초록 ▼

A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and

A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and the dispenser modules therein are configured to provide security against unauthorized access thereto. However an authorized user is enabled to readily access the dispenser modules and the medical items therein by unlocking a lock (22), opening a door (16) and extending the dispenser modules through an opening (18). With the dispenser modules in the extended position the medical items therein may be replenished. Alternatively, the dispenser modules may be disconnected from the dispenser and replaced with substitute dispenser modules.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method performed in connection with a dispenser, the dispenser including a dispenser module movably mounted in supporting connection with an enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder enabling holding of medical items, wherein the dispenser module includes a dispenser mechanism,

1. A method performed in connection with a dispenser, the dispenser including a dispenser module movably mounted in supporting connection with an enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder enabling holding of medical items, wherein the dispenser module includes a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder, and wherein the dispenser module includes a helix rotating mechanism, the method comprising:(a) moving the dispenser module, while mounted, from a first position, wherein the dispenser module is within the enclosure, to a second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (b) adding or removing at least one medical item from the holder while the holder extends outside the enclosure; (c) moving the dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the enclosure; and prior to step (b) further comprising: (d) engaging a helix with the helix rotating mechanism, wherein the holder includes the helix; (e) engaging a holder guide in operative connection with the dispenser module, wherein a first portion of the holder guide is extended in an inside area within the helix and a second portion of the holder guide extends in an exterior area outside of the helix. 2. A method performed in connection with a dispenser, the dispenser including a dispenser module movably mounted in supporting connection with an enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder enabling holding of medical items, wherein the dispenser module includes a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder, wherein the holder includes a rotatable helix, wherein the helix includes an inside area bounded by the helix, the method comprising:(a) moving the dispenser module, while mounted, from a first position, wherein the dispenser module is within the enclosure, to a second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (b) adding or removing at least one medical item from the holder while the holder extends outside the enclosure; (c) moving the dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the enclosure; and prior to step (c) further comprising the step of: extending a limiting member in the inside area of the helix, wherein the limiting member is operative to prevent a medical item from passing through the inside area of the helix absent rotation of the helix. 3. A method performed in connection with a dispenser, the dispenser including a dispenser module movably mounted in supporting connection with an enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder enabling holding of medical items, wherein the dispenser module further includes a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder, the method comprising:(a) moving the dispenser module, while mounted, from a first position, wherein the dispenser module is within the enclosure, to a second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (b) adding or removing at least one medical item from the holder while the holder extends outside the enclosure, including providing the holder with a plurality of medical items arranged in a stack, wherein in the first position the medical items are biased to move by gravitational force; and providing a follower in engagement with the stack, wherein in the first position the follower provides additional biasing force on the stack; and (c) moving the dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the enclosure. 4. A method performed in connection with a dispenser, the dispenser including a dispenser module movably mounted in supporting connection with an enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder enabling holding of medical items, wherein the dispenser module further includes a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder, the method comprising:(a) moving the dispenser module, while mounted, from a first position, wherein the dispenser module is within the enclosure, to a second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (b) while the holder extends outside the enclosure, adding a plurality of medical items to the holder arranged in aligned side by side relation in a stack, wherein in the first position the medical items are biased to move by gravitational force towards a dispense location; providing a movably positionable guide extending adjacent the stack; and providing a generally cylindrical rotatably movable follower, including at least one annular groove, in operative engagement with the stack, wherein in the first position the follower provides additional biasing force on the stack, and wherein the guide extends in the at least one annular groove during rotational movement of the follower towards the dispense location; and (c) moving the dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the enclosure. 5. A method performed in connection with a medical item dispenser apparatus including:an enclosure, wherein the enclosure bounds an interior area, and wherein the enclosure includes an opening to the interior area; a door in operative connection with the enclosure, wherein the door is movable between a closed position wherein the door closes the opening, and an open position wherein the door is disposed away from the opening; a path extending in the enclosure, wherein the path is in connection with a delivery area, whereby dispensed medical items are accessible to a user in the delivery area; a dispenser module, wherein the dispenser module includes a helix rotating mechanism, wherein the dispenser module is movably mounted in supporting connection with the enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder, wherein the holder enables holding the medical items therein, and a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder at a dispense location, and wherein the module is movable while mounted in supporting connection with the enclosure between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the module is within the enclosure and the dispense location is positioned adjacent the path, and wherein when the door is in the open position the dispenser module is movable to the second position, wherein in the second position the module extends through the opening and the holder is manually accessible, whereby the medical items may be added or removed therefrom; the method comprising: (a) moving the door from the closed position to the open position; (b) moving the mounted dispenser module from the first position to the second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (c) adding or removing at least one medical item from the holder while the holder extends outside the enclosure; (d) moving the mounted dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the interior area; (e) closing the door; and prior to step (c) further comprising the steps of: (f) engaging a helix with the helix rotating mechanism, wherein the holder includes the helix; (g) engaging a holder guide in operative connection with the dispenser module, wherein a first portion of the holder guide is extended in an inside area within the helix and a second portion of the holder guide extends in an exterior area outside of the helix. 6. A method performed in connection with a medical item dispenser apparatus including:an enclosure, wherein the enclosure bounds an interior area, and wherein the enclosure includes an opening to the interior area; a door in operative connection with the enclosure, wherein the door is movable between a closed position wherein the door closes the opening, and an open position wherein the door is disposed away from the opening; a path extending in the enclosure, wherein the path is in connection with a delivery area, whereby dispensed medical items are accessible to a user in the delivery area; a dispenser module, wherein the dispenser module is movably mounted in supporting connection with the enclosure, wherein the dispenser module includes a holder, wherein the holder enables holding the medical items therein, wherein the holder includes a rotatable helix, wherein the helix includes an inside area bounded by the helix, and a dispenser mechanism, wherein the dispenser mechanism is selectively operable to dispense medical items from the holder at a dispense location, and wherein the module is movable while mounted in supporting connection with the enclosure between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the module is within the enclosure and the dispense location is positioned adjacent the path, and wherein when the door is in the open position the dispenser module is movable to the second position, wherein in the second position the module extends through the opening and the holder is manually accessible, whereby the medical items may be added or removed therefrom; the method comprising: (a) moving the door from the closed position to the open position; (b) moving the mounted dispenser module from the first position to the second position, wherein the holder extends outside the enclosure; (c) adding or removing at least one medical item from the holder while the holder extends outside the enclosure; (d) moving the mounted dispenser module from the second position to the first position wherein the holder is within the interior area; (e) closing the door; and prior to step (d) further comprising the step of: extending a limiting member in the inside area of the helix, wherein the limiting member is operative to prevent a medical item from passing through the inside area of the helix absent rotation of the helix.