FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to package delivery systems, and more particularly to package delivery systems for delivering pharmaceutical containers.

BACKGROUND

Packages are used to deliver items to businesses and residences throughout the world. One such item frequently delivered in packages to consumers are pharmaceutical containers containing pharmaceuticals. Conventionally, these packages are delivered to businesses and residences using land based vehicles, such as trucks, but the development of aerial based delivery vehicles, such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), etc., has opened up other delivery methods.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a pharmaceutical package for carrying a pharmaceutical container comprises a first housing defining an interior and a first housing opening sized and shaped to allow the pharmaceutical container to pass into the interior. A second housing is in the first housing. The second housing defines a compartment and a second housing opening. The compartment is sized and shaped to receive and carry the pharmaceutical container. The second housing opening is in communication with the compartment and sized and shaped to allow the pharmaceutical container to pass into the compartment. A gas chamber is disposed between the first and second housings. The gas chamber is configured to hold gas in an inflated state of the gas chamber. A passage extends from the first housing to the second housing and defines a passageway extending between the first housing opening and the second housing opening to allow the pharmaceutical container to be positioned in the compartment of the second housing by moving the pharmaceutical container through the first housing opening, the passageway and the second housing opening. One or more supports are connected to and extend between the first housing and the second housing. The one or more supports secure and hold the second housing in the first housing.

In another aspect, a catcher for catching a package delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a chute extending from an upper end to a lower end and defining a passageway between the upper and lower ends. The passageway is configured to receive the package when the package is dropped by the unmanned aerial vehicle into the chute. An enclosure mount is coupled to the chute and is configured to mount to an enclosure to couple the catcher to the enclosure. A door is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to open and close the passageway. A door actuator is operatively coupled to the door to control the door to permit the package to pass the door. A controller is communicatively coupled to the door actuator and includes a communications port, a processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including processor executable instructions for controlling the operation of the processor. The instructions include instructions for selectively actuating the door actuator to permit the package to pass the door responsive to the controller receiving a signal from the unmanned aerial vehicle via the communications port.

In another aspect, a catcher for catching a package delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a base including at least two legs. A collector is connected to an upper end of the base and is configured to catch the package when the package is dropped by the unmanned aerial vehicle into the collector. A communications interface is configured to communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The communications interface includes a communications port configured to send and receive signals from the unmanned aerial vehicle, a processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including processor executable instructions for controlling the operation of the processor. The instructions include instructions for sending an identity of the catcher via the communications port to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

In another aspect, a catcher for catching a package delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a housing configured to mount to an enclosure to couple the catcher to the enclosure. A collector is movably coupled to the housing. The collector is movable between a collection position where the collector is configured to receive the package when the package is dropped by the unmanned aerial vehicle and a retracted position. A prime mover is operatively coupled to the collector to move the collector between the collection position and the retracted position. A controller is communicatively coupled to the prime mover and includes a communications port, a processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including processor executable instructions for controlling the operation of the processor. The instructions include instructions for selectively activating the prime mover to move the collector toward the collection position when the controller receives a signal from the unmanned aerial vehicle via the communications port.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.

