Storage and delivery system for articles having different shapes and dimensions

p0001The present invention relates to a storage and distribution system of objects which can have different shapes and dimensions.

p0002It applies in particular, but not exclusively, to inventory management and distribution of drugs in pharmacies and hospital pharmacies.

p0003In this application, it specifically aims to:<ul><li>reduce the volume required for storage, including removing much of the passages allowing staff to access the stored drugs,</li><li>reduce the time needed to get the drug on the storage place and give it to the client,</li><li>reduce the staff needed for the distribution of drugs, and allowing the staff to remain in the presence of the drug of the recipient, which is particularly important in a pharmacy where the pharmacist or preparer is required to be absent from counter or the body of the pharmacy, </li><li>to remove any possibility of theft of drugs,</li><li>ensure a computerized inventory management with continuous monitoring of stock status and check with the state indicated in the records.</li></ul>

p0004These goals are particularly important in pharmacies where there is a trend in search of space to present high-margin products, particularly pharmaceutical products and, conversely, a reduction of space allocated to drugs.

p0005Hospital pharmacy, the goal is to allow management of drugs in real-time and lean, with the option to perform a preliminary storage of drugs, per unit time, for patients with treatment rooms, etc ... so as to prepare in advance the supply of care facilities and enable the delivery of real-time care units, possibly at night, during holidays weekends or holidays.

p0006In order to achieve these objectives, the invention provides a system for storing and distribution of objects using:<ul><li>a storage unit comprising a plurality of vertical cells serving as storage silos, in which objects, such as drugs, can be superimposed, these cells being open at the top part and each equipped in their lower part, a distribution system one by one remotely controllable,</li><li>a transfer unit which extends in a volume located below the storage unit and which comprises a carriage movable horizontally along two perpendicular axes so as to be placed under each of the storage cells, and in a transfer position , compared to a conveying device for conveying the objects to a recipient,</li><li>means for controlling the actuation of the distribution system associated with a cell when the carriage is placed below of this cell, so as to cause the fall of an object contained in said cell in said carriage,</li><li>means for transferring the object carried by the carriage or on the aforesaid conveying device when said carriage is in the transfer position, to close said device.</li></ul>

p0007The means for controlling the operation of distribution systems associated with the cells will be carried by the carriage, which may also include means for transferring objects in or on the carrier.

p0008Furthermore, the system according to the invention may comprise the loading of the cells, a feeder extending in a volume located above the storage unit and comprises a carriage movable horizontally so as to be able to place the -Dessus of each of the storage cells, this carriage comprising means for transferring the object transported by the carriage in a specific cell.

p0009Of course, the operation of the system according to the invention may be automated and may be maintained by computer. In this case, the objects to be stored and distributed may be provided with identification means, remotely detectable by means of drives coupled to the computer.

p0010A system embodiment according to the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <ul><li>Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a storage device and usable in the distribution system according to the invention;</li><li>Figures 2, 3, 4 are schematic perspective of different objects packaged for transfer by a pneumatic tube of rectangular section;</li><li>Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of a support element for packaging the objects;</li><li>Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cell serving as a silo storage means of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;</li><li>Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating the principle of a distributor "one by one" of objects of various shapes and dimensions, provided with the packaging of Figure 2;</li><li>Figure 9 is a schematic axial section of a bucket, of the conveying device of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;</li><li>Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular conduit of a pneumatic conveyor.</li></ul>

p0011In the example shown in Figure 1, the storage and dispensing apparatus 1 comprises a storage unit of parallelepiped shape, made for example of steel son.

p0012This storage unit comprises a plurality of. C storage cells₁₁-C_nm such as that shown in Figure 6 which includes two coaxial horizontal rectangular frames 2, 3 connected by vertical son 4 so as to define a parallelepiped elongated in the vertical direction, which is for receiving a plurality of overlapping objects, the all the cells being juxtaposed to form a mesh network.

p0013On the underside of the storage unit is disposed a transfer unit T₁ (Figure 1) that occupies a volume of flat horizontal section substantially equal to that of the storage unit. This transfer unit comprises a trolley CT₁, Provided with a bucket G₁ for receiving one by one the objects stored in the storage unit 1 and bring them to the O loading station₁O₂ one or more carriers TR₁TR₂.

p0014In this example, the TR carriers₁TR₂ consist of pneumatic circuits whose two tubular ducts arranged side by side are shown.

p0015As can be seen in Figure 10, these channels have a rectangular cross section with longitudinal grooves R₁ to R₄ which bulges are turned inward. These grooves R₁ to R₄ designed to limit friction of the objects transported on the pipe wall and prevent the occurrence of electrostatic charges. These ducts can be made by extrusion or plastic or metal.

p0016The CT trolley₁ (Figure 1) is movable in the horizontal plane according to two perpendicular axes parallel to the side edges of the unit 1, with a structure similar to that of a plotting XY stage involving two parallel lateral guide elements (rails GL₁GL₂) On which can move in translation GT a transverse guide member₁, Along which is guided trolley CT₁. Of course, the movements of the transverse element GT₁ and TB trolley₁ can be controlled by two motors controlled by a processor such that the bucket G₁ may be disposed below a given cell C_nm, Identified by an address.

p0017Each cell storage silo or C₁₁C_nm comprises, in its lower part, a distribution device for retaining a stack of objects and to release them one by one under the effect of a command.

p0018It turns out that when objects to store and distribute do not have the same shape and / or the same size, there arises a relatively complex problem to realize both storage cells, dispensing devices and transport pneumatic circuits, which may be suitable for all shapes and all sizes.

p0019The invention provides a particularly simple, inexpensive yet effective, this solution involving, as shown in Figures 2 to 5:<ul><li>a support made of a rigid material, for example cardboard S made from a rectangular strip, of width substantially equal to that of the cross section of the pneumatic conduit TR carriers₁TR₂, Said strip being folded about at least one transverse fold line PL₁ so as to obtain a substantially dihedral shape with a range P₁ F presents fastening means₁ of the object, while the other range P₂ constitutes a lid autoclave action that comes largely close off the pneumatic conduit and ensuring the propulsion of the support assembly S / object CH₁ CH₃ under the effect of a gas stream flowing in the conduit in the direction of the arrow FL.</li></ul>

p0020In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the object has a parallelepipedal shape and the fixing means F₁ consist of an adhesive layer being protected before use by a protective film.

p0021In the example shown in Figure 4, the object has a cylindrical shape. In this case, this object can be fixed on the beach P1 via a RA tape.

p0022In all these examples, the suppo rt S has an even shape. It comprises two PL parallel transverse fold lines₁, PL₂ defining more beaches P₁, P₂ an intermediate range P₃ which extends perpendicularly to the range P₁The beach P₂ coming back obliquely relative to the two ranges P₁, P₂In the direction of the object CH₁CH₂CH₃. This double fold which defines a dihedral shape truncated, provides a better adaptation to the shape of objects and a length reduction of the support / object. Moreover, it lends itself better to the superposition of objects within the storage cells C₁₁C_nm.

p0023Advantageously, the range P₁ may include means for identifying the object, for example a bar code on the front of the beach opposite the object and two holes D₁, D₂ used by the dispenser one at a time equipping each cell.

p0024As shown in Figures 7 and 8, this distributor involves an escapement mechanism comprising a VL vertical lever pivotable about a horizontal axis parallel to the side of the corresponding cell against which comes to bear the range P₁ of the support.

p0025This LV lever oscillates between two angular end of travel positions and has, at each of its ends, a pair of parallel pins B₁, B₂ substantially perpendicular to the lever LV, namely:<ul><li>a pair of upper pins B₁ intended to be engaged in the holes D₁, D₂ of the support S which have, for this purpose, the same spacer, </li><li>a pair of lower pins B₂ serving as a retractable stop, which serves to retain the support S sets / CH object₁ in the C cells₁₁C_nmAs shown in FIG 7.</li></ul>

p0026Using this distributor, the distribution of CH equipped with S mount their objects is as follows:

p0027Initially, bunk CH Objects in C cells₁₁C_nm are retained by the lower pin B₂ (Figure 7).

p0028When the user wishes to obtain one of these objects, it tells the system processor, for example through a screen / keyboard console, the identification of the object data. The processor causes actuation of the lower transfer unit so as to place the trolley CT₁ equipped with its G cup₁ as the cell containing the desired object. The processor then controls the activation of an AC actuator provided on the carriage which, by relying on an operating tab secured to the LA LV lever causes the tilting of the lever LV.

p0029During this changeover, the pair of pins B₁ engages in the bores of the penultimate carrier S-1 of the stack, before erasure total lower pins B₂ causing the fall of the last support S fitted with its object in the bucket G₁.

p0030AC actuator returns to its original position while the lever LV (spring loaded) performs a reverse by tilting in which:<ul><li>pins B₂ are arranged protruding in the cell C₁₁ to play their role to stop, </li><li>pins B₁ retract outside holes D₁, D₂ so as to release the penultimate carrier S-1 which then falls is retained on pins B₂ ; CT trolley₁ can then be moved for the transfer of the object to the access port O₁O₂ an air carrier TR₁TR₂.</li></ul>

p0031The transfer of the support S equipped with the CH object is obtained here by the fact that the bucket G₁ FD has a retractable base.

p0032Of course, once in the tubular conduit of the carrier TR₁ TR₂ (Which has a rectangular section of the same width as the support) ranges P₂ and P₃ play a role similar to that of a sliding piston seal with autoclave and ensure propulsion of the object to its destination, as a result of a pressure difference.

p0033The receiver holder can be optionally equipped with a user identification device that allows access to the received object if the user is authorized to receive it.

p0034Storing sets load-carriers in the storage unit can be performed automatically using a transfer unit T₂ (Figure 1) of the type described above, but located above the storage unit 1. The transfer unit T₂ also comprises a trolley CT₂ provided with a bucket G₂ for receiving the objects to be stored in the storage unit 1. The CT trolley₂ is movable along two perpendicular axes through a structure involving two parallel lateral guide elements (rails GL '₁GL '₂) On which can move in translation GT a transverse guide member₂ along which is guided trolley CT₂. Here also, the movements of the transverse element GT₂ and TB trolley₂ can be controlled by two respective motors controlled by the processor so that the cup may be arranged above a given cell C₁₁C_nm, Identified by its address.

p0035The G cup₂ then includes a retractable base controlled by an actuator carried by the trolley CT₂ so drop the support-object set in the above cell C₁₁C_nm.

p0036Of course, to perform the control and automated management of storage and transfer of objects, the processor will be designed to take into account information which may concern transactions (identity of the requester, time of application, time of execution of the request, time of receipt of the items) or defects (defect type, time of failure, time to return to service). This processor can be programmed to perform a dynamic inventory management and to automatically establish replenishment orders.

p0037Thanks to these features, the system according to the invention may, as part of Hospital Pharmacy, perform real-time management and lean.

p0038In this case, the air network will connect the pharmacy care facilities, and the storage unit may make a preliminary storage, per unit time, medications per patient per treatment room and type of drug. The supply of care facilities may be prepared in advance to allow the issuance of real-time care units. The use of batteries of storage units will allow to ensure accessibility of drugs during the holiday weekend or holidays.

p0039For example, the storage unit may occupy a total volume (+ furniture mechanisms) from 5 to 8 m³ for a relevant storage volume of 4.8 m³, The size then being: <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="2" colsep="1" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="78.75mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="78.75mm" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">width</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=",">1.6 m</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">length</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=",">2.5 m</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col1" align="left">height</entry><entry namest="col2" nameend="col2" align="char" char=",">1.5 m</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

p0040This storage unit is capable of storing 500 types of drugs and represents a storage capacity of 10 to 20 products of each type.

p0041When used in pharmacies, this system enables a significant release space, an equally important staff reduction, a significant time savings and reduced risk of errors.

p0042These factors provide a return on investment very attractive.