An automated vial feed system for an automated prescription filling system. The system has a plurality of sensors located above a vial distribution table for controlling the pace of vial delivery to the table. The sensors determine the load of vials on the table and a control system uses the information as feedback to the vial delivery system.

An automated method and system for distributing vials to downstream locations in an automated pharmacy. More specifically, the present invention is a conveyor table having two U-shaped configurations for moving vials in a loop until the vials enter an open outbound lane. A barrier portion on the table guides vials from the conveyor table on an outbound lane for transport to a downstream location, such as a packing station. The outbound lane is operationally connected to a lane of stations, and the system is adapted to guide the vials to the first station that is open.

The invention relates to a buffer device comprising a container feed device, a buffer which is arranged downstream of the container feed device, and a container discharge device which is arranged downstream of the buffer. In order to feed containers to the buffer, the container feed device is designed to transport containers in a first direction by means of first conveyor belts. The buffer comprises a drivable buffer belt or multiple drivable buffer belts which are parallel to one another and each of which is designed to transport containers in a second direction, said second direction running transversely to the first direction. The container discharge device is designed to discharge and separate containers from the buffer in the first direction or in a third direction which is opposite the first direction.

A product conveying and accumulation system utilizes multiple moving conveyors, including a first conveyor which transports product from an upstream location. A second accumulator conveyor, curvilinear in configuration, traveling at substantially the same or similar speed or a designated variable speed as the first conveyor, is aligned in the same plane as, is adjacent to, and may mate with the first conveyor at a predetermined location for contiguous movement in the same direction as the first conveyor at this predetermined location. A third accumulator conveyor is located within the curvilinear conveyor and substantially within the same transverse plane as the first and second conveyors. The presence of this third accumulator component into the conveyor system permits additional products to accumulate and circulate on and then ultimately be discharged from the conveyor system.