Pharmaceutical Container Consolidation for Mixed Prescription Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-volume pharmacies face inefficiencies in processing and packaging large numbers of pharmaceutical containers, particularly in combining unit-of-use and auto-filled containers into a single shipping package, which complicates the fulfillment of prescription orders.
Innovation Solution
A pharmaceutical order processing system that includes a repository for storing pharmaceutical containers, a container selector with a movable carriage to pick and transport containers, an order consolidator to verify and package the containers, and a control system to manage the process, enabling the combination of different types of containers into a single shipping package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated systems process unit-of-use and auto-filled containers separately, then each container type can be handled with specialized equipment, but the overall processing time and operational complexity increase due to separate handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines unit-of-use and auto-filled containers into a single repository structure with unified access mechanisms. The container selector system handles both container types through the same picker and carriage mechanism, eliminating the need for separate processing lines and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining specialized handling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The repository, picker, and carriage are designed as universal components that can accommodate both unit-of-use and auto-filled containers. The carriage moves along the repository to access different container types, and the picker can retrieve either container type using the same gripping mechanism, enabling one system to perform multiple functions.
2Reliability
If multiple container types are combined into a single shipping package, then fulfillment accuracy improves, but the packaging process becomes more complex requiring additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The order consolidator incorporates verification mechanisms that check container identities and quantities before packaging. The system receives feedback from container identification and uses this information to verify that the correct containers are being combined into the shipping package, ensuring fulfillment accuracy while automating the verification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of container identities and quantities before the actual packaging operation. The order consolidator checks and validates container information in advance, ensuring that only correct containers are combined, which simplifies the subsequent packaging process by eliminating the need for complex real-time verification during packing.
3Area of stationary object
If a movable carriage system is used to select containers, then space utilization improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable carriage that travels along the repository to access different container locations. This dynamic component allows the system to utilize vertical and horizontal space efficiently by reaching containers at various positions without expanding the repository footprint, accepting the trade-off of added mechanical complexity for improved space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmaceutical order processing system for processing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers includes a container repository, a container selector, an order consolidator transporter and an order consolidator. The container repository supports the pharmaceutical containers. The container selector has a picker to pick the pharmaceutical containers from the pharmaceutical container repository. The container selector includes a carriage supporting the picker and movable relative to the container repository to move the picker around the container repository. The order consolidator receives the pharmaceutical containers and places the pharmaceutical containers in a shipping package. The order consolidator transporter receives the pharmaceutical containers after they have been picked by the picker and transports the pharmaceutical containers toward the order consolidator.