Feeder Tube for Filling Containers with Pills

• US 20070007693A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aylacqco, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Aylward, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/317
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/12 by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/56 Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 37/08 by rotary feeders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/08 with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device B65H1/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A pill delivery and packing apparatus having a feeder tube for delivering pills is provided. The feeder tube has a helical delivery chute that extends between an inlet side and an exit side of the tube. The delivery chute has a helical inner contour and a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the pills. The helical delivery chute is configured such that each of the pills rotates while proceeding through the delivery chute, whereby such rotation of the pills prevents jamming of the pills in the delivery chute. Independently extendable pins are used to alternately block and open the delivery chute, thus providing an escapement mechanism for dispensing pills. The tube also has an outer surface defining a helical outer contour that guides a rotatable tray on which pills are disposed. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of forming a feeder tube for delivering pills and defining a delivery chute, the method comprising:

plasticizing a thermoplastic polymer;

depositing the polymer in successive layers to define the feeder tube and the delivery chute therein; and

solidifying the polymer.

2. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1, further comprising:

depositing a soluble material such that the soluble material supports at least a portion of the polymer; and

dissolving the soluble material subsequent to said solidifying step to thereby define a void in the feeder tube.

3. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 2 wherein said dissolving step comprises dissolving the soluble material with water.

4. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 2 wherein said dissolving step comprises dissolving the soluble material in at one least aperture of the tube to form a pin in each aperture as an integral part of the tube.

5. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said plasticizing, depositing, and solidifying steps comprise forming the feeder tube of nylon.

6. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said plasticizing, depositing, and solidifying steps comprise forming the feeder tube of a material that is impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said plasticizing, depositing, and solidifying steps comprise forming the feeder tube of one of the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyethylene.

8. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said plasticizing, depositing, and solidifying steps comprise heating, plasticizing, and depositing a continuous filament of a thermoplastic polymer in successive layers.

9. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said depositing and solidifying steps comprise forming the feeder tube adapted to deliver pills to a container, the tube having an inlet side, an exit side opposed to the inlet side, and a helical delivery chute defined by the feeder tube and extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute being configured to rotate pills delivered therethrough such that each of a plurality of pills successively delivered through the helical delivery chute will be oriented at successive rotational positions along the delivery chute so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute.

10. A method of forming a feeder tube according to claim 1 wherein said depositing and solidifying steps comprise forming the feeder tube having an inlet side, an exit side opposed to the inlet side, and a delivery chute defined by the feeder tube and extending between the inlet side and the exit side, the delivery chute defining one of the group consisting of a twisted linear shape and a helically exaggerated shape, and the delivery chute being configured to rotate each pill at least one revolution while the pill proceeds between the inlet and exit sides such that each of a plurality of pills successively disposed in the delivery chute is oriented at a successive rotational position along the delivery chute so as to prevent jamming of the pills in the delivery chute.