Method and System for High-Speed Tablet Counting and Dispensing

• US 20060237093A1
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Capsa Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Kirby Lester LLC (Capsa Solutions LLC)
• Inventors: Gershman, Vladimir, Geltser, Aleksandr
• Granted Patent: US 7,383,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/20 Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles other applications B65B65/08

Abstract

A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A method of dispensing tablets, comprising:

a) selecting a first number of tablets to be dispensed;

b) dispensing a second number of tablets which does not exceed the first number without individually counting the tablets during a period of time between after the selecting and before the dispensing; and

c) dispensing a third number of tablets which are individually counted after said selecting, wherein said second and third number of tablets together sum the first number of tablets to be dispensed.

26. A method of filling a tablet dispenser, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of chambers, each for storing a respective predetermined number of objects;

b) feeding tablets to a counter;

c) counting tablets at the counter;

d) directing tablets from the counter to one of the plurality of chambers; and

e) if an additional tablet is fed to the counter after counting and directing a sufficient number of objects to fill the one of the plurality of chambers with its respective predetermined number of objects, diverting the additional tablet to a storage location.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein:

said storage location is a chamber.

28. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

f) dispensing tablets from at least one the chambers and said storage location together into a common container.

29. A method of dispensing objects, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of chambers, each having a plurality of subchambers;

b) filling at least two subchambers of each chamber with a predetermined number of objects;

c) selecting a number of objects to be dispensed; and

d) actuating said plurality of chambers to empty at least one subchamber from each of a subset of said plurality of chambers, and at least two subchambers from at least one of said subset of plurality of chambers.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein:

the predetermined number of objects is different for each of the chambers.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein:

said selecting a number includes selecting a number which is at least twice the largest predetermined number of objects in one of the plurality of chambers.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein:

said selecting a number includes selecting a number which is at least twice the largest predetermined number of objects in any one of the plurality of chambers.