Selectively accessible containers for dispensing of blister cards

Abstract

A container for a machine for dispensing individual blister cards from a coiled strip of blister cards, each of the blister cards housing a medicament or medical item, includes: a housing including a receptacle with an internal compartment and a lid, the receptacle configured to receive the coiled strip of blister cards in the internal compartment; a drive mechanism mounted to the housing; an outlet in the housing; and a controller operatively connected with the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to receive signals from the controller to selectively drive a single blister card from a strip of blister cards residing within the compartment through the outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for a machine for dispensing individual blister cards from a coiled strip of blister cards, each of the blister cards housing a medicament or medical item, the container comprising:
 a housing including a receptacle with an internal compartment and a lid, the receptacle configured to receive the coiled strip of blister cards in the internal compartment;   a drive mechanism mounted to the housing;   an outlet in the housing; and   a controller operatively connected with the drive mechanism;   wherein the drive mechanism is configured to receive signals from the controller to selectively drive a single blister card from a strip of blister cards residing in the compartment through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The container defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a divider that divides the internal compartment into a drive compartment and a dispensing compartment, wherein the dispensing compartment is configured to receive the coiled strip of blister cards. 
     
     
         3 . The container defined in  claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, and wherein the motor is positioned in the drive compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The container defined in  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor and a rotary member operatively connected with the motor and configured to engage and advance the strip of blister cards. 
     
     
         5 . The container defined in  claim 4 , wherein the rotary member is a toothed sprocket. 
     
     
         6 . The container defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet comprises a dispensing slot, and wherein the drive mechanism is configured to advance an endmost blister card of the coiled strip through the dispensing slot. 
     
     
         7 . The container defined in  claim 1 , wherein the housing and the controller are configured so that mounting of the container in an automated dispensing machine operatively connects the container with an operations controller of the automated dispensing machine, the operations controller configured to signal the controller of the container when permission to dispense a blister card through the outlet is granted. 
     
     
         8 . The container defined in  claim 1 , wherein the lid is attached to the receptacle via a locking mechanism that is configured such that the cavity of the receptacle is inaccessible to a user unless the controller provides a signal indicating permission to access. 
     
     
         9 . The container defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a coiled strip of blister cards in the housing positioned to engage the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The container defined in  claim 1 , mounted in an automated dispensing machine. 
     
     
         11 . A container for a machine for dispensing individual blister cards from a coiled strip of blister cards, each of the blister cards housing a medicament or medical item, the container comprising:
 a housing including a receptacle with an internal compartment, a lid, and a divider that subdivides the internal compartment into a drive compartment and a dispensing compartment, the dispensing compartment configured to receive the coiled strip of blister cards;   a drive mechanism at least partially located in the drive compartment;   an outlet from the dispensing compartment located in the housing; and   a controller operatively connected with the drive mechanism;   wherein the drive mechanism is configured to receive signals from the controller to selectively drive a single blister card from a strip of blister cards residing within the dispensing compartment through the outlet; and   wherein the lid is attached to the receptacle via a lid mechanism that is configured such that the cavity of the receptacle is inaccessible to a user unless the controller provides a signal indicating permission to access.   
     
     
         12 . The container defined in  claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, and wherein the motor is positioned in the drive compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The container defined in  claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a rotary member operatively connected with the motor positioned in the dispensing compartment and configured to engage and advance the strip of blister cards. 
     
     
         14 . The container defined in  claim 13 , wherein the rotary member is a toothed sprocket. 
     
     
         15 . The container defined in  claim 11 , wherein the outlet comprises a dispensing slot, and wherein the drive mechanism is configured to advance an endmost blister card of the coiled strip through the dispensing slot. 
     
     
         16 . The container defined in  claim 11 , wherein the housing and the controller are configured so that mounting of the container in an automated dispensing machine operatively connects the container with an operations controller of the automated dispensing machine, the operations controller configured to signal the controller of the container when permission to dispense a blister card through the outlet is granted. 
     
     
         17 . The container defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a puncturing unit positioned adjacent the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The container defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a camera positioned to record an image of a medicament after the medicament is released from a blister card by the puncturing unit. 
     
     
         19 . A container for a machine for dispensing individual blister cards from a coiled strip of blister cards, each of the blister cards housing a medicament or medical item, the container comprising:
 a housing including a receptacle with an internal compartment and a lid, the receptacle configured to receive the coiled strip of blister cards in the internal compartment;   a drive mechanism mounted to the housing;   an outlet in the housing;   a puncturing unit positioned adjacent the outlet; and   a controller operatively connected with the drive mechanism;   wherein the drive mechanism is configured to receive signals from the controller to selectively drive a single blister card from a strip of blister cards residing in the compartment through the outlet.   
     
     
         20 . The container defined in  claim 19 , further comprising a camera positioned to record an image of a medicament after the medicament is released from a blister card by the puncturing unit.