Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a main stage and three clamps. Each of the clamps is pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center. Each of the clamps comprises a generally planar body and an arcuate edge and can be used to both center a cap and grip and rotate a vial for attachment of the cap.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for grasping a cylindrical container, comprising:
 (a) providing a grasping apparatus comprising:   a main stage;   three clamps, each of the clamps pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, wherein the axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center, each of the clamps comprising a generally planar body and an arcuate edge, wherein the arcuate edge comprises, in serial order:
 a first contact section; 
 a first single tooth; 
 a second contact section; 
 a second single tooth; 
 a third contact section; 
 a third single tooth; and 
 a fourth contact section; 
   wherein each of the first, second and third teeth has a tip with a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge and trailing edge defining an effective tooth profile angle of between about 70 and 100 degrees;   (b) positioning a cylindrical container on the main stage; and   (c) rotating the clamps to grasp the container, the first, second, and third teeth being located on the arcuate edge such that the container is engaged by three first teeth, three second teeth, or three third teeth, and wherein the first, second and third teeth are configured and oriented on the arcuate edge such that, when the container is engaged by the tips of three first, second or third teeth, the tip of each contacting tooth forms an advance contact angle with a tangent line from its contact point with the container and the leading edge of the tip of between about 68 and 105 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second and third contact edges includes a lobed portion adjacent to a respective one of the first, second and third teeth. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 1 , wherein the each of the first, second or third teeth in engagement with the container forms a vial engagement angle of between about 10 and 20 degrees, the vial engagement angle being defined by (a) the center of a circle defined by the axes of rotation of the first, second and third clamps, (b) the axis of rotation of the respective first, second or third clamp, and (c) the contact point between the container and the first, second or third tooth. 
     
     
         4 . A method for securing a cap on a cylindrical container, comprising:
 (a) providing a grasping apparatus comprising:   a main stage;   three clamps, each of the clamps pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, wherein the axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center, each of the clamps comprising a generally planar body and an arcuate edge, wherein the arcuate edge comprises, in serial order:
 a first contact section; 
 a first single tooth; 
 a second contact section; 
 a second single tooth; 
 a third contact section; 
 a third single tooth; and 
 a fourth contact section; 
   (b) rotating the first, second and third clamps to center a cap positioned on the main stage, wherein rotation of the first, second and third clamps forces the cap to a center position on the main stage while contacting the cap with one of the first, second or third teeth of not more than one of any of the first, second or third clamps at any time during rotation;   (c) removing the centered cap from the main stage;   (d) rotating the first, second and third clamps to grasp a container in the center of the main stage with three of the first teeth, second teeth or third teeth from each of the three clamps;   (e) positioning the cap atop the container; and   (f) rotating the grasped container relative to the cap to secure the cap on the container.   
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 4 , wherein each of the first, second and third contact edges includes a lobed portion adjacent to a respective one of the first, second and third teeth. 
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 4 , wherein the each of the three first, second or third teeth in engagement with the container forms a vial engagement angle of between about 10 and 20 degrees, the vial engagement angle being defined by (a) the center of a circle defined by the axes of rotation of the first, second and third clamps, (b) the axis of rotation of the respective first, second or third clamp, and (c) the contact point between the container and the first, second or third tooth.