#$%^&*AU2018247210A120200423.pdf#####TITLE Methods and apparatus for automatically filling dispensing containers ABSTRACT 5 An apparatus 20 is described that is specifically adapted for use with a dispensing container comprising a tray with one or more discrete cavities for receiving medication and a seal. The tray includes a machine-readable marker that encodes a unique identifier for the tray and the seal includes a pre-defined area for thermal printing. The apparatus 20 includes a reader 26 adapted to read the marker on the tray 10 and to obtain, from the marker, the unique identifier for the tray. The apparatus also includes a controller 22 adapted to receive patient-specific information 24 and to associate the patient-specific information with the unique identifier for the tray, and a medication dispenser 30 for automatically filling one or more cavities of the tray with medication with reference to the patient-specific information associated with the 15 unique identifier. A sealing unit 36 is adapted to automatically apply the seal to the tray. The apparatus includes a thermal print head 40 adapted to thermally print human-readable information on to the thermoprint ink patch before, during or after the seal has been applied to the tray. The thermally printed human-readable information is directly derived from at least some of the patient-specific information 20 associated with the unique identifier. (Figure 5)2 1/6 - --- -4 8 Figure 1
