EP2724960B1 - Facility for storing and delivering medication boxes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for storing and delivering drug boxes, as described in US-2004/0040975 .

The invention will find more particularly its application in pharmacies. In pharmacy, the number of drug references to store is increasingly problematic. Today, more or less automated drug storage and dispensing facilities are being installed in pharmacies to try to reduce the time needed for drug storage.

There are schemes to assist pharmacists for the introduction of drugs into the storage facility. These devices allow sorting and / or identification of drugs automatically.

These innovations are essential time savings for pharmacists who can devote their time to consulting their clients.

However, we realize that pharmacies must always find larger premises to arrange storage devices, delivery, sorting and / or identification. This leads pharmacies to reduce their direct sales area to customers. However, this surface is increasingly appreciated by customers and it is not profitable for the pharmacist to reduce it.

There is therefore the need to provide an installation that saves time for the pharmacist without disrupting the layout of the pharmacy.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes a device for storing and delivering drug boxes comprising at least one module comprising a plurality of superimposed and juxtaposed channels intended to receive boxes, characterized in that it comprises a circuit for sorting boxes, for sorting boxes for storage in the channels, arranged at least partially above and below a channel module.

The installation according to the invention is compact, it allows both to store, deliver and sort the boxes of drugs on a limited space. It is advantageous to provide that the installation comprises at least one device for introducing and / or removing the boxes from the storage channels.

The sorting circuit is positioned at least partially in line with the module, preferably above and / or below.

The invention is particularly advantageous when the sorting circuit forms a loop, or at least the output of the circuit is superimposed on the input of the circuit to facilitate the return to circuit of a box that has not been recovered at from the sorting circuit.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which presents an illustrative but nonlimiting embodiment of the invention.

• le module comprend des canaux inclinés ;
• elle comprend un dispositif de préhension configuré pour introduire et/ou retirer les boîtes des canaux ;
• elle comprend un dispositif de délivrance des boites hors des canaux ;
• le dispositif de délivrance et le dispositif de préhension sont réunis dans un système automatique ;
• le circuit de triage comprend une pluralité de dispositifs agencés à la suite les uns des autres ;
• le circuit de triage comprend un dispositif de convoyage destiné à recevoir les boîtes avant leur tri et à former une zone tampon ;
• elle comprend une zone inférieure située dans un plan inférieur au module et au moins partiellement en dessous d'au moins un module ;
• le dispositif de convoyage est agencé dans une zone inférieure d'au moins un module ;
• elle comprend une zone supérieure située dans un plan supérieur au module et au moins partiellement au-dessus d'au moins un module ;
• le circuit de triage comprend un dispositif élévateur de sorte à acheminer les boîtes entre une zone inférieure et une zone supérieure d'au moins un module ;
• le dispositif élévateur est agencé de manière juxtaposée à au moins un module de canaux ;
• le circuit de triage comprend un tube au travers duquel circulent les boîtes, le tube étant mobile en oscillation ou en rotation autour de son axe longitudinal ;
• l'axe longitudinal du tube est incliné par rapport à un plan horizontal de sorte à faciliter le déplacement des boîtes au travers du tube ;
• le tube est agencé dans une zone supérieure d'au moins un module ;
• le circuit de triage comprend en entrée du circuit de triage une trémie destinée à recevoir et à espacer les boîtes chargées dans ledit circuit ;
• la trémie est agencée dans la zone inférieure d'au moins un module ;
• le circuit de triage est agencé de sorte que la sortie du circuit soit superposée à l'entrée du circuit de sorte qu'une boîte n'ayant pas été prélevée à la sortie du circuit retourne à l'entrée ;
• le circuit de triage forme une boucle autour d'au moins un module de canaux ;
• elle comprend une pluralité de dispositifs sont agencés de manière superposés les uns aux autres et juxtaposés à au moins un module.

According to alternative or cumulative but nonlimiting variants, the invention is such that:

• the module comprises inclined channels;
• it comprises a gripping device configured to introduce and / or remove the boxes of the channels;
• it includes a device for delivering the boxes out of the channels;
• the delivery device and the gripping device are combined in an automatic system;
• the sorting circuit comprises a plurality of devices arranged one after the other;
• the sorting circuit comprises a conveying device for receiving the boxes before sorting them and forming a buffer zone;
• it comprises a lower zone located in a plane below the module and at least partially below at least one module;
• the conveying device is arranged in a lower zone of at least one module;
• it comprises an upper zone located in a plane higher than the module and at least partially above at least one module;
• the sorting circuit comprises a lifting device so as to convey the boxes between a lower zone and an upper zone of at least one module;
• the lifting device is arranged juxtaposed with at least one channel module;
• the sorting circuit comprises a tube through which the boxes circulate, the tube being movable in oscillation or rotation about its longitudinal axis;
• the longitudinal axis of the tube is inclined relative to a horizontal plane so as to facilitate the movement of the boxes through the tube;
• the tube is arranged in an upper zone of at least one module;
• the sorting circuit comprises at the input of the sorting circuit a hopper for receiving and spacing the boxes loaded in said circuit;
• the hopper is arranged in the lower zone of at least one module;
• the sorting circuit is arranged so that the output of the circuit is superimposed on the input of the circuit so that a box not taken at the output of the circuit returns to the input;
• the sorting circuit forms a loop around at least one channel module;
• it comprises a plurality of devices are arranged superimposed on each other and juxtaposed to at least one module.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of sorting and storing drug boxes in an installation as described above.

Advantageously, the sorting and storage method comprises at least one module comprising a plurality of juxtaposed and superimposed channels and a sorting circuit arranged at least partially above and below at least one module comprising at least one conveyor belt. , an arrival zone of the boxes in the circuit and an exit zone of the boxes of the circuit and advantageously a lifting device.

The method comprises introducing boxes at the inlet of the sorting circuit, advantageously by a hopper; advantageously, the buffering of the boxes on the conveyor belt; advantageously, the separation of the boxes by a separation device; sorting the boxes by a sorting device; advantageously, the identification of the boxes by an identification device and the output of the boxes. According to one possibility, the boxes are moved by a lifting device between the different height levels.

At the exit of the circuit, the boxes are recovered by a gripping device.

The attached figures are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand.

The figure 1 represents a perspective front view of an installation according to the invention.

The figure 2 is a rear view in perspective according to the figure 1 .

The figure 3 is a detail view right side of the installation of the figure 2 .

The installation according to the invention comprises at least one module 1 comprising a plurality of channels 2. The channels 2 are intended to receive objects. These objects can be of various shapes such as boxes, tubes or flasks. The term "boxes" used in this application encompasses different forms of objects.

The module 1 commonly comprises a frame 14 defining an internal volume 15 within which are integrated the channels 2. The channels 2 are juxtaposed next to each other and superimposed one above the other.

By channel is meant a horizontal or inclined shelf, provided or not with separators forming conduits. Each module 1 can combine different types of channels 2 or the installation may comprise several modules 1, each module 1 comprising a single type of channels 2. Preferably, the inclined channels 2 are for drugs with high rotation, while the horizontal channels 2 will be preferred for storing the drugs low rotation. Whatever the type of channels 2, they are configured to store boxes.

The installation includes a sorting circuit for sorting the boxes to facilitate their storage in the channels 2.

The sorting circuit is arranged at least partially above and below the channels 2. "Over" means that the sorting circuit is arranged in the upper part of the module 1. Similarly, "below" is understood by arranging in the lower part 9 of the module 1. The sorting circuit is either disposed in the internal volume 15 of the frame 14, or outside the internal volume 15 on the upper face and on the underside of the frame 14 Advantageously, the sorting circuit is disposed at least partially in the dead zones of the installation. Dead zones are understood to mean the zones above and below the channels 2. Indeed, the channels 2 are generally not arranged from floor to ceiling, a dead zone is left in particular to allow the circulation of gripping and / or delivery used to store and retrieve the boxes. This dead zone is even more important when the module 1 comprises inclined channels 2. Generally dead zones are not usable for storage.

The sorting circuit comprises an inlet 7 through which the boxes to be sorted are introduced into the circuit and an outlet 8 where the boxes are recovered for storage.

Advantageously, the input 7 and the output 8 of the sorting circuit are superimposed, preferably the output 8 is substantially above the input 7. In this way, when a box is not properly sorted and can not be stored, it is directly transferred to the input 7 of the circuit. The sorting circuit advantageously forms a loop around the channels 2 of at least one module 1. The circuit advantageously aims to separate, orient and identify the boxes in order to make them available for storage.

According to a preferred embodiment, the installation comprises a gripping device for introducing and / or removing the boxes of the channels 2, and / or a device for delivering the boxes. Preferably, when the module 1 comprises inclined channels 2, the installation comprises a gripping device which retrieves the boxes at the outlet 8 of the sorting circuit to introduce them into the channels 2. The delivery of the boxes out of the inclined channels 2 is carried out by a device delivery common to all channels 2 inclined or specific to each inclined channel. Advantageously, the gripping device introduces the boxes in the channels 2 by the rear face 11 of the inclined channels 2, that is to say the upper end of the channels, the delivery means being arranged on the front face 12 of the channels 2 inclined.

If the installation comprises channels 2 of the horizontal shelf type advantageously, the gripping device introduces and removes the boxes of the channels 2, for example by the same face.

For a good understanding of the present description and for the rest thereof, front zone 12 or front part 12 is understood to mean the part of an object or element constituting the installation placed substantially on the side of the delivery area of the object. Conversely, the term rear zone 11 or rear portion 11, the part of the objects or components of the installation placed substantially towards the rear of the installation, opposite the front face 12.

The user pours directly the drug boxes to be stored at the input 7 of the sorting circuit. The sorting circuit preferably comprises a hopper 6 facilitating the discharge of the boxes.

According to one possibility, the sorting circuit comprises a conveying device 3. Preferably, the conveying device 3 is a belt conveyor belt. The boxes are preferentially dumped by the hopper 6 on this device so as to store them for their progressive discharge into the rest of the circuit. The conveying device 3 acts as a buffer zone at the beginning of the circuit. Advantageously, the conveying device 3 is arranged in the lower part 9 of the installation, preferably at least partially below the channels 2.

The sorting circuit preferably comprises at least one separation device 22, orientation and / or recognition. For example, a separation device comprises a conveyor belt at different speeds to separate the boxes. According to one possibility, an orientation device 5 comprising a tube or an oscillating half-tube or a tube rotatable about its longitudinal axis to orient the boxes in the direction of their greatest length, preferably the tube or a half -tube is inclined with its longitudinal axis facing the output 8 of the circuit. For example, an identification device 23 comprises a barcode reader for identifying the codes on the boxes and / or an ultrasonic range finder for measuring the boxes. These different devices are preferably arranged one after the other. This means that boxes pass from one to the other directly or by buffer zones or means of transport.

As shown in the figures, they are arranged in the upper part of the installation, above the channels 2.

The circuit advantageously comprises a lifting device 4 intended to allow the boxes to be transferred from one height level to another height level, more precisely from the lower zone 9 to the upper zone 10. For example, a Elevating device 4 is arranged in the installation for transporting the boxes between the conveying device 3 located under the channels 2 and the sorting devices located above the channels 2. The lifting device 4 is for example a suspended two-sided strip. between two points so as to form a U or a mobile platform between the different levels of heights.

According to one possibility, the lifting device 4 is placed juxtaposed with a module 1 according to the invention.

According to an alternative or cumulative variant, the device for storing and delivering drug boxes comprises at least one module 1, comprising a plurality of superimposed and juxtaposed channels 2 intended to receive boxes and advantageously a box sorting circuit arranged at least partially juxtaposed with at least one module 1.

The sorting circuit preferably comprises a plurality of sorting devices arranged one above the other. The devices are preferably placed substantially vertically above each other so as to reduce the bulk.

As a preferred example, this circuit comprises an orientation device 19 for orienting the boxes along their length and advantageously comprises two driving strips 17a-17b.

The device of the invention advantageously comprises a device 20 for measuring boxes and / or an identification device 23.

Between the sorting devices of the circuit, the boxes are moved in the downward direction by inclined faces 18 under the effect of gravity.

The circuit advantageously comprises an elevator, arranged in a manner juxtaposed with the circuit and moving between the superposed devices of the circuit.

The devices of the sorting circuit are advantageously configured to form an angle of the order of 45 ° with the horizontal. In this way, the boxes are supported on two sides which facilitates the referencing of their position. The circuit preferably comprises, at the lowest height level, a buffer zone 21 in which the boxes are placed when they come from the draw circuit and they are waiting to be gripped to be stored in a channel 2.

This variant can be combined with the embodiment of a sorting circuit described in the first part of the description. In this case, the superposed devices are preferably arranged above the input 7 of the circuit.

REFERENCES

• 1. Module
• 2. Channels
• 3. Conveying device
• 4. Lift device
• 5. Oscillating tube
• 6. Hopper
• 7. Circuit input
• 8. Circuit output
• 9. Bottom area
• 10. Upper area
• 11. Back of the module
• 12. Before the module
• 13. Rescue conveyor belt
• 14. Chassis
• 15. Interior volume
• 16. Lift
• 17a. Bands
• 17b. Bands
• 18. Inclined pan
• 19. orientation device
• 20. Measuring device
• 21. Buffer zone
• 22. Separation device
• 23. Identification device

Claims (18)

1. A facility for storing and delivering medication boxes comprising at least one module (1) comprising a plurality of channels (2) that are superimposed and juxtaposed to receive boxes,
   characterized in that it comprises a box sorting circuit intended to sort the boxes for storing same in the channels (2), arranged at least partially above and below a module (1) of channels (2).
2. A facility according to the preceding claim wherein the module (1) comprises sloped channels (2).
3. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a gripping device so configured as to introduce the boxes into and/or withdraw same from the channels (2).
4. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a device for delivering the boxes outside the channels (2).
5. A facility according to the two preceding claims wherein the delivering device and the gripping device are combined into an automatic system.
6. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit comprises a plurality of devices arranged one after the other.
7. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit comprises a conveying device (3) intended to receive the boxes before the sorting of same, and to form a buffer zone.
8. A facility according to the preceding claim wherein the conveying device (3) is arranged in a lower zone (9) of at least one module (1).
9. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit comprises a lifting device (4) so as to convey the boxes between a lower zone (9) and an upper zone (10) of at least one module (1).
10. A facility according to the preceding claim wherein the lifting device (4) is arranged so as to be juxtaposed with at least one module (1) of the channels (2).
11. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit comprises a tube (5) through which the boxes circulate, with the tube (5) being movable in oscillation or in rotation about its longitudinal axis.
12. A facility according to the preceding claim wherein the longitudinal axis of the tube (5) is sloped relative to a horizontal plane so as to facilitate the movement of the boxes through the tube (5).
13. A facility according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the tube (5) is arranged in an upper zone (10) of at least one module (1).
14. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit comprises, at the sorting circuit inlet (7), a hopper (6) intended to receive the boxes loaded into said circuit.
15. A facility according to the preceding claim wherein the hopper (6) is arranged in the lower zone (9) of at least one module (1).
16. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit is so arranged that the circuit outlet (8) is superimposed on the circuit inlet (7) so that a box which has not been withdrawn at the outlet (8) of the circuit goes back to the inlet (7).
17. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sorting circuit forms a loop around at least one module (1) of channels (2).
18. A facility according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of devices so arranged as to be superimposed on each other and juxtaposed with at least one module (1).

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