PNEUMATIC CONVEYANCE JET DIVERTER

Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed herein for a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter that uses air jets to divert pneumatically conveyed objects to one of various selectable outlets. The example methods, systems, and apparatus are configured direct objects from an inlet to a desired outlet without the use of mechanical components such as an internal flap or gate. Rather, the pneumatic conveyance jet diverter uses an air jet to push or blow objects to a selected outlet.

BACKGROUND

In fulfillment centers, conveyor belts route objects from one location to another location. Often objects are routed from a supply bin to a packaging area. In some instances, the objects are routed to stations that perform an action on the object. For example, to prepare medication containers for shipping to a patient, both the container and the cap are routed from separate supply bins. The container is routed to a filling station and then to a capping station that affixes the cap to the container. Some known fulfillment centers use pneumatic routing and diverters for this routing. Known pneumatic conveyance diverters may be used as part of pharmacy conveyance systems that perform online fulfillment of medication prescriptions. Pneumatic conveyance diverters in pharmacy conveyance systems serve to divert incoming objects, such as medications, medication container caps, or bottles, from a supply bin to various capping or filling stations. As such, pneumatic conveyance diverters play a role in directing objects from a source to a selected destination. In turn, pneumatic conveyance diverters may help at least to automate operations that may instead be performed at local pharmacies, such as prescription filling and packaging.

Known pneumatic conveyance diverters include a diverter tube that can be switched between two different outlets. The diverter tube is pivoted between the outlets based on how a cap or container are to be routed. A mechanical actuator is used to pivot the diverter tube.

However, there are various drawbacks to known pneumatic conveyance diverters. First, the mechanical components must pivot the diverter tube between two outlets. The movement of the diverter tube between the outlets takes time, which when compounded over a day, can cause bottlenecks in a conveyance system. Further, the mechanical nature of known diverters is prone to wear and alignment errors overtime, especially with high frequency use. A need accordingly exists for pneumatic conveyance diverters that provide routing of caps and/or containers without mechanically moving a diverter tube.

SUMMARY

Example systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed herein for the routing of medication container caps or medication containers within a pharmacy conveyor system using a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter. The example systems, methods, and apparatus are configured to use air jets for directing pressurized air to inner walls of a diverter frame such that a medication container cap is routed from an inlet to a desired outlet. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus prevent pharmacy conveyance system disruptions as they include no mechanical parts that can jam or misalign. Further, the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus prevent medication container cap damage as they do not include mechanical components that can crush or destroy lids or other objects. Finally, the use of air jets and lack of mechanical components allow for instantaneously directing medication container caps to a desired path within a medication fulfillment facility.

In light of the disclosure herein, and without limiting the scope of the invention in any way, in a first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter includes a diverter frame that has an inlet end having a first width, an outlet end having a second width that is wider than the first width, the outlet end including a first outlet and a second outlet, and side walls connecting the inlet end and the outlet end. The pneumatic conveyance jet diverter also includes an air jet positioned along one of the side walls and configured to at least partially face the outlet end, and at least one splitter located at the outlet end between the first outlet and the second outlet. The air jet is configured to emit pressurized air causing a medication container cap to be routed to the first outlet. An absence of the pressured air from the air jet causes the medication container cap to be routed to the second outlet.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the diverter frame has a narrow end at the inlet end that gradually widens to an opposite, wide end at the outlet end.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the inlet end of the diverter frame is pneumatically connected to a conveyance tube that provides the medication container cap.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the diverter frame is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis extending between a center of the inlet end to a center of the outlet end.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the second outlet is positioned to be closer to the air jet than the first outlet of the diverter frame.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the air jet is located near the inlet, and the air jet emits air at an angle such that a resulting air path flows to a side wall that is opposite the air jet and along the diverter frame, out to the first outlet.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the pneumatic conveyance jet diverter further includes a lid.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the lid is coupled to a side wall of the diverter frame via a hinge that is opposite from the side wall that includes the air jet.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the medication container cap is received through the inlet end of the diverter frame and travels along the path of the air jet through the outlet end.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the pneumatic conveyance jet diverter further includes a sensor located adjacent to the inlet end.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the sensor is configured to sense the medication container cap being received through the inlet end, and after sensing the medication container cap, transmit a signal to a computer that determines whether the air jet should be activated to emit the pressurized air.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the first outlet is pneumatically connected to a first outlet conveyance tube and the second outlet is pneumatically connected to a second outlet conveyance tube.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter system includes a diverter frame comprising an inlet end having a first width, an outlet end having a second width that is wider than the first width, and first and second side walls connecting the inlet end and the outlet end. The outlet end of the diverter frame includes a first outlet and a second outlet. The system also includes a first air jet positioned along the first side wall and configured to at least partially face the first outlet and a second air jet positioned along the second side wall and configured to at least partially face the second outlet. The system further includes at least one splitter located at the outlet end between the first outlet and the second outlet. The first air jet, when activated, is configured to emit pressurized air causing a medication container cap or a medication container to be routed to the first outlet. The second air jet, when activated, is configured to emit pressurized air causing the medication container cap or the medication container to be routed to the second outlet.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the first air jet is pneumatically coupled to a pressure source via a first valve, and the second air jet is pneumatically coupled to the pressure source via a second valve.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the first air jet is activated by opening the first valve and the second air jet is activated by opening the second valve.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, a computer is configured to cause either of the first valve or the second valve to open for routing the medication container cap or the medication container to either the first outlet or the second outlet.

In a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the system further includes a sensor located adjacent to the inlet end. The sensor is configured to detect the medication container cap or the medication container entering the diverter frame.

In an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the computer is configured to determine whether the first valve or the second valve is to be opened after receiving an input from the sensor indicative of the detection of the medication container cap or the medication container.

In a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the computer is configured to alternate between opening the first valve and the second valve.

In a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the inlet end of the diverter frame is pneumatically connected to a conveyance tube that provides the medication container cap or the medication container.

In a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, any of the structure, functionality, and alternatives disclosed in connection with any one or more ofFIGS.1to9may be combined with any other structure, functionality, and alternatives disclosed in connection with any other one or more ofFIGS.1to9.

In light of the present disclosure and the above aspects, it is therefore an advantage of the present disclosure to provide a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter that has no internal mechanical components that are suitable to jamming or misalignment.

It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter that has no internal mechanical components that take time to actuate between different positions.

It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter that can instantaneously pneumatically direct objects such as medication caps and containers to different outlets.

Additional features and advantages are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description. Also, any particular embodiment does not have to have all of the advantages listed herein and it is expressly contemplated to claim individual advantageous embodiments separately. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed herein for a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter that uses air jets to divert pneumatically conveyed objects to one of various selectable outlet openings. The example methods, systems, and apparatus are configured direct objects from an inlet to a desired outlet without the use of mechanical components such as an internal flap or gate. Rather, the pneumatic conveyance jet diverter uses an air jet to push or blow objects to a selected outlet. The use of air jets, rather than internal flaps or gates, means that there are no internal, mechanical components that jam, or that crush or destroy the objects. Relatedly, because air jets can be activated instantaneously, unlike internal flaps or gates, the use of air jets allows for uninterrupted diverter use with instant desired outlet opening changes. In some embodiments, multiple pneumatic conveyance jet diverters are stacked on top of each other, such that the use of multiple diverters results in a cascading effect when the diverters are used simultaneously.

Reference is made herein to air jets. As disclosed herein, an air jet refers to a port that provides a continuous air flow that is selectively activated by way of a computer-controlled valve, pressure regulator, and/or pressurized air or pneumatic source. The air jet includes an orifice diameter of 0.093″ for providing pressurized air in a range of 70 to 90 psi, for example, with a lower limit pressure of about 40 psi. In alternate embodiments, the orifice diameter may be smaller or larger, which in turn changes the working pressure range for the air jet. In some embodiments, the air jet continuously emits pressurized air while the diverter is in operation. However, alternate embodiments include a sensor (e.g., sensor139ofFIG.3) near the inlet opening, such that an air jet is activated only when the sensor is activated by the presence of a medication container cap, or other object. Alternatively, an air jet may be temporarily deactivated when a medication container and/or cap is detected based on a specified routing path.

Reference is made herein to medication container caps, containers, and bottles. As disclosed herein, a medication container cap refers to a medication bottle lid. A medication container cap may have dimensions of 2.33″ in diameter by 0.185″ in height, for example, and a mass of approximately 6 grams. In some embodiments, the diverter can be used to direct smaller and lighter medication container caps, and dimensions can be scaled up to divert larger medication container caps.

As disclosed herein, a bottle refers to a medication receptacle, vial carrier, or other container for housing or moving medication pills. A bottle may include a cylindrical container or a package for housing pills or pill packs. A bottle usually includes a lid that is secured during a filling or packing process. A bottle also usually includes a label with prescription and/or medication information. The label may include a unique identifier for tracking the bottle. In some embodiments, the diverter inlet and outlet opening, as well as inner chamber, could be made cylindrical to direct vials or bottles.

While the example methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed herein as operating with medication container caps and bottles, it should be appreciated that the methods, apparatus, and systems may be operable with other articles. For example, the methods, apparatus, and systems may provide for the routing of packages in a facility, products to be packaged in a facility, and/or components to be assembled into a product along an assembly line. The methods, apparatus, and systems may, for example, provide for the routing of packaged clothing or other articles.

Reference is also made herein to prescriptions and medications. A prescription is generated by a pharmacy based on a document (commonly referred to a medication order), which is provided by a clinician. A medication order designates a particular patient for receiving a specified dosage of a medication. References to a prescription herein refer to information from a medication order in addition to prescription fill information for a particular patient/medication. In other words, a prescription is a single medication fill event for a particular patient that is performed by a pharmacy, such as a pharmacy fulfillment center. A medication includes a pill, tablet, or other solid pharmaceutical drug dosage that is consumed by a patient. A medication may also include a compounded pharmaceutical that is prepared from two or more substances.

Pneumatic Conveyance Jet Diverter

With reference to the Figures,FIGS.1A-Cillustrate top-down views of a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter100.FIG.1Ashows the top of a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter100. The diverter100includes a first side155, a second side160, side walls165(seeFIGS.1C &2A), a splitter120, an inlet105, first and second outlets125,130, and air jets110,115.

The second side160is a flat sheet-like component made of metal or another durable material. The second side160has a narrow end across from a wide end. Two identical sides flank the narrow and wide ends, such that the second side160is symmetrical along a narrow-to-wide longitudinal axis. As such, the second side160has a narrow-to-wide rectangle-like shape. The narrow end of the second side160helps define the narrow, inlet105of the diverter100and the wide end of the second side160helps define the wide, outlets125,130of the diverter100. The sides of the second side160align with the side walls165(described below, seen inFIGS.1C &2A) such that the second side160can lay flat and be supported by the side walls165. One of the sides of the second side160is coupled with a hinge135. The other side of the second side160is coupled with a first part of a lock140.

The first side155resembles the second side160, as seen inFIG.1B. The first side155is a flat sheet-like component made of metal or another durable material. The first side155has a narrow end across from a wide end. Two identical sides flank the narrow and wide ends, such that the first side155is symmetrical along the narrow-to-wide longitudinal axis. As such, the first side155has a narrow-to-wide rectangle-like shape. It should be noted that the narrow end of the first side155is somewhat wider than the narrow side of the second side160, such that the first side155has a resulting extra overhang on the narrow side. The narrow end of the first side155helps define the narrow, inlet105side of the diverter100and the wide end of the first side155helps define the wide, outlets125,130side of the diverter100. Side walls165(further described below) couple with the first side155along the first side's155edges. The side walls165are positioned to mirror the dimensions of the second side160. As such, once the side walls165are coupled to the first side155, the first side155has overhangs on the narrow end. The splitter120(further described below) couples to the first side155at the midpoint of the first side's155wide end. As such, the first side155, side walls165, and splitter120define a structure which supports the second side160when it is laid flat, and results in the diverter100body frame.

The side walls165are made of metal or another durable material able to withstand constant air flow exposure and impact from objects. The side walls165are shaped such that their length and orientation match the sides of the second side160. One of the side walls165is coupled with the other side of the hinge135that couples with the second side160(described above). The opposite side wall165is coupled with a second part of a lock140that interlocks with the first part of the lock140that couples with the second side160. The air jets110,115may include ports or nozzles that couple to perforations on the side walls165to enable pressurized air to be emitted. The air jets110,115couple to the side walls165near the narrow end (seeFIG.1C). In some embodiments, the air jets110,115are fixedly coupled with the side walls165. However, in other embodiments the air jets110,115removably couple to the side walls165by way of a screw-like or clip mechanism. In this embodiment, the side walls165are tall enough such that there a cavity at least 0.185″ in height when the second side160is in a closed configuration, so that a standard medication container cap can lie flat on the inside of the diverter100.

The splitter120is made of metal or another durable material able to withstand constant air flow exposure and impact from objects. The splitter couples to the wide end of the first side155. The splitter120has a triangular shape and couples with the edge of the wide end of the first side155, such that one of the splitter's120edges aligns with the edge of the first side's155end, and one of the splitter's120points orients directly into the diverter100. In other words, the splitter120extends into the diverter, such that one of its pointed ends is in the innermost part of the diverter100and the wide end faces outwardly. As such, the splitter120helps separate the first side's155wide end into the two outlets125,130(described below). It should be noted that the splitter's120narrow-to-wide placement directs objects, such as medication container caps or medication containers, towards each of the outlets125,130.

The inlet105is an opening defined by the narrow end of the first side155, the side walls165, and the narrow end of the second side160, when the diverter100is in a closed configuration (described below). Medication container caps or other objects enter the diverter100through the inlet105from a pneumatically connected conveyance tube.

The outlets125,130, are openings defined by the wide end of the first side155, the side walls165, the wide end of the second side160, and the splitter120, when the diverter100is in a closed configuration (described below). Medication container caps or other objects exit the diverter100through the outlets125,130to respective conveyance tubes.

The air jets110,115are coupled with the side walls165near the inlet105(described above). The air jets110,115are made of metal or another durable material that can withstand continuous exposure to air pressure and impact by objects. The air jets110,115couple with the side walls165at an angle (discussed below) such that air flow is directed at a given angle into the diverter100. On the other end, the air jets110,115are coupled to valves185(seeFIG.3), which are coupled to one or more pressurized air source180. The pressurized air source(s)180can include a pressurized tank or an online source, and include a pressure regulator to safeguard the air jets110,115and valves185(described below, seen inFIG.3).

Overall, the diverter100has a narrow end and a wide end, and two sides that connect both ends. The inlet105is located at the narrow end and the first and second outlets125,130, separated by the splitter120, are located at the wide end. Additionally, the first and second air jets110,115are located across one another, on the side walls165near the narrow end of the diverter100and near the inlet105.

FIG.1Cshows a section, top-down view of the diverter100. This section view better shows that the air jets110,115are coupled to the sides of the diverter100such that they can each direct air towards first and second inner walls145,150. More specifically, the first air jet110couples to the diverter100on the first outlet125side such that it can emit pressurized air across, towards the second inner wall150on the second outlet130side. Similarly, the second air jet115couples to the diverter100on the second outlet130side such that it can emit pressurized air across, towards the first inner wall145on the first outlet125side. Each air jet110,115is configured to emit pressurized air to the side opposite of where the air jet110,115couples with the diverter100. Moreover, in this embodiment, the air jets110,115emit pressurized air at an angle of 45° relative to the inner wall145,150towards which the air flow is emitted. However, in other embodiments the air jets110,115emit pressurized air at angles ranging between 20° to 75°. In yet another embodiment, the diverter100can include only one air jet110or115, such that the diverter100directs objects towards one outlet125or130using the air flow principles explained below and towards the other outlet125or130through gravity or a pneumatic pressure received through the inlet end105from a pneumatically connected pneumatic conveyance tube.

FIGS.2A-Cillustrate a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter.FIG.2Ashows a perspective view of the diverter100from an outlet-facing, top angle. The diverter100includes a second side160and a first side155(as described inFIG.1A-B), side walls165, and a splitter120. The side walls165flank the sides of the second side160and first side155, and act to couple the second side160and first side155, so as to create a diverter frame. Moreover, on a narrower end of the diverter frame, the second side160, first side155, and side walls165define the opening that is the inlet105(as described above). Relatedly, on a wider end of the diverter frame, the second side160, first side155, and side walls165, with the splitter120at the midpoint between the side walls165, define the first and second outlets125,130, also previously described. Additionally, the hinge135couples one of the side walls165and the second side160. As such, the second side160can move about the rest of the diverter100by pivoting about the hinge135.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.2B, a perspective view of a diverter100from an inlet-facing, top angle, the side wall165opposite the hinge135, couples with locks140. The locks140allow users to selectively secure the second side160when it rests on top of the side wall165with the locks140. As such, the diverter100can have an open configuration and a closed configuration.

FIG.2Cshows a transparent, perspective view the diverter100from an inlet-facing, top angle. As further seen in the figure, the splitter120that defines the first and second outlets125,130extends into the diverter100(as described above). In this figure, it can be appreciated how the geometry of the splitter120serves to direct objects towards each respective outlet125,130

FIG.5illustrates a pneumatic conveyance jet diverter200with three outlets215. The diverter200inFIG.5is an alternate embodiment that includes two splitters210that define three outlets215. As such, users can use the diverter200to direct objects, such as medication container caps, to three different destinations. See below for an explanation of how the use of three outlet215openings affects the air flow directed to move objects.

FIG.6illustrates multiple pneumatic conveyance jet diverters100stacked on top of each other from an outlet-facing side view. Each diverter100includes a stacking assembly159. The stacking assembly159is made of metal or another durable material and can be coupled to the second side160of the diverter100near the narrow and wide ends of the second side160. The stacking assembly159interacts with the first side155of the diverter100, such that users can securely stack multiple diverters100for simultaneous, cascade-like use. As such, users can employ multiple diverters at once, each diverting different objects, such as one diverting medication container caps and one diverting medication bottles, to the same destination. It should be noted that, as seen inFIG.6, the height of the side walls165and splitter120define the height of the outlet130, which in turn limits which objects can be used with the diverter100. In the present embodiment, for example, the height of the side walls165is such that a medication container cap of 0.185″ in height can pass through the outlet130(as described above). However, in alternate embodiments, the diverter100can be used to direct smaller and lighter medication container caps, and dimensions can be scaled up to divert larger medication container caps. Relatedly, in alternate embodiments, the diverter100inlet (not shown) and outlets (130), as well as inner chamber (not shown), can be made cylindrical to direct vials or bottles.

FIG.10illustrates a top-down view of multiple pneumatic conveyance jet diverters100aligned in series in an inlet to outlet order. Each diverter100is arranged inlet105to outlet125,130such that caps190can travel from one inlet105, through the diverter100, and exit through an outlet125,130. In this configuration, users feed a cap190through an inlet105, the cap travels through the diverter to a user-selected outlet125, exits the outlet125onto a conveyor195. The cap190continues on the conveyor195onto a successive inlet105and again travels through a diverter100and out a user-selected outlet125. Users can align as many diverters100as desired in this configuration to create a sequence of interconnected diverters100for routing among a plurality of different paths.

Pneumatic Conveyance Jet Diverter Air Flow

FIG.3shows a diagram of the system170, which includes a computer175configured to control pressurized air sources180for the diverter100, as discussed above. The system170includes a computer175, a pressurized air source180, valves185, air jets110,115, and the diverter100. In some embodiments, the system170may also include one or more sensors139to detect entry of an object into the diverter100. While the sensor139is shown at the inlet end105of the diverter100, in other examples the sensor139may be located on a conveyance tube that is connected to the inlet end105. Placing the sensor139upstream from the diverter100provides additional time for activating the valve185(after detection) to cause pressurized air to emit from the respective air jet. The valves185can include globe, gate, ball, plug, or butterfly valves, among others. Additionally, as noted above, a regulator steps down air pressure from the pressurized air source180to safeguard the valves185. The computer175is configured to receive an input from users, such as desired air flow pressure used in the diverter100.

Specifically, as seen inFIG.9, a diagram is shown of a computer process to activate air jets by a computer based on one or more inputs300. The computer process is performed after the computer310is configured with a desired air pressure for the air jets110,115, which may adjust a pressure setting on one or more regulators, the pressurized air source180, and/or the valves185. Alternatively, the pressure regulators, the pressurized air source180, and/or the valves185are manually set. In some instances, the computer310is configured to change the pressure regulation based on a type of object that is to be routed. For instance, greater air pressures may be used to route medication containers compared to caps. Further, greater air pressures may be used to route larger medication containers compared to smaller medication containers.

In some instances, the computer310may adjust the pressure of the air flow directed by each air jet330by controlling the air source and valves such that the input corresponding to a desired air flow pressure is achieved. In one embodiment, the computer310monitors the pressurized air source and valves335and adjusts them to maintain the conditions associated with the input. As the computer310receives a different input, it may be configured to adjust the pressure of the air flow exiting the air jets. In turn, the computer310enables users and/or specified conditions to change the force of the air flow to move different objects of different weights and/or change the speed with which the diverter directs objects, such as medication container caps.

After the computer310is configured with a specified air pressure, the computer310is configured to determine when the air jets110,115should be activated. As shown inFIG.9, the computer310receives one or more inputs305to determine an appropriate jet output315, from a table or directory, for example, and transmit a resulting signal to the pressurized air source and valves. The table or directory may specify a desired path of travel for an object among the different paths defined within the diverter100. Alternatively, the computer310may alternate between the paths. In some instances, the computer310may receive an indication that one path is blocked, congested with objects, or otherwise inoperable downstream from diverter100. The computer310accordingly routes the objects through the diverter100to the available one or more paths by opening the appropriate valve185. The computer310transmits the jet output315when it is determined that one or more of the air jets110,115are to activated. A closed jet output315maybe transmitted to close the valve185. Alternatively, the jet output315may cause the valve to remain open for a duration, such as 100 milliseconds, 250 milliseconds, 500 milliseconds, 1 second, 2 seconds, etc.

The jet output315is configured to activate the air source and/or the valves320,325(e.g., the valves185). The valves are pneumatically coupled to each of the air jets, respectively. When only one air jet is used for the diverter100, the jet output315is configured to transmit a signal causing the corresponding valve to open for a specified duration or remain open until a close jet output315is received. When two or more air jets are used for routing to respective outlets, the computer310transmits the jet output315to the valve that is to be opened to allow for the flow of pressurized air to reach the corresponding air jet.

Additionally, the computer310is also configured to receive an object type, such as a medication container or cap, weight or size and use a look up table to determine a specified pressure. Relatedly, in alternate embodiments, the computer310receives data from the sensor139indicative of an object type, weight, and size, and similarly uses a look up table to determine a specified pressure. It should be noted that in alternate embodiments, a single computer simultaneously controls air sources and valves for multiple diverters.

FIG.8shows a graph of a simulated volumetric flow of an air jet with an orifice diameter of 0.093″. As seen in the graph, as air pressure supplied to the jet increases, so does the volumetric flow of air. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, with the same orifice of 0.093″, the air jet emits pressurized air within a range of 70 to 90 psi, with a lower limit pressure of about 40 psi. The highest pressure measured in this embodiment is 100 psi. However, different embodiments can operate at higher or lower pressure levels.

FIG.4illustrates an airflow simulation of the diverter100for pneumatically routing objects, such as medication container caps190. As seen in the figure, air167flows from an air jet115located on the inner wall166across from the inner wall167and towards the outlet125. More specifically, the air jet115directs the air167flow such that the air167hits the inner wall168at an angle169, in this embodiment 45°, and continues out towards the outlet125. Shaded area161represents faster moving air. In operation, an object, such as the medication container cap190, enters the diverter100through the inlet105from a pneumatic conveyance tube. The cap190is pushed by the air flow167towards the inner wall168opposite the air jet115. The air flow167continues to push the cap190along the inner wall168towards the outlet125. Once the cap190reaches the outlet125, it is pushed out of the diverter100by the air flow167to an outlet conveyance tube. The same principle is used to move objects to the opposite outlet130. However, in this case, an air jet, such as air jet115, would be located on the inner wall168, and the air167flow would be directed towards the inner wall166.

Relatedly,FIG.5illustrates a diverter200with three outlets215. In the illustrated embodiment, the same airflow principles as explained above underlie the movement of objects, such as medication container caps, from an inlet205to outlets215of the diverter200. However, when users want to direct a cap to the middle outlet215, there is no need to use an air j et, but rather the cap simply continues its linear path of travel from the inlet205, through the inside of the diverter200, straight out the middle outlet215. In other embodiments, an air jet and valve are configured to emit two different pressures. A first lower pressure may direct the object to the center outlet215. A second higher pressure directs the object to the further outlet215.

It should be noted that in some embodiments the air jets may emit a continues air flow. In these embodiments, the flow of air from the air jets is changed periodically based on downstream conditions or based on a specified schedule that is stored in a table. In these embodiments, the sensors may be omitted.

Pneumatic Conveyance Jet Diverter in Pharmacy Conveyance System

FIG.7illustrates the example diverter100as part of a pharmacy conveyance system181. The system181includes a medication container cap source182, a computer175, an inlet conveyor183(e.g., a pneumatic tube), the diverter100, outlet conveyors184(e.g., outlet pneumatic tubes), and destinations186(e.g., fulfillment stations). Users begin by providing the computer175one or more pressure settings for the air source180and valves185, as described above. As such, the air jets110,115activate according to the user-input air flow settings, also as described above. Next, a medication container cap190exits the source182and travels through the inlet conveyor183towards the inlet105. After the cap190enters the diverter100, it is directed to the desired outlet125opening by pressurized air, as explained above. The cap190exits the diverter100through the desired outlet125and travels to the outlet conveyor184towards a destination186. As such, the use of the diverter100in a pharmacy conveyance system181enables users to selectively direct objects, such as medication container caps or medication containers, to desired destinations without mechanically moving tubes or actuators. It should be noted that users can incorporate multiple diverters in stacked, cascading configurations, as explained above, to simultaneously selectively direct various objects from different sources to the same destinations. For example, users can use said configurations to direct medication container caps and medication containers to the same destination.

CONCLUSION