Method and apparatus for sorting, counting and packaging pharmaceutical drugs and other objects

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for handling loose objects having different physical characteristics, such as pharmaceutical drugs including, without limitation, oral solids in the form of pills, tablets, capsules and the like. Loose objects are loaded into individual canisters. A tooling assembly, comprising at least one canister drive mechanism, imaging sensor and package handler is mounted to a gantry assembly, can be translated through the cabinet via the gantry assembly to engage with particular canisters in accordance with unique and dynamic control parameters. Objects are dispensed from a canister directly to the desired packaging, such as a vial or “blister pack.” Additionally, a beneficially stronger blister pack container is provided.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing loose objects comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) a plurality of canisters disposed within said support frame;   c) a rail assembly;   d) a dispensing assembly movably disposed on said rail assembly; and   e) a processor for selectively positioning said dispensing assembly adjacent to at least one canister and dispensing loose objects from said at least one canister.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said canisters are in a grid pattern. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said canisters further comprise:
 a) a housing;   b) at least one opening in said housing;   c) at least one inclined baffle;   d) a gate assembly;   e) a ramp having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is pivotally connected to said housing, and pivots about a horizontal axis; and   f) means for selectively raising and lowering said second end of said ramp.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the upper surface of said ramp defines a plurality of planes along the longitudinal axis of said ramp. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing assembly further comprises at least one actuator. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing assembly further comprises at least one light. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing assembly further comprises at lease one package holder. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing assembly comprises at least one optical sensor. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for dispensing loose objects comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) a plurality of canisters disposed in a grid pattern within said support frame, wherein such canisters comprise:
 i. a housing; 
 ii. at least one opening in said housing; 
 iii. at least one inclined baffle; 
 iv. a gate assembly; 
 v. a ramp having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is pivotally connected to said housing, and pivots about a horizontal axis; and 
 vi. means for selectively raising and lowering said second end of said ramp; 
   c) a rail assembly;   d) a dispensing assembly movably disposed on said rail assembly; and   e) a processor for selectively positioning said dispensing assembly adjacent to at least one canister and dispensing loose objects from said at least one canister.