Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial includes: a base having a receiving section, a labeling section, and a pick-up section; an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial from a vial dispenser in the receiving compartment as the receiving section is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base; a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial. The index member is further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section.

1 . An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
 a base having a receiving section and a labeling section;   an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial in the receiving compartment as the receiving compartment is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base;   a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and   a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and rotate the vial as the label is presented to the vial to apply the label to the vial.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the index member is configured to convey a labeled vial from the labeling section to a pick-up section. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the index member is rotatably mounted to the base. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the index member is configured to contact the vial and slide the vial across the base from the receiving section to the labeling section. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the index member includes multiple receiving compartments. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus defined in  claim 5 , wherein at least one receiving compartment is of a different size than at least one other receiving compartment in order to receive a vial of a different size. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving compartment has a beveled upper edge. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving compartment has a chamfered side wall. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving compartment includes a side wall having a lagging edge portion, the lagging edge portion including a stepped profile. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein a lowermost edge of the index member is raised above the base. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the labeling assembly includes a drive roller and a pair of idler rollers, each of the rollers being rotatable about a generally vertical axis of rotation. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus defined in  claim 11 , wherein one of the idler rollers is mounted on a shaft that is pivotally mounted to the base, such that the roller is movable about a generally horizontal axis of rotation. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the drive roller and one idler roller are on opposite sides of a labeling gap through which the labeling source presents the label. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises an exit guide that defines a path between the labeling section and the pick-up section, and wherein the index member contacts the vial and slides the vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section along the exit guide. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
 a base having a receiving section, a labeling section, and a pick-up section;   an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment, the index member configured to receive a vial in the receiving compartment as the receiving compartment is positioned over the receiving section and convey the vial to the labeling section of the base;   a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and   a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial;   the index member being further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the index member is rotatably mounted to the base. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the index member is configured to contact the vial and slide the vial across the base from the receiving section to the labeling section. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the index member includes multiple receiving compartments. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus defined in  claim 18 , wherein at least one receiving compartment is of a different size than at least one other receiving compartment in order to receive a vial of a different size. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the receiving compartment has a beveled upper edge. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the receiving compartment has a chamfered side wall. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the receiving compartment includes a side wall having a lagging edge portion, the lagging edge portion including a stepped profile. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein a lowermost edge of the index member is raised above the base. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the labeling assembly includes a drive roller and a pair of idler rollers, each of the rollers being rotatable about a generally vertical axis of rotation. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus defined in  claim 24 , wherein one of the idler rollers is mounted on a shaft that is pivotally mounted to the base, such that the roller is movable about a generally horizontal axis of rotation. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the drive roller and one idler roller are on opposite sides of a labeling gap through which the labeling source presents the label. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus defined in  claim 15 , wherein the base further comprises an exit guide that defines a path between the labeling section and the pick-up section, and wherein the index member contacts the vial and slides the vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section along the exit guide. 
   
   
       28 . An apparatus for applying a label to a pharmaceutical vial, comprising:
 a base having a labeling section and a pick-up section;   an index member attached to the base, the index member including a receiving compartment;   a label source positioned to present a label to a vial located in the labeling section of the base; and   a labeling assembly mounted in the labeling section of the base, the labeling assembly configured to receive the vial from the index member and apply the label to the vial;   the index member being further configured to convey the labeled vial from the labeling section to the pick-up section.   
   
   
       29 . The apparatus defined in  claim 28 , wherein the index member and base are configured such that the index member slides the vial along the base from the labeling section to the pick-up section. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the base further comprises an exit guide that guides the vial as it slides from the labeling section to the pick-up section. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus defined in  claim 29 , wherein the index member is rotatably mounted to the base, such that rotation of the index member defines an index member diameter, and wherein the pick-up section is located outside of the index member diameter. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus defined in  claim 28 , wherein the receiving compartment has a chamfered side wall. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus defined in  claim 28 , wherein the receiving compartment includes a side wall having a lagging edge portion, the lagging edge portion including a stepped profile. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus defined in  claim 30 , wherein a lowermost edge of the index member is raised above the base, such that the index member can pass over the exit guide. 
   
   
       35 . A labeling assembly for use with a vial labeling apparatus, comprising:
 a generally horizontal base;   a drive roller unit mounted to the base, the drive roller unit including a drive roller that is rotatable relative to the base about a first generally vertical axis of rotation and a drive unit that drives the drive roller about the first axis of rotation;   an idler roller unit mounted to the base, the idler roller unit including an idler roller that is rotatable relative to the base about a second generally vertical axis of rotation; and   a swing wheel unit mounted to the base, the swing wheel unit including a shaft and a swing wheel that is rotatable relative to the shaft about a third generally vertical axis of rotation defined by the shaft, the shaft being pivotally mounted in the base for rotation about a generally horizontal axis of rotation, such that the position of the swing wheel relative to the drive roller unit and the idler roller unit can be modified to accommodate different sizes of pharmaceutical vials for labeling.   
   
   
       36 . The apparatus defined in  claim 35 , further comprising a labeling source that presents a label to a vial as the vial engages the drive roller, idler roller and swing wheel. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus defined in  claim 36 , wherein the drive roller and the idler roller are on opposite sides of a labeling gap through which the labeling source presents the label. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus defined in  claim 35 , wherein the swing wheel is positioned at a lower elevation than the drive roller and the idler roller. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus defined in  claim 35 , wherein the swing wheel is mounted to the base at a position so that the shaft of the swing wheel unit cants toward the vial as the swing wheel engages the vial. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus defined in  claim 35 , wherein the swing wheel unit further comprises a rotary solenoid that modifies the position of the swing wheel. 
   
   
       41 . A method of labeling a pharmaceutical vial, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a pharmaceutical vial in a receiving section;   conveying the vial with an index member to a labeling section adjacent a labeling source;   applying a label presented by the labeling source to the vial;   conveying the labeled vial with the index member away from the labeling section to a pick-up section; and   removing the labeled vial from the pick-up section.   
   
   
       42 . The method defined in  claim 41 , wherein the receiving section, the labeling section, and the pick-up section are located on a common base. 
   
   
       43 . The method defined in  claim 41 , wherein the index member is rotatably mounted to a base, and wherein the conveying steps comprise rotating the index member to convey the vial. 
   
   
       44 . The method defined in  claim 41 , wherein applying a label comprises rotating the vial as the labeling source presents an adhesive label. 
   
   
       45 . The method defined in  claim 41 , wherein the receiving step further comprises the dispensing a vial from a vial dispenser into the receiving compartment.