Patent ID: 8117809
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: B65B,B65C,G06Q,G16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of emptying pharmaceutical contents of first pharmaceutical containers including medications into a bulk container storing a first quantity of the pharmaceutical for subsequent dispensing responsive to a patient specific order including a second quantity of the pharmaceutical into a second pharmaceutical container, comprising: transporting the first pharmaceutical container; determining information provided on the first pharmaceutical container identifying the first pharmaceuticals contained therein; determining whether the first pharmaceuticals are authorized to be emptied from the first pharmaceutical container into the bulk container responsive to the determined information; determining an orientation of the first pharmaceutical container; orientating the first pharmaceutical container responsive to said determined orientation; cutting the first pharmaceutical container on at least one of the sidewall and bottom of the pharmaceutical container responsive to said orientating; rotating the cut first pharmaceutical container to empty the first quantity of the contents of the first pharmaceutical container into the bulk container after the first pharmaceutical container is cut by said cutting; determining when the first contents of the first pharmaceutical container are no longer being emptied into the bulk container; controlling said cutting and rotating of the first pharmaceutical container for emptying the first contents into the bulk container; and periodically emptying the contents of the bulk container into an automated pharmaceutical dispensing system for subsequent automated dispensing of the pharmaceutical in the second quantity into the second pharmaceutical container responsive to a patient specific prescription order.