Rotary dispensing unit

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotary dispenser mechanism. The rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a rotating drum attached to a rotary table and comprising a set of vertical channels arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference of the rotary table. The rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a motor positioned within the outer circumference of the rotary table and configured to rotate the rotating drum about a fixed center axis of the rotary table. The rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a nested dispensing location positioned at least partially outside of the outer circumference of the rotary table and at least one dispensing actuator configured to exert a force on a physical object to push the physical object to the nested dispensing location and from a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels that is aligned with the nested dispensing location.

Description

Atty Docket No. 054642-619951ROTARY DISPENSING UNITCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 701,342 entitled Rotary Dispensing Unit, filed September 30, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] In many industries, efficient and accurate handling of physical objects is crucial for operational effectiveness. Traditionally, varieties of dispensers are used to intermediately store objects until a fulfillment time. At fulfillment time, the objects stored within a dispenser may be dispensed, often in bulk or batch loads. In many cases, dispensers are type specific and fail to separately store objects of different types and / or later dispense the objects in an individualized manner, according to their type, and in an operationally efficient (e.g., in terms of speed and accuracy) and secure manner. Ensuring the accuracy of a dispenser at an individualized object level presents several challenges, including tracking, positioning, and individualized dispensing requirements, that are left unaddressed by state of the art dispensing solutions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIGS. 1A-E depicts views of a rotary dispenser mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0004] FIGS. 2A-B depict a cutout views of a rotary table in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a rotating drum configured with a set of magazines in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an unloaded rotating drum in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIGS. 5A-E depicts views of an object magazine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIGS. 6A-B depicts internal views of a rotating drum components in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIGS. 7A-B depicts views of a nested dispensing location in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] As depicted in the various views provided herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotary dispenser mechanism that comprises a set of connected components, including a rotating drum, a rotary table, a motor, a nested dispensing location, a dispensing actuator, and an object magazine, among other components described herein. The rotary dispenser mechanism, for example, may comprise a rotating drum that is positioned on a rotary table driven by a motor. To introduce increased flexibility within the dispensing system, the rotating drum may define a set of vertical channels arranged in accordance with a circular array along an outer circumference of the rotary table. Up to each of the set of vertical channels may be attached to an object magazine specifically configured for an object of a particular object type. For instance, an object magazine may be loaded with a set of vertically aligned physical objects of a particular object type (e.g., pill bottles, cartridges, boxes). In this way, different combinations of object magazines may be attached to a rotating drum to separately store different sets of objects within secure and distinguishable containers.

[0011] In operation, at least a portion of the rotary table may be rotated to reposition the rotating drum and, by doing so, modify an orientation of the circular array with respect components positioned outside of the rotary table, such as a nested dispensing location. In this manner, the rotary dispenser mechanism enables an automatic rotation of the rotating drum relative to the nested dispensing location to align an object magazine for a particular object type with the nested dispensing location. Once aligned, an object of the particular object type may be automatically dispensed from the object magazine and to the nested dispensing location. In this way, the unique arrangement of components within the rotary dispenser mechanism introduces increased flexibility into the design of dispensing mechanisms that provides increased, individualized object-level control without reducing the operational efficiencies of bulk processing approaches.

[0012] FIGS. 1A-F depicts views of a rotary dispenser mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted in the various views, the rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a set of connected components, including a rotating drum, a rotary table, a motor, a nested dispensing location, a dispensing actuator, and an object magazine. In operation, the set of components enable an automatic rotation of rotary dispenser relative to the nested dispensing location to align an object magazine with the nested dispensing location. Once aligned, the set of components enable an automatic dispensation of a physical object from the magazine and into the nested dispensing location. The unique arrangement of these components introduces increased flexibility into the design of traditional dispensing mechanisms that balances the operational efficiencies of tradition bulk processing mechanism with the increase control offered by individualized object processing mechanism.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0013] FIG. 1A depicts a top view 100 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. As shown in the top view 100, the rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a dispensing stand 102 (depicted more fully in FIGS. 1B-1F), a rotary table 104, and a rotating drum 106. The rotary table 104 may be positioned on the dispensing stand 102 to elevate the rotary table 104 a threshold distance (e.g., one or more centimeters, inches, feet, such as eighteen inches in some examples) from a floor. The rotating drum 106 may be attached to the rotary table 104, such that a rotation of the rotary table 104 may rotate the rotating drum 106 about a fixed center axis.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotating drum 106 comprising a set of vertical channels 108 arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference 110 of the rotary table 104. The outer circumference 110, for example, may be defined by a fixed table platform of the rotary table 104, as described with reference to FIGS. 2A-B. Up to each of the set of vertical channels 108 may comprise an object magazine 114 that may contain one or more physical objects 116.

[0015] In some embodiments, the rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a nested dispensing location 112 positioned at least partially outside of the outer circumference 110 of the rotary table 104. As described with reference to FIGS. 6A-B and FIGS. 7A-B, the rotary dispenser mechanism may comprise at least one dispensing actuator that is configured to exert a force on a physical object 116 contained within an object magazine 114 to push the physical object 116 from a vertical channel 108 of the rotating drum 106 and to the nested dispensing location 112.

[0016] In some embodiments, the nested dispensing location 112 comprises a platform with a nested indentation (as described in FIGS. 7A-B) that holds a physical object 116 positioned within the nested dispensing location 112. In some examples, the rotary dispenser mechanism may comprise one or more verification scanners 118 that may be positioned within a proximity to the nested dispensing location 112. In some examples, the verification scanners 118 may be orientated to direct a field of view 124 of the verification scanners 118 in a direction of a physical object 116 positioned on the platform of the nested indentation 706.

[0017] The verification scanners 118, for example, may comprise a scanning device that is positioned adjacent to a nested dispensing location 112 and configured to read identifying information from a physical object 116. The identifying information, for example, may comprise a visual-based tracking mechanism (e.g., a one- or two-dimensional barcode), radio-based tracking mechanism (e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag), and / or the like. The verification scanners 118 may comprise one or more of a vision scanner (e.g., a barcode scanner), radio scanner (e.g., RFID scanner), and / or the like.

[0018] For example, the physical object 116 may comprise a domain-specific object that is distributed by the rotary dispenser mechanism. The physical object 116, for example, may dependAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 on the logistics use case in which the rotary dispenser mechanism is implemented. For instance, in a pharmaceutical use case, the physical object 116 may comprise a medication bottle, such as a pill bottle, facial cream, pill boxes, and / or the like. As another examples, in a beverage use case, the physical object 116 may comprise a liquid container (e.g., an aluminum can, plastic bottle, medication box). In some examples, the physical object 116 may comprise a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side plane between the top portion and the bottom portion. The side plane may comprise a rectangular (e.g., a series of connected side walls), circular, cylindrical, or square surface the defines an interior chamber within the physical object 116. In some examples, the top portion may comprise a cap, lid, and / or the like that encloses a substance (e.g., a set of pills, medications, liquids) within the interior chamber of the physical object 116. By way of example, in the pharmaceutical use case, the physical object 116 may comprise a capped pill bottle that encloses a set of prescription pills for distribution in accordance with specific prescription instructions.

[0019] Turning to FIG. IB, FIG. IB depicts a bottom view 130 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. The bottom view 130 shows a cutout view of the dispensing stand that removes a set of stand legs (shown in FIGS. 1C-F and 2B) to focus on a dispensing stand platform 126 of the dispensing stand 102 that is elevated from a floor by the set of stand legs. The dispensing stand platform 126 may comprise a fixed structure (e.g., a composite, metallic, wood, or any other material formed according to the specification of the present disclosure) that defines a rotary stand plane and a dispensing location plane.

[0020] The rotary stand plane may comprise a circular, rectangular, and / or square surface that may support at least a portion of the rotary table 104, the rotating drum 106, and / or the components thereof, such as the object magazines 114, vertical channels 108, and / or the like. In some examples, the rotary stand plane may comprise one or more dimensions that may be based one or more dimensions of the rotary table 104. The dispensing location plane may comprise a circular, rectangular, and / or square surface that may support at least a portion of the nested dispensing location 112. In some examples, the dispensing location plane may comprise one or more dimensions that may be based one or more dimensions of the nested dispensing location 112.

[0021] In some examples, the dispensing location plane may comprise one or more connected ancillary devices, such as a scanner arm 122, for one or more of the verification scanners 118. The scanner arm 122, for example, may comprise a mechanical, articulating arm for positioning a verification scanners 118 relative to the surface of the nested dispensing location 112.

[0022] In some embodiments, the rotary dispenser mechanism comprises a motor 120 positioned within the outer circumference 110 of the rotary table 104 and configured to rotate the rotatingAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 drum about a fixed center axis of the rotary table 104. In some example, the dispensing stand platform 126 may comprise a power access cutout 128 to allow access to the electrical-based, pressurized air-based, combustible gas-based, and / or one or more other power components to the motor 120. By way of example, the motor 120 may comprise an electrical motor, such as a direct current (DC) motor, an alternating current (AC) motor, synchronous motor, stepper motor, servomotor, and / or the like, that may be electrically connected, through the bottom view 130, to an electrical storage device (e.g., battery) and / or electrical output device (e.g., outlet, electrical panel).

[0023] Turning to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C depicts a front view 140 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. The front view 140 shows a dispensing stand that comprises the set of stand legs 132 that elevate the rotary table and / or rotating drum from the floor 134. The front view 140 also shows the nested dispensing location 112 and an object magazine 114 attached to a vertical channel 108 that is aligned with the nested dispensing location 112. In this example, the physical object 116 may be dispensed from the object magazine 114 to the nested dispensing location 112.

[0024] FIG. ID depicts a side view 150 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. The side view 150 shows the set of stand legs 132 and the dispensing stand platform 126 of the dispensing stand. In some examples, the nested dispensing location 112 may extend above the dispensing stand platform 126 and align with an egress point of an object magazine 114. In some examples, the motor 120 may extend below the rotating drum 106, as described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0025] FIG. IE depicts a back view 170 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. The back view 170 shows an empty vertical channel 108 positioned within a magazine loading location 136 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. The magazine loading location 136 may comprise one or more components for loading and / or unloading an object magazine to the vertical channel 108. For example, and as described in further detail with reference to FIG. 6B, the magazine loading location 136 may comprise a magazine scanner 138, a magazine footer 142, and / or an inductive sensor 144.

[0026] The magazine scanner 138 may comprise a scanning device that is positioned adjacent to a magazine loading location 136 and / or configured to read identifying information from an object magazine. The identifying information, for example, may be encoded in a magazine tag of the object magazine, as described with reference to FIGS. 5A-E. By way of examples, the magazine tag may comprise a visual-based tracking mechanism (e.g., a one- or two-dimensional barcode), radio-based tracking mechanism (e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag), and / or the like. The magazine scanner 138 may comprise one or more of avision scanner (e.g., a barcode scanner), radio scanner (e.g., RFID scanner), and / or the like.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0027] In some examples, the magazine scanner 138 may be triggered by an inductive sensor 144. For example, the inductive sensor 144 may comprise a high-frequency oscillation sensor, a magnetic sensor, a capacitance sensor, and / or the like, that is configured sense a presence of an object through direct and / or indirect contact with the sensor. In some examples, the inductive sensor 144 may comprise an inductive proximity sensor that may be emit contact feedback as the object magazine is placed within a proximity to the inductive sensor 144. In some examples, sensor feedback from the inductive sensor 144 may trigger an automated scanning operation by the magazine scanner 138. For example, the magazine scanner 138 may be communicatively coupled to the inductive sensor 144 (e.g., through a shared circuit board, a peripheral electrical wire) and may receive the sensor feedback from the inductive sensor 144. In addition, or alternatively, the inductive sensor 144 and magazine scanner 138 may be communicatively coupled to the controller (e.g., comprising one or more processors, memory, and / or communication interfaces). The controller may receive the sensor feedback from the inductive sensor 144 and, in response to the sensor feedback, initiate the scanning operation by the magazine scanner 138.

[0028] The magazine footer 142 may comprise a support structure (e.g., a composite, metallic, wood, and / or any other material) that may support a weight of a magazine during an installation or an uninstallation of the magazine to / from the vertical channel 108. In some examples, the magazine footer 142 may be attached to the fixed table platform of the rotary table. For instance, the magazine footer 142 may be stationary and may not be moved by the rotary table 104.

[0029] FIG. 2A depicts a cutout top view 200 of the rotary table in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutout top view 200 shows the fixed center axis 202 of the rotary table 104. The fixed center axis 202 is positioned at a center point the outer circumference 110 defined by the fixed table platform 204. The fixed table platform 204, for example, may comprise a circular platform that is attached to the dispensing stand 102. The rotary table 104 may further comprise a rotating shaft 206 that extends above the rotary table 104, as depicted with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0030] FIG. 2B depicts a cutout side view 250 of the rotary table in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The rotary table 104, for example, may be disposed on the dispensing stand 102. In some examples, the rotary table 104 may comprise one or more legs that may attached the fixed table platform 204 to the dispensing stand 102. The one or more legs, for example, may be attached using one or more attachment mechanisms, such as a screws, and / or the like.

[0031] In some embodiments, the rotary table 104 comprises the fixed table platform 204 and / or a rotating shaft 206, such as a rotary shaft, extending above the fixed table platform 204 by a setAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 distance (e.g., one or more inches, feet). The rotating shaft 206 may comprise one or more bearings (e.g., roller bearings) to support rotation about a fixed center axis. In some examples, the one or more bearings may directly and / or indirectly contact the fixed table platform 204 to allow rotational movement along the fixed table platform 204.

[0032] In some examples, the rotating shaft 206 may comprise one or more gears, pulleys, sprockets, flywheels, and / or the like, configured to transmit power or motion through rotation around the fixed center axis. In some examples, the rotating shaft 206 (and / or the components thereof) may be attached to a motor 120, which may power the rotational movement of the rotating shaft 206.

[0033] In some examples, the rotating drum may be attached to top opening 208 of the rotating shaft 206 in a manner that causes rotation of the rotating drum with the rotating shaft 206.

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts a top view 300 of a rotating drum configured with a set of magazines in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The rotating drum 106, for example, may define a circular array of a set of vertical channels. The top view 300 shows a loaded configuration in which up to each of the vertical channels comprises an attached object magazine.

[0035] In some embodiments, up to each of the set of vertical channels correspond to a particular index of the circular array. The circular array, for example, defines a set of indices wrapped around the outer circumference 110 of the rotary table 104. In operation, the rotary table may rotate the rotating shaft to rotate an attached rotating drum relative to a fixed table platform 204 to reposition an orientation of the circular array relative to the fixed table platform 204. In this way, the rotary table may rotate the rotating drum to align an index of the set of indices that corresponds to a particular vertical channel with a nested dispensing location, a magazine loading location, and / or any other location relative to the fixed table platform and / or dispensing stand.

[0036] In some embodiments, up to each of the vertical channels comprises a set of attachment mechanisms, such as the brackets depicted in further detail in FIGS. 6A-B, for a particular index of the circular array. For example, up to each of the vertical channels of the set of vertical channels may comprise at least one bracket and an object magazine may be affixed to the vertical channel by the at least one bracket. In this way, the set of attachment mechanisms may enable a placement, attachment, and / or coupling of an object magazine at the particular index of the circular array. By way example, a first vertical channel corresponding to a first index 302 may be attached to a first object magazine 308a, a third vertical channel corresponding to a last index 306 may be attached to a third object magazine 308c, a second vertical channel corresponding to an intermediate index 304 between the first index 302 and the last index 306 may be attached to a second object magazine 308b, and / or the like.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0037] In some examples, the set of vertical channels of the rotating drum 106 may respectively comprise a set of different object magazines. In some examples, this may enable the rotary dispenser mechanism to dispense one or more different sets of physical objects by loading different types of physical objects 116 within the set of different object magazines. For example, up to each of the object magazines may be configured for a particular object type. By way of example, up to each object magazine of a set of object magazines attached to the rotating drum 106 may comprise a particular set of magazine dimensions that may be based on a particular set of object dimensions of a particular object type.

[0038] A particular object type may depend on the logistics use case. For example, the object type may comprise a type of beverage container, a type of product packaging, and / or the like. As one example, in a pharmaceutical logistics use case, the particular object type may correspond to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes, a medication box of a set of medication box shapes, and / or the like. In any use case, a first object magazine 308a, a second object magazine 308b, and / or a third object magazine 308c may be configured according to the same or different set of magazine dimensions to facilitate different formfactors, such a bottle form factors, box formfactors, and / or the like.. By way of example, the first object magazine 308a may comprise a first magazine width 310a (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as one inch) that corresponds to a width of a first physical object (e.g., a diameter of first medication bottle, a width of first medication box) and / or a first magazine depth 312a (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as three inches) that corresponds to a height of the first physical object (e.g., a height of first medication bottle, a height of first medication box).

[0039] The second object magazine 308b may comprise a second magazine width 310b (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as one inch) that corresponds to a width of a second physical object (e.g., a diameter of second medication bottle, a width of second medication box) and / or a second magazine depth 312b (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as five inches) that corresponds to a height of the second physical object (e.g., a height of second medication bottle, a height of second medication box).

[0040] The third object magazine 308c may comprise a third magazine width 310c (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as two inches) that corresponds to a width of a third physical object (e.g., a diameter of third medication bottle, a width of third medication box) and / or a third magazine depth 312c (e.g., one or more millimeters, centimeters, inches, such as five inches) that corresponds to a height of the third physical object (e.g., a height of third medication bottle, a height of third medication box).Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0041] FIG. 4 depicts a top view 400 of an unloaded rotating drum in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, the rotating drum 106 may comprise an outer circumference that aligns with the outer circumference 110 of the fixed table platform of the rotary table. In addition, or alternatively, a center point of the rotating drum 106 may be aligned with the fixed center axis 202 of the fixed table platform.

[0042] FIGS. 5A-E depicts views of an object magazine of a rotary dispenser mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A depicts a side view 500 of an empty object magazine 114. The object magazine 114 comprises a frame (e.g., metallic, composite, and / or any other material) and a set of components attached to the frame. In some examples, the frame may define the magazine dimensions of the object magazine 114. The frame may comprise an enclosed, occluded container and / or a partially open, transparent container. For instance, the frame may comprise a set of viewing side cutouts to provide visibility to the interior of the object magazine 114.

[0043] In some embodiments, the object magazine 114 comprises one or more front handles attached (e.g., via one or more mounting screws) to the frame and / or outwardly extend from a front face 528 of the frame. The front handles, for example, may comprise an upper handle 502 attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to an upper portion of the frame. In addition, or alternatively, the front handles may comprise a lower handle 504 attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to a lower portion of the frame.

[0044] In some embodiments, the object magazine 114 comprises one or more bracket inserts that interface with one or more mounting brackets of a set of vertical channels. The one or more bracket inserts, for example, may be attached (e.g., via one or more mounting screws) to the frame and / or outwardly extend from a back face 532 of the frame. The bracket inserts, for example, may comprise an upper bracket insert 506 that may interface with an upper bracket of a vertical channel and / or is attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to an upper portion of the frame. In addition, or alternatively, the bracket inserts may comprise a lower bracket insert 508 that may interface with a lower bracket of a vertical channel and / or is attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to a lower portion of the frame.

[0045] In some embodiments, the object magazine 114 comprises a magazine tag 510. The magazine tag 510, for example, may comprise an identification mechanism for the object magazine 114 that may interface with a magazine scanner of the rotary dispenser mechanism. As examples, the magazine tag 510 may comprise a barcode, an RFID tag, active and / or passive beacon, and / or the like. In some examples, the magazine tag 510 may be attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to a lower portion of the frame and may be operable with a magazine scanner during anAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 installation, uninstallation, and / or dispensing operation of the rotary dispenser mechanism to track a location of the object magazine 114.

[0046] In some embodiments, the object magazine 114 comprises an adjustable cover that is translatable between an open and closed position along the front face 528 of the object magazine 114, as described in further detail with respect to FIG. 5D. In some examples, the adjustable cover may be operable by a lever 512 that may be attached, affixed, coupled, and / or the like to the lower portion of the object magazine.

[0047] Turning to FIG. 5B, FIG. 5B depicts a back view 530 of an at least partially loaded object magazine 114 that comprises a set of vertically aligned objects 116. The back view 530 shows the upper bracket insert 506, the lower bracket insert 508, and the magazine tag 510. In addition, the 530 shows a floor aperture 524 within a bottom wall of the frame of the object magazine 114. For example, the object magazine 114 may comprise a floor aperture (e.g., an opening) within a bottom wall of the object magazine 114. The floor aperture 524 may radially extend from a back face 532 of the frame, along the bottom wall, at least partially to the front face 528 of the frame.

[0048] FIG. 5C depicts an exploded view 540 of the filled object magazine 114. The exploded view 540 shows a back face plate 516 and a front face plate 514 that may be attached, affixed, and / or coupled to the frame of the object magazine 114. The back face plate 516, for example, may be attached, affixed, and / or coupled to the back face 532 of the frame (e.g., by one or more mounting screws). The front face plate 514, for example, may be attached, affixed, and / or coupled to the front face 528 of the frame (e.g., by one or more mounting screws). In some examples, the upper bracket insert 506, the lower bracket insert 508, and / or magazine tag 510 may be attached, affixed, and / or coupled to the back face plate 516.

[0049] In some embodiments, a set of magazine dimensions of the object magazine 114, and / or the frame thereof, is based on the set of object dimensions of an object type corresponding to the set of vertically aligned objects within the object magazine 114. For instance, as described herein, a depth of the object magazine 114 may correspond to a height of an object type. For example, the depth of the object magazine 114 may exceed the height of the object type by a threshold allowance (e.g., a 1 millimeter allowance) to decrease resistance as the set of vertically aligned objects to slide through the object magazine 114. As another example, the width of the object magazine 114 may exceed the width of the object type by the same or different threshold allowance (e.g., a 1 millimeter allowance) to decrease resistance as the set of vertically aligned objects to slide through the object magazine 114.

[0050] In this manner, an object magazine 114 may be configured differently for one or more different object types. By way of example, in a pharmaceutical logistics use case, up to each of aAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 set of object magazines may correspond to a different medication bottle shape. For instance, a particular object type may correspond to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes. A set of object magazines may comprise at least one object magazine for up to each of the set of different medication bottle shapes. In this way, a set of vertically aligned objects for an object magazine may comprise a set of medication bottles of a particular type.

[0051] FIG. 5D depicts a front view 550 of the filled object magazine 114. The front view 550 shows the front face plate 514, the upper handle 502, the lower handle 504, and a front wall aperture 526 within a bottom portion of the front wall (e.g., front face plate 514) of the object magazine 114. In some examples, the aperture dimensions of the front wall aperture 526 may correspond to an object type associated with the object magazine 114. By way of example, the aperture dimensions may correspond to a width (e.g., diameter of a medication bottle). For instance, a length and / or width of the front wall aperture 526 may exceed a width of the object type by a threshold allowance (e.g., a 1 millimeter allowance) to decrease resistance as a physical object 116 is dispensed from the object magazine 114.

[0052] In some embodiments, the object magazine 114 comprises an adjustable cover that is translatable between a closed position that at least partially covers the front wall aperture 526 and / or an open position that at least partially uncovers the front wall aperture 526. In some examples, the adjustable cover comprises a lever 512 and that is mechanically connected to a retaining pin 522. The adjustable cover may be affixed at an open position by an extension of the retaining pin 522 and / or released from the open position using the lever 512 to condense the retaining pin 522.

[0053] FIG. 5E depicts a side view 560 of a connected object magazine 114. For example, the connected object magazine 114 may be connected to a vertical channel by inserting the bracket inserts of the object magazine 114 to the mounting brackets of the vertical channel. For instance, the upper bracket insert 506 may interface with and be inserted to an upper bracket 518 of a vertical channel. The upper bracket insert 506 may be affixed, coupled, and / or the like to the upper bracket 518 using one or more attachment mechanisms, such as mounting screws entered through mounting holes in the upper bracket insert 506 and / or upper bracket 518. In addition, or alternatively, the lower bracket insert 508 may interface with and be inserted to a lower bracket 520 of a vertical channel. The lower bracket insert 508 may be affixed, coupled, and / or the like to the lower bracket 520 using one or more attachment mechanisms, such as mounting screws entered through mounting holes in the lower bracket insert 508 and / or lower bracket 520.

[0054] FIGS. 6A-B depicts internal views of rotating drum components in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6A depicts a front view 600 of the internalAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 components of the rotating drum. The front view 600, for example, shows a set of components behind the nested dispensing location 112 of the rotary dispenser mechanism. In some examples, the set of components may comprise a laser sensor 606 and / or a dispensing magazine scanner 604. The laser sensor 606, for example, may comprise a thermopile laser sensor, a laser distance sensor, a laser proximity sensor, an optical laser sensor, laser bean sensor, and / or the like, that may detect a presence of an object within an area defined by a calibrated field of view.

[0055] The dispensing magazine scanner 604, for example, may comprise a scanning device that is positioned adjacent to a nested dispensing location 112 and / or configured to read identifying information from an object magazine. The identifying information, for example, may be encoded in a magazine tag of the object magazine, as described with herein. By way of examples, the magazine tag may comprise a visual-based tracking mechanism (e.g., a one- or two-dimensional barcode), radio-based tracking mechanism (e.g., radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag), and / or the like. The magazine scanner 138 may comprise one or more of a vision scanner (e.g., a barcode scanner), radio scanner (e.g., RFID scanner), and / or the like.

[0056] In some examples, the dispensing magazine scanner 604 may be triggered by the laser sensor 606. For example, sensor feedback from the laser sensor 606 may trigger an automated scanning operation by the dispensing magazine scanner 604. For example, the dispensing magazine scanner 604 may be communicatively coupled to the laser sensor 606 (e.g., through a shared circuit board, a peripheral electrical wire) and may receive the sensor feedback from the laser sensor 606. In addition, or alternatively, the laser sensor 606 and dispensing magazine scanner 604 may be communicatively coupled to the controller (e.g., comprising one or more processors, memory, and / or communication interfaces). The controller may receive the sensor feedback from the laser sensor 606 and, in response to the sensor feedback, initiate the scanning operation by the dispensing magazine scanner 604.

[0057] In some embodiments, the rotating drum comprises a set of mounting brackets, such as the upper bracket 518 and lower bracket 520. As depicted, an object magazine 114 may be affixed, attached, coupled, and / or the like to the rotating drum by inserting an upper bracket insert 506 to the upper bracket 518 and / or the lower bracket insert 508 to the lower bracket 520.

[0058] In some examples, the upper bracket 518 may comprise a hook that defines an indentation. The upper bracket insert 506 may be positioned at least partially within the indentation. In this manner, the upper bracket 518 may provide an upward force on the object magazine 114. In addition, or alternatively, the lower bracket 520 may comprise a track that defines a set of rails 602A-B. The lower bracket insert 508 may be positioned at least partially within the set of rails.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0059] FIG. 6B depicts a back view 650 of the internal components of the rotating drum. The back view 650, for example, may comprise a set of components behind the magazine loading location 136. In some examples, the set of components may comprise a magazine scanner 138, an inductive sensor 144, and / or magazine footer 142 operable to facilitate an installation and / or installation of an object magazine from a vertical channel of the rotating drum.

[0060] FIGS. 7A-B depicts views of a nested dispensing location in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7A depicts a front view 700 of the nested dispensing location. In some embodiments, the nested dispensing location comprises a platform, a laser sensor 606, a dispensing magazine scanner (not depicted), and / or at least one dispensing actuator.

[0061] In some embodiments, the platform of the nested dispensing location 112 comprises a nested indentation 706 that is based on a shape (e.g., a generalized and / or specific) of a physical object 116 and / or one or more object types thereof. By way of example, the physical object 116 may comprise a cylindrical shape and the indentation may comprise a semi -cylindrical shape that may expose at least a portion of a top (e.g., a bottle cap) and / or bottom portion (e.g., bottle base) of the physical object 116.

[0062] In some embodiments, the nested dispensing location 112 comprises at least one dispensing actuator 702 configured to exert a force on a physical object to push the physical object to the nested dispensing location 112 from a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels that is aligned with the nested dispensing location 112. The dispensing actuator 702, for example, may be positioned underneath the vertical channel. For example, the dispensing actuator 702 may be configured to exert a force on the physical object through a floor aperture of an object magazine to push the physical object radially outward from the rotating drum 106 and into the nested dispensing location 112.

[0063] In some embodiments, the dispensing actuator 702 is disposed on the dispensing stand platform 126. For example, the dispensing stand platform 126 may comprise a dispensing track 704 that may define one or more sliding rails. In some examples, a pushing structure of the dispensing actuator 702 may be placed at least partially within the dispensing track 704. In operation, the pushing structure may be pushed, using a pneumatic, electric, magnetic, and / or the like, force, along the sliding rails and through the floor aperture of an object magazine aligned with the nested dispensing location 112. The dispensing actuator 702 may comprise any type of actuator, such as a pneumatic linear actuator, and / or the like.

[0064] FIG. 7B depicts an expanded view 750 of the dispensing actuator 702 of the nested dispensing location. As shown, a pushing structure of the dispensing actuator 702 may be aligned with the nested indentation 706 of the nested dispensing location 112. The pushing structure mayAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 comprise an angled platform that may apply an at least partially downward force of a physical object 116 to push the physical object 116 from a set of vertically aligned objects without catching on a physical object placed above the physical object 116 within the set of vertically aligned objects.IV. Conclusion

[0065] Throughout this specification, components, operations, or structures described as a single instance may be implemented as multiple instances. Although individual operations of one or more methods (or processes, techniques, routines, etc.) are illustrated and described as separate operations, two or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently or otherwise in parallel, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality (e.g., operations, steps, blocks) presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure, functionality, or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0066] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.

[0067] As used herein any reference to “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “in some examples,” or variations thereof means that a particular element, feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or the like described in connection with the embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment, but not every embodiment necessarily comprises the particular element, feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or the like. Different instances of such a reference in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, although they may in some cases. Moreover, different instances of such a reference may describe elements, features, structures, characteristics, operations, or the like be combined in any manner as an embodiment.

[0068] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “comprises,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may comprise other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless the context of use clearly indicates otherwise, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0069] The term “set” is intended to mean a collection of elements and may be a null set (i.e., a set containing zero elements) or may comprise one, two, or more elements. A “subset” is intended to mean a collection of elements that are all elements of a set, but that does not comprise other elements of the set. A first subset of a set may comprise zero, one, or more elements that are also elements of a second subset of the set. The first subset may be said to be a subset of the second subset if all the elements of the first subset are elements of the second subset, while also being a subset of the set. However, if all the elements of the second subset are also elements of the first subset (in addition to all the elements of the first subset being elements of the second subset), the first subset and the second subset are a single subset / not distinct.

[0070] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more”, and “at least one” may be used interchangeably herein unless explicitly contradicted by the specification using the word “only one” or similar. For example, “a first element” may functionally be interpreted as “a first one or more elements” or a “first at least one element.”

[0071] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs through the principles disclosed herein. Therefore, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

[0072] The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).Atty Docket No. 054642-619951V. Examples

[0073] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more computing devices, entities, and / or systems described herein to perform one or more example operations, such as those outlined below. The examples are provided for explanatory purposes. Although the examples outline a particular sequence of steps / operations, each sequence may be altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, some of the steps / operations may be performed in parallel or in a different sequence that does not materially impact the function of the various examples. In other examples, different components of an example device or system that implements a particular example may perform functions at substantially the same time or in a specific sequence.

[0074] Moreover, although the examples may outline a system or computing entity with respect to one or more steps / operations, each step / operation may be performed by any one or combination of computing devices, entities, and / or systems described herein. For example, a computing system may comprise a single computing entity that is configured to perform the steps / operations of a particular example. In addition, or alternatively, a computing system may comprise multiple dedicated computing entities that are respectively configured to perform one or more of the steps / operations of a particular example. By way of example, the multiple dedicated computing entities may coordinate to perform the steps / operations of a particular example.

[0075] Example 1. A rotary dispenser mechanism comprising a rotating drum attached to a rotary table and comprising a set of vertical channels arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference of the rotary table; a motor positioned within the outer circumference of the rotary table and configured to rotate the rotating drum about a fixed center axis of the rotary table; a nested dispensing location positioned at least partially outside of the outer circumference of the rotary table; and at least one dispensing actuator configured to exert a force on a physical object to push the physical object to the nested dispensing location from a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels that is aligned with the nested dispensing location, wherein the vertical channel comprises a bracket and an object magazine affixed to the vertical channel by manual engagement of the object magazine with the bracket.

[0076] Example 2. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 1, wherein the object magazine comprises a set of vertically aligned objects.

[0077] Example 3. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 2, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects correspond to an object type that is associated with a set of objectAtty Docket No. 054642-619951 dimensions and a set of magazine dimensions of the object magazine is based on the set of object dimensions.

[0078] Example 4. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 3, wherein the set of vertical channels respectively comprise a set of object magazines and each object magazine of the set of object magazines comprises a particular set of magazine dimensions that is based on a particular set of object dimensions of a particular object type.

[0079] Example 5. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 4, wherein the particular object type corresponds to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes, and the set of object magazines comprise a particular object magazine for each of the set of different medication bottle shapes.

[0080] Example 6. The rotary dispenser mechanism of any of examples 1 through 5, wherein the object magazine comprises a front wall aperture within a bottom portion of a front wall of the object magazine.

[0081] Example 7. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 6, wherein the object magazine further comprises a floor aperture within a bottom wall of the object magazine, and the at least one dispensing actuator is positioned underneath the vertical channel and is configured to exert the force on the physical object through the floor aperture to push the physical object radially outward from the rotating drum and into the nested dispensing location.

[0082] Example 8. The rotary dispenser mechanism of any of examples 6 or 7, wherein the object magazine further comprises an adjustable cover that is translatable between a closed position that at least partially covers the front wall aperture and an open position that at least partially uncovers the front wall aperture.

[0083] Example 9. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 8, wherein the adjustable cover comprises a lever and that is mechanically connected to a retaining pin, the adjustable cover is affixed at the open position by an extension of the retaining pin and released from the open position using the lever to condense the retaining pin.

[0084] Example 10. The rotary dispenser mechanism of any of the preceding examples, wherein the circular array defines a set of indices wrapped around the outer circumference of the rotary table, and the rotary table is rotated to align an index of the set of indices that corresponds to the vertical channel with the nested dispensing location.

[0085] Example 11. The rotary dispenser mechanism of any of the preceding examples, wherein the nested dispensing location comprises a platform with a nested indentation that is based on a shape of the physical object.Atty Docket No. 054642-619951

[0086] Example 12. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 11, wherein the physical object comprises a cylindrical shape and the nested indentation comprises a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0087] Example 13. The rotary dispenser mechanism of example 12, wherein the at least one dispensing actuator is affixed to a fixed table platform of the rotary table.

[0088] Example 14. The rotary dispenser mechanism of any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one dispensing actuator comprises a pneumatic linear actuator.

[0089] Example 15. A rotating drum comprising a set of vertical channels arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference of a rotary table, wherein a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels comprises a bracket, an object magazine is removable attached to the vertical channel by the bracket, and the object magazine comprises a set of vertically aligned objects, and the rotating drum is moveable, about a fixed center axis of the rotary table, by a motor positioned within the outer circumference of the rotary table to align the vertical channel of the set of vertical channels with a nested dispensing location positioned at least partially outside the outer circumference.

[0090] Example 16. The rotating drum of example 15, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects corresponds to an object type that is associated with a set of object dimensions and a set of magazine dimensions of the object magazine is based on the set of object dimensions.

[0091] Example 17. The rotating drum of example 16, wherein the set of vertical channels respectively comprise a set of object magazines and each object magazine of the set of object magazines comprises a particular set of magazine dimensions that is based on a particular set of object dimensions of a particular object type.

[0092] Example 18. The rotating drum of example 17, wherein the particular object type corresponds to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes, and the set of object magazines comprise a particular object magazine for each of the set of different medication bottle shapes.

[0093] Example 19. The rotating drum of any of examples 15 through 18, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects comprises a set of medication bottles.

Claims

Atty Docket No. 054642-619951CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A rotary dispenser mechanism comprising: a rotating drum attached to a rotary table and comprising a set of vertical channels arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference of the rotary table; a motor positioned within the outer circumference of the rotary table and configured to rotate the rotating drum about a fixed center axis of the rotary table; a nested dispensing location positioned at least partially outside of the outer circumference of the rotary table; and at least one dispensing actuator configured to exert a force on a physical object to push the physical object to the nested dispensing location from a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels that is aligned with the nested dispensing location, wherein the vertical channel comprises a bracket and an object magazine affixed to the vertical channel by manual engagement of the object magazine with the bracket.

2. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 1, wherein the object magazine comprises a set of vertically aligned objects.

3. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 2, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects correspond to an object type that is associated with a set of object dimensions and a set of magazine dimensions of the object magazine is based on the set of object dimensions.

4. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 3, wherein the set of vertical channels respectively comprise a set of object magazines and each object magazine of the set of object magazines comprises a particular set of magazine dimensions that is based on a particular set of object dimensions of a particular object type.

5. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 4, wherein the particular obj ect type corresponds to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes, and the set of object magazines comprise a particular object magazine for each of the set of different medication bottle shapes.

6. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 1, wherein the object magazine comprises a front wall aperture within a bottom portion of a front wall of the object magazine.Atty Docket No. 054642-6199517. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 6, wherein: the object magazine further comprises a floor aperture within a bottom wall of the object magazine, and the at least one dispensing actuator is positioned underneath the vertical channel and is configured to exert the force on the physical object through the floor aperture to push the physical object radially outward from the rotating drum and into the nested dispensing location.

8. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 6, wherein the object magazine further comprises an adjustable cover that is translatable between a closed position that at least partially covers the front wall aperture and an open position that at least partially uncovers the front wall aperture.

9. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 8, wherein the adjustable cover comprises a lever and that is mechanically connected to a retaining pin, the adjustable cover is affixed at the open position by an extension of the retaining pin and released from the open position using the lever to condense the retaining pin.

10. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 1, wherein the circular array defines a set of indices wrapped around the outer circumference of the rotary table, and the rotary table is rotated to align an index of the set of indices that corresponds to the vertical channel with the nested dispensing location.

11. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 1, wherein the nested dispensing location comprises a platform with a nested indentation that is based on a shape of the physical object.

12. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 11, wherein the physical object comprises a cylindrical shape and the nested indentation comprises a semi-cylindrical shape.

13. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 12, wherein the at least one dispensing actuator is affixed to a fixed table platform of the rotary table.

14. The rotary dispenser mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing actuator comprises a pneumatic linear actuator.

15. A rotating drum comprising a set of vertical channels arranged in a circular array around an outer circumference of a rotary table, wherein:Atty Docket No. 054642-619951 a vertical channel of the set of vertical channels comprises a bracket, an object magazine removably attached to the vertical channel by the bracket, and the object magazine comprises a set of vertically aligned objects, and the rotating drum is moveable, about a fixed center axis of the rotary table, by a motor positioned within the outer circumference of the rotary table to align the vertical channel of the set of vertical channels with a nested dispensing location positioned at least partially outside the outer circumference.

16. The rotating drum of claim 15, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects correspond to an object type that is associated with a set of object dimensions and a set of magazine dimensions of the object magazine is based on the set of object dimensions.

17. The rotating drum of claim 16, wherein the set of vertical channels respectively comprise a set of object magazines and each object magazine of the set of object magazines comprises a particular set of magazine dimensions that is based on a particular set of object dimensions of a particular object type.

18. The rotating drum of claim 17, wherein the particular object type corresponds to a medication bottle shape of a set of different medication bottle shapes, and the set of object magazines comprise a particular object magazine for each of the set of different medication bottle shapes.

19. The rotating drum of claim 15, wherein the set of vertically aligned objects comprise a set of medication bottles.

Images