle adapted for removable placement in a dispensing machine, said receptacle 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 secure closed position;
- a hinge assembly comprising a spring which joins said top to at least one of said side walls and wherein said top is adapted to open said receptacle upon receiving a request signal from an operator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.