Device for dispensing vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions

An apparatus for dispensing singulated open-ended objects, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a guide and an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a dispensing exit;
• a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member;
• a drive unit;
• wherein the endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto;
• wherein the at least one pick-up member is mounted to the endless member such that, as the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing;
• a delivery chute attached to the housing such that an upper end thereof is fed by the dispensing exit, wherein the delivery chute comprises a tube having a wall;
• a capture mechanism associated with the delivery chute, the capture mechanism movable between a capture position, in which an object cannot pass through the delivery chute, and a passage position, in which an object can pass through the delivery chute, wherein the capture mechanism includes a capture member that extends through an opening in the wall of the tube and into the tube of the delivery chute when the capture mechanism is in the capture position;
• and
• a controller operably associated with the drive unit and the capture mechanism, the controller being configured to detect when a captured object has passed through the delivery chute and move the capture mechanism back to the capture position responsive thereto, the controller further configured to detect when an object delivered by the delivery unit has been captured by the capture mechanism and to deactivate the drive unit responsive thereto.

An apparatus for dispensing singulated open-ended objects, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a guide and an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a dispensing exit;
• a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member;
• a drive unit;
• wherein the endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto;
• wherein the at least one pick-up member is mounted to the endless member such that, as the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing;
• a delivery chute attached to the housing such that an upper end thereof is fed by the dispensing exit, wherein the delivery chute comprises a tube having a wall;
• a capture mechanism associated with the delivery chute, the capture mechanism movable between a capture position, in which an object cannot pass through the delivery chute, and a passage position, in which an object can pass through the delivery chute, wherein the capture mechanism includes a capture member that extends through an opening in the wall of the tube and into the tube of the delivery chute when the capture mechanism is in the capture position;
• and
• a controller operably associated with the drive unit and the capture mechanism, the controller being configured to detect when a captured object has passed through the delivery chute and move the capture mechanism back to the capture position responsive thereto.