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. 11, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2000
Christopher J. Lasher, Ridgewood, NJ (US);
Dennis W. Rice, Flanders, NJ (US);
Michael J. Szesko, Freehold, NJ (US);
Michael L. Mahar, Wurtsboro, NY (US);
Christopher J. Lasher, Ridgewood, NJ (US);
Dennis W. Rice, Flanders, NJ (US);
Michael J. Szesko, Freehold, NJ (US);
Michael L. Mahar, Wurtsboro, NY (US);
Medco Health Solutions, Inc., Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto. Automatically controlled security doors control access to supply hoppers for each of the pill dispensers.