Medicament dispensing device and method for dispensing medicament

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of dispensing discrete tablets from a feeder unit, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining the latest permissible dispensing time of the tablets from the feeder unit; b) comparing the latest allowable allocation time with the planned allocation time; and c) transmitting a distribution signal only when the planned distribution time precedes the latest permissible distribution time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for dispensing medications, particularly into pouches. Background Art

[0002] When dispensing individual and / or daily packaged medicines, the medicines are usually stored in cans so as to be efficiently dispensed from an automatic dispensing device. Such a device is shown in US2014 / 0366489 A1, which discloses a device for automatically dispensing solid materials for medical use. The device is provided with a large number of feeder units (also referred to as "cans"), which are distributed in a radial grid around the axis of rotation. Each can contains a certain amount of solid materials specific to the corresponding feeder units. Therefore, these cans can dispense a variety of solid materials together. These cans are distributed to a collection portion, which then leads to a packaging unit, which packages the solid materials received from a collection tray in a foil, which is sealed to form a separately closed bag, also referred to as a "pouch". Summary of the invention

[0003] Drugs that cannot be dispensed from a can are typically manually loaded into a plate, which is then loaded into an automated dispensing device (such as the automated dispensing device in US2014 / 0366489), where the drug is directed to a collection portion and then to a packaging unit. The need to use a plate may be due to any number of reasons, for example, due to the drug itself (e.g., fragile tablets), the infrequent need for the drug, guidelines or regulations regarding repackaging of tablets after they are removed from the initial packaging, or other reasons. Due to the manual labor involved, the use of a plate results in a lower overall efficiency of the process than dispensing using a feeder unit (e.g., a can), and may be more error-prone than an automated process from a feeder unit. Therefore, the disclosed method and apparatus allow for more efficient dispensing and less manual work during the dispensing process, even when the allowed open air time (the time between removal from the initial packaging and sealing in a new packaging (e.g., a pouch)) is very short.

[0004] According to a first aspect, a method for dispensing discrete tablets from a feeder unit comprises the following steps: a) determining the latest allowable dispensing time of the tablets from the feeder unit; b) comparing the latest allowable dispensing time with a planned dispensing time; and c) sending a dispensing signal only when the planned dispensing time is before the latest allowable dispensing time. Such a method allows tablets (e.g., from a can) to be automatically dispensed even if the permissible open air time of the tablets is very short. The latest allowable dispensing time is determined by adding the permissible open air time allowed for a particular tablet to the time when the original packaging is opened. Therefore, the method is particularly suitable for tablets or drugs that have not been tested for open air time and are therefore only allowed to have a short open air time (e.g., 24 or 48 hours). The open air time is typically determined by testing or by regulations / policies.

[0005] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: d) comparing the known expiration date of the tablets with the pouch consumption date; and e) sending a dispensing signal only if the known expiration date is after the pouch consumption date. The expiration date is typically provided by the tablet manufacturer and can be entered manually or automatically (e.g., scanning a barcode) when the tablets are removed from the original packaging and placed in the can (or other feeder unit) for dispensing. Such steps ensure that the tablets are not expired when they are consumed by the patient.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the method further includes f) dispensing discrete tablets from the feeder unit only when receiving a distribution signal from steps c) and e). Such a method allows automatic and therefore more efficient distribution and packaging of many tablets, which previously had to involve manual work (e.g., manually loaded into a plate) due to a short open air time, while ensuring that these tablets will not deteriorate (due to open air time) during production or will not expire before they are consumed from packaging (e.g., a pouch). Optionally, steps d) and e) are performed before steps a) to c). Alternatively, steps a) to c) are performed simultaneously with steps d) to e). The order of steps can vary according to system, priority, and various requirements.

[0007] According to an embodiment, if step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing moment is before the planned dispensing time, a notification is sent: the feeder unit should be replaced by a second feeder unit with a later latest permissible dispensing moment. Optionally, the notification instructs the operator to prepare the second feeder unit with tablets of the same composition. The second feeder unit can then be delivered to the dispensing machine, where it can optionally replace the feeder unit for the production operation. In some embodiments, the feeder unit can be left in the dispenser and simply assigned to another production operation with an earlier planned dispensing time.

[0008] According to an embodiment, if step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing time is before the planned dispensing time, the method restarts with a second feeder unit having a later latest permissible dispensing time. The second feeder unit may already be in the dispenser, or in a storage position, where it can be moved (manually or automatically) to the feeder position for use. This can be the position of the feeder unit (after it has been moved or removed) or another position. Optionally, the method further comprises removing the feeder unit.

[0009] According to an embodiment, if step d) determines that the known expiration date of the tablets is before the pouch consumption date, a notification is sent that the feeder unit should be replaced by a second feeder unit with a later expiration date. The notification may indicate that the operator should prepare a new feeder unit, retrieve a feeder unit from a storage location, or simply specify a new feeder unit that is already in the feeder location. Optionally, the method then restarts step d) with the second feeder unit with a later expiration date. Such a step ensures that the medication packaged and sent to the patient does not exceed its expiration date when it is consumed.

[0010] According to an embodiment, step a) involves determining the permissible open air time of these tablets in the feeder unit, and calculating the latest permissible dispensing time based on the moment when these tablets are taken out from the original packaging and the permissible open air time. The permissible open air time can be set based on past tests or regulations. This determination can be performed as follows: for example, by checking whether a specific tablet has a permissible open air time for a test, and if so, it is set as the permissible open air time. If there is no permissible open air time for a test, the system can determine that the open air time is set by a specific rule or regulation and apply the rule or regulation. For example, certain types or categories of tablets, if not tested, may only have an open air time of 48 hours. The system can determine that the tablet is a type in the category, and then apply the rule / regulation of setting 24 hours as the permissible open air time. In other cases, for any tablet that cannot be determined to meet any category, determine the set (usually quite short, such as 24 hours) permissible open air time to apply to those tablets. The latest permissible dispensing time is then determined as the time when the original package is opened plus the permissible open air time, and is usually set to a specific time on a specific date.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the dispensing device comprises a dispensing part and a collecting part, and the feeder unit is located in one of the feeder positions in the dispensing part and dispenses the tablets to the collecting part.

[0012] According to another aspect, a dispensing device for dispensing discrete tablets includes: a dispensing portion defining an array of feeder positions for holding a plurality of feeder units; and a control unit for controlling the dispensing process. The control unit is configured to perform the following steps: a) determining the latest allowable dispensing time of the tablets from a first feeder unit; b) comparing the latest allowable dispensing time with a planned dispensing time for a particular run; and c) sending a dispensing signal to dispense the tablets from the first feeder unit only when the planned dispensing time is before the latest allowable dispensing time. Optionally, the control unit is further configured to perform the following steps: d) comparing the known expiration date of the tablets with the pouch consumption date for the particular run; and e) sending a dispensing signal to dispense the tablets from the first feeder unit only when the known expiration date is after the pouch consumption date. Such a dispensing device enables efficient dispensing of tablets into packages while ensuring that such tablets do not exceed the allowable open air time between removal from the manufacturer's package (placed into the feeder unit) and sealing into the pouch. Optionally, the dispensing device may further comprise: a collecting portion for receiving the tablets from the dispensing portion; and a packaging portion for receiving the tablets from the collecting portion and packaging the tablets into pouches.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the control unit is further configured to start dispensing tablets from the first feeder unit upon receiving a dispensing signal from steps c) and e). By waiting for a dispensing signal to ensure that a production run can be completed with tablets that will not exceed their specific permissible open air time or expire before they are scheduled to be consumed, the dispenser ensures a quality product through an efficient packaging process. Optionally, the control unit is configured to request the second feeder unit to perform a specific run if the comparison step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing moment is after the planned dispensing time for the specific run. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1A shows a front view of an automated dispensing apparatus for forming a plurality of drug packages containing discrete drugs dispensed and packaged by the automated dispensing apparatus;

[0016] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1A A top view of the device;

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a process for dispensing and packaging medication is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 1AA dispensing device 1 is shown for dispensing a solid article, product or substance 90 for medical use, such as a medicine, pill, tablet, capsule or the like; and will be referred to hereinafter simply as tablet. Figure 1B A top view of the dispensing device 1 is shown.

[0019] The dispensing device 1 comprises a dispensing portion 2 for dispensing a solid substance 90, a collecting portion 3 for collecting tablets 90 from the dispensing portion 2, and a packaging portion 6 for packaging tablets 90. The collecting portion 3 is located below or vertically below the dispensing portion 2. The packaging portion 6 is located below or vertically below the collecting portion 3. The dispensing device 1 further comprises a housing 10 for protecting the above-mentioned portions 2, 3, 6 from unauthorized access.

[0020] The distribution part 2 defines an array of holding positions 20, which are used to hold a plurality of tanks 40, tablet boxes or other types of feeder units. Each holding position includes a docking member for matching or receiving a corresponding tank in the tank 40, and the docking member has an appropriate orifice or passage to allow the tablets 90 distributed to pass through the holding position 20 and enter the collection part 3 below. In this example, the array of holding positions 20 is distributed circumferentially around the rotation axis X. More particularly, the array of holding positions 20 is distributed circumferentially around the rotation axis X or according to a radial grid distribution, for example, with a plurality of radially extending rows arranged side by side or adjacently in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the housing 10 extends cylindrically around the array of holding positions 20. In this example, the circumferential wall of the housing 10 is provided with a plurality of storage positions 12 for holding unused or spare tanks 40.

[0021] The dispensing device 1 is further provided with a robotic manipulator 11, which may include a robotic arm, for automatically, automatically or autonomously handling, positioning, removing and / or repositioning the can 40 relative to the array of holding locations 20. The robotic manipulator 11 is provided with a gripper known per se to pick up and place the can 40. In this embodiment, the robotic manipulator 11 is located at the center of the array of holding locations 20, close to, at or near the axis of rotation X. In said position, all holding locations 20 and storage locations 10 are generally within reach of the robotic manipulator 11.

[0022] Each tank 40 generally includes a container for holding a certain number of tablets 90 having a composition 91 specific to the corresponding tank 40. The term "composition" should be understood as the chemical composition of the tablet 90, such as the combination of ingredients, although slight variations may be included. Each tank 40 generally only holds tablets 90 of a single composition. The volume of the tank 40 can hold hundreds or more (or fewer) tablets 90, depending on the size and shape of the tablets.

[0023] Each tank 40 further comprises an outlet 51 (e.g., a drop tube) for dispensing the tablets 90 toward the collecting portion 3, and a dispensing mechanism 52 between the container and the outlet 51 for controlled feeding of the solid matter 90 from the container into the outlet 51. In this embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 52 comprises a wheel acting as a rotating door to singulate the tablets 90 and feed them one by one toward the outlet 51. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that an alternative dispensing mechanism that can singulate the tablets 90 can be provided.

[0024] Each tank 40 may be further provided with one or more sensors 53, 54, such as visual cameras, light sensors, laser sensors, level sensors, weight sensors, etc., for verifying the type, composition and / or integrity of the tablets 90, and for counting the amount of tablets 90 that have been dispensed.

[0025] As in Figure 1B As best seen in the drawing, the dispensing portion 2 further comprises a tank loading member 24 having a plurality of tank positions 25 for receiving new tanks 40 into the dispensing device 1 and / or for removing tanks 40 from the dispensing device 1. In this example, the tank loading member 24 is formed as a drawer. Alternatively, a door or the like may be used.

[0026] The dispensing portion 2 may also include a manual loading position 26 for receiving a drug delivery plate 58 that is manually loaded with tablets 90. This may be due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to the drug not being suitable for automatic dispensing with the canister 40, the drug being used infrequently, and regulations regarding dispensing certain drugs.

[0027] The plates 58 are loaded at the plate loading station 60 (see Figure 1A ), which can be connected to the dispensing device 1, or can be located remotely from the dispensing device. The plate loading station 60 includes a docking station 62 for receiving and loading the plate 58, similar to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0192926, filed on March 9, 2022, entitled "Docking station and method for loading a medicine transport plate", which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] The docking station 62 is typically loaded manually by a technician who is guided as to what and how much medication to place in each compartment, and once loaded and checked, the plate 58 can be inserted and the tablets can then be released from the docking station into the plate 58. Guidance and / or direction can be provided by the control unit 7 (of the dispensing device 1) and the user interface 8 and / or another control unit system dedicated to the plate loading station 60. Once the plate 58 has been loaded, the operator is instructed to take the plate to the manual loading position 26 where it is loaded into the dispensing device 1 for dispensing into the collection section 3 and then into the packaging section 6 where it is finally sealed into a pouch 92. Optionally, more than one plate 58 is first loaded and then a certain number of plates (e.g., 5 plates) are transported together from the plate loading station 60 to the dispensing device 1. Optional components (such as robots, jaws and / or conveyors) can assist in the transport.

[0029] like Figure 1A As further shown in FIG. 1 , the collecting portion 3 includes a plurality of collecting units, which may be trays or collecting hoppers 30, which are open at a side facing the dispensing portion 2 to receive tablets 90 selectively dispensed from one or more cans 40. In this embodiment, each collecting hopper 30 extends under a plurality of cans 40 at the same time to receive tablets 90 from any one of those cans 40. Each collecting hopper 30 tapers toward the bottom, and is provided with a valve (not shown) at the bottom, which valve can be operated to allow the collected tablets 90 to fall into the packaging portion 6.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of collecting hoppers 30 are distributed circumferentially around the axis of rotation X. More specifically, the plurality of collecting hoppers 30 are held in a collecting frame 32 that is rotatable around said axis of rotation X so as to rotate the plurality of collecting hoppers 30 relative to the array of holding locations 20 in the dispensing portion 2. The rotation may be a stepwise rotation, wherein each step aligns the plurality of collecting hoppers 30 with the next group of cans 40 (or plates 58) in the array of holding locations 20. Each collecting hopper 30 extends radially along a row of radially arranged holding locations 20.

[0031] The packaging section 6 comprises a first packaging unit 61a at a first angular packaging position P1 around the rotation axis X. Optionally, the packaging section 6 may comprise a second packaging unit 61b at a second angular packaging position P2 to improve the packaging efficiency of the dispensing device 1. When a corresponding one of the collecting hoppers 30 is located above or directly above a selected one of the packaging units 61, the valve of the collecting hopper 30 operates to allow the collected tablets 90 to fall into the corresponding packaging unit 61a, 61b. Each packaging unit 61a, 61b comprises a storage member for accommodating packaging material (a foil in this example), a printer for printing information about the tablets 90 on the foil, a filling member for positioning the foil to receive the tablets 90, a sealing member for forming a pouch around the received tablets 90, a perforating member for providing perforations to the foil between subsequently formed pouches, and an output member for outputting the packaged tablets F from the dispensing device 1. Alternatively, one or both packaging units 61a, 61b may be arranged for packaging the tablets 90 in a storage material other than foil, for example in a vial or bottle.

[0032] like Figure 1A to Figure 1B As shown, the dispensing device 1 is further provided with a control unit 7, which is operably and / or electronically connected to the robotic manipulator 11, the tank 40, the plate filling station 60, the packaging units 61a, 61b and other electronic devices (such as drives, sensors, etc.) to control the operation of the dispensing device 1. The control unit 7 includes a dedicated processor 71 and a computer-readable medium 72, which stores computer-readable codes or instructions, which when executed by the processor 71, cause the dispensing device 1 to operate according to the method described in more detail below. The computer-readable medium 72 is non-transitory or tangible, such as a physical data carrier (such as a hard drive, USB drive, RAM memory, etc.).

[0033] The dispensing device 1 may further be provided with a graphical user interface 8, such as a screen, to provide the human operator with useful information about the dispensing, collecting, checking / correcting and packaging operations. The plate filling station 60 may have a separate control unit and / or user interface, or may share a control unit and user interface 8 with the dispensing device 1.

[0034] The dispensing process typically involves the control unit 7 (or other control system) planning a production operation based on the received order and the tablets available in the tank 40. When the order involves a tablet that is not in the tank, the control unit 7 can determine whether the tablet can be dispensed from the tank or whether the tablet cannot be dispensed for some reason. For example, if there is simply no filled tank, but there is no reason that the tablet cannot be dispensed from the tank 40, the control unit 7 can instruct the operator to prepare a tank with that type of tablet. Such a filling process can be carried out at a tank filling location, a storage room or other location; and typically involves removing the tablet from its original packaging (e.g., a sealed container, blister pack or other packaging in which the manufacturer or manufacturer sealed the tablet); and registering information about the tablet in the control system. Such information may include, but is not limited to: the type of tablet in a particular tank, the expiration date of the tablet provided by the manufacturer, and the latest allowable dispensing time based on the open air time (e.g., day + hour).

[0035] The open time is the time between taking out the tablet from the original package and resealing the tablet into a pouch (or other package) during the distribution and packaging operation. Typically, the open time involves the time the tablet is in the plate 58 or the can 40. The registration of information can be manual, or can be simply performed by scanning a barcode, which includes information and can register the information with the control unit 7. The permissible open time of a specific tablet can also be stored in a database, and the control unit 7 looks up the permissible open time of a specific type of tablet registered in the database. This is usually based on past tests, such as tests by manufacturers on how long tablets can be exposed to open air before they begin to deteriorate. If these tablets have not been tested, regulations and / or policies usually set the permissible open time to be very short, such as 24 or 48 hours. The database can also include the permissible open time of a specific type of tablet, and the permissible open time of all the rest that have not been tested and do not meet the listed categories (e.g., based on regulations, rules and / or policies). As previously described, a filled canister 40 is loaded into the canister location 25 for use in the dispensing device 1 .

[0036] Any medication that cannot be dispensed through a canister (e.g., a tablet that is too fragile or oddly shaped to be dispensed through a canister) must be prepared by manually filling the plates. The control unit 7 can direct the operator to prepare the plates 58 at the plate filling station 60 and then load them into the manual loading position 26 as described above. Once all canisters 40 and plates 58 have been loaded, the production run is run and all pouches 92 are produced, checked (corrected if necessary), and then typically sent to a dispatch area (not shown).

[0037] Typically, production operations are planned to improve efficiency, which involves reducing the amount of plates 58 required for the operation and using as many cans 40 as possible (which can dispense tablets more quickly). As mentioned above, plates 58 are used for tablets that are not suitable for automatic dispensing from cans (for example, they are too fragile under automatic dispensing conditions), and they are also used for other reasons (such as infrequent use and (short) allowable open air time rules or regulations).

[0038] In some management schemes, tablets may only be dispensed from the canister 40 (or other dispensing container containing medication for a plurality of pouches 92) if the permissible open time has been determined through testing. In such management schemes, in past systems, when the permissible open time has not been determined, medication must be dispensed by first loading the medication into the plate 58 and then loading the plate 58 into the dispensing device 1 in order to package the medication into the pouches 92. This is a labor-intensive practice that slows down production operations and increases the chances of error due to the additional manual work involved.

[0039] In the current system, such tablets can be automatically dispensed through the canister 40 while still ensuring that the tablets do not exceed their permissible open air time, even if it is very short (e.g., 24 hours). Figure 2 Method 100 is shown and described.

[0040] The method 100 for dispensing tablets 90 from a tank 40 includes two main branches, which can be performed simultaneously or one after another. In some embodiments, only one branch will be performed. A branch starting from step 104 involves comparing the expiration date of the tablets in the tank with the pouch consumption date of the production operation. The expiration date of the tablets is usually provided by the manufacturer of the tablets, and this information is associated with the specific tank when the tank is filled (manually entered or automatically, such as by scanning a bar code, as described above). The pouch consumption date is associated with the order that constitutes the production operation and refers to the date on which the tablets in the specific pouch will be consumed by the patient.

[0041] Steps 106 and 108 involve comparing the results of step 104. In step 106, if the expiration date is earlier than the pouch consumption date of the production run, a new can is requested. The new can may be a different can 40 with a later expiration date that is already in the dispensing device 1; alternatively, the operator may be requested to fill a new can 40 with tablets having a later expiration date (later than the pouch consumption date) and deliver the new can to the dispensing device 1, as discussed above. The comparison step is then redone. If the expiration date is later than the pouch consumption date of the production run, step 108 sends a dispensing signal to run the production run.

[0042] The second branch starting from step 112 relates to the permissible open time of a particular tablet. As previously discussed, manufacturers often test the permissible open time of certain drugs, i.e., the time that the tablet must be sealed into a pouch or discarded after being taken out from the manufacturer's packaging, and provide this information with the tablet. For drugs that have not been tested, this time limit can be set by policy, rules and / or regulations, and is usually very short, such as 24 or 48 hours. Therefore, when taking out the tablet from its original packaging to fill the tank 40, the latest permissible dispensing time is determined by taking a known or set permissible open time and adding the date and time (which is usually the same as the time of filling the tank 40) when the original packaging is opened to determine the latest permissible dispensing time, usually in days and hours. This information is then associated with a specific tank 40 (manually or automatically), and the information is registered to the control unit 7.

[0043] Step 114 compares the latest allowable dispensing time with the planned dispensing time for the production operation, which is the time at which the tablets will be dispensed if the production operation is run. Step 116 shows the process if the latest allowable dispensing time is earlier than the planned dispensing time under the production operation, and a request for a new canister is sent at step 118, which has a later latest allowable dispensing time. The new canister can be a different canister 40 with a later allowable dispensing time that is already in the dispensing device 1 or is ready and in a storage position; alternatively, the operator can be requested to fill a new canister 40 with tablets and therefore has a later latest allowable dispensing time, and deliver the new canister to the dispensing device 1, as discussed above. The determination and comparison steps are then re-completed. If the latest allowable dispensing time is later than the planned dispensing time for the production operation, step 120 sends a dispensing signal to run the production operation.

[0044] When the two branches send a distribution signal to run the production operation, step 122 actually runs the production operation, and the dispenser 1 distributes the tablets into the pouches. Such a method ensures that the tablets distributed into the pouches in the production operation will not expire before they are consumed by the patient, and will not exceed their permissible open air time before being sealed into the pouches after being moved from the manufacturer's packaging to the can. Therefore, the method 100 shown and described allows for more efficient production using the can 40 even when the drug is untested and / or has a short permissible open air time. When the permissible open air time has been exceeded, the can 40 can be removed from the dispensing device 1 and can be replaced by a newly filled can.

[0045] The method 100 allows for a more efficient dispensing of tablets from the canister in the dispensing device 1 overall, while ensuring that the medication is dispensed only into pouches where the tablets will be consumed before their expiration date, and in the process the tablets do not exceed their specified permissible open time (between removal from their original packaging and sealing in the pouch). Thus, the method 100 saves time in packaging the tablets 90, and is particularly useful where there are strict regulations or policies regarding permissible open time, thereby allowing the canister 40 to be used, and thus allowing more types of tablets to be dispensed automatically than in past systems, even if the permissible open time is very short (and in past systems, therefore, the plate 58 must be used for dispensing). In addition, dispensing via the canister 40 can reduce errors by reducing the amount of manual work (e.g., manual filling using the plate 58 at the plate filling station 60).

[0046] Although the method is described as involving sending a signal to run the production operation, the method can be implemented in the opposite manner, for example, in which case if the expiration date is found to be earlier than the sachet consumption date and / or the latest allowable dispensing moment is earlier than the planned dispensing time, a signal is sent to stop the production operation. In addition, the order of the steps can be different, for example, first comparing the latest allowable dispensing moment with the planned dispensing time, and then performing the step of comparing the expiration date with the sachet consumption date. Some methods will not include a comparison of the expiration date and the sachet consumption date where it is not necessary.

[0047] The system can be formed by any combination of hardware and software, such as at least one dedicated processor and at least one non-transient memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to perform the above process together with the at least one processor. Any combination of one or more computer-readable media can be used as memory. The computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a non-transient computer-readable storage medium. The non-transient computer-readable storage medium does not include a propagation signal, and can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A more specific example (non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage medium will include the following: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. One or more computers and / or other control units can exist physically or by remote connection as part of the system.

[0048] The invention has been described above with reference to several exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications and alternative embodiments of some parts or elements are possible and are included within the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing discrete tablets from a feeder unit, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining the latest permissible dispensing time of the tablets from the feeder unit; b) comparing the latest permissible allocation time with the planned allocation time; as well as c) Send an allocation signal only when the planned allocation time is before the latest allowed allocation time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: d) comparing the known expiry date of the tablets with the consumption date of the pouches; and e) Sending a dispensing signal only if the known expiry date is after the consumption date of the sachet.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: f) dispensing discrete tablets from the feeder unit only upon receiving a dispensing signal from steps c) and e).

4. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: Steps d) and e) are performed before steps a) to c).

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: Steps a) to c) and steps d) to e) are performed simultaneously.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: If step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing moment is before the planned dispensing time, a notification is sent that the feeder unit should be replaced by a second feeder unit having a later latest permissible dispensing moment.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The notification instructs the operator to prepare the second feeder unit to be loaded with tablets of the same composition.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: If step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing moment is before the planned dispensing time, the method restarts with a second feeder unit having a later latest permissible dispensing moment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: The method further includes removing the feeder unit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein: The method further comprises moving the second feeder unit to a previous position of the feeder unit.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: If step d) determines that the known expiry date of the tablets is before the pouch consumption date, a notification is sent that the feeder unit should be replaced with a second feeder unit having a later expiry date.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: If step d) determines that the known expiry date of the tablets is before the pouch consumption date, the method restarts step d) with a second feeder unit having a later expiry date.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Step a) involves determining the permissible open time of the tablets in the feeder unit and calculating the latest permissible dispensing time based on the time of removal of the tablets from the original packaging and the permissible open time.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: The allowable open air time is a set time based on past tests.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein: The permissible open air time is based on a prescribed set time.

16. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The dispensing device comprises a dispensing portion and a collecting portion, and the feeder unit is located in one of a plurality of feeder positions in the dispensing portion and dispenses the tablets to the collecting portion.

17. A dispensing device for dispensing discrete tablets, the dispensing device (1) comprising: a distribution portion (2) defining an array of feeder locations (20) for holding a plurality of feeder units (40), and A control unit (7) for controlling the dispensing process and configured to perform the following steps: a) determining the latest permissible dispensing time of the tablets from the first feeder unit; b) comparing the latest permissible allocation time with the planned allocation time for a specific operation; as well as c) sending a dispensing signal to dispense the tablets from the first feeder unit only if the planned dispensing time is before the latest allowed dispensing moment.

18. The dispensing device of claim 17, wherein: The control unit (7) is further configured to perform the following steps: d) comparing the known expiration dates of the tablets with the pouch consumption dates for that particular run; and e) sending a dispensing signal to dispense the tablets from the first feeder unit only if the known expiry date is after the pouch consumption date.

19. The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein: The control unit (7) is further configured to start dispensing tablets from the first feeder unit upon receiving the dispensing signal from steps c) and e).

20. Dispensing device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein The control unit (7) is configured to request the second feeder unit to perform the specific operation if the comparison step b) determines that the latest permissible dispensing moment is after the planned dispensing time for the specific operation.

21. A dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein: The dispensing device further comprises: a collecting portion (3) for receiving the tablets from the dispensing portion (2), and A packaging section (6) for receiving the tablets from the collecting section (3) and packaging the tablets into sachets.

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