Patent Publication Number: US-8983664-B2

Title: Receptacle with dual-function actuator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention generally relates to transportable controlled-access containers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Medications that are expensive or are controlled substances are carefully controlled in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Many facilities use Automated Dispensing Machines (ADMs) to provide controlled access to such medications without the need for a pharmacist to personally fill every order. The use of a transportable container that is secure during transport is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461 to Broadfield et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  FIGS. 1A-1E  and  2 A- 2 B are adapted from Broadfield. 
     Broadfield discloses that a receptacle  30  includes a latch member  56  that captures and retains a hook  44  to secure the lid in a “closed” position and that the lid is released by energizing a first muscle wire  54  that moves the latch member  56  thereby releasing the hook  44 . Broadfield further teaches that the receptacle  30  is secured within a drawer  114  by a latching engagement member  154  located under a tray  115  in the drawer  114 . The receptacle  30  is released from the drawer  114  by energizing a second muscle wire (not visible in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) mounted under the tray  115  that moves the latching engagement member  154  thereby releasing the hook  44 . As such, each receptacle  30  requires a first muscle wire and each receptacle docking location in drawer  114  requires a second muscle wire. 
     Currently available drawers of this type are prone to damage of the latching engagement members  154  and associated second muscle wires as these elements are exposed when a receptacle docking location is empty, rendering the elements susceptible to damage from dropped objects. In addition, as the muscle wires are located across the entire area of the drawer, some drawer systems use a single very large printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that covers the bottom of the drawer to provide all of the muscle wires and associated drive circuits. A PCBA of this size is expensive, which consequently makes replacement of a damaged PCBA expensive. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is desirable to be able to secure the lid of a transportable receptacle and secure the receptacle in a drawer, for example in an ADM, without requiring separate actuators for each securing function for each receptacle. It is also desirable to improve the reliability of the system and reduce the cost by reducing the number of actuators and associated circuitry required for each receptacle. 
     In certain embodiments, a receptacle adapted for removable placement on a retention tray is disclosed. The receptacle includes a body and a lid movably coupled to the body. The lid has a closed position and a lid hook. The receptacle also includes a latching apparatus coupled to the body. The latching apparatus has a lid latch having a latched position. The lid latch is configured to engage the lid hook when the lid is in the closed position and the lid latch is in the latched position. The latching apparatus also has a tray latch having a latched position. The tray latch is configured to engage a tray hook that is coupled to the retention tray when the receptacle is placed on the retention tray. The latching apparatus also has an actuator configured to selectably move in a first direction thereby urging the lid latch to move away from the latched position. The actuator is further configured to selectably move in a second direction that is opposite the first direction thereby urging the tray latch to move away from the latched position. 
     In certain embodiments, a latch apparatus for securing and selectably releasing either of a first hook and a second hook is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate and a first latch rotatably coupled to the substrate. The first latch has a latched position and is configured to engage the first hook when the first latch is in the latched position. The apparatus also includes a second latch rotatably coupled to the substrate. The second latch has a latched position and is configured to engage the second hook when the second latch is in the latched position. The apparatus further includes an actuator configured to selectably move in a first direction thereby urging the first latch to move away from the latched position. The actuator is further configured to selectably move in a second direction that is opposite the first direction thereby urging the second latch to move away from the latched position. 
     In certain embodiments, a drawer system is disclosed that includes a retention tray comprising a plurality of docking locations. Each docking location has a tray hook coupled to the retention tray. The drawer assembly also includes at least one receptacle having a body and a lid movably coupled to the body. The lid has a closed position and a lid hook. The receptacle also includes a latching apparatus coupled to the body. The latching apparatus has a lid latch having a latched position. The lid latch is configured to engage the lid hook when the lid is in the closed position and the lid latch is in the latched position. The latching apparatus also has a tray latch having a latched position. The tray latch is configured to engage the tray hook when the receptacle is placed on one of the docking locations of the retention tray. The latching apparatus also has an actuator configured to selectably move in a first direction thereby urging the lid latch to move away from the latched position. The actuator is further configured to selectably move in a second direction that is opposite the first direction thereby urging the tray latch to move away from the latched position. The retention tray is configured to receive a plurality of receptacles in the plurality docking stations. 
     In certain embodiments, an ADM is disclosed that includes at least one drawer system having a retention tray comprising a plurality of docking locations each having a tray hook coupled to the retention tray. The drawer system also has at least one receptacle that includes a body and a lid movably coupled to the body. The lid has a closed position and a lid hook. The receptacle also includes a latching apparatus coupled to the body. The latching apparatus has a lid latch having a latched position. The lid latch is configured to engage the lid hook when the lid is in the closed position and the lid latch is in the latched position. The receptacle also has a tray latch having a latched position. The tray latch is configured to engage the tray hook when the receptacle is placed on one of the docking locations of the retention tray. The receptacle further includes an actuator configured to selectably move in a first direction thereby urging the lid latch to move away from the latched position. The actuator is further configured to selectably move in a second direction that is opposite the first direction thereby urging the tray latch to move away from the latched position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1A-1E  are views of a prior art receptacle and latching arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are side views of the prior at latching arrangement of  FIGS. 1A-1E . 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary receptacle and latching apparatus according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic portion of the receptacle according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary ADM according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a user removing a medication from a receptacle disposed in a drawer assembly according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  depicts an exemplary drawer assembly according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7B  depicts a portion of the drawer assembly of  FIG. 7A  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description discloses embodiments of a receptacle adapted for removable placement on a retention tray. In certain embodiments, this tray is located in a drawer of an ADM. In certain embodiments, the retention tray may be an open surface. 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. Like components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding. 
     As used within this disclosure, the term “hook” is defined as a retention feature having a capture surface configured for engagement with by a latching element. The retention feature may be configured with an open capture surface such as a ledge or knob or a closed feature such as a pocket or loop. Any feature that can be captured and retained and then selectably released by a second feature falls within the scope of this term. 
     As used within this disclosure, the term “spring” is defined as any element that creates a resisting force when deformed in a first direction, wherein the resisting force is applied in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Examples of springs include blocks of a compressible elastic material, bands of a stretchable elastic material, plastic cantilevers, and metal coils. 
     As used within this disclosure, the term “motor” is defined as any device wherein a first part is caused to move with respect to a second part by the application of electricity. As an example, the first part may be a shaft or rotor and the second part may be a housing or stator. Another example is a solenoid where the first part is the moving core and the second part is the stationary coil. The forces between the first and second parts may be created by interaction of one or more of permanent magnets, metallic elements, and electrical circuits. A motor may include electrical components that control the flow of electricity through one or more portions of the motor, including one or more of a switch such as a transistor, a sensing element such as a Hall effect sensor, a control element such as a processor, and a signal handling device such as a transceiver. A motor may include digital electronics to accept commands and provide signals to other electronics. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show portions of FIGS. 1 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461. The receptacle  30  has a plurality of sidewalls  32  that define a storage compartment  42  which is best shown in  FIG. 1B . A top  34  can be opened and closed about a hinge  40 . A latch assembly  38  is formed between the top  34  and one of the sidewalls  32  to keep the top  34  in a closed position until an authorized operator gains access to the receptacle. The hinge assembly  40  includes a spring  48  and pin  50  which join the receptacle compartment with the top  34 . While a hinged top is preferred, a sliding top may be used. The receptacle  30  may further include a compartment  58  for housing a latch assembly  52 . The latch assembly  52  may include a latch member  56  and a cover  54 . 
       FIGS. 1C ,  1 D, and  1 E show FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461.  FIG. 1C  shows the latch member  56  in a closed position while  FIG. 1D  shows the latch member  56  in an open position. A switch  57  may electronically inform an ADM-computer that the top  34  is in an open or closed position. A memory chip  62  may store information concerning the receptacle and its contents. The receptacle  30  itself may be a medication package that contains drugs and a package insert. The receptacle  30  may replace bottles and other types of standard medication packages. An electrical communication contact  66  enables connection from the receptacle to a receiving location within an automated dispensing machine, thus facilitating communication between the receptacle and the computer associated with the automated dispensing machine. When required signals are received at the electrical contact  66 , an electronic circuit actuates a muscle wire  64  causing the latch to be actuated and thus opening the top  34 . The muscle wire  64  receives a current and upon increasing in temperature the muscle wire  64  pulls to one side by shrinking and thereby causes the latch to be susceptible to a spring force acting upon it from a spring in the hinge assembly  40 . It should be noted that the muscle wire  64  is a single-direction actuator, i.e. the muscle wire  64  can pull but cannot push. The spring  48  pushes the top open when the latch is freed. In a preferred embodiment, the lid or top  34  will spring open about 15 degrees when the latch is opened. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show FIGS. 16 and 17 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461.  FIG. 2A  shows the insertion of a receptacle  142  into a drawer tray  115  and  FIG. 2B  shows the same receptacle  142  latched to the drawer tray  115 . A nested or adjacent receptacle  140  is also shown already in place. Compression spring  143  is shown in its relaxed state in  FIG. 2A  and is compressed and not in view in  FIG. 2B . Latch member  145  is shown in cross-section view in contact with electrical circuit  151 . Latch engagement member  150  is shown in  FIG. 2B  with end  154  engaged with the retaining hook  152  of engagement member  148  of receptacle  142 . 
     The receptacles that are disclosed herein include a single latch apparatus that replaces the multiple latches of the system disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461. Accomplishing both the lid-latching capability and the receptacle-securing capability with a single actuator that is contained in the removable receptacle offers a significant reduction in cost of the system, compared to the system disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461, and an improvement in the reliability of the overall system while still providing the benefits of the system taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461. Elimination of the receptacle-securing latches located in the bottom of the drawer assembly disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461 reduces the cost of the drawer assembly disclosed herein and eliminates the risk of the prior design of damage to a receptacle-securing latch when a receptacle is not secured in that location. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary receptacle  200  and latching apparatus  220  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The receptacle  200  comprises a body  202  having a compartment  221  and a lid  204  that, in certain embodiments, is hingedly attached to the body  202 . The cover  221 A that is normally coupled to the body  202  to seal the compartment  221  has been moved away from the receptacle  200  to expose the internal components. The lid  204  has a lid hook  206  that protrudes into the compartment  221  when the lid  204  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 3 . In certain embodiments, the latching apparatus  220  is disposed within the compartment  221 . The latching apparatus comprises a lid latch  222  that is configured to rotate about a pivot  238  that is fixed to the body  202  and engage the lid hook  206 . In certain embodiments, a lid latch spring  224  is positioned between the body  202  and the lid latch  222  to urge the lid latch  222  toward the latched position shown in  FIG. 3 . When the lid latch  222  is engaged with the lid hook  206 , the lid  204  cannot be opened without damaging one or more elements of the receptacle  200 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts the receptacle  200  latched to a retention tray  250  having a tray hook  252  that protrudes upward into the compartment  221 . The receptacle  200  comprises one or more feet  208  that contact the top of retention tray  250  when the receptacle  200  is placed on the retention tray  250 . The latching apparatus  220  further comprises a tray latch  234  that is configured to rotate about a pivot  240  that is fixed to the body  202  and engage the tray hook  252 . In certain embodiments, a tray latch spring  236  is positioned between the body  202  and the tray latch  234  to urge the tray latch  234  toward the latched position shown in  FIG. 3 . A receptacle release spring  254  is disposed between the retention tray  250  and the body  202  of receptacle  200  and configured to urge the receptacle  200  upwards when the tray hook  252  is released. 
     The latching apparatus  220  also comprises an actuator  242  configured to selectably move in a first direction, for example to the left in the view of  FIG. 3 , thereby urging the lid latch  222  to move away from its latched position. The actuator  242  is further configured to selectably move in a second direction, for example to the right in the view of  FIG. 3 , thereby urging the tray latch  234  to move away from its latched position. 
     In certain embodiments, the actuator  242  comprises a gear rack  232  having an axis  233  and that is movably coupled to the body  202 . The gear rack  232  is configured to cause the lid latch  222  to rotate away from the latched position, for example counterclockwise in the view of  FIG. 3 , when moved in a first direction, for example to the left in the view of  FIG. 3 . The gear rack  232  is also configured to cause the tray latch  234  to rotate away from the latched position, for example counterclockwise in the view of  FIG. 3 , when moved in a second direction, for example to the right in the view of  FIG. 3 . 
     In certain embodiments, the actuator  242  also comprises a motor  242  comprising a housing  229  that is coupled to the body  202  and a rotatable shaft  227  configured to selectably rotate in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction. The shaft  227  is coupled to the gear rack  232  such that rotation of the shaft  227  in the first direction causes the gear rack  232  to move in the first direction and rotation of the shaft  227  in the second direction causes the gear rack  232  to move in the second direction. 
     In certain embodiments, the latching apparatus  220  includes a processor  260  that is coupled to the motor  226 , the processor  260  configured to receive signals from an external device through electrical contacts  262 A on an external surface of the body  202 . The processor  260  is further configured to cause the motor  226  to rotate in the first direction upon receipt of a lid-release signal and to cause the motor to rotate in the second direction upon receipt of a receptacle-release signal. In certain embodiments, the contacts  262 A are configured to removably couple to an electrical connector  256  on the retention tray  250 . 
     An example of accessing the contents of the receptacle  200  begins with the processor  260  receiving a lid-release signal through the electrical contacts  262 A. The processor sends a command to the motor  226  to turn in the first direction thereby causing the worm gear  228  to turn, which turns the pinion gear  230 , which causes the gear rack  232  to move in the first direction. The gear rack contacts the lid latch  222  and causes the lid latch  222  to rotate about pivot  238  counterclockwise, thereby releasing the lid hook  206 . In certain embodiments, a spring (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) coupled between the lid  204  and the body  202  then causes the released lid  204  to rotate upward, granting access to the contents of the receptacle  200 . 
     An example of releasing the receptacle  200  from the retention tray  250  begins with the processor  260  receiving a receptacle-release signal through the electrical contacts  262 A. The processor sends a command to the motor  226  to turn in the second direction thereby causing the worm gear  228  to turn, which turns the pinion gear  230 , which causes the gear rack  232  to move in the second direction. The gear rack contacts the tray latch  234  and causes the tray latch  234  to rotate about pivot  240  counterclockwise, thereby releasing the tray hook  252 . In certain embodiments, a receptacle release spring  254  coupled between the tray  250  and the body  202  then causes the receptacle  200  to move upward, allowing a user to grasp the receptacle  200  and remove the receptacle  200  from the retention tray  250 . 
     In certain embodiments, the actuator  242  also comprises a worm gear  228  coupled to the shaft  227  and a pinion gear  230  rotatably coupled to the body  202 . In certain embodiments, the pinion gear  230  is configured to rotate about a pivot  231  that is fixed to the body  202 . In certain embodiments, the pinion gear  230  is coupled between the worm gear  228  and the gear rack  232  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic portion of the receptacle  200  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the receptacle  200  comprises a processor  260  that is communicatively coupled to the motor  242  and to a communication interface  262 . In certain embodiments, the processor  260  is coupled to a memory  264 . In certain embodiments, the memory  264  is integral with the processor  260  in a single device. In certain embodiments, the processor  260  is configured to exchange signals with an external device, for example a processor of an ADM such as shown in  FIG. 5 , through communication interface  262 . In certain embodiments, the communication interface  262  comprises one or more electrical contacts  262 A on an external surface of the body  202 , the contacts  262 A configured to removably couple to an electrical connector  256 , shown in  FIG. 3 , on the retention tray  250 . In certain embodiments, the communication interface  262  comprises a wireless communication device, for example a Bluetooth®-compatible transceiver. In certain embodiments, the processor  260  is configured to receive information from an external device and store this information in the memory  264 , the information comprising one or more of an identifier associated with the receptacle  200 , an identifier associated with an item disposed within the receptacle  200 , a name and dose of a medication disposed within the receptacle  200 , and an expiration date of a medication disposed within the receptacle  200 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary ADM  300  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The ADM  300  comprises a user interface that includes a control top  302  that includes a display  304  and a keyboard  306  and a processor (not visible in  FIG. 5 ). The ADM  300  also includes a cabinet  310  having a plurality of drawers, for example a drawer system  312  configured to receive one or more of the receptacles  200  in one or more docking stations  258 , shown in  FIG. 7B . In certain embodiments, the cabinet  310  also includes a half-height open drawer  314 , a 16-drawer step-drawer assembly  316 , a 6-drawer step-drawer assembly  318 , and a full-height open drawer  312 . In certain embodiments, the ADM  300  is configured to contain medications and supplies for use in a hospital or healthcare environment. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a user  10  removing a medication  320  from a receptacle  200  disposed in a drawer assembly  312  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. It can be seen that only the contents of the one receptacle  200  are available to the user  10 , while the remaining receptacle  200  remain closed. In certain embodiments, an ADM  300  with a drawer assembly  312  is located in hospital. The drawer assembly  312  contains a plurality of receptacles  200 , each containing a different medication  320 . A user  10  may access one of medications  320  by indicating through the user interface of the ADM  300  which medication  320  the user  10  wished to remove. The ADM  200  will allow the drawer  312  to be opened, then the processor of the ADM  200  will send a lid-release signal to the receptacle  200  that contains the desired medication  320 , which causes the lid  204  of that receptacle  200  to be released and open upward, thereby allowing the user  10  access to the doses of the medication  320  that are contained in the receptacle  200 . After removing the medication  320 , the user  10  will close the lid  204 , which is retained in the closed position by the lid latch  222 , and then close the drawer assembly  312 . 
     Another example use of the disclosed receptacle  200  is the removal of a receptacle  200  from the ADM  300  by a pharmacy technician or other authorized person. The technician indicates through the user interface which receptacle  200  is to be removed. The ADM  200  will allow the drawer  312  to be opened, then the processor of the ADM  200  will send a receptacle-release signal to the receptacle  200 , which causes the tray latch  235  to release the tray hook  252 , thereby allowing the receptacle  200  to be pushed upward by the receptacle release spring  254 . The upward motion of the receptacle  200  not only provides a visual indication of which receptacle  200  to be removed, it provides access to the side surfaces of the body  202  such that the technician can easily grasp the receptacle  200  and remove it from the docking location  258 . 
       FIG. 7A  depicts an exemplary drawer assembly  312  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The drawer assembly  312  includes multiple docking locations  258 . In certain embodiments, the receptacle  200  is configured to occupy a single docking location  258 . In certain embodiments, the receptacle  200  is larger and configured to occupy a plurality of adjacent docking locations  258 . The drawer assembly  312  also includes a pair of support slides having a moving slide  332  and fixed slide  330 . The drawer assembly  312  also includes a cable  334  that connects the electrical connector  256  (not visible in  FIG. 7A ) to a drawer connector  336  at the rear of the drawer assembly  312 . The drawer connector  336  is configured to connect to an ADM cable  340  that communicates with a processor located in the control top  302  of the ADM  300 . 
       FIG. 7B  depicts a portion of the drawer assembly  312  of  FIG. 6A  according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the retention tray  250  has sidewalls and a bottom that line a metal drawer structure (not visible in  FIG. 7A ). The broken-line box indicates a docking location  258 , within which are located a tray hook  252  and an electrical connector  256 . A receptacle  200  is shown disposed in a docking location  258  in the corner of the retention tray  250 . 
     The disclosed examples of a receptacle with a dual-function actuator illustrate how a single actuator can be configured to selectively release either of two retention hooks. By actuating the actuator in a first direction, a first hook is released while the second hook is retained in the latched position. Similarly, by actuating the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the second hook is released while the first hook is retained in the latched position. 
     The use of the actuator of the receptacle to retain and release the receptacle from the tray, compared to the provision of the individual actuators for each docking location on the tray as disclosed by of U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,461, eliminates all of the actuators and related mechanisms and electronics from the tray. This significantly reduces the cost and complexity of the tray, and also removes these vulnerable mechanisms as points of possible failure. 
     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or blocks in the processes may be rearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims. 
     Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Use of the articles “a” and “an” is to be interpreted as equivalent to the phrase “at least one.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. 
     Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “operation for.” 
     Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.