Systems and methods for manual handling
AssigneeExpress Scripts, Inc.
InventorsCharles E. Eller, Jonathan W. Joplin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and systems for manual handling are described. In one embodiment, a holding section, a distribution section and a manual section are provided. The holding section is adapted to hold the container during manual handling. The distribution section is adjacent the holding section and includes a robot adapted to select and pick containers from the holding section. The robot is disposed to distribute the container. The manual section is disposed adjacent the conveyor. The manual section is adapted for inspection or filling of the container. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
Claims21
A system comprising:
- a holding section adapted to hold a pallet received via a pallet conveyor while container filling is being performed;
- a distribution section adjacent the holding section and including a robot adapted to select and pick a container off of the pallet in the holding section, the robot being disposed to distribute the container via a container conveyor;
- a manual section disposed adjacent the container conveyor, the manual section being adapted to receive the container via the container conveyor for filling of the container with a prescription drug;
- and
- a distribution subsystem configured to:
- index the location of the pallet in the holding section,
- track location of the container from the manual section, and
- remove the pallet from the holding section to the pallet conveyor with the container and all remaining containers from the pallet being returned to the pallet.
A prescription filling system comprising:
- a holding section adapted to hold a pallet received via a pallet conveyor while container filling is being performed;
- a distribution section adjacent the holding section and including a robot adapted to select and pick a container off of the pallet in the holding section, the robot being disposed to distribute the container via a container conveyor, a robot adapted to select and pick a container off of the container conveyor to return a container to the pallet;
- a manual section disposed adjacent the container conveyor, the manual section being adapted to receive the container via the container conveyor for manually filling of the container with a prescription drug;
- and
- a distribution subsystem configured to:
- index the location of the pallet in the holding section,
- track location of the container from the manual section, and
- remove the pallet from the holding section to the pallet conveyor with the container and all remaining containers from the pallet being returned to the pallet.
A system comprising:
- a holding section adapted to hold a pallet received via a pallet conveyor while prescription filling is being performed, the holding section moves the pallet in a loop pattern on the pallet conveyor while container fill is being performed;
- a distribution section adjacent the holding section and including a robot adapted to select and pick a pill bottle off of the pallet in the holding section, the robot being disposed to distribute the pill bottle via a bottle conveyor, the distribution section including a scanner and labeler, the robot being adapted to orientate the pill bottle for scanning by the scanner and labeling by the labeler;
- a manual section disposed adjacent the bottle conveyor, the manual section being adapted to receive the pill bottle via the bottle conveyor for filling of the pill bottle with a plurality of prescription drug pills;
- and
- a distribution subsystem configured to:
- index the location of the pallet in the holding section,
- track location of the pill bottle from the manual section, and
- remove the pallet from the holding section to the pallet conveyor with the pill bottle and all remaining pill bottles from the pallet being returned to the pallet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.