Devices for Capping Vials Useful in System and Method for Dispensing Prescriptions

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a base and a plurality of blades, each of the blades including a sharp edge and being mounted to the base such that the sharp edge is exposed. The blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the sharp edges generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the sharp edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container. In this configuration, the apparatus can firmly hold the cap as the cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) is rotated to secure the cap onto the container.

1 . An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container, comprising:
 a base; and   a plurality of detachable blades defined by substantially planar and parallel upper and lower surfaces and blade edges, the blades being mounted to the base such that each of the blade edges is exposed;   wherein the blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the blades generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the blade edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container;   wherein the blades are mounted such that the blade edges slope slightly downwardly as they radiate from the central portion of the base; and   wherein the lower surfaces of the blades define planes that are oriented at an oblique angle to an axis that passes through a circle defined by the circular arrangement of the blades.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a suction cup mounted to the central portion of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the blade edges includes a leading surface, and wherein the leading surface is substantially normal to a top surface of the cap when the blade edges contact the cap. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the blade edges slope downwardly at an angle of between about 0.5 and 30 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes recesses in a lower surface thereof, and wherein the blades are mounted in the recesses. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades is six blades. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 3 , wherein each of the blade edges forms an angle of between about 40 and 90 degrees.