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Publication Number
US-9925123-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a secured cabinet and a storage system that provide selective access to medical products stored in compartmentalized drawer units. The system includes a drawer unit divided into at least a first compartment and a second compartment and a belt or a cover disposed above the compartments to restrict access to at least one of the compartments while allowing access to another compartment.
In the secured cabinet, a belt is moveably supported by a frame inside the drawer and includes a first opening that is moveable to align with either the first compartment or the second compartment. A plurality of restraining devices are coupled above the first and second compartments to hold items within the compartments while allowing free movement of the belt with respect to the drawer unit.
An electronic controller controls an actuator housed inside the drawer unit to move the belt or a cover so that an opening aligns with a selected compartment. The disclosed architecture includes user requests received via a user interface, controller communication with the actuator, and control of selective compartment access based on the requests, while maintaining item restraint and allowing the belt or cover to move relative to the drawer unit.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims. Across the independent claims, the principal inventive features are compartmentalized drawer architecture with selective alignment of an opening by a moveable belt or cover, an actuator with an electric motor housed inside the drawer unit, and controller-based operation driven by user requests or controller control of actuator movement.
Drawer unit compartmentalization with selective belt opening alignment controlled by an internal actuator
A drawer unit slidable within the drawer housing between an extended position and a retracted position, the drawer unit divided into at least a first compartment and a second compartment, with a belt having a first opening moveably supported by a frame and moveable to align the first opening with either the first compartment or the second compartment.
Restraining devices hold items while allowing belt movement
A plurality of restraining devices coupled to the interior of the drawer unit above the first and second compartments and configured to hold items within the first and second compartments and allow free movement of the belt with respect to the drawer unit.
Belt actuator housed inside the drawer unit with an electric motor
A belt actuator configured to move the belt, wherein the belt actuator is housed inside the drawer unit and wherein the belt actuator comprises an electric motor housed inside the drawer unit.
Electronic controller controls belt alignment
An electronic controller in communication with the belt actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the belt actuator to move the belt to align the first opening with either the first compartment or the second compartment.
Movable cover with selectable opening that restricts access to at least one compartment
A cover movably supported by a support structure disposed above the compartments of the drawer unit and having at least an opening formed therein, the cover being selectably moveable to align the opening with a compartment of the drawer unit to provide access to the plurality of compartments while restricting access to at least one of the plurality of compartments.
Cover actuator housed inside the drawer unit with an electric motor
A cover actuator coupled to the cover that moves the cover, wherein the cover actuator is housed inside the drawer unit and wherein the cover actuator comprises an electric motor housed inside the drawer unit.
User interface receives user requests and controller moves the cover based on user request
A user interface configured to receive user requests, and a controller in communication with the user interface and the cover actuator, wherein the controller is configured to control the cover actuator to move the cover based on the user request.
Overall, the independent claims cover secured storage systems where a compartmentalized drawer cooperates with a moveable belt or cover having an opening that is selectively aligned to control access, while restraining devices keep items within compartments and an actuator with an electric motor housed inside the drawer unit is controlled by an electronic controller, including control based on user requests for the cover-based storage system.
Stated Advantages
Provides access to selected compartments while restricting access to at least one compartment.
Holds items within compartments using restraining devices while allowing movement of the belt or cover.
Documented Applications
Securely storing items, including medical products, in a drawer unit with selectively accessible compartments.
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