NL2035190B1

NL2035190B1 - Feeder unit with locking cover for medication dispensing system

Info

Publication number: NL2035190B1
Application number: NL2035190A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jan Jochemsen Cornelis
Original assignee: Vmi Holland Bv
Priority date: 2023-06-27
Filing date: 2023-06-27
Publication date: 2025-01-08
Also published as: WO2025003013A1

Abstract

A locking cover for a feeder unit includes a cover body and a grip, the cover body arranged to substantially cover an open end of the feeder unit; a locking plate connected to 5 the cover body and biased in a locked position; and a locking mechanism comprising a rotating locking tube rotatable from a locked position to an open position allowing the locking plate to slide to an open position. 20

Description

FEEDER UNIT WITH LOCKING COVER FOR MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

A medication dispensing container can hold solid medications, in particular pills, tablets or capsules, and which container is provided with a dispensing mechanism which is arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid medications from an outlet at the bottom side of said container. A dispensing system can accommodate a series of medication dispensing containers, and is arranged for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid medications from one or more medication dispensing containers and for packing said dispensed amount.

Such a device and method is, for example, disclosed in each of U.S. Patent No. 5,865,342 and

U.S. Pat. No. 10,173,830. U.S. Patent No. 5,865,342 describes a dispensing drum which is arranged at a bottom side of a tablet case, and which lets the medications fall through an outlet from the tabled case as it rotates. The dispensing drum is equipped with a plurality of grooves into which the medications from the tablet case are fed and which let the medication fall there from when they are aligned with the outlet. The dispensing drum is provided with a separating member in such a manner that it juts out into or over the groove aligned with the outlet and is capable of securely retaining a medication thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 10,173,830 describes a dispensing device with a dispensing mechanism which uses separating members, waiting chambers and a detection arrangement for ensuring that the desired amounts of medication are dispensed.

A plurality of such medication dispensing containers are used in a system which is arranged for selectively discharging an amount of said medications from one or more medication dispensing containers and for packing said discharged amount. Said system is provided with an array of container positions arranged adjacently in a plane, each of said array of container positions is provided with a holder for one of said medical dispensing containers and with a through opening for passing discharged medication there through. At the through opening a detecting and/or counting arrangement can be included for detecting and/or counting the discharged medication.

Before these dispensing containers are placed into the system for use, they are often filled with medicaments and stored until they are needed. As many medicines are costly and/or controlled substances, it is desirable that no unauthorized persons gain access to the 1 medicaments. When dispensing containers are filled in advance, this can mean having to lock the filled containers in a secure storage location, for example a storage locker. However, it can still be difficult to ensure each container is secured against unauthorized access as there is typically a number of containers stored together, and a therefore a number of different people may need access to such a secure storage location.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,246,800 discloses a lockable canister to prevent drug diversion and unauthorized removal of medication. The canister includes a cover with first and second locking tabs for engaging recesses, and pivoting locking elements pivotably attached to the cover. The locking mechanism includes a magnetic portion to move the locking elements to unlocked positions, and the canister can be unlocked only by placing the canister housing and canister cover into a cover removal fixture. Such a fixture includes a base to receive the canister and first and second arms extending from the base, each with magnets for engaging the first and second locking mechanisms in the canister cover and unlocking them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, a locking cover for a feeder unit comprises a cover body and a grip, the cover body arranged to substantially cover an open end of the feeder unit; a locking plate connected to the cover body and biased in a locked position; and a locking mechanism comprising a rotating locking tube rotatable from a locked position to an open position allowing the locking plate to slide to an open position. The locking mechanism can be, for example, a magnetic locking mechanism though in other embodiments it could be a sliding lock with solenoid, worm gear or other blocking element.

Such a locking cover provides a simple mechanical way of ensuring that the locking cover stays locked to the feeder unit when desired, thereby preventing access to the contents inside the feeder unit, but can also be easily rotated to an open position when needed. The simple mechanical design within the locking cover allows for easily connecting the locking cover to any feeder unit such that it can work with and interact with dispensing system in the same manner as non-locking covers. The simple design also ensures it is not complicated and/or expensive to manufacture and/or maintain, and even existing containers could be retrofitted to working with the locking cover

According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a rotating locking tube extending from a position adjacent to a part of the locking plate at least partially into the grip; and a ferromagnetic rod extending across the rotating locking tube in the part of the 2 rotating locking tube inside the grip; wherein the rotating locking tube comprises an interruption to allow movement of the locking plate to an open position when the rotating locking tube is rotated to an open position. The connected interrupted locking tube and ferromagnetic rod allow for a magnetic key to control the rotational movement of the rod, thereby positioning the interruption in a place to allow movement of the locking plate to an open position or to prevent movement into the open position. Optionally, locking mechanism is biased into a locked position, for example, through a spring biasing the interrupted locking tube to a locked position, requiring a key for the unlocked position and returning to the locked position when the key is removed. In other embodiments, the locking mechanism could have two different stable positions — locked and unlocked.

According to an embodiment, the locking plate comprises a lock pin extending at least partially into the rotating locking tube when in a locked position; and wherein when the rotating locking tube is rotated to an open position, the lock pin is able to slide through the interruption such that the locking plate moves to an open position. This can provide a simple mechanical way of locking the cover closed on a top of a feeder unit and then allowing the cover to open by allowing movement of the locking plate through an interruption in the rotating locking tube.

According to an embodiment, the grip comprises a grip neck, and the locking mechanism is at least partially located in the grip neck. This positioning of the locking mechanism can allow for easy placement of the key for moving the locking mechanism to an open position.

According to an embodiment, the locking plate comprises one or more catches which engage with the feeder unit in a locked position to prevent movement of the locking cover to an open position; and an arm extending from the locking plate for sliding the locking plate into the open position when the locking mechanism is in the open position thereby disengaging the one or more catches from the feeder unit. The arm is a simple way to manually move the locking plate into the open position, and the catch is a simple yet effective way to engage the feeder unit and prevent movement. For example, the one or more catches could extend from an end of the locking plate and engage one or more recesses or lips on an inside of the chamber of the feeder unit. Other configurations are possible which allow for engagement and disengagement of the locking plate and feeder unit.

According to an embodiment, a key for unlocking the locking mechanism is provided.

Optionally, the key comprises a handle; a first arm comprising a first magnet extending from the handle; and a second arm comprising a second magnet extending from the handle; 3 wherein the first and second arm extend from the handle with an opening between the arms sized to fit around at least a part of the grip (e.g, the grip neck) such that the first and second magnets are positioned near ends of the ferromagnetic rod in the grip. Such a key provides a straightforward way to rotate the locking tube (through the ends of the ferromagnet), thereby allowing for sliding movement of the locking plate and therefore access to the interior chamber of feeder unit. Using such a simple and small key also allows for easy storage and carrying of keys, as well as transfer of keys to other persons and/or locations for unlocking as opposed to needing a machine for unlocking (as in some prior art systems), and therefore needing to take each feeder unit to a certain location for unlocking,

According to an embodiment, the cover is able to rotate around a hinge between the cover body and the feeder unit chamber to open the cover when the locking plate has been moved to an open position. This allows for access to the interior chamber for filling, inspecting and/or removing medicines as well as ensures the cover and feeder unit stay connected thereby preventing any loss of the cover and avoiding potential damage (e.g., from dropping the cover)or extra space needed for storage of the cover during filling.

According to a further aspect, a feeder unit includes the locking cover previously described. This allows for locking of the feeder unit when filled thereby preventing access to costly and/or controlled substances from those without the key to unlock the cover and avoids the need for additional storage locations and/or lockers.

According to a further aspect, a dispensing device comprises a holding device provided with an array of feeder unit positions arranged adjacently in a plane, wherein the holding device at each of said array of feeder unit positions is provided with a feeder unit with locking cover (as previously described) and with a through opening for passing discharged solid medications there through, a collection frame arranged below the holding device, wherein the collection frame and the holding device are movable with respect to each other, wherein said collection frame is provided with a series of collection trays, said trays have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said through openings, wherein said trays each comprise a receiving opening at a side facing said holding device for capturing said discharged solid medications and each comprises an output, a packing unit arranged for collecting the captured solid medications from the output of a tray and packing said solid medications, and a controller for controlling the working of said system and the feeder units arranged on said holding device. Such a system allows for dispensing of different types of medicines in an 4 efficient way, and the feeder unit with locking cover ensures that the medicines loaded into the feeder unit are secured and cannot be easily accessed once loaded. This can allow for earlier loading of refill feeder units, even when the medicines inside are costly and/or controlled and need to be secured against someone accessing them. The locking cover of the feeder unit prevents access to anyone that does not have the key for unlocking the cover in a simple yet effective manner.

According to a further aspect, a method of forming a locking cover for a feeder unit is provided. The method comprises forming a cover body to cooperate with an open end of the feeder unit chamber and a grip extending from the cover body; connecting a locking plate to the cover body such that the locking plate is biased in a locked position and slidable with respect to the cover body; and forming a locking mechanism at least partially in the grip, the locking mechanism being rotatable from a locked position keeping the locking plate in the locked position to an open position allowing the locking plate to be slid to an open position.

Optionally, the step of forming a locking mechanism at least partially in the grip comprises positioning a rotating locking tube of the locking mechanism at least partially inside the grip such that it is rotatable with respect to the grip and extends out of the grip to a position adjacent to a part of the locking plate; and positioning a ferromagnetic rod in the rotating locking tube such that the ferromagnetic rod is positioned in the part of the rotating locking tube inside the grip; wherein the rotating locking tube comprises an interruption to allow movement of the locking plate to an open position when the rotating locking tube is rotated to an open position. All or some parts can be made of plastic, for example, through injection moulding and/or machining. Such a method provides a simple yet effective way of forming a locking cover for a feeder unit, allowing for securing the contents inside the feeder unit.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises connecting the locking cover to a feeder unit chamber such that the locking cover can rotate between open and closed positions. This allows for access to the feeder unit chamber (e.g., for refilling or inspecting medicines) for those who have the key to unlock the locking mechanism, but secures against access for those that do not have the key. The rotating hinge provides a simple way of opening the cover while still keeping the cover and feeder unit connected.

According to a further aspect, a method of unlocking a locking cover rotatably connected to an open end of a feeder unit chamber comprises fitting first and second arms of a key around a grip of the locking cover, each of the first and second arms comprising a magnet; rotating the key around the grip to rotate a locking mechanism inside the locking cover, the locking mechanism comprising an interrupted rotatable tube with a ferromagnetic 5 rod extending across an inside diameter of the interrupted tube, wherein the magnets on the first and second arms of the key move ends of the ferromagnetic rod in the rotating motion to rotate the interrupted rotatable tube from a locked position to an open position where the interruption aligns with a lock pin from a locking plate; sliding the locking plate to an open position where the lock pin moves through the interruption in the interrupted rotatable tube; and rotating the cover around a hinge to an open position. Such a method provides a simple way to unlock and access the contents of a locked feeder unit with most components of the lock inside the locking cover thereby protecting the components and making efficient use of space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A is schematic view of a dispensing device;

Figure 1B is a top view of the dispensing device of Fig. 1A;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a feeder unit;

Figure 3A is a perspective top view of a locking cover;

Figure 3B is a perspective bottom view of the locking cover of Fig. 3A;

Figure 3C is an exploded view of the locking cover of Fig. 3A

Figures 4 A-4G show schematic cross-sectional and top views of a feeder unit with a locking cover in the steps of unlocking the cover with a key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1A is schematic view of a dispensing device 1; and Figure 1B is a top view of dispensing device 1. Dispensing device 1 accommodates a series of medication dispensing containers for selectively dispensing an amount of said solid medications from one or more medication dispensing containers and for packing said dispensed amount embodiment of the invention. The system 1 accommodates a series of dispensing containers or feeder units 2, 21 arranged for selectively discharging an amount of solid medications, such as pills, tablets or capsules, from one or more feeder units 2, 21 for packing. Said system 1 comprises a holding device 3 provided with an array of container positions 31 (see figure 2) arranged adjacently in a plane P, a collection frame 4 arranged below the holding device 3 comprising a series of collection trays 41, 41' for capturing discharged solid medications from said feeder units 2, 6

21 and each collection tray 41 comprises an output 42, and a packing unit 5 arranged below the collection frame 4 for collecting the captured solid medications from the output opening 42 of a tray 41 and packing said solid medications.

The holding device 3 in this example is provided with a holder at each of said array of container positions 31 for holding one of said feeder units 2, 21. In addition, the holding device 3, and in particular the table, is provided with through openings 32 for passing discharged solid medications there through. As schematically indicated in figure 2, each feeder unit position 31 is provided with a corresponding through opening 32. Figure IA is a schematic cross section along the line I-I of figure 1B.

IO Below the holding device 3, a collection frame 4 is arranged. The collection frame 4 and the holding device 3 are movable with respect to each other. In this example, the holding device 3 is arranged for substantially stationary holding of the series of feeder units 2, 21. In particular, the feeder units 2, 21 are arranged stationary in the device 1, and the collection frame 4 is moved underneath these stationary feeder units 2, 21. The collection frame 4 is rotatable around a rotation axis R, wherein the rotation axis R extends substantially perpendicular to said plane P. The rotation of the collection frame 4 is driven by a motor 43.

The collection frame 4 is provided with a series of collection trays 41, 41, also denoted as collection hoppers, which are arranged around the rotation axis R. Said trays 41, 41' have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to said plane P and over a length of a plurality of said through openings 32. Each one of said trays 41 comprises a receiving opening 44 at a side facing said holding device 3 for capturing said discharged solid medications. The trays 41 are substantially open at the upper side thereof, which open upper side defines the receiving opening 44 of the tray. As shown in figure 1, the open upper side extends substantially parallel to said plane P. The longitudinal direction of said trays 41 is arranged substantially radially with respect to said rotation axis R. By rotating the collection frame 4, the collection trays 41, 41' move underneath the holding device 3 and the series of feeder units 2, 21 arranged at the container positions 31 thereof. Each one of said collection trays 41, 41' can capture and accumulate one or more of the solid medications which are selectively discharged from one or more feeder units 2, 21 arranged in a substantially circular path above said collection trays 41, 41' as shown in figure 2.

As shown in figure 1, said trays 41, 41' extend from a position near the rotation axis R to an edge 33 of said holding device 3. Each one of the collection trays 41, 41' is able to collect one 7 or more of the solid medications from substantially any one or from any combination of the feeder units 2, 21 which are arranged in said circular area T. As shown in figure 1, each one of said trays 41, 41' comprises a bottom surface 45 which is arranged to slope down to said output 42. Said output 42 is provided with a closing member which is movable into a first position for closing the output 42 and movable into a second position for allowing said solid medications to move out of the tray 41, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Below the collection frame 4, a packing unit 5 is arranged for collecting the captured solid medications from the output 42 of a tray 41 and packing said solid medications. The packing unit 5 is arranged at a stationary position in the system 1, underneath the movable collection trays 41. When the output opening 42 of the tray 41 aligns with the stationary position of the packing unit 5, the closing member is moved to the second position which allows the solid medications in the tray 41 to move through the output opening 42 into the packing unit 5. The packing unit 5 is arranged for packing the solid medications from each one of said trays 41, preferably in individual pockets of a foil 59.

The system | may also comprise a supply member 71 for supplying one or more new and/or full feeder units 24 to the system 1, and a manipulator system 6 to transport at least one of said new and/or full feeder units 24 from the supply member 71 onto one of said container positions 31 on the holding device 3. In addition, a discharge member 72 may be provided for removing one or more feeder units 25, in particular empty dispensing containers, from the holding device 3.

The manipulator 6 comprises a robotic arm 61, 62, which is arranged on said holding device 3. As shown in figure 1, the robotic arm 6 is arranged on said holding device 3 at or near the rotation axis R of the collection frame 4. By arranging the robotic arm 61, 62 centrally on the holding device 3, a gripper 63 for picking up one or more dispensing containers is arranged to reach at least each one of the container positions 31 on the holding device 3, and preferably also the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72.

The control system 8 provides control commands to the system 1, in particular to the output 42 of the trays 41, to the motor 43, to the packing unit 5, to the manipulator 6 and/or to the supply member 71 and the discharge member 72 as schematically shown in figure 1. In addition the control system 8 directly or indirectly provides control commands to the feeder units 2, 21, to discharge a prescribed amount of medicament from one or more of said feeder units 2, 21, into a particular collection tray 41. The control system 8 selects the specific 8 dispensing feeder unit 2, 21 in accordance with the prescribed type of medicament, by using the information stored in a memory of said control system 8.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of a feeder unit 2. The feeder unit 2 comprises a supply chamber 101 with a lid or cover 102 on top. The cover 102 is connected to the supply chamber 101 by means of a hinge 103. Thus the cover 102 can swing around the hinge 103 for opening the top of the feeder unit 2 to gain access to a filling opening at the top of the container, for refilling the supply chamber 101. In the closed position as shown in figure 2, the cover 102 substantially closes the filling opening. The cover 102 is securable and/or lockable in the closed position by means of a locking cover 102 which will be described in detail in relation to Figures 3 A-4G.

A grip 105 is provided on top of the feeder unit 2. In the example as shown in figure 2, the grip 105 is connected to or is a part of the cover 102 via a grip neck 106. The grip 105 is roughly shaped as a W as shown in the top view of figure 6. The shape comprises a bilateral symmetry in the sagittal plane, which is a plane is defined by the central axis h of the feeder unit 2 and a line of symmetry P of the grip 105. As shown in the top view of figure 6 the grip 105 comprises three recesses 107, 108, 108'. A first recess 107, arranged at a bottom of the

W- shape, which recess 107 is dissected by the line of symmetry P, and two further recesses 108, 108', arranged at a top of the W-shape, which recesses 108, 108' are mirror symmetrically arranged with respect to the line of symmetry P and at a distance from the line of symmetry P. This allows the grip 105 to be seized manually, using three fingers, or by a robot arm 63 having three gripping fingers. This shape of the grip 105 provides a univocal orientation of the medical dispensing feeder unit 2 when seized by hand or by a robot arm 63; the feeder unit 2 can be picked up in only one way and can be positioned on a feeder unit position 31 on the holding device 3 in the correct orientation.

In some embodiments, the grip 105 can comprise a display chamber for holding a sample of the solid medication with which the supply chamber 101 is filled, or is to be filled. Since the display chamber would be provided with a substantially transparent wall at a side facing the outside of the grip 105, the display chamber and its content would be visible from the outside of the feeder unit 2.

The medication dispensing feeder unit 2 comprises a dispensing mechanism 200. In this example the dispensing mechanism 200 is arranged below the supply chamber 101. The dispensing mechanism 200 comprises an arranging body 201 with a plurality of passageways 9

202, each of which is arranged for accommodating two or more of said solid medication 203 in a single row. The arranging body 201 comprises a conical top surface 204 for guiding the medication 203 in the supply chamber 101 towards the passageways 202 which are arranged at the circumference of the arranging body 201. In the embodiment shown, the arranging body 201 comprises a central axis which substantially coincides with the central axis h of the feeder unit 2.

Below the arranging body 201, a first wall member 205 is arranged which comprises an output opening. The first wall member is fixed inside the medication dispensing container, thus is stationary in the medication dispensing container, and the arranging body 201 is rotatable around this central axis in order to subsequently align one of said plurality of passageways 202 with said output opening 206.

Above the output opening a separating member is arranged, which separating member can comprise a plate or a brush which extends out into at least one of said passageways 202 which is aligned with the output opening. The distance between the separating member and the first wall member 205 is substantially equal to the length 1 of a single solid medication when arranged in said passageways 202.

When a first passageway 202 arrives above the output opening, a first solid medication 203' which is arranged and adjacent to the first wall member 205 will drop through the output opening, whereas the solid mediations 203 arranged above the first solid medication 203 are essentially held in their position by the separating member 207. Thus only one solid medication 203 will fall through said output opening. Subsequently, the arranging body 201 is rotated to a position where the first passageway 202 is free from the separating member, and the solid medications 203 can now move downwards in the first passageway 202 to arrange a next solid medication adjacent to the first wall member 205.

Below said first wall member 205, a storage body 208 is arranged. Said storage body 208 comprises a plurality of waiting chambers 209. Each waiting chamber 209 is arranged for receiving and accommodating the solid medication 203 from one passageway 202, when said passageway 202, said output opening and said waiting chamber 209 are aligned. In the embodiment shown, the storage body 208 comprises a central axis which substantially coincides with the central axis h of the feeder unit 2. In addition the storage body 208 is rotatable around this central axis in order to subsequently align one of said plurality of waiting chambers 209 with said output opening. 10

As schematically indicated in figure 2, the cross-sectional area Al of the passageways 202 in a plane substantially parallel to the first wall member 205, 1s smaller than the cross-sectional area A2 of the waiting chambers 209.

Below the storage body 208, a second wall member 210 is arranged, which second wall member 210 is provided with an outlet opening 21 1' for dispensing a medicament 203 out of the medication dispensing feeder unit 2. The second wall member 210 is fixed in the medication dispensing feeder unit 2, thus is stationary in the medication dispensing container, and the storage body 208 is rotatable with respect to the second wall member 210 in order to subsequently align on of said plurality of waiting chambers 209 with said outlet opening 211".

The outlet opening 211’ is arranged out of alignment with the output opening 206, for example, the outlet opening 211 is shifted with respect to the output opening 206 over a distance such that a medicament 203 which falls in a waiting chamber 209 is detained inside said waiting chamber 209 and thus is not immediately dispensed out of the feeder unit 2. In order to dispense a medicament out of said waiting chamber 209, the storage body 208 must be rotated in order to align said waiting chamber 209 comprising said medicament with the outlet opening 211°.

As schematically indicated in the example of figure 2, the outlet opening 211' is smaller than the cross-sectional area A2 of the waiting chambers 209. Alternatively, the outlet opening 211 could be substantially of equal size with respect to the size of the waiting chambers 209, atleast in a plane substantially parallel to the second wall member 210.

Figure 3A is a perspective top view of a locking cover 102 for a feeder unit 2; and Figure 3B is a perspective bottom view of the locking cover 102; and Figure 3C is an exploded view of the locking cover 102. Locking cover 102 includes cover body 104, locking plate 112, chamber piece 109 and grip 105 with grip neck 106.

Chamber piece 109 fits between locking plate 112 and cover body 104 to form a chamber for containing a drying substance, where the drying substance chamber is separated from the inside of the supply chamber 101 (see Fig. 2) by a grid 111. The grid 111 is arranged in cover locking plate 112 and provides a fluid communication between the drying substance chamber and the inside of the supply chamber 101. In this example, the drying substance chamber is arranged between the cover body 104 and locking plate 112, with chamber piece 109 helping to form a cavity that is partially open at a side facing the inside of the supply chamber 101 through holes or grid. At least in the closed position of the cover 102, the grid 111 allows for 11 fluid communication between the drying substance chamber and the inside of the supply chamber 101. To gain access to the drying substance chamber, the two limiters 115, 1116 can be pressed. Subsequently the cover locking plate 112 is pushed further against the loaded spring 114, and is moved out of the cover body 104 by pushing the arm 113 through a hole 117 in the cover 102.

The cover locking plate 112 is arranged to hold or lock the cover 102 in the closed position as shown in figure 2, and to prevent the cover 112 from opening when the medication dispensing feeder unit 2 is lifted, for example by robot arm 63 grabbing grip 105 for moving feeder unit 2. The holding (without lock) can be simply through spring 114 biasing locking plate 112 into the position shown in Figures 3A-3B, and catches 118 cooperating with a recess and/or lip 119 located on an inside wall of feeder unit supply chamber 101. These catches 118 can be moved out of cooperation with the recess/lip 119 in the supply chamber 101 by pressing arm 113 towards grip 105, sliding locking plate 112 in that direction and allowing cover 102 to open through rotation around hinge 103. The sliding movement of the spring 114 loaded locking plate 112 is limited by two limiters 115, 116.

The cover 102 can also be locked in a closed position such that a key 120 is needed to allow for the sliding and opening movement described above. This is useful, for example, when medication has been counted and access to the supply chamber 101 should thereafter be limited and/or strictly controlled. Thus, the simple latch holding mechanism can be supplemented with a locking system in which the sliding plate 112 can only be slid into a position allowing for opening of the cover 102 and access to the supply chamber 101 upon use of a key. Locking mechanism and the way it works are depicted schematically in Figures 4A-4G.

Locking mechanism is formed of a rotating locking tube 123 with interruption 124, locking pin 125, ferromagnetic rod 126 and return spring 129. Ferromagnetic rod 126 is secured to rotating locking tube 123, extending across the inside diameter of rotating locking tube 123 such that movement or rotation of the ferromagnetic rod 126 moves or rotates locking tube 123 and vice versa. Return spring 129 connects to locking tube 123 and/or ferromagnetic rod 126 to bias locking tube 123 in a locked position (though in some embodiments, the biased could be toward the unlocked position). Locking pin 125 is connected to and moves with locking plate 112. Locking pin 125 can be integrally formed with locking plate 112 or could be separate and connected together. 12

Key 120 includes a handle 121 and arms 122 extending from handle 121 and sized to fit around grip neck 106. Each arm 122 includes a magnet 127 on an inward facing side of the arm 122.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of locking cover 102 connected to a supply chamber 101, and in a locked position. Locking plate 112 is biased by spring 114 such that catches 118 catch on lip 119 and do not allow cover 102 to rotate open when upward force is put on grip 105. Locking tube 123 is biased by spring 129 into a locked positioned such that locking pin 125 of locking plate 112 is inside locking tube 123 and therefore does not allow for sliding movement of locking plate 112 into an open position (i.e., in the direction of spring 114 to allow catches 118 to disengage from lip 119 and therefore allow rotation around hinge 103).

To unlock cover from feeder unit 2, key 120 moved into position around grip neck 106, as shown in Figures 4C-4D. Specifically, arms 122 with magnets 127 are positioned around grip neck 106 such that they come near the ends of ferromagnetic rod 126 in locking tube 123 as shown in Fig. 4D. Then key 120 is moved around grip neck 106 as indicated by arrows A.

The magnetic force between magnets 127 in key 120 and the ends of ferromagnetic rod 126 rotate ferromagnetic rod 126 and with it locking tube 123 to move it into the open position shown in Fig. 4D. Specifically, locking tube 123 is rotated such that locking pin 125 of locking plate 112 aligns with the interruption 124 in locking tube 123, allowing locking plate 112 to slide toward spring 114, thereby releasing catch 118 from lip 119. This movement of locking pin 125 at least partially out of locking tube 123 is shown in Fig. 4E-4F. As previously described, the movement can be from arm 113 being slid toward grip 105, thereby moving locking plate 112 (with locking pin 125 and catches 118) in that direction. Once catches 118 are clear of lip 119, locking cover 102 can be rotated around hinge 103, thereby allowing access to supply chamber 101 as shown in Fig. 4G.

To lock locking cover onto feeder unit 2, cover body 104 can simply be rotated back around hinge 3 to cover the top of supply chamber 101. Locking plate 112 can either be held in the open position by arm 113 during rotation for closing, or in some embodiments a beveled or sloped bottom edge on catch 118 (or other similar mechanism) can allow for movement back into the locked position without needing to hold or press on arm 113. When in position on chamber 101, locking plate 112 is biased away from spring 114, sliding into the position shown in Figure 4C with locking pin sliding back through interruption 124 into an inside of 13 rotating locking tube 123. When locking plate 112 is biased by spring 114 into the locked position where catches 118 are in cooperation with lip 119, locking pin 125 is inside locking tube 123, and when key 120 is removed from around grip neck 106, spring 129 rotates locking tube 123 back into the locked position shown in Figures 4A-4B. This position prevents movement of locking plate 112 towards spring 114 into an unlocked position.

Thus, locking cover 102 provides a simple yet effective way to ensure that access to the interior of the supply chamber 101 (and therefore the medicaments inside) is controlled. The rotating locking tube 123 with interruption 124 and ferromagnetic rod 125 cooperate with a locking pin 125 on the locking plate 112 to only allow movement of the locking plate 112 into an open position through the use of key 120. Key 120 with arms 122 with magnets 127 provide a straightforward way to rotate the locking tube 123 thereby allowing for movement of the locking plate 112 and therefore access to the interior chamber 101 of feeder unit 102.

Using such a simple and small key also allows for transfer of keys 120 to other persons and/or locations for unlocking as opposed to needing a machine for unlocking (as in some prior art systems), and therefore needing to take each feeder unit to a certain location for unlocking.

As discussed in the background, when filling feeder units 2 with costly and/or controlled substances, if filled in advance, prior art containers typically had to be placed in a secure storage location or locker until it was time for use. Such a solution did not enable individual locking or control. Locking cover 102 both allows for individual locking of feeder units 2 which have been filled, and secures the individual feeder units 2 from someone accessing the medicines within without the need for additional storage locations and/or lockers.

Loeking cover 102 lockingly secures access to feeder unit 2 with a simple mechanical locking mechanism inside locking cover, preventing access to the medicines inside to anyone that does not have the key 120. This prevention is without the need for additional locks or other mechanisms outside the feeder unit 2, thereby maintaining the normal outer profile of the feeder unit for normal interaction with the overall system shown in Figures 1A-1B. Such a locking cover 102 could also be easily added to existing feeder units, replacing non-locking covers as it has the same overall outer profile as previous covers.

The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of 14 some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims l. A locking cover for a feeder unit, the locking cover comprising: a cover body (104) and a handle (105), the cover body arranged to substantially cover an open end of the feeder unit (2); a locking plate (112) connected to the cover body and biased in a locked position; and a locking mechanism comprising a rotating locking tube (123) rotatable from a locked position to an open position that allows the locking plate (112) to slide to an open position.

The locking cover of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a rotating locking tube (123) extending at least partially into the handle (105) from a position adjacent a portion of the locking plate (112); and a ferromagnetic state (126) extending across the rotating locking tube (123) into the portion of the rotating locking tube within the handle (105); wherein the rotating locking tube (123) includes a break (124) to allow movement of the locking plate (112) to an open position when the rotating locking tube (123) is rotated to an open position.

The locking cover of claim 2, wherein the locking plate (112) includes a locking pin (125) that is engaged with the rotating locking tube (123) when in a locked position; and wherein, when the rotating locking tube (123) is rotated to an open position, the locking pin (125) is adapted to slide through the interruption (124) so that the locking plate (112) moves to an open position.

4. A locking cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle (105) comprises a handle neck (106) and the locking mechanism is located at least partially within the handle neck (106).

5. A locking cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking mechanism is biased into a locked position.

6. A locking cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking plate comprises: a latch (118) engaging the feeder unit in a locked position to prevent movement of the locking cover (102) to an open position; and an arm (113) extending from the locking plate (112) to slide the locking plate into the open position when the locking mechanism is in the open position, thereby disengaging the latch (118) from the feeder unit.

7. A locking cover according to any one of claims 2 to 6, and further comprising: a key (120) for unlocking the locking mechanism.

The locking cover of claim 7, wherein the key comprises: a handle (121); a first arm (122) comprising a first magnet (127) extending from the handle (121); and a second arm (122) comprising a second magnet (127) extending from the handle (121); the first and second arms (122) extending from the handle (121) with a gap between the arms sized to fit around at least a portion of the handle (105) such that the first and second magnets (127) are proximate ends of the ferromagnetic bar (126) in the handle (105).

9. A locking cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover (102) is rotatable about a hinge (103) between the cover body (104) and the chamber of the feed unit (101) to open the cover when the locking plate (112) is moved to an open position.

10. Feed unit (2) with a locking cover (102) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A dosing apparatus (1) comprising: a holding device (3) provided with a series of feed units disposed side by side in a plane, the holding device on each of said series of feed units being provided with a feed unit (2) according to claim 10 having a passage opening for passing dispensed solid medicine therethrough, a collecting frame (4) disposed below the holding device, the collecting frame and the holding device being movable relative to each other, the collecting frame being provided with a series of collection trays (41, 41'), the collection trays having an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction parallel to said plane and over a length of at least two of said passage openings, the collection trays each having a receiving opening on a side facing the holding device for receiving the dispensed solid medicine and each having an outlet, a packaging unit (5) for collecting the collected solid medicine from the outlet of a tray and packaging said solid medicine, and a controller (8) for controlling the operation of the system and the feed units on the holding device (3).

12. A method of forming a latch cover (102) for a feeder, the method comprising: forming a cover body (104) to cooperate with an open end of the feeder chamber and a handle (105) extending from the cover body (104); connecting a latch plate (112) to the cover body (104) such that the latch plate is biased in a latched position and slidable relative to the cover body (104); and forming a latch mechanism at least partially in the handle (105), the latch mechanism being rotatable from a latched position with the latch plate (112) remaining in the latched position to an open position with the latch plate slidable into an open position.

The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forming a locking mechanism at least partially within the handle (105) comprises: positioning a rotating locking tube (123) of the locking mechanism at least partially within the handle (105) such that it is rotatable relative to the handle (105) and extends from the handle (105) to a position adjacent a portion (125) of the locking plate (112); and positioning a ferromagnetic rod (126) within the rotating locking tube (123) such that the ferromagnetic rod (126) is located within the portion of the rotating locking tube (123) within the handle (105); wherein the rotating locking tube (123) includes an interruption (124) to allow movement of the locking plate (112) to an open position when the rotating locking tube is rotated to an open position.

A method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, and further comprising connecting the locking cover (102) to the chamber of the feed unit (101) such that the locking cover (102) can rotate between open and closed positions.

15. A method of unlocking a locking cover rotatably connected to an open end of a chamber of a feed unit (101), the method comprising: applying first and second arms (122) of a key (120) about a handle (105) of the locking cover, each of the first and second arms (122) comprising a magnet (127); rotating the key (120) about the handle (105) to rotate a locking mechanism within the locking cover (102), the locking mechanism comprising an interrupted rotatable tube (123) having a ferromagnetic rod (126) extending across an inner diameter of the interrupted tube (123), the magnets (127) on the first and second arms (122) of the key (120) moving the ends of the ferromagnetic rod (126) in the rotating motion to rotate the interrupted rotatable tube (123) from a locked position to an open position with the interruption aligned with a detent pin (125) of a locking plate (112); sliding the locking plate (112) to an open position with the detent pin (125) moving through the interruption (124) in the interrupted rotatable tube (124); and rotate the lid (102) around a hinge (103) to an open position. -0-0-0-0-0-