Device for offloading capped vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions

Abstract

An offloading unit for an automated pharmaceutical machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials includes: at least one chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section. The receiving section and the pick-up section are divided by an inlet. The receiving section has a concave sloping ramp and side walls. The pick-up section has a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough. The inlet is defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough. The chute also includes dividers mounted to and rising above the trough and attached to the rear wall. The inlet and dividers are configured and positioned such that an object as defined in UL 61010A-1, 1740 cannot pass through the inlet from the trough.

1 . An offloading unit for an automated pharmacy machine that dispenses filled, capped pharmaceutical vials, comprising:
 at least one chute, the chute including a receiving section and a pick-up section, the receiving section and the pick-up section divided by an inlet, the receiving section having a concave sloping ramp and side walls, the pick-up section having a trough with a floor that slopes relative to a horizontal surface and a front wall at one end of the trough, the inlet being defined by a rear wall and the upper edge of the trough;   wherein the rear wall includes a bottom portion that angles rearwardly from an upper portion thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The offloading unit defined in claim  18 , wherein the trough has a width of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The offloading unit defined in claim  18 , wherein the trough has a concave floor. 
     
     
         4 . The offloading unit defined in claim  18 , wherein the pick-up section has dividers on opposite sides of the trough, and wherein the dividers are separated by a distance of between about 2.5 and 2.75 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The offloading unit defined in claim  21 , wherein the dividers include sloping front edges.