Pharmaceutical Bottle Accumulation Device for Order Consolidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-volume pharmacies face challenges in efficiently accumulating and consolidating multiple prescription order components that require different preparation and quality control steps, leading to inefficiencies in fulfillment and shipping processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an accumulation device with a control subsystem and accumulation subsystem that includes a bottle scan and pick assembly, table assembly, and unload assembly, allowing for the temporary storage and consolidation of prescription bottles while other components of the order are prepared or processed, enabling efficient grouping and shipping of complete prescription orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prescription order components are processed in different areas of the pharmacy, then the pharmacy can fulfill diverse prescription requirements, but the gathering and consolidation of complete orders becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the prescription fulfillment process into distinct functional areas (processing zones) where different order components can be prepared simultaneously. Each area handles specific prescription tasks independently, then the accumulation device consolidates completed components into complete orders, resolving the conflict between operational versatility and consolidation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulation device serves as an intermediary between various processing areas and the final shipping stage. It receives completed prescription components from different areas, holds them temporarily, and assembles complete orders for shipping, thereby improving consolidation efficiency without reducing the versatility of individual processing areas.
2Productivity
If automated systems are used to process prescriptions, then processing speed increases, but the coordination and gathering of multiple order components becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation device merges the functions of temporary storage, order assembly, and coordination into a single integrated system. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a central hub that manages multiple order components, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from coordinating separate automated processing areas.
3Reliability
If prescription bottles are prepared and processed separately, then quality control steps can be applied to each component, but the accumulation and grouping for shipping becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation device is positioned to receive prescription bottles as they complete quality control processing. By having the accumulation function ready in advance and continuously receiving completed bottles, the system eliminates waiting time for order assembly while maintaining the integrity of separate quality control steps for each component.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmaceutical order filling system receives pharmaceutical orders and uses an accumulation device to accumulate bottles of pharmaceuticals corresponding to the pharmaceutical orders. The accumulation device is configured with a table assembly that includes a plurality of holding tubes configured to accumulate multiple bottles corresponding to pharmaceutical orders. The accumulation device also includes a bottle pick and place assembly configured to place bottles into holding tubes and an unload assembly configured to empty accumulated bottles from holding tubes into an unload assembly tube. The accumulation device may be further configured to receive and temporarily store a single bottle of a prescription order. The accumulation device may be configured to release accumulated bottles onto a conveyor in an upright position.