Method for operating an automatic packaging system, automatic packaging system and apparatus

Abstract

A method for operating an automatic packaging system, an automatic packaging system, and an apparatus are provided herein. The system may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, wherein the order includes one or more items; a packaging station; a roll of bags, wherein the roll of bags is fed to the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open a first bag disposed at the packaging station; a loading box accommodating one or more items at least partially inserted into an opening of the first bag disposed at the packaging station; and a loading mechanism including an airflow for pushing the one or more items from the loading box into the first bag disposed at the packaging station.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number 202080003710.3 and name “Apparatus, system and method for automatic distribution and packaging of articles” (based on the international patent application with international application date of June 18, 2020 and international application number PCT / US2020 / 038357, which entered the Chinese national stage on December 28, 2020). Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the automatic distribution and packaging of articles, and more particularly to the automatic distribution of articles of various configurations, sizes and combinations into packages for distribution. These embodiments may include full or partial automation of the process, and may include mechanisms for improving the efficiency and accuracy of drug distribution. Background Art

[0003] The allocation of goods is a common practice that can often be time-consuming and prone to error, especially when performed manually. Automation of allocation can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the allocation operation; however, different types of goods necessarily require different types of allocation. In addition, automated allocation can be expensive, and if the allocation operation is not frequent enough, or in situations where there is a low risk associated with error, the cost of automation may not be justified.

[0004] One specific area where dispensing accuracy is critical is in the area of ​​medication dispensing. Medication dispensing, for example in a healthcare setting, can be a complex and time-consuming process. With medication orders changing, and due to the significant potential consequences of dispensing an incorrect medication to a patient, the process of delivering medication from a central pharmacy to a patient can be a high-risk process in a healthcare setting.

[0005] Medical institutions typically dispense medications to patients from a central pharmacy while performing multiple verification steps to ensure that the medication is of the correct type and dosage and that the appropriate patient receives the medication. The verification steps can add complexity and time to the process, thereby reducing efficiency. Therefore, it may be desirable to implement devices, systems, and methods that can automate some or all of the process and increase the efficiency of delivering medications to patients. Summary of the invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide an automated packaging system to facilitate automated dispensing and packaging of items. Embodiments of the system may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, wherein the order includes one or more items; a packaging station; a bag roll, wherein the bag roll is fed to the packaging station; a pneumatic table, which may be configured to support a bag disposed at the packaging station; an opening mechanism, which includes a pneumatic nozzle to open the bag disposed at the packaging station; a loading box, which is configured to be inserted into the opened bag and deposit the one or more items; and a closing device, which seals the bag disposed at the packaging station after receiving the one or more items. The loading box may include a loading box having a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein, in response to the loading box being inserted into the opened bag, the front panel may be raised and the bottom panel retracted from the opened bag, wherein, in response to the front panel being raised and the bottom panel being retracted, the loading box is retracted from the opened bag, leaving the one or more items in the bag.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the system may include a print head configured to print an identification mark on the bag roll when the bag roll is fed into the packaging station, and an indicia reader configured to read the identification mark printed on the bag roll. The opening mechanism of some embodiments may include one or more fingers configured to be inserted into the opening of the bag at least partially opened by the pneumatic nozzle provided at the packaging station, and to maintain the bag in a fully open position during the filling operation of the bag.

[0008] The pneumatic table of some embodiments may include at least two positions, the at least two positions including a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the position of the pneumatic table is established by a controller in response to operating parameters defined at least in part by the one or more items of the order. The pneumatic table may include at least two positions, the at least two positions including a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the position of the pneumatic table is established by a controller in response to operating parameters defined at least in part by the one or more items of the order. The pneumatic table may include at least two different levels of airflow through the table, wherein the level of airflow through the table is established by the controller in response to operating parameters defined at least in part by the one or more items of the order.

[0009] Implementations described herein may provide a method including: receiving an indication of an order, wherein the order includes one or more items; identifying the one or more items of the order; identifying operating parameters of an automated packaging system based at least in part on the identified one or more items of the order; and operating the packaging system according to the identified operating parameters. The step of operating the packaging system according to the identified parameters may include: printing an indicia onto a first bag of a roll of bags; feeding the first bag of the roll of bags to a packaging station of the packaging system; opening the first bag of the roll of bags using a pneumatic nozzle; inserting a loading box containing the one or more items through an opening into the first bag; and depositing the one or more items into the first bag.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the step of operating the packaging system according to the identified parameters may further include: raising the pneumatic table in response to the identified operating parameter; and supplying a predetermined level of airflow to the pneumatic table in response to another identified operating parameter. The step of operating the packaging system according to the identified parameters may include: providing an air flow to push the one or more articles through the opening into the first bag after the loading box is removed from the first bag in response to the identified operating parameter. The step of operating the packaging system according to the identified parameters may further include: controlling the loading box in response to the loading box being inserted into the first bag through the opening to raise an end panel of the loading box and retract a bottom panel of the loading box.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the step of operating the packaging system according to the identified operating parameters may include: retrieving the tote from the first bag in response to the end panel being raised and the bottom panel being removed. The step of operating the packaging system according to the identified operating parameters may include: operating the closure mechanism to seal the opening of the first bag in response to the tote having been retracted from the first bag.

[0012] Embodiments provided herein may include a packaging system, wherein the packaging system includes: a packaging station configured to receive a roll of bags therein; a nozzle directed toward an opening of a bag in the roll of bags in response to the bag being disposed in the packaging station, wherein the nozzle directs air to the opening of the bag to inflate and open the bag; a pneumatic table for supporting the bag at the packaging station; a loading box operable to be inserted into the opened bag at the packaging station, to deposit one or more articles from the loading box into the opened bag, and to be removed from the opened bag; and a closing device configured to seal the opening of the bag in response to the bag being loaded with one or more articles. These embodiments may include one or more fingers to keep the bag open at the packaging station in response to the bag being opened by the nozzle. The pneumatic support table may be configured in at least two positions relative to the packaging station.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the pneumatic support table can be configured to direct airflow through the table to reduce friction between the bag at the packing station and the pneumatic table. The closing device can include a closing rod configured to close the opening of the bag against the heating element at the packing station, wherein the heating element heat seals the opening of the bag. The loading box can include a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein in response to the loading box being inserted into the open bag at the packing station, the bottom panel can be retracted from the open bag and the front panel is raised. The nozzle can be configured to direct airflow to one or more stored items in response to the loading box being retracted from the open bag to drive the one or more stored items into the bag and leave the opening of the bag. The nozzle can be configured to direct airflow to an unopened bag to clear the bag from the packing station in the case where the bag at the packing station cannot be opened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 An automatic dispensing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 2 Another automatic dispensing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 depicts a pallet storage configuration according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4 A semi-automatic dispensing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a loading operation of an automatic packaging system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 6 shows a roll of bags fed to an automated packaging system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7 shows a loading operation into an opened bag of a bag roll according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 8 depicts an automated packaging system including a pneumatic table according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig. 9 An automated packaging system including a tote inserted into an opened bag is shown according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig.10An automated packaging system including a closing mechanism for closing and sealing a filled rear portion according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Fig.11 An example embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 An automated packaging system in which a pneumatic table moves to a lowered position to eject a sealed package;

[0026] Fig.12 depicts a block diagram of a controller for controlling aspects of an automated packaging system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig.13 The operating parameters of the automatic packaging system based on the items to be packaged according to the example embodiment of the present disclosure are shown;

[0028] Fig.14 A graphical user interface showing an automated packaging system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] Fig.15 is a flow chart of a method of operating an automated packaging system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention may provide various devices, systems, and methods for improving the efficiency of drug dispensing within a medical institution. Some embodiments and components of the present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the present invention are shown. In fact, various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure satisfies applicable legal requirements.

[0031] Example embodiments of the present invention may provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product that may facilitate the automated dispensing and packaging of items, such as medications within a healthcare setting. These embodiments may improve the efficiency and accuracy of dispensing and packaging items, incorporating mechanisms that may address issues that Applicants have identified as substantial obstacles in automatically dispensing items, particularly when those items are of varying sizes, shapes, and weights, and placing them into packages based on an order.

[0032] Although embodiments of the present invention may be described primarily with respect to the distribution and packaging of medications and medical supplies in medical institutions (e.g., hospitals and long-term care facilities), for example, the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be implemented in various types of institutions, not limited to those explicitly described herein. For example, these embodiments may be implemented in a distribution warehouse environment where items may be distributed to fulfill orders and packaged for distribution or shipment. Although certain aspects of the embodiments described herein may be specific to medication distribution and the required accuracy associated therewith, similar implementations may omit certain features or include other features, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0033] A medical institution may include a central pharmacy in which medicines are stored and distributed to areas throughout the medical institution. Some medical institutions may rely on suppliers, distribution centers, or remote central pharmacies that store medicines and supplies at remote locations and deliver medicines and supplies based on need. In this embodiment, medicines from suppliers, distribution centers, or remote central pharmacies can be received by the medical institution at the receiving area. Although embodiments of the present invention may be described as distributing and packaging medicines from a central pharmacy, embodiments in which a central pharmacy is located at a distance or embodiments using a distribution center can implement embodiments of the present invention in areas where medicines and supplies are received from a central pharmacy or distribution center. Instructions for required medicines can be provided to a central pharmacy or distribution center with sufficient lead time so that the medical institution can receive medicines before they are needed.

[0034] Although the automatic dispensing and packaging system of the example embodiments described herein can be used to dispense and package various types of articles, the main embodiments described herein are particularly suitable for dispensing and packaging medicines and medical supplies. However, it should be understood that other articles can similarly benefit from the various configurations of the disclosed automatic dispensing and packaging system.

[0035] As described above, the automatic distribution and packaging system according to the example embodiment can be implemented in a central pharmacy of a medical institution, for example. The drugs distributed from the central pharmacy can be various form factors from a single pill or capsule to an intravenous bag of one liter or more capacity. Other form factors can include syringes, carpujects, medicine bottles, multi-dose drug containers, etc. Supplies such as intravenous drug pipelines, empty syringes, etc. can be distributed from a separate medical supply distribution center in the medical institution, or in some cases, the central pharmacy and medical supply distribution operations can be combined. Supplies and drugs can have various sizes and shapes, and may not be easy and effective to distribute from traditional automatic distribution equipment. In addition, significant changes in size, shape and weight may make packaging very difficult, especially automatic packaging. Although the unit dose drugs contained in the blister package can be easily handled due to the small size and substantially planar surface that can be used for gripping, the intravenous bag may be relatively bulky, with non-rigid packaging and relatively high weight. In addition, the product may be relatively fragile, such as carpujects, ampoules or medicine bottles, so that appropriate care must be taken when distributing and packaging these products.

[0036] While some medications are configured to be dispensed in vials, where a syringe is a required supply accompanying the vial, other medications may require the patient to consume food or beverages other than water. In such cases, the food or beverage accompanying the medication may be treated as a supply, and such supplies may also be dispensed and packaged as other supplies may be dispensed as described herein.

[0037] According to some embodiments described herein, some items may be packaged in an overpack or packaging that surrounds or holds the medication or supplies in a packaging form factor that is one or more of more uniform, easier to grip, easier to store, etc. The overpack may provide a common package size, contour, shape, gripping features, content protection, uniform identification, etc.

[0038] Orders for items, including medications and medication supplies, may be received by an automated system for distributing and packaging items. An order may include multiple items that may be grouped based on a variety of factors. For example, items may be grouped based on recipient, such as a patient with a prescription for multiple medications, where all medications for a prescription order may be combined into a single package. Items may be grouped based on recipient and time, such as all medications for a particular patient on a particular day or time of day. Alternatively, items may be grouped by destination, such as medications needed for a ward in an institution, where there may be two or more patients in the room and their medications are all included in a bag. Items may be grouped based on various commonalities that may improve the logic for distributing and delivering items to destinations.

[0039] Although an order may include multiple items, an order may include only a single item. The embodiments described herein are capable of automatically dispensing and packaging a variety of product sizes, weights, shapes, and quantities. The automated dispensing of the example embodiments provided herein may use a variety of available technologies and methods, such as robotic picking and retrieval, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, empty boxes 160 of various sizes can be configured to be transported along a conveyor 162 and filled by a robot 164 or other form of automated device. The robot 164 can retrieve items identified in the order from a storage location such as a bulk storage location and push the items 166 into a box or location on the conveyor 162. The conveyor 162 can move items from the conveyor 162 to the conveyor 162. Figure 1 The automatic dispensing station advances to the automatic packaging station further described below.

[0041] Figure 2 Another example embodiment of an automatic dispensing device system 200 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, which can be controlled by a controller, as shown below with reference to Fig.11 The illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of storage modules 202 arranged proximate to a robot 204, which may be, for example, a six-axis robotic arm for retrieving and dispensing items, as further described below. The robot 204 may be positioned on a track system 206 to allow the robot to move along the track, thereby providing greater access to the storage modules and allowing for scalability and modularity of the automated dispensing system. The robot 204 may include an end-of-arm tool 208 configured to attach to items for retrieval, movement, and placement as needed.

[0042] According to some embodiments, a work platform 210 may be provided to facilitate the distribution of items and the manipulation of items, as will be apparent from the following disclosure. This work platform 210 may be advantageously coupled to the robot 204 and may be moved through the track system 206 with the robot 204. The robot and work platform 210 may be moved along the track system in any conventional manner, such as by a pinion attached to the base of the robot 204, by a rack extending along the track system. Alternatively, the robot 204 may be belt driven along the track system 206. Regardless of the robot's kinematic mechanism along the track system, the robot's position along the track system may be accurately monitored via embedded sensors or tags in the track system, displacement measurements of the robot 204, or any method that accurately measures the position along the track system. Measurement of the position along the track system 206 may facilitate accurate and repeatable movement of the arm of the robot 204 and positioning of the end-of-arm tool 208 to enhance the accuracy of retrieval and movement of items throughout the system 200. Electricity, hydraulic power (if necessary), pneumatic communications (e.g., vacuum or pressure), and hard-wired communications can communicate with the robot 204 via a pipeline 205 that can bundle all necessary wiring, piping, etc. and can enable the robot 204 to traverse the track 206 while maintaining electrical and fluid communications with fixed equipment (e.g., controllers, hydraulic pumps, pneumatic pumps, and power supplies).

[0043] The storage module 202 can be configured to store a plurality of items, each of which is accessible to the end-of-arm tool 208 of the robot 204. Although an arrangement of vertical shelves may be sufficient to store a plurality of items, to increase storage density, the available storage locations can be extended horizontally to provide a significant increase in storage capacity. To achieve this increased storage capacity, the storage module can include a plurality of trays 212 that can be received within the storage module 202 and can be configured to move between a storage position and a retrieval position, in which the tray 202 is received within the storage module and in which the tray 212 slides out of the storage module to access the robot 204 and the end-of-arm tool 208.

[0044] The automatic dispensing device system 200 of the example embodiment may also include a user module 214, which may be used by Fig.11Controller implementation, or separation therefrom. Although the automatic dispensing device system 200 of the example embodiment may be fully controlled by a remote interface or a remote order request / fulfillment device (e.g., a remote workstation, a computer, a controller, etc.), the illustrated embodiment includes a user module 214 integrated with the automatic dispensing device system. The user module 214 may include a user interface 216. The user interface 216 may include a device for providing information to the user, such as a display (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, etc.), and a device for user input information. The device for inputting information may include a touch screen display, a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse), a scanning device (e.g., a barcode scanner or a radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, etc.), etc. The user module 214 may be used to request the allocation of items, check the queue of items to be allocated, check errors or correct problems, etc.

[0045] The automatic dispensing device system 200 of the example embodiment can distribute and pack articles in an automatic manner, and can be distributed to the conveying device in this way. For example, the automatic dispensing device system 200 can distribute articles from the tray 212 to, for example, a box, which can then be used to advance the articles to the packaging station or packaging module of the system 200. According to the example embodiment of the automatic distribution and packaging system of the medical institution, the system can receive a request for dispensing one or more drugs for an order. In response, the robot 204 can advance to a position for approaching a tray containing one or more requested drugs along the track system 206. The tray 212 can advance to a retrieval position, or by a mechanism of the storage module 202, or using the robot 204 to move the tray to the retrieval position. Once the tray is in the retrieval position, the robot arm end tool 208 can be moved by the robot 204 to a position above the position where one of the requested drugs is stored in the tray. The arm end tool 208 can retrieve the drugs stored therein and move the drugs to the distribution position. The distribution position can be, for example, a patient-specific box or an order-specific box, which can be positioned on the work platform 210, or can be positioned at the distribution area of ​​the module of the system 200. Once each of the patient's requested medications has been retrieved and dispensed into order-specific boxes, the boxes may be moved to a packing station.

[0046] Figure 2The illustrated embodiment includes a cart module 218 and a cart 220. The cart 220 may be received within the cart module 218 from a location external to the automated dispensing system 200, such that movement of the cart in and out of the cart module may not interfere with the operation of the robot 204 within the system. The robot 204 may access the cart within the cart module 218. The robot may move a patient-specific box containing the requested medication to the cart 220 of the cart module 218, such that the patient-specific box is ready to be transported to the patient using the cart 220. Optionally, the cart may include multiple storage locations therein, and the robot 204 may dispense the patient-requested medication to the storage locations of the cart without the need for a separate patient-specific box.

[0047] According to example embodiments described herein, the automated dispensing system 200 can dispense a plurality of items (e.g., medications) to a packaging station and subsequently to a transport device, such as a cart 220, without requiring human intervention. Such automated dispensing can be accomplished by properly identifying the items when they are received in the automated dispensing system 200 and when the items are retrieved within the system for dispensing.

[0048] Each tray 212 within each storage module 202 may include a plurality of locations, each of which has a unique identification. For example, a location may be uniquely identified based on an identifier at the location (e.g., a barcode or RFID tag), or by coordinates within the tray (e.g., Cartesian coordinates). The trays may have a variety of different configurations to accommodate different types of items stored therein. Figure 3 Several potential configurations of trays according to example embodiments described herein are shown. The tray can be configured to hold a plurality of cups, such as the medication cups shown at 222. The tray can be configured to hold a plurality of blisters, such as the medication unit dose blister packages shown at 224. The tray can be configured to hold a plurality of boxes, which can be of uniform or varying sizes, as shown at 226. The boxes can be transparent to facilitate identification of the items contained therein, as further described below. And the tray can be configured to hold a plurality of cards, such as a card containing a plurality of individual unit dose blister packages, such as shown at 228. The tray can be configured in a variety of ways to hold any type of item that needs to be automatically dispensed. In addition, the tray can be configured to hold a variety of different form factors, including a plurality of individual unit dose blister packages implemented in a single tray. Figure 3 The bags of the pallet may optionally be lined with a relatively high friction material, particularly over smooth plastic pallet bags. This may enable example embodiments to maintain the position of items (e.g., medicine bottles) loaded into the bag in a marked position and mitigate the effects of vibration and movement of the items within the bag to enable easier identification of the items in the bag.

[0049] According to an example embodiment, each position of the tray can be uniquely identified so that the position within the tray is known. The geometry of the tray and the positions therein can be stored in a memory, e.g. Figure 4 232 of the controller shown in the figure and further described below. Each pallet can be unique so that the memory 232 includes a unique layout and geometry and location identifier for each pallet. In this embodiment, each pallet can include a unique identifier, such as a barcode, a 2-dimensional barcode, an RFID tag, etc. Optionally, there can be a specific number of pallet configurations, and each configuration can have a unique identifier. In this embodiment, the identification of the pallet can only provide configuration information, and the location of the pallet in the storage module can be stored in the memory of the controller 232 to facilitate retrieval of items from the pallet.

[0050] The tray 212 of the example embodiment can be maintained within or associated with a specific storage module so that the tray is replenished to dispense items therefrom. However, according to some embodiments, the tray can be removed from the storage module and can be replenished by replacing the tray within the storage module. In this case where the tray is removable from the storage module, the identification of the tray 212 can be read by a device such as a scanning device when it is received in the storage module so that the controller can associate the specific tray with a specific location within the automatic storage device.

[0051] When items are dispensed from an automated dispensing system as described herein, replenishment of the items is required to maintain an inventory of items for dispensing. This replenishment is an operation that may occur in downtime between dispensing operations, for example, this may occur overnight in a healthcare facility where fewer medications are being dispensed. Various replenishment methods may be used to replenish the automated dispensing systems described herein, and in embodiments where there is little downtime for replenishment to occur, replenishment in a quick and efficient manner may be important.

[0052] The automated dispensing system 200 of the example embodiment may also provide automated replenishment using the robot 204 and the end-of-arm tool 208 as described herein. Replenishment may be performed by replacing the entire tray 212 or a portion thereof. For example, a replenishment cart may be received within the cart module 218, wherein the replenishment cart includes a plurality of trays stored therein. These trays may include a plurality of storage locations, as described above with respect to Figure 3The trays can be removed from the cart so that they can be retrieved by the robot 204. The trays of the replenishment cart can be of the same size as the trays 212 of the storage module 202 and can be interchangeable with the trays of the storage module. In this embodiment, replenishment can be performed by exchanging the trays within the storage module with replacement trays from the replenishment cart. However, according to some embodiments, the replenishment cart may not be of sufficient size to hold trays of the same size as the trays in the storage module.

[0053] The tray of the storage module can be relatively large so that replenishment can only occur on a portion of the tray of the storage module. In this embodiment, the tray 212 of the storage module 202 can include an insert, wherein the insert includes multiple positions, and each tray can include several inserts. In this embodiment, the insert of the tray can be exchanged during replenishment. For example, the tray 212 of the storage module can be configured to hold three inserts. The insert arranged for replenishment (because the insert is empty, mostly empty, or contains items that are now expired or will soon expire, etc.) can be removed from the tray 212 of the storage module 202 by the robot 204 using the end-of-arm tool 208. The replenishment cart received at the cart module 218 can include an insert to replace the removed insert. The robot 204 can retrieve the replenishment insert and place the replenishment insert in the tray 212. In this embodiment, each insert can be individually identified, wherein the position of the insert is known and its contents are stored in a database, such as in the memory 232 of the controller. Such an insert can facilitate the batch replenishment of items.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the replenishment of items can occur on a unit-by-unit basis. A replenishment cart can be received at the cart module 218 and can include a tray of items for replenishment of the system 200. The tray can be removed from the replenishment cart and placed in a position within the automated dispensing system 200 so that it can be approached by the robot 204 and the end-of-arm tool 208, such as on the work platform 210. The robot 204 uses the end-of-arm tool 208 and advances along the track system 206, and can retrieve items from the replenishment tray and place them in the position of the tray 212 of the storage unit. When doing so, the position and identification of the item can be stored by the controller, for example, in the memory 232.

[0055] According to some embodiments, the robot 204 may also be configured to move items between different storage locations within one or more trays 212 of the storage module 202 under the instruction of the controller. This operation may be performed to consolidate items, or to place items in strategic locations based on other items that may be retrieved with those items. For example, if a first drug often causes side effects treated with a second drug, the first drug and the second drug may be placed close to each other in the tray 212 of the storage module 202, because it is likely that the two drugs will need to be retrieved at the same time. The automatic storage system of the example embodiment may also have a tray or area for more efficient retrieval of items. For example, a tray at a height similar to the middle height of the robot 204 may be more efficiently approached compared to a tray at the top or bottom of the robot 204's travel. Large-volume items or frequently used items may be positioned in these more effectively approached areas to facilitate faster throughput of the automatic dispensing system. Large-volume items may change seasonally (e.g., allergy medications), so that the repositioning of the medication may be performed by the robot 204 through instructions from the controller to optimize the organization of items in the storage module. The robot 204, under the instruction of the controller, can periodically defragment or declutter the stored items by consolidating the items into more dense storage areas. Sparsely distributed items can be grouped together to facilitate efficient retrieval and distribution of items.

[0056] The robot 204 may include a scanner, such as a barcode scanner, RFID tag scanner / reader, etc., to read identification of items as they are retrieved and / or placed into storage locations. In addition, such a scanner may read identification of the tray 212, the tray insert, and / or the location within the tray or insert. The scanner may be used to identify the item being dispensed or replenished to ensure accuracy and that the item stored in a particular location of a storage module is consistent with the expected item.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the scanner may be an image capture device to capture an image of a barcode or identifier and use the image through barcode analysis or optical character recognition to infer the identity of the scanned image. In this embodiment, the robot 204 may use the image capture device as a visual guidance system to facilitate learning the location within a tray for items. The image capture device may enable the robot to determine the center of mass of the item in order to optimally grasp the item to retrieve it. In addition, the image capture device may enable the robot 204 to determine the orientation of the item within the tray by using a controller so that the end-of-arm tool may be appropriately positioned to retrieve the item based on the determined orientation.

[0058] Although the above reference Figure 1 and Figure 2Automatic dispensing equipment is described, but embodiments of the packaging station as described herein may not require automatic dispensing and may be used in conjunction with manual dispensing or semi-manual dispensing. Figure 4 An example embodiment of semi-automatic dispensing is shown, in which a user manually picks up items for dispensing into a container 36 advancing along a conveyor 40. As shown, the user can retrieve the item and scan the item 30 with a scanner 32 to read the identification mark on the item to confirm the identity of the item 30. The user interface 34 can facilitate this process and can provide an indication of whether the scanned item is satisfactory. In the above automatic embodiment, when the user provides the robot's function, the box 38 can be moved by Figure 4 Semi-automatic system for dispensing onto conveyors.

[0059] As further described below, the system of the example embodiment may include a packing station, where one or more items are placed in a package such as a bag, and the bag becomes the outer packaging of the one or more items for the order. In this embodiment, the medication may initially be retrieved and dispensed into boxes, where the boxes are brought to a bagging device or bag loading device. The bags at the bagging station may be rolls of bags (e.g., on a roll or a tube bag), where the bags are predetermined lengths separated by perforations and sealed at one end, or the rolls of bags may be a continuous roll of a tube of material, where the bagging station may seal the bags at one or both ends and separate the bags from each other as needed.

[0060] According to some embodiments, at the bagging station, the bag is printed with information such as the contents to be placed into the bag, the destination of the bag, the patient to whom the contents of the bag are prescribed, etc. The bag may be printed with a unique machine-readable identifier to facilitate machine identification. The bag may be indexed to a location, scanned to ensure that the markings printed on the bag are appropriate, and then opened to receive the medication.

[0061] Figure 5 An example implementation of a bag loading operation at a bagging station is shown. As shown in A, a loading box 158 containing one or more medications is inserted into an open bag 157 at a bagging station. For example, the loading box 158 can be advanced by a robot 204 using an end-of-arm tool at 159. The loading box includes a bottom plate 161 and an end panel 167. As shown in B, once the loading box 158 is inserted into the bag 157, the bottom plate 161 is retracted, which can be achieved by various mechanisms, such as a gear drive 168. Sliding the bottom plate 161 from under the bottom of the box 158 leaves the contents of the box in the bag 157. As shown in C, the end panel 167 is raised, thereby allowing the box 158 to be retracted from the bag along arrow 169. Therefore, the medication 163 is stored in the bag 157 with minimal risk of damaging any medication.

[0062] The bag of example embodiments may have a resealable feature, which can be sealed and resealed when one or more items are removed. For certain drugs or devices, a tamper-evident seal may be more desirable. Heat sealing may be performed on the bag of example embodiments to provide a sealed package. Since excess air contained in the bag after packaging may be undesirable, the bag of example embodiments may be ventilated to allow air to escape, thereby minimizing the package size.

[0063] Figure 6 An example embodiment packaging station is shown in which a web of bags 152 is fed from a roll or reel of bags 151 to an automated bagging area where the bags are filled. The roll of bags may include a plurality of bags attached to one another along a first side of the bag, while a second side of the bag can be separated from adjacent bags and opened. The packaging station may include a printing mechanism, such as Figure 6 The print head 302 and platen roller 304 are shown. The printing mechanism can be a thermal printing mechanism, an inkjet printing mechanism, a laser printing mechanism, etc., and can be configured to print an identification mark onto a specific bag. The mark can include the contents of the bag to be loaded, the destination of the bag, the recipient of the bag, or other information identifying the bag and / or the contents. In addition, the mark can be in a human-readable form, or can be in a barcoded form, such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

[0064] The packaging station of the example embodiment may optionally include equipment for reading indicia printed on the bags. Figure 6 A reader 306 is shown, which can be in the form of a barcode scanner or image capture device configured to capture an image of the indicia of the bag and interpret the indicia. Based on the interpreted indicia, a controller described further below can confirm that the indicia matches the contents to be loaded into the bag or any other information associated with the order and / or contents to ensure that the bag includes indicia that appropriately indicates information about the contents of the bag.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, a roll of bags 152 is fed into a bagging station or packaging station, and the bags provided at the packaging station can be opened. The bags can be opened by pneumatic means, such as using a pneumatic air stream from a nozzle 153, which can be a short burst of air or air stream that opens the bag and holds the bag in an open position. The bag 157 can optionally be opened by a finger 155, which can grasp the top side of the bag and pull the bag open while holding the bag to receive the contents. The finger 155 and the pneumatic air stream along arrow 154 can be used alone or in conjunction to open the bag and hold the bag open during the packaging operation.

[0066] The roll 152 of bags may include some bags that are more difficult to open than other bags due to potential inconsistencies in the manufacture of the bags. Since the packaging station described herein is automatic, it is not desirable to have inconsistencies in the bags of the roll. However, in the case where the bags of the roll cannot be opened, the example embodiments described herein can dispose of the unopened bags without manual intervention. Sensors of the packaging station, such as sensors attached to the fingers 155, can provide an indication that the bag is not properly opened after the bag opening operation. In this embodiment, the closing mechanism described further below can separate the unopened bags from the roll of bags while the bags are disposed of by a conveying mechanism such as the pneumatic table described below or pushed out of the packaging station by subsequent bags to be loaded. The print head 302 can be positioned in such a way that when it is determined that the bag has failed to open, the next bag has not yet been printed. In this way, the controller can direct the print head 302 to print the same mark on subsequent bags so that the orders of the loading box 158 can be assigned to the correctly labeled bags.

[0067] Figure 7 Shown after bag 157 has been opened and held open by fingers 155 Figure 6 Example implementations of . Figure 8 The bagging station / packaging station is shown with the bag 157 already opened and held open by invisible fingers, but as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the stowage box 158 is shown in the initial stages of insertion into the bag 157 . Figure 8 The example embodiment of also includes a pneumatic table 163 on which the bag 157 rests while being filled. Figure 8 The pneumatic table 163 is shown in a raised position, ready to support the bag 157 when filled. The pneumatic table includes a plurality of spaced-apart orifices through which air is blown to support and make the product supported thereon more buoyant.

[0068] The pneumatic table 163 of the example embodiment can be controlled by the following controller to be in a specific position relative to the packaging station, and provide an appropriate level of airflow through the pneumatic table based on the product packaged by order. The pneumatic table 163 can have an elevated position relative to the packaging station to support the product when the product is inserted into the bag 157 through the loading box 158. When the product does not need such support, for example, for a lightweight product or a product that is not easily damaged, the pneumatic table can have a position lowered relative to the packaging station. In addition, the airflow through the pneumatic table can change based on the order filled. The heavier product inserted into the bag may cause the bag to be generally more difficult to move. However, using the pneumatic table 163, the filled bag can be easily moved, such as by a prime mover (e.g., air, a mechanical pusher, etc.) or by gravity, due to the lower friction provided by the air flowing through the pneumatic table. The amount of air flowing through the pneumatic table may simply include an on / off valve to provide or stop airflow through the pneumatic table, or the airflow may optionally be variable, as some products may be very light and a high flow through the pneumatic table may cause the bagged product to rise from the pneumatic table to an undesirable or uncontrollable height. Thus, the functionality of the pneumatic table may be controlled on a per order basis depending on the content of the order established and controlled by the controller.

[0069] Fig. 9 The loading box 158 is shown inserted into the bag 157 when the end panel 167 is raised. As shown, the loading box is basically inserted into the bag 157 so that the contents of the box are surrounded by the bag, ready to be transferred into the bag when the loading box 158 is retracted. Fig.10 The bag 157 is shown after the loading bin 158 has been retracted. The bag contents 320 are then disposed within the bag, but can be pushed further into the bag by pneumatic means (e.g., nozzle 153) or by using a portion of the bin (e.g., front panel 167 of the bin) to push the bag contents 320 after the bin is retracted and the front panel is closed. The air assist for driving the contents 320 of the bin into the bag can be dynamically adjusted between on or off depending on the items comprising the bag contents 320. The air assist can be configured in terms of flow rate and pressure to sufficiently drive the contents 320 into the bag 157 so as to leave the closure area, thereby enabling the bag to be sealed.

[0070] Once the contents of the bag are received by the bag, the closing mechanism 310 can be pressed down on the opening of the bag along arrow 311 to seal the opening. The closing mechanism can be various types of mechanisms based on the bag material and how the bag is intended to be sealed. For example, the closing device can be a heat seal, where the closing mechanism 310 is a heating element or a pressure plate to press the bag against the heating element. Alternatively, the bag can be ultrasonically sealed, where the closing mechanism 310 presses the bag against an ultrasonic fusion device. The bag can include an adhesive so that the closing mechanism 310 simply presses the ends of the bag together to close the bag against the adhesive. The closing mechanism can optionally include an extension or an orifice configured to receive the extension, where a crimping device is used to close the bag.

[0071] Once the bag is closed and sealed, the bag can be separated from the bag roll. This can be performed by a closing mechanism 310, which can be configured to cut the filled bag from the web, for example, by a blade or shearing action. When the sealed, filled bag is separated from the bag roll, the filled bag can be lowered along the pneumatic table 163 to the conveyor mechanism. Fig.11 The pneumatic table 163 is shown moving to a lowered position, allowing the bag 157 including the contents 320 to leave the packing station and proceed to the next location, such as a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism may include a box, where the packing station fills and seals the bag before delivering the bag to the box for later delivery, or the transport mechanism may be a conveyor, where the filled and sealed bag is removed from the packing station and transported elsewhere for subsequent processing.

[0072] Although the above-mentioned example embodiment of the packing station / bagging station includes a separation operation, by which one bag is separated from another bag after filling, the separation operation may not be necessary. The bag can be formed by a continuous web and can be filled without separation, so that a crossbody strap of the bag can be formed, which may be useful in embodiments where multiple bags are intended for the same location or are designated for the same patient. Optionally, medications can be dispensed to restock the medicine cabinet so that the crossbody strap of the bag can be used to restock different medications in the same cabinet. The bag can be equipped with holes to minimize the trapped air in the bag, and can include quick access perforations to allow the bag to be easily opened. The printed portion of the bag or a portion thereof can be attached via perforations for easy removal. Patient information or information protected by the Health Information Protection Act (HIPAA) can be removed from the bag to comply with such protection. The bag can optionally be opaque or translucent, rather than transparent, to protect patient privacy or to conceal the type of medication that may be a desired target of theft, such as narcotics.

[0073] The automatic dispensing and packaging system as described above may require a controller configured to control the functions of automatic dispensing and packaging. Alternatively, dispensing and packaging may be performed by separate systems including separate controllers that can work in conjunction with each other. The controller of the example embodiment can be configured in a variety of ways, one example of which is in Fig.12 . The controller of the example embodiment may include a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be configured to perform actions according to one or more example embodiments disclosed herein. In this regard, the processing circuit may be configured to perform one or more functions such as processing, storage or distribution of items such as medicines and / or supplies and / or control the execution of the one or more functions according to various example embodiments. The processing circuit may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and / or other processing and management services according to one or more example embodiments. In some embodiments, the computer or a portion or component thereof (e.g., a processing circuit) may be implemented as a circuit chip or include a circuit chip. The circuit chip may constitute a device for performing one or more operations to provide the functions described herein.

[0074] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a device that can be implemented as a controller for an automatic dispensing system is shown in . As shown, in some example embodiments, the processing circuit may include a processor 230, and in some embodiments, may also include a memory 232. The processing circuit may communicate with a user interface 234 and / or a communication interface 236, include or otherwise control the user interface 234 and / or the communication interface 236. As such, the processing circuit may be implemented as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) that is configured (e.g., using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software) to perform the operations described herein.

[0075] The processor 230 can be implemented in a variety of different ways. For example, the processor can be implemented as various processing devices, such as a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller, or one or more of various other calculations or processes including an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), etc. Although shown as a single processor, it should be understood that the processor may include multiple processors. The multiple processors can communicate with each other and can be configured together to perform one or more functions of a system for processing, storing, transporting or dispensing drugs as described herein. The multiple processors can be implemented on a single computing device or distributed on multiple computing devices. In some example embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory or instructions accessible to the processor. In this way, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor can represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in a circuit-in the form of a processing circuit) that can perform operations according to an embodiment of the present invention when configured accordingly. Therefore, for example, when the processor is implemented as an ASIC, an FPGA, etc., the processor can be a specially configured hardware for performing the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform one or more operations described herein.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the memory 232 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices, such as fixed or removable volatile and / or non-volatile memory. In this regard, the memory 232 may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. It should be understood that although the memory 232 is shown as a single memory, the memory may include multiple memories. The multiple memories may be contained on a single computing device or may be distributed across multiple computing devices. The memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, etc., so that embodiments of the present invention can perform various functions according to one or more example embodiments. For example, the memory may be configured to buffer input data for processing by a processor. Additionally or alternatively, the memory may be configured to store instructions for execution by a processor. As another alternative, the memory may include one or more databases that may store various files, content, or data sets. In the content of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by the processor to implement functions associated with each respective application.

[0077] The user interface 234 of the example embodiment, such as the user interface of the user module of the automatic dispensing system, can communicate with the processing circuit to receive the indication of the user input at the user interface and / or provide the user with an auditory, visual, mechanical or other output. In this way, the user interface may include, for example, a user input interface 234, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker and / or other input / output mechanisms. In this way, in some example embodiments, the user interface 234 may provide a device for user control of an embodiment of the present invention. In some example embodiments in which the present invention is implemented as a server, a cloud computing system, etc., various aspects of the user interface may be limited, or the user interface may not exist. In some example embodiments, one or more aspects of the user interface may be implemented on a user terminal. Therefore, regardless of the implementation, according to one or more example embodiments, the user interface may provide input and output devices to facilitate the processing, storage, transportation or delivery of the drug.

[0078] The communication interface 236 may include one or more interface mechanisms for realizing communication with other devices and / or networks. In some cases, the communication interface may be any device, such as a device or circuit implemented in a combination of hardware or hardware and software, which is configured to receive data from a network and / or any other device or module communicating with a processing circuit, and / or send data to a network and / or any other device or module communicating with a processing circuit. As an example, the communication interface 236 may be configured to enable embodiments of the present invention to communicate with an application server and / or a network and / or an information database. Therefore, the communication interface may, for example, include supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communication via a cable, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a universal serial bus (USB), an Ethernet or other methods.

[0079] The controller of the example embodiment can be configured to control various aspects of the distribution and packaging operations. With respect to packaging and bagging, various operations can be controlled based on the order placed in the bag and based on certain characteristics of one or more items of the order. As described above, an order can include multiple items. These items can be retrieved by the automatic distribution system and presented to the packing station in the loading box 157. When preparing the order, the controller can cause the print head 302 to print indicia on the bag to receive the order. The controller can indicate what information to print. The controller can be configured to operate the packing station according to a "recipe" for a specific order, where different operations are performed based on the specific needs of the order.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the order can be received by the controller of the automatic packaging machine, and the contents are identified to establish an appropriate packaging formula. The controller can determine each individual item of the order and identify the packaging formula for the combination of items in the order. For example, an order that includes only small and light objects may include a position indication that the pneumatic table is in a downward position, and the airflow through the pneumatic table is low. In addition, such an order may require that the product be air-assisted inserted into the bag after the loading box 158 has already put the product into the bag to ensure that the product is fully out of the closure so as not to interfere with the closing mechanism.

[0081] Fig.12 An example embodiment includes a user interface screen that can define operating parameters for various items to be packaged. Examples include small oral solids, large oral solids, small / medium vials, syringes, mixed medications with or without vials, boxes, etc. For each type of item, various operating parameters of the packaging station can be defined. For example, in the case of small oral solids, the air table is located in a low position, the air flow through the air table is low, and air pulses are used to ensure that the items are pushed into the bag after the loading box has been retracted. In contrast, for syringes, which are heavier items, the air table is enabled and positioned in an elevated position, while the air flow through the air table is higher, and air pulses are not used to push the product into the bag.

[0082] Although Fig.13 Recipes for various individual items are shown, but recipes may exist or may be determined for combinations of items. For example, an order that includes small oral solids and syringes may still use an air pulse to insert the product into the bag, as the small oral solids may require this, while the syringes are not adversely affected. Additionally, if the bag is to contain multiple items that raise the cumulative weight above a predetermined threshold, the pneumatic table may be used in an elevated position. The embodiments described herein identify the items in an order and, accordingly, identify operating parameters for the packing station.

[0083] Fig.14 An example implementation of a user interface for a packaging station as described herein is shown. As shown, various functions are depicted on the user interface to provide an operator with an understanding of the operating status of the packaging station.

[0084] Fig.15It is a flowchart of a method and program product according to an example embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that each box of the flowchart and the combination of boxes in the flowchart can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processors, circuits and / or other devices associated with the execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable memory, which can guide a computer or other programmable device to act in a specific way so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article that implements the functions specified in the flowchart box. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device implement the functions specified in the flowchart box.

[0085] Therefore, the blocks of the flowchart support the combination of the means for performing the specified functions and the combination of the operations for performing the specified functions. It should also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart and the combination of the blocks in the flowchart can be implemented by a computer system based on special-purpose hardware or a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions that performs the specified functions.

[0086] In this regard, Fig.15 As shown, a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include receiving an indication of an order, wherein the order includes one or more items to be packaged, as shown in step 510. At step 520, operating parameters of a packaging system may be identified based at least in part on the identified one or more items. As shown in step 530, the packaging system may be operated according to the operating parameters. As shown in step 540, operating the packaging system according to the identified operating parameters may include printing a mark to a first bag of a bag roll. As shown in step 550, the first bag of the bag roll may be supplied to a packaging station of the packaging system. As shown in step 560, the first bag may be opened, for example, using a pneumatic nozzle. A loading box may be inserted into the opened bag, as shown in step 570, wherein the loading box includes the one or more items. At step 580, the one or more items may be deposited into the bag by the box.

[0087] In some embodiments, some operations in the operation can be modified or further expanded, as described below. In addition, in some embodiments, additional operations can also be included. It should be understood that each of the following modifications, optional additions or expansions can be included together with the above operation individually or in combination with any other features in the features described herein.

[0088] In an example embodiment, for performing Fig.14The apparatus of the method may include a processor configured to perform some or all of the above-mentioned operation steps (510-580). The processor may be configured to perform the operation steps (510-580) by executing hardware-implemented logical functions (which execute stored instructions) or executing algorithms for performing each operation. Alternatively, the apparatus may include means for performing each of the above-mentioned operations.

[0089] An example of an apparatus according to an example embodiment may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform operations 510-580 with the at least one processor.

[0090] An example of a computer program product according to an example embodiment may include at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein. The computer-executable program code portions may include program code instructions for performing operation steps 510-580.

[0091] Benefiting from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the related drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also expected to be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automatic packaging system, comprising: receiving an indication of an order, wherein the order includes one or more items; identifying the one or more items of the order; identifying operating parameters of the automated packaging system based at least in part on the identified one or more items of the order; as well as The automatic packaging system is operated according to the identified operating parameters, wherein the step of operating the automatic packaging system according to the identified operating parameters comprises: feeding a first bag of the roll of bags to a packaging station of the automatic packaging system; opening the first bag of the roll of bags using a pneumatic nozzle to define an opening of the first bag; inserting a carrying case containing the one or more items into the first bag through the opening; providing an air flow to push the one or more items from the stowage bin into the first bag based on an operating parameter among the identified operating parameters, wherein the operating parameter comprises an air pressure or an air flow rate determined to be sufficient to push the one or more items into the first bag; and The one or more items are stored in the first bag.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The steps of operating the automatic packaging system also include: Indicia is printed onto the first bag of the roll of bags, wherein the indicia identifies the one or more items.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After the one or more articles have been deposited into the first bag, the first bag disposed at the packing station is closed.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: After closing the first bag, the first bag arranged at the packaging station is sealed with a closing device.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After opening the first bag of the roll of bags, one or more fingers are inserted into the opening of the first bag to hold the first bag in an open position.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A predetermined level of airflow is supplied to a pneumatic table of the automated packaging system supporting the first bag based on the identified operating parameters.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The predetermined level of airflow based on the identified operating parameters includes a level of airflow through the pneumatic table based on a weight of one or more items of the order.

8. An automatic packaging system comprising: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, wherein the order includes one or more items; Packing station; a roll of bags, wherein the roll of bags is fed to the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open an opening of a first bag disposed at the packaging station; a stowage box to receive one or more articles at least partially inserted into the opening of the first bag disposed at the packing station; as well as A loading mechanism comprising an air flow for pushing the one or more articles from the loading box into the first bag arranged at the packing station, wherein the air flow comprises parameters determined at least in part based on one or more characteristics of the one or more articles, wherein the parameters comprise an air pressure or an air flow rate determined to be sufficient to push the one or more articles into the first bag.

9. The automatic packaging system according to claim 8, further comprising: A printing station, wherein the printing station prints identification of one or more items of the order onto the first bag.

10. The automatic packaging system according to claim 9, wherein: The printing station further comprises: a print head configured to print an identification mark onto the roll of bags as the roll of bags is fed into the packaging station; and An indicia reader is configured to read the identifying indicia printed on the roll of bags.

11. The automatic packaging system according to claim 9, further comprising: A closing device seals the first bag provided at the packing station after the one or more articles are pushed into the first bag.

12. The automatic packaging system according to claim 8, wherein: The one or more characteristics of the one or more items include at least one of a size of the one or more items or a weight of the one or more items.

13. The automatic packaging system according to claim 8, wherein: The opening mechanism further includes one or more fingers inserted into the opening of the first bag to hold the first bag in an open position.

14. The automatic packaging system according to claim 8, further comprising: A pneumatic table is configured to support the first bag disposed at the packaging station.

15. The automatic packaging system according to claim 14, wherein: The pneumatic table is supplied with a predetermined level of airflow according to operating parameters identified based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more items.

16. The automatic packaging system according to claim 15, wherein: The one or more characteristics of the one or more items include at least one of a size of the one or more items or a weight of the one or more items.

17. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving an indication of an order, wherein the order includes one or more items; identifying the one or more items of the order; identifying operating parameters of an automated packaging system based at least in part on the identified one or more items of the order; causing a first bag of the roll of bags to be fed to a packaging station of the automatic packaging system; opening the first bag of the roll of bags using a pneumatic nozzle to define an opening of the first bag; causing a container containing the one or more items to be inserted into the first bag through the opening; providing an airflow to push the one or more items from the stowage box into the first bag based on operating parameters among the identified operating parameters, wherein the operating parameters include an air pressure or an air flow rate determined to be sufficient to push the one or more items into the first bag, and The one or more items are stored in the first bag.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: The apparatus is further caused to: cause indicia to be printed onto the first bag of the roll of bags, wherein the indicia identifies the one or more items.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: The device is further configured to: After the one or more articles have been deposited into the first bag, the first bag disposed at the packing station is closed.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: The device is further configured to: After closing the first bag, the first bag arranged at the packaging station is sealed with a closing device.

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