Method and apparatus for liquid dosing system

Abstract

A system and method for delivering liquid medicine from a bulk storage supply into an integral array of single dosage liquid medicine containers with control of the relative position of a dispensing point and a platform supporting the array of single dosages containers, and racking the array of containers in a storage device.

1 . A method of delivering liquid medicine from a bulk storage supply into an integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers, said method comprising the steps of:
 supporting the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers;   dispensing liquid medicine from the bulk storage supply into the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers through a dispensing point; and   controlling the relative position of the integral array and the dispensing point through a user input device so as to fill a selection of the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers with a selection of liquid medicine from the bulk storage supply.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of racking the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers into a storage device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of labeling the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers with printed information relating to one or more of the following details including: content, dose volume, dose information, patient name, patient address, doctor, batch and expiry information, color code, and/or identification code. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the printed information continues to be visible when racked in the storage device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of verifying the printed information and the mass of the integral array of single dose containers and providing feedback to the user input device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each step of the method is controllable through the user input device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user input device is provided with data from at least one external source, such as a local computer of a host system over the Internet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bulk storage supply comprises at least one bulk storage reservoir and wherein each reservoir contains a different liquid medicine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of cleaning and sterilizing the dispensing point upon change of delivery from one bulk storage reservoir containing a first liquid medicine to another bulk storage reservoir containing a second liquid medicine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of moving a selected bulk storage reservoir in a dispensing point via a linear support mechanism or a rotary support mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A storage device having one or more integral arrays of removably joined single dose liquid medicine containers stored therein, the storage device comprising a plurality of slots, each slot adapted to hold one integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers such that information printed on each integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers is visible. 
     
     
         12 . The storage device of  claim 11 , wherein each integral array of removably joined single dose liquid medicine containers includes an information tab integrally formed on a lateral edge of the one or more integral arrays of removably joined single dose liquid medicine containers such that the information tab remains visible when each integral array of removably joined single dose liquid medicine containers is stored. 
     
     
         13 . An integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers comprising:
 a frame;   linking tabs connected to the frame;   a plurality of single dose liquid medicine containers, each single dose liquid medicine container frangibly connected to one or more of the linking tabs, such that each single dose liquid medicine container can be removed from the one or more linking tabs with each single dose liquid medicine container being free of residual sharp edges.   
     
     
         14 . The integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of single dose liquid medicine containers are separately connected to one or more of the linking tabs allowing a selected single dose liquid medicine container to be individually removed without affecting the integrity of the integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers. 
     
     
         15 . The integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers of  claim 14 , further comprising an information tab integrally formed on a lateral edge of the frame, the information tab including printed information. 
     
     
         16 . The integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of single dose liquid medicine containers are sealed, and wherein the seal includes printed information. 
     
     
         17 . The integral array of single dose liquid medicine containers of  claim 16 , wherein the printed information relates to one or more of the following details including: content, dose volume, dose information, patient name, patient address, doctor, batch and expiry information, color code, and/or identification code.