Pill Counting Tray Spout for Accurate Transfer Between Vial Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual pill counting trays are prone to errors due to reliance on human vision and memory, and automated systems increase prescription filling errors, while existing pharmacy tools have structural limitations that lead to medication commingling and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A pharmacy pill tray with a planar surface, enclosed funnel, and spout designed to securely engage pill vials of varying sizes, facilitating accurate and efficient transfer of pills between the tray and vials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pill counting trays are used, then versatility and ease of operation are maintained, but accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary counting tray system that physically separates the counting process from the dispensing process. The tray includes a counting surface, a barrier wall, and a dispensing well that work together as an intermediary mechanism to prevent direct hand-to-eye counting errors while maintaining manual operation. This intermediary structure enforces a systematic counting approach and prevents accidental commingling of medications.
2Productivity
If automated pill filling systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but reliability deteriorates due to increased prescription filling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The counting tray serves as an intermediary verification step between automated filling systems and final dispensing. By requiring manual verification through the structured tray system, the patent introduces a safety checkpoint that catches automated system errors without completely eliminating automation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray's structured design with barrier walls and designated counting areas provides visual feedback to the pharmacist during the verification process. The physical constraints of the tray guide the pharmacist's attention to critical areas, creating a feedback mechanism that reduces verification errors even when reviewing automated work.
3Reliability
If traditional pill counting trays with crevices and complex surfaces are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to medication commingling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific functional zones within the tray with different surface characteristics. The counting surface has a specific texture or pattern optimized for pill visibility and handling, while the barrier wall and dispensing well have smooth surfaces optimized for preventing pill lodging. Each local area is optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire tray.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmacy pill tray for viewing and/or counting pills includes a viewing portion comprising a substantially planar floor surface for supporting the pills thereon, an enclosed funnel extending from the viewing portion and configured to selectively receive pills from the support surface, and a spout extending from the enclosed funnel and having an inner diameter provided with a structure sized and shaped to selectively cooperate with an external thread of first-sized pill vial to removably secure the spout to the first-sized pill vial for transferring pills between the spout and the first-sized pill vial. The spout has an outer diameter sized to be selectively and closely inserted into a second-sized pill vial that is larger than the first-sized pill bottle vial for transferring pills between the spout and the second-sized pill vial.