Patent ID: 6036812
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B65B,B65G,G07F

Abstract:
An apparatus for filling prescriptions comprising:a) a shelving unit defining an array of storage containers, each container having an interior for holding a bulk amount of pills;b) each container being removable from the shelving unit;c) a computer controlled robotic arm for reaching each container;d) the arm having a free end that grips the container upon selection;e) a dispensing unit that receives the selected container, the dispensing unit dispensing a number of pills therefrom into a pill bottle; andf) the free end of the robotic arm having first and second gripping surface portions that are movable relative to one another and that are configured to selectively grip a selected container or a selected bottle respectively so that the robotic arm can maneuver a selected container or a selected bottle to the dispensing unit, said gripping surface portion including a first surface section that is contoured to fit a pill bottle and a second section spaced from the first section and shaped to grip a container.