Provided herein is a pneumatic carrier having a leak resistant cargo area where first and second mating shells form the carrier. To provide a leak resistant cargo area, the one embodiment of the carrier employs a cantilevered sealing element on a first sealing periphery of the first shell. A free end of the cantilevered sealing element is configured to engage a sloped surface on a second shell. As the shells close, the sealing element slides down the sloped surface to form a seal between the shells. The use of the cantilevered sealing element in conjunction with the sloped surface reduces the compressive force required to form a seal between the shells.
The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
4.
Multiple dock station for pneumatic transport system
Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station having a rotating carriage with multiple carrier ports. The multiple carrier ports allow for receiving multiple carriers and/or staging multiple carries for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers may be securely maintained within the station while permitting users to continue utilizing the station.
B65G 51/46 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to separate signal systems
B65G 51/44 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
8.
MULTIPLE DOCK STATION FOR PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station (16) having a rotating carriage (110) with multiple carrier ports (112). The multiple carrier ports (112) allow for receiving multiple carriers (100) and/or staging multiple carriers (100) for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers (100) may be securely maintained within the station (16) while permitting users to continue utilizing the station (16).
B65G 51/44 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
B65G 51/46 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to separate signal systems
9.
MULTIPLE DOCK STATION FOR PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Provided herein is a pneumatic tube system station (16) having a rotating carriage (110) with multiple carrier ports (112). The multiple carrier ports (112) allow for receiving multiple carriers (100) and/or staging multiple carriers (100) for dispatch. In one arrangement, one or more carriers (100) may be securely maintained within the station (16) while permitting users to continue utilizing the station (16).
B65G 51/44 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
Inventory control and storage system comprised of a refrigerated medical container in the form of a cabinet for securely storing pre-determined dosages of medications that require restricted access
11.
Light source disinfection in a pneumatic transport system
Provided herein are systems, apparatuses and methods for use in disinfecting pneumatic tube system (PTS) components and/or disinfecting air displaced during the operation of a PTS. More specifically, various aspects are directed to the use of light source disinfection systems for disabling bacteria, viruses and/or other micro-organisms (hereafter “pathogens”) in a PTS. The light source disinfection systems allow of cleaning pneumatic carriers, cleaning the interior of pneumatic tubes and PTS components and/or cleaning air, which is used to propel pneumatic carriers in a PTS.
F24F 3/16 - Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by purification, e.g. by filteringAir-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by sterilisationAir-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatmentApparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by ozonisation
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer software for use in inventory management, namely, the purchasing, stocking and dispensing of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers; computer software for use in for compiling, analyzing, processing and reporting inventory levels in pharmacy and health care industries.
The presented inventions seek to create a verifiable and closed loop chain-of-custody for a specific transaction in a pneumatic tube transport system while allowing a sender and recipient to perform asynchronous activity. That is, one aspect the presented inventions allows a sender to securely send a carrier to a desired recipient while allowing the desired recipient to receive the secured carrier at a convenient time and/or location without tying up system resources. Another aspect improves the physical barriers between high value payloads and the unintended recipients. This is done in part by introducing randomness into the carrier delivery process such that no member of the general public or facility staff knows the location and/or delivery time of a secured carrier without having access to specific database records indicating the current location and/or delivery status of the secured carrier.
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
B65G 51/44 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
14.
Control of pneumatic carrier system based on carrier or payload identification
A system and method provides for controlling a pneumatic carrier system based on identification information read from a carrier or a payload of the carrier. Each carrier or payload which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon information for the carrier or payload. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the identification device. Based on reading the identification device at locations within the system, the operation of the system is altered.
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
B65G 51/44 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers without mechanical contact between carriers and controllers
15.
CONTROL OF PNEUMATIC CARRIER SYSTEM BASED ON CARRIER OR PAYLOAD IDENTIFICATION
A system and method provides for controlling a pneumatic carrier system based on identification information read from a carrier or a payload of the carrier. Each carrier or payload which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon information for the carrier or payload. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the identification device. Based on reading the identification device at locations within the system, the operation of the system is altered.
B65G 51/42 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers
A61G 12/00 - Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups , e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or foodPrescription lists
Provided herein is a pneumatic carrier having a leak resistant cargo area where first and second mating shells form the carrier. To provide a leak resistant cargo area, the one embodiment of the carrier employs a flap-type sealing member. In one embodiment, a first engagement surface about a peripheral edge of a first of the shells includes a groove into which a base portion of a sealing member is disposed. A second portion of the sealing member forms a flap that extends upward and inward from the base portion. A second engagement surface of the second shell contacts this flap and compresses the flap toward the first engagement surface when the shells are in a closed position.
Systems and methods for managing canisters used to automatically dispense medication are provided. Canisters are configurable via a design process and a build process to accurately dispense a variety of medications. Design profiles are created and stored by a canister management system, and are federated to workstations used to build and fill the canisters, and to workstations used to dispense the medication. Information related to the build process, the fill process, and the dispense process is also federated by the system. The system also enables the transmission of other types of messages between client applications on the workstations and the canister management system. The system is useful to federate data regardless of a structure of a supply chain used to design, build, distribute, and use the canisters.
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
18.
Dispensing canister for delivery of solid medications
The processes of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The dispensing of an article is effected by at least activating a driver-coupling connected to a screw having a channel of a predetermined width and depth corresponding to the dimensions of said article; rotating said screw until detection of an article drop; removing a second article from said channel; and stopping the rotation of said screw upon detection of an article drop. The methods of the present invention further include embodiments in which the rotation of the screw is subsequently reversed. Furthermore, the present invention permits for the dispensing of articles to be stopped upon having a predetermined number of articles dispensed or a detection of increased torque applied to the screw. The present invention provides for accurate pill dispensing.
Provided herein is a pneumatic carrier having a leak resistant cargo area where first and second mating shells form the carrier. To provide a leak resistant cargo area, the one embodiment of the carrier employs a tongue and groove sealing arrangement. In this arrangement, an engagement surface about a peripheral edge of one of the shells includes a tapered groove and the engagement surface around the engagement surface of the other shell includes a protruding tongue member. A sealing element is disposed over the tongue or lines the groove. When the first and second shell members are joined together, the sealing member provides a substantially fluid-tight seal between the first and second shell members.
B65G 51/04 - Conveying the articles in carriers having a cross-section approximating that of the pipe or tubeTube mail systems
B65D 45/16 - Clips, hooks, or clamps, e.g. C-shaped
B65D 8/04 - Containers having a curved cross-section formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal, plastics, wood or substitutes therefor characterised by wall construction or by connection between walls
20.
Variable speed drive for pneumatic transport system
Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.
A system and method provides for the identification and monitoring of carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Each carrier which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon identification information for the carrier. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the chip. When a carrier is put in the system, a destination location can be associated with the particular carrier ID. This associated information is then employed to, among many things, monitor and confirm identity of the carrier as it moves to its destination.
(1) Device for storing and dispensing medicine, namely a secure automated medication management unit which systematically dispenses medicine in correction facilities and other institutions.
24.
Dual temperature automated storage and retrieval system
An automated storage and retrieval system is presented. The automated storage and retrieval system may have at least two zones that are thermally isolated. The automated storage and retrieval system is operative to store and retrieve items from a plurality of storage locations in the first and second zone. An access member may be provided to selectively maintain and interrupt thermal isolation of the zones.
The apparatus and process of the present invention provides for the automated, singulated dispensing of articles, particularly solid oral medication in predetermined quantities. The apparatus of the invention is a canister which houses a screw having a channel of a certain width and depth that corresponds to the dimensions of a particular pill type. The screw is removably mounted to a cradle and the screw and cradle combination is positioned within the canister so that it is generally parallel to the base of the canister. By virtue of being removably mounted, screws having channels of various dimensions, corresponding to a particular pill to be dispensed, can be substituted into the cradle within canister. A removable shelf is mounted to at least one interior side of the cradle and is positioned near the proximal end of the screw and cradle combination. Like the screw channel, the shelf is of a certain width that corresponds with a certain pill size. The shelf also can be easily removed and replaced to correspond with a particular pill. The screw traverses the canister and at the proximal end of the screw is an aperture in the canister. At the aperture in the canister, a singulation blade is mounted which allows for pills to be dispensed one at a time. The screw channel and shelf encase a portion of the pill. Upon rotating the screw, the pill travels along the shelf from the distal end of the canister to the proximal end of the canister, entering the aperture and exiting the canister after passing the singulation blade. A rotational driver-coupling is mounted to the proximal end of the screw, allowing for activation of the canister by engaging the screw. The present invention further describes methods of dispensing articles and methods of loading the apparatus.
B65D 83/04 - Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing annular, disc-shaped, spherical or like small articles, e.g. tablets or pills
A47F 1/00 - Racks for dispensing merchandiseContainers for dispensing merchandise
A system and method provides for the recovery of carriers stranded within a pneumatic carrier system. Initially, unresolved transaction records generated during the transit of carrier within the system are identified for carrier recovery purposes. System handling information is identified from the transaction record. Based on this information, the system determines a putative location of each a carrier associated with a transaction record. The system operates a segment of the pneumatic system including the putative carrier location to confirm the presence or absence of a stranded carrier. If a carrier is identified within that segment of the system, the carrier is deemed recovered. The carrier is then delivered to the destination location in the transaction record.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
B65G 51/04 - Conveying the articles in carriers having a cross-section approximating that of the pipe or tubeTube mail systems
Provided herein are pneumatic carriers for use in high speed and/or heavy payload pneumatic carrier transport applications. The carriers incorporate thermally conductive wear bands to remove heat from areas of high friction to areas of low friction and thereby reduce the wear rate of the wear band. In one arrangement, the wear band includes a metallic wire impregnated cloth having metallic wires woven into the matrix of a textile, which forms the wear band. In one embodiment, the wire impregnated within the textile may extend around at least a portion of a carrier such that the wires can transfer heat from a location of high friction (e.g., a bearing surface beneath a carrier) to a location of low friction.
B65D 81/00 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
Provided herein are pneumatic carriers for use in high speed and/or heavy payload pneumatic carrier transport applications. The carriers incorporate thermally conductive wear bands to remove heat from areas of high friction to areas of low friction and thereby reduce the wear rate of the wear band. In one arrangement, the wear band includes a metallic wire impregnated cloth having metallic wires woven into the matrix of a textile, which forms the wear band. In one embodiment, the wire impregnated within the textile may extend around at least a portion of a carrier such that the wires can transfer heat from a location of high friction (e.g., a bearing surface beneath a carrier) to a location of low friction.
A braking device and method is provided that is operative to selectively slow and/or stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least one braking element that may be disposed into the bore of the pneumatic tube to at least partially impede the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore. In one embodiment, the braking element is formed as a variable diameter section of the pneumatic tube that may be selectively constricted to change the diameter of the bore of the pneumatic tube. Such constriction may slow and/or stop the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore of the pneumatic tube.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Inventory control and storage system, namely, machines for dispensing pre-determined dosages of medication comprised of hardware and software, specially adapted for the storage and tracking of medication
31.
DUAL TEMPERATURE AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
An automated storage and retrieval system is presented. The automated storage and retrieval system may have at least two zones that are thermally isolated. The automated storage and retrieval system is operative to store and retrieve items from a plurality of storage locations in the first and second zone. An access member may be provided to selectively maintain and interrupt thermal isolation of the zones.
A valve device and method are provided that are operative to selectively divert the flow of air within a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least aperture in a sidewall of the pneumatic tube, an outer sleeve, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the outer sleeve to block and open the aperture to fluid flow in order to divert air in the pneumatic system. In one embodiment, the valve is disposed in a pneumatic system in conjunction with a pneumatic carrier handling device.
The presented inventions seek to create a verifiable and closed loop chain-of-custody for a specific transaction in a pneumatic tube transport system while allowing a sender and recipient to perform asynchronous activity. That is, one aspect the presented inventions allows a sender to securely send a carrier to a desired recipient while allowing the desired recipient to receive the secured carrier at a convenient time and/or location without tying up system resources. Another aspect improves the physical barriers between high value payloads and the unintended recipients. This is done in part by introducing randomness into the carrier delivery process such that no member of the general public or facility staff knows the location and/or delivery time of a secured carrier without having access to specific database records indicating the current location and/or delivery status of the secured carrier.
The presented inventions seek to create a verifiable and closed loop chain-of-- custody for a specific transaction in a pneumatic tube transport system while allowing a sender and recipient to perform asynchronous activity. That is, one aspect the presented inventions allows a sender to securely send a carrier to a desired recipient while allowing the desired recipient to receive the secured carrier at a convenient time and/or location without tying up system resources. Another aspect improves the physical barriers between high value payloads and the unintended recipients. This is done in part by introducing randomness into the carrier delivery process such that no member of the general public or facility staff knows the location and/or delivery time of a secured carrier without having access to specific database records indicating the current location and/or delivery status of the secured carrier.
A valve device and method are provided that are operative to selectively divert the flow of air within a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least aperture in a sidewall of the pneumatic tube, an outer sleeve, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the outer sleeve to block and open the aperture to fluid flow in order to divert air in the pneumatic system. In one embodiment, the valve is disposed in a pneumatic system in conjunction with a pneumatic carrier handling device.
B65G 51/18 - Adaptations of pipes or tubesPipe or tube joints
B65G 51/08 - Controlling or conditioning the operating medium
F16K 3/24 - Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution with cylindrical valve members
F16K 3/314 - Forms or constructions of slidesAttachment of the slide to the spindle
F16K 5/04 - Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary with plugs having cylindrical surfacesPackings therefor
36.
Variable speed drive for pneumatic transport system
Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.
B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
37.
VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE FOR PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.
B65G 51/36 - Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
B65G 51/04 - Conveying the articles in carriers having a cross-section approximating that of the pipe or tubeTube mail systems
B65G 51/16 - Controlling or conditioning the operating medium varying, e.g. starting or stopping, gas pressure or flow
B65G 51/42 - Automatically distributing the carriers to desired stations according to indications on carriers
The present disclosure provides a collection device having a base with at least first and second openings and at least first and second collector tubes in communication with the at least first and second openings in the base. The collector tubes each have a curvature configured to define a trajectory path for an object descending in the collector tube toward a common target region below the collection device. The collector tubes are configured to be placed into communication with corresponding unique transport tubes/channels/paths, etc., originating at a singulating device.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
electronic controllers and computer software for controlling access to a pneumatic tube system that transports items between different access locations within the system
41.
Air powered storage device for pneumatic transport system
An air powered storage device is provided that is operative to temporarily store pneumatic carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. A gate member is selectively positionable into and out of an internal bore of the pneumatic tube to impede movement of pneumatic carriers there through. The device further includes a blower having a first fluid inlet disposed on a first side of the gate member and a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the gate member. The fluid inlet and outlet are fluidly interconnected to the internal bore of the pneumatic tube such that the blower is selectively operable to generate a fluid flow through the internal bore between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. Such fluid flow may be utilized to reinitiate movement of a stopped carrier.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Automated equipment, namely, medication storage and dispensing carousels, canister-based oral solid medication machines for dispensing and packaging pre-determined dosages for medication, [ bar code label printers for liquid medication containers, ] and related peripheral equipment, namely, bar code scanners and printers, computers, printers, and computer software, all for use by pharmacies for the purpose of storing, tracking, packaging, bar code labeling and dispensing drug inventories
