The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Joel A. Osborne, Oklahoma City, OK (US);
William C. Aven, Edmond, OK (US);
Assignee:
Forhealth Technologies, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65B 4/326 ; B67B 7/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65B 4/326 ; B67B 7/00 ;
Abstract
The present invention provides an automated safety cap removal mechanism for an automated medication preparation system. The mechanism includes an automated gripping device for securely holding and transporting a vial containing the medication to and from a first station and a cap removal device for removing a safety cap of the vial in a just-in-time for use manner. The cap removal device being located at the first station. By providing a just-in-time for use safety cap removal mechanism, the labor intensive task of removing safety caps can be incorporated into an automated medication preparation system.