Michael Alton Bergeron

US Patent:

6681149, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/233807

Inventors:

Jeffrey P. William - Dry Prong LA
Galina Potepalov - Pineville LA
Allan Dolores - Carrollton GA
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA

Assignee:

McKesson Automation Systems Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

700231, 700235, 221 2, 221 7

Abstract:

A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

US Patent:

6775589, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655226

Inventors:

Jeffrey P. William - Dry Prong LA
Galina Potepalov - Pineville LA
Allan Dolores - Carrollton GA
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA

Assignee:

Automated Prescriptions System, Inc. - Shreveport LA

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

700216, 700233, 700235, 221 2, 221 7

Abstract:

A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

US Patent:

7016766, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Jun 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/867142

Inventors:

Jeffrey P. William - Dry Prong LA, US
Galina Potepalov - Pineville LA, US
Allan Dolores - Carrollton GA, US
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA, US

Assignee:

McKesson Automated Prescription Systems, Inc. - Pineville LA

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00
G05B 19/04
G05B 19/18

US Classification:

700216, 700231, 700233, 700254

Abstract:

A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

US Patent:

7139639, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Jul 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/629887

Inventors:

Brian Broussard - Lafayette LA, US
Monroe Milton - Lecompte LA, US
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA, US
Steven J. Remis - Ford City PA, US
Joseph Popovich - McMurray PA, US

Assignee:

McKesson Automation Systems Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700225, 700231, 700240, 700244, 377 6, 221 2, 221 9

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The housing carries a plurality of movable blades defining an entry aperture proximate to the upper end, an exit aperture proximate to the lower end, and a chamber there between. An adapter may be provided for connection to the housing and for receiving an article storage container. The upper end of the housing carries a sensor responsive to the presence and absence of the article storage container. A memory device carries information about the presence and absence of the article storage container. An article determining and actuating station has electronics for interrogating the memory device, for controlling the plurality of blades and for determining the number of items dispensed. A receptacle collects articles that have been dispensed. Methods of associating a flow control device with an article storage container and of dispensing items are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7289879, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Mar 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/384648

Inventors:

Jeffrey P. William - Dry Prong LA, US
Galina Potepalov - Pineville LA, US
Allan Dolores - Carrollton GA, US
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA, US

Assignee:

Parata Systems, LLC - Morrisville NC

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700235, 700216, 700231, 700245, 221 2, 221 7, 221 10, 221 17, 221107

Abstract:

A pill dispensing system includes a shelving unit in array form that holds a number of bulk containers, each holding a bulk amount of a pill to be dispensed. A computer controlled robot removes a selected bulk container and places it on a counter that also dispenses pills. The robot has an arm with a free end portion that can grip a bulk container or a single pill bottle to be filled. The robot is computer controlled to retrieve an empty pill bottle, place it on a label printing and applying unit, then place it next to the counter/dispenser to receive the selected number of selected prescription pills, then place the filled, labeled bottle on a conveyor. In an alternate embodiment, pill bottles are dispensed from a dispenser that holds bottles on inclined plates and feeds them to a vertical dispensing channel. Gates prevent the flow of bottles from an inclined position until the plate above has been emptied.

US Patent:

7555362, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

May 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/442104

Inventors:

Brian Broussard - Lafayette LA, US
Monroe Milton - Lecompte LA, US
Michael Bergeron - Pineville LA, US
Joseph Popovich - McMurray PA, US
John Volkar - Amity PA, US

Assignee:

Parata Systems, LLC - Morrisville NC

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700244, 700231, 700232, 700237, 700240, 221 2, 221 9, 221 10, 221 12, 377 6

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The housing carries a plurality of movable blades defining an entry aperture proximate to the upper end, an exit aperture proximate to the lower end, and a chamber there between. An adapter may be provided for connection to the housing and for receiving an article storage container. The upper end of the housing carries a sensor responsive to the presence and absence of the article storage container. A memory device carries information about the presence and absence of the article storage container. An article determining and actuating station has electronics for interrogating the memory device, for controlling the plurality of blades and for determining the number of items dispensed. A receptacle collects articles that have been dispensed. Methods of associating a flow control device with an article storage container and of dispensing items are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7805216, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

Aug 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/844458

Inventors:

Paul Randall Shows - Pineville LA, US
Robert Parks - Pittsburgh PA, US
Ryan Kaintz - Pittsburgh PA, US
Eric Lamont Holmes - Pittsburgh PA, US
Matthew Goodworth - Pittsburgh PA, US
Stuart Morgan - West Chester PA, US
Matthew Stuart Beale - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael A. Bergeron - Pineville LA, US
Stan Jankowski - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Parata Systems, LLC - Durham NC

International Classification:

G07F 11/00

US Classification:

700231, 700241, 700242, 700243, 221 9, 221 2, 221 7, 221 13

Abstract:

A medicament dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, at least one controller, and a plurality of drawers each movably carried by the frame and each defining a plurality of dispensing cells. A plurality of removable dispensing devices is provided with each one carried by one of the dispensing cells. Each of the dispensing cells further comprises a motor for providing rotary motion to one of the removable dispensing devices in response to the controller, a sensor operating in conjunction with the controller for counting medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices, a chute for receiving medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices and a chute gate for controlling access to the chute. The cabinet may additionally comprise a chute gate release responsive to the controller for controlling the chute gate and a chute gate sensor connected to the controller and responsive to the position of the chute gate. The cabinet may be used in conjunction with a number of processes including dispensing, secure-pickup (insuring the person picking up the dispensed medicament is authorized to do so), back-end verification (verifying the identity of the person picking up the dispensed medicament), a process for removing a dispensing device from a drawer, and a process for inserting a dispensing device into a drawer.

US Patent:

8090471, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Sep 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/888935

Inventors:

Paul Randall Shows - Pineville LA, US
Robert Parks - Pittsburgh PA, US
Eric Lamont Holmes - Pittsburgh PA, US
Matthew Goodworth - Pittsburgh PA, US
Stuart Morgan - West Chester OH, US
Matthew Stuart Beale - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael A. Bergeron - Pineville LA, US
Stan Jankowski - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Parata Systems, LLC - Morrisville NC

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700237, 700232, 700236, 700242, 221 2, 221 9

Abstract:

A medicament dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, at least one controller, and a plurality of drawers each movably carried by the frame and each defining a plurality of dispensing cells. A plurality of removable dispensing devices is provided with each one carried by one of the dispensing cells. Each of the dispensing cells further comprises a motor for providing rotary motion to one of the removable dispensing devices in response to the controller, a sensor operating in conjunction with the controller for counting medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices, a chute for receiving medicament dispensed from one of the removable dispensing devices and a chute gate for controlling access to the chute. The cabinet may additionally comprise a chute gate release responsive to the controller for controlling the chute gate and a chute gate sensor connected to the controller and responsive to the position of the chute gate. The cabinet may be used in conjunction with a number of processes including dispensing, secure-pickup (insuring the person picking up the dispensed medicament is authorized to do so), back-end verification (verifying the identity of the person picking up the dispensed medicament), a process for removing a dispensing device from a drawer, and a process for inserting a dispensing device into a drawer.